Latest news with #ClimateActionPlan
Business Upturn
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Upturn
ASLA Receives Two 2025 Power of Associations Silver Awards
Washington, D.C., July 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The American Society of Landscape Architects has been recognized as a Power of Associations Silver Award by the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) for its impactful work on two key initiatives, the ASLA Climate and Biodiversity Action Plan and Landscape Architecture is STEM. 'Congratulations to the American Society of Landscape Architects for exemplifying the impact associations have on the industries and professions they represent, and on society at large,' said ASAE President and CEO Michelle Mason, FASAE, CAE. 'It's always so incredibly satisfying to see associations going above and beyond their everyday mission to change the world. We're very proud to spotlight these award-winning initiatives.' 'This recognition is a powerful affirmation of the impact landscape architects are making—and the role ASLA plays in advancing that impact. The STEM designation achievement and our Climate Action Plan are strategic, bold efforts – but they are only possible because of the energy, insight and dedication our members bring every day. Their work within ASLA not only strengthens the profession, it also champions innovation through design that drives real change in communities, business, and ecosystems across the globe' said ASLA CEO Torey Carter-Conneen, Hon. ASLA. Climate Action Plan Launched in 2022, the ASLA Climate Action Plan aims to guide the landscape architecture profession toward achieving zero embodied and operational emissions and doubling carbon sequestration by 2040. What makes the plan extraordinary is its comprehensive approach. It integrates climate action into professional practice, engages underserved communities, fosters international collaboration, and contributes to global priorities such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals. By uniting members, staff, chapters, and partners around a shared climate vision, ASLA has demonstrated the power of associations to lead meaningful, systemic change—within the profession and across society. Landscape Architecture Is STEM ASLA sought to gain recognition of landscape architecture as a science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) profession. This pursuit was to acknowledge the extensive STEM coursework integral to landscape architecture education and gains credibility with decision-makers in government, academia, and industry. STEM recognition leads to more funding, more research, and more seats at the table when policies around climate, infrastructure, and public health are shaped. The culmination of these efforts was realized in 2023, when the U.S. Department of Homeland Security officially designated landscape architecture as a STEM discipline. This official recognition affirms what ASLA members already know: Landscape architects are using rigorous science and inspired design to solve some of the most urgent problems of our time. This designation helps society benefit more fully from the profession's problem-solving power. 'These recognitions from ASAE underscore the scale of what's possible when a profession organizes around a shared purpose—and we're just getting started,' said Carter-Conneen. To learn more about ASLA's Climate Action Plan, visit To learn more about ASLA's Landscape Architecture Is STEM initiative, visit MEDIA CONTACT: Press OfficeAmerican Society of Landscape Architects [email protected] (202) 216-2343
HKFP
2 days ago
- Politics
- HKFP
Hong Kong urged to strengthen climate action after ‘historic' ruling by UN court
The Hong Kong government has been urged to strengthen its policies to tackle the climate crisis following a key advisory ruling by the United Nations' top court last week. During some seven months of deliberation, 15 judges at the International Court of Justice were tasked with considering the 'obligations of states in respect to climate change.' According to the landmark ruling, countries are legally bound to reduce their emissions, as well as compensate those affected by the climate crisis. It asserted that there was an 'urgent and existential threat' to humanity, with greenhouse gas emissions 'unequivocally' caused by human activity. 'The consequences of climate change are severe and far-reaching. They affect both natural ecosystems and human populations. These consequences underscore the urgent and existential threat posed by climate change,' Judge Yuji Iwasawa, the ICJ president, said on Wednesday. Litigants can now cite the advisory opinion in future climate-related litigation. Aim for 1.5°C target Greenpeace Hong Kong told HKFP on Thursday that 'Hong Kong as a responsible city, must also strengthen its policies to support the globe to achieve the more ambitious 1.5°C target in the coming update of the Climate Action Plan.' Launched in 2021, Climate Action Plan 2050 (CAP2050) lays out multiple decarbonisation strategies – such as net-zero electricity generation and green transport – with an aim to achieve carbon neutrality before 2050. Net zero refers to achieving a balance between the production and removal of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere in order to slow the progression of global warming. The overarching goal of the 2015 Paris Agreement, adopted by 195 parties at the UN Climate Change Conference, is to limit the global temperature rise to below 2°C above pre-industrial levels. In the long term, further efforts are required in the pursuit of a 1.5°C target. A spokesperson for Ark Eden, an eco-education centre on Lantau Island, called the climate change ruling a 'historic milestone,' particularly for biodiversity advocacy and for the potential impact on future environmental litigation in local courts. 'By affirming the legal right to a healthy environment, it places a binding obligation on all states to protect the natural world – a powerful reinforcement of every citizen's right to demand climate justice,' said the Ark Eden spokesperson. 'For species on the brink, this ruling could be a game-changer.' Public readiness Civic Exchange, a local public-policy think tank, said that Hong Kong has shown steady climate progress, such as through the city's CAP2025. Civic Exchange Executive Director Lawrence Iu told HKFP that, on a regional scale, the city made some of the most significant greenhouse gas emission reductions in Asia. 'Between 2014 and 2022, Hong Kong reduced its [greenhouse gas] emissions by 24%, with electricity-related emissions dropping by nearly 33%,' he wrote. Iu also said that, if the government were to become more ambitious in their climate policies and actions, Hongkongers should be 'prepared to shoulder some of the associated costs.' 'Ultimately, Hong Kong's ability to move faster will hinge not only on technical feasibility or government leadership, but also on public readiness to participate in and support the transition,' he added. Others, such as Paul G. Harris, professor of global environmental studies at the Education University of Hong Kong, welcomed the ICJ's ruling, but were more sceptical about how the crisis would be addressed locally. 'First, Hong Kong is not a state, so this ruling, at least for now, is going to be interpreted by [local] officials as not applying to Hong Kong,' he said. Despite having plans to slowly cut the city's greenhouse gas emissions, climate change is not an urgent priority for the government, Harris added. 'I don't think the ICJ ruling will do much, if anything, to cause the [Hong Kong] government to prioritise the climate crisis.'
New Straits Times
16-07-2025
- General
- New Straits Times
Penang plots climate of change with action plan
GEORGE TOWN: The Penang Island Climate Action Plan 2030 was handed over to the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) today. The plan focuses on climate mitigation and adaptation measures. This plan provides a framework for the council to implement climate mitigation and adaptation actions. It aims to transform Penang into a low-carbon city by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. The plan focuses on five themes: GREEN transportation and pedestrian prioritisation; PLANNING and managing green spaces; DEVELOPING resilient communities, and, DISASTER risk reduction and management. The document is supported by primary and secondary data, as well as international modelling tools such as the Asia-Pacific Integrated Model, which is recognised by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. This makes it a science-based and internationally credible reference. Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) vice-chancellor Professor Datuk Seri Ir Dr Abdul Rahman Mohamed said the document is not merely a technical report. Rather, it the result of collaboration between researchers from USM, MBPP, and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, under the Urban Studies Chair, School of Social Sciences. "This collaboration represents our commitment to building a more sustainable, climate-resilient, and livable future for Penang. "As Malaysia's APEX university, USM plays a role not only in producing knowledge and technology but also in leading sustainable development initiatives that are evidence- and science-based. "Therefore, the Science to Action approach used in the development of this Climate Action Plan aligns with national aspirations and global agendas such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 2030) and the Paris Agreement. He said this at the handover ceremony. Mayor Datuk Rajendran P. Anthony, who received the doucment, said the council was more than just a city management entity. He said it was an institution that supported holistic, balanced and livable development. "The plan is not just a policy document but a manifestation of a shared commitment to make Penang a carbon-free state by 2050. "It outlines steps to address climate change challenges in a more systematic and holistic way. "MBPP's role in climate action in Penang is critical. "In the context of sustainable urban development, resource management, spatial planning and policy enforcement are key elements. "With the launch of this plan, the council's role in sustainable urban development will be boosted.
Irish Examiner
15-07-2025
- Climate
- Irish Examiner
Climate body calls for urgent Government action to 'actively encourage' tree-planting
Urgent action is needed now to ensure Ireland's forestry sector — generally assumed to be a carbon sink — does not become a source of greenhouse gas emissions, the Climate Change Advisory Council has warned. Tree-planting rates remain well below the target of 8,000 hectares per year. And storms Darragh and Éowyn exposed how vulnerable Ireland's forests are to extreme weather, with more than 26,000 hectares damaged by severe winds. The damage to forests during the winter of 2024/25 is likely to result in a significant one-off increase in carbon losses from the sector, the full extent of which will not be assessed until reporting in 2026, the council said. A large proportion of the national forest estate is also approaching harvesting age, and afforestation rates are insufficient to balance the resulting removals of stored carbon, the council warned. The forestry sector is projected to have transitioned from sink to source of carbon in 2024. The Climate Change Advisory Council has issued the stark warnings in its Annual Review of the Agriculture and Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry sector report. Strengthened policy levers are required to incentivise increased tree-planting, the council said. Agriculture remains the largest source of emissions in Ireland, and this sector must reduce emissions by 25% by 2030 to meet the target in the latest Climate Action Plan. Provisional data from 2024 showed emissions had decreased by only 4.6% since 2018. The council highlighted a range of areas it said must be addressed to reduce emissions from the sector. This includes the deployment of methane-reducing manure additives, and greater use of protected urea fertilisers. Increasing diversification in the sector is also critical, particularly in relation to the National Biomethane Strategy, which the council has described as "piecemeal" and lacking joined-up thinking. Commenting on the need for improved performance from the forestry sector, Marie Donnelly, chair of the Climate Change Advisory Council said: 'What we have seen in the sector is a failure of policy, with schemes to incentivise more planting not delivering the results required. 'We need a policy from Government that will actively encourage afforestation in the areas most suited to planting. The council is concerned about plans to plant on deep peatlands, with all evidence suggesting that this leads to significant carbon losses over time. "Therefore, it is essential that the current constraints on afforestation on deep peat remain unchanged and are rigorously enforced.' The council also highlighted the opportunity for the forestry sector to deliver modern construction methods with the expansion of timber frame construction providing the potential for a strong domestic market for locally produced timber. The forestry sector contributes €2.1bn to the Irish economy, employing more than 9,400 people. One cubic metre of timber replacing concrete and steel in construction saves 0.77t CO2 emissions. Yet only 24% of building construction in Ireland is timber, compared to over 80% in places like Finland, Scotland and Sweden. Read More Healy-Rae: Time to use Irish timber for construction
RTÉ News
10-07-2025
- General
- RTÉ News
Re-turn to roll out bin surrounds programme to towns across Ireland
A scheme whereby surrounds are added to public bins to allow people to more easily retrieve discarded drink containers is being expanded around the country. The initiative from Re-turn, the administrator of the Deposit Return Scheme, follows a successful pilot programme in Dublin city. As part of the next phase, it will be rolled out around Dún Laoghaire Harbour, and also will extend to Galway City, Meath, Carlow, Clare, Westmeath and further areas of Dublin city centre in the coming months. 24 new bin surrounds have been installed across the Dún Laoghaire Harbour area for the expansion there. The bin surrounds hold about a dozen cans and bottles at the front of the bin and are attached to public bins that are already in place. The pilot programme launched in October last year saw 80 bin surrounds added across Dublin City Centre, which Re-turn said experienced a high level of public engagement and support. Research from Re-turn suggested that containers left on the bin surrounds were collected on average within 16 minutes. The aim of the project is provide a practical way to recycle on the go, while reducing landfill waste and environmental pollution. Over 1.6 billion plastic bottles and cans have been recycled through the Deposit Return Scheme since it was introduced in February 2024. The chief executive of Re-turn, Ciaran Foley, said the initiative is "committed to providing the public with convenient and visible recycling options, and the bin surrounds pilot scheme is successfully delivering on that promise". "We are encouraging the public to utilise bin surrounds and assist with the recycling of plastic bottles and cans. Together, we can support the circular economy and make a real difference in our communities and environment," he added. The chief Executive of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, Frank Curran, said the addition of bin surrounds around the harbour "directly supports the implementation of our Waste Management Plan for a Circular Economy and aligns with the Council's Climate Action Plan 2024-2029".
