Nature's Fury + Mankind's Climate Impact
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Mankind's Impact on the Planet and Nature's Fury Unleashed
This Reuters photo shows just a small part of the devastation caused by Cyclone Fani earlier this month when it ravaged India's eastern state of Odisha. The African continent also just experienced one of its worst storm seasons ever when Cyclone Kenneth lashed large parts of the continent in April, following hard on the heels of Cyclone Idai. Besides serious loss of life and livelihood for hundreds of thousands, damage to homes, cites and infrastructure, the severity of the storms is showing how agriculture, food production and forestry are also being dealt a deadly blow. As the
UN's latest report on biodiversity loss
points out, rainforests contain some of the richest concentrations of species on the planet, are key stores of water, and a very important source of medicines, products and livelihood for millions of people the world over. As David Fogarty points out in his Straits Times report: "Forests help soak up some of mankind's planet-warming carbon dioxide emissions, so cutting them down speeds up climate change."
Read more
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Causes & Consequences of Climate Change
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Climate Commentary:
It should have come as no surprise to learn from media reports this month (Washington Post and others, 15 May 2019) that global emissions are at an historic high. For the first time in living memory, the Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii recorded 415.26 parts per million (ppm) of greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere. The last time earth's atmosphere contained this much was more than 3 million years ago! "It shows that we're not on track with protecting the climate at all", said Wolfgang Lucht from the respected
Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research.
So it was a little surprising to read a day earlier that "t
he world's future climate prospects have brightened marginally since the start of the year thanks to accelerating electric vehicle sales and a surge in public concern over global warming". That's according to new analysis from investment giant
Schroders, whose Climate Dashboard forecasting tool
(from Business Green)
tipped the global long-run temperature rise at 3.8C, based on the outlook from the first quarter of the year. Hardly good news, but not as bad as what we received
from APEC the same day telling us that China
is leading the way with "clean coal technology" and sharing it with the other 20 economies, which make up the regional grouping. We happen to believe that coal cannot come clean, whatever you do with it. Try sprinkling fairy dust. That might work. -
Ken Hickson
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Fossil Fuel Subsides Growing:
New analysis commissioned by the International Monetary Fund shows that global fossil fuel subsidies continue to grow, despite the sense of urgency needed to decarbonise the global economy, as reported in RenewEconomy by Michael Mazengarb. IMF Fiscal Affairs Department estimated that, in 2017, global fossil fuel subsidies grew to US$5.2 trillion, representing 6.5% of combined global GDP. China leads all countries, with subsidies totalling $1.4 trillion in 2015. The US followed with $649 billion, Russia $551 billion and the EU $289 billion.
Read more
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Earth Day - Focus on Forests:
Not surprisingly we've chosen to focus on forests this Earth Day (22 April). Globally, trees occupy approximately 30.6% of the Earth’s land area, down from 31.6% in 1990. From 2015 to 2016, the world lost 73.4 million acres of trees. Human activity continues to be the single largest cause of deforestation, with commodity-driven deforestation totalling around 27%. The goal is to plant 7.8 billion trees, one for every person on earth, by 2020.
Read all about Earth Day and what you can do
Rubber goes global & sustainable:
The inaugural General Assembly of the Global Platform for Sustainable Natural Rubber (GPSNR) was held in Singapore last month with PEFC as one of its Founding Members. GPSNR aims to provide an independent platform that will lead to improvements in the socio-economic and environmental performance of the natural rubber value chain. PEFC's Richard Laity drew attention to the importance of including direct representation of smallholders who make up to 75% of rubber producers in South East Asia.
More on GPSNR from PEFC.
Right Royal Performance:
For the launch of the new Netflix series "Our Planet", Prince Charles, William and Harry were on deck in London with
Sir David Attenborough
, who narrates the extraordinary online documentary series. But you don't have to wait for that. You can head to Singapore's Art Science Museum to see, not only how "Our Planet" was filmed, but you can participate in an augmented reality experience with nature. The brilliant show was launched on Friday 5 April and runs until 2 June.
Read all about it.
Clearing the way illegally:
Australia is frequently in the news, but not so often with cases of extreme land clearing and environmental crime.
Queensland farmer Scott Harris
was fined A$450,000 for illegally clearing 2,875 hectares of native vegetation. For some good news, Australia is now hearing that it could produce 100% of its energy from renewables
"cheaper, quicker and easier than everyone thinks". That's the claim of one of Australia’s leading renewable energy data company’s and project developers, Windlab and CEO Roger Price.
Read more in Reneweconomy.
Germany without coal?
Germany set a new record in March as more than half of its power was generated from wind, solar and other renewables. In the first quarter, renewables accounted for 45.4% of net electricity generation,
according to Energy Charts from Fraunhofer ISE.
The previous record was in May 2018, when renewables accounted for 48.6% of electricity generation. If Germany can do this, what can other countries do to match or exceed it? Let’s have a global competition among all countries who’ve signed the Paris accord to be the best at adopting renewable energy and phasing out fossil fuels.
Danish leadership:
Denmark has been one northern European country that has been able to achieve a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, proving that high growth and green ambitions can go hand in hand. And Denmark maintains ambitious goals for the future, according to its Ambassador to Singapore Dorte Bech Vizard (pictured at left) at an event organised by Danfoss and Eco-business in March. At least 50% of Denmark’s energy needs must be covered by renewable energy by 2030 and coal must be completely phased out of the power supply by 2030.
Mr Soren Kvorning, President Asia Pacific, Danfoss
, said, “Smart solutions can eliminate up to 270,000 kilotonnes of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Southeast Asia cities every year, with the potential to extract twice as much economic value from the energy we use today".
More from Danfoss.
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Food Waste, Food Facts, Disruption & Distortion
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After attending an important event in Singapore in March on “Disruption in Food and Sustainability”, Ken Hickson reflects on how we use "food facts" to make a point. What's disruption and what's distortion?
Read the full commentary here.
He also draws attention to The EAT Lancet Commission report on Food, Planet, Health:
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Food systems have the potential to nurture human health and support environmental sustainability, however our current trajectories threaten both." Next month, from 11 to 14 June, the EAT Stockholm Food Forum is being held. This carefully curated event, open to up to 1000 delegates by invitation only, is a gathering of top global thought leaders from science, politics, business, civil society and beyond.
Read all about it here.
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To emphasise its commitment to HEALTHY AND SUSTAINABLE FOOD, Sofitel Singapore - a member of Accor Group of Hotels - set out to demonstrate earlier this month that it has a
priority to achieve 30% food waste reduction by 2020. Under its
Planet 21
sustainable development programme, Accor’s theme for 2019 is “Love Food, Not Waste”. In alignment with the National Environment Agency’s theme for 2019, which is “Year of Zero Waste”, Sofitel Singapore culinary team, led by Executive Chef Jean-Charles Dubois, shared useful tips on food waste management and suggestions on giving new life to leftover food. The chefs hope to introduce simple but practical methods for reducing food waste at home.
Learn more about Accor's Planet 21 programme here.
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Focus on Forests:Global, Asia Pacific & ASEAN
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Arguably, protection and enhancing the world’s forests is one of the most cost-effective forms of climate action: forests act as carbon sinks, absorbing roughly 2 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide each year.
Sustainable forest management can build resilience and help mitigate and adapt to climate change. At this month’s meeting session of the UN Forum on Forests (UNFF), it was noted that forest-based climate change mitigation and adaptation actions, if fully implemented, could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by around 15 gigatonnes of CO2 a year by 2050, which could potentially be enough to limit warming to well below 2°C (the target set by the international community in 2015). Today, fossil fuels emit 36 gigatonnes every year. A massive reforestation effort is also needed.
Read more.
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PEFC Progress in ASEAN: As Myanmar takes big steps towards membership, Vietnam commits to forest certification.
When Ben Gunneberg, CEO of PEFC International, visited ASEAN earlier this month, he was able to witness great progress in two ASEAN countries. “I am delighted to announce that the PEFC International Board is recommending the Myanmar Forest Certification Committee for membership,” he said. PEFC is collaborating with MFCC in a three-year project to support Myanmar's transition to sustainable forest management. And in Vietnam, Ben reported: “I am delighted about the establishment of a new Vietnamese Forest Certification Office, and we are looking forward to Vietnam becoming the 50th national member of PEFC.”
Read more.
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New Zealand with a population of around 5 million, has set a target to plant one billion trees by 2028.
How will that be done? Current estimates suggest at least 500 million trees will be delivered through current planting rates. The Government’s role is to support increased planting of both permanent trees and plantation forests, with a mix of exotic and native tree species. The plantings will create benefits for all New Zealanders, as Government is making it easier by:
- lowering any planting barriers currently faced by landowners
- improving incentives to support the right trees, in the right place, for the right purpose.
- partnering with New Zealanders to achieve this goal through research, innovation, and sector development initiatives. Read more
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14 June 2019 (Friday) - Brands for Good - 14th Info-session
Brands for Good Asia champions environmental sustainability, economical viability and social development. Learn how SMEs can adopt good practices while strengthening brands and improving corporate bottom-lines. Hear from Ken Hickson, one of the Brands for Good awards' judges in 2018 and again in 2019 on how business can introduce and develop "Sustainability for Good". Read all about last year's winners, the award criteria and what's involved in this unique awards programme.
Brands for Good Asia.
To register to attend the 14th Info-session on 14 June 2019,
go here.
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Palm Oil Negatives, Recovering Peatlands,
Forest Management & Environmental Crime
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At the annual Dialogue on Sustainable World Resources organised by Singapore Institute of International Affairs (SIIA), three big P's practically dominated the platform and panel discussions: Palm Oil, Plantations and Peatlands. Malaysia’s Primary Industries Minister Teresa Kok speaking at the Dialogue, pointedly criticised the Singapore Zoo for “negative messaging” on palm oil. This prompted a
timely response from SIIA.
Ken Hickson attended the Dialogue - and many other meetings in recent weeks - and reflects on all the issues, bringing together information and comment from World Resources Institute, Eco-Business, Mongabay, among others, and broadens the discussion to cover forest crime, which is starting to get more international and regional attention.
Read more
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One of the keynote speakers at the Dialogue was
Nazir Foead, who was appointed by the President to lead Peatland Restoration Agency of the Republic of Indonesia in January 2016.
According to
David's Fogarty's report in the Straits Times,
Indonesia has made significant progress in restoring peatlands and reducing the fire risk for its people and neighbouring countries. Mr Nazir said his team was well on the way to achieving a 2020 target of restoring 2.5 million ha of fire-damaged, degraded peatlands across seven provinces. On a related issue, "A Haze Outlook" was developed by SIIA, which states that there is a real, although moderate, risk that severe haze will return in 2019.
Here's the report by Simon Tay, Wu Huijuan and Aaron Choo published in Today.
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S3: Invest in Innovations & Sustainability
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Green Procurement & Sustainable Supply Chains to Protect the Producer & Consumer
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Responsible production and sourcing. Sustainable supply chains. Procurement policies that are clean and green that protect the producer and the consumer. Certified and verifiable products and services. Transparency and legal labelling so the consumer knows exactly where the product comes from, what it contains and how it was produced and supplied. Sustainable consumption and production is about promoting resource and energy efficiency, sustainable infrastructure, and providing access to basic services, green and decent jobs and a better quality of life for all. Its implementation helps to achieve overall development plans, reduce future economic, environmental and social costs, strengthen economic competitiveness and reduce poverty.
Why it matters?
Check out these providers of standards, certification, green purchasing and responsible labelling:
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International Built Environment Week
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Co-developed by the Building & Construction Authority (BCA) and various Trade Associations and Chambers, the 3-day International Built Environment Conference (IBEC) will showcase today’s best practices and tomorrow’s innovations spanning the entire built environment lifecycle, from project conceptual stage to operation and maintenance. Special focus will be on productivity, green buildings and integrated digital delivery. IBEC is expected to bring together 50 speakers and more than 1,700 participants from over 30 countries. IBEW will provide an international dedicated business-matching platform for regional buyers and investors to network and engage with top urban solutions providers who are equipped to meet their needs. Four trade shows, organised by Reed Exhibitions Singapore, will be co-located with IBEW 2019 –
Build Eco Xpo Asia
(BEX Asia),
Mostra Convegno Expocomfort Asia
(MCE Asia),
Innobuild Asia
and
Smart Cities & Buildings Asia
(SCB Asia). These will feature a host of innovative products and solutions tailored for the diverse needs of the region's built environment.
There's much more on IBEW here.
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Singapore Green Building Council Events
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The Economy for Green seminar, jointly organised by REDAS and SGBC, on 30 May, will centre the spotlight on some of the key concerns for going green. Exploring the drivers for green building acceleration and delving into the economic opportunities presented by green building, this seminar aims to sharpen the focus and further the conversation towards creating a truly green built environment and economy. On 10 May, there was a JTC-SGBC Joint Seminar 2019 Digitalisation & Sustainability: A New Era of Possibilities for the Green Building Industry. What's coming Up?
- 18 Jul 2019. SGBC Carbon Footprint Course: Assessing the Carbon Footprint of Building Products
- 05 Sep 2019. SGBC Gala Dinner 2019 - 10th Year Anniversary Special
- 4-6 Sept 2019. International Built Environment Week 2019.
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Profile: Is Jason Pomeroy all at sea?
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When you achieve something as rare as getting Jason Pomeroy to sit down in one place at one time to talk about his work, you cannot help but wonder if this man has his feet firmly planted on the ground or is he all at sea?
Ken Hickson recently met with the well-travelled architect to discuss his projects past, present and future, encountering his insistence that for many of us our future will not be on land but on water, in waterborne communities. Climate change, with associated temperature and sea level rise, means we must move into more marine environments, in harmony with nature, of course.
Read more.
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SIEW 2019: Accelerating Energy Transformation
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“Accelerating Energy Transformation” was announced as the theme of this year’s Singapore International Energy Week (SIEW) - 29 October to 1 November - by Ngiam Shih Chun, Chief Executive of the Energy Market Authority of Singapore at the launch event in April. He said it highlights the need to transform our energy ambitions into actionable solutions, as the energy landscape continues to experience major shifts.
Read more about SIEW 2019.
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AC Energy, Ayala Corporation’s energy platform, in partnership with The Blue Circle, signed a Shareholders’ Agreement in early May to jointly construct, own and operate the Mui Ne Wind Project, located in Binh Thuan province, Southeastern coast of Vietnam.
Construction for the 40 MW first phase commences immediately with an estimated cost of US$92 Million. It will be financed by debt and equity, with AC Energy participating with a 50% direct voting stake.
Read more
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One of the world's largest offshore floating solar systems will soon be soaking up the rays along the Strait of Johor, north of Woodlands Waterfront Park, Singapore.
Developed by sustainable energy provider Sunseap Group, the 5MW-peak system will generate about 6,388MW-hours of renewable energy annually, equivalent to powering about 1,250 four-room flats, with a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of about 2,600 tonnes every year.
Mothership has the story.
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Last Word: For Global Good!
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International Award:
A local water solutions provider - which has made a mark on dozens of villages in India, Indonesia and Hong Kong by bringing them clean drinking water and sanitation - has won an international award. Singapore's Straits Times writer Shabana Begum reported. Ecosoftt is the first Singapore organisation to receive the Zayed Sustainability Prize, which is awarded by the United Arab Emirates in recognition of innovative and sustainable solutions in health, food, energy and water which benefit communities in developing countries.
Go to Ecosoftt for more.
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Liveability Challenge:
Our cities are booming, populations are growing, and rapid economic development is transforming the region. It’s the dawn of a new era, and a chance to get sustainable development right. But as cities fill up with people in search of brighter futures and better livelihoods, we need solutions to ensure that cities are green, clean, resilient and cool. In short, cities that are liveable. The Liveability Challenge, organised by Eco-Business and presented by Temasek Foundation Ecosperity, aims to close the financing gap between the ideas that will make our cities better and the investments that will make these solutions a reality.
Find out more here.
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Ecosperity Week, the brainchild of Singapore's Temasek Foundation Ecosperity,
is a confluence of events gathering global business leaders, policymakers, investors, entrepreneurs and academia to drive action on sustainable development. The week-long programme features an innovation showcase, conferences, roundtable discussions, pitch sessions, site visits and networking opportunities across events. Ecosperity Week 2019 takes place from 4 to 7 June 2019 at Sands Expo and Convention Centre, in Marina Bay Sands, Singapore.
More here.
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Wearable Wood Fibre:
Pioneering industry specialists and PEFC representatives gathered in London last week to discuss innovative forest solutions to make the textile industry more sustainable. Alun Watkins, CEO of PEFC UK speaking at 'From Forest to Wardrobe'. Hosted by
PEFC UK
, ‘From Forest to Wardrobe’ looked at how fibres from sustainably managed forests can unlock opportunities for sustainability in fashion. Thanks to the new wave of technologies, we can now use wood fibres to produce recyclable, renewable and biodegradable textiles.
More from PEFC.
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Breaking Boundaries:
Asia-Pacific is at a critical juncture. While it struggles with a complex web of pressing socio-environmental challenges, the region is a catalyst for positive systemic change, with a population of young, passionate, and socially attuned leaders as well as a growing concentration of the world’s largest wealth-holders. To facilitate the strategic flow of financial and non-financial resources into these critical, high impact areas, the
Asian Venture Philanthropy Network
(AVPN) is leading the charge to convene a diverse community of eminent social investing practitioners and thought leaders across Asia.
The goal of the AVPN Conference 2019 is to ensure social investors are better equipped to champion and deploy capital more effectively into critical issues that matter most to them.
It's all on: Singapore 25-28 June.
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