Sustainable Development Newsletter 21 November 2023

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World Bank rail projects in Egypt seek to reduce climate, environmental impacts of transport

The World Bank rail projects in Egypt aim to reduce the climate and environmental impacts of transport by moving more people and goods from roads to rail—a change that can’t come fast enough.

EBRD’s $ 150 loan to CIB to strengthen Egypt’s financial sector?

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is supporting?Egypt’s financial sector with a US$ 150 million subordinated loan to the largest private bank in the country, Commercial International Bank (CIB).

Tahya Misr Fund launches largest?aid convoy to Gaza..2/3 of assistance comes from Egypt

Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouli has given the go-ahead of the largest humanitarian aid convoy from Tahya Misr Fund to the Gaza Strip in line with directives of President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, noting that two thirds of the assistance sent to the war-ravaged enclave came from Egypt.

IFE, Nahdet Misr, NEP team up for Ta’heal Int’l Academy at €7.06 m

The Facility Investing for Employment (IFE), Egypt's Nahdet Misr Publishing House, and the Egyptian Network for Employment Promotion (NEP) teamed up for establishing "Ta’heal International Academy" at 7.06 million euro investments.

IKEA Egypt partners with Souhoola for innovative payment methods

IKEA Egypt, the prominent Swedish furniture brand and a subsidiary of the Al-Futtaim Group, has partnered with Souhoola Consumer Finance Company for innovative payment solutions within the framework of its commitment to sustainability.

FHH, Misr El Kheir partner to donate hygienic products for Gaza relief

Fine Hygienic Holding (FHH), one of the world’s leading wellness groups and hygienic paper manufacturers, has teamed up with the Misr El Kheir (MEK) Foundation and the National Alliance for Civil Development Action to donate hygienic products to the people of Gaza.

QNET committed to empowering children, boosting e-learning

QNET marked the World Children’s Day – which falls on November 20 – by stressing commitment to empowering children, including handicapped, and promoting e-learning.

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Report: CO2 concentrations 50% above pre-industrial era for first time

Global averaged concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO2), the most important greenhouse gas, in 2022 were a full 50% above the pre-industrial era for the first time, thus hitting a new record.

UNEP chief: Africa is continent of natural resources to be used for planet-friendly alternatives to plastic

Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) Inger Andersen said Africa is a continent of natural resources that can be used for planet-friendly alternatives and substitutes to plastic.

UNDP-ICCO partnership to promote PR as integral component of fight against climate change

The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the International Communications Consultancy Organization (ICCO), the global membership body for PR agencies, to take on the climate crisis and tackle persistent communications challenges.

World’s first CO2 sensor in orbit to help pinpoint emissions from individual industrial facilities

GHGSat has successfully launched the first CO2 sensor in orbit from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California to be able to pinpoint emissions from individual industrial facilities, such as cement or power plants.

EU allocates €396 m for 171 new projects of LIFE Program for environment, climate action

The European Commission has today approved earmarking more than €396 million for 171 new projects across Europe under the LIFE Program for environment and climate action.

Report:10% rise in reusable packaging could eliminate over 1 trln single-use plastic bottles, cups

A recent report issued by Oceana - the largest international advocacy organization dedicated solely to ocean conservation - said that a 10 percent rise in reusable beverage packaging by 2030 could eliminate over 1 trillion single-use plastic bottles and cups and prevent up to 153 billion of these containers from entering the world’s oceans and waterways. Stacked on top of each other, the avoided 1 trillion bottles and cups could reach to the moon and back over 300 times.

$ 8.8 bn allocated for assessing emissions of wood stoves, heating devices in US

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a direct award of $8.8 million provided by President Joe Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act—the largest climate investment in history that will?support?independent testing and data analysis of emissions from new models of wood stoves and wood heating devices.

Top 10 takeaways AI Index Report 2023.. Global AI private investment down for 1st time

The Artificial Intelligence Index Report 2023 – released by Stanford University - revealed that year-over-year global AI private investment has for the first time in the last decade went down to register ?$91.9 billion in 2022, which represented a 26.7% decrease since 2021.

Floods after longest drought leave thousands of displaced families in Horn of Africa

Floods - which come barely months after the longest and most severe drought on record - left thousands of displaced families, including refugees in Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia, according to a report by the UN refugees agency (UNHCR).

Research: 37% of companies committed to achieving net zero emissions, 18% on track

A new research of Accenture found that about 18% of companies are currently on track to reach net zero emissions in their operations by 2050, and over a third (38%) say they cannot make further investments in decarbonization in the current economic environment.

EIB earmarks €9.3 bn for? sustainable transport, corporate innovation, energy, water, urban development

The European Investment Bank (EIB) has approved €9.3 billion of new financing to support sustainable transport, corporate research and development, impact focused business investment, water and urban infrastructure in Europe and around the world.

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