PAGE CHINA NEWS FOR THE GREEN JOBS WORKING GROUP - JUNE 2022
WHAT WE'RE READING
China
China to increase effective ecological investments
2022-06-27 Source: Xinhua
China's Ministry of Ecology and Environment has urged efforts to promote investment growth in the field of ecology and the environment amid efforts to stabilize the country's economy.
Targeting ecological projects listed among the country's 102 major projects for the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), the ministry stressed the need to accelerate the advancement of projects related to air, water, soil, solid waste pollution control, and nuclear and radiation security supervision.
For major projects in the planning stage, preliminary work should be done at an accelerated pace, and detailed construction schedules should be clarified for existing projects, according to Minister of Ecology and Environment Huang Runqiu.
China to build more national air monitoring stations
2022-06-17 Source: Xinhua
China plans to build eight new national atmosphere background watch stations by the end of 2025 to strengthen greenhouse gas observation, according to the country's meteorological authority. The stations are set up to monitor dozens of elements, including greenhouse gases, reactive gas ozone, aerosols and solar radiation. The eight planned stations, including one in the South China Sea and one in the East China Sea, will help China achieve full coverage of 16 key climate observation areas, said the administration.
Chinese vice premier stresses green, low-carbon economy
2022-06-17 Source: Xinhua
Fostering an inclusive, green and low-carbon economy is an intrinsic requirement for China's high-quality development, Chinese Vice Premier Han Zheng said Thursday. China's ecology and environment have seen continued improvement in recent years, thanks to its efforts in readjusting economic structure, advancing a green energy shift and improving the efficiency of energy use, Han said. Han stressed that the country will coordinate cutting carbon emissions with ensuring energy security, place more emphasis on developing clean energy and promote the clean and efficient use of coal.
China prioritizes mitigation, adaptation in addressing climate change
2022-06-14 Source: Xinhua
China has mapped out a strategic plan to enhance its climate resilience, putting emphasis on both adaptation and mitigation in the face of global climate change.
The country will seek to build a climate-resilient society by 2035, with significant improvements in its ability to adapt to climate change, according to the national climate change adaptation strategy 2035 jointly released by 17 departments including the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE).
China aims to achieve annual clean energy output of 3.3 trln kWh by 2025
2022-06-02 Source: Xinhua
China's annual power generation from renewable energy sources will reach 3.3 trillion kWh by 2025 amid efforts to achieve carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals, according to a plan spanning from 2021 to 2025 unveiled Wednesday. The plan, jointly released by nine government organs including the National Development and Reform Commission, stated that power generation through renewable energy sources from 2021 to 2025 will account for over half of total electricity consumption over the five-year period.
India
India has achieved target for ethanol blending 5 months before deadline
2022-06-05 Source: The Economic Times
On World Environment Day (June 5, 2022), Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that India has achieved the target of 10 per cent ethanol blending in petrol five months before deadline. The rise in ethanol blending in petrol from 2% in 2014 to 10% now has reduced carbon emissions by 27 lakh tonnes and saved INR 41,000 crore of forex reserve, the PM said. This has also brought INR 40,000 crore income to farmers. According to the ‘Expert Committee on Roadmap for Ethanol Blending in India by 2025’, 20% ethanol blending is within reach.
Ministry of Power promotes renewable energy, notifies Green Energy Open Access rules 2022
2022-06-07 Source: Press Information Bureau (Ministry of Power)
In another major reform to promote renewable energy, the Ministry of Power has notified Green Energy Open Access Rules 2022 on June 6, 2022. These rules are notified for promoting generation, purchase and consumption of green energy including the energy from waste-to-energy plants. The rules enable simplified procedure for open access to green power. Commercial and industrial consumers are allowed to purchase green power on voluntary basis from their power distribution companies. The limit of Open Access Transaction has been reduced from 1MW to 100kWfor green energy, to enable small customers to also purchase renewable power.
Indian PM on World Environment Day: “Policies of last 8 years sought to protect environment”
2022-06-08 Source: Indian Express
At an event to mark World Environment Day (June 5), Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted a session on ‘crafting a conscious planet’ with Head of Isha foundation. He spoke about how Swachh Bharat Mission, waste to wealth programme, construction of modern sewage treatment plants in cities under AMRUT mission, and campaigns to get rid of single use plastic are all part of India’s multi-faceted efforts to protect the environment. He also mentioned that ‘green jobs’ is a rarely discussed subject, and India’s decisions towards environmental protection are rapidly creating green job opportunities.
India needs $223 billion to meet 2030 renewable capacity goals: BloombergNEF report
2022-06-22 Source: Business Standard
India will need USD 223 billion of investment to meet its goal of wind and solar capacity installations by 2030, according to a new report by research company BloombergNEF. The report found that corporate commitments from Indian companies could help India achieve 86% of its 2030 goals of building 500GW of non-fossil power generation capacity. Yet, the scaling up of renewables in India faces regulatory, project and financing risks, with PPA renegotiation, land acquisition and payment delays cited as key risks by industry stakeholders surveyed by BloombergNEF. To ensure smooth financing, Independent Power Producers need to tap into new or under-utilised sources of capital.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change ban Single Use Plastic items from July 1, 2022
2022-06-28 Source: Press Information Bureau (Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change)
The Government of India has taken resolute steps for mitigation of pollution caused by littered Single Use Plastics (SUP). The list of banned items includes - plastic flags, candy sticks, wrapping or packing films, invitation cards, cigarette packets, plastic or PVC banners less than 100 micron, stirrers, amongst others. For effective enforcement of ban on identified SUP items from 1 July 2022, national and state level control rooms will be set up for checking illegal manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale and use of banned single use plastic items. Capacity building workshops are being organized for SME and MSME units to provide them technical assistance for manufacturing of alternatives to banned SUP.
Indonesia
30% of pre-employment card beneficiaries no longer unemployed: gov't
2022-06-17 Source: Antara News
The Government claims that thirty percent of beneficiaries of the Pre-Employment Card Program are no longer unemployed. The coordinating minister for Economic Affairs informed that the program, which has so far reached 12.8 million beneficiaries, is one of the most massive government-to-people (G to P) programs compared to other countries. In addition, the executive director of the Pre-Employment Card Implementer
revealed that the program’s beneficiaries have reached nearly 13 million of the 115 million people who registered for the card.
Need supporting policies to reduce social impact of carbon tax: BRIN
2022-06-20 Source: Antara News
The implementation of carbon tax needs to be supported by other policies to reduce its social impact, especially on underprivileged people, an official from the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) has said. One of the impacts of carbon tax implementation is a rise in production cost which could reduce people's purchasing power and have a different impact on the poor and non-poor groups. Moreover, carbon tax could trigger a rise in fuel prices, which could induce business to optimize cost efficiency one of them by reducing their workforce. Therefore, adequate regulatory support to reduce the social impact of carbon tax implementation is necessary. This could be done by many avenues such as reducing tariffs, increasing the income threshold to prevent people from being taxed, or providing direct aid to the people. In addition, it is important to ensure that the revenue from carbon tax can be utilized primarily for climate change mitigation activity.
14 Percent of Unemployment are College Graduates, But Why?
2022-06-21 Source: Tempo
Indonesia Statistics (BPS) data as of February 2022 revealed that the unemployment in Indonesia reached 5.83 percent of the total 208.54 million population, and 14 percent of the unemployed are college graduates with diplomas and bachelor’s (S1) degrees. Education expert from the Airlangga University of Surabaya offers several possible reasons of this phenomena ranging from the incompatibility of the skillset honed by the graduates with the needs of corporations or the industry, over expectation from the fresh graduates looking to land a job, and the limited job opportunities that was exacerbated by the Covid-19. The challenges of the post-pandemic young generation to find work are even more difficult because they have to compete with thousands of people for less and fewer job opportunities.
Indonesia delays carbon tax scheme again on global risk
2022-06-28 Source: Argus Media
The Indonesian government has again postponed the start of a carbon tax scheme, which was set to be implemented by 1 July, citing global risks stemming from Russia's invasion of Ukraine. There is currently no definite target implementation date for the carbon tax scheme, but the finance ministry said the government wants the new tax scheme to be operational by the time the G20 summit takes place, which will be hosted by Indonesia in November. The ministry said that the postponement of the carbon tax scheme will give more time for relevant agencies to iron out any issues regarding the implementing of rules and regulations needed for the new tax scheme. The process of improving the supporting regulations is carried out by taking into consideration all related aspects, including the development of carbon markets, the achievement of nationally determined contributions (NDC) targets, sector readiness, and economic conditions.
Mongolia
Memorandum of Understanding signed on cooperation to combat climate change and desertification
2022-06-17 Source: Montsame
At a time when climate change challenges, including carbon emissions, global warming, and desertification, are coming under a sharp focus globally and instigating increased international efforts, the signing of this Memorandum of Understanding between the Mongolian government and a large private sector representative is a significant milestone in implementing Sustainable Development Goals and combating climate change in urban and rural areas in Mongolia.
Mongolia to build "green wall" along borders to combat desertification
2022-06-27 Source: Xinhua
Mongolia will build a "green wall" along its borders by planting at least 16 million trees by 2030 to combat desertification, according to the presidential office of Mongolia. The effort is part of Mongolia's national tree-planting campaign initiated by President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh, the statement said. The campaign was officially launched last October with an aim to plant at least 1 billion trees by 2030 to combat climate change and desertification. Almost 77 percent of Mongolian territory is affected by desertification and land degradation, according to the country's Ministry of Environment and Tourism.
MNT 2 billion to be spent on combating forest pests
2022-06-29 Source: Montsame
At today's regular Cabinet meeting, the appendix to the Government’s Resolution on approving the normative and location of forest areas was amended. “This is an important decision that will significantly contribute to the successful implementation of the ‘One Billion Trees’ national movement and protection of the forest resources,” said Minister of Environment and Tourism B.Bat-Erdene during a press conference to introduce the decisions made at the Cabinet meeting.
Thailand
New tax law could provide spark to Thailand’s global EV hub dream
2022-06-8 Source: Thaiger
A new tax law introduced today could provide the spark to realize Thailand’s global electric vehicle hub dream. The Excise Department in Bangkok revealed a law governing the reduction of the EV tax from 8% to 2% will be published tomorrow in the Royal Gazette and come into effect on Friday, after the Council of State finished vetting the law, and Finance Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith signing it into law. Department spokesman Nattakorn Utensut Nattakorn says now the law is in effect, more EV manufacturers will want to sign deals with the government to jointly promote EV adoption in Thailand.
UN NEWS
Guterres outlines four recommendations to help us all ‘Save Our Ocean’
2022-06-27 Source: UN News
At the UN Ocean Conference in Lisbon on Monday, UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged the international community to commit and unite around the protection and preservation of our seas.
Speaking at the high-level opening of the Conference, Mr. Guterres outlined four recommendations to ensure that the tide is reversed. Among them, the UN chief underscored the urgent need to invest sustainably in economies that depend on the sea.
World has ‘gambled on fossil fuels and lost’, warns Guterres
2022-06-17 Source: UN News
The current global economic paradigm of infinite growth based on using up a finite amount of resources, such as fossil fuels, will only deliver a “permanent triple whammy of inflation, climate chaos and conflict”, the UN chief warned on Friday.
António Guterres was addressing the Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate in Washington DC, convened by the United States top climate envoy, John Kerry, and hosted by President Joe Biden. The meeting included countries representing 80 per cent of global GDP, population, and greenhouse gas emissions, according to the White House.
Climate change: More fossil fuel investment, just ‘delusional’, warns Guterres
2022-06-14 Source: UN News
New funding from governments for fossil fuel exploration or production is simply “delusional” the UN chief warned on Tuesday, adding that it would only “further feed the scourge or war, pollution and climate catastrophe.”
António Guterres was speaking at the Sixth Austrian World Summit on the climate crisis, convened by the Austrian Government and former Governor of California and Hollywood actor turned climate activist, Arnold Schwarzenegger. Mr. Guterres repeated his call for G20 leading economies to “dismantle coal infrastructure, with a full phase-out by 2030 for OECD countries and 2040 for all others.”
To counter today’s new economic shocks, he reiterated his five-point plan for action on renewable energy: First, make renewable energy technology a global public good, including removing intellectual property barriers to sharing technology. Second, improve global access to supply chains for renewable energy technologies components and raw materials. Third, reform the red tape that is holding back the renewable production revolution. Fourth, a shift in energy subsidies from fossil fuels to renewable energy, while addressing the potential consequences for the most vulnerable. And fifth, a tripling in investments in renewables.
‘Revitalize our seas’ UN chief urges on World Oceans Day
2022-06-08 Source: UN News
Ensuring a healthy and productive ocean that serves the whole planet, is a “collective responsibility” that can only be fulfilled by working together, the UN chief told a celebratory event marking World Oceans Day on Wednesday.
In his message, Secretary-General António Guterres recalled that the triple crises of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution, are threatening the health of the ocean, “on which we all ultimately depend”.
“Last month, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) revealed that four key climate indicators broke new records in 2021: sea level rise, ocean heat, ocean acidification, and greenhouse gas concentrations,” he stated.
‘We can do better, we must’ declares departing UN climate change chief, as COP27 looms over horizon
2022-06-06 Source: UN News
The annual UN Climate Change Conference in the German city of Bonn began on Monday, designed to lay the groundwork for a successful COP27, due to take place in the Egyptian coastal resort of Sharm-el- Sheikh, in November.
Governments are meeting for the first time since the conclusion of COP26 in Glasgow last November, which saw the operational details of the 2015 Paris Agreement successfully finalized, paving the way for its implementation.
In Bonn, governments will focus on work in the key areas of mitigation, adaptation, support to developing countries - particularly finance - and loss and damage, according to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change Secretariat, UNFCCC.
Stockholm+50 issues call for urgent environmental and economic transformation
2022-06-03 Source: UN News
The Stockholm+50 environment conference came to a close on Friday with a call for real commitments to urgently address global environmental concerns, and for a just transition to sustainable economies, that work for all.
"We came to Stockholm 50 years after the UN Conference on the Human Environment knowing that something must change. Knowing that, if we do not change, the triple planetary crisis of climate change,
nature and biodiversity loss, and pollution and waste, will only accelerate," said Inger Andersen, Secretary-General of Stockholm+50, and Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP).
World Environment Day: Earth ‘cannot keep up with our demands’
2022-06-03 Source: UN News
“This planet is our only home”, Secretary-General António Guterres said in his message for World
Environment Day, warning that the Earth’s natural systems “cannot keep up with our demands”.
“It is vital we safeguard the health of its atmosphere, the richness and diversity of life on Earth, its ecosystems and its finite resources. But we are failing to do so,” said the UN chief. “We are asking too much of our planet to maintain ways of life that are unsustainable,” he cautioned, noting that this not only hurts the Earth, but also its inhabitants.
Make mental health support part of climate action plans: WHO
2022-06-03 Source: UN News
Mental health support must be included in national responses to climate change, the World Health Organization (WHO) said in a new policy brief, launched on Friday at the Stockholm+50 environmental summit.
Climate change poses serious risks to people’s mental health and well-being, the agency said, which concurs with a report published in February by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the UN body that provides governments with scientific information to inform their climate policies.
The IPCC study revealed that rapidly increasing climate change is a rising threat to mental health and psychosocial well-being, from emotional distress to anxiety, depression, grief, and suicidal behaviour.
Rescue us from our environmental ‘mess’, UN chief urges Stockholm summit
2022-06-03 Source: UN News
Global wellbeing is at risk – and it’s in large part because we haven’t kept our promises on the environment – UN Secretary-General António Guterres said on Thursday. Although there have been successes in protecting the planet since 1972, including rescuing the ozone layer, Mr. Guterres warned that “Earth’s natural systems cannot keep up with our demands”.
International Labour Conference adds safety and health to Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work
2022-06-10 Source: ILO
Delegates attending the International Labour Conference (ILC) have adopted a resolution to add the principle of a safe and healthy working environment to the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work.
Until now there have been four categories of Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work:
- freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining;
- the elimination of all forms of forced or compulsory labour;
- the effective abolition of child labour;
- the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation.
The decision by the Conference means that Occupational Safety and Health will become the fifth category. The landmark decision means that all ILO Member States commit to respect and promote the fundamental right to a safe and healthy working environment, whether or not they have ratified the relevant Conventions.
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