Alarming Growth of Soil Salinity

11.12.2024

zemlja-zemljište — Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Abhishek Pawar)

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Justin Zhu)

According to the latest global assessment by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), there has been a significant increase in the percentage of land affected by salt, now covering nearly 1.4 billion hectares worldwide, which represents more than 10 percent of the Earth’s total surface area. These findings were presented at the International Forum on Land and Water 2024 in Bangkok, where leaders from around the world gathered to discuss issues of soil degradation and water supply.

Salinized land, or soil that contains a high level of soluble salts, is becoming an increasing global problem. These salts, including sodium, magnesium, and calcium, accumulate in the soil to levels that hinder plant growth and reduce soil fertility. In its report, “Global Status of Salinized Land,” the FAO notes that this is the first such comprehensive study in the last fifty years that examines the extent and impact of soil salinity in detail.

The problem of soil salinity is particularly pronounced in ten countries, including Afghanistan, Australia, Argentina, China, Kazakhstan, Russia, the United States, Iran, Sudan, and Uzbekistan, which together account for 70 percent of the globally affected land. Salinity is estimated to already affect 10.7 percent of all arable land, which includes both irrigated and rain-fed crops.

The drivers of this problem are numerous and include natural processes exacerbated by human activities such as inadequate drainage and excessive use of fertilizers, as well as climate changes that contribute to rising sea levels. As sea levels rise, saline seawater infiltrates river streams and groundwater flows, thereby increasing the salt concentration in the soil adjacent to seas and oceans.

Insight into the seriousness of the situation has led the FAO to propose a series of strategies for sustainable management of salinized areas and to organize global action aimed at stopping the destruction of land.

Energy portal

Safety of Electric Vehicles – Challenges and Opportunities

11.12.2024

hush-naidoo-jade-photography-khyXa-tNTtU-unsplash — Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Hush Naidoo Jade)

Electromobility is already present and is an integral part of the path towards climate neutrality. Although trust in this technology is not yet fully established, this is a natural process of adaptation and familiarization with innovations. Every innovation brings numerous opportunities and potential challenges. Gaining knowledge is crucial to make the most of it and minimize risks. Milan Milojević, Head of the Vehicle Department at the Road Traffic Safety Agency, explains how the public, future users, and professionals working with these vehicles are gradually becoming familiar with the new technology and what the Agency is doing to provide necessary training and preparation.

Q: Can you tell us more about the Electric Vehicle Safety project presented by the Road Traffic Safety Agency?

A: With the growing popularity of environmental protection in the Republic of Serbia, great efforts are being made to reduce exhaust emissions, especially those that increase the greenhouse effect and directly contribute to global warming. With the continuous development of society and the economy, more and more people are turning to alternative and renewable energy sources. In the transportation sector, a large number of vehicles use alternative fuels such as LPG, CNG, and others. With the development of the automotive industry, electric and hybrid vehicles are being introduced, offering a promising compromise between the necessary reduction of exhaust emissions and fuel consumption. However, electric vehicles represent a completely different technology than internal combustion engines. This means there are new challenges for traffic safety, primarily related to the characteristics of high-power electrical equipment.

The Electric Vehicle Safety project aims to, through various educational forms such as expert gatherings or appropriate literature, introduce electric and hybrid vehicles to all parties involved in handling these vehicles as part of their job. These include primarily emergency services like firefighters, emergency medical services, and the police.

IN FOCUS:

Q: The Road Traffic Safety Agency is also preparing guidelines for the safer use of electric and hybrid vehicles. Can you tell us more about these guidelines?

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Markus Spiske)

A: Four guidelines for the safe use of electric and hybrid vehicles have been created as part of the project. The first guideline is intended for emergency services to help them handle these vehicles after traffic accidents. The second guideline pertains to preparing electric and hybrid vehicles for technical inspection and is meant for their owners. The third guideline provides instructions for service technicians and tire repairers when working on these vehicles. The fourth guideline covers technical inspection procedures for electric and hybrid vehicles in categories M1, N1, and L.

In addition to creating the guidelines, the Road Traffic Safety Agency organized an expert gathering focused on electric vehicles for 120 technical inspection controllers. The second expert gathering on the same topic is underway, bringing together another 400 controllers.

Q: Do technicians undergo special training to work on electric vehicles? What equipment is available for this purpose?

A: The number of electric vehicles is increasing yearly, and these vehicles have not yet been singled out as a category in the Rulebook on Technical Inspections. Therefore, no legal regulation requires controllers to attend and complete training related to these vehicles. Given the significant increase in the use of electric cars, the Road Traffic Safety Agency believes it is necessary and valuable to provide answers to many questions related to this area.

As already mentioned, electric vehicles represent a completely different technology from internal combustion engines, and new challenges related to the characteristics of high-power electrical equipment significantly complicate the job for controllers.

In addition to the usual personal protective equipment prescribed by the Rulebook on Technical Inspections and other legal acts related to occupational safety and health, electrical protective gloves, high-resistance insulating footwear, and eye protection are recommended for work on high-voltage systems. Of course, this additional equipment should be used following instructions to ensure its effectiveness.

Interview by Katarina Vuinac

Read the whole interview in the new issue of the Energy portal Magazine ECOLOGICAL TRANSPORT

How Renewing Old Wind Turbines Contributes to Greater Energy Production Efficiency

09.12.2024

vetar — Photo-illustration: Freepik (wirestock)

Wind energy is not a new way of producing renewable energy, as the first commercial wind farms began to be built in the second half of the 20th century. Consequently, a growing number of wind turbines in Europe are nearing the end of their operational lifespan. It is important to note that older technology is less efficient compared to modern models.

Replacing outdated wind turbines with newer, more efficient ones is one way to revitalize aging wind farms. According to an analysis by WindEurope, renewing existing wind turbines could reduce the number of turbines in a wind farm by 25 percent, while more than tripling the wind farm’s output and quadrupling the output per turbine.

This improvement is attributed to several factors. First, modern turbines feature longer rotor blades, increasing the total swept area and enabling the capture of more wind.

Second, modern models have better capacity factors—representing the ratio of actual energy production to the maximum possible capacity of a wind turbine. Thus, newer turbines can produce more energy more efficiently compared to older models, which were unable to maximize their potential.

Third, advanced blade design improves efficiency in converting wind’s kinetic energy into electrical energy. Simply put, modern designs adapt better to changes in wind speed and direction. Fourth, new models operate more efficiently even in low-wind conditions. These are just some of the advantages of modern turbines.

Thus, fewer modern turbines are required to produce the same amount of energy compared to older models.

However, this concept is not yet widely adopted in European Union countries. Wind farm renewal is not evenly distributed among member states. For example, over half of all renewal projects are located in Germany. Although Germany is the largest wind energy market in Europe, this also highlights how other countries are not doing enough to reap the benefits of renewal.

For instance, Spain, the second-largest onshore wind energy market in Europe, accounts for only 3 percent of total renewal projects. The connection process to the grid for renewal projects is so complex that developers often prefer to keep older turbines in operation. In France, the problem lies in restrictive regulations on turbine height, which prevent the installation of newer and more efficient onshore wind turbines.

Overall, many member states still lack effective strategies for wind farm renewal.

The importance of renewal also lies in the fact that the oldest wind farms were built in the most favorable locations for wind, which would maximize the benefits of wind energy if they were renewed.

Katarina Vuinac

Second Hottest November in History Signals Climate Record

09.12.2024

thermometer-temperatura-sunce-leto-vrućina — Foto-ilustracija: Pixabay

The European Commission-funded Copernicus Climate Change Service has released its latest monthly climate bulletin. Data for November 2024 confirm a concerning trend of global warming, suggesting that this year is likely to become the hottest year on record.

The global average temperature in November reached 14.1°C, which is 0.73°C above the 1991–2020 average and 1.62°C above the pre-industrial average. The global surface temperature has exceeded the 1.5°C threshold in 16 of the past 17 months. This makes November 2024 the second hottest November in history, following the record-breaking November of 2023.

In Europe, the average November temperature was 5.14°C, 0.78°C above the 1991–2020 reference average, but far from ranking among the top ten warmest Novembers. The most significant temperature anomalies were observed in northern Russia, northeastern, and southwestern Europe, while southeastern parts of the continent recorded below-average temperatures.

From January to November 2024, the global temperature was 0.72°C above the 1991–2020 average, marking the highest value ever recorded for this period. This is 0.14°C warmer than the same period in 2023, making it almost certain that 2024 will become the hottest year in recorded history.

Record-High Sea Surface Temperatures

Sea surface temperature (SST) continued to oscillate at alarmingly high levels. November 2024 recorded an average SST of 20.58°C, making it the second highest after November 2023. Although signs of a transition to neutral or La Niña conditions have appeared in the eastern and central Pacific, vast portions of the ocean are still experiencing extremely high temperatures, indicating deeper climate disruptions.

November brought diverse precipitation patterns. While the southern Balkans, Greece, and northern Scandinavia experienced above-average rainfall, much of western and central Europe was drier than average. Outside Europe, heavy rains impacted the United States, Australia, South America, and the Philippines, where typhoons caused significant damage. On the other hand, drought conditions affected the southwestern United States, Mexico, Chile, Brazil, the Horn of Africa, and southeastern China, leaving many areas in severe drought.

Samantha Burgess, Deputy Director of the Copernicus Service, warned that although individual months exceeding 1.5°C do not violate the Paris Agreement, they underscore the urgent need for ambitious climate action.

Milena Maglovski

Alternative Fuels – the EU’s Path to Climate Neutrality

08.12.2024

saobraćaj — Photo-illustration: Pixabay (NoName_13)

Transport is an indispensable part of modern life. It connects us to the world—allowing us to carry out daily tasks, travel on holiday, and keep store shelves stocked with goods. Life without cars, trucks, ships, or planes would be unimaginable.

However, as crucial as their role is, means of transport can seriously harm another equally important aspect of our lives—our health, the environment, and even the future of our planet.

In the European Union, transport emissions have risen by over a quarter since 1990. Without serious intervention, the transport sector alone could account for nearly half of all greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, according to the latest analysis from the organization Transport & Environment (T&E).

As outlined in the EU’s strategy, the path to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 requires urgent action. Since 2007, when transport emissions peaked, the sector has been reducing emissions at a rate three times slower than the rest of the economy.

It’s also essential to consider that the transport sector in Europe is continuously growing. According to data from the European Environment Agency (EEA), between 2000 and 2019, demand for transport increased significantly: passenger traffic by 20 percent, air traffic by as much as 86 percent, road transport by 18 percent, and freight transport by 22 percent.

The biggest polluters remain cars with internal combustion engines, which account for more than 40 percent of total emissions in the transport sector. A zero-emission target has been set for cars and trucks by 2035, meaning that by then, all new cars and vans sold in the EU should be electric. On the other hand, rail transport is considered the most environmentally friendly way to travel, apart from cycling. This fact is strengthened by the ongoing electrification of railway lines. According to Eurostat, the number of electrified railway lines has increased by about 30 percent since 1990.

IN FOCUS:

Infrastructure for Alternative Fuels

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Sophie-Jonas)

On 12 October 2023, the European Union implemented Regulation (EU) 2023/1804 on introducing infrastructure for alternative fuels, with its application beginning on 13 April 2024. This regulation replaces the previously applicable Directive 2014/94/EU. Under the new regulation, various targets for member states will be introduced gradually until 2035. This initiative is part of the Fit for 55 package, aimed at reducing the EU’s net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55 percent by 2030 compared to 1990 levels, with the overarching goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2050.

The Regulation sets mandatory national targets for EU member states regarding the introduction of publicly accessible infrastructure for alternative fuels, particularly electricity and hydrogen. This infrastructure applies to passenger vehicles, docked ships, and stationary aircraft, emphasizing trans-European networks. The regulation divides targets according to transport type and fuel type, with specific goals set for each category to ensure adequate charging and energy supply infrastructure and promote sustainable transport development.

Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure

For electric vehicles and vans, member states must ensure the installation of publicly accessible charging stations proportional to the number of registered vehicles. The total output power for each registered electric vehicle should be at least 1.3 kW, while for hybrid vehicles, it should be at least 0.80 kW. Additionally, publicly accessible charging stations along the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) must be provided. By the end of 2025, each charging point with an output of at least 400 kW, including at least one point of 150 kW, should be located at least every 60 kilometers on the core TEN-T network in each travel direction. By 2035, each station along the network should have a minimum output of 600 kW and include at least two charging points of 150 kW. To meet these standards, output power at stations will gradually increase from 2025 to 2035.

Prepared by Katarina Vuinac

Read the whole story in the new issue of the Energy portal Magazine ECOLOGICAL TRANSPORT

ABB Acquires Solutions Industry & Building to Expand its Cable Protection Systems

08.12.2024

ABB announced today it has acquired Solutions Industry & Building (SIB), a leading manufacturer of construction industry building products and premium cable glands used to protect critical electrical equipment in industrial, railway and hazardous environment applications. The acquisition of SIB strengthens ABB’s presence in rail, mining, OEM and specialty markets across Europe, the Middle East and North America. Financial terms were not disclosed.

In addition to a full range of electrical installation equipment and connection systems for the construction market, SIB designs, manufactures and sells premium cable glands, couplings and accessories in brass, stainless steel and plastic for the electrical, railway, shipping and mining industries, as well as certified products for hazardous environments such as oil and gas applications. The acquisition brings nearly 100 employees to ABB and will expand the ABB Installation Products portfolio of premium cable protection solutions and complement its specialty brands, including PMA® cable protection, Harnessflex® cable management systems and Adaptaflex® conduit systems.

Founded in 1922 and headquartered in Boulay-Moselle, France, SIB was held since 2019 by Galiena Capital, a French Investment fund. SIB’s century-strong heritage and long-standing relationships with top energy, transportation, industrial and construction partners have made it an industry leader in the French market. In 2023, the company generated revenues of approximately 27 million dollars (25 million euros) and currently serves more than 2,000 customers worldwide.

“The need for safe and reliable electrification solutions continues to grow, and the addition of SIB brings an industry-leading portfolio and century of expertise to expand our capabilities and product range in highly specialized markets,” said Khalid Mandri, President, ABB Installation Products Division. “Bringing together this team will strengthen our offering and complementary portfolios as part of our ongoing strategy to invest in opportunities that accelerate growth, extend our reach in key markets and provide our customers high-quality, innovative solutions.”

SIB Chairman Gilles Lherbier said, “This marks a significant milestone in SIB’s long history and provides a strong platform to build on our combined expertise and extend our connection and protection products as part of a highly respected global company like ABB.”

Building on its long history of pioneering in electrification, ABB Installation Products creates solutions to safely connect and protect electrical systems that power businesses, cities, homes and transportation. With more than 200,000 products under 38 premium brand names, ABB Installation Products, formerly Thomas & Betts, solutions are found wherever electricity is used around the world and in space.

Source: ABB

Transformation Of Transportation In Serbia

07.12.2024

Image-by-Stevan-Aksentijevic-from-Pixabay — Photo-illustration: Pixabay (Stevan-Aksentijevic)

I n recent years, Serbia has taken significant steps towards modernizing its transportation infrastructure, focusing primarily on constructing new roads and enhancing the highway network. These initiatives not only improve connectivity between settlements and regions but also open doors for local economic development and attract investments. Miroslav Alempić, Assistant Minister for Road Transport, Roads, and Traffic Safety, shared insights on new projects and plans for the development of electromobility.

Q: What are the main benefits of constructing new roadways and connecting to the highway network? How does this impact the local economy and regional connectivity?

A: The main benefits of building new roads and connecting to the highway and expressway networks include rerouting transit and freight traffic away from populated areas, reducing exhaust emissions, congestion, and noise, shortening travel time for goods and passengers, and significantly increasing safety for road users. A quality road network also attracts transport and transit flows through Serbia, which generates significant revenue. This makes our road network attractive to the economies of other countries for transport and logistics centers across Serbia, enabling freight operations to be centralized, thus bringing substantial revenue and employment growth to our country.

Additionally, constructing a new highway network brings new economic and industrial facilities and centers to Serbia and its local economy, creating new jobs and boosting its development. A well-developed road network provides a broader labor market, allowing employees to live up to 100 kilometers from their workplace without issues reaching their jobs. Fast roads enable people to travel efficiently and quickly to their workplaces.

New roads also enhance the connectivity of villages, towns, cities, and regions, promoting greater mobility for people, goods, and all types of travel.

IN FOCUS:

Q: Can you tell us about the Green Stations project on Serbia’s highways?

A: The Green Stations project envisages the construction of supporting facilities at existing rest areas and parking lots to serve highway users. The project envisions constructing 16 green stations along the highway. Each location will include a building with a restaurant, store, and restroom, covering a total area of up to 100 m². Next to the building, there will also be a children’s playground.

Each green station will be equipped with fast EV chargers, ranging from five to 16 units of 180 kW each, with two connectors per unit for simultaneous charging. In the first phase of this project, five chargers are planned for installation at each green station. The planned locations include Bikovo, Lovćenac, Čenej, Kovilj, Šepšin, Markovac, Bobovište, Čokot 2, Prevalac, Ljig, Martinci South, Buđanovci and Toplik.

Considering this project’s complexity, which requires designing and constructing the necessary infrastructure, each location needs a 1 MW substation, connections to the power grid and water supply, and fiber optics, which require significantly more time to complete than locations with existing installations.

According to the project schedule, six green stations with 30 fast chargers are planned to be completed and operational by December 1, 2024. The remaining 10 are expected to be completed by the end of April 2025.

Q: Besides the Green Stations project, what additional steps are you planning to take to develop electromobility in Serbia?

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (anton-luk)

A: In parallel with the implementation of this project, PE Roads of Serbia is expanding its network of EV chargers along the highway network. Alongside the eight existing chargers, they have installed 10 new fast chargers this year, which are currently connected to the Elektroprivreda Srbije power grid. Plans are in place for Roads of Serbia to install 16 more chargers on the highways by spring 2025 at the latest. In addition to highway installations, chargers are being placed throughout Serbia in public buildings and spaces, particularly in new developments, following amendments to the Planning and Construction Act.

The start of electric car production in Serbia, combined with incentives for purchasing and using them, will significantly accelerate the expansion of the charging network. The Ministry of Construction, Transport, and Infrastructure is drafting a new law on alternative fuel infrastructure, primarily focusing on EV charging infrastructure. This law will define the goals for establishing infrastructure and the optimal number of charging and refueling stations for alternative fuels (EV chargers, hydrogen, and liquid methane). It will also set minimum requirements for constructing this infrastructure, determine standard technical specifications, and outline requirements for user information, payment, and record-keeping, aiming to develop an organized infrastructure to increase electromobility in Serbia.

Q: As the number of registered electric vehicles grows yearly, is the Ministry considering any support or subsidies for electric vehicle drivers?

A: According to official data, by the end of August 2024, 3,629 fully electric and 28,523 hybrid vehicles were registered in Serbia. The total number of registered vehicles is about three million, of which 2,452,064 are passenger cars.

The government is already subsidizing the purchase of electric cars, which is an excellent incentive to increase the presence of these vehicles on the road. This subsidy program is managed by the Ministry of Environmental Protection. The following steps by the Ministry of Construction, Transport, and Infrastructure involve creating additional benefits for EV drivers, such as lower tolls, free or discounted parking, and exemptions for driving in city areas where vehicles with internal combustion engines are banned. They are also working on amending the Law on Road Traffic Safety to introduce new green license plates with a special designation for electric vehicles.

Interview by Milica Radičević

Read the whole interview in the new issue of the Energy portal Magazine ECOLOGICAL TRANSPORT

Forests vs. Coal – What Are Montenegro’s Climate Challenges?

07.12.2024

crna gora, planine — Photo-illustration: Unsplash (nenad-radojcic)

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (viktoriia-kondratiuk)

The recent Country Climate and Development Report – Montenegro, published by the World Bank, examines the country’s path toward achieving climate goals, emphasizing the need for strategic investments and the implementation of effective policies.

Like other Western Balkan countries, Montenegro faces climate challenges despite having the highest GDP per capita among the six countries in the region (WB6) based on purchasing power parity (PPP), primarily thanks to its tourism sector. While tourism and transport drive economic growth, they are also accompanied by increased energy activity and carbon intensity, exceeding the European average. This is largely due to the reliance on the Pljevlja coal-fired power plant and inefficient energy practices across various sectors.

Despite advancements in wind energy development and a significant utilization of hydro potential, Montenegro’s geographical position still leads to a heavy reliance on coal, which, combined with dense traffic, affects the overall air quality.

While the country has reduced its total greenhouse gas emissions since 1990, primarily due to its extensive forest areas, achieving climate targets remains challenging without substantial further investments and reforms.

According to last year’s data from the Montenegrin Chamber of Commerce, forests cover 802,500 hectares, accounting for 57.64 percent of the territory, while forest land spans 139,500 hectares, making up 10.02 percent of forest-covered areas.

Within the Western Balkans, Montenegro lags in developing a national energy and climate strategy. However, in 2020, it took a pioneering step in carbon management by introducing an emissions trading scheme (ETS). Montenegro is the only country in the region with a CO2 tax, but the prices remain much lower than those under the EU ETS, while the system faces challenges such as market liquidity.

Natural disasters also impact Montenegro’s climate, due to significant climatic variability. Between 1991 and 2013, Montenegro experienced six major floods and several earthquakes, with potential earthquake magnitudes posing a significant threat to 60 percent of the population. Floods alone cause an average annual damage of $90 million, according to the report, while broader economic impacts of natural disasters could potentially reduce GDP by up to 5.1 percent under certain climate scenarios. To address these challenges, billions in investments are required in the coming decade to meet expectations by 2050.

The report forecasts that most of Montenegro’s future electricity production will come from wind and solar energy, complemented by its existing hydroelectric capacity.

It also highlights the need for human and financial capital, as well as more favorable accompanying regulations. Some solutions include green bonds, access to public-private partnerships (PPP), and leveraging EU funding opportunities.

Energy portal

Construction Progresses on the „Kostolac” Wind Farm

06.12.2024

Kostolac-Windpark-ilustration — Photo: EPS

The construction of the „Kostolac” wind farm is currently underway, set to provide electricity for over 30,000 households. This 144 million euros investment is financed through German development cooperation: KfW Bank has provided a 110 million euros loan, while the European Union contributes 30 million euros in grants. The remaining funding is covered by Elektroprivreda Srbije (EPS), according to a statement from the Government.

Dubravka Đedović Handanović, Minister of Mining and Energy, visited the site, emphasizing that this is the first wind power plant for EPS. With a capacity of 66 megawatts, it will enhance energy supply security and advance the decarbonization agenda of Serbia.

She noted that the old mining landfill is being transformed into a site for producing clean energy with reduced environmental impact.

„By the end of the decade, almost every second megawatt-hour of electricity will be produced from renewable energy sources, demonstrating that we have initiated an unstoppable process of energy transition”, the minister stated. She added that the Energy Community has confirmed this, recognizing Serbia as a leader in implementing reforms in this sector.

Dušan Živković, General Director of EPS AD, reported that intensive work is ongoing across all four locations, with 15 foundations already completed, wind turbines VG7 and VG6 constructed, and the construction of turbine 1 next in line.

According to him, a substation, a switchyard, and an internal cable network are under construction, with project completion expected by mid-2025.

„All building permits have been obtained for the project, and the wind farm will produce 187 million kilowatt-hours annually”, he explained.

Serbia’s progress towards a greener future and EU integration

Emanuel Giaufret, Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia, also visited the site and described the „Kostolac” wind farm as a significant achievement in Serbia’s energy transition and a testament to the strong partnership between Serbia and the EU.

„From improving energy efficiency to fostering renewable energy projects, we are committed to helping Serbia build a resilient and modern energy system. This partnership, rooted in the European Green Deal and the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans, demonstrates that sustainable growth and environmental protection can go hand in hand, supporting Serbia’s progress towards EU integration and a greener future”, Giaufret emphasized.

German Ambassador Anke Konard also visited the site, expressing Germany’s pride in supporting the construction of Serbia’s first public wind power plant. This is part of a long-standing development cooperation in the transition to green energy, which has been ongoing since 2000.

Energy portal

Will the World Be Overrun by Plastic by 2060?

05.12.2024

otpad - plastika - plastic - waste — Foto-ilustracija

Eight out of ten items currently on my random desk are made of plastic—the only exceptions being a glass cup and the chocolate wrapper I just finished eating. Plastic has become so omnipresent in our lives that it’s not only all around us but also inside us.

Recent studies have revealed shocking findings: microplastics—tiny particles resulting from the degradation of plastic waste—have been found in the human placenta, bloodstream, and even testes. Their presence in the body is associated with an increased risk of heart attacks, strokes, and a range of other health problems.

While plastic has provided solutions to numerous everyday challenges, it is now one of the greatest threats to human health and the environment. If the current trends in plastic production and consumption continue, the outlook for humanity and the planet is bleak.

According to the OECD report Global Plastics Outlook: Policy Scenarios to 2060, global plastic waste could nearly triple by 2060. The report predicts that increased plastic production will lead to approximately 1.2 billion tons of plastic waste annually, with half ending up in landfills and less than one-fifth being recycled. Most of the waste comes from short-lived products like packaging and cheap textiles, which further complicates efforts to tackle plastic pollution.

Additionally, the World Economic Forum (WEF), in its report The New Plastics Economy (2016), estimates that if current trends continue, by 2050, there will be more plastic than fish (by weight) in the oceans.

Hope for saving the planet from the “plastic invasion” partially rests on the outcome of the fifth and final round of negotiations for a global plastics agreement currently taking place in Busan, South Korea.

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Zuzanna Szczepańska)

These negotiations are part of a United Nations initiative to adopt a legally binding instrument to address the global plastic pollution crisis. Proposals include limiting plastic production, eliminating hazardous chemicals in plastic products, and introducing global standards for product design to enable recycling.

However, these negotiations are not without tensions, highlighting the world’s reluctance to let go of the plastic scourge. Disagreements between developed and developing nations, particularly regarding funding obligations and rules in different economic contexts, have taken center stage.

On one side, the European Union strongly supports plans to reduce primary plastic production and ban harmful single-use products. The EU advocates for the “polluter pays” principle, whereby producers bear the financial responsibility for plastic waste. Their focus is on creating a circular economy where plastic is recycled and reused rather than ending up in nature or landfills.

There’s also the High Ambition Coalition, comprising 65 countries including Canada, New Zealand, and Rwanda, which aims to reduce plastic pollution by 2040 through strict global standards for plastic production and recycling.

Nevertheless, several countries and groups oppose ambitious goals for reducing plastic production. Among them are Saudi Arabia, Iran, Russia, China, and India. These nations, particularly oil-rich ones, view plastic as a critical market for the long-term survival of the fossil fuel industry, which is already struggling due to declining demand in the transportation sector. Their representatives argue that plastic plays a significant role in economic development and advocate for improved waste management rather than reduced production.

The outcome of these negotiations could be crucial for adopting an agreement by the end of 2024, with the goal of ratification the following year. If no consensus is reached, negotiations will continue, delaying the urgently needed global action. The primary focus remains on reducing pollution, supporting a circular economy, and mitigating the impact of plastic on human health and biodiversity.

The question remains: will we take the necessary steps in time, or will plastic forever change the face of our planet? One thing is certain—the world cannot afford any further delays.

Milena Maglovski

World Soil Day – Caring for Soil is Key to a Sustainable Future

05.12.2024

poljoprivreda - agroculture - soil — Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Dylan de Jonge)

Every December 5th, we are reminded of the importance of preserving soil health and sustainably managing this vital resource through the celebration of World Soil Day. Established in 2014 by the International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS) and supported by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), this day aims to raise awareness of the critical role soil plays in our lives. This year’s campaign, themed „Caring for Soils: Measure, Monitor, Manage”, emphasizes the need for accurate soil data to make informed decisions that contribute to its preservation.

Soil is the foundation of life, as over 95 percent of our food originates from it. It also provides essential chemical elements required for plant growth. However, due to climate change and human activities, soils worldwide are increasingly at risk of degradation.

Soil erosion and the loss of organic matter threaten its fertility, while pollution reduces its quality. Sustainable practices such as reduced tillage, crop rotation, adding organic matter, and using cover crops can improve soil conditions, reduce erosion, and increase water retention capacity, directly contributing to the fight against climate change.

What is the State of Soil in Serbia?

Serbia’s soils face challenges such as erosion, heavy metal pollution, and excessive use of chemicals in agriculture. According to data from the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), 10.3 percent of Serbia’s population is exposed to land degradation, while inadequate resource management further contributes to the loss of soil fertility.

The Law on Soil Protection, adopted in Serbia in 2015, introduced measures including a Cadastre of Contaminated Soil Sites under the Environmental Protection Agency.

Within the national cadastre, 709 potentially endangered sites have been identified, many of which require further investigation or remediation. Industrial zones, such as those in Pančevo and Belgrade, often exceed allowable levels of heavy metals due to intensive human activities.

To improve soil conditions, Serbia has implemented numerous measures, including promoting organic farming, educating farmers on sustainable practices, and reforesting eroded areas. Additionally, international projects have helped establish monitoring systems for soil quality control, enabling timely interventions to preserve this vital resource.

Energy portal

Hungary’s Green Challenges

04.12.2024

423863648_914945683432059_8126845655287518808_n — Photo: Hungarian Embassy

In light of the growing challenges of climate change and the energy crisis, European countries are rethinking their energy policies. Hungary, which prides itself on significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and the ambition to achieve climate neutrality by 2050, faces the imperatives of a green transition. Jozsef Zoltan Magyar, the Ambassador of Hungary to Serbia, spoke about environmental goals, plans for a sustainable future, and cooperation with Serbia for Energy Portal Magazine.

Q: How does the energy transition affect Hungary, which ranks 33rd on the EPI list (Environmental Performance Index) among 180 countries?

A: In 2023, Hungary was the 95th largest country in the world in terms of population but in 33rd place based on the EPI index and global export performance. Compared to the base year of 1990, Hungary reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by 43 percent, thus meeting the 40 percent commitment by 2030. In the last five years, it has tripled its export performance in 15 years, and predictable and clean energy is of fundamental interest to its economy. Our country is one of the most open economies in the world, and like Serbia, it is a landlocked, inland continental country. However, the COVID-19 epidemic has affected supply chains, while the escalating war in Ukraine and the Middle East has highlighted the sensitivity of the European Union’s competitiveness and energy security. In Europe, we cannot realistically build on the economic and population welfare plans adopted at the end of the last decade. Ensuring low-priced energy sources is essential for our competitiveness and the Hungarian people. Since economic strategies are significantly related to energy and climate goals, the Hungarian government redesigned its 2020 National Energy and Climate Plan at the beginning of this fall, which it will shortly submit to the European Commission.

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Q: Is the green transition important for Hungary, which holds the presidency of the Council of the European Union?

A: In the capacity of the Hungarian presidency of the Council of the European Union for the second semester of 2024, our first priority is strengthening competitiveness by adopting a new competitiveness pact in the current semester. We consider the green transition necessary, and it should not weaken our economy by increasing the proportion of renewable energy sources. European debates around the energy transition are related to the competitiveness issue. While Hungary is committed to decarbonization goals with a target to become climate-neutral by 2050, we reject the idea of a rapid switch from fossil fuels to electricity. In our understanding, the energy transition is a long process in which “old” and “new” energy sources will play an equally important role soon. We believe that the green transition must be closely aligned with the modernization of industry, which is the key to economic growth and sustainability. However, an answer must also be found in the European Union regarding how we can ensure the achievement of green targets in financing since the signs of strengthening the Union’s economy are not yet visible. We have become a leading country between the global West and the East in vehicle production, introduction of clean energy vehicles, and battery production. Our main goal is to connect Europe and Asia. Instead of re-creating blocks again in the world, let’s strengthen the interconnectivity between them, which leads to the predictability of our economy and energy supply. A trade war is taking shape in electric car production, which could lead to tension instead of dialogue. In such a situation, climate policy negotiations can be pushed into the background, which affects the development of our livable environment and the future of humanity, for which we must fight with all our might.

Q: How does your country face the challenges of the energy crisis?

A: Due to the Russian-Ukrainian war and the European sanctions policy, Hungary also faced a sharp rise in energy prices and supply uncertainty. As for other net energy importing countries, the new energy market situation has put the security of supply first for Hungary over sustainability and affordability concerns. The security of energy supply and the increase of energy sovereignty grew into a national security issue, in which regional cooperation, including the Hungarian-Serbian partnership, became even more valuable. We will not be able to give up fossil energy sources for a while, even though their proportion and quantity are gradually decreasing. Looking back, we can justifiably say how far-sighted we were when we built a high-pressure interconnector between Serbia and Hungary. The new pipeline has solved the supply uncertainty in the eastern direction; we can transport 8.5 billion m3 of natural gas from south to north yearly. In 2022, with the signing of agreements connecting the two countries’ natural gas and electricity markets, Serbia became Hungary’s main gas supply route. This also allowed Serbia to store its safety reserves in natural gas storage facilities in Hungary. The importance of connecting our electricity market is also indicated by the fact that in 2022, electricity became the most essential product in both Hungarian and Serbian exports and imports. We will also strengthen the efficiency of the electricity market by launching the Hungarian-Serbian-Slovenian electricity exchange in Budapest at the end of the year through the Bluesky project, and by 2028, we will build the second Hungarian-Serbian 400 kV transmission line. To overcome the energy crisis, we are also making important domestic investments: blocks 5 and 6 of the Paks nuclear power plant will be completed by the beginning of the next decade, and we have increased the use of the sun, wind, and biomass.

Interview by Milica Radičević

Read the whole interview in the new issue of the Energy portal Magazine ECOLOGICAL TRANSPORT

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