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Category: Environment

  • UAE President prioritises sustainability for progress

    UAE President prioritises sustainability for progress

    Sheikh Mohamed was speaking at a virtual meeting of the Major Economies Forum (MEF) on Energy and Climate Change hosted by US President Joe Biden…reports Asian Lite News

    President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has stressed that sustainable economic development and climate action are closely linked and essential to ensuring a better quality of life for all.

    The President also emphasised that the UAE has placed climate action at the core of its strategy, with a focus on achieving sustainable economic and social growth while fulfilling its responsibility towards the environment and future generations.

    Sheikh Mohamed made these remarks during a virtual meeting of the Major Economies Forum (MEF) on Energy and Climate Change, which was hosted by US President Joe Biden and brought together leaders and heads of government from major global economies.

    The UAE was invited to participate in light of its upcoming role as host of COP28, the twenty-eighth Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

    In his remarks during the forum, His Highness the President said, “The UAE was the first Gulf country to ratify the Paris Agreement, and the first in the region to commit to reducing emissions in all economic sectors by the year 2030. It has also announced its strategic initiative to achieve climate neutrality by 2050. We have invested over US$150 billion in climate action and have ambitious plans for further investments in this field in the future.”

    His Highness affirmed that the COP28 UAE Presidency will be committed to achieving transformative climate action, moving from deliberation to action, and delivering a comprehensive action plan for the benefit of all people and the planet.

    “Energy and climate change are closely intertwined,” His Highness said, “And thus it is essential that the world accelerates its logical, realistic, and balanced transition in the energy sector by increasing renewable energy production capacity by at least three times and doubling hydrogen production. It is crucial to enhance international cooperation in technology transfer and provide the necessary financing to support the energy transition and address the losses and damages, especially in the Global South and communities most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.”

    Stressing the importance of developed countries fulfilling their pledge to provide US$100 billion to developing countries, His Highness highlighted the need to reform international financial institutions and secure the necessary financing to stimulate investments that support climate action. The UAE President stated that although the risk of climate change has intensified, there is still a chance to prevent its dire consequences, given that there is a genuine determination for immediate and collective global action. He emphasised that the UAE is committed to making COP28 a significant milestone towards achieving this goal.

    Concluding his remarks, His Highness extended an open invitation to the world to join the UAE’s efforts and initiatives aimed at achieving a significant advancement in climate action. He expressed his confidence and optimism that the world will respond positively to this invitation.

    Participants at the MEF included: Joseph R. Biden, Jr., President of the United States of America, Alberto Fernandez, President of the Argentine Republic, Anthony Albanese MP, Prime Minister of Australia, Justin Trudeau, P.C., M.P., Prime Minister of Canada, Gabriel Boric, President of the Republic of Chile, Abdel Fattah El Sisi, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, Charles Michel, President of the European Council, Olaf Scholz, Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, Joko Widodo, President of the Republic of Indonesia, Kishida Fumio, Prime Minister of Japan, Han Duk-soo, Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea, Andres Manuel López Obrador President of the United Mexican States, Muhammadu Buhari, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Jonas Gahr Støre, Prime Minister of Norway, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, President of the Republic of Türkiye, Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, Xie Zhenhua, Special Envoy of President Xi Jinping, People’s Republic of China, Agnès Pannier-Runacher, Minister for Energy Transition of the French Republic, Roberto Cingolani, Minister of Ecological Transition of the Italian Republic, Adel Al-Jubeir, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Member of the Cabinet and Envoy for Climate, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Alok Sharma MP, President for COP26, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Tran Hung Ha, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

    The UAE has a proven track record of proactive climate action, diplomacy and multilateral cooperation. The country has emerged as a regional leader in investing in clean and renewable energy projects, both domestically and globally. The UAE operates three of the largest and most cost-effective solar plants in the world, as well as being a regional leader in the use of nuclear power.

    ALSO READ: UAE, South Africa seek to strengthen trade ties

  • Heatwaves may challenge India’s development goals: Study

    Heatwaves may challenge India’s development goals: Study

    India has committed to achieving 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), including no poverty, good health and well being, and decent work and economic growth….reports Asian Lite News

    Heatwaves in India are increasing in frequency, intensity and lethality, burdening public health, agriculture, and other socio-economic and cultural systems, says a study.

    The study, “Lethal heat waves are challenging India’s sustainable development” published in PLOS Climate by Ramit Debnath of University of Cambridge, Britain, and colleagues, suggests heatwaves made more likely by climate change may impede India’s progress toward its sustainable development goals.

    India has committed to achieving 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), including no poverty, good health and well being, and decent work and economic growth. However, current climate vulnerability assessments may not fully capture how heatwaves linked to climate change may impact SDG progress.

    In order to analyse India’s climate vulnerability, and how climate change may impact SDG progress, researchers conducted an analytical evaluation of India’s heat index with its climate vulnerability index, a composite index using various indicators to account for socioeconomic, livelihood, and biophysical factors.

    They accessed a publicly available dataset on state-level climate vulnerability indicators from the Indian government’s national data and analytics platform to classify severity categories.

    The researchers then compared India’s progress in SDG over 20 years (2001-2021) with extreme weather-related mortality from 2001-2021.

    The researchers found that heatwaves have weakened SDG progress more than previously estimated and that current assessment metrics may not sufficiently capture the nuances of India’s vulnerabilities to climate change impacts.

    For instance, in estimating heat index, the study shows that nearly 90 per cent of the country is in danger zone from heatwave impact.

    According to climate vulnerability index, around 20 per cent of the country is highly vulnerable to climate change. Similar effects were observed for the national capital, where heatwave impact estimates shows almost all of Delhi is threatened by severe heatwave impacts, which is not reflected in its recent state action plan for climate change.

    However, this study had several limitations, for example the incongruent timeframe for climate vulnerability index data (2019-2020) and heat index data (2022). Future studies should incorporate more recent data.



    According to the authors, “This study shows that heatwaves make more Indian states vulnerable to climate change than previously estimated with the climate vulnerability index.

    “The heatwaves in India and the Indian subcontinent become recurrent and long-lasting, it is high time that climate experts and policymakers reevaluate the metrics for assessing the country’s climate vulnerability. This offers a scope for developing a holistic vulnerability measure through international cooperation and partnership.”

    The authors add: “Heat waves are getting more intense in India, putting 80 per cent of the country’s people in danger, which remains unaccounted for in its current climate vulnerability assessment. If this impact is not addressed immediately, India can slow its progress towards sustainable development goals.”

    ALSO READ: ‘US committed to working with India in Quad’

  • G7 still in dark over ending coal power use

    G7 still in dark over ending coal power use

    More aggressive moves to reduce carbon emissions remain a highlighted difficulty for G7 as the world’s major industrialised economies continue to clash on coal…reports Asian Lite News

    Sapporo (Japan), April 17 (IANS) The G7 ministers of Environment and Energy have failed to set a deadline for phasing out coal-powered energy despite vows for net-zero emissions as their two-day talks ended in the Japanese city of Sapporo.

    The ministers on Sunday underlined G7’s commitment to “accelerating the clean energy transition to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050” in a 36-page statement released after the G7 Ministers’ Meeting on Climate, Energy and Environment held from Saturday to Sunday.

    More aggressive moves to reduce carbon emissions remain a highlighted difficulty for G7 as the world’s major industrialised economies continue to clash on coal, Xinhua news agency reported.

    Japan, as host of the meetings, was reluctant to agree to a specific time frame for ending the resource-poor country’s use of coal given its likely need to rely on the energy source for at least most of the 2030s, national news agency Kyodo reported.

    The inclusion of natural gas within the phase-out goals adds pressure on Japan, which plans to rely on the energy source for around 20 per cent of its electricity generation in fiscal 2030, alongside coal for nearly 19 per cent and crude oil for nearly two per cent, the report added.

    ALSO READ: G7 diplomats to grapple with Ukraine, China crises

  • EAD launches environmental assessment programme

    EAD launches environmental assessment programme

    The programme will promote sustainable development and a healthy environment for future generations…reports Asian Lite News

    The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) has introduced the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) planning programme in line with UAE’s Year of Sustainability. The SEA programme will aid in evaluating environmental impacts and guiding the investigation of alternatives and potential mitigation and monitoring efforts associated with strategic projects, plans, and development programmes.

    The programme will promote sustainable development and a healthy environment for future generations, while also supporting the national strategic target of Net Zero by 2050.

    The SEA programme is in accordance with UAE Federal Law No. 24 of 1999, which gives EAD the authority to request an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for projects or facilities. The SEA programme is a form of impact assessment study, and the SEA decree signed by the Board of Directors in 2022 provides EAD the authority to request an SEA not just for projects and facilities but also for master plans, development programmes and strategies implementation.

    Faisal Al Hammadi, Executive Director of Environmental Quality Sector at EAD, stated that the SEA programme ensures that environmental considerations are taken into account during the initial design phase of projects, plans, and programmes. The programme focuses on studying alternatives to find the best possible alternative that maintains the balance between environmental protection and economic and social development. It also helps offset negative environmental effects, such as greenhouse gas emissions, to mitigate the impacts of climate change.

    The SEA programme allows for the study of alternative project designs and implementation approaches, guiding the development of proper mitigation measures and environmental management plans that prevent or reduce any associated environmental impacts. The SEA applies to all sectors responsible for developing master plans, strategic projects and development programmes. It mainly applies to government and semi-government entities, but it may also apply to other key strategic projects.

    As part of the EAD-managed process, an Environmental Management Framework is developed to guide the client on the steps forward. The framework defines project objectives, identifies roles and responsibilities, ensures that training programmes are in place, and sets the requirement for environmental monitoring and audit. After the assessment is complete, the clients need to start implementation of the environmental management framework to ensure successful implementation of SEA recommendations.

    An SEA report offers several benefits, including the prevention, reduction, and offsetting of negative environmental effects such as air pollution, land contamination, and climate change, among others. The report helps avoid impacts to critical and environmentally sensitive habitats, declared or proposed protected areas, through advanced and proactive land use planning that ensures the protection of these ecologically significant areas in accordance with EAD’s habitat classification and protection guidelines. Additionally, the report provides early warnings of potential cumulative impacts and enables access to a wide range of alternatives to minimise the cumulative environmental impacts of projects, plans, or programmes. It also ensures wide consultation and engagement with the concerned government authorities at an early and effective stage. Finally, an SEA ensures that the significant environmental effects of implementation are monitored, which enables the early identification of unforeseen adverse effects, allowing appropriate remedial action to be taken, where necessary.

    During the development of the SEA programme, an extensive benchmarking study was conducted, involving many countries and organisations in the region and globally, including the UK, Hong Kong, Canada, South Africa, Australia, and Lebanon.

    The SEA is a structured and proactive multi-phase process that includes a screening phase to determine if an SEA is required, a scoping phase to define the SEA report’s scope of work, a phase for stakeholder engagement, and an assessment and preparation phase. This includes an assessment of impacts, a study of alternatives, and the setting of mitigation measures and review of the SEA by EAD. This is followed by the decision-making phase, which will result in the acceptance or rejection of the proposed project, plan, or programme based on the SEA’s outcomes, and finally, the monitoring phase of SEA recommendations and their efficiency in protecting the environment.

    To ensure that the regulated community is aware of EAD’s requirements, a detailed training programme has been developed. The training will be delivered in a series of workshops, with the training material and recorded training video available online. Moreover, EAD will provide training to Environmental Consultancy Offices (ECOs) and amend their ECO registration requirements to ensure that the consultancies are capable of successfully conducting an SEA report.

    ALSO READ: UAE, Vietnam set to launch CEPA talks

  • ‘Green Retreat’ paves way for COP28

    ‘Green Retreat’ paves way for COP28

    The collaborative event served as a strategic precursor to the UAE’s much-anticipated hosting of the Conference of Parties (COP28) later this year….reports Asian Lite News

    The UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, a leading force in global climate initiatives, recently hosted ministers and over 150 high-ranking officials from 50 government and private entities at the ‘Green Retreat’.

    This collaborative event served as a strategic precursor to the nation’s much-anticipated hosting of the Conference of Parties (COP28) later this year.

    Held in Expo City Dubai, the Green Retreat unfolded under the inspiring theme ‘United for Climate’. The event harnessed the collective power of various stakeholders, building on their accomplishments in climate change action, environmental preservation, and sustainability promotion across the nation.

    By fostering innovative ideas and projects, the retreat facilitated a collaborative approach to showcase the UAE’s most impactful initiatives in the lead-up to hosting COP28 in Dubai, set to take place from November 30 to December 12, 2023.

    The Green Retreat was attended by H.H. Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, President and Chief Executive Officer of the UAE Independent Climate Change Accelerators (UICCA); Mariam bint Mohammed Saeed Hareb Almheiri, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment; Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy; Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure; Dr. Ahmad Abdulla Humaid Abdulla Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Education; and Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi, Minister of Culture and Youth.

    The Green Retreat attracted a diverse and influential group of attendees, including senior officials from relevant federal and local government ministries and agencies, accelerator representatives, government media offices of the seven emirates, major private sector companies, and numerous prominent business leaders.

    In line with the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment will take the lead in coordinating the collaborative efforts of all government and private institutions in preparation for the highly anticipated COP28 summit.

    In her address, Mariam Almheiri underscored the ambitious mission of the Green Retreat, which brought together national experts and strategic partners from various sectors to advance climate action in the UAE.

    The goal is to present a model that reflects the country’s status and climate efforts during COP28 UAE and to enhance the nation’s role in offering innovative and inspiring solutions to global climate challenges while fostering a climate-resilient world.

    “The UAE’s hosting of COP28 this year, along with naming 2023 as the Year of Sustainability, is tangible evidence of our wise leadership’s vision and commitment to playing a leading role in the fight against climate change, which impacts humanity as a whole,” she said.

    “UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has demonstrated the UAE’s commitment to uniting global efforts in line with the approach of our late founding leader, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.”

    She added: “The Green Retreat serves as an invaluable opportunity for participants to learn about the UAE’s outstanding climate action record and contribute their ambitious ideas to drive tangible progress in national efforts towards sustainable economic growth.”

    “We aim to develop a comprehensive climate action plan through the particpation of all government and private institutions, which will create significant opportunities for economic growth and diversification, generate employment for youth, foster inclusive and cohesive communities, harness the potential of clean energy, and safeguard natural habitats and preserve the environment.”

    In her speech, Almheiri highlighted the severe climate challenges the world is facing, such as escalating food waste, carbon emissions, waste management issues, biodiversity loss, and the imminent threat to living organisms. She emphasized the urgent need for the world to take swift action, and promoting sustainability across various sectors to secure a better future for upcoming generations.

    Plan for govt collaboration

    The Green Retreat featured seven Thematic Councils addressing critical topics in the sustainability value chain. These included Water Resource Management and Conservation; Biodiversity and Blue Carbon Ecosystem Protection; Private Sector Engagement and Industry Transformation; Waste Management and Circular Economy; Sustainable Transportation; Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency; and Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security.

    The Councils consisted of experts from federal and local government entities as well as the private sector, who discussed various ideas and challenges related to each topic. They proposed solutions in the form of initiatives and projects to be implemented by individual entities or through coordinated efforts.

    Each Council presented 8 to 10 projects and initiative ideas supporting the respective topics. The most feasible and impactful ideas were chosen as part of the preliminary plan for national climate activities through January 2024. Representatives from the government media office also discussed ideas that could be added to the national climate action agenda.

    ALSO READ: Abdullah, Blinken review regional developments

  • UAE youth unite to make COP28 the most inclusive

    UAE youth unite to make COP28 the most inclusive

    The programme brings together ten participants from six different nationalities, who are all passionate and active in climate change advocacy…reports Asian Lite News

    The United Arab Emirates’ Youth Climate Delegates have concluded their first official meeting at Dubai Youth Hub. This meeting marked a significant milestone for youth involvement in COP28, as key stakeholders in the UAE’s youth and climate space came together to collaborate with the delegates and engage them in activities leading up to COP28.

    The delegates engaged in extensive discussions on practical solutions to engage and involve youth in the climate conversation, and planned their activities for the road ahead, in collaboration with various stakeholders, including COP28, Youth Climate Champion team, the Arab Youth Centre, and the Federal Youth Authority.

    Each entity complemented the other, covering a spectrum of activities designed to maximise youth involvement and leadership in climate change on the local, regional, and international levels, leading up to 18th UN Climate Change Conference of Youth (COY18) and the 18th UNFCCC Conference of Parties (COP28).

    The Ministry of Culture and Youth, in collaboration with the Office of the UAE’s Special Envoy for Climate Change, launched the first cohort of the UAE Youth Climate Delegates Programme in mid-March 2023. This programme, targeting youth in the UAE, aims to ensure the inclusion of youth voices in climate change processes, build the capabilities of youth through awareness and capacity building, empower them to take actionable steps towards climate action, and showcase the UAE’s youth empowerment model at COP28.

    The programme brings together ten participants from six different nationalities, who are all passionate and active in climate change advocacy. The delegates, namely Hoor Ahli, Lindani Zungu, Karishma Asarpota, Malak Abdullah, Mohamed Eissa, Lateefa Almansoori, Manal Nadeem, Kenza El Gamra, Gheed Abdul Jabbar, and Amal Al Gergawi, were selected based on their expertise in the field and demonstrated commitment to climate action.

    At COP28, the UAE delegates will be joined by 100 international delegates as part of the International Youth Climate Delegate Programme, a programme which was recently launched by the incoming COP28 Presidency. This programme is designed to empower UAE youth to become leaders in the field of climate change, and this meeting marks an important step forward in achieving this goal.

    The programme runs from March to December 2023, during which the youth delegates will participate in and provide input into the negotiation process to set priorities for the climate agenda in the 18th UN Climate Change Conference of Youth (COY18) and COP28. They will undergo capacity building and training to build clear policy targets for COP and gather perspectives, while bringing learning back to their wider communities in their countries. Overall, the programme aims to provide a platform for youth to engage in climate action and empowering them to become leaders in the fight against climate change.

    ALSO READ: Iran names new envoy to UAE after 8 years

  • The Islamic Way to Protect Environment

    The Islamic Way to Protect Environment

    The climate crisis also brings together communities as we all struggle with its impacts. It threatens all of humanity, all faiths, and all cultures. If we do not work together, we cannot adapt or prevent the destruction…writes Afzal Khan MP

    Islam is inherently environmental. Harmony and balance in the natural world is central to our Muslim faith. It is our duty to conserve nature and the Earth deserves respect and care. Nationally and internationally, we are seeing Muslim environmentalists and campaigners highlight how Muslims can make a positive impact by putting the environment at the centre of their faith.

    The impact of the climate crisis is being felt across the globe. We have seen unprecedented fires, devastating droughts, life-threatening heatwaves, and catastrophic flooding. But most of the impact of climate change is felt by the world’s poorest countries. Those who contribute the least to global carbon emissions, and including much of the Muslim world. In Pakistan, a country close to my own heart, faced devastation last year from floods over an area larger than the United Kingdom. Over 1,000 people died, and 33 million lives were turned upside down in hours, displaced from their homes by a climate disaster.

    We are all responsible for our own actions. Although we must hold governments and corporations accountable, we are all khalifah (stewards) of the Earth. “Thus We have made you trustees on the earth after them, to see how you would act.”[Qur’an 10:14]. Allah (swt) allows us the use of nature, but expects us to be responsible for balance and sustainability.  

    Kalifah is not a concept unique to Islam. We see this variations on natural stewardship across different faiths, including Christianity and Judaism. Together, being of faith means caring: caring for people and caring for the planet. Our faith and values are a tool that allow us to achieve a goal towards a common cause.

    Our faith is not the only thing to bring us together. The climate crisis also brings together communities as we all struggle with its impacts. It threatens all of humanity, all faiths, and all cultures. If we do not work together, we cannot adapt or prevent the destruction.

    There are many ways we can become better climate activists using our faith. But, the overarching theme is remembering balance (Mizan). The Qur’an says, “O Children of Adam, dress well whenever you are at worship, and eat and drink [as We have permitted] but do not be extravagant (Mizan): God does not like extravagant people.” [Quran 7:31] This is a reminder that we should act in moderation and with balance. When considering the environment, we must avoid excess waste, pollution, or environmental destruction. This is particularly important to remember as we near the end of Ramadan and may consider items or gifts that are unnecessary or extravagant for Eid al-Fitr. This was reflected by Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) in his own actions, during ablution (wudu) he used limited water, and he spoke of why we do not waste water, even if at a running stream.

    During this holy month of Ramadan, I am proud to see so many Muslims across the world engaged and ready to make change. I am delighted to work with climate activist Zehra Abbas to mobilise communities in the UK, Palestine, Canada, Lebanon, Malaysia, Cyprus, Bangladesh and more to coordinate ‘green’ iftars in each country.

    Afzal Khan MP

    Each of these iftars have the aim to have the same programme, so all attendees can discuss the importance of climate action. These events are free or low-cost, interfaith, plant-based, and zero-waste and in[EY1]  many of the events, the food is what Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), had noted as some of his favourites. This includes foods such as barley, dates, and pomegranates, which in most regions has little carbon footprint. The food is purchased with no plastic packaging wherever possible, attendees are encouraged to bring their own cutlery and plates, as well as no food waste being produced. There are guest speakers at the event who speak on the importance of interfaith work, what zero-waste is and how we can all do it, stewardship in Islam, and animal rights in Islam. Attendees are encouraged to walk, cycle, or rideshare to the event to reduce their own carbon footprint and wasteful decorations are excluded, opting instead for natural décor. A zero-waste event can be seen as daunting, but instead it is scaling down what many would consider to be the norm.

    During Ramadan, I know myself and many others reflect. We reflect on what we do and how we can be better Muslims and community members. This is why during Ramadan I attend many interfaith iftars – it is a way to break down barriers in our community and talk about our shared goals. It is also important for me to reflect on the principles and key messages of Islam, such as Mizan and Khalifah, with those around me.

    As a Muslim, I consider my faith to be part of who I am. My values and beliefs stem from by belief in Allah (swt) which Qu’ran teachers me how to put into practice. This is why I am passionate about action against the climate crisis, and I want to do all I can to improve our planet for our generation and future generations. When nature thrives, we all thrive – I hope together as Muslims and the wider community we will continue to come together on this global movement.

    (The writer is Shadow Minister for Legal Aid of the United Kingdom)

    ALSO READ: TBHF calls for supporting refugees in Ramadan

  • India’s ‘Project Tiger’ @50

    India’s ‘Project Tiger’ @50

    India first launched Project Tiger under the then-prime minister Indira Gandhi on 1 April 1973…reports Asian Lite News

    :Celebrating five decades of tiger conservation, India marked the 50th anniversary of “Project Tiger” on Saturday.

    With a current population of about 3,000 tigers, India is home to more than 70 per cent of the global tiger population and their number is increasing by 6 per cent per annum, according to government figures.

    India first launched Project Tiger under the then-prime minister Indira Gandhi on 1 April 1973, in a bit to promote conservation, The Independent.co.uk reported.

    While it initially covered nine tiger reserves spread over 18,278 sq km, India now has 53 reserves covering more than 75,000 sq km (approximately 2.4 per cent of the country’s geographical area).

    In a recent interview with an Indian daily, Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav said, “Project Tiger has been successful in bringing tigers back from the brink of extinction.”

    The Indian government will officially mark the anniversary of the project on 9 April with a three-day event in Mysuru, in southern Karnataka state, The Independent.co.uk reported.

    “50 years ago, ‘Project Tiger’ was launched by Smt. Indira Gandhi for habitat conservation of the Tiger. This landmark initiative ensured a viable tiger population for economic, scientific, cultural & ecological values. Let us continue protecting this majestic animal,” Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge tweeted on Saturday.

    At the event, prime minister Narendra Modi will release the latest tiger census data and a commemorative coin, The Independent.co.uk reported.

    Yadav said the success of the project should not be viewed in terms of numbers alone.

    “We believe in the scientific management of tiger reserves and aim to have a tiger population as per the carrying capacity of the habitat,” he said.

    “The ministry is bringing all potential tiger habitats under the coverage of the NTCA [National Tiger Conservation Authority] so that the viable tiger population can be conserved on a sustainable basis,” he added.

    On Saturday, the general secretary of the opposition Congress, Jairam Ramesh, also spoke about the 50th anniversary of the big cat conservation project.

    Taking to Twitter, he posted, “[Fifteen] months after she launched Gir Lion Project, Indira Gandhi heralded Project Tiger exactly 50 years ago today at Corbett. There were 9 tiger reserves then. Today, there are 53. For her, protecting tigers is equal to protecting forests. Tiger reserves are 1/3rd of rich forest areas now.”

    India along with other countries with tiger populations including Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Russia, Thailand and Vietnam, committed to doubling their number of big cats in 2010 by 2022, The Independent.co.uk reported.

    ALSO READ: India vows to work with African nations

  • UAE leaders review COP28 preparations

    UAE leaders review COP28 preparations

    President Sheikh Mohamed noted that COP28 should involve nationwide participation from all sectors of society….reports Asian Lite News

    President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, were briefed on the latest preparations for hosting COP28, in the presence of members of the Higher Committee overseeing the planning.

    Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed said: “Since its inception, the UAE has embarked on a journey of transformative change. Sustainable development and climate action are integral parts of our strategy to achieve continued economic and social growth for both present and future generations.”

    The President added that the UAE is committed to its role as a global convenor, and in keeping with the approach set by the UAE’s Founding Father, the Late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, will continue to promote the environmental and economic prosperity of societies around the world, both today and in the future.

    Sheikh Mohamed noted that COP28 should involve nationwide participation from all sectors of society, and called on the Higher Committee to encourage stakeholders, from government and the private sector to academia and civil society, to play an active role in the lead-up to COP28.

    Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid reaffirmed the UAE’s approach to climate action through unlocking innovative and viable opportunities for shared prosperity and sustainable development.

    The Vice President stressed the critical need to unite the world at COP28 UAE, welcoming participants from around the world to continue the implementation of the UAE’s message of ’Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’.

    Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, who is also the Chairman of the COP28 Higher Committee, reiterated that the UAE, as a nation at the crossroads of the world, is ideally positioned to build bridges between the Global North and the Global South.

    He also noted that the UAE can play a constructive role in delivering tangible progress for a climate-secure world with opportunities for sustained socio-economic development. The foreign minister added that COP28 UAE must drive the shift from pledges to concrete actions, and work collaboratively with all stakeholders who want to contribute to action across key climate pillars to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement.

    UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and COP28 President-Designate Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber also provided a summary of the ‘Road to COP28’, the first COP28 Presidency-hosted event.

    Held at Expo City Dubai on 15 March, the event enhanced youth engagement and unified the wider community to raise climate change awareness and mobilise all sectors of society in the run-up to COP28. The event welcomed more than 3,000 participants including government officials, foreign diplomats, students, young climate advocates, people of determination, senior citizens and representatives of sustainable businesses.

    Earlier, at the conclusion of the Copenhagen Climate Ministerial, Dr. Sultan Al Jaber urged global climate ministers to unite behind “transformational progress” for a COP of Action and a COP for All.

    During the two-day event, Dr. Al Jaber worked with Egyptian Foreign Minister and COP27 President Sameh Shoukry and Dan Jørgensen, Danish Minister of Development Cooperation and Global Climate Policy, to lead efforts to deliver on the meeting’s aim of securing the implementation of the results of COP27 while also setting the course ahead towards COP28 in the UAE later this year.

    In his remarks, Dr. Al Jaber reminded ministers and climate leaders of the approaching Global Stocktake at COP28 and urged them to take action across a range of key areas to bring 1.5C within reach.

    He said, “Yesterday’s IPCC report highlighted the significant challenges ahead and the urgent need to course correct if we are to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement. But more importantly, the report identifies the opportunities and solutions that are available to reduce emissions and enhance resilience.”

    Dr. Al Jaber emphasised the need to accelerate pathways to net zero by rapidly adopting renewable and zero carbon energies, decarbonizing the current energy system and investing in proven and new mitigation technologies.

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  • Clothing to tackle environmental issues

    Clothing to tackle environmental issues

    But just as style evolves, so does the fashion industry. And eco-conscious designers are making a true fashion statement by shunning animal leather in favour of vegan (non-animal) leather, slashing their environmental impact in the process…reports Monica Chopra

    Can the right outfit really fix everything? We know that clothing can boost confidence, help one land a job, or make a special occasion more festive. But what if it could also tackle many of the world’s most urgent environmental issues? Turns out, it can.

    Last year, Sonakshi Sinha starred in a PETA India campaign encouraging her fans to ditch leather, and earlier, Milind Soman and Ankita Konwar starred in PETA India’s vegan fashion lookbook, launched on FDCI x Lakme Fashion Week’s leather-free Sustainable Fashion Day. That’s because the 2017 “Pulse of the Fashion Industry” report, published by the Global Fashion Agenda, Boston Consulting Group, and the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, concluded that cow leather is the most polluting material in fashion, while silk and wool are among the five most environmentally damaging materials.

    Largely, that’s because leather is, well, skin, which decomposes unless treated. Calfskin leather is exactly what the name suggests: the skin of baby cows. Leather is also often made from the skin of buffaloes, pigs, goats, sheep, ostriches, kangaroos, dogs, cats, crocodiles, and other animals. Preventing the skin from rotting typically involves using a soup of noxious chemicals which seep into soil and groundwater and run off into rivers and other waterways, contaminating everything they touch. Exposure to these chemicals means that workers in tanneries are prone to a variety of cancers.

    The water in South India’s Palar river was described by one reporter as “practically sludge”, as it is highly contaminated with tannery pollution. There are around 250 tanneries in the Kanpur and Unnao regions, through which the Ganges passes. The once-sparkling river, home to rare and unique species of fish, turtles, dolphins, and other wildlife, is now one of the world’s most polluted.

    The process of breeding and raising animals, slaughtering them, and turning their skin into leather also requires massive amounts of water, land, and fossil fuels, thus contributing to climate catastrophe. According to some estimates, globally, animal agriculture (the industrial farming of animals, including leather) is responsible for more greenhouse gas emissions than all the world’s transportation systems combined. Runoff from farms and slaughter houses also causes eutrophication in waterways, a serious ecological problem that is the result of animal waste creating an overgrowth of plant life, depleting oxygen levels, and suffocating animals.

    But just as style evolves, so does the fashion industry. And eco-conscious designers are making a true fashion statement by shunning animal leather in favour of vegan (non-animal) leather, slashing their environmental impact in the process. In fact, 33 leading Indian designers agreed to give animal leather the boot to help animals and the environment after being contacted by PETA India and Lakme Fashion Week. They joined the likes of Anita Dongre and Purvi Doshi, who have been leather-free for some time. Many designers and brands are also creating stunning shoes, bags, and other fashion items using innovative new leathers made from pineapple leaves, cork, fruit waste, recycled plastics, mushrooms, mulberry leaves, coconut waste, and more.

    Helsinki Fashion Week banned leather from its catwalks starting in 2019. Kanpur-based company Kanpur FlowerCycling scored a PETA India award for its Fleather, biodegradable leather made from discarded temple flowers, which would otherwise also end up in the Ganges. Top international brands including H&M, which partnered with PETA US to create and launch a global vegan fashion collection called “Co-Exist Story”, offer numerous vegan styles. And the list keeps growing as more and more consumers demand cruelty-free, eco-friendly fashion.

    As we celebrate World Water Day on March 22, many of us will take shorter showers, turn off the tap while we brush our teeth, or spend less time rinsing our dishes. But if we truly want to protect the world’s water systems, we should vote with our wallets for a greener planet, starting with what we put in our wardrobes.

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