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Business Times
26-05-2025
- Business
- Business Times
Singapore, Netherlands' biggest growth opportunities lie in green and digital transitions, circular economy sectors: Grace Fu
[SINGAPORE] As Singapore and the Netherlands mark 60 years of bilateral relations, the future of their partnership could lie in areas such as green and digital transitions, climate and water management, circular economy and global supply chains. Making this point was Minister for Sustainability and the Environment and Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations Grace Fu at an event on Monday (May 26) evening. Speaking at this year's Winsemius Awards, which coincided with the 35th year of the Dutch Chamber of Commerce (DutchCham) in Singapore, she noted the growing ties between the two countries. The Winsemius Awards, named after Dutch economist Dr Albert Winsemius, recognises excellence in areas such as innovation, sustainability and business achievement among Dutch and Singaporean companies operating in Singapore. Today, the Netherlands is Singapore's second-largest European Union investor and its third-largest trading partner for goods, with nearly 2,000 Dutch companies operating in Singapore. 'Together, we have built globally connected ports, developed smart urban ecosystems, and advancing pioneering solutions in renewable energy and the circular economy,' said Fu. BT in your inbox Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox. Sign Up Sign Up 'Our partnership thrives because we share common values of openness, innovation and a commitment to sustainable growth.' In her speech, she outlined four areas with strong potential for further collaboration. The first is in transitioning to green energy and adopting technology to create smarter cities. 'Dutch innovations in areas like offshore wind and quantum computing pair naturally with Singapore's efforts to green our energy sources and build digital economies,' she said. The second is climate adaptation and water management, priorities for Singapore as it develops long-term strategies for coastal protection and urban resilience, in which the Netherlands remains a global leader. Fu also pointed to the circular economy as a promising space. Both countries are advancing sustainable urban living and there is growing scope for collaboration among businesses, researchers and policymakers to create solutions that make sustainability a reality today, she added. Lastly, she noted the importance of supply chain resilience and building digital trade networks. As global supply chains face growing pressures from climate risks and geopolitics, she said that Singapore and the Netherlands as 'trusted, connected trading hubs' can collaborate. Anneke Adema, ambassador of the Netherlands to Singapore and Brunei, described the investment relationship between Singapore and the Netherlands as a 'two-way street'. She highlighted four key similarities between Singapore and the Netherlands that contribute to the successful relationship – both countries are outward-looking, driven by innovation, share a strong entrepreneurial spirit and have mutual trust. Among the accolades presented at the awards ceremony organised by DutchCham was the Winsemius Red Orange Award, which highlights the longstanding partnership between the two nations. This was presented to sustainability consulting engineer Haskoning. The Business Achievement Award recognises organisations for strong performance, sustained growth and meaningful innovation that has strengthened the Dutch business presence in Singapore. The award went to manufacturing company Walraven. Fairmont Singapore and Swissotel Stamford clinched the Community Impact Award, which honours companies with notable contributions to local communities.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Gonzaga, Spokane leaders say cancellation of federal climate resiliency grant could handicap efforts to save lives
May 16—Spokane's most vulnerable residents will no longer have assistance in preparing for the devastating effects of climate change, if the Trump administration follows through on its intent to rescind nearly $20 million in federal funding. Citing a change in "administration priorities," the Environmental Protection Agency notified Gonzaga University May 2 of the impending cancellation of a $19.9 million grant devoted to climate resiliency in Spokane's disadvantaged, low-income communities, according to a joint news release from the city of Spokane and the private Jesuit school decrying the move. The Gonzaga Institute for Climate, Water, and the Environment was awarded the Community Change Grant last July as one of 21 climate change-related projects funded by the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. It was the university's single largest grant award in Gonzaga's nearly 140-year history, and school and city officials say it would have contributed greatly to the region's adjustment to the ongoing climate crisis. Hundreds of low-income homes were to be retrofitted with heat pumps and high-quality air filtration systems, five community centers and libraries were going to be bolstered to serve as extreme weather shelters, and several prospective workers were to be trained for jobs in clean energy — all as a result of the funding. "It always feels hyperbolic to say people's lives are at stake," said institute director Brian G. Henning. "But it's literally true right now." Fearing significant consequences to Spokane residents if the EPA follows through, leaders for the city and Gonzaga University are now calling on the agency to change course. They argue the Trump Administration's move lacks legal standing and jeopardizes the public health and safety of the region. "We are concerned not only about the process by which this decision was made, but even more so about its very real consequences for the people we serve," Gonzaga President Thayne McCulloh said in a statement. "Our mission is to educate and serve. This grant enables our community to learn how to deal with dangerous climate conditions and help the thousands of community members who lack the ability to protect themselves from the extreme heat and wildfire smoke that is all too common in the Inland Northwest today." The plea from the private-public coalition includes a call for federal legislators "to intervene for their constituents by urging immediate reinstatement of the grant," in addition to stressing its importance and requesting a formal explanation on the legal grounds of the decision — a request Congressman Michael Baumgartner indicated he would not be considering. "I've not been briefed on the project and don't know much about it, but with $36 trillion in federal debt and a federal 20% budget deficit, some tough decisions need to be made about sending some spending decisions back to the local government level," Baumgartner said. "It could be that it's a very good program, but just not one that a broke federal government can afford." While Baumgartner appeared to agree with the grant's termination, Senator Patty Murray came to its defense in a heated budget discussion with Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zelding at a Senate Appropriations Interior Subcommittee hearing Wednesday. In an exchange specifically about the cancellation of the grant to the Gonzaga Climate Institute, Murray pried for details and told Zelding he was "abandoning communities." "There was no explanation for that cancelation," Murray said. "That is a community that saw 19 people die and over 300 people hospitalized during a heat wave a few short years ago, where wildfires are a constant threat. So let me ask you, is it woke to protect people from wildfires and heat stroke?" "I don't know if you're going to get anyone in America to answer yes to the way you put that question out there," Zeldin responded. Zeldin did not offer a specific reason for the cancellation, as Murray continued to probe, only stating that "there are hundreds of grants," and he would need the Spokane award in front of him to discuss details. Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown said in a statement Friday the work the funding was devoted to was already underway when the EPA sent their notice. She argued the goals and scope of the program, while receiving bipartisan support, are "not about politics," but about people and "protecting neighbors and investing in a healthier, safer future for Spokane." "The decision to terminate this grant puts lives at risk and undermines locally led solutions to climate and public health challenges," Brown said. "Make no mistake, recent history shows just how critical this funding is to ensure the health, safety, and economic stability of so many Spokane families." More than 150 people statewide, including 20 Spokane County residents, died from heat-related causes during the record-breaking multi-day heatwave that blanketed the Pacific Northwest in July 2021. The majority of local heatwave deaths were elderly people who died in their homes, according to Spokane County Medical Examiner Dr. Veena Singh. It was the deadliest weather event in state history, and drives home exactly why the work covered by the grant was needed, Henning said. In the past 30 years, heat has killed more people nationally on average than tornadoes, floods or hurricanes, according to the National Weather Service. "It's only a matter of time before it happens again," Henning said. "So we've been racing against the clock to try and do whatever we can to improve the resilience to the next such event, and these resources, we're going to make a big difference in helping to do that." Nearly 95% of the grant funding was devoted to tangible services and infrastructure improvements, like the establishment of extreme weather shelters and upgrades to qualifying houses, the release states. The Gonzaga Institute for Climate, Water, and the Environment was the lead recipient and pass-thru administrator for the funds, but the work was to be spread among several nonprofits and civic bodies, including Spokane Neighborhood Action Partners, the city of Spokane, Spokane Public Library and the Carl Maxey Center. "It's really a huge investment that will save lives and make a difference for those people who are most vulnerable," Henning said. "As you can imagine, spending millions of dollars on infrastructure improvements has a lot of impact on jobs and the economy in an immediate way." Around $2.6 million was going to be set aside into the "Community Climate Action Fund," which is intended to be a resource for community organizations seeking funding to do climate-resilience work. The Gonzaga Climate Institute is encouraging groups to still apply by its May 31 deadline regardless of the uncertainty surrounding the fund's future, citing a need for ideas and action to address the climate crisis. The school is "actively recruiting additional funders who might be willing to invest in work proposed through the Climate Fund," according to a statement on the application portal. "I understand why people would consider whether or not they want to apply for these funds, but I am strongly of the view that having good ideas that are well formulated, that are shovel ready, is with everybody's time," Henning said. "Because we need these good ideas, and then we can find ways of funding it. We urgently need to do that, so we'll find other means, over time, if necessary."
The South African
28-04-2025
- The South African
Five foreign nationals arrested with R1.97 million worth of abalone
The Northern Cape Provincial Organised Crime Investigations Unit arrested five foreign nationals for illegal possession of abalone during a successful operation in Douglas. According to South African Police Services, the operation carried out in the early hours of the morning, followed intelligence received about suspicious activities at the property. Officers conducted a thorough search and discovered several containers filled with a significant amount of abalone. In collaboration with the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment, SAPS estimated the street value of the confiscated abalone at approximately R1 970 829. The five suspects including two Malawian nationals and three Chinese nationals aged between 18 and 60, were taken into custody. They now face charges related to the illegal possession of abalone. The Department of Home Affairs will assist with verifying the immigration status of the suspects. In addition to the abalone, law enforcement officers seized several exhibits and two vehicles. Including a Toyota Hilux bakkie and a Nissan NP200. They identified these vehicles as tools used in the commission of the crime. Spokesperson for the police, Colonel Cherelle Ehlers, confirmed that authorities are actively pursuing additional leads in the ongoing investigation. 'We are actively following all available evidence to ensure we bring everyone involved in this illegal operation to justice,' she added. Acting Northern Cape Provincial Commissioner, Major General Luntu Ngubelanga, commended the team for their outstanding work. Authorities will continue to aggressively pursue crimes involving marine resources, and they will ensure offenders face the full force of the law,' Ngubelanga said. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 . Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp , Facebook , X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
26-04-2025
- General
- The South African
South Africa steps up to save the African penguin
As the world marked World Penguin Day on Friday, South Africa has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting one of its most iconic yet critically endangered species – the African penguin. The Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment (DFFE) has outlined bold steps being taken to halt the dramatic population decline of these seabirds, which have seen their numbers plummet to fewer than 9 000 breeding pairs in the country. 'The African penguin faces critical complexities, with fewer than 9 000 breeding pairs remaining in South Africa, earning them a critically endangered status. 'Climate change, overfishing, oil spills, and maritime noise pollution have driven steep declines, but our department, alongside dedicated partners, is taking bold action to reverse this trajectory,' said Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dr Dion George. The Minister described the African penguin as 'a beloved symbol of South Africa's rich biodiversity and a species at the heart of conservation efforts'. 'As we mark World Penguin Day, I call on all South Africans to join us in protecting these remarkable creatures. Their survival reflects the health of our oceans and our commitment to a sustainable future,' George said. In a landmark development this March, a court-backed agreement between the fishing industry and leading conservation organisations – BirdLife South Africa and the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB) – was announced. The deal establishes biologically significant no-fishing zones around six critical penguin breeding sites: Dassen Island, Robben Island, Stony Point, Dyer Island, St Croix Island, and Bird Island. These areas account for 76% of the country's African penguin population. 'This agreement, now an order of the court, establishes biologically meaningful no-fishing zones around six key penguin colonies – notably, 12-mile fishing closures around Robben Island and Bird Island, alongside tailored restrictions at other sites, will secure vital sardine and anchovy stocks for penguins over the next decade. 'This achievement was forged by the DFFE through dialogue with the fishing industry, and balances ecological and economic needs, proving collaboration can deliver results.' The department is also confronting the devastating environmental consequences of bunkering – ship-to-ship fuel transfers – in Algoa Bay, near St Croix Island, formerly the largest African penguin colony in the world. 'Oil spills and underwater noise from ship-to-ship refuelling have decimated this population. 'Following a pause in bunkering activities in 2023, we observed a small but encouraging recovery at St Croix. 'Our department is now advancing stricter bunkering regulations to permanently restrict such activities in sensitive ecological zones, safeguarding penguins from further harm,' said the Minister. In addition to these efforts, government is bolstering Marine Protected Areas to enhance fish stocks, backing SANCCOB's work in rehabilitating injured penguins, and funding research to continuously refine conservation strategies. 'Partnerships with organisations like SANCCOB, who recently released rehabilitated penguins like Hope back to the wild, inspire us all,' George said. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Yahoo
31-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
How Trump's Executive Order Can Change American Energy Policy
One of President Donald Trump's executive orders from his first week in office called for "unleashing American energy" and making significant changes to US energy policy. The document makes an about-face on many Biden era programs, tries to block the landmark Inflation Reduction Act, and calls for new fossil fuel pipelines, among other things. "It is a lot of words, it is not very specific in certain areas," said Louise Bedsworth, executive director at the Center for Law, Energy, and the Environment at the University of California Berkeley. The message shows a marked departure from the renewable energy push of the Biden era. "It's this ping-pong" in policy priorities, Bedsworth said, which can be very destabilizing to an industry. But what can this executive order actually do, and how will it affect you as a consumer? Here's what the experts say you should be looking out for. Many, many things. Experts said these elements stand out: The order aims to "encourage energy exploration and production on Federal lands and waters." Generally, "energy exploration" refers to digging and drilling for fossil fuels. It rescinds many of President Joe Biden's executive orders related to climate change. It terminates "all activities, programs, and operations associated with the American Climate Corps." It aims to make permitting for fossil fuel pipelines faster and easier. It immediately pauses all federal funds being sent out through the Inflation Reduction Act. A lot of these measures rely on federal agencies, and in large part the executive order is asking agency heads to come back in 60 or 90 days with an action plan. So it remains to be seen what will actually change within federal agencies, Bedsworth said. "It's going to be very challenging to track all those pieces and understand, where did we land?" she said. Executive orders seem like powerful documents, but they do not have the power to change the law; that would require an act of Congress. So here's a breakdown of what the energy executive order can actually accomplish: Some of these actions also toe the line of executive power, Bedsworth said, which means, "a lot of this, we'll end up seeing in the courts." "If nothing else, it creates a lot of uncertainty," Bedsworth said. The Inflation Reduction Act in particular is home to many consumer-level programs, including the EV tax credit as well as home energy credits, which give big discounts on solar panels and heat pumps. The executive order can pause funds being distributed by the IRA, but cannot permanently block them without an act of Congress. Plus, many of the incentives for consumers are structured as tax incentives through the IRS, not as direct funding from the government, so they are less likely to be impacted. Even if the funding streams remain in place, however, there will likely be less government outreach and education to help consumers access them. "You're ultimately going to see a cooling, at a minimum, in the messaging," Bedsworth said. Of course, none of this stops you as the consumer from going out and buying an EV, for example. "The technology is getting better, the cost is going down, so the ability to own an EV is still there," says Elaina Farnsworth, CEO of SkillFusion, which trains workers to build electric infrastructure. And if you already purchased clean energy technology last year, like solar panels for your home, and are hoping to claim a tax credit during this year's tax season, you should be safe: Experts say it's unlikely Trump would interfere with the IRS in distributing those tax credits for 2024 purchases.
