Oil & Gas Execs Are Struggling To Attract Investors And Blaming Clean Energy

28.06.2021

nafta_rezervoari — Photo-illustration: Pixabay

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Delfino Barboza)

The Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas has released its Q2 2021 Energy Survey, and one thing is clear: oil and gas companies are struggling to find investors.

The new report included special questions about expectations for a global crude oil gap, current and expected investments in renewables by oil and gas firms, and more. Oil and gas executives who responded to the survey noted that this sector “continued to grow strongly” in Q2 2021. However, two comments stood out.

“We have relationships with approximately 400 institutional investors and close relationships with 100. Approximately one is willing to give new capital to oil and gas investment. The story is the same for public companies and international exploration. This underinvestment coupled with steep shale declines will cause prices to rocket in the next two to three years. I don’t think anyone is really prepared for it, but U.S. producers cannot increase capital expenditures: the OPEC+ sword of Damocles still threatens another oil price collapse the instant that large publics announce capital expenditure increases. The inability to access credit from reserve-based lending is a current issue affecting our business.”

“Our biggest fear is the administration’s executive actions. Inflation will cause higher oil prices. That will hurt demand over time. Dollar values will help domestic producers. Our foreign policy looks very weak. That may create issues that invite higher oil prices.”

These comments were from a survey of respondents whose identities were not mentioned in the report. Another comment mentioned that the Federal Reserve was leaning on banks to address climate change in their lending decisions — something that is not helpful to the oil and gas industry.

Another commenter referred to President Biden’s stance on clean energy as “the current mess in Washington,” and noted that this added an “unacceptable and adolescent level of challenge to strategic planning.” They claimed that the economy is dependent on the oil and gas industry to provide the energy to fuel it.

One executive stated that they have been monitoring potential changes to the tax code that could negatively impact the industry. They noted that they are “especially concerned about the elimination of intangible drilling cost deductions and flow-through entity taxation.”

Source: Clean Technica

What is “Nature Positive” and Why is it the Key to our Future?

28.06.2021

elephants_slonovi_animals_životinje_wildlife_divljina — Foto-ilustracija: Pixabay

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Silas Baisch)

G7 leaders recently announced that “our world must not only become net zero, but also nature positive, for the benefit of both people and the planet.”

This represents a real paradigm shift in how nations, businesses, investors and consumers view nature. In the past, the mantra among a growing number of inspired leaders has been to do less harm, to reduce impact and to tread lightly across our world. Of course, this mantra remains.

But now there is a new worldview gathering pace: “nature positive.” This asks: What if we go beyond damage limitation? What if our economic activities not only minimize impact, but also enhance ecosystems?

A natural positive approach enriches biodiversity, stores carbon, purifies water and reduces pandemic risk. In short, a natural positive approach enhances the resilience of our planet and our societies.

Nature positive is a disruptive idea. It forces us to think differently about our place in the world. It is a destination for humanity. It is a foundation for good governance, long-term stable societies and healthy economies. It is a philosophy that values our common future. And it is a new business model based on regeneration, resilience and recirculation – not destruction and pollution.

A natural positive goal is not some dream to be realized many generations from now: it is a goal for the next decade. And it is increasingly important.

Farming, overfishing, mining and deforestation have now reached such a scale that they are reducing the resilience of the biosphere – the thin veil on the surface of Earth where life thrives. About half of habitable land on Earth is used for farming, resulting in the world’s single largest source of greenhouse gases and ecosystem destruction. We are also exceeding planetary boundaries, creating a dual nature and climate emergency.

A natural positive approach contributes to solving both. At its heart, the goal is to halt and reverse the destruction of nature by 2030 with a full recovery of a resilient biosphere by 2050.

Momentum for a natural positive guiding star is building day by day. In addition to the G7, 88 heads of state have signed the Leaders Pledge for Nature to reverse loss of biodiversity by 2030. It is also a goal supported by 126 Nobel Laureates in the Our Planet, Our Future statement. More than 700 businesses have called for nations to reverse loss of nature as soon as possible. In the finance sector, the new Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures will help direct investments towards a nature positive future. And faith and youth leaders have issued manifestos calling for this decade to be a turning point towards living in harmony with nature.

Nature positive is now a movement.

And it makes business sense. The Future of Nature and Business report’s estimates that a nature positive economy can unlock USD 10 trillion of business opportunities by transforming the three economic systems that are responsible for almost 80 percent of nature loss: food, infrastructure and energy.

But what does nature positive mean in practice?

Such a goal must include relevant, actionable targets that capture nature’s complexity and connectivity from genes to ecosystems. It will need targets to enhance the resilience of the processes that support life – the water, nitrogen, carbon and phosphorus cycles, to name just four. And it must be fair. Without equitable management of the global commons, we will not succeed.

A natural positive goal complements the agreed global climate target of net zero emissions by 2050. To achieve this, we need to halve emissions by 2030. But as climate science shows, it will not be enough. The only way to hold the 1.5°C line is to simultaneously cut emissions, safeguard natural carbon sinks and transform agriculture from one of the largest sources of greenhouse gases to a vital store of carbon.

This means that a natural positive goal is not only necessary and beneficial in its own right; it is a prerequisite for us to have any chance of delivering the Paris climate agreement. But any definition of “net” nature positive must clearly state companies and countries cannot destroy nature in one place and restore elsewhere. This is simply unacceptable and will rightly be open to criticism of “greenwashing.”

This means governments, cities and businesses need to know what to measure. Science-based targets for a natural positive trajectory are still under intense discussion. As of today, the proposed quantitative targets are as follows: zero loss of nature from 2020 onwards, nature positive by 2030, and full recovery by 2050.

An important step towards this is to aim to protect 30 percent of the land and ocean by 2030. The G7 committed to this goal, paving the way for an international agreement later this year in Kunming, China, when nations will meet to agree goals to protect biodiversity as part of the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity.

Leaders will meet again in Glasgow in November for the COP26 climate summit. Here, the COP26 leadership under the UK and Italian governments are committed to place nature at the same level as climate, driven by the nature positive framing.

Nation states make up one part of the picture. Businesses, investors and cities must also adopt nature positive targets. Within the Global Commons Alliance, which we represent, the Science Based Targets Network (SBTN) is accelerating this process. Already, companies can join SBTN to prepare to set targets for nature based on a simple three-step process: discover their impact, evolve their business model to become nature positive, and track their progress. SBTN also plan to develop the tools for cities, too.

Given the complexity, scientific uncertainties remain regarding some of the precise targets to achieve such audacious goals – from companies to countries. This is no excuse for inaction. Targets must be flexible enough to evolve as new scientific information comes to light.

Within the Global Commons Alliance we have created the Earth Commission to do just that. It brings together world leading expertise to identify for the first time a “safe and just corridor for humanity”. It will present its conclusions in 2022, but in the meantime, we have enough information to act now and create a natural positive future.

Source: World Economic Forum

Miami Takes Another Step Into The Future With 42 Proterra Electric Buses

27.06.2021

električni autobus electric bus — Foto: Tviter skrinšot

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Lance Asper)

Miami-Dade county has taken another step towards the electric future by adding 42 Proterra ZX5+ buses to its rapidly growing electric bus fleet, bringing the grand total of Proterra-built EVs operating in Miami to 75. But that’s just the headline — along with the buses, Miami will be installing 75 high-capacity chargers across three bus depots, ensuring they’re all “juiced up” and ready to go each morning.

“Miami-Dade County has long been a leader in advancing forward-looking clean technology solutions,” said Jack Allen, Proterra CEO, in a statement. “We are delighted to build on our partnership together and drive the county’s switch to zero-emission, electric transportation with our EV technology.”

Proterra says its US-built battery-electric buses save nearly 230.000 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions when replacing a diesel bus — per year. With more than 600 electric city buses already on the road and over 20 million service miles on them, I feel like it’s safe to say that these things are doing a great job cleaning up their respective cities’ air, you know?

Well, Miami-Dade County Daniella Levine Cava seems convinced, anyway. “This is a major step forward in Miami-Dade County’s commitment to incorporate clean, renewable energy to protect our environment and offer better transportation options,” she says. “With these new electric buses, Miami-Dade will lead the way with the largest sustainable transportation fleet in Florida and one of the largest in the nation.”

What do you guys think of Miami’s electric bus buy? Is it something to celebrate, or just a case of greenwashing to bring up at reelection? Scroll on down to the comments section and let us know.

Source: Clean Tchnica

Pollution From Farming and Harbours Imperils Coastal Habitats: New Report

26.06.2021

water-voda-zagadjenje — Photo-illustration: Pixabay

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Linnea Herner)

The plants and animals that live along the world’s coasts are coming under increased pressure from pollution tied to harbours, agriculture, and fish and shrimp farming, warns a new report from the International Resource Panel.

The study, Governing Coastal Resources, says there is an urgent need to limit coastal pollution and other byproducts of industry, including the introduction of invasive species. Failing that, some coastal ecosystems, as well as the ocean-based economy they support, could collapse, said the report.

“There is no doubt that the future of the world’s oceans is at risk, and so is the critical role they play in supporting life on Earth and human well being,” said Professor Steve Fletcher, the primary author of the report and a member of the International Resource Panel. The panel is part of the United Nations Environment Programme.

Oceans contain 50 to 80 percent of all life on Earth and many of those plants and animals dwell in coastal areas. Coasts are also vital for human prosperity. They provide resources, including food, energy, and raw materials, while supporting cultural and recreational opportunities. In fact, the blue economy, a phrase that refers to the sustainable use of the ocean’s bounty, accounts for 5 percent of global gross domestic product and relies largely on coastal resources

Threats from agriculture, ports and aquaculture

However, coastal resources are increasingly facing detrimental impacts from human activities on land. For instance, around 80 percent of marine pollution originates onshore. The International Resource Panel’s new report examines numerous land-based sectors and identifies the three that impact coastal resources the most: agriculture, ports and harbours, and aquaculture, which includes fish and shrimp farming.

Agricultural runoff, particularly from chemicals that leach from fertilizer, is a major threat, as are chemical discharges and waste from aquaculture. Nutrients used in both industries, including nitrogen and phosphorus, and persistent toxins can end up in coastal waters, leading to oxygen depletion and creating marine dead zones.

Meanwhile, the construction and operation of ports alter sediment, turbidity and current patterns, which harms coastal ecosystems, such as seagrass meadows. Invasive species can also be introduced through the ballast water of ships. On top of this, port operations and ship engines create noise pollution and generate substantial pollutants.

As the global demand for food and agriculture is projected to rise and the shipping industry to expand, there is an urgent need to manage the impacts of these land-based activities on coastal resources to ensure the sustainability of nature and the blue economy, the report said.

The importance of an integrated land-sea governance approach

Historically the management of the ocean has been fragmented by natural, legal and administrative boundaries, the report said. Land and sea are often governed separately and pertinent sectors are not communicating with each other. Moreover, impacts arising from land-based activities may cross national borders, which creates, even more, governing challenges.

“There are very few, if any, truly effective governance mechanisms that take account of land-ocean interactions,” wrote Izabella Teixeira and Janez Potočnik, Co-Chairs of the International Resources Panel, in the report.

The world needs new governance frameworks that connect land and sea together, and consider the entirety of the impact of land-based stresses, the report urged.

“We’ve got to stop looking at the problem in a fragmented way,” said Fletcher. “Land-based activities in one country may contribute to degradation of coastal resources in another region. “This should now be a global priority.”

An example of integrated land-sea management can be found on the Caribbean coast of Honduras. The landscape has a high-value forest and coastal biodiversity, but also rapidly expanding agricultural production and a growing population. It has experienced extensive degradation of soil, forest, water and biodiversity. The Sustainable Landscapes Programme brings together various land-sea stakeholders to create action plans that meet food security, biodiversity, water and climate change targets. That maximizes the efficiency of coastal and land resources and minimizes the ecological footprint of export products.

The report said the world needs regional regulatory frameworks that would oblige industries to take into account their impact on coastal resources and local communities. It also said monitoring and evaluation frameworks and decision-support tools are important instruments to ensure the effective governance of coastal resources.

In this way, these can better account for, and ideally reduce, the effects of land-based activities on coastal resources and thereby support the transition to a sustainable blue economy, the report said.

Source: UNEP

Vestas Secures Its Largest Wind Turbine Order Ever In France

25.06.2021

sky-vetropark — Photo-illustration: Pixabay

To the start the summer with some strongly positive news, Vestas Mediterranean has announced that TTR Energy placed a 122 megawatts (MW) order for the Sud Marne wind park. It is located in Marne, France.

The contract is to secure the transport, supply, and installation of 30 V150-4.2 MW wind turbines. Some of the installations will be operating immediately, as delivered — in 4.0 MW operating mode. Vestas also includes a 20-year Active Output Management 5000 (AOM 5000) service agreement.

“We are really proud of partnering with TTR Energy for Vestas’ largest order ever received in France. We expect that the reliability and high competitiveness of our 4 MW platform will contribute significantly to increase the yearly energy production of the wind park and optimise our customer’s business case,” says Vestas France Country Manager, Hugues Faivre.

The wind turbine delivery is supposed to take place by the 2nd quarter of 2022, and commissioning is scheduled the 4th quarter of 2022.

The first installation of a Vestas turbine in France was back in 1991. Since then, the company has led the country’s wind industry, with over 5,8 gigawatts (GW) of wind capacity installed via more than 2,300 wind turbines. These numbers position the company as the main contributor to the expansion of wind energy in France, with a 30 percent cumulative market share.

Vestas shares: “We are really proud of partnering with TTR Energy for Vestas’ largest order ever received in France. We expect that the reliability and high competitiveness of our 4 MW platform will contribute significantly to increase the yearly energy production of the wind park and optimise our customer’s business case,” says Vestas France Country Manager, Hugues Faivre.

Source: Clean Technica

At Meeting of Global Commission, Energy and Climate Leaders Assess how to put People at the Heart of Clean Energy Transitions

25.06.2021

solar_park_solarni_park_solar_power_plant_solarna_elektrana_solar_energy_solarna_energija — Foto-ilustracija: Pixabay

The second meeting of the Global Commission on People-Centred Clean Energy Transitions took place today, bringing together 25 high-profile energy and climate figures from around the world to assess how to ensure that the transition to clean energy is fair and inclusive for everyone.

The virtual meeting of the Global Commission was chaired by Dan Jørgensen, Denmark’s Minister of Climate, Energy and Utilities. The Global Commission, which was convened in January by IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol, is led by the Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, chaired by Minster Jørgensen and co-chaired by Sophie Gladima, Senegal’s Minister of Petroleum and Energy. It is made up of national leaders, government ministers, civil society representatives and other prominent figures working together to identify key actions in delivering people-centred and inclusive clean energy transitions.

“Clean energy transitions are about people, and for people, and will fail if they are not people-centred,” said Dr Birol. “There is no reason why any adverse impacts cannot be properly addressed if governments take the right actions based on sound policies that reflect their unique national circumstances. Public support is essential for a successful energy transition that can build a cleaner, more prosperous future and prevent the worst effects of climate change.”

The participants in the meeting stressed the importance of ensuring people benefit through the creation of good quality jobs in clean energy, and of protecting workers and communities that are negatively affected by employment shifts and job losses. They also underscored the importance of achieving universal access to clean, affordable and reliable energy worldwide as an integral part of energy transitions. And they recognised that while countries’ efforts to transform their energy systems present common challenges, local circumstances also need to be taken into account.

Today’s gathering continued the discussion from the Commission’s first meeting on 15 March, maintaining a focus on creating jobs, encouraging public participation, and enhancing social and economic development, equity and inclusion. The discussions were enriched by the IEA’s recent analysis presented in its special report on Financing Clean Energy Transitions in Emerging and Developing Economies, as well as by the employment analysis in Net Zero by 2050: A Roadmap for the Global Energy Sector.

Today’s meeting was a key moment for Commission members to share their views, preferences and points of concern on major issues ahead of the development of recommendations for the COP26 Climate Change Conference that will take place in Glasgow starting 31 October. These inputs and recommendations will be finalised at the Commission’s third meeting in October.

The Commission’s first meeting on 15 March provided crucial input for the IEA-COP26 Net Zero Summit on 31 March, where energy and climate leaders from more than 40 countries backed further action to cut carbon emissions, and highlighted the economic opportunities presented by clean energy transitions.

The Commission will organise two public webinars in July: one high-level event exploring the role of labour in our inclusive energy future, and one on behavioural insights for inclusive clean energy transitions.

The Commission’s most recent public webinar on “Best Practice in People-Centred Policymaking” brought together Ministers from Canada, Senegal, Switzerland and Colombia; the European Commissioner for Energy; and the Special Advisor on Climate to the UN Secretary General.

Source: IEA

COVID-19 in Europe: Increased Pollution From Masks, Gloves and Other Single-use Plastics

24.06.2021

maske — Foto-ilustracija: Unsplash (Brian Yurasits)

The coronavirus pandemic has challenged European societies in many ways. The European Environment Agency’s (EEA) briefing, published today, analyses the pandemic’s effect on the use of certain single-use plastics products, which cause greenhouse gas and other emissions and can end up littering the environment. It also brings useful lessons to improve our response to future disruptive events.

The responses to COVID-19 have resulted in increased use of certain products made from long-lasting single-use plastics, according to the EEA briefing ‘Impacts of COVID-19 on single-use plastic in Europe’s environment.

Increased production and consumption of masks and gloves, which have been essential to protect people’s health, and certain types of food packaging resulted in additional greenhouse gas and other emissions, as well as litter that can harm ecosystems and animals.

Imports of face masks and gloves into the European Union (EU) more than doubled during the first half year of the pandemic, and the EU’s domestic production was also growing. The EEA briefing estimates that about 170 000 additional tonnes of face masks, or about 0.75 face masks per person per day, were imported to the EU during that period, resulting in additional greenhouse gas emissions and other types of pollution. The briefing further estimates that reusable cotton masks become more climate friendly after about 13 washes but notes that reusable masks may not provide the same level of protection, which should always be the primary consideration.

The use of plastic packaging also changed during the pandemic but, instead of increasing, the EU’s domestic production of plastic packaging decreased rapidly during the first months of the pandemic and then bounced back by October 2020 when restrictions were lifted in many countries, the EEA briefing shows. During the lock-downs, restaurants shifted to take-away and deliveries, increasing the use of single-use plastic food containers. However, the same lockdowns may have reduced overall sales of on-the-go snacks, reducing the need for plastic for that purpose.

The briefing outlines several responses to be better prepared for future disruptions and uncertainties, including research on alternative materials and product designs, strategies to reduce littering, options for sanitising medical products, better recycling, and circular business models.

Source: EEA

Schneider Electric Tops the List of the Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World

23.06.2021

schneider punjač — Foto: Schneider electric

EP: At the end of January, Schneider Electric announced the extension of its long-term strategy in the fields of environment, society and corporate governance to all its activities and committed itself to help its customers and business partners achieve their sustainability goals. How do you plan to implement it?

Ksenija Karić: As a company that represents a global leader in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, we believe it is our duty to contribute to making the world a more sustainable, greener and inclusive place. We have long been committed to these principles. We are constantly raising the bar of quality for ourselves, our customers and partners, and the fact that back in 2005, we were the first to monitor the impact we had on people, the planet and profit, using the Barometer of sustainability. We have recently adopted a new program called Schneider Sustainability Impact (SSI), which covers the period from 2021 to 2025 and implies a significant expansion of the previous goals. It is based on six long-term commitments to meet each of the United Nations sustainable development goals. These commitments include working towards a climate-positive world, efficiency with resources, respect for the principles of trust, creating equal opportunities, giving opportunities to all generations and empowering local communities.

We saved 120 million tons of CO2 emissions over the last 15 years and provided access to energy for about 30 million people worldwide. We help our customers and clients to operate in accordance with the principles of sustainability. For example, the American company Walmart turned to us to help them green their business. By implementing our solutions in the next 10 years, we will help them save 1 gigaton of carbon, while in 2020, more than 2,000 of their suppliers saved more than 230 million tons of carbon – almost a quarter of a ten-year goal. That came after Schneider Electric helped them adopt energy systems based on renewable sources. We have developed applications, analytics, and services that use IoT data to identify additional energy efficiency opportunities, increase asset life, optimize maintenance services, and increase demand flexibility and renewable electricity. The Edge Control option provides the ability to manage on-site operations, with daily optimization of power consumption via remote access and advanced automation. Related products are eco-friendly designed to improve their efficiency and enable electricity savings.

EP: Your company is on the prestigious annual list of Corporate Knights as the most sustainable corporation in the world. What does this recognition mean to you?

Ksenija Karić: The first place on the list of the Global 100 most sustainable corporations in the world for 2021 represents a huge leap from the 29th place we had last year. It is also an expert external confirmation of the long-term commitment to environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) issues. Our goal is to be an example to others when it comes to our business and ecosystem and we strive to be part of the solution for our clients. It means a lot to us that this prestigious media and research company dealing with performance in corporate sustainability has seen our efforts and turning point to data centers, data warehousing and other energy distribution resources and smart solutions that promote electrification, energy efficiency and renewability. Today, 70 percent of our revenues come from sustainable solutions, and that is what provides 73 percent of our total investments.

In focus:

EP: Schneider Electric participated in preparing the report “Net-Zero Carbon Cities – Systemic Efficiency Initiative”. What are the conclusions of this report?

Ksenija Karić: It is a global framework that defines the vision of accelerated work on decarbonization and sustainability in cities around the world. It is an initiative in which we participate with Enel Group, a multinational energy company and a leading integrated player in global energy, and the World Economic Forum (WEF), and was created to emphasize the need and benefits of an integrated energy approach to building planning and management, mobility, use digitized and intelligent grid infrastructure in an urban context. Unfortunately, cities today participate in global CO₂ emissions with almost 70 percent and consume 78 percent of the planet’s energy, making this approach key to achieving the goal of limiting global temperature growth by 1.5 °C as compared with pre-industrial levels. Given these negative trends, it is necessary to emphasize the need for an integrated approach to improving energy productivity, electrification of transport, decarbonization of heating and cooling systems, enabling flexibility of demand, and giving specific recommendations and sharing experiences regarding these concepts. Since launching the initiative, a year ago, Schneider Electric and Enel have been working with the community to accelerate the transition to zero net CO₂ emissions in 100 cities by 2030. In addition to this document, tools, an interactive platform and instruments for measuring the progress of cities towards a green and sustainable transition will be developed. Each of these elements will be the result of close cooperation between large cities and several city networks and senior representatives of academia, NGOs, industry and finance

EP: Schneider Electric is a real example of sustainable business in Serbia as well, and moving to new, more modern premises is another confirmation of that commitment. What systems have you applied in the new space, and what do they enable?

Ksenija Karić: We have moved to one of the most attractive locations in the capital and we have implemented our solutions in the field of electricity distribution and Building Management System in the new space. We have connected various systems, such as switchboards, access control, heating, air conditioning, lighting and more, into a unique, automated real-time monitoring and control system, which we can access via the application even when we are out of the office. Such an automated system of supervision and management contributes to improving operational and energy efficiency in business with a significant reduction in total costs. The Belgrade office of our Development Center is at the same location.

EP: When we talk about sustainability, the question of transport always arises. Some predictions say that by the end of the next decade, every third car sold in the world will be electric. Where do you stand in the development of this sector?

Ksenija Kari: We recognized these trends, and to achieve the ambition to achieve net-zero operating carbon emissions by 2030, we joined The Climate Group # EV100 initiative, which includes the replacement of 14,000 company cars with electric vehicles. We believe that electricity is the future of mobility and that a good infrastructure of the electric charger network is the starting point for sustainability. It is also necessary for electric chargers to be compatible with different types of electric vehicles. We have a lot of experience in this field. There are about 100,000 electric vehicle charging points supplied by Schneider Electric in Europe. When we talk about Serbia and Montenegro, about 100 electric chargers have been installed so far.

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

Warming stripes show that climate change is here and now

23.06.2021

climate_change_klimatske_promene_temperature_rise_rast_temperature — Foto-ilustracija: Pixabay

Broadcast meteorologists and climate scientists are uniting on June 21 – the Summer/Winter Solstice – for Show Your Stripes day to raise awareness of the urgent need to act on climate change.

UN Climate Change, the World Meteorological Organization and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change are backing the campaign, which is also designed to build momentum for a strong outcome of the UN Climate Change Conference COP26 in Glasgow in December.

2021 is a make-or-break year for climate action, with the window to prevent the worst impacts of climate change – which include ever more frequent more intense droughts, floods and storms – closing rapidly.

The campaign is inspired by data visualizations from Prof. Ed Hawkins, a climate scientist at the University of Reading in the United Kingdom and a lead author of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Sixth Assessment Report. He has spearheaded the creation of “warming stripes” graphics, which are visual representations of the change in temperature as measured in each country over at least the past 100 years. Each stripe represents the temperature in that country averaged over a year and is based on internationally recognized datasets.

“The Warming Stripes are a simple and compelling way to visualise that the world is warming and that every country is warming. The graphics can help start local conversations about the increasing risks from climate change wherever you live, and the necessary actions to avoid the worst consequences”, comments Prof. Hawkins.

For virtually every country or region, the stripes turn from mainly blue to mainly red in more recent years, illustrating the rise in average temperatures in that country. The most dramatic change is in the Arctic, which is warming more than twice as fast as the global average.

The campaign is run in conjunction with Climate Central, an independent organization of leading scientists and journalists researching and reporting the facts about our changing climate and its impact on the public. It is supported by TV weather presenters and meteorologists who will be displaying the warming stripes on their broadcasts and social media posts.

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Markus Spiske)

“Weather presenters make excellent climate communicators. You play a major role in educating the public about the risks of climate change and extreme weather,” WMO Secretary-General Prof. Petteri Taalas told a workshop of weather presenters organized by the International Weather and Climate Forum.

“The WMO State of the Climate report showed that 2020 was one of the three warmest years on record. It capped the warmest decade on record. The average global temperature was 1,2°C above the pre-industrial levels and glaciers continued to retreat, with long-term impacts on sea level rise and water security,” said Prof. Taalas.

Weather presenters and the general public are invited to participate in the campaign by downloading the graphic from their region or country and posting it on social media using the hashtags #ShowYourStripes and #COP26.

For example, you can update your social accounts to #ShowYourStripes with ready-to-use graphics including a Facebook frame for your profile image, a Facebook camera filter, cover photos for Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

Source: World Meteorological Organization

Albania Launches First Tender for Wind Power

22.06.2021

solarna energija - vetropark - vetroturbine — Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Gonz DDL)

Albania has launched its first tender for utility-scale onshore wind power plants. Individual projects with a capacity of between 10 MW and 75 MW can apply. Several projects will be chosen; total tendered capacity equals 100 MW and this may be increased to 150 MW in the coming months, in line with the country’s renewable energy targets. The announcement of the successful bidders is expected in the first half of 2023.

The Albanian Ministry for Infrastructure and Energy is running the tender. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has been supporting the Albanian authorities in the introduction of competitive procurement processes for renewable energy projects.

Matteo Colangeli, EBRD Head of Western Balkans, said: “We are delighted with the progress Albania is making on scaling up wind and solar energy through open and transparent tenders. This is another milestone for the diversification, resilience and sustainable development of the country’s energy sector.”

Developers are invited to submit their qualification submissions by mid-June 2022. This will be followed by a request for proposals from applicants successful in the first phase. The launch of the tender process marks the start of a work-intensive phase for developers to meet the stringent technical, environmental and social requirements of the selection process.

Bidders are requested to propose sites for wind power-plant developments. To assist them, a wind siting study has been prepared, including suitability criteria for the selection of sites, as well as a preliminary high-level screening of no-go areas. The Albanian Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy will organise a conference for prospective bidders later this year to provide clarification and answer questions.

Today’s call follows the successful award of two EBRD-supported solar tenders for the 140 MW Karavasta and 100 MW Spitallë solar photovoltaic projects in recent years. The projects will help to diversify sources of supply in Albania’s electricity sector, which is vulnerable to seasonal changes in hydrology and dependent on expensive and emissions-intensive power imports. The competitive procurement processes to date have achieved highly competitive prices for electricity from solar power of less than EUR 30 per MWh. The wind tender is also expected to deliver highly competitively prices for clean power.

The Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) is providing funding for the technical assistance that covers the new tender as well as regulatory work in the energy sector to facilitate the introduction of auctions.

Françoise Salamé Guex, Infrastructure Financing Division, SECO Switzerland, commented: “We are proud to support the Government of Albania in developing the country’s wind power market. The launch of the wind tender is an important milestone in attracting private-sector competition to the renewable energy sector in Albania, which is a critical step in transitioning to a diversified low-carbon economy.”

The EBRD has been supporting Albania in the development of a sustainable and diversified energy sector through policy dialogue, technical assistance and investment. To date, the EBRD has invested more than EUR 1.5 billion in 112 investment projects in the country.

Source: EBRD

Hydrogen study explores potential of technologies and utilisation in the Energy Community

21.06.2021

hydrogen-hidrogen — Foto-ilustracija: Pixabay

Hydrogen has attracted worldwide interest as one of the potential solutions for hard to decarbonize sectors and became an integral part of many countries’ energy transition plans. How hydrogen could aid the decarbonization efforts of Energy Community Contracting Parties was explored in a study on the potential of hydrogen published by the Secretariat today.

For each Contracting Party, the study assessed the drivers for introducing hydrogen, its potential production capacity, availability of delivery infrastructure and potential hydrogen applications.

The study concluded that the Contracting Parties are very diverse in terms of their potential for producing, transiting/exporting and utilising zero and low carbon hydrogen and there is no one size fits all policy or technological solution.

Given its extensive gas infrastructure network, industry sector and good conditions for renewable energy production, Ukraine holds the highest green hydrogen development potential.

The study provides tailored recommendations for each Contracting Party, including a guide as to what hydrogen technologies and applications might have the greatest economic potential, such as space and water heating, transport or storage of renewable electricity.

A hydrogen-specific legal and regulatory framework needed to support investment is currently missing in all Contracting Parties. The study recommends the continued cooperation at the level of the Energy Community to help leverage on experiences gained and facilitate regional cooperation and alignment with wider European market and legal developments.

Source: Energy Community

Soaring E-waste Affects the Health of Millions of Children, WHO Warns

21.06.2021

recycling-recikliranje-ee-otpad — Foto ilustracija: Pixabay

Effective and binding action is urgently required to protect the millions of children, adolescents and expectant mothers worldwide whose health is jeopardized by the informal processing of discarded electrical or electronic devices according to a new ground-breaking report from the World Health Organization: Children and Digital Dumpsites.

“With mounting volumes of production and disposal, the world faces what one recent international forum described as a mounting “tsunami of e-waste”, putting lives and health at risk.” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “In the same way the world has rallied to protect the seas and their ecosystems from plastic and microplastic pollution, we need to rally to protect our most valuable resource –the health of our children – from the growing threat of e-waste.”

As many as 12.9 million women are working in the informal waste sector, which potentially exposes them to toxic e-waste and puts them and their unborn children at risk.

Meanwhile more than 18 million children and adolescents, some as young as 5 years of age, are actively engaged in the informal industrial sector, of which waste processing is a sub-sector. Children are often engaged by parents or caregivers in e-waste recycling because their small hands are more dexterous than those of adults. Other children live, go to school and play near e-waste recycling centres where high levels of toxic chemicals, mostly lead and mercury, can damage their intellectual abilities

Children exposed to e-waste are particularly vulnerable to the toxic chemicals they contain due to their smaller size, less developed organs and rapid rate of growth and development. They absorb more pollutants relative to their size and are less able to metabolize or eradicate toxic substances from their bodies.

Impact of e-waste on human health

Workers, aiming to recover valuable materials such as copper and gold, are at risk of exposure to over 1,000 harmful substances, including lead, mercury, nickel, brominated flame retardants and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).

For an expectant mother, exposure to toxic e-waste can affect the health and development of her unborn child for the rest of its life. Potential adverse health effects include negative birth outcomes, such as stillbirth and premature births, as well as low birth weight and length. Exposure to lead from e-waste recycling activities has been associated with significantly reduced neonatal behavioural neurological assessment scores, increased rates of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), behavioural problems, changes in child temperament, sensory integration difficulties, and reduced cognitive and language scores.

Other adverse child health impacts linked to e-waste include changes in lung function, respiratory and respiratory effects, DNA damage, impaired thyroid function and increased risk of some chronic diseases later in life, such as cancer and cardiovascular disease.

“A child who eats just one chicken egg from Agbogbloshie, a waste site in Ghana, will absorb 220 times the European Food Safety Authority daily limit for intake of chlorinated dioxins,” said Marie-Noel Brune Drisse, the lead WHO author on the report. “Improper e-waste management is the cause. This is a rising issue that many countries do not recognize yet as a health problem. If they do not act now, its impacts will have a devastating health effect on children and lay a heavy burden on the health sector in the years to come.”

A rapidly escalating problem

E-waste volumes are surging globally. According to the Global E-waste Statistics Partnership (GESP), they grew by 21 percent in the five years up to 2019, when 53.6 million metric tonnes of e-waste were generated. For perspective, last year’s e-waste weighed as much as 350 cruise ships placed end to end to form a line 125km long. This growth is projected to continue as the use of computers, mobile phones and other electronics continues to expand, alongside their rapid obsolescence.

Only 17.4 percent of e-waste produced in 2019 reached formal management or recycling facilities, according to the most recent GESP estimates, the rest was illegally dumped, overwhelmingly in low- or middle-income countries, where it is recycled by informal workers.

Appropriate collection and recycling of e-waste is key to protect the environment and reduce climate emissions. In 2019, the GESP found that the 17.4 percent of e-waste that was collected and appropriately recycled prevented as much as 15 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents from being released into the environment.

Call to Action

Children and Digital Dumpsites calls for effective and binding action by exporters, importers and governments to ensure environmentally sound disposal of e-waste and the health and safety of workers, their families and communities; to monitor e-waste exposure and health outcomes; to facilitate better reuse of materials; and to encourage the manufacture of more durable electronic and electrical equipment.

It also calls on the health community to take action to reduce the adverse health effects from e-waste, by building health sector capacity to diagnose, monitor and prevent toxic exposure among children and women, raising awareness of the potential co-benefits of more responsible recycling, working with affected communities and advocating for better data and health research on the health risks faced by informal e-waste workers.

“Children and adolescents have the right to grow and learn in a healthy environment, and exposure to electrical and electronic waste and its many toxic components unquestionably impacts that right,” said Dr Maria Neira, Director, Department of Environment, Climate Change and Health, at the WHO. “The health sector can play a role by providing leadership and advocacy, conducting research, influencing policy-makers, engaging communities, and reaching out to other sectors to demand that health concerns be made central to e-waste policies.”

Source: WHO

New Research Shows Food System is Responsible for a Third of Global Anthropogenic Emissions

20.06.2021

food production hrana proizvodnja — Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Paul Einerhand)

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Dave Takisaki)

The world’s food system is responsible for a third of global anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, according to new research by a team led by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization and consisting of experts from UNIDO, UNDESA, Columbia University, NASA and several policy-focused research centres.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions from the Food System: Building the Evidence Base presents new estimates of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the food system developed at the country level and integrating data from crop and l

ivestock production, on-farm energy use, land use and land use change, domestic food transport and food waste disposal.

With the addition of global and regional estimates of energy use in food supply chains, the research results indicate that food system emissions amounted to 16 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide or equivalents (CO2eq) in 2018, an eight percent increase since 1990.

According to the research, a quarter of these food system emissions were generated through land use change at the conversion boundaries of natural ecosystems to agricultural land, while the other three-quarters were generated either within the farm gate or during pre- and post-production activities, such as manufacturing, transport, processing and waste disposal.

UNIDO’s Alessandro Flammini, one of the authors of the study, notes that the amount of emissions from pre- and post-production activities is much higher than commonly perceived. He says detailed emissions information about critical components of the food system beyond crops, livestock and land use are only recently becoming available.

The food system is recognized as a central issue in climate change mitigation. Flammini explains, “The majority of the mitigation commitments communicated by countries to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) include agriculture and land use as strategic priorities, but these cover mainly the non-CO2 emissions generated within the farm gate.”

“Important CO2 emissions of food production and consumption are not accounted for in this inventory category, and are spread under other IPCC categories such as energy, industry or waste, making it difficult to realize the importance of food for GHG emissions.”

The researchers developed new food system data at the country level for the period 1990–2018 for: domestic food transport (mainly CO2),

food waste disposal (CH4 emissions from the decomposition of solid food waste in landfills and CO2 emissions from the incineration of food waste), and CH4 and N2O emissions from domestic and industrial wastewater management. Regional and global estimates of food system emissions from energy use in food supply chains were also included.

The research results, showing the increase in pre- and post-production emissions in the global food system, highlight the potential of food-related GHG mitigation strategies, providing impetus for innovative approaches in food supply chains, consumption, and waste processes.

This, together with the fact that industry is responsible for around 30 percent of GHG emissions, underpins the relevance of UNIDO’s mandate for climate change mitigation.

In September 2021, UN Secretary-General António Guterres will convene a Food Systems Summit (UNFSS) as part of the Decade of Action to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. The Summit will bring people together to transform the way the world produces, consumes and thinks about food.

Source: UNIDO

Sustainability is in the Best Interests of Business

19.06.2021

earth-zemlja-održivost — Photo-illustration: Pixabay

We are in the midst of the intensifying triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity and nature loss, and pollution and waste. A triple crisis that threatens human health, prosperity, equality and peace – as we have seen only too clearly in COVID-19. A triple crisis that also threatens the operations of businesses, big and small, across the globe.

Sustainability is, on every level, in the best interests of business. This is because the financial implications of the triple crisis are countless: from reduced commodity yields to changing consumer attitudes and operational environments.

One recent survey found that 73 percent of people would change their consumption habits to reduce their impact on the environment. A court in the Netherlands ordered Shell to cut its emissions. Chevron shareholders voted to cut pollution. This is just the beginning of a sea change that will sweep away those companies that follow the status quo.

For the sake of the planet, and for the sake of long-term profitability, big business has to be proactive and lead change. So, how does business reform?

The first step is to start accounting for the value of nature. UNEP is encouraging governments to use natural capital alongside produced and human capital to deliver a true, inclusive measure of growth. The same applies to businesses. If a business is making money in the short-term, but damaging the planet in the long-term, it needs to reflect this in the balance sheet.

The next step is to set science-based targets for nature, climate and pollution. This means adopting a transparent and time-bound plan for net-zero operations. That means ensuring that business operations are nature positive; It means adopting circular models, to reuse and recycle resources. And it means dealing with the toxic trail of pollution that industry and business can leave behind.

The third step is to hold suppliers and trading partners to high standards. We are talking about being comprehensive and holistic. A business’s internal operations can be squeaky clean, but if it is outsourcing environmental damage either domestically or abroad, it is still part of the problem.

All of this applies equally to investors, bankers and insurers. We can no longer afford to have ethical finance on the fringes. These issues cannot merely be left to the CSR Director, but must be the key business principle held in the C-suite and by the CEO. They must power the change. We are seeing every-stronger commitments on this front. We have 229 banks, covering one third of the global banking industry, signed up to the Principles for Responsible Banking. The Net-Zero Banking Alliance (NZBA) has 44 banks with USD 30 trillion on board. The Net-Zero Asset Owners Alliance brings together 40 asset owners with USD 6 trillion to work towards decarbonization.

Finally, we need transparency and independent oversight on these process and commitments to avoid greenwashing. Greenwashing is a cynical attempt to gain the financial benefits of a sustainable profile without doing any of the work. It directly harms our efforts to build a better world.

Because of course. Businesses run on earnings and profitability. And that is a fine thing. But there can be no profit, if there is no planet. Backing sustainability is the only sensible way to boost the corporate bottom line and to makes everyone’s lives better. And the private sector needs to lead the way.

Source: UNEP

Ministry for Innovation and Technology of Hungary and Energy Community Secretariat team up to Support Green Transition in the Western Balkans

18.06.2021

buda-budimpešta — Foto-ilustracija: Pixabay

The Ministry for Innovation and Technology of Hungary through its development agency of the Western Balkans Green Center (WBGC) and the Vienna-based Energy Community Secretariat joined efforts to help the Western Balkans fight climate change and foster the region’s green transition.

Cooperation will take the form of knowledge sharing and exchange programs under the newly created Center of Excellence in Green Transition for the Western Balkans (CEGT) as part of the WBGC, to be based in Budapest, with additional external events and capacity support at the seat of the Secretariat in Vienna. All actions will be in line with the Paris Agreement, the European Green Deal and the Sofia Declaration on the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans.

Opening today’s signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding, State Secretary of the Ministry for Innovation and Technology of Hungary, Attila Steiner, highlighted: “By concluding a memorandum of understanding in international partnership with a benchmark institution, Hungary enters a new phase of creating value in the context of regional cooperation while supporting knowledge sharing to boost green growth. The two-year rolling work plan of the CEGT, benefiting the Western Balkans, will capitalize on Hungary’s progress in developing and implementing policies and investments in order to support green economy transition in a neighbouring region of strategic importance. To realize carbon neutrality, we need to mobilize private resources, therefore better regulation and constant improvement in the business environment is inevitable. The CEGT is well positioned to contribute to these efforts.”

Director of the Energy Community Secretariat, Janez Kopač, said: “The Energy Community Secretariat has been supporting the Contracting Parties for over 15 years to align their energy, climate and environment legislation with the EU acquis and to also modernize their energy systems to the benefit of their citizens. Today’s signature of the memorandum of understanding testifies to the commitment that our two institutions have to support not only the legislative measures, but also the transitions to a clean energy future in the Western Balkans. Through our joint cooperation, we will provide specific energy transition, climate change and environment protection knowhow and tools needed to overcome legal, regulatory as well as financial and social challenges standing in between our Contracting Parties and a clean energy future.

Attending the ceremony virtually, EU Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, Olivér Várhelyi, emphasized: “Being so closely interconnected, the region currently faces similar challenges as the rest of Europe. The disruptions brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic have led to recessions throughout the region. This is why the European Commission is applying the same growth strategy that was put in place for the EU to the Western Balkans: large-scale investments. The Economic and Investment Plan we launched last autumn is our recovery plan for the Western Balkans. This Plan provides 28 billion euros of investments to give a boost to the economic recovery and to the long-term convergence with the EU and it lays the ground to open up many business opportunities for European companies. I am sure that joining the technical and political expertise and standing of the Energy Community Secretariat with the know-how and ambitions of the Green Center will yield excellent results in terms of concrete projects.”

Source: Energy Community

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