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 Asia-Pacific country profiles provide a snapshot of the energy policy highlights of the ESCAP regional member states. The country profiles deliver an overview of the national energy policy framework along with the energy-related emissions reduction and climate change policies, which together aim to facilitate the energy transition to achieve …
The coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak has already brought considerable human suffering and major economic disruption. Output contractions in China are being felt around the world, reflecting the key and rising role China has in global supply chains, travel and commodity markets.The adverse impact on confidence, financial markets, the travel sector and …
An outbreak of 2019 novel coronavirus diseases (COVID-19) in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China has spread quickly nationwide. Here, we report results of a descriptive, exploratory analysis of all cases diagnosed as of February 11, 2020. Original Source
In 2005, countries in WHO Western Pacific Region, including China, resolved to eliminate measles by 2012 or as soon as feasible thereafter. As of 2018, 92 of the 37 countries or areas in the Region had eliminated measles.China’s Measles Elimination Action Plan 2006–2012 included strengthening routine immunization, assessing the risk …
As the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) progresses, epidemiological data are needed to guide situational awareness and intervention strategies. Here we describe efforts to compile and disseminate epidemiological information on COVID-19 from news media and social networks.
Supply Change and the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP-FI) teamed up to examine the state of corporate reporting on deforestation linked to palm oil production in Indonesia. Supply Change’s database contains over 870 companies, which are tracked by their involvement in one of the “big four” commodity supply …
This report reveals the cost of air pollution from fossil fuels and highlights solutions that can protect our health and benefit our communities. Air pollution generated by burning fossil fuels is attributed to approximately 4.5 million premature deaths worldwide every year, the report shows. Air pollution increases the incidence of …
This week Kerala reported its third case of coronavirus, a student of a university in Wuhan, the Chinese city at the centre of the viral outbreak that has spread globally in less than a month. The student who hails from Kasargode is out of danger, and so are the other …
New research by the Transition Pathway Initiative finds that 29% of the largest publicly-listed industrial companies are set to align their emissions with the Paris Pledges by 2030, up from 24% in mid-2018.These companies are aligned with the emission reduction pledges made by national governments in the Paris Agreement. However, …
As the renewable energy sector matures, policies must be adapted to reflect changing market conditions. With the increasing use of auctions, policymakers seek to procure renewables-based electricity at the lowest price and also fulfil socio-economic objectives. Auctions designed in innovative ways can help achieve specific national goals, beyond solely procuring …
The growth in renewable energy jobs is the logical result of the increasing deployment of renewables – a development underpinned by falling costs and supportive policies. Renewables account for more than half of all capacity additions in the global power sector since 2011 and their share in total power generation …
Since Dec 31, 2019, the Chinese city of Wuhan has reported an outbreak of atypical pneumonia caused by the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV). Cases have been exported to other Chinese cities, as well as internationally, threatening to trigger a global outbreak. Here, we provide an estimate of the size of …
In response to the Chinese National Forest & Grassland Administration's (NFGA) decision to implement a strict ban on all wildlife trade and check all wildlife breeding and utilization permits due to suspected link between wild animal trade and the outbreak of the Coronavirus, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) supports the decision.
A recent cluster of pneumonia cases in Wuhan, China, was caused by a novel betacoronavirus, the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV). We report the epidemiological, clinical, laboratory, and radiological characteristics and treatment and clinical outcomes of these patients. Original Source
This paper assesses the overall costs and distributional impacts of China’s planned nationwide emissions trading system for CO2 emissions reductions, a system that will differ from cap and trade and become the largest CO2 trading system in the world.
Greenpeace East Asia and the North China Electric Power University have released their first-ever renewable energy ranking of China’s tech giants. Data center operator Chindata took the top spot, with a score of 80 out of 100. Alibaba received a score of 60, edging out Tencent, GDS and Baidu, which …
Global growth is projected to be slightly faster in 2020 than the post-crisis low registered last year. While growth could be stronger if reduced trade tensions mitigate uncertainty, the balance of risks to the outlook is to the downside. Growth in emerging market and developing economies is also expected to …
While heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs) are just 5% of vehicle sales in China, they consume nearly 50% of all on-road transport fuel. Unsurprisingly, then, the Chinese government has gone to considerable effort to improve the fuel efficiency of the HDV sector, and the ultimate goal is to create a clean, efficient, …
The double burden of malnutrition (DBM), defined as the simultaneous manifestation of both undernutrition and overweight and obesity, affects most low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). This Series paper describes the dynamics of the DBM in LMICs and how it differs by socioeconomic level. This Series paper shows that the DBM …
Observations from many countries indicate that multiple forms of malnutrition might coexist in a country, a household, and an individual. In this Series, the double burden of malnutrition (DBM) encompasses undernutrition in the form of stunting, and overweight and obesity. Health effects of the DBM include those associated with both …
