Ozone Research Managers Say no Room for Complacency on Ozone Layer Recovery

03.08.2021

ozone-layero-ozon — Photo-illustration: Pixabay

Ozone experts from around the world have stressed the importance of systematic observations to monitor the state of the ozone layer and the presence of ozone-depleting substances, and to increase understanding of the impact of climate change on the Earth’s protective shield against harmful ultraviolet rays.

The stratospheric ozone layer is on the way to recovery thanks to actions taken under the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer and the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. But there is no room for complacency, according to a meeting of Ozone Research Managers (ORM).

The five-day virtual meeting examined a number of new developments since the last meeting in 2017. These included the impact of rising surface temperatures in Polar regions on stratospheric ozone; unexpected emissions of a banned substance known as CFC-11; and international action to phase down the production and consumption of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which are potent greenhouse gases and damaging to the climate.

“Measurements of ozone, ozone-depleting substances and their replacements remain the cornerstone of stratospheric ozone research. These measurements are required to monitor the success of the Montreal Protocol, to assess new factors that can slow down ozone recovery and to support studies of ozone evolution in a changing climate, ” according to the ORM recommendations.

UNEP-WMO support

“We in the environmental movement are deeply proud of all that has been achieved through the Vienna Convention and its Montreal Protocol. And why is that? Quite simply because the Convention is an outstanding example of international cooperation for the environment guided by science,” UNEP Executive Director, Inger Andersen, said in an opening message.

WMO Secretary-General Prof. Petteri Taalas highlighted the need for continued vigilance and research into the interaction between ozone and climate change in view of the recent record-breaking ozone holes in both the Arctic and the Antarctic. These were due to a combination of the continuing presence of ozone-depleting substances in the atmosphere and a strong, stable and cold polar vortex which kept the temperature of the ozone layer over the Arctic and Antarctica consistently cold, preventing the mixing of ozone depleted air above the Poles with ozone rich air from other latitudes.

“It’s very important to keep on running the research and the related observing systems, to close the data gaps and to ensure close linkages between science, observations and operational services,” said Prof. Taalas.

However, resource constraints – even before the COVID-19 pandemic disruption and restrictions – are posing a major challenge and there are mounting concerns about the gaps in the emissions monitoring system.

Overview

The meeting reviewed ongoing national and international research and monitoring programmes to ensure proper coordination of these programmes and identify gaps that need to be addressed, noting the need for more resources for ground-based stations, especially those which produce long-term records of ozone, trace gases and ultra-violet (UV) radiation. This would require considerable sustained funding and strong international cooperation and capacity development. Continued efforts are required to support long-term observational data sets including their resourcing.

A number of presentations and national reports emphasized that systematic atmospheric composition observations remain critical for monitoring and understanding long-term changes in the ozone layer, as well as changes in atmospheric composition, circulation, and climate. Continuing observations will be required for many decades for the verification of the ozone recovery from ozone depleting substances and to understand interactions with the changing climate.

The ORM recommendations were presented to a meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Vienna Convention on 28 July. The findings will also be used as input for the next WMO/UN Environment Programme (UNEP) Scientific Assessment of Ozone Depletion in 2022. The most recent assessment, in 2018, concluded that the ozone layer is on the path of recovery and to the potential return of the ozone values over Antarctica to pre-1980 levels by 2060.

The ORM adopted a number of key recommendations which will be put forward to the parties for discussion and adoption at the Thirty-third Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol due to be held online in October of this year.

RESEARCH NEEDS

The ORM11 recommended increased research to improve i) understanding of global emissions of ozone-depleting substances (ODSs), ii) hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and related gases, iii) stratospheric ozone – climate coupling, and iv) aviation, rockets and climate intervention.

The recent research into the unexpected CFC-11 emissions underlines the value of improved estimates of ODS emissions globally. To improve estimation calculations and atmospheric monitoring, the ORM recommends expanding the top-down emission capability to cover much more of the Earth’s surface, and refining the bottom-up emission estimates globally and regionally in conjunction with improved reporting of production.

Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs): The emissions of ozone-friendly, but potent climate warming HFCs in the cooling sector (air conditioning and refrigeration) continue to increase. The Kigali Amendment, which came into force in 2019, limits the continued production and consumption of HFCs, contributing to climate protection. However, monitoring the continued evolution of HFCs requires global data gathering to ensure any climate gains to be made by the Amendment are maintained.

Stratospheric ozone – climate coupling: The future evolution of the stratospheric ozone layer will depend not just on the decline of ODS concentrations, but also on how climate will affect stratospheric temperatures and circulation and continue to support the need for better understanding of regional stratospheric ozone processes. While the tropics are a key area for chemistry-climate interactions, the future ozone changes in that area will depend on climate change. Similarly, recent changes in both the Antarctic and the Arctic stratosphere may reflect composition-climate interactions. Understanding the evolution in the Arctic is a key challenge. Future research should focus on understanding the role of climate change in the evolution of polar stratospheric ozone.

Aviation, rockets and climate interventions: There are several sources of gases and aerosols that cause concern in the context of ozone depletion. Some of those get into the atmosphere as a result of natural emissions from ocean and coastal regions, explosive volcanic eruptions and intense fires, while the anthropogenic sources include the emissions from proposed supersonic civil transport aircraft and rocket launches. Increasing space exploitation is projected to lead to increasing emissions associated with rocket launches creating temporary ozone holes at the launch sites. The other area of concern is related to climate intervention (geoengineering) proposals that consider injections of aerosol or aerosol precursors into the stratosphere to increase Earth’s reflectivity (albedo) and thereby reduce the absorption of solar energy and climate forcing.

Increased aerosol abundance and associated reactions on or in particles are likely to enhance global ozone depletion in processes similar to those that lead to polar ozone depletion.

SYSTEMATIC OBSERVATIONS

Reports and presentations made to the ORM stressed that atmospheric observations remain critical for monitoring and understanding long-term changes in the ozone layer, as well as changes in atmospheric composition, circulation, and climate. In order to verify the expected ozone recovery from ODSs and to understand interactions with changing climate, continuing observations of key trace gases, and UV radiation will be required for many decades.The ORM noted the need to increase resources for continuing ground-based stations, especially for stations producing long-term records of ozone, trace gases, and UV; ensuring that global and regional data is accurate; enhancing the monitoring of ongoing emissions on substances controlled under the Montreal Protocol; including the measurements of substances of interest to the Protocol.

GAPS IN THE GLOBAL COVERAGE OF ATMOSPHERIC MONITORING OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES

On consideration of a white paper prepared by the Scientific Assessment Panel and other experts, the ORM11 endorsed the paper for consideration at the combined twelfth meeting of the Convention of the Parties (part II) and the Thirty-third Meeting of the Parties in October, noting the importance of continued monitoring of controlled substances, the need to address gaps for early detection of emissions and their sources, as well as the sizeable, sustained funding this would require.

“These observations provide fundamental information to the Montreal Protocol parties to ensure ozone recovery continues and to minimize associated climate change. The steady decrease in the number of stations mainly in tropics and Southern Hemisphere, including profile measurements, is endangering the independent monitoring of trends and the capturing of unexpected events, as well as our ability to validate satellite data records”, ozone managers said.

DATA MANAGEMENT

The ORM11 re-emphasized the continuing need to develop centralized robust automated and timely data submissions. Urgent resources are also required to digitize and curate historical data for ozone, improve linkages among data centres, noting that funding agencies need to continue to recognize long-term archiving as a resource-intensive and critical part of measurement or modelling programmes.

CAPACITY BUILDING

The ORM11 also recommended that the Vienna Convention Trust Fund support activities for maintaining the quality of the global ozone-observing system; providing ongoing training opportunities for local station operators in developing countries, as well as support developing countries and countries with economies in transition with limited resources to expand their scientific capacity to allow them to participate actively in ozone research activities, including assessment activities under the Montreal Protocol.

Co-Chair Héctor R Estévez (Mexico) noted that “In the case of countries with emerging economies, it is necessary to establish and strengthen cadres in the training of professionals in atmospheric sciences, ranging from observers to researchers, and to establish collaborative relationships”.

Co-Chair Kenneth Jucks (USA) noted that “Despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the challenges of online meetings, the ORM discussed successfully all of the issues in its original agenda. The recommendations will be forwarded to the Thirty-third Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol in October this year for consideration by the parties and form the basis of meaningful decisions for implementation”.

Source: WMO

Cleantech Entrepreneurs Driving a Green Recovery in Barbados

03.08.2021

beach-pesak-more-plaža — Foto-ilustracija: Pixabay

Photo-illustration: Unsplash ( Nick Karvounis)

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Eastern Caribbean island nation, famed for its beautiful landscapes, pristine white-sand beaches and temperate climate, attracted around a million tourists each year.

But with travel restrictions across the globe, tourism all but dried up, and the country’s economy has seen a dramatic downturn. It is estimated that, by the end of 2020, GDP had contracted by 18 percent, primarily due to a 71 percent decline in long-stay arrivals over the year.

In these times of instability, the Barbadian government is accelerating its efforts to diversify the economy and rebuild a more sustainable and resilient one. Apart from renewed activity in traditional sectors, the country aims to tap into the new value chains of the emerging global green and blue economy.

Barbados not only has ambitious plans to become the first carbon-free small island developing state by 2030, but also intends to become an export leader of cleantech products and services to the Caribbean and beyond.

In this context, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), with funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF), is supporting the Government of Barbados with the establishment of BLOOM, the Caribbean’s first cleantech cluster.

Created as public-private partnership, the cluster provides shared resources and services, as well as a makerspace for companies and academia to work on joint projects, solutions and marketing. The cluster is hosted by the Barbados Investment and Development Corporation (BIDC), under the supervision of the Ministry of International Business and Industry.

The cluster’s sustainable, responsible and impactful approach to export development embraces the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a bedrock for developing Barbadian businesses.

Jari Aaltonen, manager of BLOOM, explains, “The BLOOM cleantech cluster is still a relatively new player in Barbados’ innovation ecosystem as it was launched in 2020 in the midst of a deep economic crisis. As of now, the cluster has 20 members including start-ups, government agencies, chambers and universities.”

The cluster has engaged young cleantech entrepreneurs from the University of West Indies for the incubation programme, offering them high-quality training, individual coaching and mentoring provided by local experts and partly by international training institutions like Coursera and the International Labour Organization. “This combination is the key for accelerated learning,” Aaltonen says.

You can read the whole article HERE.

Source: UNIDO

UNESCO Revises Its Climate Policy for First Time in More Than a Decade

02.08.2021

climate-change-dry-suva-zemlja-suša — Photo-illustration: Pixabay

At the 44th UNESCO World Heritage Committee meeting, the World Heritage Convention’s governing body and its States Parties adopted a new climate policy—the first time they have done so in over a decade.

States Parties will have until September to edit the policy, which will then be submitted to the General Assembly of the World Heritage Convention, later this year. Also at the meeting, the Committee failed to heed recommendations to place Australia’s Great Barrier Reef on the “in danger” list due to degradation resulting from climate change.

Below is a statement by Adam Markham, deputy director of the Climate and Energy Program at the Union of Concerned Scientists. Markham is a co-author of the 2014 UCS report “National Landmarks at Risk: How Rising Seas, Floods, and Wildfires are Threating the United States’ Most Cherished Historic Sites” and lead author of the 2016 report “World Heritage and Tourism in a Changing Climate,” which was published in partnership with UNESCO and the United Nations Environmental Program.

“Climate change is the fastest growing threat to World Heritage sites globally and no site is completely safe. UNESCO’s new climate policy will heed the latest science and will encourage risk assessments for all sites and actions to protect them from climate impacts. The new policy stresses the importance of countries meeting their commitments under the U.N.’s Paris Agreement by decreasing global warming emissions to a level that will not damage World Heritage sites, as well as providing new funding to help sites adapt to climate impacts that are unavoidable.

It also proposes that newly nominated sites undergo a similar process. Some site managers, including those in Scotland, Australia, Germany, Nigeria, and Tanzania, have already started this work through the implementation of the Climate Vulnerability Index—a methodology that could be utilized to rapidly assess climate risks to World Heritage sites in other member nations.

“Unfortunately, with Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, we already know climate change poses an existential threat to the health of this complex and diverse ecosystem. Warming waters driven by the burning of fossil fuels have led to multiple severe coral bleaching events in recent years, causing irreversible damage to some parts of the reef already. Despite that, the Committee placed politics over science by opting to keep the site off the in danger list after succumbing to an aggressive PR and lobbying campaign waged by the Australian government.

“From our triumphs to our failures, our traditions to our innovations, World Heritage sites tell the story of humankind. The loss of any one site, let alone many, to the growing climate crisis would be nothing short of catastrophic. Many World Heritage sites have already been damaged by climate change and many more are at risk. By ramping up protection efforts, countries can help stave off devastating changes to these irreplaceable and iconic sites around the world.”

Source: Union of Concerned Scientists

Hydrogen Can Reduce Reliance on Fossil Fuels and Support Green Transition

02.08.2021

hydrogen-hidrogen — Foto-ilustracija: Pixabay

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the Gas Transmission System Operator of Ukraine (GTSOU) are joining forces to promote the development and use of hydrogen in Ukraine.

The partners have signed an agreement to formalise their cooperation on low-carbon hydrogen and to develop hydrogen supply chains, a first of its kind accord.

The EBRD and GTSOU previously signed a Memorandum of Understanding in April 2020 that would provide a general framework to improve the environment for sustainable energy investments in Ukraine and reduce the level of greenhouse gas emissions, in particular methane fugitive emissions, and air pollution.

The EBRD regions are characterised by a growing renewable energy industry, which is expected to continue adding value to the domestic economies and contribute to green transition. In certain countries, recent renewable energy electricity prices have fallen below USD 30/MWh – a level at which production of green hydrogen starts to become competitive with conventional fossil fuels.

The Bank recently launched a study on the potential for developing different segments of the hydrogen supply chain across many of the economies where it invests, including Ukraine.

Harry Boyd-Carpenter, EBRD Managing Director, Green Economy and Climate Action, said: “I am very pleased that the EBRD and GTSOU are cooperating to support each other’s activities regarding hydrogen. Ukraine relies heavily on fossil fuels across all sectors of its economy and hydrogen can represent a good alternative for decarbonisation, and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. Supporting the green transition of our economies is a key priority for the EBRD.”

Sergiy Makogon, CEO of GTSOU, said: “Hydrogen is one of the most promising energy sources, which will contribute significantly to energy decarbonisation and achieving sustainable development goals. The challenge therefore is to develop technology to scale up hydrogen use, to create the necessary conditions and infrastructure for its production, transportation and consumption. All this requires time, effort and cooperation by all stakeholders. We recognise the role of natural gas as one of the key energy sources and transition fuel on the path to carbon-free economy, which will remain significant for this transition period. As the operator of the gas transmission system, our task is now to prepare our infrastructure for the decarbonised energy markets of the future.”

“Green” hydrogen – made through the electrolysis of water powered by renewable energy – is widely seen as a promising clean fuel as it has no carbon footprint. In early July, the European Union put scaling up green hydrogen at the centre of Europe’s climate ambition, announcing plans to produce up to a million tonnes of the gas through facilities to be built in the next four years.

To date, the EBRD has invested nearly EUR 15 billion in close to 500 projects in Ukraine. Work is focused on assisting the country’s stabilisation and anchoring its reforms by increasing energy efficiency and energy security, unlocking agricultural and industrial potential, providing quality infrastructure and strengthening the financial sector.

Source: EBRD

In Cameroon, plastic pollution is making floods even deadlier

01.08.2021

pollution-plastika — Photo-illustration: Pixabay

My name is Nathalie Wamja and I am a Greenpeace volunteer based in Douala, Cameroon. I would like to tell you how plastic pollution is wreaking havoc in my community, and causing a lot of danger for the people in my community.

There are recurring floods in my city, Douala. Every year during the rainy season, we experience flooding of houses and shops, as well as pavements. All this affects the quality of water and our food, and has ruined many people’s lives as they lose their homes, livelihoods and even family members.

I wanted to understand why there were so many floods in Douala. I also wanted to know why the quality of our food has changed over the years. So I started to look for answers. And what I found by observing the ditches, drains and any place where water stagnated was the enormous quantity of plastic waste at any given point. Plastic waste was preventing water from circulating and draining off of our streets.

I was very shocked at the extent of the problem. But, how dependent we have become on single-use plastic in our daily lives made me understand how the problem occurred. If you walk around my neighbourhood, you will see plastic bottles flooding our gutters and plastic packaging used freely in our markets, even though they have been prohibited from importation.

Knowing how destructive plastic has been in my city has prompted me to make everyday a “ZERO plastic” day. I refuse single-use plastic and do whatever I can do to inspire others to do the same: suggesting tips to live plastic-free, and if possible present alternative packaging solutions like reusable bags.

You can read the whole article HERE.

Source: Greenpeace

Create the World’s First Electric Vehicle Emoji for World EV Day 2021

30.07.2021

EV Day founders ABB and Green.TV are issuing an “EVmoji” challenge to participants age 16 and younger to create an electric vehicle emoji. The winning design will be submitted to the Unicode Consortium – the consorti -um that finalizes and produces official emojis.

With passenger EV sales set to increase sharply in the next few years, rising from 3.1 million in 2020 to 14 million in 2025, World EV Day is inviting young people to create an EV emoji highlighting this exciting sustainable mobility future.

Because an official emoji representing EVs does not currently exist, ABB and Green.TV are issuing a challenge to the next generation of EV drivers to design what the companies are calling an EVmoji, the world’s first EV emoji icon.

Frank Muehlon, President of ABB’s E-mobility Division, comments: “World EV Day has become an important event to ABB as we continue to raise awareness around e-mobility and the value of enabling a low-carbon future. But just as importantly, we see this event as helping to engage the passion and creativity of the future generation of drivers.

“Launching an EV emoji challenge within the context of World EV Day offers the perfect opportunity to bring young people into the excitement and momentum around electric vehicles, long before they make purchasing decisions. We are calling creative kids everywhere to the electrifying world of EVs.”

The EVmoji challenge is open to entrants between the ages of 6 and 16. All EVmoji drawings, pictures or digital graphics must be posted publicly by August 20th via a personal or parent’s Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn or Twitter with the hashtag #EVmoji.

The winner will be contacted by World EV Day representatives via Direct Message on the social account from which they entered the challenge. The winning design will be announced on World EV Day (September 9, 2021). For more information and a complete list of Terms and Conditions, please see https://www.worldevday.org/emoji-terms-and-conditions.

ABB (ABBN: SIX Swiss Ex) is a leading global technology company that energizes the transformation of society and industry to achieve a more productive, sustainable future. By connecting software to its electrification, robotics, automation and motion portfolio, ABB pushes the boundaries of technology to drive performance to new levels. With a history of excellence stretching back more than 130 years, ABB’s success is driven by about 105,000 talented employees in over 100 countries. www.abb.com

Green.TV: Green.TV is the sustainability media company focused on campaigns, content and channels that communicate the shift to a sustainable way of working and living. www.green.tv

Source: ABB

Europe’s Q2 Diesel Share Hits Record Low As Plugin Share Doubles

30.07.2021

electric_car_električni_automobil — Foto-ilustracija: Pixabay

Europe’s auto market saw diesel share fall below 20 percent for the first time in Q2 2021 from nearer 30 percent a year ago. Meanwhile plugin electric vehicle share more than doubled year-on-year to 16,9 percent in Q2.

This is our first report drawing on quarterly powertrain data from the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA). The data region is EU + EFTA + UK and counts all passenger autos, with Q2 recording 3.405.804 total sales.

For those wanting more granular coverage, our regular monthly Europe reports include timely market share data for plugin electric vehicles, including detailed data on the best selling plugin models and brands. (Note that the monthly Europe report draws upon a slightly larger data region, including Ukraine and Turkey).

The ACEA quarterly data graphed above has the advantage of tracking the market share of all powertrain types, so we can see the entire market’s evolution over time. The quarterly resolution has a consolatory silver lining of smoothing the erratic month-by-month results of those automakers who mainly deliver at the end of each quarter (Tesla, for example).

Diesel In Decline, Electrification Gaining Fast

Europe’s diesel share of new sales dropped dramatically to 18,4 percent in Q2 2021, from 27,9 percent in Q2 2020. That’s a huge one-third cut in share over the course of 12 months. At this rate, diesel will be below 10 percent share in Europe by Q4 2022 or Q1 2023.

Plugin electric vehicle powertrains have more than doubled their market share over the past year, hitting 16,9 percent in Q2 2021, from 8,4 percent in Q2 2020. The combined plugin result of 16,9 percent was slightly weighted towards pure electrics (BEVs, totaling 289,625 sales) at 8,50 percent, with plugin hybrids (PHEVs, 284,940) contributing 8,37 percent. Both categories roughly doubled their share from a year ago.

You can read the whole article HERE.

Source: Clean Technica

Exchange Programme For Coal Regions to Share Experiences With Implementing Just Transition to Clean Energy

29.07.2021

ugalj — Foto-ilustracija: Unsplash (Joey Harris)

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Eduardo Jaeger)

Coal regions in the Western Balkans, Ukraine and the EU are invited to join an exchange programme to accelerate just local energy transitions. The programme is an opportunity for regions to start direct, one-to-one dialogues, connect with different stakeholders, learn from each other, and transfer knowledge. The exchange programme is part of the Initiative for coal regions in transition in the Western Balkans and Ukraine, managed by the European Commission in cooperation with the Energy Community, the World Bank, EBRD, EIB, Poland’s National Fund for Environment Protection and Water Management and the College of Europe in Natolin.

Participating regions will be paired based on their interests and expertise, and will select topics relevant to coal phase-out to be explored in-depth. Priority will be given to forming pairs made up of one coal region from the Western Balkans or Ukraine and one coal region from the EU. However, this is flexible and needs-based.

All participating regions will benefit from funded study visits, knowledge exchange, and expert support. In addition to tailored expert support, regions will access advice from their peers through hands-on learning opportunities, and will gain access to tools and support to help them reflect on and evaluate their transitions so far, and map out their next steps. The programme is also a unique networking opportunity.

Interested applicants are invited to apply by 15 September 2021. Information on eligibility and application process is available at the programme’s webpage.

For more information, please contact exchangeWBUA@coalregions.eu.

Source: Energy Community

eVOC Serbia Project-For the Control of Volatile Organic Compounds Emissions

28.07.2021

heating_plant_toplana zagađenje — Foto-ilustracija: Pixabay

Serbia is engaged in intensive preparation of its negotiating position for Chapter 27, dedicated to environment and climate. In the process of EU accession, one of the key points for our institutions is the Industrial Emissions Directive. To meet European standards in this field, we have received support from the Norwegian government to adopt and implement of legislation pertaining to volatile organic compounds (VOC), which is a constituent part of Chapter V of the aforementioned Directive. The eVOC Serbia Project is implemented by the Cleaner Production Centre of the Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy in Belgrade. Volatile organic compounds are used in numerous production processes, says Geir Johansen, Deputy Head of Mission at the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Belgrade. “We usually come into contact with these compounds when we use everyday products such as paints, furniture, packaging or dry-cleaned clothes.

”However, exposure to these materials is not significant, as their use is strictly regulated. Despite the fact that harmonization of the Serbian legislation with the EU legislation is still relatively low when it comes to VOC, VOC’s impact on air pollution is limited compared to other pollution sources. Still, these organic compounds may be hazardous for human and animal health, which is why it’s important to have a database of VOC operators that will include not only large companies but also small and medium enterprises that use these chemicals, without even being aware of it. Thanks to the eVOC Project, a digital database of VOC operators will be established for the first time in Serbia, notes Geir Johansen.

The Department for air protection and the ozone layer of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and the Environmental Protection Agency are the competent authorities for implementing legislation in this field. The eVOC Serbia Project provides support to these authorities for the complete transposition of Chapter V of the Industrial Emissions Directive through updates and additions to the national legislation, identification of companies currently operating in Serbia, which are under the scope of the VOC legislation and by preparing the future electronic Register of VOC operators. Special attention has been paid to this tool, which will form a constituent part of the National Register of Pollution Sources. Through the Register, VOC operators will submit data and documents required by the Regulation in digital form. Another group of important stakeholders in this process are the local inspectors, as they play a key role in the implementation of the VOC Regulation. The Project includes the organization of specific training to increase the knowledge on volatile organic compounds emissions, industrial sectors that fall under the Regulation’s scope and the techniques to decrease VOC use and emissions.

In focus:

First and foremost, the inspectors will be trained to assess compliance with the Regulation requirements, specifically in terms of emission limit values for air emissions and the control of the annual solvent management plan. Local inspectors will have nine general and sector-specific training that will also include VOC operators. Within this training, they will visit four companies to perform on-site inspections. Chapter V of the Industrial Emissions Directive encompasses 20 industrial sectors, from printing to dry cleaning and coating. An annual threshold for solvent consumption has been prescribed for each sector. An operator falls under the Directive’s scope solely if their annual solvent consumption exceeds the threshold for their sector.

These thresholds, as well as all other provisions, have been transposed into the national legislation by the Regulation on the list of industrial installations and activities for which volatile organic compounds emissions are controlled, on the values of volatile organic compounds emissions at a certain solvent consumption and total emission limit values, as well as an emissions reduction scheme (“Official Gazette of the RS” no. 100/2011), which must be updated to completely transpose the aforementioned Chapter. Communication between the expert and general public is very important, so an Info Centre will be formed, to serve as a place to present informative materials, knowledge on volatile organic compounds, and on the legislation in this field. The eVOC Project will contribute to economic growth, competitiveness and capacity building in the field of environment protection, climate and energy, and it will be completed in December 2022.

Prepared by: Milica Radičević

Read the whole interview in the new issue of the Energy portal Magazine CIRCULAR ECONOMY, march 2021 – may 2021.

How composting can reduce our impact on the planet

28.07.2021

compost_kompost — Foto-ilustracija: Pixabay

Every year, across the world, 1,3 billion tones of food is either lost or wasted, says the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) Food Waste Index.

With world hunger on this rise due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the need to reduce food waste is becoming increasingly urgent.

A report published in July 2021 by the Food and Agriculture Organization, the World Food Programme, the World Health Organisation and other UN agencies shows that one-tenth of the global population – as many as 811 million people – were undernourished in 2020, up 118 million from 2019.

In addition to exacerbating hunger and food insecurity, food loss and waste contribute to the three planetary crises that threaten our collective future – climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.

But while loss and waste occur across the entire food system, individuals and households are not powerless. In fact, with almost 570 million tones of loss and waste produced in homes, their action is critical.

Guidelines issued by UNEP and the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) show the practice of composting is one of the best options for managing organic waste while also reducing environmental impacts.

Proper composting of the organic waste we generate in our daily lives – inedible or unused food – can reduce the dependence on chemical fertilizers, help recover soil fertility, and improve water retention and the delivery of nutrients to plants.

More broadly, by reducing food waste, composting also helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that affect climate change. Food loss and waste generate an estimated 8-10 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions while using land and water resources increasingly put pressure on biodiversity.

“Our relationship with nature is unbalanced,” explains Doreen Robinson, UNEP Wildlife Chief. “Humans are continuously taking and discarding, and nature is continuously giving.”

Instead, she says, “we need to apply circular thinking in which life is sustained and things are continuously repurposed.”

Sourse: UNEP

NTPC Wins Approval For India’s Largest (4.7 Gigawatt!) Solar Park

27.07.2021

solar_power_plant_solarna_elektrana — Foto-ilustracija: Pixabay

In a major boost to its aggressive plans to increase renewable energy generation, India’s largest power generation company has secured approval to set up a solar park park in Gujarat.

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy recently gave a go-ahead to NTPC to set up a 4,7 gigawatt solar power park at Rann of Kutch in Gujarat. The park will be around twice as large as the Bhadla solar park in the neighbouring state of Rajasthan.

Solar power generated at this park will also be used for production of green hydrogen, the company revealed. The Indian government recently announced that it would mandate industries to use hydrogen produced from renewable energy. The obligation would be implemented in a manner similar to the renewable energy mandates.

The company first announced plans to set up this solar park in 2019. The size of the solar park was initially proposed to be 5 gigawatts with an estimated investment of Rs 200 billion ($2,8 billion). The company was reportedly considering setting up a similar solar power park in neighboring state of Rajasthan.

NTPC has around 66 gigawatts of power generation capacity, nearly 92 percent based on coal and gas. It plans to have 60 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity by 2032. Over the few months the company has been aggressively participating in solar power auctions, it has done so through its new subsidiary — NTPC Renewable Energy Limited.

The sudden push for renewable energy by NTPC is part of its Corporate Plan 2032. It plans to increase the share of renewable energy in its generation mix to 28,5 percent by 2032.

Source: Clean Technica

ABB Delivers Chargers for Revolutionary ‘GRIDSERVE Electric Highway’ EV Charging Network

27.07.2021

GRIDSERVEElectricHighwayOvers_2 — Photo: ABB

Advanced multi-site charging network in the UK will see ABB equipment charge thousands of electric vehicles with its Ultrafast and Fast chargers, making EV charging more straightforward and accessible for drivers.

ABB’s acclaimed Ultrafast DC and Fast DC electric vehicle (EV) chargers will support the new GRIDSERVE Electric Highway charging network across the UK as both companies seek to drive the adoption of electric vehicles, especially by making charging easier and more accessible. This is key to increasing the momentum of the growing EV market which experienced a three fold increase in registrations in the UK from 2019 to 2020*.

GRIDSERVE’s Electric Highway will include coverage for 85 percent of the UK’s motorway network, plus towns and cities across the country. This multi-million pound investment will be supported by ABB’s Ultrafast DC 350 kW chargers at 50 of the new Electric Charging Hubs, with each site having between 6 and 12 charging units. A further 300 Fast DC 60 kW chargers will provide enhanced reliability to upgrade 150 existing sites that GRIDSERVE has acquired from Ecotricity.

GRIDSERVE selected ABB for its proven reliable and flexible technology, which includes the ability to support GRIDSERVE’s Autocharge, a new feature for most UK EV drivers that recognises the unique identity of cars and initiates automatic charging power and payments. Secondly was ABB’s ability to support rapid deployment, with more than 10 new Electric Hubs planned to be in service before the end of 2021.

Toddington Harper, CEO of GRIDSERVE said: “GRIDSERVE’s purpose is to deliver sustainable energy and move the needle on climate change. We’ve chosen to use ABB EV chargers as they have the technology and capability to help deliver our ambitious plans for the GRIDSERVE Electric Highway network, and provide the best possible charging experience for EV drivers.”

Frank Muehlon, President of ABB’s E-mobility Division said: “GRIDSERVE’s choice of ABB for its Electric Highway is a notable endorsement of our leadership in e-mobility, our strong relationship and shared desire to revolutionise EV charging in the UK.”

This latest project builds on ABB’s experience of delivering EV chargers for GRIDSERVE’s inaugural Electric Forecourt® in Braintree, Essex. The forecourt is part of the company’s ‘sun-to-wheel’ infrastructure built to deliver low cost, net zero carbon energy to every vehicle that uses one of GRIDSERVE’S chargers. They use power generated by solar canopies above the chargers together with a network of hybrid solar farms. The focus is to make EV ownership practical and realistic for thousands of drivers who don’t have access to private chargers.

Since entering the e-mobility market in 2010, ABB has sold more than 400,000 electric vehicle chargers across more than 85 markets, including more than 20,000 fast chargers.

To explore ABB’s electric vehicle charging technology, visit ABB.

*Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders

ABB (ABBN: SIX Swiss Ex) is a leading global technology company that energizes the transformation of society and industry to achieve a more productive, sustainable future. By connecting software to its electrification, robotics, automation and motion portfolio, ABB pushes the boundaries of technology to drive performance to new levels. With a history of excellence stretching back more than 130 years, ABB’s success is driven by about 105,000 talented employees in over 100 countries.

Source: ABB

Mercedes Teases EQXX With 1000 Kilometers Of Range

26.07.2021

mercedes-benz-automobil — Foto-ilustracija: Pixabay

In 2013, Volkswagen introduced the XL1, a super efficient passenger car whose claim to fame was that it needed only 1 liter of gasoline to travel 100 kilometers. Back then, nobody could have predicted that the EU, the UK, and several other nations would be thinking of banning the internal combustion engine by 2035 or sooner.

Just 8 years later, nobody cares about the efficiency of conventional cars. Instead, the conversation today is about efficient powertrains for battery electric cars. Most new EVs have a range of about 250 miles. Some can go 300+ miles without charging. A few can go 350 or even 400 miles. But now Mercedes says it is hard at work on the spiritual successor to the XL1 — the EQXX.

Mercedes has released a few teaser photos of the EQXX, so we know it will be either a coupe or a sedan with a long, sloping roofline designed to allow it to slip through the air easily. In fact, the company says it is aiming for a Cd of 0.20 or less. To put that into perspective, the Tesla Model 3 has a Cd of 0.24. The new Mercedes EQS boasts a Cd of 0.20. The EQXX could beat that.

Mercedes is not ready to tell us much more about its new car. It says we will have to wait until the official reveal sometime next year for details. It also says the EQXX may not turn out to be a production car, but its DNA may very will find itself into future electric models from the company.

Aerodynamics are a critical factor for electric cars. The more smoothly they cleave the air, the further they can go on a single charge. But the efficiency of the drivetrain is also important. Mercedes says it is leveraging the expertise of the High Performance Powertrain team that makes the engines for its Formula One racing team.

Mercedes aims to boost the energy density of the battery by 20 percent compared to the recently introduced EQS. The EQXX will cover more than 6 miles per kilowatt-hour, according to Motor 1. (A Tesla Model 3 goes about 4 miles per kilowatt-hour.) The company says it doesn’t intend simply to install a massive battery to achieve high range. Instead, the model will have the same pack being planned for a future compact car. Based on the projected range and efficiency, expect a battery pack of about 104 kWh, Motor 1 says.

As Mercedes prepares to up its electric car game, potential customers are still fixated on how far they can go before they need to recharge. Many people fear being caught far away from home with no charging station available nearby. Offering well engineered, well designed EVs with up to 620 miles of range should be just what the doctor ordered to allay those fears.

Source: Clean Technica

Western Indian Ocean region has Declared 550,000 Square Kilometers as Protected, a 63 percent Jump Since 2015

26.07.2021

rottnest-island-okean — Photo-illustration: Pixabay

The Western Indian Ocean region has declared 143* marine and coastal areas as protected – an area covering 553,163 square kilometers, representing 7 percent of the total Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) for the region – according to a new publication by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP)-Nairobi Convention and the Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association.

The Marine Protected Areas Outlook, released today, indicates that almost half of the total area – an estimated 63 percent of the overall square kilometers – was brought under protection in the seven years since the 2015 adoption of Sustainable Development Goal 14.5, which committed countries to conserving at least 10 percent of their marine and coastal areas by 2020.

This Outlook examines the current and future status of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in Comoros, Kenya, France (in its Western Indian Ocean territories), Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, South Africa, and Tanzania, emphasizing the increased commitment of countries to strengthen marine protection. In 2019 alone, Seychelles brought 30 percent of its Exclusive Economic Zone under protection, safeguarding the habitats of 2,600 species, while South Africa declared 20 new MPAs – enabling both countries to exceed the 10 percent target. Comoros has developed new MPA-specific legislation, while over three hundred Locally Managed Marine Areas – i.e., areas in which coastal communities shoulder the mantle of conservation – have been declared across the region.

The publication further documents the dozens of proposed MPAs currently under consideration by countries, which would cover an additional 50,000 square kilometers or more. Nevertheless, with only 7 percent of the region’s total EEZ under protection, greater momentum and investments will be required by countries to reach the more ambitious target of 30 percent protection by 2030, as proposed under the Global Biodiversity Framework.

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Francesco Ungaro)

Although the ocean provides us with resources essential for survival, including food, employment, and even oxygen, the world is damaging and depleting it faster than ever. Soon, the region may no longer be able to count on the many jobs, health, and economic benefits – valued at 20.8 billion USD – that the Western Indian Ocean provides. Marine protected areas offer one of the best options to reverse these trends.

“A well-managed MPA can bring significant economic, social, and environmental benefits to a country,” said Yamkela Mngxe, Acting Director of Integrated Projects and International Coordination in South Africa’s Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment. “They can increase food security by preventing the overexploitation of fish stocks; create and protect jobs in the tourism and fisheries sectors; build resilience to climate change; and protect species and habitats.”

Though countries in the region have made significant strides in protecting its marine and coastal areas, the Outlook outlines best practices, challenges, and several opportunities to build on this progress to ensure the entire region meets future Global Biodiversity Framework targets on marine protected areas. The Outlook’s assessment of the management effectiveness of MPAs indicates that MPA frameworks and institutions do not always function effectively. Nor is relevant legislation consistently implemented, due to financial or personnel capacity gaps; weak enforcement on MPA boundaries; and management decisions that are not guided by science.

Key recommendations from the Outlook therefore include:

1. The need for dedicated budgets for MPA management;

2. Adopting proactive law enforcement and compliance strategies to ensure MPA regulations and guidelines are being respected which could be informed by the best practices in fishery reserves like Mauritius, which have helped to restore fish stocks and protect biodiversity;

3. Incorporating research and monitoring programmes on biodiversity and ecosystems into decision-making in MPAs;

4. Strengthening community engagement in marine protection by implementing lessons learned by the MIHARI Network, which brings together more than 200 Locally Managed Marine Areas in Madagascar.

“The MPA Outlook comes at a time when the region has embarked on large-scale socio-economic developments that are equally exerting pressure on MPAs,” said Hon. Flavien Joubert, Minister of Agriculture, Climate Change, and Environment of the Seychelles. “The Outlook thus provides some answers and innovative approaches to minimize the scale of negative impacts on MPAs.”

The MPA Outlook concludes that by seizing the opportunities it presents, countries in the region can capitalize on this progress to safeguard the Western Indian Ocean’s immense natural beauty and resources for generations to come – and sustain momentum towards achievement of the post 2020 biodiversity framework targets.

Source: UNEP

New York on The Way To Its 6 Gigawatts By 2025 Solar Power Goal

25.07.2021

statue_of_liberty_new_york_statua_slobode_njujork — Foto-ilustracija: Pixabay

New York’s solar growth has climbed 2.100 percent since the NY-Sun initiative was launched in 2011. The cost of solar dropped 69 percent in that same period.

Naturally, there are large global trends driving these results, but they are great for New York nonetheless. They’re also helping New York Governor Cuomo to easily approach his goal of six gigawatts (GW) of solar power by 2025 — a mandate from the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.

New York is 95 percent there when you look at projects that have already been installed and connected to the grid as well as projects that are currently under development. Four years to add the other 5 percent doesn’t seem too hard. One of the great economic benefits is that this solar power growth has created 12.000 jobs across the state.

“Solar energy is a key component in New York’s transition to a clean energy economy as we work to reduce harmful emissions across the board and address the dual challenges of fighting climate change and rebuilding stronger post-pandemic,” Governor Cuomo said. “The success of NY-Sun demonstrates we are on track to meeting our nation-leading energy goals while stimulating green job growth and economic recovery in communities across the state as part of our comprehensive plan to reimagine New York following the pandemic.”

Easy comments for the governor to make. Clearly, he has the whole global solar market and also policies around the world to thank for enabling the solar cost drops and more mature solar ecosystem. Though, New York also does deserve some love for its efforts and policies. Six gigawatts (or even 3 GW) of solar power are more than most countries have installed.

Source: Clean Technica

Končar Group – A Century of Excellence, Innovation and Success

24.07.2021

In 1921, a small workshop destined for great achievements was set up. Throughout its hundred years of history, KONČAR Group has become a synonym for excellence and established itself as one of Croatia’s leading exporters. The company celebrated its anniversary of excellence and innovation in the face of constant social and economic challenges, showing consistent resilience and adaptability through a continuous successful operation.

High standards drive export to 130 global markets

During a century of high standards of KONČAR Group has earned the unconditional trust of customers and the status of a regional leader in power engineering and traction vehicles.

In the successful hundred years of operation, KONČAR has delivered more than 400,000 transformers of various types, voltage levels and rated power to all continents; it has fully or partially built and revitalized 375 hydropower plants, manufactured and refurbished 700 generators, and manufactured and supplied 330 locomotives and almost 200 low-floor trams and trains.

In focus:

It is difficult to single out individual achievements that allowed KONCAR to penetrate numerous markets in which we operate today on the principle of customer-specific approach, which distinguishes us from some major global companies. Because of such approach and constant investment in development and our expertise, today we can proudly say that we are a regional leader in the field of the electrical industry and rail solutions, points out Gordan Kolak, Chairman of KONČAR’s Management Board.

The largest solar power plant in Croatia

One of the most important projects last year is certainly the solar power plant on the island of Vis, the largest of its kind in Croatia. For this important turnkey project, KONČAR obtained all necessary permits, drew up design documentation and constructed the plant. More specifically, KONČAR delivered equipment, including proprietary developed and manufactured invertors, performed construction and electrical works and finally connected the plant to the substation. In 2020, KONČAR – Instrument Transformers made a new step forward in the product range. They delivered nine transformers for the customer in the USA to self-supply substations with a voltage level of 525 kV and a power of 250 kVA. The customer is one of the most strategically important power companies in the United States. These are also the largest transformers that the company has produced to date and among the largest in the world of this type, given the voltage level and power.

Rich tradition in the rail solutions segment

Rail vehicles and infrastructure are certainly a key part of KONČAR’s portfolio. KONČAR manufactured the first domestic locomotive back in 1970, and success in this area has continued through later development of low-floor trains and trams. In addition to the domestic market, the high quality of KONČAR’s low-floor tram has also been recognized by the European market. KONČAR concluded an agreement in 2018 with a Latvian buyer Liepājas Tramvajs, a breakthrough for the company since it marks the first export of this high-technology product developed in-house.

The trams are equipped with their own electric motor drive, auxiliary power supply, microprocessor control and various other solutions designed for maximum passengers’ comfort. KONČAR will manufacture and deliver 12 low-floor trams for the Latvian buyer, the first two of which were delivered late last year, while the last tram is to be delivered in April 2022.

A series of successful projects in neighbouring Serbia

In July 2018, KONČAR signed a contract for a major project for the Petroleum Industry of Serbia (NIS); deliveries included 46 explosion-proof premium-efficiency IE3 motors with a power of up to 200 kW, intended for powering pumps, fans and furnaces located in danger zones. Furthermore, in the last few years, KONČAR has cooperated with several dozen customers from the Republic of Serbia. Apart from development projects, most activities concerned diagnostic and laboratory testing, certification and deliveries of transformer monitoring systems. KONČAR’s work on the HPP Đerdap and the Beočin Cement Factory stand out. Delivery of 5 transformers with a power output of 37 MVA for Zvornik HPP and 2 transformers with a rated power of 31.5 MVA for TS Kopaonik should also be mentioned. In total, over the last five years, KONČAR has delivered 14 medium power transformers of various rated power to customers in the Serbian market.

Read the story in the new issue of the Energy portal Magazine CIRCULAR ECONOMY march 2021.-may 2021.

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