Why Gender Has to be at the Heart of the Agenda for Green

09.03.2021

žena-fabrika-rad — Foto-ilustracija: Unsplash (Jeswin Thomas)

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Christina Wocintechchat)

Climate change is one of the defining challenges of our times, and women are disproportionately vulnerable to it and have an important role in addressing it.

Tackling climate change effectively will require deep changes to how we live, work and think – and the only way these can be implemented is if everyone takes an active role and if the emerging opportunities related to the green transition are shared equitably.

There are many ways to understand how men and women experience climate change differently. Women form the majority of the world’s two billion poorest people, for instance, among whom the negative impacts of climate change are concentrated. Women are also often more affected than men by climate change impacts as a result of persisting gender norms and discriminations, for instance finding more obstacles in their way when borrowing to finance introducing greener technologies.

In the developing world, women are often the primary agricultural producers. As farmers, entrepreneurs, producers, consumers and household managers, women are key for implementing low-carbon strategies – and thus important agents of change. But, since women seldom own the land they work on, they have often been excluded from decisions on development. Including them can change outcomes.

Yet, to achieve the dual track of tackling climate change through gender action, we must recognise women as economic, social and political actors who play a crucial role in adopting new technologies, taking and supporting the tough decisions needed to spur action at scale, and seizing the opportunities that a new, greener economy can bring.

At the EBRD, we recognise that gender equality has to be an integral part of green investment and policy action. In 2020, the new strategic priorities we set for the next five years centred on making our investments not only more green but also more inclusive, gender equal and digital. The critical connection between climate action and gender equality is at the heart of our agenda.

Over the past year, we have been integrating gender across EBRD’s flagship green programmes.

We promote women’s access to green skills and jobs. In Egypt and Kazakhstan, we leverage partnerships with our private sector clients, national ministries and education providers to enable women to gain “green skills” and promote their progression into careers in the renewable energy sector.

We support women entrepreneurs to adopt low-carbon technologies and promote access to green finance. In our Green Economy Financing Facilities (GEFFs), we are working with local banks to ensure that both men and women have access to green finance, low-carbon technology and entrepreneurship opportunities.

We improve women’s access to green infrastructure and services. Through the EBRD Green Cities programme, we are accelerating the transition to low-carbon cities while promoting women and men’s equal opportunities in the infrastructure sector. In Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, one of our lead Green Cities, we signed a new metro project in 2020 that will provide commuters with comfortable and environmentally friendly transport, encouraging residents to shift from private to public transport and thus reducing air pollution. It will also tackle gender-based harassment on public transport, and open up opportunities for women to train as metro drivers.

We empower women to act as managers of natural resources. In Morocco’s agribusiness sector, we are helping female farmers adopt enhanced water management technologies in the face of a changing climate in the Saïss Plain region.

This year, we will be launching a new Strategy, further raising our ambition to affect positive change at the nexus of climate change and gender equality. One focus is on the EBRD Green Cities programme through its enhanced policy reforms on gender as part of municipal decision-making, budgeting and public engagement.

We will also promote the uptake of low-carbon technologies in industry in Armenia, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Morocco, Serbia, Tunisia, and Uzbekistan. Together with the Green Climate Fund, we will ensure that women will be able to harness the opportunities coming from these new technologies through access to skills and green jobs throughout the transition to a low-carbon economy.

Likewise, we are working closely with the European Investment Bank and the CDC Group, the UK’s development finance institution, through the 2X Climate and Gender Taskforce, an initiative aimed at leveraging the power of gender-smart investments for climate action.

In the run-up to November’s COP26 climate summit and beyond, we have a unique once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build back better post-Covid.

I look forward to working with businesses, policy partners and other key stakeholders to jointly take this opportunity – for a more equal, green and sustainable future for all. Green and gender inclusion need to go hand in hand.

Source: EBRD

Rio Tinto announces Board changes

08.03.2021

tunnel-tinel-rudnik-rudari-mine-miners — Foto-ilustracija: Pixabay

Rio Tinto Chairman Simon Thompson has informed the Board that he will not seek re-election as a non-executive director at the 2022 annual general meetings (AGMs) of Rio Tinto plc and Rio Tinto Limited. Sam Laidlaw, senior independent director of Rio Tinto plc, and Simon McKeon, senior independent director of Rio Tinto Limited, will now therefore jointly lead the search for Simon’s successor as Chair.

Sam Laidlaw said: “The Board accepts Simon’s decision and is grateful that he has agreed to provide an important period of stability and support for Jakob and the new executive team ahead of the AGMs in 2022. This will allow an orderly process for the appointment of our new Chair and other key Board members. The Board wishes to thank Simon for his commitment and continuing leadership during this challenging period for Rio Tinto.”

Simon Thompson said: “I am proud of Rio Tinto’s achievements in 2020, including our outstanding response to the COVID-19 pandemic, a second successive fatality-free year, significant progress with our climate change strategy, and strong shareholder returns. However, these successes were overshadowed by the destruction of the Juukan Gorge rock shelters at the Brockman 4 operations in Australia and, as Chairman, I am ultimately accountable for the failings that led to this tragic event.”

“Over the past eight months, we have engaged extensively with investors, government, civil society, Indigenous leaders and, most importantly, Traditional Owners to learn the lessons from Juukan Gorge. We have taken decisive action to address the weaknesses identified in our risk management and governance, while also acknowledging the need to improve our work culture and to rebuild relationships. In January, we appointed a new Chief Executive, Jakob Stausholm, who has moved swiftly to appoint his new executive team and has identified his key priorities to rebuild the trust that we have lost.”

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (David Hellmann)

“Throughout my seven years on the Rio Tinto Board, I have endeavoured to promote a progressive environmental, social and governance agenda. While I am pleased with the progress we have made in many areas, the tragic events at Juukan Gorge are a source of personal sadness and deep regret, as well as being a clear breach of our values as a company.”

In addition, Michael L’Estrange, a non-executive director, will retire from the Board at the conclusion of the 2021 AGMs.

Simon Thompson said: “Following significant surgery in February, Michael has decided after careful consideration that he should reduce his workload and will not therefore be seeking re-election as a non-executive director at the forthcoming AGMs. The entire Board wishes Michael a full and speedy recovery and thanks him for his outstanding contribution. Rio Tinto will greatly miss his insights and wise counsel.”

Michael L’Estrange said: “It has been an honour to have had the opportunity to serve on the Rio Tinto Board for what will be six and a half years. I wish Jakob and the new executive well for the future as they build on Rio Tinto’s many strengths and continue to implement the critical changes aimed at ensuring that an occurrence such as the destruction of the Juukan Gorge rock shelters never happens again.”

Source: businesswire.com

Innovation and Market Reform Needed to Drive Japan’s Clean Energy Transition, IEA Policy Review Finds

07.03.2021

sunce_vetar_enegija — Foto-ilustracija: Pixabay

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Priscilla Du Preez)

New report notes Japan’s success in making its energy system more resilient and sustainable, but says reaching carbon-neutrality by 2050 requires quick action now.

Japan will need to move quickly to make headway on the steep emissions reductions that are required to achieve its recently announced ambition of reaching carbon-neutrality by 2050, the International Energy Agency said today in its latest in-depth review of the country’s energy policies.

Nearly a decade after the 2011 earthquake and the resulting Fukushima nuclear accident, Japan has made real progress towards developing a more efficient, resilient and sustainable energy system. It has embarked on major reforms of its energy market and diversified its energy mix. Energy-related CO2 emissions have fallen continuously since their peak in 2013, thanks to the expansion of renewable energy, the restart of some nuclear power plants and energy efficiency gains. By 2018, Japan’s emissions had declined to a level last seen in 2009. Reliance on fossil fuels has also declined but remains high at nearly 90 percent of energy supply, making Japan among the most carbon-intensive economies of IEA members.

“Japan needs to accelerate the deployment of low-carbon technologies, remove regulatory barriers and increase competition in its energy markets if it is to reach carbon-neutrality by 2050. I welcome Japan’s new Green Growth Strategy that puts emphasis on these priorities. The IEA is committed to supporting the government in these vital efforts,” said Dr Fatih Birol, the IEA’s Executive Director, who launched the report today at an online event with Shin Hosaka, Commissioner of the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy at Japan’s Ministry for Economy, Trade and Industry.

The new IEA report on Japan’s policies analyses its energy challenges and recommends possible solutions to help it achieve a secure, affordable and sustainable energy future. It finds that Japan has made important strides in reforming its domestic electricity and natural gas markets. The increasing competition in these sectors is encouraging, but further reform is needed to achieve a true level playing field for all market participants. Additional regulatory reforms will be important to encourage investments in zero-emissions electricity and to improve power system flexibility. The IEA also calls for policy makers to ensure that the market regulator has sufficient powers and independence.

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Zbynek Burival)

The report highlights that Japan has seen continuous growth in renewables in the power sector, but that grid constraints have hampered investment in new projects and posed challenges to security of supply. Creating a well-integrated national grid and taking steps to improve the operational efficiency of the electricity system will facilitate the integration of more renewables while enhancing system resilience. The recent cold snap in January led to very low reserve margins in Japan’s electricity systems. This event provided a reminder of the importance of regional interconnections and the need to have sufficient generation capacity.

The IEA welcomes the government’s recent announcement to phase out inefficient coal plants by 2030. This will further improve the already high efficiency of Japan’s thermal power fleet. Yet even efficient coal plants emit more CO2 than any other power generation source, and Japan ranks among the few IEA members that plan to add new coal capacity. Japan should tackle emissions from those new coal power plants by retrofitting, repurposing them as flexibility sources or able to use other fuels, or through other measures to help them avoid becoming stranded assets.

The IEA report highlights that Japan’s strong innovation and technology base can play a vital role in developing the technologies needed to achieve its 2050 energy and climate ambitions. “I applaud Japan for its leadership in advancing low-carbon hydrogen and carbon-recycling technologies, which will be crucial for decarbonising sectors where emissions are hardest to reduce, such as long-distance transport and heavy industry,” Dr Birol said.

Reducing the costs of these technologies will be essential to promote their deployment at scale. Stronger reliance on market-based instruments is an additional option for Japan to reduce emissions cost-effectively, foster innovation for low-carbon technologies and further increase Japan’s already high level of energy efficiency.

Source: IEA

How To Keep Europeans Healthy and Safe in a Changing Climate?

06.03.2021

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Sasha Sashina)

The briefing ’Responding to the health risks of climate change in Europe’ highlights key health impacts from climate change as well as opportunities to reduce climate-related health risks through adaptation policies aligned with mitigation actions. The briefing is a joint effort of the Lancet Countdown: Tracking Progress on Health and Climate Change (a global collaboration of academic institutions and international agencies) and the EEA.

Climate change threatens to undermine the past 50 years of gains in global public health through extreme heatwaves, threats to food and water systems, and changing patterns of infectious diseases.

Weather and climate extremes are already leading to fatalities and negative health effects in Europe, the briefing reminds. Moreover, vulnerability to heat extremes continues to increase in Europe, due to a growing urban population, chronic health conditions becoming more common, and an increasing number of old people. At the same time, climate change is making some areas in Europe more suitable for various infectious diseases, including dengue fever, Vibrio infections and West Nile fever.

The briefing notes that, while all EU member states have strategies or plans for adaptation, actions addressing the climate threats to health lag behind and could be supported by more knowledge on effective solutions. Moreover, at the local level, adaptation to climate change remains in the domain of the spatial planning, urban design, or environmental departments, and public health professionals should get more involved.

European Climate and Health Observatory

The briefing is published on the new European Climate and Health Observatory, an online platform that provides easy access to a wide range of resources about climate change and health.

The Observatory is a joint project of the European Commission, the EEA and other contributors, which is hosted on Climate-ADAPT by the EEA. It is the first concrete deliverable of the European Commission’s new EU Strategy on Adaptation to Climate Change. This Strategy, which was announced in the European Green Deal, is a key component in making Europe climate-neutral and climate-resilient by 2050.

Source: EEA

Photo Exhibition „Natura 2000 in the Frame”

05.03.2021

The project „EU for Natura 2000 in Serbia” organised in collaboration with the Energy Portal a photo contest „Natura 2000 in the frame” from September to November 2020.

Out of more than 1,500 received photographs, three winning and 31 best semi-finalist photographs were selected and are displayed at an outdoor photo exhibition at Kalemegdan Fortress during March and April 2021.

This exhibition aims to show through these amazing photographs the important biodiversity values and beautiful landscapes in Serbia, as well as raise public awareness of the importance of nature conservation, diversity of flora and fauna, and benefits of the Natura 2000 network for Serbia.

The main topics to which amateur and professional photographers responded were: protected areas and landscapes, natural beauties, Serbian flora and fauna and, sustainable human activities.

It is essential to connect the importance of protection of biodiversity with the diversity of natural landscapes in Serbia, highlighting the sites that will be part of the Natura 2000 network, and to show during a walk through Kalemegdan the beautiful landscapes in Serbia, motivating and reminding citizens about the importance of protection of the environment and the diversity of flora and fauna that they can admire in the country.

“The participants in the competition noticed beautiful landscapes with their lenses and thus reminded us of the natural resources that Serbia has. The exhibition we opened today is part of an EU project that deals with the identification of species and habitats that will be part of the Natura 2000 network. In the Ministry I lead, in preparation for Chapter 27, which deals with the environmental protection and climate change, we are working to improve the implementation of EU regulations for this important area, which relates to nature protection. We also have an important job ahead of us in strengthening the capacity of institutions for the implementation of the Habitats and Birds Directives and the establishment of the European ecological network Natura 2000 in Serbia”, said the Minister of Environmental Protection, Irena Vujovic.

The Natura 2000 network is a crucial instrument for biodiversity protection in the European Union, an ecological network of protected areas established to secure the survival of the most valuable species and habitats, ensuring that European nature systems stay healthy and resilient. The EU is supporting the Ministry of Environmental Protection in the establishment of the Natura 2000 network in Serbia through the project “EU for Natura 2000 in Serbia”.

H.E. Ambassador and Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia Sem Fabrizi expressed his congratulations to the talented Serbian photographers who have captured digitally the important biodiversity values and beautiful landscapes of Serbia.

“It is also the occasion today to mark the World Wildlife Day, when we are remembered how remarkable wildlife is: from small invertebrates to big mammals, they are crucial for the proper functioning and maintenance of ecosystems, and thus for ourselves. Serbia is part of the world and part of Europe, and has its role to play in protecting the important biodiversity values and landscapes. To ensure the long survival of them is a responsibility of all the citizens and the EU is with Serbia for this”, said Ambassador Fabrizi.

The project has a focus on research and monitoring the most important species and habitats. Serbia is very rich in terms of biodiversity, with around 43 percent of the European species present in the country. Serbia’s territory is characterised by fantastic genetic, species and ecosystem diversity, although species diversity is in the process of being fully researched and documented. Approximately 44,200 species and subspecies have been registered so far, and the total number of taxa is estimated at 60,000.

The opening of the photo exhibition marks the World Wild Animal Day 2021, to celebrate the signature of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. In 2021, the theme is “Forests and Livelihoods: Sustaining People and Planet”, as a way to highlight the central role of forests, forest species and ecosystems services in sustaining the livelihoods of hundreds of millions of people globally.

The exhibition “Natura 2000 in the frame” will be held on the Kalemegdan fortress from March 5th till April 2021.

Source: Natura 2000

ABB Urges Greater Adoption of High-Efficiency Motors and Drives to Combat Climate Change – Global Electricity Consumption to be Reduced by 10 percent

05.03.2021

Motors_in_pumping_application — Foto: ABB

In a new whitepaper published today, ABB reveals potential for significant energy efficiency improvements in industry and infrastructure enabled by the latest and most high-efficiency motors and variable speed drives. ABB calls on governments and industry to accelerate adoption of the technology to help combat climate change.

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), industry accounts for 37 percent of global energy use and some 30 percent of global energy is consumed in buildings.

While mostly hidden from public view, electric motors – and the variable speed drives which optimize their operation – are embedded in almost every built environment. They power a vast range of applications fundamental to our modern way of life, from industrial pumps, fans and conveyors for manufacturing and propulsion systems for transportation to compressors for electrical appliances and heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems in buildings.

Motor and drive technologies have seen exceptionally rapid advancement in the past decade, with today’s innovative designs delivering remarkable energy efficiencies. However, a significant number of industrial electric motor-driven systems in operation today – in the region of 300 million globally – are inefficient or consume much more power than required, resulting in monumental energy wastage.

Independent research estimates that if these systems were replaced with optimized, high-efficiency equipment, the gains to be realized could reduce global electricity consumption by up to 10 percent. In turn, this would account for more than 40 percent of the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions needed to meet the 2040 climate goals established by the Paris Agreement.

“Industrial energy efficiency, more than any other challenge, has the single greatest capacity for combatting the climate emergency. It is essentially the world’s invisible climate solution,” said Morten Wierod, President ABB Motion. “For ABB, sustainability is a key part of our company Purpose and of the value that we create for all of our stakeholders. By far the biggest impact we can have in reducing greenhouse gas emissions is through our leading technologies, which reduce energy use in industry, buildings and transport.”

Considerable steps have already been taken to support the uptake of electric vehicles and renewable energy sources. ABB believes it is time to do the same for an industrial technology that will deliver even greater benefits for the environment and the global economy.

“The importance of transitioning industries and infrastructure to these highly energy efficient drives and motors to play their part in a more sustainable society cannot be overstated,” continued Morten Wierod. “With 45 percent of the world’s electricity used to power electric motors in buildings and industrial applications, investment in upgrading them will yield outsized rewards in terms of efficiency.”

ABB frequently assesses the net impact of its own installed high efficiency motors and drives on global energy efficiency. In 2020, it enabled 198 terawatt-hours of electricity savings – more than half of the UK’s annual consumption. By 2023, it is estimated that ABB motors and drives will enable customers globally to save an additional 78 terawatt-hours of electricity per year, almost as much as the annual consumption of Belgium, Finland or the Philippines and more than the total annual consumption of Chile.

Regulatory policies are among the main drivers of industrial investment in energy efficiency around the globe. While the European Union will be implementing its Ecodesign Regulation (EU 2019/1781) this year, which sets out stringent new requirements for an expanding range of energy efficient motors, many countries have yet to take action.

To take advantage of the tremendous opportunities afforded by energy efficient drives and motors to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, ABB says all stakeholders have a critical role to play:

Public decision makers and government regulators need to incentivize their rapid adoption,
Businesses, cities, and countries need to be aware of both the cost savings and environmental advantages and be willing to make the investment, and
Investors need to reallocate capital towards companies better prepared to address the climate risk.

“While our role at ABB is to always provide the most efficient technologies, products and services to our customers, and continue to innovate for ever greater efficiency, that in itself is not enough. All stakeholders need to work together to bring about a holistic transformation in how we use energy. By acting and innovating together, we can keep critical services up and running while saving energy and combatting climate change”, concludes Morten Wierod.

ABB’s white paper “Achieving the Paris Agreement: The Vital Role of High-Efficiency Motors and Drives in Reducing Energy Consumption” can be downloaded here.

ABB (ABBN: SIX Swiss Ex) is a leading global technology company that energizes the transformation of society and industry to achieve a more productive, sustainable future. By connecting software to its electrification, robotics, automation and motion portfolio, ABB pushes the boundaries of technology to drive performance to new levels. With a history of excellence stretching back more than 130 years, ABB’s success is driven by about 105,000 talented employees in over 100 countries.

ABB Motion keeps the world turning – while saving energy every day. We innovate and push the boundaries of technology to enable the low-carbon future for customers, industries and societies. With our digitally enabled drives, motors and services our customers and partners achieve better performance, safety and reliability. We offer a combination of domain expertise and technology to deliver the optimum drive and motor solution for a wide range of applications in all industrial segments. Through our global presence we are always close to serve our customers. Building on over 130 years of cumulative experience in electric powertrains, we learn and improve every day.

Source: ABB

Inauguration of Photo Exhibition “Natura 2000 in the frame”

04.03.2021

The project “EU for Natura 2000 in Serbia” organized in collaboration with the Energy Portal a photo contest “Natura 2000 in the frame” from September 14th to November 27th 2020.

Out of more than 1,500 received photographs, 3 winning and 31 best semi-finalist photographs were selected, and will be displayed at an outdoor photo exhibition at Kalemegdan Fortress from March to April 2021.

The aim of this exhibition is to show through these amazing photographs the important biodiversity values and beautiful landscapes in Serbia, as well as raise public awareness of the importance of nature conservation, diversity of flora and fauna, and benefits of the Natura 2000 network for Serbia.

The opening of the photo exhibition will take place on 5th of March 2020 at Kalemegdan Fortress, starting at 11:00h. This event is taking place the same week of the celebration of the World Wildlife Day (3rd March).

Awarded Prizes of the Photo Contest „Natura 2000 in the Frame”

The Natura 2000 network is a crucial instrument for biodiversity protection in the European Union, an ecological network of protected areas established to secure the survival of the most valuable species and habitats, ensuring that European nature systems stay healthy and resilient. It is based on the Birds and Habitats Directives, and covers over 27,800 natural sites of high ecological value all over Europe. With a total surface of nearly one million square kilometres, it is the largest network of conservation areas in the world.

The European Union is supporting the Ministry of Environmental Protection in establishment of the Natura 2000 network in the Republic of Serbia through an IPA-funded project “EU for Natura 2000 in Serbia”. The project includes several activities, with a focus on research and monitoring the most important species and habitats. Serbia is very rich in terms of biodiversity, with around 43 percent of the European species present in the country. According to the literature data, the territory is characterized by fantastic genetic, species and ecosystem diversity, although species diversity is in the process of being fully researched and documented. Approximately 44,200 species and subspecies have been registered so far, and the total number of taxa is estimated at about 60,000.

Source: Natura 2000

Four Ways To Improve Trade Rules and Support Climate Action

04.03.2021

electric_car_električni_automobil — Foto-ilustracija: Pixabay

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Carl Cerstrand)

There is a myth that trade policy and climate action are inherently at odds. That does not have to be the case. Trade can, and should, be a driver of sustainable innovation, productivity, efficiency, and growth.

The past year saw governments, companies, and cities alike signal important steps on climate change. Over 1,000 major companies have committed to net-zero emissions by 2050, while 126 countries have formally adopted net-zero goals.

Net-zero describes a state where no new overall emissions are added to the atmosphere and any unavoidable residual emissions are balanced by natural or technological carbon sequestration. The goal is key to keep on track with the Paris Agreement on climate change and keep the global temperature rise to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.

Achieving this goal will require deploying new technologies and changing business models. Clean energy needs to be accelerated and there’s much to be gained from energy efficiency. Over two-thirds of global emissions – excluding land-use emissions – are linked to energy needs and energy demands will keep growing.

Abatement will also be needed across manufacturing, construction, industrial processes, buildings, and agriculture, the deployment of different levers like material and process efficiency, renewable power, as well as greater circularity and recycling.

Progress in all these areas will mean drawing on the best technology and expertise from around the globe – while ensuring trade doesn’t become a means to evade responsibility or a reason to avoid action. There is much governments can do in the area of trade policy to support global emissions reduction. Here are four places to start:

1. Eliminate tariffs on climate-friendly goods

Negotiations to cut tariffs on more general environmentally friendly goods have been tried and failed before. Yet never has climate action been such a point of consensus among major trade nations and the private sector. Moving to zero tariffs on the products most commonly used for decarbonization would send the right signals to markets.

2. Remove barriers on environmentally friendly services

These are often a critical part of environmental goods, such as the installation and maintenance of renewable energy goods. Several studies point to the deeply intertwined nature of environmental products and services since consumers often value the output – clean energy – rather than the item itself.

3. Tackle regulatory barriers

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (John Cameron)

We need to learn more about regulatory friction between markets affecting climate action across supply chains. Licensing challenges, technology conformity assessments, and local content requirements can affect the way businesses implement sustainability plans across supply chains. Technical and regulatory standards are a vital part of any government’s toolbox, but these should not unnecessarily increase the costs of adopting technologies that help businesses decarbonize.

4. Reduce fossil fuel subsidies

Government support for fossil fuel production and consumption totalled $478 billion in 2019. While levels have dropped in recent years, that is mostly due to a decline in global oil prices, rather than a concerted effort to phase these out – as pledged by the G7 and G20 on multiple occasions since 2009. Trade policy forums offer one way for governments to make binding commitments on subsidies since these affect the cost of production and, in turn, fair competition. A specific WTO agreement already outlines acceptable parameters for government subsidies. With COVID-19 impacts requiring significant government support, there has never been a better time to refocus government funding, and an opportunity to build back better.

Next steps

Some of these actions may be moved forward more quickly than others. Such steps should be taken without delay as the time for tackling climate change is running short. Existing commitments still leave us with too many emissions to be on track for a 1.5°C pathway.

The role of carbon border taxes on carbon intense imports is hotly debated. If introduced, these could help to adjust hard-to-abate industries, although there are questions to be resolved around complexity, risks of disguised protectionism and burden-sharing. A new working group in the World Trade Organization (WTO) could provide space for robust exchange on the topic between governments on how to get this angle right.

The good news is many economies are already working together. New Zealand and five other nations have launched talks for an Agreement on Climate Change, Trade and Sustainability (ACCTS). The 21 nations involved in Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) are reviewing a list of 54 environmental products subject to lower tariffs.

Clifford Chance is pleased to work with the World Economic Forum and its network on a new Climate Trade Zero initiative in support of such steps. The project will surface insights on the trade and regulatory barriers slowing countries’ and companies’ shift towards net-zero as well as highlight the key issues trade policymakers may want to consider as a result.

Hopefully, this can build momentum for outcomes later this year in time for COP26 in November, but more importantly in time to save our planet.

Source: World Economic Forum

Renewable Energy: Common Myths Debunked

02.03.2021

solarni_paneli — Foto-ilustracija: Unsplash (Red Zeppelin)

Critics of renewable energy often cite two reasons for why they think a transition from fossil fuels will take half a century. Firstly, that sources of renewable energy are too intermittent to be reliable and secondly, that governments cannot bear the costs of switching entire economies to clean energy.

It’s about time these assumptions were challenged. These perceived obstacles for the mass adoption of clean, renewable energy technologies are quickly becoming outdated.

Myth: intermittency makes renewable energy unreliable

Conventional thinking has long held that renewable energy intermittency makes solar, wind and other green alternatives too unreliable. Thankfully, rapid technological innovation in recent years means this myth outdated.

It’s true that solar energy is only produced when the sun is shining on solar panels. Likewise, wind energy is dependent on the ebb and flow of air currents. But the sheer volume of renewable energy being deployed, the ability to store that energy for longer, and to match demand with supply using software, creates a balanced grid.

According to BloombergNEF, lithium-ion battery cell densities have almost tripled, and costs have declined by almost 90 percent in the past decade – making it easier to smooth out the peaks and troughs of generation to meet the shifts and cycles of demand. Renewable energy sources themselves have dropped by as much as 82 percent over the same timeframe. Further improvements to both generation and storage will continue driving down costs, making renewable energy even more attractive to consumers.

Take buildings as an example. Breakthroughs in battery capacity mean that it’s now perfectly feasible for homes and commercial buildings to install on-site solar renewable energy generation to harness energy when it’s available, then stockpile that energy to be used when it’s needed. Buildings can remain connected to the grid, using traditional grid-energy when costs are low, and shift to its renewable reserves during peak demand. Many countries have enabled energy consumers to sell excess electricity back to the grid when costs are high, and countries such as Australia, Germany, UK and the US are already piloting systems to enable peer-to-peer electricity trading.

Another area where there has been massive progress is artificial intelligence (AI) applications. AI-enabled software helps consumers manage energy production and storage to reduce costs, lower emissions, increase efficiencies, and automatically draw electricity from the most efficient or cheapest source. Software like Station A enables building owners to quickly calculate the return on investment of different renewable energy solutions and connects with service providers to find the best solution for each building.

Likewise, utilities use AI software solutions to connect their customers’ distributed energy resources (DER) to add flexibility to the grid. Western Power in Australia, for example, uses AutoGrid’s software to leverage customers’ rooftop solar panels and batteries, which has the potential to contribute 45 percent of the power system needs at certain times of the day, and lowers costs for consumers.

Myth: the energy transition will be too expensive

The second myth is that the switch to renewables is too expensive for mass adoption; that government and society cannot bear the massive costs of a full-scale transition. Some analysts forecast as much as $14 trillion will need to be invested in a fully renewable power system over the next 30 years.

Renewable energy is now the cheapest new electricity in countries that make up three quarters of the world’s GDP. It’s not only cheaper; it’s also more efficient. Coal power generation is 35 percent efficient, meaning 65 percent of energy is wasted in production and transport. In comparison, electricity powered by renewable sources is virtually 100 percent efficient at end use and can be produced and managed locally.

Increasingly, adoption no longer depends on the “push” of public spending or government edicts. Instead, the “pull” of consumer demand is driving the shift. Just as we switched from landlines to cell phones, from cable TV to streaming media, consumers are switching to renewable energy.

Reality: decentralized, decarbonized and digital energy

Past energy transitions moved slowly because they relied on sweeping infrastructure changes from centralized sources. By contrast, the renewable-energy transition is driven by small, decentralized generation and storage on buildings and homes, all connected by software.

For companies, investors and homeowners, now is the time to invest in renewable energy. Policymakers can accelerate the adoption, both to fight climate change and provide economic expansion in a growing sector, while ensuring an equitable transition for communities.

Common assumptions about the green energy transition are fast becoming outdated. This new energy system, which is already being built, will benefit the planet and future generations – and the sooner we lay the myths to rest, the better.

Source: World Economic Forum

ABB Recognized as a Globally Leading Innovative Corporation

02.03.2021

Clarivate Top 100 Global Innovator lists ABB for the fifth time in ten years as top global innovation leader.

ABB has been named one of the world’s most innovative companies 2021 by Clarivate, a global leader in analytics, including scientific and academic research, patent intelligence and compliance standards.

Since 2012, Clarivate’s list has identified global innovators and celebrated companies and research institutions at the very top of the innovation ecosystem. Using the same methodology every year, Clarivate analyzes the patented ideas of over 14,000 entities for their levels of investment, impact and quality. 2021 marks the fifth time that ABB has been listed.

“We are very proud to be named once again as one of the world’s 100 most innovative corporations. Innovation has been in our DNA since we were founded more than 130 years ago and we will continue to invest in R&D to maintain our leading technology position in order to drive long-term profitable growth and create value for our customers and society”, said Björn Rosengren, CEO.

In 2020, ABB has increased R&D and digital spend to 4.8 percent of Group revenues, corresponding to around USD 1.3 billion. The company employs some 7,000 researchers globally, of which more than 60 percent are focused on software development and digitalization.

The company continues to partner with more than 100 leading universities around the world. Among them ABB is working with Carnegie Mellon and Stanford University in the United States, University of British Columbia in Canada, Imperial College in the UK, the Indian Institute of Technology, China’s TsingHua University, Sweden’s Royal Institute of Technology and ETH Zurich in Switzerland.

Source: ABB

This Flying AI Robot Can Pick Fruit – Preventing Waste in the Process

01.03.2021

polje_zemljoradnja — Foto-ilustracija: Pixabay

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Lambros Lyrarakis)

It’s getting harder to find fruit pickers to harvest the world’s orchards. COVID-19 travel restrictions have prevented seasonal workers crossing borders, so some farmers are turning to AI drones to pick their crops.

Even before the pandemic, growers were finding it increasingly hard to recruit people for picking. In July 2019, the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) warned of continued labour shortages.

Farmers “try to hire American workers, but there are not many takers – and those who do take farm jobs often quit before the season is over,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall.

Last year, with travel restrictions in place around the world, governments across Europe appealed to those who had lost their jobs in the pandemic to help with the harvest. Spain and Italy even offered to allow illegal migrants the right to work as pickers.

Now an Israeli company, Tevel Aerobotics Technologies, has invented a flying autonomous robot (FAR) which uses artificial intelligence (AI) to identify and pick fruit. The robot can work 24 hours a day and picks only ripe fruit.

Picking the best

The innovation was a direct response to labour shortages. “There are never enough hands available to pick fruit at the right time and the right cost. Fruit is left to rot in the orchard or sold at a fraction of its peak value, while farmers lose billions of dollars each year,” the company says.

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Gregory Hayes)

The FAR robot uses AI perception algorithms to locate fruit trees and vision algorithms to find the fruit among the foliage and classify its size and ripeness. The robot then works out the best way to approach the fruit and remain stable as its picking arm grasps the fruit.

The drones are able to harvest the orchards without getting in each other’s way because of a single autonomous digital brain in a ground-based unit.

A job few people want

Over 800 million tonnes of fruit are produced globally each year representing an annual market worth over half a trillion US dollars.

“We need a large number of reliable pickers and we have to pay wages, organize visas, housing, food, healthcare and transportation,” said John White, CEO of Marom Orchards, one of the first fruit farms to use the new flying robot pickers.

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Daniel Krueger)

“Costs are rising all the time. This is hard, seasonal work and other crops can pay higher wages. Young people all over the world are abandoning agricultural work in favour of higher paying, full-time urban jobs,” he added.

Tevel insists its robots are designed to complement human fruit pickers rather than replace them. The company claims there will be a shortage of five million pickers by 2050 and says its drones will ensure the 10 percent of fruit currently left unharvested will all be picked in future.

The United Nations has designated 2021 as the International Year of Fruits and Vegetables, with a focus on innovation and improved technologies to increase the efficiency and productivity of fruit and vegetable farming and to reduce loss and waste.

Last year, the World Economic Forum’s report, Data-Driven Food Systems for Crisis Resiliency, said technology must be used to make agriculture more sustainable in the aftermath of COVID-19 and called for an “innovation ecosystem” to foster new developments.

Source: World Economic Forum

Pacific Islands Unite Around Enhanced Renewables Ambition Under Climate Goals

01.03.2021

solar-panel- — Foto-ilustracija: Pixabay

In a year of critical action on climate mitigation and adaptation, Pacific Island governments have reinforced their commitment to energy transition action and strengthened sustainable energy goals within updated nationally determined contributions (NDCs) ahead of COP26 in Glasgow, the United Kingdom in November.

At a meeting of high-level policy and intergovernmental representatives jointly hosted by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the Regional Pacific NDC Hub and the UK COP26 Presidency, ministers and government representatives reiterated the need for transformative pledges that significantly reorient the world’s energy transition pathway. Pacific nations aim to be at the forefront of global efforts.

During the discussion, H.E Charles Obichang, Minister of Infrastructure, Palau, reaffirmed his country’s commitment to a sustainable energy future: “Palau is developing a new roadmap that will ultimately result in a 100 percent fossil fuel free energy system. The pursuit of energy security through renewable energy makes environmental, social and economic sense for us, helping to fight climate change while creating opportunities for new industries and new jobs. Renewables are an opportunity for us to thrive in a new era of fossil fuel free energy production.”

Currently, 13 of the 14 Pacific Small Island Developing States (SIDS) have quantified renewable energy targets in their NDCs, submitted under the first round of Paris Agreement climate pledges, equating to nearly 2GW of renewables capacity. All Pacific SIDS are engaged in a process of NDC enhancement ahead of COP26 under the coordination of the Regional NDC Pacific Hub and with support of various development partners. Fiji, Marshall Islands, Papua New Guinea and Tonga have already submitted enhanced contributions.

Angeline Heine, Director of Energy, Republic of the Marshall Islands, noted that in order to meet multiple national objectives, her country’s strategy is organised around three pillars: “As a front liner on climate change the Republic of the Marshall Islands is fully committed to meeting its NDC objective of 100 percent renewable energy by 2050. Our goal is ambitious, but our electricity roadmap has identified three key priorities, which address the technology, human resources, and investment components of the plan. We believe this ensures our transition is owned and advanced by the Marshall Islands people.”

Countries are given the opportunity to submit enhanced NDCs by COP26 by revising and enhancing mitigation and adaptation targets, finance goals, and developing concrete action plans for the implementation, formulation, and communication of long-term emission reduction strategies in 2020.

Representing the UK government, H.E Ken O’Flaherty, COP26 Ambassador for Asia and the Pacific, spoke of the opportunity for Pacific leadership both during, and in the lead up to, the climate meeting later this year: “The consequences of a warming planet will be catastrophic, particularly for citizens of the Pacific. COP26 can be the moment when the world comes together to ramp up momentum towards a climate resilient, zero-carbon economy and Pacific leadership can deliver the changes we need to see in the world. Many Pacific states have already committed to net-zero targets in their revised NDCs, which serve as inspiration for other countries to raise ambition.”

Francesco La Camera, Director General, IRENA, highlighted the global role Pacific Islands play in decarbonisation: “Pacific SIDS have become remarkable hubs of innovation on climate strategies, and a source of inspiration for the rest of the world. Even as they are severely impacted by deadly natural disasters, they continue to lead on climate action with steadfast resolve. While many Pacific nations set ambitious targets in their first NDCs, there is no doubt regional leadership shown in enhanced NDCs can inspire global efforts to drive meaningful action this year.”

Christian Gorg, Project Manager, Regional Pacific NDC Hub, said as the focus moves from ambition to implementation of the Paris Agreement goals, countries will need well-structured programmes to drive renewables development: “Energy is a common mitigation strategy among regional countries, and while their carbon emissions are insignificant their commitments are bold. The energy transformation can only be realised if countries understand their policy context, recognise any potential legislative barriers to development and are aware of the financing options available.”

A total of USD 5.2 billion of investment is needed by 2030 to implement what is currently targeted under the region’s NDCs, according to IRENA data based on the first round of NDCs. IRENA is working closely with several countries across the Pacific to enhance the renewable energy component of new NDCs for submission ahead of COP26.

Source: IRENA

Agricultural Policy Needs To Secure Stronger Environmental Improvements for Water in Europe

28.02.2021

njiva_pšenica — Foto-ilustracija: Pixabay

Foto-ilustracija: Unsplash (David Holifield)

Agricultural management practices should be based on agroecological principles, organic farming and nature-based solutions, the EEA report ‘Water and agriculture; towards sustainable solutions,’ says.

To achieve this, more ambitious measures to promote sustainable agriculture are needed in the upcoming EU common agricultural policy 2021-2027.

Recent EEA studies have shown that many of Europe’s surface and groundwaters are not in good status and the state of Europe’s regional seas is alarming.

Agricultural activities are an important source of pressures on Europe’s waters, due to nutrient and chemical pollution, water abstraction and physical changes in habitats, including through water storage and land drainage. Responding to these challenges is urgent, since climate change impacts in parts of Europe are exacerbating pressures on water and pose a risk to agricultural production.

The EEA assessment shows that a wide variety of management measures exist to tackle agricultural pressures on the water environment. While some progress has been made to reduce agricultural pressures in the 20th century, they remain at unsustainable levels with few signs of improvement over the past 10 years.

The EEA report points to three areas of improvement:

Wider uptake of sustainable management practices based on agroecological principles, organic farming and nature- based solutions. Such practices have multiple sustainability benefits, reducing pressures on water, while also reducing greenhouse gas emissions, enhance the long-term resilience of agriculture to climate pressures and benefit biodiversity.
Implementation and integration of EU policies. This requires tackling incentives leading to pressures on water and prioritising funding for sustainable agriculture in the upcoming strategic plans of the EU common agricultural policy 2021-2027.
More holistic approaches to facilitate the transition to sustainable agriculture. Achieving the reductions needed to reach water and other environmental targets requires a combined approach, changing both agricultural practices and consumer demands, which is supported by a transition in food and energy systems.

The European Commission has put forward several initiatives under the European Green Deal to strengthen sustainability, including the biodiversity 2030, farm-to-fork and climate adaptation strategies, and the upcoming restoration directive, and zero pollution and balanced nutrient management action plans. If fully implemented and operationalised, the EEA assessment states, the ambitious new targets will support a more resilient and sustainable future.

Source: EEA

The Center for Collecting and Processing Data and EV charger commissioned

26.02.2021

Photo: The Government of the Republic of Serbia

The Center for Collecting and Processing Data about Serbian highway traffic was opened yesterday at the toll plaza “Beograd” in Vrčin. Prime Minister Ana Brnabić visited the Center and also checked out the EV charger’s functionality which had been installed at the toll plaza.

She said that the Center would enhance the security of participants in traffic and improve environmental protection. Also, she commended the public company Roads of Serbia for the modernization and digitalization of the traffic monitoring system, explaining that the Center processes all the data acquired by surveillance cameras on highway and toll plazas and all signalization management at the highroads in Serbia also takes place there.

“The Center for Collecting and Processing Data about Serbian highway traffic will provide traffic speed monitoring and collect data about their registration plates and average speed on the highway. The Mihailo Pupin Institute has prepared the whole project. The Government will support Serbian know-how and innovations so that our economy becomes more competitive, and the fund will be allocated by The Innovation Fund, the Science Fund and many other funds we have established”, said Prime Minister.

She took an opportunity to see the EV charger’s performance that had been installed right behind the toll plaza in Vrčin, coming from the direction of Niš. This charger is an introduction of e-mobility development that should bring about a considerable reduction of air pollution in the country. As the prime minister explained on that occasion, there are eight EV chargers on Serbian highways, and the installation of additional ten EV chargers is budgeted for this year. According to the announcement on the Government’s official web site, around 90 EV chargers are available around the cities and municipalities in Serbia.

EV charger ABB HP 175 at the plaza toll in Vrčin was recently installed by the MT-KOMEX company and was integrated into charge&GO, the first regional web platform for EV charging. This system provides easy and fast charging of electric vehicles and EV drivers can also use the charge&GO mobile application for Android and iOS.

The Minister of Environmental protection, Irena Vujović said the subsidies for the purchase of electric and hybrid vehicles and the development of the necessary infrastructure serve as an encouragement to citizens to buy eco-friendly vehicles.

She said that traffic is the significant cause of air pollution globally, with an average of 22% of CO2 emissions and 12 % of PM pollutions. According to some estimation, in the upcoming years, every third vehicle in Europe will be eco-friendly, which is the standard that Serbia tries to reach.

Prime Minister pointed out that many initiatives are underway to reduce air pollution in Serbia. It is the reason for investment of more than 500 million euro in a Sulphur recovery unit in thermal power plants.

On that occasion, Brnabić informed that in the next few days, the decision would be published in the Official Gazette concerning the reductions of costs for gas connection by approximately 100.000 dinars per household.

From her point of view, it is a great incentive to all our citizens to connect to a gas network so that the number of individual furnaces can be reduced, which are also among the huge air pollutants.

Energetski portal

UN Environment Assembly Concludes With an Urgent Call For Action to Solve Planetary Emergencies

26.02.2021

glacier-glečer — Foto-ilustracija: Pixabay

Ministers of environment and other leaders from more than 150 nations today concluded a two-day online meeting of the Fifth United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-5) in which the Assembly warned that the world risks new pandemics if we don’t change how we safeguard nature.

The UN Environment Assembly meets biennially to set priorities for global environmental policies and develop international environmental law; decisions and resolutions then taken by Member States at the Assembly also define the work of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). Due to the pandemic, Member States agreed on a two-step approach to UNEA-5: an online session (22-23 February 2021) and an in-person meeting planned for February 2022.

Attended by thousands of online participants, including more than 1,500 delegates from 153 UN Member States and over 60 Ministers of the Environment, the Assembly – which was broadcast live – also agreed on key aspects of UNEP’s work, kicked off the commemoration of UNEP’s 50th anniversary and held leadership dialogues where Member States addressed how to build a resilient and inclusive post-pandemic world.

“It is increasingly evident that environmental crises are part of the journey ahead. Wildfires, hurricanes, high temperature records, unprecedented winter chills, plagues of locusts, floods and droughts, have become so commonplace that they do not always make the headlines,” Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta said in remarks to the Assembly. “These increasing adverse weather and climatic occurrences sound a warning bell that calls on us to attend to the three planetary crises that threaten our collective future: the climate crisis, the biodiversity and nature crisis, and the pollution and waste crisis.”

In a political statement entitled “Looking ahead to the resumed UN Environment Assembly in 2022 – Message from online UNEA-5, Nairobi 22 – 23 February 2021” endorsed at the close of the Assembly, Member States reaffirmed UNEP’s mandate as the leading global environmental authority and called for greater and more inclusive multilateralism to tackle the environmental challenges.

The statement said the Assembly wished “to strengthen our support for the United Nations and for multilateral cooperation and remain convinced that collective action is essential to successfully address global challenges.” It went on to warn that “more than ever that human health and wellbeing are dependent upon nature and the solutions it provides, and we are aware that we shall face recurring risks of future pandemics if we maintain our current unsustainable patterns in our interactions with nature.”

Sveinung Rotevatn, President of UNEA-5 and Norway’s Minister for Climate and Environment, echoed the warning.

“Everyone gathered at the Environment Assembly today are deeply concerned about how the pandemic causes new and serious health, socio-economic and environmental challenges, and exacerbates existing ones, all over the world,” he told a press conference on the closing day of UNEA-5.

“We shall work together to identify actions which can help us address climate change, protect biodiversity, and reduce pollution, at the same time,” he added.

The Assembly agreed to a new Medium-Term Strategy, Programme of Work and budget for UNEP. The new Strategy – which will take UNEP from 2022-2025 – sets out a vision for UNEP’s role in delivering the promises of the 2030 Agenda.

“The strategy is about transforming how UNEP operates and engages with Member States, UN agencies, the private sector, civil society and youth groups, so we can go harder, faster, stronger,” said Ms. Inger Andersen, UNEP ‘s Executive Director. “This strategy is about providing science and know-how to governments. The strategy is also about collective, whole-of-society action – moving us outside ministries of the environment to drive action.”

At an event commemorating UNEP’s upcoming 50th anniversary in 2022, Ms. Andersen acknowledged the importance of the moment to reflect on the past and envision the future.

“Indeed, the strides taken so far towards safeguarding the environment are testament to UNEP’s work,” President Kenyatta noted. “UNEP has had a lasting impact on how we care for the environment, nature and our livelihoods.”

In the run-up to the Assembly, UNEP launched a major report, together with UN Secretary-General António Guterres – Making Peace with Nature – which provides a comprehensive blueprint for solving the triple planetary emergencies of climate change, biodiversity and pollution. A number of events were also held in support of UNEA-5, including a Global Youth Assembly, a Science Policy Business Forum and the launch of a Global Alliance on Circular Economy and Resource Efficiency.

“The last few days have been encouraging. We saw a new global effort on resource-efficient, circular economies. A push on financing emission reductions from forests. Governments, scientists and businesses coming together to look at big data as a tool for change. Youth raising their voices and telling us ‘nothing about us, without us’ and calling for targeted funds to enable their deeper engagement,” Ms. Andersen added.

Source: UNEP

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