OIE Serbia 2024 – The Future Lies in Renewable Energy

27.09.2024

sustainable-living-environmentalist-hand-holding-green-earth — Photo-illustration: Freepik (rawpixel.com)

On the second day of the OIE Serbia 2024 conference, several panels were held, the first of which was titled Challenges in Financing and Insuring Renewable Energy Projects.

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Thomas Richter)

During the panel discussion, experts, including bankers and lawyers, discussed the financial frameworks and legal structures shaping renewable energy projects. It was emphasized that banking support is essential, covering up to 50 percent of project capital through special loans that are predominantly non-recourse, meaning banks have limited claims, ensuring that financial risks align with the success of the project. The discussion also touched on broader aspects of the energy industry, such as electricity price volatility and the impact of macroeconomic factors on the renewable energy sector. Despite the challenges, the industry’s positive outlook is supported by government regulations and strategic investments, aiming to increase Serbia’s renewable energy production to 45 percent by 2030. The conversation also addressed the sector’s potential and the challenges it faces, such as the gap between current capacities and future goals, the importance of rapidly implementing these capacities, project profitability, and the technical and regulatory challenges of adapting the grid for higher renewable energy capacities. The role of Power Purchase Agreements (PPA) in facilitating investments was particularly highlighted, as well as the evolution of these agreements and their significance in the EU context, all pointing to a dynamic sector ready for substantial growth with efficient collaboration between the government, financial institutions, and energy companies.

The following panel focused on ESG principles and sustainable development in transportation.

One of the panelists was Aleksandra Đurđević, Vice President of Delta Holding, who spoke about the historical overview of the introduction and development of electric vehicles (EVs) in Serbia, highlighting the crucial role of Delta Auto Group, which imported the first electric car into the country 7-8 years ago. She emphasized the initial integration of models under the “Born Electric” concept. She also addressed financial incentives for EV adoption, including subsidies of €5,000 for electric cars and €2,000 for hybrids, which should reflect a broader strategy of integrating hybrid vehicles as a logical step towards fully electric vehicles, given the current state of infrastructure. The removal of subsidies for hybrid vehicles and the provision of subsidies exclusively for electric vehicles is automatically slowing the transition to them, which is why efforts are being made to keep hybrids included during the transitional period towards e-mobility.

What was particularly interesting in the presentation was the multi-brand location project covering 17,000 square meters in New Belgrade, which stands out for its environmental awareness and commitment to material recycling. Although a much more expensive, slower, and complicated process, three existing buildings will be recycled, not demolished. 75 percent of materials such as metal, steel, and glass will be recycled, saving about 150 metric tons of CO2. As vehicles are washed daily at the service center, the water purification process will enable the reuse of about 200 out of 300 liters of water per vehicle wash, significantly contributing to sustainability. Solar panels will produce 130,000 kWh of electricity annually, meeting a large portion of the location’s energy needs. She emphasized that the implementation of ten electric vehicle chargers and façade lighting will further increase the facility’s energy efficiency, making it one of the greenest BMW facilities in Europe. The application of all environmental standards demonstrates how the automotive industry can actively contribute to sustainability, setting high standards in the auto industry and showcasing the successful implementation of ambitious environmental projects at the local level with the support of global partners.

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (CHUTTERSNAP)

As we have already written extensively about the third panel, which focused on solar energy, it remains to mention the final panel held that day, which covered Energy Storage/Grid Connection/Electricity Market.

During the panel on energy storage and the electricity market, the focus was on upcoming legislative changes, particularly updates to energy laws and regulations. These changes are expected to significantly liberalize the market and allow for the benefits of ongoing large-scale projects, aimed at aligning with European Commission directives. Emphasis was placed on the transition to renewable energy sources and the gradual phasing out of CO2-emitting vehicles by 2035, illustrating a proactive approach in the energy sector that aligns with global strategic shifts towards more sustainable and eco-friendly practices.

The discussion also highlighted the importance of adapting markets and regulatory frameworks to effectively support these transitions, with expectations that legislative and policy reforms, particularly regarding energy standards and market integration, will provide a more flexible and open market environment. This includes anticipation of regulatory adjustments that will improve business practices and align them with European standards, with the hope that these changes will further boost market liquidity and create clearer contractual environments by 2026.

Energy Portal

From Azerbaijan, One Million Cubic Meters of Gas Per Day During This Winter

27.09.2024

NOVO gas — Photo-illustration: Freepik (fanjianhua)

The Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the field of green energy between the Ministry of Mining and Energy of Serbia and the Ministry of Energy of Azerbaijan was signed during a bilateral meeting, along with two gas supply agreements between “Srbijagas” and the Azerbaijani company “Socar.”

Dubravka Đedović Handanović, Serbia’s Minister of Mining and Energy, stated that during the upcoming winter, Serbia will be able to rely on secure deliveries of around one million cubic meters of gas from Azerbaijan from November 1 to March 31, which will enhance the country’s energy security.

She recalled that agreements on cooperation between the respective ministries and gas companies were signed last year in Baku, stipulating that Serbia will receive up to 400 million cubic meters of gas annually from Azerbaijan until 2026, with the possibility of increasing these amounts to one billion cubic meters thereafter.

The Minister emphasized that the Memorandum expanded cooperation in energy to the field of green energy.

“This document opens up broad opportunities for collaboration in the energy transition process, including joint investments in green energy, the implementation of new green technologies, carbon capture and storage technologies, e-mobility, energy storage, and other areas. In this way, cooperation between Serbia and Azerbaijan in the energy sector is becoming comprehensive and strategic, significantly enhancing our bilateral relations,” the Minister said.

One of the topics at the bilateral meeting was also the Green Energy Corridor that will connect Azerbaijan with Central and Eastern European countries.

“In this project, Serbia could potentially play an important role, primarily due to its geographical position, as we plan to strengthen interconnections on the transmission network with Romania, Hungary, and Bulgaria in the coming years, and with the completion of the Trans-Balkan Corridor, we will enhance transmission capacities towards Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and indirectly towards Italy,” the Minister explained.

Parviz Shahbazov, Azerbaijan’s Minister of Energy, said that in recent months and years, cooperation between the two countries in the energy sector has significantly advanced, emphasizing that the signed documents enable further increases in gas deliveries from Azerbaijan, as well as expanding cooperation in the field of energy transition.

“We also discussed the possibility of Serbia becoming part of the Green Corridor between the Caspian region and Southeastern Europe, given that Serbia already borders three countries participating in the project and can play a role as both a user and a transit country,” Shahbazov stated.

The meeting also covered the upcoming UN Climate Change Conference (COP29), which will be held in Azerbaijan in November, where numerous initiatives important for the global energy transition will be launched.

Energy portal

How Far Have We Crossed Planetary Boundaries?

26.09.2024

Eko , klimatske promene NOVO — Photo-illustration: Freepik (user6702303)

For thousands of years, during a period of climate stability and resilience of the Earth’s system, humanity has been able to advance in technological and cultural development. A report published by scientists from the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK), which deals with the health of planet Earth, has shown that we have entered a new era. This period is marked by increasingly evident symptoms of exceeding the Planetary Boundaries, which include more frequent extreme weather events, wildfires, reduced plant productivity, and water shortages. These problems are further exacerbated by the growth of the global population.

Planetary Boundaries represent a scientific framework that defines safe limits within which human activities can occur without significant consequences for the stability of the Earth’s system. If they are crossed, it leads to the potential destabilization of ecosystems and all life conditions. There are nine Planetary Boundaries, including climate change, biosphere integrity, land-system change, freshwater use, biochemical flows, introduction of novel entities, ocean acidification, atmospheric aerosol loading, and stratospheric ozone depletion.

The report shows that six out of the nine Planetary Boundary processes have crossed safe levels. These processes include climate change, biosphere integrity, land-system change, freshwater use, biochemical flows, and the introduction of novel entities. As stated, these levels show alarming trends.

When it comes to climate change, CO2 levels in the atmosphere are at their highest in the last 15 million years, while the average global temperature is higher than ever before in human history, with an accelerated warming trend since the late 20th century. The integrity of the biosphere has also been severely compromised, with the accelerated loss of genetic diversity and functional integrity of ecosystems. The loss of the biosphere threatens the planet’s resilience to other ecological pressures, including climate change and land degradation, the report states. In the context of land-system change, there is a continued decline in forest areas, while many regions are already far beyond safe levels. Changes in freshwater systems, such as rivers and lakes, have led to increased instability in the quantity of water flowing through these systems and in soil moisture. Water resource management is becoming increasingly difficult due to growing uncertainty in water availability. Biogeochemical flows, particularly the use of phosphorus and nitrogen in agriculture, are causing serious ecological problems, including water pollution and the emergence of so-called dead zones in seas and lakes. When it comes to the introduction of novel entities, such as synthetic chemicals and plastics, there is still insufficient research. However, it is believed that many of these substances cause permanent harmful changes in the environment, including soil and water contamination.

The remaining three processes are still within safe operating boundaries. However, ocean acidification is close to a critical threshold, while atmospheric aerosol loading shows progress toward safer levels. The degradation of the ozone layer has slowed down, but the report notes that concerns remain about the persistent challenges in ozone recovery, especially over Antarctica.

Energy portal

Energy Security Through the Development of the Prosumer Market

25.09.2024

struja — Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Dina Lydia)

Much has been said recently about prosumers (consumer-producers) of electricity from renewable sources in Serbia, but little is still known. Promoting energy security and independence involves empowering citizens and businesses to produce energy for their needs, primarily through solar power, which helps reduce pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

Lazar Ivanović, the chief economist at CEVES, an independent research and development organization, co-authors a study titled “Promoting Energy Security Through the Development of the Prosumer Market”. The study was conducted to provide a comprehensive overview of the prosumer market in Serbia. Alongside a detailed overview of the situation in the Western Balkans (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania), Serbia was used as a case study focusing on the household sector, which is of greatest interest to most citizens.

Ivanović states that the development of the prosumer market in Serbia is very slow compared to wealthier and technologically advanced EU countries and neighboring countries with a similar level of development. Since 2021, when the new Law on Renewable Energy Sources came into force, until the end of May this year, according to Elektrodistribucija Srbije, the number of registered prosumers was 2,300 households and only three residential communities, with a total installed capacity of less than 19 MW, which is about 0.5 per cent of the planned capacities for 2023.

“When adding the economy to this, we get about 3,000 prosumers with less than 52 MW of electricity production capacity. On the other hand, significantly smaller economies like Albania and North Macedonia already had total prosumer capacities exceeding 119 MW and 129 MW, respectively, in the first half of 2023. Even Montenegro, with ten times fewer inhabitants than Serbia, managed to reach 4,000 prosumers with a total installed capacity of 43.5 MW by mid-May 2024,” says Ivanović.

IN FOCUS:

Energy Consumption Per Capita

According to Eurostat data for 2022, households in Serbia consume 165 kWh of electricity per capita per month, about 15 per cent more than the Western Balkans average and 24 per cent more than the EU average. Households in Montenegro consume the most—185 KWh, while those in Albania consume the least—100 KWh.

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (jason mavrommatis)

Regarding energy efficiency or intensity, the economies of the Western Balkans need about 56 per cent more energy on average to produce the same amount of GDP as the EU. Ivanović states that although the energy intensity of these economies, measured as total available energy divided by GDP, has fallen by 20 per cent since 2017, the EU managed to reduce it even more (by 25 per cent), worsening the region’s energy efficiency relative to EU member states. The main reason for higher energy intensity in the Western Balkans is a combination of low electricity prices and decades of insufficient investment in energy efficiency.

According to the study, the Western Balkans had a slightly higher share of RES in electricity production in 2022 (37.3 per cent net) than the EU (34.5 per cent). However, while the EU increased its RES share by eight per cent from 2016 to 2022, it decreased by about 1.5 per cent in the Western Balkans over the same period.

“When it comes to solar energy, it accounted for only about 0.6 per cent of total net electricity production in the Western Balkans in 2022 (about 7.7 per cent in the EU), but its share increased sixfold compared to 2016 (twice in the EU). The situation varies from country to country and is unfavorable for Serbia,” explains Ivanović.

The study’s results show that not only do all Western Balkan countries have a higher share of solar energy in total electricity production compared to Serbia, but North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Albania also produce more solar energy in absolute terms (92, 114, 161 GWh net annually) compared to significantly larger Serbia (16 GWh).

Prepared by Mirjana Vujadinović Tomevski

Read the story in the new issue the Energy portal Magazine AGROSOLAR ENERGY AND RES.

Europe: Children’s Products Release Toxic Chemicals

24.09.2024

igračke — Photo-illustration: Pixabay (jerrymarx32)

Across Europe, children are exposed daily to toxic chemicals found in various products, from plastic bottles to toys and clothing. A major problem is the presence of banned substances such as phthalates and PFAS, which threaten their development and health.

Phthalates are a group of chemical compounds used in plastic products to make them more flexible and durable. PFAS are a group of chemicals known as “forever pollutants” because they are highly resistant. They are added to make products resistant to water, grease, and heat.

Recent studies have shown that these chemicals often end up in a child’s body, which has been confirmed by their detection. As a result, non-governmental organizations are calling on the European Union to urgently update regulations to ban such dangerous chemicals, especially in products intended for children.

The Tegengif Foundation from the Netherlands conducted a study in collaboration with five European non-governmental organizations. The results, as reported by the European Environmental Bureau (EEB), showed that plastic drinking bottles intended for children release Diisobutyl Phthalate (DIBP). This chemical compound can disrupt hormones and lead to serious health issues, such as reproductive disorders. Although the detected amounts were below the allowable level, the mere presence of this substance is concerning.

Furthermore, the study revealed that only a small number of chemicals released from plastic bottles for children can be accurately identified. This means that numerous chemicals present in plastic still cannot be recognized or analyzed.

Another conducted study showed that more than half of children’s jackets, as well as other clothing, contain PFAS. However, it was also pointed out that there are products on the market that do not contain PFAS, meaning that companies can produce clothing without these chemicals.

All research results point to the urgent need for action from the European Union, as the potential for improvement exists, but regulations are outdated. Such dangerous substances should be completely banned in products intended for children.

Energy portal

China Joins Monitoring of Fukushima Water Release

23.09.2024

nuclear_power_plant_nuklearna_elektrana — Foto-ilustracija: Unsplash (Jakob Madsen)

In 2011, Japan suffered a devastating natural disaster when a powerful earthquake, followed by a tsunami, caused over 20,000 deaths and destroyed vast areas of land. The tsunami flooded an area of 560 km², and this catastrophe severely damaged the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, which proved resilient to earthquakes but not to the high wave that flooded the reactors.

In the years following the accident, the TEPCO company worked on collecting and treating contaminated water to prevent further environmental pollution. Using the Advanced Liquid Processing System (ALPS), the radioactivity in the water was significantly reduced. However, due to limited storage capacity, Japan adopted a plan in 2021 to gradually release the treated water into the Pacific Ocean.

Although the water has been treated to remove most radioactive materials, tritium, a hydrogen isotope, remains present as it is more challenging to remove. While the risks from it are minimal, there are concerns in the region about its long-term environmental impact and effects on fisheries. Since Japan is not the only country bordering the Pacific Ocean, another country has now become involved in monitoring this process.

The IAEA conducted an extensive review and issued a comprehensive report in July 2023, confirming the safety of the proposed water release process.

However, recent developments now include China’s participation in this process. China’s involvement helps ensure additional transparency and increases confidence that the process will be safe and compliant with the highest international standards. After consultations between Japan and China, the two countries agreed on additional measures within the IAEA framework to enhance stakeholder participation. The IAEA will now coordinate with both Japan and China, as well as other involved countries, in implementing these additional measures, further strengthening efforts for monitoring and supervision, as stated on their website.

There is concern that if tritium accumulates in marine ecosystems, it could affect marine organisms, especially with prolonged exposure. Although tritium emits low-energy beta radiation, which cannot penetrate human skin, it can be ingested through water or food. Given that China also shares these coastal waters, it seeks a more transparent approach. Nonetheless, the scientific community believes that tritium concentrations in the treated water to be released from Fukushima are below levels that would pose a risk to human health or the environment, provided that international standards are followed.

As for the amount of water, Japan plans to release about 1.3 million tons of treated water, which is equivalent to several hundred Olympic-sized swimming pools.

Energetski Portal

PFAS in Textiles Endangers Health and Complicates Recycling – Is There a More Sustainable Alternative?

22.09.2024

majice_odeća — Foto-ilustracija: Unsplash (Lauren Fleischmann)

The textile industry produces materials used in everyday life, and the modern world demands mass production of these materials. Although textiles offer many advantages, it is less known that many products contain harmful chemicals that can have serious negative consequences for human health and the environment. This industry is one of the largest sources of pollution from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in Europe. According to data from the European Environment Agency (EEA), textiles account for about 35 percent of the global demand for PFAS.

These substances represent a broad group of synthetic chemicals known for their durability – they are resistant to water, grease, and heat. It is estimated that there are more than 10,000 different PFAS compounds. However, their very durability makes them extremely harmful to the environment. PFAS are known as “forever pollutants” because they do not break down naturally and can persist for decades in nature, as well as in the human body.

Although their harmfulness is well known, most textiles in Europe are imported from Asian countries where chemical regulations are less stringent, meaning there is very little information about the PFAS content in imported textiles.

PFAS spread through water, air, and soil, and their excessive concentration can cause various health issues, from fertility problems to an increased risk of cancer. Just as they can enter the human body, they more easily enter animal organisms and can accumulate in plants, spreading further through the food chain. Prolonged exposure can cause disruptions to entire ecosystems.

Previously, it was believed that there were no good alternatives to PFAS, but research has shown that there are indeed safer alternatives for the environment, such as biodegradable or less harmful synthetic materials. For example, waterproof materials made from natural fibers enriched with wax or resin.

Foto-ilustracija: Unsplash (Angela Bailey)

The issue with textiles containing PFAS also lies in the difficulty of recycling. At the end of a textile’s life cycle, there is usually no information on whether it contains PFAS, and if it does, in what quantity. Testing textiles for these chemical substances is a costly and demanding process. Textiles containing these substances are difficult to recycle due to their resistance to decomposition, and if subjected to recycling, the substances spread through recycling streams. Moreover, the process of removing PFAS from the remaining recyclable textiles is financially unfeasible. Another alternative could be the use of biopolymers, which are becoming increasingly popular worldwide and are significantly easier to recycle and degrade.

Technically feasible alternatives exist for various categories of textiles such as home textiles, sportswear, and footwear. However, for certain categories, such as protective gear for firefighters or medical equipment that shields against exposure to various fluids, there is still no adequate substitute for PFAS.

The European Union should continue introducing new technologies and stricter regulations, such as digital product passports, as well as improving sorting methods. All of this will help track PFAS throughout the entire product life cycle.

Katarina Vuinac

We Are Actively Reducing CO2 Emissions in Our Operations

22.09.2024

NOVO , CO2 , emisije — Photo-illustration: Freepik (freepik)

This year marks the 20th anniversary of Generali Group’s first corporate social responsibility department. Two decades later, Generali demonstrates its social responsibility through four distinct roles:

responsible employer,
responsible corporate citizen,
responsible insurer, and
responsible investor.

– As a responsible investor, we invest in the economic sectors that positively impact the environment and society. As a responsible insurer, we offer products with ESG components. As a responsible corporate citizen, we contribute to our community via Generali Group’s global initiative The Human Safety Net. As a responsible employer, we promote workplace diversity, equity, and inclusion and support our employees’ professional and personal growth. All this makes us a sought-after employer – says Vesna Brkić Bošković, Head of the Logistics and Procurement Department at Generali Osiguranje Srbija.

We discussed the company’s plans in terms of CO2 emissions reduction targets, how the employees engage in this process, and what they consider to be an important message when it comes to their views on sustainability.

Q: One of the Generali’s goals is CO2 emission reduction. What are the company’s specific targets?

A: Generali Group aims to cut CO2 emissions in its operations by 35 per cent by 2025 and by 40 per cent by 2026 from the 2019 baseline. The 2023 results indicate that we are on the right track with a 33.4 per cent reduction compared to 2019. This achievement required management and employee support and a dedicated energy and environment management team. Our company has long held ISO 14001 and ISO 50001 certifications for environmental and energy management systems, respectively.

Generali Group’s goal is to cut CO2 emissions in its operations by 35 per cent by 2025 and 40 per cent by 2026, compared to the 2019 baseline.

Generali Group’s sustainability activities include purchasing renewable electricity, enhancing office energy efficiency, and optimizing the use of business premises. We are also committed to reducing business travel, transitioning to electric company cars, and minimizing paper use through digitizing and optimizing our processes.

IN FOCUS:

Q: The employees themselves play an important role in reaching these targets. How are they involved in this process?

A: Our employees are integral to reaching sustainability targets. They will soon relocate to our new headquarters, which will also hold energy efficiency certification and have the option to use renewable electricity. Last year, our local ESG team developed an action plan focusing on environmental and energy efficiency initiatives. Our employees – our sustainability ambassadors – collaborated with managers on this plan. Their suggestions have sparked initiatives to reduce paper usage by further digitizing processes, minimizing physical mail, reducing the quantity of printed documents, and keeping track of the quantity of printed material.

Training employees and raising awareness about the importance of reducing carbon footprint is vital. In addition to Group-level training, we have initiated local workshops and numerous activities to educate our colleagues on how they can contribute to environmental protection. We have participated in tree planting in Novi Sad and Niš and various clean-up campaigns. Goals can only be achieved if the employees are motivated, engaged, and willing to extend our activities into their communities.

Q: What do you consider to be an important message when it comes to the environment?

A: Once all activities are completed, it is time to evaluate their impact and draw comparisons. Companies must have a system and clear methodology in place. Since 2019, we have recorded data on fuel, electricity, and paper consumption, waste recycling rates, and business travel mileage in the Sphera app. All this data is documented for external audit and verification. It not only serves as a reliable indicator of our correct decisions but also demonstrates their tangible and significant impact on environmental preservation.

Generali Osiguranje Srbija

Read the whole interview in the new issue of the Energy portal Magazine AGROSOLAR ENERGY AND RES.

Old Press In a New Guise

21.09.2024

IMG_20240520_120800_844 — Photo: Courtesy of Nada Ubiparip

The production of paper requires a lot of electricity, water, and cellulose, and as we all know, it is “easily and quickly” used up; that is why rational consumption, recycling, or reuse is important in many ways. Nada Ubiparip from Mrkonjić Grad reveals to us how old paper can be breathed new life and given a new use value. In addition to taking care of her family as the mother of three children, she manages to find time to devote herself to her hobby. She is a technician-clothing designer by profession, but unfortunately, she did not have the opportunity and possibility to tailor and sew. Instead, she found a way to express her creativity by making baskets from old newspapers.

I have never worked in the profession, and the main reason is that this job requires an adequate workspace, which I do not have. Although I also know how to tailor and sew something, I decided to put that aside and choose something that I can do anywhere in the house. When I was little, my mother taught me how to knit, and that’s how I came up with the idea of using that knowledge to create something new and beautiful – Nada explains.

At first, she used to knit hats, scarves, and sweaters for her children. Then, quite by chance, while watching various clips, she came across one in which a woman makes paper baskets. She recalls that it delighted her, so she spent hours and days learning and perfecting paper knitting.

IN FOCUS:

Today, Nada’s creative hands produce baskets of various motifs, sizes, and shapes. On her Instagram page, Nadinokorparstvo, you can see baskets made for Easter, New Year, and Christmas, baskets in the shape of bees, carts, huge toy baskets, and even fashion bags.

She reveals that her favorite work is the basket – a cart that actually serves as a holder for pencils and school supplies.

For making baskets, I get old press from a country in the region because the paper is much better than what can be found here. First, I design what the basket will look like, and then the production follows. The crafting process itself begins by first preparing the paper, then I make the sticks, paint them, and then weave them. I usually have some model, molds of all kinds of shapes for different baskets. I always knit the bottom first, then when I finish it, I raise the sticks and knit as high as I need – our interlocutor explains.

She points out that the colors she uses are ecological and that they are safe even if they come into contact with food. So, the baskets can be used for various services at home.

Prepared by Jasna Dragojević

Read the story in the new issue the Energy portal Magazine AGROSOLAR ENERGY AND RES.

World Cleanup Day 2024

20.09.2024

nature-cleaning-čišćenje-akcija-đubre-smeće-šuma-flaša-plastika — Foto ilustracija: Pixabay

On 8 December 2023, the United Nations General Assembly, in its seventy-eighth session, unanimously adopted resolution 78/122 “World Cleanup Day”, which proclaims 20 September as World Cleanup Day.

The resolution invites all Member States, organizations of the United Nations system, other international and regional organizations, and other relevant stakeholders – including civil society, the private sector and academia – to observe World Cleanup Day through activities aimed at raising awareness of the role clean-up efforts play in sustainable development. The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) facilitates the observance of the Day.

Over the years, many national, regional and local governments and communities have been undertaking clean-up activities globally. World Cleanup Day represents the reflection on their achievements. The clean-ups serve as a reminder of the collective responsibility we share in preserving and maintaining a clean and healthy environment as well as sustainable waste and resources management.

The theme of the inaugural event, taking place on 20 September in the city of Tromsø, Norway, is “Arctic Cities and Marine Litter”. The event, convened with support from UN-Habitat, GRID-Arendal, and the Norwegian Retailers’ Environment Fund, and in collaboration with the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, the municipality of Tromsø, the Fram Centre, and Let’s Do It World, aims to inspire global communities to adopt sustainable practices that protect the arctic regions.

The Arctic’s delicate ecosystem necessitates focused efforts on plastic and marine litter clean-up. Cities like Tromsø, within the Arctic Circle, face unique challenges due to extreme weather, isolation, and costly infrastructure.

The inaugural World Cleanup Day in Tromsø showcases Norway’s innovative waste management strategies tailored to harsh climates. The event will highlight the role of innovation, community involvement, and collaboration in creating sustainable waste systems that protect the Arctic environment and contribute to global waste reduction efforts. It also emphasizes the importance of professional cleanups and innovative funding mechanisms in tackling waste management challenges in complex urban settings.

Source: United Nations

For the First Time, Electric Cars Outnumber Gasoline Vehicles on Norway’s Roads

20.09.2024

electric-charge-gee519175f_1920 — Photo-Ilustration: Pixabay (paulbr75)

Norway has confirmed its leadership in the global transition to electric vehicles, as recent statistics demonstrate. For the first time in history, the number of electric cars has surpassed the number of gasoline cars on Norwegian roads. In August, as we previously reported, a new record was set in electric vehicle sales, with 94 percent of all newly registered cars being electric.

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Mikita Karasiou)

Nevertheless, the news that the number of gasoline-powered cars has fallen below electric vehicles marks a significant achievement in the world of e-mobility. Of the total 2.8 million registered passenger vehicles, 754,303 were electric, while 753,905 ran on gasoline, according to data from the Road Traffic Information Council (OFV). This statistic keeps Norway at the forefront of integrating sustainable transportation into daily life, and it is likely to be the first country in the world to achieve the highest number of electric cars on its streets.

However, while the number of gasoline cars has fallen below electric, diesel vehicles still make up a significant portion of the fleet, with one million registered vehicles. Diesel cars remain in first place, followed by electric cars, then gasoline-powered vehicles, and various versions of hybrids. Projections suggest that electric cars could surpass the number of diesel vehicles by 2026.

To recap another record, in August 2024, 94 percent of all new passenger car registrations were electric, surpassing the previous record from January of the same year, when electric vehicles accounted for 92 percent of new registrations. In August, a total of 11,114 new cars were registered, of which 10,480 were electric, marking a 13 percent increase compared to the same period last year, according to OFV.

In the past 20 years, over one million gasoline cars have disappeared from Norway’s vehicle fleet, mostly in favor of electric vehicles, and a similar trend is expected for diesel cars. Since 2017, diesel car numbers have dropped by over 280,000. Although this process will be slower due to the large number of registered diesel cars, Norway has already laid the groundwork for the dominance of electric vehicles on its roads.

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