LARGE SCALE MIGRATION: Some 2,500 refugees and migrants are estimated to have died or gone
missing this year while attempting the crossing to Europe – compared to
3,500 who died or went missing in the Mediterranean in 2014” said
Melissa Fleming, spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner
for Refugees (UNHCR), at a press briefing. This number, which includes almost 200,000 people landing in Greece and
110,000 in Italy, represents a substantial increase from last year. “In the last few days,” Ms. Fleming continued, “more people have lost their lives in three separate incidents.” In a statement Secretary-General
Ban Ki-moon said he has been horrified and heartbroken at the latest
loss of lives of refugees and migrants in the Mediterranean and Europe.He reminded the international community that a large majority of
people undertaking these arduous and dangerous journeys are refugees
fleeing from places such as Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan. International law has stipulated – and states have long
recognized – the right of refugees to protection and asylum. When
considering asylum requests, States cannot make distinctions based on
religion or other identity – nor can they force people to return to
places from which they have fled if there is a well-founded fear of
persecution or attack.“This is not only a matter of international law; it is also our
duty as human beings,” said the UN chief, and while he commended those
leaders and communities that have “stepped,” he appealed to all
governments involved to provide comprehensive responses, expand safe and
legal channels of migration and act with humanity, compassion and in
accordance with their international obligations.“Let us also remember: the high number of refugees and migrants
are a symptom of deeper problems – endless conflict, grave violations of
human rights, tangible governance failures and harsh repression. The
Syrian war, for example, has just been manifested on a roadside in the
heart of Europe.”Mr. Ban said that in addition to upholding responsibilities, the
international community must also show greater determination in
resolving conflicts and other problems that leave people little choice
but to flee. Failing that, the numbers of those displaced – more than
40,000 per day – will only rise.“This is a human tragedy that requires a determined collective
political response. It is a crisis of solidarity, not a crisis of
numbers,” the Secretary-General declared. According to UNHCR, the Libyan Coast Guard carried out two rescue
operations on Thursday morning, seven miles off the port town of Zwara.
Two boats carrying approximately 500 refugees and migrants were
intercepted and survivors taken to shore. With an estimated 200 people
still missing – and feared dead – a still undetermined number of bodies
were recovered and taken to shore. The Libyan Red Crescent has been
helping with the collection of the bodies. On Wednesday, a rubber dinghy carrying some 145 refugees and migrants
ran into trouble when the operator tilted the skiff dangerously to one
side. Panic followed as some people fell into the sea and two men jumped
into to rescue them. Amidst jostling and shoving, three women on the
dinghy were crushed to death. Of those who fell into the water, 18
remain missing and believed to have drowned. According to UNHCR, the survivors were rescued and taken to Lampedusa,
including the two-month old baby of one of the dead women. Most of the
survivors are in critical condition, suffering from shock, cuts and
bruises.That same day rescuers aiding a boat off the Libyan coast found 51
people suffocated to death in the cargo hold. According to survivors,
smugglers were charging people money for allowing them to come out in
order to breathe.Last week, in a similar incident, the bodies of 49 persons were found in
the hold of another boat. They are thought to have died after inhaling
poisonous fumes. Despite the concerted efforts of the joint European search and rescue
operation under FRONTEX (Frontières extérieures), which has saved tens
of thousands of lives this year, the Mediterranean Sea continues to be
the deadliest route for refugees and migrants. While these numbers are overwhelming for the already overstretched
capacity of single countries, such as Greece, the Former Yugoslav
Republic of Macedonia, Hungary, Serbia or Germany, they are manageable
through collaborative and coordinated responses at the European level.All European countries and the European Union must act together in
response to the growing emergency and demonstrate responsibility and
solidarity. “UNHCR appeals to all governments involved to provide comprehensive
responses and act with humanity and in accordance with their
international obligations,” Ms. Fleming concluded.
FREE SYMPOSIUM OF AMB. JUAN
Monday, August 31, 2015
DISASTER RISK MANAGEMENT: “Hurricane Katrina taught us that disaster risk reduction must be people-centred & engage all sectors of society
The top United Nations disaster resilience official said on the
occasion of the 10th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina that the ‘true
legacy’ of the costliest United States hurricane disaster, which
devastated New Orleans and claimed more than 1,800 lives, was to raise
the bar for disaster risk management worldwide. “Hurricane Katrina exposed weaknesses in disaster risk management which
are common to many hazard prone locations around the world,” said the head of the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR), Margareta Wahlström. “We can learn a lot from New Orleans if we are to achieve substantial
reductions in disaster losses as called for in the Sendai Framework for
Disaster Risk Reduction which was adopted by governments earlier this
year,” she said. The Sendai Framework,
named after the Japanese city in which it was adopted by Governments
earlier this year, is a 15-year, voluntary, non-binding agreement – and
the first major agreement of the new UN sustainable development agenda –
with seven targets and four priorities for action.Ms. Wahlström said: “New Orleans has transformed itself into a role model for disaster resilience.”
“It continues to invest heavily in improving flood defences and major efforts have been made to engage citizens in the renewal of the city,” she continued. “There is better mapping of the city’s hazards and there is greater awareness among the population about the importance of disaster risk management in ensuring the sustainable social and economic development of the city.” She also said “many lessons learned from New Orleans have been incorporated into the Sendai Framework including the need to engage the elderly and other potentially vulnerable groups in disaster planning and to make adequate provision for their safety when a disaster strikes.” “Hurricane Katrina has taught us that disaster risk reduction must be people-centred and engage all sectors of society,” she said. Ms. Wahlström’s Office is dedicated to disaster risk reduction and supports implementation of the Sendai Framework which seeks “the substantial reduction of disaster risk and losses, in lives, livelihoods and health and in the economic, physical, social, cultural and environmental assets of persons, businesses, communities and countries.”
SOURCE: http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=51745
“It continues to invest heavily in improving flood defences and major efforts have been made to engage citizens in the renewal of the city,” she continued. “There is better mapping of the city’s hazards and there is greater awareness among the population about the importance of disaster risk management in ensuring the sustainable social and economic development of the city.” She also said “many lessons learned from New Orleans have been incorporated into the Sendai Framework including the need to engage the elderly and other potentially vulnerable groups in disaster planning and to make adequate provision for their safety when a disaster strikes.” “Hurricane Katrina has taught us that disaster risk reduction must be people-centred and engage all sectors of society,” she said. Ms. Wahlström’s Office is dedicated to disaster risk reduction and supports implementation of the Sendai Framework which seeks “the substantial reduction of disaster risk and losses, in lives, livelihoods and health and in the economic, physical, social, cultural and environmental assets of persons, businesses, communities and countries.”
SOURCE: http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=51745
Thursday, August 27, 2015
fCAT by Ambassador Zara Jane Juan: APEC Third Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM) and Rel...
Monday, August 24, 2015
RENEWABLE ENERGY: UGANDA: Signs US$95 Million Agreement to Develop 44.7-MW Muzizi Hydroelectric Project
Uganda Electricity Generation Co. Ltd. (UEGCL) Managing Director,
Harisson Mutekanga, said, the project would cover the districts of
Kibaale, Kyenjojo, Kabarole and Ntoroko.
UEGCL officials said design development is beginning with engineering studies and the government will begin preparing tender documents after reviewing feasibility studies already on file.
Two large hydro power plants, 600-MW Karuma and 188-MW Isimba, are being developed on the Nile River. Uganda currently has an installed electricity generation capacity of 850 MW. Germany’s state controlled KFW Development Bank, the French Development Agency (AFD) and the government of Uganda, signed a US$95 million agreement this week to construct the 44.7-MW Muzizi hydroelectric project on the Muzizi River in the district of Kibaale, which borders the Ndaiga and Hoima districts in western Uganda.
Earlier this year Information Minister Jim Muhwezi said, Uganda’s Finance Ministry would borrow US$50 million from the AFD and US$44.3 million from KFW to fund the project.
Muzizi is a public project financed under the Mutual Reliance Initiative with KFW, AFD, and Uganda. Groundbreaking on the project is scheduled for Aug. 2016.
UEGCL officials said design development is beginning with engineering studies and the government will begin preparing tender documents after reviewing feasibility studies already on file.
Two large hydro power plants, 600-MW Karuma and 188-MW Isimba, are being developed on the Nile River. Uganda currently has an installed electricity generation capacity of 850 MW. Germany’s state controlled KFW Development Bank, the French Development Agency (AFD) and the government of Uganda, signed a US$95 million agreement this week to construct the 44.7-MW Muzizi hydroelectric project on the Muzizi River in the district of Kibaale, which borders the Ndaiga and Hoima districts in western Uganda.
Earlier this year Information Minister Jim Muhwezi said, Uganda’s Finance Ministry would borrow US$50 million from the AFD and US$44.3 million from KFW to fund the project.
Muzizi is a public project financed under the Mutual Reliance Initiative with KFW, AFD, and Uganda. Groundbreaking on the project is scheduled for Aug. 2016.
UPDATE: GERMANY & BRAZIL: Chancellor Angela Merkel and Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff focused on Environmental Cooperation
Germany and Brazil
committed themselves to a joint stance on climate change,
putting the largest economies in Europe and Latin America on the same
page ahead of global climate talks in Paris in December.Chancellor Angela Merkel and Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff focused mainly on environmental cooperation during a 24-hour visit by the German leader that was also aimed at boosting trade and investment in Brazil's stagnant economy.
"We agreed on common actions to deal with one of the most important challenges of the 21st Century," Rousseff said.
She said Brazil is committed to reducing deforestation in the Amazon to zero by 2030.
Rousseff declared Brazilian support for decarbonizing the global economy by the end of the century, an announcement environmental activists said would boost hopes for such a target being agreed to in Paris.
The COP-21 meeting will seek a binding agreement on how to share the burden of capping global warming at 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees F) above pre-industrial levels or lower.
"As the world’s third largest greenhouse gas emitter, Brazilian support is crucial if the world is going to call time on the age of fossil fuels in Paris," said Iain Keith, of the Avaaz campaign network. "Now we need to see Brazil spelling out how precisely it intends to do this," he said in a statement.
Putting money behind its commitment, the German government announced 550 million euros ($615.78 million) in financing for environmental and clean energy programs in Brazil.
Germany's Development Ministry will provide Brazil 525 million euros ($588 million) in loans to fund the development of renewable energy sources and to preserve tropical forests.
Germany also donated 23 million euros ($25.7 million) to help Brazil establish a rural land registry aimed at enhanced monitoring of deforestation.
($1 = 0.8932 euros)
(Editing by Dan Grebler, Bernard Orr)
http://uk.reuters.com/article/2015/08/21/us-brazil-germany-climatechange-idUKKCN0QQ06320150821
RENEWABLE ENERGY: INDIA: Government Approved Proposed Master Plan to Develop 50 Solar Cities
Out of the proposed 60 solar cities,
sanctions have been issued for 50 cities that include New Delhi, Agra,
Chandigarh, Gurgaon, Faridabad, Amritsar, New Town ( Kolkata), Howrah,
Madhyamgram, Kochi and Bhopal, according to the information available
on the ministry's website.
Of these 50 cities, master plans have be ..
Of these 50 cities, master plans have be ..
NEW
DELHI: The ministry of new and renewable energy has approved a
proposed master plan to develop 50 solar cities, including three in the
national capital region.
Out of the proposed 60 solar cities, sanctions have been issued for 50 cities that include New Delhi, Agra, Chandigarh, Gurgaon, Faridabad, Amritsar, New Town ( Kolkata), Howrah, Madhyamgram, Kochi and Bhopal, according to the information available on the ministry's website.
Of these 50 cities, master plans have be ..
Out of the proposed 60 solar cities, sanctions have been issued for 50 cities that include New Delhi, Agra, Chandigarh, Gurgaon, Faridabad, Amritsar, New Town ( Kolkata), Howrah, Madhyamgram, Kochi and Bhopal, according to the information available on the ministry's website.
Of these 50 cities, master plans have be ..
UPDATE: Climate Change Business Journal ®, centerpiece of business intelligence service, provides detailed market research on nine segments of Climate Change Industry
In each edition, subscribers receive a
strategic overview of a specific industry segment, plus company
profiles, survey results, and a proprietary data package with market
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- climate change consulting
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- renewable energy consulting
- climate change adaptation
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UPDATE: Nine Business Segments currently comprise the Climate Change Business Journal® definition of the Climate Change Industry
| CCBJ Climate Change Industry Segments: | |
| 1. Low Carbon Power & Renewable Power | Renewable /conventional equipment & power sales; project design & development |
| 2. Carbon Capture & Storage (CCS) | Systems, equipment |
| 3. Energy Storage: Equipment & Systems | Equipment & systems (batteries, hydrogen, etc.) |
| 4. Energy Efficiency and Demand Response | Systems, equipment & appliances; audits & studies |
| 5. Green Buildings | Design & development; building materials |
| 6. Transportation | Vehicles, fuels & systems |
| 7. Carbon Markets: Trading & Projects | Credit & offset trading; project development, verification and registration |
| 8. Climate Change Adaptation | Risk assessment, planning, engineering & construction |
| 9. Consulting & Research | Consulting & Engineering, Climate Science |
SOURCE: Climate Change Business Journal. © 2009 Environmental Business International, Inc. (EBI). May not be reproduced without written permission from EBI, San Diego, California.
Tuesday, August 4, 2015
UPDATE: CHINA state power firm partners with local govt to develop CO2 credits
RENEWABLE ENERGY: SOLAR FARM under construction at University of Illinois - expected to produce Power by Christmas
The 21-acre farm will be built on open land on the far south side of the Urbana-Champaign campus. It will eventually provide 2 percent of the campus' power. The first panels will go up in mid-September, said Morgan Johnston, associate director of sustainability at UI Facilities and Services. The farm is being built in partnership with Phoenix Solar of San Ramon, California. The university will pay the company $15.5 million over 10 years to run the solar farm and then take it over. University officials say that cost is $5.3 million more than buying the power from more conventional sources, but the solar farm is part of a plan to help the campus meet renewable energy commitments in its 2010 Illinois Climate Action Plan. And the university says it will be able to run the farm at little cost after it takes over the facility. The university has other, smaller renewable energy projects such as a rooftop solar facility on the Business Instructional Facility.
The new solar farm's construction was initially supposed to occur in 2013 but was delayed after a state procurement officer questioned, among other things, the bidding process. The project was eventually cleared to go ahead. Some have also questioned whether central Illinois is sunny enough for the project to work as billed. University officials say other, smaller solar projects on campus and elsewhere in the area are effective.
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) —http://www.sfgate.com/business/energy/article/Work-begins-on-University-of-Illinois-solar-farm-6419460.php___
Information from: The News-Gazette, http://www.news-gazette.com
CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY: SEMPRA ENERGY: Sustainable Business Model on Climate Change Mitigation & Adaptation
"Growing Responsibly" focuses on the company's
progress in reducing air emissions, conserving water, achieving safety
goals, meeting energy-efficiency standards, developing renewable energy
projects and encouraging diversity among employees and suppliers."To
be successful, we must provide safe and reliable service to our
millions of customers and continue to grow our business in a sustainable
way," said Debra L. Reed,
Sempra Energy's chairman and chief executive officer. "Our corporate
responsibility report this year includes substantive discussion on how
we are prepared to address key industry topics. By planning for the
future in a deliberate and responsible way, we enable strong performance
in many key areas of our business."
Highlights from the 2014 report include:
- Emissions: The Sempra Energy family of companies' 2014 carbon-dioxide emissions rate was more than 40-percent below the U.S. average.
- Renewable energy: Through its subsidiary Sempra U.S. Gas & Power, Sempra Energy has developed nearly 1,100 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy and expects to be invested in 2,000 MW by 2018.
- Safety: The Sempra Energy companies achieved a consolidated recordable incident rate 15 percent better than the company's target.
- Diversity and inclusion: More than half of Sempra Energy's U.S. workforce is comprised of ethnic minorities. In 2014, SoCalGas and SDG&E achieved 48.4 percent and 44.4 percent, respectively, in spending with diverse business enterprises, exceeding targets established by the California Public Utilities Commission.
- Charitable contributions: In 2014, Sempra Energy and its core businesses made charitable contributions of $18.6 million. Employees contributed another $3.2 million and volunteered 20,500 hours in their communities.
Sempra Energy's corporate responsibility report is available online at sempra.com/responsibility.
Sempra
Energy's four principal subsidiaries are Southern California Gas Co.,
San Diego Gas & Electric, Sempra U.S. Gas & Power and Sempra
International.
Sempra Energy, based in San Diego, is a Fortune 500 energy services holding company with 2014 revenues of $11 billion. The Sempra Energy companies' 17,000 employees serve more than 32 million consumers worldwide.
SAN DIEGO, July 31, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sempra-energy-releases-2014-corporate-responsibility-report-300121963.html
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