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Environment and development AL-BIA WAL-TANMIA Leading Arabic Environment Magazine

314 - May 2024
Editorial
Forum
Najib Saab
Fraud Threatens EU’s Green Ambitions
Najib Saab
The embezzlement of hundreds of millions of European agricultural funds in Greece is not an isolated incident
more...

Nate Blum
Sorghum and the Carbon Economy: Unlocking Nature-Based Solutions for a Warming Planet
Nate Blum
As the planet faces increasing climate-related challenges, there’s growing recognition that some of the most powerful solutions may come from the natu
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Antonio Guterres
A RESCUE PLAN FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Antonio Guterres
This month, leaders will gather in Sevilla, Spain, on a rescue mission: to help fix how the world invests in sustainable development
more...

Tom Pickerell
UN Ocean Conference Ends with Momentum — and Missed Chances
Tom Pickerell
There's real momentum coming out of Nice — but also a lot of unfinished business
more...
 
 
 
Meet the
 Editor-in-Chief Najib Saab 		 
 
Selected articles News
Climate Action Has a Messaging Problem 14/9/2025
In the summer of 2024, Dutch citizens ranked climate change as the most serious problem facing the world. Just a few months later, they elected a national government that ran on a platform of pulling back its climate policies. ...more
 
Europe’s Soaring Heat and the Great Air Conditioning Dilemma 21/8/2025
Much of Europe sweltered in August 2025 as a heat dome spread across the continent, pushing peak afternoon temperatures to over 40 degrees C (104 degrees F) in France and Spain. Meanwhile, parts of Greece, Turkey and Albania battled historic and devastating wildfires as high temperatures scorch the land. ...more
 
Planned hydrogen refuelling stations may lead to millions of euros in yearly losses 10/7/2025
As hydrogen infrastructure is rolled out in the EU, refuelling stations must be distributed according to the same principle in all countries. But now a study from Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden, points to shortcomings in EU regulations. Using an advanced model, the researchers show that the distribution of refuelling stations may both be incorrectly dimensioned and lead to losses of tens of millions of euros a year in some countries. ...more
 
Ships trigger high and unexpected emissions of the greenhouse gas methane 3/7/2025
Ship traffic in shallow areas, such as ports, can trigger large methane emissions by just moving through the water. The researchers in a study, led by Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden, observed twenty times higher methane emissions in the shipping lane compared to nearby undisturbed areas. Despite the fact that methane is a greenhouse gas that is 27 times as powerful as carbon dioxide, these emissions are often overlooked with today's measurement methods. ...more
 
Agricultural waste can become the clothes of the future 17/6/2025
Cellulose-based textile materials can make the clothing sector more sustainable. Currently, cellulose-based textiles are mainly made from wood, but a study headed by researchers from Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden points to the possibility of using agricultural waste from wheat and oat. The method is easier and requires fewer chemicals than manufacturing forest-based cellulose, and can enhance the value of waste products from agriculture. ...more
 
Transforming waste into a public asset: Michigan State University leads next-generation anaerobic digestion innovation 10/6/2025
MSU is spearheading next-generation anaerobic digestion technologies that convert agricultural and food waste into renewable energy, recover nutrients and water, and support environmental sustainability across Michigan and the Great Lakes region. ...more
 
Massive Growth Ahead: Low Carbon Building Market Eyes $1.3 Trillion by 2033 14/5/2025
According to a new report published by Allied Market Research, the low carbon building market size was valued at $0.6 trillion in 2023, and is estimated to reach $1.3 trillion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 9.1% from 2024 to 2033. ...more
 
A Step Toward Harnessing Clean Energy From Falling Rainwater 23/4/2025
When two materials come into contact, charged entities on their surfaces get a little nudge. This is how rubbing a balloon on the skin creates static electricity. Likewise, water flowing over some surfaces can gain or lose charge. Now, researchers reporting in ACS Central Science have harnessed the phenomenon to generate electricity from rain-like droplets moving through a tube. They demonstrate a new kind of flow that makes enough power to light 12 LEDs ...more
 
Difficult and costly energy transition unless the EU invests in biomass 22/4/2025
Biomass is currently the EU’s largest renewable energy source, but climate strategies often focus on other energy sources. A comprehensive analysis, led by Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden, now shows that biomass is crucial for Europe's ability to reach its climate targets, as it can be used to produce fossil-free fuels and chemicals and also enables carbon dioxide removal from the atmosphere. If biomass were excluded from the European energy system, it would cost an extra 169 billion Euros per year – about the same as the cost of excluding wind power. ...more
 
Renting clothes for sustainable fashion – niche markets work best 27/3/2025
Renting clothes can reduce the fashion industry's enormous environmental impact, but so far, the business models have not worked very well. The best chance of success is for a rental company to provide clothing within a niche market, such as specific sportswear, and to work closely with the suppliers and clothing manufacturers. This is shown by a study led by researchers at Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden, which highlights the measures that can make clothing rental a success. ...more
 
Ice stupas of the Ladakh desert: an ingenious solution to water scarcity – a picture essay 28/1/2025
Farmers in the northern Indian region used to rely on snow and glacier meltwater, but the climate crisis is disrupting the water cycle – which means new ways of storing water are needed ...more
 
Toxic waste from world's deadliest gas leak fuels protests in India 23/1/2025
Vegetable vendor Shivnarayan Dasana had never seen so many policemen descend on his village in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. ...more
 
Natural disasters in the past 12 months have been the most costly and impactful stretch of extreme weather in America in 90 years 18/1/2025
Experts at AccuWeather say extreme weather events and disasters in the past 12 months have had the costliest and most widespread impacts that Americans have faced in nearly a century.    ...more
 
Arab-Israeli Environmental Cooperation: A Controversial Path to Peace Amid Ecocide 28/11/2024
On August 30, 2024, amid the Israeli aggression on Lebanon, Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati announced that Lebanon joined the Saudi-led Middle East Green Initiative (MGI), describing the step as crucial, especially for southern border towns and villages that are suffering significant environmental and agricultural damage. ...more
 
CO2 & Waste-Derived Bioplastics: Pioneering Sustainable Manufacturing 22/11/2024
As the world grapples with the environmental impact of traditional plastics, bioplastics derived from carbon dioxide (CO2) and waste materials present a promising solution. This emerging sustainable market seeks to address two critical global challenges: reducing greenhouse gas emissions and managing waste. By converting CO2 and waste into useful bioplastics, scientists and companies are pioneering technologies that could revolutionize the way we produce and consume plastics. ...more
 
STATEMENT: UN Report Finds Country Climate Commitments Falling Short 29/10/2025
The UNFCCC released its NDC Synthesis Report today, reviewing climate plans from 64 countries, covering roughly 30% of global emissions. The report aggregates submitted plans and their projected emissions reductions, finding that current pledges would reduce emissions by about 17% from their 2019 levels, far short of what’s needed to limit warming to 1.5°C. The analysis reflects submissions received up until September 30, 2025. ...more
 
Scientists run climate 'time machine' in Amazon as Brazil preps for COP30 29/10/2025
Deep in Brazil's Amazon, scientists have built a "time machine" pumping carbon dioxide into the rainforest canopy to simulate atmospheric conditions predicted for the future to gauge how the biome adapts - an open question to be discussed at the COP30 United Nations climate summit hosted by the country next month. ...more
 
Wind power has cut £104bn from UK energy costs since 2010, study finds 29/10/2025
Reduction comes from energy generated from windfarms and lower cost of gas owing to lower demand. ...more
 
Two crucial Florida coral species left ‘functionally extinct’ by ocean heatwave 29/10/2025
Climate crisis drives near-total collapse of staghorn and elkhorn corals that formed backbone to state’s reefs. ...more
 
Window for fast marathons closing because of climate change, report finds 29/10/2025
Climate change is narrowing the window for record-breaking performances at the world's top marathons, according to new research released ahead of Sunday's New York City Marathon. ...more
 
EU considers more flexible climate target in hunt for deal, draft shows 28/10/2025
European Union countries are negotiating proposals to give industries a more flexible path to meeting climate goals, a draft EU document showed, as the bloc attempts to win support from governments for a new 2040 emissions-cutting target. ...more
 
IRENA chief expects sustainable biofuels to feature as key COP30 theme 28/10/2025
Targets for sustainable biofuels use and social aspects of the energy transition will be in focus at this year's United Nations climate summit, COP30, said Francesco La Camera, Director-General at the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). ...more
 
Methane Emissions from the World’s Biggest Meat Companies Are Bigger Than From Major Oil and Gas Companies 28/10/2025
Ahead of COP30, advocacy groups are urging companies and governments to tackle emissions from livestock. ...more
 
Malawi Leads the World with AI-Driven Climate Governance Platform 28/10/2025
In a landmark move for continental climate action, the Government of the Republic of Malawi announced the World’s First AI project involving the Paris Agreement implementation. ...more
 
Night-flying insects over UK in decline, weather radar study reveals 28/10/2025
Study of Met Office data one of first to show how nocturnal insects affected by factors such as light pollution. ...more
 
UAE lays foundation stone for world’s largest renewable energy project 27/10/2025
The project — developed by Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar) in partnership with Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC) — will deliver one gigawatt of clean, around-the-clock baseload power at a globally competitive tariff. It features a 5.2 GW solar photovoltaic plant integrated with a 19 GWh battery energy storage system, making it the most advanced and technically sophisticated project of its kind worldwide. ...more
 
UN weather agency reviews priorities as funding falls short 27/10/2025
The U.N. weather agency plans to cut some posts and is reviewing its priorities as dozens of countries, including the United States, are late with their fees, a spokesperson said on Friday. ...more
 
Researchers raise alarm about looming 'catastrophe' that could impact 2 billion people 27/10/2025
As global temperatures continue to rise, the melting of Himalayan glaciers has shown no signs of slowing down. Climate scientists are now issuing a warning that this development could have catastrophic consequences. ...more
 
India trials Delhi cloud seeding to combat deadly smog 27/10/2025
Cloud seeding is the practice of using aeroplanes to fire salt or other chemicals into clouds to induce rain. ...more
 
Why the climate crisis is especially bad news for frightened flyers 27/10/2025
There are three common types of turbulence – and our volatile atmosphere is making them worse. ...more
 
Adnan Badran Man of the Year 26/10/2025
AFED Board of Trustees chairman Dr. Adnan Badran was honored as Man of the Year by the Shoman Foundation at a ceremony in Amman yesterday. ...more
 
No Sector on Track to Meet Global Climate Goals, State of Climate Action 2025 Finds
  24/10/2025
A major new assessment finds that the world is stalling on progress to limit warming to 1.5°C, with none of the 45 indicators of climate action on track for 2030.   ...more
 
EU leaders to debate conditions for new emissions goal 24/10/2025
European Union leaders will seek to unlock a deal on a new 2040 emissions target on Thursday in time for next month's global climate talks despite growing pushback on green measures from some member states. ...more
 
Super-warming methane gas is being tackled too slowly, UN says ahead of COP30 24/10/2025
Almost 90% of satellite-detected methane leaks flagged to governments and oil and gas companies are not being acknowledged, the UN said Wednesday ahead of the COP30 climate talks next month. ...more
 
Climate disasters in first half of 2025 costliest ever on record, research shows 24/10/2025
The first half of 2025 was the costliest on record for major disasters in the US, driven by huge wildfires in Los Angeles and storms that battered much of the rest of the country, according to a climate non-profit that has resurrected work axed by Donald Trump’s administration that tracked the biggest disasters. ...more
 
World Cup sends 'dangerous message' on climate 24/10/2025
In eight months' time the 2026 World Cup will make history as the biggest single sporting event. But not everyone is celebrating. ...more
 
‘Stronger than concrete’: Startup turns plastic waste into Dubai education hub 23/10/2025
Dubai is set to witness a sustainable building revolution, thanks to Norwegian startup Othalo, which transforms plastic waste into affordable, durable building materials. Frank Cato Lahti, founder of Othalo, won Dubai Holding’s global sustainability challenge, ‘Innovate for Tomorrow’ 2024, with his pioneering project, ‘Upcycling Plastic into Homes’. ...more
 
EU eases deforestation law for smallholders but keeps 2025 start 23/10/2025
The European Commission proposed a further softening of the EU anti-deforestation law on Tuesday, relieving the reporting burden for many smallholders and businesses but stepping back from delaying the world-first green policy by another year. ...more
 
Global use of coal hit record high in 2024 23/10/2025
Bleak report finds greenhouse gas emissions are still rising despite ‘exponential’ growth of renewables. ...more
 
No major banks have yet committed to stop funding new oil, gas and coal, research finds 23/10/2025
‘The objectives of the Paris agreement are slipping further out of reach,’ say researchers from LSE. ...more
 
Brazil forest loss linked to coffee hit 737,000 hectares between 2002 and 2023, report says 23/10/2025
Brazilian deforestation linked to coffee crops hit 737,000 hectares (1.8 million acres) between 2002 and 2023, according to a report on Wednesday that warned negative environmental impacts from forest loss could affect the country's coffee industry. ...more
 
 
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