Latest news with #industrialdevelopment
Arab News
7 days ago
- Business
- Arab News
Climate challenge as a development opportunity
When climate change is framed as a global problem requiring collective regulation of greenhouse gas emissions, developing country governments see little reason to prioritize the issue over others. After all, the rich, industrialized countries that contributed disproportionately to the problem are themselves backing away from decarbonization and climate finance commitments, while low-income countries bear the brunt of the costs of climate change. Decision-makers in developing countries understandably conclude it may be more rational to hunker down and focus on climate resilience rather than emissions reductions. But this is not the only way to frame the problem. While climate change undoubtedly poses a global collective action problem, in practice, climate outcomes are shaped by myriad decisions concerning development objectives such as industrial development, urbanization, job creation and local pollution management. Because late developers often have not entirely locked into energy systems, transport infrastructure, urbanization plans and energy consumption patterns, they have greater flexibility to steer investment and consumption choices toward lower-carbon and climate-resilient options. In other words, the climate challenge can be framed as a choice among alternative development pathways. In many cases, development choices are also climate choices and, in a world where being a low-carbon economy confers a competitive edge, the absence of structural lock-in could be turned into an advantage. Pursuing a climate-as-development approach is not easy or foolproof: it requires considerable state capacity, strategy-setting capabilities and full mobilization of the necessary technologies and finance. Importantly, it does not negate concerns about climate equity. Developing countries may opt to pursue the climate-as-development opportunity, but rich countries that disproportionately caused the problem remain on the hook to support this transition. Yet, this perspective offers an alternative to the zero-sum framing of climate policy and a basis for nationally specific visions. An important starting point is that elites internalize and support low-carbon development as a potential opportunity, with climate resilience as a necessary component. Climate objectives cannot trump development goals but, equally, development innocent of climate considerations is no longer viable. To be politically feasible, any strategy must be rooted in the national context. Low-carbon development pathways are not easily replicable and need to be tailored to geography, local capacities and other variables. And, as with any long-term structural change, a durable, widely shared national narrative is needed (South Korea's 'green growth' in the 2010s is a useful example). Shifting from narrative and vision to policy and implementation requires high levels of state capacity. Technical capabilities, along with the ability to identify climate-as-development opportunities and sources of climate vulnerability, are necessary, but by no means sufficient. In addition, as sociologist Peter Evans' analysis of East Asian industrial policy reminds us, the state must be simultaneously 'embedded' to engage and support private sector players and maintain sufficient 'autonomy' to avoid capture. Developing countries, in particular, will have to be strategic and nimble in finding a niche for themselves. Navroz K. Dubash In practice, this means building institutions that can set the strategy, coordinate across sectors and at different scales, and provide trusted platforms to mediate conflict, ideally enshrined in law. All too often, climate policymaking is entrusted to relatively weak or siloed environmental ministries that cannot organize or enforce an all-of-government approach. Moreover, because broad structural changes can introduce distributional concerns and leave some communities behind, deliberative bodies — such as South Africa's Presidential Climate Commission — can help to entrench low-carbon options by mediating social frictions and maintaining broad-based political buy-in. Another major challenge for developing and emerging economies facing high capital costs is mobilizing adequate finance for capital-intensive low-carbon development. There are no easy answers here. According to BloombergNEF, global investment in the low-carbon energy transition in 2024 was only about a third of the annual amount required through 2030 and there were wide disparities in spending. Developing countries have experienced few tangible gains from multilateral initiatives to scale up climate finance and reform the international financial architecture. Holding advanced economies to their financing commitments should remain a priority; but developing countries also need to mobilize more domestic finance and develop credible investment programs to attract global capital. Recent efforts to create 'country platforms' — government-led coordination mechanisms that articulate a vision and identify financing pathways to achieve it — suggest one way forward. In preparing to host this year's COP30 UN climate change conference, Brazil is seeking to lead the way with a comprehensive multisectoral development program to mobilize investment. Independent research suggests that Brazil has all the ingredients for a successful green industrial transformation: a strong resource base, a legacy of advanced manufacturing and a large market. Such models are worth exploring elsewhere, provided that they reflect a national vision, not donor-driven objectives. One common criticism of nationally led, multi-objective development strategies is that the urgency of the climate crisis demands more direct action focused on emissions reduction, rather than on the indirect pathways suggested here. But this view ignores political reality. If climate action is seen to be at odds with other development objectives, it will lose. The only option is to devise strategies that can realize both sets of goals. The most effective climate policy over the long term might be one that shapes structural choices regarding urbanization and industrialization, rather than one that focuses narrowly on regulating emissions. With the scope for global cooperation receding in today's fraught geopolitical environment, these arguments should not be interpreted as a call for atomization. On the contrary, developing national visions for low-carbon, resilient economies would benefit from mutual learning and enhanced coordination rooted in attention to local contexts. Moreover, deploying low-carbon technologies will require investment in stable value chains, which depends on political and economic predictability. Developing countries, in particular, will have to be strategic and nimble in finding a niche for themselves. And the provision of finance at the necessary scale will still depend on a threshold degree of global cooperation. But there is only one foundation that can support all these elements: a domestically developed vision of a low-carbon, competitive and resilient economy. • Navroz K. Dubash is Professor of Public and International Affairs at the High Meadows Environmental Institute at Princeton University. ©Project Syndicate
ABC News
13-06-2025
- Business
- ABC News
K+S Salt Australia scraps Exmouth Gulf solar salt project plans
The world's largest salt company has withdrawn its near decade-long plan for a major industrial development in a nationally significant wetland on Western Australia's Pilbara coast. K+S Salt Australia, a subsidiary of the German potash giant, announced on Thursday it would no longer pursue its Ashburton Salt proposal before the Environmental Protection Authority. The company had sought approval to construct a solar salt project on the eastern shore of the Exmouth Gulf, 40 kilometres south-west of Onslow and 1,400km north of Perth. In a statement, K+S said the shifting "strategic direction" of its parent company away from international salt production was behind the backflip. It denied the decision was made for reasons related to environmental management, after a conservation campaign against the project in the company's home country of Germany. "K+S remains confident the Ashburton Salt project could have been developed into one of the world's most environmentally sound solar salt projects," K+S Managing Director Gerrit Gödecke said. First proposed in 2016, the saltworks was slated to produce 4.7 million tonnes annually. The plan included a 21,000-hectare saltworks bordering the Exmouth Gulf — a nationally significant wetland. While there was opposition in Exmouth, across the gulf in Onslow there was support for the project which promised to employ residents and boost the town's economy. Shire of Ashburton councillor Kerry White, who represents Onslow, said the loss of 150 direct and 50 indirect jobs attached to the proposal would be keenly felt. "It's not good news for the shire or the town," she said. Cr White said the economic development would have been "tremendous" with the additional traffic through the airport and retail stores. "The flow-on effect would have been fantastic," she said. "It's devastating." But with other major resources projects and infrastructure in town, Onslow Chamber of Commerce and Industry vice-president Rachel Easton was more bullish about a future without K+S. "It was going to be a bonus to the town if it did [happen], but Onslow is going strong," she said. Since it was first proposed, environmental groups have criticised the development due to its proximity to the Exmouth Gulf and concerns about the potential impact on marine life. Marine ecologist and Oceanwise Australia director Ben Fitzpatrick said the proposal was bound to struggle given the special significance of the Exmouth Gulf. "In the Pilbara, that sort of wetland is quite unique … and in fact the Exmouth Gulf is one of the largest intact examples of that type of ecosystem in the world," he said. The independent researcher said while it had taken almost a decade for K+S to withdraw its plans, it was a sign the environmental approval process was effective. "We've got salt mines, salt evaporative ponds, operations that have been implemented at locations just to the north of there … [some] were put in a very long time ago before some of this legislation and these requirements," Dr Fitzpatrick said. "You don't want to be eroding away ecosystems that are essentially world heritage value ecosystems. The wetlands are a haven for endangered migrating birds and a globally significant nursery for rare rays and sawfish. The Australian Marine Conservation Society chief executive Paul Gamblin said the Exmouth Gulf was no place for industrial development. "It's not just us who are saying this is important," he said. "The era of consideration is absolutely over and we need to get on with protecting a place which is showing enormous stress from climate change already."
Zawya
06-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Liberia: President Boakai Inaugurates US$1.4 Billion ArcelorMittal Concentrator Plant in Nimba County
President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. has officially inaugurated the US$1.4 billion Concentrator Plant at the Mt. Tokadeh Mining Site in Nimba County, operated by ArcelorMittal Liberia. The facility represents one of the largest private sector investments in Liberia's postwar history and signals a renewed era of industrial development, job creation, and economic transformation. The President's visit included a guided tour of the newly completed facility which is scheduled to begin full operations later this month. The plant, originally initiated in 2012, was paused due to the 2014 Ebola crisis. Construction resumed in 2021, integrating modern technology and updated engineering designs. Speaking at the ceremony, President Boakai welcomed the launch as a strong vote of investor confidence in Liberia's stability and future. 'This level of investment is a testament to the growing confidence in the security and wellbeing of our state, and in the positive direction of our investment climate,' President Boakai remarked. He furthered, 'We are proud to witness this expansion—an achievement that touches the lives of our people and represents progress not just in infrastructure, but in human capacity and national pride.' The Project has already created over 5,000 construction jobs and is expected to generate 1,000 permanent positions. The Liberian Leader emphasized that the economic impact of such investment is far-reaching. 'This brings great relief to our economy. It's not just about the scale of capital—it's about the thousands of lives being touched, families being supported, and skills being developed,' the President noted. He commended ArcelorMittal Liberia for its vision and resilience, urging the company to continue advancing its additional investment commitments, including the Railway Expansion, Port Enhancement, and Power Plant Installations. 'We commend ArcelorMittal Liberia for this bold and courageous step, and we encourage continued momentum in all aspects of the company's investment roadmap,' President Boakai said. 'These projects are essential to deepening Liberia's integration into global value chains and unlocking long-term benefits for our people,' he intoned. He also emphasized the importance of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and encouraged the company to expand its support in areas such as education, healthcare, and local commerce, reinforcing the mutually beneficial nature of sustainable development. 'No doubt, a project of this magnitude must enrich the corporate social responsibility envelope,' he said, adding, 'Our communities must feel the impact not just in employment, but in schools, clinics, and markets.' President Boakai concluded by extending appreciation to all stakeholders, particularly the engineers, workers, and community members who contributed to the Project's realization. He reaffirmed the Government's commitment to honoring agreements and ensuring a stable environment for investment. 'We want to assure you that the benefits of this Project will be realized by our people,' he said. 'We do not want any disruptions. We are committed to seeing this through—for the good of Liberia and the future of our younger generation,' he said. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of Liberia: Executive Mansion.
Zawya
05-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Africa's industrial moment is here to deliver jobs
Africa's industrial moment can't wait. With the promise of a 1.5-billion-person market under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), a rising generation of innovators, and deep untapped industrial potential, Africa is laying the groundwork for a new era of production. But momentum alone isn't enough. The question now is whether this shift can be matched by the right kind of policy and delivery and that's where The United Nations Industrial Development Organization's (Unido) latest Africa Industrial Development Report comes in. I had the opportunity to speak at the report launch in Johannesburg last month. The report focuses on a new era of industrial policy in Africa through the lens of the Sustainable Development Goals. It zeroes in on three critical goals: SDG 7 on clean and affordable energy, SDG 8 on decent work and economic growth, and SDG 9 on industry, innovation and infrastructure. The message was clear that Africa is at a critical inflection point with progress within reach if we act boldly to close the gaps in energy access, job creation and industrial capacity. On SDG 7, there's good news and tough news in the report. Energy access across the continent now sits at 58 percent, improving faster than any other indicator at 1.12 percentage points per year. But the continent is still 67 percentage points behind on clean energy. North Africa is pulling ahead on both access and affordability, with Southern and Northern Africa leading on clean energy adoption. Our renewables, sun, wind, hydro, and geothermal, give us a real chance to leapfrog into a clean energy future. However, we won't get there without investment in generation, grids and local capacity to manufacture clean technology. On SDG 8, the challenge is how Africa translates economic growth into jobs. The data shows that growth was slowing before COVID-19, exposing deep structural weaknesses. Youth unemployment and gender inequality continue to rise. When you zoom in, the picture is mixed: North Africa has had strong GDP growth but has struggled to convert this into job creation. Southern Africa faces a dual challenge of sluggish growth and high unemployment. Eastern Africa is faring better on both fronts, with relatively stronger growth and job creation. Central Africa, meanwhile, lags across the board a clear signal for urgent and targeted reform. SDG9 is where the continent appears to be furthest off track. The continent's performance in industry, innovation and infrastructure is lagging significantly. Infrastructure investment was gaining traction before the pandemic but has since lost steam. So, how do we shift gears? Private sector leadership and government coordination are two non-negotiables. Let's start with the private sector. Across Africa, private enterprise drives 90 percent of production, 80 percent of employment, and 70 percent of GDP. You simply can't design credible or effective industrial strategy and policy without this demographic in the room. Private sector-led growth isn't a nice-to-have — it's the engine of jobs, exports and resilience. Yet, too often, industrial strategies are designed in isolation, without meaningful input from the very firms expected to utilise them. That needs to change. Going forward, governments should institutionalise structured public–private dialogue not just at launch but throughout the entire policy cycle. This means engaging businesses early, co-developing sector roadmaps, and creating feedback loops to adjust policies in real time. Government coordination is the next lever for government to move beyond good intentions. Many countries have well-articulated industrial plans, but their impact is often diluted by overlapping mandates, weak inter-ministerial coordination, and a disconnect between strategy and delivery. What's needed is a 'full stack' approach to industrial policy that moves from ambition to action. This starts with strategy. Industrial policy must be anchored in a national vision and championed at the highest level. All ministries from finance and trade to energy and education need to be aligned behind a single direction of travel. But a strategy is only useful if it's translated into investable, executable plans. Next comes policy, the rulebook of incentives, regulations, and trade frameworks. These need to be grounded in market realities and responsive to firm-level needs. But the real bottleneck is often delivery. Execution requires a system: cross-government coordination, clear KPIs, timelines, and a mechanism to track results and course correct in real time. And finally, technology which is now the most essential and transformative tool in government's hands, whether it's tracking industrial performance, targeting subsidies, or managing regulatory compliance. We need to treat digital tools as part of the core infrastructure of modern industrial policy. The Africa Industrial Development Report is a call to action. We know what's not working. We also know what's possible. Now it's time to deliver. Africa doesn't need more strategies gathering dust. It needs more jobs. And it needs them now. The writer is an Industrial Policy, Governance and Private Sector Development Expert and currently Senior Advisor (Global Lead), Industry & Commerce at the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change. © Copyright 2022 Nation Media Group. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Zawya
04-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Oman: Sohar Freezone signs deal for new ferrochrome plant
Muscat – Sohar Freezone has signed a land lease agreement with Matrix Alloys, a leader in low-carbon ferrochrome production, to build a new state-of-the-art, environmentally friendly ferrochrome plant. This initiative strengthens Oman's role as a regional hub for sustainable industrial development and supports the goals of Oman's 2050 Net Zero commitment to reduce carbon emissions and diversify the economy. The project, with an investment of $10mn, will occupy 2.2 hectares within Sohar Freezone and aims to produce 20,000 tonnes annually of micro-carbon and low-carbon ferrochrome. The facility will meet stringent purity and sustainability standards demanded by key markets including Europe, Japan, South Korea, and India. The first phase is expected to be operational by 2026. Utilising an electric-based production process that avoids coal and heavy-oil pollution, the plant will significantly reduce its environmental footprint and operate with zero waste gas or wastewater emissions. Furthermore, it seamlessly fits into Oman Vision 2040, promoting sustainable industrialisation and encouraging foreign investment to drive long-term economic growth and environmental stewardship In a press statement, Bailin Yi, Chairman of Matrix Alloys, said, 'Launching our first international ferroalloy plant in Sohar Freezone offers us a strategic location with excellent infrastructure, market access, and competitive, stable, and low-cost energy essential for the energy-intensive smelting processes. We are committed to delivering premium low-carbon ferrochrome products that support global stainless-steel producers and promote a cleaner industrial future.' Mohammed al Shizawi, Acting CEO of Sohar Freezone, said, 'This agreement underscores the trust that international investors place in Sohar Port and Freezone's integrated industrial ecosystem. Matrix Alloys is bringing advanced, sustainable manufacturing capabilities to our ferroalloy cluster, aligning perfectly with our vision to attract clean technology investments and strengthen Sohar Freezone's position as a competitive gateway for global trade.' Matrix Alloys will benefit from Sohar Freezone's proximity to raw material suppliers and customers, as well as direct port access, and a supportive regulatory environment that reduces operational costs. The plant also plans to secure ISO 14001 and ISO 14067 certifications to ensure full carbon emission traceability and compliance with international standards such as CBAM, EcoLeaf, and K-ETS. As Sohar Freezone approaches full capacity in its initial development phase, this agreement marks a significant milestone in expanding Oman's green industrial base and attracting technology-driven industries to the region. © Apex Press and Publishing Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
