Podcasts about environment ministry

「準絶滅危惧」に変更されるレブンアツモリソウ環境省は１８日、絶滅の恐れがある野生生物を示した「レッドリスト」の改訂版を公表した。 Japan's Environment Ministry on Tuesday released an updated version of its red list for plants and fungi, which now includes a total of 2,063 endangered species, down by 207 from the previous version.

Japan's Environment Ministry on Tuesday released an updated version of its red list for plants and fungi, which now includes a total of 2,063 endangered species, down by 207 from the previous version.

Interview with Jeffrey R. Wilson, President & CEO of Precipitate Gold Corp.Our previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/precipitate-gold-tsxvprg-unlocking-dominican-republics-promising-high-grade-gold-projects-6321Recording date: 2nd March 2025Precipitate Gold Corporation has successfully renegotiated its earn-in agreement with Barrick Gold, significantly increasing the potential investment from $10 million to $22 million while extending the timeline to 2030. According to President and CEO Jeff Wilson, Barrick has already invested approximately $7 million in the project.The strategic value of Precipitate's property lies in its location surrounding Barrick's Tier 1 Pueblo Viejo mine in the Dominican Republic. The land package borders this major mining operation on three sides, providing Barrick with expansion potential for one of their flagship properties. The agreement includes an "all or nothing" structure that protects Precipitate's interests. If Barrick discontinues exploration, Precipitate regains 100% ownership, and should the project advance to a 70/30 joint venture, Precipitate maintains a carried interest.Recent regulatory developments in the Dominican Republic have created a more favorable environment for mining companies. Previously, GoldQuest's Romero project had been stalled due to requirements for presidential approval of mining licenses. The regulatory process has been modified to allow companies to complete environmental impact studies and feasibility studies before final licensing decisions, creating a clearer pathway to development. This change has also positively affected Unigold and boosted investor confidence in the jurisdiction.Precipitate is in a strong financial position with approximately $5 million in cash from a previous sale to Barrick. The company has adopted a patient approach to capital deployment, preserving resources during uncertain times. Cost advantages include co-ownership of drilling equipment with GoldQuest, acquired from a bankrupt contractor at a significant discount.For 2025, Precipitate is preparing exploration programs focusing on targets identified through ongoing groundwork. Geophysical surveys, particularly ground IP, will play a key role in refining drill targets. Wilson indicated that initial drilling would be measured rather than aggressive to preserve financial flexibility.The Dominican Republic government has shown increased support for mining, with ministry officials actively engaging with mining companies. Mining currently contributes approximately 43% to the country's economy, primarily from Barrick's Pueblo Viejo operation. However, with production gradually diminishing, the government recognizes the need to develop new mines and has adopted a more pro-business stance in its second term, extending support through both the Ministry of Energy and Mines and the Environment Ministry.View Precipitate Gold's company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/precipitate-gold-corpSign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

トキ環境省は１４日、国の特別天然記念物トキの本州初となる放鳥について、石川県能登地域で行うことを決めた。 Japan's Environment Ministry on Friday announced plans to release crested ibises in the Noto region in the central prefecture of Ishikawa in June 2026, the first-ever release of the birds protected as a national treasure in the country's Honshu main island.

Japan's Environment Ministry on Friday announced plans to release crested ibises in the Noto region in the central prefecture of Ishikawa in June 2026, the first-ever release of the birds protected as a national treasure in the country's Honshu main island.

Japan's Environment Ministry plans to decide around 2030 or later where to finally dispose of soil removed from the ground during decontamination work after the March 2011 disaster at Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc.'s Fukushima No.1 nuclear power plant, it was learned Wednesday.

Negotiations are currently underway to open branches of Egyptian universities overseas, with the efforts taking place within a push internationalize the higher education sector in Egypt and education service exports.The Egyptian Customs Authority (ECA) has begun procedures to release the roughly 30k vehicles currently stranded at the country's ports that violated previous personal import or disabled-accessible vehicle import regulations, according to a document from the authority. Lawmakers gave the final sign-off to a government-drafted law that directs cash-based subsidies to citizens who fall below the poverty line and lack access to social ins. initiatives.  MPs signed off on a EUR 135 mn grant from the European Investment Bank to support the Environment Ministry's Sustainable Green Industry project, which will support the greening of the country's industrial sector by implementing climate change and environmental sustainability measures.Egypt's fuel imports amounted to c.USD15.5 billion in 2024, an increase of 26% YoY. According to a government official, petroleum products imports accounted for the largest share of the import bill last year, at a value of nearly USD10 billion.ESRS board of directors decided to continue the procedures for delisting its shares from the EGX, pending the general assembly's approval.  Objecting shareholders can sell their shares back to the company at the independent financial advisor's fair value of EGP138.15/share.The Parliament greenlit the Finance Ministry guaranteeing EGAL's financial commitments with Norwegian renewables firm Scatec under a power purchasing agreement between the two. MBSC inked an EGP298 million agreement to build a solar power plant, at the company's facility in Beni Suef, in partnership with Chinese tech giant Huawei, Chinese solar module manufacturer Jinko Solar, and local renewables company Integrated Renewable & Sustainable Communities. The solar project will support the company's efforts to power its industrial activities with renewables.ExxonMobil has found natural gas at its Mediterranean's North Marakia offshore concession after drilling at the block began in mid-December. The size of the find has yet to be determined, but pre-drill estimates came in at around 3.5 trillion cubic feet, the report reads.Chemicals and Fertilizers Exports Council is asking for increasing export subsidy to a minimum of EGP50 billion, from EGP23 billion currently to be able to increase exports to EGP100 billion.Tasaheel micro finance issues sukuk with a value of EGP7 billion next month. 

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 16-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 23,108 on turnover of 2-billion N-T. The market closed the day down on Tuesday after Nvidia pulled Wall Street lower overnight - and that resulted in the main board retreating to just above the 5-day moving average. First Agreement Under Taiwan-US 21st-Century Trade Initiative Takes Effect The first agreement under the Taiwan-US Initiative on 21st-Century Trade has officially come into effect. The Office of Trade Negotiations says the move marks a "significant milestone" in bilateral trade relations between Taipei and Washington. The agreement covers commitments to customs administration and trade facilitation, regulatory ( 監管) practices, rules for running domestic service industries, anti-corruption and small- and medium-sized enterprises. According to the Office of Trade Negotiations, the initial agreement received unanimous support from the U-S Congress and both sides will continue to discuss implementation (執行) details and share any concerns. Taipei Mayor Stressed Taipei-Shanghai Forum Aiming to Maintain Cross-Strait Peace Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an is stressing that his administration will be hosting Shanghai officials at next week's Taipei-Shanghai Twin City Forum to help promote peace across the Taiwan Strait. Speaking at a city government meeting, Chiang described the annual forum as a rare platform for official cross-strait dialogue (對話), which could help ease tensions between Taiwan and China. According to Chiang, Taiwan has had limited exchanges with China in recent years and he firmly believes it's "better to understand each other than to misunderstand." The 102-member Shanghai delegation to this year's forum is being led by Hua Yuan, one of the city's eight vice mayors. Israel Airstrikes Across Syria Israel carried out a wave of heavy airstrikes across Syria as its troops advanced deeper into the country. That's according to a Syrian opposition war monitor. Elsewhere on Tuesday, the Israeli defense minister announced that his forces had destroyed Syria's navy. Israel acknowledged pushing into a buffer zone inside Syria following the overthrow of President Bashar Assad. But it remained unclear if its soldiers had gone beyond that area, which was established more than 50 years ago. Israel denied it is advancing on the Syrian capital of Damascus. Israeli officials have said they are striking military assets to prevent (防止) them from falling into the hands of extremists. US Files War Crimes Charges Against Syrian Military Officials The United States has filed war crimes charges against two high-ranking Syrian military figures who it accuses of torturing American citizens. It comes after the government of Bashar al-Assad collapsed (瓦解), with the former president fleeing the country. Nick Harper reports from Washington. NMacedonia Protests Against Air Pollution Protesters across North Macedonia have taken part in demonstrations to demand better air quality in cities that are among the most polluted in Europe. In the capital, Skopje, the protesters gathered Tuesday outside the Environment Ministry, some wearing gas masks to highlight the problem blamed by authorities for some 3,500 premature deaths annually. According to European Union health authorities, pollution levels in Skopje and other Macedonian cities often exceed World Health Organization's limits by more than four times. Pollution levels often spike during the winter months, with many urban households unable to afford (買得起) central heating, burning wood, old tires, plastic, and other waste materials. Protest organizers called for national action, demandingstricter government regulation of traffic and industry, citing decades of neglect. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. －－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－ 身障免牌照稅及駕照註銷一站式服務，民眾免奔波～ 包租公婆照過來，申報租賃所得且達租金標準可享房屋稅優惠，房東請記得114年3月24日以前向地方稅局申報！ 小小發票存雲端，愛心捐贈更溫暖！ 中市稅輕鬆FB： https://bit.ly/3ZnMv1Z 臺中市政府地方稅務局廣告

ウクライナ復興で脱炭素化を推進する方針を確認した環境省の松沢裕地球環境審議官と欧州復興開発銀行のマーク・ボーマン副総裁、１４日、バクー【バクー時事】ロシアの侵攻が続くウクライナの復興に関し、脱炭素化の視点を重視した街づくりを支援するため、日本の環境省と欧州復興開発銀行は１４日、覚書を締結した。 Japan's Environment Ministry and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development on Thursday concluded a memorandum of understanding to support the reconstruction of Ukraine with a focus on decarbonization in urban development.

Japan's Environment Ministry and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development on Thursday concluded a memorandum of understanding to support the reconstruction of Ukraine with a focus on decarbonization in urban development.

環境省は３０日、２０２５年度予算概算要求を発表した。 Japan's Environment Ministry said Friday that its fiscal 2025 budget request addresses decarbonization and aid for Minamata disease sufferers.

Japan's Environment Ministry said Friday that its fiscal 2025 budget request addresses decarbonization and aid for Minamata disease sufferers.

クマ環境省の有識者検討会は８日、クマが住宅地に出没した際に一定の条件下で猟銃の使用を認める対応方針を取りまとめた。 An expert panel of Japan's Environment Ministry on Monday approved the idea of allowing the use of rifles to hunt bears under some conditions in residential areas.

An expert panel of Japan's Environment Ministry on Monday approved the idea of allowing the use of rifles to hunt bears under some conditions in residential areas.

New Zealand's first Surf Park facility has been given the green light to be built on Auckland's North Shore, after getting resource consent from the Environment Ministry. The 43-hectare facility marked for Dairy Flat is set to begin construction later this year. The project is expected to cost about 100 million dollars. The Surf Park will be the first of its kind to be powered by renewable energy. Surf lover and former All Black Sir john Kirwan who heads the project spoke to Corin Dann.

Those who want to climb one of the most popular trails on Japan's iconic Mount Fuji will have to book a slot and pay a fee as crowds, littering and climbers who try to rush too fast to the summit cause safety and conservation concerns at the picturesque stratovolcano. The new rules for the climbing season, starting July 1 to September 10, apply for those hiking the Yoshida Trail on the Yamanashi side of the 3,776 meter- (nearly 12,300 feet-) high mountain that was designated a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site in 2013. Only 4,000 climbers will be allowed to enter the trail per day for a hiking fee of 2,000 yen (about $18). Of those slots, 3,000 will be available for online booking and the remaining 1,000 can be booked in person on the day of the climb, Yamanashi prefecture said in a statement via the Foreign Press Center of Japan. Hikers also have an option of donating an additional 1,000 yen (about $9) for conservation. Climbers can book their slots via the Mount Fuji Climbing website, which is jointly run by the Environment Ministry and the mountain's two home prefectures, Yamanashi and Shizuoka. Under the new system, climbers must choose between a day hike or an overnight stay at the several available huts along the trail. On the day of their climb, they are given a QR code to be scanned at the 5th station. Those who have not booked an overnight hut will be sent back down and not allowed to climb between 4:00 p.m. and 3:00 a.m., mainly to stop “bullet climbing,” or rushing to the summit without adequate rest, which authorities are worried puts lives at risk. A symbol of Japan, the mountain called “Fujisan” used to be a place of pilgrimage. Today, it especially attracts hikers who climb to the summit to see the sunrise. But the tons of trash that's left behind, including plastic bottles, food and even clothes, have become a major concern. Overtourism has also become a growing issue at other popular tourist destinations such as Kyoto and Kamakura as foreign visitors have flocked to Japan in droves since the coronavirus pandemic restrictions were lifted. This article was provided by The Associated Press.

The Green Credit Programme, announced by the Environment Ministry in October 2023, is a market-based mechanism where individuals and companies can claim incentives called ‘green credits' for contributions to environmental and ecological restoration. However, there is criticism that these initiatives may be used to circumvent existing laws, particularly those that deal with forest conservation.  Jacob Koshy is joined by Vaibhav Chaturvedi, Fellow at the Council on Energy, Environment and Water and Debadityo Sinha, Senior Resident Fellow, Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says the public service has responded “fairly well” to the new government.  Newstalk ZB's Mike Hosking asked him this morning whether officials were giving the Government some “pushback” - pointing to changes to disability support funding and a proposal to shutter the Suicide Prevention Office, both of which appeared to blindside government ministers.  Luxon said ministers had been inadequately briefed but it had been cleared up.  He said to be fair to the public service, they had been “very poorly led” for the past six years.  ”Then they go off and do stuff, and often they do the wrong things because they get busy and they do lots of things but the things don't add up.  ”That was the reason for bringing in the nine public service targets - because they were things that mattered to him, and to Kiwis - such as healthcare and education.  ”The bit that I can control is I've got to make sure that my ministers are being crystal clear about their priorities with those agencies.”  Luxon said job layoffs, where many people would be getting voluntary redundancy, were a “perfectly reasonable approach” for CEOs to find the savings the Government is asking for.  Luxon yesterday announced nine new public service targets that the Coalition Government has set.  Surgery wait times, student achievement, less crime and big reductions in welfare and emergency housing numbers are all part of Luxon's new public service targets to be delivered by 2030.  The Prime Minister released them yesterday during his post-Cabinet press conference, saying they will require the public sector to think differently and do deep dives into the root causes of key issues.  “These targets are not going to be easy to achieve,” Luxon said yesterday.  “But we're not here to do what is easy - we're here to do what is needed to reduce crime, shorten healthcare wait times and improve educational achievement, no matter how difficult.”  The nine targets are:  -Shorter stays in emergency departments: 95 per cent of patients to be admitted, discharged, or transferred from an emergency department within six hours. This was almost at target level in early 2015, when 93 per cent patients were seen within six hours.  -Shorter wait times for (elective) treatment: 95 per cent of people wait less than four months for elective treatment. This was at target target level in 2015 and 2016.  -Reduced child and youth offending: 15 per cent reduction in the total number of children and young people with serious and persistent offending behaviour. This would see the number fall from its current level of about 1100 to about 900 children and young people.  -Reduced violent crime: 20,000 fewer people who are victims of an assault, robbery, or sexual assault. This will be measured in the New Zealand Crime and Victims' Survey, and would be an 11 per cent drop from 2023 levels.  -Fewer people on the Jobseeker Support Benefit: 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support Benefit. This would see the number fall by more than a quarter, from about 190,000 in December last year.  -Increased student attendance: 80 per cent of students are present for more than 90 per cent of the term. This coincides with the Government releasing its plan to reduce truancy, expected later this week.  -More students at expected curriculum levels: 80 per cent of Year 8 students at or above the expected curriculum level for their age in reading, writing and maths by December 2030. Only one cohort is at the target levels, which currently are: maths (82 per cent in Year 4 and 42 per cent in Year 8), writing (63 per cent and 35 per cent) and reading (63 per cent and 56 per cent).  -Fewer people in emergency housing: 75 per cent reduction of households in emergency housing. This would reduce the number of households using emergency housing to early 2018 levels. The number had ballooned in December 2023 to 3100 households and 3186 children in emergency housing; 60 per cent had been there for over 12 weeks.  -Reduced net greenhouse gas emissions: On track to meet New Zealand's 2050 net zero climate change targets, with total net emissions of no more than 290 megatonnes from 2022 to 2025 and 305 megatonnes from 2026 to 2030.  Prime Minister Christopher Luxon speaks to media at the weekly post-Cabinet press conference at Parliament in Wellington. April 8, 2024. Photo / Mark Mitchell  Luxon said he had scrapped former PM Jacinda Ardern's Implementation Unit in the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, and would instead set up a delivery unit, which would keep a tight eye on the nine goals. That would include assessing whether various programmes were actually working, and pulling the pin on them if they were not.  He referenced comments about his CEO approach to the Prime Minister's job: “I make no apologies for that, because it hasn't worked for us having the career politicians for the last six years.”  Asked where those who would no longer be in emergency housing would go, Luxon said yesterday there would be an increase in state and social housing, while increasing the supply of housing in general.  The targets come as the Government looks to find 6.5 to 7.5 per cent savings across government agencies and departments, a move that critics say will have downstream impacts on frontline services despite what Luxon has said about those being protected.    PM's Asia visit and public sector job cuts  Luxon also announced yesterday that he will travel to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines next week, along with a senior business delegation, Minister of Climate Change and Revenue Simon Watts, and Paulo Garcia, New Zealand's first Filipino Member of Parliament.  This trip was undoubtedly in mind when Luxon released his quarterly action plan last week, which included an item to “raise the energy” with respect to international engagements including in South East Asia.  His visit to Thailand will be the first dedicated visit by a New Zealand Prime Minister since 2013, while the visit to the Philippines will be the first in 14 years.  “South East Asia is a region that is more crucial than ever to our prosperity and our security. I look forward to meeting my counterparts and seeing firsthand what more we can do to deepen our relationships,” Luxon said.  Luxon said 10 per cent of New Zealand exports went to SE Asia, valued at $9.1b, and the region's economy was increasing faster than just about anywhere in the world.  This week MPs return to Parliament after a one week recess to begin an unusual one week sitting block. It is the first sitting block since the Government announced its first quarterly plan last week, meaning we should see some legislation introduced to deliver on those plans.  Cabinet meetings are expected to be contentious this month, as ministers finalise the Budget due for delivery in May. Luxon is meant is likely to face questions on what is in the Budget and the extent to which public sector cuts are needed to pay for his tax plan.  Yeterday, the Ministry for the Environment became the latest department to announce cost-saving measures.  Staff were told redundancies are “likely” as agencies rush to fund savings, which the Government hopes to turn into a saving of $1.5 billion a year.   Agencies are tasked with finding savings between 6.5 and 7.5 per cent to trim off their budgets, which, at numerous ministries, is resulting in proposals putting jobs on the line. The Environment Ministry needs to slash 7.5 per cent from certain lines of funding, with final sign-off to be made by the Government in relation to the upcoming Budget next month.  A voluntary redundancy scheme has opened at the Ministry, with no set target for uptake.  Luxon is also likely to give his view on immigration changes announced over the weekend. Immigration Minister Erica Stanford made immediate changes to the Accredited Employer Worker Visa, to respond to what the Government called unsustainable levels of inward migration.   In 2023, a near-record 173,000 non-New Zealand citizens migrated to the country.  The changes to the work visa scheme include introducing an English-language requirement for migrants applying for low-skilled jobs.  Stanford said the changes focus on using the local labour market first, while still attracting high-skilled migrants where there are skill shortages.  “Getting our immigration settings right is critical to this Government's plan to rebuild the economy,” she said on Sunday in a statement. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today from The Detail: When the money dries up, gains made by a wave of Covid-inspired funding are likely to be lost.

On a recent day in the Cardamom Mountains of southwest Cambodia, a local resident steered a boat along a calm waterway, pointing out plants grown by community members: durian, banana, jackfruit, avocado. This area has seen increased patrolling by the Cambodian military, environmental officials and staff of the New York-based nonprofit Wildlife Alliance, according to the man, who asked to remain anonymous out of fear of retribution. “All of this farmland belongs to people. Starting from the border of the forest, that's where people have enjoyed farming every year for a long time,” he said. “We've done farming here for many years already before they came to do conservation.” Cambodia's monsoonal wet season drenches Toap Khley village in the Southern Cardamom National Park's Areng Valley. Credit: Anton L. Delgado/Southeast Asia Globe The small farms dotting the riverbank are part of a protected area that is now being enforced through a forest carbon offset project known as the Southern Cardamom REDD+ Project. A new report from Human Rights Watch found that the project had violated the rights of Indigenous Chong people who live here, documenting forced evictions, arrests and harassment. The project brought in more than $18 million by 2021 through carbon credit sales. Companies including Delta Air Lines, Stella McCartney, McKinsey and Boeing bought the credits in an attempt to reduce their overall carbon footprint, in this case, by supporting a project that patrols a conservation area to prevent deforestation. The industry has faced a slew of critical coverage in the last few years, with accusations that projects have overstated their climate benefits. The research from Human Rights Watch indicates that these projects can also harm local and Indigenous groups in the name of conservation.  A sign in Chamnar village, the furthest community in Areng Valley, indicates that a new water tower was supported by the Southern Cardamom REDD+ project within the national park. Credit: Anton L. Delgado/Southeast Asia Globe Empty boats line one side of the riverbank, as the Chong Indigenous fishers and farmers are restricted from crossing over to cultivate their crops, the resident explained.The local people support conservation of forested areas, he said, but want to continue cultivating crops in areas that have long been agricultural plots. Instead, members of his community have been arrested for collecting sustainable forest products, had their crops destroyed and huts burned down, according to the report.“People are farming on land that they have customarily thought belongs to them but the interpretation of the project is that this farming amounts to an environmental crime,” said Luciana Téllez Chávez, senior researcher at Human Rights Watch and the lead author of the report. “Some people have also been jailed for basically just performing the activities that have formed the core of their livelihoods for generations.”Luciana Téllez Chávez, senior researcher, Human Rights Watch“Some people have also been jailed for basically just performing the activities that have formed the core of their livelihoods for generations.” A bathroom, supported by the Southern Cardamom REDD+ Project within the national park, is visible from the rain-drenched gate of a home in Samraong village. Credit: Anton L. Delgado/Southeast Asia Globe This carbon offset project was able to sell credits at higher prices because it received additional certifications reserved for projects that specifically benefit local and Indigenous communities. But Human Rights Watch found that the process of obtaining "free, prior and informed consent" from residents did not begin until 2 and 1/2 years after the project had already started. “I cannot imagine a more egregious problem than reversing free, prior and informed consent. If you say that happened and the opposite happened, why should I trust anything you say anywhere else?” said Danny Cullenward, a climate economist and lawyer. For Cullenward, the report findings are made even worse by the fact that some of the issues were documented in the project's own audits years before the investigation. The auditing firm SCS Global Services, for instance, noted that the free, prior and informed consent meetings with residents began 31 months after the January 2015 project start date, but still determined that the project was “in conformance” with certification requirements. “Every single party in this transaction has a financial interest in there being more credits issued,” Cullenward said. “It's a lose-lose situation here because, either one of the parties has really screwed up at its job or the rules are so weak, you really don't want to have any confidence in their application elsewhere.”The credits are certified by the US nonprofit Verra, the world's leading carbon credit certifier, which is meant to confirm that the projects produce certain environmental and social benefits. Verra began its own investigation of the project after Human Rights Watch shared its preliminary findings in June. Joel Finkelstein, Verra's senior director for media and advocacy, told The World that the allegations are appalling. He believes Verra's auditing system is something the organization can really stand behind.“It's a system designed to get to meaningful, credible, high-integrity climate impact and ethical processes in these projects,” he said. “If that was not the case here, our investigation will find that out and there will be censures for that, too.”Verra would not provide a timeline for when its investigation will be completed, and said its policy is to not provide commentary while an investigation is ongoing. SCS Global Services said in an email that its policy was to not comment on ongoing reviews. Cambodia's Environment Ministry did not respond to multiple requests for comment. Wildlife Alliance said in a statement that the Human Rights Watch report “fundamentally distorts the reality of the project.” A local resident walks down the red road to Chamnar Village in the Areng Valley of the Southern Cardamom National Park. Credit: Anton L. Delgado/Southeast Asia Globe At his family home, a Chong Indigenous man in his late 50s said the rangers and officials carrying out the carbon offset project have cut down crops grown by his community. "They should be protecting only the forest, not [patrolling] the plantations and trees that people have planted for years,” the man said, who also asked to remain anonymous for fear of retaliation from the Wildlife Alliance. He still farms in the area despite the patrols, but is afraid of being spotted. He doesn't earn enough for his family's daily living expenses, and had to take out private loans for $150."I only ask the companies that gave to [Wildlife Alliance] and the REDD+ Project to review the map that overlaps with people's land,” he said. “Do not hurt the people anymore."The authorities don't go after people who have excavators, he said, but they come for people with small farms like him. Additional reporting and translation by Phon Sothyroth.

On a recent day in the Cardamom Mountains of southwest Cambodia, a local resident steered a boat along a calm waterway, pointing out plants grown by community members: durian, banana, jackfruit, avocado. This area has seen increased patrolling by the Cambodian military, environmental officials and staff of the New York-based nonprofit Wildlife Alliance, according to the man, who asked to remain anonymous out of fear of retribution. “All of this farmland belongs to people. Starting from the border of the forest, that's where people have enjoyed farming every year for a long time,” he said. “We've done farming here for many years already before they came to do conservation.” Cambodia's monsoonal wet season drenches Toap Khley village in the Southern Cardamom National Park's Areng Valley. Credit: Anton L. Delgado/Southeast Asia Globe The small farms dotting the riverbank are part of a protected area that is now being enforced through a forest carbon offset project known as the Southern Cardamom REDD+ Project. A new report from Human Rights Watch found that the project had violated the rights of Indigenous Chong people who live here, documenting forced evictions, arrests and harassment. The project brought in more than $18 million by 2021 through carbon credit sales. Companies including Delta Air Lines, Stella McCartney, McKinsey and Boeing bought the credits in an attempt to reduce their overall carbon footprint, in this case, by supporting a project that patrols a conservation area to prevent deforestation. The industry has faced a slew of critical coverage in the last few years, with accusations that projects have overstated their climate benefits. The research from Human Rights Watch indicates that these projects can also harm local and Indigenous groups in the name of conservation.  A sign in Chamnar village, the furthest community in Areng Valley, indicates that a new water tower was supported by the Southern Cardamom REDD+ project within the national park. Credit: Anton L. Delgado/Southeast Asia Globe Empty boats line one side of the riverbank, as the Chong Indigenous fishers and farmers are restricted from crossing over to cultivate their crops, the resident explained.The local people support conservation of forested areas, he said, but want to continue cultivating crops in areas that have long been agricultural plots. Instead, members of his community have been arrested for collecting sustainable forest products, had their crops destroyed and huts burned down, according to the report.“People are farming on land that they have customarily thought belongs to them but the interpretation of the project is that this farming amounts to an environmental crime,” said Luciana Téllez Chávez, senior researcher at Human Rights Watch and the lead author of the report. “Some people have also been jailed for basically just performing the activities that have formed the core of their livelihoods for generations.”Luciana Téllez Chávez, senior researcher, Human Rights Watch“Some people have also been jailed for basically just performing the activities that have formed the core of their livelihoods for generations.” A bathroom, supported by the Southern Cardamom REDD+ Project within the national park, is visible from the rain-drenched gate of a home in Samraong village. Credit: Anton L. Delgado/Southeast Asia Globe This carbon offset project was able to sell credits at higher prices because it received additional certifications reserved for projects that specifically benefit local and Indigenous communities. But Human Rights Watch found that the process of obtaining "free, prior and informed consent" from residents did not begin until 2 and 1/2 years after the project had already started. “I cannot imagine a more egregious problem than reversing free, prior and informed consent. If you say that happened and the opposite happened, why should I trust anything you say anywhere else?” said Danny Cullenward, a climate economist and lawyer. For Cullenward, the report findings are made even worse by the fact that some of the issues were documented in the project's own audits years before the investigation. The auditing firm SCS Global Services, for instance, noted that the free, prior and informed consent meetings with residents began 31 months after the January 2015 project start date, but still determined that the project was “in conformance” with certification requirements. “Every single party in this transaction has a financial interest in there being more credits issued,” Cullenward said. “It's a lose-lose situation here because, either one of the parties has really screwed up at its job or the rules are so weak, you really don't want to have any confidence in their application elsewhere.”The credits are certified by the US nonprofit Verra, the world's leading carbon credit certifier, which is meant to confirm that the projects produce certain environmental and social benefits. Verra began its own investigation of the project after Human Rights Watch shared its preliminary findings in June. Joel Finkelstein, Verra's senior director for media and advocacy, told The World that the allegations are appalling. He believes Verra's auditing system is something the organization can really stand behind.“It's a system designed to get to meaningful, credible, high-integrity climate impact and ethical processes in these projects,” he said. “If that was not the case here, our investigation will find that out and there will be censures for that, too.”Verra would not provide a timeline for when its investigation will be completed, and said its policy is to not provide commentary while an investigation is ongoing. SCS Global Services said in an email that its policy was to not comment on ongoing reviews. Cambodia's Environment Ministry did not respond to multiple requests for comment. Wildlife Alliance said in a statement that the Human Rights Watch report “fundamentally distorts the reality of the project.” A local resident walks down the red road to Chamnar Village in the Areng Valley of the Southern Cardamom National Park. Credit: Anton L. Delgado/Southeast Asia Globe At his family home, a Chong Indigenous man in his late 50s said the rangers and officials carrying out the carbon offset project have cut down crops grown by his community. "They should be protecting only the forest, not [patrolling] the plantations and trees that people have planted for years,” the man said, who also asked to remain anonymous for fear of retaliation from the Wildlife Alliance. He still farms in the area despite the patrols, but is afraid of being spotted. He doesn't earn enough for his family's daily living expenses, and had to take out private loans for $150."I only ask the companies that gave to [Wildlife Alliance] and the REDD+ Project to review the map that overlaps with people's land,” he said. “Do not hurt the people anymore."The authorities don't go after people who have excavators, he said, but they come for people with small farms like him. Additional reporting and translation by Phon Sothyroth.

The USD35 billion Emirati investment in Egypt is an important step, but it is not linked to the Fund's discussions with Egypt. These two topics are completely separate, the IMF's Middle East and Central Asia head said.Egypt needs to ramp up private sector activity, rationalize spending, and maintain restrictive monetary policy to help boost economic growth, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) said.The OECD sees economic growth falling to 3.2% in the current fiscal year — from 3.8% in the last fiscal year — as inflation continues to drive down consumption. Growth is set to pick up to hit 4.4% in FY2024-25. There could be a decline in the prices of essential commodities before Ramadan, as the release of goods that had been stuck at customs brings down prices, Federation of Chambers of Commerce Secretary-General said.The House of Representatives gave the final approval yesterday to amendments that will raise the issuance fee of passports to EGP1k from EGP250. The House approved a EUR500 million grant from the European Investment Bank to support the Environment Ministry's Sustainable Green Industry project, and an EUR80 million grant from Germany to fund the Environment Ministry's solid waste management program, help create 25 technological schools and centers, and support the Central Bank of Egypt's financial risk management program.The Commodity Exchange has stopped offering and trading the three most prominent strategic commodities: wheat, corn, and sugar about two months ago. The Minister of Supply attributed the reason for the halt to speculation and exaggerated prices for the wheat commodity, which will be offered again when prices stabilize.EKHO released 4Q23 consolidated financial results. Net profit increased 25% YoY (+18% QoQ) to USD42.62 million in 4Q23. FY23 net profit declined 30% YoY to USD179.18 million. EKHO is currently trading at a 2024e PE of 5.1x and EV/EBITDA of 2.6x. According to local press press, the National Bank of Egypt and Banque Misr target selling part or all of their stake of 26% in AMOC.EXPA (FV: EGP42.00, OW) 4Q23 consolidated bottom line recorded a strong EGP1.1 billion post minority interest (+227% y/y, +7% q/q), bringing FY23 bottom line post minority to EGP3.375 billion (+156% y/y). We raise our FV from EGP32.00/share to EGP42.00/share and maintain our Overweight recommendation on strong financial performance exceeding our expectations. EXPA is currently trading at 1.1x P/B24 and 5.5x P/E24, on RoAE of 22%.ELSEWEDY ELECTRIC for Electrical Products (EEEP), a subsidiary of SWDY (FV: EGP34.96, OW), targets an increase in oil transformers' exports to USD150 million in 2024 up from USD120 million recorded in 2023.According to local press, Saudi Egyptian Industrial Investment (SEII) plans to invest USD5 million in a new pharma production line, which should kick off operations early next year.Weekly Commodities Update |   | Last Price | WoW Change, % | Brent, USD/bbl | 81.6 | -2.2% | Diesel-HSFO Spread, USD/ton | 405 | -5.5% | Egypt Urea, USD/ton | 406 | -1.0% | Polyethylene, USD/ton | 1,060 | 0.0% | Polypropylene, USD/ton | 960 | 0.5% | Steel/Iron Ore Spreads, USD/ton | 387 | 1.0% | LME Aluminum Cash Price, USD/ton | 2,138 | -2.8% | Egyptian Retail Cement, EGP/ton | 2,099 | -1.5% | Steam Coal FOB Newcastle Australia, USD/ton | 119 | 0.1% | SMP, USD/MT | 2,788 | 1.1% | Last price may vary week over week in some indices due to time difference

The IMF's first and second reviews of Egypt's USD3 billion loan program are in their final stages and are expected to be completed in a few short weeks, according to the IMF Managing Director. MPs are meeting today to discuss and vote on the EGP180 billion social support package announced last week by the presidency. The House will also discuss and vote on a number of agreements that include:A EUR500 million grant from the European Investment Bank to support the Environment Ministry's Sustainable Green Industry project.A EUR80 million grant from Germany to support the Environment Ministry's solid waste management program, build 25 technological schools and centers, and support the central bank's financial risk management program.60% of ships passing through the Suez Canal have diverted to South Africa by circumnavigating Africa. The tonnage passing through the Suez Canal decreased during the first 6 days of February to 12.8 million tons, compared to about 18.9 million tons during the same period in January, a monthly decrease of 32.5%. Minister of Finance stated that tax revenue collection rates increased by 42% during the first 7 months of the current fiscal year.The New Urban Communities Authority signed an MoU with the UK to form a task force that will support Egypt's efforts to build sustainable infrastructure and cities.Visa signed an MoU with the Egyptian Banks Company (EBC) to introduce new features in a bid to facilitate remittance transfers by Egyptian expats.COMI (FV: EGP100.00, OW) recorded a strong set of results where 4Q23 net profit post-minority interest recorded EGP7,229 million (-13% q/q, +83% y/y), bringing FY23 bottom line to EGP29,635 million (+84% y/y, and +6% higher than Al Ahly Pharos estimates of of EGP27,903 million). The stock is trading at P/E 2024 of 7.2x and P/B 2024 of 2.2x.Philip Morris has hiked the price of cigarettes by up to 18%, the company said in a press release yesterday. It also raised the price of its heated cigarettes range by 14%.EAST is looking to secure USD400 million in credit facilities through local banks to be used as LCs for the company's suppliers to import the needed raw materials. The company is also looking to secure USD200 million through foreign banks as letters of guarantee.PHAR announced that its revenues exceeded EGP5 billion in 2023, where initial estimates indicate exports revenues of USD54 million, representing around 30% of Egypt's pharmaceutical exports to Africa. The company expects EIPICO 3 to begin trial operation in 2Q24. CPCI released 2Q23/24 financial indicators. Net profit surged by 443.8% YoY and 3.7% QoQ to record EGP61.3 million in 2Q23/24. Net profit recorded EGP120.5 million in 1H23/24 (+141% YoY). CPCI is currently trading at 23/24f P/E of 6.8x and EV/EBITDA of 7.7x.ALCN released 2Q23/24 amended financial indicators. Net income recorded EGP1.2 billion in 2Q23/24 (+7.2% YoY, +23.9% QoQ). Net income recorded EGP2.2 billion in 1H23/24 (+21.9% YoY). ALCN is currently trading at 23/24f P/E of 19.7x and EV/EBITDA of 19.2x.ALCN's BoD approved FY22/23 dividends of EGP2.4/share, implying payout ratio of 81.5% and dividend yield of 4.1%.Regarding HELI's (FV: EGP18.84, OW) plan to offer 84 residential units in New Heliopolis and Sheraton for sale through auction, the company is holding the auction on 2 March 2024.Acwa Power has begun conducting feasibility studies to develop its large-scale, two-phase green hydrogen and ammonia project in the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZone).Weekly Commodities Update

Alan Browde is the CEO and founder of SA Harvest, a food-rescue organizationin South Africa dedicated to the distribution of surplus food rescued and distributed to those in need and he joins John to assess a draft strategy released by South Africa's environment ministry to address food losses and waste.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Egypt is on track to meet its target of attracting 15 million tourists this year despite the impact of the war in Gaza.The Environment Ministry is aiming to attract USD600 million in investment into six projects during 2024.The Ministry of Finance will present the new draft law on income taxes for social dialogue during the coming period for approval before taking the necessary measures to refer it to the Cabinet then the House of Representatives. The law sets the tax due at EGP1000 annually for projects whose annual turnover is less than EGP250k.The Head of the Ports Sector at Abu Dhabi Ports Group said that the group decided to focus on the company's multi-purpose terminal project in Safaga Port and postpone plans to acquire shares in container handling companies such as Port Said and Damietta affiliated with the Holding Company for Maritime Transport.The first gold auction will be held on Egypt's commodities exchange next week.The Egyptian Railways Authority inked a terms and conditions agreement with the Egyptian National Railway Industries Company (NERIC) to assemble 500 rolling stock, along with their maintenance and spare parts, over the span of 15 years.The Madbouly government is resorting to bartering with Kenya to continue importing black tea in a bid to protect FX reserves. ORAS (FV: EGP192.45, OW) signed a contract with the National Authority for Tunnels to execute all civil works for Greater Cairo Metro Line 4, which will run underground from Giza to Fustat and connect to existing Lines 1 and 2. A number of local and international companies signed contracts to design, supply, and install the electromechanical systems for the 1.8k km national high-speed rail project led by Siemens including ORAS, SWDY, and Arab Contractors.The Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) and China Railway Major Bridge Engineering Group Co. inked a framework agreement to design and construct in collaboration with local subcontractors, including Hassan Allam Holding, ORAS, Concord, Arab Contractors, and others, the 16-km fourth phase of Cairo's light-rail transit (LRT) project that will extend the route into Tenth of Ramadan City. EGAL (FV: EGP53.58, OW) declared a cash dividend of EGP6.50/share for FY22/23. Distribution date is 23 November 2023. Record date is 20 November 2023. This implies a dividend yield of 9.4% and a payout ratio of 74.7%.ADQ, along with other Gulf institutions especially Qatari ones, are showing interest to acquire a strategic stake in EGAL of up to 30%. The new VAT law on cigarettes that the Parliament passed the draft amendment for last week has been passed into law as of yesterday.Cheiron's Pico Petroleum and the Kuwait Foreign Petroleum Exploration Company (Kufpec) will invest USD119.5 million over the coming five years to increase production at the Geisum and Tawila West concession in the Gulf of Suez. The companies also requested that they be given 20-year licenses for the concession, so they continue operating and investing in the area after their current licenses expire in 2027.MHOT EGM approved 1:1 stock dividends.Raya Technology, a subsidiary of RAYA, is in negotiations with a consortium of local banks to obtain a syndicated loan of EGP1.1 billion to finance its expansion plans.United Bank's financing arm United Finance raised EGP617.5 million in a securitized bond issuance. Seven Consumer Finance Company, BTFH's subsidiary, aims to bring its portfolio to EGP1.5 billion by the end of 2023, compared to a current portfolio exceeding EGP1.3 billion, with the possibility of the target increasing to EGP2 billion. State-owned El Nasr Automotive is reportedly close to inking a partnership agreement with an unnamed Chinese investor to manufacture four-wheeled electric light

A new report by Stats NZ and the Environment Ministry has laid out what New Zealand's future holds as a result of climate change. New Zealand's third Atmosphere and Climate report predicts more extreme weather, pests and infectious diseases. Dr Andrea Byrom, an independent environmental consultant, says the report can help set realistic emissions targets and plan managed retreat. Byrom spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Federated Farmers says it's concerned about the Ministry for the Environment handing out money to encourage participation in reform of the Resource Management Act. The advocacy group claims it's been offered $600,000 over three years to fund submissions and appearances at hearings. Spokesperson Mark Hooper says it's a high price tag and the timing doesn't make sense. "Why try and push this through in the six-week leadup to a general election, when we know that there's opposition parties that are talking about repealing some of these reforms?" The Ministry has been approached for comment. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

India's ambitious cheetah relocation project got a shot in the arm when one of the translocated females gave birth to four cubs in March. These were the first cheetah cubs to be born in India since the species went extinct in the country 70 years ago. But in an unfortunate turn of events, three out of the four cubs have died, and the fourth one, also reported to be very weak, is under close medical monitoring. The Environment Ministry in a press release has claimed that the survival rate of cheetah cubs is only 10%. Does that mean that the deaths of the three cheetah cubs were along expected lines? Shouldn't the survival rate be higher in the absence of predators? What are the various factors that could have a bearing on the survival of cheetah cubs? 

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has called for a joint effort to switch off lights and unplug unnecessary electrical devices in response to this year's Earth Hour event.

The Ministry for the Environment says that public transport is not always an option. It comes after findings reveal that it spent $900,000 on flights over 11 months, but only $250 on public transport. Chief Executive James Palmer says that they've reduced air travel by 66% and they encourage alternative modes where possible. He says for Ministry staff travelling around New Zealand, public transport is not possible in many places. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Environment Ministry is facing criticism for spending little on public transport. Data released under the Official Information Act has revealed it spent more than $900,000 on flights from January 1 to November 29 last year. It spent just $251 on public transport fares in that time, but more than $97,000 on taxis, shuttles and Ubers. Act Leader David Seymour told Mike Hosking it's hypocritical. He says it seems Climate Change is not a real thing to the people in the Ministry for the Environment - it's a bureaucratic process that allows them to lecture people. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Environment Ministry has been criticised for spending $913,000 on flights over an 11 month period. They also spent a further $97,225 on taxis, shuttles and Ubers, with only $251 being spent on public transport. ACT have labelled this spending as outrageous and hypocritical and MP Simon Court said the Ministry should be leading Kiwis by example. Barry Soper, ZB's senior political correspondent says the Environment Ministry should be directing their staff to follow their website's own advice and travel sustainably.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on The Huddle, Phil O'Reilly from Iron Duke Partners and Ali Jones from Red PR joined in on a discussion about the following topics: Australia's Northern Territory Police Force has placed an ad in the Herald to poach New Zealand officers. The ad includes an offer of $100,000 a year and rent-free housing. What does New Zealand need to work on to keep quality talent? Former EPA and Health NZ chair Robert Campbell has accused his former employers of 'Muldoonism' after his dismissal. Are these complaints fair? The Environment Ministry are being labelled 'hypocrites' for spending $913,000 on flights and a further $97,225 on taxis, shuttles and Ubers. Only $251 was spent on public transport in the past 11 months. What happened to leading by example? Eleanor Catton has taken aim at Jacinda Ardern over the rising inequality in New Zealand? Is she right to come out and make these criticisms?  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Marine Protected Areas are areas of the ocean where a government has placed limits on human activity. These areas range from no-take, no-impact, no-access, and multiple use - basically determining how much human impact is supposed to take place in these areas. On today's episode, we speak with representatives of the NGO WildAid and some of the partners they are working with to make sure that ocean parks are enforceable, realistic, and work for the local population. The team interviews: - Meaghan Brosnan - Marine Program Director for Wildaid -Juma Mohamed - Head of Program for Mwambao Coastal Community Network in Tanzania -Joyce Beouch - Acting Director of the Bureau of Environment Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and the Environment (MAFE)

We have a new rebranded Ministry of Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change, led by YB Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad. What are among the issues that he should prioritise? We speak to two Earth Matters regulars, about what they hope the ministry will focus on, as we collectively tackle the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. First we hear from Andrew Sebastian, the Founder & Chief Executive Officer of the Ecotourism & Conservation Society Malaysia (ECOMY), and in Part 2, we speak to Ili Nadiah Dzulfakar, the Chairperson of Klima Action Malaysia (KAMY) , and member of Gabungan Darurat Iklim Malaysia (GDIMY).Image Credit: Shutterstock

We have a new rebranded Ministry of Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change, led by YB Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad. What are among the issues that he should prioritise? We speak to two Earth Matters regulars, about what they hope the ministry will focus on, as we collectively tackle the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. First we hear from Andrew Sebastian, the Founder & Chief Executive Officer of the Ecotourism & Conservation Society Malaysia (ECOMY), and in Part 2, we speak to Ili Nadiah Dzulfakar, the Chairperson of Klima Action Malaysia (KAMY) , and member of Gabungan Darurat Iklim Malaysia (GDIMY).Image Credit: Shutterstock

We have a new rebranded Ministry of Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change, led by YB Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad. What are among the issues that he should prioritise? We speak to two Earth Matters regulars, about what they hope the ministry will focus on, as we collectively tackle the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. First we hear from Andrew Sebastian, the Founder & Chief Executive Officer of the Ecotourism & Conservation Society Malaysia (ECOMY), and in Part 2, we speak to Ili Nadiah Dzulfakar, the Chairperson of Klima Action Malaysia (KAMY) , and member of Gabungan Darurat Iklim Malaysia (GDIMY).Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

 The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) of the Environment Ministry on October 18 cleared the proposal for the commercial cultivation of genetically modified (GM) mustard. The GM mustard variety, named Dhara Mustard Hybrid (DMH-11), has been developed by the Centre for Genetic Manipulation of Crop Plants at Delhi University. While this development has been welcomed by sections of the scientific community, it is being opposed by farmers and environmentalists. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court, in an interim order, has ordered “status quo” on the GEAC's clearance, telling the government “Do not take any precipitative action”. It has posted the matter for hearing on November r10th. In the second part of this two-part Deep Dive podcast on the issues around the introduction of genetically modified mustard crop, we decode the socio-economic ramifications. For instance, given the certainty of GM crops contaminating non-GM ones, what happens to the right of farmers to not cultivate a GM crop? Can scientists take that call? What would be the impact on food security, famer livelihoods, and India's agri-exports to GM-hostile markets such as Europe?

The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) of the Environment Ministry on October 18 cleared the proposal for the commercial cultivation of genetically modified (GM) mustard. The GM mustard variety, named Dhara Mustard Hybrid (DMH-11), has been developed by the Centre for Genetic Manipulation of Crop Plants at Delhi University. While this development has been welcomed by sections of the scientific community, it is being opposed by farmers and environmentalists. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court, in an interim order, has ordered “status quo” on the GEAC's clearance, telling the government “Do not take any precipitative action." It has posted the matter for hearing on November 10th. In the first part of this two-part Deep Dive podcast, we take a detailed look at the history of GM Mustard in India going back to 2002, the nature of the science behind the genetic manipulation involved, and examine the basis of claims that DMH-11 is higher yielding than other options available to the Indian farmer. 

Turkey's plastic recycling industry has been harshly criticised in a Human Rights Watch report that highlights health problems for workers and residents who live near processing plants. The report also attacks the European Union, for which Turkey is the primary plastics recycler. In an 88-page report, the New York-based Human Rights Watch accused Turkey's plastic recycling industry of threatening workers' lives. "Plastics contain toxic chemical additives, things like dioxins and phthalates that can cause cancer," said Krista Shennum, author of the report, "The reproductive system is harmed. as well as short-term health impacts like asthma and skin ailments, things like that."  "We documented that there is quite a bit of child labour in plastic recycling facilities." Added Shennum, "despite legal protection for children working in such hazardous conditions, as well as lots of migrants and refugees working in plastics recycling facilities without adequate protection." In Istanbul's Bayrampasa district, the heart of the city's recycling industry, the air is thick with chemicals used in recycle plastic. Residential apartment blocks surround the factories, there is a hospital nearby, while children play in a local park. The Human Rights Watch report says most plastic recycling factories are located in Istanbul and Adana, two of Turkey's most densely populated cities. "The factories and houses are located side by side," explained local Sedef Kurt, "We spent a lot of time in the noise, the smell, the filth. This is how our childhood passed. I am 34, and I now have problems with my lungs." Strict regulations, strictly enforced The recycling industry maintains that strict regulations are enforced to protect both workers and residents. Dr Salih Kanbak of the Turkish Recycling Association admits that such criticism may have been warranted in the past, but insists the industry has cleaned up its act. Kanbak claims strict monitoring is enforced on the plastics imported for recycling and the factories processing them. "There are some extreme regulations in the last legislation," said Kanbak, speaking of laws which date from 2021. "We are also having inspectors not only from the Environment Ministry but also from the other ministries as well.  "They give no warning before they visit. We see them at the door; we are here to check your company," he added. "They will discover if there are children working, which is not legitimate. If they are making illicit or illegitimate recycling, we would like to know their names so we can eradicate them from the system because this is very important." But the Human Rights Watch Report claims the regulations are often not enforced and that there aren't enough regulators. Where inspections occur, the report claims that the factories receive advanced warnings in many cases. So far, the government has not responded to the report. A booming sector of the Turkish economy  The Turkish recycling industry is booming, supporting over one million people. After China ended importing plastic for recycling, Turkey became the European Union's primary plastics recycler. "Since 2018, when the Chinese government banned it, banned plastic waste, roughly 450,000 tons from the EU has been sent to Turkey each year," said Shennum Human Right Watch said the EU has the responsibility to those recycling Europes waste. "We'll be following up with decision-makers in the EU to kind of push them to have stronger regulations to respect the rights of people who are in countries impacted by European waste exports," said Shennum. Plastic recycling is a central part of environmental efforts for a greener world. But, according to Human Rights Watch, many among Turkey's most vulnerable are paying the price for that aspiration. 

Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 15-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world, from Sunday through Thursday. Editor David Horovitz and environment reporter Sue Surkes join host Amanda Borschel-Dan in today's episode. It appears that efforts to form an alternative government within the existing Knesset have failed so the Knesset is expected to pass the final legislation for its dispersal on Monday and Foreign Minister Yair Lapid to become prime minister soon after. How does Horovitz see this playing out for Lapid in the near future? Although he still has a few days in office, what is current Prime Minister Naftali Bennett already saying about his year as PM? We introduce our new Times of Israel docuseries, Into the Land, and hear about the impetus of the project from Horovitz. Surkes explains the premise of the first video, "Dead Sea Walking."  On the heels of a massive and lengthy investigation, Surkes picks out a few salient points everyone should know about the dying Dead Sea. Last week, Surkes reported on an Environment Ministry plan to stabilize the Dead Sea by limiting the volume of water that can be pumped from it for the industrial extraction of minerals. Is anything really new here? Discussed articles include: For Lapid, a battle against the odds to thwart Netanyahu's comeback Knesset set to disperse on Monday; Lapid to take over as PM in midweek Bennett: It sounds like fiction, but Israel needs a coalition from Ben Gvir to Abbas PM: In retrospect ‘should have taken sleeping bag' and moved into official residence Into the Land: Dead Sea Walking Israel has a chance to slow the Dead Sea's demise. Will big business get in the way? Authorities urged to act immediately to stabilize Dead Sea levels Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on iTunes, Spotify, PlayerFM, Google Play, or wherever you get your podcasts. IMAGE: An Israeli teen walks along a promenade into Israel's Dead Sea, 2021. (Amanda Borschel-Dan/ToI) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Korea24 – 2022.05.20. (Friday) News Briefing: US President Joe Biden has arrived in Seoul for his first trip to South Korea as President. He will be staying for three day and hold his first summit with President Yoon Suk Yeol on Saturday. (Tom MCCARTHY) In-Depth News Analysis: In President Yoon Suk Yeol’s first summit with US President Joe Biden there promises to be much on the agenda. North Korea’s nuclear threat and the widespread COVID-19 outbreak in the regime is set to be a key topic. They are also expected to discuss supply chain issues and economic security. The US-led Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF), which South Korea has now agreed to join, is also set to feature. To help us preview the summit in a special in-depth, Professor Kim Hyun-wook from the Korea National Diplomatic Academy joins us on the line. Korea Trending with Walter Lee: 1. Sri Lanka has defaulted on its debts for the first time, due to effects from the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine and soaring inflation. (스리랑카, 건국 후 첫 디폴트 선언) 2. First Lady Kim Keon-hee is said to be considering making her first formal public appearance since President Yoon’s inauguration at a concert on Sunday. (김건희 여사, 靑에서 열리는 '열린 음악회' 관람 검토) 3. High jump star Woo Sang-hyeok received a hero’s welcome on his return to South Korea, after becoming the first Korean to capture a Diamond League title last Friday. ('2ｍ40 세계선수권 우승' 우상혁 금의환향) Movie Spotlight: In welcome news for the local film industry, a major Korean commercial release has finally hit cinemas. "The Roundup (범죄도시2)" starring Ma Dong-seok, aka Don Lee, was released on Wednesday. Film Critic Jason Bechervaise joins us to review this sequel to the 2017 sleeper-hit "The Outlaws (범죄도시)”. He will also review the US drama "Mass (매스)” starring Jason Isaacs. Next Week From Seoul with Richard Larkin: - A memorial service commemorating the 13th anniversary of the late former President Roh Moo-hyun’s death is taking place next Monday. - The Environment Ministry will announce more details next week on the new deposit refund scheme for single-use cups at franchise stores. - Football player Son Heung-min will look to become the first Asian player to win the Premier League Golden Boot at the final game of the season on Sunday.

Besides leading language courses the Czech and Slovak school Okénko in London are very much involved in various projects. One of them is a special artistic fundraising event, they have put together for the people in Ukraine. Last week, the Environment Ministry has filed a criminal complaint against an unknown perpetrator for illegally feeding bears while disregarding dangers such a behaviour might cause. The ministry responded this way to recent attacks by a brown bear on humans in central Slovakia. Mayors of towns and villages call on authorities to address what they see as an unsustainable overpopulation of brown bears. What do we actually know about the bear population in Slovakia? We speak to Robin Rigg, the head of the Slovak Wildlife Society

Besides leading language courses the Czech and Slovak school Okénko in London are very much involved in various projects. One of them is a special artistic fundraising event, they have put together for the people in Ukraine. Last week, the Environment Ministry has filed a criminal complaint against an unknown perpetrator for illegally feeding bears while disregarding dangers such a behaviour might cause. The ministry responded this way to recent attacks by a brown bear on humans in central Slovakia. Mayors of towns and villages call on authorities to address what they see as an unsustainable overpopulation of brown bears. What do we actually know about the bear population in Slovakia? We speak to Robin Rigg, the head of the Slovak Wildlife Society

Māori, Pasifika and Asian people are still drastically under-represented on the payroll at the Environment Ministry despite some gains last year. The lack of diversity is particularly obvious in management positions. RNZ's Environment Reporter Hamish Cardwell reports.

Māori, Pasifika and Asian people are still drastically under-represented on the payroll at the Environment Ministry despite some gains last year. The lack of diversity is particularly obvious in management positions. RNZ's Environment Reporter Hamish Cardwell reports.

In February this year, over 200 persons were killed and the 13.2 MW Rishiganga project was washed away. The 512 MW Tapovan-Vishnugadh hydro project was damaged. Even as Uttarakhand deals with the impact of climate change, the Environment Ministry has permitted the construction of seven hyro projects in Uttarakhand. What does this mean for the vulnerable Himalayan State? We answer these and other questions on the sustainability of hydro projects in this episode. Guest: Ravi Chopra, founder Director of the People's Science Institute in Dehradun. A well-known environmentalist, Ravi is a graduate of IIT Bombay. Host: Amit Baruah, Senior Associate Editor, The Hindu

Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 15-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East, and the Jewish world, from Sunday through Thursday. Today's panel comprises environmental reporter Sue Surkes and diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman, along with host Amanda Borschel-Dan. Overnight we heard of an Environment Ministry freeze of the United Arab Emirates-driven gas pipeline deal. In the Abraham Accords-led deal, Gulf oil would be brought by tankers to Eilat and then piped over mainland Israel to the port city of Ashkelon, from where it would be distributed to Europe. But the ministry has many doubts and accuses the Europe Asia Pipeline Company of not fulfilling its due diligence. How could this affect Israel diplomatically? Foreign Minister Yair Lapid named a first permanent envoy to the UAE, Amir Hayek. Why is this move significant and who is Hayek? Lapid gave a wide-ranging briefing to journalists yesterday. According to Lapid, the past decade-plus of neglect and poor budgeting for the Foreign Ministry has created a rise in global antisemitism. Who is to blame? He who must not be named. Surkes brings us the tragically ironic tale of an Israeli-led expedition to Sudan that was tasked with saving Red Sea coral. Until the ship ran aground in the Straits of Tiran and inflicted untold damage on a coral reef. And finally, the Steinhardt Museum of Natural History has a new exhibit on that explains the concept of global warming to the masses. It's a must see, says Surkes. Discussed articles include: Israel partially freezes UAE oil pipeline deal over environmental concerns Lapid taps business executive as first permanent envoy to UAE Lapid assails Netanyahu-era neglect for diplomacy as antisemitism soared Winds of peace fuel Israeli-led expedition to Sudan to save Red Sea coral reefs With coral research delayed by crash, scientist not waiting to dive back in New exhibit seeks to explain climate change, how to arrest it Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on iTunes, Spotify, PlayerFM, Google Play, or wherever you get your podcasts. IMAGE - In this September 15, 2020, file photo, from left; former Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former US president Donald Trump, and United Arab Emirates Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan, sit during the Abraham Accords signing ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This Podcast is about J. LEAGUE, which is the Japanese football league. I talk about it in English first, and after that I speak the same topic in Japanese. It is good opportunity to know about J. LEAGUE basic information, and practice Japanese listening at the meantime. Thank you for listening and I will upload more podcast about J. LEAGUE from various aspects. Please support the show (https://www.patreon.com/kenzo14) Today, the topic is about the latest release "Environment Ministry and J. League work on climate change together" Please listen and if you have any suggestion or request, let me know anytime by message!

The latest report from the Environment Ministry highlights concerns that highly productive agricultural land is being being eaten up by housing developments.The area of highly productive land lost to housing increased by 54 percent between 2002 and 2019.This will only increase as demand for land grows as our population grows.So just how do we provide quality urban housing that people want to live in?Scott Cracknell from Context Architects was involved in designing Hobsonville Point which is considered a great model of suburban mid-scale intensification.Scott joined Kerre McIvor to talk about the issue.LISTEN ABOVE 

Environmental activists say the latest snapshot of New Zealand's land reveals widespread destruction caused by intensive dairy farming. The Environment Ministry and Stats NZ report documents how land is used over recent decades. Farmers say the report also shows their environmental efforts are starting to have an impact. Hamish Cardwell has more.

When we think of the history of politics in India, we think of Chanakya. In the western world, he is often referred to as the Machiavelli of India, which is ludicrous considering that Machiavelli lived some 1800 years after Chanakya. Such odious comparisons exist everywhere and we take them for granted like the air quality when Diwali is not around. I also talk about the miracle medium in the Indian air, constitutium, which plays a sanguine role in keeping the atmosphere salubrious and salutary by ameliorating the deleterious effects of Diwali crackers between 8 to 10 PM. Constitutium molarity, not to be confused with constitutional morality, is sensitive to Hindu festivals, but otherwise seems to have no correlation with anything else. Thankfully, the Environment Ministry has introduced "green crackers", which are better than Diwali bonus for the bureaucracy. Imagine all the red-tape for green crackers, and they do not even need to contend with Nitin Gadkari.

On March 12 this year, the Environment Ministry put out a draft Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) notification. This draft notification, with amended norms, is meant to replace the EIA notification of 2006. It was in the public domain for consultations and suggestions till August 11. So far, it has triggered widespread fears around dilution of environmental norms. Thousands of environmental activists, civil society groups, opposition leaders and ordinary citizens have written to the Environment Ministry, asking that the draft notification be withdrawn. But Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar has maintained that the protests are unwarranted. What exactly does the draft EIA 2020 propose to do? Why are so many environmental groups up in arms against it? What changes does the draft need so that it is able to achieve its stated purpose, which is to safeguard the environment and local communities from potential damage due to developmental projects? Guest: Kanchi Kohli, scholar with the Centre for Policy Research, New Delhi, and expert on issues related to the environment, forest and biodiversity governance in India. Find the In Focus podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Stitcher. Search for In Focus by The Hindu. Write to us with comments and feedback at socmed4@thehindu.co.in

Breathing. How hard can that be when we are presenting?  Funnily enough we do crazy things and create problems where we don't need them.  Today we are going to look at how to make sure we have enough oxygen to the brain and enough wind power to drive the vocal chords. Welcome back to this weekly edition every Tuesday of "THE Cutting Edge Japan Business Show" I am your host Dr. Greg Story, President of Dale Carnegie Training Japan and best selling author of Japan Sales Mastery. We are bringing the show to you from our High Performance Center in Akasaka in Minato-ku, the business center of Tokyo. Why the Cutting Edge?  In this show, we are looking at the critical areas for success in business in Japan.  We want to help advance everyone's thinking so that we be at the forefront, the Cutting Edge, of how to flourish here in this market.   Before we get into this week's topic, here is what caught my attention lately. The biggest and most powerful Japanese business federation is the Keidanren. It's chairman Hiroaki Nakanishi recently told a news conference that lifetime employment is no longer sustainable. The link between tenure and wages in japan is one of the strongest in the OECD countries.  With lifetime employment the firm is supposed to develop you throughout your career. However, more than two thirds of Japanese workers believe they need further training, which is double the OECD average.  Participation in lifelong learning in Japan is in the bottom quarter of OECD members.  Also the share of Japanese workers who find training useful for jobs is the lowest in the OECD.  In other news, Softbank has used at least five investment vehicles, including the one hundred billion dollar Vision fund to make its mobility investments.  Deep pockets and aggressive investing tactics and sweeping vision of the future of transportation give SoftBank and its founder Masayoshi Son and outsized influence in shaping the entire industry. The Vision Fund has more than thirty investment professionals who work to promote cooperation and integration among the portfolio companies, which they refer to as a family.  Finally, Japan's greenhouse gas emissions fell one point two percent in fiscal two thousand and seventeen, a fourth straight year of decline.  The Environment Ministry said this was a result of increased  use of renewable energy.  Japan is targeting a twenty six per cent cut by twenty thirty.  So far they are at eight point four percent.   This is episode number eighty eight and we are talking about  What Is the Correct Breathing Method When Presenting    Soredewa ikimasho, so let's get going. Breathing is such a natural act and normally, we don't pay it much attention.  Some how though, when we are giving a presentation, our breath control becomes a factor of success.  One component is our nerves, which are driving the chemical surge through the body, making our heart rate skyrocket, which speeds up our breathing pattern.    If we are not breathing properly, we can have mental white outs of the brain, because we are not getting enough oxygen.  We can't remember what it is we are supposed to say.  We get lost, become panicky and come across as disorganized, unconfident and flakey.   Voice is driven on the winds of breath exhalation and lack of breath power impacts audibility.  If we don't have good breath control, we can find ourselves squeaking out to the audience in this little voice that says, “I am not confident. I am not confident, I am not confident!”.   We might find that our lack of breath control results in our final words of our sentences just dropping away to nothing.  We often see speakers kill their key messages, by not supporting the key points with their words voiced with power and conviction.  There is no opportunity to punch out a strong message, because we are just vocally doing a disappearing act in front of the audience.   It could also be that we are becoming very breathy when we speak.  It sounds similar to people who have respiratory illnesses. They always seem to be gasping for breath.  Actually they are and so are speakers with no breath control. They simply can't pull in enough oxygen.   The lack of breath control gets transmitted to our cadence of when we speak.  A lack of air means we are confined to short breathy sentences and the lungs are only being filled in a very shallow fashion just from the top portion.   So how do we stop this and better instruct our instrument – our wonderful speaking voice?  I am going to pass on what I have learnt from nearly 50 years of karate training, where breath control is absolutely vital.  It is the same method used by singers.     Controlling our nerves is a key part of breath control, because if we don't, we are working at cross purposes with ourselves.  One of the techniques for controlling our nervousness is to go through some deep breathing exercises, before we go on stage in front of the audience.  We can do these seated or standing and they don't take very long. Find out more when we come back from the break Welcome backand if you would like to improve your public speaking skills then take a look at our Successful Public speaking course.  This is a one day programme and the next course will he held on July eighth.  If you want to develop a very high level of speaker skill, then our two day High Impact Presentations course will do just that.  Japanese language versions are being held on July tenth and eleventh and later in the year on November thirteenth and fourteenth.  The English version will be held on July sixteenth and seventh .  The details can be found on our website at enjapan.dalecarnegie.com   Back to where we left off. Place both hands on your tummy and just touch lightly.  As you breath in, imagine you need to fill the lungs from the bottom most part of the diaphragm.  To help us do this we breath slowly and deeply and we can see if we are succeeding, because the hands on our tummy are starting to move forward.  This pushing out of the tummy is a good sign, it means we are doing the deep breath sequence correctly.  We reverse the process and slowly exhale and the hands are slowly drawn back in.  We need to do this slowly, because a bit too much force and speed here and we can become dizzy, as the flood of oxygen to the brain makes us feel lightheaded.   This diaphragm breathing is actually how we should be breathing all of the time and I recommend you start the practice and make it your default habit.  When we are in front of the audience, they cannot see the breathing rhythm, so there is no need to feel self-conscious.  Every breath we take starts at the lowest point of the diaphragm and we sense our tummy being pushed out and then being pulled back in. This is how we should be breathing while we are on stage.   Interestingly enough, if we lose the flow and suddenly, the breath begins from the very top of the chest, we will feel our pulse rate pick up, our chest tighten and our shoulders start to rise.  This might happen at first, before we can master this deep diaphragm breath control, but don't worry.  Just slow the breath down and concentrate on the lower diaphragm and trying to push your tummy out with each inhalation.  Once you do this, the cycle will re-institute itself and you will be getting plenty of air.  The key is to pick this up in rehearsal.   Correct breath control gives us the ability to make the tonal variations which keep command of our audience.  We can bring power to words and build to crescendos, when we want to emphasis particular key points.  It also helps us to relax and look super composed when we are standing in front of people. That confidence is contagious and our audience buys what we are saying.  And that is what we want isn't it.   Action Steps Get to the venue early and find a quiet, private place to do some breathing exercises Place the hands over the tummy and check if we are breathing from the lower diaphragm or not Make this method your default method of breathing from now on If you start to feel yourself lacking air, then re-set and concentrate on breathing from the lower diaphragm.   THE Cutting Edge Japan Business Show is here to help you succeed in Japan.  Subscribe on YouTube, share it with your family, friends and colleagues, become a regular. Thank you for watching this episode and remember to hit the subscribe button. Our website details are on screen now, enjapan.dalecarnegie.com, it is awesome value, so check it out. Please leave me some feedback on YouTube, I would love to know how this show helped and what other topics you are interested in for me to cover.  Remember I am here as a free resource to help you, so just tell me how I can help you best. You might also enjoy my podcasts. Look for the Leadership Japan Series, The Presentations Japan Series and The Sales Japan series wherever you get your podcasts.   In episode eighty nine we are talking about Presenting Our Sales Materials. Find out more about that next week. So Yoroshiku Onegai Itashimasu please join me for the next episode of the Cutting Edge Japan Business Show We are here to help you and we have only one direction in mind for you and your business and that is UP!!!