INCHEON, Republic of Korea, 27 March 2024: The world’s largest dedicated climate fund, Green Climate Fund (GCF), announced that the first single-country project in the Cook Islands took 20 days from GCF Board approval to the first disbursement of funding. Making the announcement through a Press release, GCF said, the USD 13.4 million project, of which USD 12.5 million is funded by the GCF, focusses on improving health outcomes for all Cook Islanders and was developed by the government, with support from GCF.

GCF said with higher temperatures, increasing the spread of disease-causing pathogens and many infectious diseases, this project will bolster the climate resilience of national health systems across the 15 islands. GCF said that the Cook Islands face a triple health challenge, namely, communicable diseases, non-communicable diseases, and other health impacts due to climate change – resulting in high rates of malnutrition, sickness, and death. Furthermore, GCF said, climate-related disasters are further disrupting national healthcare services and disproportionately affecting vulnerable groups across the country. This project, GCF said, targets the most vulnerable, including people who are chronically ill, pregnant women and those living on the remote outer islands who struggle to access healthcare services.

GCF said, “Akamatutu’anga To Tatou Ora’anga Meitaki (ATOM): Building a healthy and resilient Cook Islands community – one block at a time” will enhance the national health system and climate resilience of health services. It will support approximately 30 communities and 22 health facilities or emergency centres in 12 of the 15 inhabited islands, including the 11 outer Pa Enua islands, and the main island of Rarotonga, the organisation further said. 

Mafalda Duarte,Executive Director, GCF said: “Providing support for Small Island Developing States to adapt to climate change is a key priority for GCF. I am delighted that we have been able to rapidly transfer the first tranche of funding to this project in 20 days, a record for GCF. This demonstrates GCF is delivering faster climate action and setting new benchmarks. There are several firsts for this project – it is the first project solely targeting climate and health in the Pacific region, and it is the first single-country project to be rolled out by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Management for the Cook Islands. It is great to see a project come to fruition through a completely country-driven approach using the full suite of GCF support, such as our Readiness and Project Preparation grants. I congratulate the Prime Minister, Mark Brown, his team, and all Cook Islanders for this accomplishment.”

Garth Henderson, Financial Secretary and Head of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Management, Cook Islands, said: “This achievement is a testament to our unwavering dedication to climate action. Our steadfast commitments not only align seamlessly with the GCF Readiness and Preparatory Support Programme objectives, but also embodies the GCF core principle of country ownership. This success underscores the power of collaboration and leadership within our Accredited Entity as we work closely with our local agencies to strengthen their capacity. The journey of this project has been a profound learning curve for us as a Direct Access Entity and our executing entities alike, while it took time to secure our first project, what we gained was invaluable: increased knowledge, capacity, and capability among our people. This milestone marks a significant leap forward in our collective efforts to drive meaningful climate action within our nation and beyond.”

GCF said ATOM was developed through a partnership between the Cook Islands and GCF. In addition, GCF said, through GCF’s Readiness Programme and Project Preparation Facility, the Cook Islands conducted health assessments and pre-feasibility studies to shape the project design and implementation –ensuring the project will be impactful, effective, and meet the needs of the people.

The project, GCF said, relies upon the technical expertise of the Ministry of Health Te Marae Ora and the Cook Islands Investment Corporation, as well as other partners, including the Ministry of Education, the Cook Islands Red Cross Society, and the Ministry of Agriculture. GCF also said that the project’s knowledge management component will be shared with the wider Pacific community, to build the climate resilience of health systems and services in other small islands states. Furthermore, GCF said that previously, an adaptation project in Micronesia was the fastest GCF project to be approved – from project sign-off to the first transfer of GCF funding – taking 36 days.

HERBORN, Germany, 27 March 2024: Friedhelm Loh Group, which includes Rittal, Eplan, Cideon and German Edge Cloud, announced that it will present at the 2024 edition of Hannover Messe from April 22 to 26. Making the announcement through a Press release, Friedhelm Loh Group said, it will showcase opportunities arising from combining software and hardware solutions – across entire ecosystems, discuss ideas, strategies and solutions with visitors in regard to industrial automation, panel building, energy transition, and smart factories. Furthermore, the Group said, the goal is to create greater added value through partnerships

According to Friedhelm Loh Group, the industry currently finds itself in an unprecedented state of instability and fluctuation. In addition to those complications presented by the global economic slowdown, the Group said, challenges from across supply chains and with the recruitment of skilled labour, there is a greater need for faster digital transformation and sustainability.

Friedhelm Loh Group said industry is in the midst of a digital transformation. The Group said that at the same time, it must also meet increased demands for greater sustainability – the move towards an “all-electric society”, for example, is a high priority. Furthermore, the Group said, this is a huge task, and one that will have to be accomplished with fewer and fewer skilled workers. Friedhelm Loh Group added that from the perspective of the companies in the Group, the key lies in mechanising and streamlining processes across the entire value chain.

Friedhelm Loh Group said that at the Hannover Messe, Rittal, Eplan, Cideon and German Edge Cloud show how customers can make rapid progress. Markus Asch, CEO, Rittal International and Rittal Software Systems, said: “The principle of industrialising entire processes and systems requires the intelligent combination and coordination of software and hardware. However, this can only work if there is data consistency across the entire value chain. Moreover, our approach is based on standardised, modular solutions, exactly tailored to the specific application. This calls for precise knowledge of the customer’s processes and close interaction with customers as equal partners. At the Hannover Messe, we will be showcasing the results of this collaborative cooperation as well as examples of how our customers’ efficiency and productivity can be seamlessly increased across their entire value added processes – from end to end.”

Friedhelm Loh Group said customers will be given a quick application-based introduction via four key areas of industrial automation, panel building, energy transition and the smart factory. From there, products, software and system solutions for specific requirements are presented in four deep-dive areas, the Group further said.

Friedhelm Loh Group said the primary message showcased at the booth of the its fiur companies includes the demands of digitalisation and sustainability are not inconsistent, contradictory or mutually exclusive – in fact, they go hand in hand. Sustainability drives digitalisation, while digitalisation supports and empowers greater sustainability and the key here lies in consistently optimised value creation processes, the Group further said.

LONDON, United Kingdom, 26 March 2024: Environmental Investigation Agency(EIA) announced that according to a new poll, Britons overwhelmingly support taking action to minimise the impacts of climate change (84% showing total support, including 37% who strongly support). Making the announcement through a Press release, EIA said that in the first international poll on climate change and methane, commissioned by the Global Methane Hub, that analyses public support for solutions worldwide, 83% of Britons specifically support reducing emissions of the methane gas to fight climate change, of which 27% showing strong support. 

Kim O’Dowd, Climate Campaigner, Environmental Investigation Agency, said: ‘’In light of these compelling poll results, the UK Government cannot continue turning a blind eye to this super pollutant. Despite pledging to contribute to reducing global methane emissions by 30% by 2030 at the CoP26 climate summit through the Global Methane Pledge, tangible progress toward this goal remains elusive. The methane memorandum released by the Government in 2022 falls short as it lacks the necessary measures to make significant reductions within the limited timeframe we have. What’s urgently needed are concrete regulations targeting key sectors to cut methane emissions rapidly. Time is running out, and the Government must take decisive action to honour its commitments and confront this critical challenge.”

EIA said that methane gas emissions have contributed to about one-third of the warming we are experiencing today, causing harm to communities around the globe. As policymakers look for solutions to cool the planet following the hottest year on record, EIA said, reducing methane by 45% is crucial to lowering warming by 0.3 degrees Celsius by 2040. Furthermore, EIA said, over a 20-year time scale, methane is 86 times more potent than CO2 as a greenhouse gas and 28 times more potent over a 100-year time scale. 

Globally, EIA said, the poll reached people in 17 countries across six continents, namely, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Germany, India, Italy, Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria, Norway, Senegal, South Korea, Tanzania, the United Kingdom and the United States. EIA said that the online survey gathered data from a total of 12,976 adults, at least 750 in each country, and asked respondents questions on key issues ranging from views on climate change, environmental concerns and support for action, knowledge of methane gas emissions and support for specific policies to reduce methane gas emissions. Furthermore, the Association said, in all 17 countries surveyed, respondents indicated significant support for policy solutions that would make strides toward tackling climate change. Overall, EIA said, 82% of respondents say they support actions taken to minimise methane emissions, with 39 per cent showing strong support.

Marcelo Mena, CEO, Global Methane Hub, said: “Reducing methane emissions is the fastest way to drive down global temperature, and reduce the impacts of climate change. The survey shows that countries most impacted by climate change also support mitigating methane the most. The good news is that doing so will also bring additional benefits, including energy and food security and healthier communities.”

In terms of more detailed methane reduction policies, EIA said, 78% of Britons surveyed support implementing a ban on biodegradable waste disposal into landfills, a major source of methane gas emissions. EIA said that around the world, people surveyed feel that national governments, corporations, and international governmental systems are far more capable than individual citizens to make meaningful changes to minimise the impacts of climate change.

O’Dowd further said: “EIA will be closely monitoring the actions undertaken by the UK Government and push for the adoption of robust regulations to effectively mitigate methane emissions. For instance, we urge the swift implementation of measures to limit methane leaks in the fossil fuel sector, along with the enforcement of bans on routine venting and flaring. These steps are not only effective, but they can also be very cost-effective. Other countries, such as the US, Canada, Nigeria and the EU have already done so. It’s high time for the UK to follow suit.’’

PARIS, France, 25 March 2024: Eurovent Certita Certification (ECC) announced that it welcomed the first products to be certified under the Eurovent Certified Performance programme for Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and energy efficiency (IAQVS). Making the announcement through a Press release, ECC said that the programme, developed alongside several European manufacturers, covers mechanical ventilation systems for single-family homes and apartments with an air flow rate < 1000m3/h. The programme, ECC said, is designed to obtain a balance between the energy performance of systems, such as the heat loss induced by air renewal and consumption of the electric motor, and IAQ, including the ability to deal with humidity, and pollutants such as CO2 and formaldehyde.

ECC said the certification allows specifiers, designers, installers, and end users to identify residential ventilation products that improve IAQ and optimise energy consumption, something increasingly important in the efforts towards reducing the carbon footprint of homes. 

According to ECC, the systems certified include:

• Central, single flow (supply or exhaust) without heat recovery
• Central, double flow (balanced ventilation) with or without heat recovery
• Single-room, single flow (decentralised continuous ventilation for supply or exhaust)
• Single-room, double flow (balanced ventilation) with or without heat recovery.

The programme, ECC said, is aimed at manufacturers of both ventilation system components and entire systems, and added that the programme advances traditional ventilation certification by certifying a complete system, and not just the aeraulic performance of the products. ECC said that to do this, data from ventilation system components is collected from the manufacturer, double-checked by Eurovent Certita Certification, and then entered into a specially built, state-of-the-art simulation tool. Furthermore, ECC said, a simulation is then undertaken, including parameters such as number of rooms, seasonality, climate, type of dwelling, number of occupants and the activities generated by the occupants in different rooms. ECC also said that thousands of iterations are carried out during the simulation until the convergence of IAQ and energy performance indicators.

ECC said that for IAQ, three indicators are scored from zero to five, with five being the highest rating achievable. According to ECC, the three indicators are:

• Carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration indicator (ICO2) which represents air stuffiness.
• Air Relative Humidity (RH) indicator (IH2O), which represents the excess/lack of humidity in the air.
• The formaldehyde concentration indicator (IFOR), which represents the chemical pollution emitted by furniture and construction materials.

ECC said that for energy performance, the following indicators are assessed:

• Energy consumption of the fan (Efan).
• Consumption induced by air renewal (Eheating).

ECC also said that for ease of use, all the indicators are represented in a label specific to each ventilation system, allowing specifiers, designers, installers, and end users to identify the performance of certified products easily. 

DUBAI, UAE, 22 March 2024: ASHRAE announced that the early bird pricing for HVAC Design Training by its Global Training Centre would end on March 25. Making the announcement through a Press release, ASHRAE said that the training is set to be held from April 29 to May 3, at Metropolitan Hotel in Dubai. Furthermore, ASHRAE said, HVAC Design Training is tailored to equip participants with the skills needed to thrive in the dynamic field of HVAC design, especially in the unique context of the Middle East, Africa and parts of Asia.

In addition, ASHRAE said, this training can help individuals preparing for Certified HVAC Design (CHD) Exam. ASHRAE also said that HVAC training registrants are eligible to receive a 20% discount on their exam fees and up to 20% on their CHD study guide.

According to ASHRAE , here’s why one should not miss out on this extraordinary learning experience:

1. Optimal sizing and energy efficiency: Learn to calculate heating and cooling loads, ensuring precise equipment sizing and minimising energy use while prioritising human comfort.
2. Psychrometrics and system design essentials: Gain a solid understanding of psychrometrics and delve into the basics of hydronic and air system design. Explore how these components directly impact building efficiency and performance.
3. Controls, automation, and optimisation: Understand HVAC controls and building automation systems in relation to occupant health, comfort, and overall building system optimisation.
4. Comprehensive system knowledge: Explore different HVAC equipment and systems, providing you with a comprehensive view of the diverse options available in the industry.
5. System selection for sustainability: Discuss system selection strategies and their correlation to sustainable building design, ensuring you are well-equipped to contribute to environmentally conscious projects.

ASHRAE said this training offers theoretical insights and practical knowledge that can be directly applied to real-world HVAC design challenges. Additionally, ASHRAE said, Dubai’s architectural wonders serve as a unique backdrop, offering an immersive learning experience like no other.

BRUSSELS, Belgium, 21 March 2024: Euroheat & Power announced that it will lead the charge to prioritise heating and cooling decarbonisation in the next mandate. Making the announcement through a Press release, Euroheat & Power said 17 European organisations, joined forces with the Organisation, urging EU policymakers to prioritise heating and cooling decarbonisation in the upcoming legislative mandate.

The Organisation said the coalition gathering energy and industry associations, and NGOs deplored the glaring omission of heating and cooling decarbonisation in the European Commission’s impact assessment for a 2040 climate target, published in February 2024.

Euroheat & Power said this “oversight in plain sight” is not merely a missed opportunity. The Organisation said that it is a significant hurdle on the path to 2050, especially considering the vast potential for sustainable and renewable heat sources in the EU, more than 2000TWh/year, exceeding projected demand by 2050.

Euroheat & Power said the declaration published on March 14 makes no bones about it: the European Union will not achieve a 90% reduction in CO2 emissions by 2040 without an ambitious strategy to decarbonise heating and cooling. The Organisation said it also points out the significant benefits for the EU, extending far beyond climate action: strengthening the EU’s security, delivering the industrial green deal, and combatting inflation.

Euroheat & Power said that organisations called for a robust post-2030 framework that incentivises energy efficiency and building renovations, finances and de-risks renewable heat projects, and facilitates technology adoption across all sectors.

Euroheat & Power said the momentum for heating and cooling decarbonisation continued to grow steadily since a coalition of 11 organisations, led by Euroheat & Power, presented a dedicated ten-point plan for heating and cooling decarbonisation to the Energy Commissioner, Kadri Simson in May 2023. Euroheat & Power also said that the coalition is now joined by energy efficiency and building organisations and NGOs.

LUCENA, Spain, 21 March 2024: HVACR equipment design and manufacturing company, KEYTER announced that it participated in the 2024 edition of Mostra Convegno Expocomfort (MCE), held in Milan, Italy. Making the announcement through a Press release, KEYTER said, the company showcased its innovative range of high-temperature heat pumps optimised for R290, propane, marking another milestone in its history of innovation in the HVACR industry. 

Joaquín Tortosa, International Area Manager, KEYTER, said: “We are delighted to have received such an enthusiastic reception at our first participation in MCE 2024. It has been a very rewarding experience to see how our range of equipment has caught the attention of such a diverse international audience for its design and quality. The market is demanding our most adaptable and configurable solutions where efficiency, reliability, sustainability, and service are paramount.” 

KEYTER said its participation in MCE 2024 has not only been a significant milestone for the company and the KEYTER Group as a whole, as they were accompanied by the other two companies of the group, INTARCON, specialising in the design and manufacturing of refrigeration equipment, and GENAQ, dedicated to air-to-water generation equipment, but also a testament to their potential and industrial excellence on the global stage. KEYTER also said with products of the highest quality, a committed team, and vast experience in the sector, the company is ready to continue exceeding expectations and leading the way towards a more sustainable and efficient future in the HVACR sector.

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia; 21 March 2024: PwC Middle East in Saudi Arabia announced that it launched an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Centre of Excellence in Riyadh, in collaboration with Microsoft. Making the announcement through a Press release, PwC said that the launch of the Centre is in line with upskilling and scaling the AI capabilities of engineers and researchers in Saudi Arabia. 

PwC said that the launch of the Centre, announced during LEAP 2024, supports Saudi Arabia’s community development and nationalisation agenda by nurturing next-generation talent in alignment with Vision 2030. 

Running every two months, PwC said, each cohort of the programme will recruit top talent through partnerships with leading universities in the Kingdom. Furthermore, PwC said, these young Saudi professionals will be trained in cutting-edge AI skills and technologies including Azure OpenAI and open- source models and frameworks. Moreover, PwC added, the Centre will serve as a unique platform for knowledge exchange and collaborative learning, engaging local and global partners from the public and private sectors to expand expertise and perspectives. 

Commenting on the announcement, Ali Hosseini, Chief Technology Officer, PwC Middle East, said: “Our commitment to Saudi Vision 2030 and our future in technology is unwavering. We are focused on 

building unparalleled AI engineering capabilities within Saudi Arabia. By investing in local talent, PwC is set to pioneer a new era of technological excellence that will not only serve Saudi Arabia but also the wider region. In partnership with Microsoft, we are proud to launch a platform that nurtures and develops next-generation AI talent, carefully selected from the country’s premier universities. This effort to enhance the skills of our talent pool underscores our dedication to maximising the benefits of AI technologies for Saudi Arabia. Such initiatives are designed to drive economic growth in key sectors and position the nation as a leader in knowledge and technological innovation.” 

As part of the collaboration, PwC said, Microsoft will provide expertise, training resources, and access to cutting-edge AI technology platforms. PwC said that its role within the framework will spearhead the strategic approach, programme management, operational framework, and curriculum development for the Centre of Excellence. 

Turki Badhris, President, Microsoft Arabia, said: “Training the workforce to take advantage of cloud and AI technologies is crucial to unlocking the full potential of these transformative technologies, and we are proud to play a role in this important endeavour. Through our partnership with PwC Middle East and the launch of the AI Centre of Excellence in Riyadh, we aim to provide young engineers in Saudi Arabia with the skills and tools they need to help drive innovation and economic growth in the country.” 

PwC said Saudi Arabia holds a clear vision for the development and implementation of AI-based technologies, embarking on large-scale national programmes to digitally transform the country. PwC said it has a  long-standing alliance with Microsoft across various areas. Furthermore, PwC said, in 2023, PwC US announced plans to invest USD1 billion over the next three years to expand and scale its AI offerings, which includes an industry-leading relationship with Microsoft, creating scalable offerings using OpenAI’s GPT-4/ChatGPT and Microsoft’s Azure OpenAI Service. PwC said that by leveraging its best technology and resources worldwide, Microsoft and the company are firmly focused on championing the next phase of digitally-focused talent development in Saudi Arabia. PwC said the AI Centre of Excellence will help enable more innovative and sustained outcomes for clients across the region, supporting the digital transformation ambitions of governments and businesses alike.

By CCME Content Team

RAS AL KHAIMAH, UAE, 21 March 2024:  Ras Al Khaimah Municipality announced the second edition of the RAK Energy Summit, and said that the event will be held on November 27 and 28, at Al Hamra International Exhibition & Conference Centre, under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler, Ras Al Khaimah. Making the announcement through a Press release, the Municipality said, the Summit, under the theme, “Create and Contribute to the Sustainable Energy Goals of the Future”, is expected to provide a platform for dialogue and partnerships among thought leaders, trailblazers, and decision-makers from government and private sectors. 

The Municipality said the second edition also features Etihad Water and Electricity (EtihadWE) as the lead partner, underscoring the utility company’s support for the largest sustainable energy event in the Northern Emirates.

H.E. Munther Mohammed bin Shekar, Director General, Ras Al Khaimah Municipality, said: “Building on the success of the inaugural edition, we are excited to announce the second edition of RAK Energy Summit. Sustainable energy is more important than ever for its contributions to climate change mitigation, individual wellbeing, and business competitiveness. At the summit, we aim to facilitate productive conversations with international and local industry players to bring progress in the energy transition of Ras Al Khaimah and the broader region.” 

Yousif Ahmed Al Ali, CEO,  Etihad Water and Electricity, said, “We are proud to be the Lead Sponsor of Ras Al Khaimah Energy Summit, reflecting our deep commitment to enhancing the future of clean and sustainable energy in the UAE, in line with the insightful vision of our wise leadership in this sector.” 

The Municipality said that Al Ali discussed the strategic partnership between EtihadWE and RAK Municipality, and affirmed that it supports the achievement of sustainable development goals and economic wellbeing, and drives development in Ras Al Khaimah. Al Ali said: “This partnership lays the foundation for cooperation to realise the comprehensive national vision, including the strategic initiatives for climate neutrality. Even on the administrative and regulatory level, such as the concerted efforts to streamline joint procedures between the two parties as part of the ‘Zero Bureaucracy’ initiative.”

The Municipality said the Summit features a well-rounded programme that dives into critical topics such as the concrete actions taken by major global economies to advance the energy transition and meet net-zero targets, focusing on the role of the private sector. The Municipality added that through extensive individual presentations and panel discussions, the Summit will include examples of leadership and discussions on crucial contributors to national and regional decarbonisation pathways: smart technologies, Artificial Intelligence (AI), fuels and energy grids of the future, energy and carbon markets, and others. Furthermore, the Municipality said, the Summit will hold structured networking sessions and live demonstrations aimed at showcasing the next big opportunities in sustainable energy. 

To learn more about the Summit, managed by INOEX Events, visit www.rakenergysummit.com.