In 2019, the illegal wildlife trade reached staggering levels. Pangolin scales and ivory were being trafficked in massive quantities from Africa to Asia, exposing a network of crime syndicates operating at an industrial scale. The sheer volume of these shipments marked a disturbing milestone, one that revealed the global reach …
The third UN High-Level Meeting on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) on Sept 27, 2018, will review national and global progress towards the prevention and control of NCDs, and provide an opportunity to renew, reinforce, and enhance commitments to reduce their burden. NCD Countdown 2030 is an independent collaboration to inform policies …
This report outlines the progress and prospects of Beijing’s low-emission zone and congestion charging policies, which have been under development since 2014 with the assistance of WRI China. Beijing’s implementation in September 2017 of a low-emission zone (LEZ), with a strong assist from WRI, marked a huge milestone—not just in …
Extreme climate events such as droughts and heat waves exert strong impacts on ecosystems and human well-being. Estimations of the risks of climate extremes typically focus on one variable in isolation. In this study, we present a method to examine the likelihood of concurrent extreme temperature and precipitation modes at …
This working paper assesses technology progress and new developments in hybrid and electric vehicles in China. Joint ventures, especially with Japanese automakers, dominate China’s hybrid electric vehicle market. However, some independent domestic manufacturers have already made significant progress on full hybrid system development. Another promising direction is 48V mild hybrid …
Recently, China is undertaking numerous steps to accelerate the development of Intelligent and Connected Vehicles (ICVs). By 2020, 50% of all new cars in China are supposed to be ICVs. As a result of changes in the legislative framework, the adoption of national strategies and guidelines as well as its …
Barijat, the 23rd typhoon this year, has formed on the South China Sea and is moving westward at a speed of 10 to 15 km per hour as of Tuesday morning, the provincial meteorological bureau of Hainan said. The bureau has issued an alert, warning against strong gales and downpours …
TOKYO, Sept 11 (Reuters) - Following Japan's first outbreak of swine fever in 26 years, a local government said on Tuesday it had culled 546 hogs in the centre of Honshu, the country's largest and most populous island. An official with the Gifu prefecture government said that more than 65 …
Tracking meat and meat products from pigs infected with African swine fever is key to fight the spread of the highly viral disease as it can survive in processed food, the Deputy head of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) said on Monday. African swine fever (ASF) has spread …
The China VI standard is among the world’s most stringent HDV emission standards and combines best practices from both European and U.S. regulations. It will be a key pathway to clean up diesel emissions and is therefore a critical step toward winning the war against air pollution in China. According …
NEW DELHI: The total number of buses available for transporting general passengers is less than one-tenth of the requirement, posing an enormous logistical challenge. According to government data, there are about 19 lakh buses in the country and only 2.8 lakh of them are run either by state transport undertakings …
As China tackles its air quality issues, government regulators have turned their focus to shipping, an industry that burns thousands of tons of highly polluting heavy fuel oil near densely populated coastlines every day. One way to reduce air pollution from ships is by establishing an Emission Control Area (ECA), …
This report gives a detailed overview of the various measures by which the Chinese government seeks to promote electro-mobility. The current market situation in China is examined, and the industrial policy targets of the central government explained. The body of the report provides a detailed description of the three main …
This report gives a detailed overview of the various measures by which the Chinese government seeks to promote electro-mobility. The current market situation in China is examined, and the industrial policy targets of the central government explained. The body of the report provides a detailed description of the three main …
Insufficient physical activity is a leading risk factor for non-communicable disease, negatively impacting mental health and overall quality of life, according to this new study published in Lancet. Physical and mental health of more than 1.4 billion adults is at risk reveals the study that details the levels of insufficient …
The size and structure of the socioeconomic metabolism are key for the planet’s sustainability. In this article, we provide a consistent assessment of the development of material flows through the global economy in the period 1900–2015 using material flow accounting in combination with results from dynamic stock-flow modelling. Based on …
This report summarises the main insights from Coal Transitions research project. Firstly, it outlines the growing momentum behind coal transitions around the world, due to economic, technological and policy factors. Secondly, the report highlights key findings from case studies of six major coal-consuming countries (China, India, Poland, Germany, Australia and …
This handbook provides practical guidance for planning and implementing community-led ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) in three vulnerable ecosystems: mountains, drylands and coastal areas. It is intended for project managers, practitioners and technical specialists. The guidance is structured around eight key steps in the project cycle, and includes general implementation protocols for …
China’s 11th Five-Year Plan set a goal to reduce the emission of sulphur dioxide (SO2) by 10% between 2006 and 2010. Stoerk provides the first empirical evaluation of this target. Using independent NASA satellite data to measure SO2 pollution, Stoerk finds that the target was met: China reduced its SO2 …
Since the Paris Climate Agreement solidified an “all hands on deck” approach to climate change, cities, regions and businesses have become key contributors to mitigation, adaptation and finance efforts. These actors are pledging a range of actions, from directly reducing their own greenhouse gas emissions footprints, to building capacity for …
Air pollution not only harms the heart and lungs, a new study indicates it affects the brain so much that people, especially the elderly, could struggle for words or to complete simple maths. Long-term exposure to air pollution severely affects cognition skills, according to the joint study by Yale and …
