- WHO, WIPO, WTO Symposium highlights interrelatedness of climate change and human health
On 14 November 2023, the World Health Organization (WHO), WIPO, and the World Trade Organization (WTO) held the 10th Joint Technical Symposium titled “Facing the Future: Human Health and Climate Change”. The event underscored the importance of exploring the intersections between public health, trade, and intellectual property (IP) to leverage existing tools, and develop new technologies, to address the effects of climate change on human health, especially among the world’s most marginalized populations.
- With a stronger EU-LAC partnership towards achieving climate goals
The autumn session of the 5th Latin America and Caribbean Days international conference (LAC Days 2023), focusing on the environment, climate, digitalisation, artificial intelligence and related economic opportunities, and feminist foreign policy, kicked off in Ljubljana with an opening panel. The panel discussed climate change in the run-up to the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 28) to take place in Dubai.
- EU economy greenhouse gas emissions: -5.3% in Q2 2023
In the second quarter of 2023, EU economy greenhouse gas emissions totalled 821 million tonnes of CO2-equivalents (CO2-eq), a -5.3% decrease compared with the same quarter of 2022 (867 million tonnes of CO2-eq).
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/products-eurostat-news/w/ddn-20231115-1
- New Analysis of National Climate Plans: Insufficient Progress Made, COP28 Must Set Stage for Immediate Action
A new report from UN Climate Change finds national climate action plans remain insufficient to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius and meet the goals of the Paris Agreement. Even with increased efforts by some countries, the report shows much more action is needed now to bend the world’s emissions trajectory further downward and avoid the worst impacts of climate change.
- Biotech strengthens our economies and is central to addressing global challenges
US ambassador Markell spoke at the Conference “Italy-US: International Cooperation on Emerging Biotechnologies and Life Sciences.” about how Biotech strengthens economies and is central to addressing global challenges. Several important issues have been said.
- 2023 on track to become the warmest year after record October
October 2023 was the warmest October globally in the ERA5 data record, going back to 1940, according to the latest monthly climate update from the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S). The average surface air temperature reached 15.30°C, 0.85°C above the 1991-2020 average for October. This marks the second highest global temperature anomaly across all months in the ERA5 dataset, after September 2023 (with an anomaly of 0.93°C). October 2023 was 1.7°C above the average for 1850-1900, designated as the pre-industrial reference period.
https://climate.copernicus.eu/2023-track-become-warmest-year-after-record-october
- Green Energy News
Germany has embarked on a number of pan-European partnerships to promote green energy technologies, sustainable use of raw materials and industrial transformation. The Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development reports that Germany has reached its EUR 6 billion international climate finance target three years ahead of time. The target, announced by former chancellor Angela Merkel at the G7 Summit in 2021, has seen finance rise to around EUR 6.4 billion in 2022. The funds are part of a pledge made in 2009 by wealthy nations to raise USD 100 billion annually from 2020 to support developing countries reduce their emission levels and adapt to the effects of climate change.
https://www.gtai.de/en/invest/industries/energy/green-energy-news-october-2023-1045638
- State of the Energy Union 2023: Further action needed to accelerate climate action
The 2023 State of the Energy Union report highlights the EU’s progress in achieving its climate & energy goals, and its response to the unprecedented challenges the energy sector has faced in the last year. The State of the Energy Union is accompanied by a series of reports covering different aspects of energy and climate policy, including the annual Climate Action Progress Report, the Fuel Quality Report, the Report on the implementation of the Carbon Capture & Storage Directive, the Report on the implementation of the EU Adaptation Strategy and the Carbon Market Report.
https://climate.ec.europa.eu/news-your-voice/news/climate-action-progress-report-2023-2023-10-24_en
- Biotechnology emerges as a key industry in the future strategy of the European Union
During the 5th and 6th of October 2023, Granada hosted meetings of the European Political Community (EPC) and the heads of state or government of the EU, where the strategic priorities for the future of Europe were discussed.
- European Biotechnology Congress 2023
Ljubljana, Slovenia hosted the European Biotechnology Congress 2023 on 4th-6th October with aims to provide a platform for people from different areas of biotechnology to present and discuss their latest findings, developments and strategies. Participants from academia and industry working in agricultural biotechnology, industrial biotechnology or biotechnological applications in the fields of environment and medicine came together to present, acquire new cutting-edge knowledge and have the opportunity to establish new contacts and collaborations.
- 6th and final project meeting
6th and final coordinational transnational project meeting was organized 5th and 6th October 2023 in Sofia. It was organized by Sofia University, Intellect Foundation, Bulgap Ltd and EKO-Znanie Ltd. The coordinator presented the project outcome, the productive work of whole partnership and expectation of successful completion of the project. Additionally each partner presented the the corresponding work packages, and at the end plan for final completion tasks of the project were set.
- The European Union is moving toward gene tech in food production to counter climate change and shortages
The European Union took in July toward adapting its food production to the new ways of the world: The 27-nation bloc wants to embrace the latest gene techniques it hopes will help safely counter global challenges like climate change and shortages. For decades, the EU was conservative in allowing the use of genetically modified organisms — which often brought up connotations of Frankenfood rather than improved crop production – while the United States and others quickly adopted the new bioengineered technologies.
- Appeals court upholds EPA plan to reduce smog
In a big win for clean air, a federal appeals court rejected an attempt to halt the Good Neighbor Plan. The Good Neighbor Plan requires power plants in upwind states to decrease the pollution they produce, which in turn increases air quality for states nearby.
- The path to limiting global warming to 1.5 °C has narrowed
Driving greenhouse gas emissions from the world’s energy sector to net zero and limiting global warming to 1.5 °C remains possible due to the record growth of key clean energy technologies, though momentum needs to increase rapidly in many areas, according to a new edition of the IEA’s landmark Net Zero Roadmap.
- Climate change from above
As we face the escalating impacts of climate change, it becomes increasingly clear that both mitigation and adaptation must go hand in hand. With focused, data-driven strategies, regions can build resilience while contributing to a more sustainable global community. Torralba’s team uses monitoring to provide insights into areas like deforestation, water, agriculture and livestock, health, and territorial planning. The evidence gathered in this way can be used to show that “early and well-planned adaptation measures will ensure a better future and economic saving,” expresses Torralba.
- Climate change undermines nearly all sustainable development goals
At the half-time point of the 2030 Agenda, the science is clear – the planet is far off track from meeting its climate goals. This undermines global efforts to tackle hunger, poverty and ill-health, improve access to clean water and energy and many other aspects of sustainable development, according to a new multi-agency report coordinated by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
- Climate Change in 2023: Where Do We Stand?
Climate change has been a growing problem, as it has impacted the way businesses operate, how developing countries strive to obtain resources, and how we rebuild local communities after suffering the nasty effects of natural disasters due to global warming. A short report summarizes climate change, what does climate change in 2023 look like and what policies are currently in place to monitor and improve climate change.
https://greenly.earth/en-us/blog/ecology-news/climate-change-in-2022-where-do-we-stand
- Boiling Point: Some good news, for once
A story, originaly published in Boiling Point, a newsletter about climate change and the environment, reports several promising steps in tackling climate change.
- Positive Environmental Stories from 2023 so far
As we all work together to fight climate change and take care of our environment, it’s important to notice the good things happening that lead to a greener future. We’re committed to dealing with climate issues, so we’re sharing some positive climate news every month. Report presents several stories with positive environmental in 2023.
https://groundreport.in/positive-environmental-stories-from-2023-so-far/
- Climate action: 5 positive stories that inspire change
The top four risks to the world in the next 10 years are all climate-related, according to the World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report 2023. But there are reasons to be hopeful – from accelerating solar power usage to cleaner air commitments, technology and innovation are helping to build a more resilient world. This round-up brings you some of the latest positive climate action wins happening right now.
https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2023/07/climate-crisis-positive-news-climate-action/
- Good News! 7 Positive Environmental News Stories From June 2023
As June wraps up, we are heading into peak summer weather in much of the northern hemisphere.
đ We hope this month’s roundup of positive news stories gives you something to smile about, and reminds you that the most profound impacts happen as a result of good people taking action and using their voices to effect change.https://onetreeplanted.org/blogs/stories/good-news-june-2023
- Prioritising the climate neutral agenda
According to the Eurocities Pulse Survey, nearly 55% of mayors selected climate action as one of their top three priorities, as it is transformational for cities and supports other major priorities such as sustainable mobility and energy transition. Mayors also highlight the importance of working together on climate action to achieve stronger results. They stress their strong support for EU legislation to promote the European Green Deal and initiatives like the Mission for 100 climate neutral and smart cities.
- Climate crisis: overheating, temperature is breaking all records
In May 2023, data collected by the Climate Change Institute at the University of Maine showed that the Earth’s surface temperature and that of the surface of the oceans reached an all-time high for that date of the year. This worrying triple climate record, with air and ocean temperatures at their highest and the level of the ice surface at its lowest, is only the beginning.
- Biotechnology Inovation Organisation
Importance of publishing and informing people all around the globe about biotechnology solutions, their impact and its importance due to climate changes. Biotechnology Inovation Organisation is such organization.
- Global climate summary for April 2023
NOAA National Centers for environmental informaton published monthly global climate summary, highligting the top important issues, and more than 99% certain prediction that the year 2023 will rank among the 10-warmest years on record and around 93% chance it will rank among the top five.
https://www.climate.gov/news-features/understanding-climate/global-climate-summary-april-2023
- EU measures against climate change
European Parliament updated the general informations why WUE climate actions are important, and importance of goal zero net emmissions by 2050, legally binding in the EU having interim target 55% emission reduction by 2030.
- 10 positive climate news stories from 2023 so far
With scary statistics about the climate crisis dominating the news, it’s easy to be left feeling overwhelmed and pretty helpless. So in this blog post, we’re bringing you ten pieces of positive environmental news to combat climate doom and show that promising progress is being made around the world.
https://www.metrikus.io/blog/10-positive-climate-news-stories-from-2023
- Celebrating The Wins Against Climate Change
Positive news about the environment is much needed. People worldwide need ways to relieve climate anxiety by focusing on good environmental news. This doesn’t mean ignoring the very real problems of climate change, but it does mean shifting our perspective toward what is working so we can keep making these wins for Planet Earth. So, here are 12 positive stories about the environment.
https://www.sourgum.com/the-sour-scoop/12-good-environmental-stories/
- 5th coordinational meeting
5th coordinational transnational project meeting was organized in Ankara, Turkey on April, 27th-28th by Gazi University and Planart Ltd. As before, partners participated on site and virtually using Microsoft Teams. Again, several results and administrative themes were discussed, and the plan for the future work was presented.
- Biotechnological Transformation (BX) Strategy
Advances in biotechnology could transform have the potential to bring the biotechnologial transformation (BX).
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) predicts that the value of the biotechnology industry in OECD member countries will grow significiantly by 2030, and several countries prepared strategies about BX vision. For example Japan,, among different areas, prepared strategies for
White Biotech (Manufacturing and Energy), Green Biotech (Food Production and Plant-Related), and Gray Biotech (Environment).https://www.keidanren.or.jp/en/policy/2023/015_proposal.html
- New Engineered Plants Could Replace Pesticides
Researchers at the Earlham Institute in Norwich have utilized precision gene engineering methods to transform tobacco plants into solar-powered factories that produce moth sex pheromones. By creating genetic modules with the instructions to build new molecules, Dr. Patron and her group can turn a plant such as tobacco into a factory that only needs sunlight and water.
- European court hears landmark lawsuits that could shape climate policy
After a pair of historic hearings, the future of European and international climate action is hanging on the decision of judges at the European Court of Human Rights. The two lawsuits, heard in Strasbourg, accuse the governments of France and Switzerland of breaching the human rights of their citizens by not doing enough to cut national emissions.
- Italy and France are bracing for another year of drought
Italy and France are bracing for a second consecutive year of drought after an abnormally dry winter. Due to climate changes and expected hot and dry summers, farmers might have to switch crops. Biotechnology and its applicaton in agriculture will play important role in the future.
- Green NGOs warn that Member States set to undermine pollution prevention rules
Environmental NGOs warn that the EU Council Presidency proposal for a general approach on the revision of the Industrial Emissions Directive ignores the urgency of aligning an industry with climate neutrality, zero pollution and circular economy goals. Instead of improving ambitious pollution prevention at source, EU government representatives (in particular from Germany, France and Italy) are set to insist on business as usual for Europe’s top polluters while weakening protection for people and the environment.
- Tackling the climate crisis with innovative green technologies
65 companies have joined the First Movers Coalition which aims to decarbonize the heavy industry and long-distance transport sectors responsible for 30% of global emissions. This coalition of global companies has committed $12 billion in purchase commitments for green technologies to decarbonize the industry and other hard-to-abate sectors. Denmark, India, Italy, Japan, Norway, Singapore, Sweden and the United Kingdom have joined the US as government partners to create early markets for clean technologies through policy measures and private sector engagement.
- Farms to food markets: providing solutions and collective action for sustainable food systems
The world may be facing the worst food crisis in decades. The Food Action Alliance supports 19 flagship initiatives that are transforming sustainable food systems. Over 35 partners are engaged in providing healthy, nutritious and safe foods in ways that safeguard our planet.
- Legal challenges by NGOs, citizens key to climate battle
In November, the EU institutions reached an agreement on the legislative revision ofthe ‘Fit For 55’ climate package: the Effort Sharing Regulation (ESR) and that on Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF). These regulations set climate targets for member states in various sectors, including greenhouse-gas emissions from road transport, buildings, agriculture, small industry, waste management and land use, and they require national governments to take appropriate measures to achieve these objectives. As the texts stand, however, there is no guarantee that the public can hold their governments to account for failing to adequately pursue these targets.
- The EU puts industry protection over people and planet
The EU missed a critical chance to significantly ramp up its climate ambition in one of its key enablers: the EU carbon market. EU negotiators clinched a disappointing deal on the revision of the Emissions Trading System (ETS). The deal fails to deliver on the EU’s fair share to the 1.5 Paris Agreement target and heavily favours the protection of the polluting industry over the people. With its massive historic responsibility for the current climate emergency and its capacity to act as a strong industrialised economy, the European Union needs to do more than the global average to reduce emissions.
- COP27 Snapshot
At COP27, more than 25 countries joined a Forest and Climate Leaders’ partnership with an aim to end deforestation by 2030. Countries agreed to continue work on agriculture and climate change for four more years as part of the Koronivia Joint Work on Agriculture.The European Commission released its long-awaited communication on fertilisers, aimed at addressing the availability and affordability of the critical agricultural inputs. The communication has been criticised by farmers’ associations and environmental groups alike. More about key developments organized to forest pledges and funding, food systems on the menu, EU combatting the fertiliser crisis, and other news and views can be found on the link below.
- How artificial intelligence is fast becoming a key tool for climate science
The publication of the 6th assessment report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) summarises the current understanding of climate science in unprecedented detail. In recent years, climate scientists extensively use artificial intelligence (AI), particularly the machine learning. As a result, a new line of climate research is emerging that aims to complement and extend the use of observations and climate models. The overall goal is to tackle persistent challenges of climate research and to improve projections for the future.
- COP27 will be held in Egypt, from 6 to 18 November 2022
While the aim of COP26 in Glasgow was to raise global ambition, in particular regarding the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, the United Nations Synthesis Report indicates that the States’ commitments are not yet sufficient. COP27 must therefore be a conference to deepen ambitions and implementation, in order to maintain the possibility of limiting global warming to 1.5°C and should also reflect solidarity and cooperation between developed and developing countries.
- 4th meeting
4th coordinational transnational project meeting organized by Initut, Institute of Information of Technology Ltd, was held in Ljubljana, Slovenia. During two days, October 20-21th, partners of the project discussed work and results over all project work packages, emphasizing the work from the last meeting and innovative parts of the results. All partners agreed about the fruitful interaction on the meeting and are looking forward to do the next step of the project.
- Climate Alliance International Conference – CAIC22
CAIC22 explored questions with a look at examples from fields such as energy poverty, renewable energies, sustainable mobility, building renovation, climate justice and nature-based solutions. Through interactive workshops and inspiring contributions, the 2022 Climate Alliance International Conference examined how local engagement with stakeholders can bring us closer to a global transformation that is both sustainable and just.
https://www.climatealliance.org/events/international-conference/2022-conference.html - Climate Diplomacy Weeks 2022
From 12 September to 30 October, EU Delegations and embassies of EU Member States around the world will host events to foster dialogue and cooperation on climate change, showcase success stories and inspire further action. Events will include conferences, citizens’ debates and other outreach activities, bringing together communities and a wide range of stakeholders. The theme of this year’s Climate Diplomacy Weeks is energy.
more: https://climate.ec.europa.eu/news-your-voice/news/climate-diplomacy-weeks-2022-2022-09-19_en - World Conference on Climate Chnage & Sustainability
The World Conference on Climate Change & Sustainability (Climate Week 2022) in Fankfurt September 01-03, with theme of Advancing the Global efforts on Climate Transparency, offered an interdisciplinary forum for the discussion of the impact of climate change and global warming in the global context. The conference was the foremost global forum for multilateral discussion of climate change matters. It brought together a range of key actors from institutions, governments, cities and communities, the private sector, and civil society, including young minds, from all over the world, to make the world more climate-resilient.
more: https://climateweek.thepeopleevents.com/ - Climate and SDGs Conference
The Third Global Conference on Strengthening Synergies between the Paris Agreement on Climate Change and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development took place on 20-21 July, with both in-person and virtual participation. Featuring over 100 speakers from around the world and more than 2000 participants generated an impressive range of potential solutions and proposals for how to better integrate efforts to tackle these interlinked global crises and accelerate action to address the climate emergency and recent reversals in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
more: https://www.un.org/en/climate-sdgs-conference-2022 - Moment for Nature
Convened by the 76th President of the UN General Assembly addressed today’s environmental crises to ultimately meet the goals of the Paris Agreement for Climate Change and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The session has coincided with a several conferences, high-level meetings and processes relating to the environment: the three Conferences of Parties on Climate, Biodiversity and Land; the Second UNOceanConference; the Food Systems Summit; the Sustainable Transportation Conference; the High-Level Dialogue on Energy; the High-Level Meeting on the New Urban Agenda; UNEA/ UNEP@50; and Stockholm+50.
more: https://www.un.org/pga/76/high-level-thematic-debate-of-the-general-assembly-moment-for-nature/ - Joining the EU Mission for Adaptation to Climate Change
The European Commission announced the first 118 regions and local authorities from 18 Member States that will participate in the EU Mission for Adaptation to Climate Change, the so-called Mission Adaptation, which will support the European Green Deal and the EU Climate Adaptation Strategy.
more: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_22_3527 - Governments meet ahead of COP27
Environment ministers from over 40 different countries met 18 – 19 July at the Petersberg Climate Dialogue in Berlin, Germany to prepare the ground for this year’s annual UN climate conference. This year’s Conference of the Parties (COP 27) will take place in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt from 7-18 November.
more: https://climate.ec.europa.eu/news-your-voice/news/governments-meet-ahead-cop27-pave-way-progress-sharm-el-sheikh-2022-07-20_en - Bonn Climate Change Conference
The Bonn Climate Change Conference, June 16th, has been the first opportunity for all Parties to the UNFCCC to meet since the adoption of the Glasgow Climate Pact at COP26 last year. Discussions took place on a range of important topics, including the need for more ambitious climate action, deeper cuts in greenhouse gas emissions, enhanced resilience to adapt to the effects of climate change and financial support for developing countries.
more: https://unfccc.int/SB56
- World Environment Day
This year, the World Environment Day is devoted to #OnlyOneEarth, calling for collective and transformative action on a global scale to celebrate, protect and restore our planet.
more: https://www.worldenvironmentday.global/ - UN Conference on Desertification
Under the theme ‘Land. Life. Legacy: From scarcity to prosperity’, the Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification aims to ensure that land continues to benefit present and future generations. It will bring together leaders from around the world to drive progress on the sustainable management of land, one of our most precious commodities.
more: https://www.unccd.int/cop15 - International Conference on Agricultural, Biotechnology, Biological and Biosystems Engineering – ICABBBE 2022
The conference aims to bring together leading academic scientists, researchers and research scholars to exchange and share their experiences and research results on all aspects of Agricultural, Biotechnology, Biological and Biosystems Engineering.
more: https://waset.org/agricultural-biotechnology-biological-and-biosystems-engineering-conference-in-october-2022-in-rome - 4th International Congress on Green Extraction of Natural Products – GENP2022
The conference, supported by European Federation of Food Science and Technology (EFFoST) and ISEKI Food association will in 27-28 October feature scientific program focused on agro-food, perfume, cosmetic, nutraceutical, chemical, fuel and energy sectors. The whole value chain of every application is considered; cultivation, extraction, purification, processing and recycling steps.
- 3rd meeting
3rd coordinational transnational project meeting was organized in Bologna, Italy on April, 27th by University of Bologna. As before, partners participated on site and virtually using Microsoft Teams. Several results and administrative themes were discussed, and the plan for the future work was presented.
- Questionnaires 2
The second questionnaires regarding the selection of blended learning model are ready, please fill free to solve them and provide valuable information for the project.
- BIO-SAVE and The 26th UN Climate Change Conference
It is our pleasure to inform that the information about the BIO-Save project has been announced at the UNICA newsletter in respect to the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) (#TogetherForOurPlanet: UNICA universities join COP26’s comittement to global climate action with different activities | UNICA (unica-network.eu).
- 2nd meeting
2nd coordinational transnational project meeting organized by University of Thessaly took place in Thessaloniki, Greece, October 8th.
Project partners participated on site and virtually over conference software Teams. Results of work packages were presented by responsible partners, discussion was opened, expected innovative approaches and results were emphasized, and future work was set.
- Questionnaires
The first questionnaires regarding the blended learning platform are ready, please fill free to solve them and provide valuable information for the project.
- Kick-off meeting
Our first meeting of BIO-Save project partners took place in virtual space, February 5th 2021.
All partners had the chance to introduce their organizations, discuss the aims and objectives of the project and set the first steps toward results of the project. Special guest of the meeting was Mrs. Marie-Pierre Degive. The meeting was fruitful, with such project management and partners the success of the project is guarranted.
