The renewable energy sector is evolving at an incredible pace, fueled by cutting-edge technology, government initiatives, and a global push for sustainability. As of 2025, several transformative trends are shaping how we generate and use clean energy.

1. Unprecedented Growth in Renewable Energy

The world is witnessing a historic shift as renewables take center stage. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), renewable power generation is set to surpass coal this year, becoming the dominant electricity source globally. Solar and wind energy are rapidly overtaking traditional power sources, with nearly 70 countries expected to rely on renewables as their primary energy source by 2028.

2. Stronger Policies Driving Clean Energy Adoption

Governments worldwide are ramping up efforts to accelerate the clean energy transition. During COP28, world leaders pledged to triple global renewable capacity by 2030. In the U.S., the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) is unlocking billions in funding, sparking a surge in private investment toward sustainable energy projects. These policies are acting as catalysts, pushing renewables into the mainstream.

3. Breakthrough Innovations Improving Efficiency

New technologies are revolutionizing the way we harness renewable energy. Scientists have developed nano-scale 3D-printed electrodes that improve bioenergy production using cyanobacteria. Meanwhile, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning are enhancing forecasting models, making it easier to predict energy generation and optimize grid performance.

4. The Rise of Decentralized Energy Systems

Traditional centralized power grids are making way for decentralized networks. Microgrids, battery storage systems, and localized energy production are gaining traction, improving reliability and resilience. This shift enables communities and businesses to generate their own clean energy, reducing dependence on large power stations.

5. Businesses and Communities Embracing Renewables

Companies are investing heavily in renewable energy to cut costs and meet sustainability goals. At the same time, communities near wind and solar farms are benefiting from energy discounts and financial incentives. This engagement is fostering greater public support for clean energy projects.

6. Challenges and the Road Ahead

Despite remarkable progress, significant challenges remain. The world needs to expand its renewable energy capacity from 3.4 terawatts in 2022 to over 11 terawatts by 2030 to meet global climate goals. However, current government commitments fall short, with projections reaching only 7.2 terawatts. Urgent policy adjustments and accelerated deployment are necessary to close this gap.

A Sustainable Future in the Making

The renewable energy landscape in 2025 is dynamic and full of potential. With technological advancements, ambitious policies, and widespread adoption, the world is on the path to a cleaner, more sustainable future. While hurdles remain, the momentum toward a renewable-powered world has never been stronger.

Advocates say the industry could embody the zero-waste agenda by bolstering waste management globally, reducing waste generation, and promoting sustainable consumption and production patterns. 

Humanity generates up to 2.3 billion tonnes of municipal solid waste annually, a tally that includes everything from food to electronics to textiles. Every year, 92 million tonnes of textile waste is produced globally, found The Global Fashion Agenda. This is the equivalent of a garbage truck full of clothing being incinerated or sent to a landfill every second. Between 2000 and 2015, clothing production doubled while the duration of garment use decreased 36 per cent, found the Ellen MacArthur Foundation.   

The fashion and textiles sector accounts for 2–8 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions and 9 per cent of microplastic pollution reaching the oceans annually. It also consumes 215 trillion liters of water—equivalent to 86 million Olympic-sized swimming pools. An estimated 15,000 chemicals are used in the textile manufacturing process, and some of these substances accumulate in the environment for decades. 

“The fashion and textile sector is fueling mass overconsumption and waste pollution. And as the industry continues to rapidly grow, so will its environmental impact, unless a shift towards circularity and sustainable production and consumption is taken by all actors,” said Jacqueline Alvarez, the Chief of UNEP’s Chemicals and Health Branch. “The International Day of Zero Waste 2025 will promote a more circular sector and the recognition of textile waste as a valuable resource.”  

Zero-Waste Day will be observed through events and activities held worldwide, aiming to raise awareness of national, subnational, regional, and local zero-waste initiatives and their contributions to achieving sustainable development. UNEP and UN-Habitat invite partners and stakeholders to register their events and activities using this registration link.  

“Achieving zero waste in fashion and textiles cannot be an isolated effort,” added Alvarez. “It requires determined action from all stakeholders, with benefits for all. Reducing pollution will at the end bring economic and environmental gains for all of society.” 

Find out more: International Day of Zero Waste Event Page  

International Day of Zero Waste, observed on 30 March 2024, was established through UN General Assembly Resolution 77/161 and is jointly facilitated by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat). This day aims to raise awareness about the critical role of waste management and responsible consumption and production in achieving sustainable development. It calls on individuals and organizations to adopt a life-cycle approach, focusing on reducing resource use and environmental emissions at every stage of a product’s life cycle. 

#BeatPollution and #BeatWastePollution aim to build and nurture a larger narrative on a pollution-free planet that weaves interrelated aspects of climate and nature and connects different forms of pollution to the larger issue of pollution and waste. The goal is to optimize human health and environmental outcomes through enhanced capacity and leadership in the sound management of chemicals and waste and increasing circular processes. 

The control of water sources in the Middle East represents a central element in the geopolitical dynamics of the region. The Israeli offensive in southern Syria, culminating in the control of six major water sources in the area, including the Al-Mantara and Al-Wahda dams, highlights how this resource is a key objective for Israel not only from a security perspective but also for its economic and political survival.

For decades, Israel has pursued a water strategy that combines technological innovation, territorial control, and international negotiations. However, direct control over water resources beyond its borders marks a significant escalation. Currently, 30% of Syria’s water sources and 40% of Jordan’s are under Israeli control, a reality that reshapes the region’s balance of power. Just think that from November 1964 to May 1967 over control of water sources of the Jordan River there was “Battle over Water” between Israel and its Arab neighbors.

For Israel, these resources are not only vital for domestic consumption or agricultural irrigation but also hold strategic value in geopolitical negotiations. Controlling water means wielding a tool of leverage against countries like Jordan, with which Israel shares a peace treaty, and Syria, a longstanding adversary. In the context of growing water scarcity due to climate change and population growth, the ability to manage and distribute water becomes a source of power that transcends national borders.

The importance of these resources is particularly evident in occupied areas like the Golan Heights. Here, Israel not only controls part of the Yarmouk River’s water reserves but also uses these resources to reinforce its presence and legitimize the annexation of contested territories. Israeli agricultural communities in neighboring areas directly benefit from these sources, while Syrian and Palestinian populations face restricted or denied access, exacerbating their hardships.

Photo: map of the Jordan River and Yarmouk River

However, Israel’s water control extends beyond domestic security concerns. Through advanced technologies such as the Ashkelon desalination plant and widespread use of wastewater recycling, Israel has become a global leader in water management. This technical expertise is also used as a soft power tool, with Israel offering assistance and know-how to other countries, thereby strengthening its international position.

Photo: Ashkelon desalination plant, Israel

Nevertheless, this strategy is not without its controversies. For many observers, Israel’s control over Syria’s and Jordan’s water sources represents yet another form of territorial expansion disguised as necessity. The humanitarian implications are significant, as entire communities see their access to this vital resource diminished, fueling resentments that add to existing tensions stemming from territorial conflicts.

Thus, water is not merely a matter of survival but a central element in Israel’s security and power strategy. Controlling it ensures not only the future of the country but also determines the destinies of neighboring nations. In a Middle East marked by conflict and instability, control over water resources could become the decisive factor shaping the next chapter of regional history.

In other terms, the approach Israel is implementing falls within what international scholars call “hydrowarfare.”Hydrowarfare refers to the strategic use of water as a weapon or a lever of power in geopolitical, military, and economic conflicts.

Hydrowarfare manifests in various forms, including the control of strategic water sources such as rivers, lakes, dams, or aquifers, which allows states or groups to exert pressure on other nations or populations. This can occur through the disruption of water access, the diversion of natural watercourses, or the construction of infrastructure that alters the water balance. It can also take the form of the direct use of water as a weapon, through intentional flooding, the destruction of infrastructure, or even the deliberate poisoning or contamination of water supplies.

Additionally, water can be used as a tool of political and economic leverage, particularly in regions where river basins are shared by multiple states, such as the Jordan River, which flows through Lebanon, Syria,Palestine, Israel, and Jordan, or the Nile, shared by Ethiopia, Sudan, and Egypt.

Hydrowarfare represents a new frontier in global conflicts, where the control of water becomes as strategic as that of energy resources or territorial borders.

In June 2014, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi came to power. Since then, Egypt’s government has shifted from considering climate issues as a nonissue to organizing the 27th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27) in November 2022.

However, the reality is that the Egyptian government does not prioritize climate change, including its political, social, and economic dimensions, as an essential policy. Instead, it uses climate issues as a potential means to secure foreign funding.

Egypt’s most significant pledged reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is from the oil and gas sector, targeting a 65 percent reduction by 2030. Yet, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA), between 2000 and 2021, the use of gas rose by over 300 percent, while oil use increased by 61 percent.

In February 2024, Egypt’s fiscal policy prioritized expansion and growth over the wellbeing of its people, including environmental and climate concerns.

Describing its economic growth model as “colonial,” Egypt allows foreign oil companies to operate due to the need for immediate foreign currency and the country’s tight economic situation caused by external debt.

Sisi’s administration continued the National Solid Waste Management Program, an Egyptian-German collaborative project aimed at enhancing and strengthening Egypt’s solid waste management. The program focuses on improving Egypt’s public service governance.

The government’s reports in 2019 unified data on waste volume in each of the country’s 27 governorates, as well as data on existing waste management equipment and their conditions.

This was a positive step, but aside from pilot projects in Assiut, Kafr Al Sheikh, and Qena, these masterplans were never implemented nationwide.

Since 2017, the government has discussed plastic pollution at a very surface level, despite it being estimated at 3.6 million tons annually. The government has been reluctant to enforce any form of regulation, only supporting some cleanup efforts, such as removing waste from the Nile, and creating a few alternatives. That’s it!

The government has not been willing to delve deeper into the plastic pollution issue and continues to follow outdated waste management practices across the country, including open-air landfills, improper garbage segregation, and burning.

Half of Egypt’s waste management sector is controlled by informal workers—laborers not officially hired by the government or a private, taxable entity.

These informal workers dominate waste management in large urban areas, such as Cairo’s Zabbaleen (Garbage City), where there is a lack of health and safety standards, especially affecting women and child laborers.

Informal workers provide a wide range of services, creating thousands of jobs for disadvantaged community members. As a result, Egypt’s informal waste management sector is considered irreplaceable.

This influence extends to other sectors, such as urban planning. However, instead of improving the quality of life in slum areas, the government is focusing on building the New Administrative Capital.

Egypt aims for a 7 percent reduction in GHGs by 2030 from the waste management sector. However, officials have not addressed how they plan to manage emissions in crowded areas or how to start creating low-emission zones.

The country’s ambition to become a regional gas hub and a major exporter of liquefied natural gas has been suspended, as a shortage of gas to supply its power plants has led to severe power cuts across Egypt.

Meanwhile, real estate expansion is causing significant environmental harm, according to urban researchers. This expansion is driven by investment purposes rather than addressing housing needs, resulting in a surplus of units and the creation of “ghost” cities.

The Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics reported 12.8 million uninhabited units in Egypt.

Such profit-driven urban expansion includes areas like the New Administrative Capital, New Alamein, New Sphinx, New 6th of October, and Al-Shurouk, among other “fourth-generation cities.”

The number of uninhabited units is enough to house a third of Egypt’s population, which is roughly equivalent to the number of Egypt’s poor.

The Egyptian government’s focus on real estate investment exacerbates environmental issues rather than addressing them.

The extraction, transportation, and manufacturing of construction materials such as cement, steel, and chemicals are highly taxing on natural resources and the environment. Construction and demolition processes consume large amounts of energy and water, generating emissions and waste.

In addition to profit-driven urban expansion, Sisi’s regime has faced criticism for continuously cutting down trees from the country’s already limited green spaces, an act publicly described as a “green massacre.” According to Global Forest Watch, Egypt saw a reduction of approximately 5,060,000 square meters of green spaces and tree cover between 2013 and 2023.

The per capita share of green spaces has decreased from 17 square meters to just 9 square meters per person. Warming rates in Egypt’s urban areas have significantly increased due to tree cutting and road expansion.

Air pollution was responsible for 90,000 premature deaths in Egypt in 2019, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Egypt does not yet have a clear emissions reduction target and has not implemented any basic rules for the long-term 2050 National Climate Change Strategy.

The governance of the country needs to take urgent and serious action.

The UNEP Food Waste Index Report 2024, co-authored with WRAP, provides the most accurate global estimate on food waste at retail and consumer levels. It provides guidance for countries on improving data collection and suggests best practices in moving from measuring to reducing food waste. 

In 2022 there were 1.05 billion tonnes of food waste generated (including inedible parts), amounting to 132 kilograms per capita and almost one-fifth of all food available to consumers. Out of the total food wasted in 2022, 60 per cent happened at the household level, with food services responsible for 28 per cent and retail 12 per cent.

“Food waste is a global tragedy. Millions will go hungry today as food is wasted across the world,” said Inger Andersen, Executive Director of UNEP. “Not only is this a major development issue, but the impacts of such unnecessary waste are causing substantial costs to the climate and nature. The good news is we know if countries prioritise this issue, they can significantly reverse food loss and waste, reduce climate impacts and economic losses, and accelerate progress on global goals.”

Since 2021, there’s been a strengthening of the data infrastructure with more studies tracking food waste. Globally, the number of data points at the household level almost doubled. Nevertheless, many low- and middle-income countries continue to lack adequate systems for tracking progress to meet Sustainable Development Goal 12.3 of halving food waste by 2030, particularly in retail and food services.

Only four G20 countries (Australia, Japan, UK, the USA) and the European Union have food waste estimates suitable for tracking progress to 2030. Canada and Saudi Arabia have suitable household estimates, with Brazil’s estimate expected late 2024. In this context, the report serves as a practical guide for countries to consistently measure and report food waste.

The data confirms that food waste is not just a ‘rich country’ problem, with levels of household food waste differing in observed average levels for high-income, upper-middle, and lower-middle-income countries by just 7 kg per capita. At the same time, hotter countries appear to generate more food waste per capita in households, potentially due to higher consumption of fresh foods with substantial inedible parts and a lack of robust cold chains.

According to recent data, food loss and waste generates 8-10 per cent of annual global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions – almost 5 times that of the aviation sector – and significant biodiversity loss by taking up the equivalent of almost a third of the world’s agricultural land. The toll of both food loss and waste on the global economy is estimated at roughly USD 1 trillion.

Urban areas are expected to particularly benefit from efforts to strengthen food waste reduction and circularity. Rural areas generally waste less food, with greater diversion of food scraps to pets, livestock, and home composting as likely explanations.

As of 2022, only 21 countries have included food loss and/or waste reduction in their national climate plans (NDCs). The 2025 NDCs revision process provides a key opportunity to raise climate ambition by integrating food loss and waste. The Food Waste Index Report underscores the urgency of addressing food waste at both individual and systemic levels.

Robust baselines and regular measurement are needed for countries to show changes over time. Thanks to implementation of policies and partnerships, countries such as Japan and the UK show that change at scale is possible, with reductions of 31 per cent and 18 per cent respectively.

“With the huge cost to the environment, society, and global economies caused by food waste, we need greater coordinated action across continents and supply chains. We support UNEP in calling for more G20 countries to measure food waste and work towards SDG12.3,” said Harriet Lamb, CEO of WRAP. “This is critical to ensuring food feeds people, not landfills. Public-Private Partnerships are one key tool delivering results today, but they require support: whether philanthropic, business, or governmental, actors must rally behind programmes addressing the enormous impact wasting food has on food security, our climate, and our wallets.”

UNEP maintains tracking country-level progress to halve food waste by 2030, with a growing focus on solutions beyond measurement towards reduction. One such solution is systemic action through public-private partnerships (PPPs): Bringing the public sector, private sector and non-government to work together, identify bottlenecks, co-develop solutions, and drive progress. Appropriate financing can enable PPPs to deliver farm-to-fork reductions in food waste, drive down GHGs emissions and water stress, while sharing best practices and encouraging innovation for long-term, holistic change. PPPs on food loss and waste are growing worldwide, including in Australia, Indonesia, Mexico, South Africa, and in the UK where they have helped cut over a quarter of household food waste per capita from 2007-18.

 About the UN Environment Programme (UNEP)
UNEP is the leading global voice on the environment. It provides leadership and encourages partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations.

About WRAP
WRAP is a global NGO based in the UK. It is one of the UK’s top 5 environmental charities and works with governments, businesses and individuals to ensure that the world’s natural resources are used sustainably. Founded in 2000 in the UK, WRAP now works around the world and is a Global Alliance Partner of The Royal Foundation’s Earthshot Prize.

For more information please contact:
News and Media Unit UN Environment Programme

Hotel Ribno is the first Slovenian zero waste hotel. After two years of introducing measures to reduce waste and ensure the separate collection of waste, Hotel Ribno has succeeded in achieving that 92% of the waste is collected separately. But this process required much more than just filling out forms. Without the commitment of the management and employees, who often weighed and examined the waste, it would not be possible to obtain such a title. It is crucial to change the entire operational policy and introduce measures such as placing bins for separate waste collection in hallways and offering food without packaging. Each and every step matters.

Hotel Ribno

 A zero-waste society or a society with less municipal waste, they are supported by “Ecologists Without Borders in the national Zero Waste organisation for Slovenia”, which is part of the Zero Waste Europe network.

The main purpose of the concept, which has been developing in more than 350 local communities around Europe, including the Slovenian municipalities of Bled, Ljubljana, Vrhnika, Log-Dragomer, Borovnica, Gorje, Radovljica, Slovenske Konjice and Žalec. Waste will always be produced, and the zero waste concept is merely a map of different paths to help us reduce the amount of waste. They are obviously on the right track, considering that, with concerted efforts, all the aforementioned municipalities have succeeded in preventing a total of 15,750 tonnes of mixed municipal waste from being generated, thereby saving 3 million EUR. A positive side effect of this project is the forging of ties and cooperation between all the stakeholders involved.

At the other end of Slovenia, the zero waste map has been used by the organisers of the Jurjevanje folklore festival in Bela Krajina, Art Camp and (Z)mešani festival. Infact, they have consistently promoted the separate collection of waste and have been introducing measures to prevent waste from being produced – they have been striving to reduce the use of plastic for one-time use and installing drinking water fountains at festival sites. Their responsible attitude to the environment also being reflected in the content of their programmes. All the aforementioned examples of good practice demonstrate that the zero waste concept is about much more than just waste. By selecting appropriate measures, we can reduce impacts on climate change, also due to reduced energy and water consumption and sustainable mobility. The alpha and omega of a successful transition to a zero waste society is communication.

Improved communication increases the level of services, providing a significant competitive edge. The trend towards green has also been demonstrated by other tourism providers, who have visited the Slovenian zero waste pearls and are following their example. Moreover, this trend is also reflected in the media, which can no longer overlook zero waste practices when covering environmental topics. Accordingly, records are being broken not only with the numbers of overnight stays but also with media coverage of zero waste, which has increased threefold in the past four years. This a good thing.

Slovenian gastronomy

When it comes to gastronomy, Slovenia has always followed the sustainability principles of the “from farm to fork” approach, focusing on seasonal, local, and organic dishes. But 2021 was a milestone. It was the year, when Slovenia became the European Region of Gastronomy, and also the year when restaurants and other food service providers were invited to join the green community of tourist destinations, accommodation providers, natural parks, tourist agencies, and tourist attractions, united under the Green Scheme of Slovenian Tourism.

Zero Waste tourists

As individuals, we can also contribute to reducing the impact of tourism on the environment; in 2011 the tourism industry was responsible for the generation of 48 tonnes of waste, accounting for 14% of all generated municipal waste at a global level. For sure should avoid the use of plastic items for one-time use, support environment-friendly accommodation  Surveys show that, when on holidays, people behave in a much more wasteful way, which is why we should reflect on how individual changes can help make a great impact together. With our green behaviour, we should set an example to others when travelling around the world and to foreign tourists in Slovenia.

Slovenia continues to fly the green flag and remains a green spot on the world map for a long time to come. They are on the right track.  For sure they can pride ourselves on being the only country in the world with a zero waste capital city, a zero waste hotel and zero waste events.

World governments plan to produce approximately 110 per cent more coal, gas and oil in 2030 than would be consistent with limiting global warming to 1.5°C, a new report from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) shows.

Governments from 151 nations have pledged to achieve net-zero emissions, yet current plans would lead to increases in global coal production until 2030 and in global oil and gas production until at least 2050, according to the Production Gap Report 2023.

To ensure a safe and liveable planet, experts say humanity must phase out global coal production and use by 2040, and reduce oil and gas production and use by three-quarters between 2020 and 2050.

About the Production Gap Report  

Modelled after the UNEP’s Emissions Gap Report series — and conceived as a complementary analysis — this report conveys the large discrepancy between countries’ planned fossil fuel production and the global production levels consistent with limiting warming to 1.5°C and 2°C. 

Nairobi, 28 February 2024 – With municipal waste set to rise by two thirds and its costs to almost double within a generation, only a drastic reduction in waste generation will secure a liveable and affordable future, according to a new UN Environment Programme (UNEP) report.  

Titled “Beyond an age of waste: Turning rubbish into a resource,” the UNEP Global Waste Management Outlook 2024 (GWMO 2024) provides the most substantial update on global waste generation and the cost of waste and its management since 2018. The analysis uses life cycle assessments to explore what the world could gain or lose through continuing business-as-usual, adopting halfway measures, or committing fully to zero waste and circular economy societies.  

According to the report, municipal solid waste generation is predicted to grow from 2.3 billion tonnes in 2023 to 3.8 billion tonnes by 2050. In 2020, the global direct cost of waste management was an estimated USD 252 billion. However, when factoring in the hidden costs of pollution, poor health and climate change from poor waste disposal practices, the cost rises to USD 361 billion. Without urgent action on waste management, by 2050 this global annual cost could almost double to a staggering USD 640.3 billion.  

“Waste generation is intrinsically tied to GDP, and many fast-growing economies are struggling under the burden of rapid waste growth. By identifying actionable steps to a more resourceful future and emphasising the pivotal role of decision-makers in the public and private sectors to move towards zero waste, this Global Waste Management Outlook can support governments seeking to prevent missed opportunities to create more sustainable societies and to secure a liveable planet for future generations,” said Inger Andersen, UNEP’s Executive Director. 

“The GWMO 2024 is a guide and call for action to catalyse collective efforts to support bold and transformative solutions, revert the adverse impacts of current waste management practices, and provide clear benefits to every individual living on this planet. These actions are instrumental to accelerating the achievement of the 2030 Agenda. As a partner and supporter of the GWMO since its inception, ISWA will ensure it is now disseminated and implemented on the ground by providing the support needed to address the challenges currently observed,” said Carlos Silva Filho, ISWA’s President. 

The report’s modelling shows that getting waste under control by taking waste prevention and management measures could limit net annual costs by 2050 to USD 270.2 billion. However, projections show that a circular economy model, where waste generation and economic growth are decoupled by adopting waste avoidance, sustainable business practices, and full waste management, could in fact lead to a full net gain of USD 108.5 billion per year. 

“The findings of this report demonstrate that the world urgently needs to shift to a zero waste approach, while improving waste management to prevent significant pollution, greenhouse gas emissions and negative impacts to human health. Pollution from waste knows no borders, so it is in everyone’s interests to commit to waste prevention and invest in waste management where it is lacking. The solutions are available and ready to be scaled up. What is needed now is strong leadership to set the direction and pace required, and to ensure no one is left behind,” said Zoë Lenkiewicz, lead author of the report. 

The report is launching at the sixth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6), which is taking place from 26 February to 1 March at UNEP headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya.  

About the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) 
UNEP is the leading global voice on the environment. It provides leadership and encourages partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations. 

About ISWA 
The International Solid Waste Association (ISWA) is the world’s leading international network of waste professionals and experts. Its mission is to promote and develop sustainable and professional waste management worldwide, and the transition to a circular economy. 

About the Global Waste Management Outlook 2024 
The GWMO 2024 is a collective effort of UNEP and IWSA. It provides a pioneering scientific assessment of the impacts and costs of the growing amounts of waste to be managed, and calls for global action to prioritise waste prevention and municipal waste management services for the sake of planetary and human health. The report evaluates three potential scenarios of municipal waste generation and management, examining their impacts on society, the environment, and the global economy. It also presents potential strategies for waste reduction and enhanced management, following the waste hierarchy, with the aim of treating all waste materials as valuable resources.   

The Go Blue Project is a partnership between the European Union and the Government of Kenya to advance the blue economy agenda through coastal development. This documentary captures a number of pilot interventions jointly implemented by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) under Results Area 2 titled “Connecting People, Cities and the Ocean: Innovative Land-Sea Planning and Management for a Sustainable and Resilient Kenyan Coast.” The four initiatives captured here are:

• Blue Carbon Initiative (Lamu County)
• Solid Waste Management (Taita Taveta County)
• Mikindani Constructed Wetland (Mombasa County)
• Mazingira Public Space (Kilifi County)

The project is funded by the European Union.

Majuro, the Republic of Marshall Islands – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in partnership with the Governments of Japan and the Republic of Marshall Islands (RMI), marked a major milestone in the Enhancing Disaster and Climate Resilience (EDCR) project by officially handing over backup generators to the Majuro Water and Sewage Company (MWSC).

The event, graced by esteemed dignitaries and representatives, marks a significant milestone in enhancing the RMI’s ability to respond to disasters and climate-related challenges.

Launched in 2019, the EDCR project tackles climate change and environmental threats across several North Pacific nations. It focuses on strengthening these countries’ preparedness and response capabilities by improving disaster communication and climate monitoring, enhancing responder readiness through training and equipment, and bolstering community resilience through sustainable water management and social inclusion practices.  

Operating primarily in the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of Palau, the project has already yielded positive results, including improved disaster anticipation, enhanced resource management, and empowered local responders.

During the handover, Damian Capelle, General Manager of MWSC, highlighted the crucial role of the newly acquired backup generators in ensuring the continuous and reliable operations of the RMI’s water and sewage facilities. He remarked:

“We have faced operational challenges, but thankfully, through the EDCR project, we were able to procure these generators. That’s why we are here celebrating today.”

Representing the Government of the RMI, Deputy Chief Secretary Abacca Anjain-Maddison expressed gratitude to the Government of Japan and UNDP for their generous contributions, including the Emergency Operation Center, which is under construction in Ebeye.

His Excellency Tanaka Kazunari, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the RMI, conveyed sincere appreciation to officials and implementing partners, recognizing their unwavering efforts under challenging conditions.

The equipment is anticipated not only to safeguard community health by ensuring access to clean water but also to significantly contribute to the overall well-being of the people of the RMI.

Kevin Petrini, Country Manager and Deputy Resident Representative in the UNDP Pacific Office in the Federated States of Micronesia, emphasized the significance of the generators; a commitment to advancing key sectors critical to the RMI’s development, especially in the face of disasters and adverse climate events.  

“Installing these generators will ensure the uninterrupted operation of the Marshall Islands’ water and sewage facilities during power outages and emergencies, strengthening the country’s readiness and response abilities,” he said.

As the handover ceremony concluded, UNDP and its partners expressed optimism that this equipment would serve as a catalyst for positive change, enhancing capabilities, driving economic growth, and fostering a more resilient future for the RMI. By having standby generators, it furthers the RMI’s ability to ensure constant supply of water at the facility.

For further enquiries:  Teresa White, Finance and Administrative Officer, Enhancing Disaster and Climate Resilience in the Republic of the Marshall Islands Project, UNDP Office in RMI, Tel: +(692) 455 8147, Email: teresa.white@undp.org