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France Pledges €90 million for WHO Academy

Photo-illustration: Pixabay

France’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Mr Jean-Yves Le Drian, and Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus,  Director-General of WHO today met at the Permanent Mission of France to the United Nations in Geneva to discuss the WHO Academy, which will be the world’s largest and most innovative lifelong learning platform in global health.

Photo-illustration: Pixabay

The WHO Academy aims to reach millions of people worldwide, offering high-tech learning environments at a “hub” in Lyon with “spokes” in the six WHO regions. The Academy will provide learning opportunities for leaders, educators, researchers, health workers, WHO staff and the broader public, and will deliver high quality, multilingual learning, both online and in-person, alongside a cutting-edge simulation centre for health emergencies.

The discussion today follows a Declaration of Intent signed by Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic and Dr Tedros on 11 June 2019, and a pledge by France in the amount of US$ 100 million (€ 90 million) to WHO to support the creation of the WHO Academy, which will be established as an internal division within WHO.

“Technology and innovation in learning are creating exciting new opportunities to accelerate progress towards health for all in every country,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of WHO. “The WHO Academy will support millions of learners to maximize health impacts with the best evidence, adult learning approaches and state-of-the-art technologies.”

By propelling and strengthening digital innovations and lifelong learning opportunities around the world, the WHO Academy will play an instrumental role towards achieving WHO’s triple billion goal by 2023 and the health Sustainable Development Goals: 1 billion more people will benefit from universal health coverage; 1 billion more will be better protected in health emergencies, and 1 billion more will enjoy improved health and wellbeing.

The funding from France represents a commitment to accelerate the development of the WHO Academy, and confirms the engagement of France — a longstanding partner of WHO and a key actor in global health – and its strong support to the ambitions of 13th WHO General Programme of Work to ensure healthy lives and well-being for all ages.

Source: WHO

ABB’s Success Formula

Photo: ABB
Photo: ABB

Presenting a world-class company that achieves notable results in numerous areas can be a challenging task. One of those companies is ABB, which is paving the way for the future by introducing innumerable innovations in the power equipment, electric drive, industrial automation and robotics segments. That is just one part of their business, as ABB is recognised as a company (that is) very active in the fields of renewable energy and energy efficiency. It is natural that in this pursuit of innovation, they have not neglected electromobility. They have even joined forces with Formula E, revealing to us year after year how traffic will look in the near future. We asked Milan Jevremovic, Industry Segment Manager and Electric Motor Drives Sector Manager of ABB Serbia, how they would further develop ABB and in what areas their progress would most affect the growth of the whole society.

EP: How would you present the company you work for? Would you point out a ground-breaking partnership with Formula E?

Milan Jevremovic: ABB is an innovative technology leader leading the digitalisation of the industry. With a legacy of over 130 years of innovation, today ABB is comprised of four global customer-focused business sectors: Electrification, Industrial Automation, Motion and Robotics & Discrete Automation, all supported by the common ABB Ability™ digital platform.

In addition to products that directly or indirectly reduce energy consumption, whose innovations we are constantly working on, we also offer solutions for almost every type of industry. There is also a range of products for renewable energy sources that our teams are constantly refining to make the most of these types of green energy.

Photo: ABB

We are also teaming up with Formula E in a revolutionary partnership to foster the future of sustainable e-mobility. As the title sponsor of this competition, we have been raising environmental awareness for the sixth consecutive year and working on improving e-mobility.

Since its first race in Beijing in September 2014, Formula E has proven to be the number one in all international electric motorsports. In the next phase of development, the global leader in innovative technology, ABB gives its name, innovation and technological leadership to the series, which will now be known as the ABB FIA Formula E Championship.

Formula E serves as a concrete platform for the development and testing of electrification and digitalisation technologies relevant to e-mobility, helping to improve the design and functionality of electric vehicles and infra-structure, as well as related digital platforms. By joining forces, ABB and Formula E are ideally positioned to push
the boundaries of e-mobility.

EP: As a responsible company, ABB also participates in the education and professional practice of students of electrical engineering. So far, you have had many donations and competitions for students. Which ones would you single out as most important?

Milan Jevremovic: For many years ABB has been cooperating with all faculties of electrical engineering in Serbia through various activities. This year ABB donated top-quality equipment that made it possible for the H-Bridges team FROM the Faculty of Electrical Engineering to test their prototype converter for electric bikes, which we believe helped them win first place in the International Future Energy Challenge (IFEC). Since ABB Serbia donated equipment ten years ago, when this team also won first place in the IFEC competition, I think we found a formula for success.

Through many donations to the various departments of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering in Belgrade, the Faculty of Technical Sciences in Novi Sad and the Faculty of Electronic Engineering in Nis, ABB continually assists these faculties so that students have access to and keep up with the latest technologies. In addition to donations to faculties, ABB also helps electrical engineering high schools.

Last year, we also established our robotics competition that we plan to make a tradition. Namely, ABB Serbia is the general sponsor of the competition called “ABB Robo Challenge – Touch the Future” within the seminar “Brand New Engineers – From Integral to Engineer”, organised by the Association of Students of Electrical Engineering of Europe (EESTEC) in cooperation with the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, the University of Belgrade.

The second ABB Robo Challenge Student Competition was held in mid-November. A total of 12 formed teams competed in a 24-hour hackathon that involves working on a computer in the form of optimising a robot management solution in the ABB RobotStudio, software simulation environment. The two best teams made it to the finals and had the opportunity to implement their solution on a real ABB industrial robot.

Back in 2012, we established the annual award for the best student in a group of subjects from the Electrical Drives, the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, the University of Belgrade.

That is only part of what ABB has been doing for years to give students the opportunity to get the best possible application of knowledge in practice, and of course, we will continue to strive to provide them with an even better practical education.

In focus:

EP: When it comes to renewable energy sources, ABB also has success in this regard. Is this year even better than the previous ones, given that things are slowly changing in Serbia and both companies and individuals are thinking about the renewables more and more?

Milan Jevremovic: Our company has been working on solar power plant projects since 1990, mostly in the field of solar inverters, but also in switchgears and substations for this application. The number of solar inverters we have installed so far is slightly less than two million units, and the total power of the solar power plants that ABB participated in exceeds 20 GW.

When it comes to Serbia, more than 70 per cent of installed inverters at all solar power plants are manufactured by our company. We are most proud of the 2 largest solar power plants – Solaris 1 and Solaris 2 – which have almost 2 MW of installed power in total, but also the solar power plant on the roof of the IKEA department store with the installed capacity of 300 kW.

After a slight slack in the last two years, the solar power market in Serbia has awakened this year. For industrial plants, the construction of solar power plants has become cost-effective due to changes in the price of electricity and the fall in the price of equipment, which is why more and more companies in Serbia are opting to invest in solar power plants, even without state incentives. These are also the reasons why we sold another megawatt of solar inverters for three power plants this year. The installation of solar panels is also becoming profitable for households, and therefore a slight increase in installed solar panels on the roofs of houses across Serbia is quite logical. We expect that interest in solar energy will become even greater due to the new increase in the price of electricity that is about to come.

When it comes to other renewables, I must point out the important point that ABB participated in connecting all wind farms built in Serbia to the distribution system. It is very likely that some pieces of our equipment are contained in the wind turbines themselves, but we do not have this information since they come with the equipment already installed.

EP: In your opinion, what else does the state need to do to have more solar panels on the roofs of our buildings and houses since a significant number of sunny hours in Serbia enables the use of this energy?

Milan Jevremovic:The time of financial incentives for solar power plants has passed, both in the world and in our country, primarily due to falling prices and availability of equipment. The state should facilitate the procedures for construction and the possibility of transferring energy to the grid, and thus enable a larger number of small producers to connect to the system more easily. There is an economic calculation right now, but people give up because of extensive and complicated procedures. The state needs to simplify this, and then the number of solar panels on the roofs of our houses and buildings will increase.

We hope that “net metering” will be introduced soon, and the by-laws are being drafted by the Ministry of Mining and Energy, which would greatly help to promote this energy source.

Foto: ABB

EP: Several wind farms have been built in Serbia, have any of them installed ABB equipment? Do you expect a higher share of wind farms in the energy mix?

Milan Jevremovic: As I mentioned earlier, ABB equipment is installed in all wind farms in Serbia. Starting with our biggest Dolovo wind farm with ABB protection and high voltage equipment installed at 400 kV plant, then in Kovacica wind farm – 220 kV plant where complete ABB equipment was installed, at 110 kV substation in Alibunar wind farm, and right next to it also 35 kV substation Mali Bunar. Besides, ABB’s equipment also exists in smaller wind farms in Kula and Pecinci, where our medium voltage equipment is installed. We will continue to participate in the construction of wind farms, as their number will increase in these areas since four more parks have been planned in Vojvodina, as well as the wind farm planned by EPS in Kostolac. There are also two reasons for this increase. The first is the new feed-in tariffs expected from the state, and the second reason is that, regardless of the state’s privileges, private individuals will make their arrangements for exporting that green energy or eventual sale in Serbia.

EP: ABB’s technological advancements have been built into the world’s second largest hydropower plant. Can you tell us a little more about that?

Milan Jevremovic: In the area of hydropower plants, ABB has comprehensive technological knowledge necessary for the optimised and efficient operation of the plant, from mini hydropower plants to large reversible hydropower plants. With a tradition of over 125 years in the development of technologies and solutions, ABB has acquired competence and experience through the execution of hundreds of projects around the world and through various services throughout the life span of the hydropower plant. ABB offers integrated solutions for instrumentation, control and all electrical equipment required in power generation – from planning to service support during exploitation. The seamless integration of energy and automation provides customers with comprehensive operational capabilities with all the information they need about the process, field equipment and electrical components.

Interview by: Nevena Djukic

Read the whole article in the new issue of Energy portal Magazine GRINNOVATIONS, December 2019 – February 2020.

Resalta Signs Thermal Energy Outsourcing partnership with Zagreb International Airport

Foto: Wikipedia

Resalta is proud to announce its latest project in Croatia with one of its largest clients to date: Resalta will be undertaking complete thermal energy outsourcing for Zagreb International Airport over the next twenty years. Located in Velika Gorica, southeast of the capital city, the airport is the largest and busiest in Croatia, and one of the most important transport hubs in the Western Balkans. Its new terminal was officially inaugurated in 2017 and handled 3.45 million passengers and 13,000 tons of cargo last year. Further extensions are envisaged for when the maximum capacity of 5 million passengers a year is reached, which will allow the airport to handle up to 8 million visitors each year.

Foto: Resalta

The energy outsourcing partnership signed with Resalta will allow the client, MZLZ d.o.o. (Medjunarodna Zracna Luka Zagreb, the management company that operates the airport) to focus on its core business and improving passenger experience without having to worry about energy supply for the next two decades. Under the terms of the contract, Resalta sells thermal energy to the airport, provides all operations and maintenance services as well as 24/7 customer service and is equipped to expand thermal capacity as the client’s consumption increases to match the growth of its business.

“Zagreb Airport carefully selected the outsourcing model of thermal energy production and invested time and effort in preparation of the process, requiring high quality of heating supply so that all passengers, employees and guests in passenger terminals may feel comfortable. Resalta took over the responsibility of heating supply at Zagreb Airport and fulfilled our expectations in delivery of high-quality service,” said Huseyin Bahadir Bedir, CEO of Zagreb International Airport.

To begin with, Resalta has implemented a complete renovation of the airport’s largest boiler room. Resalta removed three of the existing small 2.3 MW boilers and installed two new boilers of 4.2 MW each, with combined natural gas-fuel oil burners, alongside 1 new 6 MW gas and oil burner. One of the old boilers was retained as a contingency solution for periods of peak demand. Moreover, Resalta is providing a new boiler safety and regulation system, as well as all the associated installations, and has fully renovated the boiler room housing the new equipment.

Besides providing project design and implementation, Resalta has also provided 100% of financing for this energy renovation project. Under the terms of the contract, Resalta retains ownership of the new equipment in the heating system and the boiler room, selling the produced heat to the Zagreb International Airport operator, MZLZ. In order to do so, Resalta has also taken over a team of seven on site staff who provide constant technical support and maintenance of the asset to ensure perfect functioning and adequate supply at all times. The twenty-year energy supply contract covers equipment warranties and all associated guarantees, as well as regular servicing and intervention maintenance over the entire heat distribution network.

The advantage of energy outsourcing is that the partner, Resalta, takes on all the risks (related to design, financing, project implementation, equipment installation, performance and maintenance) and full responsibility for providing heating to every segment of the airport, from passenger lounges to air control towers and other facilities within the complex. By outsourcing such a complicated energy supply system, the client no longer has to handle maintenance, subcontractors, insurance companies or other third parties but has streamlined its processes, leaving everything up to Resalta’s expertise. The client’s only obligation is a monthly payment for energy consumption.

The new system was carefully elaborated after thorough measurements and modelling of real heat consumption within all airport facilities. The system also allows for adding new boilers to meet the growing demand that is expected as the airport receives an increasing number of passengers each year. Furthermore, while natural gas is the energy source, all the boilers are nevertheless combined natural gas and crude oil boilers. This ensures that the airport’s heating systems can continue to function even in the event of a shortage of natural gas supply. Resalta as a reliable and trusted energy services expert is fully prepared to meet the challenges of Zagreb International Airport’s growth over the next twenty years.

Denis Nikola Kulisic, director of Resalta Croatia and head of ESCO services for the Resalta group, said: “This project is a milestone for Resalta and we are proud to have been trusted with such an important mission from Zagreb International Airport. Energy outsourcing is an increasingly growing part of our energy services offering, as clients understand the advantages of entrusting their energy supply to a specialized partner. We are looking forward to the next 20 years with our new partner, MZLZ.”

Resalta is the leading independent energy services provider in SEE and has realized over 180 projects for over 120 clients. A dynamic, fast-growing company, Resalta works with both public and private clients to finance, design and implement projects that reduce energy consumption, lower CO2 emissions and promote sustainability while generating cost savings. Besides being present in Bulgaria, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Slovenia, Resalta has expanded to the Czech Republic, Italy and Poland as well, offering the same impeccable quality of service throughout Central and Southeastern Europe.

Source: Resalta

This Is the Carbon Footprint of Your Internet Activity

Photo-illustration: Pixabay
  • Data centres processing and storing the world’s data already use around 1% of the electricity we generate, according to the IEA.
  • Computing is expected to account for up to 8% of global power demand by 2030.
  • The emissions associated with everyday computing could be surprisingly high.
Photo-illustration: Pixabay

A stone’s throw from a power station on the barren outskirts of Tbilisi, Georgia’s capital, a grey warehouse surrounded by metal containers hums to the sound of money.

Inside, hundreds of computer servers work continuously to solve complicated mathematical equations generating the digital currency Bitcoin – burning enough electricity to power tens of thousands of homes in the process.

“Any high-performance computing … is energy intensive,” explained Joe Capes of global blockchain company The Bitfury Group, which operates the facility in Tbilisi.

Cryptocurrencies are one of several new technologies, like artificial intelligence and 5G networks, that climate experts worry could derail efforts to tackle global warming by consuming ever-growing amounts of power.

Data centres processing and storing data from online activities, such as sending emails and streaming videos, already account for about 1% of global electricity use, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).

That’s about the same amount of electricity that Australia consumes in a year.

But as societies become more digitalised, computing is expected to account for up to 8% of the world’s total power demand by 2030, according to some estimates, raising fears this could lead to the burning of more fossil fuels.

“If we don’t take into account the carbon footprint, we are going to have a climate change nightmare coming from information technology,” said Babak Falsafi, a professor of computer and communication science at the Federal Polytechnic School of Lausanne.

Efficient Data

One solution is to improve the efficiency of data centres, which is something operators are naturally prone to do since electricity accounts for a large share of their running costs, according to data experts.

“As a rule of thumb, a megawatt costs a million dollars per year … This obviously catches management’s attention,” said Dale Sartor, who oversees the U.S. Department of Energy’s Center of Expertise for Data Centers in Berkeley, California.

Energy demand from data centres in the United States has remained largely flat over the past decade as improvements in computing have allowed processors to do more with the same amount of power, he told the Thomson Reuters Foundation by phone.

But that is set to change, predict tech analysts.

The 50-year-old trend known as Moore’s Law, which has seen computer chips double in capacity every two years, is expected to slow down as it becomes harder to add any more transistors to a chip.

Some companies have been looking at other ways to make savings.

In Georgia, where most electricity is generated by hydropower, Bitfury deployed a system to reduce the energy needed to cool down its heating servers.

Cooling can account for up to half of a data centre’s total energy use, the company says.

While some of its processors are still cooled with outside air, others are immersed inside metal tanks filled with a special liquid with a low boiling point.

As the liquid boils, the vapour transfers heat away from the processors, keeping them fresh and allowing the company to do away with fans and save water.

“Air is free … but it is not efficient,” explained Capes, who heads Bitfury’s liquid cooling technology subsidiary, adding that the system consumes 40% less electricity than traditional air cooling solutions.

Others have taken similar steps.

A Google data centre in Finland uses recycled seawater to reduce energy use while some companies have opened facilities near the Arctic Circle to benefit from naturally cold air.

But improving efficiency “can only get you so far”, said Elizabeth Jardim, a senior corporate campaigner at environmental group Greenpeace. “At some point you will have to address the type of energy that is powering the facility.”

Tech giants including Facebook, Google, Apple, Amazon and Microsoft have committed to using only renewable energy but some still use fossil fuels, and more needs to be done to bring others on board, she said.

Jardim suggested governments enact policies to incentivise tech companies to procure green energy and increase transparency around the data sector’s carbon footprint.

Less Cat Videos

Meanwhile, internet users can also play a role by switching to greener companies or simply reducing their data use, said Jardim.

“Right now data pretty much is equivalent to energy, so the more data something takes the more energy you can assume it’s using,” she said.

Simply sending a photo by email can emit about the same amount of planet-warming gases as driving a car for a kilometre, said Luigi Carafa, executive director of the Climate Infrastructure Partnership, a Barcelona-based non-profit.

“The problem is we don’t really see this, so we don’t perceive it as a problem at all,” he said by phone.

A 2019 study by energy supplier OVO Energy found that if Britons sent one less email a day the country could reduce its carbon output by the equivalent of more than 81,000 flights from London to Madrid.

Global online video viewings alone generated as many carbon emissions as the whole of Spain in 2018, according to French think tank The Shift Project.

“People can already reduce their carbon emissions today if they stop watching cat videos,” said Falsafi, the Lausanne professor, who heads the university’s research centre for sustainable computing, EcoCloud.

“Unfortunately, they are neither aware of the issue nor incentivised to reduce carbon emissions.”

Source: WEF

Greece Welcomes UNWTO Support for Sustainable Tourism Growth

Photo-illustration: Pixabay
Photo: UNWTO

The Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) paid a high-level visit to Greece to meet with the Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism and offer the United Nations’ specialized agency’s support as the country works to grow and diversify its tourism sector.

Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili was in Athens for high-level talks with political leaders, as well as high-level representatives from across the private sector. The discussions focused on the key issues of harnessing tourism as a driver of education and opportunities for all, encouraging entrepreneurship and promoting tourism investment.

Mr Pololiksahvili said: “Greece is one of the world’s true tourism leaders. They also chair the UNWTO Regional Commission for Europe, highlighting the country’s commitment to international cooperation and to sustainable and responsible tourism.” Looking forward to returning to Greece in the very near future, he added: “I am delighted to be further strengthening our partnership and look forward to working more closely with Greece to make sure as many people as possible, including rural and coastal communities, are able to enjoy the many benefits tourism can bring.”

Photo: UNWTO

Greece Committed to Working with UNWTO

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis welcomed UNWTO’s visit and support of the national tourism sector and showed a sincere interest for prospects of the cooperation with the Greek tourism sector. At the same time, Minister of Tourism for Greece Harry Theocharis expressed his thanks to the UNWTO for the official visit and welcomed its readiness to work alongside Greece in promoting year-round tourism and digital transformation.

He added: “Working with UNWTO gives Greece the chance to learn from the lessons of other countries, share positive experiences and build useful partnerships in the areas of education, innovation and sustainable development.”

Photo: UNWTO

European context

UNWTO welcomed Greece’s commitment to sustainable tourism development, making the case for tourism as pillar of stability in uncertain times.

The visit of UNWTO to Greece comes as UNWTO assumes leadership of the global tourism sector’s response to the climate challenge. Later this week, Secretary-General Pololikashvili will address the European Parliament’s Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN). The intervention in Brussels will be made against the backdrop of the first meeting of the Tourism Task Force, with its Members to discuss the place of tourism in the European Green Deal, including both the opportunities and challenges.

Source: UNWTO

World Failing to Provide Kids with a Healthy Life and a Climate Fit for Future

Foto-ilustracija: Pixabay

As climate and commercial threats intensify, WHO-UNICEF-Lancet Commission presses for radical rethink on child health

Foto-ilustracija: Pixabay

No single country is adequately protecting children’s health, their environment and their futures, finds a landmark report released today by a Commission of over 40 child and adolescent health experts from around the world. The Commission was convened by the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF and The Lancet.

The report, A Future for the World’s Children?, finds that the health and future of every child and adolescent worldwide is under immediate threat from ecological degradation, climate change and exploitative marketing practices that push heavily processed fast food, sugary drinks, alcohol and tobacco at children.

“Despite improvements in child and adolescent health over the past 20 years, progress has stalled, and is set to reverse,” said former Prime Minister of New Zealand and Co-Chair of the Commission, Helen Clark. “It has been estimated that around 250 million children under five years old in low- and middle-income countries are at risk of not reaching their developmental potential, based on proxy measures of stunting and poverty. But of even greater concern, every child worldwide now faces existential threats from climate change and commercial pressures.

“Countries need to overhaul their approach to child and adolescent health, to ensure that we not only look after our children today but protect the world they will inherit in the future,” she added.

Intensifying climate change threatens every child’s future

The report includes a new global index of 180 countries, comparing performance on child flourishing, including measures of child survival and well-being, such as health, education, and nutrition; sustainability, with a proxy for greenhouse gas emissions, and equity, or income gaps. [Top & Bottom 10 countries; Full Global Index on pp. 35-38] [1]

According to the report, while the poorest countries need to do more to support their children’s ability to live healthy lives, excessive carbon emissions – disproportionately from wealthier countries –  threaten the future of all children. If global warming exceeds 4°C by the year 2100 in line with current projections, this would lead to devastating health consequences for children, due to rising ocean levels, heatwaves, proliferation of diseases like malaria and dengue, and malnutrition.

The index shows that children in Norway, the Republic of Korea, and the Netherlands have the best chance at survival and well-being, while children in Central African Republic, Chad, Somalia, Niger and Mali face the worst odds. However, when authors took per capita CO2 emissions into account, the top countries trail behind: Norway ranked 156, the Republic of Korea 166, and the Netherlands 160. Each of the three emits 210% more CO2 per capita than their 2030 target. The United States of America (USA), Australia, and Saudi Arabia are among the ten worst emitters.

“More than 2 billion people live in countries where development is hampered by humanitarian crises, conflicts, and natural disasters, problems increasingly linked with climate change,” said Minister Awa Coll-Seck from Senegal, Co-Chair of the Commission. “While some of the poorest countries have among the lowest CO2 emissions, many are exposed to the harshest impacts of a rapidly changing climate. Promoting better conditions today for children to survive and thrive nationally does not have to come at the cost of eroding children’s futures globally.”

The only countries on track to beat CO2 emission per capita targets by 2030, while also performing fairly (within the top 70) on child flourishing measures are: Albania, Armenia, Grenada, Jordan, Moldova, Sri Lanka, Tunisia, Uruguay and Vietnam.

Harmful commercial marketing preys on children – with childhood obesity increasing 11-fold

The report also highlights the distinct threat posed to children from harmful marketing. Evidence suggests that children in some countries see as many as 30,000 advertisements on television alone in a single year, while youth exposure to vaping (e-cigarettes) advertisements increased by more than 250% in the USA over two years, reaching more than 24 million young people.

Professor Anthony Costello, one of the Commission’s authors, said: “Industry self-regulation has failed. Studies in Australia, Canada, Mexico, New Zealand and the USA – among many others – have shown that self-regulation has not hampered commercial ability to advertise to children. For example, despite industry signing up to self-regulation in Australia, children and adolescent viewers were still exposed to 51 million alcohol ads during just one year of televised football, cricket and rugby. And the reality could be much worse still: we have few facts and figures about the huge expansion of social media advertising and algorithms aimed at our children.”

Children’s exposure to commercial marketing of junk food and sugary beverages is associated with purchase of unhealthy foods and overweight and obesity, linking predatory marketing to the alarming rise in childhood obesity. The number of obese children and adolescents increased from 11 million in 1975 to 124 million in 2016 – an 11-fold increase, with dire individual and societal costs.

A manifesto for immediate action on child and adolescent health 

To protect children, the independent Commission authors call for a new global movement driven by and for children. Specific recommendations include:

  • Stop CO2 emissions with the utmost urgency, to ensure children have a future on this planet;
  • Place children and adolescents at the centre of our efforts to achieve sustainable development;
  • New policies and investment in all sectors to work towards child health and rights;
  • Incorporate children’s voices into policy decisions;
  • Tighten national regulation of harmful commercial marketing, supported by a new Optional Protocol to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Dr. Richard Horton, Editor-in-Chief of The Lancet family of journals, said: “The opportunity is great. The evidence is available. The tools are at hand. From heads-of-state to local government, from UN leaders to children themselves, this Commission calls for the birth of a new era for child and adolescent health. It will take courage and commitment to deliver. It is the supreme test of our generation.”

“From the climate crisis to obesity and harmful commercial marketing, children around the world are having to contend with threats that were unimaginable just a few generations ago,” said Henrietta Fore, UNICEF Executive Director. “It is time for a rethink on child health, one which places children at the top of every government’s development agenda and puts their well-being above all considerations.”

“This report shows that the world’s decision makers are, too often, failing today’s children and youth: failing to protect their health, failing to protect their rights, and failing to protect their planet,” Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization said. “This must be a wakeup call for countries to invest in child health and development, ensure their voices are heard, protect their rights, and build a future that is fit for children.”

Source: WHO

North Macedonia Becomes First Contracting Party to Start Converting Coal Mines to Solar Fields

Photo-illustration: Pixabay
Photo-illustration: Pixabay

As part of its efforts to boost renewables and fight air pollution, North Macedonia has initiated the realization of its plans to build solar PV plants on top of a coal mine site in Oslomej, Kicevo. On 11 February 2020, the government launched a public tender seeking investors to construct two photovoltaic units of up to 100 MW in total.

The public call lasts until 8 May 2020 and the expenditure is estimated at up to EUR 80 million, to be covered in total by the investor. The contract will be signed for 35 years, after which the ownership will be transferred to a public partner. According to the tender documentation, the winner will be the bidder who offers the highest percentage of income from the electricity sold on the free market. As a benchmark for a free market is set the price on regional exchanges HUPEX and OPCOM.

Janez Kopac, Director of the Secretariat said: “With this project, North Macedonia shows an excellent example of how coal regions can be profitably transformed, providing new employment opportunities for former coal workers and driving sustainable regional development. ”

Source: Energy Community

Walking, Cycling and Public Transport – Greener Mobility Options Than Electric Scooters or Ride-Hailing

Photo-illustration: Pixabay

The growing use of electric scooters and ride-hailing services is transforming how we move in urban centres — but walking, cycling and public transport remain the best way to improve sustainable mobility in cities, according to a European Environment Agency (EEA) report. A separate EEA briefing on the environmental and climate impacts of transport finds that emissions of greenhouse gases from transport continue to increase, as demand for mobility across Europe keeps growing.

Photo-illustration: Pixabay

This year’s transport and environment report ‘The first and last mile — the key to sustainable urban transport’ assesses how green and sustainable ‘first and last mile’ transport options like bicycles, scooters or other means of short distance travel can transform mobility systems in cities. The report also assesses how innovative urban freight and inner city delivery services, including the use of delivery drones, can make urban freight transport more sustainable.

Short start or end journeys are an essential part of the daily commute. Bus, rail and metro services often cover the main part of trips to and from work, but people still need to first walk, drive or use another way to get to and from the nearest station or stop. Better first-mile, last-mile or only-mile journeys have the potential to bring down car use — reducing traffic congestion, emissions and improving air quality. Cities can do a lot to facilitate access to public transport systems by creating attractive urban spaces that are well connected to public transport infrastructure and by making walking and cycling to and from hubs and stops easier and more pleasant.

Shifting to walking, cycling and public transport will be crucial if Europe is to meet its long-term sustainability goals and policy objectives under the European Green Deal proposed by the European Commission in December 2019. Digitalisation and mobility apps can make a good urban mobility system even better, but they cannot compensate for underdeveloped public transport, the report cautions. For green options to have a fair chance to compete with cars, prices also need to reflect the harm done to health and environment.

Photo-illustration: Pixabay

Not all mobility options are equally green

Taken together with public transport, walking and cycling for short city journeys provide the greatest benefits for both human health and the environment in urban areas. The introduction and rapid uptake of app-based vehicle sharing schemes can also have benefits, however, the report points to studies which show that their impact on the environment is not always positive. Especially e-scooter sharing schemes appear to attract users that would have otherwise walked or used public transport. While the use of shared e-scooters generates few direct environmental impacts, their green credentials can be questioned by the substantial negative impacts associated to their materials, their manufacturing and their frequent collection for recharging purposes. Similarly, studies show that ride-hailing apps like Uber or Lyft do little to reduce emissions or congestion and actually draw people away from public transport.

Increasing transport emissions hamper EU progress towards environment and climate objectives

The transport sector continues to rely heavily on fossil fuels and is responsible for one quarter of Europe’s greenhouse gas emissions. The sector is also a significant source of air pollution, especially of particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) as well as the main source of environmental noise in Europe. The EEA briefing tracks the short- and long-term environmental performance of the transport sector in the EU. Transport emissions were 29 % above 1990 levels in 2018. According to the European Green Deal proposal, transport emissions need to be cut by 90 % by 2050 to achieve climate neutrality in the EU.

Other key findings:

  • In 2018, average carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions of new passenger cars increased for the second consecutive year, reaching 120.4 g CO2 per kilometre. Petrol cars are overtaking diesel-fuelled cars in sales of new passenger cars, but the total consumption of diesel fuel keeps increasing. Average CO2 emissions of new vans started to follow a similar upward trend in 2018.
  • Greenhouse gas emissions from aviation increased the most rapidly of the transport modes — by an average of over 3 % each year since 2013. Greenhouse gas emissions from international shipping increased by 5 % in 2 years (2015-2017).
  • The share of renewable energy used for transport in the EU rose from 7.4 % in 2017 to 8.1 % in 2018. This is well below the EU target of 10 % set for 2020.
  • More than 27 % of European citizens are exposed to transport noise levels of 55 decibels (dB) or higher, including 15-20 % for road traffic noise alone.

Source: EEA

Do We Know What We Eat and How Safe We Are?

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Mae Mu)

People all over the world continuously cross swords over genetically modified (hereinafter referred to as GM) food as one of the vital topics. While some advocate that it is the food of the future which could solve the problem of hunger in the world, others define it as bioterrorism of the new world order. Either way, it is becoming more and more accessible and more affordable due to its price. Although the production and supply of genetically modified organisms (hereinafter: GMOs) are prohibited by the Law in Serbia, this is no guarantee that you may not buy a product that has some form or some percentage of GM ingredient. What precisely GM food is, in which foodstuff GMOs are most represented, how to be sure about the things we are buying and eating, how much the law and the science protect us from the harmful effects of GM foods, we asked professor Vladimir Dimitrijevic PhD, the Head of the Department of Animal Husbandry at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in Belgrade, and professor Miladin Sevarlic PhD, the Member of the Parliament and the Professor Emeritus at the Faculty of Agriculture in Belgrade.

EP: What exactly is GM food, and where is it more prevalent in the food of animal or plant origin?

Photo: Private archive of professor Vladimir Dimitrijevic PhD

Vladimir Dimitrijevic: GM food is a food of animal or plant origin derived from organisms (animal or plant) into whose hereditary basis (DNA) is inserted a part of the hereditary basis originating from another organism (another species) with a special procedure (Recombinant DNA technology). In this way, we made this organism modified (hence M in GMOs) at the DNA level. The idea behind the modification is to make certain genes in the body “switch on” or “off”, depending on the desire with which the modification is done. There are incomparably more organisms modified in this way in the food of plant origin.

Miladin Sevarlic: The Law on Genetically Modified Organisms (Law on GMO 2001, 2009) did not contain genetically modified food, nor it defined the term among the terms used in the law. Genetically modified food was defined on 14th March 2019 by Article 2 of the Law on Amendments to the Law on Food Safety, and it says: “Genetically modified food and genetically modified animal feed is the food and animal feed derived from genetically modified organisms in accordance with the specific regulation.” This is an incomplete definition since there are no guidelines on the origin of the subgroup of foods. A non-partisan member of the Parliament, I proposed a complete definition, which says: “Genetically modified food and genetically modified animal feed, food obtained from genetically modified organisms and feed obtained from genetically modified organisms, according to a special regulation.”

It is very important to point out the difference between the two subgroups of GMO-based agricultural and food products: GM food – which originates from GMO that are used as fresh agricultural products: GM tomatoes, GM apples, GM bananas… and GMO food – food products obtained by processing GMO (GM apple or GM banana chips, GM tomato ketchup, GM salmon fillets, GM pig steaks…) or the food with GMO additives (the food with GM corn syrup toppings…). Explosion of genetic modifications in agriculture – firstly in plant (from tomatoes, through soybeans, corn, cotton, oilseed rape… to apples and banana) and then in animal production (salmon, pigs…) as expected, due to the insatiable profitability of private corporations, with the production of GM medicine for the sick people who make a last-ditch effort, has extended to people; thus we already have the first GM babies in China (2018).

In focus:

EP: Is there any food industrial product today, domestic or imported, or raw vegetables, fruit, meat and fish for which we can say with certainty that it does not contain any percentage of a genetically modified organism? Or is everything contaminated to a greater or lesser extent?

Vladimir Dimitrijevic: First of all, the term “contamination” has a negative connotation among people, which is not justified in the case of GMOs. Of course, there are food products that do not contain GMOs. Depending on the country, the percentage of genetically modified crops varies from 0 to over 90 per cent (corn, soybeans, pumpkins, cotton, etc). In the US, for example, it is estimated that the share of products (food) in supermarkets, which in some extent containsgenetic modification, is about 65 per cent. On the other hand, there is a relatively small number of countries, including Serbia, which have zero tolerance for the production and supply of GMOs. Generally, in countries in which GM food is widely available, the largest number of GMO products are related to foods of plant origin (drinks, snacks, food supplements, etc). The proportion of genetically modified food of animal origin is very little. Except for some species of fish (salmon), the market shelves do not contain food originating from animals that have been genetically modified. Animals that ate genetically modified food cannot become genetically modified, and that is a common misconception among people.

Photo: Private archive of professor Miladin Sevarlic PhD

Miladin Sevarlic: Of course, there is! Fortunately, that is still vastly dominant majority of food produced in the world: from food obtained in certified organic or non-certified biodynamic agriculture, through food which is safer from integrally controlled agricultural production to less safe food from today’s dominant conventional production which uses pesticides in plant and growth hormones in livestock production, as well as additives, artificial flavours and colours in food production.

EP: What have previous researches shown, to what extent is GM food harmful to human health? What are the most common consequences of its long-term consumption?

Vladimir Dimitrijevic: All previous scientific studies that dealt with this issue suggest that the consumption of genetically modified food does not represent greater risk from the consumption of food that is not. Therefore, the consequences of a long-term diet with food that contains GMO in some form do not differ from the long-term intake of food which is GMO-free. Please note that, when discussing this issue which causes sharp divisions in public, only scientific researches published in rigorous peer-reviewed scientific journals, and not pseudoscientific and unscientific publications, should be considered.

Miladin Sevarlic: Starting from the research of Arpad Pusztai PhD (England, 1996), through, so far longest, two-year  research conducted by professor Gilles-Éric Séralini PhD, (France, 2012), up to the studies of numerous Russian scientists, all the results indicate the harmful consequences of feeding experimental rats with GMOs produced with the use of pesticides based on carcinogenic glyphosate. In that respect, the most significant results are the researches of professor Séralini which show changes in the internal organs of rats in the next generation, from the increased participation of cancer in the second generation to the utter infertility of rats (even at such an extensive species in terms of population) fed by GM corn. If we apply the results to the people, it would mean that the true scale of the harmful effects of using GMOs in livestock and people’s nutrition will manifest in 90 to 120 years! The impact of GMOs on the nutrition of  all types of cattle should be investigated, and those results would be very significant due to the shorter cycle of exploitation of certain types of livestock. Thus, we would have reliable data on the consequences of GMO in human nutrition in only one-fifth of people’s lifespan since people are on the top of the food chain because we use both plant and animal products. What happens to plants and animals will someday strike people too! Let me remind you of the “mad cow disease” and the consequences on the people who ate the meat of diseased cattle. Why haven’t the researches on the GMOs impact on livestock been done? It is obvious who finds that rather convenient.

EP: In Serbia the distribution and production of GMO are officially banned according to the Law on Genetically Modified Organisms from 2009. However, various data indicate that there are thousands of hectares under GM soybeans in Serbia and that despite the law and border checks, we import products that exceed 0.9 per cent of GMO admixture, which is considered in Europe as an inevitable level of technological contamination. How is this Law applied and how can we be sure that we are truly protected as citizens?

Vladimir Dimitrijevic: That would, however, be a question for someone else. Legislation, enforcement and control are the responsibility of the institutions of this country, primarilythe Expert Council for Biosafety, authorised laboratories, phytosanitary and veterinary inspection.

Miladin Sevarlic: The Law on GMOs from 2009 is relatively good protection for Serbia against the import and the placement of GMOs. The only thing that needs to be improved is the adoption of a by-law which stipulates that the provision on the permitted presence of 0.9 per cent of admixtures of GMOs in commercial products applies only to GMOs that are authorised for use in the European Union. The provision on the allowed presence of 0.1 per cent of GMOs admixture in seeds should be repealed by amending the Law and introducing zero tolerance for seed imports – as 0.1 per cent of GMO admixture can contaminate parcels planted with genetically unmodified seed during the blooming time. However, like any other law, the Law on GMO is disrespected in practice because of the illegal import of GMO seeds, especially soybeans) and due to sampling only 4 to 7 per cent of consignments from imported goods. Phytosanitary inspection during soybean vegetation controls a small number of parcels and determines the presence of GM soybeans on about twenty hectares, which is only the “tip of the iceberg”. If the data from these checks have been applied to the total area under soybean cultivation (over 150,000 ha), it would mean that 5,000 hectares of GM soybean are sown annually, which, with a yield of 3 t/ha gives an amount of 15,000 t or 750 tons of GM soybeans. This amount of soybeans ends up in the food chain of livestock on private farms of GM soybean producers or in smaller mixers for concentrated animal feed. The problem is the insufficient control, in particular, the absence of final information on the penalties imposed on offenders of the Law on GMO. That is the reason why I advise buyers of soybeans to buy the soybeans from the warehouses which have a control system for the presence of GM soybeans at the site or from the neighbours for which they know for sure that they do not grow GM soybeans.

Interviews by: Gordana Knezevic

Read the whole article in the new issue of Energy portal Magazine GRINNOVATIONS, December 2019 – February 2020.

Three Ways the United Nations Environment Programme Works to Address Illegal Trade in Wildlife

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Chaz McGregor)
Photo-illustration: Pixabay

The world is dealing with unprecedented threats to wildlife. The loss of habitat from farming, mining and new urban developments has dramatically decreased the natural space for wildlife. Add to that the human demand for wildlife products—which generates as much as US$23 billion annually—and an estimated one million plant and animal species are threatened with extinction. Illegal wildlife trade continues to pose a real danger to biodiversity, ecosystems and human health, as a number of emerging diseases stem from animal products, both domestic and wild.

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) hosts the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wildlife Fauna and Flora, known as CITES, which regulates trade in roughly 5,800 species of animals and 35,000 species of plants to prevent overexploitation. Roughly 20,000 elephants are killed each year in Africa, while more tigers are believed to be held in captive breeding facilities throughout Asia than are in the wild, where it is estimated that only 3,800 remain.

Biological diversity is the core of healthy and productive ecosystems and the benefits that humans gain from a thriving natural environment are vast. UNEP, together with other United Nations agencies, governments, international organizations and the private sector, is working to raise awareness, enforce laws and enlisting the support of local communities to stop the illegal trade in wildlife.

Here are three ways that UNEP works to address this illegal trade:

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Chaz McGregor)

UNEP supports the legal and sustainable management and trade of wildlife, in compliance with national and international law

As long as it is conducted sustainably and is well regulated, trade in wildlife often has positive conservation outcomes, as it provides incentives for good management of both habitats and the populations of species in trade. It can also produce jobs for local communities that reduce the desire to overuse or transform natural areas. In this way, sustainable trade can ensure the long-term survival of wildlife by generating income to support its management and conservation.

Through a collaborative initiative, UNEP and the CITES Secretariat help countries and territories, upon their request, strengthen their environmental governance to meet CITES requirements to combat illegal trade in wildlife. This is done by designating at least one Management Authority and one Scientific Authority; prohibiting trade in specimens in violation of the Convention; penalizing illegal trade; and confiscating specimens illegally possessed.

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Mauricio Livio)

UNEP advocates for an end to illegal wildlife trade globally

UNEP is working with other United Nations agencies and secretariats such as CITES to stamp out illegal sale and trafficking in wildlife both domestically and internationally. It works to improve the enactment of national legislation and helps countries partner up to address transboundary issues of trafficked products at ports of entry. Globally, corruption is a serious problem that impedes combating the illegal wildlife trade. This is why, UNEP provides support through trainings of judges, law enforcement and custom officials on combatting wildlife crime and developing rule of law.

Through its Wild for Life campaign, UNEP also raises the public’s awareness and understanding of the social, economic and environmental impacts of the illegal trade using famous influencers, which can reach one billion people through their social channels. In this way it aims to strengthen international efforts to develop and demand reduction for illegally-sourced wildlife products.

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Anthony Rosa)

UNEP supports conservation of the world’s biodiverse habitats

At least two-thirds of the planet’s land and seas have been transformed by human activity.  Habitat degradation and destruction results in the unprecedented loss of species we are currently seeing—by some estimates as much as 1,000 times greater than any recorded time in history.

Habitat destruction can also increase the exposure of humans to zoonotic diseases (illnesses that arise from human contact with animals). Scientists suggest that degraded habitats may even encourage more rapid evolutionary processes and diversification of diseases. This is why UNEP works towards strengthening the scientific evidence base for policymakers. In 2016, UNEP published its Frontiers 2016 Report on Emerging Issues of Environment Concern, which included a chapter on emerging zoonotic diseases, such as Ebola, bird flu, Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), Rift Valley fever, sudden acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), West Nile virus, and Zika virus disease.

“In the last two decades, emerging diseases have had direct costs of more than US$100 billion; if these outbreaks had become human pandemics, the losses would have amounted to several trillion dollars,” the report said.

As a result of UNEP’s work, significant progress has been made in garnering global high-level engagement in support of environmental governance, as well as mobilizing political will to achieve more impact at the national level.

Source: UNEP

Global Energy-Related CO2 Emissions Flattened in 2019, Following Two Years of Increases

Photo-illustration: Pixabay

Global emission trends

Global energy-related CO2 emissions flattened in 2019 at around 33 gigatonnes (Gt), following two years of increases. This resulted mainly from a sharp decline in CO2 emissions from the power sector in advanced economies (Australia, Canada, Chile, European Union, Iceland, Israel, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Norway, New Zealand, Switzerland, Turkey, and United States.), thanks to the expanding role of renewable sources (mainly wind and solar PV), fuel switching from coal to natural gas, and higher nuclear power output.

Photo-illustration: Pixabay

Global CO2 emissions from coal use declined by almost 200 million tonnes (Mt), or 1.3%, from 2018 levels, offsetting increases in emissions from oil and natural gas. Advanced economies saw their emissions decline by over 370 Mt (or 3.2%), with the power sector responsible for 85% of the drop. Milder weather in many large economies compared with 2018 had an important effect on the trends, reducing emissions by around 150 Mt. Weaker global economic growth also played a role, moderating the increase in emissions in major emerging economies such as India.

Emissions trends for 2019 suggest clean energy transitions are underway, led by the power sector. Global power sector emissions declined by some 170 Mt, or 1.2%, with the biggest falls taking place in advanced economies where CO2 emissions are now at levels not seen since the late 1980s (when electricity demand was one-third lower).

Regional trends

Economic growth in advanced economies averaged 1.7% in 2019, but total energy-related CO2 emissions fell by 3.2%. The power sector led the decline and now accounts for 36% of energy-related emissions across advanced economies, down from a high of 42% in 2012. The average CO2 emissions intensity of electricity generation declined by nearly 6.5% in 2019, a rate three times faster than the average over the past decade. In absolute terms, an average emissions intensity of 340 grams of CO2 per kilowatt hour in 2019 is lower than all but the most efficient gas-fired power plants.

Generation from coal-fired plants in advanced economies declined by nearly 15% as a result of continued growth of renewables, coal-to-gas fuel switching, a rise in nuclear power and weaker electricity demand. The growth of renewables in electricity generation in advanced economies delivered 130 Mt of CO2 emissions savings in 2019. Wind accounted for the biggest share of the increase, with output expanding 12% from 2018 levels. Solar PV saw the fastest growth amongst renewable sources, helping to push renewables’ share of total electricity generation close to 28%. Coal-to-gas fuel switching for power generation avoided 100 Mt of CO2 in advanced economies and was particularly strong in the United States due to record low natural gas prices. Higher nuclear power generation in advanced economies, particularly in Japan and Korea, avoided over 50 Mt of CO2.

The United States saw the largest decline in energy-related CO2 emissions in 2019 on a country basis – a fall of 140 Mt, or 2.9%, to 4.8 Gt. US emissions are now down almost 1 Gt from their peak in the year 2000, the largest absolute decline by any country over that period. A 15% reduction in the use of coal for power generation underpinned the decline in overall US emissions in 2019. Coal-fired power plants faced even stronger competition from natural gas-fired generation, with benchmark gas prices an average of 45% lower than 2018 levels. As a result, gas increased its share in electricity generation to a record high of 37%. Overall electricity demand declined because demand for air-conditioning and heating was lower as a result of milder summer and winter weather.

Energy-related CO2 emissions in the European Union, including the United Kingdom, dropped by 160 Mt, or 5%, to reach 2.9 Gt. The power sector drove the trend, with a decline of 120 Mt of CO2, or 12%, resulting from increasing renewables and switching from coal to gas. Output from the European Union’s coal-fired power plants dropped by more than 25% in 2019, while gas-fired generation increased by close to 15% to overtake coal for the first time.

Germany spearheaded the decline in emissions in the European Union. Its emissions fell by 8% to 620 Mt of CO2, a level not seen since the 1950s, when the German economy was around 10 times smaller. The country’s coal-fired power fleet saw a drop in output of more than 25% year on year as electricity demand declined and generation from renewables, especially wind (+11%), increased. With a share of over 40%, renewables for the very first time generated more electricity in 2019 than Germany’s coal-fired power stations.

The United Kingdom continued its strong progress with decarbonisation as output from coal-fired power plants fell to only 2% of total electricity generation. Rapid expansion of output from offshore wind, as additional projects came online in the North Sea, was a driving factor behind this decline. Renewables provided about 40% of electricity supply in the United Kingdom, with gas supplying a similar amount. The share of renewables became even higher in the later part of the year, with wind, solar PV and other sources generating more electricity than all fossil fuels combined during the third quarter.

Japan saw energy-related CO2 emissions fall 4.3% to 1 030 Mt in 2019, the fastest pace of decline since 2009. The power sector experienced the largest drop in emissions as reactors that had recently returned to operation contributed to a 40% increase in nuclear power output. This allowed Japan to reduce electricity generation from coal-, gas- and oil-fired power plants.

Emissions outside advanced economies grew by close to 400 Mt in 2019, with almost 80% of the increase coming from Asia. In this region, coal demand continued to expand, accounting for over 50% of energy use, and is responsible for around 10 Gt of emissions. In China, emissions rose but were tempered by slower economic growth and higher output from low-carbon sources of electricity. Renewables continued to expand in China, and 2019 was also the first full year of operation for seven large-scale nuclear reactors in the country.

Emissions growth in India was moderate in 2019, with CO2 emissions from the power sector declining slightly as electricity demand was broadly stable and strong renewables growth prompted coal-fired electricity generation to fall for the first time since 1973. Continued growth in fossil-fuel demand in other sectors of the Indian economy, notably transport, offset the decline in the power sector. Emissions grew strongly in Southeast Asia, lifted by robust coal demand.

See more: IEA

How Small States Can Benefit From Innovation

Foto-ilustracija: Pixabay

Small states are often disadvantaged by their size, remoteness, and lack of resources. But bring smart city innovation into the equation, and these qualities could become strengths.

Photo-illustration: Pixabay

Small states such as Singapore, El Salvador, Micronesia, and the Maldives form a significant portion of the membership of the UN. While, they are more likely to be affected by defining challenges such as migration and climate change, they are also particularly well-positioned to use innovation to tackle many of these issues.

Much of the discussion of the role of smart cities has focused on large countries and major cities. However, smart city approaches have enormous relevance to small states.

This is because they are about applying broader innovation to improve lives and livelihoods whether through technology, developing different ways of working, or even nature-based solutions. Innovation can play a key role in strengthening governance, building citizens’ skills, improving public realms, and increasing citizen engagement. Each of these are priorities for any country, whether small or large.

Start small, think big

Small states are, by their very nature, agile, useful for becoming an innovation testbed. They can move quickly to try new technology, providing innovators big and small with real-world environments for testing new ways of working. Singapore is leading efforts here, including having designated much of the island-nation as an autonomous vehicle testbed.

The city of Sonsonate in El Salvador is one of the first in the region to explore the potential of intelligent lighting. With closer oversight of the workings of government, and less complexity, small states are also able to build smart city initiatives nation-wide. Malawi is making interesting progress in this area, with its Digital Malawi initiative aiming to build the foundations of a digital state.

In this context, innovation can range from building national industries focusing on delivering smart city components, through to attracting talent and investment as highlighted by Estonia’s eResidency initiative. Innovation can also be a catalyst for the broader digital transformation as being explored in Micronesia.

Innovation as a strategic advantage

Innovation transcends borders. Many of the technologies behind smart cities—automation, artificial intelligence, big data, and the future of work—will affect every country. It’s necessary for small states to engage with the technological innovation that is at the heart of smart cities.

Smaller states, which typically have less political and economic weight, are always at the risk of being dominated by their larger country counterparts. The need for small states to engage with innovation is growing, so that they can shape trends, make themselves relevant and ensure they are not left behind. Organizations such as the Forum of Small States are an excellent opportunity to shape smart city strategies.

Small states also have the advantage of fewer legacy systems, and more streamlined processes that can help them pull ahead of their larger counterparts. The new city of Hulhumalé in the Maldives, which is still being built, will be founded on full-fibre connectivity. Samoa is developing a foundational digital ID solution to increase the accessibility of public services. This also provides an exciting opportunity for larger states to learn from their more nimble, and forward-thinking, small state partners.

Looking forward

Singapore is a success story like no other. It has become a global leader in applying technology and innovation. The UNDP Global Centre for Technology, Innovation and Sustainable Development, a partnership between UNDP and the government, is building on this national expertise. Singapore is uniquely positioned to enable the next generation of smart cities, both large and small, across Africa and Asia. Get in touch if you’d like to learn more, or work with us on this important issue.

Source: UNDP

Mexico City, a Megalopolis’ War on Plastic Bags

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Jezael Melgoza)

Paper cones, called “cucuruchos”, have been traditionally used by shoppers in Mexico City for carrying spices and grains. Now these plastic-free alternatives are making a comeback, along with straw baskets and reusable cloth bags, after a ban on plastic bags entered into effect in the megalopolis on 1 January 2020.

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Jezael Melgoza)

Mexico City, one of the most populated cities in the western hemisphere, declared war on single-use plastic bags, in a bold move as part of a broader initiative to better cope with the 13,000 tonnes of garbage that this vibrant city produces every day.

The new law prohibits the commercialization of plastic bags in supermarkets and stores.  Gradually until 2021, the local authorities plan to ban other single-use plastic items, including straws, glasses, cutlery and balloons.

Around 12 million people live in Mexico City, but the population jumps to a total of 21 million when considering the conurbation area. The biggest Spanish-speaking city in the world is joining the club of megalopolis (those with 10 million or more inhabitants) trying to ban free retail distribution of bags, its manufacturing and in some cases imports.

It is estimated that 10 million plastic bags are consumed globally each minute. In North America, the other two existing megacities have also imposed some form of restriction: Los Angeles prohibits most bags, except the thickest ones, and New York will do so from March 2020.

In Latin America all megacities are currently restricting plastic bags:  Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo and Buenos Aires prohibit its sale, while Lima and Bogota impose taxes.

“The protection of the environment is at the heart of the ban on single-use plastic bags in Mexico City. We all have to understand that the economic development is compatible with the protection of the environment, there is no antagonism there,” says Claudia Sheinbaum, Mexico City’s mayor.

By 2050, the amount of municipal solid waste worldwide will increase to 3.4 billion tonnes, according to a World Bank report. Up to 12 per cent of all waste is plastic, and most of it ends up in landfills or suffocates our oceans.

“I was so worried about the news of dead animals in the oceans due to pollution, the imminent extinction of species and the little time left to adopt concrete actions to reverse the damage we have caused. All that inspired to me to work on the bill,” says Alessandra Rojo de la Vega, a local legislator who led the legislation on plastic bags in Mexico City.

Photo: UNEP

“Mexico has marine ecosystems of great value and today there is much greater public awareness about the impact of plastic waste on biodiversity,” says Dolores Barrientos, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) representative in Mexico. The organization has advised several Mexican states on plastics-related legislation.

“Currently, there is no national legally binding instrument banning plastic bags, but 27 of the 32 Mexican states have already passed laws to prohibit them, and more are considering imposing restrictions,” says Barrientos.

Citizen support is key when it comes to enforcing laws: 200 non-governmental organizations launched in 2019 the Mexico Without Plastic Alliance, an initiative aimed to promote sustainable consumption lifestyles. It is estimated that each family in Mexico City disposes of 650 single-use plastic bags per year, and many conscientious citizens did not wait for the law to change their habits.

“This measure has been well received by our customers, who were already reducing their plastic bags’ consumption voluntarily since 2005, when we launched our first reusable bag,” says Humberto Fayad Wolff, commercial director at Soriana, a major retailer in Mexico, that has enthusiastically complied with the ban.

“The consequences of single-use plastics on the environment have become a big social challenge for Mexico and the world,” states Fayad Wolff.  Global plastics production reached around 360 million tonnes in 2018, and in the next 15 years, production is projected to nearly double. The commitment of the most populated countries in the world is urgent.

Paradoxically, the most populous city in the world, Tokyo, with more than 37 million inhabitants, does not prohibit bags and is just beginning to discuss a potential tax. None of the three African megacities—Cairo, Lagos and Kinshasa—prohibit the bags either, nor Moscow, one of the three megacities in Europe (Paris and Istanbul have passed restrictions).

India houses three megacities—New Delhi, Mumbai and Calcutta—and its plastic industry employs around 5 million people. In August 2019, Prime Minister Narendra Modi pledged to take a “first big step on 2 October 2019 towards making India free from single-use plastics”, though no national ban has been announced yet.

The real leap forward could come from China, which is home to 1.4 billion people, and remains the largest worldwide generator of plastic packaging waste. The government unveiled a plan to ban non-biodegradable plastic bags by the end of 2020 in large cities, and two years later in all its territory.

Source: UNEP

Kenyan Women Fight Invasive Species by Planting Indigenous Trees

Photo: UNEP

When Zipporah Matumbi was growing up, she loved the way the forest in her village in East Kenya had a dense canopy. As an adult, she noticed that with extensive logging, the forest was disappearing. So she gathered a group of women to start tree nurseries, using their own time and money, to save the forest around them and make a difference.

Photo: UNEP

“We wanted our children to be able to grow up in a healthy environment,” she says. “We had seen how the river flows had started to be low and we wanted to bring the water back by taking out the eucalyptus which consume a lot of water and replacing it with bamboo native to Africa.”

Matumbi became part of the Tree Establishment for Livelihood Improvement Scheme, a system that plants indigenous trees for conservation in degraded forest areas. Although similar in name, it is different from Plantations Establishment for Livelihood Improvement Scheme which is about establishing plantations of exotic trees.

Matumbi’s group of women volunteers has grown substantially over the years; she is currently in charge of some 12 different groups. During that time, she has noticed that many forests struggle to grow indigenous trees because of a colonizing shrub introduced from the American tropics called lantana camara.

“Lantana camara has beautiful flowers, but this adaptable plant is highly invasive and causes problems in many tropical countries, crowding out the original flora and even increasing fire risk in dry forests,” says Lera Miles, Principal Technical Specialist for Climate Change and Biodiversity at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) World Conservation Monitoring Centre.

Photo: UNEP

It is also affecting smallholder farms, livestock pasture and roadsides.

So Matumbi and her group started voluntarily helping the Kenya Forest Service dig up the lantana by their roots to suppress their regrowth and prepare the area for rehabilitation by introducing indigenous trees. The indigenous trees don’t grow very fast, but when they have enough space and are carefully pruned, they can do well.

Matumbi knew replanting forests alone would not be enough, so she encourages her members to remove lantana and plant trees on their own farms as well. Pruning those trees for firewood partly relieves pressure on the forest. The same goes for using leftovers from maize, shrubs and leaves as fodder for the cattle so they don’t need to go grazing in the forest, destroying trees. She also brings experts in to train her members on alternative livelihoods such as beekeeping or basket weaving to reduce their dependency on unsustainable forest practices.

“Local communities feel the brunt of the impact by invasive plant species to their livelihood as well as the environmental services such as water supply,” says Max Zieren, UNEP environmental specialist with over 30 years’ experience in environmental protection, community development and forest rehabilitation. “Community initiatives such as the one led by Matumbi show the opportunity offered through shared interest with governments to fight the spread of invasive species—thereby rehabilitating degraded landscapes which is part of the Decade of Ecosystem Restoration.”

Matumbi says she is using free prior informed consent, a United Nations Development Programme initiative introduced under the UN-REDD Programme, to negotiate user rights for her groups of volunteers through the National Alliance of Community Forests Kenya. That group is lobbying for her and a draft policy has been made.

Meanwhile, they keep working tirelessly “for a better environment and therefore a better health for all.”

Source: UNEP

 

Join the Transport Revolution!

Photo: Energetski portal

Supporters of the greening of the transport sector are trying to spend as little time as possible holding steering wheels. That is why they walk, ride bikes, use public transportation, or ride in electric vehicles. Electric cars, as silently as the engines that drive them run, are conquering the streets of many cities. In order to make getting around by using electricity feasible, the increase in the number of such vehicles should be accompanied by the development of charging infrastructure.

Photo: Energetski portal

One of the first companies in the Serbian market to respond to the call for a singular electrical revolution, and made a step towards the future was Belgrade-based company MT-KOMEX. On its website elektropunjaci.com, you will find answers to questions such as: “Which electric charger is right for my home?”, “How do I choose an electric charger that meets my business requirements?”, or “Where in Serbia and region I could charge my car?”.

Home and public EV chargers offer

In the store on the elektropunjaci.com website, there are 12 home and 17 public chargers, ideal for installation in parking lots, gas stations, shopping and business centres, highways and corridors, and in private parking.

The available electric chargers for your home range from 3.7 kW to 22 kW, and those for commercial use range from 7 kW to 50 kW. They can be wall-mounted and floorm standing.

When it comes to charging speed, their current offerings include medium speed and fast chargers, but the company announced that it would soon expand its store with ultra-fast ones that would be able to charge renowned Tesla cars in 5 to 10 minutes.

The sale is ongoing, so, you can get some EV chargers at a discounted price.

In focus:

The business portfolio of experts from this website is based on years of experience, during which they have installed more than a hundred chargers. Take the opportunity to “tailor” the charging station according to your needs and capabilities with them!

Before you, they were approached with the same request by Hyundai, Ada Shopping Center, British Motors, ABB, IKEA, ZF, Hilton Hotel, Obilicev venac and Pionirski park public garages and many others.

In the parking lot of the Hyundai auto dealer in Belgrade, ABB’s model from elektopunjaci.com was recently put into operation. Installers put the power of the device to the test. The charger successfully passed it after only 15 minutes of work – it took that much time for the car to prepare for the journey with full battery capacity. If this result does not seem fascinating to you, put it in a comparative perspective! What percentage of your mobile phone’s battery is charged in a quarter of an hour? Much less than 100 per cent, right?

Considering the fact that as many as 16 ABB chargers, 22 kW each, have been installed in the garage of capital’s Ada shopping mall, you are sure that at Radnicka 9 you will have a place to charge your four-wheeler.

Photo: Energetski portal/Zana Sisic

At Zrenjanin road, in the British Motors branch, ABB model of 50 kW is expecting the drivers of electric vehicles.

In case that you started travelling in an electric vehicle on the highway E-75 towards central and south Serbia, and potentially further towards Greece, it will do you good that you know that department store IKEA purchased two Schneider Electric chargers at the elektropunjaci.com online store and installed them at its parking.

MT-KOMEX has combined its two fields of activity, renewable energy and electromobility, at the factory of the auto parts manufacturer ZF in Pancevo under the roof of the solar canopy. Seventy-two canopy panels form a small solar power plant with a total power of 19.44 kW. It produces electricity to power three electric chargers, and for ZF’s consumption.

Prepared by: Jelena Kozbasic

This article was published in the new issue of the Energy portal Magazine  GRINNOVATIONS, December 2019 – February 2020.

Energy Community Calls on the Balkans and Ukraine to Scrutinize Subsidies to Coal

Photo-illustration: Pixabay
Photo-illustration: Pixabay

In June 2019, the Energy Community Secretariat published a study on analysing and quantifying direct and hidden subsidies to support the coal sector in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Ukraine during the period 2015-2017. The Secretariat sent a follow-up preliminary assessment of these subsidies under the Energy Community State aid acquis to the competent State aid authorities to further assess these measures as to their compatibility with the State aid acquis.  DG Competition of the European Commission was informed as well.

Under the Energy Community Treaty, the Contracting Parties must ensure that any public aid which distorts or threatens to distort competition by favouring certain undertakings or certain energy resources is prohibited. As State aid may distort competition and affect cross-border trade in energy, the control of aid granted by public authorities is of key importance for the establishment of a regional energy market.

Source: Energy Community

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