The COVID-19 pandemic has forever changed online shopping behaviours, according to a survey of about 3,700 consumers in nine emerging and developed economies.The survey, entitled “COVID-19 and E-commerce”, examined how the pandemic has changed the way consumers use e-commerce and digital solutions. It covered Brazil, China, Germany, Italy, the Republic …
Global warming will harm sovereign creditworthiness around the world this century, with poorer nations the worst hit, Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services said. Climate change is one of two “global mega-trends” alongside aging populations that dominate global economic risks, the agency said today in a report. It identified the most …
Thirty donor countries on Wednesday 4.43 billion for the Global Environment Facility (GEF) to support developing countries over the next four years to prevent degradation of the global environment, said a press release on Thursday. Promised in Geneva, Switzerland, the funding will support projects in more than 140 countries to …
For the fifth consecutive month, electricity prices in countries neighboring Germany have decreased, recently released Platts data reveals, due in large part to increased solar and wind generation in Germany. The Platts Continental Power Index (CONT), described as a "demand-weighted base load average of day-ahead contracts assessed in Germany, Switzerland, …
Nations setting up carbon markets must standardize their emission-reduction benchmarks to ensure international efforts to limit global warming stay on track, according to Switzerland’s climate envoy. At least 30 of 200 countries meeting at talks this week in Bonn are developing carbon trading systems to help meet emissions targets under …
Bangladesh has launched the third phase of 'Sharique', a programme for promoting local governance with assistance from Switzerland with an particular objective of fighting poverty, reports BSS. "The new phase will be implemented by a consortium comprising the HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation (HSI) and the Institute of Governance Studies (IGS) of …
Hot weather extremes have increased around the world in the past 15 years despite a slowdown in the overall pace of global warming, a study showed on Wednesday. Heat extremes are among the damaging impacts of climate change as they can raise death rates, especially among the elderly, damage food …
Nations have passed almost 500 laws to tackle climate change, with emerging economies led by Mexico and China making the most progress last year, a study by Globe International found. A total of 62 out of the 66 countries examined have passed or are working on “significant” climate or energy-related …
Pakistan has been ranked at the number 97 in the world food index, a new ranking released by Oxfam showed. The Netherlands nudged past France and Switzerland as the country with the most nutritious, plentiful and healthy food, while the United States and Japan failed to make it into the …
Animals and plants are already today adapting to the rising temperatures at a surprising pace. Alpine ecosystems are on the rise. Between 2003 and 2010, plants have managed to scramble up another eight metres of mountain slope. On the way up, they were overtaken by butterflies, which collectively gained another …
Experts say the membership will help India procure more fuel and nuclear components Indian nuclear experts have told Business Standard that it is an opportune time for the country to gain membership of the Nuclear Suppliers’ Group (NSG), despite reservations expressed by China and some smaller European states such as …
The UK increased the share of municipal waste recycling from 12% to 39% between 2001 and 2010, according to a new report. Published by the European Environment Agency (EEA), the report looks at the management of municipal solid waste, mainly consisting of household waste, in 27 EU Member States, Croatia, …
Punjab government is planning to introduce a cost-effective water purification system in rural areas in collaboration with a Swiss company, Aqua Infinite. The state government’s intent is to provide 100 per cent potable water to people. A decision to this effect was taken by Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal …
Delegations from some 140 countries agreed on Saturday to adopt a ground-breaking treaty limiting the use and emission of health-hazardous mercury, the U.N. said, though environmental activists lamented it did not go far enough. The world’s first legally binding treaty on mercury, reached after a week of thorny talks, will …
Telugu superstar and tourism minister K. Chiranjeevi here on Saturday said that his ministry has set a target of attracting one per cent of world tourists to India in next five years. Pointing out that India was emerging a leading tourist destination with present arrival of 0.6 per cent of …
India’s vaccine manufacturing sector is set for massive export boost with the country’s national regulatory authority, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), passing the WHO’s toughest efficacy and safety tests. An 18-member team of drug inspectors from the WHO, US-FDA, Sweden, China, Switzerland and Thailand reviewed the Central Drug …
A universal climate change agreement is both necessary and possible — and we need to migrate to the politics of opportunity The results of the UN climate-change conference that closed in Doha, Qatar, last Saturday show once again that the international negotiations are progressing, albeit slowly. At the heart of …
The rich, roasted aroma of coffee or the golden-brown colour of crispy French fries are enough to set most mouths watering. But the high-temperature cooking that gives these foods their alluring taste, scent and texture also adds a sting: acrylamide, a probable human carcinogen.
India and Switzerland have agreed to explore avenues to increase cooperation in the field of renewable energy with the European country appearing keen to invest in the sector. In an hour long meeting between Swiss Head of Federal Department of Environment, Transport, Energy and Communication Doris Leuthard and New and …
Voters in Switzerland have rejected a total ban on smoking in enclosed public places at a referendum. Although Geneva voted slightly in favour, results from the country's other 25 cantons showed a majority of voters rejected a full ban. Hotels, restaurants and bars are allowed rooms for smokers but critics …
The Climate Action Tracker has updated our analysis on national greenhouse gas emission reduction proposals for 2020 under the international climate negotiations. We find that governments are taking action to implement their reduction proposals, but many are set to fail in reaching those proposals. Recent highlights include the agreed link …
