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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
more...

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
 
Abu Dhabi cuts plastic bag use by 95% in just one year 16/9/2025
172 million plastic bags kept out of the environment in a year. ...more
 
Europe’s summer of extreme weather caused €43bn of short-term losses, analysis finds 16/9/2025
Greatest damage from heat, drought and flooding done in Cyprus, Greece, Malta and Bulgaria. ...more
 
Rising seas will threaten 1.5 million Australians by 2050 - report 16/9/2025
One and a half million Australians living in coastal areas are at risk from rising sea levels by 2050, a landmark climate report has warned. ...more
 
Deal to curb billions in overfishing subsidies comes into force at WTO 16/9/2025
A landmark agreement to curb billions of dollars in subsidies contributing to overfishing came into force on Monday, the World Trade Organization said - a move activists hailed as a step towards helping global fish stocks recover. ...more
 
Rising Nato military spending to cause huge spike in emissions, report warns 16/9/2025
A planned expansion of military spending by Nato countries could generate an additional 1,320m tonnes of planet-heating pollution over the next decade – on a par with the annual greenhouse gas emissions generated by Brazil, the fifth largest emitter in the world, according to a new report. ...more
 
How the UAE is using AI for cloud seeding 15/9/2025
The United Arab Emirates is leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and other advanced technologies to combat the environmental impacts of climate challenges. Through proactive, government-led initiatives, the nation is deploying innovative, AI-driven solutions to safeguard natural resources and curb the effects of climate change. ...more
 
EU countries delay deal on new climate goal, diplomats say 15/9/2025
European Union countries have shelved plans to approve a new climate change target next week, after pushback from governments including France and Germany over plans to quickly land a deal, three EU diplomats told Reuters on Friday. ...more
 
US EPA proposes end to mandatory greenhouse gas reporting 15/9/2025
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency proposed on Friday a rule to end a mandatory program requiring 8,000 facilities to report their greenhouse gas emissions - an effort the agency said was burdensome to business, but which leaves the public without transparency around the environmental impact of those sources. ...more
 
How New York turns millions of pounds of food waste into 'black gold' 15/9/2025
Watermelon rinds, greasy pizza boxes, and yard trimmings. In many cities, these items would head straight to a landfill. But in New York, they are the raw ingredients for something surprisingly valuable: "black gold." ...more
 
Future of British forests rests in new seed bank 15/9/2025
The UK's largest and most advanced seed centre has opened in Cheshire. ...more
 
Africa looks to raise $50 bln a year for new climate solutions initiative 12/9/2025
Africa is aiming to secure $50 billion a year for a new continental climate solutions initiative sponsored by Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, a draft declaration after a leaders' climate summit in Addis Ababa showed on Wednesday. ...more
 
Jump in US greenhouse gas pollution pushed global emissions higher – report 12/9/2025
A jump in greenhouse gas pollution in the US helped push global emissions higher in the first half of this year. This could be an omen of what’s to come, with Donald Trump’s pro-fossil fuel agenda set to significantly slow down the emissions cuts required to avoid disastrous climate impacts, a new forecast has found. ...more
 
Carbon emissions from oil giants directly linked to dozens of deadly heatwaves for first time 12/9/2025
Study shows how individual fossil fuel companies are making previously impossible heatwaves happen and could have to pay compensation. ...more
 
Natural disasters cost China $2.8 billion in August 12/9/2025
Natural disasters in China caused direct economic loss of 19.6 billion yuan ($2.75 billion) in August, the Ministry of Emergency Management said on Wednesday. ...more
 
Extreme heat a rising threat to 2026 World Cup venues, says report 12/9/2025
The 2026 World Cup could be North America's last without urgent climate adaptation measures, according to a new study highlighting extreme weather threats. ...more
 
29th IRENA Council to Advance Global Dialogue on Energy Security and Supply Chains 11/9/2025
The bi-annual meeting convenes more than 400 government officials to shape the Agency’s agenda and address key priorities for the energy transition ...more
 
Fossil-fuel firms receive US subsidies worth $31bn each year, study finds 11/9/2025
Figure calculated by Oil Change International has more than doubled since 2017 but is likely a vast understatement. ...more
 
EU split over climate target, deal next week in doubt, draft shows 11/9/2025
European Union countries are split over how ambitious to make their new climate change target, putting into doubt plans to strike a deal next week, their latest compromise proposal showed on Tuesday. ...more
 
Development banks' climate finance hit record $137 billion in 2024 11/9/2025
Multilateral development banks provided a record $137 billion in climate finance in 2024, up 10% from the previous year, and also helped boost private sector funding for climate-related investments by a third, a report by the banks showed on Tuesday. ...more
 
Green Party pushes Norway oil phaseout as its political influence grows 11/9/2025
In Norway, made rich by oil and gas, the idea of shutting fields sends chills, but that is exactly what the small Green Party is pushing as a global switch away from fossil fuels looms. ...more
 
Abu Dhabi calls on public to help shape next phase of plastic pollution policy 10/9/2025
Environment agency launches online survey as UAE prepares ban on importing plastic cutlery, drinks cups, boxes and styrofoam. ...more
 
Global warming linked to consumption of sugary drinks, ice cream in new research 10/9/2025
People consuming more sugary drinks and ice cream on warmer days, particularly those with less money could pose a growing threat to health as climate change drives up temperatures, new research warned Monday. ...more
 
Protect Arctic from 'dangerous' climate engineering, scientists warn 10/9/2025
Plans to fight climate change by manipulating the Arctic and Antarctic environment are dangerous, unlikely to work and could distract from the need to ditch fossil fuels, dozens of polar scientists have warned. ...more
 
Disposable face masks used during Covid have left chemical timebomb, research suggests 10/9/2025
An estimated 129bn were being used every month around the world at height of pandemic, with no recycling stream. ...more
 
Britain’s butterflies bounce back in annual count – but only to average levels 10/9/2025
Biggest insect survey in world finds UK’s hot summer led to increase in numbers of many species, but overall trends are still concerning. ...more
 
 
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