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By Abhiruchi Chowdhury
GEORGIA
Thousands protest against Georgian Dream Party
On 12 November, France 24 reported that more than 1000 demonstrators in Tbilisi protested against Georgian Dream party which was supposedly helped by Russia in winning the elections. The demonstrators carrying EU and Georgian flags had assembled in front of the “Georgian parliament.” They called for a re-election which must take place under “international supervision” and an enquiry into the supposed rigging of elections. As per the election results, the Georgian Dream party secured 54 per cent of the total votes cast and the party has dismissed speculations of election rigging. President of Georgia Salome Zourabichvili has asked the US and EU to provide support to the protesters. Officials of the US and Belgium have also called for enquiry into the election fraud whereas Russia has dismissed the claims of being involved in influencing the elections. (“Thousands rally in Georgia to demand new election and push for EU integration,” France 24, 12 November 2024)
DENMARK
Danish company to invest USD two billion in Pakistan’s maritime industry
On 11 November, The Express Tribune reported that the maritime industry of Pakistan is all set to receive funding of USD two billion from Maersk Line which is a Danish shipping firm. Minister of Maritime Affairs, Qaiser Ahmed Shaikh is optimistic that the funding would boost the development of “port infrastructure” and build up “logistics” capacity. Members of Maersk Line expressed content with the enterprise of the government. The Minister hopes that the development would further lure other companies to invest in the maritime industry of Pakistan which would play a part in its growth. It is anticipated that the funding would generate new employment opportunities and provide a boost to the economy of the country. (Earlier published in Pakistan Reader Alert 12 November 2024) (“Pakistan secures $2b investment from Denmark in maritime sector,” The Express Tribune, 11 November 2024)
FINLAND
Constructs biogas plant with a capacity to produce “125 GWh of Liquified Biogas”
On 11 November, gasworld reported that “a biogas plant” is being built in “Kiuruvesi, Finland” that would use “cattle farm manure and agricultural byproducts” to generate “Liquefied biogas.” The biogas plant which is scheduled to be completed in 2026 is being constructed by “Suomen Lantakassu Oy.” The plant after completion would have the capacity to generate “125 GWh of Liquified Biogas” which would be sufficient to power “250 heavy-duty vehicles” each year. The “Upper Savo biogas complex” which would be comprised of the newly constructed biogas plant is estimated to have a total funding of “EUR 100 million.” Finland aims to achieve its objective of producing “four terawatt-hours of biogas” by the year “2030.” It has stressed utilizing “agricultural waste” to generate “biogas” which could be used to power heavy-duty vehicles. (Anthony Wright, “Suomen Lantakaasu to build EUR 100m biogas plant in Finland,” gasworld, 11 November 2024)
GERMANY
Paper industries dismiss the election commission’s claim that shortage of paper could result in the delay of elections
On 11 November, The Guardian reported that the owners of paper industries dismissed the claims put forth by the national election commission that a shortage of paper might cause a delay in conducting elections. Another cause of worry about early elections which was expressed by Ruth Brand who leads the election commission was elections being conducted near Christmas time for which she said “Nobody will be in the mood for electioneering or for listening to politicians’ elections bids at that time.” The probability of an early election has further increased after the Green party which earlier had partnered with the Olaf Scholz-led government, joined the opposition and conveyed that they do not want to wait much for the elections to take place. (Kate Connoly, “German paper industry denies claims paper shortage could hinder election,” The Guardian, 11 November 2024)
THE NETHERLANDS
Major relief for Shell as court reverses its 2021 ruling
On 12 November, Deutsche Welle reported that the Dutch Appeals court has reversed its 2021 verdict that compelled Shell to reduce its 2019 level “emissions by 45 per cent” by the year 2030. The court noted that though it is in agreement with the previous ruling that “protection from dangerous climate change is a human right,” nevertheless, Shell can independently decide on how it would do the reductions. Friends of Earth that had filed the case against Shell expressed disappointment with the recent court ruling. However, it also noted the positive that companies which are responsible for pollution could be brought under the ambit of law. Previously, in 2021, Shell was ordered by the court to reduce its emissions by 45 per cent which included the firm’s “own emissions” and the emissions generated from the combustion of its products (oil and gas). The 2021 verdict was supposed to prevent Shell from increasing its “extraction” levels of oil and gas. Friends of Earth Netherlands, however, asserted that Shell gave assent to a minimum of 20 “new oil and gas extraction assets.” (Stuart Brown, “Shell wins appeal against order to cut emissions,” Deutsche Welle, 12 November 2024)
THE UK
Ambassador to UNGA vouches for enlargement of UNSC membership
On 11 November, in a speech to the UN, the UK Ambassador stressed bringing reforms to reinforce the “multilateral statement.” He pointed out the conflicts that are currently going on around the world namely Gaza and Ukraine and thereby the role of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) becomes vital. He stated that the UNSC need to undergo reforms to reinforce it so that it can face current and future confrontations. He further stated that the UK backs the enlargement of the UNSC both in terms of permanent and non-permanent members up to somewhere around 25 members in total. He conveyed Uks support for Brazil, Germany, India and Japan to have a permanent seat in addition to “permanent African representation.”(Archie Young, “The UK remains a strong supporter of UN Security Council reform: UK statement in the UN General Assembly,” GOV.UK, 11 November 2024)
Prime Minister sets 81 per cent reduction in its emission as a target for 2035
On 12 November, the BBC reported that UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has set a target of 81 per cent reductions in the emissions generated in the country by 2035. Previously, the Conservative government had targeted to reduce 78 per cent of emissions generated in the country by 2035. PM Starmer stated that he is not interested in directing people on what they should do, however, the set target for crucial for the UK's “future prosperity and energy security.” PM Starmer was among the seven G-20 heads of state who decided to attend the conference. He also vowed to give GBP 11.6 billion towards “climate finance until March 2026.” The UK also asked other nations to go for a similar target after the UN predicted that without reductions in emissions, the world might see an increase of 3.1 degrees Celsius rise in the average temperature. (Jennifer McKiernan and Mark Poynting, “Starmer: New UK target for 81% emissions cut by 2035,” BBC, 12 November 2024)
REGIONAL
Major world leaders skip attending COP29
On 11 November, Euronews reported that major world leaders such as US President Joe Biden and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen did not attend the Conference of Parties(COP)-29. Some other leaders decided not to attend the conference amid the recent outcome of the US elections where Donald Trump clinched the victory. US climate envoy John Podesta expressed unhappiness over the outcome of the US elections. He mentioned that the US President considers “climate change” a “hoax” and predicted that the incoming government would reverse the “climate policies” formulated by the current US President. He claimed that “work” dedicated to fighting climate change would go on in the US with “passion, commitment and belief.” UN Climate Chief Simon Stiell stated that the focus should be on the “quality of outcomes” rather than the quantity and that there are important “decisions” that must be undertaken during the conference. Separately, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) stated that 2024 was all set to be the hottest year. It further mentioned that data points towards an increase of 1.54 degrees Celsius from “pre-industrial levels” for the months from January to September. United Nations stated that the agreement on not surpassing 1.5 degrees Celsius remains intact as it takes a mean of several decades. (“COP29: From finance to agenda fights, what happened on day one of the UN climate conference?” Euronews, 11 November 2024)
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