BRI, BRICS, & Global South~

Introduction Since China elevated the concept of “ecological civilization” to the level of national policy in 2012, the country has made great strides in tackling air pollution, with severe smog almost a thing of the past. The energy transition has also seen successes, with the proportion of coal in the primary energy mix falling year after year and renewables powering forwards. China’s conservation efforts have also delivered visible result, with achievements in greening and afforestation noted […]

On July 16, 2021, the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) and the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) of China issued the “Green Development Guidelines for Foreign Investment and Cooperation” (hereinafter referred to as the 2021 Green Guidelines see link to full document at end of this article).  The Guidelines focus on both investment and trade. With MOFCOM being responsible for regulating Chinese overseas projects including their environmental standards, while MEE is […]

KINSHASA, July 18 (Xinhua) — In Kolwezi, in southern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), beyond counting are drilling rigs and dump trucks coming back and forth on mine after mine. But on the outskirt of this world-class mining hub, one particular mine stands out from the others, with greenery sprawling its mining dumps where a lot of dust are always supposed to be in the air. After years of […]

Emerging economies are increasingly investing in clean power grids over polluting power plants but many are still reluctant to quit coal. Vietnam is experiencing a solar energy boom Researchers say the amount of electricity generated from burning fossil fuels has likely peaked worldwide as emerging markets invest in clean and cheap renewables over coal, oil and gas. That is the finding of a report published Wednesday by environmental think tanks […]

On April 1, 2021, the Cuban News Agency (ACN) reported that the use of renewable energy sources in Cuba during 2020 reached and installed power potential of 297,4 Megawatts, which is expected to increase in tune with a national energy strategy aimed at diversifying energy sources. Cuba began investing in renewable energy in 2014 and is ramping up its efforts in a push to make renewables its principal source of […]

Forest clearance in Southeast Asia is accelerating, leading to unprecedented increases in carbon emissions, according to new research. A joint China-UK research team led by the Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech) in Shenzhen, China, with collaboration from the researchers from The University of Hong Kong, Leeds University UK, Mae Jo University, Thailand and the Wildlife Conservation Society, USA, has shown that forest clearance in Southeast Asia is accelerating […]

Total carbon emissions, per capita amounts, main drivers, and outlook. Carbon dioxide emissions are the primary driver of climate change, but they’re not the only one.1 Other greenhouse gases include methane, water vapor, nitrous oxide, and fluorinated gases (that includes hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, sulfur hexafluoride, and nitrogen trifluoride).2 While it’s difficult to quantify all greenhouse gas emissions, carbon dioxide emissions data provide a more straightforward way to understand the severity of their […]