New Report: Is the Solution to Water Crises Hiding Right Under Our Feet?

31.03.2022

okean_voda — Foto-ilustracija: Unsplash (Anastasia Taioglou)

Groundwater accounts for 99 percent of all liquid freshwater on Earth. However, this natural resource is often poorly understood and consequently undervalued, mismanaged and even abused. According to the latest edition of the United Nations World Water Development Report published by UNESCO, the vast potential of groundwater, and the need to manage it sustainably, can no longer be overlooked.

UNESCO on behalf of UN-Water is launching the latest edition of the United Nations World Water Development Report, titled “Groundwater: Making the invisible visible” at the opening ceremony of the 9th World Water Forum in Dakar, Senegal. The authors call on States to commit themselves to developing adequate and effective groundwater management and governance policies in order to address current and future water crises throughout the globe. Groundwater presently provides half of the volume of water withdrawn for domestic use by the global population, including the drinking water for the vast majority of the rural population who do not get their water delivered to them via public or private supply systems, and around 25 percent of all water used for irrigation.

Globally, water use is projected to grow by roughly 1 percent per year over the next 30 years. Our overall dependence on groundwater is expected to rise as surface water availability becomes increasingly limited due to climate change.

“More and more water resources are being polluted, overexploited, and dried up by humans, sometimes with irreversible consequences. Making smarter use of the potential of still sparsely developed groundwater resources, and protecting them from pollution and overexploitation, is essential to meet the fundamental needs of an ever-increasing global population and to address the global climate and energy crises”, Audrey AzoulayDirector-General of UNESCO.

“Improving the way we use and manage groundwater is an urgent priority if we are to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. Decision-makers must begin to take full account of the vital ways in which groundwater can help ensure the resilience of human life and activities in a future where the climate is becoming increasingly unpredictable”, GilbertF. HoungboChair of UN-Water and President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).

Huge social, economic and environmental benefits and opportunities

The quality of groundwater is generally good, which means it can be used safely and affordably, without requiring advanced levels of treatment. Groundwater is often the most cost-effective way of providing a secure supply of water to rural villages.

Certain regions, such as Saharan Africa and the Middle East for example, hold substantial quantities of non-renewable groundwater supplies that can be extracted in order to maintain water security. However, consideration for future generations and for the economic, financial and environmental aspects of storage depletion should not be overlooked.

In Sub-Saharan Africa, the opportunities offered by the vast aquifers remain largely underexploited. Only 3 percent of farmland is equipped for irrigation, and only 5 percent of that area uses groundwater, compared to 59 percent and 57 percent respectively in North America and South Asia.

As the report points out, this low use is not due to a lack of renewable groundwater (which is often abundant), but rather by a lack of investments in infrastructure, institutions, trained professionals and knowledge of the resource. The development of groundwater could act as a catalyst for economic growth by increasing the extent of irrigated areas and therefore improving agricultural yields and crop diversity.

In terms of climate change adaptation, the capacity of aquifer systems to store seasonal or episodic surface water surpluses can be exploited to improve year-round freshwater availability, as aquifers incur substantially lower evaporative losses than surface reservoirs. For example, including groundwater storage and abstraction as part of urban water supply planning would add security and flexibility in cases of seasonal variation.

Unlocking groundwater’s full potential – what needs to be done?

1. Collect data

The report raises the issue of the lack of groundwater data and emphasizes that groundwater monitoring is often a “neglected area”. To improve this, the acquisition of data and information, which is usually under the responsibility of national (and local) groundwater agencies, could be complemented by the private sector. Particularly, the oil, gas and mining industries already possess a great deal of data, information and knowledge on the composition of the deeper domains underground, including aquifers. As a matter of corporate social responsibility, private companies are highly encouraged to share these data and information with public sector professionals.

2. Strengthen environmental regulations

As groundwater pollution is practically irreversible, it must be avoided. Enforcement efforts and the prosecution of polluters, however, are often challenging due to groundwater’s invisible nature. Preventing groundwater contamination requires suitable land use and appropriate environmental regulations, especially across aquifer recharge areas. It is imperative that governments assume their role as resource custodians in view of the common-good aspects of groundwater to ensure that access to – and profit from – groundwater are distributed equitably and that the resource remains available for future generations.

3. Reinforce human, material and financial resources

In many countries, the general lack of groundwater professionals among the staff of institutions and local and national government, as well as insufficient mandates, financing and support of groundwater departments or agencies, hamper effective groundwater management. The commitment of governments to build, support and maintain institutional capacity related to groundwater is crucial.

The United Nations World Water Development Report (WWDR), UN-Water’s flagship publication on water and sanitation issues, focuses on a different theme every year. The report is published by UNESCO on behalf of UN-Water and its production is coordinated by the UNESCO World Water Assessment Programme. The report gives insight into the main trends concerning the state, use and management of freshwater and sanitation, based on work by members and partners of UN-Water. Launched in conjunction with World Water Day, the report provides decision-makers with knowledge and tools to formulate and implement sustainable water policies. It also offers best practice examples and in-depth analyses to stimulate ideas and actions for better stewardship in the water sector and beyond.

Source: UNESCO

Free Ride With ProCredit Bank – Regional Charger Network is Expanding

30.03.2022

For Serbia, it is often true that it is “lagging behind the world”, but in this case, it is not so because in our country, there is a support system for the purchase of electric and hybrid cars. Thanks to the state’s incentives, there are more than four hundred electric cars and about 5,000 hybrid cars on the streets of our country.

When we talk about electric cars, many people focus on the fact that these vehicles do not emit any harmful gases. In addition, these cars are very easy to maintain, and maintenance costs are very low.

Despite all the advantages that electric cars bring, it is necessary to develop a good network of chargers for “e-powered driving” to come to life in this area fully. Fortunately for e-powered drivers, there are more and more publicly available chargers that can charge the batteries of these cars.

It seems that the future brings us the fact that we will have the opportunity to replenish the car at every step during the completion of daily obligations, such as going shopping or to the bank. ProCredit Bank has paid special attention to that. Drivers of electric cars can charge their four-wheelers on chargers that are installed in the parking lots of the bank’s branches.

Until recently, ProCredit Bank has had fifteen chargers which are strategically placed in eight cities: Subotica, Sombor, Novi Sad, Belgrade, Pančevo, Kragujevac, Čačak and Niš. They are located in front of Zone 24/7 of this bank.

In focus:

The bank’s leaders realized that it was necessary to expand the network. So, at the beginning of this year, 27 new chargers were installed in busy places and near major roads and highways so that they would be easily accessible.

New chargers have been installed in Subotica, Belgrade, Novi Sad, Zlatibor, Šabac, Kragujevac, Sokobanja, Niš, Kruševac and Prokuplje. The complete network of these chargers will soon be available to drivers on ProCredit Electric Stations application.

At the level of the ProCredit Group in ten European countries during 2022, a total of three hundred chargers for electric cars will be installed, the use of which is completely free. ProCredit Bank is the first large buyer of green electricity in Serbia. Still, it is also the first domestic company to receive a guarantee of the origin of EPS that the electricity they consume is produced exclusively from renewable energy sources.

“Our citizens who drive an electric car will be able to cross long distances without any problems and recharge their vehicle battery every hundred kilometers, completely free of charge. In addition to the fact that this value provides additional value for these drivers, the positive impact on air quality will be evident over time,” people from Pro-Credit Bank say.

Protection of the environment, ecology and renewable energy sources are the focus of ProCredit Bank’s operations. They are intensively trying to be an example of good practice at the internal level, and they have fifteen electric vehicles in their fleet. No wonder they set a very ambitious goal – that by the end of the first quarter of this year, all vehicle in their fleet will be with zero CO2 emission. It is in line with the bank’s plan to become carbon neutral in the near future.

Fulfilling these goals will significantly affect the protection of the environment and the air quality in our country, which is the environmental commitment of ProCredit Bank which is planning special loan offers for the purchase of electric vehicles. ProCredit Bank experts are ready to answer all your questions at any time. All you have to do is to schedule an appointment or look at the detailed offer on the bank’s website.

Prepared by: Milica Radičević

Read the story in the new issue of the Energy portal Magazine ELECTROMOBILITY.

Uranium Legacy Sites Remediated in Kyrgyz Republic

30.03.2022

kyrgyz-republic- kirkinska-republika — Photo-illustration: Pixabay

The successful completion of remediation works at the former uranium legacy sites in Shekaftar and Min-Kush, in the Kyrgyz Republic, brings a major environmental benefit for Central Asia’s most populous region and secures the sustainability of the sites for years to come.

The activity, funded through the Environmental Remediation Account for Central Asia (ERA), was completed on schedule and below the projected budget despite difficulties caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Both sites were certified and accepted by the Kyrgyz authorities in December 2021 and February 2022 respectively.

The settlement of Shekaftar was founded in 1944 as part of the development of uranium-mining operations. Located in the south-western part of the country close to the Uzbek border, it is home to around 3,700 residents. Most of the mine sites were located in the village and very close to residential areas. The remediation works on site included the closure of mine openings, the removal of waste-rock dumps and the demolition and disposal of mining facilities.

Following the completion of remediation works in Shekaftar, locals received new areas for private, communal and business use. The scope of works also included upgrades to key local infrastructure such as a water pipeline, which will now provide an additional and much-needed water supply for the population, as well as a bridge and roads.

The second uranium legacy site of Min-Kush is located approximately 130 kilometres to the south of Bishkek on the banks of the Min-Kush River in the Tian Shan Mountains. Like Shekaftar, the village of Min-Kush was built to support uranium mining. It was heavily affected when uranium mining was discontinued in the late 1960s and following the dissolution of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s, but today around 3,200 people still live in the village.

The ERA-funded remediation project at the Min-Kush site is now complete, reducing risks that the mining legacy posed to Min-Kush residents. The demolition of the former ore-processing plant facilitated the creation of clean, flat surfaces, which can now be used for community purposes, including a venue for traditional nomad sports. This will help generate more local revenue by attracting tourists. Further remediation works, funded by the Commonwealth of Independent States, remain ongoing.

Central Asia served as an important source of uranium in the former Soviet Union. A large amount of radioactively contaminated material was placed in mining waste dumps and tailing sites. The contaminated material is a threat to the environment and the health of the population. The hazards include the possible pollution of ground and surface water in a key agricultural centre of the region.

The EBRD has been active in addressing nuclear safety legacies since 1993 and is successfully continuing its engagements despite challenges caused by the coronavirus crisis. In addition to the transformation of Chernobyl, the Bank is also managing the decommissioning of former Soviet-era nuclear reactors in Bulgaria, Lithuania and the Slovak Republic and the safe disposal of radioactive waste in north-western Russia.

The ERA, established in 2015 at the initiative of the European Union (EU) and managed by the EBRD, addresses the legacy of Soviet-era uranium mining in Central Asia. The EU is the ERA’s biggest donor, while contributions have also been made by Belgium, Lithuania, Norway, Spain, Switzerland and the United States of America to date.

Source: EBRD

Energy Transition Holds Key to Tackle Global Energy and Climate Crisis

29.03.2022

winter-zika-sneg-struja — Foto-ilustracija: Pixabay

Short-term interventions addressing the current energy crisis must be accompanied by a steadfast focus on mid- and long-term goals of the energy transition. High fossil fuel prices, energy security concerns and the urgency of climate change underscore the pressing need to move faster to a clean energy system, says World Energy Transitions Outlook 2022.

Launched by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) at the Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue, the Agency’s Outlook sets out priority areas and actions based on available technologies that must be realised by 2030 to achieve net zero emissions by mid-century. It also takes stock of progress across all energy uses to date, clearly showing the inadequate pace and scale of the renewables-based transition.

“The energy transition is far from being on track and anything short of radical action in the coming years will diminish, even eliminate chances to meet our climate goals”, said Francesco La Camera, Director-General of IRENA. “Today, governments are facing multiple challenges of energy security, economic recovery and the affordability of energy bills for households and businesses. Many answers lie in the accelerated transition. But it’s a political choice to put policies in place that comply with Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Agenda. Investing in new fossil fuel infrastructure will only lock-in uneconomic practices, perpetuate existing risks and increase the threats of climate change.”

“It is high time to act”, La Camera added. “Recent developments have clearly demonstrated that high fossil fuel prices can result in energy poverty and loss of industrial competitiveness. 80 per cent of the global population lives in countries that are net-importers of fossil fuels. By contrast, renewables are available in all countries, offering a way out of import dependency and allowing countries to decouple economies from the costs of fossil fuels while driving economic growth and new jobs.”

The Outlook sees investment needs of USD 5.7 trillion per year until 2030 including the imperative to redirect USD 0.7 trillion annually away from fossil fuels to avoid stranded assets. But investing in the transition would bring concrete socioeconomic and welfare benefits, adding 85 million jobs worldwide in renewables and other transition-related technologies between today and 2030. These job gains would largely surpass losses of 12 million jobs in fossil fuel industries. Overall, more countries would experience greater benefits on the energy transition path than under business as usual, according to the Outlook.

Renewables would have to scale-up massively across all sectors from 14 per cent of total energy today to around 40 per cent in 2030. Global annual additions of renewable power would triple by 2030 as recommended by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). At the same time, coal power would have to resolutely be replaced, fossil fuel assets phased out and infrastructure upgraded.

The Outlook sees electrification and efficiency as key drivers of the energy transition, enabled by renewables, hydrogen, and sustainable biomass. End-use decarbonization will take center-stage with many solutions available through electrification, green hydrogen, and the direct use of renewables. Notably electromobility is seen as driver of energy transition progress, growing the sales of electric vehicles (EV) to a global EV fleet twenty times bigger than today.

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Thomas Richter)

However, a comprehensive set of cross-cutting, structural policies covering all technological avenues and just transition objectives is needed to achieve the necessary deployment levels by 2030. Increasing ambition in the National Determined Contributions (NDCs) and national energy plans under the Glasgow Climate Pact must provide certainty and guide investment strategies in line with 1.5°C.

Particularly the world’s largest energy consumers and carbon emitters from the G20 and G7 must show leadership and implement ambitious plans and investments domestically and abroad. They would need to support the global supply of 65 per cent renewables in power generation by 2030. Climate finance, knowledge transfer and assistance would have to increase for an inclusive and equal world.

Finally, enabling a rapid transition that complies with climate and development goals requires political commitment to support the highest level of international cooperation. Achieving Sustainable Development Goals and universal access to modern energy by 2030 must remain a vital pillar of a just and inclusive energy transition. A holistic global policy framework can bring countries together to enable international flow of finance, capacity and technologies.

Source: IRENA

Charge&GO – A Safe Path Towards Energy Transition of Transport

28.03.2022

Charge&go-39-min — Foto: Bojan Džodan/MT-KOMEX

The path of sustainable transport in Serbia is slowly but surely being paved. The support of the Government, which for the third year in a row subsidizes the purchase of electric and hybrid vehicles, also contributed to that.

The state has allocated 5,000 euro subsidies for the purchase of new passenger vehicles and light trucks with a fully electric drive. At the same time for plug-in hybrids (which can be charged from an external electricity supply) whose carbon dioxide emissions do not exceed 50 g/km, it allocates 3,500 euro subsidies. For ordinary hybrid vehicles, which cannot be plugged into an external electricity supply and whose carbon dioxide emissions are less than 140 g/km, 2,500 euros is obtained. More than 400 electric cars and about 5,000 hybrids have been registered in our country thanks to this support system.

For electric cars to participate in traffic at all, it is necessary to develop the charging infrastructure. There are more and more electric chargers in Serbia. Thanks to the digital platform and the charge&GO application, drivers of these cars can quickly and easily find chargers nearby and recharge their vehicles.

Charge&GO has created the first regional digital platform and mobile application that displays a network of chargers for electric vehicles. The platform gives electric vehicle drivers the ability to access the charging point and the ability to pay for the use of chargers through the app. At the same time, companies can remotely manage their charger network thanks to this app. It includes several services such as charging control, charger performance monitoring, pricing, usage restriction and charging session review.

The difference between AC and DC chargers

AC and DC chargers are available to charge&GO users. Some have already been placed at the service of electric vehicle drivers throughout Serbia. Others are in the design and installation phase, and good locations are being intensively sought for new electric chargers, says Nemanja Grubješić, Head of Technical Sales at charge&GO.

Nemanja explained the difference between charging vehicles on AC and DC chargers. The biggest difference is reflected in the charging speed because electric vehicles have lithium-ion batteries that charge on DC voltage, so charging time is much shorter. “C chargers receive AC voltage, which is switched to DC in the car, thanks to its elements and charges the battery. This process is time-consuming, so the AC charger belongs to the slower type of charger, and it is used at home or in commercial facilities where people stay longer. The average charging time of an electric car on an AC charger is from four to eight hours.

In focus:

The whole system is a bit different when it comes to DC chargers. These models have an inverter that converts AC to DC, and it automatically charges the battery, which significantly speeds up charging time. The charging speed of the car also depends on the power of the DC charger. Fast chargers charge the battery between one and three hours, while ultra-fast chargers can charge a car battery in less than an hour.

“For longer life of the electric car, i.e. its batteries, AC charging is recommended, which is also the cheapest solution. Electric car drivers charge their vehicles mostly during the night when electricity is cheaper, and they are ready to drive in the morning. Charging between four and eight hours can fully charge the battery. It takes much less money to charge the battery of an electric vehicle to full capacity than to fill the tank of a car with an internal combustion engine”, Grubješić points out.

AC charger price

The type of AC charger is mostly chosen by drivers of electric cars who charge vehicles at home, although this model is often installed in commercial facilities, such as hotels and shopping malls. On the other hand, fast and ultra-fast DC chargers are installed at gas stations, busy roads, rest areas on highways, where electric car drivers can recharge or fully charge the vehicle battery in a short period of time.

“When someone decides to buy an electric car, he immediately thinks about buying a charger because he wants to provide himself with a safe charge. For the installation of a home charger, according to the turnkey system, it is necessary to set aside about 1,500 euros”, says Nemanja, emphasizing that charge&GO, in addition to offering a simple and fast service of charging electric vehicles through platform and application, also sells and installs electric chargers.

The team of charge&GO is working hard on building the infrastructure, and they plan to cover the entire territory of Serbia with the network of their chargers.

Nemanja says he always tries to acquaint the citizens with all the advantages that driving electric cars brings. As he points out, the team’s success behind the charge&GO platform is reflected in how much electromobility in our country is developing and growing. One of the incentives would be subsidies for the installation of chargers. This type of support, which is not new in Europe, would significantly improve and accelerate the expansion of the charger network in our country, affecting the number of electric cars on the streets.

Prepared by: Milica Radičević

Read the story in the new issue of the Energy portal Magazine ELECTROMOBILITY.

A Country of Technological Innovations and Water Scarcity

28.03.2022

izrael — Foto-ilustracija: Unsplash (Raimond Klavins)

It seems that we can learn the most about how to wisely manage resources from countries that do not have them at their disposal to a significant extent. Among those shining examples is certainly the country of Israel, which has become a leader in the treatment of water and its efficient use out of necessity, since 60 per cent of this country is desert. It was a real challenge to solve the water shortage and find the best way to use the modest water reserves, says Yahel Vilan, Israel’s Ambassador to Serbia.

We also asked our interlocutor about the deadline for the suspension of electricity production from coal, the development of infrastructure for charging electric vehicles, and economic cooperation between Israel and Serbia.

EP: This year, Serbia and Israel are marking 30 years since the renewal of diplomatic relations. What are the relations between the two countries, in political and, of course, in economic terms?

Yahel Vilan: The embassy of Israel will mark this jubilee with different activities. We are preparing numerous projects in the spheres of culture, public diplomacy, and economy. Relations between Israel and Serbia have a positive trend of development. Bilateral trade has a steady upward trend. This year we reached 107 million USD representing growth by 31 per cent on an annual basis, a very nice figure. We have several agreements in force, such as the Agreement on Cooperation in Agriculture, Agreement on Protection of Investments, Avoidance of Double Taxation, Protocol on Cooperation between Israeli aid agency Mashav and Serbian Ministry of Agriculture etc. Unfortunately, we don’t have a Free Trade Agreement, which would enable further, faster growth of trade. During the visit of President Rivlin, the two countries formed a Joint Committee on Economic and Trade Cooperation, whose first sitting hopefully will happen this year. Unfortunately, the situation with the pandemic slowed down certain bilateral activities. A valuable step forward in economic relations was opening the Representative Office of Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia in Jerusalem this autumn. It contributes to expanding and deepening economic relations, especially in innovation, entrepreneurship, and hi-tech.

In focus:

EP: As far as we know, many Israeli companies are interested in investing in Serbia, especially in the RES sector, in solar primarily. What is cooperation in the field of energy?

Yahel Vilan: Cooperation in the field of energy is on the rise, especially in the last 2-3 years. We are about to sign an MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) on Cooperation in Green Energy. Serbia has an ambitious goal of achieving 40 per cent of energy from renewable sources by 2040 and new regulations (Laws and By-Laws) which make the environment for investments favorable. Israeli companies are eager to contribute to this goal by investing in wind and solar energy primarily. As you mentioned solar, yes, the embassy has marked an increased interest in companies investing and setting up their operations in the upcoming period.

EP: Kovačica Wind Farm, capacity 104.5 NW, investment of the Israeli company Enlight Energy is the most valuable Israeli investment in Serbia, 189 million euros worth. The same company has developed the Pupin wind farm, which is ready for construction and is awaiting auctions. Does that mean that Serbia is a good place to invest?

Yahel Vilan: Investment of Enlight Energy is the first and the most significant Israeli investment in green energy in Serbia. It has set the ground for other companies to come based on their positive experience. The company is expanding its operations with the Pupin wind farm, which means Serbia is a stable investment environment with a positive business outlook. Serbia proved to be a stable and predictive business environment during the pandemic based on macroeconomic indicators and generous packages of assistance provided to the economy and citizens.

EP: What energy sources does Israel use, and how much has it moved in the process of the energy transition?

Yahel Vilan: There is a growing awareness in Israel and worldwide of the importance of turning to renewable energy sources such as solar radiation, wind, biogas/biomass, earth heat and other sustainable natural resources. Reducing dependency on imported fuels contributes to the energy independence of any state. This is of strategic importance for Israel, which is like an electric island because it is not connected to any network!

Only in the last decade has the country paved a way towards becoming a significant natural gas supplier. As of 2018, the country’s electricity output is mainly generated from natural gas (66 per cent) and coal (30 per cent), while at least 3 per cent is generated from renewables. In 2019, the Israeli government announced its target to phase out coal-fired power generation by the end of 2025, five years earlier than originally targeted. To achieve this, the government plans to “switch” the Ashkelon coal-fired power plant to natural gas by 2024 and intends to do the same with two more coal-fired plants at Hadera’s Orot Rabin by the end of 2025.

Israeli Ministry of Energy outlined the main objectives by the year 2030, which will make Israel fully comply with Paris Agreement on Climate Change: These include stopping the use of coal in electricity production and switching to electricity production using natural gas, a 17 per cent share of RES in electricity production by 2030 and a reduction in national electricity consumption of at least 17 per cent. In this energy mix, the benefits are economic, environmental, and health.

Interviewed by: Danijela Isailović

Read the story in the new issue of the Energy portal Magazine ELECTROMOBILITY.

Joint Statement Between the European Commission and the United States on European Energy Security

28.03.2022

wind_turbine_vetrenjača — Photo-illustration: Pixabay

The United States and the European Commission are committed to reducing Europe’s dependency on Russian energy.

“We reaffirm our joint commitment to Europe’s energy security and sustainability and to accelerating the global transition to clean energy. In condemning in the strongest terms Russia’s further invasion of Ukraine, we express our solidarity and support for Ukraine. We share the objective of addressing the energy security emergency – to ensure energy supply for the EU and Ukraine. We welcome the continued progress toward the physical integration of Ukraine with the EU energy markets. The energy security and sustainability of the EU and Ukraine are essential for peace, freedom and democracy in Europe”, says in a statement.

Through the Joint European action for more affordable, secure and sustainable energy (REPowerEU), the EU confirmed its objective to reach independence from Russian fossil fuels well before the end of the decade, replacing them with stable, affordable, reliable, and clean energy supplies for EU citizens and businesses.

The United States and the EU are committed to meeting the goals of the Paris Agreement, achieving the objective of net zero emissions by 2050, and keeping a 1.5 degrees Celsius limit on temperature rise within reach, including through a rapid clean energy transition, renewable energy, and energy efficiency. These policies and technologies will also contribute to making the EU independent from Russian fossil fuels. Natural gas remains an important part of the EU energy system in the green transition, including by ensuring its carbon intensity decreases over time.

The United States and European Commission confirm our strategic energy cooperation for security of energy supply and reducing dependence on fossil fuels:

“We share efforts to make available stable, affordable, reliable and clean energy supplies to citizens and businesses in the EU and its neighbouring partner nations. In this framework, we establish an immediate cooperation to address the emergency energy security objective of ensuring appropriate levels of gas storage ahead of next winter and the following one. We will continue our close cooperation on other measures to accelerate the green energy transition, lower energy consumption and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.”

Soure: European Commission

Why Water is Crucial for Sustainable Food Systems

28.03.2022

zalivanje_zemlja_voda_navodnjavanje — Foto-ilustracija: Pexels

Agriculture is a major user of freshwater withdrawals

Irrigated crops, livestock, fisheries, aquaculture and forestry, account for roughly 70 percent of total freshwater withdrawals globally and for over 90 percent in the majority of Least Developed Countries, of which almost 67 percent is estimated to be used by irrigation. Nevertheless, enhancing irrigation efficiency is not a priority in policy agendas, being overshadowed by the global issue of access to drinking water and sanitation. IFAD is incentivizing practices that enhance irrigation efficiency and increase water productivity, adoption of climate resilient irrigation infrastructure, adopt adequate on farm soil and water management practices, and use high-yielding and drought-tolerant crop varieties.

Most of the population in the world depends primarily on rainfed agriculture for food production

Rainfed agriculture produces more than 60 percent of the food consumed globally. When effective rainfall is lacking, food security is at risk. For some countries, the decline in yield from rain-fed agriculture could be as much as 50 percent. Adoption of resilient water resource management, soil and water conservation, drought-tolerant varieties, and supplemental irrigation would benefit rainfed smallholder farming. IFAD’s investments to enhance the livelihoods of poor rainfed farming communities include rainwater harvesting, soil and water conservation measures, conservation agriculture and agroforestry.

Food production and processing can lead to pollution of water bodies

The food production and processing sectors are both a victim of pollution from industrial waste and municipal sewage discharged into freshwater bodies, and an agent of pollution and a significant amount of wastewater. Agriculture water return flow carries fertilizers and pesticides, oxygen-depleting substances, and pathogens. To address water pollution and protect ecosystems, less polluting practices have to be applied and enhanced technologies and efficiency of wastewater treatment, management and reuse, have to be promoted. IFAD promotes the safe reuse of non-conventional water including wastewater as a reliable source of water that can be safely reused to offset growing water scarcity. It can also be used as a cost-effective and sustainable source of energy, (e.g. through biogas), and nutrients (e.g. through compost).

About 30 percent of the food produced worldwide is lost or wasted every year

In developing countries food waste and losses occur mainly at early stages of the food value chain, and can be traced back to financial, managerial and technical constraints in harvesting techniques, and storage and cooling facilities, and the lack of processing facilities for perishable products. Food loss and waste also amount to a major squandering of resources, including water, land, energy, labour and capital and needlessly produced greenhouse gas emissions. To increase efficiency in agricultural areas, IFAD invests in logistics and infrastructure, such as roads, cold chains, storage, processing and market facilities, as well as in more sustainable farming systems.

Dietary choices affect water resources management

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Syd Wachs)

As the buying power of the population in the emerging economy countries improve, they are demanding more nutritious, high-quality and meat-based diets. On a unit weight basis, production of meat-based food ingredients requires more input resources, including water and energy as compared to production of plant-based food products. This dietary change enhances the pressure on water resource constraints.

Without planetary stewardship for water resilience we will not eradicate poverty and hunger

Food and water are the most basic needs essential for human life. Water plays a cardinal role in all aspects of food systems, from production, processing, preparation, consumption, and in part, distribution. Access to essential volumes of water of appropriate quality is fundamental to the existence of secure food systems and a stable society.

Mismanagement of water across sectors has intensified water scarcity, endangering water security

Current policies in water use systems across the food system are economically and environmentally unsustainable. Many of the policies and investments that would improve access to safe water and sanitation as well as sustainable management of freshwater ecosystems, would also support broader food-sustainability targets. Yet, public policies, such as subsidies that support industrialised monocultures, or subsidies to water and energy, as was the case in India, can distort the relative prices of food markets and affect the health of natural ecosystems.

Over 2 billion people currently live in countries experiencing high water stress

All of the Middle East and South Asia, and significant parts of China and North Africa are particularly affected by water stress. About one out of six people on the planet face severe water shortages or scarcity in agriculture. Over three billion people live in agricultural areas with high to very high levels of water shortages (affecting rainfed agriculture) or scarcity (affecting irrigated agriculture), of whom 1.2 billion people live in severely water-constrained areas.

With clean water supplies and sanitation remaining a major problem in many parts of the world, IFAD invests in multiple water use strategies in rural areas, in addition to productive uses, such as livestock watering facilities or reservoirs, and canals for irrigation. We recognize the importance of ecosystem services with respect to the natural water cycle and invest in watershed conservation and rehabilitation to enhance the sustainability of food production.

Source: IFAD

Why Mercury is Still a Threat to Human and Planetary Health

27.03.2022

riba - fish - ribolov — Foto-ilustracija: Unsplash (Jeremy Stewart)

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Christin Hume)

Everyone is exposed to mercury at some level – whether through the food we eat, the air we breathe or the cosmetics that we use. Inhalation or ingestion of large amounts of mercury, however, can lead to serious neurological health implications. Symptoms can include tremors, insomnia, memory loss, headaches, muscle weakness, and—in extreme cases—death.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), two groups are at particularly risk: unborn babies, whose mothers have high levels of mercury in their blood, and those who are regularly exposed to elevated levels of mercury, such as subsistence fishermen.

To address this global challenge, representatives from governments, United Nations bodies, academia and civil society gathered at the resumed fourth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Minamata Convention on Mercury.

Named after the bay in Japan where, in the mid-20th century, mercury-tainted industrial wastewater poisoned thousands of people, leading to severe health issues that became known as the “Minamata disease”; the Convention aims to control mercury supply and trade, and reduce the use, emission and release of mercury. It entered into force in 2017.

At the conference, which ran from 21 to 25 March in Bali, Indonesia; representatives discussed plansto enhance international cooperation to combat illegal mercury trade and address the health impacts of mercury.

Read the full story HERE.

Source: UNEP

Director Lorkowski Urges Reforms to Ensure the Electricity Sector in Bosnia and Herzegovina is Ready for CBAM

26.03.2022

renewable-energy — Photo-illustration: Pixabay

Director Lorkowski delivered opening remarks at the Energy Summit in Neum this week. In his speech, he underlined that the current global energy crisis strengthened the case for a rapid energy transition and presented an additional reason for Bosnia and Herzegovina to phase out its reliance on fossil fuels.

The focus should be on no-regret measures such as speeding up electricity market reforms, boosting energy from renewable sources and improving energy efficiency, which will also strengthen the country’s security of supply and create new jobs.

Together with the international community, the Energy Community Secretariat is determined to support Bosnia and Herzegovina’s energy transition.

Director Lorkowski also emphasized that the timely introduction of carbon pricing and the establishment of an organized electricity market will allow Bosnia and Herzegovina as well as other Energy Community Contracting Parties to request an exemption from the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) currently under preparation in the European Union. He expressed the Secretariat’s readiness to further support Bosnia and Herzegovina in this regard.

Source: Energy Community

Earth Hour – A Moment for Solidarity

25.03.2022

Every year, at 8:30 pm on the last Saturday of March, millions of people across the world show their support for our planet, raising awareness of nature loss and climate change—the two biggest threats facing our shared planet.

But this year, Earth hour is taking place at an incredibly challenging time. In the midst of uncertainty, Earth Hour offers a moment for solidarity, the opportunity to come together and look after each other and the one home we all share. Earth Hour is more than a symbol, it is a catalyst for change.

Everyone has the power to shape our future.

Here are a few simple tips you can use to conserve energy and a host of other actions you can take to help save our planet.

Additionally, you can tune into the Earth Hour 2021 guided meditation, led by Dr. Chelsea Jackson Roberts, at any time to continue to practice mindfulness and gratitude for nature.

Source: WWF

Early Warning Systems Must Protect Everyone Within Five Years

24.03.2022

tajfun_oluja — Foto-ilustracija: Pixabay

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Johannes Plenio)

Within the next five years, everyone on Earth should be protected by early warning systems against increasingly extreme weather and climate change, according to an ambitious new United Nations target announced today.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has tasked the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) to lead the effort and present an action plan to achieve this goal at the next UN climate conference in Egypt this November.

The announcement was made on World Meteorological Day on 23 March, which this year has the theme Early Warning and Early Action.

“Human-caused climate disruption is now damaging every region. The most recent report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change details the suffering already happening. Each increment of global heating will further increase the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events,” said Mr Guterres.

“We must invest equally in adaptation and resilience. That includes the information that allows us to anticipate storms, heatwaves, floods and droughts,” said the UN chief.

However, one-third of the world’s people, mainly in least developed countries and small island developing states, are still not covered by early warning systems. In Africa, it is even worse: 60 per cent of people lack coverage.

“This is unacceptable, particularly with climate impacts sure to get even worse,” said Mr Guterres.

“Early warnings and action save lives. To that end, today I announce the United Nations will spearhead new action to ensure every person on Earth is protected by early warning systems within five years. I have asked the World Meteorological Organization to lead this effort and to present an action plan at the next UN climate conference, later this year in Egypt,” Mr Guterres said in a video message to the World Meteorological Day ceremony.

Climate change is already very visible through more extreme weather in all parts of the world. We are seeing more intense heatwaves and drought and forest fires. There is more water vapor in the atmosphere, which leads to extreme rainfall and deadly flooding. The warming of the ocean fuels more powerful tropical storms and rising sea levels increase the impacts.

Read the whole article HERE.

Source: WMO

Decarbonised Energy Pathway More Cost Effective than Polluting Alternatives in Central America

23.03.2022

solar-panel-solarni-paneli-vetroelektrane — Foto-ilustracija: Pixabay

A decarbonisation strategy can bring benefits to the Central America region at the same or lower energy system costs than the current planning strategy, according to a new report by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).

The report finds the decarbonised pathway would cost the region around USD 20 billion less than the planned scenario in the period 2018-2050.

The analysis shows improved power system integration can help the region exploit abundant renewable energy potential, estimated at around 180 gigawatts (GW) – a tenfold increase from the region’s installed capacity today. ‘Renewable Energy Roadmap for Central America: Towards a Regional Energy Transition’, finds achieving this target would require increasing the total installed capacity share of renewables in the regional power sector to 90 per cent and electrifying 75 per cent of region’s total fleet, by 2050. The study contributes to ongoing discussions on the energy transition in the region, and related initiatives.

IRENA’s roadmap outlines an ambitious, yet achievable Decarbonising Energy Scenario (DES) that reduces CO₂ emissions in Central America by 70 per cent by 2050 compared to the 2050 ‘Planned Energy Scenario’ (PES).

“Central America is entering a crucial decade for shaping its future energy system,” said IRENA Director-General Francesco La Camera. “The region has a unique opportunity to ensure sustainable development with renewable energy resources that can bolster its energy security by mitigating fossil fuel dependence, while reducing costs, stimulating the region’s post-COVID-19 recovery and addressing climate change.”

Scaling up the annual deployment of renewables in the region three-fold by 1.4 GW per year compared to planned deployment would put the region on track to achieving its renewable energy target, according to IRENA’s analysis. To further reduce emissions from the transport sector, green hydrogen is recommended as an alternative fuel for heavy cargo road transport as well as international shipping.

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Daniel Moqvist)

The report also points to key challenges in the region in achieving universal access to electricity and clean cooking technologies. Currently, 37 per cent of households in Central America do not have accdeess to clean cooking technologies and fuels. In the DES, this share would fall to just one per cent thanks to the introduction of improved cookstoves and electric stoves, which would require cumulative technology costs of around USD 12.5 billion during the period 2018-2050.

Additional health and socio-economic benefits would include reducing the pollution from cooking activities, benefiting women and children in particular.

IRENA’s analysis serves as technical guidance that can support the decision-making process of policy makers, energy planners, government institutions and the private sector to define low-carbon development in the region. The findings can cast light on the design, elaboration and implementation of energy plans, Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), national mitigation plans and investment plans that are ongoing or in the pipeline.

Read the full report here.

Source: IRENA

What Can We Expect From the Dynamic Natural Gas Market? Find out at the 37TH Gas Industry Meeting in Opatija

23.03.2022

The 37th International Scientific and Expert Meeting of Gas Professionals will be held this year from 11th to 13th May at the Congress Centre of the Grand Hotel Adriatic in Opatija. The three-day international gas conference and exhibition in Opatija, organised by the Croatian Gas Association (CGA), a member of the International Gas Union (IGU), and the Croatian Gas Centre Ltd, is one of the largest of its kind in Southeast Europe.

During three days of the meeting, a few hundred recognised gas and energy professionals from more than 20 countries are expected to participate, along with about 50 reputable lecturers and 30 exhibitors. The interesting conference program will cover 10 current thematic units, a number of interactive panel discussions and a poster session on the most relevant themes in the gas business and the energy industry.

The organisers will endeavour to divide this year’s conference programme (umetnuti link za programme) into strategic and technical sections. The first section will address strategic themes such as trends on the natural gas market, fluctuating gas prices and future expectations, the key role of the gas infrastructure in establishing decarbonisation and a reliable energy system, as well as consequences of the EU regulatory framework on accelerating decarbonisation for the gas sector. The second and third days of the conference will cover technical themes, new technologies and innovation in the gas sector in the era of decarbonisation, development potentials of LNG terminals, issues facing transport, distribution, storage and consumption of gas in terms of securing an efficient, secure and low-carbon system as well as numerous other themes.

Throughout the world, natural gas has an important and positive role on global energy markets and in energy transition; hence the goal of this conference is to understand and acknowledge the key role of natural gas as another reliable and clean pillar of energy transition, along with renewable sources. It is with great delight that we are announcing an invitational lecture by Andree Steghera, SVP of the Energy Transition at SNAM, elected President of the International Gas Union (IGU) from 2025 to 2028 and current VP of IGU who will speak about the trending record high gas prices in Europe and measures undertaken by EU Member States as well as forecasted trends on the global gas market in the coming period.

Torben Brabo, President of the Gas Infrastructure Europe association (GIE), will hold a talk on partnerships in gas infrastructure incorporating renewable and low-carbon molecules, regulations on blending hydrogen in the natural gas network, as well as pure hydrogen networks, and will exhibit examples of specific hydrogen corridors in the regions.

The Policy Advisor before the Gas Infrastructure Europe (GIE), Mathilde Blanchard, will speak about repositioning gas infrastructure companies in the context of the European Green Deal and the “Fit for 55” packet, which requires new skills and talents for the transition to green fuels. This is an opportunity for young experts to become initiators of change and socially engaged. The increasing integration of energy systems has led to greater mutual interconnected careers in the gas and energy profession. This year, organisers provided the opportunity to ambitious students from many technical and other faculties in Croatia to register their papers and show their talents by presenting the best quality expert papers from the area of natural gas and energy.

A number of interesting lectures on the effects of the EU strategy for reducing methane emissions on the natural gas sector will be given including challenges and possibilities of decarbonisation of the future natural gas and LNG value chain. An important part of the soon-to-be gathering will be presentations of a number of expert papers on the application of smart technologies, innovations and digital transformation in the gas sector. The seventh thematic unit will include a presentation of the development potential for LNG (liquid natural gas) terminals and their important role in the future European gas infrastructure as well as ensuring reliability of supply and decarbonisation.

The conference will also address the development of sustainable transport systems driven by compressed natural gas (LPG), liquefied natural gas (LNG) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). Numerous domestic and foreign experts will present papers on issues facing transport, distribution, storage and consumption of gas in terms of securing an efficient, secure and low-carbon system gas system. Peter Kristensen, the main director of strategy for the company Evida and president of the Ready4H2 project, will present the H2 project and the readiness of European natural gas distributors for blending hydrogen. The goal of the Ready4H2 project is a new alliance of 90 local operators of distribution systems from 17 countries throughout Europe, dedicated to developing and expertise as well as experience to prepare the implementation of transforming gas distributors towards climate neutrality.

Held in parallel with the conference is an exhibition of gas equipment and technologies where numerous national and foreign exhibitors will present advanced technical solutions for the gas business and energy industry. Companies sponsoring the gathering will have the opportunity to strengthen their position, display their expertise and new technical solutions for overcoming challenges in the gas business.

The targeted thematic units and distinguished speakers are some of the advantages of the gathering in linking science, education, the profession and companies that actively participate in the gas business. The mobile application, accessible prior to opening the gathering, and social events in Opatija will ensure ample to time for interactive network and achieving new business opportunities.

Ensure your place in Opatija on time!

The link to the preliminary programme and the registration form are available on the event website.

Source: Croatian Gas Association (CGA)

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