Day: December 1, 2023

London – The First Movers Coalition (FMC), a partnership between the World Economic Forum and US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry, has made significant strides in spurring private sector demand for emerging climate technologies since its launch at COP26. The coalition, initially comprising 35 members, has expanded to 95 members, collectively committing to an annual demand of $15 billion for emerging climate technologies and 29 million tonnes CO2e in annual emissions reductions by 2030.

According to World Economic Forum, The FMC’s mission is to decarbonize heavy-emitting sectors like steel, aluminum, cement, shipping, aviation, and trucking. It aims to scale up technologies not yet available at scale, which are estimated to contribute to 50% of the emissions reductions needed for net-zero emissions by 2050. By committing to purchasing innovative climate technologies, FMC members send a strong signal to green suppliers, fostering early markets essential for decarbonization.

As of COP28, FMC members have made significant progress by signing 94 offtake agreements to buy emerging climate technologies from qualified suppliers. Notable highlights include Volvo’s deal with Holcim for heavy-duty battery electric trucks, Microsoft’s agreement with Ørsted for carbon dioxide removal (CDR) credits, and Yara Clean Ammonia and Höegh Autoliners’ clean ammonia supply deal for new car carrier vessels. Amazon has also launched a request for proposal for shipping on zero-emission vessels, and Delta, Bank of America, Ecolab, Xcel Energy, and Greater MSP have established the Minnesota SAF Hub for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

These deals not only represent direct investment in climate technologies but also support the commercialization and acceleration of decarbonization efforts in heavy-emitting sectors. FMC’s work is vital to scaling these technologies by 2050 and aligns with the IPCC’s warning that the world is not reacting fast enough to the climate crisis. With the global temperature rise limit set at 1.5°C, the development and scaling of new decarbonizing technologies are crucial.

The coalition also collaborates with 13 governments, including Australia, Canada, Denmark, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Norway, Singapore, Sweden, the UAE, the UK, and the US, which together account for over 50% of global GDP.

FMC encourages climate leaders in target sectors to join its initiative, spotlighting member companies’ commitments, connecting them to qualified supply, and facilitating collaboration and an ecosystem to achieve these commitments.

Miami – Miami-Dade County, a region characterized by urban sprawl and environmental conservation areas, is confronting an affordability crisis, limited public transit, and insufficient housing to support its growing population and economy. London, despite being a densely populated urban environment with a complex transportation network, faces similar challenges. Both locales have successfully implemented transit-oriented communities (TOCs) to address these issues, aligning with local sustainability and equity goals.

According to World Economic Forum, TOCs, while not a new concept, are being scaled up to meet modern demands for density, resilience, and affordability. This involves innovative funding, integrated land-use and transport planning, public-private partnerships, and streamlined planning processes.

Miami-Dade County, comprising 34 cities, operates within a complex federal and state system in the US, which has at times hindered its progress in developing affordable transportation and housing infrastructure. To address traffic congestion and climate change, the county is focusing on mixed-use urban centers that are walkable, connected by premium transit corridors, and designed for resilience and energy efficiency.

The Strategic Miami Area Rapid Transit (SMART) program in Miami-Dade County reduces planning-to-implementation time for public transport expansion. Recent policies have encouraged more TOCs, introducing affordable and workforce-oriented housing units. The county is also progressing with the Better Bus Network (BBN), a reimagined bus service developed with public and private community stakeholders.

These initiatives have increased Miami-Dade Transit ridership, showing a 101% recovery from pre-COVID levels across all four transit modes. The county also unveiled the Link at Douglas, a 7-acre master-planned development transforming the Douglas Road Metrorail Station into a mixed-use transit hub, a public-private sector partnership featuring residential towers and public infrastructure improvements.

In London, the redevelopment of the iconic Battersea Power Station is a prime example of transit as a tool for urban regeneration. The Greater London Authority created an Enterprise Zone to finance the extension of the London Underground’s Northern line to Battersea, using a tax increment financing scheme. The £9-billion regeneration of Battersea Power Station has brought shops, housing, office space, and rapid transit connection to the area. When complete, it will provide over 18,000 new homes (4,000 affordable) and up to 25,000 new jobs.

For successful TOCs, public authorities play a crucial role in context-dependent planning. Investments in infrastructure need to be tailored to regional needs, with clear building regulations prioritizing community hubs. Design-based codes ensure desired outcomes for the built environment, allowing a mix of uses. Phasing can reduce financing challenges and adapt to market demands, while tax increment financing and master planning with resident input provide stability.

Both Miami-Dade and London demonstrate that there is no singular ‘best’ method for development that addresses sustainability and infrastructure needs. However, clear design specifications and regeneration visions aligned with long-term infrastructure planning are essential for creating equitable and thriving communities.

New York – This World AIDS Day, we reflect on the progress made in the HIV epidemic over four decades, especially the advances in anti-retroviral treatment (ART) that have successfully suppressed HIV transmission. While funding remains essential for continued progress, there is a growing recognition of the need to address disparities in treatment outcomes, particularly among adolescents living with HIV (ALHIV).

According to World Economic Forum, The gap in HIV outcomes for ALHIV indicates that more than just clinical treatment is required. Access to effective ART has significantly improved, but ALHIV often face challenges in adhering to their treatment regimen. A solution lies in providing psychological support alongside medical treatment, empowering adolescents to engage actively in their care.

The Zvandiri program, established in Zimbabwe 20 years ago, exemplifies this approach. It trains ALHIV as peer counselors, fostering a support network that enhances health, happiness, and hope. This program, which complements clinical care, has demonstrated effectiveness in early intervention for deteriorating mental health and supporting those with mental health conditions.

Qualitative research has shown that Zvandiri’s peer support model builds a connected community, improves HIV knowledge, and inspires hope and purpose among adolescents. It nurtures character strengths such as connectedness, self-acceptance, and hope, as highlighted in a film created by young participants.

A randomized controlled trial of Zvandiri showed a 42% lower prevalence of virological failure or death compared to standard care. This success has influenced global policy, with WHO updating its guidelines in 2020 to recommend integrating psychosocial support into HIV care for adolescents.

Despite advancements in ART, like the rollout of Dolutegravir, supporting mental health remains crucial for treatment adherence. Maintaining mental health is essential for the effectiveness of these treatments, especially as adolescents need to adhere to their regimen lifelong.

There is a growing emphasis on biomedical approaches to HIV prevention, such as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). However, for the 1.4 million ALHIV in Africa, psychological support is a more viable and necessary option than pharmaceutical treatments.

Investing in psychological treatment through peer-delivered psychosocial support is an efficient use of resources. The Zvandiri model, now adopted in 12 African countries, has reached 160,000 ALHIV. It has significantly reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety among participants.

As HIV care becomes more efficient, allowing individuals to focus on living full lives, adolescents still require dedicated time and space for psychosocial support. Peer support models like Zvandiri are effective in meeting adolescents’ needs and driving positive outcomes.

The challenge is not the lack of effective solutions but the underappreciation of the value of psychological support in HIV care. Evidence shows that this support is central to improving HIV outcomes and enabling adolescents to thrive, not just survive. The time is now to invest intentionally in what works, providing foundational support for adolescents living with HIV.

New York – As the world approaches 2030, the urgency to meet the Paris Agreement objectives has intensified, with UN Secretary-General António Guterres urging increased action during his address to the UN General Assembly on 20 September 2023. A significant focus is on decarbonizing industries such as agriculture and shipping, with clean ammonia emerging as a promising solution.

According to World Economic Forum, Clean ammonia, a carbon-free molecule, does not emit CO2 or other greenhouse gases when burned. It offers advantages over hydrogen for long-distance transportation due to its higher energy density and liquid state at -33°C. Two types of clean ammonia, blue and green, are in production, both significantly reducing carbon emissions compared to conventional grey ammonia.

The development of clean value chains is crucial for reducing environmental impacts, such as greenhouse gas emissions and resource depletion. These chains support sustainable production and consumption, reduce waste, and increase efficiency, thereby contributing to climate change mitigation and ecosystem preservation. However, this is not a solo effort; green hydrogen requires renewable electricity generation and infrastructure development to be effective.

For the shipping industry, transitioning to green marine fuels like ammonia can significantly enhance sustainability and decarbonization efforts. Safety frameworks, regulations, technological advancements, and global policy developments are essential for safely adopting ammonia as a marine fuel. The world’s first ammonia-powered container ship, set to operate between Norway and Germany from 2026, exemplifies ammonia’s potential as a sustainable fuel.

Transitioning to clean value chains faces challenges, particularly in funding. Both public and private investment are necessary, and suitable incentive mechanisms need to be developed to attract investments for decarbonizing industries and transport.

Global distribution and infrastructure for ammonia are already established, facilitating the maritime industry’s shift to sustainable fuel alternatives. Collaborative partnerships across supply and demand chains are vital to mitigate investment risks and achieve supply chain efficiencies.

However, balancing the cost of clean fuel and operational costs of ammonia-powered ships presents uncertainties. Policies and incentives are key to making clean ammonia cost-competitive. Blue ammonia is expected to be cost-competitive with grey ammonia within the next decade, while green ammonia, facing high capital expenditure and technological efficiency issues, will need initial support.

In conclusion, clean ammonia stands as a promising solution for maritime decarbonization, with the potential to avoid a climate catastrophe and create sustainable jobs. However, this transition requires a concerted effort from various stakeholders to overcome the challenges and fully realize the benefits.

New York – The Antarctic krill, a ‘keystone’ species in the Southern Ocean, plays a crucial role in the Antarctic ecosystem and the global biogeochemical cycle. This protein-rich crustacean, vital to the diet of various marine species, is also commercially targeted for its Omega-3 fatty acids. However, the fishing industry contributes more than just krill products; it provides valuable scientific data about the ecosystem.

According to World Economic Forum, Fishing vessels equipped with echosounders, devices that map underwater objects, collect data that reveals krill swarms, migration patterns, and even predator behavior. When combined with other oceanographic data, this information helps scientists understand the impacts of climate change on the Southern Ocean’s health.

This data is integral to regulating sustainable fishing practices, ensuring the ecosystem’s nourishment while supporting the growth of krill fishing enterprises. The Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR), established in 1982, regulates krill fishing in the Southern Ocean. The current total allowable catch is set at 620,000 tonnes, divided into regional units in CCAMLR Area 48. According to a decade’s worth of data from the Institute of Marine Research of Norway, catches remain below the upper precautionary limit.

However, the basis for the quota does not fully consider annual baseline information on mammal populations, ecosystem health, climate change effects, and krill’s biogeochemical role. CCAMLR plans to revise krill management and increase data collection and analysis through “feedback management.”

A significant untapped resource is the extensive data already collected by fishing vessels. HUB Ocean, a non-profit foundation, is making strides in this area, fulfilling the mandate of the High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy to increase the sharing of industrial data. Norwegian company Aker BioMarine’s partnership with HUB Ocean exemplifies this effort, as they’ve shared a decade’s worth of echosounder data on the Ocean Data Platform, a cloud-native data infrastructure developed by HUB Ocean.

Storing and sharing this large-volume acoustic data on a cloud platform allows for broader scientific use and research. The data, processed using scientist Sebastian Menze’s open-source Krill Scan Python package, is now more accessible for scientific research. The Ocean Data Platform’s capabilities have streamlined data analysis, enabling quicker and deeper insights.

This processed data will inform studies on marine mammal and penguin feeding behaviors and ecosystem modeling in the Southern Ocean. CCAMLR’s goal to establish a network of Marine Protected Areas around Antarctica aligns with these efforts. Initiatives like Aker BioMarine’s voluntary restricted zones during penguin breeding seasons demonstrate industry commitment to protecting critical habitats.

The intersection of science, industry, governance, and technology is reshaping the Antarctic krill narrative. Collaborations like the one between Aker BioMarine, HUB Ocean, and the Institute of Marine Research of Norway are essential in implementing responsible and informed ocean stewardship practices. These efforts symbolize a crucial step towards sustainable ocean management and conservation.