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Category: Environment

  • UACA welcomes new members at Road to COP28 event

    UACA welcomes new members at Road to COP28 event

    The addition of new members strengthens the alliance and advances its mission of increasing momentum towards the UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 strategic initiative…reports Asian Lite News

    The UAE Alliance for Climate Action (UACA), the flagship non-state actor programme for UAE, continues to gain crucial momentum for decarbonisation in the lead up to COP28 and beyond. The alliance recently welcomed onboard new members from the private sector and academia: Sodexo, Majid Al Futtaim, Pure Harvest Smart Farms, Al Naboodah, Khalifa University, Arla Foods, Advanced Media Trading and Enviroserve, bringing its total membership to 27.

    The newest additions join a rapidly expanding group of prominent non-state actors which include ALDAR, Alserkal Group, American University of Sharjah, Apparel Group, Aramex, Bureau Veritas Group Middle East, Chalhoub Group, Danone, Farnek Services LLC, Johnson Controls Middle East and Africa, HSBC, PepsiCo Positive (pep+) Middle East, Nestlé, Ras Al Khaimah Municipality Department, Serco, SirajPower, Sobha Realty, Talabat and Unilever.

    The addition of new members strengthens the alliance and advances its mission of increasing momentum towards the UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 strategic initiative, in line with science and the Paris Agreement. UACA members were invited to join the Road to COP28 event in Dubai, which was organised by the UN Climate Change High-Level Champions, to understand the vital role non-state actors play in supporting and actively contributing to climate and nature goals.

    UACA supports members at every stage of their decarbonisation journey, by providing tools, visibility and capacity building to set science-based targets and enable further ambition. In 2023, the alliance organised multiple workshops and webinars to enhance understanding around Science Based Targets (SBTi), Scope 3 Emissions, Greenhouse Gas Protocol, Change Management, and the High-Level Champions’ campaign Race to Zero.

    Endorsed by the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) and convened by environmental non-profit organisation Emirates Nature-WWF, UACA facilitates greater collaboration on enhancing the policy environment through one unified voice.

    UACA is also an accelerator to the Race to Zero, the global campaign led by the High-Level Champions which rallies leadership and support from non-state actors to build momentum around decarbonisation and commits members to halving emissions by 2030. The alliance was featured at the Road to COP28 event, demonstrating the importance of non-state actors in the UAE coming together to raise their ambition towards short-term and long-term net-zero targets that are aligned to the Paris Agreement and Science-Based Targets.

    Razan Al Mubarak, UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for the COP28 Presidency, noted that a whole of society approach is imperative if we are to successfully ramp up climate action and succeed in limiting global warming in accordance with the Paris Agreement. She highlighted the important role that local alliances like UACA play in bringing together non-state actors to help build capacity and foster collaboration which are both critical to accelerating climate action.

    Laila Mostafa Abdullatif, Director-General of Emirates Nature-WWF, commended local efforts to support decarbonisation. She said “We are excited by the growing interest for climate action shown by local non-state actors and warmly welcome our newest members to the UAE Alliance for Climate Action. A bottom-up approach has the power to accelerate the collective momentum needed to deliver UAE’s vision for a net zero future. We are grateful to the High-Level Champions for creating pathways through which all of society can get involved, and look forward to achieving positive outcomes at COP28 and beyond.”

    With funding from HSBC MENAT, UACA was created in collaboration with the global Alliance for Climate Action (ACA) network, coordinated by WWF International, Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) and C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group. Technical partners include the Clean Energy Business Council and the Boston Consulting Group.

    ALSO READ: 12-year streak: UAE voted top place for Arab youth

  • Powering 270k homes, cutting emissions

    Powering 270k homes, cutting emissions

    H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid inaugurates 5th phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park…reports Asian Lite News

    His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has inaugurated the 900 megawatt (MW) fifth phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, the largest single-site solar park in the world with a planned capacity of 5,000 MW by 2030.

    The fifth phase of the project will provide clean energy to around 270,000 residences in Dubai, reducing 1.18 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually. Featuring a total investment of AED50 billion, based on the Independent Power Producer (IPP) model, the Solar Park is expected to reduce 6.5 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually when fully completed.

    H.H. Sheikh Mohammed said: “The UAE is at the forefront of global efforts to create a more sustainable future for all of humanity by taking concrete action to transition to renewable energies and combat climate change. In 2023, the UAE’s Year of Sustainability, and the year in which we are hosting COP28, we continue to place sustainability at the heart of our development plans and make new strides in shaping a truly environmentally friendly economy. The completion of the fifth phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park takes us another major step closer to realising our vision for an economy fully powered by clean energy.

    “Aligned with the UAE’s vision, Dubai has developed a clear strategy and pathway to achieve its targets of generating 25 per cent of its energy requirements from renewable sources by 2030 and 100 per cent by 2050. Dubai is resolute in its commitment to becoming one of the most sustainable cities in the world, with diverse initiatives.”

    “The rapid progress of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park project is yet another example of our strong ethos of public-private partnerships. Such partnerships play a key role in driving sustainable economic development, building a world-class renewable energy infrastructure and creating a diverse environment-friendly energy mix in the emirate. Apart from benefiting the environment, our sustainability initiatives also contribute to our plans to consolidate Dubai’s status as one of the world’s top urban economies and enhance the wellbeing and quality of life of our citizens and residents.”

    Sheikh Mohammed was briefed by Al Tayer about the fifth phase. DEWA has implemented this phase using the latest solar photovoltaic bifacial technologies with Single Axis Tracking to increase energy production and the plant’s efficiency.

    The AED2 billion project, implemented based on the Independent Power Producer (IPP) model, features a partnership between DEWA (60%) and a consortium led by ACWA Power and Gulf Investment Corporation (40%) through Shuaa Energy 3. DEWA achieved a world record by receiving the lowest bid of $1.6953 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh) for the fifth phase.

    The total capacity of the solar energy projects commissioned at the solar park has reached 2,427MW from photovoltaic solar panels and Concentrated Solar Power (CSP). The total capacity of the projects under construction at the solar park is 433MW from CSP. DEWA has increased the share of clean energy in Dubai’s energy mix to about 16.3% of its total installed capacity, which has reached 14,917 MW.

    The inauguration of the 900MW fifth phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park supports the directives of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to provide 100% of Dubai’s power production capacity from clean energy sources by 2050. In 2020, DEWA achieved a world record by receiving the lowest bid of USD 1.6953 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh) for the fifth phase, which included over 6.8 million safe working hours. The fifth phase was completed ahead of schedule (June 2023 instead of December 2023) despite the implementation having commenced during the COVID-19 pandemic.

    The fifth phase is one of the first projects in the Middle East to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) as part of an advanced robotic cleaning system for the operation and maintenance of photovoltaic panels. The total area of the fifth phase is approximately 10 square kilometres, which is half of the total area of the 800MW third phase.

    ALSO READ: ‘Arab World home to thousands of hope makers’

  • Pakistan braces for ‘Biparjoy’

    Pakistan braces for ‘Biparjoy’

    As per the latest update, the cyclone is about 210 km from Karachi, at least 225 km south of Thatta and about 145 km South-southwest of Keti Bandar….writes Hamza Ameer

    Pakistan is on the highest alert for disaster management, response, rescue and evacuation measures as the very severe cyclonic storm Biparjoy is set to make landfall on Thursday evening.

    Authorities have remained on high alert since the past 24 hours as emergency evacuation of thousands of families gains pace.

    Biparjoy is showing some sings of slowing down in pace and also took an expected curve, moving away from the country’s Sindh province’s provincial capital Karachi.

    However, the expected areas to get the first hit of the landfall are Keti Bandar, Badin and Thatta.

    According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department’s (PMD), the expected time for the cyclone landfall along with the wind speed also loosing some pace as it has fallen from 170 km per hour to about 120 to 140 kms per hour.

    “Cyclone Biparjoy has slowed down but core remains intense. It will not make a landfall before nightfall now,” said Climate Change Minister Sherry Rehman.

    “The cyclone was expected to landfall between Keti Bandar and India’s Gujarat by evening,” the PMD said.

    As per the latest update, the cyclone is about 210 km from Karachi, at least 225 km south of Thatta and about 145 km South-southwest of Keti Bandar.

    Pakistan Army, Rangers and rescue authorities have evacuated over 200,000 people so far.

    Rehman said that at least 72,000 people have been evacuated in the last 72 hours, adding that there is a possibility of another cyclone during July as well.

    “The widespread wind-dust/thunderstorm and heavy rain was likely in Sindh’s Thatta, Sujawal, Badin, Tharparkar, Mirpurkhas and Umerkot districts from June 15 to 17,” a PMD alert said.

    “Sea conditions along Sindh coast may get very rough/high and rough/very rough along Balochistan coast.”

    While authorities remain on tenterhooks as it braces to witness the landfall of Biparjoy, the estimates of the intensity of the cyclone remains unpredictable and unstable.

    “Directions of the cyclone were changing every hour. Its landfall period is variable and has moved further between June 15-16. We have at least 17 stations monitoring it,” said Rehman.

    “Biparjoy was the most monitored storm in the world right now.”

    Moreover, amid looming threat of the cyclone, heavy rainfall forecast, flight operations at Karachi, Hyderabad, Nawabshah, Sukkur have been directed to be suspended, if the air pressure crosses the threshold of 30 nautical knots.

    ALSO READ: India takes jibe at Pakistan, offers utmost sympathy for its ignorance

  • UAE prioritises ‘relief, recovery & peace’ at COP28

    UAE prioritises ‘relief, recovery & peace’ at COP28

    UAE convenes UN Security Council Open Debate emphasising linkages between climate change, international peace and security….reports Asian Lite News

    The UAE has called for collaborative and responsive approaches to address the interplay between climate change and international peace and security, at a United Nations Security Council ministerial open debate on Climate Change, Peace and Security organised by the Presidency.

    The open debate, held under the agenda item “Threats to International Peace and Security,” was a signature event of the UAE’s presidency of the UN Security Council for the month of June and was chaired by UAE Minister of Climate Change & Environment Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri.

    During the meeting, the Council received briefings from Juan Manuel Santos, Former President of Colombia, Nobel Peace Laureate, and Member of The Elders; Jean-Pierre Lacroix, UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations; and Salma Kadry, Climate, Peace and Security Specialist at the Consortium on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR).

    In her statement on behalf of the UAE, Minister Almheiri underscored that “the threat of climate change as a ‘risk multiplier’ is no longer a hypothetical scenario. It is a daily lived reality in various conflict settings around the world.”

    Almheiri reviewed the impacts of climate change on peace and security in various settings on the Council’s agenda, including Somalia, Iraq, and South Sudan.

    She called on the Security Council to embrace “innovative attempts to better understand and address the interplay between climate change, peace and security.” She added, “the Council must approach conflict through a climate-sensitive lens. We must strengthen the capacity and mandates of relevant peace operations to incorporate climate change in their risk mitigation and adaptation strategies, as well as efforts in conflict prevention and resolution.”

    Minister Almheiri also referred to the UAE’s plans, as the upcoming host of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28), to introduce a “Relief, Recovery, and Peace” Day, adding “this is the first of its kind at any COP, and its purpose is to highlight the intersection of climate change, peace, and security – and propose practical solutions to prevent and address the climate burden on stability.”

    According to her, the COP28 agenda is an ambitious response to the acute shortage of climate finance that is accessible – at a reasonable and sufficient cost – particularly for countries and communities experiencing humanitarian and security crises, in some cases receiving up to 80 times less per capita than other countries, which already receive inadequate flows.

    “Now is the time to reveal how these three axes interact and understand the common points between them, in addition to highlighting the role that the international community can play and the cooperation mechanism to build healthy, more prosperous and climate-resilient societies.” She added.

    Briefing the Council, former President Santos commended “the wise decision by the UAE – as COP28 host – to put climate, peace and security on the agenda.”

    He urged the Security Council to play its part, stating “there is much the Council could do to integrate climate more effectively into UN operations on the ground, building on the work of the Informal Expert Group. This includes having more climate and security advisors attached to peacekeeping missions and using climate forecasting as part of the UN’s prevention toolkits to anticipate and mitigate risk in fragile contexts.”

    Speakers further explored the impact of climate change in the context of the UN’s missions and discussed ways to enhance conflict prevention, peacebuilding initiatives, and resilience.

    Under-Secretary-General Lacroix described ongoing efforts to address the issue in the work of UN field missions, including through building “the capacity of our peace operations to anticipate and address the linkages between climate change, peace and security.”

    Under-Secretary-General Lacroix also reviewed the Secretary-General’s Peacebuilding Fund’s investments in “more than 70 climate-informed peacebuilding projects implemented by 21 different entities around the world, particularly in West Africa and the Sahel.”

    For her part, Kadry outlined to the Security Council the Arab region’s vulnerabilities to the interplay of climate change and peace and security. She emphasised the destabilising effects of climate change on social contracts, the role of conflict in undermining climate resilience, and the unintended consequences of global processes, including the energy transition.

    The UAE recently assumed the rotating presidency of the Security Council for June 2023. During its presidency and throughout its Council term, the UAE has committed to elevating the multidimensional challenge of climate change, including in Council products and by launching the Joint Pledges related to Climate, Peace and Security.

    The country serves as a Co-Chair of the Informal Expert Group of Members of the Security Council on Climate, Peace and Security and will host the 28th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) in November 2023.

    ALSO READ: OPEC lauds UAE’s economic resilience

  • Cyclone Biparjoy to make landfall today

    Cyclone Biparjoy to make landfall today

    Under the influence of the severe cyclonic storm Biparjoy, high tidal waves hit Gujarat on Thursday….reports Asian Lite News

    As cyclone Biparjoy has hit several parts of Gujarat, Kachchh’s Mandvi, on Thursday, witnessed rough sea conditions and strong winds.

    Earlier, the Indian Meteorological Department, on Sunday, gave a cyclone alert for Saurashtra and Kutch coasts in Gujarat. The department issued the alert: “Cyclone alert for Saurashtra and Kutch coast: Yellow message, ESCS BIPARJOY over East-central Arabian sea, at 1730 IST of 11th June near lat 18.6E and long 67.7E, likely to cross between Mandvi (Gujarat) and Karachi (Pakistan) by noon of 15th June”.

    Also, under the influence of the cyclone, high tidal waves hit Gujarat, on Thursday. According to the IMD, VSCS (very severe cyclonic storm) Biparjoy is to cross Saurashtra & Kutch & adjoining Pakistan coasts b/w Mandvi & Karachi near Jakhau Port by the evening of June 15.

    Amreli, June 14 (ANI): A team of 108 along with Pipavav Marine Police conduct a rescue operation of a pregnant woman who was bought to Pipavav port jetty via boat from Shiyalbet, in Amreli on Wednesday. All boat services have been stopped to go to Shiyalbet, only emergency boat service has been started. (ANI Photo)

    In addition to this, ahead of the cyclone, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) were deployed in the state, on Wednesday.

    “NDRF and SDRF have been deployed in Kachchh’s Mandvi and Naliya town which is likely to be affected as cyclone BIPARJOY is getting closer”, said Naliya Police sub-inspector VR Ulva.

    The weather department also mentioned the chances of heavy damage in the Arabian Seas.

    “There is a possibility of heavy damage due to the cyclonic storm BIPARJOY”, said IMD. Also, authorities, on Tuesday, shifted around 30,000 people from coastal areas to temporary shelters considering Biparjoy’s possible landfall near Jakhau’s port in Gujarat’s Kutch district.

    “Because of the cyclone, Mandvi and Naliya are declared hotspots. We have made the public aware of the disaster The SDRF team is deployed for Ghnateshwar, Rajkot. The NDRF team has been deployed. The teams will be in direct contact with the DSP and SP Vaghela of Naliya Police. We will remain on alert and run the rescue operation as and when needed”, said Ulva, Police Sub-inspector, Naliya.

    Damage expected over 7 districts of Gujarat The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Wednesday said that damage is expected over Kutch, Devbhumi Dwarka, Porbandar, Jamnagar, Morbi, Junagarh and Rajkot districts of Gujarat on June 15.

    The IMD further predicted that sea condition will be phenomenal over northeast Arabian Sea till June 15 evening and rough to very rough over adjoining east central Arabian Sea during the same period.

    “Along and off Saurashtra and Kutch coasts the sea condition is likely to be very rough till June 14 evening and high to phenomenal thereafter till June 15 evening and would improve thereafter,” said IMD while issuing storm surge warning for Kutch, Devbhumi Dwarka, Porbandar, Jamnagarh and Morbi districts.

    “The astronomical tides along these districts could be up to 3-6 meters in different places and damage expected in these districts on June 15,” said an IMD official.



    The IMD further predicted that the intensity of rainfall would increase with heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places and extremely heavy falls at isolated places very likely over Kutch, Devbhumi Dwarka and Jamnagar and heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places over Porbandar, Rajkot, Morbi and Junagarh districts of Gujarat.

    “Isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall is very likely over remaining districts of Saurashtra and north Gujarat region on June 15 while light to moderate rainfall at most places with heavy to extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places very likely over north Gujarat and adjoining south Rajasthan on June 16 and southeast Rajasthan and adjoining North Gujarat region on June 17,” said the IMD official

    ALSO READ: Cyclone Biparjoy poses threat to Sindh’s coastline

  • World Bank President welcomes private sector in climate fight

    World Bank President welcomes private sector in climate fight

    Ajay Banga, the World Bank’s new President made a pitch for scaling up private sector participation….reports Asian Lite News

    Ajay Banga, the World Bank’s new President, called for the private sector to play a larger role to help emerging countries in their battle against climate change in his first interviews on Sunday.

    He argued that countries from countries — essentially of the developed world, the World Bank, philanthropies and multilateral development banks (MDBs) will not be enough to meet the requirements of the emerging markets to help them transition from fossil fuel to clean fuel.

    “The only way forward is to find a way to get the private sector to believe that this is part of their future,” said Banga, who took charge on June 2 as the 14th President of the World Bank, to CBS news.

    He spoke also to CNN and made a similar pitch for scaling up private sector participation.

    “What I think we have to do is… to find ways in the MDB system to think of a different playbook — to take on the risks that they cannot take on,” he added.

    Banga is the first Indian-American to hold this position and called himself “Made in India” in the CNN interview, when he asked about the need for someone other than an American should lead the World Bank, which has always been headed by an American in an unwritten agreement with Europe, which, in return, gets to name the head of the International Monetary Fund.

    Banga said he was born and raised in India and worked in both the developed and developing world and, thus, embodies the kind of diversity people may want to see at the leadership level.

    Developing and less developed countries have long argued that in order to transition to clean energy they need help in resources and technology from the developed countries who caused most of the global warming with large-scale and unregulated industrialisation. And a climate fund set up to that effect has fallen way short of the committed targets.

    ALSO READ: US Vice President Harris calls on World Bank chief Ajay Banga

  • Britain set for scorching heat and volatile thunderstorms

    Britain set for scorching heat and volatile thunderstorms

    The Met Office has issued a separate thunderstorm warning for Sunday. The thunderstorm warning for tomorrow is in place from midday to 9pm….reports Asian Lite News

    Britain is set for more scorching heat after a record-breaking blast. The UK recorded its hottest day of the year on Saturday with Heathrow seeing temperatures as high as 30.5C.

    The Met Office has forecasted a continuation of hot weather on Sunday and through next week. However, the UK will also be hit by thunderstorms on Sunday. There is one warning already in place until 10pm this evening.

    The Met Office has issued a separate thunderstorm warning for Sunday. The thunderstorm warning for tomorrow is in place from midday to 9pm.

    Sunday’s warning reaches across much more of the UK than Saturday’s warning with the majority of Scotland affected. Dan Stroud, a meteorologist for the Met Office, warned that thunder and showers are expected in the next 48 hours.

    Stroud said: “On Sunday there will be a little bit more cloud, temperatures down a smidgen, but still 28C or 29C, sparking off a few showers and thunderstorm warnings. Early next week will be a continuation of hot weather. Monday there will be thunder [and] showers, but then the weather will try and settle down on Tuesday and mid-week. But it will maintain this well-above-average temperature. Most of the UK will meet heatwave criteria.”

    Meanwhile, at least three guardsmen fainted in the heat during a military parade as temperatures in the UK hit 30C (86F) for the first time this year, while in the Scottish Highlands people were told to stay inside as firefighters tackled a wildfire.

    More than 1,400 soldiers were reviewed by the Prince of Wales, who is honorary colonel of the Welsh guards. The event at Horse Guards Parade in central London on Saturday was a rehearsal for trooping the colour. Afterwards, Prince William tweeted that the troops had done “a really good job” in difficult conditions.

    In the Scottish Highlands, people were warned to stay indoors on Saturday evening as firefighters tackled a wildfire near Inverness on what was the hottest day of the year so far in Scotland. A temperature of 26.7C was recorded in Auchincruive in Ayrshire and 23C in Inverness.

    The Scottish fire and rescue service (SFRS) and Police Scotland advised people in the village of Daviot to stay inside and close all windows and doors to prevent inhaling smoke.

    ALSO READ: Boris Johnson resigns as MP

  • New York hits air pollution record; Governor says it’s ‘emergency’

    New York hits air pollution record; Governor says it’s ‘emergency’

    The crisis was caused by forest fires in Canada…reports Asian Lite News

    As smoke continues to shroud parts of the north-eastern US, the nation’s financial and media capital has recorded its worst air pollution level, which Governor Kathy Hochul called it an “emergency”.

    On Wednesday evening, at 7 p.m. (local time), New York was the city with the world’s worst air pollution, hitting 241 on the Air Quality Index (AQI), far higher than the 179 recorded by Lahore, which came next on the index.

    On Thursday morning at 10 a.m., it continued to hold the record of the most polluted city with a reading of 182, according to IQAir, which monitors air quality around the world in real time.



    “What we’re experiencing right now with the sub-standard air quality, (is) a crisis, it is also a dangerous situation,” Hochul said on Wednesday.

    The crisis was caused by forest fires in Canada, which ironically celebrated Wednesday as Clean Air Day with the motto, “Clean Air Everywhere” while smoke streamed south towards its southern neighbour.

    Describing the condition in New York, Hochul said: “The haze and the smoke from the fires, you could feel it even sitting indoors here, it’s clogging much of our air. In fact, it’s almost impossible to see the sunset or see the sky.”

    The National Weather Service (NWS) tweeted: “It is recommended to limit time outdoors. Wearing a mask may help limit irritation for those suffering from respiratory illnesses. More smoke expected Thursday and Friday.”

    In many places, the sky took on an eery orange glow prompting an NWS unit in New York State to tweet: “This is not Mars.”

    “Sun is no longer visible, everything’s orange”, it said.

    New York, with a population of about 8.5 million in the city and 20 million in the metro area, even shut its zoos and beaches because of the air quality, while schools in many surrounding cities and towns were ordered closed on Thursday.

    Major sports events were postponed on Wednesday.

    Flights to and from New York area airports were delayed because of poor visibility, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

    Speed limits were reduced on some highways around New York City because of low visibility.

    Among hard-hit cities, Washington and Philadelphia issued Code Red alerts because of the air quality conditions.

    Canada’s own cities were saved from the worst because of the wind directions.

    Toronto recorded only 156 on the AQI on Wednesday evening.

    ALSO READ: Pak-China nexus in Shaksgam Valley poses threat to India

  • Canada to host 7th Assembly of Global Environment Facility

    Canada to host 7th Assembly of Global Environment Facility

    Canada decided to host the Seventh Assembly of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) in Vancouver, British Columbia, from August 22 to 26….reports Asian Lite News

    As the world experiences the triple crises of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution, Canada continues to show leadership in advancing environmental action at home and around the world by bringing diverse partners together to find solutions for a healthy planet.

    Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency, Harjit S. Sajjan, announced on World Environment Day, which was celebrated on June 5, that Canada will host the Seventh Assembly of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) in Vancouver, British Columbia, from August 22 to 26.

    After welcoming the world to Montreal, Quebec, for the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP15) in December 2022, a conference marked by historic progress on protecting nature globally and agreeing to biodiversity financing, Canada continues its leadership as the host of the GEF Assembly this summer.

    The GEF Assembly, which meets every four years, is the global body that coordinates financing for international efforts to address climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, and strains on land and ocean health.

    This meeting will bring together environmental leaders from 185 countries, including government ministers and representatives of international organizations, businesses, academia and civil society, as well as facilitating engagement with and input from Indigenous Peoples, women and young people.

    The meeting comes at a time of significant diplomatic momentum with the historic Global Biodiversity Framework deal reached at COP15 and the high seas treaty agreed on in New York City in March.

    This momentum will continue to build at the GEF Assembly, during which a key expected outcome is the launch of the new Global Biodiversity Framework Fund, a critically needed source of funding for the protection of endangered species and their ecosystems.

    Its establishment could open new avenues for private sector and philanthropic support for nature. The GEF, based in Washington, was selected to manage this new fund at COP15.

    Canada is a founding member of the GEF, Canada’s primary mechanism for helping developing countries address climate change. At COP15, Canada announced it would provide $219 million between 2022 and 2026 to the GEF’s eighth replenishment to support developing countries’ efforts to address global environmental challenges and meet their commitments under international environmental conventions.

    Canada also committed $350 million in new and additional funding to support developing countries in conserving biodiversity and to support the implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework.

    In June 2021, Canada also doubled its climate finance commitment to $5.3 billion over five years (2021 to 2026) to support developing countries’ transition to low-carbon, climate-resilient, nature-positive and inclusive sustainable development.

    “On the momentous occasion of World Environment Day’s 50th anniversary, I am honoured to announce that Canada will be hosting the GEF Assembly in Vancouver,a Indo-Canadian Sajjan said.

    “Canada believes in the power of collaboration and inclusivity as the only way to build a more resilient future for everyone. Protecting our world’s nature, rivers, lakes, oceans and wildlife will ensure a healthy planet and healthy people. We look forward to working with international partners, Indigenous Peoples and youth to find innovative solutions to our shared environmental challenges and provide support to developing countries in their climate adaptation efforts.”

    “We are delighted to be holding the Seventh GEF Assembly in Canada, whose steady leadership in environmental diplomacy has yielded enormous benefits around the world. This gathering of the GEF’s member governments and diverse partners gives us a unique chance to build on recent breakthroughs, including long-sought agreements on biodiversity and the high seas, and ensure that the urgent environmental challenges we face are addressed in an inclusive and integrated way,” GEF CEO and Chairperson Carlos Manuel Rodriguez said.

    “This conference will serve as a platform to unite and inspire global leaders, experts and stakeholders. It provides an important opportunity for Canada to build on the momentum gained at COP15, where a historic agreement was reached to safeguard nature and halt and reverse biodiversity loss. Together, we will explore strategies, share best practices and forge partnerships to tackle the pressing environmental challenges we face and to promote the use of nature-based solutions in support of the poorest and most vulnerable countries impacted by climate change. By harnessing our collective strengths and empowering diverse voices, we can make a profound and lasting impact on our planet,” added Minister of Environment and Climate Change Canada, Steven Guilbeault.

    ALSO READ: Canada to put health warnings on individual cigarettes

  • Dubai’s RTA urges emission reduction and eco-friendly mobility

    Dubai’s RTA urges emission reduction and eco-friendly mobility

    RTA encouraged community groups to adopt healthier habits and educates them to use flexible mobility means during leisure and exercise periods….reports Asian Lite News

    Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) reiterated its keenness to engage in global events, notably celebrating World Environment Day by encouraging individuals to undertake initiatives aimed at reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainable, environmentally friendly mobility.

    RTA also encouraged community groups to adopt healthier habits and educates them to use flexible mobility means during leisure and exercise periods.

    On the Day, which is celebrated annually on 5th June and encourages awareness and action for the protection of the environment, RTA, in partnership with Careem, announced the offering of Careem BIKE rides free of charge for customers at 186 docking stations across Dubai for an unlimited number of trips, provided the single trip does not exceed 45 minutes.

    The offer will be valid on Saturday, 10th June, 2023 to mark the World Environment Day, celebrated on 5th June annually.

    The initiative is an excellent model of Public-Private Partnership (PPP) towards fulfilling the directives of the government to transform Dubai into a bicycle-friendly city. It is also in line with RTA’s strategy and goals to assume a pioneering role under the sustainability framework by launching community initiatives in support of environmental issues.

    Customers can avail of the free rides on Saturday, 10th June through the Careem app by selecting “BIKE” under the “GO” section on the home screen. Customers can choose the “One Day” pass and avail of a free ride using the code “FREE,” which would give them 24-hour access. Participants will be required to enter their card details but won’t be charged.

    Careem BIKES are available at 186 stations across Dubai.

    Since its launch in February 2020, Careem BIKE has displaced over 2.5 tons of CO2, the equivalent of 713 cars emitting CO2 throughout the year. Careem BIKE also aims to encourage more customers to use the service by providing companies with a sustainable solution to offset carbon emissions through purchasing employee or customer bulk subscriptions.

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