The paradise paradox: Maldives, a sinking country?
- Environment and Energy, Human Rights and Migration, Op-ed
- 24/03/2019
Still showing the wounds of the global economic crisis and in the midst of the greatest political minefield of a generation in Brexit, Ireland has sought to address the challenges of climate change with the recent unveiling of the National Mitigation Plan (NMP). However, as the dust has settled, what has become evident is that it is less of an actual action plan and more of a discussion document, tasking questions in the form of “what could be done” rather than “how they can be done”. The lack of bite in the document drew a not unexpected collective sigh of disappointment from the environmental community.
READ MOREEven though indigenous peoples are very vocal in advocating for their rights at the United Nations and supranational level and have been included into several Sustainable Development Goals, their position remains precarious. Their needs need to be addressed by implementation programs on a national level.
READ MOREThe European Union has turned its focus towards Europe’s most polluting power plants and revised emission standards for nitrous oxide (NOx), sulphur dioxide (SO2), mercury and particulate matter. For many Europeans this is a welcomed change, but with member states flouting air quality standards and continuing to support failing industries rather than transition – will we ever be able to breathe easily?
READ MOREPreserving ecosystems via trade – A long way ahead for the EU’s fight against illegal logging.
READ MOREThe decision of President Donald Trump to withdraw the United States of America from the Paris Agreement shocked the international community. After his decision (which, according to Article 28, of the agreement, cannot take place earlier than 4th November 2020) to abandon this historic climate pact that brought together all the countries in the world – with the exception of Syria and Nicaragua – is there still hope for an ambitious climate policy that keeps global warming “far below 2º C”?
READ MOREThe first quarter of 2017 proved to be a short-lived success for OPEC’s collaborative efforts to stabilise oil prices. Unless international relations and compliance with the Vienna Agreement are restored, oil prices continue to face a murky and unstable future.
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