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Category: Climate Change

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Russel Norman – NZ’s Environment Report Card is Alarming – Greenpeace

    Source: Greenpeace

    The Government’s three-yearly environment report card, Our Environment 2025, documents the rapid and dramatic decline of nature in Aotearoa, Greenpeace says.
    “The report documents the alarming decline of nature in Aotearoa, driven by activities such as industrial dairying and fishing, and highlights the desperate need for strong Government regulation to protect nature from more harm”, says Dr. Russel Norman, Greenpeace Aotearoa Executive Director.
    “Here are a few of the lowlights: There is only a single species of indigenous bat that is NOT at risk of extinction; only a single species of frog NOT at risk of extinction; just 22% of birds are safe from extinction; over 2,000kg of protected corals pulled up by commercial fishing nets. And on and on the list goes.
    “We are in a biodiversity crash dive, driven by industrial exploitation combined with inadequate government regulation to protect nature.
    “The very foundations of life in Aotearoa – our food systems, our drinking water, and the wildlife we share the country with are on the brink. Native species and ecosystems are on the verge of collapse.
    “Successive governments have allowed profiteering corporations to pollute, exploit, and degrade the environment for decades. And now, everyday New Zealanders are paying the price – through unsafe drinking water, eroding land, unswimmable rivers, depleted fish numbers, and native wildlife that are slipping away. This crisis is political, it’s systemic, and it’s urgent.
    “We have had far too few regulations to protect nature and too much freedom to destroy it for profit.
    “At a time when we need bold action, the Luxon Government is opening the door for polluters to profit while nature collapses.
    “The Government needs to repeal the fast track act, and abandon the RMA reforms. These changes will only make the crisis worse – handing even more power to corporations to fast-track destruction and block environmental protections,” says Norman.
    Some lowlights from the report:
    Terrestrial (p.23-25)
    • Only 6% of indigenous reptile species are NOT threatened with extinction or at risk of becoming threatened with extinction. 72% of reptile species have declining populations.
    • Only 22% of indigenous terrestrial bird species are NOT threatened with extinction or at risk of becoming threatened with extinction. And 22% of species have declining populations.
    • Only 1 indigenous bat species (out of 5) is NOT threatened with extinction or at risk of becoming threatened with extinction. And only one species has an increasing population.
    • Only 1 indigenous frog species (out of 14) is NOT threatened with extinction or at risk of becoming threatened with extinction. 12 species have declining populations.
    • Native ecosystems continue to be destroyed – 88,000 hectares lost between 1996 and 2018.
    Freshwater
    • Half of all lakes are in poor health, contaminated by excess nutrients. Only a third of lakes are in good or very good health (pg. 31).
    • Most freshwater-dependent birds threatened with extinction or at risk of becoming threatened with extinction
    • 76% of freshwater fish are threatened with extinction or at risk of becoming threatened with 63% of fish populations in decline (37)
    • Half of freshwater monitoring sites failed to meet e.coli standard (ie fecal contamination)
    • Only 10% of our wetlands remain yet they continue to be drained and degraded for livestock farming (pg 34).
    • At least 48 percent of the river network is at least partially inaccessible to migratory fish, such as Tuna/eel though a further 36 percent has not yet been assessed and could be inaccessible (pg 36).
    • Nitrate contamination in groundwater is increasing in nearly half of monitored sites (47%) – pg 31
    • Severely polluted rivers found in intensive dairy regions – Canterbury, Waikato and Southland (see map pg 31)
    • 12% of groundwater monitoring sites failed nitrate drinking water standard (ie the 50 year old WHO standard that is very high compared with modern evidence)
    • 45% of entire river length unsafe for swimming, (even though much of this length is in the high country where industries have very little presence)
    Ocean
    • 91% of indigenous seabirds are threatened with extinction or at risk of becoming threatened (p.46).
    • 22 percent of indigenous marine mammal species (10 of 49) were threatened with extinction or at risk of becoming threatened (p.46).
    • Estimated 3,613 seabirds and 476 fur seals were caught in trawling and longline fisheries in one year (p.43)
    • 2,073 kilograms of protected coral were reported as caught in one year (p.43)
    • 12% of assessed fish stocks (19 of 152) were overfished or depleted in 2023, including some stock of black cardinalfish, orange roughy and scallops. FIve stocks had collapsed. (p.43)
    • 15 Hector’s dolphins deaths due to commercial bycatch in 2023-24 (up from usual 0-5 per year). (p.43)
    • Few biogenic habitats (like kelp forests, seagrass meadows and sponge gardens) are monitored in New Zealand, but most that are have experienced loss or damage. (p.48)
    Climate
    • Marine heatwaves have become more frequent, intense and longer-lasting, including. In 2022, New Zealand experienced a record number of marine heatwave days, and the two longest and most intense marine heatwaves on record in some locations. (pg 44)
    • Marine heatwaves have caused unusual fish migrations, severe bleaching and necrosis of sponges, large losses of farmed salmon and southern bull kelp (rimurapa), and likely contributed to the mass mortality of blue penguins (kororā) in the Bay of Plenty pg 65
    • In some areas sea level is expected to rise 20 to 30 centimetres by 2050 compared with 2005 levels. For many parts of the country, a 30-centimetre rise is a threshold for extreme flooding, above which a 100-year coastal storm becomes an annual event (pg 45)
    • In 2021, extreme rainfall events that caused flooding in Canterbury were 10 to 15 percent more intense because of climate change. Similarly, extreme weather and associated flooding on the West Coast in 2021 were nearly 10 percent more intense due to climate change (pg 62)
    • The frequency of extreme temperature events in New Zealand has increased two to threefold due to human influence since pre-industrial times (pg 62)
    • Total glacier ice volumes in New Zealand decreased 35 percent, and the rate of annual loss increased between 1978 and 2020 pg 64
    Other
    • Without changes to land-use, erosion rates are predicted to worsen with climate change. Sediment loads to waterways are expected to increase by up to 233% by 2090 (pg 18)
    • Almost half (49%) of soil at monitored sites is compacted (pg 19)
    • Emerging evidence is finding soils may be contaminated with microplastics (pg 20)
    • Microplastics are widespread throughout the marine environment, and they accumulate in animals as they move up the food chain. Found in many fish species eaten by humans and in green- lipped mussels. (p.42)
    • 67% of items counted in Litter Intelligence were plastic, hazardous plastic additives have been detected in debris in NZ beaches. (p.42)
    • In 2019, air pollution was a factor in 3,239 premature deaths,12,653 cases of childhood asthma 13,237 hospitalisations. Air pollution from motor vehicles was associated with 71 percent of these hospitalisations and 69 percent of premature deaths. (pg 68)
    • Premature deaths associated with NO2 exposure from motor vehicle emissions increased 28 percent, and hospitalisations increased 39 percent. (68)
    • Social costs resulting from the health impacts associated with air pollution were estimated at $15.3 billion for the year 2019, with 69 percent of these costs associated with air pollution from motor vehicles (pg 68)
    • As a result of climate change there is an increasing risk that insect-spread viruses like the Zika virus and dengue fever will be introduced from overseas and locally transmitted

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: CLARKE, THOMPSON, KENNEDY REINTRODUCE BILL TO PREPARE DHS FOR CLIMATE CRISIS

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Yvette D Clarke (9th District of New York)

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

    April 7, 2025

    MEDIA CONTACT: 

    e: jessica.myers@mail.house.gov

    c: 202.913.0126

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09), Congressman Bennie Thompson (MS-02), and Congressman Tim Kennedy (NY-26) reintroduced the Department of Homeland Security Climate Change Research Act, legislation to prepare the Department of Homeland Security to confront and mitigate the impacts of the climate crisis.

    “As we fall deeper into the ongoing climate crisis, ensuring the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is equipped to address its escalating impacts must be a priority. The well-being and safety of America’s vulnerable, frontline communities will depend on how DHS prepares for and responds to these impacts, particularly in the face of the Trump Administration’s work to dismantle DHS and hinder FEMA’s effectiveness at every turn. I’m proud to introduce legislation that meaningfully moves America forward in our fight against the climate crisis by rooting the DHS’ climate efforts in strong research and an actionable defense plan,” said Congresswoman Clarke.

    “We all know that climate change is making storms more frequent and more intense – doing untold damage to our communities. To meet this threat, we need to make sure that the Department is taking climate change into account when it is planning for disasters and other homeland security missions. Wishing it away – and pretending it doesn’t exist – for political reasons, as the Trump Administration is doing, is not an option. I thank Ms. Clarke for her leadership on this issue and for introducing this legislation,” said Congressman Thompson.

    “From blizzards to hurricanes, in every corner of the country, including my district, we have seen the impact of extreme weather due to climate change,” said Congressman Tim Kennedy, Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Emergency Management and Technology. “This bill, led by Congresswoman Clarke, will empower the Department of Homeland Security to better understand the changing needs of our communities, helping to build resilience against the impacts of climate change. As the Trump Administration continues to degrade our capacity to respond to extreme weather events, I am committed to strengthening it to better support communities, protect our national security, and save lives.”

    The Department of Homeland Security Climate Change Research Act recognizes the importance of mitigating climate change challenges by directing DHS’s Science and Technology Directorate to:

    • Assess the current Federal research regarding approaches to mitigate identified or potential negative effects of climate change on homeland security including but not limited to preparedness and emergency planning policies, including with respect to preparedness, response to, and recovery from natural disasters; and
    • Consult with heads of other Federal agencies and departments, State, local, Tribal, territorial governments, and stakeholders when identifying and suggesting policy changes to mitigate the impact of climate change on homeland security; and
    • Mandate an annual report to Congress for three years on any research and development activities concerning climate change.

    Read the full bill text here.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Committee advances discussions on trade-related climate measures and technology transfer

    Source: WTO

    Headline: Committee advances discussions on trade-related climate measures and technology transfer

    Trade-related climate measures
    Members discussed two new proposals, namely the Republic of Korea’s communication titled “Key Considerations for Trade-related Climate Measures (TrCMs): Suggested approaches toward a sustainable future” and the submission of Djibouti, presented by Burkina Faso, on behalf of least developed countries (LDCs) on “Perspectives on LDC environment-friendly trade and trade-related climate challenges”.
    Members welcomed the two submissions, noting the need to collectively address regulatory fragmentation and trade disruptions arising from the increasing use of TrCMs. Many supported the Republic of Korea’s call to ensure that TrCMs are consistent, interoperable, flexible and transparent, while striking a balance between climate objectives and WTO trade rules.
    Recognizing the challenges that LDCs face in adapting to trade-related climate policies, members emphasized the importance of addressing their specific needs and ensuring fair, equitable trade. They called for stronger support in technology transfer, capacity building and other measures to enhance LDCs’ economic situation, trade and climate resilience.
    As a follow-up to thematic sessions on TrCMs and guiding questions from the Committee Chair (Ambassador Erwin Bollinger of Switzerland), members also engaged in a substantive discussion on the way forward in addressing TrCMs in the Committee.
    Technology transfer
    On 1 April, the Committee held its 5th thematic session on technology transfer. The co-coordinators, Ms. Chanikarn Dispadung of Thailand and Mr. Richard Tarasofsky of Canada, briefed members on the key takeaways from the session.
    They said the session addressed a wide spectrum of challenges and opportunities in environmental technology transfer, fostering experience-sharing among international organizations, member governments and the private sector. Speakers identified key barriers to technology transfer, including high costs and technical requirements; supply, demand and knowledge/IP gaps; and the need for adequate funding and innovative financing mechanisms.
    Other identified barriers included stakeholder engagement and trust; infrastructure; and market size for technology absorption.  Best practices and successful approaches were also highlighted. These included needs-based and locally tailored solutions; public-private partnerships; South-South collaboration; innovative financing mechanisms; and possibilities for integrating climate technology and governance frameworks.
    Delegates emphasized the importance of tailored solutions that adapt to local contexts, with enabling conditions like skilled labour, investment and regulatory frameworks. Concrete recommendations were made for WTO action, including coordination and knowledge-sharing with relevant international organizations, as well as more targeted technical assistance through existing frameworks such as Aid for Trade.
    The thematic session series, launched in November 2023 at the request of members, serves as a platform to deepen understanding of specific issues of interest through concrete case studies and practical experience sharing. Previous sessions have addressed topics such as the clean energy transition and trade-related climate measures.
    All presentations and the co-moderators’ report from the 5th thematic session are available here.
    Transparency and information sharing
    As part of WTO “reform by doing”, the Committee followed up on a proposal from Barbados, Colombia, India, Grenada, Paraguay, Singapore, St. Kitts and Nevis, the United Kingdom and Uruguay to further improve “Administrative processes to enhance clarity and accessibility of information”.  
    Moreover, at the request of a group of members — Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Japan, India, Paraguay and the United States — the WTO Secretariat provided a briefing on its current and planned workstreams related to trade and environment, covering activities across various WTO divisions and with outside organizations. Members appreciated the detailed briefing provided. They reaffirmed the value of regular updates and suggested exploring ways to enhance two-way communication. Additionally, members continued discussions on improving other processes to ensure greater clarity and accessibility of information within the Committee and across committees.
    Additionally, the WTO Secretariat presented the 2023 update to the WTO Environmental Database.
    The Secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC) presented outcomes from the 2024 Climate Change Conference (COP29) and outlined preliminary plans for COP30, scheduled for November 2025 in Brazil. The WTO Secretariat also provided an update on its initial preparations for COP30, noting that planning is still in the early stages. The Secretariat will continue to keep members informed of any developments.
    More information about the WTO Secretariat at COP29 is available here.
    Other
    Members were further briefed on developments regarding the Dialogue on Plastics Pollution and Environmentally Sustainable Plastics Trade (DPP) and the Trade and Environmental Sustainability Structured Discussions (TESSD).
    The European Union provided an update on its Green Deal, highlighting recent regulatory changes aimed at simplifying processes and reducing compliance burdens for businesses. Members welcomed the update and reiterated concerns about the trade impact of key measures, particularly the EU Deforestation Regulation and the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism.
    Parties to the Agreement on Climate Change, Trade, and Sustainability (ACCTS) — Costa Rica, Iceland, New Zealand and Switzerland — briefed the Committee on the key features (JOB/TE/93) of ACCTS as an innovative agreement on trade, climate change and environmental sustainability. Trade liberalization in environmental goods and services under the Agreement will be extended to all WTO members on a non-discriminatory basis.
    The UN Food and Agriculture Organization and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development presented their latest work related to trade and the environment.
    Next meeting
    The next Committee meeting will take place during “WTO Trade and Environment Week,” scheduled for 30 June to 4 July 2025.

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    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI USA: FEMA Launches Direct to Customer Flood Insurance Premium Quoting Tool

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: FEMA Launches Direct to Customer Flood Insurance Premium Quoting Tool

    FEMA Launches Direct to Customer Flood Insurance Premium Quoting Tool

    WASHINGTON — Today, FEMA is announcing it is expanding ways people can access flood insurance products

    The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is making it easier to access flood insurance pricing information by launching a Direct to Customer Flood Insurance Quoting Tool

    Customers will be able to get a flood insurance policy quote for their property and be provided local and national carrier information to assist them in purchasing their quoted policy

      FEMA is expanding the tools for customers to learn about their flood risk, insurance costs and to close the insurance gap to create a more resilient nation

    This effort means customers have a new way to learn about flood insurance and connect with companies that service flood insurance policies

     “I encourage Americans to visit Floodsmart

    gov to get a flood insurance quote,” said Cameron Hamilton, Senior Official Performing the Duties of FEMA Administrator

    “It’s quick and easy and takes just a few minutes

    Insured survivors recover faster

    With spring flooding and hurricane season both approaching fast, it’s important to take this first step so you can better protect the life you’ve built

    ”“In this country, less than 4% of households have flood insurance, yet 99% of all communities have experienced a flood

    FEMA is working to make flood insurance more accessible and promote customer choice with its Direct to Customer (D2C) initiative,” said Elizabeth Asche, Ph

    D

    the senior executive of the National Flood Insurance program

     “The D2C platform provides customers direct access to a property’s flood risk and the ability to purchase a flood policy from just about anywhere

    We believe this new approach will appeal to customers that have never considered a policy before and we’re counting on it to help us narrow the insurance gap

    ”Flooding is the most common disaster across America and it is not covered under most homeowner’s insurance policies

    Flood insured survivors are more resilient and recover more quickly following a disaster

     On average, 40% of NFIP flood insurance claims occur outside high hazard areas

    That’s why it’s important to protect property with flood insurance even if one lives in an area with low-to-moderate flooding risk since it brings peace of mind to homeowners and renters no matter where they live

    FEMA encourages homeowners and renters nationwide to learn more about their unique flood risk by accessing the tool on Floodsmart

    gov

    This service is free and there is no cost to receive a quote

    Over the next year, the NFIP plans to expand the tool so customers will have the option to purchase policies directly through the tool

     Currently, the National Flood Insurance Program provides about $1

    3 trillion in coverage for approximately 4

    7 million policyholders in about 22,500 communities across the nation

    To learn what’s covered under an NFIP policy visit www

    floodsmart

    gov/whats-covered

    amy

    ashbridge
    Mon, 04/07/2025 – 14:50

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: FEMA to Host Housing Resource Fair Apr. 12 in Berrien County

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency 2

    FEMA to Host Housing Resource Fair Apr. 12 in Berrien County

    FEMA is hosting a Housing Resource Fair from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, April 12, in Berrien County at the following location:Carrie Dorsey Perry Memorial Library315 W Marion AveNashville, GA 31639The Housing Resource Fair will bring together federal, state and local agencies in one place to offer services and resources to families recovering from Hurricane Helene.  The goal of this collaborative effort is to help connect eligible disaster survivors with affordable housing along with valuable information and resources on their road to recovery.Survivors will meet with local housing organizations, property owners and landlords, as well as get information on the HEARTS Georgia Sheltering Program, and U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) loans.The Housing Resource Fair is an opportunity for survivors to: Explore affordable housing options and rental assistance programs. Meet with representatives from local housing organizations, landlords and property managers. Gain access to resources for displaced individuals and families. Learn from community partners about educational funding resources. For FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer Kevin Wallace, the Housing Resource Fair will give survivors a one-on-one experience: “We want survivors to know we are here for them and want to see the best outcome, which is moving into safe, sanitary and functioning housing,” he said. “We will walk them through their options to ensure they are aware of the resources that are available to fit their need.”Everyone affected by Tropical Storm Debby or Hurricane Helene, whether they have applied for FEMA assistance or not, is welcome to attend.
    jakia.randolph
    Mon, 04/07/2025 – 12:38

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: EIB Group opens office in Latvia to support strategic investments

    Source: European Investment Bank

    EIB

    • EIB Group inaugurates an office in Latvia to accelerate strategic investments and sustainable growth in country.
    • New presence in capital Riga to deepen cooperation with EIB Group partners in public and private sectors.
    • Move reflects reinforced commitment to Baltic region.

    The European Investment Bank (EIB) Group opened an office in Latvia today to propel strategic investments and sustainable growth in the country. This office, located in the capital Riga, will focus on priority projects in areas including climate action, digitalisation, housing, security and defence.

    The EIB Group, which also includes the European Investment Fund (EIF), will use its presence in Riga to deepen cooperation with Latvian partners in the public and private sectors including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

    “The establishment of our office in Riga marks a milestone in our efforts to enhance financial accessibility and strengthen local financial markets,” said EIB Vice-President Thomas Östros. “It will serve as a focal point, where we can listen, engage, and support domestic needs more actively. Our goal is to drive innovation, sustainable development, and economic growth across various sectors in Latvia and the broader Baltic region.”

    “The opening of the EIB Group’s office in Riga highlights Latvia’s strategic importance and our commitment to sustainable development and economic growth,” said Latvian Finance Minister Arvils Ašeradens. “The EIB’s presence will enhance access to financing for public and private sector initiatives, strengthening the local financial market. We have already established successful cooperation with the EIB for affordable housing and are discussing further projects, including in the defence industry.”

    The EIB Group has invested over €4 billion in Latvia since the start of operations in the country in 1994 – with more than €3.5 billion from the EIB and over €560 million from the EIF. Last year, EIB Group financing in Latvia totalled €82 million.  

    Recent EIB operations in the country include a €200 million loan for energy utility Latvenergo to refurbish the power-distribution network and a €25 million credit for the University of Latvia to  build a state-of-the-art campus in Riga. For its part, the EIF has made recent financial commitments to a Latvian investment fund Merito Partners and to a fund managed by Latvia-based SG Capital.

    Today, the bank is lending €70 million to municipal utility Rīgas ūdens to improve and expand Riga’s water-supply network. This project aims to reduce drinking-water seepages and bolster environmental protection. 

    Future EIB Group priorities in Latvia include supporting renewable energy projects such as solar, wind, and energy storage; improving infrastructure; and fostering business innovation and startups.

    The EIB Group has recently approved additional measures to support security and defence in Europe. This will allow to finance projects dedicated to military uses, such as barracks, storage facilities, drones, helicopters, radars, satellites, advanced avionics, propulsion, and optics, while maintaining strong financing capacity.

    The bank has a pipeline of 14 defence projects expected for approval across Europe, including drones, space, cybersecurity, and quantum technologies, as well as facilities enhancing Europe’s defence capabilities.

    “I warmly welcome the EIB’s decision to open an office and establish a permanent presence in Riga,” said European Commissioner for Economy and Productivity Valdis Dombrovskis. “This move demonstrates the EIB’s strong commitment to supporting economic development in Latvia, and the broader Baltic-region, during these uncertain times. It will allow the EIB to better respond to the evolving needs of the Latvian economy, particularly in key areas such as renewable energy, infrastructure development, capital markets, and security and defence. EIB’s local presence will also enable it to offer more effective, timely support, and tailored solutions to local businesses and the national authorities, making an important contribution to Latvia’s development.”

    The new office, located in Novira Plaza, will be headed by Paulina Brzezicka, an experienced banker who had worked at EIB Group’s Luxembourg headquarters since 2013. “I am honoured to lead the EIB Group’s new office in Riga, reflecting the Bank’s commitment to the country. We have a strong pipeline of operations in Latvia and I look forward to collaborating with our local partners to support Latvia’s sustainable growth.”

    The EIB Group’s Office in Riga reflects a reinforced commitment to the Baltics as a whole, where to date the organisation has had a hub in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius covering all three Baltic States. Tomorrow the EIB Group will open an office in the Estonian capital Tallinn.        

    Background information  

    EIB 

    The European Investment Bank (ElB) is the long-term lending institution of the European Union, owned by its Member States. Built around eight core priorities, we finance investments that contribute to EU policy objectives by bolstering climate action and the environment, digitalisation and technological innovation, security and defence, cohesion, agriculture and bioeconomy, social infrastructure, high-impact investments outside the European Union, and the capital markets union.  

    The EIB Group, which also includes the European Investment Fund (EIF), signed nearly €89 billion in new financing for over 900 high-impact projects in 2024, boosting Europe’s competitiveness and security.  

    All projects financed by the EIB Group are in line with the Paris Climate Agreement, as pledged in our Climate Bank Roadmap. Almost 60% of the EIB Group’s annual financing supports projects directly contributing to climate change mitigation, adaptation, and a healthier environment.  

    Fostering market integration and mobilising investment, the Group supported a record of over €100 billion in new investment for Europe’s energy security in 2024 and mobilised €110 billion in growth capital for startups, scale-ups and European pioneers. Approximately half of the EIB’s financing within the European Union is directed towards cohesion regions, where per capita income is lower than the EU average.

    High-quality, up-to-date photos of our headquarters for media use are available here.

    Latvian capital Riga to get water-system upgrades with €70 million EIB loan to utility Rīgas ūdens
    Latvian capital Riga to get water-system upgrades with €70 million EIB loan to utility Rīgas ūdens
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    Latvian capital Riga to get water-system upgrades with €70 million EIB loan to utility Rīgas ūdens
    Latvian capital Riga to get water-system upgrades with €70 million EIB loan to utility Rīgas ūdens
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    Latvian capital Riga to get water-system upgrades with €70 million EIB loan to utility Rīgas ūdens
    Latvian capital Riga to get water-system upgrades with €70 million EIB loan to utility Rīgas ūdens
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    Latvian capital Riga to get water-system upgrades with €70 million EIB loan to utility Rīgas ūdens
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    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Trump, interrupted: Cory Booker’s 25-hour Senate speech calls for collective action

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Barbara Leckie, Professor, English and the Institute for the Comparative Study of Literature, Art, and Culture; Academic Director, Re.Climate: Centre for Climate Communication and Public Engagement, Carleton University

    At 7 p.m. on Day 71 of Donald Trump’s presidency, United States Sen. Cory Booker, a New Jersey Democrat, rose to speak on the Senate floor. He did not cede his right to speech (“the right to recognition”) until 25 hours later, at 8:05 p.m. the following day.

    While the form of his speech resembled a filibuster — a prolonged speech designed to delay or prevent legislation — Booker’s speech was not aimed at any proposed law. Instead he was responding to what he called a “time of crisis” in the United States.

    That crisis, in Booker’s view, is driven by the actions of the Trump administration, including executive orders and other actions that he argued are eroding democracy, exacerbating the climate crisis and dismantling programs that offer life-saving support to both Americans and people around the world.

    Booker set a record for the longest continuous speech in the U.S. Senate, surpassing speeches by Ted Cruz in 2013 and Strom Thurmond in 1957. He had no food, bathroom or sitting breaks.

    Booker’s speech, both a physical feat and a call to action, has been much lauded. But while the content of his speech and its calls for cross-aisle collaboration are admirable, as a literary critic, I believe the form of his speech deserves equal attention.

    How Booker delivered the speech helps to bring into focus his call for a participatory democracy — where everyone is actively involved — using two main strategies: interruption of the current norm (disruption), and an appeal to collaboration (working together).

    The author of this article is a literary expert on political communication, especially with relation to climate change.
    Stanford University Press

    Based on my work in the climate humanities, interruption and working together are among the most effective and necessary ways to generate political action.

    Two forms of interruption

    Two contrasting forms of interruption are important here: interruption that fosters reflection and interruption that discounts it.

    The German philosopher Walter Benjamin developed the concept of interruption in the 1930s as a way to foster thinking in times of crisis.

    Some types of theatre, for example, interrupt their story to break with conventions and remind viewers that they’re watching a play. Building on Benjamin’s idea of interruption, I’m interested in how interruption can work in our current era of political crisis.

    The Trump administration practises the second form of interruption that discounts thinking.

    The administration’s technique of “flooding the zone,” for example, produces new actions in such quick succession that the conditions for thinking are eviscerated.

    Trump’s preferred mode of communication has also been social media, known for its short and punchy delivery. These communication strategies — flooding the zone and short social media posts — scatter attention.

    With the speed and volume of the Trump administration’s actions, it can feel impossible to respond to — let alone reflect on — every executive order, every overreach, every unconstitutional or illegal move.

    A communication shift?

    Until recently, the U.S. Democratic Party has neither changed the form of their political practice nor the form of their communications in any significant way.

    I believe that shifted last week.

    When Booker chose to rise in the Senate, he adopted Benjamin’s version of interruption — by changing the form. In this case, through a congressional address with the time-honoured practice of not ceding the floor.



    Read more:
    With Trump in charge, America is going back to more hostile times

    His single, extended action of uninterrupted speech (except for questions and a prayer) was exactly the opposite of flooding the zone.

    His 25-hour speech commanded and held attention. It was exactly the opposite of a hastily dispatched social media post.

    He asked his audience to listen in a form that reminded them of what listening demands. Stopping. Paying attention. Thinking. Acting.

    Working together: ‘We, the people’

    Booker stood alone at the podium for over 25 hours but he did not act alone.

    His speech is a powerful performance of collaboration and working together. This recognition of a collective debt to others is also mirrored in his repetition of the phrase “we, the people.”

    Here, too, the form of his speech is revealing. Literary critics pay attention to how documents open and close and how words are used and repeated.

    His first words acknowledge his debt to the “pages …the folks that work the door, the clerks, the Parliamentarians.” And his last words return to this point, thanking again “the pages… the Parlimentarian staffs … the clerks …the doorkeepers.”

    Throughout the speech, he reminds his audience that the people are “stronger together”. His words alone cannot stop the dismantling of democracy, he insists, but “we, the people” can.

    The form of his address is an expansive act of inclusion and working together. It incorporates questions to his audience, letters, poetry and literature, questions from the floor, community stories and historical examples.

    Two questions inform his speech overall: “Did you speak up?” and “what can I do?” (the first is repeated with variations 52 times and the second 36 times).

    Questions invite connection, participation, response and more questions. Booker’s answer to the linked questions is to “stand up, speak up” and promote the collective action of the people.

    One form of standing up and speaking up is writing letters to one’s political representatives. Over the course of his speech, Booker gave voice to these constituents and in doing so widened the circle of representation in Congress: “I am trying to elevate the voices,” he said, “that don’t get to come to this place — voices I am hearing from, voices that identify themselves as a Republican veteran, a Democrat.”

    The letters he read generate connection, closed gaps, and, like questions, invite further responses.

    Booker’s recitation of poetry and literature was similarly inclusive and expansive. He used his platform to share Langston Hughes’s lines, “To save the dream for one / It must be saved for all,” Alice Walker’s comment that, “the most common way people give up their power is not realizing they have it in the first place,” and a translation from the Bantu language, “I am because we are,” among many others.

    Bending the form

    In short, Booker bent the form of the congressional address to encourage “thousands of ignition points,” thousands of creative ways to bend the form and work together.

    He joins his voice to those of his constituents, literary and historical figures, Americans past and future, and to others around the world in an effort, as he put it — adapting the words of Martin Luther King Jr. — “to bend the arc of our nation … toward justice.”

    The endurance and content of Booker’s speech is important, but its form most interrupted this moment of political upheaval, invited its listeners to notice and think, and offered examples of “coming together” to support others, listen to their voices, share their stories and be “stronger together.”

    Barbara Leckie does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Trump, interrupted: Cory Booker’s 25-hour Senate speech calls for collective action – https://theconversation.com/trump-interrupted-cory-bookers-25-hour-senate-speech-calls-for-collective-action-253819

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: President Ramaphosa appoints Professor Mariana Mazzucato to G20 Taskforce

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed renowned economist Professor Mariana Mazzucato as Technical Expert to South Africa’s G20 Presidency and his Special Presidential Representative to Taskforce 1, focusing on Inclusive Economic Growth, Industrialisation, Employment, and Reducing Inequality.

    In a statement on Monday, The Presidency said Professor Mazzucato will also contribute to Taskforce 3: Artificial Intelligence, Data Governance, and Innovation for Sustainable Development.

    She will also support the Sherpa Track on Trade and Investment Working Group, and the Finance Track Sustainable Finance Working Group, and International Financial Architecture Working Group.

    Professor Mazzucato is a member of President Ramaphosa’s Economic Advisory Council (PEAC) since 2019, advising on areas such as green industrial strategy, State capacity, and reform of State-owned enterprises.

    In 2024, she co-chaired the Group of Experts for Brazil’s G20 Task Force for the Global Mobilisation Against Climate Change (TF-CLIMA).

    “This appointment underscores South Africa’s commitment to leveraging its leadership in the G20 to shape a more inclusive and sustainable global economy.

    “Professor Mazzucato, internationally recognised for her work on rethinking the State, green growth, mission-oriented innovation and public value creation, brings critical expertise to advancing South Africa’s goals on green industrialisation, inclusive growth, and long-term structural transformation,” the Presidency said. 

    Under President Ramaphosa’s leadership and the G20 theme of “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability”, South Africa aims to lead global discussions on these key issues, advocating for policies that foster resilient economic development, particularly in developing countries.

    South Africa’s G20 Presidency is committed to advancing a global economic framework that supports green growth, economic resilience, and social equity.

    The year 2025, described by President Ramaphosa, President Lula da Silva of Brazil, and Prime Minister Sánchez of Spain as “a pivotal year for multilateralism”, will feature three major global gatherings: the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, the Financing for Development Conference in Seville, and COP30 in Belém. – SAnews.gov.za 

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI USA: March 2025 Regional Temperature and Precipitation Impacts and Outlooks

    Source: US National Oceanographic Data Center

    NOAA and its partners have released the latest Regional Reports and Outlooks, which recap winter 2024 conditions and provide insight into what might be expected this spring 2025. 

    Winter 2025 Temperature Recap

    The average temperature over the contiguous U.S. (CONUS) for meteorological winter (December–February) was 34.1°F, 1.9°F above average, ranking in the warmest third of the winter record. Winter temperatures were near- or above-average across most of the country, and much above average across the Southwest.

    Winter 2025 Precipitation Recap

    The total precipitation averaged over CONUS for winter was 5.87 inches, 0.92 inch below average, ranking in the driest third of the December-February record. Winter precipitation was above average across portions of the Northwest and northern Plains, and from the central Mississippi Valley to the Mid-Atlantic Coast. However, much of the rest of the contiguous U.S. experienced below to much-below-average precipitation, particularly in the Southwest where Arizona and New Mexico had their second-driest winter season on record.

    Spring 2025 Temperature Outlook

    The April-May-June (APJ) 2025 seasonal outlook favors above-normal temperatures for the southern half and eastern one-third of the contiguous U.S. (CONUS) as well as for the Alaska Peninsula and adjacent areas of the southern Mainland and eastern Aleutians. The greatest odds are forecast in the Southwest, southern Plains and bottom two thirds of the Florida Peninsula. Below-normal seasonal mean temperatures are most likely for a small area of west-central Alaska.

    Spring 2025 Precipitation Outlook

    The APJ 2025 precipitation outlook forecasts elevated probabilities for below-normal seasonal total precipitation amounts for much of the western U.S. and the central and southern High and Great Plains. The highest odds are centered just north of the Four Corners region. Above-normal precipitation is favored for the southern Great lakes and Ohio Valley. In Alaska, above-normal precipitation is most likely for the northern and much of the western areas of the state while drier-than-normal conditions are favored for coastal south-central Alaska.

    Impacts and Outlooks for Your Region

    Get more details for your region in the March 2025 temperature and precipitation impacts and outlooks summaries:

    Prairies and High Plains Region
    Gulf Coast Region
    Alaska and Northwestern Canada Region 
    Great Lakes Region
    Gulf of Maine Region
    Mid-Atlantic Region
    Midwest Region
    Missouri River Basin Region
    Northeast Region
    Pacific Region
    Southeast Region
    Southern Region
    Western Region

    You can access all of the Temperature and Precipitation Impacts and Outlooks summaries as well as additional reports and assessments through the U.S. Drought Portal Reports web page at Drought.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Nova Scotia Welcomes Nordic Heads of Mission

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Nova Scotia is welcoming the five heads of mission representing Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden in Canada, who are in Halifax together on a joint diplomatic visit beginning today, April 7.

    During the three-day visit, provincial ministers and other officials will meet with the Nordic region diplomats to explore opportunities to strengthen existing trade partnerships and exchange insights on shared priorities.

    For the Nordic countries, areas of special interest include the blue economy (sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth); renewable energy and green solutions; healthcare and life sciences; technology and innovation; and trans-Atlantic security and defence. For Nova Scotia, this includes opportunities to increase its self-reliance and invest in critical minerals, wind resources and the seafood sector.

    “We’re thrilled to welcome the ambassadors from the Nordic region to talk about our shared goals and the mutual benefits of working together to protect citizens and strengthen trade opportunities,” said Barbara Adams, Nova Scotia’s Deputy Premier. “Nova Scotia is ready to do business, and we have a lot to offer. We’re excited to share the innovative work happening in Nova Scotia to harness our resources, promote Nova Scotia products and services and so much more.”

    Deputy Premier Adams, who is also Nova Scotia’s Minister responsible for Military Relations, will join the heads of mission for a visit at Canadian Forces Base Halifax. The diplomats’ itinerary also includes stops at the Centre for Ocean Ventures and Entrepreneurship in Dartmouth and the NATO DIANA Regional Office for North America in Halifax, as well as meetings with a half dozen provincial ministers.

    The officials began their visit today with a luncheon hosted by Lt.-Gov. Mike Savage. They will later participate in a panel discussion at Dalhousie University hosted by the Halifax chapter of the Canadian International Council. The event is open to the public.

    Quotes:

    “Nova Scotia and the Nordic region hold much in common. Our economies and the lives of our residents are intertwined with the ocean; we are investing significantly in technology and infrastructure to power our increasingly green and digital economies; and we are hotbeds of innovation, advanced research and culture. On behalf of all five Nordic heads of mission, we very much look forward to our first joint visit to Nova Scotia and to deepening our relations as trans-Atlantic partners.”
    — Hlynur Guðjónsson, Ambassador of Iceland to Canada

    Quick Facts:

    • the Nordic region includes five sovereign states – Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden – and the self-governing territories of the Faroe Islands, Greenland and Åland
    • visiting heads of mission include Hanna-Leena Korteniemi, Ambassador of Finland to Canada; Signe Burgstaller, Ambassador of Sweden to Canada; Hlynur Guðjónsson, Ambassador of Iceland to Canada; Nikolaj Harris, Ambassador of Denmark to Canada; Trygve Bendiksby, Head of Mission, Royal Norwegian Embassy in Ottawa
    • meetings are scheduled with Growth and Development Minister Colton LeBlanc, Addictions and Mental Health Minister Brian Comer, Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister Kent Smith, Cyber Security and Digital Solutions Minister Jill Balser, Natural Resources Minister Tory Rushton and Environment and Climate Change Minister Timothy Halman
    • as declared in the Nordic Council of Ministers’ Agenda 2030, the Nordic region has a vision to become the most sustainable and integrated region in the world by 2030
    • the Nordic Council of Ministers is supporting the visit

    Additional Resources:

    News release – Premier Promotes Nova Scotia in Denmark: https://news.novascotia.ca/en/2025/04/04/premier-promotes-nova-scotia-denmark

    More information on the public panel with the heads of mission is available at: https://events.dal.ca/event/4409-jmeucecic-public-panel-conversation-with-the-nordic-amb

    Nordic Co-operation – the Nordic Council of Ministers and the Nordic Council: https://www.norden.org/en

    Other than cropping, Province of Nova Scotia photos are not to be altered in any way

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: New Integrated Energy Plan to help electrify Canberra

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    The plan sets out the next stage of work for the Territory’s transition to an all-electric city over the next 20 years.

    The ACT Government is releasing new Integrated Energy Plan (IEP) as part of its investment in an all-electric, zero-emissions future for Canberra.

    The plan includes a range of Government commitments to support Canberrans through the transition to cheaper, cleaner energy.

    The Integrated Energy Plan 2024–2030 sets out the next stage of work for the Territory’s transition to an all-electric city over the next 20 years.

    It builds on the ACT’s success in reaching 100 percent renewable electricity in 2020.

    It aims to ensure all Canberrans benefit from the transition, not just those most able to afford the necessary changes involved.

    Energy bill savings

    As well as being the cheapest, most effective pathway to net-zero emissions for the ACT, electrification can also bring significant energy bill savings.

    A household that swaps gas cooking, heating and hot water for efficient electric appliances can save around $735 per year – or even more with the addition of solar.

    The Sustainable Housing Scheme

    Households needing support to make such changes can take advantage of the Sustainable Household Scheme.

    Almost 20,000 households – 10 per cent of Canberra’s households – have accessed the scheme, which supports people with loans to electrify their homes and forms of transport. Those who have accessed loans to date have already saved an estimated $43 million on their energy bills.

    Equipping community and public housing

    The ACT Government will electrify all feasible community and public housing properties in the ACT by the end of 2030.

    This work has already started, and will continue to be a priority, along with continued energy efficiency improvements to properties.

    Further support for low-income homeowners

    A new Community Partnership Electrification Program will be delivered over two years, to support vulnerable and low-income homeowners.

    This will cover upfront costs of energy efficiency upgrades and electrification, for approximately 350 low-income households.

    Assistance for apartment owners

    The Integrated Energy Plan will also support apartment residents, who may face extra challenges in electrification.

    A new Retrofit Readiness program will offer free advice and electrification planning for those living in multi-unit buildings, such as apartments.

    To help reduce obstacles for apartment residents, the IEP will also deliver strata reform work to identify and resolve regulatory barriers to electrification upgrades in multi-unit buildings.

    Upskilling a workforce

    An appropriately skilled workforce is crucial to supporting the energy transition.

    The IEP will also target training subsidies to priority trades that support the energy transition. It will also increase subsidies for the Certificate III in Electrotechnology Technician.

    Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) will host Australia’s first TAFE Centre of Excellence, focusing on electric vehicles.

    ACT Infrastructure Plan updates

    The ACT Government is also updating the ACT Infrastructure Plan, outlining future investments in climate action, energy and environment infrastructure for Canberra’s future.

    This plan outlines how the Government will provide energy infrastructure to support greater electricity usage, the electrification of Government assets as well as water and natural environment protection.

    Both the IEP and updated Infrastructure Plan continue the ACT Government’s commitment to transition to net-zero emissions by 2045.

    Find out more

    Learn more about the ACT’s Pathway to Electrification and read the first Integrated Energy Plan on the Everyday Climate Choices website.

    To read the ACT Infrastructure Plan refresh for climate action, energy and environment infrastructure, visit the Built for CBR website.

    Get ACT news and events delivered straight to your inbox, sign up to our email newsletter:


    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: At a pivotal meeting, the world is set to decide how to cut shipping emissions

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Simon Bullock, Research Associate, Shipping and Climate Change, University of Manchester

    GreenOak / shutterstock

    You’re probably reading this article on a device assembled in Asia, using materials shipped there from all around the world. After it was made, your phone or laptop most likely travelled to your country on a huge ship powered by one of the world’s largest diesel engines, one of thousands plying the world’s oceans. All this maritime activity adds up: international shipping burns over 200 million tonnes of fossil fuels a year.

    The sector is trying to clean up its act. Its 2023 global climate strategy set a “strive” ambition of 30% cuts in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, relative to 2008 emissions and 80% by 2040. That’s close to a level of ambition that can deliver on the Paris climate agreement, but this target urgently needs policies to make it happen. This is also urgent: 2030 is only five years away.

    The technology to deliver a rapid transition exists. Wind propulsion technology – yes, sails – can be fitted to existing ships, and much of the sector could soon switch to zero-emission fuels if they were seen as a good investment.

    That said, the transition needs to be fast and will be costly. This raises questions about who is to foot the bill.

    That’s the backdrop for a pivotal meeting this week in London at the International Maritime Organization (IMO). The IMO is the United Nations’ agency, made up of 175 nation states, charged with coordinating a response on shipping’s climate pollution. At this meeting, nations will take a series of decisions which will have a profound impact on whether the sector makes a rapid transition away from fossil fuels, or if it continues to limp along on its current high-carbon course.

    There are two crucial and interlinked decisions to be taken, and at the moment the proposals range from strong to exceptionally weak. Outcomes could go either way.

    Improving efficiency

    The efficiency of shipping hasn’t got much attention, even though it’s an important part of reducing emissions. One key policy is the Carbon Intensity Indicator, which measures how much carbon is emitted per tonne of cargo for every mile travelled. The IMO’s current strategy requires improving this efficiency by 40% by 2030, compared to 2008 levels.

    Annual fuel oil consumption (by ship type):

    How different fuels were used by different ship types (2023 data).
    IMO Future Fuels, CC BY-NC-SA

    But here’s the problem: global demand for shipping is expected to grow by around 60% in that same time. So even with a 40% efficiency boost, total emissions from shipping could stay the same – or even go up – because so much more cargo will be moved.

    Despite this, many countries haven’t updated their policies to reflect this growing demand or to align with the IMO’s updated “30% cuts by 2030” target.

    Some countries, including Palau – a Pacific island nation vulnerable to climate change – and the UK, have pushed for stronger action. But there remains a long way to go before the world agrees on an ambitious path forward.

    Green energy

    The more hotly debated issue is around a fiendishly complicated set of “mid-term measures”. A key part of this is creating a “global fuel standard” – essentially, targets for how much “zero emission” (or “green”) fuel ships must use and by when.

    These rules would come with penalties or costs for using polluting fuels, which would effectively put a price on greenhouse gas emissions. Experts have long agreed that putting a price on shipping pollution is the most effective way to encourage cleaner and more efficient practices. But despite nearly 20 years of discussions, countries still haven’t agreed how to do this.

    Decisions are further complicated by wrangles over how to fairly distribute the revenues from these penalties.

    Who should get the revenues from shipping pollution?
    Uncle_Dave / shutterstock

    The good news is that the world is less than a week away from a decision which will put a price on shipping pollution in some form. The bad news is that proposals on the table could easily deliver a weak, uncertain price signal which doesn’t push the industry to invest in more green solutions. And the fuel standard itself might fall short of the ambitious climate targets set in 2023.

    Until now, talks on improving shipping efficiency and on pricing polluting fuels have happened separately. A big task at the IMO summit in London is to integrate the two into one coordinated plan.

    From a climate perspective, these policies should be judged by whether they will work together to cut shipping emissions by 30% by 2030 (the IMO’s current target).

    As things stand, that outcome is still possible – but is now an uphill battle. Agreement this week is crucial and countries will show their true colours. If they can’t agree to agree more ambitious policies it will undermine the IMO’s ability to regulate shipping emissions.

    Historically, the IMO tends to take its biggest decisions in the last hours of Thursday in week-long negotiations. Both ambitious and more cautious countries have a lot on the line, as the measure adopted will be legally binding for all of them.

    A positive result depends on whether powerful groups such as the European Union line up to support ambitious measures, as as proposed by African, Caribbean, Central American and Pacific countries as well as the UK.

    Although countries have agreed on climate targets for shipping, some still refuse to support the policies needed to actually phase out fossil fuels fast enough. That stance much change. If done right, IMO negotiations this week could be a turning point – not just for shipping, but for renewable energy and climate action worldwide.

    Don’t have time to read about climate change as much as you’d like?

    Get a weekly roundup in your inbox instead. Every Wednesday, The Conversation’s environment editor writes Imagine, a short email that goes a little deeper into just one climate issue. Join the 40,000+ readers who’ve subscribed so far.

    Simon Bullock is a member of the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology

    Christiaan De Beukelaer receives funding from the ClimateWorks Foundation.

    Tristan Smith owns shares in UMAS International, that working alongside UCL Energy Institute, provides advisory services on the subject of maritime decarbonisation. My research group is recipient of research funding from UKRI, Climateworks Foundation and Quadratue Climate Foundation. I am on the advisory board of the Global Maritime Forum, and the Strategy Board of the Getting to Zero Coalition – not for profit structures that work across governments and industry stakeholders on maritime decarbonisation.

    – ref. At a pivotal meeting, the world is set to decide how to cut shipping emissions – https://theconversation.com/at-a-pivotal-meeting-the-world-is-set-to-decide-how-to-cut-shipping-emissions-253462

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Braddon restaurant awarded for sustainable choices

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Clement Chauvin, Head Chef and sole owner of Les Bistronomes. Photo credit Canberra Times and Gary Ramage.

    Clement Chauvin, Head Chef and sole owner of Les Bistronomes, has taken out the Waste Minimisation Award at the 2024 Climate Choices Business Awards.

    He has been acknowledged for his creative and community-minded sustainability initiatives.

    The Awards recognise climate leaders in the business arena across eight categories.

    Les Bistronomes was celebrated for making sustainable choices for everything from sourcing ingredients to disposing waste.

    “It was wonderful to receive the award,” said Clement.

    “As a chef, I’m aware that my produce comes from mother earth and the land we live on. It makes sense to be considerate of the earth that gives us the food that nurtures and feeds us all,” he said.

    Some of the ideas Les Bistronomes was recognised for as part of the award came about during COVID.

    “It was a difficult time, but it really created community around our restaurant, and led to some great ideas for sustainability and waste minimisation,” Clement said.

    The idea to create a ‘green card’ came about from a woman who donated 80 kilograms of Jerusalem artichokes to Clement. She had an excess and didn’t know what to do with them.

    “I wanted to repay her in some way, and that’s when the idea came,” he said.

    “Local home growers in Canberra can bring in their raspberries, flowers, lemons, rhubarb or homegrown veggies in exchange for a 10 per cent discount at the restaurant.”

    This initiative reduces food waste and grows community connection, as well as limiting food miles.

    Les Bistronomes also gives growers food scraps for their compost.

    This is a way of sequestering carbon and returning nutrients to the soil. Their approach is not only great for the business, but also gives back to the local community.

    Clement has now established strong relationships with a number of locals who love growing fruits and vegetables and who regularly supply food for the restaurant.

    “I now work with two local ladies, and we plan out crops so that the restaurant has a steady and seasonal supply of produce,” he said.

    The Sustainable Business Program

    Clement said the future for Les Bistronomes is to go all-electric and move to solar if he can.

    He has reached out to the ACT Government’s Sustainable Business Program to help him.

    The program has technical experts who can provide all ACT businesses with free advice on ways to improve their energy efficiency; including transitioning off gas with rebates of up to $10,000, installing solar panels and battery storage.

    “The Sustainable Business Program helped me look at what options were available to improve sustainability, but from an infrastructure point of view,” Clement said.

    “We’re looking to switch from gas to electric induction cooking and we’re investigating how we can use solar to offset electricity costs.”

    Find out more about the Sustainable Business Program and the other Climate Choices Business Awards winners.

    Get ACT news and events delivered straight to your inbox, sign up to our email newsletter:


    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Study: How Coral Reefs Shielded Hawaiian Coastlines Against 2018 Hurricanes

    Source: US Geological Survey

    Hurricanes bring powerful waves and storm surges that can erode shorelines and threaten coastal communities. But a new study by USGS and partners details how Hawaii’s coral reefs acted as natural barriers during two successive tropical cyclones that impacted Hawai’i in 2018, reducing wave energy and protecting coastlines.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Welltec Q1 2025 Interim Report and Investor Conference Call Announcement

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Q1 2025 Interim Report and Investor Conference Call Announcement

    Welltec® will disclose its Q1 2025 Interim Report and will discuss the results during an investor conference call to be held Tuesday, May 20th, 2025, at 5 pm CEST.

    The conference call will be available only to current and prospective bond holders, broker dealers, and securities analysts, and can be accessed by dialling in a few minutes before the start and informing the operator that you would like to participate in Welltec’s investor conference call.

    Relevant dial-in details and conference ID can be obtained by contacting Kris Petrov krpetrov@welltec.com and registering for the call. Registration will not be possible once the investor conference has started.

    The Q1 2025 Interim Report will be made available in the “Investor Room” on Welltec’s website at https://www.welltec.com/discover/investors.

    For further information, please contact:
    Kris Petrov, Finance Director
    Cell:  +45 48 14 35 14
    E-mail: krpetrov@welltec.com

    Company Profile:
    Welltec® is a global technology company that develops and provides efficient, hi-tech solutions for the energy industry.
    The company was founded in 1994 and grew rapidly by supplying innovative robotic technology to oil and gas operators. In 2010, Welltec introduced a new business segment focused on the development of Completion products. Commercialization of these products began in 2014, and the company is now a global leader in the field of metal expandable packer technology. Welltec’s cutting-edge products and services are designed to optimize the performance and integrity of a well, in any environment.
    Through advanced engineering and lightweight design, Welltec’s solutions have helped clients increase operational efficiency and reduce carbon footprints in a safe and sustainable way for more than 30 years. Today, Welltec continues to evolve and invest in its technology portfolio with products and services adapted to take on the challenges of New Energy and Climate Technology, including Geothermal and Carbon Capture & Storage projects.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Welsh food and drink delicacies earn protected status

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Welsh food and drink delicacies earn protected status

    Welsh gin, oysters and honey granted protected status under UK Geographical Indication schemes

    Welsh gin, oysters and honey are to join the list of food and drink products granted protected geographical indication (PGI) status under the UK’s Geographical Indication schemes. 

    Dovey Native Botanical Gin, Pembrokeshire Native Oysters, Pembrokeshire Rock Oysters and Welsh Heather Honey have been formally recognised for their distinctive qualities and regional heritage, ensuring only authentic items meeting strict production standards and geographical requirements can be marketed under these protected names. 

    Welsh culinary tradition dates back centuries, with its food and drink deeply rooted in the nation’s landscape, culture, and history. From nutrient-rich waters producing exceptional seafood to vibrant heather moorlands ideal for honey production, Welsh producers have long crafted distinctive products shaped by local environments and passed-down expertise.  

    This recognition gives producers a valuable market advantage while preserving traditional production methods, protecting and championing local products while creating economic opportunity across all parts of the UK under the Government’s Plan for Change. 

    UK Government Minister for Food Security, Farming and Rural Affairs, Daniel Zeichner said:  

    The UK is home to a feast of flavours from every corner of the British Isles, and these new protections help celebrate the outstanding craftsmanship and heritage behind Welsh food and drink.  

    By giving these products unique status, we’re helping local businesses grow while ensuring consumers can enjoy authentic regional specialities for generations to come. 

    These additions join other popular Welsh products already recognised under the GI scheme, including Anglesey Sea Salt, Welsh Leeks, Traditional Welsh Cider and Single-malt Welsh Whisky, showcasing the rich culinary heritage of Wales. 

    Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens said:

    Dovey gin, Pembrokeshire oysters and Welsh honey are fantastic products and it’s right that they are being recognised as the high-quality, specialist items they are.

    The GI scheme guarantees quality and excellence while celebrating our outstanding local Welsh produce and driving growth in this vital sector.

    Wales’ Deputy First Minister,  Huw Irranca-Davies, who has responsibility for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, said:

    This recognition strengthens Wales’ growing family of protected foods, showcases the extraordinary quality of our produce, and reflects our commitment to high-quality, sustainable food production.

     From the mountains to the coast, Wales produces some of the UK’s most iconic foods, cultivated with care and tradition. Each GI product tells the story of our landscape, our producers’ expertise and our proud culinary heritage.

    With these new registrations, the total number of UK GIs now reaches 97, representing premium produce from across all four nations of the United Kingdom. 

    The GI schemes support UK food and drink businesses by protecting the reputation of regional products, promoting traditional and agricultural activity while boosting growth in local economies. 

    Danny Cameron of Dovey Native Botanical Gin said:

    Having GI Status is a good thing and helps to raise awareness of Botanical gin being provenance-based and produced to such a strict and high quality.

    Gruffydd Rees of Gwenyn Gruffydd Ltd in Carmarthenshire said:

    I am delighted that Welsh Heather Honey’s precise origin and characteristics have been recognised. The UK GI application process is long, and it is wonderful that Wales is the first UK nation to have a honey receive PGI status.

    Jake Davies, Atlantic Edge Oysters, said:

    Having a PGI Status will attract a broader audience and market who are more aware of GI products and will allow us to join the GI family which has a number of fantastic products.

    Updates to this page

    Published 7 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Nature in the City grant recipients announced

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Recipients of the Nature in the City: Cooling Your Suburb grants.

    Two popular cafés are among the four recipients of the Nature in the City: Cooling Your Suburb grants.

    Each receives a share of $150,000 for projects that protect against climate change.

    The four projects aim to show how living infrastructure can improve Canberra’s resilience to the heat impacts of climate change.

    Healthy living infrastructure includes trees, plants, soils, and water systems. These are essential to a city’s success in adapting to the risks of a changing climate.

    The four funded projects will tackle the ‘heat island effect’. Heat islands are a result of too much concrete and not enough plant life, bushland and tree canopy coverage in an urban area.

    This year’s successful recipients are:

    • Three Mills Bakery – Will transform an urban heat island in Woden from an expanse of concrete into an urban oasis near their new café.
    • The Climate Factory – Will grow a native micro-forest in an urban heat island in Dunlop using the Miyawaki method of dense planting to ensure rapid growth.
    • The Woodlands and Wetlands Trust – Will install native species trellis walls, a rainwater irrigation system for an existing green wall, and permeable paving to increase water retention on site.
    • Café Stepping Stone, Dickson – Will conduct a feasibility study to gather valuable insights and data to inform the long-term sustainability and maintenance of a green wall and assess how well such a project might mitigate urban heat.

    From trees to planter boxes to garden beds, simple projects can cool the local climate and make the most of rainwater, also reducing the risk of flooding.

    As well as being great for the natural environment, projects like this can help reinvigorate public spaces.

    “Stepping Stone Social Enterprise aims to create a welcoming and inclusive community space for our employees and customers,” Café Stepping Stone CEO and Founder Vanessa Brettell said.

    “This grant will enable us to improve the comfort of our space, especially in the heat of the afternoon sun and make the most of our Dickson cafe space, both indoors and outdoors through sustainable and green building methods.”

    All grant recipients engaged with the local community and stakeholders to inform their projects.

    Find out more about the Nature in the City: Cooling Your Suburb grants on the Everyday Climate Choices website.

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    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI: Rob McCain Appointed as Senior Vice President, Market President of Charlotte Metropolitan Area

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ASHEVILLE, N.C., April 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — HomeTrust Bancshares, Inc. (NYSE: HTB) (“Company”), the holding company of HomeTrust Bank (“HomeTrust” or the “Bank”), announced today that Robert “Rob” McCain III has assumed the position of Market President of the Bank’s Charlotte metropolitan area, effective March 31, 2025. McCain will focus on expanding the Bank’s presence in the market, with the primary responsibility of growing commercial and treasury management market share and revenue. He will report to John Sprink, Executive Vice President of Commercial Banking.

    “I am very excited to have Rob join the Charlotte team and the HTB family,” Sprink said. “He has a tremendous reputation and an impressive record of building teams and business in the Charlotte market, while exemplifying the cultural fundamentals that define HomeTrust Bank.”

    McCain said he is honored to take on the role and values HomeTrust’s ability to foster strong relationships with clients while building a collaborative culture. “Over recent years HomeTrust has proven it is more than qualified to serve the needs of businesses in Charlotte, which has transformed itself into a hub of innovation and commerce,” he said. “I’m excited to bring my decades of experience in the Charlotte market to this opportunity.”

    As a native of the area, McCain said he will take special pride in working to establish the Bank as a strong community partner.

    McCain has worked in commercial banking in Charlotte since 1989 in roles that include Market Executive and Manager of Commercial Banking at First Citizens Bank, as well as Line of Business Manager for Commercial Real Estate Lending in the Carolinas at SunTrust.

    He earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and his Master in Business Administration from The University of North Carolina at Charlotte. He is also a graduate of the School of Banking at Louisiana State University.

    About HomeTrust Bancshares, Inc.

    HomeTrust Bancshares, Inc. is the holding company for HomeTrust Bank. As of December 31, 2024, the Company had assets of $4.6 billion. The Bank, founded in 1926, is a North Carolina state chartered, community-focused financial institution committed to providing value added relationship banking with over 30 locations as well as online/mobile channels. Locations include: North Carolina (the Asheville metropolitan area, the “Piedmont” region, Charlotte, and Raleigh/Cary), South Carolina (Greenville and Charleston), East Tennessee (Kingsport/Johnson City, Knoxville, and Morristown), Southwest Virginia (the Roanoke Valley) and Georgia (Greater Atlanta).

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release may include “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are not statements of historical fact, but instead are based on certain assumptions including statements with respect to the Company’s beliefs, plans, objectives, goals, expectations, assumptions and statements about future economic performance and projections of financial items. These forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results anticipated or implied by forward-looking statements. The factors that could result in material differentiation include, but are not limited to, the impact of bank failures or adverse developments involving other banks and related negative press about the banking industry in general on investor and depositor sentiment; the remaining effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on general economic and financial market conditions and on public health, both nationally and in the Company’s market areas; natural disasters, including the effects of Hurricane Helene; expected revenues, cost savings, synergies and other benefits from merger and acquisition activities might not be realized to the extent anticipated, within the anticipated time frames, or at all, costs or difficulties relating to integration matters, including but not limited to customer and employee retention, might be greater than expected, and goodwill impairment charges might be incurred; increased competitive pressures among financial services companies; changes in the interest rate environment; changes in general economic conditions, both nationally and in our market areas; legislative and regulatory changes; and the effects of inflation, a potential recession, and other factors described in the Company’s latest Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other documents filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission – which are available on the Company’s website at www.htb.com and on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Any of the forward-looking statements that the Company makes in this press release or in the documents the Company files with or furnishes to the SEC are based upon management’s beliefs and assumptions at the time they are made and may turn out to be wrong because of inaccurate assumptions, the factors described above or other factors that management cannot foresee. The Company does not undertake, and specifically disclaims any obligation, to revise any forward-looking statements to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statements.

    www.htb.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Altus Group Releases its 2024 Sustainability Report

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, April 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Altus Group Limited (“Altus” or “the Company”) (TSX: AIF), a leading provider of asset and fund intelligence for commercial real estate (“CRE”), today released its annual Sustainability Report, which highlights the Company’s sustainability initiatives and progress in 2024.

    “As we celebrate our 20th anniversary this year, sustainability continues to guide who we are and how we operate,” said Camilla Bartosiewicz, Chief Communications Officer at Altus Group. “This report brings our values to life – highlighting the tangible progress we made in 2024 in reducing emissions, investing in our people, and upholding strong corporate governance. These efforts are not only core to our identity as a responsible corporate citizen and employer of choice, but are critical to managing enterprise risk and creating long-term value for all stakeholders.”

    Key 2024 highlights:

    • Climate action: reduced Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 5% in 2024, benefitting from strategic right-sizing of office space, which resulted in a 12% reduction in office footprint.
    • Talent management: expanded people programs to foster career advancement and employee success, earning external recognition for an inclusive, high-trust and high-performance culture.
    • Cybersecurity and data responsibility: continued enhancement of cybersecurity and data standards to uphold data responsibility and maintain stakeholder trust.
    • Governance: welcomed new board members, adding diverse perspectives and skills that enhance board effectiveness.

    To download Altus Group’s 2024 Sustainability Report please visit https://www.altusgroup.com/about-us/sustainability/. More information on Altus Group’s corporate governance program is also detailed in the Company’s 2024 Management Information Circular dated March 26, 2025 which has been filed to SEDAR+ and is posted on Altus Group’s website under the Investors section.

    About Altus Group

    Altus Group is a leading provider of asset and fund intelligence for commercial real estate. We deliver intelligence as a service to our global client base through a connected platform of industry-leading technology, advanced analytics, and advisory services. Trusted by the largest CRE leaders, our capabilities help commercial real estate investors, developers, lenders, and advisors manage risks and improve performance returns throughout the asset and fund lifecycle. Altus Group is a global company headquartered in Toronto with approximately 1,900 employees across North America, EMEA and Asia Pacific. For more information about Altus (TSX: AIF) please visit altusgroup.com.

    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

    Elizabeth Lambe
    Director, Global Communications, Altus Group
    1 (416) 641-9787
    elizabeth.lambe@altusgroup.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: How to gauge flood risk before you buy or rent a seafront property

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Avidesh Seenath, Course Director, MSc Environmental Change and Management, University of Oxford

    Torcross on the south Devon coast. Julian Gazzard/Shutterstock

    Rising sea levels, stronger storms and increased erosion are making life on the coast riskier and more unpredictable. For potential buyers or renters, particularly in the wake of another winter of storms and flooding, questions around whether to invest in coastal properties are more urgent now than ever.

    The desire to understand flood risk before committing to a seaside home is understandable, but assessing that risk isn’t always straightforward. Knowing how people perceive these risks, however, will help scientists better communicate such risks.

    We surveyed over 700 UK residents in a nationwide study to understand how access to flood prediction maps, which indicate the relative risk of flooding for areas based on factors like sea-level rise, storm surges, and local topography, affected their housing preferences. These maps are typically available through government websites and are often consulted during the home-buying process via online property listings or planning reports.

    The results were striking. Once people were shown flood risk maps, their preferences changed decisively – away from scenic seafront properties and towards locations that were inland and considered to be “safe”.

    However, while this change in preference seems rational, it reveals a deeper underlying problem: flood risk is not being communicated clearly or effectively in the UK. Many people in our study treated flood maps as if their predictions were absolute and misinterpreted areas at risk of flooding as being exposed to actual flooding. In reality, these maps are based on mathematical models with varying degrees of complexity and uncertainty.

    Some widely used models are simple and treat flooding as a result of land elevation alone. Others are more complex and attempt to simulate how floodwater spreads over land. Unsurprisingly, these models can produce conflicting results.

    In our survey, participants were shown multiple flood maps for the same town produced by different models. Confusion quickly followed, as different models reported different flood risks for the same areas. The uncertainty led to significant risk-averse behaviour.

    This change in how people choose where to live matters, not just for individual property decisions but for entire coastal economies. If potential buyers avoid seafront homes en masse due to unclear or alarming flood maps, local property markets will probably suffer. So might businesses that rely on local footfall. Meanwhile, some renters, especially younger ones or those on lower incomes, might still take on flood-prone properties without fully understanding the long-term risks or securing adequate insurance. So, what can be done?

    Making sense of flood maps

    Flood prediction maps need to be presented and communicated more clearly. Instead of technical jargon, plain language and relatable visuals on flood maps will help people understand the level of risk and what it actually means. Colour-coded maps are a good start, but they should also explain what the colours represent, and how likely the worst-case scenarios really are.

    The general public, including prospective property buyers, need to be educated on how to read and interpret these maps. Currently, flood information is often tucked away in legal documents during conveyancing or buried in dense government websites. Instead, it should be part of the house-hunting process: visible, accessible and accompanied by guidance.

    Policymakers and real estate professionals must recognise the psychological impact of flood predictions. Overstating risk can cause panic; understating it can leave people unprepared. The goal should be to empower people instead of scaring them, by balancing transparency with nuance.

    Flood models are a vital tool for understanding and managing flood risks in a changing climate. But they are only as effective as our ability to understand and use them wisely. Our research highlights that it’s not just about having the data – it’s about making that data work for real people making life-changing decisions.

    So, before buying or renting that dream seafront home, check the flood maps – and carefully ask and consider what’s behind them. Be curious about what kind of model was used, how recent the data is and what the uncertainties are. With clearer information and better public understanding, coastal communities can more easily adapt – not abandon – our treasured seaside towns.

    Don’t have time to read about climate change as much as you’d like?

    Get a weekly roundup in your inbox instead. Every Wednesday, The Conversation’s environment editor writes Imagine, a short email that goes a little deeper into just one climate issue. Join the 40,000+ readers who’ve subscribed so far.

    The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. How to gauge flood risk before you buy or rent a seafront property – https://theconversation.com/how-to-gauge-flood-risk-before-you-buy-or-rent-a-seafront-property-253313

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New guide to research and innovation challenges for climate adaptation released

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    New guide to research and innovation challenges for climate adaptation released

    A new report identifying the research and innovation needed to support the UK to adapt effectively to climate change has been released.

    Image of a bumblebee collecting pollen from a bluebell.

    A new report identifying the research and innovation needed to support the UK to adapt effectively to climate change has been released today.  

    Developed by the Government Office for Science and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Climate Adaptation Research and Innovation Framework (CARIF) outlines the research and innovation needed around climate adaptation. 

    CARIF is designed to make it easier for government, industry, and research communities to work together to tackle the challenges we face around adapting to climate change. The new framework is the first time the UK research needs across government and across sectors have been brought together in one place.   

    Environment Minister Emma Hardy said:

    We are already seeing the impact of climate change and extreme weather on people’s lives, from transport disruption to flooding in people’s homes.  

    This is why, alongside our research into climate adaptation, we are exploring how we can set out stronger objectives to drive action to increase our preparedness for the impacts of climate change up to and beyond the next National Adaptation Programme in 2028.

    Government Chief Scientific Adviser Professor Dame Angela McLean said:

    We need new research to make the UK more resilient to climate change, and innovation to improve how effectively and affordably we ready systems for change. The UK has world-leading science capabilities which we can harness to ensure we are ready for future climate impacts.  

    We have spoken with academia, industry, UK government and the financial sector to produce this first Climate Adaptation Research and Innovation Framework. It aims to drive use of our science capabilities to address the climate adaptation challenge.

    CARIF covers 11 sectors including nature, working land and seas, food security, water supply, energy, telecommunications and ICT, transport, town and cities and community preparedness/response, buildings, health, and business and finance.  

    Read the Climate Adaptation Research and Innovation Framework here.

    Updates to this page

    Published 7 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Government and industry to train up ‘clean power army’

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Government and industry to train up ‘clean power army’

    Government and industry to train up ‘clean power army’ of apprentice engineers, welders, and technicians.

    • Clean energy sector to create thousands of new apprenticeships as part of Plan for Change
    • Energy Secretary tells industry forum that a clean power army of engineers, welders and technicians will be required to deliver clean power by 2030, and that government will work with industry to build it, with Regional Skills Pilots in Aberdeen, Cheshire, Lincolnshire, and Pembrokeshire
    • Work and Pensions Secretary says the government will “give this generation the tools they need to seize the opportunity that is the clean energy transition”

    Young people will be trained to fill thousands of clean energy jobs and apprenticeships needed to deliver clean power by 2030 as part of the government’s Plan for Change to get Britain working and unlock growth.  

    The Energy Secretary has told industry, unions and trade bodies that the government will work with them to build a clean power army to hit ambitious targets for clean power by 2030 at a forum convened with the Work and Pensions Secretary today (Monday 7 April 2025).  

    The transition to clean power will create thousands of opportunities across the sector, from renewables to upgrading the UK’s grid infrastructure.  

    National Grid alone plans to support around 55,000 more jobs by the end of the decade and SSE Transmission plans are supporting a further 37,000 jobs, 17,500 of which would be in Scotland. Scottish Power’s SP Energy Networks plans to double its transmission workforce to create around 1,400 jobs and support a further 11,000 jobs across the UK – with all 3 plans subject to approvals by the regulator.    

    The government is driving forward with Regional Skills Pilot in the clean energy sector. Aberdeen, Cheshire, Lincolnshire and Pembrokeshire have all been identified as key growth regions for clean energy. Local partners will receive funding to identify the skills support that is needed in their area to deliver clean power by 2030, which will protect households and businesses from unstable fossil fuel markets for good. 

    Funding could go towards new training centres, courses or career advisers – supporting local people into opportunities in industries such as welding, electrical engineering, and construction.    

    The government is wasting no time in investing in good jobs for British industries, including thousands of new, skilled jobs being supported in the North East of England as contracts for the first carbon capture, usage and storage were signed in December, following a £21.7 billion commitment from the government to ensure the UK’s vision for CCUS becomes a reality. The government has also invested £55 million for port of Cromarty, to transform it into a major hub for the UK’s world-leading floating offshore wind industry, creating hundreds of skilled jobs and generating growth.  

    The latest CBI Economics figures show jobs supported by net zero sectors increased by 10% last year, with the average annual wage across the sector at £43,000 – £5,600 higher than the national average.  

    The push to support more clean energy jobs comes as the government delivers the most ambitious reforms of the UK’s energy system in a generation and record investment into homegrown clean energy projects. 

    Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said:  

    The energy sector has always been a source of good, skilled, and unionised jobs for young people across the UK, providing secure, well-paid employment for life.   

    To meet our target to reach clean power by 2030, we need a clean power army of engineers, welders and technicians – giving thousands of young people the opportunity to play a vital role in tackling the climate crisis, increasing our energy security and boosting the economy to deliver our Plan for Change.

    Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall said:    

    With almost a million young people neither earning nor learning it is vital that we give this generation the tools they need to seize the opportunity that is the clean energy transition.  

    Our plan to Get Britian Working will overhaul employment support, giving everyone the tools and skills they need to and build a stronger, more prosperous future for them and their families.

    The government launched its Get Britain Working white paper late last year, outlining the biggest employment reforms in a generation and boost employment including reforming Jobcentres to create a genuinely public employment service so everyone can get personalised skills and employment support, as well as a Youth Guarantee ensuring every young person has the chance to earn or learn. Alongside government work to drive up employment and opportunities, the renewable sector will also continue to turbocharge the economy.  

    The government is working closely with employers to train up Britain’s young people to seize clean energy opportunities. Trade unions will also have an essential role in building the UK’s skilled energy workforce, with the government determined to drive world-class pay, terms, and conditions in the clean energy sector. The government is already driving better access and conditions for unions in the energy sector- since July EDF Renewables UK and Ireland have signed one of the first renewables industry recognition agreements with Prospect, Unite, GMB and UNISON.   

    The government has also launched Skills England and the Office for Clean Energy Jobs to bring together key partners to meet the skills needs of the next decade across all regions.    

    Opportunities are already being created through a number of schemes and initiatives to deliver training and skills for apprentices and workers transitioning from the fossil fuel sector, including innovative schemes such as the:  

    • Skills Passport: This supports oil and gas workers to identify routes into several roles in offshore wind including construction and maintenance
    • Your Apprenticeship app: A new app designed by the government with extensive input from apprentices to provide easier access to essential tools, resources, and support to help apprentices to thrive in their qualification

    Whilst driving up employment and opportunities, the renewable sector will also continue to turbocharge the economy.  

    CBI Economics analysis commissioned by the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit shows that the net zero sector already contributes £83 billion annually to the UK economy, with further investment into projects predicted to grow this even further.  

    Government research has also revealed the extent in which apprenticeships can help drive this growth, with apprentices in England across the economy estimated to create £25 billion of economic growth over their lifetime.  

    Through investment and initiatives, the government will help build the pipeline of skilled workers needed to deliver clean power by 2030, which will unlock £40 billion of investment a year and reindustrialise Britain with thousands of good jobs across the country. This underscores the government’s commitment to deliver a jobs-rich clean energy transition, putting communities and trade unions at the heart of the UK’s clean energy future.    

    Notes to editors

    Skills is a devolved policy area, and therefore the remit of Skills England and the Your Apprenticeship App will only cover England. However, Skills England will assess skills needs across the whole of the UK and DESNZ is working closely with the devolved governments on ensuring we have the skilled workforce for the clean energy transition, including through the Regional Skills Pilots.   

    The RIIO T3 business plans for the UK’s 3 electricity transmission companies are all subject to approval by the energy regulator Ofgem.

    Updates to this page

    Published 7 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Value for money in pre-arranged financing for disasters

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Value for money in pre-arranged financing for disasters

    A GAD actuary has co-authored a guidance note to help countries and organisations assess value for money when using pre-arranged financing for disasters.

    Credit: Shutterstock

    Countries and organisations seek to set up financing ahead of disasters. This involves understanding which solution or product presents the best value for money (VfM).

    The report Assessing value for money in pre-arranged financing for disasters: a practical framework has been published by the Centre for Disaster Protection and co-written by a GAD actuary.

    Preparing for disasters

    This guidance note has been developed to help countries and organisations considering or using pre-arranged financing instruments through the process of assessing if a particular instrument or combination of instruments offers the best value for money.

    Pre-arranged financing (PAF) is set up before a disaster and involves committing funding and preparing response plans before disasters occur. As financing is in place before a disaster, it ensures funding is available to reach affected people once an event occurs.  

    Assessing value for money

    The report is drawn from the work of the Centre for Disaster Protection over the past 5 years, and is aimed at organisations or countries which are looking to:

    • set up new PAF instruments
    • improve the design of existing PAF instruments
    • understand the optimal combination of financial instruments needed to manage the risks they face

    The report provides an overview of VfM analysis. It shows how it is a useful tool to inform decision making and demonstrate the potential effectiveness of new financial approaches compared to existing methods of financing disaster response. The report also presents a flexible 7-step framework for approaching VfM analysis in this context, supplemented by case studies and examples.

    Credit: iStock Photo

    Who’s it for?

    The research sets out which organisations may benefit from undertaking VfM assessments in relation to PAF. They include:

    • national governments
    • donor agencies
    • humanitarian agencies and NGOs
    • risk finance providers
    • multilateral development banks / multi-donor funds

    Process and content

    GAD’s Head of Climate and Disaster Risk Georgi Bedenham co-authored the report. She said: “We developed a 7-step framework to encourage governments and organisations to consider a range of aspects of VfM. It is intended as a guide to support anyone designing, commissioning and conducting VfM assessments.

    “We have also provided a useful set of guiding questions at each stage to help the reader work their way through the process.”

    Updates to this page

    Published 7 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: More EV chargers on the way

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Recently installed chargers are making electric vehicle charging more accessible.

    A new round of ACT Government grants will fund the delivery of 39 more electric vehicle chargers (EV) across the city by 2025.

    Installing more public chargers will support the ACT’s efforts to electrify Canberra’s transport system. It will help reach the ACT Government’s goal of 180 public EV chargers by 2025.

    Providing more DC fast chargers will plug gaps in Canberra’s existing charger network. Having a good mix of DC fast chargers and slower AC chargers means that people can charge in a way that suits their needs. This includes charging quickly when needed or using an AC charger for longer visits like work, school, or sport.

    The 39 chargers will be installed in places where Canberrans and visitors need them most, including:

    • near tourist hot spots
    • shopping centres
    • high-density residential areas.

    New chargers for ANU and Marketplace Gungahlin

    Three new DC fast chargers have been installed at ANU and Marketplace Gungahlin respectively to help make charging more accessible.

    Each set of three chargers are 150kW and can charge six vehicles at once. They are close to nearby apartments and employment hubs.

    People who live in apartments and townhouses have extra barriers to installing home chargers. This is why the ACT Government is prioritising putting public chargers in areas of high-density housing.

    The government will also work with grant recipients to deliver charging bays in priority locations that will be accessible to EV drivers with mobility issues.

    “It’s important to place EV charging infrastructure in convenient locations where people want to go, be it a university, shopping centre, tourism destination or somewhere they visit as part of their daily routine,” Greg Schumann, ENGIE ANZ Director of Green Mobility said.

    A growing network of chargers

    The successful providers for the first projects to be supported by this new funding are ActewAGL, BP, ENGIE and EVIE.

    “We’re committed to keeping Australian EV drivers charged up, by rolling out a national network of bp pulse charge points,” Frédéric Baudry, President bp Australia and Senior Vice President Mobility, Convenience, & Midstream, Asia Pacific said.

    “We know that the ACT is home to more EV drivers than anywhere else in Australia, and with the support of the ACT Government, we’ll be bringing the best of our charging and convenience offers to these drivers on the go when they visit bp.”

    There are currently 156 public EV charging stations operating across the ACT. 39 public EV chargers with 65 charging bays* have been delivered through previous government funding. A further 21 chargers are still to be delivered under the previous grant round by the end of 2024.

    Find more information on the Public EV Charging Infrastructure Fund visit the Everyday Climate Choices website.

    A map of public charging stations in the ACT, and across Australia, is available at www.plugshare.com.

    * This figure is an indication of the number of future chargers as of May 2024. The number and location of future chargers supported by government funding is subject to change.

    Get ACT news and events delivered straight to your inbox, sign up to our email newsletter:


    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: UNDRR partnership with Standard Chartered prompts resilient infrastructure deal to tackle $2 trillion climate impacts

    Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction

    • Standard Chartered announces completion of first adaptation finance deal for a corporate client following launch of the breakthrough Guide for Adaptation and Resilience Finance.
    • Deal facilitates the trade of solar modules resistant to tornadoes and tropical storms, extreme wind, storms and sandstorms.
    • In 2024, the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) reported that over the last decade, climate-related extreme weather events resulted in cumulative losses to the global economy of around $2 trillion.
    • Deal demonstrates potential of adaptation as an investable asset class in response to growing demand for resilient infrastructure to mitigate economic losses caused by extreme weather events, such as those caused by the Los Angeles wildfires earlier this year.

    London, 13 March 2025 – Standard Chartered today announces the successful completion of an adaptation transaction for Jinko Solar Co., Ltd. (JinkoSolar), facilitating the delivery of storm and extreme weather-resilient solar modules to solar photovoltaic (PV) farms located in the US (Florida), UAE and Saudi Arabia. Standard Chartered provided Bank Guarantees (BGs) to facilitate the trade of these solar modules, known as Tiger Neo N-type products.

    The deal is Standard Chartered’s first labelled adaptation finance deal for a corporate client following the launch of the breakthrough Guide for Adaptation and Resilience Finance, which set out for the first-time, guidance on what constitutes adaptation and resilience investment, mapping over 100 investable activities in this field. This also represents the Bank’s first labelled adaptation finance transaction in China.

    The deal demonstrates the potential of adaptation and resilience as an investable asset class in response to growing demand for resilient infrastructure, particularly in the US (Florida), UAE and Saudi Arabia, where extreme wind, storms and sandstorms degrade and disrupt solar technology, leading to economic losses on investments made. The project specification (see Appendix) protects against:

    • Tornadoes and tropical storms in the US (Florida), like the more than 46 tornadoes that occurred throughout Florida in 2024 as a result of Hurricane Milton. Across the US, hurricanes including Hurricane Milton and Hurricane Helene (North Carolina) caused over $500 billion in economic losses.
    • Extreme wind, storms and sandstorms in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, including the severe storm that swamped Dubai in 2024 leading to damages thought to be worth hundreds of millions of dollars to homes and businesses.

    Ben Hung, President, International at Standard Chartered, said: “As a bank that sits at the centre of trade flows, and helps to facilitate them, we’re delighted to support JinkoSolar on this transaction. This deal demonstrates Standard Chartered’s ability to leverage the full breadth of our cross-border capabilities alongside our unique adaptation finance expertise, to connect demand for advanced solar technology with supply, building long-term resilience into critical energy infrastructure across our markets.”

    Haiyun Cao, Chief Financial Officer at JinkoSolar, said: “Adaptation and resilience financing are crucial in the journey to address climate change and as a leading enterprise in the photovoltaic industry, JinkoSolar feels a great sense of responsibility to support this. We are committed to promoting the development of clean energy and improving the efficiency and adaptability of photovoltaic products through technological innovation. This not only contributes to our own sustainable development, but also provides stable clean energy supply for societies and enhances our ability to cope with climate challenges. JinkoSolar looks forward to strengthening our work with Standard Chartered to contribute to building a more resilient energy system together.”

    Research from the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) found that over the last decade, nearly 4,000 climate-related extreme weather events resulted in cumulative losses to the global economy of around $2 trillion, including the direct cost of physical asset destruction. In the last two full years alone, global economic damages reached $451 billion – representing a 19% increase compared to the previous eight years of the decade, underscoring the urgent need for resilient infrastructure.

    Tracy Wong Harris, Head, Sustainable Finance GCNA at Standard Chartered said: “Standard Chartered offers practical solutions to mitigate the worst impacts of extreme weather, helping our clients build resilience against the major productivity losses being felt here and now in the real economy as a result of increasingly frequent weather-related events. We’re proud to support JinkoSolar on this transaction, empowering them in delivering clean energy security alongside long-term business growth.”

    In 2024, Standard Chartered, KPMG and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction launched the Guide for Adaptation and Resilience Finance, with support from more than twenty leading financial institutions and NGOs a guide for investment in adaptation and resilience. The guide set out a common reference for adaptation and resilience alongside a list of financeable adaptation and resilience themes and activities, forming a classification framework for the market.

    Marisa Drew, Chief Sustainability Officer, Standard Chartered, said: “When we launched the Guide for Adaptation and Resilience Finance, we set out to provide the clarity needed across the market to accelerate investment into adaptation and resilience. Today, we’re putting the Guide into action ourselves through our first labelled deal with a corporate client, demonstrating the commercial opportunity alongside the economic benefits of financing resilient infrastructure in markets that are acutely vulnerable to the negative effects of extreme weather.”

    This is Standard Chartered’s second labelled adaptation finance deal, having completed a deal with an insurance client in 2023, which provided financial protection against extreme weather such as changes in river levels and wind levels for businesses in the renewable energy sector.

    View the report

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: President Trump Approves Emergency Declarations for Arkansas, Kentucky and Tennessee to Supplement State-led Response Activities

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: President Trump Approves Emergency Declarations for Arkansas, Kentucky and Tennessee to Supplement State-led Response Activities

    President Trump Approves Emergency Declarations for Arkansas, Kentucky and Tennessee to Supplement State-led Response Activities

    Residents are urged to listen to local officials as severe weather and flooding risk continuesWASHINGTON — FEMA is actively coordinating with states across the mid-west and central U

    S

    affected by recent severe storms and flooding to support their locally-led response efforts

    Residents and visitors should continue to listen to instructions from local officials, monitor local weather alerts and evacuate immediately if told to so

     The President approved emergency declarations for Arkansas, Kentucky and Tennessee, which allows FEMA to identify, mobilize and provide equipment and resources to support state and local efforts

    FEMA is also coordinating with the Department of Defense and other federal agencies to leverage their resources and equipment if requested by the state

    FEMA activated Regional Response Coordination Centers in Georgia and Texas and its National Response Coordination Center in Washington, D

    C

    to support state partners

    Incident Management Teams, as well as emergency communication support and Urban Search and Rescue teams, have been deployed to the area to bolster the state and local responders’ operations

    Federal resources – including meals, water, generators and other commodities – plus additional search and rescue teams are in position and ready to deploy in anticipation of state requests for assistance

    Keep Informed

    Stay Safe

    Even as rainfall amounts in the area begin to decrease, river and flash flooding may become more widespread and create hazardous conditions

    Never walk, swim or drive through floodwaters

    Just six inches of moving water can knock a person down, and one foot of water can carry away a vehicle

      People in the affected area should continue to listen to instructions from local officials to stay safe

    Shelters are open in each state for people who are unable to return home due to the risks from the storm and possible flooding

    Visit redcross

    org or call 1-800-RED CROSS to find the nearest shelter

      While the effects of the storm are widespread and impact many states simultaneously, each disaster is unique

    FEMA continues to work alongside state and local partners to address the specific needs of each affected area

     ArkansasResidents and visitors can get updated weather information on the National Weather Service Little Rock Decision Support Page and can visit the Arkansas Division of Emergency Management online for more information

    Urban Search and Rescue teams and personnel from the U

    S

    Army Corps of Engineers have been deployed for safety and rescue operations

    The state is monitoring power and communication outages and their impacts across the area

     KentuckyResidents and visitors can visit the Kentucky Emergency Management website for the latest information

     Urban Search and Rescue teams are currently deployed to Greenville, Louisville and Moorehead

    FEMA Mobile Emergency Response Support assets are deployed to Frankfort and Louisville, which provide mobile telecommunications, operational support and power generators in support of response officials on the ground

     Emergency Management Assistance Compact task forces, which enable resource sharing across states during disasters, are supporting state and local operations

    Voluntary evacuations are in place for residents of Nelson County

     TennesseeResidents and visitors can visit the TN Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) website for the latest information

    Federal response teams are on the ground and coordinating with local and state search and rescue personnel

    Montgomery and Obion counties have issued voluntary evacuations

    Roads may be impacted by debris or flooding

    Find the latest on road conditions on TDOT’s Smartway map

    mashana

    davis
    Sun, 04/06/2025 – 17:49

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Europe’s industrial and mobile heritage – E-001309/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001309/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Bogdan Andrzej Zdrojewski (PPE), Łukasz Kohut (PPE), Borys Budka (PPE)

    Industrial and mobile heritage is a part of our European identity, representing the technological and social development that has shaped our continent. Preserving this heritage ensures that future generations can understand and appreciate Europe’s industrial values. A key element of its preservation is the continued, but limited production of CO2 based on the availability and use of fossil fuels necessary for the operation of heritage machinery and vehicles.

    • 1.How does the Commission plan to take into account the specific needs of industrial and mobile heritage in the ongoing revision of the CO2 Regulation and the EU Climate Law, ensuring that a limited and controlled production of CO2 and supply of fossil fuels remains available for this purpose?
    • 2.How does the Commission intend to avoid restrictions of cultural heritage fuels resulting from future regulatory developments and considering the importance of passing knowledge and expertise related to industrial and mobile heritage to future generations, and what measures does the Commission plan to support educational and promotional initiatives?
    • 3.How does the Commission plan to bring industrial and mobile heritage to policy action and protection at a time when Europe needs to showcase its inventiveness, industrial ingenuity, creativity and historical achievements?

    Submitted: 28.3.2025

    Last updated: 7 April 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Strategic importance of aviation and inclusion of sustainable aviation fuels in the Clean Industrial Deal – E-000740/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    As highlighted in the recently published report of the Commission on the ReFuelEU Aviation SAF flexibility mechanism[1], the regulatory certainty provided by Regulation (EU) 2023/2405[2] (ReFuelEU Aviation) coupled with the incentives and financial support provided under Directive 2003/87/EC[3] (EU Emissions Trading System) have led the aviation fuel industry to ramp-up the production capacity of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) in the EU, at least for aviation biofuels.

    The Commission is aware that aviation fuel producers have not yet launched the required investments for the upscaling of synthetic aviation fuel production plants which are crucial to achieve the decarbonisation goals of the aviation sector.

    As announced under the Clean Industrial Deal[4], the Commission will come forward with a Sustainable Transport Investment Plan (STIP) later in 2025, outlining a strategic approach to scale-up and priorities investments in transport decarbonisation solutions, including SAF.

    Moreover, the launch of the Hydrogen Mechanism under the European Hydrogen Bank in the second quarter of 2025 will mobilise and connect offtakers and suppliers, linking participants with financing and de-risking instruments to facilitate aggregation of offtakers’ demand for hydrogen and hydrogen-derived fuels in hard-to-decarbonise industrial sectors and transport, e.g. in the maritime and aviation sector.

    In parallel, the Commission will continue to monitor developments in the sustainable aviation fuel sector and particularly the development of synthetic aviation fuels production projects across the EU.

    • [1] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=COM%3A2025%3A59%3AFIN&qid=1740729099091
    • [2] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2023/2405/oj/eng
    • [3] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A02003L0087-20240301
    • [4] https://commission.europa.eu/topics/eu-competitiveness/clean-industrial-deal_en
    Last updated: 7 April 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI: Allstate Canada: Almost 1 in 3 insurance claims are due to a catastrophic weather or climate event

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Homeowners taking steps to prepare during clear blue skies can help reduce the impact of the next storm

    MARKHAM, Ontario, April 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Catastrophic weather and climate events are no longer a rare occurrence in Canada. According to a recent Léger poll conducted on behalf of Allstate Insurance Company of Canada (‘Allstate’), only 27 per cent of Canadian homeowners who responded say they are very confident their home is prepared for a major weather or climate event, such as a tornado, flooding, wildfire, or hail that cause wide-spread damage to communities.

    Allstate in-house data shows that 29 per cent of claims it received over the last 10 years – that’s almost 1 in 3 – were from major weather or climate events. Analysis shows the number of claims due to large events was particularly high in 2024, with approximately 2.4 times more claims when compared to 2023.

    In fact, the Insurance Bureau of Canada’s industry-wide numbers show that 2024 shattered the record for costliest year for severe weather-related losses in Canadian history, at over $8.5 billion. Given the real possibility of such events in the future, being prepared requires ongoing education and information to support homeowners with adopting proactive behaviours.

    ‘‘Large weather and climate events are affecting more Canadians more often, year after year,” says Odel Laing, Agency Manager at Allstate Canada. “Insurance coverage can help people recover their homes and vehicles following a severe storm or wildfire, but the family heirlooms, photographs, and other personally important items are more difficult to replace. So, taking steps to prevent or reduce the risk of damage is key.’’

    How Homeowners Can Prepare for Catastrophic Weather or Climate Events

    Laing offers the following tips that may help protect families and mitigate property damage from a major weather or climate event.

    • Create an emergency plan: Identify safe spaces in your home, establish a family communication plan, and know local evacuation routes.
    • Build an emergency kit: Have essentials ready for 72 hours, including water, non-perishable food, flashlights, first-aid supplies, and important documents in waterproof containers.
    • Secure your property: Install sump pumps, backwater valves, and reinforce windows and doors to help reduce damage from floods and severe storms.
    • Prepare for wildfires: Clear dry vegetation around your home, use fire-resistant materials on your home.
    • Review and update your insurance: Make sure you have the right coverage you need for you and your family.

    For more preparedness advice, visit the GOOD HANDS® blog at blog.allstate.ca/prepare-for-natural-disasters-in-canada.

    Léger Poll Methodology
    Allstate commissioned Léger to conduct a study among Canadian homeowners to better understand their use of basements, storage habits, flood prevention measures, and overall preparedness for extreme weather events. In order to meet research objectives, an online survey was conducted with 1,000 Canadian homeowners, aged 18 and over, who could express themselves in French or English from January 23 to 27, 2025. It should be noted that due to the non-probabilistic nature of the sample (associated with any web survey), the calculation of the margin of error does not apply. For comparative purposes, a probabilistic sample of 1,000 respondents (web panel) would have a global margin of error of ± 3.1% 19 times out of 20. The margin of error would, however, increase for subgroups.

    About Allstate Insurance Company of Canada
    Allstate Insurance Company of Canada is a leading home and auto insurer focused on providing its customers prevention and protection products and services for every stage of life. Serving Canadians since 1953, Allstate strives to reassure both customers and employees with its “You’re in Good Hands®” promise. Allstate is committed to making a positive difference in the communities in which it operates through partnerships with charitable organizations, employee giving and volunteerism. To learn more, visit www.allstate.ca. For safety tips and advice, visit www.goodhandsadvice.ca

    For more information, please contact:
    Stephanie More
    Agnostic on behalf of Allstate Insurance Company of Canada
    416-912-5341
    smore@thinkagnostic.com

    Maude Gauthier (Quebec only)
    Capital-Image on behalf of Allstate Insurance Company of Canada
    514-915-9469
    mgauthier@capital-image.com

    Cody Gillen
    Public Relations Specialist
    905-475-4536
    cgillen@allstate.ca  

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UN Human Rights Council 58: UK Closing Statement

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    World news story

    UN Human Rights Council 58: UK Closing Statement

    UK Closing Statement for the 58th HRC. Delivered in Geneva.

    Thank you, Mr President.

    The UK remains fully committed to implementing the Covenant on Economic Social and Cultural Rights. In respect of the resolution L.7 on the realisation of economic, social and cultural rights, the UK notes that States take different approaches, appropriate to the constitutions of their country, to implement the Covenant. The Covenant binds the UK in international law but is unincorporated. Unincorporated treaties are not justiciable domestically so UK courts would not normally contribute to identifying gaps in legislation in respect of Covenant rights. The UK continues to progressively realise the rights recognised in the Covenant through a combination of legislation and administrative measures, in accordance with Article 2 (1) of the Covenant.

    The UK also notes that Article 2 (1) of the Covenant accommodates different States’ resources through the progressive realisation of Covenant rights. International human rights law does not, however, accommodate the notion of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, which is a concept set out in certain international environmental treaties. Any attempt to imply that concept forms part of international human rights law, in resolution L.26 Rev.1 on the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment, is a mischaracterisation of the law. The UK recognises that the Paris Agreement will be implemented to reflect equity and the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, in the light of different national circumstances. The UK remains committed to the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change), the Paris Agreement, and to accelerating action in this critical decade on the basis of the best available science, in the context of sustainable development and efforts to eradicate poverty.

    The UK thanks for the core groups for their constructive engagement on both resolutions.

    Thank you.

    Updates to this page

    Published 7 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –