Sunday 26 Jul 2026 |
AFED2023
 
AFEDAnnualReports
Environment and development AL-BIA WAL-TANMIA Leading Arabic Environment Magazine

314 - May 2024
Editorial
Forum
Najib Saab
Arab Environment Challenges in a Changing World
Najib Saab
The world has faced enormous crises in recent years, from the Corona pandemic to the devastating war in Ukraine, the ethnic genocide in Palestine
more...

Ani Dasgupta
Investing in Climate Resilience
Ani Dasgupta
From rising energy bills to children breathing polluted air and communities being hit by floods, droughts and extreme heat
more...

Antonio Guterres
World Environment Day 2026: Climate Ultimatum
Antonio Guterres
This World Environment Day, warning signals are everywhere
more...
 
 
 
Meet the
 Editor-in-Chief
Najib Saab
 
 
Selected articles News
EU rules could make fossil-free aviation fuels unnecessarily expensive and energy-intensive 14/5/2026
The effects of the Iran war on the oil market have brought renewed attention to the EU’s plans for domestic production of fossil-free aviation fuels. But EU rules for synthetic aviation fuels risk steering development towards production pathways that are both more expensive and more energy-intensive than necessary – making it harder to meet climate targets. This is shown in a recent study from Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden, that has analysed different methods for producing synthetic methanol. ...more
 
The food commodities driving deforestation globally 27/3/2026
Maize, rice and cassava drive more deforestation than major export-oriented crops like cocoa, coffee, and rubber. This has been shown by researchers from Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden, in the most comprehensive global survey of how different commodities are causing deforestation. The study confirms the major impact of meat production, but reveals several overlooked drivers of deforestation. ...more
 
Local water supply crucial to success of hydrogen initiative in Europe 26/2/2026
Green hydrogen is considered to be an important part of the global climate transition, especially as a fuel and energy carrier for heavy transport and industry. However, large-scale green hydrogen production requires sustainable ways of managing water resources to avoid giving rise to water shortages and conflicts with agriculture over access. This has been shown in a unique study from Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden, that connects local water supply with a range of scenarios for future hydrogen needs in Europe. ...more
 
Solar hydrogen can now be produced efficiently without the scarce metal platinum 9/1/2026
A research team led by Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden, have presented a new way to produce hydrogen gas without the scarce and expensive metal platinum. Using sunlight, water and tiny particles of electrically conductive plastic, the researchers show how the hydrogen can be produced efficiently, sustainably and at low cost. ...more
 
The Paris Agreement at 10: A Celebration and a Call to Action 13/12/2025
Ten years ago, we witnessed something akin to a miracle. ...more
 
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
 
Wildfires up 57% in Europe in just four years, WHO warns 27/7/2026
As wildfires rage across parts of Europe, the WHO has warned of a sharp rise in wildfires across the region and their growing toll on human health. ...more
 
Sweden plans to ban forever chemicals in kitchen appliances and clothing by 2028. When will the EU follow suit? 27/7/2026
Sweden has announced plans to ban ‘forever chemicals’ in consumer products as early as 2028. ...more
 
Climate change exacerbating drought across Europe, scientists say 24/7/2026
Climate change is exacerbating drought this year in Europe as extreme heat evaporates water supplies, scientists said in an analysis published on Thursday, after low water levels disrupted shipping, farming and ‌industries in countries including Romania and Greece. ...more
 
How increased Arctic shipping affects cloud formation 24/7/2026
Shipping routes opened by climate change mean more industrial pollutants in the air. ...more
 
Japan sizzles in first 'brutally hot' days of the year 23/7/2026
Japan sizzled under sweltering, life-threatening heat on Wednesday, with temperatures expected to top 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) in some ‌cities in what the government has newly designated as a "brutally hot day." ...more
 
New Zealand climate goals at risk as emissions progress stalls, report says 23/7/2026
New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions are falling too slowly to meet national climate targets, with progress stalling in 2024 and key goals for the next decade now at heightened ‌risk, the Climate Change Commission said on Wednesday. ...more
 
Brazil's Amazon sees sharp decline in size of area burned in 2025 23/7/2026
The area burned in Brazil's Amazon in 2025 was far smaller in size than the previous year, according to the deforestation monitoring group MapBiomas. ...more
 
Airlines decry 'double whammy' from proposed EU carbon charge on some international flights 23/7/2026
A European proposal that would impose new carbon costs on some international flights would leave carriers being hit twice, the president of Emirates said on Tuesday, as more airlines lined up behind ‌a single global deal to curb pollution. ...more
 
EU waives penalties for oil and gas firms that breach methane law 22/7/2026
The European Commission instructed EU governments to waive penalties for three years for oil and gas companies that breach its methane emissions law, following pressure from the U.S. government to roll back the rules. ...more
 
Slowdown in Arctic ice melt ends after largest winter decline on record 22/7/2026
Scientists recorded slower reduction over past 20 years, but study finds this was ‘temporary rather than sustained’. ...more
 
How air bubbles can stop river plastic before it reaches the sea 22/7/2026
Every year, millions of tonnes of plastic end up in the world's oceans – and rivers are the primary route. While beach clean-ups and ocean collection efforts have become more popular in recent years, they are not keeping pace with the plastic tide. ...more
 
Majority of US voters link extreme weather to climate crisis, study finds 21/7/2026
Top Democrat says findings show public ‘way ahead of the politicians’ as Trump dismisses global heating as ‘hoax’. ...more
 
Need for speed? Driving above the speed limit costs you — and doesn’t actually save much time 21/7/2026
Speeding in your car to work, to pick up your children from school, or go from one errand to the next not only wastes money in gas and sends harmful emissions into the air, it barely saves you time, new research says. ...more
 
Should FIFA consider rescheduling the World Cup amid extreme heat? 21/7/2026
Experts have called on the owners of World Cup stadiums to upgrade their facilities and better equip them to handle extreme heat. ...more
 
Molten salt and human sweat: the weird batteries that could store renewable energy 21/7/2026
...more
 
AI-altered images on birdwatching forums putting research at risk 21/7/2026
Experts warn increase in enhanced photos on birding platforms creating fake sightings, threatening credibility of tool used by scientists. ...more
 
 
Poll of the month
Do you prefer a printed magazine or an electronic one?

Ask An Expert
Boghos Ghougassian
Composting
Videos
 
Recent Publications
Arab Environment 9: Sustainable Development in a Changing Arab Climate
ان جميع مقالات ونصوص "البيئة والتنمية" تخضع لرخصة الحقوق الفكرية الخاصة بـ "المنشورات التقنية". يتوجب نسب المقال الى "البيئة والتنمية" . يحظر استخدام النصوص لأية غايات تجارية . يُحظر القيام بأي تعديل أو تحوير أو تغيير في النص الأصلي. لمزيد من المعلومات عن حقوق النشر يرجى الاتصال بادارة المجلة
© All rights reserved, Al-Bia Wal-Tanmia and Technical Publications. Proper reference should appear with any contents used or quoted. No parts of the contents may be reproduced in any form by any electronic or mechanical means without permission. Use for commercial purposes should be licensed.