Massive expansion of renewable power opens door to achieving global tripling goal set at COP28

12.01.2024

solar — Photo-illustration: Pixabay (Michael_Pointner)

Photo-illustration: Pixabay (SailingOnChocolateRoses)

The world’s capacity to generate renewable electricity is expanding faster than at any time in the last three decades, giving it a real chance of achieving the goal of tripling global capacity by 2030 that governments set at the COP28 climate change conference last month, the IEA says in a new report.

The amount of renewable energy capacity added to energy systems around the world grew by 50 per cent in 2023, reaching almost 510 gigawatts (GW), with solar PV accounting for three-quarters of additions worldwide, according to Renewables 2023, the latest edition of the IEA’s annual market report on the sector. The largest growth took place in China, which commissioned as much solar PV in 2023 as the entire world did in 2022, while China’s wind power additions rose by 66 per cent year-on-year. The increases in renewable energy capacity in Europe, the United States and Brazil also hit all-time highs.

The latest analysis is the first comprehensive assessment of global renewable energy deployment trends since the conclusion of the COP28 conference in Dubai in December. The report shows that under existing policies and market conditions, global renewable power capacity is now expected to grow to 7.300 GW over the 2023-28 period covered by the forecast. Solar PV and wind account for 95 per cent of the expansion, with renewables overtaking coal to become the largest source of global electricity generation by early 2025. But despite the unprecedented growth over the past 12 months, the world needs to go further to triple capacity by 2030, which countries agreed to do at COP28.

Alongside the report, the IEA also released a new Renewable Energy Progress Tracker, which allows users to explore historical data and forecasts at the regional and country level, including tracking progress towards the tripling goal.

“The new IEA report shows that under current policies and market conditions, global renewable capacity is already on course to increase by two-and-a-half times by 2030. It’s not enough yet to reach the COP28 goal of tripling renewables, but we’re moving closer – and governments have the tools needed to close the gap,” said IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol. “Onshore wind and solar PV are cheaper today than new fossil fuel plants almost everywhere and cheaper than existing fossil fuel plants in most countries. There are still some big hurdles to overcome, including the difficult global macroeconomic environment. For me, the most important challenge for the international community is rapidly scaling up financing and deployment of renewables in most emerging and developing economies, many of which are being left behind in the new energy economy. Success in meeting the tripling goal will hinge on this.”

“This report is the first key instalment of the IEA’s follow-up work on the energy outcomes of COP28 that will continue throughout 2024 and beyond,” Dr Birol said. “This is based on the five key pillars we set out ahead of COP28 and covers tripling renewables, doubling energy efficiency, cutting methane emissions, transitioning away from fossil fuels, and scaling up financing for emerging and developing economies. We will be following very closely to see whether countries are delivering on their promises and implementing appropriate policies.”

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Asia Chang Yr)

What is needed to triple renewables by 2030 varies significantly by country, region and technology. The report lays out an accelerated case in which more rapid policy implementation drives renewable power capacity growth 21 per cent higher than in the main forecast, which would push the world towards being on track to meet the global tripling pledge.

In advanced and large emerging economies, this would mean addressing challenges such as policy uncertainty in a fragile economic environment, insufficient investment in grid infrastructure to accommodate greater shares of renewables, and cumbersome administrative barriers and permitting delays. In other emerging and developing economies, access to finance, strong governance and robust regulatory frameworks are essential to reduce risk and attract investment, including establishing new targets and policies in countries where they do not exist yet.

Solar PV and onshore wind deployment through 2028 is expected to more than double in the United States, the European Union, India and Brazil, compared with the last five years. Prices for solar PV modules in 2023 declined by almost 50 per cent year-on-year, with cost reductions and fast deployment set to continue. This is because global manufacturing capacity is forecast to reach 1.100 GW by the end of 2024, significantly exceeding demand. By contrast, the wind industry (outside of China) is facing a more challenging environment due to a combination of ongoing supply chain disruption, higher costs and long permitting timelines, which require stronger policy attention.

The report also provides a reality check on the momentum behind renewable-based hydrogen, assessing how many announced projects are likely to go ahead. Of all the projects announced worldwide to use renewables to produce hydrogen this decade, only seven per cent of the proposed capacity is expected to come online by 2030. The slow pace of projects reaching an investment decision combined with limited appetite from off-takers and higher production costs have led to slower progress on many projects. To fully convince investors, ambitious project announcements will have to be followed by consistent policies supporting demand.

In 2023, the role of biofuels has also come to the fore. Emerging economies, led by Brazil and India, are expected to drive 70 per cent of global demand over the next five years as biofuels start to show their true potential in hard-to-abate sectors such as air travel and as a replacement for highly polluting fuels like diesel. While biofuels deployment is accelerating, the report shows that this is not happening quickly enough, with a significant increase required in demand by 2030 needed to align biofuels with a net zero pathway.

Source: IEA

Valencia kicks off 2024 as new European Green Capital

11.01.2024

jonny-james-M-J7gtp4m8c-unsplash — Photo-illustration: Unsplash (jonny-james)

The Spanish city of Valencia officially starts, today, as the European Green Capital 2024. To celebrate this achievement, over 400 activities and events are foreseen to reach all sectors of the city, from specialised audiences in sustainability, production, and business, to the residents of Valencia. The purpose is to raise awareness of the triple crisis of pollution, biodiversity loss and climate change, and empower people to take action to address it.

Valencia’s motto is “On a Mission Together” and city authorities work with residents to reach their climate neutrality and environmental goals. With its strong emphasis on people, it effectively combines responses to environmental challenges with societal ones. This has made it a frontrunner in the transition to sustainability, and a source of inspiration for other European cities.

During a festive ceremony, Maria José Catalá, the Mayor of Valencia, will receive the Green Book from Tiit Terik, the Deputy Mayor of Tallinn, the 2023 European Green Capital.

The opening ceremony will be followed by a concert in the cultural centre of Palau de la Música. On 12 January, the first EU Mission for Climate Neutral and Smart Cities plaques will be awarded. Ten cities have been awarded the EU Mission Label in 2023, and five of these are Spanish cities, including Valencia. The EU Mission Label is an important milestone as it recognises the cities’ plans to achieve climate-neutrality by 2030 and aims to facilitate access to public and private funding to achieve that objective.

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (travelnow-or-crylater)

The European Commission launched the European Green Capital Award in 2010 to encourage cities to become greener and cleaner, and to improve the quality of life for their inhabitants. Around 75 percent of Europe’s population lives in cities and urban areas. Many cities play a leading role in managing the societal changes needed in the protection of the environment. They are key players for the implementation of the European Green Deal locally.

The European Green Capital Award is bestowed to cities above 100,000 inhabitants. Since 2010, the European Commission awarded the title to: Vilnius (2025), Valencia (2024), Tallinn (2023), Grenoble (2022), Lahti (2021), Lisbon (2020), Oslo (2019), Nijmegen (2018), Essen (2017), Ljubljana (2016), Bristol (2015), Copenhagen (2014), Nantes (2013), Vitoria-Gasteiz (2012), Hamburg (2011) and Stockholm (2010).

In 2015, the European Green Leaf title was introduced for smaller cities starting from 20,000 and below 100,000 inhabitants, with seventeen Green Leaf winners so far. The 2024 titles went to the Slovenian city, Velenje, and Treviso in Italy. The Commission encourages the winners to work together and use their title year to build alliances.

Source: European Commission

Once enough to stain shirt collars, smog is lifting over greater Seoul

10.01.2024

air-pollution-vazduh-zagađenje — Photo-illustration: Pixabay (Maruf_Rahman)

Cho Jang-hun remembers a time in the 1990s when it was almost impossible to escape the dirty air from exhaust fumes, coal-fired power plants and massive industrial projects that hung over his home in Gyeonggi, Republic of Korea.

The smog used to be so bad that the collars of the white shirt that Cho wore in the morning were black with soot by the evening.

But in recent years, the 47-year-old schoolteacher has noticed a marked reduction in the air pollution that once plagued Gyeonggi, which, together with Seoul and Incheon, forms the Seoul metropolitan region.

“The air is much healthier, and the skies are clear,” he said.

Data published in a recent UN Environment Programme (UNEP) report on air quality in the metropolis bears this out. It found that concentrations of the most damaging air pollutants, such as particulate matter (PM), far exceeded national standards and World Health Organization (WHO) air quality guidelines in 2005 but fell significantly by 2020.

When inhaled, particulate matter—tiny, invisible airborne particles—can penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream, causing heart disease, stroke and respiratory issues.

The report found that annual average concentrations of particulate matter smaller than 10 micrometers (PM10) were 30–40 per cent lower in 2021 compared to 2005. Across the Republic of Korea, emissions of PM2.5 fell by 19 per cent between 2005 and 2020, with even greater reductions in Seoul and Gyeonggi.

The improvement in Seoul’s air quality is the culmination of decades of work by the government of the Republic of Korea to tackle air pollution, which claims almost seven million lives globally every year. Its approach is seen as a success story in the Asia-Pacific region where 92 per cent of the population – some four billion people – are breathing unhealthy air with the risk of damage to the heart, lungs and brain.

A recipe for cleaner air

The Seoul metropolitan region is home to 26 million people, around half the population of the Republic of Korea.

The region, a key driver of the country’s economy, was responsible for 48 per cent of national gross domestic product in 2016, according to the World Bank. However, much of the economic activity that makes it such a powerhouse has led to increased transport, industry, waste and electricity production, which often contribute to higher air pollution.

Photo-illustration: Freepik (frimufilms)

Over the past couple of decades, the government has responded by creating a robust legal framework to manage air quality in the Seoul metropolitan region. It has also made long-term air quality data publicly available and invested heavily in air quality management systems, among other key measures.

The air quality regulatory framework in the Republic of Korea consists of multiple levels of planning and policy making. A governing act serves as an overarching framework at the national level. Meanwhile, distinct plans outline how the act will be implemented at the national and local levels.

“The air quality legislation provides a strong foundation for action to combat air pollution in the Seoul metropolitan region,” said Mushtaq Memon, UNEP Coordinator of Chemicals and Pollution Action for Asia and the Pacific. “It has been particularly effective because it identifies the roles and responsibilities of different organizations at national and sub-national levels. This has created clarity as to who is responsible for implementing different components of air quality management.”

To assess compliance with the legal framework, hundreds of monitoring sites providing data on air pollution were set up across the Seoul metropolitan region and elsewhere in the Republic of Korea. The data is publicly available via a real-time air quality information website, which allows researchers to identify trends and provides information on which government agencies can act.

Substantial investment has been critical to improved air quality. Between 2007 and 2020, the Seoul, Incheon and Gyeonggi governments invested nine US dollars billion on air quality management, with 56 per cent of the funding focused on measures to reduce emissions from the transport sector. Some 3.2 billion US dollars was also devoted to evidence generation and public engagement on air quality.

In addition, governments in the Seoul metropolitan region have introduced a number of policies to address air pollution in recent years. These include the mandatory installation of eco-friendly boilers in households, restrictions on driving pollutant-emitting vehicles, and the greening of public transport fleets.

The resulting cleaner air has brought positive results for human health. Between 2006 and 2015, the number of premature deaths associated with air pollution exposure was estimated to have fallen substantially in Seoul, Incheon and Gyeonggi, found one study.

A need to jointly address air pollution and climate change

Improving air quality is key to tackling the triple planetary crisis of climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, and pollution and waste. Not only does air pollution reduce the world’s biodiversity, it is also a key factor in the destabilization of the global climate.

Despite the Seoul metropolitan region’s progress on air quality, the release of planet-warming carbon dioxide remains a persistent problem.

UNEP and the Climate and Clean Air Coalition have identified 25 science-based solutions to deliver wins for climate and pollution in the Asia-Pacific region. These include switching from fossil fuel to renewable energy sources and improving energy efficiency in transport and industry. The Republic of Korea has recognized that these measures will be key to the country achieving its goal of carbon neutrality by 2050.

Governments in the Seoul metropolitan region are already embracing this new direction.

“While past research focused primarily on air quality improvement, current studies aim to achieve both health benefits and energy transitions through carbon neutrality,” said Cho Kyung-doo, Director General of the Incheon Carbon Neutrality Center. “Sustained investment to address climate change and improve air quality simultaneously will be pivotal going forward.”

Integrating the pollution and climate agendas is a crucial opportunity to benefit human and planetary health in cities and regions worldwide.

Suh Jeom-sook, Team Leader of the Air Quality Policy Division of the Seoul Metropolitan Government, believes the region’s success can inspire others.

“We have seen what is possible with the right policies and dedicated efforts from actors across the Seoul metropolitan region and are excited about the work ahead to further improve the air we share,” she said. “We hope that our experiences can serve as a positive example for governments in Asia-Pacific and around the globe in the push for clean air for blue skies.”

To fight the pervasive impact of pollution on society, UNEP launched #BeatPollution, a strategy for rapid, large-scale and coordinated action against air, land and water pollution. The strategy highlights the impact of pollution on climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, and human health. Through science-based messaging, the campaign showcases how transitioning to a pollution-free planet is vital for future generations.

Source: UNEP

GREEN CITY DEVELOPMENT – A NEW APPROACH TO URBAN PLANNING AND SAVINGS

10.01.2024

The City of Banja Luka’s Development Strategy stipulates priority activities that reflect the local government’s aspirations to make Banja Luka an ecologically sustainable, communally well-equipped, energy-efficient and safe environment, i.e. for Banja Luka to transform into a Green City. This concept implies creating more urban green areas, parks, and recreational zones, regulating the banks of the Vrbas River and its tributaries and managing natural resources responsibly and creatively. The Strategy’s draft also considers aesthetic and functional aspects, focusing on environmental protection. The local government is investing a lot of effort into creating inspiring, top-quality amenities in public spaces to enable better interaction, engagement, and health care for residents. In other words, making residents feel as good as possible in the environment they live in, says Draško Stanivuković, mayor of Banja Luka.

“Accomplishing all the goals outlined in the green city concept would contribute to its better-integrated development, better quality of communal services, energy savings and more attractive appearance. Banja Luka’s goal is to be a good example of a town with an innovative, smart, and sustainable utility and traffic infrastructure supported by an efficient land use system and increased resistance to climate change and other natural disasters. With a healthy and dynamic environment, the green and blue infrastructure network will protect and improve water resources, soil quality and biodiversity, but also maintain Banja Luka’s reputation as a green city.”

Q: What are the most favorable models for financing projects aimed at boosting energy efficiency? How much did you invest in such projects, and what results have you accomplished?

A: Banja Luka aspires to be an energy efficiency leader in Bosnia and Herzegovina and in the application of modern financing models. We launched several projects in this area and invested significant funds. Among the more significant projects is the public lighting managing and monitoring system, which has been implemented at more than 480 measuring points. In several stages, about 5,000 old light fixtures were replaced with LED ones, with a total value of about 563,000 euros (1,100,000 KM) and the project was implemented in cooperation with the UNDP. The city government will continue carrying out activities on the modernization of the public lighting system to reduce electricity consumption. Considering that there are about 30,000 light fixtures in Banja Luka, of which about 25,000 are old, that use high-pressure sodium, metal-halide, and mercury sources, with these new state-of-the-art LED ones, we will manage to reduce energy consumption and the emission of harmful gases. But first, we need to carry out energy-saving renovation, which includes the renovation of the infrastructure and the replacement of more energy-efficient lamps, as well as the application of light intensity regulation measures, which will achieve significant savings.

IN FOCUS:

Thanks to the existing system, the city authorities allocate about 1,250,000 euros annually to maintain public lighting and electricity costs. With the increase in the price of electricity, these costs amount to approximately 1,800,000 euros. By replacing all lighting fixtures with more energy-efficient ones, electricity consumption could be reduced by more than 65 per cent, and total costs would be reduced by around 500,000 euros.

Furthermore, with the construction of the Banja Luka eco-heating plant, which uses biomass instead of fuel oil for district heating, we have started drafting the Feasibility Study on the modernization of the district heating system and the implementation of renewable energy sources, which the European Bank is carrying out for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). We plan to carry out the automation of substations in the district heating system, reconstruct the existing grid, and construct a new one. Individual investment activities will be implemented by the Banja Luka eco-heating plant and then via contracts with investors. Plus, several school and preschool facilities were renovated in the past period, too.

Q: How much do you invest in boosting the energy efficiency of residential buildings?

A: Under the auspices of the Decarbonization in the Housing Sector of Bosnia and Herzegovina project, which is financed by Sweden and implemented by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in partnership with the Banja Luka government, we have started drafting the Energy Efficiency Study of the entire housing sector. The Study’s goal is to provide key tools that will enable the development and establishment of efficient and effective policies and financing mechanisms that will promote significant growth in investments in boosting the energy efficiency of the housing sector. The main goal is to develop an energy efficiency study of the entire residential sector in the city, based on a sample of 400 individual houses and 30 residential buildings.

For several years, the city authorities have been co-financing works on rehabilitating the facades of residential buildings, with the expected reduction of energy consumption in the amount of at least 30 per cent. So far, the facades of eight collective housing buildings have been successfully restored, and following a new public call for submission of bids, the plan is to restore 12 more buildings in the city. The total value of the investment amounts to slightly over 511,291 euros, of which the city authorities have allocated more than 255,000 euros.

Q: What priority projects that contribute to enhancing environmental protection have you been implementing?

A: Banja Luka is one of the leading local self-governments in environmental protection in the Republic of Srpska, according to the auditor general. Following the relevant regulations, we regularly draft all planning documents and implement them in accordance with the available budget. We monitor air pollution and noise. We have an organized waste collection system, which covers as much as 95 per cent of the total city territory (urban and rural parts). Every year, we implement the Clean Face of the City campaign, during which citizens can dispose of bulky waste at the expense of the local authorities. We are especially proud that we have cleaned watercourses of waste and that our citizens are increasingly developing awareness and throwing less waste into riverbeds and streams. The city government also supported the Spatial Healing project to prevent the creation of illegal landfills by erecting artistic sculptures and developing green areas instead. Sculptures and ornamental plants were put in several locations in the city area in place of unregulated landfills.

The plan is also to build three recycling facilities in the city area, which aim to reduce the amount of waste deposited at the regional landfill and increase the opportunity for recycling. Recycling is one of the projects we will deal with more in the coming period. Furthermore, thanks to the construction of a large city park, green oases, children’s playgrounds, river promenades and outdoor gyms, which are all aesthetic and functional contributions to the city, we are also striving to do what we can to protect and improve the environment and space.

The drafting of the Wastewater and Solid Waste Management Study, financed by the European Investment Bank (EIB), is also underway, and the study should have been completed by May 2024. We are also planning to launch a tender for the rehabilitation and expansion of the regional landfill in Ramići.

Interviewed by: Mirjana Vujadinović Tomevski

Read the story in the new issue of the Energy portal Magazine CIRCULAR ECONOMY.

Towards sustainability: a look ahead to environmental moments in 2024

09.01.2024

eco — Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Joshua Woroniecki)

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Coralie Meurice)

The year 2024 will be marked by a number of events and observances with important implications for the environment, biodiversity, and global sustainability. From advancing sustainable nitrogen management to fostering inclusive collaboration for biodiversity and addressing critical threats like antimicrobial resistance, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) will work to support multilateralism, science-based dialogue and actions, innovation, partnerships for people and planet and much more.

Here are some key international events and meetings planned (dates and details subject to change):

9 – 10 January: 5th Meeting of the UNEP Working Group on Nitrogen

The UNEP Working Group on Nitrogen is convening for its fifth meeting, aimed at advancing the implementation of UN Environment Assembly (UNEA) resolutions 4/14 and 5/2 concerning “Sustainable Nitrogen Management.” This gathering will occur in Nairobi, Kenya, with both physical and hybrid attendance options available.

23 – 25 January: Bern III Conference on Cooperation among the Biodiversity-related Conventions for the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework

The Bern III Conference focuses on enhancing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) implementation by fostering inclusive collaboration. It aims to identify opportunities for cooperation among biodiversity-related conventions, suggesting steps to strengthen collaboration while respecting mandates. The conference also emphasizes sharing practical experiences to inform scalable cooperation in implementing Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs).

12 – 17 February: Fourteenth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS COP 14)

The upcoming CMS COP14 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, emphasizes international collaboration for migratory species’ survival. Set under the theme “Nature knows no borders,” it aligns with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. This meeting addresses habitat conservation, threats like overexploitation and the climate crisis. The conference underscores international collaboration for the survival of these species beyond political boundaries.

27 February – 1 March: 6th session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6)

UNEA-6, hosted at UNEP Headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya, emphasizes effective and sustainable multilateral actions to combat climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. Member States and stakeholders will collaborate to advance the Decade of Action, addressing interlinkages between these global challenges through dialogues and official events. The assembly aims to lay the groundwork for strengthened global and regional efforts by the UN, Member States, and partners for impactful environmental action. The event will also feature Leadership Dialogues, a number of official and associated side events (some hybrid), exhibits, and much more.

30 March: International Day of Zero Waste

The International Day of Zero Waste promotes sustainable consumption and production, advocating for a circular economy to address climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. With global waste reaching 2.24 billion tons annually, zero-waste initiatives aim to minimize and prevent waste, enhancing environmental protection and human well-being.

21 – 30 April: 4th session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-4)

The Plastic Pollution Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-4), as mandated by the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-5.2) resolution, will convene in Ottawa, Canada. The committee, supported by UNEP, seeks to craft an international legally binding instrument addressing plastic pollution, encompassing marine environments.

28 – 30 May: Nairobi Convention COP 11

The Nairobi Convention is a regional treaty that works to protect, manage, and develop the Western Indian Ocean. Its COP 11 comprises a preliminary meeting for partners, experts, and national Focal Points, followed by a Heads of Delegation meeting. The session involves a review of the Convention’s 2022–2024 Work Programme, approval of the 2024–2026 Work Programme and budget, and deliberations on key decisions.

3 – 5 June: 2nd Global meeting of the Montevideo National Focal Points

The Montevideo Environmental Law Programme is dedicated to advancing global environmental rule of law. The upcoming Second Global Meeting of National Focal Points will convene in Nairobi, Kenya. The programme’s objectives include promoting the development and implementation of environmental rule of law, enhancing capacity in countries, and contributing to the environmental dimension of the 2030 Agenda.

17 – 12 June: 3rd session of the Ad Hoc Open-Ended Working Group on a Science-Policy Panel to further the sound management of chemicals and waste and to prevent pollution

The Open Ended Working Group (OEWG) 3, in line with UNEA resolution 5/8, continues work to propose a Science-Policy Panel on Chemicals and Waste. Mandated to finalize proposals by 2024, it addresses key aspects like institutional design, governance, name, scope, functions, and operating principles for effective contributions to sound chemical management and pollution prevention.

24 September: High Level Meeting on Antimicrobial Resistance

The 2024 United Nations General Assembly High-level Meeting on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) presents a crucial opportunity to address the escalating threat of antibiotic resistance. The meeting aims to renew global commitment, exploring innovative and multilateral actions to combat AMR’s far-reaching implications on healthcare, mortality rates, and overall well-being.

Photo-illustration: Freepik (kdekiara
kdekiara)

21 – 23 October: 26th Coordinating Body on the Seas of East Asia Intergovernmental Meeting (COBSEA IGM 26)

The 26th Intergovernmental Meeting of the Coordinating Body on the Seas of East Asia (COBSEA) is scheduled to take place in Cambodia. The event will focus on crucial strategies for managing marine environments in the East Asian Seas Region.

21 October – 1 November: 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity

The 16th Conference of the Parties (COP) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), will convene in October–November 2024. The event marks a critical global gathering to address biodiversity conservation, biosafety, and access to genetic resources.

4 – 5 November: 4th Global High-Level Ministerial Meeting on Antimicrobial Resistance

Saudi Arabia hosts the fourth high-level global ministerial conference on antimicrobial resistance (AMR), bringing together leaders to address urgent issues in preventing and managing AMR on a global scale.

25 November – 1 December: 5th session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment

Plastic Pollution Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5) convenes in Busan, Republic of Korea, as part of UNEA-5.2’s resolution for a legally binding instrument on plastic pollution. With a comprehensive approach covering the plastic life cycle, the aim is to complete the work by the end of 2024.

A number of international days related to and led by UNEP will be observed:

2 February: World Wetlands Day
3 March: World Wildlife Day
30 March: International Day of Zero Waste
22 April: International Mother Earth Day
11 May: World Migratory Bird Day (1st birds’ biannual migration event)
22 May: International Day for Biological Diversity
5 June: World Environment Day
7 September: International Day of Clean Air for blue skies
29 September: International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste
12 October: World Migratory Bird Day (2nd birds’ biannual migration event)
6 November: International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict
18 – 24 November: World Antimicrobial Awareness Week

Source: UNEP

ABB acquires innovative optical sensor company to expand smart water management offering

09.01.2024

ABB announced that it has agreed to acquire Canadian company Real Tech, a leading supplier of innovative optical sensor technology that enables real-time water monitoring and testing. Through the acquisition, ABB will expand its strong presence in the water segment and complement its product portfolio with optical technology critical for smart water management. Financial terms of the transaction that is expected to close in Q1 2024 were not disclosed.

Unlike traditional water quality measurement, which can be a time-consuming process, Real Tech’s product portfolio provides critical measurements in real-time. This enables better process control and continuous water quality assurance. Real Tech’s patented solutions cover the entire digital water value chain for water quality monitoring with a focus on data creation and analytics.

Real Tech’s portfolio includes optical sensors, controllers and a suite of optional accessories that allow each system to be configured according to customer needs. Leveraging the power of light, the sensors measure water composition. They use spectrophotometry and fluorescence measuring techniques to move testing from the lab to the process environment for real-time use. Liquid AI®, a proprietary AI software platform, completes the service offering, providing an easy and accurate way to analyze data from Real Tech sensors. The company has approximately 40 employees and is based in Whitby, Ontario.

“We are excited to welcome all our new colleagues to the ABB family,” said Jacques Mulbert, Division President, ABB Measurement & Analytics. “We look forward to jointly driving the innovation and growth journey of Real Tech. Joining forces with ABB will accelerate the deployment of Real Tech’s technologies through the vast ABB global sales and service network, making a step change in access to market. The acquisition is an important part of ABB Measurement & Analytics’ strategy, which includes adding advanced environmental technologies to the portfolio.”

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Manki Kim)

“When we founded Real Tech almost 20 years ago, we were set on developing optical sensor technology that would advance the management of water into a new era,” said Jodi Glover, CEO and co-founder of Real Tech. “Our real-time water quality monitoring sensors and data analytics capabilities are empowering our clients, both utilities and industries that manage water in their operation and manufacturing processes, with the critical insights they need every minute, every day. We look forward to becoming part of ABB with our shared vision to create a more sustainable future.”

According to the UN, 2.2 billion people lack access to safely managed drinking water, while more than 4.2 billion people lack safely managed sanitation. At the same time, only 11 percent of the world’s treated wastewater is reused and around half of the world’s untreated wastewater still enters rivers, lakes, and seas. Advancements in water sensor technology and artificial intelligence can aid in efficient water and wastewater management. Investment in water quality monitoring, water treatment and water infrastructure has expanded dramatically worldwide. In the US, an unprecedented 111 billion dollars is being invested in upgrading water infrastructure over a 10-year period.

Source: ABB

THE IMPORTANCE OF NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION PLANS

08.01.2024

The state of Kuwait, the monarchy nestled on the coast of the Persian Gulf, which borders Iraq and Saudi Arabia, with a population of about 4.5 million, got its name after the Arabic term for a fortress built by the water. The largest industry in this Arab country is oil, which accounts for almost half of the country’s GDP. In Kuwait, summers last from April to October, with temperatures above 51 degrees Celsius. Kuwait attaches great importance to investments in environmental protection and implementing plans and measures that mitigate the negative consequences of climate change and allocates significant funds for investments.

We spoke with His Excellency Fayez Mujbel Sulaiman Al-Mutairi, Ambassador of Kuwait to Serbia, about the country’s national plan for adapting to the negative consequences of climate change, investments in desalination in the struggle for drinking water, reducing dependence on oil, plans to reach zero gas emissions, cooperation with our country and other topics.

Q: What are the biggest environmental challenges in the fight against climate change that the state of Kuwait is facing?

A: Our planet is facing the greatest environmental challenges in its history. The leaders of Kuwait took this into account when they drafted the national plan for the country’s development covering the period until 2035 – ‘The New Vision of Kuwait’.

This plan defines seven long-term development pillars – a sustainable environment, a diversified, sustainable economy, quality health care, efficient state administration, creative human capital, developed infrastructure and a prominent international position. Each of these postulates contains programmes and projects that are strategically important and envisaged to achieve the best possible results in implementing the New Vision of Kuwait, as well as the UN Sustainable Development Goals, which Kuwait officially adopted in 2015.

The greatest common challenge related to progress postulates is accomplishing and preserving sustainable development, which is impossible without investments in environmental protection, and this is a topic we attach great importance to, especially bearing in mind that our country is not spared the environmental challenges that the whole world is also facing. We can say that Kuwait is even more affected by them due to its geographical position because of which it suffers from a shortage of drinking water and extremely high temperatures, in addition to the risk due to the loss of biodiversity, the expansion of the desert and the rise of the sea level, as a result of climate change.

According to certain indicators, in the coming decades, the area of Kuwait could decrease from 1.4 to 3 per cent. Bearing in mind these data, we have drafted a national plan for adapting to the negative consequences of climate change, which defines the main challenges, such as reducing our economy’s dependence, especially the transport, energy and water supply sectors, on fossil fuels, i.e. the diversification of the economy, to reduce dependency from oil and gas, while at the same time, preserving the living standard and the quality of life and ensuring the continuation of socio-economic development by creating an environment conducive to foreign direct investments and creating more jobs. We must bear in mind that Kuwait is one of the developing countries with only one basic source of income – oil.

IN FOCUS:

Q: The impact of oil on environmental pollution is well documented. How much do you do to raise the environmental awareness of companies and citizens alike? Which institutions regulate the field of environmental protection?

A: Raising awareness about environmental protection plays a significant role in implementing the measures foreseen by the development plan, as well as national legislation and international agreements, all to have better environmental protection and fight against climate change. The Public Environment Office (Directorate for Public Relations and Environmental Awareness) is a state institution in Kuwait responsible for instilling awareness in individuals, regardless of gender and age, about the connection between a clean environment and public health and security. The effort to disseminate good practices related to environmental protection among children is also significant because they are the future. In this sense, numerous campaigns for raising environmental awareness and bolstering environmental protection were carried out by the Public Office at all levels and among different social groups. One of those campaigns aimed to familiarize the public with the Environmental Protection Law, as well as raise awareness about this problem among our citizens and foreign ones. Numerous activities were carried out in the media, shopping centers, on social media and at exhibitions and conferences.

Q: You also suffered significant damage from the burning of numerous oil fields during the Gulf War. How much and what did you invest in air purification and ecosystem protection systems after that?

A: The events you mentioned and the consequences of climate change that we felt on our skin helped Kuwait to understand how important it is to put the preservation of the environment, which includes quality air and the protection of the ecosystem, at the top of the priorities when developing, financing and implementing new projects in oil and energy industry, as well as in other industrial and development activities. Kuwait has conducted field research and established fixed stations that measure and monitor air pollution, mobile laboratories that can respond to emergencies and air quality monitoring stations near oil fields. Furthermore, our government has started implementing projects under the Clean Development Mechanism to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and train national technical teams to effectively detect and assess air pollutants and implement the required measures.

Interviewed by: Mirjana Vujadinović Tomevski

Read the story in the new issue of the Energy portal Magazine CIRCULAR ECONOMY.

FROM BILLBOARDS TO 21ST CENTURY FASHION

07.01.2024

In the age of the consumer society and the fast pace of life, billboards, advertisements, and slogans do not last long. Very quickly, each of them becomes replaced by some newer content. However, in the same era, an interesting initiative appeared—imagine walking around the city and carrying a bag whose story began with a large advertisement on a billboard in your street. Recycling PVC foil for making billboards into a brand-new, unique bag significantly contributes to the circular economy, which relieves the planet and natural resources. Ivanka Stamenović creates art and fashion from waste, and the ecological, social enterprise EkoBag is a special story about the renaissance of ordinary advertising materials.

Ivanka’s story begins at the National Employment Bureau, where she went to learn more about self-employment tools. Then, quite by accident, she learns that the Initiative for Development and Cooperation (IDC) is looking for women who know how to sew. She recognized her chance. She is a textile designer by profession, and she saw a chance for progress as someone with a lot of experience and even more will. With the help of Miodrag Nedeljković from IDC, the project’s creator and with Ivanka’s realization, unique bags were sewn.

The business runs in such a way that when some companies wish to cooperate with EkoBag, they donate billboards from which completely new products are made in the workshop. Then they buy new products with a sewn-on logo, recognizable colors, and billboard messages to continue the marketing campaign. They distribute newly created products to their employees or at promotions and workshops.

IN FOCUS:

– Our target group are companies that advertise in this way, promoting products or services. The degradability of banners takes 1,500 years, and if they are found in nature, they can even lead to soil contamination because they are impermeable, waterproof materials—says Stamenković. During Ivanka’s training for this project, her abilities came to the fore.

She designed a bag for a car manufacturer’s promotional material, and as the company was very pleased, they doubled the quantity requested. Quality work and dedication contribute to the production of each bag and today are the trademark of EkoBag, which numerous large and well-known companies have recognized.

Posters, which vary from 40 to 600 m2, represent a substantial amount of waste created due to one-time advertising needs. However, when EkoBag turns them into conference, business and everyday bags, wallets, folders, cases, wallets, and cardholders (clips, wallets…)—it becomes a range of products imbued with environmental awareness. The whole process proceeds by taking the foil from the billboard after the advertising campaign is over. Then, it is cut into smaller pieces, washed—and the cutting and sewing can begin.

Prepared by: Milica Vučković

Read the story in the new issue of the Energy portal Magazine ELECTROMOBILITY.

NOXATEST THE GREEN FUTURE OD DIAGNOSTICS

06.01.2024

nauka.istraživanje — Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Louis Reed)

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Logan Moreno Gutierrez)

Not so long ago, we witnessed a global pandemic. In our country, the first case was recorded over three years ago. After that, the situation became more complicated and less clear every day. It was precisely that era when COVID-19 was an everyday topic that showed us how important quick and accurate diagnostics are.

Diagnostics, as a process that leads to the discovery of a disease, is the first step in the treatment process. About 13 million people die yearly because they do not get a timely diagnosis. Predictions are that in 2050, about 10 million people will lose their lives annually because antibiotics will no longer be available. This statistic is followed by another 40 million people who could be at risk due to the indirect consequences of missed procedures during the diagnosis of bacterial infections.

Noxatest is a project that aims to create a rapid diagnostic test, which should reduce the waiting time for results and allow doctors to choose the proper treatment method with these quickly obtained results as soon as possible. Behind this project stands a team of Jelena and Marko Komloš, who were determined to combine the knowledge gained during their studies and many years of experience. The modern technology embodied in this project serves to identify numerous bacterial species and mechanisms of resistance to antibiotics faster and more precisely than before.

IN FOCUS:

The project’s creators start from the thesis that, no matter how powerful antibiotics are, microbes have evolved to be more resistant than them. Therefore, it is important to identify the mechanism of their resistance. At the same time, the project provides the opportunity to reduce stay in hospital precisely because of the efficient way of obtaining the necessary therapy.

The initial idea was to develop a rapid diagnostic test related to milk quality for dairy cows. We gave up on that idea because of the situation in agriculture, but that didn’t stop us from developing an idea for something that would help people. The idea was born while I was working on a veterinary specialization in microbiology – explains Marko.

In addition to all the good sides, this project is also green because a product is being created that will be completely recyclable. Jelena and Marko made it for humans, as well as for animals and the alternative protein industry. In those industries, they reduce waste, thereby protecting the environment from creating negative effects. They reduce carbon dioxide production by using biodegradable materials and the low amount of energy required for production. A very important achievement is increasing the survival rate of animals on farms by more than 15 per cent, which would save more than 400 million animals per year.

Prepared by: Milica Vučković

Read the story in the new issue of the Energy portal Magazine ELECTROMOBILITY.

SUSTAINABILITY AT THE CORE OF TETRA PAK’S STRATEGY

05.01.2024

Global initiatives implemented by the Tetra Pak Company in sustainability and circular economy are also implemented in Serbia. From the procurement of electricity from renewable sources for the company’s factory in Gornji Milanovac to supporting the development of new ways of using recycled packaging, the Tetra Pak team proves every day that sustainability is still a priority in decision-making and remains at the core of the company’s strategy.

According to the recently published 2022 Sustainable Business Report, Tetra Pak made significant achievements last year by reducing operational greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 39 per cent while using renewable energy by up to 84 per cent. In this way, the road to reaching zero net emissions in business by 2030 continues. The sale of 8.8 billion packages made from plant-based materials and 11.9 billion caps also made from the same material saved 131 kilo tons of CO2 emissions. The company has also invested around 30 million euros in expediting the collection and recycling of multi-layer cardboard packaging, collaborating with food technology incubators and startups to explore the future of sustainable food.

In the Serbian market, the Gornji Milanovac factory was certified for using renewable electricity in 2020, which covers 100 per cent of the plant’s electricity consumption. Since 2020, the factory’s production process has also used packaging material produced from polyethylene obtained from renewable sources, i.e. sugar cane, which further increases the sustainability of the packaging.

IN FOCUS:

Through the support of projects related to smart recycling of used packaging in Kragujevac and Zrenjanin, Tetra Pak works locally to educate and motivate citizens, as well as local institutions, to introduce an adequate waste management system in practice in Serbia, which would allow a significantly larger amount of used materials to be kept in use longer and contribute to the development of the recycling industry while reducing additional pollution of the natural environment.

The company continues to work on finding sustainable solutions to the challenges facing society, believing that the global experience and know-how it possesses can be effectively applied in domestic circumstances as well.

Read the story in the new issue of the Energy portal Magazine ELECTROMOBILITY.

PROCREDIT BANK ON THE ROAD TO CARBON NEUTRALITY

03.01.2024

ProCredit Centrala NBG — Photo: ProCredit bank

Saving energy, sustainable use of natural resources, less waste and reduction of harmful gas emissions are some of the clearly defined and planned goals of ProCredit Bank. They firmly adhere to internal approaches to environmental protection, and they pass their excellent practice on to clients. We spoke with Ivan Smiljković, a member of the Executive Board of ProCredit Bank.

Q. ProCredit Bank is moving towards being carbon neutral in the future. How do you plan to achieve this?

A. ProCredit Bank has been building a systematic environmental protection approach for over a decade. The first steps were taken in 2012 when we defined procedures regarding environmental protection in our business. Both internally and externally, we continuously monitor our impact on the environment. We really try to take a holistic approach and cover all ESG aspects. To reduce CO2 emissions, ProCredit Serbia defined replacing conventional official vehicles with electric and low-emission hybrid cars as one of the measures. Today, our fleet is one hundred per cent green—it consists of a total of 44 such vehicles. It is important to point out that ProCredit Serbia has set up a network of more than 40 chargers for electric cars across the country, which citizens can use completely free of charge. We believe that in this way, we are working to develop awareness about reducing harmful emissions. ProCredit Group joined the Net-Zero Banking Alliance and is committed to setting short term and long-term goals for reducing emissions. I am very proud of that fact.

Q. How does ProCredit Bank help clients improve environmental awareness, make it easier to decide on sustainable and green investments and implement them in their business and everyday life?

A. We strategically invest in renewable energy sources; we have professional people and excellent expertise in that domain, especially in solar power plants. We financed the construction of several large solar power plants in Serbia, and I would single out the largest DeLasol in Lapovo, with a total power of 10 MW. But we don’t only finance economic subjects. We also have incentive loans for energy efficiency intended for the population, with a return on investment of up to 20 per cent, in cooperation with the GEFF and the EBRD. This way, you can secure funds for a home solar energy plant, a heat pump, new PVC joinery, insulation, solar water heaters and more. In addition to providing funds, the bank also has an advisory role— the client can completely rely on us because we usually work on a turnkey model.

IN FOCUS:

Q. We hear the term green finance more and more often. What are the advantages of this type of financing, and how significant are they for ProCredit Bank?

A. No bank should claim to be green if it does not monitor environmental impacts on the external level, which means through the standards related to lending to clients. Those standards are detailed in ProCredit; they have been developed for years and follow the development of the markets in which all banks from our Group operate. ProCredit Serbia very resolutely implements the green agenda—the share of the green portfolio in the total loan portfolio of the bank in Serbia is slightly more than 15 per cent, while at the level of the ProCredit Group, the share of the green portfolio last year amounted to 20.2 per cent. We have set even more ambitious goals for the years ahead—to significantly increase investment in sustainable and green projects in Serbia with favorable and incentive credit lines.

Q. What novelties is ProCredit Bank preparing for the next period? In which segments do you plan to improve your business?

A. Relying on 20 years of experience from the headquarters in Germany, we have been an innovative bank in Serbia for years. We became the first to become a 100 per cent online bank, opened Zone 24/7, were the first to enable clients to pay their bills via Apple and Google Pay, and were the first to start promoting green financing. In addition, we always see room to be even closer to clients, listening to their needs. Since we have noticed that interest in term savings has been growing lately, we have provided attractive interest rates for term deposits. We will soon launch a redesigned and improved e-banking and m-banking application, and we have enabled customers who have online shops to pay via the ProCredit e-commerce platform. We strive to be a true green bank and a leader in digitization. We continue to set standards in the financial sector in which we operate.

Interviewed by: Milica Radičević

Read the story in the new issue of the Energy portal Magazine ELECTROMOBILITY.

EKO FOND—SUPPORT FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF ELECTROMOBILITY IN MONTENEGRO

02.01.2024

električni auto , punjač — Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Michael Fousert)

The development of electromobility in Montenegro has been on an upward trajectory in the last few years. There are more and more electric and hybrid vehicles on the streets, and subsidies from the Eko fond (Environmental Protection Fund) contribute to this to a large extent. At the beginning of July, for the third year in a row, they announced three public calls for subsidizing the purchase of electric and hybrid vehicles for individuals, business people and the public sector. Draško Boljević, executive director of the Eko fond, points out that more and more requests for subsidies are coming to their address.

– This is an indicator that our efforts have been recognized, and we are particularly pleased by the fact that the number of interested people is growing year by year, and more and more requests for subsidies are arriving at our address, which means that the budget we have at our disposal is being spent to the maximum—says Boljević.

For this year, the budget for subsidies amounts to 399,242 euros. 99,243 euros were set aside for users who are natural persons for certain categories, 100,000 euros for the economy and entrepreneurs, and 200,000 euros for the public sector The fact that during the first ten days of the competition, 35 requests arrived shows great interest in the funds. The public competition for natural persons, the economy, and entrepreneurs is open until the funds are used up, and for the public sector, the deadline is November 31, 2023.

The subsidy amount for the L-category electric vehicles ranges from 400 to 1,500 euros per vehicle. For electric vehicles of categories M1 and N1, the subsidies amount to 5,000 euros, while for hybrid vehicles (plug-in and full hybrid), the subsidies amount to 2,500 euros. – In previous years, and I hope it will be the same this year, allocated funds were distributed to the last cent, and I expect it will be the same this year as well. I sincerely hope that the funds we allocated will be sufficient and that we can fulfil all the requests that come to us—adds our interlocutor. It is a fact that more and more electric cars are driven in Montenegro, but the numbers are not so impressive. According to our interlocuter’s estimate, based on his information, there are around 500 electric and hybrid cars in Montenegro.

IN FOCUS:

– Unfortunately, we do not have accurate data on how many hybrids and fully electric cars there are. Eko fond’s experiences show that the relationship between hybrids and electric cars is slowly leveling off. In the first year of subsidy allocation, it was in favor of hybrid cars, and now we are getting to the point where the ratio is 50/50—concludes Boljević.

Network development and subsidies for chargers

The rapid development of electromobility must be accompanied by appropriate infrastructure, primarily the network of chargers. In Montenegro, according to Draško, this area is not legally regulated. Owners of electric cars are forced to fend for themselves, charging their vehicles at their chargers if they have them and using some that are public. While they are waiting for this area to be legally regulated, the Eko fond team is planning to allocate some of the subsidies for the purchase of chargers for electric vehicles. If everything goes according to plan, a competition for chargers should be announced by the end of the year. In this way, they want to complete the story by subsidizing the electric car and the charger.

Prepared by: Milica Radičević

Read the story in the new issue of the Energy portal Magazine ELECTROMOBILITY.

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