Latest news with #environmentalSustainability
Arabian Business
4 days ago
- Health
- Arabian Business
Ajman air quality index reaches 96.19% in first half of 2025
The Department of Municipality and Planning – Ajman has reported that the emirate's Air Quality Index (AQI) reached 96.19 per cent during the first half of 2025 According to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), which cited the environmental statistics released by the Department, the figure represents progress towards the Ajman Vision 2030 objectives to promote environmental sustainability. Dr Eng Khalid Moeen Al Hosani, Executive Director of the Public Health and Environment Sector at the Department, confirmed the index has increased compared to previous years. Ajman Reports air quality improvement as AQI climbs to 96.19 % The index has witnessed a significant increase compared to previous years, having recorded 94.40 per cent in the first half of 2024 and 93.48 per cent during the same period in 2023, Dr Eng Al Hosani said. He said the results confirm the effectiveness of the Department's environmental initiatives and the success of its plans to reduce air pollution and promote sustainability. Dr Eng Al Hosani noted the progress stems from continuous efforts and integrated planning, including the launch of several environmental projects and initiatives. The Environmental Compliance Programme represents the most notable initiative. The programme aims to enhance control over industrial facilities by requiring the submission of semi-annual reports assessing air pollution levels, thereby enhancing environmental compliance and enabling corrective actions where necessary. The Department has established a network of seven accredited air quality measurement stations in accordance with international standards and within the classification of the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment. Dr Eng Al Hosani indicated the Department seeks to increase the number of stations to 10 in the coming years to keep pace with urban growth in the emirate. All monitoring stations are connected to the Environmental Data Management Programme, a leading system locally and regionally, which enables the receipt of notifications, preparation of environmental reports and continuous air quality monitoring, Dr Eng Al Hosani stated. The stations are equipped with measuring devices to monitor environmental variables such as wind speed and direction, relative humidity and primary gases. Dr Eng Al Hosani emphasised that environmental efforts are ongoing, with the Department continuing to adopt local and international environmental practices. These initiatives contribute to enhancing the attractiveness of Ajman as a healthy and safe living environment, while supporting the UAE's broader objective of achieving carbon neutrality, he said.
Telegraph
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
‘Saving the planet' written into King's job description
King Charles III is officially in charge of saving the planet: his role has been redefined to include leading on 'environmental sustainability'. The monarch's job as 'Head of Nation', which he undertakes alongside that of 'Head of State', will now include four key themes, confirmed by Buckingham Palace in an annual report. The King and his household will work on the topics 'national unity', 'community impact', 'environmental sustainability' and 'cultural heritage'. These themes will be 'for prioritisation and activity', guiding the royal engagements the King and Queen undertake, this year's Sovereign Grant report states. Last year, the themes were 'unity and national identity, continuity and stability, achievement and success, and support of public and voluntary service' – similar to the wording during the late Queen Elizabeth II's reign. This year, the Royal household's priorities include 'taking action to protect climate and nature in everything we do and encouraging others to do the same'. The King will also focus on 'caring for and sharing the tradition, art, buildings, landscapes and artefacts of the UK so they can be enjoyed for generations to come'. The Sovereign Grant report cements for the first time the King's personal dedication to saving the planet in his role as monarch. He has spent decades warning about the dangers of climate change, loss of biodiversity and single-use plastics, with the environment at the heart of his public work as Prince of Wales. The updated description was described as an 'evolution' and 'next level of detail' about the King's reign. 'Sustainability remained a focus for the Household, with initiatives including the electrification of the official [car] fleet and increased use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel resulting in a 2 per cent drop in Greenhouse Gas emissions,' the palace reported. It added that it aimed to 'employ the circular carbon economy principles (eg re-use and recycle material, where possible)' to reduce its carbon footprint, keeping 'on track for net zero for direct emissions by 2040'. The report said the in-house craft team had 'worked to restore or upcycle over 60 items of furniture', with a new £605,000 re-landscaping of a rose garden at Windsor Castle designed to 'greatly enhance biodiversity, using more sustainable plants'. Sovereign grant stays at £132m This year's report confirms that the monarchy will receive £132 million in funding in 2026-27, for the second year in a row. The figure, which pays for the Royal family's official duties and the upkeep of royal palaces, is drawn from a proportion of the net profits of the Crown Estate, which were £1.1 billion in the last financial year. The revenue is surrendered to the Treasury, with a proportion handed back to form the Sovereign Grant. This is currently calculated at 12 per cent of the Crown Estate net surplus, which helps fund the ongoing refurbishment of Buckingham Palace. The palace did not report up-to-date gender pay gap figures, but said the proportion of ethnic minority employees was 21.1 per cent, against a target of 14 per cent. This year will see a 'leadership development programme' designed partly to improve diversity 'to align to the values' stated by the household. Frogmore cottage, the former home of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex which was rumoured to be earmarked for the Duke of York if he left Royal Lodge, remains empty. James Chalmers, Keeper of the Privy Purse, said the King had shown 'remarkable resilience' over the past year as he carried on with royal engagements despite still being treated for cancer, with the report reflecting his 'personal commitment to duty'. Duchy of Cornwall accounts released Meanwhile, the Prince of Wales has released the annual accounts of the Duchy of Cornwall, his private estate which funds the running of his staff and household. In the last financial year, the Duchy generated profits of £22.9 million, down £700,000 from £23.6 million the previous financial year (2023-2024). Will Bax, the Duchy's new secretary, announced that 'grassroots' community groups living on Duchy land are to have their rents waived from now on, while local charities will be rewarded with up to a 50 per cent reduction in rent. He said William wanted to ensure the duchy operated in a 'modern, socially minded way' and that the rents being saved amounted to a 'very significant sum'. It follows an investigation last November into the Duchy of Cornwall and the Duchy of Lancaster estate, which highlighted rental agreements worth millions of pounds with the armed forces, the NHS and state schools. Mr Bax said the Duchy was also looking at including schools in the community groups which would be eligible for the rent waiver. The Prince does not disclose the amount of income tax he pays, but his team confirmed it is paid at the 'highest rate' once official costs have been deducted. New road for Mousehole AFC One project highlighted at the annual review was the building of a new road leading to the grounds of local Cornish football team Mousehole AFC. After reading that the small club struggled with traffic congestion, damaged vehicles and logistical problems despite rising up the league, Prince William decided to 'champion their cause', his private secretary said, with construction beginning this week. 'I look forward to seeing the new road for myself as soon as I can,' said the Prince. Buckingham Palace also announced that the Prince and Princess of Wales will now be able to issue their own warrants. The King has appointed the Wales' as 'grantors', with new warrants expected to be issued in their name from next year.
Malay Mail
09-06-2025
- General
- Malay Mail
The cry of a mother: A call for sustainable action to protect wildlife
KUALA LUMPUR, June 9 — On May 11, 2025, as the world celebrated Mother's Day, a grieving mother elephant stood beside her lifeless calf which was under a lorry along the East-West Highway. The footage of her standing by her calf's body, unwilling to leave, struck a nerve across the nation. The young calf had been struck by a lorry carrying poultry near KM80 of the Gerik-Jeli stretch, a critical wildlife crossing area within the Belum-Temengor Forest Reserve and a significant component of Malaysia's Central Forest Spine (CFS). For hours, the mother elephant remained by her fallen calf's side — a silent testament to the depth of their bond and a powerful call for urgent lasting action that not only prevents such tragedies but secures a future where wildlife and people can co-exist, sustainably and safely. This tragedy was not an isolated incident. Just last November, a tiger met the same fate on this very road. In recent years, this highway, which cuts through the heart of the CFS — a crucial ecological network stretching from Kedah to Johor — has become perilous for Malaysia's most endangered species. According to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability, 2,361 wild animals have been killed by vehicles since 2020. Among them were eight Asian elephants, and since 2023, six Malayan tigers — a devastating toll for a species with fewer than 150 left in the wild. Now, we mourn yet another tragic loss — an elephant struck down on a highway that cuts through its ancestral habitat. Each death is not just a number — it edges these species closer to extinction and reflects a collective failure to safeguard our natural heritage. The critically endangered Malayan tiger photographed deep within the Central Forest Spine. — Picture courtesy of Nuvista Media As the philanthropic arm of Sime Darby Berhad, SD Guthrie Berhad, and Sime Darby Property Berhad, Yayasan Sime Darby (YSD) is deeply invested in safeguarding Malaysia's natural heritage. Since 2017, more than RM33.7 million has been channelled into environmental efforts across the CFS region — one of the last strongholds for species like the Asian elephant, Malayan tiger, and countless lesser-known but ecologically important species. Since 2012, YSD's almost RM9.5 million investment in the Management and Ecology of Malaysian Elephants (MEME) has driven long-term research and practical innovations. These include GPS collaring of wild elephants, the deployment of bioacoustics monitoring, camera trap networks, and early warning systems in high-risk zones to mitigate human-elephant conflict and reduce the risk of collisions. In parallel, MEME works with local communities and plantation estates to translate research findings into actionable strategies that mitigate conflict and strengthen incident response, towards improving co-existence and minimising risks to both people and wildlife. Wild elephants observed at a roadside with little to no barriers in between. — Picture courtesy of MEME/Alicia Solana-Mena 'This tragic incident is yet another urgent reminder that this is a road that cuts across important wildlife habitats. We need tolerance and precautionary actions from road users to help increase safety for all,' said Dr Wong Ee Phin, Principal Investigator of MEME and Associate Professor at the University of Nottingham Malaysia. 'Elephants are highly intelligent and social animals. The death of one affects an entire herd. Over a decade of research into their behaviours around roads must now translate into decisive action.' This tragedy has only reinforced YSD's long-standing commitment to protecting Malaysia's biodiversity. As a long-time funder and advocate for conservation in the Central Forest Spine, YSD has worked closely with civil society organisations, researchers, communities, and policymakers to address threats to wildlife through sustained, science-driven solutions. In the days that followed the tragedy, YSD convened strategic consultations with their core conservation partners and a broader group of stakeholders across government, NGOs, academia and the private sector strengthening relationships and building new connections. These sessions revisited collision data, assessed mitigation gaps, and outlined practical, long-term interventions. But this is only the beginning. YSD is committed to leading that journey to prevent future tragedies, strengthen coordination and bring in more voices — including from the infrastructure and transport sectors with coexistence as the outcome, not just conservation. 'YSD has supported the Central Forest Spine with various initiatives for over a decade. What's urgently needed now is a coordinated, long-term impact approach — and we're committed to driving that forward,' said Puan Sri Normah Hashim, Governing Council Member of YSD. 'We are also working with partners like PLUS Malaysia Berhad, whose expertise in highway infrastructure and safety solutions is critical to ensuring the success of this effort.' YSD's work in Perak has centred on enabling co-existence in and around the Belum-Temengor forest complex. Through partnerships with Perak State Parks Corporation (PSPC), Tiger Protection Society of Malaysia (RIMAU), and Tropical Rainforest Conservation & Research Centre (TRCRC), these efforts have led to over 2,400 anti-poaching patrols, the training of more than 30 Orang Asli rangers under RIMAU, 38 rangers from the local community under PSPC, as well as the restoration of 30 hectares of degraded forest. These place-based initiatives have strengthened critical habitats for tigers and elephants and safeguarded endangered tree species, contributing to long-term biodiversity in the Central Forest Spine. 'Belum-Temengor forms part of a critical ecological corridor that is already under significant pressure. While we are working to restore degraded areas such as the Amanjaya Forest Reserve to improve habitat and strengthen connectivity, these efforts alone are not enough. 'Making a meaningful difference requires collaboration across all sectors. At present, the most pressing concern is the road and the complex issues surrounding it. Without a shared commitment to address this, we risk undoing decades of conservation progress.' stressed Dr Dzaeman Dzulkifli, Executive Director, TRCRC. While recognising the government's existing efforts — including wildlife crossings, signages, and certain structural measures along the Gerik-Jeli highway — this recent tragedy clearly indicates that current provisions are insufficient. The persistence of wildlife fatalities necessitates further urgent interventions – for long term impact. Among immediate feasible measures, average-speed enforcement — rather than isolated speed traps — can help ensure consistent safe speeds along wildlife-sensitive zones. Likewise, limiting heavy vehicle access along this highway during night hours, as successfully done in India's Bandipur Tiger Reserve, could help cut roadkill. With the East Coast Rail Link and alternative logistics corridors in development, Malaysia has options to shift freight patterns away from critical habitats. In the longer term, more investment is needed for public safety and national biodiversity protection, such as dedicated wildlife viaducts, strategic fencing, lighting technologies and vehicle movement and speed control, that reduce wildlife-road interactions without affecting nocturnal species' behaviour or the essential movement of commercial vehicles at night. 'There are broader environmental issues at play. Habitat fragmentation and forest encroachment are forcing wildlife, including elephants and tigers, to cross major roads in search of food and shelter,' said Lara Ariffin, President of RIMAU. 'The safety of our wildlife cannot be separate from human safety. Without comprehensive safeguards along highways like Gerik-Jeli, we risk losing not only wildlife but human lives as well.' YSD remains committed to supporting Malaysia's conservation priorities through actionable science, infrastructure cooperation, and community engagement. Protecting the CFS landscape — and within it, the Belum-Temengor ecosystem — requires coordinated effort, stronger policy alignment, and sustained investment. 'Thriving populations of large mammals are a strong indicator of a healthy, intact ecosystem. Their conservation requires vast, connected landscapes and the collaboration of many stakeholders through well-coordinated efforts,' said Lau Ching Fong, Acting Director of PSPC. 'Support from corporate partners like Yayasan Sime Darby (YSD) plays a crucial role in providing the resources needed to protect and preserve this shared natural heritage for all Malaysians.' The mother elephant's cry must not be forgotten. Let this tragedy mark the moment Malaysia chooses true coexistence — not just in principle but through sustainable actions from a collective national conscience that values long-term impact. Our response today will shape whether future generations inherit a land shared with our precious elephants and tigers, or only the memory of their final cries.
CTV News
07-06-2025
- Automotive
- CTV News
Simcoe County Museum to reopen with modified access
Simcoe County Museum has announced they will begin to welcome back visitors on Monday June 9, after phase 1 of their major renovation projects nears its completion. The public will have access to the outdoor portion of the museum from 10:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. daily. The museum is currently hosting its Wheels and Tracks event this weekend before its official reopening. The museum has been closed to the public while it works on an expansion project of the Matthews Innovation and Transport Gallery. The expansion and renovation include an expanded exhibit space, integration of zero-carbon, environmentally sustainable design and storage with an expected completion date next summer. Portions of the building will remain closed for expansion.
Associated Press
23-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Applications Open May 15: PSEG Foundation To Award $1.2 Million to Community Nonprofits in New Jersey and Long Island
Originally published on PSEG NewsRoom NEWARK, N.J., May 23, 2025 /3BL/ - For the 11th year, the PSEG Foundation invites nonprofits to apply for funding that helps close critical gaps for New Jersey and Long Island communities, through its Neighborhood Partners Program (NPP). Beginning May 15, 2025, the NPP will accept applications for up to $1.2 million in grants ranging from $500 to $15,000 to eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofits. This year, the Foundation is encouraging more applications for programs that expand access to environmental sustainability and stewardship, as well as resources that support communities facing financial challenges. These resources include initiatives focused on basic needs such as food security, workforce development and training programs. Eligible organizations must submit applications by June 30. Awardees will be selected based on demonstrated program effectiveness, depth, breadth and overall alignment with the PSEG Foundation strategic pillars: environmental sustainability, social justice, and equity and economic empowerment. 'Over the years, our nonprofit partners have become more than collaborators — they're trusted friends,' said Calvin Ledford Jr., president, PSEG Foundation. 'We know how hard it can be today for families to find good jobs, afford basic needs and build a better future. That's why we believe so strongly in working together — to help people find opportunities and make everyday life more affordable. The Neighborhood Partners Program is about investing in the people and organizations with a track record of making a real and ongoing difference. We're proud to support a shared commitment to a stronger future.' Among other things, past grant recipients have leveraged funding to expand vital services, enhance community impact and overcome rising business costs: America's Grow-A-Row, a longtime partner, distributed 3.6 million pounds of fresh produce to families facing food insecurity in 2024. 'The Neighborhood Partners Program has been instrumental to our mission. Without organizations like the PSEG Foundation, we couldn't grow the fruits and vegetables that are being utilized to feed families and positively impact their lives,' said Jackie Etter, Development & Marketing, America's Grow-A-Row. Women's Center for Entrepreneurship's (WCEC) mission is to build communities by providing technical assistance to women and men to successfully own, operate and grow their small businesses, thereby investing financially, intellectually and emotionally in their community. 'The PSEG Foundation's support has been invaluable to the WCEC Women's Business Center, helping us equip business owners — including those reentering the workforce — with critical digital and business skills. Their partnership has strengthened our mission to empower and advance economic opportunity in our communities,' said Rana Shanawani, executive director, WCEC. HomeFront Inc. mission is to end homelessness in Central New Jersey by harnessing the caring, resources and expertise of the community. 'The support the PSEG Foundation has provided to HomeFront has made so many important things possible: access to basic necessities like nutritious food and a safe place for families to rest their head at night, meaningful help to support families through healing and supportive services, and opportunities for young people to thrive and achieve their dreams,' said Sarah Steward, CEO, HomeFront Inc. 'PSEG has been a partner in every way that counts: through their impactful advocacy, generous financial support, important community leadership, and countless hours hands-on volunteerism from their employees to literally do the work to build and support our region. Families in New Jersey are living happier, more fulfilling lives in more inclusive and equitable communities because of the incredible support the PSEG Foundation provides in our state.' The Watershed Institute provides inquiry-based hands-on STEM education while encouraging schools in New Jersey to adopt sustainability efforts through the River Friendly Program. 'We are grateful to the PSEG Foundation for its steadfast support through the Supporting Sustainability in Communities Program. Their generosity has made a real difference —empowering The Watershed Institute to conduct stream cleanups, advancing vital river restoration work, and engaging hundreds of community members in protecting and restoring local waterways. Together, we are building healthier, more resilient environments for all,' said Jim Waltman, executive director, The Watershed Institute. Organizations interested in applying can visit Grant recipients will be announced on a rolling basis. For questions about the program, please contact [email protected]. ### About PSEG FoundationThe PSEG Foundation 501(c)(3), the philanthropic arm of Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG) (NYSE:PEG), prioritizes investments in promoting environmental sustainability, social justice, and equity and economic empowerment. About PSEGPublic Service Enterprise Group (PSEG) (NYSE: PEG) is a predominantly regulated infrastructure company operating New Jersey's largest transmission and distribution utility, serving approximately 2.4 million electric and 1.9 million natural gas customers. PSEG also owns an independent fleet of 3,758 MW of carbon-free, baseload nuclear power generating units in NJ and PA. Guided by its Powering Progress vision, PSEG aims to power a future where people use less energy, and it's cleaner, safer and delivered more reliably than ever. PSEG is a member of the S&P 500 Index and has been named to the Dow Jones Sustainability North America Index for 17 consecutive years. PSEG's businesses include Public Service Electric and Gas Co. (PSE&G), PSEG Power and PSEG Long Island ( ). Contacts: Media Relations: 973-430-7734
