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Tag: Sustainable Development

  • Africa Secures $900 Million in New Commitments to Expand Clean Cooking Access

    Africa Secures $900 Million in New Commitments to Expand Clean Cooking Access

    African nations have secured $900 million in new financial commitments aimed at expanding access to clean cooking solutions, marking a major step toward improving public health, protecting the environment, and increasing energy access across the continent.

    The new funding will support initiatives designed to promote cleaner cooking technologies, including improved cookstoves, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), electricity, biogas, and other sustainable energy solutions that reduce reliance on traditional fuels such as firewood and charcoal.

    Officials said the commitments were announced as part of broader efforts to accelerate the transition to clean energy while addressing the health and environmental challenges associated with household air pollution.

    According to development partners, millions of people across Africa still rely on traditional cooking methods that expose families to harmful indoor smoke, contributing to respiratory illnesses, environmental degradation, and deforestation.

    The newly secured funding is expected to help governments, private sector partners, and development organizations expand access to affordable and reliable clean cooking technologies, particularly in underserved rural and low-income communities.

    Experts say increasing access to clean cooking solutions can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve health outcomes, create economic opportunities, and support climate resilience across the continent.

    Development agencies also noted that expanding clean cooking infrastructure could generate new jobs through manufacturing, distribution, maintenance, and energy services while improving the quality of life for millions of households.

    Several African governments welcomed the financial commitments, describing them as an important contribution toward achieving sustainable development goals related to health, energy access, gender equality, and environmental protection.

    International partners emphasized that continued investment will be necessary to close the clean cooking access gap and ensure long-term progress toward universal access to modern energy services.

    Energy specialists believe stronger collaboration between governments, financial institutions, and private investors will play a key role in scaling clean cooking programmes throughout Africa.

    As implementation begins, stakeholders are expected to focus on expanding infrastructure, lowering consumer costs, and increasing public awareness of the benefits of adopting cleaner cooking technologies.

    The latest funding commitments underscore growing international support for Africa’s clean energy transition while reinforcing efforts to improve health, reduce emissions, and strengthen sustainable development across the continent.

    Swiferadio.com

  • UN Climate Talks in Crisis as Developing Nations Stage Walkout at COP29

    UN Climate Talks in Crisis as Developing Nations Stage Walkout at COP29

    The COP29 climate summit in Baku, Azerbaijan, is teetering on the brink of collapse after delegations from developing nations walked out of negotiations over climate finance. Host nation Azerbaijan has called for urgent consensus as tensions run high, with time running out to reach a resolution.

    Developing Nations Demand Climate Justice

    The walkout, led by small island states and least developed nations, highlighted the frustration of vulnerable countries over what they perceive as inadequate financial commitments from wealthy nations. Cedric Schuster, chair of the Alliance of Small Island States, stated, “We came here for a fair deal. We feel that we haven’t been heard.” Developing nations are demanding $1.3 trillion annually by 2035 to combat climate impacts, far exceeding the $250 billion pledged in the latest draft proposal.

    Negotiators from developing countries accuse wealthy nations of deploying delay tactics to secure smaller financial commitments. Panama’s chief negotiator, Juan Carlos Monterrey Gomez, described the approach as a “war of attrition,” leaving poorer delegations exhausted and underrepresented.

    A Deepening Divide

    The financial stalemate stems from a broader disagreement over historical responsibility for climate change. Developing nations argue that wealthier countries, which have historically contributed the most to global emissions, must shoulder a greater share of the burden. Colombia’s Environment Minister, Susana Mohamed, expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of progress, while climate activists criticized the United States for failing to meet its financial obligations.

    Host country Azerbaijan has also faced criticism for allegedly sidelining small island nations and other vulnerable groups during the negotiations.

    Global Priorities and Economic Constraints

    Economic pressures, including ongoing conflicts such as the wars in Gaza and Ukraine, are hampering wealthy nations’ ability to commit to higher climate finance targets. “Wealthy nations are constrained by tight domestic budgets and competing priorities,” said Nazanine Moshiri, senior climate analyst at the International Crisis Group. However, the mounting costs of climate-driven disasters in vulnerable countries make delays untenable.

    A Path Forward?

    Despite the gridlock, some negotiators remain optimistic. “We must bridge the remaining divide,” urged COP29 President Mukhtar Babayev. Efforts are underway to salvage an agreement, with the European Union and United States engaging directly with developing nations. However, experts like Teresa Anderson of Action Aid warn that without a substantial increase in financial commitments, a deal remains unlikely.

    Failure to reach an agreement at COP29 could deal a significant blow to global climate cooperation, with Monterrey Gomez warning, “If we don’t get a deal, it will be a fatal wound to this process, to the planet, to people.” As talks enter their final hours, the pressure is on for nations to find common ground and deliver a meaningful outcome.

    Source : Swifteradio.com

  • World Bank Report Highlights Alarming Environmental Health Risks in Bangladesh

    Black Samsung Tablet Computer

    A new World Bank report reveals that Bangladesh faces severe pollution and environmental health risks, disproportionately affecting the most vulnerable populations, including the poor, children under five, the elderly, and women. The Bangladesh Country Environmental Analysis (CEA) outlines that air pollution, unsafe water, poor sanitation and hygiene, and lead exposure cause over 272,000 premature deaths and 5.2 billion days of illness annually. These environmental issues cost Bangladesh an equivalent of 17.6 percent of its GDP in 2019.

    Household and outdoor air pollution are the most detrimental, leading to nearly 55 percent of premature deaths and costing 8.32 percent of GDP in 2019. “For Bangladesh, addressing environmental risks is both a development and an economic priority,” said Abdoulaye Seck, Country Director for Bhutan and Bangladesh. “We have seen around the world that when economic growth comes at the cost of the environment, it cannot sustain. But it is possible to grow cleaner and greener without growing slower.”

    Children are particularly affected by environmental pollution. Lead poisoning is causing irreversible damage to children’s brain development, resulting in an estimated annual loss of nearly 20 million IQ points. Household emissions from cooking with solid fuels are a major source of air pollution, affecting women and children. Major rivers in Bangladesh have experienced a severe decline in water quality due to industrial discharge and unmanaged waste, including plastics and untreated sewage.

    Timely interventions for air pollution control, improved water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), and control of lead exposure could prevent over 133,000 premature deaths per year. Investments in cleaner power generation, clean cooking fuels, and stricter controls on industrial emissions can help reduce air pollution.

    “With timely and the right set of policies and actions, Bangladesh can reverse its environment degradation trend,” said Ana Luisa Gomes Lima, World Bank Senior Environmental Specialist and co-author of the report. “Strengthening and enforcing environmental regulations, coupled with investments and other incentives for clean cooking, scaling up green financing, setting up efficient carbon markets, and raising awareness, can help reduce pollution and achieve green growth in Bangladesh.”

    The report identifies environmental priorities, assesses interventions, and includes recommendations to strengthen governance and institutional capacity for environmental management. Bangladesh can protect its environment by setting evidence-based priorities, diversifying and strengthening environmental policy instruments, strengthening institutional capacity, and building an enabling environment for green financing.

    Source: World Bank

  • Water: At the Core of Sustainable Development and Human Rights

    Water is central to sustainable development, playing a critical role in socio-economic progress, energy and food production, healthy ecosystems, and human survival. It is also vital for adapting to climate change, acting as a crucial link between society and the environment.

    Water and Human Rights

    As the global population increases, the need to balance commercial demands on water resources becomes more pressing to ensure communities have enough for their needs. Access to clean, private sanitation facilities is particularly crucial for women and girls, enabling them to manage menstruation and maternity with dignity and safety.

    The Interconnection of Water and Sanitation

    Water cannot be considered in isolation from sanitation. Together, they are essential for reducing the global burden of disease and improving the health, education, and economic productivity of populations. A significant milestone in this regard was the recognition by the United Nations General Assembly in July 2010 of the human right to water and sanitation. This recognition entitles every human being to access sufficient water for personal and domestic uses—between 50 and 100 liters per person per day. The water must be safe, acceptable, and affordable, with costs not exceeding 3% of household income. Moreover, water sources should be within 1,000 meters of the home, with collection time not exceeding 30 minutes.

    Sustainable Development Goal 6

    Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6 aims to “Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.” The targets cover all aspects of the water cycle and sanitation systems, contributing to progress across various other SDGs, notably those related to health, education, economics, and the environment. The United Nations has long been addressing the global crisis of insufficient water supply to satisfy basic human needs and meet the growing demands on the world’s water resources for human, commercial, and agricultural purposes.

    Historical Milestones and Global Efforts

    Several significant efforts have been made over the years to address water-related challenges. These include the United Nations Water Conference (1977), the International Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation Decade (1981-1990), the International Conference on Water and the Environment (1992), and the Earth Summit (1992). The ‘Water for Life’ International Decade for Action (2005-2015) helped around 1.3 billion people in developing countries gain access to safe drinking water and drove progress on sanitation as part of the effort to meet the Millennium Development Goals.

    Recent Initiatives and Future Plans

    The UN 2023 Water Conference adopted the Water Action Agenda, representing voluntary commitments by nations and stakeholders to achieve the SDGs and their water-related targets. The outcomes of this conference will be followed up at three major upcoming summits: the SDG Summit, the Summit of the Future in 2024, and the World Social Summit in 2025. Recent milestone agreements include the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the 2015-2030 Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, the 2015 Addis Ababa Action Agenda on Financing for Development, and the 2015 Paris Agreement within the UN Convention Framework on Climate Change.

    The Ongoing Crisis

    Contaminated water and a lack of basic sanitation are undermining efforts to end extreme poverty and disease in the world’s poorest countries. In 2022, 2 billion people worldwide did not have access to basic sanitation facilities such as toilets or latrines, and 653 million people had no sanitation facilities at all. According to the WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme for Water Supply and Sanitation, at least 1.2 billion people worldwide are estimated to drink water that is not protected against contamination from feces. Unclean water and poor sanitation are leading causes of child mortality, with childhood diarrhea estimated to cause 1.5 million child deaths per year, mostly among children under five in developing countries.

    Economic and Social Benefits

    The links between lack of water and sanitation access and development goals are clear, and the solutions to the problem are known and cost-effective. A 2012 WHO study showed that every US $1 invested in improved sanitation translates into an average global economic return of US $5.5. These benefits are particularly experienced by poor children and disadvantaged communities that need them most.

    International Observances and Decades of Action

    Every year, there are two UN international observances on water and sanitation: World Water Day on March 22 and World Toilet Day on November 19. Each day is marked by a public campaign to raise awareness, focus attention on a particular theme, and inspire action. The International Decade for Action, ‘Water for Sustainable Development,’ started on World Water Day on March 22, 2018, and will end on World Water Day on March 22, 2028. This decade aims to accelerate efforts toward meeting water-related challenges, including limited access to safe water and sanitation, increasing pressure on water resources and ecosystems, and exacerbated risks of droughts and floods.

    source: un.org

  • Health Consequences of Air Pollution on Populations (WHO)

    photograph of three plain releasing colorful smokes
    What Are the Public Health Impacts of Air Pollution?

    Exposure to high levels of air pollution can lead to a variety of health issues. The short- and long-term health consequences of air pollution exposure, particularly from fine particles that penetrate deep into lung passageways, must be carefully assessed. These fine particles pose a significant threat to public health, increasing the risk of respiratory infections, heart disease, stroke, and lung cancer. Vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and those with preexisting health conditions are particularly at risk. Poor air quality also heightens the likelihood of stillbirth, miscarriage, and neurological conditions like cognitive impairment and dementia.

    In 2019, air pollution was responsible for around 6.7 million deaths worldwide. Nearly 85% of these deaths were due to noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), including ischemic heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and diabetes. This makes air pollution the second leading cause of NCDs globally, following tobacco.

    What Can We Do to Protect Ourselves?

    Addressing air pollution requires collective action and responsibility. We must all take swift and proactive measures to reduce air pollution, involving coordinated efforts across all sectors, including national, state, and local governments, cities, communities, and individuals.

    • National Governments: Reduce emissions and establish national standards that meet WHO air quality guidelines. Invest in research and education about clean air and pollution. Utilize tools to evaluate policies and monitor progress on air quality initiatives.
    • Cities and Local Communities: Incorporate health considerations into all policies and ensure there is sufficient data and tools to assess health outcomes.
    • Individuals: Advocate for your right to a healthy and sustainable environment. Hold your government accountable.
    • Everyone: Reevaluate lifestyle choices and make sustainable decisions for ourselves, our children, and future generations.

    What Is Particulate Matter?

    Particulate matter (PM) refers to tiny particles in the air, including dust, dirt, soot, smoke, and liquid droplets. Diesel vehicles and coal-fired power plants typically emit high concentrations of particulate matter. Particles smaller than 10 micrometers in diameter (PM10) pose serious health risks because they can be inhaled and accumulate in the respiratory system. Particles smaller than 2.5 micrometers in diameter (PM2.5), also known as “fine” particles, pose the greatest health risks due to their ability to lodge deep in the lungs and enter the bloodstream.

    What Are the Sources of Air Pollution?

    Major sources of air pollution include inefficient modes of transport (using polluting fuels and vehicles), the combustion of household fuels for cooking, lighting, and heating, coal-fired power plants, agriculture, and waste burning. Some air pollutants are also greenhouse gases, which further exacerbate the health impacts of air pollution.

    What Can Countries Do to Reduce Air Pollution?

    To mitigate the health consequences of air pollution, countries can:

    • Develop sustainable transport systems in cities
    • Implement effective solid waste management practices
    • Provide access to clean household fuels and cookstoves
    • Develop markets for renewable energy and energy efficiency
    • Reduce industrial emissions

    How Does WHO Work with Countries to Reduce Air Pollution?

    WHO identifies and monitors air pollutants with the greatest health impacts, helping countries focus on the most effective ways to reduce health risks. By reviewing and analyzing scientific evidence and expert advice, WHO identifies effective measures to combat air pollution.

    In 2015, WHO Member States adopted a resolution to address the adverse health effects of air pollution. They agreed on a roadmap for an enhanced global response to these effects. WHO’s work is based on four pillars:

    1. Expanding the knowledge base
    2. Monitoring and reporting
    3. Global leadership and coordination
    4. Institutional capacity strengthening

    WHO’s Strategy on Air Quality and Health

    WHO’s strategy outlines concrete actions where the health sector can lead or support efforts to promote health in all policies and ensure access to quality health services. The three cross-cutting areas are:

    1. Knowledge, evidence, and measuring progress
    2. Institutional capacity building and technical support
    3. Leadership and coordination

    The “WHO Strategic Approach for Air Quality, Energy Access, and Health” framework (2023-2030) aims to enhance WHO’s efforts in protecting populations from the health consequences of air pollution and lack of energy access.

    Note to Editors:
    This press release was updated on 25 June 2024 to reflect revised data and links.

    SOURCE: who.int

  • Impact of Healthier Environments on Reducing the Global Burden of Disease

    red and white bokeh lightsThe Critical Role of Healthier Environments in Reducing Global Disease Burden

    Healthier environments have the potential to significantly reduce the global burden of disease, with estimates suggesting that almost one-quarter of it could be prevented. The COVID-19 pandemic has starkly highlighted the fragile relationship between human health and the health of our planet. Ensuring clean air, a stable climate, adequate water, sanitation, and hygiene, safe use of chemicals, protection from radiation, healthy workplaces, sustainable agricultural practices, health-supportive cities and built environments, and preserved nature are all essential prerequisites for good health.

    In 2016, around 13.7 million deaths per year, or 24% of global deaths, were attributable to modifiable environmental risks. This translates to nearly one in four deaths globally being linked to environmental conditions. The pathways through which disease agents and exposures occur are numerous, and unhealthy environmental conditions are widespread, affecting most disease and injury categories. Noncommunicable diseases such as ischaemic heart disease, chronic respiratory diseases, and cancers are the most common outcomes, followed closely by injuries, respiratory infections, and strokes.

    To address these challenges and promote healthier environments for healthier populations, various initiatives are underway. These include addressing the health consequences of air pollution, hosting global conferences on air pollution and health, and convening health professionals to advance the climate change and health agenda. For example, progress on basic energy access has reversed for the first time in a decade, underscoring the need for continued efforts.

    Recent publications highlight the importance of providing safe and sustainable water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services, managing healthcare waste, and ensuring reliable electricity. These efforts are crucial for maintaining public health, especially in fragile, conflict-affected, and vulnerable settings. Adolescents, who make up about 1.3 billion of the world’s population, are particularly at risk due to prolonged exposure to unhealthy environments.

    Small drinking-water supplies often face operational, managerial, technical, and resourcing challenges, impacting their ability to deliver safe water. Energy access is also linked to many sustainable development priorities, including public health, gender equality, food security, clean water, education, and economic development.

    Efforts to accelerate access to electricity in healthcare facilities, the impact of health innovations, R&D processes, and access to essential health services are all part of the broader agenda to build healthier environments. Stories of success and ongoing challenges are being shared through various platforms, including features on air pollution, health and environment scorecards, worker health and safety, and ethical radiological imaging.

    Upcoming events and webinars continue to address these critical issues, such as the Second Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health, webinars on accessing GCF Readiness funds, conducting gender analyses for climate change and health vulnerability assessments, and developing Health National Adaptation Plans (HNAPs).

    Country profiles on air pollution, chemical safety, children’s environmental health, climate change, health impact assessments, occupational health, radiation, sustainable development, ultraviolet radiation, urban health, and WASH provide valuable insights into the state of environmental health worldwide. By focusing on these areas, we can move towards a future where healthier environments lead to healthier populations.

    source: who.int

  • UN Reports Only 17% of Global Life-Improvement Targets Likely to Be Achieved by 2030

    people sitting on chairs inside buildingThe United Nations has reported that only 17% of its 169 targets aimed at improving global living conditions are likely to be met by the 2030 deadline.

    UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, in his annual report, expressed concern that the world is “getting a failing grade” in achieving these goals, which range from eradicating global poverty to promoting gender equality. These goals, adopted by world leaders in 2015, include 169 specific targets to be achieved by the decade’s end.

    According to the report, nearly half of the targets show minimal or moderate progress, while over one-third are stalled or regressing. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated these challenges, pushing an additional 23 million people into extreme poverty and causing over 100 million more to suffer from hunger in 2022 compared to 2019.

    Guterres highlighted that the failure to ensure peace, address climate change, and enhance international finance is undermining development. He also pointed out that for the first time this century, per-capita GDP growth in half of the world’s most vulnerable nations is slower than in advanced economies, further threatening improvements in equality.

    The report noted significant setbacks in education, with only 58% of students worldwide achieving minimum reading proficiency by the end of primary school. Gender equality remains a distant goal, with one in five girls marrying before age 18, persistent violence against women, and a projected 176 years to reach parity with men in management positions.

    Despite these challenges, the report offered some positive developments. Mobile broadband accessibility has increased to 95% of the global population, and renewable electricity capacity has been expanding at an unprecedented rate. Improved access to treatment has averted millions of AIDS-related deaths, new malaria vaccines could save many lives, and girls are achieving educational parity with boys in most regions.

    Guterres called for urgent action to end conflicts, combat climate change, and invest in sustainable development. He emphasized the need to deliver resources, reduce debt pressures, and enhance the lending capacity of development banks to close the $4 trillion annual investment gap required to achieve the sustainable development goals.

    “We must not let up on our promises—to end poverty, protect the planet, and leave no one behind,” Guterres urged.

    Source: thestar.com