27.5 C
Lagos
Friday, May 23, 2025
Home Blog Page 1826

California launches legislation to reduce air pollution

admin
-
0
California launches legislation to reduce air pollution

Governor Edmund Jerry Brown, Senate President pro Tempore Kevin de León and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon on Monday, July 10, 2017 in Sacramento announced a legislative package that will launch a landmark programme to measure and combat air pollution at the neighborhood level – in communities most impacted – and extend and improve the state’s world-leading cap-and-trade programme to ensure California continues to meet its ambitious climate change goals.

gov-jerry-brown
California Governor, Jerry Brown

“The Legislature is taking action to curb climate change and protect vulnerable communities from industrial poisons,” said Governor Brown.

“These measures represent California’s leadership on climate and air quality. Extending California’s cap and trade program will protect consumers and businesses alike from high energy costs, while reducing the greenhouse gasses and air pollutants choking our communities throughout the state,” said Senate President pro Tempore Kevin de León.

“Once again we are showing that in California, protecting the environment and improving public health are inextricably linked. With its strong air quality provisions, this agreement ensures that Californians in underserved communities – and communities most impacted by air pollution – will receive the greatest benefit. All communities deserve clean air, benefits from strong climate actions, and a strong green economy. This package does just that,” said Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon.

The legislative package establishes a comprehensive, statewide programme – the first of its kind – to address air pollution where it matters most: in neighborhoods with the dirtiest air. This new programme helps dramatically improve air quality in local communities through neighborhood air monitoring and targeted action plans that require pollution reductions from mobile and stationary sources with strong enforcement and timetables.

The legislation also mandates that large industrial facilities, including oil refineries, in California’s most polluted communities upgrade their old, dirty equipment with cleaner, more modern technology by December 2023 at the latest. The legislation also increases the penalties against polluters that the Legislature has not been able to increase in more than 35 years.

In addition to improving air quality in California’s most impacted communities, the package strengthens and extends the state’s cap-and-trade programme, which will expire without legislative action. The programme, along with other state carbon reduction measures, ensures California will meet its SB 32 target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030. This legislation extends the programme by 10 years in the most cost-effective way possible, and makes the following improvements based on years of operation, analysis and input:

  • Ensures that carbon pollution will decrease as the programme’s emissions cap declines.
  • Cuts the use of out-of-state carbon offsets and brings those environmental benefits back to California.
  • Designates the California Air Resources Board as the statewide regulatory body responsible for ensuring that California meets its statewide carbon pollution reduction targets, while retaining local air districts’ responsibility and authority to curb toxic air contaminants and criteria pollutants from local sources that severely impact public health.
  • Decreases free carbon allowances over 40 percent by 2030.
  • Prioritises cap-and-trade spending to ensure funds go where they are needed most, including reducing diesel emissions in the most impacted communities.

Extending cap and trade also ensures that billions of dollars in auction proceeds continue flowing to communities across California. To date, these investments have preserved and restored tens of thousands of acres of open space, helped plant thousands of new trees, funded 30,000 energy efficiency improvements in homes, expanded affordable housing, boosted public transit and helped over 100,000 Californians purchase zero-emission vehicles. Examples of these $1.2 billion in investments, half of which have benefited disadvantaged communities, include:

  • Electric transit buses and charging stations in the San Joaquin Valley.
  • The Mammoth Express bus route serving Inyo and Mono Counties.
  • 110 new units of mixed-income housing near Oakland’s Coliseum BART station.
  • More water efficiency technology on farms.
  • Electric vehicle carsharing programme for disadvantaged communities in Los Angeles.
  • The five-stop Visalia-Fresno Shuttle Project to improve the Visalia Transit system.
  • The MacArthur Park Apartments to increase affordable housing and access to transit near downtown Los Angeles.
  • All-electric buses in the Antelope Valley.
  • New train cars for BART.
  • New electric buses in Porterville.
  • Habitat restoration following the King Fire.
  • 50 new housing units with bike lanes in the City of Lindsay.
  • 44 affordable housing units and a vanpool programme in Dinuba.

The legislative package is said to include AB 617 by Assemblymembers Cristina Garcia (D-Bell Gardens), Eduardo Garcia (D-Coachella) and Miguel Santiago (D-Los Angeles) and AB 398 by Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia (D-Coachella) and is the product of weeks of discussions between the administration and legislative leaders with Republican and Democratic legislators, environmental justice advocates, environmental groups, utilities, industry and labor representatives, economists, agricultural and business organisations, faith leaders and local government officials.

Brown, Bloomberg defy Trump, launch Paris Agreement support initiative

admin
-
0
Brown, Bloomberg defy Trump, launch Paris Agreement support initiative

In an apparent defiance of the recent President Donald Trump resolve, Governor Jerry Brown of California State and philanthropist Michael Bloomberg have launched “America’s Pledge on climate change”, a new initiative aimed at compiling and quantifying the actions of states, cities and businesses in the United States to drive down their greenhouse gas emissions consistent with the goals of the Paris Climate Change Agreement.

Michael Bloomberg
Michael Bloomberg

“Today we’re sending a clear message to the world that America’s states, cities and businesses are moving forward with our country’s commitments under the Paris Agreement – with or without Washington,” said Governor Jerry Brown, who was recently named Special Advisor for States and Regions ahead of the United Nations’ 23rd Conference of the Parties to the Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP23).

Since the White House announcement of its intention to withdraw from the Paris Agreement, an unprecedented number of U.S. states, cities, businesses, and colleges and universities have reaffirmed their support for the Paris Agreement through collaborations including the “We Are Still In” declaration, the Climate Mayors coalition of cities, the U.S. Climate Alliance group of states, and others.

Building on this positive momentum, the America’s Pledge initiative will for the first time aggregate the commitments of these and other “non-Party actors” in a report on the full range of climate-related activities across the whole of U.S. society. The process of developing America’s Pledge will also provide a roadmap for increased climate ambition from U.S. states, cities, businesses and others, and will transparently demonstrate to the international community how and in which ways these entities can help the U.S. deliver on its pledge under the Paris Agreement.

“In the U.S., emission levels are determined far more by cities, states, and businesses than they are by our federal government – and each of these groups is taking action because it’s in their own best interest,” said Michael Bloomberg, the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Cities and Climate Change. “Reducing emissions is good for the economy and good for public health. The American government may have pulled out of the Paris Agreement, but American society remains committed to it – and we will redouble our efforts to achieve its goals. We’re already halfway there.”

In 2015, during the lead-up to the Paris conference on climate change, the U.S. submitted its “Nationally Determined Contribution” committing to reduce emissions 26-28% against 2005 levels by 2025. Last weekend, the G20 Leaders’ Declaration took note of the Trump Administration’s decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement, confirming that “it will immediately cease the implementation of its current nationally-determined contribution” while underscoring that “the Leaders of the other G20 members state that the Paris Agreement is irreversible.” Through the America’s Pledge initiative, Brown and Bloomberg will work to demonstrate continued climate leadership across U.S. society, and that subnational action can significantly reduce U.S. greenhouse gas emissions at a time of limited federal leadership.

Commissioned by Brown and Bloomberg, the Rocky Mountain Institute and the World Resources Institute will jointly lead an inclusive analytical effort supporting America’s Pledge, with involvement by a broad set of stakeholders to be announced later this year. In November, Brown and Bloomberg, along with other U.S. governors, mayors, and business leaders, will compile and showcase existing climate commitments of U.S. subnational and non-state actors at COP23, to be hosted by the Government of Fiji in Bonn, Germany.

In addition, the America’s Pledge initiative will work to quantify the aggregate impact of these commitments on projected future emissions, comparing against both a business-as-usual (BAU) trajectory of projected greenhouse gas emissions under likely Trump Administration policies, and the U.S. Nationally Determined Contribution of 26-28% reductions against a 2005 baseline by 2025.

Finally, the America’s Pledge initiative will present a game plan for raising the bar and expanding the map when it comes to non-Party actors driving down U.S. emissions. This set of options, which will highlight the significant levers available to states, cities, and businesses to further reduce U.S. emissions, will serve as a playbook for enhanced ambition among U.S. climate leaders who are committed to meeting America’s commitments under the Paris Agreement.

“I am convinced that to be effective, action to address climate change must be taken at all levels of society, including by mayors, governors, local leaders, chief executive officers and others,” said United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres. “This is demonstrably not an issue that can be addressed by national governments alone. The effort to aggregate and quantify the actions of subnational authorities and non-Party stakeholders in the United States via ‘America’s Pledge’ is welcome.”

CHAN: 30 players resume camping

admin
-
0
CHAN: 30 players resume camping

The 30 players selected for camping ahead of the qualifiers of the fifth edition of the Championship of the African Cup of Nations (CHAN), which will be hosted by Kenya, are to resume camping next Monday.

Salisu Yusuf
Assistant coach of the Super Eagles, Salisu Yusuf

Assistant coach of the Super Eagles, Salisu Yusuf, who made this known to newsmen, however said the technical crew was yet to decide which city, between Kano and Kaduna, would be used for the camping of the players.

Salisu said selecting the squad was a tough task, following the good form of most of the players in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

“Every weekend the players are in one form of the league matches or on Continental assignments, thus putting them in good and tough shapes.”

One of the players who made the list, Captain of Lobi Stars, Raphael Orator, said his call-up which he described as a dream come true, will not affect the fortunes of Makurdi side in the domestic League.

“I thank the Makurdi fans and teammates as, without them, I wouldn’t have been selected,” he stated.

The Super Eagles will take on the winners between Togo and Benin Republic next month. The first leg is scheduled to take place in either Cotonou, Benin Republic, or Lome, Togo on the weekend of the 11th – 13th August, with the return return leg on the 19th of the same month.

In another development, on the tennis court, Novak Djokovic reached the quarter final of the Wimbledon Open with a straight victory over Frenchman Adrian Mannarino.

In a match delayed from Monday, the world number four beat Mannarino, who is ranked number 51 in the world, 6-2,7-6, 6-4 in two hours, 13 minutes.

The Serb appeared unhappy with the condition of Centre Court and also received treatment on his right shoulder during the match.

The 30-year-old will face Czech 11th seed Tomas Berdych in the last eight.

For the Ladies, five-time champion Venus Williams won in her 100th singles match to knock out French Open winner, Jelena Ostapenko, to reach the semi finals.

Venus earned a 6-3, 7-5 victory against the 20-year-old Latvian, in one hour, 13 minutes on Centre Court.

The American is the oldest player to reach the last four since Martina Navratilova in 1994, but said she did not think about her age.

“I love the challenge. I love the pressure. I feel quite capable, to be honest and powerful, “she said.

Venus will now play Britain’s sixth seed Johanna Konta in the last four on Thursday, after Konta knocked out second seed Simona Helep. Konta also became Britain’s first women’s Wimbledon semi finalist, since 1978.

Garbine Muguruza will also play Magdalena Dybarikova in the other semi final.

By Felix Simire

World Population Day: Why Nigeria is world’s 7th most populous

admin
-
1
World Population Day: Why Nigeria is world’s 7th most populous

Experts have attributed poor family planning habits to the escalation of Nigeria’s population over the last decade.

Nigeria Population
Nigeria’s population is said to be equivalent to 2.55% of the total world population

According to data from worldometers, a global real time statistics and data platform, Nigeria added 52.22 million people to its population in the last 12 years, making it the country with the 7th highest number of people in the world.

At a population of 191.89 million (182.2 million in 2015), Nigeria presently makes up 2.55 per cent of the global population.

“I specially implore all partners working with us in Nigeria to eliminate all barriers to access in family planning and improving quality of life of our people,” said Isaac Adewole, Nigeria’s minister of health on his twitter message to commemorate the World Population Day, observed globally on Tuesday, July 11, 2017. “As the federal ministry of health we’re committed to execution of quality family service at all levels of healthcare.”

This year’s World Population Day, themed: “Family Planning:  Empowering People, Developing Nations”, focused on the urgency and importance of population issues.

According to observers, the surge in Nigeria’s population is coming amidst decay in health sector infrastructure and social services, posing grave imminent demographic menace to a country that is already grappling with numerous socioeconomic challenges.

The nation’s National Population Commission (NPC) has reiterated the need for family planning.

Chairman of the commission, Chief Eze Duruiheoma, said family planning issues are personal decisions, which are not just about saving life but empowering people and developing nations.

He spoke on Tuesday in Awka through the Anambra State Director of the NPC, Mr Joachin Ulasi, who urged indigenes to deploy the use of family planning to manage the number of children they bear, in line with their income.

According to him, the theme of this year’s World Population Day is targeted at using family planning to ensure quality population in the country.

In 1989, the Governing Council of the United Nations Development Programme recommended that 11 July be observed by the international community as World Population Day, a day to focus attention on the urgency and importance of population issues.

According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), access to safe, voluntary family planning is a human right. It is also central to gender equality and women’s empowerment, and is a key factor in reducing poverty, the UNFPA adds.

It went further: “Yet around the world, some 214 million women in developing countries who want to avoid pregnancy are not using safe and effective family planning methods, for reasons ranging from lack of access to information or services to lack of support from their partners or communities. Many of those with an unmet demand for contraceptives live in the poorest countries on earth. Investments in making family planning available also yield economic and other gains that can propel development forward.”

This year’s World Population Day, 11 July, coincides with the Family Planning Summit, the second meeting of the FP2020–Family Planning 2020–initiative, which aims to expand access to voluntary family planning to 120 million additional women by 2020.

Carbon neutrality: France sets 2040 date to phase out fossil-fuel-powered vehicles

admin
-
0
Carbon neutrality: France sets 2040 date to phase out fossil-fuel-powered vehicles

France plans to end the sale of gasoline- and diesel-powered vehicles by 2040 in a bid to become a carbon-neutral nation, Energy Minister, Nicolas Hulot said. They will be replaced with electric cars.

Nicolas Hulot
Energy Minister of France, Nicolas Hulot

Presenting the country’s “Climate Plan” in Paris on Thursday, July 6, 2017, Hulot said France would offer tax incentives to replace diesel autos that are more than 20 years old and gasoline vehicles made before 2001. The government, he added, would likewise end oil and gas exploration on French territory, eliminate coal-fired power plants by 2022 and encourage home owners to produce their own energy.

“The target is a tough one,” Hulot, a former journalist and environmental activist, said. “But France wants to become the No. 1 green economy.”

President Emmanuel Macron’s government unveiled plans to eliminate net carbon emissions by 2050 as leaders from the Group of 20 nations, including all the world’s biggest polluters, gathered in Hamburg. U.S. President Donald Trump met Macron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Chinese President Xi Jinping, who criticised his decision to withdraw from the Paris climate accord last month.

On Wednesday, Volvo Car Group became the first major manufacturer to say it will start phasing out vehicles powered solely by fossil fuels, joining a parade of manufacturers shifting toward electric cars. The Swedish auto brand says it plans to offer only hybrid or full-electric motors on every new model launched in 2019 or later, and it expects to have five fully electric vehicles in its lineup by 2021. That means Volvo will make its last full-gasoline or diesel car in about 2025.

Though electric cars have been around since the 1800s and have gotten a lot of attention in the past half-decade or so, they’re still just a fraction of the overall market as drivers balk at high prices and limited driving ranges. Battery-powered autos made up about 1 percent of sales in the U.S., Europe and China last year. They will outsell fossil-fuel powered vehicles within two decades as the cost of batteries plunge, according to a Bloomberg New Energy Finance forecast.

Shares of French automaker PSA Group rose as much as 2.4 percent after Hulot’s speech, while Renault SA gained 1.9 percent, making them the day’s best performers on the Bloomberg 500 Autos Index.

Sales of Peugeot, Citroen and DS cars made by PSA should benefit from tax incentives to scrap older autos, a company spokeswoman said by phone, adding that “switching to another energy source isn’t painless.” PSA plans to offer an electric version of 80 percent of its models by 2023 but isn’t going fully electric anytime soon.

“Nicolas Hulot only speaks for France, but we are a global company and most of the world still runs on combustion engines,” she said.

Courtesy: Bloomberg

CITES welcomes G20 declaration on combating corruption related to illegal wildlife trade

admin
-
0
CITES welcomes G20 declaration on combating corruption related to illegal wildlife trade

In the G20 Leaders Declaration, “Shaping an interconnected world”, released on Saturday, July 8, 2017 after meeting in Hamburg, Germany, G20 leaders reaffirmed their commitment to address illegal trade in wildlife and wildlife products, particularly through combating corruption.

John Scanlon
CITES Secretary-General, John Scanlon

The leaders stated: “We will intensify our fight against corruption related to illegal trade in wildlife and wildlife products. Wildlife trafficking is a threat to the planet’s biodiversity, economic development, and, among others, health and security, and is facilitated by high levels of corruption, which the G20 cannot tolerate.”

The High Level Principles on Combating Corruption Related to Illegal Trade in Wildlife and Wildlife Products, adopted as an annex of the G20 Leaders’ Declaration, sets out concrete steps to combat this corruption, including through strengthening legislation, law enforcement and capacity building frameworks, establishing preventive measures such as demand reduction and risk mitigation, and implementing concrete actions on investigation, prosecution and sanctioning.

These High Level Principles make specific reference to the historic CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) CoP17 resolution on combating corruption, making the CITES permit system more resilient against corruption, including through the CITES electronic permitting system and enhanced traceability, as well as to the critical role of the International Consortium on Combating Wildlife Crime (ICCWC) in combating corruption, in which CITES is a partner,  together with INTERPOL, UNODC, the World Bank and the World Customs Organisation.

“CITES is known for its pragmatic and well-targeted approach to regulating legal and sustainable trade in wildlife and in combating illegal wildlife trade. Historic resolutions addressing corruption, law enforcement and demand reduction were adopted at CITES CoP17 last year in Johannesburg, as was recognised by the G20 Leaders’ Declaration,” said CITES Secretary-General, John Scanlon. “We are extremely pleased and encouraged by the strong political commitment and specific steps mapped out by the G20 leaders to tackle the corruption that fuels illegal wildlife trade.”

The Declaration also reaffirms the fundamental legal framework that CITES provides for the regulation of international trade in more than 36,000 listed species of wild animals and plants. It also recognises the threats posed to a number of high-value CITES-listed species that are targeted by organised crime groups.

“The recent record breaking seizures of elephant ivory in Asia, with nearly 10 tonnes of ivory confiscated last week alone by Customs and police officers, reminds us that while good progress has been made in the flight against illegal trade in wildlife, we must continue to further strengthen our collective efforts. With high level commitments and concerted national efforts, including major decisions in source and destination countries, we are clearly on the right track to address illegal trade in wildlife and if we persist we will win this fight,” added Scanlon.

With 183 Parties (182 countries + the European Union), CITES is regarded as one of the world’s most powerful tools for wildlife conservation through the regulation of trade. It was signed in Washington D.C. on March 3, 1973 and entered into force on July 1, 1975.

Measles epidemic hits Europe, claims 35 lives in 12 months

admin
-
0
Measles epidemic hits Europe, claims 35 lives in 12 months

Ongoing measles outbreaks in the World Health Organisation (WHO) European Region have caused 35 deaths in the past 12 months. The most recent fatality was a six-year-old boy in Italy, where over 3300 measles cases and two deaths have occurred since June 2016.

Zsuzsanna Jakab
Zsuzsanna Jakab, Regional Director, World Health Organisation Regional Office for Europe

Several other countries have also reported outbreaks which, according to national public health authorities, have caused 31 deaths in Romania, one death in Germany and another in Portugal.

“Every death or disability caused by this vaccine-preventable disease is an unacceptable tragedy,” says Dr Zsuzsanna Jakab, WHO Regional Director for Europe. “We are very concerned that although a safe, effective and affordable vaccine is available, measles remains a leading cause of death among children worldwide, and unfortunately Europe is not spared. Working closely with health authorities in all European affected countries is our priority to control the outbreaks and maintain high vaccination coverage for all sections of the population.”

The Region has been progressing towards measles elimination. A total of 37 countries have interrupted endemic transmission, according to the assessment of the Regional Verification Commission for Measles and Rubella Elimination based on 2015 reporting. However, remaining pockets of low immunisation coverage allow the highly contagious virus to spread among those who choose not to vaccinate, do not have equitable access to vaccines or cannot be protected through vaccination due to underlying health conditions.

In response, several countries are adopting measures, such as school-entry checks, to increase coverage rates for routine vaccinations against measles and other diseases. WHO recommends that every eligible child receive two doses of measles-containing vaccine. It also encourages adults who are not fully immunised, or who are not sure of their immunity status, to get vaccinated.

In line with the Regional Director’s call for intensified efforts, Romania conducted a nationwide campaign of enhanced routine immunisation activities. Italy implemented outbreak control measures including notifying suspected cases, tracing contacts and offering post-exposure prophylaxis and vaccination.

On June 21, 2017 in Rome, Italy, experts from the WHO Regional Office for Europe contributed to a consultation with regional public health officials, representatives of the Italian Institute of Health (ISS), and measles and rubella laboratory officials. Together they decided on further strategies to improve vaccination coverage among adolescents, adults, vulnerable population groups and health-care workers. The range of identified activities includes strengthening disease surveillance and communication practices.

Multinationals target electricity from 100% renewable energy

admin
-
0
Multinationals target electricity from 100% renewable energy

The Climate Group’s RE100 initiative on Tuesday, July 11, 2017 reached its 100 members milestone as AkzoNobel N.V., AXA, Burberry plc and Carlsberg Group joined with a commitment to 100% renewable power.

Helen Clarkson
Helen Clarkson, Chief Executive Officer, The Climate Group

RE100 is delivered with CDP to engage, support and showcase large, influential businesses transitioning to 100% renewable electricity across their global operations.

RE100 members, including 30 Global Fortune 500 companies, have total revenue of $2.5 trillion and operate in a diverse range of sectors – from Information Technology to automobile manufacturing.

Together, they are creating around 146 terawatt-hours (TWh) in demand for renewable electricity annually – about as much as it takes to power Poland.

AkzoNobel becomes the second biggest electricity user to join RE100 after Walmart, consuming around 16 TWh annually. The Dutch paints and coatings company aims to be carbon neutral and use 100% renewable energy – heat as well as electricity – by 2050.

French insurance company AXA is targeting 100% renewable electricity by 2025. Operating in more than 60 countries with diverse energy markets, AXA intends to achieve this target by using a mix of approaches, notably buying electricity directly from providers and compensating for non-renewable electricity.

Global luxury fashion brand Burberry is aiming to procure 100% of electricity from renewable resources to power its whole business by 2022.

The Carlsberg Group, one of the world’s biggest brewers, is switching to 100% renewable electricity at its breweries by 2022, as a step towards its target to become carbon neutral in 2030.

Reflecting on the growth of RE100 since it launched in 2014, Helen Clarkson, Chief Executive Officer, The Climate Group, said: “We are really pleased at the success of our campaign; by championing the compelling case for business action, we have reached 100 members three years earlier than expected. Changes in the market such as the falling cost of renewables have also worked in our favor.

“We are increasingly seeing large multinationals such as Google, IKEA and Dalmia Cement demonstrating real leadership on renewables because it makes business sense – as well as helping to lower emissions, providing stable energy costs and increasing competitiveness.

“We are now calling on companies to go one step further, and inspire their suppliers and peers to follow their lead so that together, we can speed the transition from fossil fuels to renewables to keep warming well under two degrees Celsius.”

Paul Simpson, Chief Executive Officer, CDP, said: “Transitioning to 100% renewable electricity through RE100 shows true leadership in our new sustainable economy. It’s hugely encouraging that so many members are reporting clear progress, and fast. Following the vital steps of disclosure and insight on climate change activities, action is key to ensuring we move the global energy system to a tipping point by 2020.”

Cees’t Hart, Chief Executive Officer, Carlsberg Group, which recently announced it would target zero carbon emissions at its breweries by 2030, said: “Business leadership is key to addressing climate change, so we must all step up and take bold collective action. Through RE100, we are joining forces with other like-minded companies, which are also leading the change towards a low carbon future. Switching to 100% renewable electricity offers a holistic business case with financial, social and environmental benefits. Hopefully together, we can inspire others to step up and do the same.”

Leanne Wood, Chief People, Strategy & Corporate Affairs Officer, Burberry, said: “Procuring 100% of our energy from renewable resources by 2022 is a principal goal of Burberry’s five-year Responsibility agenda. We are proud that over half of our offices, stores, warehouses and internal manufacturing sites globally are powered by either on site renewable resources or through renewable tariffs. However, access to renewable resources is still limited in some places. By joining RE100 we aim to drive wider demand for low carbon power and encourage all providers to introduce renewable energy options.”

André Veneman, Corporate Director of Sustainability, AkzoNobel, a company which firmly believes that sustainability is business and business is sustainability, said: “We have put considerable effort into learning how to source renewable energy in a cost competitive way and the opportunities for our business are huge. We’re convinced that embracing renewable energy is an excellent way to create both short- and long-term value that will enable a true business transition. We’re delighted to be joining RE100 because it’s all about working with our suppliers, our customers and other leading companies to help make this change happen all over the world.”

Alice Steenland, Group Head of Corporate Responsibility, AXA, said: “In 2015, the portion of renewable electricity consumed by AXA was 36%, and this increased to 53% in 2016. Our target is to have 100% of our electricity from renewable sources by 2025. When large corporations like AXA switch to renewables, we are collectively creating significant new demand but also more broadly helping to accelerate the global transition to green energy. RE100 represents another opportunity to combine efforts to better tackle this important global issue.”

Pia Heidenmark Cook, Acting Chief Sustainability Officer, IKEA Group, added: “IKEA Group was a founding member of RE100. We wanted to lead by example, and support a movement towards a low carbon economy. We are excited that so many companies have joined – it simply shows renewables are the right thing to do for the business.”

RE100 has also been recognised by the UNFCCC and the World Economic Forum (WEF).

Patricia Espinosa, the Executive Secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), said: “Congratulations to all the companies, and all the individuals within those companies, who have joined the journey to a low carbon, resilient and dynamic future.

“This would not be happening without leadership – and not just at the level of the CEO or a company board. It has been a huge collective effort of people at all levels from those responsible for the business energy needs or the running of manufacturing facilities to those managing retail outlets or working in finance and purchasing,” she said.

“Moreover this ‘100 moment’ is part of an alliance of inspiring actions flourishing across the globe by corporations but also cities, regions, states, territories, investors and citizens – actions supporting and empowering governments to go further and faster with the Paris Climate Change Agreement,” added Ms Espinosa.

Dominic Waughray, Head of Public-Private Partnership, Member of the Executive Committee, World Economic Forum, said: “Reaching the milestone of 100 companies that have committed to 100% renewables and joined RE100 shows the potential for business to lead, and collectively shift markets to a more sustainable future. This is hugely important in the race to implement the Paris Agreement in the most efficient and prosperous way possible.”

Standard to measure progress toward SDGs, climate targets launched

admin
-
0
Standard to measure progress toward SDGs, climate targets launched

Gold Standard on Monday, July 10, 2017 launched Gold Standard for the Global Goals, a new standard to quantify, certify and maximise the contributions of climate and development interventions toward the Paris Climate Agreement and the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Marion Verles
Marion Verles, Chief Executive Officer of Gold Standard

The standard is set to help those who fund life-changing climate and development projects around the world – including businesses, governments and investors – to measure, report and track the full range of benefits they have contributed to. Supported by WWF and other international NGOs, it is also anticipated that the best practice standard will protect against accusations of ‘green-washing’ as well as open up new avenues of funding for large-scale programmes, like green infrastructure and sustainable supply chain interventions around the world.

Marion Verles, Chief Executive Officer of Gold Standard, said: “If we are to keep global warming well below 2oC and meet the Sustainable Development Goals, climate action must be holistic and high-impact, helping the world develop on a sustainable pathway. SDGs are becoming a huge priority for a range of public and private sector organisations, but accurately measuring and reporting progress has presented a major challenge. Our new standard quantifies and certifies the many additional benefits Gold Standard projects deliver beyond carbon mitigation – for example by providing access to clean energy and water, creating jobs, improving health or protecting natural habitats – providing those who run or fund projects with new opportunities to measure and report their impact.”

Ambassador Franz Xaver Perrez, Head of the International Affairs Division for Switzerland’s Federal Office for the Environment, said: “When Switzerland looks at its options for meeting parts of its Paris target, we want to ensure that international carbon markets increase global mitigation ambition and encourage activities that go as far as possible toward the greater good. Climate mitigation projects that include strong sustainable development provisions, like those to be certified under Gold Standard for the Global Goals, make achieving the 2030 Agenda closer within reach.”

As well as incentivising more ambitious climate action from public and private sector bodies, the new standard is expected to unlock billions of dollars of funding needed to scale-up clean technology and sustainable development in cities around the globe. Cities emit around 75% of global CO2 emissions, yet less than 15% of global climate finance has reached cities as, according to the World Bank, only 4% of the largest 500 cities in the developing world are credit worthy in international markets. The Standard’s Urban Development module will help developers design and implement best practice projects, and quantify and communicate climate and development impacts such as cleaner air and improved health, to attract investment and gain public support.

Denise Welch, Director of Research and Technical Initiatives at The R20 – Regions of Climate Action, said: “As the investment community is increasingly concerned about “green washing” or “SDG washing” through false or exaggerated claims, knowing that both the greenhouse gas emissions and sustainable development outcomes of urban climate change programs have been quantified and scrutinised by third-party auditors makes a jurisdiction more attractive to investors – ultimately helping cities transform from ‘business as usual’ to sustainable and more prosperous urban environments.”

Established by WWF in 2003, Gold Standard sets the best practice benchmark for climate projects, ensuring the highest levels of environmental integrity and sustainable development in carbon markets. To accelerate progress toward the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals, Gold Standard will now certify a range of independently-verified SDG Impacts in addition to its flagship carbon credits.

New safeguards with Gold Standard for the Global Goals mean that, for the first time, gender equality will be at the heart of every project.  Strict criteria, rigorous safeguards and independent third-party verification offer assurance that projects deliver real emission reductions and contribute to at least three SDGs, while ongoing engagement with local stakeholders ensures projects benefit local nature and communities as much as possible.

Gold Standard is partnering with the UNFCCC Secretariat – the body responsible for delivering the Paris Agreement – to develop a range of methodologies, tools and guidance to assist companies and sub-national governments in setting voluntary sustainability targets and assessing the SDG impacts of their initiatives.

James Grabert, Director, Sustainable Development Mechanisms, UNFCCC Secretariat, said:  “Governments are central to delivering the SDGs. But the speed and scale of the transformation needed can only happen if supported by all sectors of society. Solutions that the UNFCCC will co-develop with Gold Standard will help key actors like business and cities to act concretely towards our common goals as enshrined in the SDGs.”

The WWF, EcoAct and ClimateCare are strategic partners in the delivery of Gold Standard for the Global Goals.

Banks, UN seek to promote climate transparency in financial markets

admin
-
0
Banks, UN seek to promote climate transparency in financial markets

Together with the UN Environment Finance Initiative (UNEP FI), 11 of the world’s leading banks announced on Tuesday, July 11, 2017 a commitment to develop analytical tools and indicators to strengthen their assessment and disclosure of climate-related risks and opportunities. Following the publication last month of the final recommendations by the Financial Stability Board’s (FSB) Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), the banks not only welcome the recommendations but are the first from their industry to work towards adopting key elements of the ground-breaking framework.

Erik Solheim
Erik Solheim, Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Photo credit: OECD/Michael Dean

“The message from financial heavyweights is clear – climate change poses a real and serious threat to our economy,” said Head of UN Environment (UNEP), Erik Solheim. “At the same time, there are enormous business opportunities in taking climate action. Transparency on how financial institutions mitigate the risks and seize the opportunities of a two degrees pathway is crucial to move international markets towards actively supporting a low-carbon and climate-resilient future.”

The Financial Stability Board, chaired by Bank of England Governor Mark Carney, mandated the Task Force to develop voluntary, consistent climate-related financial risk disclosures for use by companies, investors, lenders and insurers. Increasing the amount of reliable information on financial institutions’ exposure to climate-related risks and opportunities will strengthen the stability of the financial system and help boost climate‑friendly investments. Chaired by the former Mayor of New York, Michael Bloomberg, the Task Force’s final recommendations were published at the end of June and submitted to the G20 last week.

The recommendations are welcomed by financial institutions and civil society alike, as the role of the finance sector in meeting the Paris Climate Agreement’s goals becomes increasingly clear. This first mover project to implement the recommendations puts the eleven UNEP FI members in the vanguard of this effort. Its results will be made public to encourage banks worldwide to adopt the scenarios, models and approaches developed.

“Sustainable finance is about two imperatives: improving the contribution of finance to sustainable, low-carbon and inclusive growth, and ensuring financial stability in light of environmental risks such as climate change,” said Christian Thimann, Group Head of Strategy, Sustainability and Public Affairs at the AXA Group, Co-Chair of UNEP FI and TCFD Vice-Chair. “The TCFD framework emphasises how achieving these two goals requires that financial and non-financial corporations provide more transparency on how they plan to address the risks and opportunities related to climate change.”

“After the G20, the issue now is about implementation: how can the finance industry put the framework into practice and deliver disclosure that is meaningful? Through this and other industry-led working groups UNEP FI is helping the finance sector to do just that: move from awareness to action.”

Shayne Elliott, CEO of ANZ, said: “Companies must improve reporting on their management of carbon risks and opportunities for their shareholders and banks to make more informed decisions. We are doing our part by being an earlier adopter of the FSB Taskforce recommendations, joining this initiative and thus signalling we will be seeking greater disclosure from our customers about their climate related risks and opportunities.”

Jes Staley, CEO, Barclays PLC: “As a contributing member to the work of the FSB Task Force over the past 18 months, Barclays is pleased to be able to continue our involvement by joining this UNEP FI Working Group.  Putting the theory into practice – or exploring how best the Recommendations can be implemented – and creating greater transparency for all participants, is an endeavour we look forward to working on with our fellow Working Group participants.”

David Gall, Chief Group Risk Officer, National Australia Bank: “We recognise the growing demand for disclosure of information to assist investors, customers and shareholders make more informed decisions on carbon opportunities and risks. We are committed to making sure we have reliable and standardised information to guide our reporting – we made a commitment to carbon risk disclosure in 2015 and our work with the UN Environment is another example of this commitment.”

Luiz Carlos Angelotti, Executive Director, Bradesco: “Bradesco supports the Task Force initiative and believes that if companies and investors adopt its recommendations and include such [an] important issue in their strategic discussions… it will certainly facilitate the transition towards a lower-carbon economy, reducing asset price impacts and creating new business line opportunities for companies.”

Vasuki Shastry, Global Head, Public Affairs and Sustainability, Standard Chartered: “Climate change is a problem which requires global ambition and action; the work of the Taskforce on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures is an important step in delivering this. We look forward to working collaboratively through the UN Environment Programme to explore how these disclosures can be practically implemented by the banking sector.”

Ed Skyler, ‎Executive Vice President for Global Public Affairs, Citi: “The scale and sophistication of climate risk and opportunity continue to grow, and the finance sector has an important role in shaping the path forward. Working together to refine our approaches to enhanced disclosure will help accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy.”‎

Liselotte Arni, Head Environmental and Social Risk, UBS: “We welcome and support the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures. They represent a major step forward to help businesses and investors assess the risks associated with climate change. We look forward to working with other banks on implementing the TFCD’s recommendations.”

Denise Hills, Sustainability Superintendent, Itaú, and Co-chair of the UNEP FI Steering Committee: “Our participation in this UNEP FI initiative strengthens our commitment to a global economy in transition. At the same time, it reinforces our purpose to be a transformation agent to add value for our clients, shareholders and society in an ethical, consistent and responsible way.”

The UN Environment Finance Initiative is a partnership between UNEP and the global financial sector created in the wake of the 1992 Earth Summit with a mission to promote sustainable finance. Over 200 financial institutions, including banks, insurers and investors, work with UN Environment to understand today’s environmental challenges, why they matter to finance, and how to actively participate in addressing them.

1...1,8251,8261,827...2,225Page 1,826 of 2,225

TV Report

Archives

2025 EnviroNews Nigeria. All Rights Reserved.

×