Pico Analytics Fortnightly Newsletter: Asia & The Pacific Edition
Asia and the Pacific is one of the most expansive and diverse regions on earth. It contains some of the greatest disparities in wealth and access resources whilst being rich in culture and innovation. There are areas where you can walk for miles and never meet a soul and in others you can barely move through the hustle and bustle of densely populated cities. The sheer complexity of cultures and peoples is all at once overwhelming and at the same time a magnificent display of the human capacity to adapt and be creative. Yet, as the climate crisis worsens, and few places are left untouched by its impacts, the strengths and weaknesses of political systems and local methods of resilience will be tested in equal measure. As floods rip through South Asia, drought and wildfires scorch Southern China, plastic chokes the rivers of Southeast Asia and landslides destroy communities in New Zealand, Asia and the Pacific are facing immense challenges in the days and years ahead. To provide you, our reader with a clearer picture of the state of climate in Asia we thought these handy facts from the World Meteorological Organisation would be helpful;
Temperatures: Asia had its warmest year on record in 2020, with the mean temperature 1.39 °C above the 1981–2010 average.
Ocean Warmth: In 2020, average sea surface temperatures reached record high values in the Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean and the Arctic Ocean. Sea surface temperatures and ocean warming in and around Asia are increasing more than the global average – at three times the rate in the case of the Arabian sea. Sea surface temperatures in parts of the Arctic Ocean have also been warming at three times the global average during the 1982-2020 period.
Sea Level: Global average sea level has risen at a rate of 3.3 mm per year since the early 1990s. The North Indian Ocean and the Northwest Pacific Ocean are experiencing sea level rise significantly higher than the global mean.
Glacier Retreat High Mountain Asia is home to approximately 100 000 km2 of glaciers centered on the Tibetan Plateau and Himalayas. It contains the largest volumes of ice outside of the polar regions and is the source of 10 important Asian rivers. Glacier retreat is accelerating and it is projected that glacier mass will decrease by 20% to 40% by 2050, affecting the lives and livelihoods of about 750 million people in the region. This has major ramifications for global sea level, regional water cycles and local hazards (such as landslides and avalanches).
Impact of extreme weather: In 2020 floods and storms affected approximately 50 million people in Asia and resulted in more than 5,000 fatalities. This is below the annual average of the last two decades (158 million people affected and about 15,500 fatalities) and is testimony to the success of early warning systems in many countries in Asia. Tropical cyclones, floods and droughts induced an estimated average annual loss (AAL) of several hundred billion dollars, according to ESCAP. Losses were estimated at approximately US$ 238 billion in China, US$ 87 billion in India and US$ 83 billion in Japan.
Displacement: Intense cyclones, monsoon rains and floods hit highly exposed and densely populated areas in South Asia and East Asia and led to the displacement of millions of people in China, Bangladesh, India, Japan, Pakistan, Nepal and Vietnam in 2020. Cyclone Amphan, one of the strongest cyclones ever recorded, hit the Sundarbans region between India and Bangladesh in May 2020 displacing 2.4 million people in India and 2.5 million people in Bangladesh.
Environment: Glacier retreat and the dwindling of freshwater resources will have major repercussions for future water security and ecosystems in Asia, and the decline of coral reefs will negatively affect food security. In 2019, approximately three fourths of mangroves in Asia were located in Bangladesh (24%), Myanmar (19%), India (17%) and Thailand (14%). Mangroves in Bangladesh, a low-lying state exposed to tropical storms, decreased by 19% from 1992 to 2019. Forests absorb carbon dioxide and are an important carbon sink. Between 1990 and 2018, Bhutan, China, India and Vietnam increased their forest cover. But forest cover declined in Myanmar (26%), Cambodia (24%) and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (12%).
In the Pacific Islands these issues are yet more acute with many nations facing an uncertain future and possibly a complete loss of statehood. Yet, when we look at who really is contributing to climate change the situation becomes more complex and the grey areas spread out like ink spilled over a world map. As demand from the global north for everything from fossil fuels to food to furniture is met by the global south who are forced to decimate their ecosystems and deplete their natural resources in an effort to expand their economies and strengthen their global standing it could easily be argued that the actions of the global north have either caused or been the main contributors to climate change. Today, after having enjoyed decades of economic growth and prosperity off the back of colonies and exploitation, we must turn to those nations who are continuing to meet our needs and tell them to modify their industrial revolutions to help combat the climate crisis. It could be argued that the future of our climate could be decided across Asia and the Pacific…
This edition hopes to provide a comprehensive overview of the climate and environmental news emanating from Asia and the Pacific whilst providing an insight for those who are less familiar with the region. From the devastating floods in Pakistan, to the Ocean Conservancy apology to the five Southeast Asian nations they blamed for the world's plastic pollution problem, this edition as always aims to educate, inform, and promote a more sustainable lifestyle whilst turning your attention to those projects and laws which aim to enforce sustainability at the highest level. We here at Pico Analytics know that it can be disheartening and at times frustrating to read through the various articles and reports concerning climate change, sustainable development and ESG's but it is important to understand exactly what is happening in our world and how our needs and requirements are being met. In our Sustainability Spotlight we will be taking a look at very special Fiji based initiative which is helping to distribute clean energy stoves whilst our Business Insider video highlights some interesting innovations taking place in India aimed at tackling plastic waste.
Our newsletter, as usual, will provide a short summary of some of the most notable, informative, and quirky climate stories of the past six months in the hope that it provides inspiration and insight into climate news from around the world. Finally, we want to hear from you, our readers, about any topics that interest you, which we can either produce research papers on or include as stories in future newsletters.
OUR
TOP STORIES
Monsoon Disaster in Pakistan Exposes Climate Threat
by Farhan Bokhari & John Reed 7th September 2022
In a nation already experiencing an acute financial crisis and deepening political conflict, the catastrophic floods of Pakistan's monsoon season will become a catalyst for "humongous change" according to Prime minister Shehbaz Sharif. After enduring blistering heat waves since spring followed by a disastrous monsoon season Pakistan is rapidly becoming a case study for those nations who are not only vulnerable to climate change but who are also contending with interlinked humanitarian, economic and political crises. According to official figures around 1,400 people have been killed by flood waters with a further 40 million, or one fifth of the total population, having been displaced. A third of the country is under water and more than half of its 160 districts have been declared "calamity hit". The government has also estimated the cost of destruction to be at least $10bn, a particularly high sum for a nation with an already struggling economy.
Pakistani MP'S are already urging a more proactive response from the international community in an attempt to avert further disaster and instability. In particular, there are worries over food riots as prices soar and basic staples such as onions, tomatoes and fruits become unaffordable. In a year when supply chains are already being interrupted by Covid-19 and the war in Ukraine, Pakistan has only recently narrowly avoided a liquidity crisis and continues to experience instability across various sectors. Analysts have also pushed for an urgent response from Pakistan's ruling elite as greater numbers of rural-to-urban migrants could contribute to further political unrest. Pakistani officials have portrayed their country as a victim of climate change fuelled primarily by the rich world's carbon emissions and to a large extent there is truth in this as global warming melts glaciers across Pakistan and makes heat waves more frequent and extreme. However, there is also criticism in many factions that the country's leaders have failed to bolster defences and learn from the experiences of the 2010 floods, having failed to improve infrastructure and the preparedness of institutions, or to mitigate environmental risks such as inadequate soil resilience the poor are being disproportionately affected by these past failures. Climate change is compounding preexisting conditions and difficulties in Pakistan and will continue to do so as its impacts worsen in the years to come. Though it is important for the international community to step up and provide crucial climate finance and aid to this struggling nation in times of crises, it will also be important for the Pakistan government to tackle endemic corruption and shift focus away from power struggles and onto providing climate resilient infrastructure for its people and supporting them through humanitarian crises.
A Return to Nuclear Power for Japan?
By the BBC 24th August 2022
Japanese Prime minister Fumio Kishida has spoken publicly of his belief that Japan should consider building next-generation nuclear reactors. In what could be one of the most significant policy shifts seen in Japan's recent political history Mr Kishida is continuing the push to diversify energy resources in the wake of the Ukraine war and soaring energy costs. However, after the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster, which displaced 150,000 people, due to nuclear radiation, much of the country remains staunchly opposed to nuclear power making a change in policy particularly difficult to implement. However, Prime minister Kishida has made it clear that Japan may need to reconsider its stance on nuclear power if it wants to meet its target of becoming carbon neutral by 2050. Aside from building new reactors the government will also look to restart existing plants that are currently offline and extend their lifespans which may be somewhat less controversial over the long term. Prior to 2011 Japan had 50 operational power reactors 46 of which were suspended in the aftermath of the disaster with those numbers increasing as of April 2021 where 9 reactors returned to operations and 14 others came under review. Though the Japanese government has frequently returned to the idea of reintroducing nuclear power, making such policy changes in a nation with such slow political processes and a painful history with nuclear power, a difficult uphill battle for Mr Kishida, if he remains in office long enough to take the battle to the parliamentary floor.
China's Carbon Emissions Fall 8%
by Primrose Riordan & Leslie Hook 1st September 2022
As economic growth slows in China due to large-scale coronavirus lockdowns and a crisis in the heavily indebted property sector, carbon emissions have fallen by 8% in the April-June quarter compared with the same period last year. This marks the sharpest decline in a decade with emissions reductions driven in most part by "a fall in steel and cement output linked to the real estate slump, a fall in transport oil consumption caused by Covid-19 control measures, slow electricity consumption growth and strong increases in renewable power generation". Though China remains the second-largest carbon-emitting industry after power generation the decrease in production has one silver lining of reducing, even just by a minute fraction, the impact China has on global warming.
Meanwhile, China's economy is feeling the brunt of the impact from spiralling debt in the property sector and the defaults of eight developers this year alone. The economic difficulties have been made yet more acute by a mixture of heatwaves and droughts with regions such as Sichuan province having to halt production of energy from hydropower as tributary rivers run dry. Thereby forcing China to turn back to coal power in order to meet demands for electricity despite the significant negative impact this will have on emissions. It appears that there are numerous cracks forming both in China's economy and in its climate policies. Though there are hopes that China can speed up its transition to green energy, they must try not to be tempted to revert to the use of dirty fossil fuels when difficulties arise during this transitional period.
The Australian Government Finally Sets Climate Targets!
by BBC 13th September 2022
In another landmark moment for the Australian parliament legislation has been passed enshrining their pledge to cut carbon emissions by 43% by 2030 and to net zero by 2050.
For a country which has consistently failed to bring about a climate bill and to set achievable targets which will make a real and tangible impact on climate change, this legislation marks a moment in Australia's history. In a nation which has experienced devastating bushfires, traumatic floods and droughts as well as a notable reduction of its indigenous flora and fauna due to extreme weather events and human infringements on habitats any step towards recovery it could be argued is a step in the right direction and yet criticism and critics are not in short supply. Some have been demanding higher goals as well as bans on new fossil fuel projects whilst others have lauded this new law as bringing an end to decades of policy inaction. The climate bill passed by 37 votes to 30 after minor amendments were made, signalling a not insignificant swing in parliamentary mood and overall willingness to make necessary changes. Historically, the government has angered allies with its short-term emissions targets and its purposefully stalling or hindering international talks such as Cop26. Yet, this frustration began to rise up within the Australian people who took action during the elections earlier this year by voting for those candidates who campaigned on the issue of climate change. Mark Howden, vice chair for the IPCC, believes this new legislation could be comparable to "taking all of our cars off the road or taking agriculture out of the economy". It could also reduce Australia's carbon emissions from 24 tonnes per person down to around 14 tonnes per person meaning this bill will have real and possibly monetary impact on the lives of Australian people who are currently experiencing the of cost natural disasters on individual Australian houses which is currently reaching an average of A$1,485 (£870) in the past year.
Indonesia's Nickel Processing Industry Comes Under Scrutiny for Significant Carbon Footprint…
by Erwida Maulia 31st August 2022
Indonesia possesses the world's largest reserves of nickel, a mineral crucial to the production of electric vehicle batteries (EV's), which it plans to leverage for the next several years to meet global demand. Yet, many of the nickel processing projects are not in fact run by Indonesians but instead by Chinese businesses including stainless steel giant Tsingshan and battery maker Contemporary Amperex Technology. Unfortunately, current operations remain carbon intensive thereby counteracting the benefits in a reduction of pollution brought about by the use of EV's. Unlike in Canada, Russia and Australia where sulphide ore is used to extract nickel, Indonesia's laterite ore requires more processing to become battery-grade nickel meaning increased carbon emissions. However, with sulphide ore reserves rapidly dwindling Indonesia is in a unique position to become one of the leading producers ahead of New Caledonia.
In light of this Indonesia is currently running or constructing multiple high-pressure acid-leaching projects across the country. However, such projects have historically struggled with high carbon content and waste disposal problems which have garnered serious criticism in particular for those projects still reliant on coal fired energy in power production. "According to data from the International Energy Agency… sulphide resource processing produces approximately 10 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent per tonne of nickel. Greenhouse gas emissions are nearly twice that volume". There are also issues surrounding deforestation around nickel mines as well as the flow of toxic sediment which harms biodiversity in fragile tropical and marine ecosystems. This complex set of circumstances means a higher ESG risk in Indonesia compared to other places around the world. Though efforts are being made to change the power sources for mining and processing operations to solar or wind power allowing the completion of the objective to reduce carbon emissions to zero. This will require significant investment from those companies involved as well as a push from consumers to drive forward ethical and environmentally conscious practices in nickel mining.
Cambodia Combats Air Pollution
by UN Environment Programme 22nd August 2022
Cambodia has become increasingly vulnerable to air pollution and in an attempt to understand and combat this threat the United Nations Environment Programme, Asia Pacific Clean Air Partnership and the Cambodian Ministry of Environment are working together to form the country's first Clean Air Act. Though air pollution could be considered to be a global programme with 99% of the global population breathing unclean air, producing a total of 7 million deaths annually associated with or directly attributable to air pollution, it has become a particularly acute issue as Cambodia faces a wave of urban migration and the accompanying pollution. Recent research by the UNEP shows that the largest sources of pollution in Cambodia today are transport, electricity generation, industry and residential development. Information in this research has been funnelled into an Actions on Air Quality report which has outlined a package of measures to address the major sources of current and future emissions in the country. "Fully implemented, the plan could reduce two major pollutants, PM 2.5 and black carbon, by 60 per cent. It could also help slash emissions of methane and carbon dioxide, key drivers of climate change, by 24 per cent and 18 per cent respectively by 2030. Those improvements would help Cambodia avoid almost 900 premature deaths per year". With transport a key area for change the government plans to tackle the number of cars being imported over a certain age thereby transitioning the country's automotive fleet to a newer, less polluting standard more akin to that of the European Union. Some of the plans also include improving cooking stoves and shifting from biomass to biogas for cooking.
Will India Introduce a National Carbon Credit Market?
by Tamami Shimizuishi 31st August 2022
Heatwaves have swept across India in recent months causing widespread disruption not only to daily life but also to agriculture and major industry. With India being one of the worst affected by heatwaves, political action has accelerated increased climate action commencing with the introduction of cabinet approved new national emissions or nationally determined contributions (NDCs). "Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced these climate goals — which aim to cut energy intensity 45 per cent from 2005 levels by 2030 and to achieve net zero by 2070". Another significant set of changes occurred in Lok Sabha, the Indian parliament's lower house, who introduced a law aimed at reducing imports of fossil fuels and the establishment of a national carbon trading scheme. Though the law still needs to pass through the upper house and go through the presidential approval process, the launch of a national carbon trading scheme has been widely welcomed by specialists as an efficient method to reduce emissions.
The hope is that carbon markets will provide an incentive for energy, cement and steel companies to outperform emissions standards in order to gain credits whilst also providing an additional source of revenue for companies who manage to cut emissions and sell on their credits. There will be one notable difference with this carbon market however as India plans to ban the export of carbon credits to ensure they meet domestic NDCs before looking at meeting international aims. India will be the fourth country to ban the sale of carbon credits to outside buyers over worries that if too many carbon credits are sold abroad there won't be enough credits for local governments to meet domestic targets. This emerging 'mix' of approaches to carbon markets is a natural development as some countries might be able to sell credits internationally and still meet their NDCs whilst others may need to hold onto their units in order to meet given targets.
New Zealand PM Admits Flood Prone Areas Are Not Ready For Climate Change
by Rory Sullivan 22nd August 2022
New Zealand Prime minister Jacinda Ardern has spoken out over New Zealand's lack of preparedness for climate change after severe flooding and numerous landslides hit the northern tip of the South Island. Hundreds of homes have been evacuated with towns just north of the area also badly affected by torrential rains. During Ms Ardern's tour of the worst-hit region of Nelson she spoke openly of the need to implement a national adaptation plan which will provide a long term climate change strategy which had been unveiled in early August. Ms Ardern also noted how response mechanisms are failing to keep up with rapid environmental changes and that the government must do all it can "to lessen the impacts" of the climate crisis. Meanwhile, Nelson may take years to recover from the extensive damage wrought by the floods but they will hopefully be able to take comfort in the knowledge that the national adaptation plan will create a blueprint for communities like Nelson to become more resilient to the worsening effects of climate change. With New Zealand experiencing increasing numbers of extreme weather events that would have previously been unthinkable even a few years ago their pace and intensity is going to put real pressure on the government and its action plans. Though these action plans are a step in the right direction which may help to protect those communities most at risk we must ask the question, will it be enough and who is going to help pay to rebuild communities, will that responsibility come down to the government or the residents?
Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering Company Pushes Towards Decarbonisation
by Song Jung-a 28th August 2022
South Korean shipbuilders are expecting a shift in the types of orders they will be receiving as tougher environmental regulations are implemented and a push to use alternative fuel sources means a surge in demand for methanol-powered ships. The company Korea Shipbuilding and Offshore Engineering have forecast these changes as they themselves accelerate away from fossil fuels in an attempt to rival Chinese companies. Though they do not believe that methanol-fuelled ships will dominate the market for at least another decade as liquefied gas burning ships will stay in the mainstream, the increased interest in more eco-friendly shipping is good news for a company looking for a niche. With analysts expecting worldwide orders of methanol-fuelled ships to hit 50 as shipowners replace old container fleets this will be a significant increase on the 19 orders from last year.
Global shipping is responsible for 90% of world trade which accounts for around 3-4% of global greenhouse gas emissions or the equivalent of Germany's annual emissions. The shipping industry has recently come under pressure to decarbonise as the "International Maritime Organisation works to cut greenhouse gas emissions from ships at least 50 per cent by 2050, compared with 2008 levels". One way to achieve this is to utilise the competitive nature of the shipbuilding market currently at play between China and South Korea. Though some of the world's biggest container and shipping companies such as AP Møller-Maersk and CMA CGM are making orders and replacing their fleets there are concerns that these methanol powered ships are a short term solution and that innovations and investment needs to go into producing hydrogen ships and electric-motor ships. The development of eco-friendly shipbuilding technology will be essential if Korean shipyards want to stave off competition from their low cost Chinese rivals.
World Bank Report Highlights Need For Pacific Island Countries to Better Incorporate Climate and Disaster Risk Management into Planning and Development
by World Bank 28th July 2022
A new World Bank report has highlighted the need for Pacific Island countries to better incorporate climate and disaster risk management into planning and development, while proposing priority investments and policies to boost resilience to the year 2040.
In late July Fiji held the Symposium on Climate Change Adaptation in the Pacific Region which was organised to launch the Pacific Possible: Climate and Disaster Resilience Report. With a focus on the economic costs of climate adaptation and a proposal of adaptation strategies for various areas which included infrastructure and buildings, coastal protection, water resources, flooding and agriculture with a special consideration given to atoll island nations. Denis Jordy, Senior Environmental Specialist at the World Bank, made clear that climate change and extreme weather events have the possibility for destruction in the Pacific Islands and that the impacts of such events could be exacerbated further if there are failures in properly planned investments. “This new report quantifies the potential costs of climate adaptation for Pacific Island countries, and targets ways in which decision-makers can effectively manage vulnerability and build resilience to reduce losses, protect livelihoods and save lives,” Mr Jordy said.
The Pacific Islands are extremely exposed to natural hazards and climate impacts, having faced floods, cyclones, droughts and rising sea levels all of which have caused varying degrees of destruction. Since 1950 natural disasters in the region have affected approximately 9.2 million people and caused approximately 10,000 reported deaths resulting in approximately US$5bn in associated damage costs. One of the key aspects of the report was infrastructure development and retrofitting buildings to withstand cyclones thereby decreasing expected losses of infrastructure by 35-50%. Coastal protection also made an appearance by highlighting the costs of making Pacific coastlines more resilient by utilising coast protection structures, land use planning and the planting of mangroves. This report is particularly important as it incorporates risk and environmental hazard impacts as a core element in all development decision-making whilst looking at the expenditure side of resilience projects.
China Drought Linked to Global Warming and Economic Damage
by Primrose Riordan, Gloria Li & Andy Lin 31st August 2022
When forest fires broke out in Chongqing during China's worst droughts in decades firefighters and motorcycle volunteers worked collectively to douse the fires and whilst all those people were applauded internationally for their volunteer work in such difficult circumstances, the fires themselves signalled something yet more devastating. The heatwave which struck Sichuan province caused temperatures to rise 7° higher than the average level over the past decade. The ensuing drought caused the rivers, including the Yangtze, which feed the hydroelectric power stations to dry up thereby cutting off access to energy and causing widespread power shortages, a set of circumstances scientists have attributed to climate change and its impact on the jet stream which controls weather in the mid-latitudes. The heatwave itself broke records for its duration, area and intensity which in eastern China has no precedent in world climatic history.
The regions of Sichuan, Chongqing and Hubei have traditionally exported hydroelectric power to the manufacturing hubs on China's east coast. However, this year that has not been possible as hydropower has operated at 20% of average capacity whilst demand for energy has peaked forcing authorities to order manufacturing companies to halt production for more than two weeks. The implications of this have had a not insignificant effect on businesses who are experiencing manufacturing across production and the supply chain. The power shortages have not only sapped economic output but have also placed pressure on those people who are trying to continue daily life in those extreme conditions.
Ocean Conservancy Apologises for Blaming Five Asian States for World's Plastic Pollution Problem
by Karen McVeigh 15th September 2022
The environmental watchdog Ocean Conservancy has retracted an influential report that blamed five Asian countries for the majority of plastic pollution in the ocean. Published in 2015, the Stemming the Tide report, was decried as "waste colonialism" by hundreds of environmental, health and social justice groups across Asia and finally, several years later the watchdog has publicly apologised for "creating a narrative" about who is producing plastic waste and the removed the report from its website. Two organisations, Gaia and Break Free From Plastic, have spoken out over the years of harm caused by ignoring the role of the global north for the overproduction of plastic and for exporting plastic waste to developing countries under the guise of trade. The retraction of such a report is unprecedented and proves the need for "restorative justice" in a world filled with inequalities made worse by the global north's unwillingness to make the admission that they, collectively, have played the most significant role in our current plastic pollution crisis.
The five countries who were wrongly blamed within the report included the Philippines, China, Indonesia, Vietnam and Thailand, yet more devastating was the misleading information that was published which, for years, convinced governments and the public that burning plastic was a solution to the plastic problem, the health implications of such actions having also been underestimated in the process. As the report was written by the consultancy firm McKinsey with a steering group including the World Wildlife Fund, the Coca-Cola Company, Dow Chemical and the American Chemistry Council it is of little surprise that the report shifted blame from corporations and onto communities who were already seeking out solutions to plastic waste whilst "diluting existing restrictions on incineration and opening the doors to false solutions and controversial techno-fixes to deal with the plastic pollution crisis". The global understanding of plastic pollution and its origins have evolved in recent years and with it a sense of who is responsible yet the legacy of the report remains, for the time being intact. "In the Philippines, a national ban on incineration is threatened by new proposals to allow waste-to-energy plants, while in Indonesia, the government continues to push for waste incineration despite a supreme court ruling revoking presidential regulations to speed up the development of waste-based power plants or incinerators".
How People Profit Off India's Garbage
by Business Insider 27th July 2022
India has more people and produces more garbage than nearly every other country in the world. Many make a living off that waste, from ragpickers to entrepreneurs. From making trainers out of carrier bags and plastic bottles to sugarcane tableware, from vegetable biogas to carbon tiles the innovations of India's brightest minds are helping to reduce plastic pollution by repurposing and forming a circular plastic economy. Though India recently introduced a ban on single use plastics it is yet to make any real impact on the vast quantities of plastic making its way into the system. So, it's down to the Indian people to make change. In this bumper video you can observe a plethora of upstart businesses and innovations which could spark some joy and ideas for you our reader.
Follow this link to watch the video and find out more…
Pico Analytics Sustainability Spotlight!
by Kate Martin 16th July 2022
This section of our Newsletter is where we here at Pico Analytics shine a spotlight on one of those businesses, initiatives, positive news stories or people that are paving the way for sustainability and a more eco-friendly future. In this edition we wanted to shine a light on a very special initiative in Fiji named SITOVU BUKA who have made it their mission to distribute clean energy stoves.
Their initiative is part of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change – Clean Development Mechanism whose aim is to accelerate sustainable energy access for women in rural communities. Three years into the initiative they have distributed 60,000 kerosene-free stoves throughout 14 provinces where three stone fireplaces predominated. The clean energy stoves use less wood, emit less smoke, and cook food faster which helps to reduce indoor air pollution, saves women time gathering firewood and cooking as well as helping to keep large carbon dioxide absorbing trees in the ground. Like everywhere else on the planet costs for fuel and food are also rising in Fiji leaving many low-income earners worrying about meeting their basic needs. With the price of kerosene rising from $1.69 per litre to $2.34 per litre since the start of the year users of the SITOVU BUKA stoves have been able to save money by spending less on firewood, kerosene or gas. The stoves only require three dry sticks and they can cook anything from rice to cassava to fish. One of the key outcomes of this initiative is to visit 1000 rural communities that had received a clean energy stove to conduct workshops on its maintenance and safe use as well as live cooking demonstrations using locally available healthy ingredients from our gardens and markets.
We here at Pico Analytics love an initiative that works to tackle not only environmental issues but also addresses key social inequalities. SITOVU BUKA have done amazing work to bring clean energy stoves to rural areas whilst addressing economic and gender equality. We hope you keep up the good works and continue to help as many people as possible for as long as you can.
