Representatives of Global Environment Facility (GEF) member states have approved $106.21 million in funding for climate adaptation projects in Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS). This funding will support 11 projects across 20 countries, addressing critical climate challenges such as food security, water scarcity, and disaster risk. Initiatives range from upscaling nature-based solutions to building resilient infrastructure and improving early warning systems. The funding comes from the LDCF and the SCCF, two specialized climate funds managed by the GEF. This announcement follows a renewed global commitment to climate adaptation financing, with governments agreeing to triple annual outflows from multilateral funds, including these, by 2030. Several countries, including Belgium, Germany, Sweden, and the United Kingdom, have recently increased their contributions to the LDCF and SCCF, demonstrating a growing international commitment to supporting climate action in vulnerable nations. “In these countries, climate-induced disasters threaten not only lives, but livelihoods, and development progress,” said Carlos Manuel Rodríguez, GEF CEO and Chairperson. “I am grateful that the international community continues to see the value in these funds and to share our trust in their ability to meet the adaptation needs of the world’s most climate-vulnerable populations.” With this latest round…
Louth County Council has embarked on a groundbreaking initiative with the construction of Ireland’s first-ever 3D printed social housing project in Dundalk, County Louth. This project, named Grange Close, represents a significant step forward in sustainable and efficient housing solutions. The project is a collaborative effort between Louth County Council, Louth & Meath Education & Training Board (LMETB), Harcourt Technologies Ltd (HTL.tech), and Roadstone Ltd. It aims to utilize 3D Construction Printing (3DCP) technology to deliver high-quality and sustainable social housing in a shorter timeframe compared to traditional methods. The 3DCP technology utilizes large printers to build three-dimensional structures layer by layer on-site. This innovative approach reduces construction time by up to three times, streamlining the process and potentially offering a solution to Ireland’s growing housing shortage. Joan Martin, chief executive at Louth County Council, said: “Louth County Council is proud to collaborate with LMETB, Harcourt Technologies Ltd (HTL.tech), and Roadstone Ltd to deliver what is a very significant pilot project at Grange Close, Dundalk. The provision of high quality and sustainable social housing is a core objective of Louth County Council, and this project is a significant example of the use of innovative technologies and organisational collaboration in the delivery…
The University of Nottingham is at the forefront of a groundbreaking project to transform schools in Kenya into sustainable energy hubs. The African SCENe (Sustainable Community Energy Networks) project, funded by the UK Government’s Ayrton Fund, aims to provide reliable and affordable energy to underserved communities. By leveraging renewable energy technologies, the project will empower schools to generate their own electricity, reducing reliance on traditional, often unreliable, energy sources. This will not only improve the quality of education but also benefit the wider community. The project team, led by Professor Lucelia Rodrigues, has worked closely with communities in Nairobi to develop a sustainable business model for these energy hubs. By integrating energy generation, storage, and distribution systems, the project aims to create resilient and self-sufficient communities. The African SCENe project is part of the UK government’s broader commitment to supporting clean energy innovation and addressing global energy challenges. By investing in research and development, the UK government aims to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon future. “I am delighted we have been awarded Ayrton Fund to put the results of our feasibility study into practice. African SCENe addresses 13 Sustainable Development Goals and has the potential to significantly improve lives…
Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has announced a major milestone for its pioneering Green Hydrogen project. Since its inception, the project has successfully produced 90 tonnes of green hydrogen, making it a significant step towards a sustainable energy future for the region. This innovative project harnesses the power of solar energy to produce hydrogen through electrolysis. With a current production capacity of 20 kilograms of hydrogen per hour and a storage capacity of 12 hours, the project is contributing to Dubai’s clean energy goals. By utilizing renewable energy sources, the project has generated over one gigawatt-hour (GWh) of green energy, preventing the emission of approximately 450 tonnes of carbon dioxide. This achievement aligns with the UAE’s ambitious target of securing 25% of the global low-carbon hydrogen market. DEWA’s Green Hydrogen project is not only a testament to Dubai’s commitment to sustainable energy but also a platform for future hydrogen applications across various sectors. The project’s success reinforces Dubai’s position as a global leader in renewable energy and sustainable development. With the expansion of the solar park powering the project, DEWA aims to increase the production capacity to over 5,000 MW by 2030. This increased capacity is expected to further…
Nexif Ratch Energy has received a significant boost for its 500MW San Miguel Bay Wind Project in the Philippines. The Department of Energy (DOE) has awarded the project a Certificate of Energy Project of National Significance (CEPNS), accelerating its development and deployment. The CEPNS designation recognizes the project’s critical role in enhancing the country’s energy security and achieving renewable energy goals. By streamlining regulatory processes, the certification will expedite the project’s progress, enabling a faster timeline for construction and operation. “We are delighted to receive the CEPNS for the San Miguel Bay Wind Project,” said Cyril Dissescou, Chief Executive Officer of Nexif Ratch Energy. “This recognition underscores the project’s importance in meeting the Philippines’ growing energy demand and contributing to a sustainable energy future.” The San Miguel Bay Wind Project is one of several renewable energy initiatives undertaken by Nexif Ratch Energy in the Philippines. Earlier this year, the company’s 475MW Lucena Wind Power Project in Quezon Province was awarded the Green Lane Certificate by the Board of Investments. This designation further streamlines the project’s development process, allowing for efficient permit approvals and licensing. Nexif Ratch Energy remains committed to driving the growth of renewable energy in the Philippines and…
Construction has commenced on the Greener Grid Park, a significant infrastructure project aimed at enhancing the stability of the UK’s electricity grid. The project, led by Statkraft, will utilize innovative technology to support the integration of renewable energy sources. The groundbreaking ceremony, attended by Welsh First Minister Eluned Morgan and Norwegian Ambassador Tore Hattrem, marked the start of construction on the site. The project will involve the installation of six large rotating stabilizers, which will replicate the function of traditional power plants in maintaining grid stability. By using these advanced technologies, the Greener Grid Park will help to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and contribute to the UK’s net-zero emissions goals. The project is expected to deliver significant benefits, including a more reliable and affordable energy supply for households and businesses. “Wales’ electricity needs could treble by 2050, so it’s important that infrastructure like Statkraft’s Greener Grid Park in Swansea is in place to support the grid and ensure it can cope with the increasing demand in the most efficient and environmentally friendly way,” said First Minister Eluned Morgan. Energy Minister Michael Shanks added, “This is a huge milestone as work begins on the clean power grid stability scheme in…
A groundbreaking collaboration between Bournemouth University’s Disaster Management Centre and the Sierra Leone government has led to the development of a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for disaster management. The AFRICAB project, spearheaded by Professor Lee Miles, has played a crucial role in shaping this new SOP, which was recently approved by the Sierra Leone Cabinet. The SOP will guide the country’s response to disasters, ensuring a more coordinated, effective, and resilient approach. As Professor Lee Miles, Professor of Crisis and Disaster Management and Deputy Dean of the Business School, who led the AFRICAB research, explains, “The new SOP represents a significant step toward strengthening the NDMA’s disaster management capabilities and enhancing national resilience against emergencies and major incidents in this highly disaster-prone West African country. This work has major implications for the health and wellbeing of the population.” The SOP builds upon the recommendations outlined in the 2021 AFRICAB project report, which identified key areas for improvement in Sierra Leone’s disaster management system. The UK Cabinet Office has recognized AFRICAB as an exemplary model of international best practice in African disaster management. Sinneh Mansaray, Director of Relief and Response at the NDMA, emphasized the importance of the collaboration with…
Kärnfull Next, a Swedish clean energy company, and Samsung C&T, a global construction and engineering firm, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on the development of Small Modular Reactor (SMR) power plants in Sweden. The partnership aims to accelerate the deployment of SMR technology and contribute to Sweden’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality. By combining Kärnfull Next’s expertise in SMR development and Samsung C&T’s global project execution capabilities, the two companies seek to establish multiple SMR campuses across Sweden. Kärnfull Next has been actively working on identifying suitable sites for SMR deployment and has already identified potential locations in Nyköping and Valdemarsvik. The company is focused on developing a robust and sustainable SMR ecosystem that includes technology selection, licensing, construction, and financing. Samsung C&T will bring its extensive experience in large-scale infrastructure projects to the partnership. The company will be involved in various aspects of the SMR project, including project financing, design, construction, and environmental impact assessments. “The Re:Firm South programme aims to establish SMR campuses, ie a minimum of two units and co-location capabilities, that provide reliable, clean electricity to the national grid and directly supply energy-intensive facilities such as AI data centres through direct or indirect…
The UK Agri-Tech Centre and Chirrup.ai have joined forces to pioneer a groundbreaking project that utilizes birdsong as a key tool for unlocking the secrets of wildlife. This innovative approach, dubbed “ChirrupNano,” aims to revolutionize nature monitoring by providing an affordable and efficient solution for measuring and managing biodiversity. Funded by Innovate UK, ChirrupNano leverages the power of birdsong to gain insights into wildlife populations that might otherwise remain unseen in traditional nature reserves and backyard bird counts. Hayley Gerry, project manager at the UK Agri-Tech Centre, highlights the project’s potential: “The amount of knowledge we can gather about an area’s biodiversity simply by analyzing the bioacoustics of birdsong is truly remarkable.” ChirrupNano plays a crucial role in promoting sustainable farming practices. By fostering multi-species habitats, the project aims to enrich agricultural landscapes, ultimately contributing to the long-term sustainability of livestock and arable production. Gerry emphasizes the importance of establishing a baseline: “To achieve this goal, we need a way to measure the current state of biodiversity. That’s precisely where ChirrupNano comes in.” Scheduled for a large-scale rollout across the UK in Spring 2025, ChirrupNano promises to transform the way we monitor and manage our natural environment. This innovative project…
Tokyo Gas is actively exploring opportunities to expand its renewable energy portfolio in Southeast Asia. The company is currently considering five to ten wind power projects in the region, particularly in Vietnam. The decision to invest in Southeast Asia aligns with Tokyo Gas’ broader strategy to accelerate its transition to renewable energy and reduce its carbon footprint. By tapping into the region’s abundant wind resources, the company aims to strengthen its position as a global energy player. The targeted wind power projects are expected to have a capacity of 50 to 100 megawatts each. Tokyo Gas plans to collaborate with local partners to identify suitable sites and secure necessary permits. The company aims to make final investment decisions on some of these projects as early as 2025. This initiative is part of Tokyo Gas’ broader goal of increasing its overseas earnings to ¥50 billion ($333 million) by 2030. The company has already made significant strides in the renewable energy sector, including the development of a large-scale solar power plant in the United States and investments in European wind power projects. “Wind power projects are efficient, because the per-project investment is high,” Takashi Nakao, head of its subsidiary in Singapore, Tokyo…
