The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg on Thursday, September 21, 2017 deposited its instrument of ratification, thereby becoming the 77th future Party to the Minamata Convention.
Xavier Betel, Prime Minister of Luxembourg
This is following closely on the heels of the Federal Republic of Germany, which on Friday, September 15, 2017 did likewise to become the 76th Party to the mercury treaty.
Luxembourg’s action is the third ratification of the global pact after it entered into force and became legally binding on Wednesday, August 16, 2017. The first nation to ratify the treaty after it entered into force and became legally binding is the Republic of Namibia, which on Wednesday, September 6, 2017 deposited its instrument of ratification, thereby becoming the 75th future Party to the Minamata Convention.
Prior to the entry into force, Brazil on Tuesday, August 8, 2017 deposited its instrument of ratification, thereby becoming the 74th Party.
Earlier, Kiribati (July 28) and Syria (July 26) deposited their instruments of ratification to become 73rd and 72nd Parties, while Jamaica on Wednesday, July 19, 2017 became the 71st Party to the mercury convention.
Hitherto, the Governments of Rwanda, Palau, Thailand, Slovenia and Viet Nam deposited their instruments of ratification, thereby becoming the 66th to 70th future Parties to the mercury treaty.
The depositions were made on Wednesday, June 21; Thursday, June 22; Friday, June 23; and Thursday, June 29, 2017. While Palau deposited on Wednesday and Thailand on Thursday, both Slovenia and Viet Nam did likewise on Friday. Rwanda followed up a week later on Thursday.
Previously, Iran and Estonia had ratified the Convention, which has already entered into force, thanks to the landmark rash of ratifications on Thursday, May 18, 2017 that triggered the entry into force of the mercury accord, having garnered the required 50 ratifications.
On that day, the EU and seven of its member States – Bulgaria, Denmark, Hungary, Malta, the Netherlands, Romania and Sweden – deposited their instruments of ratification at the UN Headquarters in New York, bringing to 51 that day the number of future Parties.
To commemorate the historic development, United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP), Ministry of the Environment of Japan, Kumamoto Prefecture and Minamata City on Saturday, July 1, 2017 held “Celebrating Event for the Minamata Convention on Mercury – Voice from Minamata towards the Entry into Force” in Minamata City, Kumamoto, Japan.
The 1st Conference of the Parties to the Minamata Convention (COP1) will gather governments, intergovernmental and non-governmental organisations from around the world in Geneva, Switzerland from September 24 to 29, 2017.
The Minamata Convention on Mercury (“Minamata Convention”) is a new international environmental convention for global community to work collaboratively against mercury pollution. The Minamata Convention aims at achieving environmentally sound mercury management throughout its life cycle. The Convention was adopted at the diplomatic conferences held in Minamata City and Kumamoto City in October 2013.
The African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW) has announced the convocation of its 15th anniversary celebration.
Dr. Canisius Kanangire, Executive Secretary, African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW)
The celebration, which is scheduled to hold from November 27 to 28, 2017 in Abuja, Nigeria will also feature an Executive Council Meeting of African Water Ministers on November 27, and Strategic Dialogue with Development Partners on November 28, 2017.
Organised by AMCOW in collaboration with the Department of Rural Economy and Agriculture of the African Union Commission alongside regional and international partners, the 15th anniversary celebration will be hosted by the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, represented by the Nigerian Ministry of Water Resources.
In a statement signed by the AMCOW Executive Secretary, Dr Canisius Kanangire, the 15th anniversary celebration represents “an auspicious moment to showcase leading success stories and achievements conceptualised and facilitated by AMCOW within the ambit of its mandate as the continent’s apex water institution.”
“Over the past 15 years of its existence, AMCOW has contributed immensely to the realisation of the Africa Water Vision 2025 and the attainment of African Union’s goals of stronger cooperation, peace and security, poverty eradication and the economic development of Africans and Africa,” Dr Kanangire added.
The theme for the 15th anniversary is “Towards Water Security and Safe Sanitation for Africa” and participants from governments, regional institutions, international partners, the private sector, the scientific community, civil society and the media from all over the world are expected to attend.
Established since 2002 in Abuja, AMCOW promotes cooperation, security, social and economic development and poverty eradication among member states through the effective management of the continent’s water resources and provision of water supply services.
The organisation brings together water and sanitation ministers from Africa’s 55-member states with the unifying purpose of providing political leadership, policy direction and advocacy in the provision, use and management of water resources for sustainable social and economic development and maintenance of African ecosystems.
AMCOW currently represents the Working Group on Water and Sanitation of the Specialised Technical Committee (STC) on Agriculture, Rural Development, Water and Environment (ARDWE) under the African Union Commission (AUC).
Speaking through its secretary, Professor Maurice Fangnon, the NGO blamed the ordeal of the youngman and numerous casual workers on the country’s labour laws, which he said are not only weak, but also subjecting workers to poverty, intimation and exploitation by employers.
The Kaduna State Government has presented its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Report 2017 at the UN, becoming the first state in Nigeria to launch local SDGs data and strategy development for implementation.
Nasir el Rufai, Governor of Kaduna State
Deputy Governor, Barnabas Bala, said on the sidelines of the ongoing UN General Assembly, that the report highlighted key policy actions and progress being made so far towardbachieving some of the SDGs.
He added that it identified the baseline status of the SDGs in the State, highlighted key policy actions, progress being made and concluded with actions for the state to consider going forward.
“The Sustainable Development Goals are an integral part of Kaduna State’s efforts to improve the livelihoods of the state’s residents.
“By providing comprehensive targets for all aspects of development and coordinating the efforts of all actors. Kaduna will only achieve its potentials if it achieves the SDGs by the target date of 2030.
“To this end, the Kaduna State Development Plan 2016 to 2020 has fully integrated the SDGs and specifies concerted policy actions to help achieve each goal,” he said.
Bala said the goal of the State Development Plan was to achieve inclusive economic growth and socio-economic transformation that translates into substantial improvements in the quality of lives of citizens, through higher productivity and competitiveness.
He said: “The very first step on the journey to sustainable development has therefore been to generate sufficient data – a baseline to understand where Kaduna State stands in relations to the goals.
“This is to help guide policy interventions to target the deepest and most persistent pockets of poverty.
“The Kaduna State Bureau of Statistics was given the mandate to generate the State’s statistics with the passage of the Kaduna Bureau of Statistics and Statistical System Law of 2013.
“In 2015, the State Executive Council declared a data revolution and since then has invested heavily in establishing the State statistical system and is climbing a steep learning-curve.
“To fill the gaping hole in the State’s data, the Bureau has conducted a range of innovative new surveys and institutionalised the role of data in planning and monitoring across government.”
The event was attended by the Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed; Wife of Kaduna State Governor, Aisha El-RufaiEl-Rufai; and the state’s Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Muhammad Abdullahi.
As the UN General Assembly convenes in New York, the Least Developed Countries (LDC) Group has called on heads of state and government to reaffirm their pledge to tackle climate change by committing to fair and concrete climate solutions that will protect all people and the planet.
Chair of the Least Developed Countries (LDC) Group, Gebru Jember Endalew
The Group has described the theme of this year’s UN General Assembly debate – “Focusing on People: Striving for Peace and a Decent Life for All on a Sustainable Planet” – as a timely and vital reminder of the importance of safeguarding a liveable world for ourselves and future generations.
Mr. Gebru Jember Endalew, Chair of the LDC Group, said: “The urgent need for serious climate action has never been clearer. Over the past months we have seen devastating events exacerbated by climate change, from deadly hurricanes and flooding, to wildfires and heatwaves. No corner of our planet is safe from climate impacts. Global temperatures have already risen 1.1°C and the frequency and severity of these events will only worsen with further warming.
“Collective commitments by the global community to date are woefully inadequate in the face of our shared challenge of climate change. Current pledges under the Paris Agreement put the world on course for 3.5°C of warming by the end of the century. This is a death sentence for many communities across the world, particularly in poor and vulnerable countries. Humanity cannot afford to delay.
“There is a widening gulf between the climate finance that is provided and mobilised and the reality of finance received and needed. Without adequate climate finance and support to developing countries, mainly LDCs and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are left without a lifeline. Many trillions of dollars are required to implement the Paris Agreement.
“The LDCs are committed to being at the frontline of the clean energy revolution. The LDC Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Initiative will deliver sustainable climate action and lift communities out of poverty. If we are truly to set the planet on a safe course, all countries, and particularly those who contribute the most to climate change, must follow suit. Renewable energy has the power to place us on a path to a cleaner, fairer and more prosperous world for all.
“Spread across Africa, southern Asia, the Pacific and Caribbean, the 47 LDCs all face immense challenges in adapting to climate change and addressing the loss and damage it unleashes. LDCs are taking ambitious domestic action to lead by example, and call on the rest of the world to do the same in line with their capability to respond and responsibility for the problem. State, city and business leaders from around the world have just met in New York for climate week, and the LDC Group urges leaders at the UN General Assembly to carry the conversation forward and inspire real action from all nations across the globe.”
The LDC Group will convene in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from October 2 to 6, 2017 for a Ministerial and Strategy Meeting to progress climate and sustainable development priorities, guided by justice, equity and ambition.
The Benue State House of Assembly has banned the use of tyres and other harmful materials used in singeing (roasting) meat in the state due to health hazards posed by the practice.
Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom
The House also directed that, henceforth, butchers/slaughterers should use firewood instead of tyres, kerosene or any other harmful substances for roasting meat.
Furthermore, the Assembly called on the State Ministry of Health and Human Services and the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources to effectively regulate the activities of butchers and abattoirs in Makurdi and other parts of the State to forestall health and environmental hazards.
Speaker, Mr Terkimbi Ikyange (Ushongo/APC), announced the resolutions after a debate on a Motion of Urgent Public Importance moved by Mr Ianna Jato (Katsina Ala East/PDP) titled: “Hazards of Roasting meat with Tyres” during plenary on Thursday, September 21, 2017.
In the lead debate, Mr Jato noted that the practice of singeing (roasting) meat with scrap or disused tyres at slaughter house or abattoirs constitutes dangerous health and environmental hazards to both humans and the environment.
He stated that tyres are made of synthetic rubber, natural rubber, fabric, wire, carbon black and other chemical components which are unhealthy for human consumption.
He informed that a research conducted in 2008 as reported in the African Journal of Environmental Science and Technology revealed the existence of high level of metal residues in goat and cow hides, after being singed with scrap tyres, which is unsafe for consumption.
“Tyres as non-biodegradable combustible materials, when subjected to combustible smoke and released to the atmosphere, become toxic and if ingested, pose threats to life through liver damages, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, etc,” he said.
In their separate contributions to the debate, Mr Bem Mngutyo (Tarka/APC), Mr Terhemba Chabo (Gboko West/APC), Mrs Ngohemba Agaigbe (Gboko East/APC) and Dr Adoga Onah (Oju I/PDP), who condemned the use of tyres in processing meat, called for a stop to the practice.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has said that it’s mandate is to assess the state of the scientific literature on all aspects of climate change, its impacts and society’s options for responding to it.
Making this submission on Thursday, September 21, 2017 in reaction to extensive media coverage that the organisation said atimes referenced its work, IPCC explained that whenever a new piece of scientific research is published that is relevant to any the topics, it joins the ever-growing body of evidence that the IPCC assesses. The IPCC added that it does not conduct original research itself, or develop its own models or scenarios.
The IPCC explained further: “Our next major assessment report (the Sixth Assessment Report, or AR6) is due in 2021/22. Scientific understanding about the implications of a global temperature increase of 1.5ºC above pre-industrial levels is growing quickly. In early October 2018, a year from now, the IPCC will be releasing a Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5ºC, to round up all the available knowledge on this important topic.
“The Special Report will also serve as an update to the IPCC’s previous comprehensive assessment (the Fifth Assessment Report, or AR5), which was published in 2013/14 before the Paris Agreement. At each stage of preparation through to completion, the Special Report will assess the fast-growing body of scientific literature relevant to 1.5ºC. Until that point, it would be inappropriate for the IPCC to comment on any single study.
“At the moment, the First Order Draft of the Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5ºC is undergoing expert review until Sunday, September 24, 2017. With nearly 2,000 experts from around the world registered to take part in this process, this is a key step in ensuring our reports continue to be objective, comprehensive and balanced. All comments received will be considered in the preparation of the Second Order Draft which will be open for review by government representatives and Expert Reviewers in January and February 2018.”
Four countries between Tuesday, September 19 and Wednesday, September 20, 2017 deposited their instruments of ratification of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, and bringing the total number of ratifications to 164.
Patricia Espinosa, Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC
While Myanmar (161st) and Bhutan (162nd) submitted on Tuesday, Ecuador (163rd) and Liechenstien (164th) did likewise on Wednesday.
All ratifications will enter into force in a month’s time.
The Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste on Wednesday, August 16, 2017 deposited its instruments of ratification to become the160th country to endorse the global treaty, after Sudan and Zimbabwe on Wednesday, August 2 and Monday, August 7, 2017 respectively deposited their instruments of ratification of the Paris accord.
According to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), East Timor’s ratification of the pact will enter into force in a month’s time on Friday, September 15, 2017.
Previously, Haiti, the Netherlands, Venezuela and Serbia ratified the pact respectively on on Monday, July 31; Friday, July 28; Friday, July 21; and Tuesday, July 25, 2017.
Before then, the Republic of Malawi on Thursday, June 29, 2017 likewise endorsed the agreement, ahead of Egypt and Togo, which ratified the climate accord respectively on Thursday, June 29 and Wednesday, June 28 2017.
The Paris Agreement builds upon the Convention (UNFCCC) and – for the first time – brings all nations into a common cause to undertake ambitious efforts to combat climate change and adapt to its effects, with enhanced support to assist developing countries to do so. As such, it charts a new course in the global climate effort.
The Paris Agreement’s central aim is to strengthen the global response to the threat of climate change by keeping a global temperature rise this century well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase even further to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
Additionally, the agreement aims to strengthen the ability of countries to deal with the impacts of climate change. To reach these ambitious goals, appropriate financial flows, a new technology framework and an enhanced capacity building framework will be put in place, thus supporting action by developing countries and the most vulnerable countries, in line with their own national objectives. The Agreement also provides for enhanced transparency of action and support through a more robust transparency framework.
“Our goal has always been to deliver a clean, safe and prosperous Lagos…We love the criticism that Lagos is the second least liveable city (in the world). It is a challenge to us and we are working on it ”…..Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, My Random Thoughts…August 28, 2017.
Oba Akran Avenue, Ikeja, Lagos
Cities by simple definition are the creation of mankind. They are permanent settlements where people live, work and create time for social, cultural and recreational activities. Liveability connotes an improvement in the living conditions and quality of life through the creation of a conducive environment that would engender happier and healthier living for all residents irrespective of age and where ever they choose to live. For a settlement to be adjudged a liveable city, it must guarantee security, ease of mobility with transportation options and free-flow of traffic, affordable housing, availability of jobs, functional civic institutions, supportive infrastructure, human services and abundance of green space for outdoor recreation.
Global competitiveness of Nigerian cities
With the exception of Lagos, it is on record that no other Nigerian cities had ever participated in the global most liveable cities survey, not out of spite, but for a reason why this piece was written. Most Nigerian cities are not globally competitive in so many aspects of urban living, economy, tourism, security, and entertainment. This “negative” assessment arises from the fact that feeble attention is being paid to city management, planning, and liveability in Nigerian cities. Regrettably too, Abuja, Nigeria’s new capital city is left out in the “neglect race.” The city too is yawning and calling for attention because its newness is gradually turning seedy. The factors responsible for these shortcomings have been well-articulated in many domains on the subject matter by researchers, economists, urban planners, and management gurus, to bear repeating in this article.
The Global Liveability Report 2017
Readers would recall the release of The Global Liveability Report in August 2017, by the Economist’s Intelligent Unit (EIU) which conducted the survey in 140 cities around the world. The Economist is an international magazine of repute. Its views are highly respected on matters of the world economy and corporate investment. The global liveability survey ranked the participating cities in order of best living conditions using certain qualitative and quantitative factors such as healthcare, education, infrastructure as determinants of how liveable the cities are by awarding scores to each factor. The scores from the factors are summed up and weighted to give a final score rated in percentage, with 100% being excellent living conditions and 1% is poor. The 2017 survey report ranked Melbourne, Australia as the most liveable city in the world, while Lagos had the second position of the least liveable city from the bottom with Damascus, Syria ranked first as the least liveable city from the bottom of the survey ladder.
The factor that really affected Lagos for the poor rating was insecurity “against a backdrop of political violence and government corruption,” the report added. The statement at the onset of this piece was Governor Akinwunmi Amode’s reaction to the Global Liveability Report 2017. Having taken the report in good faith, his optimism, and worries are of major concern when he pointed out that, “Lagos, as it is, has not reached its peak but we can see signs of progress and positive transition to the Lagos of our dreams.” But he further lamented that he does not see the same level of progress elsewhere in the country. And that he was not happy that most States in Nigeria are not advancing like Lagos.
To this writer, the Governor’s observation is the home truth and his apprehension cannot be dismissed. Nigeria has only one primate city with world visibility and a promising future for global competitiveness if well managed. That city is Future Lagos. Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city remains what it is…seat of government. It is not as enterprising and enticing as Lagos and as a result, Abuja does not have what it takes to be reckoned among the league of world capital cities of other countries such as Washington, USA; Canberra, Australia; Paris, France; London; Great Britain, Madrid, Spain; Jo’burg, South Africa; Beijing; China; Moscow, Russia; and Ottawa, Canada.
The main worry of Governor Ambode is that the primacy of Lagos, which is further reinforced by numerous developmental projects and social programmes being implemented by the Lagos State Government(LASG) will continue to attract more migrants to the megacity many of whom would be a burden on the resources of the LASG. This was why he was implicitly philosophical in his random thoughts when he said, “ if only one man is prosperous in a village, it is not progress. Rather the man is in danger.”
The way forward
How to make Nigerian cities liveable is the trinity of a policy shift, government commitment, and political will to think, plan and implement.
First, we must dissuade and discourage by regulation, the idea of constant urban development incursion into the country’s hinterlands and wetlands because of the penchant for city expansion, which leads to sprawl and growth management problems. Sprawl should be contained as much as necessary. Where avoidable, development authorities should discourage the creation of “stand-alone communities” in the middle of the wilderness, which has no nexus with existing urban settlement. The orientation of urban development must change to a paradigm shift that embraces new urbanism principles. The principles that call for civic engagement, good urban governance, smart growth, creativity expressed through design, application of technology, the transformation of blighted areas, injection of modern commerce, innovation, rich entertainment, cultural revival, the lure for tourism and people-centred communities where there are a plethora of oppourtunities for everybody to succeed.
Lagos cannot be the only viable city in Nigeria. We should maximise the advocacy for more liveable cities, which can compete favourably with other world cities.
The federal government in collaboration with the states must pay attention to the revitalisation and regeneration of other cities in the country including the overhauling of urban administration in order to make these cities functional and liveable. Such collaboration will be mutually beneficial to both governmental entities in terms of revenue generation. Overhauling of urban administration system should be the starting point.
Without a firm grasp of the knowledge about urban management and administration with strong and visionary leaders who must be committed to planning, which this writer apologetically believes are not plenteous in the country, Nigerian cities would continue to be at the backwater of new urbanism. The aspect of “visionary leaders” is imperative and worth the emphasis because it is the vision of the leader that drives the whole process of development.
The city of Dubai, UAE has through the history of its development benefitted immensely from visionary leaders who often decided what is to be “accomplished” for the city, not how to do it. A sort of “goal-setting agenda” which they always pursue with gusto. We want to advocate that policy-makers and urban administrators must be fairly knowledgeable and familiar with contemporary and emerging urban issues such as smart growth, climate change, carbon emission, green initiative, biodiversity, tactical urbanism, transit-oriented development, bus rapid transit, uneven growth, sustainable development, global warming, funding mechanism and city inclusivity. A rudimentary understanding of the importance and interconnectedness of all these trending issues in creating a liveable city should be a boon and without it, planning is made difficult. With poor planning, the achievement of set goals and objectives go south.
Last line
All the problems afflicting Nigerian cities are cumulative effects of neglect and maladministration, weak growth management strategy, corruption, and to a larger extent, ineffective urban planning. The government cannot continue to pay lip service to city administration, the consequence of which is better imagined. When cities are made liveable, everyone benefits. As Robert H. McNulty, President, Partners for Liveable Communities rightly said, “ …liveable communities can augment economic development and benefit all segments of the resident population… Liveability is an action for the good.”
Global financial institutions Citi and JPMorgan Chase & Co. on Tuesday, September 19, 2017 at the Climate Week NYC 2017 in New York joined The Climate Group’s RE100 campaign with CDP, committing to source 100% renewable power across their global operations by 2020.
Helen Clarkson, Chief Executive Officer, The Climate Group
Other companies joining the RE100 initiative are one of the fastest-growing beverage companies, Califia Farms, and UK investment management company Jupiter Asset Management.
Helen Clarkson, CEO, The Climate Group, said: “This year’s Climate Week NYC is jam-packed with the best examples of corporate leadership – from cleaner, smarter energy choices through to ambitious commitments on electric transport. Companies joining RE100 recognize that renewable power is a smart business decision. Their leadership will help to shape energy markets away from fossil fuels and deliver on the Paris Agreement at speed.”
Citi is the leading global bank, with approximately 200 million customer accounts and business in more than 160 countries, and a mission to responsibly provide financial services that enable growth and economic progress. The bank has set a new target to achieve 100% renewable electricity by 2020 across its global operations, as part of its broader Sustainable Progress strategy and $100 billion Environmental Finance Goal. Citi’s strategy will consider on-site power generation and Power Purchase Agreements, along with a continuing focus on energy efficiency.
Michael Corbat, CEO, Citi said: “We are right alongside our clients in supporting the growth of renewable energy development and production. We’re committed to using renewable power sources for our global operations while continuing to provide financing for our clients’ renewable energy and energy efficiency projects around the world.”
JPMorgan Chase & Co., a leading global financial services firm with assets of $2.6 trillion, announced in July that it plans to go 100% renewable by 2020. The firm, which has offices and operations in more than 60 countries across over 5,500 properties, covering approximately 75 million square feet – about 27 times the square footage of the office space at the Empire State Building – will achieve this goal by prioritising transactions that add new renewable energy to the grids on which it consumers power.
The firm will install renewable energy technology across buildings and branches, sign Power Purchase Agreements with renewable energy projects and reduce energy consumption. JPMorgan Chase also committed to facilitating $200 billion in clean financing by 2025.
Matt Arnold, Global Head of Sustainable Finance, JPMorgan Chase & Co., said: “Business has an essential role to play in advancing the transition to clean energy and a safe climate. Our commitment to source renewable power for 100% of our global energy needs by 2020 – which is paired with a plan to facilitate US$200 billion in clean energy financing through 2025 – is driven by ‘out-of-the-box’ innovators and a commercial approach that will deliver a more resilient energy supply chain.”
Jupiter Asset Management is a leading, London-based investment management company, with a goal of sourcing 100% renewable energy for its electricity use by 2018. The company is already 94% renewable.
Maarten Slendebroek, CEOr, Jupiter Asset Management, said: “We believe our decision to target 100% renewable electricity through RE100 highlights the alignment between our corporate strategy and our investment activities. As a long-term active investor, we believe that climate change and energy transition carry risks and opportunities that warrant our attention. This initiative demonstrates Jupiter’s commitment to environmentally responsible corporate behavior.”
Califia Farms is a leading provider of nutmilks, ready-to-drink coffees, juices and creamers, all of which are 100% plant-based, non-GMO, carrageenan-free, gluten-free, vegan and made with no artificial ingredients. The company is committed to sourcing 100% renewable electricity by 2020.
Eli Steltenpohl, Sustainability Manager, Califia Farms, said: “Next year, we plan on harnessing the California sunshine with more than just flavorful fruits and nuts. Califia Farms is committed to environmental stewardship across all facets of our business and we are excited to demonstrate that energy action is viable for companies of all sizes. We want to show how better-for you products can be produced in a better way, regardless of your industry or footprint.”
The eight newcomers to RE100 were announced on stage at ‘VELOCITY – Accelerating Climate Action’, a unique event at Climate Week NYC, which sees The Climate Group partner with VICE Impact, Formula E and Spring Studios to champion ambitious climate action to business and governments.
There were high level speakers from RE100 member companies, including AB InBev, DBS Bank, General Motors, Goldman Sachs, H&M, JPMorgan Chase & Co., Kellogg Company, and Philips Lighting – with H&M also speaking on their EP100 commitment on energy productivity, alongside Mahindra & Mahindra.
General Motors announced on Tuesday that it would power its Ohio and Indiana plants entirely with wind energy, meaning that renewable energy will 20% of the automaker’s global electricity load.
RE100 recently celebrated its 100 members milestone, drawing praise from global climate leaders including Patricia Espinosa, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and former US Vice President Al Gore.
The Climate Group has also launched its new EV100 initiative, to boost the uptake of electric vehicles across the world, and make electric transport the new normal.
