PAGE CHINA NEWS FOR THE GREEN JOBS WORKING GROUP - APRIL 2022
LEARNING AND SHARING OPPORTUNITIES
ILO Asia-Pacific Green Jobs Network Meeting, 29 April 2022, online
The April 2022 meeting of the ILO Asia-Pacific Green Jobs Network was held on 29 April 2022. The meeting shared updates on the (i) Preliminary findings of a Sector focused market systems study for green jobs and entrepreneurship promotion in Bangladesh, (ii) 78th ESCAP Commission - Launching Event: A just energy transition in Southeast Asia: The impact of coal phase-out on jobs. Hybrid event @CC on 24th May 2022. ILO and UN IBC on Raising Ambitions on Climate Actions – Working Group coal phase-out [ESCAP-UNEP-ILO- UNFCCC-UNOPS], (iii) CN - regional programme [ILO and IBC Climate Action-WG coal phase-out]: A just energy transition in Asia: accelerating green job creation for coal phase-down; and (iv) CN - regional programme [ILO, ASEAN, Malaysia (MOHR), (OSHNET, SOM-ED, ASOEN, ACCMSME, ACE, ATUC]. Accelerating Green Job Creation and Facilitating Just Transitions in ASEAN: Implementation of the ASEAN Declaration on Promoting Green Jobs for Equity and Inclusive Growth of ASEAN Community. The sharing was then followed by an exchange on country updates and selected green news items.
Annex 1: Summary A-P Green Jobs Network_29 Apr 2022
WHAT WE'RE READING
China
Cooperation center for China-Pacific Island countries climate change launched
2022-04-29 Source: Xinhua
A cooperation center for China and Pacific Island countries on climate change was launched Thursday in east China's Shandong Province. Jointly built by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, and Shandong Province, the center is located in Shandong's Liaocheng City, according to the foreign affairs office of the provincial government of Shandong. The center will focus on cooperation in the field of climate change, green development and people-to-people exchanges between China and Pacific Island countries, and will also promote mutually beneficial cooperation between Shandong and Pacific Island countries in climate change and other wider fields through training, exchanges, academic activities and foreign aid.
Efforts in recycling of plastic waste paying off
2022-04-27 Source: China Daily
China's efforts in recycling plastic waste have made a significant contribution to the battle against climate change, reducing crude oil consumption and preventing millions of metric tons in carbon emissions, according to a report. "Following decades of efforts, China has made marked progress in plastic pollution governance," said the report, which was jointly released by the Chinese Academy of Macroeconomic Research and the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.
Ministry to monitor environmental impact of renewable energy projects
2022-04-27 Source: China Daily
China will roll out measures to minimize the impact of the development of green energy, such as wind turbines and solar panels, on the country's biodiversity during the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) period, according to a recent environmental impact assessment action plan released by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment.
Boao Forum focuses on green growth
2022-04-23 Source: Xinhua
This year, the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) focuses more on green and sustainable growth as the world is reeling from the COVID-19 pandemic and global climate change. During the three-day event in Boao, a coastal town in south China's Hainan Province, about a quarter of the panel discussion topics covered green topics ranging from carbon neutrality and hydrogen to integrated energy development and building ESG (environmental, social, governance) for sustainable growth.
Asia in action toward green transition: report
2022-04-20 Source: Xinhua
Asian countries are moving in a swift and responsible manner in response to the call for a green transition arising from the steady stream of extreme climate events, according to a report released by the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Wednesday. By the end of 2021, 25 Asian countries had made net-zero pledges, said the BFA's Sustainable Development: Asia and the World Annual Report 2022.
China to up its textile recycling capability
2022-04-20 Source: China Daily
China, producer of half the world's textile fiber, has unveiled a guideline that aims to significantly beef up its capability to recycle textile waste, most of which is nonbiodegradable. Experts have lauded the initiative for its potential role in promoting low-carbon, circular economic development, saying it will contribute to the country's ambitious climate and pollution targets.
The country aims to recycle a quarter of its textile waste and use it to produce 2 million metric tons of recycled fiber annually by 2025, according to a document unveiled by the National Development and Reform Commission, the country's top economic planner, and the ministries of industry and information technology, and commerce.
Experts emphasize developing green hydrogen in China for industrialization
2022-04-14 Source: Xinhua
China's top economic planner has issued a 15-year plan to develop the hydrogen energy industry, and experts are offering their feedback on the country's green future.
China produced about 33 million tonnes of hydrogen in 2021, making it the world's largest hydrogen producer. By 2035, the proportion of hydrogen produced from renewable energy will increase significantly, according to
the plan jointly released by the National Development and Reform Commission and the National Energy Administration in March.
China unveils 5-year plan on energy technology innovation
2022-04-03 Source: Xinhua
China has unveiled a five-year plan, from 2021 to 2025, on developing energy technologies to propel green growth and digital transformation of the energy sector, the National Energy Administration (NEA) said Saturday. The country will focus on developing new technologies to render a more efficient, cost-effective and reliable supply of renewables such as wind, solar, biomass and geothermal energy, according to the plan jointly released by the NEA and the Ministry of Science and Technology.
Li calls for more policy coordination between China, EU
2022-04-01 Source: China Daily
Premier Li Keqiang called on Friday for greater policy coordination between China and the European Union in the response to COVID-19, climate change and the growth of digital economy to foster new highlights in bilateral cooperation.
Speaking at the 23rd China-EU leaders' meeting, Li said China and the EU should jointly maintain the security of energy and grain supply and the stability of industry and supply chains, respond to common challenges and ensure the sustainable recovery of global economy. The virtual meeting was co-chaired by Li and European Council President Charles Michel and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
EU Commission proposes new rules to help consumers choose green products
2022-03-31 Source: Xinhua
The European Union on Wednesday unveiled plans to make goods on the EU market more environmentally- friendly, circular and energy-efficient. The proposed rules would ensure that European consumers can make informed choices when buying products, the European Commission said. Under the rules, consumers would have the right to know how long a product is designed to last, and if and how it can be repaired. In addition, consumers would have greater protection against false environmental claims, and misleading information about the durability of a product.
India
Extreme heat impacting millions across India and Pakistan
2022-04-29 Source: UN News
Food delivery giant Zomato goes green, announces 100% 'plastic neutral deliveries' from April 2022
2022-04-22 Source: Zee News
Zomato, on Friday (April 22), announced 100 per cent 'plastic neutral deliveries' from April 2022 onwards. The online food delivery platform has also announced setting a target to deliver more than 10 crore orders in sustainable packaging over the next three years. To achieve this, Zomato has started working with cutting edge ISO-certified plastic waste management organisations, who will partner with municipalities across India, to collect and responsibly process plastic waste."
India gets its first carbon neutral Panchayat (village council)
2022-04-25 Source: Hindustan Times
The nondescript hamlet of Palli in Jammu and Kashmir’s border district of Samba on Sunday became the country’s first ‘carbon neutral panchayat’ with Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi dedicating to the nation a 500 KV solar plant, installed in a record time of nearly three weeks. In all 1,500 solar panels put up in a total area of 6,408 square metres will provide clean electricity to 340 houses in the model panchayat under the central government’s ‘Gram Urja Swaraj’ programme, officials said. The electricity generated will be distributed to the village, having a daily requirement of 2,000 units, through the local power grid station.
Indonesia
President Jokowi Welcomes Japanese PM’s Commitment to Strengthening Bilateral Cooperation
2022-04-29 Source: Cabinet Secretariate of Republic Indonesia
Indonesia President welcomed Japanese Prime Minister’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations between Indonesia and Japan by continuously increase cooperation in trade and investment. Both countries commit to intensify negotiation of IJEPA (Indonesian-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement), minimize any hindrance on trade, as well as elaborating cooperation opportunity in wider area including in energy, environment, and labour market. In the energy and environment sector, Indonesia wishes to accelerate the follow-up action of cooperation in energy transition through investment in renewable new energies and to finalize and implement the Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in environment sector. While in the manpower sector the President emphasizes the big potential of Indonesian workforce as migrant workers to Japan.
Yellen, Luhut discussed potential to speed transition away from coal: Treasury
2022-04-28 Source: The Jakarta Post
US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen met on Tuesday with Coordinating Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, and discussed the potential for accelerated transition away from coal in Indonesia’s power sector, Treasury said in a statement. Both leaders spoke about the potential for a Just Energy Transition Partnership that would bring together funding from donor countries, multilateral development banks, philanthropic groups, and the private sector to speed the decommission of coal-fired power plants.
International funding nowhere near enough for Indonesia to cut emissions: Study
2022-04-15 Source: Mongabay
Indonesia, a top greenhouse gas emitter, will need far more than the international funding it has already been promised if it’s to achieve its carbon reduction goals, a new study by researchers from the Bandung Institute of Technology says. Indonesia will have to come up with its own funding schemes to have any chance of achieving the NDC. The government has calculated that it needs $323 billion in funding from the international community to slash emissions by 41%, but received just $6.4 million between 2007 and 2019. Indonesia is facing difficulties accessing international climate grants, with donors often prioritizing their own interests or preferring countries with lower incomes than Indonesia. A potential source of funding could be the sale of government debt that’s a combination of environmental (green) bonds and Islamic-compliant bonds, known as sukuk.
As G20 chair, coal-heavy Indonesia sends mixed signals on green transition
2022-04-08 Source: Jakarta Post
Indonesia is using its stint as G20 president to push for more international funding for the green energy transition in developing nations - but analysts say Jakarta needs to back up its calls with more ambitious plans to cut emissions at home. The country has made a sustainable energy transition one of three focuses for the G20 summit this year and sets up NZE goal, but it is still weaning itself off the dirty energy. Expert says that the country needs to find the balance between energy security and affordability, and the transition. Coal is not only one of Indonesia's main export commodities, but it also generates about 60 percent of national electricity where more than 10 percent of its citizen live below the national poverty line. There is a lot at stake in Indonesia's energy transition - it could make or break, and financing is key.
Mongolia
Istanbul Regional Directorate of Forestry to cooperate in framework of One Billion Trees national movement
2022-04-29 Source: Montsame
In the framework of ensuring the implementation of the One Billion Trees national movement initiated by the President of Mongolia, Chief of Staff of the Office of the President Ya.Sodbaatar made a working visit to Istanbul, Turkey. During his visit, he held a meeting with Istanbul Regional Director of Forestry Yusuf Sahin to discuss the current policy being implemented for the forestry sector in Turkey as well as forestry management and afforestation.
Green Development model to be defined by Mongolia
2022-04-22 Source: Montsame
Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), which was approved in 2016 in Mongolia, aims to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 22.7 percent by 2030. During the UN Climate Change Conference 2021 held in Glasgow, UK, President of Mongolia U.Khurelsukh announced that it is possible to increase the target level to
27.2 percent by introducing advanced technology and innovation and increasing green financing. To seek
opportunities to achieve the goal, the 'Green Financing Regional Forum' was organized on April 29-30 at the initiative of the President of Mongolia. Organized ahead of the Mongolian Economic Forum 2022, the forum was attended by 800 local and foreign delegates to discuss climate change combat and green finance development under the seven main topics.
Virtual meeting held with ICCF Executive Director on strictly protected areas
2022-04-07 Source: Montsame
On April 6, Minister of Environment and Tourism B.Bat-Erdene held a virtual meeting with Ambassador of Mongolia to the U.S. U.Batbayar, and Executive Director in charge of International Conservation Caucus Foundation (ICCF)’s Asia Programs Todd Koenings. The sides agreed to hold the first in-person meeting in Ulaanbaatar, and discussed introducing Mongolia’s strictly protected areas to ICCF representatives and selecting the area for introducing model protective measures during the visit. The next measures are to be planned in phases following the decision.
Thailand
First in Thailand - Bangchak and BBGI Ink MoU with Thanachok Oil Light to Produce Sustainable Aviation Fuel from Used Cooking Oil Moving towards Low Carbon Economy and Fully Applying BCG Economy Model 2022-04-28 Source: Bangchak
Chaiwat Kovavisarach, President and Group Chief Executive Officer, Bangchak Group, and Kittiphong Limsuwannarot, President and Chief Executive Officer, BBGI Public Company Limited, signed a memorandum of understanding for the procurement of raw materials, products, plant construction, and retail of Sustainable Biofuels with Tanawat Linjongsubongkot, Managing Director, Thanachok Oil Light Company Limited, Thailand’s leader in integrated vegetable oil business for over 40 years, as a preparation for the construction of a new production plant within Bangchak Refinery to manufacture Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) from used cooking oil, and related biofuel products for domestic and international markets. Initial plans will soon see the commencement of SAF production at a maximum capacity of 1,000,000 liters per day.
Pacific
Fiji taps into nature-based solutions to boost its ecosystems and economy
2022-04-17 Source: UNEP
Fiji has an abundance of natural resources, and lacks the intense demographic, economic and industrial pressures that cause many serious environmental issues. Still, the Small Island Developing State (SIDS) must contend daily with environmental challenges caused by the global climate crisis, including sea level rise, coastal erosion and bleaching of corals.
These in turn cause loss of biodiversity which impacts livelihoods and food security. The global mismanagement of plastic waste has not spared Fiji either, with plastic waste increasingly contaminating the country’s shorelines and oceans. To address these issues, Fiji has been looking towards innovative, nature- based solutions – approaches that use the power of nature to reduce climate risks and ensure human well- being and biodiversity benefits. Mr. Joshua Wycliffe, the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Environment in Fiji, discusses the country’s experience.
UN NEWS
‘We cannot afford greenwashing’: Guterres highlights key role of Net-Zero experts
2022-04-27 Source: UN News
As part of the UN’s climate action efforts, the Secretary-General’s Net-Zero Expert Group met for the first time on Wednesday, on a mission to develop stronger and clearer standards for net-zero emissions pledges by non-State entities — such as businesses, investors, cities and regions—and speed up their implementation.
More than one disaster a day looming without action on risk reduction, UN warns
2022-04-26 Source: UN News
The Global Assessment Report (GAR2022), released by the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) ahead of next month’s Global Platform on reducing risk, reveals that between 350 and 500 medium to large-scale disasters took place every year over the past two decades. The number of disaster events is projected to reach 560 a year – or 1.5 each day, statistically speaking – by 2030.
Biodiversity and ecosystem protection highlighted on Mother Earth Day
2022-04-22 Source: UN News
Marking International Mother Earth Day, UN General Assembly President Abdulla Shahid urged on Friday, for collective action to safeguard biodiversity and protect ecosystems.
Nature is suffering. Oceans are filling with plastic and turning more acidic; extreme heat, wildfires and floods have affected millions; and we are still facing COVID-19, a worldwide health pandemic linked to the health of our ecosystem. “We are wreaking havoc on our own home – the only home we have, the one home we all share,” President Shahid told an interactive dialogue on Harmony with Nature.
Earth Day: 5 ways we’re working to repair the damage to our planet and combat climate change
2022-04-22 Source: UN News
The Earth is facing a ‘triple planetary crisis’: climate disruption, nature and biodiversity loss, and pollution and waste. “This triple crisis is threatening the well-being and survival of millions of people around the world. The building blocks of happy, healthy lives – clean water, fresh air, a stable and predictable climate – are in disarray, putting the Sustainable Development Goals in jeopardy”, the UN Secretary-General warns in a video message for Earth Day 2022.
The good news is that there is still hope, António Guterres stresses, reminding us that 50 years ago, the world came together in Stockholm for the pivotal UN Conference on the Human Environment, which kickstarted a global movement. Here are 5 ways that we (humans) are working to restore our ailing Earth.
General Assembly President at Palau conference, outlines key ocean health measures
2022-04-14 Source: UN News
Addressing the Our Ocean Conference in Palau on Thursday, the President of the UN General Assembly, Abdulla Shahid, urged the international community to expand protective areas of the ocean, support the scientific community and tackle plastic pollution. This year, the Conference, which is hosted for the first time by one of the countries of the small island developing States group, focus on the theme Our Ocean, Our People, Our Prosperity. The two-day event is a key moment for countries, civil society, and industry to commit to concrete and significant actions to protect the ocean.
Almost everyone now breathing polluted air, warns WHO
2022-04-04 Source: UN News
An astonishing 99 per cent of the world’s population breathes polluted air that exceeds internationally approved limits, with negative health impacts kicking in at much lower levels than previously thought, UN medical scientists said on Monday. Noting that fossil fuels are responsible for most of the harmful emissions that are linked to acute and chronic sickness, the World Health Organization (WHO) called for tangible steps to curb their use.
Plant health summit aims to boost food security, safeguard human health
2022-04-05 Source: UN News
The world’s plant protection body met on Tuesday, aiming to set new plant health standards to both safeguard human wellbeing and preserve food security, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Plant pests and diseases cause food crop losses of up to 40 per cent, according to FAO estimates. And the damage they cause to agriculture and food production, exacerbates world hunger and threatens rural livelihoods.
8 reasons not to give up hope - and take climate action
2022-04-04 Source: UN News
Although once again the scientific community has made clear that we are not doing enough to limit global warming to the crucial 1.5°C threshold, the findings of the latest Intergovernmental Panel of Experts on Climate Change report, are not all doom, and gloom. We’ve taken a careful look at the influential report, beyond the headlines, and UN News has identified eight positive takeaways from the IPCC report on mitigation, which we hope will reduce feelings of climate anxiety.
Jump-start a healthier and greener recovery
2022-04-07 Source: ILO
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the multiple links between public health and the environment. Sustaining environmental and health gains can therefore help prevent future pandemics and climate- related crises.
Bold action needed to reduce carbon emissions
2022-04-05 Source: ILO
The latest report from the UN‘s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change outlines opportunities to
reduce carbon emissions and strengthens the ILO‘s call for a just transition to greener economies.
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