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October
COP26 held in Glasgow, Scotland -
A landmark Net Zero Strategy setting out how the UK will secure 440,000 wellpaid jobs and unlock £90 billion in investment in 2030 on its path to ending its contribution to climate change by 2050 has been unveiled by the UK government this week (19 October).
Building on the UK Prime Minister’s 10 Point Plan to tackle climate change, the UK’s Net Zero Strategy sets out a comprehensive economy-wide plan for how British businesses and consumers will be supported in making the transition to clean energy and green technology – lowering Britain’s reliance on fossil fuels by investing in sustainable clean energy in the UK, reducing the risk of high and volatile prices in the future, and strengthening our energy security.
As the first major economy to commit in law to net zero by 2050 and hosts of the historic UN COP26 climate summit, the UK is leading international efforts and setting the bar for countries around the world to follow. The UK has hit every single one of its carbon budgets to date – being below the maximum allowed emissions under the plan that takes the UK to 2050.
Now the Net Zero Strategy sets out the UK’s clear policies and proposals for meeting the fourth and fifth carbon budgets, keeping the UK on track for carbon budget six, our ambitious Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), while setting out a vision for a decarbonised economy in 2050.
The BBC’s Energy and Environment Analyst, Roger Harrabin has described the Heat and Buildings Strategy as a “world first” and a “trend-setting initiative that other nations will surely follow”.
And on the Net Zero Strategy he has said: “I have to say that this looks to me like the most advanced plan from any major nation towards how we will actually get around to achieving the emissions cuts that are being so bravely promised.”
According to a press release received by Voice of Indonesia on Friday (22/10/21) the Net Zero Strategy has been submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) as the UK’s second Long Term Low Greenhouse Gas Emission Development Strategy under the Paris Agreement.
The commitments made will unlock up to £90bn of private investment by 2030, and support 440,000 future proof well-paid jobs in green industries in 2030. This will provide certainty to businesses to support the UK in gaining a competitive edge in the latest low carbon technologies – from heat pumps to electric vehicles – and in developing thriving green industries in our industrial heartlands – from carbon capture to hydrogen, backed by new funding.
An extra £350 million of our up to £1bn commitment to support the electrification of UK vehicles and their supply chains and another £620 million for targeted electric vehicle grants and infrastructure, particularly local on-street residential charge points, with plans to put thousands more zero emission cars and vans onto UK roads through a zero emission vehicle mandate.
Working to kick-start the commercialisation of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) made from sustainable materials such as everyday household waste, flue gases from industry, carbon captured from the atmosphere and excess electricity, which produce over 70% fewer carbon emissions than traditional jet fuel on a lifecycle basis. Our ambition is to enable the delivery of 10% SAF by 2030 and we will be supporting UK industry with £180 million in funding to support the development of UK SAF plants.
£140 million Industrial and Hydrogen Revenue Support scheme to accelerate industrial carbon capture and hydrogen, bridging the gap between industrial energy costs from gas and hydrogen and helping green hydrogen projects get off the ground. Two carbon capture clusters - Hynet Cluster in North West England and North Wales and the East Coast Cluster in Teesside and the Humber - will put industrial heartlands at the forefront of this technology in the 2020s and revitalise industries in the North Sea – backed by the Government’s £1 billion in support.
An extra £500 million towards innovation projects to develop the green technologies of the future, bringing the total funding for net zero research and innovation to at least £1.5 billion. This will support the most pioneering ideas and technologies to decarbonise homes, industries, land and power. £3.9 billion of new funding for decarbonising heat and buildings, including the new £450m three-year Boiler Upgrade Scheme, so homes and buildings are warmer, cheaper to heat and cleaner to run.
The policies and spending brought forward in the Net Zero Strategy mean that since the Ten Point Plan, we have mobilised £26bn of capital investment for the green industrial revolution.
“The UK’s path to ending our contribution to climate change will be paved with well-paid jobs, billions in investment and thriving green industries – powering our green industrial revolution across the country. By moving first and taking bold action, we will build a defining competitive edge in electric vehicles, offshore wind, carbon capture technology and more, whilst supporting people and businesses along the way. With the major climate summit COP26 just around the corner, our strategy sets the example for other countries to build back greener too as we lead the charge towards global net zero.” UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said.
Both the Net Zero and Heat and Building Strategies build on the Prime Minister’s Ten Point Plan in November 2020 which laid the foundations for a green industrial revolution, kickstarting billions of pounds of investment in new and green industries to help level up the country. To date, the UK has decarbonised faster than any other G7 country//VOI-NK
October
ASEAN should rethink non-interference policy amid Myanmar crisis, Malaysia FM says
Written by Nur Yasmin
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) should rethink its decades-long policy of non-interference in the affairs of member states, amid a worsening human rights crisis in Myanmar, Malaysia's top diplomat said on Thursday.
The 10-member bloc on Friday made an unprecedented move to exclude the leader of Myanmar's junta from an upcoming regional summit, over a lack of progress on a peace plan it agreed to with ASEAN in April. A non-political figure from Myanmar will be invited instead.
The decision - which sources said was pushed by Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore and the Philippines - was a rare bold step for ASEAN, which has traditionally favoured consensus and engagement over criticism of member nations. read more
Malaysian Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah said ASEAN should do some "soul-searching" on its non-interference policy, given deteriorating conditions in Myanmar, where more than 1,000 civilians have been killed in a crackdown on strikes and demonstrations since a Feb. 1 coup.
"I reminded the meeting (on Friday) that ASEAN is about 10 member states. As much as the issue in Myanmar is local and national, it has an impact on the region, and we should also recognise the concerns of the other nine member states," he told a virtual dialogue on human rights in Myanmar.
"And I also stated the fact that we cannot use the principle of non-interference as a shield to avoid issues being addressed," he said, in a rare critique by an ASEAN foreign minister of one of the most valued parts of the bloc's code.
Saifuddin said non-interference had contributed to ASEAN's inability to make effective decisions quickly, and suggested a move towards a new policy of constructive engagement or non-indifference.
A junta spokesman has blamed ASEAN's decision on "foreign intervention", including by the United States and European Union. (Reuters)
October
Controversy over AUKUS pact overhyped, says UK armed forces minister
Written by Nur Yasmin
Britain's armed forces minister James Heappey on Thursday said there has been an "overhyping" of controversy over a new trilateral security pact between Australia, the United States and Britain.
The alliance, known as AUKUS, will see Australia acquiring technology to deploy nuclear-powered submarines and is widely seen as a response to Chinese militarisation in the region, particularly in the strategically important South China Sea.
The plan has divided Southeast Asian countries, with Indonesia and Malaysia warning that it could lead to an arms race among rival superpowers. The Philippines, a U.S. defence ally, has backed the pact.
China has said the AUKUS plan risks severely damaging regional peace and stability. The alliance has also sparked a row with France, after Australia backed out of a submarine deal with Paris in favour of AUKUS.
Heappey said AUKUS was not intended to challenge others, saying Australia had simply made a decision to join a long-standing technology-sharing partnership between Britain and the United States.
"There has been a lot of, sort of overhyping of AUKUS," he told reporters at a Kuala Lumpur event celebrating the 50th anniversary of a five-way defence pact between Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Malaysia.
"It doesn't in any way reflect any sort of reduction in our friendship with our great colleagues and allies in Paris. It doesn't in any way represent a challenge in your part of the world."
At the same event, Australian defence minister, Peter Dutton, said AUKUS would not change the country's security strategy going forward, but will allow it to ensure it remains a reliable partner in the region.
"We're not somebody who interferes with the operations of other nations. We are a country which is forthright, and we love providing peace in our region, and that's at the centre of our friendship here," he said.
Speaking in Jakarta during a visit this week to Thailand, Singapore and Indonesia, Derek Chollet, Counselor of the U.S. State Department, said AUKUS did not undermine the centrality of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
In a teleconference on Thursday, he said AUKUS was not a threat to peace and more U.S. engagement in the region was positive, because a free and open Indo-Pacific was critical to security and prosperity.
He also said Australia "does not, and will not use nuclear weapons", which is why the trilateral alliance works. (Reuters)
October
EU lawmakers push for closer ties with Taiwan, drawing Chinese anger
Written by Nur Yasmin
The European Union must deepen ties with Taiwan and start work on an investment deal with the island, EU lawmakers said in a resolution adopted on Thursday, angering Beijing, whose similar deal with the EU struck in 2020 has been put on ice.
The European Parliament in the French city of Strasbourg, with a majority of 580 to 26 votes, backed the non-binding resolution requesting the bloc's executive European Commission "urgently begin an impact assessment, public consultation and scoping exercise on a bilateral investment agreement".
The lawmakers also demanded the bloc's trade office in Taipei to be renamed the European Union office in Taiwan, in effect upgrading the mission though neither the EU nor its member states have formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin offered "strong condemnation".
"The EU parliament should immediately stop words and actions that undermine China's sovereignty and territorial integrity," he told reporters in Beijing.
Taiwan's Foreign Ministry expressed thanks for the support, saying the resolution will "set a new milestone" for its ties with the bloc.
Military tensions between China and Taiwan have increased, with Taipei saying Beijing will be capable of mounting a "full scale" invasion of the island by 2025.
The EU added Taiwan to its list of trade partners eligible for an investment deal in 2015, but has not held talks with the democratically ruled island on the issue since then, although Taipei is keen on striking an agreement.
A similar investment deal agreed last year between the EU and its major trade partner China has been blocked for months. The European Parliament put its ratification on ice after Beijing imposed sanctions on EU lawmakers in a human rights dispute.
The tech powerhouse Taiwan, meanwhile, has become increasingly attractive for the EU amid a global shortage of semiconductors that has Brussels lobbying for key Taiwanese chip makers to invest in the bloc as they have done in the United States. (Reuters)
October
Britain warns China against dangerous military moves around Taiwan
Written by Nur Yasmin
Britain's defence minister called on China on Thursday to find a peaceful way to settle its dispute with Taiwan, warning that Chinese incursions into the Taiwanese air defence zone were dangerous and could spark conflict.
Western capitals and Taipei are on alert after the Chinese air force intensified its overflights on Oct. 1.
"Militarily they are posturing, as we've seen. We think that's unwise," British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace told reporters.
"You're in danger of destabilising the region, you're in danger of provoking further conflict in other disputed areas," he said during a visit to Brussels for a NATO meeting, which is not expected to discuss China or Taiwan.
Military experts say the overflights by Chinese bombers, and Taiwan's scrambling of its jets in response, heighten the risk of an accident or miscalculation that could touch off a crisis.
Chinese President Xi Jinping vowed on Oct. 9 to achieve "peaceful reunification" with Taiwan and did not directly mention the use of force. read more
But democratically ruled Taiwan has come under increased military and political pressure from Beijing to accept its sovereignty over the island, which it regards as a renegade province. Taipei has pledged to defend its freedom.
"The difference between mainland China and Taiwan needs to be resolved through peaceful methods," Wallace said, adding that he saw parallels with Hong Kong.
The former British colony was handed over to China by in 1997 under a "one country, two systems" framework, allowing it to enjoy freedoms, such as those of expression and assembly, and an independent legal system, not enjoyed on the mainland.
But Communist-ruled China has imposed a sweeping national security law to crack down on dissent. Beijing and Hong Kong officials deny Western accusations that law impinges on the city's freedoms.
"I think it's why we were so worried about Hong Kong, because Taiwan was effectively included in the 'one country, two systems'," Wallace said. "And if you trash that and you break those commandments, what does that mean for Taiwan?" (Reuters)
October
Pandemic, climate change to dominate Asia-Pacific ministers' meeting
Written by Nur Yasmin
Ministers from the Asia-Pacific trade group APEC will meet virtually on Friday, hoping to chart a path forward for the region to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and address other pressing issues including climate change.
The meeting of finance ministers from the 21-economy group, which includes the United States, China and Japan, comes as disruptions to the global economy from COVID-19 still loom and clouds the outlook for governments and central banks alike.
The group will likely acknowledge that while economic activity is recovering across the region, there is still a long way to go as new variants of the virus prevent a full-fledged rebound and the rate of recovery varies between countries.
Infections in several regional member nations including Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand have declined sharply from peaks earlier this year, but matters of vaccination rates and balancing reopening against the risk of a spike in cases still dominate policy decisions.
The recovery has also been divergent with some groups such as women and indigenous peoples being disproportionately impacted by the pandemic compared with others.
New Zealand, the revolving Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation host, had anchored a first-of-its-kind special meeting in July, where world leaders pledged to expand sharing and manufacturing of COVID-19 vaccines to fight the pandemic. read more
The leaders are expected to address economic challenges such as ongoing supply chain disruptions and, in some instances, mounting inflationary pressures. The role of fiscal policy and budget management to tackle these will be discussed.
Climate change, investment in environmentally-sustainable projects and phasing out subsidies for fossil fuels will likely be high on the agenda before the U.N. COP26 talks in Glasgow later this month. read more
Friday's meeting will also see ministers review 10-year arrangements around fiscal reforms agreed upon during their 2015 meeting in the Philippines, as well as commitments to further trade and sustainable growth in the region by 2040. (Reuters)
October
Pakistan foreign minister makes first trip to Kabul since Taliban takeover
Written by Nur Yasmin
Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi arrived in Kabul on Thursday for his first visit to the Afghan capital since the Taliban victory in August, following weeks of tension over transport links between the two neighbouring countries.
Qureshi will focus in his talks with Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi and other Taliban leaders "on ways and means to deepen cooperation in diverse areas", Pakistan's foreign ministry said in a statement.
The delegation included the head of the ISI intelligence service, Faiz Hameed, who visited Kabul in the immediate aftermath of the fall of the city.
The visit comes after prolonged problems at the Chaman border crossing, one of the main trade transit points between Afghanistan and Pakistan, which has been closed for more than two weeks, causing severe problems for truckers and exporters.
In addition, Pakistan International Airlines, the only international airline that had been operating regularly in Kabul, last week suspended flights, complaining of interference and harassment of its staff by Taliban officials. read more
"The Foreign Minister's visit reflects Pakistan's consistent policy of supporting the brotherly Afghan people, deepening bilateral trade and economic relations, and facilitating closer people-to-people contacts," the ministry statement said.
The border closure has hurt Afghan fruit producers near the southern city of Kandahar, with pomegranates and other export produce left to rot because trucks cannot get through to their markets across the border. (Reuters)
October
Turkey's Erdogan blasts ambassadors' call for philanthropist's release
Written by Nur Yasmin
President Tayyip Erdogan slammed ambassadors of 10 countries, including the United States, Germany and France, over their call for philanthropist Osman Kavala's release, saying Turkey should not be hosting them, in comments reported on Thursday.
The foreign ministry summoned the ambassadors on Tuesday for what it said was an "irresponsible" statement calling for a just and speedy resolution to Kavala's case. He has been in prison since late 2017 without being convicted.
Kavala was acquitted last year of charges related to nationwide protests in 2013, but the ruling was overturned this year and combined with charges in another case related to a coup attempt in 2016. He has denied any wrongdoing. read more
In a statement this week, the ambassadors called on Turkey to secure Kavala's swift release.
"I told our foreign minister: We can't have the luxury of hosting this lot in our country. Is it for you to give Turkey such a lesson? Who do you think you are?" Erdogan was quoted as telling reporters on his plane returning from a trip to Africa.
He rejected any suggestion that the Turkish judiciary was not independent. "Our judiciary is one of the nicest examples of independence," Haberturk news website reported him as saying.
Asked by reporters if Turkey would take any more measures against the ambassadors, foreign ministry spokesperson Tanju Bilgic said Ankara had the liberty to take steps as it saw fit and would do so "when the time comes", without elaborating.
"The duty of ambassadors is not to interfere in the domestic matters of the countries where they are posted," Bilgic told a briefing in Ankara. "As an independent country, Turkey can take the necessary measures when it sees fit."
Rights groups say Kavala's case is emblematic of a crackdown on dissent under Erdogan.
The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) called for Kavala's immediate release in late 2019 over a lack of reasonable suspicion that he committed an offence, ruling that his detention served to silence him. read more
The Council of Europe has said it will begin infringement proceedings against Turkey if Kavala is not released. Turkey would be the second country against which infringement proceedings have been launched. read more
The other parties to the ambassadors' statement were Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Finland and New Zealand.
Kavala has been charged with financing the nationwide protests in 2013 and with involvement in the 2016 failed putsch - charges that he has denied.
The next hearing in the case against Kavala and others will be held on Nov. 26. (Reuters)
October
Romania's Iohannis picks army general as prime minister
Written by Nur Yasmin
Romania's President Klaus Iohannis nominated retired four-star army general Nicolae Ciuca as prime minister designate on Thursday, tasking him with forming a centrist government to end a month-long policy stalemate.
"The political crisis must end. Now. Now, we all need to end this crisis, which has gone on for so long, given the pandemic crisis, the dramatic situation of hospitals while awaiting the winter," Iohannis said.
Ciuca, 54, a Liberal currently serving as Romania's caretaker defence minister, served in U.S.-led military campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan. He has 10 days to draft a Cabinet lineup and seek a parliamentary vote of confidence. (Reuters)
October
U.N. sets up trust fund for 'people's economy' in Afghanistan
Written by Nur Yasmin
The United Nations said on Thursday it had set up a special trust fund to provide urgently-needed cash directly to Afghans through a system tapping into donor funds frozen since the Taliban takeover last August.
With the local economy "imploding", the aim is to inject liquidity into Afghan households to permit them to survive this winter and remain in their homeland despite turmoil, it said.
Achim Steiner, the U.N. Development Programme's (UNDP) administrator said that Germany, a first contributor, had pledged 50 million euros ($58 million) to the fund, and that it was in touch with other donors to mobilise resources.
"We have to step in, we have to stabilise a 'people's economy' and in addition to saving lives we also have to save livelihoods," Steiner told a news briefing.
"Because otherwise we will confront indeed a scenario through this winter and into next year where millions and millions of Afghans are simply unable to stay on their land, in their homes, in their villages and survive. The implications of that are not difficult to understand," he said.
The International Monetary Fund said on Tuesday that Afghanistan's economy is set to contract up to 30% this year and this is likely to further fuel a refugee crisis that will affect neighbouring countries, Turkey and Europe.
The Islamists' takeover saw billions in central bank assets frozen and international financial institutions suspend access to funds, although humanitarian aid has continued. Banks are running out of money, civil servants have not been paid and food prices have soared.
Steiner said the challenge is to repurpose donor funds already earmarked for Aghanistan, where the Taliban, the de facto authorities, are not recognised.
"Discussions over the last few weeks have focused on how we do find a way to be able to mobilise these resources in view of the economic implosion that is now unfolding and the international community's repeated commitment not to abandon the people of Afghanistan," he said.
Kanni Wignaraja, director of UNDP's regional bureau for the Asia Pacific, said that cash will be provided to Afghan workers in public works programmes, such as drought and flood control programmes, and grants given to micro-enterprises. Temporary basic income would be paid to the vulnerable elderly and disabled, she said.
The UNDP had costed activities to be covered over the first 12 months at approximately $667 million, she said.
"The effort here is to try to make sure that it is local currency that continues to fire up the local economy. And by doing that, that keeps also the macro economy from completely crashing," she said.
"Yes banking system is extremely fragile, it still has a little bit of life left in it." (Reuters)