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2020 Ties With 2016 as World’s Hottest Year on Record

Photo-illustration: Pixabay
Photo-illustration: Pixabay

Last year tied with 2016 as the world’s warmest year on record, rounding off the hottest decade globally as the impacts of climate change intensified, the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service said.

After an exceptionally warm winter and autumn in Europe, the continent experienced its hottest year on record in 2020, while the Arctic suffered extreme heat and atmospheric concentrations of planet-warming carbon dioxide continued to rise.

Scientists said the latest data underscored the need for countries and corporations to slash greenhouse gas emissions quickly enough to bring within reach the goals of the 2015 Paris Agreement to avoid catastrophic climate change.

“The extraordinary climate events of 2020 and the data from the Copernicus Climate Change Service show us that we have no time to lose,” said Matthias Petschke, Director for Space in the European Commission, the EU’s executive arm. The bloc’s space programmes include the Copernicus earth observation satellites.

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In 2020, temperatures globally were an average of 1.25 degrees C (2.7 degrees F) higher than in pre-industrial times, Copernicus said. The last six years were the world’s hottest on record.

The Paris accord aims to cap the rise in temperatures to “well below” 2 degrees C and as close as possible to 1.5 degrees C to avoid the most devastating impacts of climate change.

Photo-illustration: Pixabay

“The key here is to… reduce the amount we emit,” Copernicus senior scientist Freja Vamborg told Reuters.

Last year also saw the highest temperature ever reliably recorded, when in August a California heatwave pushed the temperature at Death Valley in the Mojave Desert up to 54.4C (129.92°F).

The Arctic and northern Siberia continued to warm more quickly than the planet as a whole in 2020, with temperatures in parts of these regions averaging more than 6C above a 30-year average used as a baseline, Copernicus said.

The region also had an “unusually active” wildfire season, with fires poleward of the Arctic Circle releasing a record 244 million tonnes of CO2 in 2020, over a third more than in 2019.

Arctic sea ice continued to deplete, with July and October both setting records for the lowest sea ice extent in that month.

Photo-illustration: Pixabay

Scientists who were not involved in the study said it was consistent with growing evidence that climate change is contributing to more intense hurricanes, fires, floods and other disasters.

In the United States, the costs in lives and damage is fast rising, said Adam Smith, a climate scientist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

“We need another dictionary to help us describe how these extremes continue to play out and unfold year after year,” said Smith, who tracks climate-related disasters that cause more than a billion dollars worth of damage.

Smith said that the 16 billion-dollar disasters that occurred in the United States in the first nine months of 2020 matched previous annual records set in 2011 and 2017.

A preliminary tally found that 13 of last year’s disasters led to at least 188 deaths and costs of $46.6 billion, Smith said. NOAA was to release a complete survey of damages in 2020 at 1600 GMT (1100 a.m. EST).

Source: World Economic Forum

The Plan To Map Every Coral Reef on Earth – From Space

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Veronica Reverse)
Photo-illustration: Unsplash (David Clode)

In October 2020, Australian scientists found a detached coral reef skyscraper on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef—nearly 500 meters tall and 1.5 kilometres wide — that exceeds the height of the Eiffel Tower and New York’s Empire State Building. This was the first discovery of its kind in 120 years.

It also signals a challenge – that we know relatively little about what lies underwater, given the high costs and still-nascent technology of ocean exploration.

To better understand the mysteries of the world’s oceans, a team of scientists is using satellite imaging to map out, in unprecedented detail, one of the planet’s most iconic underwater ecosystems: the shallow coral reef.

The researchers are part of the Allen Coral Atlas project, which is led by Vulcan, a philanthropic organization created by late Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is working with Vulcan to build capacities of coral reef practitioners, managers and policy-makers around the world, especially in developing countries, on how to use the new Atlas.

“The atlas is meant to improve our understanding of our coral reef systems and drive better evidence-based policies to protect corals,” says Chuck Cooper, Managing Director of Government and Community Relations at Vulcan.

Corals under threat

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Milos Prelevic)

Coral reefs foster one-quarter of all marine species and provide food, livelihoods, security and recreation for at least a billion people. But, pollution, overfishing and heatwaves due to climate change are threatening their existence.

Most coral reefs are still unmapped. Scientists are aiming to monitor, in real-time, these biodiverse underwater worlds to protect and restore them. Further, they want to identify patches of coral that are naturally more resistant to climate change. These “refugia” may hold secrets to learning how to mitigate the impact of warming seas on coral reefs.

The atlas, available to the public, uses satellite technology to create high-resolution images of corals that are then processed into detailed maps. The maps capture features that will allow scientists and the conservation community to compare coral reef health over time and understand the pressures reefs are facing.

The atlas will provide baselines for monitoring coral reef bleaching events and other short-term changes, evidence to inform policymaking, and compelling science to capture the public’s interest on the plight of corals.

Bleaching occurs when coral—tiny animals that secrete calcium carbonate for protection—become stressed by factors such as warm water or pollution. As a result, they expel the microscopic symbiotic algae called zooxanthellae, which reside within their tissues. The corals then turn ghostly white; they become ‘bleached’ (watch these coral bleaching explainer videos).

The origins of the atlas

Three years ago, Paul Allen charged Vulcan with saving the world’s corals, says Paulina Gerstner, the Allen Coral Atlas Program Manager. “As a technologist, he saw tremendous data gaps and challenged us to figure out how to apply the emerging availability of satellite imagery to map and monitor the world’s coral reefs. All of them.”

Allen – an avid scuba diver – was deeply committed to the protection of marine ecosystems. He was already funding coral research, but his concern intensified in 2017 when Allen found his favourite reef dive sites bleached and dying. That’s when he tasked the team with the ambitious goal of mapping the world’s corals. (Allen died in 2018.)

“Our goal is to make conservation restoration and protection much easier, affordable and faster for all conservationists around the world,” says Gerstner.

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“In the face of inaction, coral reefs will soon disappear,” says Leticia Carvalho, the Coordinator of UNEP’s Marine and Freshwater Branch. “Humanity must act with evidence-based urgency towards effective ecosystem management and protection to change the trajectory.”

UNEP is training officials in coastal states on how to use the atlas and supporting efforts to develop policies that safeguard coral reefs. Alongside Vulcan, which is funding the project, other partners include the University of Queensland, Planet Inc., Arizona State University and the National Geographic Society.

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Milos Prelevic)

An instrumental tool

In May 2020, a long-standing partner of UNEP, the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI), called on its 44 member states, which are home to 75 percent of the world’s coral reefs, to step up their conservation efforts. Francis Staub, the ICRI Secretariat Coordinator, says the atlas will be instrumental in that process, helping countries understand “where coral reefs are and the area they cover.”

The atlas uses images from Planet Labs, which operates the world’s largest fleet of Earth-observing satellites. Daily, the Planet Labs’ satellites photograph Earth’s entire surface in minute detail. Researchers will analyze the satellite images and produce maps that catalogue the depths of reefs and their location, while differentiating them from other underwater phenomena, including seagrasses, rocks and sand.

The atlas coincides with the launch of two major environmental campaigns: the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development and the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.

Notable coral reefs that have been mapped include the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, and systems in Fiji, the Bahamas and Hawaii. The project aims to have 100 percent of the world’s reefs mapped by the summer of 2021.

Source: UNEP

Development of Electromobility in Serbia: Stairway to Heaven or Highway to Hell?

Foto-ilustracija: Pixabay
Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Jannes Glas)

Achieving sustainability in transportation is based on increasing its cost-effectiveness while at the same time increasing the energy efficiency, reducing the negative impact on the environment, preventing (or at least limiting) the harmful consequences on the life and health of the population and the use of renewable energy sources.

When it comes to road and urban public passenger and freight transport, their sustainability depends on the increase in the cost, environmental and energy efficiency. This does not only mean reducing emissions of harmful substances and gases with the greenhouse effect, but also energy saving (in terms of both cost and energy).

In focus:

With the synergy of all three factors we can expect: the reduction of imports and dependence on non-renewable (fossil) energy sources, an increase of vehicle and fleet energy efficiency, a decrease of transport costs and their share in the price of a product, and thus greater product competitiveness, increased traffic safety, a cleaner and healthier environment, better living conditions, as well as more secure future for new generations.

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Okai Vehicles)

In order to introduce the principles of traffic safety and environmental protection besides the economisation in (poorer), developing countries as part of the requirements in vehicle procurement can only be done by strengthening the awareness of the population and influential social groups that fight for better living conditions.

In addition to the emissions of harmful gases from the transport vehicle itself at the point of consumption (i.e. in the immediate vicinity of the vehicle), the environmental criteria must also include the pollution of the environment which is a consequence of the way of obtaining propulsion energy in the energy sector (i.e. the pollution from nuclear and thermal power plants in electricity generation), but also pollution from vehicle production, i.e. from the automotive industry.

With all this in mind, we can consider the electric vehicles a sustainable form of transport, but only under certain conditions. A properly used electric vehicle should be used rationally and adequately in terms of occupancy (number of transported passengers) or its load capacity (amount of transported cargo); it also needs to consume electricity efficiently and regenerate it during movement, i.e. regenerative braking.

On the other hand, we must not leave out the economy factor of electricity production, i.e. necessary increase in investment in infrastructure for energy production, storage and distribution.

This is of great importance because we are witnessing a rapid increase in the number of consumer electronics in every household. If each household were to purchase only one electric vehicle at a time, we would face a severe blow to the electricity system, the lack of capacity of the electricity distribution network and “restrictions” so well known to us, and not only in developing countries but also in the most developed ones.

Photo-illustration: Pixabay

Hybrid electric vehicles which both produce electricity and use other forms of propulsion as a substitute, mostly ones based on fossil fuels, have been introduced as a transitional solution towards complete transport electrification.

Developed countries, aware of their social responsibility and the consequences of their current actions on the future, are solving the road transport efficiency problem by focusing on increasing the energy and environmental efficiency of newly manufactured passenger cars while at the same time promoting and subsidising the broader use of sustainable and renewable propulsion vehicles. Whereas in Serbia, the only criterion is still the economic importance of procurement and exploitation of vehicles of certain propulsion. In other words, individual (but also corporate) motor vehicle users do not have the motivation or a “susceptibility” to perceive the importance of the reduction of harmful effects on their surroundings and the environment.

The lack of joint and coordinated strategic action of executive authorities is also noticeable (both the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Ministry of Energy on the one hand, and ministries responsible for finance, transport and internal affairs, on the other hand).

Text by: Professor Vladimir Momcilovic, PHD

Read the whole text in the new issue of the Energy portal Magazine SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT, september-november, 2020.

Water, Our Ally in Adapting to Climate Change in the Western Balkans

Photo-illustration: Pixabay
Photo-illustration: Pixabay

In times of crisis, such as the one we are facing right now due to COVID-19, proper hygiene and access to clean water are crucial. Just as important is a set of measures that adequately addresses the challenges faced by society. This holds true for emergencies of public health as much as for other types of societal challenges and disasters.

While increased focus over the last few weeks and months has been placed on adequate protection from the pandemic, achieving long-term resilience requires a closer look at the numerous related challenges that affect ecosystem health and societal wellbeing across different regions. These challenges are often exacerbated by climate change.

Photo: Srđan Kis Bicskei (Waterfall walk)

According to the European Environment Agency report on Climate change, impacts and vulnerabilities in Europe, south-eastern and southern Europe are considered highly prone to climate change effects. This means that the region faces the highest impact of climate change with a number of sectors and domains severely affected, including water resources and related ecosystems as well as water infrastructure.

Climate change projections for the Western Balkans indicate increases in extreme weather events over the next decades. Land use changes are predicted to be the dominant factor in determining water availability in the short-term, while the intensity of climate change is likely to become the principal factor over the long-term.

The International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) also identified the Western Balkans as one of the most vulnerable areas in Europe.

In focus:

The region will face rises in temperature larger than the European average, changes in precipitation patterns, leading to increased flood risk, extended periods of drought, soil erosion and forest fires. Climate change will most probably increase negative impacts, resulting in significant habitat, human and economic losses. The floods in 2014 demonstrated that the region is not prepared nor adequately equipped to deal with the increasing dangers posed by climate-related impacts. Although improvements in flood prevention and protection systems have been made since 2014, more recent flood events in 2019 and 2020 showed that more needs to be done to adequately address floods and related disasters.

Photo-illustration: Pixabay

Rivers are considered one of the most productive ecosystems and important biodiversity areas and play a vital role in the life of humans providing key ecosystem goods and services.

The Aoos/Vjosa River in Greece and Albania, for example, is of regional and even European importance. However, this unparalleled resource of outstanding natural and social values is threatened by the construction of about 40 hydropower projects endangering the entire ecosystem. If these plans are materialised they will transform the water catchments into a chain of accumulation lakes, interrupting any natural river flow and biodiversity functions.

The project “Saving Europe’s last free flowing wild river – Vjosa/Aoos” is currently working towards the prevention of the devastating developments aiming also to designate the river catchments as a transboundary protected area.

Managing competing ecosystem and societal needs and priorities is a key challenge when balancing human wellbeing against ecosystem health and biodiversity conservation. A vision for conservation of biodiversity and ecosystem services in the Vjosa catchment area is being developed to enable the protection of critical freshwater ecosystems and at the same time support local communities’ livelihoods through safeguarding the provision of vital ecosystem services.

Text prepared by: Kristin Meyer and Sofia Tvaradze from IUCN Regional office for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, Belgrade

This article was published in the new issue of the Energy portal Magazine SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT, september-november, 2020.

Protected Areas Are the Best „Tool“ for Nature Conservation

Foto: Ljubica Štivić
Photo: Private archive

Headlines about the extinction of numerous plant and animal species have experienced the fate of the majority of bad news. They are multiplying and, unfortunately, drowning in a sea of information that fails to encourage society to take adequate action. Footage of endangered animals from our exotic areas once seemed far and foreign to us, but they managed to melt our hearts or worry us. Today, numerous plant varieties and animal species are slowly disappearing from our region, almost under our windows, in silence.

However, in order not to be in a situation to make sure if there will be someone to at least shed a tear for the last specimens of a species, it is necessary to determine to which local plants and animals, as well as habitats, endangerment or rarity criteria can be applied. The key step after the formation of such a database is to facilitate and ensure their long-term survival.

One such project is currently being implemented in our country called “EU for Natura 2000 in Serbia”, with the aim of supporting activities for the conservation of biological diversity. It should help our Ministry of Environmental Protection and other competent institutions in establishing the first list of potential sites that will be included in the international ecological network of protected areas of the European Union. This largest network is known as the Natura 2000 network and consists of 26,106 areas classified into two categories, according to the Birds and Habitats Directive.

In focus:

Although the development of a geographic information system for the Natura 2000 network in our country is underway, the main goal is not to form a list of locations. It is just the initial step. We asked Ana Iñigo, Team Leader of the “EU for Natura 2000 in Serbia” project funded by the European Union, why it is important for our natural areas to be part of this European network. The main goal of this project is to provide assistance to the Republic of Serbia in preparing for the establishment of the Natura 2000 network.

Photo: Miloš Karaklić (Evening on Zlatibor)

“Membership in the Natura 2000 network implies legal regulation following the Birds and Habitats Directive, European regulations that ensure the conservation of the most important habitats and species in Europe. This system enables the long-term survival of rare and endangered species and habitats thanks to the support of the European Commission and European legislation”, says Ana, who with her team has been supporting our institutions in preparing a list of potential locations in Serbia for a year. She says the sites were chosen in a different way than it is done when declaring national parks or nature reserves.

“Among the main differences are the criteria for designating protected areas within the Natura 2000 network. They highlight specific habitats and species that are not always a priority in naming other protected areas, where different values of biodiversity or ecosystems can be preferred,” explains Ana, adding that aims to ensure the conservation of all habitats and very rare species in Europe.

Photo: Jan Valo (Plain dance)

From a socio-economic point of view, it is also important to emphasise that the Natura 2000 network does not exclude or limit the possibility of performing certain economic activities, such as agriculture and livestock. Quite the opposite. These activities are fully compatible with the purpose of these areas, as long as they do not endanger species and/or habitats.

When it comes to data on biological diversity in Serbia, Ana Iñigo points out that we have solid records.

“A large number of institutions are developing various research and monitoring programs to obtain key scientific data, which are also important for naming Natura 2000 sites. However, there is no centralized database, and the main difficulty for institutions responsible for implementing and declaring Natura 2000 sites is the ability to access those data, as well as to determine the most relevant data in the central information system.”

The project led by Ana Iñigo will contribute to nature protection in two very important ways. The first refers to data collection because the project largely includes such activities in the field, with the cooperation of Serbian experts who are part of the project. The second value of the project is the development of the Information System and the contribution to the development of the central database, which will facilitate the future process of implementing the Natura 2000 network.

Interview by: Tamara Zjacic

Read the whole interview in the new issue of the Energy portal Magazine SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT, september-november, 2020.

New Year’s Resolution? Slim Your Carbon Footprint by a Tonne in 2021

Foto-ilustracija: Unsplash (Fateme Alaie)
Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Grant Ritchie)

Get fit, quit smoking, eat healthily. Most years begin with good intentions that often fall by the wayside as life gets busier again.

But how about trying a different challenge for 2021 which goes beyond personal improvement and benefits the planet too?

A new initiative offers guidance on how to shed planet-warming emissions rather than weight – and lets you keep tabs on how you’re doing.

Endorsed by the United Nations, the campaign ‘Cut a Tonne in ’21’ launched with a report detailing tangible ways to lead a more sustainable life and reduce your personal carbon footprint by one tonne a year, helped by a web-based tool.

“We’re facing a climate emergency and we need to do everything we can together to address that,” said Jo Hand, co-founder of Giki, the UK-based social enterprise behind the campaign, which stands for “Get Informed Know your Impact”.

“Starting with cutting a tonne in ’21 as a New Year’s resolution is a great way for us all to play our part,” Hand told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

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What’s the big picture?

Under the 2015 Paris Agreement, nearly 200 countries agreed to limit the rise in average global temperatures to “well below” 2 degrees Celsius above preindustrial times this century, and ideally to 1.5C, to avert the worst effects of climate change.

Photo: YouTube (screenshot)

Yet the planet has already heated up by about 1.2C, and the United Nations said this month that annual greenhouse gas emissions reached a new high in 2019, putting the world on track for an average temperature rise of at least 3C this century.

The U.N. climate science panel has said global emissions need to be slashed by 45 percent by 2030 and to net zero by mid-century to have a decent chance of keeping warming to 1.5C.

Achieving net-zero emissions means releasing no more greenhouse gases – the main one being carbon dioxide (CO2) – than can be offset elsewhere, through measures such as protecting carbon-storing rainforests.

But scientists say offsetting cannot be a substitute for cutting emissions by switching to cleaner sources of electricity and heat, and using less energy.

What’s my carbon footprint?

Photo-illustration: Pixabay

While action by governments, cities and businesses is key to curbing warming, individuals also have a major role to play, Giki said in a statement.

On a global basis, individuals account for almost three-quarters of greenhouse gas emissions through their homes, transport, food, goods and services consumption, it added.

People’s carbon footprints vary widely across the world.

On average, each person accounts for 5 tonnes of carbon dioxide emitted every year – but that increases dramatically with wealth, according to the “Cut a Tonne in ’21” backers.

The richest 1 percent has an annual footprint of about 70 tonnes, while the average Briton emits 9 tonnes a year, said the report, co-authored by Richard Carmichael of the Centre for Environmental Policy at Imperial College London.

That per capita tally needs to drop to 2.5 tonnes by 2030 to be in line with the 1.5C warming goal, it said.

How do I cut a tonne of carbon?

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Carlos Grury Santos)

Giki Zero, a free online tool, provides users with an estimate of their carbon footprint based on a questionnaire about their lives including how often they drive or fly, what they eat and how much electricity they use.

Giki measures individual footprints against global targets and offers a choice of more than 120 steps people can take to shrink their contribution to climate warming.

These range from “easy peasy” to “hardcore”, with options such as using shampoo bars instead of hair products in plastic bottles, cycling to work, going vegetarian and switching to a green power provider.

Users can pick their battles and track how the changes they make affect their overall carbon output. “It is about finding out what fits with your lifestyle and your budget,” said Hand.

Basic things most people could try are halving the time they spend in the shower and heating their homes a little less, she suggested. “If we turn (the thermostat) down by just one degree (Celsius), that can actually cut quite a lot of carbon,” she said.

Is the goal achievable?

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Carl Cerstrand)

Cutting a tonne of CO2 over a year can be done by making a few big changes, such as going car-free and installing a heat pump, or with a wider selection of small steps like using lids when cooking and drinking plant-based milk, the report said.

“The first tonne is the easy tonne for most of us – but for some it will be more difficult due to cost and degree of effort,” said Tim O’Riordan, professor emeritus of environmental sciences at the University of East Anglia.

Going further gets trickier.

Most users can reach a “Paris-aligned” lifestyle by cutting down on consumption and switching to more sustainable habits.

But reducing your emissions to net zero requires additional steps like paying to plant trees or protect forests – projects often led by green charities, said Hand.

And for individuals’ one-tonne-a-year carbon saving to have a real impact, millions of people must get on board over the next decade, she added.

Katharine Lewis, a green campaigner and co-founder of the Helston Climate Action Group in southwest England, said the Giki Zero initiative was a good start but wider shifts were needed.

“We know that as a society we need to make radical changes to the way we live if we are to stay below 1.5C, and this can feel daunting,” she added.

Source: World Economic Forum

The Future Is in Nuclear Energy

Foto-ilustracija: Pixabay

Why are wind and sun as renewable energy sources less environmentally acceptable and economically less profitable than nuclear energy, and how much France as an example can help us in the strategy of developing the power system, explains Professor Milenko Djuric, PhD.

Switching to the use of renewable energy sources, as a strategy for the future of the power system, is not such a simple task, nor it is applicable in every country. Since Serbia has used its hydro potential to a great extent, solar and wind energy are not as clean as it seems at first glance, and we cannot get rid of coal-fired power plants for at least another 30 years, one of our most eminent experts in power systems, Professor Milenko Djuric, PhD, a retired professor at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, warns that we must be sober-minded in choosing a strategy for the future. As a small country, we cannot afford expensive experiments, which is why the professor suggests analysing France as an example, which has reoriented itself to nuclear power plants and produces twice as cheap electricity as Germany, which has invested in the development of RES.

EP: Last year, we broke infamous records in air pollution in the capital during the heating season, and we are facing a colder time of the year. Is coal the only cause of the problem and do you think the scenario will be repeated this winter? 

Milenko Djuric I can’t say anything about the whole of Belgrade because I don’t have reliable data. I live in Vracar, near the church of Saint Sava. I walk around the whole neighbourhood walking my dogs, and last fall, I didn’t notice that anyone got coal. However, the air was heavily polluted on several occasions in unfavourable weather conditions. I am convinced that the cause was the car traffic. I think that the age of cars contributes very little to the increase in air pollution. The main reason is the enormous number of cars that has surpassed the tolerable figure in Belgrade a long time ago. I believe that the environmental tax should be introduced on fuel, and not on cars because a parked car does not pollute the air.

In focus:

EP: European countries have come a long way in implementing plans to decarbonise power systems and switch to renewable energy sources. When do you expect that conditions will be created in our country to switch to this strategy operationally? 

Milenko Djuric I believe that Serbia cannot give up coal-fired power plants for at least another 30 years. The best flue gas purification technology can be applied, but CO2 emissions cannot be avoided.

Photo-illustration: Pixabay

EP: It was recently announced that the latest research is very encouraging because the results suggest that the profession can successfully exploit power systems with as much as 100 per cent of electricity production from RES. What does that practically mean?

Milenko Djuric I’m not sure the information you provide is correct. Wind and solar power plants generate electricity of the worst quality because their production is of a stochastic character. Such sources require the existence of a basic electricity system that can cover the needs of consumption at any time, when the production of wind and solar power plants falls, which, unfortunately, can happen in a very short period.

EP Even children in primary school learn that our hydro potential is above the European average but insufficiently used. Do we have the potential for more large hydropower plants?

Photo-illustration: Pixabay

Milenko Djuric The fact that children learn in primary school may have been true for the former Yugoslavia. The hydro potential of Serbia has been largely used. There is potential on the Ibar (those hydropower plants have been designed, but I don’t know how far they have come in realisation) and on the Drina, where the potential will have to be shared with the Republika Srpska.

EP: What is the future of mini hydropower plants in Serbia, from the aspect of cost-effectiveness, ecology, political will, and even the rights of citizens? 

Milenko Djuric The potential of mini hydropower plants is small, and from the aspect of the state, negligible. The environmental damage that can result from the construction of such facilities can be great, especially if it is allowed that investors’ profit is the main driver for such investments. I think that the local population should be in charge of the potentials for small hydropower plants, on whose territory those potentials are located. That way, solutions that could damage the environment will surely be avoided.

Interview by: Tamara Zjacic

Read the whole interview in the new issue of the Energy portal Magazine SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT, september-november, 2020.

Sustainable Transport and Optimisation in Energy Consumption

Photo: Schneider Electric
Photo: Private archive of Dragan Buaca

Urbanisation and sustainability

Researches show that by 2050, another 2.5 billion people will move to cities, which will be the largest migration of the population in the history of mankind so far. It will put enormous pressure on cities, especially on space that will be in shortage, while expectations in comfort will be higher. City planners will have to solve that pressure by introducing regulations on traffic control, encouraging citizens to use electric vehicles in densely populated city zones but also in optimising the use of energy, especially electricity.

Energy and transport are the two main pillars of these transformations, and both areas need to undergo serious adjustment to keep pace with demographic and economic growth but without increasing environmental pollution. Optimisation in energy consumption and sustainable transport are opportunities that companies, business  leaders and global policymakers must use to increase the living comfort of the population around the planet while providing greater efficiency but also the expected and economic progress. The fourth industrial revolution provides a great opportunity to make that happen.

The mode of transport is changing

In an effort to reduce traffic and optimise car driving, some governments have introduced lanes for vehicles with more passengers (HOV-high-occupancy vehicle) in which the movement of vehicles with two or more passengers is allowed. HOV lanes provide a strong incentive to transport more passengers by car, reducing travel time and costs (Ride- sharing). This mode of transport is developing rapidly, with estimates that by 2030, more than 25 percent of all kilometres travelled in the world will be this way, which is an increase of 4 percent compared to today.

On the other hand, due to the development of technology and environmental subsidies, the price of electric vehicles is falling, and it will become more accessible to citizens. The fact is that the costs of using electric vehicles per kilometre of the road will soon be significantly lower than the costs of using vehicles with internal combustion; and the increase in their use will lead to a reduction in pollution, but also a smaller number of traffic accidents. Very conservative predictions say that by the end of the next decade, every third car sold in the world will be electric.

Schneider Electric has recognised these trends and to achieve its ambition to reach net-zero operational carbon emissions by 2030. The company has joined The Climate Group # EV100 initiative which also includes the replacement of 14,000 company cars with electric vehicles. At Schneider Electric, they believe that electricity is the future of mobility, and the company desires is to show that in 10 years, the set volume of electric vehicles in its own fleet can be achieved quickly. All of the above is just a hint of what will happen in the very near future. We will soon meet autonomous vehicles (AV) on the roads but also electric vehicles as part of the fleets of public services, and large companies will become a part of everyday life.

At the same time, the way energy is produced, distributed and used is changing 

Global evolution in the development of energy systems is increasingly turning to cleaner, decentralised sources with energy that is generated, stored and distributed closer to end-users, using renewable energy sources and new storage technologies. At the same time, the technology will enable customers and operators of the power system to control where, when and how electricity is used and from which sources it is obtained. This will open new business models in the production, distribution and use of electricity, and as the use of electric vehicles and the need for energy to charge them will increase, it is clear that transport is one of the key links in the development of these models. These trends have the potential to complement each other and to actively contribute to making energy use and transport sustainable and making the cities we live in smarter.

A good charging network infrastructure is the starting point for sustainability

The infrastructure of the electric charger network should be developed along the highways, but also near the junctions of key roads and public transport stations. This is important for three reasons, and the first is to meet the need for the current demand for electric car charging resources. The second is to make electric chargers accessible but also easy to find, and the third is to promote the use of electric vehicles for public and private needs.

In focus:

It is necessary for electric chargers to be compatible with different types of electric vehicles, and also to be able to offer fast or standard charging, depending on the location where they are installed. For example, fast chargers are installed in parking lots or locations where retention lasts shorter (gas stations, highways, etc.) and users are willing to pay more expensive refuelling costs. On the other hand, standard chargers are installed in locations where the retention is longer, the charging period is longer, but there are also lower charging costs, or it is free of charge (public garages, hotels, shopping malls, office buildings, etc.).

Schneider Electric can offer both types of chargers, fast and standard. Today, there are about 100,000 electric vehicle charging stations in Europe, supplied by Schneider Electric. When it comes to Serbia and Montenegro, about 100 electric chargers have been installed so far.

A smart network of electric chargers that enables savings and sustainability

Foto: Schneider Electric

Once the charger infrastructure is installed, the next chal- lenge is to connect all the chargers to the power system so that their use is easy and sustainable. For power system operators, a large network of installed electric chargers is a great opportunity to sell more electricity to consumers. Nevertheless, new, modern types of electric chargers conenected to the power grid, provide an opportunity to increase the efficiency of that network, with a new approach in the use of electric chargers themselves.

The analysis of the needs of electric car drivers for charging vehicles leads to the conclusion that vehicles are charged with energy most often three times during the day, in the morning, during the lunch break and in the evening (night). For that reason, investing in full energy capacity (expected simultaneous power) for connecting each electric charger to the grid is very expensive and unprofitable, because not every electric charger is used at full capacity throughout the day. A much more pragmatic approach is to invest in a system of electric chargers that have the ability to store energy in their own battery modules.

The battery modules of such electric chargers can be charged during the day when the network is not loaded or at night (when the price of kWh is lower), and drivers will charge their cars directly from the network or from the battery module, depending on what is cheaper for them at that time. The charging station for electric vehicles can be programmed to select the charging period of its battery module when the tariff is most favourable during the day but also to allow the consumer to charge his vehicle at the best price, also depending on the part of the day when he charges it.

It was Schneider Electric, as a global leader in the digital transformation of energy management and automation solutions at all levels of business, that recognised these trends and developed a comprehensive solution called EcoStruxure. It is a platform that provides complete cybersecurity and what today’s systems often lack – complete analytics, monitoring and reporting at all levels, which allows the management of such complex charging systems for electric vehicles.

Use of green energy sources and return of excess energy to the grid

The concept of using electric chargers with own battery modules and the possibility of choosing when and from which source the battery modules will be charged, signifi- cantly affect the savings in the construction of electricity network infrastructure and power sources, because the need to build new resources is reduced (transmission net- work, transformer stations, etc.). On the other hand, organisations with large fleets that use electric vehicles can use solar or wind energy by charging the battery modules in their own electric chargers through solar panels installed on the roofs of their facilities. In this way, clean green energy is used to start electric vehicles.

For charging their battery module, smart charging stations for electric vehicles can use energy from the grid, but also solar and wind energy, depending on the conditions. By using advanced software solutions and artificial intelligence, it is possible to return the energy stored in battery modules to the grid if necessary. We conclude that smart charging stations for electric vehicles will be points connected to the power grid that will contribute to maintaining stability and help balance the needs in the power system.

In the future, we can expect that electric vehicles will also become decentralised points in the electric power system, which will be able to return the energy stored in their batteries back to the electric power network through smart electric chargers. Drivers will thus be able to, for example, charge their vehicles at night in their garages at the price of the night tariff for residential buildings, and during the day return some of the energy stored in the batteries of vehicles they do not need to the network at a commercial price. In markets that allow this, electric vehicles will practically become flexible energy points in the system, “batteries on wheels” capable of freely disposing of the energy they possess.

A good example is the pilot project launched in Denmark, where Enel and Nissan developed the first vehicleto-grid commercial hub. With this project, electric vehicles are able to return to the grid energy worth about € 1,500 per year and thus help balance the system.

Prepared by: Tamara Zjacic

This article was published in the new issue of the Energy portal Magazine SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT, september-november, 2020.

 

Ljubljana, the Capital of Bicycles, Bees and Greenery 

Foto-ilustracija: Pixabay
Photo: Uroš Hočevar

The city government of the Slovenian capital defined the goals of sustainable mobility in 2007, and in the priorities, in accordance with the Plan for Sustainable Urban Movement adopted in 2017, they made an effort so that by 2027 citizens will mostly do their jobs by walking or using bicycles and public transport. Today, Ljubljana can boast of new and reconstructed bridges that shorten the walking distance for citizens, as well-maintained bicycle paths in the length of 300 km and electric vehicles for senior citizens.

The mayor of Ljubljana, Zoran Jankovic, an economist who was very successful in running the Mercator business system for several years, has been taking care of the direction in which the capital of Slovenia is developing for the last 14 years. How this destination in the future look like, to which Ljubljana, under his leadership, aspires, and which goals have already been achieved, are just some of the questions to which Zoran Jankovic gave us exhaustive answers, in which the real refreshment was the absence of desire for any politicking.

EP:How difficult is it for citizens to adapt to a new sustainable mode of transport?

Photo-illustration: Pixabay

Zoran Jankovic In the beginning of my first term in 2007, we adopted the strategic document Vision of Ljubljana 2025, which outlined the direction of sustainable development of the city. This was the basis for all subsequent documents, including the Comprehensive Transport Strategy from 2017. At the beginning, it was not easy because it was necessary to change the established habits of the citizens. People usually take changes with suspicion, they prefer what is known, while change brings uncertainty and something new, unknown. Many people thought that the city centre would die if we stopped the motor traffic in it, and the opposite happened – the centre came to life again, became the centre of events and a favourite gathering place, like a living room, where various events take place. Today, there is almost no one who would like to return to the old, and many, especially the younger generation, do not even remember that a city bus used to pass there. In the centre of the city, we have intended more than 12 ha of area for pedestrians, and cycling is also allowed while respecting pedestrian precedence. In order to make it easier for elderly citizens and those who have difficulty walking, we have introduced 6 electric vehicles – cavaliers, which take them free of charge to their destination within the pedestrian zone. We are also proud of our electric train – Urban, which allows you to reach the most prominent areas of the city. We have reconstructed or built as many as 13 bridges over the river Ljubljanica and thus reduced the distance for pedestrians.

In focus:

EP: Ljubljana is one of the best cities for cyclists in the world. What contributed most, apart from the relief potential, to the development of cycling and the safety of cyclists in traffic?

Zoran Jankovic We are proud of that, and we invest a lot in cycling infrastructure. With every renovation or construction of a new road, we must add bike paths. Last year alone, we allocated more than 20 million euros for the area of traffic infrastructure, which also includes bicycle paths. We must not forget the very popular bicycle rental system – BicikeLJ, which has greatly contributed to the popularization of cycling, especially because the first hour of riding is free. And Ljubljana is a city where you can get from one end of the city to the other in just that time.

EP: Ljubljana has 300 kilometres of bike paths. What are the further plans related to relieving traffic from motor vehicles?

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Marco Albuquerque)

Zoran Jankovic We follow the models of the countries that are most developed in that area, such as Denmark and the Netherlands, in order to adapt and fit them into our space. As you have noticed, we have arranged more than 300 km of bicycle paths, and for three years now we have been among the 20 cities in the world that stand out with their best-arranged bicycle infrastructure. This is probably one of the reasons why the annual conference of the European Cycling Federation Velo-city was supposed to be held in Ljubljana this year, which was postponed to 2022 due to the situation with the coronavirus. One of the key moments in relieving the traffic happened when we disabled access to motor vehicles on the part of the main road, on Slovenski road, and rearranged it into a space for pedestrians, cyclists and public transport, in the so-called shared space. It means that each traffic participant must be careful and watch out for all other participants. We are also introducing a number of other changes that we want to alleviate motor traffic. In certain places we limit the speed to 30 km/h, we introduce one-way streets for motor vehicles, and those same streets become two-way for bicycles, at some intersections with traffic lights we give priority to pedestrians and bicycles so that they get a green light before cars. At some at intersections, cyclists can be in front of cars. However, we must not forget that, as in everything, it is important to find the right measure. Until recently, cars dominated the public space, the situation is now changing, but we cannot completely exclude them. We will certainly continue to pursue our set goals towards sustainable development.

Photo-illustration: Pixabay

EP: Since you introduced “BicikeLJ”, the number of bicycles rented has reached more than seven million. In what way, a system like this, as a supplement to public transport, but also counters for cyclists, by promoting urban cycling, change the consciousness of citizens and help them in their decision to turn to green transport?

Zoran Jankovic In addition to arranging infrastructure for bicycles, BicikeLJ, as a well-designed, simple and easily accessible bicycle rental system, is a magnet for even greater use of this means of transport. We try to enable our citizens to use alternative means of transport in various ways. We are building public parking lots P+R (park and ride) on the outskirts of the city, which citizens can reach with their vehicles, pay 1.2 euros for all-day parking and get a return ticket for public transport. In some of these parking lots, we have BicikeLJ checkpoints, and bicycle parking stands. There are 6 P+R parking lots in Ljubljana. During last year’s visit of the representatives of the company “JCDecaux”, who designed the bike rental system, we were pleasantly surprised by the information that Ljubljana is the first inthe world to use BickeLJ. On average, each bike is used 8 times a day. We have 620 bicycles in that system, the first hour of renting is free, and more than 99 per cent of them are used.

Interview by: Jelena Cvetic

Read the whole interview in the new issue of the Energy portal Magazine SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT, september-november, 2020.

Fast Chargers for Faster Development of Electromobility

Photo: ElectriCity/ABB
Photo: ABB

Electric buses and cars that are increasingly seen on the streets of European cities will be an everyday occurrence on our roads in the near future. of chargers. Not only because of the environmental awareness of the citizens but also because of the fact that it will simply be a European standard. Many countries have already advanced far in the strategy of developing electromobility and in every way, motivate citizens to switch to this type of transport as much as possible. Of course, while developing the network of chargers in parallel, which is the most important precondition for driving your electric car, when you have already bought it, you can drive without interruption, without thinking about whether your battery will run out halfway and you have nowhere to charge it. Our country also has a strategy for the development of electromobility, which is why in March the Serbian government passed a decree on subsidised purchase of electric or hybrid vehicles, based on which, for example, a subsidy of 5,000 euros is approved for the purchase of a fully electric vehicle with up to nine seats.

This is a significant help if we take into account that the prices of the average city car with electric drive range from 10,000 to 30,000 euros. However, the main obstacle for citizens to take advantage of this benefit is the insufficiently developed infrastructure network that would provide a sufficient number of chargers. Therefore, it should not be surprising that the Ministry of the Interior has so far registered a bit more than 200 electric passenger vehicles in Serbia. You can charge your electric car, via an ordinary single-phase socket, and at home, in the garage. But it will take seven, eight hours, and your range is limited until you return home. At several locations along Corridor 10, as well as at several places in Belgrade, there are electric chargers installed, but their number is currently insufficient. In essence, chargers as chargers are the smallest problem, especially since ABB has been operating in our country for 28 years, and is among other things, a world leader in the production of electric chargers, with the largest installed base of fast-charging stations for electric vehicles worldwide, and a partner of Formula E in international organisations for electric motorsports. They also offer 600-kilowatt chargers, which can charge the battery of an electric vehicle in just a few minutes. However, for our conditions, it is still science fiction. In the realm of reality, two fast chargers, Terra 53 and Terra 54, which ABB installed at the location of the Porsche SCG company in Belgrade and in the parking lot in front of its company headquarters, make the suffering of electric vehicles on our roads much easier.

In focus:

Photo: ABB Serbia

The power of these so-called fast chargers is 50 kilowatts, which means that you can charge the battery on it in 15 minutes to half an hour, or in one hour if the battery is completely empty. Forty-three kilowatt AC chargers are also available at these stations, where charging takes several hours, as well as DC chargers with direct voltage. So-called ultra-fast chargers, with a capacity of 75 to 600 kilowatts, which significantly shorten the charging speed, require much more energy than is currently available at our charging stations. Drivers of electric cars in our country are certainly already aware that ABB’s fast chargers are located in front of the Hyundai representative office in New Belgrade, as well as in the Navak Center in Subotiste, which is 40 km away from Belgrade. In Navak, the fast charger will be used to test new models of electric cars. It is very important that the number of fast chargers grows, because the owners in many loca- tions, where there is no long delay, expect the battery of the electric car to be recharged in a short time. In contrast, slow chargers are mostly installed in shopping malls, because it is calculated that users will spend more time in those places. As many as 16 slow AC chargers have been installed in Ada Mall, and while electric cars are being charged in the park- ing lot of this shopping centre, their owners can make purchases, complete tasks that they didn’t manage during the workweek or spend time with their family, easily and without haste. Their electric cars will be ready to go. The expansion of ABB’s network of fast chargers is also underway, as the implementation of new projects is expected to begin. Drivers will soon have at their disposal 3 high-power chargers, 175 kW, as well as 3 50 kW chargers, on the Novi Sad- Belgrade highway, at the Pan-Ledi charging station.

“It is certainly necessary to build infrastructure, provide energy, and of course, regulate all that with regulations so that we would have a developed network of chargers in the near future. Of all this, it is easiest to build infrastructure, but energy supply will be a problem when the use of electric vehicles becomes more widespread. That is why we should go in the direction of developing new types of energy, because, for example, chargers can also be powered by solar energy if a roof with solar panels is placed on them. This would give us the point of the whole story – that electric cars do not pollute the environment and do not consume the energy produced in thermal power plants that pollute the environment, but that the energy is obtained from wind generators or solar panels. In Serbia, that has been recognised, and work is already underway on the installation of wind generators “, says Dejan Desic, head of the Infrastructure and Transport segment at ABB.

This article was published in the new issue of the Energy portal Magazine SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT, september-november, 2020.

 

Caring For the Environment Should Be a Lifestyle 

Foto-ilustracija: Unsplash (Ivana Đudić)
Photo: Ministry of Environmental Protection

Traffic belongs to major air pollutants, and selection of the mode of transport is considered as one of the main factors of influence. We all have the opportunity to make that choice. At the same time, many countries in the world are recording a decreasing number of cars on the streets, which was additionally impacted by the current crisis caused by COVID-19 virus epidemic together with the benefits in the form of subsidies for the purchase of electric vehicles. Since it is estimated that every third vehicle in the world will be a hybrid or electric by 2025 and that China will be the market leader by 2040 with 14.5 million of such vehicles, we were interested in our status regarding the development of electromobility. We directed our questions concerning the investment in sustainable modes of transport in our country as well as the maintenance of the healthy environment and public health to Ivan Karic, the State Secretary of the Ministry of Environmental Protection.

EP:How far have we come with regards to the development of new modes of transport and the introduction of electromobility in particular?

Ivan Karic The traffic in big cities, especially during the socalled rush hours is without a doubt a significant contributor to air pollution, even though it is a fact that the primary sources of air pollution in Serbia remain the energy sector and the industry that uses fossil fuels. All modes of transport, whether individual or collective, whose propulsion is not based on fossil fuels, could contribute to a betterquality of ambient air. The decreasing number of cars on the streets during the COVID-19 crisis unequivocally contributed to better air quality in all world capitals.

Electromobility is becoming a necessity, and the Government of the Republic of Serbia is making an effort to promote the development and use of hybrid and electric vehicles, as well as the construction of the supporting infrastructure. As part of the implementation of measures for air quality improvement and with the aim to improve the quality of the environment, our government has passed a Decree which directly encourages the use of an environmentally friendly mode of transport. The right to a subsidised purchase of vehicles for legal entities and individuals has been prescribed by law. Subsidies apply to mopeds, light tricycles, motorcycles, passenger vehicles with a maximum of nine seats and light trucks. All this can be found on the website of the Ministry of Environmental Protection.

In focus:

The plan is to encourage innovation, particularly on the subject of urban mobility, as well as the development of new models of intercity transport for passengers and goods. I would say that river and railway transport have been neglected in recent decades, and not only in our country, but it is one of the initiatives of the European Green Plan. The construction of the railway to Budapest and the connection with Thessaloniki, on which the government is working intensively, will undoubtedly make a significant contribution to the reduction of carbon emissions, especially in the zone of Belgrade-Nis motorway, one of the vital Balkan roads.

EP: Is there a plan to draft new regulations on incentives, particularly the cofinancing the purchase of electric vehicles?

Ivan Karic I am sure that in the coming period, we must contemplate new regulations that would include a wide range of hybrid and electric vehicles, as well as fuel cell vehicles. They need to include buses, trucks and other vehicles that are already widely used in Europe. Such incentives are favourable for the economy, business and affect the air quality, which is of major significance. Imagine what it would mean for public companies and city public transport to switch to alternative propulsion systems. How much savings it would bring to the business, and above all how much the air quality in the most polluted city streets would improve. Not only that but what is most important to me personally, is how much it would reduce the number of respiratory and other diseases, especially with children. I want to emphasise that the future must be without fossil fuels, and I am satisfied that Serbia is already preparing for that transition.

Photo-illustration: Pixabay

The use of bicycles and walking is not only environmentally friendly but also a health matter of much more significance. Every individual within a society should be able to recognise the importance of protecting their health status. It can be achieved with mobility, physical activity, by walking, cycling or using public transport.

In order to achieve the goals of cycling mobility development in urban and rural areas, the Republic of Serbia has planned a significant number of bicycle paths, the socalled “bicycle streets”, keeping in view the increasing number of electric scooters. The promotion of cycling in the mountains of southwestern Serbia aims to present the landscape diversity, unique multicultural heritage and the original local population, colourful and attractive local customs, which are interesting to visitors, all with the desire to discover the unexplored landscapes and experiences and not just as mere tourists. This is indeed a specific type of economic development, and many countries have adopted a serious approach towards it. For us, the environmentalists, the improvement of health status that comes with it is equally important.

Within the principles of the circular economy, we should certainly think about mass purchases of bicycles through subsidies. From the remuneration for pollution from exhaust emissions from vehicles on fossil fuels, we should not only finance the purchase of bikes but also encourage their domestic production. We still remember factories and companies where people came to work exclusively by bicycle, and most of them were domestically produced. I am a great advocate of the safe return of bicycles to the streets of Serbian towns and villages, and I, myself very often use a bicycle as a means of transportation, but also for recreation with my family.

EP: You participated in the establishment of the automatic monitoring station in Obrenovac for twenty-four-hour air qu- ality monitoring and providing real-time information. What do you consider a key element in the fight against air pollution in Serbia?

Photo-illustration: Pixabay

Ivan Karic The Ecology Fund of the Municipality of Obrenovac was one of the first local green funds in Serbia. Fifteen years ago, I was the Deputy Director of the Eco Fund, and I launched an initiative to establish a continuous automatic system for air quality monitoring, primarily dueto poor environmental conditions in this city and the presence of large thermal power plants. I wanted the data to be available to all citizens, in realtime, 24 hours a day. The goal was to deliver complete daily information on pollution, similar to the reports on meteorological conditions, and I am glad that we succeeded in that. I can say that I am proud that we were the sole local government that has been doing that. We were monitoring the content of SO2, PM10, NOx and had an internet connection. After that, the electric power industry invested considerable funds in environmental protection.

I am confident that the installation of air quality monitoring stations across Serbia is the first and most important step, and not only for air monitoring but also surface and groundwater, as well as soil. Accurate and accessible information is the foundation in the fight against pollution, and we are achieving that due to modern technologies. Today, as part of the system which is monitored by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and the Environ- mental Protection Agency, there are more than 50 measuring points, which can be read in realtime. That is still an insufficient number; therefore, it is steadily increasing following the plans for the improvement and expansion of measuring points. After all, it is part of our obligations to meet environmental standards during negotiations with the European Union.

Interview by: Jelena Cvetic

Read the whole interview in the new issue of the Energy portal Magazine SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT, september-november, 2020.

The Year that COVID Built: a Look Back on 2020

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Duncan Shaffer)
Photo-illustration: Pixabay

What will you remember about 2020?

Many of us suffered loss of loved ones from the pandemic; even more of us have seen our livelihoods put in peril.

But there are some memories we will all share – captured in the news media that serve as the ‘first draft of history’.

COVID

In January no one had heard of COVID-19 – because the virus that was emerging in Wuhan, China did not yet have an official name.

This news conference during the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting in Davos shows how much we did and didn’t know back then.

More:

Climate change

A confident US President Donald Trump addressed the Annual Meeing in Davos, where he called climate change activists “prophets of doom”.

Foto: Wikipedia/Lëa-Kim Châteauneuf

Swedish teenager Greta Thunberg expressed her anger at the world’s lack of action to prevent climate catastrophe.

BLACK LIVES MATTER

The killing of George Floyd by US police in May sent shockwaves around the world.

US election, BREXIT, and fake news

US politics gave journalists new opportunities to cast events unfolding around them as ‘unprecedented’. 

And while 2020 began with the UK finally leaving the European Union, it will end with uncertainty about what happens next when a year-long transition period ends.

Fake news, ever-present in 2020, prompted the World Health Organization to warn of an ‘infodemic’ of misinformation about the virus and potential treatments and vaccines.

And finally 

Looking to hear some reassuring words from a reassuring voice? Sir Ian McKellen tells us it will be alright in the end.

Source: World Economic Forum

The Ambassador of Hungary, Attilával Pintér: Energy Security is an Imperative Both For Hungary and Serbia

Photo-illustration: Pixabay
Photo: Hungarian Embassy

There are a lot of things Hungary has been doing in recent years that not only countries in the region but in the whole Europe can take as an example. Although there we should also include how successful they were combating the first wave of the Covid-19, we will keep our focus on the energy and ecology sector where Hungary in a short span of time has scored the impressive results. Above all, there is a record in environmental improving which has been noted as a huge success on a global level too. Even though there is no the separate Ministry for environmental protection, Hungarian Government introduced efficient measures and managed to save the habitats, clean the air in the cities and provide stable electricity supply with the increasing share of renewables, which in return brought some interesting scores, among which the fact that the purchase of vehicles on alternative fuels in the EU has increased the most in Hungary in the first quarter of this year. The Ambassador of Hungary in Serbia Attilával Pintér believes that they owe their success to an approach taken by the Government who doesn’t take and solve ecological problems as isolated cases but more like a mutual problem of all the sectors in the economy. He is equally assured that the cooperation between our two countries in the field of energy and ecology will improve the lives of all our citizens and promote European integration of Serbia.

EP: Hungary is currently on the 33rd place on the EPI list (Environmental Protection Index), and just two years ago you were on the 43rd place. How did you manage to improve the index in such a short notice, especially given that you are one of the four countries in the world which do not have an independent Ministry of Environmental protection?

Photo-illustration: Pixabay

Attilával Pintér: Yes, the EPI ranking is really impressive. Moreover, Hungary’s improvements in the field of environmental protection are also acknowledged by relevant international organizations. According to OECD, Hungary has made “significant progress” in decoupling its output economic growth from environmental pressures by gradually reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The Hungarian Government has introduced substantial measures in favor of meeting targeted environmental objectives, not only in a narrow sense but also within other economic sectors. In the case of complex environmental issues, the measures must be implemented in all relevant sectors in order to improve the state of the environment significantly. I believe that the EPI ranking also attests to the success of integrating environmental policy as a cross-cutting/cross-sectoral issue. The Hungarian Government is working on and allocating considerable resources in favor of fostering economic development while maintaining and sustainably utilizing natural resources. For this purpose, responsible ministries cooperate closely and endeavor to prevent the emergence of environmental problems. These problems are not only isolated cases. Therefore, we are implementing a comprehensive environment policy planning.

In focus:

EP: According to this ranking, the weakest points of Hungary in terms of environmental protection are the loss of forests and wetlands as well as the air quality. What are the plans for tackling these problems?

Photo-illustration: Pixabay

Attilával Pintér: The mentioned -4.1 percent change within 10 years in a forested area is based on the Global Forest Watch data, which in our opinion is inherently less capable to provide reliable information on forest cover changes in the case of smaller countries. Hungary has nearly doubled its forest area since the post-World Wars era – increasing its forest land from 12 percent to 21 percent (1,867,479 ha in 2018), reflecting a significant increase. Forests are under strict legal protection in Hungary, reinforced by our strategic vision to continue the cultivation work. Guided by such aims, we increased the unit prices of afforestation subsidies in 2019 and launched a national program to increase areas with tree cover. Our latest campaign for increasing areas covered by forests has been just launched on 11 September by our Minister of Agriculture. From 2007 onwards, more than 75 billion HUF (approx. 210 million EUR) have been invested into, among others, restoration of degraded natural habitats – including wetlands and forests  and into improving the efficiency of habitat management. The focus of these projects is mostly the remaining parts of our formerly vast grasslands that often create a mosaic-like pattern with wetland habitats. It is of utmost importance to maintain the achieved good condition after habitat restoration. One of the key instruments to this end is livestock pasturing (Hungarian Grey Cattle, Water Buffalo, Racka Sheep or Hucul Horses), which also serves gene preservation purposes. Water deficiency and a disturbed hydrological regime are problematic both in grasslands and in wetlands. Numerous projects aim at ensuring water supply in some of Hungary’s large wetlands, such as mortlakes, bogs and lakes. Air quality in Hungary generally corresponds to the EU average. However, it does not mean that we can be relaxed at this regard. Moreover, air quality improvement requires concerted national and international efforts from various sectors such as the energy sector, transportation, agriculture, industry or households. Both households and the mobility sector have huge potential for further improvments. Increasing electromobility is a key policy objective in Hungary. We are also taking steps to introduce green buses in our public transport system. The national bus strategy aims to replace the 7,500 buses used in public transport in the next 10 years with new buses that meet environmental criteria with at least 50 percent domestic added value, so passengers should be able to travel with green buses. Emissions caused by household heating also presents a challenge for us, for which we launched the socalled “Heat wise!” awareness-raising campaign. With the timely implementation of our National Air Pollution Control Program, ambitious emission reduction obligations can be fulfilled, and air quality is expected to improve

EP: Hungary is planning to phase out coal-fired electricity generation by 2050 to help reduce emissions and tackle climate change. Does that goal in 2020 seem achievable?

Attilával Pintér: Based on the latest currently available Eurostat data, Hungary is meeting its share of renewable energy over its time-proportionate commitment. The RES share was 12.5 percent in 2018, which is close to the 13 percent plan for 2020. There has been a spectacular increase in the renewable electricity sector and the renewable share in the transport sector is steadily increasing, too. The most dynamic growth has been shown by solar energy. Photovoltaic power generation is expected to double every year, just as it has in the past four years. We also want to give new inputs to the expansion of geothermal energy use.

EP: A Hungarian enterprise has started to produce solar collecting pavement blocks from recycled plastic, and even the international press caught attention. Do you have similar patents which are environmentally friendly?

Photo-illustration: Pixabay

Attilával Pintér: Yes, the great thing in the so-called Patio panels is that they are 90 percent made of recycled materials, which is to be further improved to 100 percent. With this invention the Hungarian enterprise got to the list of New Europe 100, that ranks the most promising start-ups. Such smart eco-innovations have great potential both to tackle environmental problems and to create new business opportunities. I think we can be proud of our internationally acknowledged scientists and patents invented by them during the course of history. There are several initiatives, technical solutions for improving environmental quality. To mention one, a Hungarian engineer has invented a radically new procedure to make car washing more environmentally-friendly. Based on nanotechnology, the new method removes dirt stuck onto the hood of a car with using 1.5 decilitres of water and a tissue paper. There is an endless list of great ideas. Let me draw your attention to the Budapest Sustainability EXPO and Summit 2021, where we are expecting to welcome enterprises from all around the world with their innovative products or services that can solve environmental problems. I truly hope that Serbian companies will be interested and use the exhibition to find business opportunities. 

Interview by: Nevena Djukic

Read the whole interview in the new issue of the Energy portal Magazine SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT, september-november, 2020.

 

 

Scotland Plans To Protect 30 percent Of Its Land To Boost Biodiversity

Photo-illustration: Pixabay
Photo-illustration: Pixabay

Scotland is famous for whiskey, haggis and stunning scenery; rolling hills, snow-capped mountains and more than 30,000 freshwater lochs. It is also home to around 90,000 species of animals, microbes and plants.

Now, plans are being proposed to protect as much as one-third of its nature. If enacted, the new laws will help safeguard Scottish biodiversity and the natural economy, which has been valued at around $39 billion.

“Dealing with the twin crises of climate change and biodiversity loss is one of the most important challenges of this generation,” Scotland’s Environment Secretary, Roseanna Cunningham said, announcing the project.

Nature: A hard-working economic asset

The plans would see 30 percent of Scottish land given protected status – up from 22.7 percent – and the government will look into options to extend this even further. Currently, 37 percent of Scotland’s marine environment receives protection.

More:

The Scottish Government is also due to update its Climate Change Plan, with nature-based solutions, including restoring peatland and woodland creation, expected to be central to proposals.

There are direct links between the health of the natural world and the global economy.

“Pollinators such as bees, birds and butterflies are estimated to be responsible for between $235 and $577 billion worth of crops every year,” according to the WWF Living Planet Index 2020.

The combined threats of climate change, loss of habitat, disease, pollution and pests are putting increasing pressure on pollinating insects, and many other living creatures. Since the 1970s, global populations of amphibians, birds, fish, mammals and reptiles have plummeted by around 68 percent, WWF says.

Scotland: In tune with global initiatives

Photo-illustration: Pixabay

Scotland’s Loch Ness, home to the eponymous mythical monster, is part of a series of important ecological sites. It holds 7,452 million cubic metres of water: more than all the lakes in England and Wales added together.

The lochs were formed by glacial erosion during the last major ice age and can be important wildlife habitats. Despite their remote locations, they face threats from two particular sources. One is pollution, which can change the balance of nutrients in the water. The other is an increase in the number of invasive plant species finding their way into the ecosystem.

The World Economic Forum’s Young Global Leaders initiative is working in collaboration with the National Geographic Society and other communities to address some of these issues. Announced in 2019, its Campaign for Nature is seeking to promote biodiversity and ecological stewardship.

One of the goals of the Campaign for Nature is to protect at least 30 percent of the natural world by 2030, which is echoed in the plans for Scotland’s natural environment.

Source: World Economic Forum

Airbus Plans to Launch a Carbon-Free Aircraft by 2035

Photo illustration: Unsplash (G-R Mottez)
Photo illustration: Unsplash (Sebastian Grochowicz)

Airbus has unveiled three visual concepts for “zero emission” airplanes to be powered by hydrogen.

It is the planemaker’s latest effort to draw public attention to its “zero-emission” ambitions as European governments push for cleaner technology in their post-COVID recovery plans.

Airbus has set itself a deadline of 2035 to put a carbon-free commercial aircraft into service, a target engine makers like Safran have described as ambitious.

The “ZEROe” initiative includes concepts for two conventional-looking aircraft: a turbofan jet engine able to carry 120-200 people over 2,000 nautical miles (3,700 km) and a turboprop able to carry up to 100 people for 1,000 nm.

Unlike normal planes, the engines would be adapted to burn liquid hydrogen stored in the rear fuselage.

A third proposal incorporates a revolutionary “blended wing body” design similar to one presented in February.

At the same time, Airbus is working on a demonstrator, with initial results expected in 2021.

More:

“The demonstrator will allow us to assess what the most promising architecture is,” Airbus Chief Technology Officer Grazia Vittadini said in an interview.

“We see it as applicable to all Airbus products eventually.”

Photo-illustration: Pixabay

To meet its 2035 goal, Airbus would need to select technologies by 2025, she said. Other industry executives said such a clean break in propulsion could take until 2040.

Challenges include finding ways to safely store volatile liquid hydrogen during flight at very cold temperatures.

Airbus dismissed concerns that hydrogen would be unsafe and has called for massive investment in new energy infrastructure.

While hydrogen has been discussed since the 1970s, it remains too expensive for widespread use. Proponents say infrastructure investment and rising demand will lower the cost.

Most hydrogen used today is extracted from natural gas, which creates carbon emissions.

However, Airbus said the hydrogen used for aviation would be produced from renewable energy and extracted from water with electrolysis. That’s a carbon-free process if powered by renewable electricity, but it is currently more expensive.

Source: World Economic Forum 

Serbia Completes Modernisation of Water and Wastewater Network in Subotica

Foto-ilustracija: Unsplash (Szabolcs Szarapka)
Photo: JKP Vodovod i kanalizacija Subotica

Serbia’s northern city of Subotica is now equipped with a modern water and wastewater network and facilities thanks to a decade-long engineering endeavour supported by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the European Union (EU) and bilateral donors under the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF).

The new network improves the quality of water supply, wastewater disposal and treatment services in Subotica. It also allows the city with a population of 140,000 to connect around 12,000 more citizens to the sewerage network, bringing coverage up to 60 percent of the population.

The improved wastewater treatment system also prevents the pollution of Lake Palić, one of the top five tourist destinations in Serbia and located on the outskirts of Subotica.

In addition, the new system has the technological capacity to produce energy from waste and currently produces 25 to 40 percent of its total energy needs. 

The new infrastructure makes Subotica one of the first cities in Serbia with modern water and wastewater infrastructure in line with EU standards. It is estimated that only around 10 percent of wastewater in Serbia is treated and only around 46 percent of the population is connected to the sewerage system. In many cases, the existing infrastructure is also outdated and in need of investment.

More:

The completion of the project was marked with a stakeholders’ visit today to the new water treatment plant, which will improve water supply and ensure sufficient quantities of quality drinking water.

The EBRD, the EU and bilateral donors have supported Subotica since 2010 when the city started modernising its wastewater treatment plant and constructing a sludge line. The city then continued to upgrade its network by extending its sewerage network and constructing collectors and additional water pipelines, among other things.

Photo: JKP Vodovod i kanalizacija Subotica

The EBRD provided close to EUR 20 million in loans, while the EU and bilateral donors provided EUR 7 million worth of investment grants and technical assistance.

Zsuzsanna Hargitai, EBRD Regional Director, Western Balkans and Head of Serbia, said: “We hope to see more cities in Serbia follow the example of Subotica and invest in their wastewater and water infrastructure. The EBRD, the European Union as well as bilateral donor countries are focused on supporting the transition to a green economy and there has never been stronger momentum to invest in green infrastructure. It is an opportunity not to be missed in order to upgrade networks of cities and municipalities to the benefit of citizens and the environment.”

Martin Klaucke, Operations Section at the EU Delegation to Serbia said: “This is another milestone for Serbia to become greener and to protect its citizens and foster a brighter future. Subotica is, of course, only one area in Serbia where we have invested in water purification. In the Raška area, for instance, we have also invested more than EUR 6 million in a wastewater treatment plant. European integration for Serbia is not an abstract thing; it is something people can see and feel in their own homes through cleaner and safer water for them and their children. Protecting the environment means protecting the people. That is what the EU is about: a better life for the people.”

The EBRD is a leading institutional investor in Serbia. The Bank has invested more than EUR 6.3 billion across 277 projects in the country to date. The EBRD is focusing on support for private-sector development, the improvement of public utility services and on the overall transition towards a green economy.

Source: EBRD

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