WHAT ARE THE BRITISH ELECTRIC VEHICLE OWNERS MOST CONCERNED ABOUT?

20.03.2024

punjač automobil — Photo-illustration: Unsplash (CHUTTERSNAP)

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Michael Fousert)

Research has been published recently on the obstacles that drivers face when switching to electric vehicles, a topic addressed by Transport & Environment UK.

Key issues identified in the UK, which can probably be found in many other countries, include an insufficient number of public chargers, the high initial price of electric vehicles, higher electricity bills, concerns about battery life and replacement and longer charging times compared to classic fuel-operated cars.

Details of the survey published by Transport & Environment UK reveal specific concerns among the drivers surveyed – 16 per cent consider the lack of charging points as part of public infrastructure to be a major problem, with a further 20 per cent expressing concerns about the same issue, thus making this the No. 1 concern. Expensive start-up costs are the main obstacle for 13 per cent of people and a concern for 17 per cent. High electricity bills are the main problem for 11 per cent of research participants, while 17 per cent consider them a concern. Battery life and the need to replace them is currently a concern of 9 per cent of surveyed drivers, with an additional 19 per cent concerned about the same problem, although they don’t see it as their primary concern. Finally, 9 per cent of respondents consider charging time a major problem, while 23 per cent express concern regarding this issue.

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Humphrey Muleba)

These are mostly the most common problems that drivers consider when buying a car, hence they proposed several measures that could alleviate the said problems. As many as 40 per cent believe that an 8-year warranty would make the purchase easier, while 39 per cent believe that providing guarantees that electric charging is 50 per cent cheaper than consumption of petrol per kilometre would significantly sway drivers toward electric vehicles, as would free installation of home chargers.

However, many drivers are unaware that some of these incentives are already available, although additional measures such as lower charging prices and equal regional development of EV infrastructure are also being called for.

According to the media sources, the number of electric vehicles on the road in Great Britain is growing significantly. This year, the number of fully electric cars exceeded 1,000,000, while an additional 620,000 were hybrid-powered. 2023 saw an 18 per cent year-on-year increase, with electric and hybrid vehicles accounting for nearly a quarter of all new car sales in January. The data also indicate that additional measures could further empower drivers to choose electric vehicles.

Energy portal

PADEJ GETS A SOLAR POWER PLANT WITH INSTALLED POWER OF 3 MWP

20.03.2024

In the North Banat settlement of Padej, constructing the Panawiss solar power plant with an installed capacity of 3 MWp is underway. Works on the construction of the solar power plant are in full swing. The area of five hectares is almost covered with structures and solar panels, and according to plans, the power plant will be completely completed by the end of the year. The investor of the project is Panawiss plus, while the execution of the works is entrusted to the company MT-KOMEX.

A total of 5,400 monofacial panels from the German manufacturer Luxor Solar will be used to construct this solar power plant, while the latest generation ECO LINE HALF CELL M144/500 W panel model has been chosen. Regarding the structure on which the solar panels are installed, the Turkish manufacturer Kirac Metal model was chosen. The company’s expert team used Fronius Tauro – ECO-100-3-P, 100 kW inverters for the Panawiss plus solar power plant. The transformation of electricity from a voltage of 0.4 kV to a voltage of 20 kV will be carried out by a transformer with a power of 2,500 kVA. According to calculations, the Panawiss plus solar power plant will produce 3,700 MW annually. All produced electricity will be placed in the electrical distribution system.

IN FOCUS:

Pioneers in the construction of solar power plants

The construction of the solar power plant was entrusted by the investor Panawiss Plus to a company with many years of experience in the construction of these power plants. This year, MT-KOMEX is celebrating 30 years since the company’s establishment, and during that time they have realized numerous successful projects. Their portfolio testifies to success; so far, they have built and delivered equipment for more than 200 solar power plants on the ground and on roofs, with a total installed power of more than 100 MW.

The company consists of a professional team of trustworthy people who are always ready to provide full support to clients in all project phases. Engineers employed by the company regularly attend professional seminars and special training and have all the necessary certificates. They have a lot of experience in project development, and their work includes everything – from the development stage to the preparation of documentation for technical acceptance and obtaining a use permit on a turnkey basis.

The company MT-KOMEX believes that solar energy will greatly contribute to the fulfilment of the strategic goal of the Republic of Serbia that by the year 2040, 40 per cent of electricity will come from renewable sources.

As a socially responsible company, MT-KOMEX works every day to promote renewable energy sources and projects in this area, paying special attention to environmental protection.

Saving carbon dioxide, one hectare of forest absorbs eight kilograms of carbon dioxide per hour. If it is taken into account that plants carry out photosynthesis for an average of 12 hours during the day, this means that they absorb 96 kilograms per day.

Seen annually, one hectare of forest absorbs about 35,000 kilograms; in 20 years, it is about 700 tons. The power plant will reduce emissions by 3,000 tons annually, or 60,000 tons in 20 years.

Prepared by: Katarina Vuinac

Read the story in the new issue of the Energy portal Magazine RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS

ELECTRIFICATION OF RAIL TRAFFIC – HOW MUCH OF IT IS IMPLEMENTED AND WHY IS IT IMPORTANT

19.03.2024

voz — Photo-illustration: Freepik (rorozoa)

The railway is considered a more environmentally friendly transport mode regarding emissions. However, to meet the climate change targets, additional efforts have to be invested to make this kind of transport even more sustainable.

In this sense, a much wider electrification of railways is needed, i.e. equipping the railways with electrical power systems that allow trains to use electricity instead of traditional fuels such as coal and diesel. Electric trains are powered by power lines placed above the tracks or by a third rail located along the track.

Data published by Eurostat show that electrified railway lines have increased by around 30 per cent compared to 1990. More precisely, in 2022, the length of such railways in the EU countries was 115,000 kilometres, an increase of 88,000 kilometres in 2021.

If we consider that the total length of railways in 2022 was 202,000 kilometres, the share of electrified railways was over 55 per cent. The 2021 data show that Switzerland takes first place in the extent of railway electrification as almost all of its railroads are electric. Luxembourg was second and Belgium third.

Electrification is a key way of modernizing the railway network in terms of environmental protection.

As reported by the media, other countries around the world are striving for the same goal, so for instance, India has set itself the goal of fully electrifying its heavy-duty railroads by 2025. We should also mention China, with a significant number of railways becoming electric.

Besides environmental benefits, railway speed can be improved in this way too. Although the focus here is on reducing air pollution, we should also mention noise pollution, which is particularly harmful to animals. Namely, the tracks often pass through nature and wild areas, and electrification would reduce the noise and vibrations produced by trains.

Katarina Vuinac

It is time for CCUS to deliver

18.03.2024

emissions_gases_emisije_gasovi — Foto-ilustracija: Pixabay

Photo-illustration: Freepik (frimufilms)

Carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) is an important part of the technology portfolio for meeting net zero ambitions. In the IEA’s Net Zero Emissions by 2050 (NZE) Scenario – which lays out a pathway for the energy sector that aligns with the Paris Agreement goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 °C – around 1 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) per year are captured and stored by 2030.

There is progress towards this goal. Our latest update to the IEA CCUS Projects Database reveals that 2023 saw continued year-on-year growth in project announcements, final investment decisions (FIDs), and plant commissioning. Yet as we get closer to the 2030 milestone, reaching the level of capture and storage capacity in the NZE Scenario will also require project lead times to be drastically shortened. New business models centred on creating CCUS hubs could help, and recent policy developments have revived interest in CCUS more broadly. But is this enough to put announced projects on a path to deliver in full and on time?

How does momentum track against net zero?

In 2023, announced capture capacity for 2030 increased by 35 percent, while announced storage capacity rose by 70 percent. This brings the total amount of CO2 that could be captured in 2030 to over 430 million tonnes (Mt) per year and announced storage capacity to around 620 Mt of CO2 per year. While this momentum from announcements is positive, it will need to accelerate to align with the NZE Scenario.

Moreover, announcements are just the first step: whether all projects materialise continues to be an open question. In 2023, around 10 capture facilities entered operation and almost 20 projects reached a final investment decision. But capacity that is either already in operation or has reached FID still accounts for just 20 percent of announced capture capacity for 2030. For storage, this drops to around 15 percent.

The IEA’s Net Zero Scenario sees CCUS playing a particularly important role in decarbonising hard-to-abate industries and the power sector, facilitating the production of low-emissions hydrogen and ammonia, and in efforts to remove carbon from the atmosphere. Two-thirds of FIDs taken in 2023 involved these use cases, versus only 40 percent in 2022. But greater ambition is needed in some sectors – particularly industry, which currently makes up less than 10 percent of announced capacity. It would need to reach a quarter of all of CO2 captured by 2030 in the NZE Scenario.

Countries are recognising the value of collective action and strategic signalling

With renewed recognition of the need to collectively do more on CCUS, the past year has seen the creation of significant new initiatives. Launched at the Major Economies Forum in April 2023, the Carbon Management Challenge features a joint call to action for governments to accelerate the deployment of CCUS technologies. By the beginning of 2024, 19 countries and the European Commission had signed on to the Challenge, which aims to raise ambition by supporting a global goal of managing at least 1 billion tonnes, or 1 gigatonne (Gt), of CO2 annually by 2030, in line with the NZE Scenario. To date, CCUS commitments from the participants represent just under 15 percent of the 1 Gt goal.

Several countries have also advanced strategic plans to support CCUS. For example, Canada finalised its Carbon Management Strategy at the end of last year, while the European Commission released its Industrial Carbon Management Strategy in early 2024, which sets out a comprehensive policy approach to help the European Union develop at least 50 Mt of capacity by 2030 and 280 Mt by 2040. The Strategy, which aims to establish a single market for CO2 in Europe, comes one year after the proposed Net Zero Industry Act identified CCUS as a strategic technology, and as other European countries (including France and Germany) are developing their own plans to signal the strategic importance of CCUS.

This signalling is already helping enable cross-border projects between European countries. In March 2024, Denmark and France signed a new arrangement removing a key international regulatory barrier and making it possible to transport and store CO2 between the two countries. Such deals are required under the London Protocol, an international agreement that regulates the cross-border transport of CO2 for offshore storage.

Read the full text here.

Source: IEA

IMPLEMENTATION OF RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS IN SERBIA AND THE WORLD

17.03.2024

Maranda Vandergriff-unsplash — Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Maranda Vandergriff)

Questions and challenges related to sustainable and responsible business have been obvious for decades. Most of the ESG principles we hear about today have been devised thanks to various international initiatives, agreements, protocols and events over the past 35 years. However, the general public’s perception of what exactly is meant by that, which tools to apply and how to be sure that we are on the right path to sustainability, sometimes create serious dilemmas and doubts, both in business and in the entire expert community. This is why it is necessary to shed light on all these issues through the lens of previous sustainability instruments compared to the latest ones, which present new requirements and challenges to companies. We spoke with Dušan Stokić, MBA, head of the Environment, Technical Regulations, Quality and Social Responsibility Centre from the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, about which countries are seriously implementing ESG principles and how Serbia compares to them, similarities and differences between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and ESG principles and other important aspects of responsible and sustainable business.

Companies today, perhaps more than ever before, are faced with numerous challenges, impacts, disruptions and business risks. Safety of supply of raw materials and energy, new regulatory requirements, community concerns about environmental impact, demands related to human and employee rights, climate change mitigation, decarbonization and digitalization, verified sustainability reporting and the like, require radical changes in business approach, strategic planning and maximum engagement of all resources to adapt to changed circumstances.

“Sometimes it seems that even large international companies, as well as those in Serbia, wander a bit when it comes to aligning their business strategy and policy with the new market circumstances and demands, investors, consumers and the general public. Therefore, it should not come as a surprise that, first of all, small and medium-sized companies and small business owners have difficulty understanding terms such as ESG, CSR and SDG and especially how to apply them at the organizational level. At the same time, consumers and service users have increased their demands over time and significantly raised the bar of their expectations, which now increasingly exceed good service and a quality product,’’ explains Mr. Stokić.

IN FOCUS:

Implementation of ESG principles

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (krakenimages)

A study published in 2021 in the Journal of Business Perspective showed the kind of approach that countries around the world have towards the implementation of ESG principles. The study included developed and emerging countries and based on the results obtained, they were classified into four different categories. Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, the United Kingdom, Belgium and France are classified as countries with a well-developed ESG framework and excellent ESG results. Countries who se ESG framework is rapidly improving and which achieve medium to high ESG scores are Germany, Italy, USA, Australia, Switzerland, Canada, Japan, Brazil and South Africa. On the other hand, Singapore, India, China, the Philippines, Malaysia and Argentina are categorized as countries with a developing ESG framework, while Russia, Indonesia, Thailand, Nigeria and Vietnam are classified as countries in an early stage ESG framework due to their relatively low ESG results.

In terms of Serbia, Mr. Stokić says that an increasing number of companies are becoming aware of the need for an integrated approach to business, which means that caring for environmental aspects, social issues and good management of the organization must be treated the same as the economic and financial parameters of business. Moreover, from a long-term perspective, proving to key stakeholders that the company monitors, measures and improves its processes and activities related to the environment, employee care, product safety, transparency and availability of business results plays a crucial role in maintaining their competitiveness and business sustainability.

Regarding sectors that are most often associated with the implementation of ESG principles, the vehicle manufacturers that commit to making their vehicles more sustainable in terms of the negative impact on the environment should lead the way. This also goes for major oil and gas companies needing to respond to the demand that the industry should expedite the adoption of modern tools and invest in new technology to achieve net zero emissions and climate change mitigation.

Practice shows that there are numerous similarities, but also differences, between the concept of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and the concept that includes the environment, society and corporate governance (ESG), while taking into account the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). In the last twenty years, a lot of work has been done to promote and implement CSR, a business model that is regulated by the organization itself, and whose main goal is to positively contribute to society and the environment. As Mr. Stokić explains, by its nature, this is a self-regulating concept based on qualitative information. The ISO 26000 international standard – Guidance on Social Responsibility – gives practical instructions to organizations on how to define social responsibility, how to recognize the key issues to be addressed and how to practically realize the CSR strategy.

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Microsoft Edge)

According to this standard, the social responsibility of an organization implies consistent compliance with laws and regulations (which may differ from country to country) and compliance with international norms of behaviour, expectations of interested parties, as well as own/ internal requirements, rules and standards. Only when all these are met, we can talk about the development and implementation of social responsibility by the organization. If a company’s CSR is well thought out and implemented, it will boost its public image and reputation with key stakeholders. The most common form of communication regarding an organization’s CSR is the annual CSR report (or report on sustainable development), which can be based on an internationally recognized methodology (GRI, UN Global Compact, OECD Guidelines, etc.). Organizations must adopt CSR in an authentic way that is closely aligned with the company’s strategy, goals, culture and core values, says our interlocutor.

Although there are similarities between the CSR and ESG concepts, we also have to understand their differences, primarily in the nature of the concept itself, the measurability of goals, the assessment of materiality and the management of financially tangible risks. The key differences can be reduced to the two most visible. First, identifying and managing financially tangible ESG risks and opportunities is a key part of ESG strategy and this is significantly different from CSR. While a CSR strategy is more likely to align with and support a company’s values, the information a company discloses in ESG reporting is based on its materiality to the company’s operations and business model. Second, while corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives can certainly include measurable goals and reporting, with ESG this is significantly more pronounced. Companies that report on ESG metrics have to collect and publish a significant amount of quantitative data — although qualitative data also plays a key role in ESG reporting.

Prepared by: Katarina Vuinac

Read the story in the new issue of the Energy portal Magazine RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS

NEW PROJECTS THAT WILL RECEIVE WWF ADRIA GRANTS

16.03.2024

WWF launched its project “Serbia Actions in the Field of Environment, Nature and Climate – SAFE Nature and Climate“ to form a network of civil society organizations that will implement sustainable ideas related to environmental and climate protection.

After the two-stage evaluation procedure, the expert team decided to support five organizations following the second competition with grants of a maximum of EUR 18,000.

FORCA – Požega Civil Action Forum

It is estimated that around 1,200 tons of pesticide packaging waste are produced annually in Serbia, which is classified as hazardous waste and must be collected and disposed of because it pollutes the soil, water and air and negatively affects the health of people, plants and animals.

Without a systemic solution, this waste is incinerated in 70 per cent of cases, which generates greenhouse gases. For this reason, the improper management of this waste is one of the causes of global warming and climate change. The municipality of Požega has no legal regulation on this matter.

The goal of this project is to establish a system, connect all actors in the management chain of this waste and launch an initiative for the development of local policies and practices, which would clearly define the responsibilities and obligations of local governments, public utility companies, Agricultural Advisory Service and agricultural producers and operators.

IN FOCUS:

GRES – Group for the Development of Environmental Awareness

In Europe, the annual production of plastics is measured in tens of millions of metric tons (source: Plastics Europe, 2019). A rough estimate predicts that 80 per cent of plastic waste in marine ecosystems originates from land and is transported via rivers.

The primary sources of microplastics (MP) are factory particles, fibrils (fibres) or spherical microparticles used in cosmetic products, the textile industry, etc. The degradation of macroplastics under the influence of physical, biological and chemical processes creates MP, which is characterized as a secondary source. MP includes particles between 1 μm and 5 mm in size.

The GRES project aims to contribute to the resolution of this problem in our country. It is envisaged to review the presence of MP particles, monitoring methodology and legal regulations, as well as the formation of a national microplastics centre (microplastics.rs) under the auspices of the Siniša Stanković Institute for Biological Research/Institute of National Importance for the Republic of Serbia, at the University of Belgrade (IBISS).

Karlovci Vineyards Association

The town of Sremski Karlovci is located near the Danube, the Fruška Gora National Park and the zone of influence of the Special Nature Reserve Koviljsko-Petrovaradinski Rit. The association believes that the understanding of the importance of this landscape as an ecological corridor that connects three protected natural assets is still not sufficiently understood or covered both in municipal documents and practice.

The result of these inconsistencies is reflected in the spatial planning decisions of the municipality and documents related to strategic development, which stipulate the formation and development of the Prosjanica work zone, where companies would produce products that might negatively affect the environment.

The Karlovci Vineyards Association is playing the role of a public advocate in its interactions with the municipal authorities with the view of promoting and including sustainable agriculture and ecotourism in the development plan, which can establish a link between the local community and environmental protection in the best possible way.

The project focuses on the analysis of environmental protection problems in the municipality of Sremski Karlovci, including the lack of relevant data and omissions in spatial planning documentation, which represents a significant challenge and inconsistency in environmental protection at the local level.

Prepared by: Milica Radičević

Read the story in the new issue of the Energy portal Magazine RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS

NEW INITIATIVE AIMS TO CURB THE TOXIC IMPACTS OF AGRICULTURE

15.03.2024

poljoprivreda , pesticidi — Photo-illustration: Pixabay (hpgruesen)

The governments of Ecuador, India, Kenya, Laos, Philippines, Uruguay, and Vietnam have come together to launch a 379 million dollars initiative to combat pollution from the use of pesticides and plastics in agriculture.

Chemicals play a crucial role in farming, with nearly 4 billion tons of pesticides and 12 billion kg of agricultural plastics used every year.

Despite their benefits for food yields, these chemicals pose significant risks to human health and the environment. As many as 11,000 people die from the toxic effects of pesticides annually, and chemical residues can degrade ecosystems, diminishing soil health and farmers’ resilience to climate change. The opening burning of agricultural plastics also contributes to an air pollution crisis that causes one in nine deaths worldwide.

Highly hazardous pesticides and mismanaged agricultural plastics release toxic persistent organic pollutants (POPs) – chemicals which don’t break down in the environment and contaminate air, water, and food. These inputs are generally cheaper than sustainable alternatives, giving farmers little incentive to adopt better practices.

The Financing Agrochemical Reduction and Management Programme – or FARM – led by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) with financial support from the Global Environment Facility (GEF), seeks to change that, elaborating the business case for banks and policy-makers to reorient policy and financial resources towards farmers to help them adopt low- and non-chemical alternatives to toxic agrochemicals and facilitate a transition towards better practices.

The five-year programme is projected to prevent over 51,000 tons of hazardous pesticides and over 20,000 tons of plastic waste from being released, while avoiding 35,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions and protecting over 3 million hectares of land from degradation as farms and farmers convert to low-chemical and non-chemical alternatives.

“Our current agricultural system relies on harmful chemicals, this is not necessary. FARM offers a powerful alternative model, empowering farmers with the knowledge and resources to transition to sustainable practices that safeguard our health and environment and also boost yields and profits,” said Anil Sookdeo, Chemicals Coordinator at the GEF.

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Jordan Opel)

To do this, the FARM programme will support government regulation to phase out POPs-containing agrochemicals and agri-plastics and adopt better management standards, while strengthening banking, insurance and investment criteria to improve the availability of effective pest control, production alternatives and trade in sustainable produce.

“Food productivity and safety is reliant on identifying better practices and safer alternatives to highly hazardous pesticides,” Sheila Aggarwal-Khan, Director of UNEP’s Industry and Economy Division, said. “Adoption is key to scaling these alternatives. There is no real option other than a strong, coordinated response to the pollution crisis.”

The FARM launch event convened representatives from all seven countries, with over 100 partners and stakeholders directly involved in the programme, including public and private banks, policy makers, farmer cooperatives, agrochemical and plastic manufacturers, international organisations, civil society, academia, and retailers.

It marks a step change in collaborative efforts between governments, financial institutions, farmers and manufacturers to combat agricultural pollution, paving the way for a more equitable and resilient food system.

Source: UNEP

WHAT EL NIÑO HAS IN STORE FOR US THIS YEAR?

14.03.2024

okean — Photo-illustration: Freepik (wirestock)

Photo-illustration: Freepik (mb-photoarts)

Last summer, I shared with you my impressions of the coast of Dalmatia. As I wrote then, the Adriatic Sea is mostly cold, but in 2023, the sea temperatures were unusually high. On some days, the sea was almost uncomfortably warm. At the same time, the weather in various parts of Croatia was very varied. While the days in Dalmatia were tropical, storms engulfed the north of Croatia, accompanied by strong winds and rain.

All of this could be attributed to the El Niño phenomenon, i.e. the warming of the Pacific. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) recently confirmed that in 2023, El Niño was one of the five strongest weather phenomena in history. Although the new data showed that it is gradually weakening at the moment, its impact on the global climate will continue in the coming months. All this will lead to higher temperatures in almost all continental parts of the world from March to May.

Monitoring shows that El Niño occurs on average every two to seven years and lasts about 12 months, but sometimes it can last for years. Although this phenomenon causes high sea/ocean temperatures, the WMO says that El Niño shouldn’t be blamed for everything. It is very worrying that the sea/ocean temperatures in January 2024 were the highest recorded for this period of the year. Moreover, this is not a small increase, but a rather significant one.

The WMO analysis showed that there is about a 60 per cent chance that El Niño will persist during the March-May period and an 80 per cent chance of neutral weather conditions in the April-June period, that is, that neither the El Niño nor La Niña phenomena will occur. But what is La Niña? It is a weather phenomenon that is not mentioned that often and has not gained such notoriety as El Niño.

It is interesting to note that in the Spanish language, these two phenomena in translation mean a little boy (El Niño) and a little girl (El Niño). Little Boy causes the Pacific to warm thus affecting weather conditions in the northern United States and Canada to become warmer and drier, while the southeastern Gulf of Mexico experiences wetter conditions and more frequent flooding. On the other hand, a „little girl“ has the complete opposite effect. Its cold waters in the Pacific lead to droughts in the southern US and more intense rains and floods in the Pacific Northwest and Canada.

There are numerous consequences caused by these two phenomena. Although they are two opposite climatic phenomena, both are disruptive. However, El Niño occurs more often.

It remains to be seen how accurate the WMO forecasts for the following months are. Other forecasts show that El Niño could lead to 2024 becoming the hottest year on record.

Katarina Vuinac

CAN METHANE EMISSIONS MATCH CLIMATE GOALS BY 2030

14.03.2024

emisije , zagađenje — Photo-illustration: Pixabay (catazul)

Last year was marked by record-high methane emissions from the energy sector. However, the end of the year brought the United Nations Conference on Climate Change 2023 (COP28) and the pledges that set an ambitious target for reducing these emissions.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) has published the Global Methane Tracker, the first comprehensive assessment of global methane emissions since the end of COP28. The research showed that the production and use of fossil fuels led to almost 120 million tonnes of emissions in 2023, which is more than the year before. Furthermore, another 10 million tonnes of methane emissions came from bioenergy.

10 countries alone were responsible for about 80 million tonnes of methane emissions from fossil fuels last year. The United States as the world’s largest producer of oil and gas, occupies first place, followed by Russia. In terms of coal, China takes the first place.

As stated, even if the existing pledges on reduced methane were to be fully implemented, the reduction, as per the Paris Agreement’s goal of 1.5°C, would not be achieved. The IEA estimates that in order to accomplish the aforementioned goal, it is necessary to reduce methane emissions from fossil fuels by 75 percent in this decade and with the current pledges, the reduction would be about 50 percent.

Although 2023 saw record-high emissions, efforts to reduce these emissions are expected to grow in 2024 and beyond. This comes after 200 governments agreed at COP28 to significantly reduce methane emissions by 2030, as well as pledges from other Conference participants.

The IEA states that satellites play an important role in methane reduction, as they monitor global methane emissions and thus help identify and reduce them. The satellite that has been drawing attention lately is MethaneSAT, which thanks to the cooperation of Google and the Environmental Defense Fund, locates and measures emissions from oil and gas operations around the planet, more precisely than any satellite so far.

Google will make the data collected by the satellite available on the Google Earth Engine platform for environmental monitoring at the planetary level. This platform provides a wealth of geospatial data and tools for its analysis. Thus, users will be able to combine the data collected by the satellite with other data sets and analyze them.

Katarina Vuinac

IS EUROPE IMPLEMENTING GOOD POLICIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE?

13.03.2024

eko — Photo-illustration: Freepik (freepik)

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (
Fabian Quintero)

Continuous research shows that Europe is warming faster than any other continent. The European Environmental Agency (EEA) data indicate that policies and campaigns to adapt to changed climate conditions are not keeping up with the speed of climate change. Moreover, gradual adaptation will not be enough, as urgent actions are needed to eliminate even those risks that are still not assessed as critical.

Namely, the EEA indicates the main climate risks for Europe classified into five groups – ecosystems, food, health, infrastructure and economy&finance.

It has been estimated that almost all risks located in the ecosystem group require urgent or additional measures to the existing ones. Forests, wetlands and other ecosystems are endangered, but marine and coastal ecosystems stand out among them as particularly endangered. Coastal ecosystems are affected by erosion, flooding and sea level rise. The existing pollution in the water ecosystem additionally causes negative consequences due to the increase in water temperature. If we protect, preserve and improve ecosystems and the risks affecting them, the risks related to food, health, infrastructure and economy and finance would also be reduced.

In terms of the food group, southern Europe is particularly affected by heat and drought risks related to crop growth. Although this area is characterized as critical, countries in Central Europe are not out of danger either. Prolonged droughts are a major threat to the security of food and water supply, as the production of food of animal origin requires significant amounts of water. Therefore, one of the solutions is to partially transition from proteins of animal origin to plant-based.

High temperatures are the most serious driver of climate risks to human health, according to the EEA. A particularly risky group is people who work outdoors, the elderly and people living in urban areas where heat islands are created or where there is no adequate access to cooling.

In terms of infrastructure, the EEA took into account built areas, as well as energy, water and transport services. Risks from increasingly frequent and extreme floods are still relatively well controlled, however, rising sea levels and stronger storms can cause major damage. Global warming can be mitigated by boosting the energy efficiency of buildings.

All of the aforementioned affects the European economy and finances. For instance, in addition to the material damage that occurs due to floods, storms, droughts and other weather conditions, the threat caused by the mentioned risks has already led to an increase in the insurance premium.

2023 has officially been declared the hottest year on record. The data shows that the average global temperature in the 12 months between February 2023 and January 2024 exceeded pre-industrial levels by 1.5oC.

In order to stop such changes and reduce the risks in the mentioned areas, it is necessary to focus our greatest attention on the first segment, i.e. ecosystems. Their recovery will directly help mitigate other risks. Therefore, according to the EEA, the implementation of the EU Law on Nature Restoration is needed, as well as the restoration of the network of protected areas within and outside of Natura2000. No less important is improving maritime space planning and the implementation of the coastal management plant. Another important factor is reducing, pollution from agricultural and industrial activities.

Energy portal

EFFECTIVE APPLICATION OF THE GREEN CONSTRUCTION PRINCIPLES, EMPLOYEE EDUCATION AND PARTNERS

13.03.2024

BEO-Shopping-Center — Photo: Confluence Property Management

By implementing innovative solutions, using energy from alternative sources, and adequate waste management, a sustainable environment is created that positively impacts the surroundings. MPC Properties, a regional leader in real estate development, construction and management, clearly adheres to all of the above. Confluence Property Management is part of the MPC Properties system. It supports the business strategy in the segment of management and maintenance of the state-of-the-art class A retail and business facilities while following the highest world standards. We spoke with Sanja Rubeša, Operations Project Manager at Confluence Property Management, about implementing the ESG green strategy, waste management, the urban beekeeping project and promoting alternative transport modes.

Q. What does your company’s ESG strategy contain?

A. Topics that are incorporated into the ESG green strategy include environmental impact, the social component and the company’s management system. Regarding the environmental impact, we pay special attention to the green construction principles in six areas – sustainable development, water saving, energy efficiency, adequate use of resources and materials, quality of interior and implementing circular economy principles at the micro level. When it comes to the social component, we think long-term and comprehensively about all categories of the community, including our employees, whom we support through the implementation of internal and external programmes for professional and personal development. On the other hand, we assist tenants, building users, businesses and the general public by organizing educational ESG programmes throughout our network of shopping centres. We use all communication channels, with a strong focus on digital ones, to inform the community about our activities and thus raise environmental awareness. We present expertise by participating in panel discussions and supporting green initiatives in cooperation with international and non-governmental organizations, embassies, universities, institutes and companies.

IN FOCUS:

Q. How do you implement projects in the company’s management system?

A. The company’s management system is transparently presented in the GRI Sustainability Report, which is publicly available on the company’s website. All projects are implemented through a multi-stage tender process, where expertise, quality, transparency and anti-corruption are important segments when selecting project partners. We cooperate with the most competent experts, such as the companies Energo Energy Efficiency Engineering, MT-KOMEX, Sauter Building Control and Avalon Partners. We have established strategic partnerships with global and local institutions such as UNDP Serbia, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, the Faculty of Biology, CEUS and Mihajlo Pupin Institute. MPC is also an active member of the Green Building Council of Serbia.

Q. In which way do you implement the waste management process?

A. The VOLK SERB Company is a longterm partner and collaborator of the MPC system in the waste management process. Currently, the process is taking place following the legal regulations, implementing innovative, world-class solutions, and forming a long-term plan that will follow both EU regulations and the Green Agenda strategy in Serbia. Cooperation with tenants is crucial. Of course, implementing new processes requires additional effort from all participants, but education facilitates and ensures the success of new practices. One of the implemented innovative solutions for managing organic waste generated at the UŠĆE complex is using a compost machine, which we procured following a public call for submission of tenders launched by UNDP Serbia in cooperation with the Embassy of Japan.

Interviewed by: Mirjana Vujadinović Tomevski

Read the story in the new issue of the Energy portal Magazine RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS

SOLAR ENERGY FOR SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH IN AUSTRALIA

12.03.2024

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Louis Reed)

The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organization (ANSTO), located in Clayton, about 20 kilometres from Melbourne, has taken a significant step in the energy transition, and has become an example of green transformation in the scientific community. As one of the leading national research institutes, ANSTO has recognized the need to reduce its operational costs as well as its impact on the environment, especially if one takes into account the large amounts of electricity required for such research.

ANSTO is home to the Australian Synchrotron, an advanced research facility using particle accelerator technology. By accelerating electrons close to the speed of light, the synchrotron produces intense light that allows scientists to study in detail the structure and properties of materials at the atomic and molecular levels. Medicine, biology, chemistry, engineering and physics are just some of the sciences where discoveries such as new materials or new drugs are made.

In order to produce and consume electricity more efficiently, economically and cleanly, ANSTO has installed more than 3,200 solar panels on the roofs of its facilities, including on the impressive circular roof of the main synchrotron building. The 6,600-square-metre roof covered with solar panels will allow ANSTO to produce more than two million kWh of electricity annually, while reducing CO2 emissions by more than 1,680 tonnes every year until 2029, according to the organization’s website.

By using solar energy, ANSTO significantly reduces operating costs, which allows for additional investments in research capacity and expansion of scientific capabilities, while preserving the planet for future generations.

Energy portal

ITALY COULD GET A FLOATING HYBRID POWER PLANT

11.03.2024

Two years ago, an offshore wind farm was commissioned in Italy, a significant development since this was the first such project in the Mediterranean basin.

Now, Italy plans to build a large floating hybrid power plant in the Gulf of Taranto, which will produce electricity from two renewable sources – wind and sun.

As for the capacity of this hybrid power plant, the solar segment will have an installed power of 120MW, while the 28 wind turbines will add another 420MW, which makes a total of 540MW, according to Italian media.

As reported, the floating hybrid power plant will be commissioned in 2028 and estimates are that it will produce more than 160GWh annually.

Following events that have affected almost the entire planet, such as the COVID-19-induced crisis and the events in Ukraine, Italy has drawn up a recovery and resilience plan, which was last updated on December 8, 2023. One of the measures is the simplification of the procedure for issuing permits for the construction of renewable energy sources, as a token of the country’s effort in increasing the use of clean energy.

Italy occupies third place on the list of the most successful solar markets in the European Union in 2023, with 4.9GW of installed power. Moreover, the country is one of the fastest-growing EU markets, which is also shown by the fact that it doubled its clean energy market growth compared to 2022.

In addition to solar and wind energy, geothermal and hydropower are the main sources of renewable energy in Italy.

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