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lar%20energy%20capacity%2C%E2%80%9D%20concludes%20the%20World%20Bank%20in%20a%20statement.

The floating solar panels that track the Sun

Canada%20published%20its%20first%20ever%20national%20climate%20adaptation%20strategy%20on%20Thursday%2C%20including%20C%241.6%20billion%20(%241.2%20billion)%20in%20new%20federal%20funding%20commitments%20to%20help%20protect%20communities%20against%20the%20increasing%20impacts%20of%20global%20warming.%0A%0ALike%20many%20countries%20around%20the%20world%2C%20Canada%20is%20seeing%20a%20rise%20in%20extreme%20weather%20caused%20by%20climate%20change%2C%20with%20average%20annual%20losses%20from%20disasters%20forecast%20to%20reach%20C%2415.4%20billion%20by%202030%2C%20according%20to%20the%20government.%0A%0AThe%20goal%20of%20the%20adaptation%20strategy%20is%20to%20help%20reduce%20those%20losses%20with%20federal%20policy%20and%20investment.%20Research%20shows%20that%20every%20dollar%20spent%20on%20adaptation%20measures%20saves%20up%20to%20C%2415%20in%20costs%2C%20including%20both%20direct%20and%20indirect%20economy-wide%20benefits%2C%20the%20government%20said.%0A%0A%22The%20fight%20against%20climate%20change%20has%20reached%20our%20doorstep.%20We%20must%20not%20only%20reduce%20the%20emissions%20that%20cause%20climate%20change%2C%20we%20must%20also%20adapt%20to%20the%20changes%20that%20are%20upon%20us%2C%22%20federal%20Environment%20Minister%20Steven%20Guilbeault%20said%20in%20a%20statement.%0A%0AImplementing%20new%20flooding%20and%20wildfire%20standards%20for%20new%20construction%2C%20for%20example%2C%20could%20save%20Canada%20an%20estimated%20C%244.7%20billion%20a%20year%2C%20according%20to%20the%20statement%2C%20while%20urban%20forests%20in%20the%20city%20of%20Toronto%20have%20lowered%20cooling%20costs%2C%20improved%20air%20quality%2C%20and%20reduced%20strains%20on%20stormwater%20infrastructure.%0A%0AThe%20strategy%20focuses%20on%20five%20priority%20areas%3A%20improving%20health%2C%20building%20and%20maintaining%20resilient%20public%20infrastructure%2C%20protecting%20nature%20and%20biodiversity%2C%20supporting%20the%20economy%2C%20and%20reducing%20the%20impact%20of%20climate-related%20disasters.%0A%0AOttawa%20has%20so%20far%20earmarked%20C%248%20billion%20in%20federal%20funding%20for%20adaptation%20and%20disaster%20resilience%2C%20the%20statement%20said.%0A%0AThe%20federal%20government%20spent%20two%20years%20consulting%20provinces%2C%20territories%2C%20municipalities%20and%20Indigenous%20groups%20about%20the%20strategy%2C%20and%20they%20will%20now%20have%2090%20days%20to%20comment.%0A%0AEmergency%20Preparedness%20Minister%20Bill%20Blair%2C%20speaking%20from%20Prince%20Edward%20Island%20which%20was%20hammered%20by%20Hurricane%20Fiona%20in%20September%2C%20said%20the%20strategy%20would%20build%20Canada's%20resilience.%0A%0A%22The%20devastating%20wildfire%2C%20flooding%20and%20hurricane%20seasons%20of%20the%20past%20year%20have%20demonstrated%20that%20urgent%20action%20is%20required%20to%20address%20the%20increased%20frequency%20and%20severity%20of%20climate-related%20disasters%2C%22%20Blair%20said.

Canada's national climate adaptation strategy

As%20the%20UK%20braces%20for%20the%20first%20full%20winter%20since%20Russia%E2%80%99s%20invasion%20of%20Ukraine%20sparked%20a%20global%20energy%20crisis%2C%20it%20will%20have%20a%20little%20extra%20help.%20The%20largest%20battery%20storage%20system%20on%20the%20European%20continent%20went%20live%20in%20East%20Yorkshire%20on%20Monday%2C%20as%20Harmony%20Energy%20%E2%80%94%20the%20company%20behind%20the%20project%20%E2%80%94%20announced.%20%0A%0A%E2%80%9CBattery%20energy%20storage%20systems%20are%20essential%20to%20unlocking%20the%20full%20potential%20of%20renewable%20energy%20in%20the%20UK%2C%20and%20we%20hope%20this%20particular%20one%20highlights%20Yorkshire%20as%20a%20leader%20in%20green%20energy%20solutions%2C%E2%80%9D%20Harmony%20Energy%20Director%20Peter%20Kavanagh%20said%20in%20a%20statement.%20%E2%80%9CThese%20projects%20are%20not%20supported%20by%20taxpayer%20subsidy%20and%20will%20play%20a%20major%20role%20in%20contributing%20to%20the%20Net%20Zero%20transition%2C%20as%20well%20as%20ensuring%20the%20future%20security%20of%20the%20UK%E2%80%99s%20energy%20supply%20and%20reduced%20reliance%20on%20foreign%20gas%20imports.%E2%80%9D%0A%0ABattery%20systems%20like%20this%20one%20work%20by%20storing%20the%20energy%20generated%20by%20renewable%20sources%20like%20solar%20and%20wind%2C%20BBC%20News%20explained.%20When%20the%20grid%20experiences%20high%20demand%2C%20the%20stored%20energy%20can%20be%20directed%20towards%20homes%20and%20businesses.%20This%20particular%20facility%20can%20store%20196%20megawatt%20hours%20MWh%20of%20electricity%20per%20cycle%2C%20which%20is%20enough%20to%20power%20around%20300%2C000%20homes%20for%20two%20hours%2C%20Harmony%20Energy%20said.%20The%20company%20said%20it%20was%20the%20biggest%20such%20battery%20in%20Europe%20by%20MWh.%20%0A%0AThe%20so-called%20Pillswood%20project%20was%20first%20scheduled%20to%20go%20live%20over%20two%20phases%20in%20December%202022%20and%20March%202023%2C%20but%20this%20was%20brought%20forward%20to%20help%20the%20UK%E2%80%99s%20National%20Grid%20in%20the%20midst%20of%20an%20ongoing%20energy%20crisis%20that%20could%20get%20more%20challenging%20during%20the%20winter.%20%0A%0A%E2%80%9CDue%20to%20the%20war%20in%20Ukraine%20and%20gas%20shortages%20in%20Europe%2C%20there%20is%20a%20significant%20risk%20that%20gas%20shortages%20could%20occur%20during%20the%20winter%202022-23%20in%20Great%20Britain.%20As%20a%20result%2C%20there%20is%20a%20possibility%20that%20Great%20Britain%20could%20enter%20into%20a%20gas%20supply%20emergency%2C%E2%80%9D%20UK%20energy%20regulator%20Ofgem%20warned%20in%20October%2C%20as%20BBC%20News%20reported%20at%20the%20time.%20%0A%0AThe%20UK%20gets%2040%20to%2060%20percent%20of%20its%20electricity%20from%20gas%2C%20and%20it%E2%80%99s%20not%20certain%20whether%20a%20shortage%20would%20lead%20to%20blackouts%20or%20energy%20rationing.%20%0A%0A%E2%80%9CAll%20stakeholders%20have%20recognised%20the%20importance%20of%20achieving%20energisation%20for%20this%20project%20ahead%20of%20winter%2C%20and%20we%20would%20like%20to%20thank%20Tesla%2C%20G2%20Energy%20and%20Northern%20Powergrid%20for%20their%20efforts%20in%20delivering%20the%20project%20ahead%20of%20schedule%20despite%20a%20very%20challenging%20geopolitical%20and%20global%20supply%20chain%20environment%2C%E2%80%9D%20Kavanagh%20said%20in%20a%20statement.%20%0A%0AThe%20station%20uses%20a%20Tesla%20two-hour%20Megapack%20system%2C%20and%20the%20company%20also%20managed%20the%20construction%20and%20will%20be%20operated%20it%20through%20its%20algorithmic%20trading%20platform%20Autobidder.%20The%20Pillswood%20project%20is%20located%20next%20to%20the%20National%20Grid%E2%80%99s%20Creyke%20Beck%20substation%20near%20Hull.%20This%20substation%20will%20also%20be%20the%20first%20stop%20for%20the%20energy%20from%20Dogger%20Bank%2C%20the%20world%E2%80%99s%20largest%20offshore%20wind%20farm%20slated%20to%20go%20live%20in%20the%20North%20Sea%20this%20decade%2C%20BBC%20News%20reported.%20Its%20first%20phase%20will%20launch%20in%20summer%20of%202023%2C%20Harmony%20Energy%20said.%20%0A%0AEnergy%20storage%20projects%20like%20Pillswood%20are%20essential%20for%20transitioning%20Europe%20away%20from%20fossil%20fuels%20as%20it%20works%20to%20prevent%20the%20worst%20impacts%20of%20the%20climate%20crisis%2C%20since%20they%20can%20fill%20in%20the%20gaps%20in%20energy%20generation%20from%20weather-dependent%20technologies%20like%20wind%20and%20solar%2C%20TNW%20noted.%20The%20European%20Association%20for%20Storage%20of%20Energy%20(EASE)%20calculated%20that%20the%20EU%20needed%20to%20store%20around%20200%20gigawatts%20(GW)%20by%202030%20and%20600%20GW%20by%202050.

Europe's biggest battery energy storage system

An%20Italian%20startup%20behind%20the%20world%E2%80%99s%20first%20carbon%20dioxide%20battery%20has%20signed%20a%20deal%20to%20export%20the%20technology%20to%20the%20U.S.%20The%20company%20says%20that%20its%20technology%20is%20the%20missing%20link%20that%20could%20supercharge%20the%20transition%20to%20renewable%20energy.%20%0A%0AEnergy%20Dome%E2%80%98s%20CO2%20battery%20is%20designed%20for%20utility-scale%20applications.%20It%20can%20store%20huge%20amounts%20of%20energy%20from%20renewable%20sources%20such%20as%20wind%20and%20solar.%20The%20energy%20is%20then%20released%20later%20for%20use%20during%20times%20of%20need.%0A%0AEnergy%20storage%20is%20one%20of%20the%20major%20obstacles%20affecting%20the%20transition%20to%20clean%20energy.%20Solar%20and%20wind%20energy%20can%20be%20harvested%20in%20large%20amounts%2C%20but%20there%20is%20no%20sufficient%20storage.%20The%20available%20batteries%20such%20as%20lithium%20and%20lead%20batteries%20are%20quite%20expensive.%20Furthermore%2C%20these%20batteries%20are%20only%20ideal%20for%20small-scale%20storage.%0A%0AOn%20the%20other%20hand%2C%20the%20CO2%20battery%20is%20both%20sustainable%20and%20cheaper.%20The%20battery%20is%20also%20less%20prone%20to%20degradation.%20%0A%0A%E2%80%9CEnergy%20Dome%E2%80%99s%20CO2%20batteries%20can%20be%20quickly%20deployed%20anywhere%20in%20the%20world%20at%20less%20than%20half%20the%20cost%20of%20similar-sized%20lithium-ion%20battery%20storage%20facilities%2C%20and%20use%20readily%20available%20materials%2C%20such%20as%20carbon%20dioxide%2C%20steel%20and%20water%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20Energy%20Dome%20in%20a%20press%20release.%0A%0AThe%20CO2%20battery%20simply%20uses%20condensed%20CO2%20to%20store%20energy.%20When%20energy%20is%20available%20in%20huge%20amounts%2C%20it%20can%20be%20used%20to%20condense%20and%20store%20CO2%20under%20pressure.%20When%20there%20is%20a%20need%20for%20energy%2C%20the%20CO2%20is%20heated%20and%20converted%20into%20gas%20to%20power%20turbines.%0A%0AEnergy%20Dome%20launched%20its%20first%20plant%20in%20Sardinia%20earlier%20this%20year.%20The%20success%20of%20the%20plant%20has%20proven%20that%20it%20matches%20the%20potential%20of%20other%20energy%20storage%20devices.%0A%0AElemental%20Excelerator%2C%20a%20U.S.%20company%2C%20has%20extended%20funding%20and%20partnership%20to%20the%20startup%20in%20a%20deal%20that%20will%20bring%20the%20technology%20to%20the%20U.S.%20According%20to%20Elemental%20Excelerator%2C%20such%20an%20energy%20storage%20device%20has%20been%20the%20missing%20piece%20in%20the%20puzzle%20of%20decarbonization.

World's first CO2-based energy storage solution

France%20has%20approved%20legislation%20that%20will%20require%20all%20car%20parks%20with%20more%20than%2080%20spaces%20to%20be%20covered%20over%20by%20solar%20panels.%20This%20is%20part%20of%20a%20wider%20program%20that%20will%20see%20solar%20panels%20occupy%20derelict%20lots%2C%20vacant%20land%20alongside%20roads%20and%20railways%2C%20as%20well%20as%20some%20farmland.%0A%0AThis%20is%20expected%20to%20add%2011%20gigawatts%20to%20the%20French%20electricity%20grid%20equal%20to%20ten%20nuclear%20reactors.%0A%0ADo%20the%20numbers%20add%20up%3F%20And%20should%20other%20countries%20do%20the%20same%3F%0A%0ASeveral%20countries%2C%20most%20notably%20Germany%2C%20have%20already%20mandated%20developers%20of%20new%20buildings%20to%20incorporate%20renewables%20into%20their%20designs%2C%20like%20roof-mounted%20solar%20panels%2C%20biomass%20boilers%2C%20heat%20pumps%20and%20wind%20turbines.%20The%20French%20policy%20would%20apply%20to%20new%20and%20existing%20car%20parks.%0A%0AThe%20average%20car%20parking%20space%20is%20about%204.8m%20by%202.4m%2C%20or%2011.52m%C2%B2.%20Assuming%20an%20output%20of%20120%20watts%20per%20m%C2%B2%20that%20works%20out%20at%20roughly%201.4%20kilowatts%20of%20power%20per%20bay.%20There%20would%20be%20further%20space%20over%20walkways%20and%20traffic%20lanes%20within%20the%20car%20park%2C%20but%20the%20solar%20panels%20would%20need%20to%20be%20kept%20far%20enough%20apart%20to%20stop%20them%20shading%20each%20other.%0A%0AFor%20an%20output%20of%2011%20gigawatts%2C%20you%E2%80%99d%20need%20to%20cover%20about%207.7%20million%20car%20parking%20spaces.%20Are%20there%20that%20many%20in%20France%20that%20would%20qualify%3F%20The%20UK%20has%20between%203%20and%204%20million%20spaces%20and%2040%20million%20vehicles.%20France%20has%20a%20similar-sized%20fleet%20of%2038%20million.%20So%2C%207.7%20million%20spaces%20seems%20unlikely.%0A%0ABut%20the%20legislation%20covers%20a%20lot%20of%20urban%20land%2C%20not%20just%20car%20parks.%20In%20theory%2C%2092km%C2%B2%20of%20French%20urban%20land%20(defined%20as%20any%20built-up%20area%20with%20more%20then%205%2C000%20people)%20could%20provide%2011%20gigawatts%20of%20solar%20power.%0A%0AThat%20might%20sound%20like%20a%20lot%2C%20but%20it%E2%80%99s%20only%200.106%25%20of%20France%E2%80%99s%20total%20urban%20land%20area%20of%2086%2C500%20km%C2%B2.%20Accounting%20for%20the%20difference%20in%20capacity%20factors%20(how%20much%20energy%20each%20source%20generates%20a%20year%20compared%20with%20its%20maximum%20theoretical%20output)%20between%20French%20nuclear%20(70%25)%20and%20French%20solar%20(15%25)%2C%20430%20km%C2%B2%20of%20solar%20would%20supply%20the%20same%20amount%20of%20power%20each%20year%20in%20gigawatt-hours%20as%20those%20ten%20nuclear%20plants.%0A%0AThese%20panels%20need%20only%20cover%200.5%25%20of%20French%20urban%20land%2C%20or%20about%200.07%25%20of%20France%E2%80%99s%20total%20area.%20So%20it%E2%80%99s%20possible%2C%20though%20car%20parks%20will%20make%20up%20a%20tiny%20portion%20of%20the%20overall%20program.%0A%0AComing%20to%20a%20Car%20Park%20Near%20You%0AThe%20UK%20and%20countries%20further%20north%20receive%20less%20sunlight%20per%20m%C2%B2%20and%20the%20sun%20sits%20lower%20on%20their%20horizon%2C%20which%20makes%20the%20issue%20of%20shading%20on%20panels%20bigger%2C%20although%20the%20longer%20days%20in%20summer%20do%20compensate%20for%20this%20to%20some%20extent.%0A%0AAlso%2C%20while%20a%20lot%20of%20car%20parks%20in%20southern%20Europe%20already%20have%20sun%20shades%20over%20them%20(which%20allow%20solar%20panels%20to%20be%20mounted%20onto%20existing%20structures)%2C%20this%20is%20rare%20in%20cooler%20countries.%20As%20a%20result%2C%20it%20would%20probably%20be%20a%20lot%20easier%20to%20mount%20panels%20on%20the%20roofs%20of%20buildings%20than%20over%20the%20surrounding%20car%20park%20in%20some%20countries.%20Where%20solar%20panels%20aren%E2%80%99t%20practical%2C%20other%20options%2C%20like%20wind%20turbines%2C%20might%20well%20be%20viable%20alternatives.%0A%0ALikewise%2C%20some%20car%20parks%2C%20especially%20those%20in%20city%20centers%2C%20are%20shaded%20for%20most%20of%20the%20day%20by%20tall%20buildings%20nearby.%20But%20there%20is%20no%20reason%20not%20to%20put%20panels%20on%20top%20of%20them%20instead.%0A%0AFrance%20is%20likely%20to%20be%20pursuing%20this%20policy%20to%20ease%20its%20dependence%20on%20nuclear%20power%2C%20which%20supplies%2070%25%20of%20the%20country%E2%80%99s%20electricity.%20This%20arrangement%20works%20when%20demand%20is%20stable.%20It%20becomes%20a%20problem%20when%2C%20for%20example%2C%20a%20drought%20forces%20multiple%20plants%20to%20reduce%20their%20power%20output%20or%20shut%20down.%20France%20is%20also%20adding%20several%20million%20electric%20cars%20and%20heat%20pumps%20to%20its%20grid%2C%20which%20will%20need%20to%20draw%20from%20a%20variety%20of%20energy%20sources%20and%20storage%20options.%0A%0AThe%20UK%20is%20similarly%20dependent%20on%20gas%20for%20both%20electricity%20and%20heating.%20Creating%20a%20more%20diverse%20energy%20supply%2C%20much%20of%20which%20is%20directly%20connected%20to%20the%20very%20cars%20or%20homes%20consuming%20that%20power%20makes%20a%20lot%20of%20sense.%20But%20a%20strategy%20to%20unleash%20the%20green%20energy%20potential%20of%20vacant%20space%20in%20towns%20and%20cities%20should%20begin%20%E2%80%93%20and%20not%20end%20%E2%80%93%20with%20car%20parks.

France's plan for solar panels on all car parks

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20including%20through%20financial%20resources%2C%20technology%20transfer%20and%20capacity-building%2C%20to%20assist%20developing%20country%20Parties%20with%20respect%20to%20both%20mitigation%20and%20adaptation.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AClimate%20Finance%0A%0ANations%20are%20two%20years%20behind%20schedule%20on%20their%20pledges%20to%20deliver%20%24100bn%20in%20annual%20climate%20finance%20to%20assist%20poorer%20nations.%20The%20%24100bn%20target%20was%20set%20in%202009%20and%20has%20never%20been%20met.%20The%20closest%20we%20have%20come%20was%20in%202020%2C%20when%20provisions%20peaked%20at%20%2483bn.%0A%0ADiscussions%20took%20place%20at%20COP27%20about%20adding%20to%20the%20list%20of%20%E2%80%9Cclimate%20donors%E2%80%9D%2C%20who%20would%20provide%20funding%20to%20developing%20nations%20to%20respond%20to%20the%20climate%20crisis%20through%20adaptation%20and%20mitigation%20methods%20and%20through%20loss%20and%20damage%20funding%20pools.%0A%0ADeveloped%20nations%20are%20trying%20to%20expand%20the%20donor%20base%20to%20include%20%E2%80%9Chigh-income%E2%80%9D%20nations.%20This%20would%20cover%20Israel%2C%20South%20Korea%2C%20Saudi%20Arabia%20and%20Qatar%20amongst%20others.%20But%20the%20main%20addition%20to%20this%20list%20would%20be%20China%2C%20the%20world%E2%80%99s%20largest%20emitter.%0A%0AThe%20cover%20text%20does%20not%20mention%20any%20expansion%20to%20donor%20nations.%20Instead%20it%20%E2%80%9Cexpresses%20serious%20concern%E2%80%9D%20that%20the%20%24100bn%20target%20continues%20to%20fall%20short%20and%20%E2%80%9Curges%20developed%20country%20Parties%20to%20meet%20the%20goal%E2%80%9D.%0A%0AThe%20text%20also%20highlights%20that%20around%20%244trn%20annually%20needs%20to%20be%20invested%20in%20renewable%20energy%20(no%20mention%20of%20low-emissions%20energy%20here)%20up%20to%202030%20to%20reach%20net-zero%20%20by%202050.%20It%20additionally%20states%20that%20%E2%80%9Ca%20global%20transformation%20to%20a%20low-carbon%20economy%20is%20expected%20to%20require%20investment%20of%20at%20least%20%244%E2%80%936trn%20per%20year%E2%80%9D.%0A%0AAnything%20else%3F%0A%0AThere%20are%20a%20few%20firsts%20for%20UN%20cover%20texts.%20The%20role%20of%20%E2%80%9Cfood%E2%80%9D%20gets%20covered%20briefly%20and%20it%20is%20the%20first%20time%20that%20%E2%80%9Cnature-based%20solutions%E2%80%9D%20find%20their%20way%20into%20the%20cover%20text.%20However%2C%20the%20nature-based%20solutions%20market%20is%20still%20in%20its%20infancy%2C%20lacks%20a%20clear%20definition%20and%20is%20severely%20underfunded%2C%20so%20it%20may%20be%20a%20few%20more%20COPs%20until%20this%20is%20fleshed%20out%20further.%20A%20new%20section%20on%20forests%20is%20also%20introduced.%0A%0AThere%20had%20been%20high%20hopes%20for%20strong%20wording%20on%20the%20relationship%20between%20nature%20and%20climate%20in%20the%20text.%20World%20leaders%20are%20due%20to%20meet%20in%20Montreal%2C%20Canada%2C%20next%20month%2C%20for%20what%20should%20be%20the%20last%20part%20of%20the%20UN%E2%80%99s%2015th%20Biodiversity%20COP.%20This%20COP%20is%20being%20used%20to%20develop%20a%20%E2%80%98Paris-style%E2%80%99%20treaty%20for%20nature%2C%20with%20an%20overarching%20vision%20of%20ending%20nature%20depletion%20and%20bringing%20the%20world%20into%20an%20era%20of%20widespread%20nature%20restoration.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThe%20treaty%20is%20now%20more%20than%20two%20years%20overdue%20due%20to%20Covid-19-related%20delays%20and%20international%20disagreements%2C%20with%20nature%20NGOs%20warning%20that%20urgent%20decision-making%20and%20implementation%20is%20needed%20due%20to%20the%20scale%20and%20pace%20of%20nature%20loss.%0A%0AWhile%20delegates%20wanted%20to%20reference%20COP15%20in%20the%20final%20text%2C%20it%20has%20not%20been%20included.

COP27: Landmark deal for loss and damage agreed

The%20U.S.%20Department%20of%20Energy%20has%20awarded%20nearly%20%2474%20million%2C%20available%20through%20the%20Infrastructure%20Investment%20and%20Jobs%20Act%2C%20to%2010%20projects%20focused%20on%20recycling%20and%20reusing%20batteries%2C%20particularly%20EV%20batteries.%0A%0AAccording%20to%20the%20Department%20of%20Energy%2C%20over%201.2%20million%20electric%20cars%20have%20been%20sold%20since%20President%20Joe%20Biden%20took%20office%2C%20and%20demand%20for%20battery%20minerals%2C%20like%20lithium%20and%20graphite%2C%20is%20expected%20to%20increase%204%2C000%25%20in%20coming%20years%20as%20EV%20demand%20continues%20to%20rise.%20Recycling%20and%20reusing%20battery%20components%20is%20important%20to%20the%20supply%20chain%2C%20making%20EV%20battery%20production%20faster%20and%20more%20reliable.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CRecycling%20advanced%20batteries%20presents%20an%20enormous%20opportunity%20for%20America%20to%20support%20the%20creation%20of%20a%20secure%20and%20resilient%20domestic%20battery%20supply%20chain%20to%20reach%20our%20clean%20energy%20and%20transportation%20future%2C%E2%80%9D%20U.S.%20Secretary%20of%20Energy%20Jennifer%20M.%20Granholm%20said%20in%20a%20statement.%20%E2%80%9CThe%20historic%20investments%20of%20President%20Biden%E2%80%99s%20Bipartisan%20Infrastructure%20Law%20are%20making%20it%20possible%20for%20cross-sector%20collaboration%20that%20will%20fuel%20America%E2%80%99s%20technological%20breakthroughs%20and%20eliminate%20our%20overreliance%20on%20other%20nations%20to%20meet%20our%20clean%20energy%20goals.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AThe%20new%20funding%20builds%20on%20an%20existing%20%242.8%20billion%20from%20the%20infrastructure%20bill%20for%20domestic%20battery%20processing%20and%20battery%20component%20manufacturing.%20These%20projects%20also%20are%20expected%20to%20get%20the%20country%20closer%20to%20reaching%20the%20Biden%20administration%E2%80%99s%20target%20of%20having%20half%20of%20all%20vehicle%20sales%20in%20the%20U.S.%20be%20electric%20by%20the%20end%20of%20this%20decade.%0A%0AFunding%20will%20go%20to%20four%20projects%20in%20California%20and%20one%20project%20each%20in%20Nevada%2C%20Michigan%2C%20New%20Jersey%2C%20Tennessee%2C%20Indiana%20and%20Alabama.%0A%0AAs%20reported%20by%20The%20Associated%20Press%2C%20the%20University%20of%20California-San%20Diego%20is%20set%20to%20receive%20%2410%20million%20for%20technology%20that%20can%20recycle%20lithium-ion%20batteries.%20Element%20Energy%2C%20based%20in%20Menlo%20Park%2C%20California%2C%20will%20receive%20nearly%20%248%20million%20for%20a%20wind%20energy%20project%20in%20Texas%20as%20well%20as%20for%20a%20project%20in%20collaboration%20with%20Next%20Era%20Energy%20Resources%20that%20uses%20technology%20for%20reusing%20batteries%20for%20energy%20storage.%0A%0AAlthough%20batteries%20are%20important%20for%20transitioning%20to%20clean%20energy%2C%20the%20U.S.%20does%20not%20produce%20enough%20of%20the%20minerals%20necessary%20to%20make%20batteries.%20Resource%20mining%20also%20has%20a%20big%20environmental%20impact%2C%20using%20massive%20amounts%20of%20water%20and%20contaminating%20soil%20and%20air%2C%20as%20explained%20by%20the%20Institute%20for%20Energy%20Research.%0A%0AAs%20such%2C%20a%20more%20sustainable%20approach%20is%20necessary%2C%20including%20finding%20ways%20to%20recycle%20and%20reuse%20batteries.%20The%20grant%20winners%20will%20work%20on%20projects%20that%20develop%20ways%20to%20reuse%20end-of-life%20EV%20batteries%2C%20from%20finding%20ways%20to%20separate%20battery%20materials%20to%20investigating%20stationary%20energy%20storage%20systems.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CResponsible%20and%20sustainable%20end-of-life%20recycling%20and%20reuse%20will%20strengthen%20domestic%20battery%20manufacturing%20and%20allow%20the%20nation%20to%20meet%20the%20increasing%20demand%20for%20EVs%20through%20American-made%20battery%20components%2C%E2%80%9D%20the%20Department%20of%20Energy%20stated.%20%E2%80%9CLeveraged%20with%20recipient%20cost%20share%2C%20this%20funding%20will%20help%20to%20provide%20more%20than%20%24126%20million%20for%20America%E2%80%99s%20clean%20energy%20future.%E2%80%9D

DOE awards $74M to EV battery recycling projects

The%20number%20of%20nations%20committed%20to%20reducing%20methane%20emissions%20by%2030%25%20this%20decade%20has%20reached%20150%2C%20the%20joint%20hosts%20of%20the%20commitment%2C%20the%20US%20and%20the%20EU%2C%20have%20confirmed.%0A%0AUS%20Climate%20Envoy%20John%20Kerry%20confirmed%20the%20milestone%20at%20a%20side%20event%20at%20COP27%20late%20on%20Thursday%20(17%20November)%2C%20held%20to%20mark%20one%20year%20since%20the%20Global%20Methane%20Pledge%20opened%20to%20new%20joiners%20at%20COP26.%0A%0AAt%20the%20time%20of%20launch%2C%20the%20Pledge%20had%20around%20100%20backers.%20Now%2C%20it%20has%20150.%20Recent%20joiners%20include%20Egypt%2C%20the%20COP27%20host%3B%20Qatar%3B%20Bahrain%3B%20Austria%20and%20Australia.%20Australia%20has%20received%20much%20attention%20this%20COP%2C%20as%20the%20summit%20has%20fallen%20just%20four%20months%20after%20it%20published%20a%20landmark%20new%20climate%20bill%20including%20a%20commitment%20to%20cut%20greenhouse%20gas%20emissions%20by%2045%25%20by%202030%2C%20against%20a%202005%20baseline.%0A%0AStill%20notably%20absent%20from%20the%20Pledge%20are%20India%2C%20Russia%20and%20China.%20However%2C%20Kerry%20did%20invite%20China%E2%80%99s%20Special%20Envoy%20for%20Climate%2C%20Xie%20Zhenhua%2C%20to%20the%20stage.%20Zhenhua%20called%20Kerry%20a%20%E2%80%9Cgood%20friend%E2%80%9D%20and%20confirmed%20that%20China%20is%20drawing%20up%20a%20national%20methane%20plan%20and%20will%20soon%20have%20final%20approval%20for%20publication.%20Whether%20the%20plan%20is%20consistent%20with%20the%20Pledge%20requirements%2C%20paving%20the%20way%20for%20China%20to%20sign%20up%20in%20the%20future%2C%20remains%20to%20be%20seen.%0A%0AAction%20on%20methane%20is%20increasingly%20being%20recognized%20as%20crucial%20to%20limiting%20the%20global%20temperature%20increase.%20The%20International%20Energy%20Agency%20(IEA)%20has%20stated%20that%20methane%20is%20one%20of%20the%20most%20potent%20greenhouse%20gases%2C%20but%20that%20its%20atmospheric%20life%20is%20only%20around%2012%20years%2C%20compared%20with%20decades%20or%20even%20centuries%20for%20other%20GHGs.%0A%0AThe%20US%20has%20stated%20that%20all%20new%20Global%20Methane%20Pledge%20joiners%20have%20either%20developed%20national%20plans%20to%20reduce%20methane%20or%20are%20in%20the%20process%20of%20doing%20so.%20It%20has%20also%20emphasised%20that%2C%20over%20the%20past%20few%20weeks%2C%20more%20clarity%20has%20been%20provided%20on%20how%20nations%20will%20reduce%20methane%20from%20the%20two%20biggest%20sources%20%E2%80%93%20the%20fossil%20fuel%20sector%20and%20animal%20agriculture.%0A%0AOn%20methane%20from%20fossil%20fuels%2C%20several%20developed%20nations%20have%20signed%20a%20joint%20declaration%20intended%20to%20reduce%20methane%20across%20the%20sector%20globally%2C%20preventing%20high-methane%20imports%20from%20undercutting%20domestic%20production%20in%20nations%20with%20higher%20standards.%20There%20is%20also%20a%20focus%20on%20signatory%20nations%20implementing%20stricter%20regulations%20on%20venting%2C%20flaring%20and%20leaks%20domestically.%0A%0AThe%20declaration%20was%20signed%20as%20the%20World%20Bank%20confirmed%20that%20it%20will%20launch%20the%20next%20phase%20of%20its%20Global%20Gas%20Flaring%20Reduction%20Partnership%20next%20year.%20This%20facility%20provides%20finance%20and%20technical%20assistance%20to%20fossil%20fuel%20players%20in%20developing%20and%20emerging%20economies.%0A%0AKerry%20also%20highlighted%20last%20week%E2%80%99s%20confirmation%20that%20the%20UN%20will%20launch%20a%20new%20satellite%20system%20to%20detect%20methane%20%E2%80%98hotspots%E2%80%99%2C%20allowing%20governments%20and%20businesses%20to%20respond%20to%20instances%20in%20which%20large%20quantities%20of%20methane%20are%20released.%20The%20UN%20Environment%20Programme%E2%80%99s%20International%20Methane%20Emissions%20Observatory%20will%20oversee%20this%20project.%0A%0AAgriculture%20and%20waste%20focus%0A%0AAccording%20to%20the%20IEA%2C%20the%20global%20energy%20sector%20generated%20134%20million%20tonnes%20of%20methane%20in%202019%2C%20while%20agriculture%20generated%20139%20million%20tonnes.%20The%20two%20main%20sources%20here%20are%20rice%20paddies%20and%20livestock.%20Yet%2C%20many%20green%20groups%20focused%20on%20food%20systems%20have%20expressed%20concerns%20that%20the%20Global%20Methane%20Pledge%20has%20been%20slower%20to%20address%20agriculture%20than%20energy.%0A%0AThe%20Pledge%20has%2C%20therefore%2C%20launched%20a%20new%20%E2%80%98pathway%E2%80%99%20for%20food%20and%20agriculture%20emissions.%20There%20are%20plans%20to%20leverage%20up%20to%20%24400m%20to%20reduce%20emissions%20from%20diary%20systems%20in%20developing%20nations%20across%20Africa%20and%20Asia%2C%20in%20addition%20to%20a%20new%20%2470m%20R%26D%20accelerator%20focused%20on%20enteric%20fermentation%20(i.e.%20methane%20generated%20from%20grazing%20animals%2C%20predominantly%20cows).%20An%20additional%20%24500m%20has%20been%20promised%20by%20the%20US%20Government%E2%80%99s%20Departme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Global Methane Pledge grows to 150 nations

The%20first%20draft%20of%20a%20deal%20being%20hashed%20out%20at%20the%20COP27%20climate%20summit%20in%20Egypt%20would%20keep%20a%20target%20of%20limiting%20global%20warming%20to%201.5%20degrees%20Celsius%2C%20but%20leaves%20many%20of%20the%20most%20contentious%20issues%20in%20the%20talks%20unresolved%20ahead%20of%20a%20Friday%20deadline.%0A%0AEgypt's%20COP27%20president%20urged%20negotiators%20to%20overcome%20their%20differences%2C%20while%20poor%20nations%20slammed%20the%20draft%20as%20unambitious%20for%20not%20addressing%20their%20need%20for%20money%20to%20cope%20with%20damage%20already%20being%20wrought%20by%20climate-driven%20storms%2C%20droughts%2C%20floods%20and%20wildfires.%0A%0A%22Time%20is%20not%20on%20our%20side%2C%20let%20us%20come%20together%20now%20and%20deliver%20by%20Friday%2C%22%20COP27%20President%20Sameh%20Shoukry%20said%20in%20a%20letter%20to%20delegates%20published%20on%20Thursday.%0A%0AThe%2020-page%20draft%20for%20a%20hoped-for%20final%20agreement%20repeats%20the%20goal%20from%20last%20year's%20Glasgow%20Climate%20Pact%20to%20limit%20warming%20to%201.5C%2C%20and%20%22welcomes%22%20the%20fact%20that%20delegates%20had%20for%20the%20first%20time%20begun%20discussions%20on%20launching%20a%20so-called%20loss%20and%20damage%20fund%20for%20countries%20being%20ravaged%20by%20climate%20impacts.%0A%0AU.S.%20Special%20Climate%20Envoy%20John%20Kerry%20said%20last%20week%20that%20a%20few%20of%20the%20nearly%20200%20countries%20gathered%20for%20the%20talks%20in%20Sharm%20el-Sheikh%20had%20been%20resisting%20language%20around%201.5C%2C%20the%20level%20of%20warming%20beyond%20which%20scientists%20say%20climate%20change%20impacts%20dangerously%20spiral.%20Kerry%20declined%20to%20name%20the%20countries.%0A%0AHighlighting%20frustrations%20over%20the%20talks%20so%20far%2C%20a%20delegation%20from%20Britain%2C%20the%20European%20Union%20and%20Canada%20met%20COP27%20President%20Shoukry%20on%20Thursday%20to%20draw%20attention%20to%20gaps%20in%20the%20current%20negotiating%20texts%20and%20to%20express%20their%20view%20that%20the%20talks%20should%20not%20be%20allowed%20to%20fail.%0A%0A%22There's%20still%20a%20lot%20of%20gaps%20in%20the%20texts%2C%22%20said%20a%20spokesperson%20for%20Britain's%20COP26%20Presidency%2C%20which%20hosted%20last%20year's%20COP26%20climate%20summit%20in%20Glasgow.%20%22They%20need%20to%20build%20on%20what%20has%20gone%20before.%22%0A%0ABrazil's%20President-elect%20Luiz%20Inacio%20Lula%20da%20Silva%20told%20delegates%20at%20the%20summit%20he%20would%20meet%20with%20U.N.%20Secretary-General%20Antonio%20Gutteres%20to%20discuss%20how%20the%20United%20Nations%20could%20take%20stronger%20action%20on%20climate%20change.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThe%20forums%20of%20the%20United%20Nations%20cannot%20continue%20to%20be%20never-ending%20theoretical%20discussions%20in%20which%2C%20many%20times%2C%20the%20decisions%20are%20never%20taken%20seriously%20and%20never%20complied%20with%2C%22%20he%20said.%0A%0AWHERE'S%20THE%20MONEY%3F%0A%0AKerry%20held%20a%20closed-door%20meeting%20Thursday%20with%20Chinese%20counterpart%20Xie%20Zhenhua%20at%20the%20summit%2C%20but%20did%20not%20say%20what%20they%20discussed.%20%22We're%20making%20progress.%20Let's%20let%20the%20talks%20continue%2C%22%20Kerry%20said%20as%20he%20left%20the%20meeting.%0A%0AXie%20later%20showed%20up%20at%20a%20news%20conference%20at%20the%20summit%20hosted%20by%20the%20United%20States%20and%20EU%20to%20discuss%20Beijing's%20policies%20for%20cutting%20emissions%20of%20methane%2C%20a%20powerful%20greenhouse%20gas.%0A%0AHe%20stopped%20short%2C%20however%2C%20of%20joining%20the%20U.S.-%20and%20EU-led%20Global%20Methane%20Pledge%2C%20an%20initiative%20launched%20last%20year%20to%20cut%20methane%20emissions%20by%2030%25%20this%20decade%20that%20has%20since%20been%20signed%20by%20more%20than%20150%20countries.%0A%0AChina%20and%20the%20United%20States%2C%20the%20world's%20two%20biggest%20greenhouse%20gas%20emitters%2C%20had%20agreed%20earlier%20this%20week%20to%20resume%20their%20climate%20cooperation%2C%20after%20a%20hiatus%20due%20to%20diplomatic%20tensions%20over%20Taiwan%2C%20lifting%20the%20mood%20at%20the%20summit.%0A%0AClimate-vulnerable%20countries%20at%20the%20conference%20expressed%20disappointment%20on%20Thursday%20that%20the%20COP27%20deal%20draft%20deal%20does%20not%20include%20details%20for%20launching%20a%20loss%20and%20damage%20fund%2C%20which%20they%20described%20as%20a%20vital%20demand.%0A%0AWealthy%20countries%20for%20years%20have%20resisted%20a%20loss%20and%20damage%20fund%20over%20fear%20that%20it%20could%20open%20them%20up%20to%20endless%20financial%20liability%20for%20their%20historical%20contribution%20to%20climate%20change.%0A%0A%22Anything%20less%20than%20establishing%20a%20loss%20and%20damage%20fund%20at%20this%20COP%20is%20a%20betrayal%20of%20the%20people%20who%20are%20working%20so%20hard%20to%20clean%20up%20this%20environment%2C%20and%20the%20people%20fighting%20for%20humanity%2C%22%20said%20Molwyn%20Joseph%2C%20Antigua%20and%20Barbuda's%20environment%20minister.%0A%0ANabeel%20Munir%2C%20Pakistan's%20ambassador%20to%20South%20Korea%20and%20the%20lead%20negotiator%20for%20the%20G77%20group%20of%20countries%2C%20said%20developed%20nations%20need%20to%20pay%20up.%0A%0A%22If%20we%20can't%20agree%20on%20loss%20and%20damage%2C%20then%20I%20think%20this%20COP%20will%20not%20be%20a%20successful%20COP%2C%22%20he%20said.%0A%0AThe%20draft%20also%20repeats%20the%20Glasgow%20deal's%20request%20for%20countries%20to%20accelerate%20measures%20towards%20the%20phase-down%20of%20unabated%20coal%20power%2C%20despite%20a%20proposal%20from%20India%20and%20the%20EU%20to%20expand%20that%20to%20all%20fossil%20fuels.%0A%0AIt%20urges%20countries%20to%20%22phase%20out%20and%20rationalize%20inefficient%20fossil%20fuel%20subsidies%22%20-%20a%20slight%20tweak%20from%20the%20Glasgow%20deal%20which%20did%20not%20include%20the%20word%20%22rationalize%22.%0A%0A%22Instead%20of%20a%20reference%20to%20phasing%20out%20all%20fossil%20fuels%2C%20we%20have%20an%20even%20weaker%20version%20of%20the%20language%20around%20coal%20and%20fossil%20fuel%20subsidies%20than%20we%20got%20last%20year%2C%22%20said%20Catherine%20Abreu%20of%20the%20E3G%20non-profit%20think%20tank.%0A%0AEU%20climate%20policy%20chief%20Frans%20Timmermans%20said%20the%20first%20draft%20left%20a%20lot%20to%20be%20desired.%0A%0A%22The%20cover%20text%20still%20needs%20a%20tremendous%20amount%20of%20work%2C%22%20he%20told%20Reuters.%20%22So%2C%20we%20will%20continue%20the%20discussions%20and%20will%20give%20our%20input%20and%20hope%20that%20we%20can%20find%20this%20common%20ground%20before%20the%20end%20of%20the%20COP.%22%0A%0ATEMPERATURE%20TARGET%0A%0AOn%20limiting%20the%20global%20temperature%20rise%2C%20the%20document%20mirrors%20language%20included%20in%20last%20year's%20COP26%20agreement.%0A%0AIt%20stresses%20%22the%20importance%20of%20exerting%20all%20efforts%20at%20all%20levels%20to%20achieve%20the%20Paris%20Agreement%20temperature%20goal%20of%20holding%20the%20increase%20in%20the%20global%20average%20temperature%20to%20well%20below%202%C2%B0C%20above%20pre-industrial%20levels%20and%20pursuing%20efforts%20to%20limit%20the%20temperature%20increase%20to%201.5%C2%B0C%20above%20pre-industrial%20levels.%22%0A%0ATemperatures%20have%20already%20increased%20by%201.1C%2C%20and%20are%20projected%20to%20blow%20past%201.5C%20without%20swift%20and%20deep%20cuts%20to%20emissions%20within%20this%20decade.%0A%0AOther%20unresolved%20issues%20include%20calls%20for%20boosting%20a%20global%20goal%20for%20finance%20to%20help%20developing%20countries%20adapt%20to%20the%20impacts%20of%20a%20warmer%20world%2C%20and%20plans%20for%20ratcheting%20up%20targets%20for%20cutting%20climate-warming%20emissions.%0A%0A%22I%20think%20the%20problem%20is%20that%20there's%20a%20lot%20in%20here%2C%20and%20lots%20of%20it%20will%20be%20shot%20down%20by%20parties%20on%20all%20sides%22%2C%20said%20Tom%20Evans%2C%20a%20climate%20policy%20analyst%20at%20E3G.

COP27 draft climate deal retains 1.5C limit

The%20Egyptian%20resort%20town%20of%20Sharm%20El%20Sheikh%20has%20been%20transformed%20into%20the%20epicentre%20of%20efforts%20to%20address%20the%20climate%20crisis%20as%20it%20hosts%20COP27.%20But%20the%20coastline%20on%20which%20the%20UN%20climate%20conference%20is%20being%20held%20is%20more%20than%20just%20a%20backdrop%20for%20official%20negotiations.%0A%0AThe%20coral%20reefs%20that%20have%20long%20drawn%20tourists%20to%20the%20Red%20Sea%20peninsula%20are%20among%20the%20most%20biodiverse%20in%20the%20world.%20They%20are%20home%20to%20over%20a%20thousand%20different%20species%20of%20fish%20and%20around%20350%20coral%20species.%0A%0AMindful%20of%20their%20global%20importance%2C%20the%20United%20States%20Agency%20for%20International%20Development%20(USAID)%20has%20announced%20a%20major%20new%20fund%20to%20support%20the%20local%20ecosystem.%0A%0AThe%20US%20agency%20has%20contributed%20%2415%20million%20(%E2%82%AC14.9)%20to%20the%20Global%20Fund%20for%20Coral%20Reefs%20(GFCR)%2C%20it%20revealed%20at%20COP27%20on%20Tuesday%2C%209%20November.%0A%0AThis%20initiative%20is%20the%20largest%20global%20blended%20finance%20vehicle%20-%20whereby%20development%20aid%20is%20used%20to%20mobilise%20additional%20private%20or%20public%20funds%20-%20dedicated%20to%20the%20UN%20Sustainable%20Development%20Goal%20on%20%E2%80%98Life%20Below%20Water%E2%80%99.%0A%0AThe%20fresh%20injection%20of%20funds%20takes%20the%20total%20amount%20of%20money%20mobilised%20by%20the%20GCR%20since%20it%20was%20launched%20at%20the%2075th%20UN%20General%20Assembly%20in%20September%202020%20to%20%24187%20million%20(%E2%82%AC185.9%20million).%0A%0AWhy%20are%20Egypt%E2%80%99s%20coral%20reefs%20so%20important%2C%20and%20how%20will%20the%20funding%20help%3F%0A%0AAs%20well%20as%20being%20astonishingly%20beautiful%20and%20rich%20habitats%20in%20their%20own%20right%2C%20the%20fate%20of%20coral%20reefs%20is%20one%20of%20several%20major%20%E2%80%98tipping%20points%E2%80%99%20that%20could%20push%20us%20into%20climate%20catastrophe.%0A%0AAs%20ocean%20temperatures%20rise%2C%20some%20reefs%20are%20being%20bleached%20almost%20every%20year.%20It%20has%20caused%20the%20deathly%20pale%20appearance%20of%20swathes%20of%20Australia%E2%80%99s%20Great%20Barrier%20Reef.%0A%0ABlue%20finance%20and%20supporting%20coastal%20communities%0A%0AThe%20funding%20will%20%E2%80%98incubate%20and%20scale%E2%80%99%20business%20models%20that%20address%20local%20drivers%20of%20coral%20reef%20degradation%20-%20including%20overtourism.%0A%0AIt%20also%20aims%20to%20increase%20the%20resilience%20of%20local%20communities%20-%20a%20key%20part%20of%20GFCR%E2%80%99s%20approach%20in%20the%2012%20countries%20where%20it%20works%2C%20from%20Mozambique%20and%20Indonesia%20to%20Sri%20Lanka%20and%20Micronesia.%0A%0ADevelopment%20of%20the%20Egyptian%20Red%20Sea%20programme%20is%20led%20by%20the%20United%20Nations%20Development%20Programme%20Egypt%20Country%20Office.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CIn%20the%20face%20of%20an%20intensifying%20climate%20crisis%2C%20USAID%E2%80%99s%20investment%20in%20the%20Red%20Sea%20Initiative%20will%20help%20to%20drive%20a%20nature-positive%20economic%20transition%20while%20boosting%20the%20climate%20resilience%20of%20coastal%20communities%20in%20Egypt%2C%E2%80%9D%20UNDP%20Administrator%20Achim%20Steiner%20adds.%0A%0A%E2%80%9C%5BIt%20is%5D%20demonstrating%20that%20change%20is%20possible%20when%20leadership%2C%20political%20will%2C%20and%20investment%20comes%20together.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AMany%20more%20%E2%80%98blue%20finance%E2%80%99%20announcements%20-%20concerning%20mangroves%20and%20seagrass%20as%20well%20as%20reefs%20-%20are%20expected%20in%20the%20coming%20days%20at%20COP27.%20%0A%0AA%20High%20Quality%20Blue%20Carbon%20Principles%20and%20Guidelines%20report%2C%20for%20example%2C%20is%20set%20to%20launch%20on%20Saturday.%0A%0A%22Nature-based%20solutions%20are%20being%20discussed%20at%20COP%2C%20but%20we%20still%20need%20to%20amplify%20the%20central%20role%20of%20nature%20in%20our%20climate%20mitigation%20and%20adaptation%20strategies%2C%E2%80%9D%20marine%20conservation%20expert%20Josheena%20Naggea%20tells%20Euronews%20Green.%0A%0AGiven%20their%20unique%20potential%20to%20withstand%20increasing%20impacts%20of%20climate%20change%2C%20the%20Red%20Sea%20reefs%20might%20be%20the%20most%20resilient%20on%20Earth.%0A%0AProtection%20of%20%E2%80%98coral%20refugia%E2%80%99%20reefs%20-%20those%20in%20climate%20cool%20spots%20-%20is%20critical%20as%20they%20offer%20the%20global%20community%20the%20opportunity%20to%20safeguard%20ecosystems.%20They%20can%20also%20act%20as%20seed%20banks%20that%20could%20bring%20degraded%20reefs%20back%20to%20a%20vibrant%20and%20productive%20state%2C%20explains%20Nicole%20Trudeau%20of%20the%20UN%20Development%20Programme.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThe%20Red%20Sea%20is%20home%20to%20a%20rich%20underwater%20ecosystem%20that%20attracts%20millions%20of%20tourists%20who%20create%20millions%20of%20jobs%20for%20Egyptians%20and%20bring%20in%20billions%20in%20foreign%20currency%20each%20year%2C%E2%80%9D%20says%20USAID%20Chief%20Climate%20Officer%20Gillian%20Caldwell.

COP27 delivers €15m to protect Egypt’s coral reefs

In%20Bukavu%2C%20eastern%20Democratic%20Republic%20of%20Congo%2C%20the%20thousands%20of%20plastic%20bottles%20thrown%20into%20the%20Ruzizi%20River%20routinely%20clog%20the%20hydropower%20station%E2%80%99s%20turbines%2C%20shutting%20it%20down%20for%20months%20at%20a%20time%20and%20plunging%20the%20city%20into%20darkness.%0A%0ABut%20for%20Elie%20Mapenzi%20Matabaro%2C%20the%20city%E2%80%99s%20plastic%20problem%20is%20an%20asset%2C%20allowing%20him%20to%20both%20make%20money%20and%20create%20jobs%20for%20young%20people.%0A%0ASeven%20years%20ago%2C%20his%20company%2C%20FDA%20Group%2C%20started%20transforming%20the%20bottles%20and%20other%20city%20waste%20into%20cheap%2C%20hard-wearing%20paving%20slabs%20that%20grace%20driveways%20and%20forecourts%20across%20the%20city.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThere%20was%20no%20system%20for%20protection%20of%20the%20environment.%20We%20started%20our%20business%20to%20help%20resolve%20the%20waste%20problem%2C%E2%80%9D%20Mapenzi%20said.%0A%0AThe%20city%E2%80%99s%20mayor%2C%20Meschac%20Bilubi%20Ulengabo%2C%20said%20Bukavu%20has%20no%20proper%20dump%20for%20its%201.6%20million%20residents%2C%20a%20situation%20which%20is%20far%20from%20unique%20in%20Africa.%0A%0AThe%20United%20Nations%20Environment%20Program%20estimates%20that%2070%25%E2%80%9380%25%20of%20the%20municipal%20solid%20waste%20generated%20across%20the%20continent%20is%20recyclable%2C%20yet%20only%204%25%20is%20recycled.%0A%0AEvery%20day%2C%20Mapenzi%E2%80%99s%20trash%20collectors%20deposit%20mountains%20of%20plastic%20at%20the%20factory%2C%20where%20it%20is%20melted%20down%20and%20scraped%20into%20hexagonal%20metal%20moulds.%0A%0AOnce%20the%20plastic%20has%20cooled%2C%20it%20is%20tapped%20out%2C%20piled%20high%20and%20sold%20to%20customers.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThe%20advantage%20of%20these%20cobblestones%20is%20that%20they%20are%20less%20expensive%20compared%20to%20cement%20cobblestones%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20Obedi%20Erodia%2C%20who%20has%20paved%20his%20driveway%20in%20red%20and%20black%20tessellating%20blocks.%0A%0AErodia%20likes%20the%20plastic%20paving%20because%20it%20is%20easy%20to%20clean%20and%20helps%20fight%20environmental%20pollution%20in%20his%20province%2C%20he%20said.%0A%0AAt%20the%20hydropower%20station%2C%20men%20with%20scuba%20gear%20dive%20to%20clear%20the%20turbine%20inlets%20of%20trash%2C%20while%20others%20in%20boats%20gather%20the%20waste%20floating%20on%20the%20surface.%0A%0AA%20trash%20blockage%20has%20jammed%20one%20of%20the%20turbines%20for%20the%20last%20two%20and%20a%20half%20months%2C%20leading%20to%20interruptions%20in%20power%20supplies%20across%20the%20city%2C%20said%20Lievin%20Chizungu%20from%20the%20National%20Society%20of%20Electricity%2C%20which%20runs%20the%20plant.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CUnfortunately%2C%20there%20are%20no%20dumps%20and%20people%20throw%20their%20waste%20in%20the%20gutters%20and%20it%20just%20comes%20washed%20up%20here%20at%20the%20dam%2C%E2%80%9D%20Chizungu%20said.%0A%0AMapenzi%20has%20struck%20a%20deal%20with%20the%20plant%20operator%20to%20take%20away%20the%20plastics.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CIt%20is%20business%20that%20helps%20us%20to%20turn%20an%20environmental%20problem%20to%20an%20economic%20resource%2C%E2%80%9D%20he%20said.%20(Reporting%20by%20Crispin%20Kyalangalilwa%3B%20writing%20by%20Hereward%20Holland%3B%20Editing%20by%20Lisa%20Shumaker)

Congolese city turns plastic problem into profit

Leading%20fashion%20brands%20including%20H%26M%2C%20Inditex%2C%20Kering%20and%20Stella%20McCartney%20have%20joined%20a%20new%20collaborative%20initiative%20to%20reduce%20deforestation%20and%20emissions%20by%20purchasing%20low-carbon%20alternative%20fibers%20for%20textile%20production%20and%20packaging.%0A%0AThe%20fashion%20firms%2C%20supported%20by%20Ben%20%26%20Jerry%E2%80%99s%20and%20HH%20Global%2C%20have%20signed%20up%20to%20source%20%E2%80%9CNext%20Generation%20Solutions%E2%80%9D%20to%20fashion%20fibers%20through%20an%20initiative%20led%20by%20environmental%20nonprofit%20Canopy.%0A%0AThe%20companies%20have%20agreed%20to%20purchase%20more%20than%20half%20a%20million%20tonnes%20of%20next-generation%20fibers%2C%20which%20Canopy%20claims%20has%20a%20lower%20carbon%20footprint%20and%20a%20reduced%20biodiversity%20impact%20compared%20to%20traditional%20textile%20and%20packaging%20materials.%0A%0ACanopy%20believes%20the%20announcement%2C%20made%20to%20coincide%20with%20COP27%2C%20will%20help%20the%20transition%20to%20nature-positive%20business%20models.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CWe%20are%20thrilled%20to%20advance%20this%20commitment%20with%20forward-looking%20partners%20who%20are%20willing%20to%20challenge%20the%20status%20quo%20and%20in%20doing%20so%20provide%20a%20breakthrough%20for%20these%20game-changing%20technologies%2C%E2%80%9D%20Canopy%E2%80%99s%20executive%20director%20and%20founder%20Nicole%20Rycroft%20said.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThis%20commitment%20will%20allow%20us%20to%20take%20a%20historic%20leap%20closer%20to%20the%20%2464bn%20of%20investments%20in%20sustainable%20alternatives%20needed%20to%20ensure%20forest%20conservation%20for%20our%20planet%E2%80%99s%20climate%20and%20biodiversity%20stability.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AThe%20investment%20will%20help%20build%20up%20to%2020%20new%20pulp%20mills%20for%20Next%20Generation%20materials%2C%20as%20well%20as%20providing%20farm%20communities%20with%20new%20markets%20to%20replace%20the%20common%20practices%20of%20burning%20straw%20residue%20and%20landfilling%20materials.%20Canopy%20claims%20it%20will%20prevent%20an%20estimated%202.2%20million%20tonnes%20of%20CO2%20emissions%20compared%20to%20the%20production%20of%20virgin%20forest%20fiber.%0A%0ACanopy%20notes%20that%20less%20than%20one-third%20of%20the%20world%E2%80%99s%20largest%20companies%20have%20yet%20to%20make%20forest-based%20commitments.%20However%2C%20research%20suggests%20that%20at%20least%2050%25%20of%20the%20world%E2%80%99s%20forests%20need%20to%20be%20conserved%20by%202030%20to%20meet%20the%20Paris%20Agreement%E2%80%99s%201.5C%20ambition.%0A%0AThe%20signatories%20have%20also%20committed%20to%20ensuring%20their%20respective%20supply%20chains%20are%20free%20of%20Ancient%20and%20Endangered%20Forests%0A%0A%E2%80%9CAt%20H%26M%20Group%2C%20we%20are%20committed%20to%20becoming%20a%20circular%20business%2C%20in%20which%20moving%20towards%20more%20sustainable%20alternatives%20for%20our%20materials%20is%20crucial.%20Canopy%20has%20showed%20true%20leadership%20by%20bringing%20the%20fashion%20and%20regenerated%20cellulosic%20industries%20together%20with%20the%20purpose%20of%20reducing%20fashion%E2%80%99s%20dependency%20on%20forests%2C%E2%80%9D%20H%26M%E2%80%99s%20environmental%20sustainability%20business%20expert%20Madelene%20Ericsson%20said.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CInnovative%20low-carbon%20solutions%2C%20such%20as%20regenerated%20cellulosic%20fibers%20from%20waste%20textiles%2C%20microbial%20cellulose%20or%20agricultural%20residues%2C%20will%20play%20a%20vital%20role%20to%20help%20us%20reduce%20our%20impact%20on%20climate%20and%20protect%20forests%2C%20so%20no%20ancient%20and%20endangered%20forests%20are%20put%20at%20risk%20to%20make%20fashion.%20These%20next%20generation%20solutions%20and%20collaborations%20like%20Canopy%E2%80%99s%20help%20us%20taking%20strong%20steps%20towards%20our%20goal%20for%20all%20our%20materials%20to%20be%20either%20recycled%20or%20sourced%20in%20a%20more%20sustainable%20way%20by%202030.%E2%80%9D

Fashion giants vow to buy more recycled fibers

The%20world's%20three%20largest%20rainforest%20nations%20Brazil%2C%20Democratic%20Republic%20of%20Congo%20and%20Indonesia%20on%20Monday%20formally%20launched%20a%20partnership%20to%20cooperate%20on%20forest%20preservation%20after%20a%20decade%20of%20on-off%20talks%20on%20a%20trilateral%20alliance.%0A%0AReuters%20reported%20in%20August%20that%20Luiz%20Inacio%20Lula%20da%20Silva%2C%20elected%20as%20Brazil's%20president%20at%20the%20end%20of%20October%2C%20would%20seek%20a%20partnership%20with%20the%20two%20other%20leading%20rainforest%20nations%20to%20pressure%20the%20rich%20world%20to%20finance%20forest%20conservation.%0A%0AThe%20rapid%20destruction%20of%20rainforests%2C%20which%20through%20their%20dense%20vegetation%20serve%20as%20carbon%20sinks%2C%20releases%20planet-warming%20carbon%20dioxide%2C%20imperiling%20global%20climate%20targets.%20Regrowing%20previously%20deforested%20jungle%20has%20the%20benefit%20of%20removing%20greenhouse%20gas%20already%20in%20the%20atmosphere.%0A%0ARepresentatives%20of%20the%20three%20countries%2C%20which%20represent%2052%25%20of%20the%20world's%20tropical%20rainforest%2C%20signed%20the%20joint%20statement%20at%20the%20talks%20in%20Indonesia%20ahead%20of%20the%20G20%2C%20or%20Group%20of%2020%20industrialised%20nations%2C%20which%20begins%20on%20Tuesday.%0A%0A%22South-to-south%20cooperation%20-%20Brazil%2C%20Indonesia%2C%20DRC%20-%20is%20very%20natural%2C%22%20the%20Democratic%20Republic%20of%20Congo's%20Environment%20Minister%20Eve%20Bazaiba%20said%20prior%20to%20the%20signing.%0A%0A%22We%20have%20the%20same%20challenges%2C%20the%20same%20opportunity%20to%20be%20the%20solution%20to%20climate%20change.%22%0A%0AIn%20the%20agreement%2C%20the%20alliance%20said%20that%20countries%20should%20be%20paid%20for%20reducing%20deforestation%20and%20maintaining%20forests%20as%20carbon%20sinks.%0A%0AThe%20countries%20will%20also%20work%20to%20negotiate%20%22a%20new%20sustainable%20funding%20mechanism%22%20to%20help%20developing%20countries%20preserve%20their%20biodiversity%2C%20as%20well%20as%20to%20increase%20funding%20through%20the%20United%20Nations'%20REDD%2B%20program%20for%20reducing%20deforestation.%0A%0AThe%20G20%20talks%20coincide%20with%20the%20second%20and%20final%20week%20of%20the%20COP27%20United%20Nations%20climate%20summit%20in%20Egypt%2C%20where%20Lula's%20environmental%20adviser%20Izabella%20Teixeira%20said%20Brazil%20would%20seek%20to%20get%20the%20involvement%20of%20other%20countries%20in%20the%20Amazon%20basin%2C%20which%20spans%20nine%20nations.%0A%0A%22Forests%20matters%2C%20nature%20matters.%20And%20I%20do%20believe%20that%20without%20Amazon%20protection%2C%20we%20cannot%20have%20climate%20security%2C%22%20said%20Teixeira%2C%20who%20was%20environment%20minister%20under%20Lula%20during%20his%20previous%20term%20as%20president%20that%20ended%20in%202010.%0A%0A%22I%20believe%20that%20Brazil%20should%20promote%20that%20other%20countries%20should%20come%20together.%22%0A%0ATalks%20on%20the%20alliance%20to%20protect%20rainforest%20until%20now%20had%20foundered%20due%20to%20%22institutional%20difficulties%2C%22%20Teixeira%20said.%0A%0AThe%20joint%20statement%20cited%20a%20meeting%20of%20the%20three%20countries%20at%20last%20year's%20climate%20summit%20in%20Glasgow%20that%20injected%20momentum%20into%20the%20talks.%0A%0AThey%20have%20reached%20fruition%20in%20the%20final%20weeks%20of%20the%20right-wing%20presidency%20of%20Jair%20Bolsonaro%20before%20Lula%20takes%20office%20Jan.%201.

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