Climate

Incorporating climate risk in QE, Progress on Brexit

Commentary: Incorporating climate risk in QE

By Danae Kyriakopoulou in Geneva

Ensuring climate-related risk does not translate to financial instability is a key concern for central banks, but not an exclusive one. Central banks are tasked with safeguarding prosperity, which in turn requires that prosperity be generated sustainably. Monetary authorities should lead by example by supporting the transition to lower-carbon economies in their roles as investors. One controversial approach would be for...

http://www.allaboutshipping.co.uk/2018/11/02/incorporating-climate-risk-in-qe-progress-on-brexit/

Central banks greening financial system, Politics in the Middle East podcast

Commentary: Central banks greening financial system

By Danae Kyriakopoulou in Geneva

Central banks’ remits have changed profoundly since the 2008 financial crisis, notably – and sometimes controversially – in relation to their monetary policy practices and quantitative easing policies. Their remits are beginning to expand into another, unexpected field: climate change.

The recognition of climate-related disruption as a source of financial risk is propelling this expansion, and central banks can...

http://www.allaboutshipping.co.uk/2018/10/31/central-banks-greening-financial-system-politics-in-the-middle-east-podcast/

Addressing marine plastic litter from ships – action plan adopted

Marine litter

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has pledged to address the significant problem posed by plastics to the marine environment, with the adoption of an action plan which aims to enhance existing regulations and introduce new supporting measures to reduce marine plastic litter from ships.

IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) adopted (on 26 October) the action plan, to contribute to the global solution for preventing marine plastic litter entering the oceans...

http://www.allaboutshipping.co.uk/2018/10/30/addressing-marine-plastic-litter-from-ships-action-plan-adopted/

Tara back from Pacific expedition with startling data: motley map of reef health

After two and a half years navigating the Pacific, where over 40% of our planet’s coral reefs are found, the schooner Tara returned to Lorient, its home port in Brittany, on October 27. Led by the Tara Expeditions Foundation, the Tara Pacific expedition deserves a round of applause: it has allowed scientists to study the impact of anthropogenic pressures on Pacific coral reefs using a novel approach on an unprecedented scale.
Initial observations reveal very diverse reef states due to a...

http://www.allaboutshipping.co.uk/2018/10/27/tara-back-from-pacific-expedition-with-startling-data-motley-map-of-reef-health/

Peter Thomson, United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for the Ocean

Peter Thomson @ThomsonFiji the United Nations Special Envoy for the Oceans, was one of the keynote speakers at the Opening Oceans Conference in Copenhagen, May 2-3, 2018 and I managed to catch him for an interview. 

He travels the world to promote and advocate for the SDG 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development 

Peter says it has been an uphill battle until the Ocean Conference in New York 2017, where the governments of Fiji & Sweden left...

https://shippingpodcast.com/peter-thomson-united-nations-secretary-generals-special-envoy-for-the-ocean/

ESPO publishes Environmental Report 2018 – Top 10 Environmental Priorities

Isabelle Ryckbost

18 October 2018 – ESPO presented yesterday its annual Environmental Report for 2018 at the GreenPort Congress in Valencia. The ESPO Environmental Report includes environmental performance benchmark indicators as well as the Top 10 Environmental Priorities of the European ports for 2018.

Air quality has remained the top priority of the European ports since 2013. The increased interest in the relationship with local community in position 4 of the list is relevant as air quality...

http://www.allaboutshipping.co.uk/2018/10/18/espo-publishes-environmental-report-2018-top-10-environmental-priorities/

Daniela Fernandez, Founder & CEO, Sustainable Ocean Alliance

Attending the Opening Oceans Conference, which creates a roadmap for maritime business leaders to explore the new ocean economy options, discover synergies with their existing businesses, meet investment and gateway partners and make profitable strategic decisions, in Copenhagen early May 2018, I met Daniela Fernandez, a passionate young woman who wants to engage young people in innovation, change and new ideas about how to use the Ocean space. Daniela is the Founder & CEO of the Sustainable...

https://shippingpodcast.com/daniela-fernandez-founder-ceo-sustainable-ocean-alliance/

Risks of Belt and Road in Africa, Tokyo climate change seminar

Commentary: Risks of Belt and Road in Africa

By Kat Usita in London

Apprehension over China’s Belt and Road initiative continues to build. Some observers have accused Beijing of unduly exerting influence on other countries in the guise of infrastructure assistance. It is increasingly apparent that the risks to recipient African economies in particular are substantial, but their governments are left with little choice.

It will take several years of use before one can properly measure the full...

http://www.allaboutshipping.co.uk/2018/09/25/risks-of-belt-and-road-in-africa-tokyo-climate-change-seminar/

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