Boris Johnson tells climate activists in Milan that they were paying the price for the “reckless actions of their elders”, reports Asian Lite News
Boris Johnson says young people have every right to be angry about the state of climate change.
The prime minister told climate activists in Milan that they were paying the price for the “reckless actions of their elders”.
The penitent mood here was underlined by Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi, who said politicians needed to be “whipped into action.”
Both agreed that urgent action to limit warming was now desperately needed.
For several days around 400 young activists have been working on proposals for tackling climate change here in Milan.
They’ve heard from a host of voices including Greta Thunberg who castigated politicians for dashing the hopes and dreams of young people.
She mocked their promises on climate as just more “blah, blah, blah”.
Several senior politicians conceded that Thunberg was essentially correct in her analysis.
“Young people around the world are already paying the price for the reckless actions of their elders,” said Johnson.
“Hundreds of millions of you are facing rising seas, failing crops, burning forests, and evermore ferocious storms, daily challenges that lead to lost opportunity. And your future is literally being stolen before your eyes.”
Some young activists had interrupted a previous speech by Italian Prime Minister Draghi.
Johnson said he understood their actions.
“I saw the protesters earlier on. And frankly, you have every right to be angry with those who aren’t doing enough to stop it.”
All the senior politicians who’ve addressed this meeting say that lessons have been learned and that action on climate is now happening.
Johnson pointed to the COP26 meeting in Glasgow at the start of November as a pivotal moment in tackling the issue.
If significant changes could be agreed on some key areas, COP26 would mark “the beginning of the end of climate change.”
To get there, Johnson said, would need major progress on phasing out coal, ending the use of petrol and diesel cars, and planting “trillions of trees”.
A long-standing promise of cash for developing countries would have to be honoured, he said.
To signal that actions speak louder than words on climate, Johnson’s government today announced that it would require businesses bidding for major government contracts to commit to achieving net zero emissions.
The UK is believed to be the first country in the world to put such a measure in place.
Steps like this might not be quite what youth activists are demanding.
Their proposals to leaders include giving young people “meaningful participation” in all decision making on climate change.
Great to address young climate activists at the #Youth4Climate conference alongside PM Mario Draghi.
Young people have the greatest stake in the future of our planet. With their passion and drive, we can make #COP26 the beginning of the end of climate change. pic.twitter.com/6NMcUfGCms
They are calling for the end of fossil fuels by 2030, as well as transparent climate finance systems and responsible and sustainable tourism.
“We are going completely in the wrong direction and unfortunately speeding into the wrong direction,” Nisreen Elsaim from Sudan told the conference.
“I’m afraid that not only you, the old generation, but us will be the last generation to witness that planet as it is.”
As the young people depart the stage here in Milan, environment ministers and key negotiators are arriving, hoping to see progress on some key issues.
The aim is to clear the decks so that the presidents and prime ministers who arrive in Glasgow in November will be able to concentrate on a few major political decisions.
While there is some sense of optimism, much more “blah” will be needed if Glasgow is going to be a success.
Last week, addressing the UNGA, Johnson told world leaders that humanity must “grow up” and learn to deal with climate change. In his impassioned speech, the British premier compared the collective conscience of humans to an impetuous 16-year-old – a teenager on a bender – and said that it is high time that we stopped trashing the planet. “My friends, the adolescence of humanity is coming to an end,” Johnson addressed world leaders at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York. “We must come together in a collective coming of age.”
Johnson said that we will see desertification, drought, crop failure, and mass movements of humanity on a scale not seen before. “Not because of some unforeseen natural event or disaster, but because of us, because of what we are doing now,” he said.
Seven key recommendations have been put forward to feed into global discussions at the Youth4Climate Summit this week in Milan…reports Asian Lite News.
More than 2,000 young leaders and youth-led organisations from across the Commonwealth are urging governments to respect the needs and contributions of the world’s most vulnerable groups in the lead up to the global climate talks in Glasgow in November.
The Commonwealth Youth Statement on Climate Change, released on Wednesday, appeals to governments to include youth, women, the elderly and people with disabilities in decision making on climate change-related policies.
Noting that 1.5 billion people in the Commonwealth are under the age of 30, young people called on the leaders to ensure additional, predictable finance for youth-led climate action, as well as adequate social protections for vulnerable groups to cope with the climate crisis.
“We demand an end to climate inaction. Our generation will have to deal with more frequent and severe climate impacts than ever, making us one of the groups most vulnerable to its impacts,” said the statement.
Seven key recommendations have been put forward to feed into global discussions at the Youth4Climate Summit this week in Milan.
Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland welcomed the proposals, saying: “Young people are the true heroes in the fight against climate change. They have demonstrated a tremendous capacity to grasp the reality of the climate crisis and mobilise crucial support for climate action across groups, sectors and nations.
“Without the contributions and innovations of young people from all Commonwealth regions, the world would not have achieved the progress it has today on climate action. We need them at the table so that their voices can be heard as discussions continue on the development of effective climate policies and strategies.”
Pan-Commonwealth coordinator of the Commonwealth Youth Climate Change Network (CYCN), Leneka Rhoden said: “Never in history have young people been empowered with the social and technological tools to effect change, as we are today. We are equipped with the platform to launch projects that can help in securing our environment, our people, and our future.”
Commonwealth youth also propose capacity-building programmes to enhance youth-led ‘green’ and ‘blue’ enterprises, focusing on climate and ocean action, particularly in post-pandemic recovery efforts.
Highlighting the economic opportunities the ‘blue economy’ and renewable energy sector can offer local communities and youth, the statement calls for further commitments to ocean protection and an inclusive and equitable transition to clean energy.
The findings which will be launched at COP26 will include recommendations on how climate risk assessments for Heads of Government can be improved…reports Asian Lite News.
As the UK prepares to host COP26 in Glasgow, the government on Monday launched a series of high-level workshops on Recognising Risk—Raising Climate Ambition – to boost the understanding of climate risks among governments around the world.
The programme builds on recent work published by Chatham House, and brings together best practice in communicating the full risks of climate change from scientists to policy makers and national governments.
The findings which will be launched at COP26 will include recommendations on how climate risk assessments for Heads of Government can be improved.
“A better understanding of the full scale of the risks which climate change poses to our way of life and national economies is essential to inform commitments to climate action at COP26 and beyond,” COP26 President-Designate Alok Sharma said.
“This programme will bring together scientists, policy makers and civil society to improve the understanding and communication of these risks, as we work to make sure we keep the 1.5 degree goal alive,” he added.
While the scientific understanding of the risks of climate change is now more developed, the full range of climate risks including those affecting our economies, health, and food security is still often still not fully taken into account in national decision making.
As countries form plans ahead of COP26 to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (Nationally Determined Contributions), and build climate resilient futures (National Adaptation Plans), a full and up to date understanding of the greatest risks of climate change to their economies and way of life is essential.
Professor Carole Mundel, International Science Envoy, Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office said: “The scientific evidence of human-driven climate change is clear. Our planet is our life support system and it is in danger. But, we have a brief chance now to take immediate action to cut emissions and keep warming below 1.5C. If we fail, we risk crossing dangerous tipping points and enter a world with severe fire, flood and famine.”
Yesterday I spoke at #GlobalCitizenLive about the role we can all play in asking governments to come forward with ambitious climate action plans ahead of #COP26
Tim Benton, Chatham House: The risks from climate change are underestimated by decision makers, given the multitude of ways events near, or far away, can impinge on our societies – through interrupting the flow of goods, or finance, or creating a flow of people, or undermining stability or governance. This report accessibly highlights these risks so everyone can appreciate their potential.
The visit is seen as an important precursor to the 26th session of the Conference of the Parties UN climate summit, to be hosted by the UK in Glasgow in November, reports Asian Lite News
Prime Minister Boris Johnson will call upon world leaders to take a “concrete action” on climate change during his meetings at the high-level United Nations General Assembly in New York this week, according to Downing Street on Sunday.
More than 100 Heads of State and Government as well as Foreign Ministers and diplomats will participate in-person in the annual General Debate, beginning September 21 through September 27.
Prime Minister Johnson, who will also visit the White House for the first time since Joe Biden became the US President, will be joining Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the UNGA meeting among the world leaders scheduled to attend the meeting in person.
The visit is seen as an important precursor to the 26th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 26) UN climate summit, to be hosted by the UK in Glasgow in November.
“World leaders have a small window of time left to deliver on their climate commitments ahead of COP26,’ Johnson said ahead of the UNGA.
“My message to those I meet this week will be clear: future generations will judge us based on what we achieve in the coming months. We need to continue to make a case for a sustainable recovery from coronavirus rooted in green growth. And we have a responsibility to ensure the benefits of that growth extend to all, no matter where they are born,” he said.
According to media reports, Johnson intends to push for an action on coal, climate, cars and trees in particular.
Downing Street said he would focus on supporting developing nations to mitigate the impact of the climate crisis, as well as on adapting to its consequences.
Johnson will reportedly attempt to persuade China to quicken its timetable for reducing emissions.
UK’s COP26 president-designate Alok Sharma revealed to ‘Sky News’ on Sunday that Chinese President Xi Jinping is yet to confirm attendance at the crucial Scotland summit and said details on the country’s emission cuts are awaited.
“There is no doubt that China is going to be part of the key to all of this,” said Sharma.
“They are the biggest emitter in the world. What President Xi Jinping has said is that they are going to strictly restrict the use of coal in this next five-year period, from 2026 they are going to phase down. But we want to see the detail of that. That is what we are pressing them. They have said to me they want the COP26 to be a success. The ball is in their court. We want them to come forward and make it a success together with the rest of the world,” Sharma said.
Experts said that to avoid the worst climate impacts, carbon emissions must be cut by 45 per cent by 2030. However, on current policies, emissions could rise by 16 per cent in this period.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dQ8XpKf5-0
Prime Minister Johnson is also set to travel to Washington, where he is expected to hold talks with US President Biden on the future of Afghanistan and further efforts to stem a humanitarian crisis in the region.
According to reports, an easing up of UK-US travel is also likely to be taken up, with the US administration having imposed a ban due to soaring rates of the Delta variant of coronavirus earlier this year.
The fallout from the new AUKUS military pact between the UK, the US and Australia is also expected to be under discussion. Under the agreement, Australia is being given the technology to build nuclear-powered submarines. It had triggered a diplomatic row with France, which feels betrayed over its own submarine deal with Australia.
The newly-promoted UK Foreign Secretary, Liz Truss, used a column in The Sunday Telegraph to defend AUKUS.
“Freedoms need to be defended, so we are also building strong security ties around the world. This is about more than foreign policy in the abstract, but delivering for people across the UK and beyond by partnering with like-minded countries to build coalitions based on shared values and shared interests,” she said.
The alliance ‘ widely seen as an effort to counter China’s influence in the contested South China Sea ‘ was announced by US President Biden, Johnson and his Australian counterpart Scott Morrison earlier this week.
Experts believe that the poorly managed tourism sector has left a negative impact on the environment in Kashmir and constant recklessness can result in a situation they call “tourism destroys tourism”…writes Mukhtar Dar
Kashmir, famed for its breathtaking views, beautiful landscapes and magnificent lakes/water bodies, attracts tourists from all over the world. The tourism sector of Kashmir provides ample opportunities for employment generation and is a beacon of hope for around half a million people who are associated, directly or indirectly, with the sector. However, the booming non-eco-friendly tourism sector is having a serious and potentially damaging impact on the environment. The poorly managed sector has led to the depletion of natural resources and spoliation of tourist resorts.
Hazardous and non-eco-friendly tourism has become a threat to biodiversity and ecology. The central, as well as local government, should encourage the adoption of sustainable or eco-friendly rural tourism to tackle the constant environmental concerns and offer direct employment opportunities to rural populations in Kashmir.
What is eco-friendly rural tourism?
Rural tourism is an umbrella term that covers agri-tourism, ecotourism, and heritage tourism, unlike conventional tourism. The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) defines rural tourism as “a type of tourism activity in which the visitor’s experience is related to a wide range of products generally linked to nature-based activities, agriculture, rural lifestyle/culture, angling and sightseeing”.
Rural tourism activities, according to the UNWTO, take place in non-urban (rural) areas with the following characteristics: i) low population density ii) landscape and land-use dominated by agriculture and forestry and iii) traditional social structure and lifestyle.
The Ministry of Tourism Government of India (2011) defines rural tourism as “any form of tourism that showcases the rural life, art, culture and heritage at rural locations, thereby benefiting the local community economically and socially as well as enabling interaction between the tourists and the locals for a more enriching tourism experience”. Thus, rural tourism provides a break from hectic and expeditious life enslaved by modern technologies and urban ways of living. Besides, it can be harnessed as a strategy for Rural Development.
Non-eco-friendly tourism raises serious concerns on account of its environmental impacts. If the threat is not taken seriously, it can lead to drastic and irreversible environmental degradation.
In 2002’s National Tourism Policy, Rural Tourism was recognized as a focus area for employment generation and sustainable livelihoods. In the said policy, it was clearly mentioned that “Special thrust should be imparted to rural tourism and tourism in small settlements, where sizable assets of our culture and natural wealth exist.”
The first regions to adopt the concept of developing and promoting rural tourism were Rajasthan and Kerala. Pertinently, Kerala is one of the most famed eco destinations. For example, the Kumarakom Rural Tourism Project in Kerala has shown the country how to provide benefits to the local community while ensuring eco-friendly practices and care for nature. Under this project, the Kerala Tourism has made an agreement with Kudumbashree to sell fruits and vegetables, bought from the local community, to visitors in kiosks and supply them to hotels and restaurants. Kerala for this eco-friendly tourism model received the best award for rural tourism. Similarly, Rajasthan is setting an example for how to reduce the impact of tourism on the environment and help the ruler communities to earn their livelihood through sustainable means. There are several villages like Nimaj, Tordi, Nawalgarh etc where tourists assist the local communities to indulge in eco-friendly tourism. In these tourist villages, different projects were initiated with a motive to get the villagers involved in ecotourism projects, empower disadvantaged women of Rajasthan by helping them to learn skills and involving people in several causes that include afforestation and water resources conservation.
Non-eco-friendly tourism in Kashmir
The experts believe that the poorly managed tourism sector has left a negative impact on the environment in Kashmir. They fear that constant recklessness can result in a situation they call “tourism destroys tourism”. For instance, the data of Dal Lake tracked by the Centre for Science and Environment mentions that the Lake covered an area of 75 sq km in 1200 AD. By the 1980s, the area was reduced to 25 sq. km, and today it has drastically reduced to 12 sq. km. The depth has also reduced from 45 feet to 4 feet.
Pir Panjal range as seen from Banihal, Jammu and Kashmir (Wikipedia)
The “inability and lackadaisical attitude” of lakes and Water development authorities (LAWDA) in preserving the famed Dal lake raised questions about their sincerity and credibility. Reports claim that funds sanctioned for the maintenance and preservation of the lakes were not properly used. As per the reply submitted by the J&K government on September 18, 2018 to J&K high court, since 2002, 759 crores of rupees were spent on the preservation of the Dal Lake but the situation didn’t improve. Dr A Majeed Kak, who conducts extensive surveys on lakes of valley claimed that the unscientific method adopted by LAWDA to clean the lake has proved counterproductive.
Similarly, Wular which is one of Asia’s biggest freshwater lakes has also witnessed extensive degradation in recent decades as the concerned agencies have failed to stop the silting and encroachment. A case study conducted by Wetland International on famous Wular Lake found that during 1911-2008, the overall water spread and marsh areas shrunk by over half, reducing one-fifth of the area’s water storage capacity.
The preventive measures initiated by authorities to save these water bodies from getting depleted remain ineffective. If the situation of the aforementioned water bodies continues to worsen at the same galloping rate it has been in recent years, it will affect the tourism sector of Kashmir badly together with affecting the people’s livelihood.
If one looks at famous forest tourist destinations of Kashmir, the picture is not different. The Scroll reported in 2018, “How Kashmir’s famed tourist resorts are being turned into heavily polluted concrete Jungles.” While quoting the Center of Research for Development’s report of 2015, the Scroll wrote that in Sonamarg, “57.5 hectares of land has already been brought under the built-up area when the total area proposed to be under built-up by 2025 is about 60 hectares.” The report depicted that 96% of the built-up area had already been covered in 2015, even though the accommodation related construction, which was envisaged to get accommodated in the built-up area, is lagging far behind. This means there is no scope for further construction as it will damage the fragile ecosystem of the area, probably beyond repair. The report further said that 5.66 tonnes of solid waste is generated per day in Sonamarg and there is no proper waste management mechanism in place, resulting in the waste being dumped at multiple sites, and liquid waste from 46 hotels directly goes into the Sindh stream. The situation became far worse after 2018, the year when this report was published by the Scroll.
Kashmir-Kids enjoys at mustard filed on the outskirts of Srinagar-Umar Ganie
The devastating effect of the poorly managed tourism sector can be witnessed in the famous tourist resorts of Pahalgam and Gulmarg too. In Pahalgam, 1500 illegal structures have been installed in the forest and wildlife zones. The study titled “study on sustainable tourism in Kashmir” found that the number of tourists visiting Pahalgam in July 2015 was four times higher than the carrying capacity of the area and the destination is also facing a severe problem of waste management. Gulmarg, a world-famous tourism resort is witnessing similar ecological degradation. The increasing influx of people and unplanned construction is quite noticeable. Environmentalists are of opinion that illegal construction and inadequate waste disposal are demolishing the flora and fauna of Gulmarg.
In the last few decades, a few more places have come on the list of tourist destinations including Doodhpathri, Yusmarg and Bangus Valley, etc. Although the places have not witnessed any major concrete constructions, they are witnessing a huge rush of people, resulting in the accumulation of huge plastic and other solid waste. These environmentally fragile places need to be thrown up for tourists under proper environmental planning and consultation while taking into consideration their sustainability, carrying capacity and waste management.
Eco-friendly rural tourism in Kashmir
Climate change has necessitated the world governments to step up their well-informed and environmentally conscious and environmentally committed efforts towards the development and promotion of ecotourism, sustainable tourist destinations. It involves ensuring responsible travel to natural areas, conserving the environment, and improving the well-being of the local people. This applies to Jammu and Kashmir, too, home to an ecosystem rich in biodiversity.
Most of the famous tourist resorts in Kashmir are located in rural areas; however, the opportunity is not used by the government to shift from non-eco-friendly tourism to eco-friendly rural tourism. The policies drafted for the promotion of sustainable eco-friendly rural tourism have failed to yield any concrete results. The government drafts its tourism policy every year, but it has so far remained confined to paper only.
Factually, the tourism sector of J&K has not been developed, under proper planning and a vision. There are multiple agencies that are controlling and regulating the numerous lakes, tourism resorts, famed gardens. Different departments including the department of fisheries, the department of ecology, the department of wildlife, department of floriculture are exercising control over different tourist places. There is no single entity that can be held accountable for the protection of these destinations. The existence of different agencies only complicates the problem.
The Draft Tourism Policy demands to make tourist spots sustainable, dynamic, and improving livelihood opportunities for local people. This was stated by Director Tourism J&K, Dr. GN Ittoo, in an official statement.
“The administration believes J&K has a lot of scope in the rural tourism sector and the government requires to evaluate on the spot feasibility and tourism potential of these areas. The government maintained that the rural areas need to be selected as new sites of attraction for the tourists so that the rural people are benefited from the process of tourism. Rural tourism is one of the important options before us to strengthen the rural economy. The tourism department delved upon the officers that under rural tourism, villages to be decorated in such a way that would be eco friendly and tourist can be attracted from outside by showcasing the art and culture of the villages,” reads the statement.
However, the Tourism Department has made such claims in the past too but those failed to materialise.
Earlier, the government identified 33 villages of Kashmir and Ladakh division for their development as tourist villages under the Prime Minister’s reconstruction plan. Out of 33 villages, 30 tourist villages have been identified in Kashmir by the Ministry of Tourism, Govt of India. Years have passed and these destinations continue to remain underdeveloped. These destinations lack infrastructure, waste mismanagement mechanisms and funds sanctioned for their beatification remain unspent by departments, which are then clawed back by the treasury. For instance, in 2018, the government sanctioned Rs 43.5 crore for building infrastructure and tourist facilities in villages of Khag (Budgam), identified by the government as rural tourism destinations, but the funds still remain unspent. Similarly, for Poshkar villages of Budgam, the government sanctioned Rs 58 lakhs for their adornment, however, only a single building was constructed.
In Jammu and Kashmir, around 80% of the population lives in villages and rural tourism can emerge as a big source of employment. It is then imperative that the government should adopt a sustainable and participatory approach for the economic and social wellbeing of villagers and the conservation of the environment. Non-eco-friendly tourism raises serious concerns on account of its environmental impacts. If the threat is not taken seriously, it can lead to drastic and irreversible environmental degradation. It is high time Jammu and Kashmir adopts eco-friendly tourism practices through the promotion of rural tourism to lay the first step to create a climate-resilient green economy.
Recommendations
Ecotourism can be promoted and encouraged in several ways in the valley. For starters, the sale of single-use plastic drink bottles, straws, confectionery wrappers, chip packets, plastic bags should be banned in tourist destinations. Strict rules should be implemented to ensure hotels and restaurants do not violate waste management regulations, with environmental inspectors monitoring their waste disposal mechanisms. Also, only low-emission public transport should be allowed to operate at tourist destinations.
The government should conduct site assessments to determine how to mitigate threats to the environment and therefore develop long term eco-friendly policies for the management of tourist destinations.
The government should make mandatory the preliminary environmental impact assessment before any development activity is initiated at tourist destinations. It should do away with the single-window clearance policy.
An unsustainable pattern that exceeds the carrying capacity of a tourist destination, particularly of a small one, can largely degrade the natural and built environment. The government should take concrete steps to keep the ecological footprint under check.
The government should ensure facilities like guest houses, transport, communication, shopping complexes, health care, security and safety arrangements, parking and sanitation in the villages.
The tourists should be encouraged to explore village cuisine, handicrafts, and other locally made products.
The government has already identified rural tourist destinations, however, they are poorly managed. Besides developing them, it is important to organize awareness programmes at such destinations to attract tourists and introduce them to the locals.
The Tourism Department should involve local businessmen/businesswomen in the development of tourism enterprises in the villages.
(The author is Data Officer at Jammu and Kashmir Policy Institute)
Protest With a demand to immediately stop fossil fuel investment, the Impossible Rebellion has started in London! (Extinction Rebellion/ Twitter)
“We need to take drastic actions now. People in countries further south are suffering terribly, there are already wars over resources because of climate change,” she stressed…reports Asian Lite News.
Hundreds of people on Tuesday blocked roads around Parliament Street and Whitehall, in central London, on the second day of the Extinction Rebellion (XR) protest to demand urgent actions from governments to tackle climate change, a Sputnik correspondent reported.
Several protesters lied in the middle of the street in front of a large green banner reading “Government in bed with climate criminals,” while others chanted and danced to the beat of drums.
“We’re here because the government is not telling us the truth about the reality of climate change and what it will mean to our children and grandchildren and for all the generations that will come after them,” Mary, one of the XR members, told Sputnik.
With a demand to immediately stop fossil fuel investment, the Impossible Rebellion has started in London! pic.twitter.com/hndmzKEGU5
— Extinction Rebellion Global (@ExtinctionR) August 23, 2021
According to the activist, authorities in the United Kingdom and across the world are trying to hide from people that climate is already breaking down and that there will be shortages of food and water because of this, and what is worst “they are not taking any action to stop this from happening.”
Asked about the UK government’s pledges to achieve the ‘net zero’ target by 2050 and boost the use of electric vehicles as part of Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s “Green Revolution,” Mary said they are “too little too late.”
— Extinction Rebellion Global (@ExtinctionR) August 24, 2021
“We need to take drastic actions now. People in countries further south are suffering terribly, there are already wars over resources because of climate change,” she stressed.
Juliana, a Brazilian national who joined the protest with her children, said she had brought them with her because “their future is at stake”
— Extinction Rebellion Global (@ExtinctionR) August 24, 2021
The so-called “Impossible Rebellion,” which XR said will last two weeks, started on Monday, with protests in other parts of central London. The ecological movement is also planning to target the City – the heart of UK’s financial sector – to protest against banks financing fossil fuel companies.
The protests have been peaceful so far, but the Metropolitan Police confirmed that a “number of arrests” have been made. (ANI/Sputnik)
“As the realities of climate change become more apparent, firms have to start accounting for climate risks,” said EIB Chief Economist Debora Revoltella…reports Asian Lite News.
As Europe shows global leadership in the fight against climate change with the Green Deal and the new “fit for 55” proposals, around 45 per cent of European Union (EU) firms report investments to address climate change.
Nearly half of firms in the EU have invested in energy efficiency, up from 37 per cent in 2019 to 47 per cent in 2020. Although EU firms show commitment, enhancing their awareness of climate change-related risks will be the key to greater climate investment.
These are the key findings of a new European Investment Bank (EIB) report “European firms and climate change 2020/2021: Evidence from the EIB Investment Survey” that was published on Monday.
The new report provides an overview of EU firms’ perceptions of climate risks, their investment to address those risks and the main factors influencing their decisions.
The report builds on the EIB Investment Survey, an EU-wide survey that includes interviews with over 13,500 firms. These report findings are comparable across EU countries and the United States, as well as sectors and firm size.
“The catastrophic rainfalls and terrible loss of life this summer should leave no doubt that climate change is happening. We can no longer afford a wait-and-see attitude,” said EIB Vice-President Ricardo Mourinho Felix.
“Our latest study shows that if we want the transition to a greener economy to succeed, raising awareness of those risks matters: EU firms that understand those risks are more likely to invest in climate action. Regulatory requirements and transparency, as well as setting the right incentives for businesses will be crucial. Firms need to plan today to gain a competitive edge or risk losing ground to more forward-thinking competitors.
“As the EU climate bank, we finance climate projects around the world. We can assure you, becoming green pays off — for the environment but also economically.”
“As the realities of climate change become more apparent, firms have to start accounting for climate risks,” said EIB Chief Economist Debora Revoltella.
“Nearly 60 per cent of EU firms perceive physical risks, while transition risk is less well understood. The majority of firms are unaware of the challenges ahead and how to adapt to regulatory changes that will affect their supply chains, products, or reputation. Enhancing firms’ awareness of these risks will be as important as reducing uncertainty about regulatory changes.
“The ‘fit for 55’ package has opened the way for fruitful discussion among EU countries about a clear regulatory framework, enhanced climate awareness and proactive public and private investments.”
Around 45 per cent of EU firms report investments to address climate change, compared to 32 per cent of firms in the US.
Western and Northern Europe saw the largest share of firms investing in these measures, at 50 per cent. The share in Southern Europe is 38 per cent and in Central and Eastern Europe 32 per cent. At the country level, the differences are even more pronounced: Finnish (62 per cent) and Dutch (58 per cent) firms are at the forefront of climate investments, whereas only 23 per cent of Cypriot, 19 per cent of Irish and 18 per cent of Greek firms make this kind of investment.
SAC Senior Programme Specialist, Grinson George, said there are scientific gaps inhibiting the implementation of rules and regulations for sustainable management of fisheries and aquaculture…reports Asian Lite News.
In a bid to reduce impact of climate crisis on aquaculture and fisheries, the SAARC countries have sought to join hands to implement strategies for battling the phenomenon’s fallout on the sector.
This was the outcome of a two-day online consultative meeting of fishery scientists from India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bhutan held by the SAARC Agriculture Centre (SAC) as experts identified the climate crisis as a major concern in the aquaculture and fisheries sector in the region’s countries.
At the meeting, participants felt the urgent need for implementing strategies such as introduction of climate-friendly technologies in fisheries and aquaculture as well as measures for sustainable utilisation of resources.
Experts voiced concern over dwindling marine catch and aquaculture production, environmental disruption in aquatic ecosystems and its rippling effect on livelihood of the stakeholders, owing to climate change and associated developments.
They suggested that technologies of seaweed farming and integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA), including cage fish farming could be adopted to reduce the impact of the crisis, to a certain extent. Besides, the sector could use ‘green fishing vessels’ with built-in design features for energy saving and fuel saving technologies to reduce carbon emission.
SAC Director M. Baktear Hossain said the member countries have demanded regional cooperation and a platform for cross-learning and knowledge sharing to check the fallouts in the best possible way in the time of climate change.
SAC Senior Programme Specialist, Grinson George, said there are scientific gaps inhibiting the implementation of rules and regulations for sustainable management of fisheries and aquaculture.
“Some possible solutions can be looked upon in satellite remote sensing, numerical modelling, stakeholder perception, prioritisation of spatial sensitivity to ecosystems and many more with right interference from the stakeholders,” he said.
ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute Principal Scientist Prathibha Rohit, while presenting India’s status report about the sector, said mariculture sector (cage farming, seaweed farming, mussel culture) needed comprehensive development in the areas of leasing policies and hatchery development.
“Inadequate infrastructure especially in fishing harbours, cold chain and distribution system, limited scope for expansion due to overcapacities in territorial waters, deficiencies in processing and value addition, depleted stocks in inland water bodies, low adoption of technologies and shortage of skilled manpower are some of the gaps in the sector in the country,” said Rohit.
SAC is the first regional Centre established by the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and is located in Dhaka. It started functioning in 1988 with a mandate for information management, primarily in the field of agriculture and allied disciplines.
Flash floods, drought, forest fires, disease outbreaks, mass extinction. Instead of regenerating our planet we are putting billions into finding our next home/planet.”…reports Asian Lite News.
Actress Bhumi Pednekar is always bothered about environment and climate crisis. Now she took to social media to express her concern about the impact of climate change on our planet. The actress highlights the necessity to regenerate Earth, which is heating up owing to climate change.
Bhumi, who has been vocal about climate change, tweeted: “Climate Change is real. We have accelerated it to levels of heavy repercussions. Our planet is heating up. Flash floods, drought, forest fires, disease outbreaks, mass extinction. Instead of regenerating our planet we are putting billions into finding our next home/planet.”
Commenting on the actress’ tweet, netizens shared their opinion.
“The manufacturing of clothes that we wear are polluting our water bodies. We are destroying rain forests just to make luxury apartments and also with that animal habitats also reducing. Climate change is not related with finding home over other planet. We need to expand our horizon and stop using things that are responsible for climate change,” commented a user.
“Each individual needs to think how he or she can make a difference. Cannot have best of both worlds. So, are we ready to turn off our AC, use bicycle instead of car staring today?” shared another user.
On the work front, the actress will feature alongside Akshay Kumar in the upcoming film, “Raksha Bandhan” directed by Aanand L. Rai.
She also has “Badhaai Do” with Rajkummar Rao and “Mr Lele” with Vicky Kaushal lined up.
US President Joe Biden at the Oval Office in White House, Washington D.C., (Picture: @POTUS/Twitter)
The climate summit will be a key milestone on the road to the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) this November in Glasgow, reports Arul Louis
US President Joe Biden has invited 40 heads of state, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to join him for the World Leaders Summit on Climate to be hosted by his administration on April 22-23.
The other leaders including Presidents Xi Jinping of China and Vladimir Putin of Russia, and Prime Ministers Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh and Lotay Tshering of Bhutan have also been invited to the virtual meeting to highlight the urgency of action to combat climate change, the White House said on Friday.
European leaders including German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson were invited.
So were Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
“The Leaders Summit on Climate will underscore the urgency, and the economic benefits, of stronger climate action. It will be a key milestone on the road to the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) this November in Glasgow,” the White House said.
US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris
The virtual summit will be live-streamed for people everywhere to watch the proceedings.
Biden has made fighting climate change a pillar of both his foreign and domestic policies and one of his first actions on taking office in January was to have the US rejoin the Paris Climate Change Agreement.
The summit is meant to position Biden, and the US, as the global leader in meeting the climate change challenge and boost his stature.
“By the time of the summit, the US will announce an ambitious 2030 emissions target as its new Nationally Determined Contribution under the Paris Agreement for limiting the damage from climate change, the White House said.
Biden has asked all US government agencies to come up with ways to cut greenhouse emissions and harness green energy.
He appointed former Secretary of State John Kerry to be his international emissary for climate change reflecting the high priority it has on his agenda.
John Kerry in Brussels to renew climate cooperation
He is reaching out to the leaders of China and Russia, who he has harshly criticised over their human rights record and their international rivalry with the US to work together on the climate agenda despite their differences.
Biden wants countries around the world to take steps to limit emissions to a level that would limit planetary warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius “in order to stave off the worst impacts of climate change”, the White House said.
“The President urged leaders to use the Summit as an opportunity to outline how their countries also will contribute to stronger climate ambition.”
India will be under US pressure to cut its greenhouse gas emissions by being shown as the world’s third-highest emitter of greenhouse gases after Beijing and Washington.
However, that picture is misleading as on a per capita basis the US emissions were nearly nine times that of India.
John Kerry in Brussels to renew climate cooperation
An Indian emitted only 1.96 tonnes of greenhouse gases in a year, while an American was responsible for 16.56 tonnes.
For all the posturing and preaching, Biden or the climate change activists in the US are not going to bring down the US per capita emissions anywhere near the Indian level while demanding that India cut down its emissions overall.
India is already promoting green energy to eventually eliminate fossil fuel-generated electricity.
It is reportedly working on a goal of achieving a net-zero emissions by 2050. Net-zero emission is achieved by removing all greenhouse gases that are put out by various means ranging from aforestation to technologies to capture the emissions.
The Climate Summit will be Modi’s second multilateral virtual meeting with Biden.
Earlier this month, Biden and Modi were joined by Prime Minister Yoshihide Sugo of Japan and Scott Morrison of Australia at a summit of the Quad.
