Latest news with #FriendsoftheEarth
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Acorn carbon capture project to get £200m, Miliband confirms
UK Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has confirmed that £200m will be provided to progress the Acorn Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) scheme in Aberdeenshire. Miliband - who has been visiting the St Fergus gas terminal where the project will be based - said he had told the company behind the project that he expected it to make a final investment decision by the end of the parliament. He said he wanted to see significant progress "by the turn of the decade" but would not commit to a firm timetable. Environmental group Friends of the Earth, which is sceptical about carbon capture, said the "scarce public money" would only directly benefit "greedy oil and gas companies". The investment in the Acorn Project comes as part of the UK government's spending review which will increase Holyrood's budget by £2.9bn a year on average. As part of his announcement, Miliband added that a Scottish Labour government would deliver new nuclear power in Scotland. Acorn has said its project will safeguard about 18,000 jobs that would otherwise have been lost, including jobs at Grangemouth. CO2 captured at Grangemouth will be transported to storage facilities under the North Sea, avoiding its release into the atmosphere. The jobs will be needed to build pipelines to transport the CO2 safely and generate low-carbon power to homes and businesses. The UK government is providing similar funding for the Viking carbon capture project in the Humber. Miliband said: "This government is putting its money where its mouth is and backing the trailblazing Acorn and Viking CCS projects. "This will support industrial renewal in Scotland and the Humber with thousands of highly-skilled jobs at good wages to build Britain's clean energy future. "Carbon capture will make working people in Britain's hard-working communities better off, breathing new life into their towns and cities and reindustrialising the country through our Plan for Change." Scotland to get extra £2.9bn from spending review, says Treasury Acorn Project funding to be announced in spending review Tim Stedman, chief executive of Storegga, lead developer of Acorn, said: "We warmly welcome the UK government's support for the Acorn project and the commitment to development funding that will enable the critical work needed to reach Final Investment Decision (FID)." He said the funding announcement was a "milestone" and was on top of significant private sector investment. "We look forward to working with government in the months ahead to understand the details of today's commitment, and to ensure the policy, regulatory and funding frameworks are in place to build and grow a world-leading UK CCS sector," he added. Once Acorn and Viking are operational, combined, it has been claimed they could prevent up to 18 million tonnes of CO2 being released into the atmosphere each year. Those involved in the CCS schemes say they can also play a role in low-carbon power and hydrogen production, supporting thousands of jobs. Dr Liz Cameron, chief executive of Scottish Chambers of Commerce, said: "The government's backing for the Acorn Project is a significant endorsement which will help to make the north east a world leader in the low-carbon industry. "This major carbon capture and storage facility puts us on an ecologically more sustainable trajectory and will bolster the region's economy by creating up to 15,000 jobs in construction and attracting billions in private investment. "Whilst this intervention is undoubtedly welcome, we urge both the UK and Scottish governments to work in collaboration to realise Acorn's potential in full." Caroline Rance, head of campaigns at Friends of the Earth Scotland, said: "This is an enormous handout of supposedly scarce public money that will only directly benefit greedy oil and gas companies. "Politicians are paying hundreds of millions to keep us locked into an unaffordable energy system which is reliant on fossil fuels and is destroying the climate. "Carbon capture technology has 50 years of failure behind it, so businesses, workers and the public are being sold a lie about its role in their future." She said building new fossil fuel infrastructure would undermine the energy transition and embolden oil firms to continue drilling in the North Sea. "Both the UK and Scottish governments should instead be backing climate solutions that can improve people's lives such as upgrading public transport, ensuring people live in warm homes and creating green jobs for the long-term," she added.
New Indian Express
31-05-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
Environmentalists demand full disclosure of hazardous waste leakages from MSC Elsa 3
Following the sinking of a Liberian cargo ship, MSC Elsa 3, off the Kerala coast, environmentalists are demanding immediate and transparent disclosure of the nature and quantity of the chemicals involved, as well as their impact on the coastal ecosystem and fisheries. They are also calling for urgent measures to protect marine ecosystems and the livelihoods of fisherfolk. Reports indicate that the sunken ship was carrying hazardous materials, including highly reactive calcium carbide, furnace oil, and diesel, which may have leaked into the sea, creating an oil slick. The global network of environmental group, Friends of the Earth (FoE), has expressed concern over the shipwreck of the Liberian cargo ship and the reported spillage of oil and hazardous chemicals off the Kerala coast. 'Reports indicate that floating containers are drifting toward the southern coasts, particularly Kollam, Thiruvananthapuram and Kanyakumari, raising serious environmental and livelihood concerns,' said Sarath Cheloor National Coordinator, FoE-India. According to the FoE assessments, the sunken commercial ship was carrying 640 containers at the time of the incident, including 13 containers with hazardous cargo and 12 with calcium carbide. The ship was also carrying 84.44 metric tonnes of diesel and 367.1 metric tonnes of furnace oil, which may have leaked into the sea, creating an oil slick.
New Indian Express
29-05-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
Plastic nurdles spill: High-level meeting held, short-term survey initiated in Tamil Nadu
A SOP has been issued by the Indian Coast Guard to Kerala and Tamil Nadu on how to carry out the clean up. "We are following the SOP and ensuring adequate protection for personnel engaged in clean up. As such the plastic nurdles are not hazardous to humans, but pose a significant threat to the environment," a senior official said and added that a long-term impact assessment study will be done by an accredited agency. Meanwhile, officials claim that the possibility of plastic nurdles spill entering the Gulf of Mannar is thin as the INCOIS ocean wave data shows the waves are carrying the spill in a straight line towards the west coast of Sri Lanka. "Even if it enters the Gulf of Mannar, the quality may not be significant enough to cause considerable damage." Meanwhile, a team from Gujarat is expected to arrive in Kanniyakumari to salvage the containers. Sarath Cheloor, National Coordinator of Friends of the Earth demanded full disclosure and accountability, contending that full details on the nature and quantum of cargo in the ship is not available. "According to available information, the sunken commercial ship was carrying 640 containers, including 13 containers with hazardous cargo and 12 with calcium carbide. Calcium Carbide is highly reactive with seawater, with disastrous impacts to the ecology. The ship was also carrying 84.44 metric tonnes of diesel and 367.1 metric tonnes of furnace oil, which may have leaked into the sea, creating an oil slick." According to the 1992 International Civil Liability Convention, strict liability must be imposed on the ship owner for any pollution and resultant impact, except in cases of war, civil unrest, or natural disasters.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Drivers warned over growing problem after grim roadside find: 'Big issue'
Conservationists are urging Australian drivers to take greater care on roads after yet another koala was struck and killed in the country's southeast. Koala populations are dwindling across much of the country, and while Victoria's are more stable than in New South Wales, where koalas are listed as endangered, the animals still face growing pressure. In Victoria alone, around 8,000 to 10,000 hectares of blue gum plantations are logged each year, displacing an estimated 42,500 koalas. This leads to overcrowding, increased mortality from road crossings, and vulnerability to bushfires. Speaking to Yahoo News Australia, Anthony Amis from the environment group Friends of the Earth says road deaths are a major problem, particularly in the Strzelecki Ranges, where the koala population is highly unique. "Koalas killed by cars is a big issue in the South Gippsland and Strzelecki region," he said, noting his team is working to identify collision hotspots in a bid to protect local colonies. "The main ones appear to centre on Meeniyan," Anthony added. What makes South Gippsland's "special" koalas especially important is their genetic diversity, which could play a key role in the species' long-term survival. A 2011 study found Strzelecki koalas are "genetically distinct" from other populations, and later research showed they have more genetic variation than koalas in other areas. Dr Carolyn Hogg from the University of Sydney said South Gippsland koalas have "the highest genetic diversity of all Victorian populations" and share similarities with southern NSW. She said further analysis could uncover even more genetic differences. Dr Stephen Phillips, who has studied the region extensively, said the strongest concentration of these genes is found between Jumbuk, Churchill and Morwell. Aussie drivers warned over worrying nationwide shift on roads Government rejects call to protect 'special' koala population Incredible two-year change on property amid critical fight for species "I'd like to see the Strzeleckis recognised for what they are, and their potential role for the genetic recovery of koalas in Victoria," he said. "It would be lovely for the [state] government to fully recognise the uniqueness and special nature of this population, and to work as hard as they can to ensure its long-term survival." Genetic diversity is crucial for the survival of any species because it helps populations adapt to changing environments, resist diseases, and avoid the risks of inbreeding. In the case of South Gippsland's koalas, their higher genetic diversity means they may be more resilient than other populations across Victoria and Australia. This makes them especially valuable for conservation efforts, as they could help strengthen the overall gene pool if other populations continue to decline. Nationwide, koala populations declined by about 30 per cent between 2018 and 2021, according to the Australian Koala Foundation. The largest drops were recorded in NSW and the ACT (41 per cent), followed by Queensland (37 per cent), South Australia (31 per cent), and Victoria (16 per cent). The 2019–2020 Black Summer bushfires were a key factor in this decline, but habitat loss, disease and road trauma continue to take a toll. Anthony said dozens of koala road deaths are reported to his team annually in South Gippsland — but the true figure is likely much higher. "About 30 a year are reported on our Facebook group, but there's probably a lot more that are never reported," he said. Experts warn that in areas where koala populations are relatively stable, like South Gippsland, now is the time for action. Protecting the region's roads, maintaining habitat corridors, and preserving its uniquely diverse gene pool could prove critical in the broader fight to save Australia's koalas. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
Euronews
13-05-2025
- Business
- Euronews
Shell threatened with a new climate lawsuit in the Netherlands
Shell has been threatened with another round of legal action in the Netherlands for continuing to develop oil and gas projects around the world. In a letter sent to Shell today, NGO Milieudefensie accuses the company of breaching its legal duty of care under Dutch law by not dramatically reducing its investments in fossil fuels and not putting in place what it considers an adequate climate strategy for the coming decades. It plans to take Shell to court if these issues are not addressed. 'We as a society can no longer accept that a company like Shell determines our future without us having any say in it,' says Milieudefensie director Donald Pols. The action builds on another lawsuit that Milieudefensie - the Dutch arm of Friends of the Earth - is still embroiled in with Shell over its climate targets up to 2030. Last year, Shell managed to overturn a landmark climate judgment by a Dutch court, which in 2021 had ordered it to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 45 per cent by the end of the decade. It had been the first such ruling against a company in the world. Milieudefensie appealed and the case is now at the Dutch Supreme Court. But although the appeal court refused to set a specific legal climate goal it did rule that Shell has a 'special responsibility' to cut its emissions as a big oil company. And it said it was 'reasonable to expect oil and gas companies to take into account the negative consequences of a further expansion of the supply of fossil fuels for the energy transition also when investing in the production of fossil fuels. Shell's planned investments in new oil and gas fields may be at odds with this.' Milieudefensie is seizing on this statement to justify its latest legal threat. It notes that, despite increasing its volume of renewables, Shell is still planning to develop hundreds of new oil and gas fields. The company has projects already under construction in North America, the Middle East and Africa and, according to a new report by Milieudefensie and Global Witness, it owns or partly owns another 700 undeveloped assets. In a report to investors in March, Shell said it planned to increase production and sales of fossil fuels until well into the 2030s. The International Energy Agency has warned against investments in any new fossil fuel extraction to enable a transition to a clean energy system, and stressed that companies should not wait for a drop in demand to reduce their supply. Pols said legal action was the only way to make this happen: 'Shell will not stop of its own accord.' Milieudefensie plans to ask the court to order Shell to stop investing in new oil and gas fields. And it wants the company to be ordered to set greenhouse gas emission targets for the years after 2030 in line with the Paris Agreement goal of keeping global temperature rise under 1.5C. Shell has been approached for comment. However the NGO faces legal roadblocks in pursuing this case. After the 2021 court ruling, Shell moved its headquarters from The Hague to the UK. And it could be difficult for Dutch courts to enforce an order for Shell's legal development activities outside the Netherlands. Roger Cox, lawyer for Milieudefensie, said he was confident Dutch courts would have jurisdiction because Shell is registered in the Netherlands and harm is being caused to Dutch society. And he said a ruling in Milieudefensie's favour could be implemented through enforcement treaties with other countries around the world. 'It doesn't matter where Shell is,' says Cox. 'The international assets of Shell - be they fossil assets, bank accounts, whatever - will give us a lot more grip on their equity.' Sjoukje van Oosterhout, head of research at Milieudefensie, says a positive ruling in this case would have big repercussions for Shell but would also give a 'very clear signal' to governments, financial institutions and insurance companies. 'The impact of this case could really be enormous.' The world's best banana growing areas are at risk from the climate crisis, a new report warns. Latin America and the Caribbean currently export around 80 per cent of bananas globally, filling supermarket shelves with the world's favourite fruit. But 60 per cent of the region's most suitable banana growing areas could be lost by 2080 due to rising temperatures and extreme weather, according to research from international development charity Christian Aid. 'Climate change is impacting banana farmers around the world, who are battling daily with unpredictable weather patterns, scorching sun, floods, hurricanes, and increased pests and diseases,' says Anna Pierides, Fairtrade Foundation's senior sustainable sourcing manager for bananas. The banana is beloved globally, but is of special importance to some of the world's poorest people. More than 400 million people rely on bananas for 15 to 27 per cent of their daily calories, making it the fourth most important food crop after wheat, rice and maize. 'Climate change has been killing our crops. This means there is no income because we cannot sell anything,' says Aurelia Pop Xo, a 53-year-old banana grower in Guatemala. 'What is happening is that my plantation has been dying. So, what has been happening, is death.' The climate crisis is hitting banana plantations in myriad ways. Bananas need a temperature range of between 15-35°C to thrive, but are also very sensitive to water shortages, the report states. Storms are a big problem as they shred leaves, making it harder for the crop to photosynthesise. Fungal infections are also an increasing threat due to rising temperatures, with one such disease, Fusarium Tropical Race 4, causing the loss of entire plantations. 'Without systemic change, we risk witnessing the devastation of the Cavendish banana [the dominant variety] to Fusarium Tropical Race 4, a fungal infection that attacks the roots of plants and can lead to the complete loss of farms and plantations,' explains Holly Woodward-Davey, project coordinator at Banana Link, which works across the banana supply chain. 'The disease is now found in key supplier countries of European supermarkets, such as Colombia and Peru.' For Aurelia in Guatemala, the greatest threat her community faces is the high heat, which has struck for two years in a row, leaving her banana trees 'folding down and dying'. 'In the past, there was a prediction that this would happen in the future, but it has come earlier, and this is because we are not taking care of our motherland, our ecosystems, and this is very worrying for our kids and especially for our grandkids,' she adds. Christian Aid, food campaigners and experts are calling for action at different levels to protect the popular fruit and those who cultivate it. To tackle the issue at its root, richer, polluting nations must urgently reduce their carbon emissions, the development agency says. As part of the Paris Agreement, countries will this year submit new national climate action plans, which will update their emissions reduction targets, notes Osai Ojigho, director of policy and campaigns at Christian Aid. 'This is a huge opportunity for countries to accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels to clean energy whilst also ensuring climate finance reaches people in desperate need of it,' she says. 'World leaders must not slip up.' Christian Aid is also calling for banana growers and agricultural communities to receive targeted support from international climate finance to adapt to the changing climate. Meanwhile, consumers are being urged to help by choosing Fairtrade produce, which ensures a greater amount is paid to farmers. 'The UK has among the highest per capita consumption of bananas in Europe, yet our legacy of low supermarket prices only serves to devalue bananas,' argues Pierides. 'With the increasing effects of climate change and rising costs, we must make sure banana farmers aren't left paying the price for our low-cost fruit.' Seeking out organic bananas also helps counter the high use of chemical fertilisers in the production of the fruit, which contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and can damage local ecosystems. 'The climate crisis and the associated biodiversity crisis demand a rethink of industrial food production systems, which depend on the use of increasing amounts of harmful chemicals,' says Woodward-Davey. The ubiquitous curvy yellow fruit that springs to mind when we think of bananas is actually only one variety of the species: the Cavendish. It is named after William Cavendish, 6th Duke of Devonshire in England, who received a shipment of them from Mauritius in 1834 and proceeded to have his gardener cultivate them in the greenhouses of his stately home, Chatsworth House. The cultivars were shipped around the world, and became the top banana in the 1950s when Panama disease devastated the Gros Michel ('Big Mike') variety which formerly held that position. It was initially assumed that Cavendish cultivars were more resistant to the disease, but recent outbreaks of Panama disease TR4 in the Caribbean and elsewhere have upended that hope. Since Cavendish bananas are unable to reproduce sexually and are propagated via identical clones, their genetic diversity is very low, rendering them vulnerable to disease. With climate change exacerbating the spread of TR4, experts like Sally Musungu - an environmental researcher with the Schlumberger Foundation - think we 'urgently need to move beyond the Cavendish and explore the rich genetic diversity within banana species'. 'Fortunately, a rich pool of genetic diversity exists within banana species, including hundreds of under-researched varieties with potentially valuable climate-resilient traits,' she says. 'By exploring this genetic diversity and leveraging emerging tools such as gene editing, we can accelerate the development of new banana varieties that can better serve farmers and adapt to future climate conditions.'
