Sustained competitive advantage

The European Commission is putting forward many pieces of legislation with the aim of stimulating investments in energy transition, and the measures go beyond the proposed EU climate neutrality law. Considering the need to support the entire economy , it looks like a Herculean task. The proposals of the European Commission and the EU Parliament's stance on green issues allow for some cautious optimism. The bloc's 27 member states, which are the ultimate decision-makers when it comes to energy policy, can give rise to some skepticism, though. "Objectives are set at the European level to give room for national ambitions, so governments can decide their ambitions, and the Commission can encapsulate them in a European frame. The Commission can then step in if national plans are not respected," Jean-Michel Glachant, director of the Florence School of Regulation (FSR), told DW. Glachant says that EU institutions are called upon to increase fair competition in the energy sector, … [Read more...] about EU energy investments: Will 2021 be decisive?

Pakistani Premier Imran Khan will seek a vote of confidence in the National Assembly (lower house of parliament) following a major setback in the upper house elections on Wednesday. The move is aimed at restoring confidence in Khan's leadership after his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party failed to win a majority in the 100-member Senate, despite having a numerical advantage in the lower house. Members of the National Assembly in the capital Islamabad and four provincial assemblies vote for the Senate members. Upper house lawmakers are elected for six years, however, all of them are not elected at the same time. On Wednesday, elections were held for 37 Senate seats. After the vote, opposition parties – mainly former prime minister Nawaz Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League (N) and former president Asif Ali Zardari's Pakistan People's Party (PPP) – now enjoy the support of 53 members, and the ruling alliance of 47 members. Ruling parties generally secure a majority in the Senate. … [Read more...] about Pakistan: Senate election deals a blow to Imran Khan

According to a global food waste index released on Thursday, some 931 million tons of food waste were generated across the world in 2019. The report, published by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), and UK charity WRAP, equates that to 17% of all food available to consumers. At 61%, the majority was created in households. The retail and food service sectors performed better, generating 13% and 26% respectively. The index does not factor in food loss which differs from food waste in that it occurs during production, storage or processing and never reaches the consumer. "If we want to get serious about tackling climate change, nature and biodiversity loss and pollution and waste, businesses, governments and citizens around the world have to do their part to reduce food waste." UNEP Executive Director, Inger Anderson said in a press release. The majority of food waste is generated in the home Food still fit for consumption is often thrown away Six … [Read more...] about True scale of global food waste remains unclear

MERCEDES have released images of the car they hope will power Lewis Hamilton to a record eighth world title. Hamilton , who is currently tied on seven with Michael Schumacher, will be going all out in 2021 to move into a class of his own. The Brit already has the most wins (95), pole positions (98) and podium finishes (165) in F1 and can now go on to become the undisputed champ. He said: "The launch day of a new car is always a really exciting one. It's great to reveal to the world the result of everyone's hard work at the factories and to see some of my team-mates in person, which has been so rare during the past year. "I've been in touch with the engineers through the winter, keeping track of their preparations as I prepare myself for the season ahead. "The excitement has been building and building, so now I just can't wait to get out on track in the W12." The car - or to give it its full title the Mercedes-AMG F1 W12 E Performance - is an evolution of last … [Read more...] about Mercedes release images of Lewis Hamilton’s new F1 2021 car which Brit helped engineers build to go for another title

A HIGH-TECH capsule that could one day take astronauts to the Moon has been unveiled by a US company building space tech for Nasa. Alabama military firm Dynetics revealed its first full-scale model of the lander this week as part of its bid to partner with Nasa on its Artemis mission, which plans to put man on the lunar surface in 2024. The military outfit is one of three companies contracted by Nasa to come up with lander ideas for Artemis. Dynetics said the model, located in Huntsville, Alabama, will be used to test the prototype vehicle, dubbed the Human Landing System. "Our team is pleased to bring this system to life," the firm's Kim Doering said. "Our reusable, sustainable approach is ready to support a safe and successful hardware delivery for Nasa's mission." US President Donald Trump last year urged Nasa to accelerate its latest moon-landing plans by four years to 2024. The request came a few months ahead of the 50th anniversary of the first lunar … [Read more...] about Nasa unveils NEW lunar lander that could put astronauts back on the Moon in 2024