Brno Waterworks and Sewerage Company (BVK), a joint venture between the City of Brno and SUEZ, has officially begun construction on a new sludge treatment line at the Brno-Modřice wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). The ambitious project involves the construction of new buildings and the integration of advanced technologies for sludge thickening, anaerobic digestion, dewatering, and drying. This state-of-the-art treatment process aims to optimize the energy potential of the sludge, generating biogas that will be converted into heat and electricity, covering approximately 65% of the plant’s energy requirements. Solar panels will also be installed to contribute another 5% of the plant’s energy consumption. To enhance sludge recovery from wastewater treatment, a new drying process will be implemented, significantly reducing sludge volumes by up to 60%. The dried sludge will be repurposed to generate energy for cement production in local industries. This on-site treatment will also reduce the number of truck trips needed to transport sludge from the plant by 60%. The total investment for this project amounts to €140 million (CZK 3.5 billion). Financing has been secured through long-term bank loans from the European Investment Bank, the Council of Europe Development Bank, and Komerční banka a.s., complemented by a subsidy from…
Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Economy and State Oil Company (SOCAR) have announced a significant partnership with Italy-based Technip Energies to advance the country’s green energy goals. In a recent meeting, Mikayil Jabbarov, Azerbaijan’s Minister of Economy, and Rovshan Najaf, SOCAR President, met with Marco Villa, CEO of Technip Energies, to discuss the potential of renewable energy and sustainable development in Azerbaijan. The meeting underscored the importance of international collaboration and the use of modern technologies to unlock the country’s renewable energy potential. The discussions focused on ongoing green energy projects and explored innovative pathways toward low-carbon business solutions. As a result of these discussions, a new joint venture was formed between SOCAR Downstream Management, the Azerbaijan Investment Company, and Technip Energies S.p.A. The partnership will focus on producing pyrolysis oil from plastic waste, aiming to boost waste recycling, enhance industrial production, and lower carbon emissions. Valued at €97 million, the project will be located at the Sumgayit Chemical Industrial Park and is expected to process 36,000 tons of plastic waste annually, generating 23,000 tons of pyrolysis oil. The project’s ownership will be distributed among the Azerbaijan Investment Company (30 percent), Technip Energies (35 percent), and SOCAR (35 percent). This initiative represents…
The Fijian government has unveiled a comprehensive plan to address the growing urbanization of the Nadi-Lautoka urban area and ensure adequate water and sanitation services. The plan, outlined under the Water Sector Strategy 2050, includes investments totaling approximately $1.617 billion over the next 25-30 years. Minister for Public Works Hon Ro Filipe Tuisawau emphasized the need for significant infrastructure upgrades to meet the increasing demand for water and sanitation services, particularly in light of the region’s growing tourism industry. The plan includes investments of $397 million for water infrastructure and $1.22 billion for sanitation. Several key projects are already underway, including the rehabilitation of the Warange to Saru Water Treatment Plant Pipeline, the Warange Dam, and the Saru Water Treatment Plant. These aging infrastructures have been affected by disasters and require upgrades to improve their reliability and capacity. The Fiji Water Board’s raw water trunk mains, which have remained largely unchanged for 64 years, will also be rehabilitated using modern materials to increase their conveyance capacity and reliability. The total investment in these existing improvement works amounts to $9.7 million, with completion expected by December. Despite these ongoing projects, a water supply gap of approximately 5.4 million liters per day…
A team of scientists from the University of Stirling has been awarded a significant grant of £770,000 to support the development and commercialization of a new vaccine that could revolutionize the aquaculture industry. The project, led by the Institute of Aquaculture, aims to address the pressing issue of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Vietnamese catfish farming. By reducing the reliance on antibiotics, this innovative vaccine could have a profound impact on both animal and human health. The multidisciplinary team, which includes psychologists and behavioral economists, will utilize the funding to further refine the vaccine and promote its adoption among aquaculture farmers in Vietnam. The project seeks to create a more sustainable and resilient aquaculture sector by reducing the harmful effects of antibiotic overuse. Professor Margaret Crumlish, leading the project, emphasized the importance of addressing vaccine hesitancy and promoting vaccination strategies to combat AMR. “The novelty of this project lies not only in the new immersion-based vaccine but also in the integration of behavioral sciences to address vaccine hesitancy directly,” she stated. Vietnam, a major aquaculture producer, has faced an AMR crisis due to the excessive use of antibiotics in catfish farming. The new vaccine offers a promising solution to this problem,…
The British Embassy in Lima is seeking proposals for a project that will bring together diverse voices from Peruvian civil society to discuss challenges to democratic governance and sustainable development. The project aims to foster consensus-building among local actors and stakeholders, develop a citizen-driven public agenda, and increase public trust in government and the electoral process.The project should adopt a decentralized approach, prioritizing local voices outside of Lima. It should also include inclusive dialogue with civil society, academia, public organizations, and youth groups. Successful bidders will be expected to create a space for dialogue, collate and systematize the shared agenda, and disseminate findings through multimedia communication products.The project should involve a wide range of stakeholders from all sectors, including private, public, academia, local organizations, NGOs, unions, and political leaders. Projects should propose a clear methodology and activities to achieve their objectives within the project duration and ensure sustainability beyond the project’s end.The project budget should not exceed £17,000. This project aligns with the UK’s commitment to strong democracies and public participation. By supporting a citizen-driven agenda, the project aims to strengthen democratic governance and sustainable development in Peru. Completed forms should be sent in standard document and spreadsheet formats in…
United and the San Francisco 49ers announced that the team has become the first in the NFL to purchase sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). As an initial step toward addressing emissions concerns, the team has purchased enough SAF to cover its game-related flying on United from San Francisco to Los Angeles this Sunday. SAF is an alternative to conventional jet fuel that can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 85% on a lifecycle basis – from production to end use – because it is made from renewable materials rather than oil. United’s SAF is certified by an independent third-party as meeting several sustainability criteria, including its carbon intensity. United was the first airline to create a goal of reaching net zero greenhouse gas emission by 2050, without relying on voluntary carbon offsets, and remains a U.S. industry leader in the purchase and use of SAF. The airline purchased more sustainable fuel than any U.S. airline in 2023 and has used a blend of SAF at five airports in the U.S. and Europe including San Francisco International Airport – among the most locations of any U.S. airline. “SAF has the potential to be a powerful tool to help reduce carbon emissions…
A UK delegation from the Biodiversity Fund for Landscape (BLF) is currently in Guatemala to assess the progress of its projects aimed at protecting biodiversity, reducing poverty, and addressing climate change. The delegation, led by Roger Heath, Senior Responsible Owner of the BLF and 30×30, and Samuel Leigh, Regional Advisor for Mesoamerica and Andes Amazon, will meet with government representatives, implementing partners, civil society, and participate in field visits to Peten and Chiquimula. Rachel Wilson, Team Leader of the BLF’s Fund Management team at Price Waterhouse Coopers (PwC), will also join the delegation. On October 7, the delegation will meet with the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), the leader of the BLF consortium in Guatemala, to discuss project progress and upcoming activities. In Guatemala, the BLF is working in Peten and Chiquimula to implement projects aligned with Guatemalan environmental priorities until 2029. The UK delegation will also meet with representatives from the Ministry of Environment, the National Council of Protected Areas (CONAP), and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to discuss Guatemala’s support for the BLF and explore future interventions to address environmental pressures, such as the loss of flora and fauna in the Mayan Jungle and the prevention of forest fires…
A team of researchers at the University of California, Berkeley has made a significant breakthrough in plastic recycling. They have developed a method to convert polypropylene and polyethylene, two of the most common and difficult-to-recycle plastics, into valuable gases. Polypropylene and polyethylene are polyolefins, derived from fossil fuels. Their strong bonds make them challenging to recycle, often resulting in low-quality recycled materials or the release of harmful greenhouse gases. The Berkeley researchers’ innovative approach involves using catalysts that efficiently break the bonds in these plastics, transforming them into propylene and isobutylene gases. These gases can then be recycled into new plastics. “Because polypropylene and polyethylene are among the most difficult and expensive plastics to separate from each other in a mixed waste stream, it is crucial that [a recycling] process apply to both polyolefins,” the research team said in a study published in Science. This breakthrough offers a promising solution to the global plastic waste crisis, providing a more sustainable and efficient way to recycle these commonly used plastics.
State and federal partners celebrated the groundbreaking of a critical flood risk management project for the City of Watsonville, Town of Pajaro, and surrounding agricultural areas. This project will provide 100-year flood protection to these vulnerable communities. Governor Gavin Newsom has been instrumental in advancing this project, providing advanced funding, covering 100 percent of non-federal costs, and streamlining environmental review. The project is a collaboration between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Pajaro Regional Flood Management Agency. ““This urgent work underway is critical to protecting vulnerable communities that have faced the threat of devastating flooding for far too long. California is strengthening flood protections in at-risk communities across the state, a key priority as we continue to experience extreme weather. I’m grateful for the partnership of our legislators and federal and local leaders who have worked together to advance this project,” said Governor Gavin Newsom. The existing levees in the area were built decades ago and offer only eight years of flood protection. The new project will significantly enhance flood resilience. The Governor has invested a total of $560 million over the past two state budgets to support flood response and protection projects. This includes $125 million for at-risk…
Asda has partnered with HSBC UK to introduce a new sustainability-linked enhancement to its Supply Chain Finance scheme. This innovative scheme aims to incentivize suppliers to adopt better sustainability practices. Launching in January 2025, the voluntary scheme will offer over 250 Asda suppliers access to three tiers of enhanced financing rates. Suppliers who disclose their ESG performance data, set sustainability targets, and take action to achieve those goals will be eligible for preferential terms. The sustainability data platform EcoVadis will assess supplier performance, with a particular focus on decarbonization and other ESG elements. Strong performance will be rewarded with the most favorable financing rates. Asda’s Supply Chain Finance program with HSBC UK has been in place for over a decade. This new sustainability enhancement demonstrates both parties’ commitment to supporting sustainable practices within the supply chain. Asda already requires its largest suppliers to share sustainability data through the EcoVadis assessment platform. By incorporating sustainability into the financing scheme, Asda is encouraging greater transparency and driving positive change within its supply chain. Michael Gleeson, Chief Financial Officer at Asda, said: “As we continue to drive progress towards our own decarbonisation and ESG targets, supporting and engaging with suppliers forms a crucial…
