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Showing 9 of 164 news items in Energy & Transport

Energy & TransportNovember 13, 2024

Marshall Islands: The main question today is whether energy transition will be fair enough

Excerpt and Photo from report.az The President of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, **Hilda Heine,** stated at the COP29 Leaders Summit in Baku that the new collective quantitative goal will only work if each party fulfills its commitments. “Today, the question is not whether the energy transition will happen. The question is whether it will be fair and inclusive enough. We are moving away from fossil fuels, but we see other countries continuing extraction and using coal. No one can escape the consequences of the climate crisis. However, some countries suffer more than others because they lack sufficient resources,” she said. Heine noted that the Marshall Islands has its own strategy for the future based on clean energy transition and adaptation. However, more funds are needed as soon as possible to implement this strategy.

Energy & TransportNovember 12, 2024

Croatia’s Krk is world’s second zero waste island

Seven municipalities on Krk island – Krk, Baška, Dobrinj, Malinska-Dubašnica, Omišalj, Punat, and Vrbnik have been awarded the prestigious Zero Waste certification, presented to Europe’s most successful cities and municipalities, Zero Waste Europe said. The certification was approved by Zero Waste Europe (Mission Zero Academy) in recognition of outstanding achievements in sustainable waste management. In 2021, through collaboration between Krk’s municipal waste management company Ponikve and the national coordinator for the Zero Waste certification Zero Waste Croatia, the island became a candidate for accreditation. Krk has achieved the first out of five tiers in the Zero Waste certificate At the time, local authorities vowed to analyze the composition of mixed municipal waste, introduce volume-based payment, stimulate a reduction in waste generation and an increase in reuse, establish an expert council for waste management and promote home composting, all within five years.

Energy & TransportNovember 1, 2024

Ajaccio: At the ‘Energ’Isule’ conference, islands are collaborating for a more sustainable future.

Article excerpt from corsenetinfos.corsica. Translated from french Photo retrieved from corsenetinfos.corsica The 2024 edition of Energ’Isule, organized by the Agency for Sustainable Development, Urban Planning and Energy of Corsica (AUE) and dedicated to the ecological transition of islands, took place Wednesday and Thursday at the Palais des Congrès in Ajaccio. During several roundtables, experts focused on the theme “mitigation and adaptation to climate change in Non-Interconnected Zones (NIZ)” over these two days. Created in 2013, this event is dedicated to the ecological transition of islands and brings together key players from the institutional, economic, academic, and associative sectors, as well as renowned experts at the national and European levels, to offer them a platform for exchange and collaboration. The event, which is notably attended by speakers from Guadeloupe and Martinique and European islands, is under the theme “**Mitigation and adaptation to climate change in Non-Interconnected Zones (NIZ)**“, a major topic for territories particularly impacted by this phenomenon. “The world is currently facing unprecedented climate change with an increase in heatwaves, droughts, natural disasters, large fires, floods, sea-level rise, and cyclones. Often with major human tragedies and socioeconomic consequences as a corollary,” Julien Paolini, president of the AUE. “This fight against global warming can only be envisaged around two pillars: the reduction of greenhouse gases, and therefore the exit from fossil fuels, and the adaptation of our territories,” he added, asking: “Adapting means anticipating the threats, risks, and dangers that weigh on us today, it means making our territories more resilient and more resistant, and more autonomous.”

Energy & TransportOctober 11, 2024

Seychelles: African Development Bank approves a USD 25 million loan to improve access to renewable energy and create jobs

The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank Group has approved a $25 million loan to Seychelles to implement the first phase of the Economic Resilience and Green Recovery Support Programme aimed at economic governance management across the archipelago. The operation, the first in a series of programmes scheduled for 2024, 2025 and 2026, will support efforts by the Seychelles authorities to improve tax revenues and enhance governance in the public sector, including efficiency of public spending and public service delivery as key pathways to advance governance and economic management reforms. . The tax will play an important role in the country’s tax mobilisation efforts and provide funds for investment in circular economy projects. The programme will support current efforts of the Seychelles Ministry of Investment, Entrepreneurship and Industry to drive economic diversification and transformation in the key sectors of fishing and tourism. These initiatives include the revision of relevant legislative frameworks to promote growth of the private sector, supporting the recently approved industrial policy. The programme will also help the Seychelles authorities to deepen reforms that promote environment and climate resilience, assisting the government’s efforts to integrate climate adaptation and mitigation into the National Development Strategy for 2024-2028.

Energy & TransportOctober 10, 2024

Electrifying Island Transportation: An Ongoing Success Story

In the journey towards decarbonisation, small island nations face unique challenges, but also hold distinctive advantages when it comes to deploying zero-emission trucks and buses – this was the focus of the session on zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) at the 2024 Virtual Island Summit. The expert panel featured Pamela Mercedes Abreu Toribio, Mitigation Analyst at the National Council for Climate Change in the Dominican Republic, Josh Simons, Assistant Director of Maintenance and Engineering Services, Bermuda Government’s Department of Public Transportation, and Sebastián Galarza, Executive Director, Sustainable Mobility Center. Moderated by CALSTART’s Ricardo García Coyne, the session discussed the economic, logistical, and environmental aspects of transitioning to electric trucks and buses in island contexts, with a special emphasis on Latin American and Caribbean nations. Island nations are highly dependent on imported diesel, which drives up fuel costs, reduces energy security, and contributes to pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Despite making up a small percentage of vehicles on the road, diesel trucks and buses account for more than a third of fuel consumption and nearly 70% of nitrogen oxide emissions globally. In island environments, this problem is compounded by geographic isolation and limited access to fuel markets.

Energy & TransportOctober 4, 2024

Join the Follower Islands Programme: A New Call from the Clean energy for EU islands secretariat as Part of the “30 for 2030” Initiatives

Excerpt and Photo from clean-energy-islands.ec.europa.eu The Clean energy for EU islands secretariat is excited to announce a new opportunity for islands: the Follower Islands programme. This call invites islands to apply and take part in the ambitious “30 for 2030” initiative to fast-track their decarbonisation plans and learn from the 30 pioneering islands. Applicants will have the opportunity to select key learning topics for capacity-building activities, present their energy plans and visions for expert assessment and improvement, and choose a project for peer-to-peer coaching from experienced islands leading the way in clean energy. While individual applications from local island authorities are welcome, the secretariat encourages submissions involving multiple stakeholders. **Applicants have the chance to submit their complete applications to**[[email protected]](/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#3d54535b527d5848544e515c53594e135848)**until 25 November 2024, 23:59 CET.** **What is a Follower Island?** A Follower Island is one committed to embarking on or accelerating its journey towards decarbonisation by learning from and adopting the successful practices of the pioneering “30 for 2030” islands. Whether starting from scratch or building on existing efforts, Follower Islands should be eager to advance their energy transition and leverage the full potential of the 30 for 2030 initiative. **Why Become a Follower Island?** Becoming a Follower Island offers a wealth of benefits. You will gain access to specialised capacity-building activities delivered by the secretariat’s expert team, focused on critical aspects of your island’s energy transition. You’ll also collaborate closely with the “30 for 2030” islands, benefiting from shared experiences, best practices, and direct interaction with peers who are trailblazing in the field of sustainable energy. Furthermore, Follower Islands will receive tailored consultations from the secretariat’s experts to support selected projects and meet unique local needs. The activities for Follower Islands will be carefully designed to match the preferences shared during the application process. These activities will include capacity-building sessions on selected topics, energy-planning workshops, and vision-making exercises. In addition, each Follower Island will receive peer-to-peer coaching for a chosen project. Participants will also gain access to a comprehensive knowledge-sharing platform brimming with valuable resources from current and previous initiatives. **Background** The third phase of the Clean energy for EU islands secretariat aims to provide technical support to 30 islands or groups of islands over three years, helping them achieve complete energy independence with 100% renewable energy by 2030. The secretariat is committed to assisting EU islands in creating, preparing, and implementing decarbonisation plans for their energy systems, offering technical and organisational support every step of the way. **Apply Now:**

Energy & TransportSeptember 19, 2024

Cabo Verde: Managing Energy and Water as an Island State

Though Cabo Verde has ample sunshine and a sustainable offering of reliable wind resources, it has yet to meet its energy targets. It tries to promote renewable energy resources to diversify its energy mix and lower its dependence on other countries and energy costs. During the 2023 International Conference of Partners, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Energy for Cabo Verde, Alexandre Monteiro, noted the island state has bold ambitions to exceed the 50% implementation of energy produced from renewable energy sources by 2030. As renewable energy contributes less than 20% to the country’s energy supply, this will help it achieve a 100% energy access rate by 2026. Cabo Verde is home to the Cabeolica Wind Park, which consists of four wind farms set across four different islands and prevent more than 47,000 tonnes of carbon emissions a year, with plans for expansion announced in 2023. With 30 wind turbines distributed among the wind farms on the islands of Santiago (11MW), Sal (9MW), Sao Vicente (7MW) and Boa Vista (3MW), Cabeolica maintained an installed capacity of 25.5MW in 2022. In 2022, the Government of Cabo Verde signed an agreement with Cabeolica to install three more wind power turbines with a capacity of 4.5MW each, representing a total additional capacity of 13MW.

Energy & TransportSeptember 6, 2024

This Quebec island loses its ferry for 2 months every year. Residents say it’s time for change

Photo: Isabelle Larose/Radio-Canada. Retrieved from cbc.ca For about two months out of the year, Ralph Josey must rely on his personal boat to transport large items from his home in Entry Island up to Cap-aux-Meules in Quebec’s Magdalen islands. As of Sunday, the small island of about 60 permanent residents will be without its permanent ferry, the MV Ivan-Quinn, as it undergoes annual maintenance. The technical shutdown from Sept. 1 to Oct. 19 means residents won’t be able to have trash pickup, ambulatory services or get their cars or big appliances to the mainland. “I mean right now if my vehicle breaks down I’m stuck,” said Josey. “We have our own boats … But why should we have to go through the expense of sailing to the main island?” Josey, who has lived there for nearly six decades, is among those calling for solutions or compensation. “It’s too long for a shutdown.… That’s our highway. That’s the only route we have off Entry,” said Josey, pointing to the difficulties the maintenance period causes for the island’s seniors.

Energy & TransportAugust 29, 2024

Winds of change: Orkney Harbours’ path to the future

Excerpt and Photo from pressandjournal.co.uk For years the ports have been at the forefront of the oil and gas sector, with crude oil moving through the Flotta Terminal since 1977. In addition, ship-to-ship operations of crude oil cargo have been conducted in Scapa Flow since 1980 and tankers have long used the site for sheltered anchorage. However, as the transition to Net Zero continues, the need to capitalise on the new market of renewables is clear. That point is emphasised by a reduction in oil and gas coming through the Flotta terminal. The clearest opportunity in the North Sea renewables sector undoubtedly comes from offshore wind. But the ports face a number of challenges to fully harnessing that potential, not least the financial aspect. Paul Olvhoj business development manager at Orkney Harbours, said: “Offshore Wind is obviously the main opportunity for us going forward. The huge scale of developments planned in Scotwind / INTOG and others on paper provides a strong income stream for the supply chain as it transitions from fossil fuels. However, the technical and financial challenges for these are placing a burden on business owners, in particularly ports. The demand for infrastructure projects to be fast tracked in time to support developments prior to contractual agreements means that investment is a major hurdle.”