Category Archives: Resource Based Economy

The birthrate is declining across the west. It has been doing so for some time, but the recent drop appears to have been exacerbated by the pandemic. Ive been following the discussion for years now, amused at the discrepancy between statistics and experience (at one point in 2020, almost everyone I knew seemed to be pregnant or caring for a newborn, my peers having reached the shit or get off the pot stage of in their reproductive biology), but also irritated by the tone of the coverage. Whenever I read about the falling birthrate, it is reported alongside a (usually male) economist or politician talking about the catastrophic economic effects of what is being called a baby shortage. As though babies are a resource, which of course to some they are.

I have come to dislike these men intensely. They make me feel like a brood mare who must reproduce for the good of the nation. The latest report on declining birthrates comes from Italy, where it has fallen to the lowest level since 1861. An article on the study in the Times quotes two men, one talking about labour shortages and house prices, no women mentioned or spoken to at all, except passively.

Ironically, it is Mussolinis battle for births that comes to mind when I read these articles, which all seem steeped in that same notion of duty, even if they arent explicit about it. In fascist Italy, women were told they had a duty to reproduce. Unproductive or infertile women were sacked from their jobs and men with more than six children were exempt from paying tax. The most prolific mothers were given awards in an annual ceremony and abortion was banned, while contraception was limited. Bachelors and gay men were also penalised and demonised. As a policy, it was an epic failure.

I say this merely because it is important to know ones history when coming to these discussions. When you are a woman, these reminiscent rumblings and mumblings subtle though they are can trigger alarm bells. And for good reason: though Donald Trumps reign has ended, women are unlikely to forget the mad dash for IUDs in the wake of his election. American womens right to a safe and legal abortion is being challenged at the highest level; Polish women have already lost theirs. As economic panic about the birthrate continues, it is only natural to fear that womens reproductive autonomy will come under threat. The men are already talking about us as though we were not there.

Demonisation of birth strikers will inevitably follow. As Sophie McBain has argued, declining fertility is already being blamed as a sort of youth attitude problem among those who are anxious about the climate crisis: If only over-anxious young people would stop fixating on rising global temperatures and instead focus on producing future taxpayers. She references a Spectator cover story from October that blamed baby doomers for putting the planet ahead of parenthood.

While the climate emergency is undoubtedly a factor in some peoples decision about whether to have a child, it does tend to preclude discussion of other relevant barriers: a dire lack of affordable childcare and affordable housing, the motherhood penalty paid in your career, the pathetic embarrassingly pathetic amount of paternity leave offered in many western countries, a transactional dating economy and the continued imbalance of domestic labour. If you were going to make the decision purely based on logic, without considering the more profound, visceral longing that many women experience, you simply wouldnt do it.

Thats the problem, really. That, and the fact that the contemplation of motherhood is never, with the exception of a few notable works (including Sheila Hetis novel Motherhood), framed as a philosophical question. A profound philosophical question, perhaps one of the most fundamental of a womans life. No, its all about womens unruly bodies, and their failure to just shut up and do whats best for the economy.

Which is why I fear for the women examining these questions. Will they become increasingly demonised by the right? Already, they are mocked and trivialised. Silly little privileged western women in their silly pink hats, fretting about forest fires, worrying about their wombs.

No doubt some will call me paranoid. I certainly hope that Im wrong. Ive been writing a book that is partly about the motherhood question, and reading the work of Silvia Federici, whose analysis of the witch-hunts of medieval Europe places them within the context of demographic collapse. They were, she writes, an attempt to criminalise birth control and place the female body, the uterus, at the service of population increase and the production and accumulation of labour-power.

This sounds familiar. Maybe its just me. But either way, I dislike the parameters of this debate. It is time for those men opining on the birthrate in purely economic terms to step to one side and stop drowning out the voices of those who matter most in this debate: women of reproductive age, and the girls who will become them (it might also be worth talking to a few men about why it is they are dragging their feet). Why, oh why arent these women doing their duty? the politicians and economists lament. Maybe ask them. Theyll have a lot to say.

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Why are women failing to reproduce? Maybe its time to ask them - The Guardian

Pratt, Georgia-Pacific, Graphic Packaging International and other paper mill owners have signed a statement affirming that they want plastic-coated paper cups in their feedstock.

Manufacturers of fiber packaging and other paper-based products signed a declaration that they accept paper cups in either mixed-paper bales or in carton bales. The companies signing the declaration were Essity, GP PRO, Graphic Packaging International, Great Lakes Tissue Company, ND Paper, Pratt Industries, Sustana Fiber and WestRock.

According to a press release from the Foodservice Packaging Institute (FPI), the companies signing on consume about 75% of the mixed paper bales in the U.S. and Canada.

Paper cups contain plastic linings (usually polyethylene or polylactic acid) to provide liquid barriers, but not all mills are equipped to effectively separate the plastic and recover the fiber pulp. However, the facilities that signed this declaration are shining a spotlight not only on their ability, but their commitment to accept paper cups, stated Natha Dempsey, president of FPI, in the release. We encourage communities and MRFs to connect directly with their end markets and local mills to check if they will accept bales containing paper cups.

According to an FPI map, the mills accepting poly-coated cups in residential mixed-paper bales (Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries Grade 54) include the following:

Empty paper cups are recyclable, and they provide high-quality fiber, which can then be recycled into new products like cereal cartons, facial tissue boxes and new paper cups, Michael Doss, president and CEO of Graphic Packaging International, stated in the release. Graphic Packaging strongly supports recycling of paper cups and is encouraged by the proactive participation of the industry to collect them and increase the circularity of paper cups.

Additionally, a number of manufacturers also accept ISRI Grade 52 carton bales with paper cups in them:

Our investments in specialized equipment allow us to efficiently recover fiber from single-use coffee cups for re-use in premium applications, and we are pleased to support this recycling initiative, Fabian de Armas, CEO of Sustana, stated in the release. Increasing the viability and acceptance of paper cup recycling is an important step toward building a circular economy in our markets.

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Mills re-commit to buying recycled paper cups - Resource Recycling

ABILENE, Texas, Dec. 21, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Taylor County and the City of Abilene have approved a project with Lancium, a Houston-based energy technology and infrastructure company, to build a large scale, renewable energy powered data center campus in Abilene and Taylor County. This significant milestone, the largest project in Abilene and Taylor County history, is pending final negotiations with Taylor County, the City of Abilene, and the Development Corporation of Abilene (DCOA). The project will begin at 200 megawatts with an expansion capacity to over a 1 gigawatt.

Taylor County and the City of Abilene have approved a project with Lancium, a Houston-based energy technology company.

"We are very proud to be part of the community and build one of our flagship Clean Campuses in Abilene," said Michael McNamara, Co-founder and CEO of Lancium. "We chose Abilene for our second Clean Campus because of its ideal location, proximity to abundant wind and solar generation, high-quality workforce and the opportunities to grow in the future. We want to thank the city, county and all of the members of the economic development team that worked together to help make this significant milestone possible."

Lancium and its customers plan to invest $2.4 billion over 20 years, create 57 full-time jobs, and build their Clean Compute Campus on approximately 800 acres in Taylor County and Abilene, pending annexation into the city limits. This new development is expected to solidify the region as a major provider of renewable energy, while simultaneously hosting Bitcoin mining and other energy-intensive applications. Breaking ground in the first quarter of 2022, the Clean Compute Campus will initially contain approximately 100,000 square feet of industrial electric services equipment and data servers.

"We are proud to be at the forefront of this movement that will utilize and revitalize 800 acres of land," said Taylor County Judge Downing Bolls. "This partnership is historic with Lancium's projected investment of approximately $2.4 billion in improvements to real property in the County."

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Lancium is a leader in green, low-cost infrastructure whose solutions help ensure that renewable energy can power our future. The company uses its proprietary Smart Response software to enable the campus to act as a "Controllable Load Resource," which allows the grid to absorb more renewable energy.

"Abilene is recognized for its skilled workforce. This opportunity to bring well-paying quality technology jobs to our community is one of the many ways we are continuing to build a better future for the families of Abilene," said Abilene Mayor Anthony Williams.

"This project will bring new private capital investment into our community and grow important technology opportunities," said Abilene City Manager Robert Hanna.

"This project brings immense value to our community as it is truly shaping our future," said Jack Rich, DCOA Board Chair. "We are fortunate to have community resources that support the needs of companies like Lancium."

"Lancium's development is a tremendous opportunity to ensure the viability of the community for years to come through the diversification of our economy," said Misty Mayo, President and Chief Executive Officer of the DCOA. "Over the next 20-years, this project is estimated to bring $993.4 million in total projected economic impact to Taylor County and the City of Abilene. This is the exact kind of opportunity the DCOA is tasked to find and win for our community."

The campus will enhance the community's workforce, tapping into a skilled labor force in the technical services industry. With four higher education institutions, a technical college, and a community college, the community boasts the necessary education to support future needs. In addition to powerful professionals, the community has robust infrastructure and a strategic location in the south-central United States that secures Abilene and Taylor County as the premier location for data centers and emerging technology.

About Lancium Lancium is a technology company creating software, technical solutions and energy infrastructure that together are decarbonizing the grid. Lancium strives to be the leader in green, low-cost infrastructure that will power the next generation of cryptocurrency mining and other distributed energy-intensive applications. Its solutions help ensure that renewable energy can power our future. Lancium has numerous issued and pending patents. For more information, visit http://www.lancium.com, and follow Lancium on Twitter and LinkedIn.

About Taylor County Taylor County, Texas is centrally located in Texas with access to major highways. The county has a population of 139,064 people.

About Abilene Abilene, Texas is located in Taylor County, Texas. Directly on I-20 just a two and half hours from the Dallas/Fort Worth metro, Abilene is strategically located in the south-central United States. The city has a population of 121,512 people, and has a labor shed of over 140,000.

About the Development Corporation of Abilene The DCOA is the economic development driver of the Abilene region with the goal to increase job opportunities and capital investments, as well as recruit and retain companies for Abilene. The DCOA is focused on the future success of the community and leverages a partnership called DevelopAbilene to market Abilene as the premier location for business. Learn more about the DCOA and DevelopAbilene at: http://www.developabilene.com.

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SOURCE Development Corporation of Abilene

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Taylor County and City of Abilene Announce Historic Partnership with Lancium for Development of a $2.4 Billion Data Center Campus - Yahoo Finance

Climate Change, Development & Aid, Environment, Headlines, Human Rights, Migration & Refugees, Poverty & SDGs, TerraViva United Nations

Migration & Refugees

Credit: UNHCR

MADRID, Dec 20 2021 (IPS) - A bit of fiction. Or maybe not. If things keep going the way they are, the result will be that such a massive flux would create instability and tensions, impact the global markets, cause record prices of fossil fuels, food and everything else, and the bankruptcy of big private financial corporations

Already seven years ago, a former director general of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), William Lacy Swing, estimated that the number of climate migrants and refugees could reach one billion humans by the year 2050.

Such a scenario could well happen given the rapid growth of the ongoing climate emergency.

Shall they send them to third countries in exchange for some money, like what already happens with Turkey? Or shall they just force them back to their countries of origin, which they had to flee due to floods, storms, tsunamis and famine, provoked by a climate disaster they did not generate?

Climate change and disaster displacement

The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) says that climate change is the defining crisis of our time and disaster displacement is one of its most devastating consequences.

Entire populations are already suffering the impacts, but vulnerable people living in some of the most fragile and conflict-affected countries are often disproportionately affected.

Refugees, internally displaced people and the stateless are on the frontlines of the climate emergency, it reports, adding that many are living in climate hotspots, where they typically lack the resources to adapt to an increasingly hostile environment.

UNHCR urges all countries to combat the growing and disproportionate impacts of the climate emergency on the most vulnerable countries and communities in particular those displaced and their hosts.

1 Person Is Forcibly Displaced Every 2 Seconds due to conflict, persecution

These displacements are the result of conflict or persecution. At mid-2021, their number already reached 84 million. And there are 10 million stateless people, half of them under the age of 18.

Coincidentally, most of their countries of origin are also among the most hit by poverty and climate emergency.

Climate crisis is a human crisis

The climate crisis is a human crisis. It is driving displacement and makes life harder for those already forced to flee.

The impacts of climate change are numerous and may both trigger displacement and worsen living conditions or hamper return for those who have already been displaced.

Limited natural resources, such as drinking water, are becoming even scarcer in many parts of the world that host refugees. Crops and livestock struggle to survive where conditions become too hot and dry, or too cold and wet, threatening livelihoods, UNHCR adds.

Climate change, a threat multiplier

In such conditions, climate change can act as a threat multiplier, exacerbating existing tensions and adding to the potential for conflicts.

Hazards resulting from the increasing intensity and frequency of extreme weather events, such as abnormally heavy rainfall, prolonged droughts, desertification, environmental degradation, or sea-level rise and cyclones are already causing an average of more than 20 million people to leave their homes and move to other areas in their countries each year.

On this, the Global Compact on Refugees, affirmed by an overwhelming majority in the UN General Assembly in December 2018, directly addresses this growing concern. It recognises that climate, environmental degradation and disasters increasingly interact with the drivers of refugee movements.

We need to invest now in preparedness to mitigate future protection needs and prevent further climate caused displacement. Waiting for disaster to strike is not an option, says Filippo Grandi, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.

Every second 1 person is displaced by disaster

More than five years ago, in july 2016, IPS reported that, in fact, every second, one person is displaced by disaster, the Oslo-based Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) reported, adding that in 2015 only, more than 19.2 million people fled disasters in 113 countries.

Disasters displace three to ten times more people than conflict and war worldwide. See: Climate Victims Every Second, One Person Is Displaced by Disaster

On average, 26 million people are displaced by disasters such as floods and storms every year. Thats one person forced to flee every second.

Further on, IPS wrote: Imagine a world with as many as one billion people facing harsh climate change impacts resulting in devastating droughts and floods, extreme weather, destruction of natural resources, in particular lands, soils and water, and the consequence of severe livelihoods conditions, famine and starvation.

Although not yet based on definite scientific projections, the proven speed with which the process of climate change has been taking place, might lead to such a scenario by 2050. If so, 1 in 9 human beings would be on the move by then, it added.

Currently, forecasts vary from 25 million to 1 billion environmental migrants by 2050, moving either within their countries or across borders, on a permanent or temporary basis, with 200 million being the most widely cited estimate, according to a 2015 study carried out by the Institute for Environment and Human Security of the United Nations University.

This figure equals the current estimate of international migrants worldwide.

For its part, the UN International Organization for Migration (IOM) forecasts 200 million environmental migrants by 2050, moving either within their countries or across borders, on a permanent or temporary basis. Many of them would be coastal populations.

In an interview to IPS, the former IOM Director General, William Lacy Swing, explained that political crises and natural disasters are the other major drivers of migration today.

We have never had so many complex and protracted humanitarian emergencies now happening simultaneously from West Africa all the way to Asia, with very few spots in between which do not have some issue. See: Q&A: Crisis and Climate Change Driving Unprecedented Migration

Droughts, Desertification

Another warning comes from the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), which estimates that some 135 million people may be displaced by 2045 as a result of desertification.

Up to 12 million hectares of productive land become barren every year due to desertification and drought alone, which is a lost opportunity to produce 20 million tons of grain, adds the Bonn-based Convention secretariat.

Meanwhile, the increase in droughts and flash floods that are stronger, more frequent and widespread is destroying the land the Earths main freshwater store, according to UNCCD.

The killing drought

Droughts kill more people than any other single weather-related catastrophe and conflicts among communities over water scarcity are gathering pace. Over 1 billion people today have no access to water, and demand will increase by 30 percent by 2030.

Africa is particularly susceptible since more than 90 percent of its economy depends on a climate-sensitive natural resource base like rain-fed, subsistence agriculture.

Unless we change the way we manage our land, in the next 30 years we may leave a billion or more vulnerable poor people with little choice but to fight or flee.

For its part, the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF), reports that extreme weather events from floods and storms, to heatwaves and drought are already displacing an estimated 41 people each minute, and as temperatures continue to increase, climate extremes will worsen, sea levels will rise, and the worlds most vulnerable will bear the brunt.

Hunger and the climate

The UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) reports that the world produces enough food to feed everyone, yet, about 800 million people suffer from hunger. That is one in nine people. 60 percent of them are women.

And that about 80 percent of the worlds extreme poor live in rural areas. Most of them depend on agriculture.

Hunger kills more people every year than malaria, tuberculosis and AIDS combined.

Most importantly: No other sector is more sensitive to climate change than agriculture.

The above-cited causes of massive displacements just add to the fast-growing climate crisis, which will evidently greatly increase the number of migrants and refugees.

No matter if they will be one billion or 500 million or even 100 million. They are humans and victims of circumstances they have not created. What will rich countries do?

Originally posted here:

What Would Europe, the US, Do with One Billion Climate Refugees? - Inter Press Service

NEW YORK, Dec. 21, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Sumitomo Corporation of Americas (SCOA), the largest subsidiary of Sumitomo Corporation, one of the world's largest traders and investors of goods and services, announced today its participation in the Japanese Hydrogen Forum (JH2F). The JH2F is comprised of a group of leading Japanese affiliated companies with hydrogen businesses in the U.S. that are intent on providing the latest information regarding technology and policy in hydrogen energy sectors, including state-of-art integrated hydrogen solutions to support the adoption from governments throughout the country.

Japan and the United States are well aligned on their sustainability goals, especially since President Biden and Prime Minister Suga declared their shared goal of carbon neutrality by 2050. Hydrogen is a carbon-free energy resource, has high energy density to generate electricity and is an affordable source of energy storage. It can also be converted into renewable natural gas through methanation technology as well as into basic material resources such as resin. Even more, hydrogen is expected to be one of the major resources to decarbonize all industrial sectors, including transportation, power generation, heavy industry, commerce, and residential. For these reasons, JH2F was established to support the decarbonization goals of the Federal, State and Municipal governments in the U.S. by identifying and developing hydrogen solutions.

"We are proud to be part of such a strong group of companies that are working toward the same goal of carbon neutrality within the United States," said Tak Niki, Chief Business Development Officer at Sumitomo Corporation of Americas. "By drawing from our resources in Japan and the U.S., this multinational collaboration will accelerate the adoption of new technologies and solutions to help scale carbon-neutral energy on a nationwide level. We look forward to moving the needle toward achieving this important goal."

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JH2F is supported by the Japanese government and Japanese governmental organizations such as Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation (JOGMEC) and Nippon Export and Investment Insurance (NEXI). In order to materialize the collaboration on the U.S. side, JH2F will establish subcommittees in each sector, such as hydrogen production and supply, land transportation, port decarbonization, power generation and finance.

"Hydrogen is the ultimate environmental technology that can decarbonize transportation, power generation, industrial heat, and materials. I am glad that an industrial organization based on Japan-US cooperation is established. The Japanese government and its agencies would like to support its activities," said Norihiko Saeki, Special Advisor to the Ministry for Economy, Trade and Industry/ Executive Director at JETRO Los Angeles.

For more information, please contact: Mr. Norihiko Saeki, Secretariat of Japan Hydrogen Forum; Executive Director, JETRO Los Angeles:Norihiko_Saeki@jetro.go.jp

About Sumitomo Corporation of AmericasEstablished in 1952 and headquartered in New York City, Sumitomo Corporation of Americas (SCOA) has eight offices in major U.S. cities. SCOA is the largest subsidiary of Sumitomo Corporation, one of the world's leading traders of goods and services. As an integrated business enterprise, the firm has emerged as a major organizer of multinational projects, an expediter of ideas, an important international investor and financier, and a powerful force for distribution of products and global communications through a network of offices worldwide. Its core business units include Tubular Products, Environment and Infrastructure, Steel and Non Ferrous Metals, Transportation and Construction Systems, Chemicals and Electronics, Media and IOT Applications, Real Estate, Mineral Resources and Energy, and Food. For more information, visit http://www.sumitomocorp.com.

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SOURCE Sumitomo Corporation of Americas

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Sumitomo Corporation of Americas Announces its Participation in Japanese Hydrogen Forum; Aims to Develop Hydrogen Value Chain in the U.S. - Yahoo...

Even as a newly independent country with scarce natural resources, Singapore knew that the key to its survival lay in the one thing that could help the country overcome its natural limits: science and technology.

Agency for Science, Technology and Researchs (A*STARs) research and development (R&D) efforts have enabled the country to address emerging challenges and seed capabilities in critical areas. But while R&D is an unquestionably valuable resource, capturing value through commercialising those research efforts is equally important.

In todays hypercompetitive world and challenging global trade environment, innovation is a key driver for Singapores long-term economic growth.

Sze Wee Tan, Assistant Chief Executive, Enterprise Division, A*STAR

A*STARs commercialisation initiatives have since resulted in a steady stream of landmark patents and successful collaborations, all of which have set Singapore on the path towards being an innovation-driven, knowledge-based economy, rich in job and research opportunities alike.

The Institute for Infocomm Research (I2R) took a big step forward when they produced the worlds first patented adaptive audio streaming technology. Their invention not only compressed music files with little distortion or fidelity loss, but also enabled streaming at different qualities depending on the device type or available bandwidth.

Beyond the steady stream of patents from A*STAR research institutes, A*STAR also has collaborated with several companies and the Centre of Excellence in Advanced Packaging between Applied Materials (AMAT) and the Institute of Microelectronics (IME) as stellar examples of successful R&D commercialisation. While strong patents can arise from the focused efforts of individual researchers, collaborations can generate a patent portfolio that enables platform or system applications.

A*STAR also assists other companies in translating technology into products. For example, SIMTechs Innovation Factory provides support for Singapore SMEs from ideation to the design and engineering stage, while A*STARs open innovation platformA*StartCentral (A*SC)fosters an ecosystem that encourages venture creation.

A*STAR forges ahead in its mission to continue generating economic and societal impact for Singapore and the world. Guiding the agencys efforts is the Research, Innovation and Enterprise 2025 (RIE2025) plan, which sets the blueprint for the Republics science and technology efforts.

A*STAR will also focus on further developing private-public partnership platforms, such as the DxD Hub and the Experimental Drug Development Centre (EDDC), which connect researchers and companies to enable the rapid production of diagnostic tests and treatments. Recognising that Singapores most critical resource remains its people, A*STAR intends to continue its talent development strategy to build a strong core of local scientific talent complemented by international researchers.

Since the genesis of its R&D journey decades ago, Singapore has firmly established a vibrant research and innovation ecosystem. Through the Enterprise division, A*STAR will build upon those successes and deliver even more value through science and technology.

Asreportedby OpenGov Asia, a team of researchers from the Agency for Science, Technology and Researchs (A*STAR) Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS) have developed software that extracts RNA modifications (an additional layer of the information above the genetic molecule RNA) from genomics data. Their research was published in Nature Biotechnology.

For RNAs, chemical molecules may change the function of the same RNA. These RNA modifications are widespread, but because they do not change the letters of the RNA, they are very difficult to identify. More than 100 RNA modifications are known to play different roles in cells. Some of these RNA modifications are associated with disease risk, while others are used in mRNA vaccines.

By collaborating with the National University Cancer Institute, Singapore (NCIS), the team successfully detected the m6A RNA modification using the AI tool in multiple myeloma cancer patient samples, showing the AI tools potential for large-scale clinical analyses. The scientists have been interested in studying m6A modification in myeloma as this may have important clinical and therapeutic implications for patients with poor outcomes. Now with the AI tool, they have an important tool to facilitate their studies.

Continued here:

A*STAR Singapore Brings Tech Innovations from Lab to Real World - OpenGov Asia

SC/147448937TH MEETING (AM)

You Have Lost Your Way, Syrian-Born Paediatrician Warns, Urges Delegates to Ensure Accountability for Attacks against Humanitarian Workers

Amid a worsening humanitarian situation in Syria, the Security Council must focus on its stated aim of maintaining international peace and security instead of tending to political objectives and geopolitical rivalries, Syrian-born paediatrician Amani Ballour told its 15 members today, as the Secretary-Generals Special Envoy called for a step-by-step, step-for-step approach to advancing the political process.

You have lost your way, Ballour told the Council in an impassioned address, urging members to refocus on steps to deliver humanitarian assistance and alleviate the suffering of Syrian people. Noting that her organization, the Syrian American Medical Society, operates 40 medical facilities in north-western and north-eastern Syria, she painted a dismal picture of a health care system ravaged by more than a decade of conflict, including the intentional targeting of hospitals by Syrias Government and its allies.

Colleagues work 20-hour shifts without a break, examining as many as 100 patients a day under the constant shadow of aerial bombardment, kidnapping and torture by armed groups, she continued. More than 800 health-care workers have been killed, and many others have fled the country, she said, calling on certain Member States not to use the veto to block efforts at independent investigations seeking to promote accountability for such attacks. Ahead of the birth of her first son in February, she urged the Council to address Syrias humanitarian situation with renewed urgency, adding: I urge you to think of your own children during your negotiations on humanitarian access and accountability.

Geir O. Pedersen, Special Envoy of the SecretaryGeneral for Syria, briefing the Council via video teleconference, said 2021 was a year of deepening suffering of the Syrian people, marked by violence against civilians and systematic human rights abuses, as well as escalating hunger and poverty and an imploding economy. Against this backdrop, he said resolution 2254 (2015) is a long way from being implemented in a manner that could ease suffering and restore the countrys unity and sovereignty. However, possibilities for progress must be explored in 2022. To break free of the unacceptable status quo, political and economic steps must be taken together, step-by-step, step-for-step, he stressed.

While bilateral consultations with key stakeholders have conveyed a picture of mistrust on all sides, he noted that there is also an interest in testing what is possible through a wider political process, an approach which will be pursued in the new year. Noting that his deputy, Khawla Mattar, is today en route to Nur-Sultan, where she will meet with Russian, Turkish and Iranian officials and others in an Astana-format meeting, he expressed hope that efforts by his team will succeed in reconvening a seventh session of the Constitutional Committee. However, all delegations including the one that has not done so yet must be ready to not only table constitutional texts but also commit to revising them in light of discussions. No one should expect miracles or quick solutions; the path forward will be necessarily incremental. But I hope that this coming year we can work on concrete steps towards the implementation of Security Council resolution 2254 (2015).

Also briefing the Council was Martin Griffiths, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, who said efforts are being made to facilitate regular, predictable cross-line operations, currently reaching 1 million people every month in north-eastern Syria. However, these deliveries cannot replace massive cross-border operations that remain essential to support 3.4 million people in need in the north-west. He therefore called on all parties to facilitate implementation of the United Nations six-month plan for predictable, sustained humanitarian operations.

Noting that needs have grown while funding has shrunk, he emphasized: We continue to fail the Syrian people. Violence continues to kill and injure civilians, winter is setting in and the humanitarian operation does not have sufficient funds to provide basic shelter, heating and warm clothes to all those in need. Further, COVID19 is wreaking havoc across Syria with vaccination rates below 5 per cent and many families are forced to buy basic items on credit, he said, adding: It should be obvious that this is simply not sustainable.

In the ensuing debate, Council members expressed concern at the unsustainable situation, encompassing escalating humanitarian needs ahead of a bitter winter, the COVID19 pandemic spreading through an under-vaccinated population, continuing violence and insecurity, and a stalled peace process. Many delegates offered contrasting views on sanctions, with some saying they were damaging an already flailing economy, while others emphasized that their use was entirely justified, given Syrias recalcitrance on political and humanitarian concerns. Many underscored the need to facilitate the safe, sustained delivery of humanitarian aid, ahead of winter.

The United States representative was among those underlining the importance of cross-border operations, which represent a vital lifeline that cannot be replaced by relatively resource-intensive cross-line convoys. He expressed concern about threats faced by humanitarian personnel, including through landmines and improvised explosive devices. Pointing out that if the Council is unified, aid can be delivered through all modalities, and closed cross-border points can be reopened, he expressed concern about the closure of Al Yarubiyah crossing, which has limited access to essential medical supplies, including COVID19 testing kits.

Offering a contrasting picture, Chinas delegate stated that the cross-border mechanism is politically and legally controversial and should be adjusted in a timely manner according to developments on the ground, with a gradual transition to cross-line delivery of aid. Noting that local authorities with ties to terror groups make cross-border delivery complex, he expressed support for the United Nations six-month cross-line humanitarian relief plan in the north-west, urging Turkey to provide timely access and safety guarantees. He also called for steps to be taken to mitigate unilateral coercive measures on Syria, which have caused immeasurable harm.

The representative of the Russian Federation said there is no alternative to advancing a settlement process that is led by Syrians and supported by the United Nations, without external interference or the imposition of artificial deadlines. The Russian Federation intends to hold the next meeting of representatives of his country, Iran and Turkey on 21 and 22 December in Nur-Sultan, he said, adding that the problem of detained persons is a priority for the Astana Group.

Meanwhile, Frances delegate spotlighted the Syrian regimes obstruction of the sixth meeting of the Constitutional Committee and the lack of any progress since 2018 on the fate of disappeared persons, adding that without progress, there is no justification for the normalization of relations with the Syrian regime and that Frances position on sanctions will remain unchanged. He also highlighted the regimes grave human-rights violations committed against returning refugees.

Syrias delegate said the Government is making all possible efforts to facilitate cross-line access for the United Nations and its competent agencies, in line with resolution 2585 (2021). He expressed disapproval of the exaggerated figures of needy people in northern Syria cited in the report, and stressed the importance of closing Rukban camp, which has no other purpose than to increase the suffering of Syrian citizens, and to support armed groups.

Turning to the blockade, which he described as illegal, immoral and inhumane, he said the report ignores the disastrous effects of such measures, imposed by the United States and the European Union. On the humanitarian situation, he said that any objective assessment would conclude that Turkeys regime is the main driver of suffering and called for it to be held accountable for its actions.

To those claims, Turkeys delegate said his country is committed to ensuring the safety of those involved in the distribution of cross-line aid, who are subjected to shelling and attacks by Syrias regime and its backers.

Also speaking were the representatives of Ireland, India, Norway, the United Kingdom, Viet Nam, Kenya, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Tunisia, Estonia, Mexico, Niger (Council President for December) and Iran.

The meeting began at 10:07 a.m. and ended at 12:41 p.m.

Briefings

GEIR O. PEDERSEN, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Syria, briefing the Council via video teleconference on the Secretary-Generals latest report on the situation (document S/2021/1029), summed up 2021 as a year of deepening suffering of the Syrian people, with violence against civilians, and systematic human rights abuses, including against women and girls, as well as escalating hunger and poverty levels amid an imploding economy. There are 14 million people in need, the highest number since the conflict began. Many tens of thousands remain detained, abducted or missing, and 13 million Syrians remain displaced inside and outside the country, he said, adding that there are no improvements in the prospects for their safe, dignified and voluntary return, which poses a challenge for Syrias neighbours. Further, the increasingly fragmented country radiates instability and has become a haven for mercenaries, drug trafficking and terrorism.

Against this backdrop, he said Security Council resolution 2254 (2015) remains a long way from being implemented in a manner that could ease suffering and restore the countrys unity and sovereignty. He outlined possibilities for progress that should be explored in 2022, given the 21-month-long stalemate, the fact that a military solution remains an illusion, and because there are grave risks and costs to all by simply trying to muddle through with the unacceptable status quo, especially given the humanitarian suffering, the continuing displacement crisis, the collapse of the economy, among others. He said these dynamics have led him to believe, with each passing month, that political and economic steps are needed, and can only happen together step-by-step, step-for-step.

He noted that his observation from his extensive official travels in the region which include interactions with the Governments of Syria, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Lebanon is that there is still great mistrust on all sides. However, there is also interest in testing what is possible through a wider political process. To explore this, he has engaged in bilateral consultations with key stakeholders Syrian and international, including the Russian Federation, the European Union, Turkey and Qatar in Geneva, which will continue in the new year. Further, his deputy, Khawla Mattar, is today en route to Nur-Sultan, where she will meet with Russian, Turkish and Iranian officials and others participating in an Astana-format meeting. He expressed hope that these consultations will help identify and agree on incremental, reciprocal, mutual, realistic, precise, and verifiable steps that can advance the political process in line with Council resolution 2254 (2015).

Turning to the Working Group on the Release of Detainees/Abductees, the Handover of Bodies and the Identification of Missing Persons, he said his team will attend a meeting with them while in Nur-Sultan, to urge meaningful progress on the file, as well as review the Groups most recent release operation, on 16 December, during which five persons from each side were simultaneously released in northern Syria.

He went on to outline attempts by his team to reconvene a seventh session of the Syrian-led, Syrian-owned, United Nations-facilitated Constitutional Committee, including his visit to Damascus a week ago to meet the Foreign Minister and the Co-Chair nominated by the Government, stressing the need for all delegations including the delegation that has not yet done so to not only table constitutional texts but also be ready to commit to revising them in light of discussions. We need a productive drafting process according to the Committees mandate, he emphasized, noting that he will brief the Civil Society Middle Third as soon as understandings are in place. He touched on his continuing engagement with Syrian women and civil society representatives, including the members of the Womens Advisory Board, adding: No one should expect miracles or quick solutions the path forward will be necessarily incremental. But I hope that this coming year we can work on concrete steps towards the implementation of Security Council resolution 2254 (2015).

MARTIN GRIFFITHS, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, said the Secretary-Generals latest report on United Nations humanitarian operations in Syria (document S/2021/1030) describes the robust systems in place for needs assessments, due diligence, monitoring and risk management. The report also speaks to efforts to facilitate regular, predictable cross-line operations, which currently reach nearly 1 million people each month in north-eastern Syria. Additionally, two cross-line convoys have now deployed to the north-west, the second of which crossed conflict lines on 9 December carrying food and other humanitarian supplies for tens of thousands of people. The next convoy is planned for January. He also pointed out that on 16 December, distributions of food through a local World Food Programme (WFP) team commenced under a newly established distribution mechanism. Calling on all parties to facilitate implementation of the United Nations six-month plan for predictable, sustained humanitarian operations, he nevertheless stressed that cross-line deliveries cannot replace massive cross-border operations that remain essential to support 3.4 million people in need in the north-west.

Indeed, needs have grown while funding has shrunk, he said, emphasizing that we continue to fail the Syrian people. Violence continues to kill and injure civilians, winter is setting in and the humanitarian operation does not have sufficient funds to provide basic shelter, heating and warm clothes to all those in need. Further, COVID19 continues to wreak havoc across Syria with vaccination rates below five per cent and women bearing the impact disproportionately. In northern Syria, over 5 million people lack sufficient, safe water. The economy meanwhile continues its downward trajectory, with food more expensive now than at any time since WFP started monitoring in 2013. Many families spend an average of 50 per cent more on basic items than they earn each month, forcing them to buy on credit. It should be obvious, he emphasized, that this is simply not sustainable.

Beyond immediate life-saving activities, he stressed that the international community must also help Syrians chart their own course towards a better future. Working at a local level, basic services can be provided in a manner that is equitable, responsive and accountable to affected populations. Spotlighting a United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) project in rural Aleppo, which trained and equipped midwives to help nearly 800 pregnant women safely deliver their babies in 2021, he pointed out that this also allowed the midwives to earn a living and support their own families. This is a story that can be and should be repeated throughout Syria, he stressed. Noting that the Secretary-Generals report identifies increased focus on this part of the response, he said the United Nations is currently completing an allocation of $20 million for early recovery activities. While calling for civilian protection and greater support for life-saving aid, he underscored, however, that it is only an end to this conflict that will really meet the needs of the people in Syria.

AMANI BALLOUR,Syrian-born paediatrician and Program Advocacy Officer at the Syrian American Medical Society, noted her organization provides humanitarian assistance and operates 40 medical facilities in north-western and north-eastern Syria. Since her last briefing to the Council in March, the humanitarian situation is worse than ever. Instead of focusing on achieving the stated objective of maintaining international peace and security, too many Council members focus on their own political objectives and geopolitical rivalries. You have lost your way, she stated.

She urged the Council to refocus on steps to deliver humanitarian assistance and to alleviate the suffering of the Syrian people. More than a decade of conflict along with intentional targeting of hospitals by Syrias Government and its allies has devastated the health system throughout the country. Colleagues work 20-hour shifts without a break, sometimes examining as many as 100 patients and performing multiple surgeries per day, under constant threat of aerial bombardment, kidnapping and torture by armed groups. Needs continue to grow, she noted, with more than 1.7 million people living in internally displaced persons camps in the north-west, while recent rainstorms have literally washed some of their tents away.

There are greater rates of malnutrition, stunting and infant mortality, with more pregnant women suffering from anaemia and malnutrition. Without an increase in the number of incubators, she said doctors are forced to make the difficult decision of which baby to place in an incubator, and which to leave to die. We should not accept this, she stressed, calling for more long-term funding, donations of medicine and equipment, and continued cross-border assistance, which is providing life-saving aid to millions of civilians. The Council should also require the same level of transparency for humanitarian operations in Damascus and north-eastern Syria as it does in the north-west, and increase the capacity of the health system, through training new health workers especially nurses and midwives, as well as specialized training programs for existing doctors, particularly for intensive care and paediatric oncology.

In recent months, Syria has faced a devastating COVID19 outbreak, pushing the health system to the brink of collapse. In the north-west, positivity rates are as high as 50 per cent, intensive care units at 100 per cent capacity, and hospitals facing severe shortages of oxygen. Only 110,000 people have received two doses of a vaccine, or only 2.5 per cent. This is unacceptable, she stated, pointing to the dire situation in Rukban camp, with no oxygen, no ventilators, and no doctors, leaving the civilian population completely exposed. Citing the overcrowding of camps, with 50 families sharing one bathroom, she called on the international community to provide the resources necessary for the health sector to prepare for the next wave.

Highlighting the severe risks to health-care workers, she said over 800 have been killed, and many others have fled the country. While the only way to stop these attacks is through accountability, she pointed out that previous efforts have all been blocked by the Council, calling on certain Member States not to use the veto to block efforts at independent investigations. If, as they say, there have only been crimes committed against health workers by terrorists, those members would have no problem investigating the allegations. The Council should make clear its support for independent investigative mechanisms, she said, with support for the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and organizations like hers.

She urged the Council to take a fresh approach to the humanitarian situation. Set aside your differences and look beyond your own political objectives, she said, promising a year of new beginnings, with an emphasis on promoting human dignity. Noting the impending birth of her first son in February, she cited the suffering of children in Syria facing the threat of starvation under illegal sieges fears that no mother should ever have for her child. I urge you to think of your own children during your negotiations on humanitarian access and accountability, she said.

Statements

GERALDINE BYRNE NASON (Ireland) speaking on behalf of the co-penholders of the Syrian humanitarian file, Norway and Ireland, said the cross-border humanitarian operation at Bab al-Hawa remains an absolutely critical lifeline, and an essential channel for the United Nations to provide life-saving assistance at the scale required to support the significant and growing needs of 3.4 million people in north-western Syria. The combination of hostilities, economic crisis, water shortages and COVID19 have driven humanitarian needs to some of the highest levels seen since the conflict began. These needs continue to grow as Syrians grapple with another bitter winter, leaving 4.5 million people requiring winterisation support, many without the essentials they need to survive.

Speaking next in her national capacity, she recalled that the Council has heard directly from Syrian women, including Rouba Mhaissen during Irelands Presidency. Yet far too often, these voices are silenced and marginalized by the Syrian authorities. She urged the Government to engage meaningfully with the opposition and civil society members of the Constitutional Committee and called on all parties to the conflict to refrain from violence, de-escalate tensions and exercise maximum restraint. She also called on parties, especially the Government, to release detainees and abductees, and to take meaningful action on missing persons.

DMITRY A. POLYANSKIY (Russian Federation) said that there is no alternative to advancing a settlement process that is led by the Syrians themselves and supported by the United Nations, without external interference or the imposition of artificial deadlines. The Russian Federation intends to hold the next meeting of representatives of his country, Iran and Turkey, with the participation of interested parties on 21 and 22 December in Nur-Sultan, he said, adding that the problem of detained persons is among the important areas of work for the Astana Group. The general recovery of the situation in and around Syria is also facilitated by the resumption of natural ties with Arab neighbours, including on the economic front. Long-term peace and security can only be achieved through the full restoration of Syrias sovereignty and territorial integrity, including the Governments control over national borders and natural resources, while continuing to fight against terrorists. The Russian Federation has no doubt in general that the United Nations Monitoring Mechanism, which monitors the dispatch of humanitarian convoys exclusively to the border with Syria, is doing its job properly, he said. The concerns relate to what is happening directly in Idlib, which has been overrun by terrorists who have subjugated every aspect of people's lives, including their free movement. He emphasized the urgent need to reinforce the presence of United Nations international workers in the enclave, noting that only two humanitarian convoys have entered Idlib in six months only 28 trucks. At the same time, 48,498 trucks passed through Bab al-Hawa into the de-escalation zone during the same period. There is plenty of room for cross-lining. He called on donors to reconsider their approaches to humanitarian assistance for the benefit of ordinary Syrians, including those returning to their homeland.

RICHARD M. MILLS, JR. (United States) emphasized the need to use all modalities to deliver aid to Syria, echoing the Secretary-Generals observation that cross-line convoys can complement but cannot replace cross-border operations, which, he added, represent a vital lifeline. Calling for measures to enable humanitarian aid to be delivered in a predictable and safe manner, he expressed concerns about threats to the security of humanitarian personnel, including through landmines and improvised explosive devices, as well as the growing gap between humanitarian needs and donor funding. Noting that cross-line convoys are resource-intensive compared to the cross-border modality, he pointed out that if the Council is unified, aid can be delivered through all modalities, and closed cross-border points can be reopened. The closure of Al Yarubiyah crossing has impacted the health sector, limiting access to essential medical supplies, including COVID19 testing kits. Nonetheless, the cross-border mechanism remains robust, entailing multiple layers of checks and enabling the delivery of aid through 47,000 trucks since July 2014. On sanctions, he stated that in November, the United States Department of the Treasury expanded a general license for non-governmental organizations, which will not constrain them from working towards Syrias early recovery. However, aid treats the symptoms, not their cause, he said, calling for a nationwide ceasefire and urging the Assad regime to pursue all avenue to peace, including through the Constitutional Committee.

NICOLAS DE RIVIRE (France), reiterating the call for an immediate, nationwide ceasefire in Syria, stressed that the protection of civilians must remain an absolute priority. COVID19 is spreading throughout the country where less than 5 per cent are vaccinated and he underlined that everything must be done to speed up the vaccination campaign. Noting the United Nations plan for humanitarian operations, he pointed out that even if fully implemented it will not succeed without the cross-border mechanism for aid delivery, which is necessary so long as assistance does not reach all those in need. Recalling the unanimous adoption of resolution 2254 (2015), he said it remains the roadmap for a political solution to the conflict. If it is not fully implemented, there will be no lasting peace in Syria. Spotlighting the Syrian regimes obstruction of the sixth meeting of the Constitutional Committee and the lack of any progress since 2018 on the fate of disappeared persons, he said that, without progress, there is no justification for the normalization of relations with the Syrian regime and that Frances position on sanctions will remain unchanged. He also highlighted the regimes grave human rights violations committed against returning refugees.

PRATIK MATHUR (India) cautioned that imposing external solutions cannot resolve the conflict. Rather, it is for Syrians to determine and decide what is best for their country and their own future. He welcomed efforts by Syrian authorities to prioritize the return of displaced Syrians to their areas of origin, as well as the recent announcement of the opening of the border between Jordan and Syria. Expressing concern over ceasefire violations in the north-west, he called on all sides to desist from any actions, including military provocations. The growing influence of terrorist groups in camps such as Al-Rukban and Al-Hol must be urgently addressed, as must the repatriation of foreign citizens from these camp sites. A nationwide ceasefire is paramount to the interests of the Syrian people and will help extend cross-line aid operations. Noting that cross-line operations have become regular and sustained in the north-east, he encouraged the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and United Nations agencies to enhance cross-line operations. For its part, India continues to extend development assistance and human resource support to Syria through grants and credit lines, including for the supply of medicine and food, artificial limb fitment camps and capacity building training programmes.

MONA JUUL (Norway) urged all actors including the Government to contribute constructively to the process involving the Special Envoys recent consultations with key actors on a step-for-step approach. Despite the deep disagreements, there is still a shared interest in providing a better future for the Syrian people and ensuring stability in the region. The process should include such issues the release of detainees, the safe and dignified return of refugees, combating terrorism and inclusive political reform. However, the status quo on the ground, both in Government-controlled areas and elsewhere, is not sustainable. At the same time, the Constitutional Committee plays an important role both in and of itself and as a confidence-building measure. Norway fully supports the Special Envoys approach, she said, encouraging all parties to contribute constructively to the process in good faith and reiterating the need to fully implement resolution 2254 (2015) including a nationwide ceasefire.

BARBARA WOODWARD (United Kingdom) said the Security Council has for years demanded implementation of resolution 2254 (2015), yet not only has the regime failed to engage genuinely in the process, but the issues that gave rise to and sustained the conflict continue atrocities, human rights abuses, disregard for the rule of law and widespread corruption and economic mismanagement. Until there is a genuine willingness from Syrias regime to engage in the Syrian-led and owned process endorsed by the Security Council, there is no prospect of a successful peace process. Pointing to the vast humanitarian needs currently exacerbated by winters approach and the lack of testing and treatment capabilities amid the pandemics continued spread, she said the Council must support the provision of assistance to Syrians. Nothing can replace the scale or scope of the United Nations-mandated cross-border mechanism for achieving this, she continued, welcoming reports on the Organizations significant progress in scaling up cross-line assistance into north-western and north-eastern Syria. In this vein, the Council must continue to be guided by the United Nations objective and thorough reporting on the humanitarian situation. Noting the thirtieth anniversary of the Global 16 Days campaign on the gender-related killing of women, she said females continue to be acutely affected by the conflict. The Council must ensure continued humanitarian funding to counter gender-based violence, she said, highlighting the United Kingdoms $34 million contribution to UNFPA to address this issue in Syria since 2019.

DINH QUY DANG (Viet Nam) said that despite the longest period of calm since the beginning of the conflict, all efforts should be devoted to finding a long-term political solution. To this end, he encouraged Syrian parties to engage constructively in negotiations within the Constitutional Committee. Commending the Special Envoys step-for-step approach, he voiced disappointment that the humanitarian situation continues to show no sign of improvement, due the impact of insecurity, economic crisis, food and water troubles and the COVID19 pandemic. It is vital to ensure access to enhance the humanitarian response, he emphasized, calling on the international community to support the Humanitarian Response Plan, particularly given the harsh winter and the severe COVID-19 developments facing Syrians.

DAI BING (China) observed that the Constitutional Committee has not yet determined dates for the next round of meetings, requiring all concerned to reach consensus. Ten years into the conflict, Syria remains mired in crisis, he said, calling on the international community to help maintain peoples livelihoods and hope. Expressing support for the United Nations and international agencies, based on the principles of humanitarian relief, he affirmed that all operations must respect Syrias sovereignty and territorial integrity. The cross-border mechanism, which is politically and legally controversial, he observed, should be adjusted in a timely manner in light of developments on the ground, with a gradual transition to cross-line delivery of aid. He noted that cross-border delivery is complex, as local authorities in some areas have ties with terror groups, and misappropriation of supplies cannot be ruled out. He expressed support for the United Nations formation of a six-month cross-line humanitarian relief plan in the north-west, urging Turkey to provide timely access and safety guarantees for cross-line delivery. While welcoming United Nations early-recovery procedures, including cleaning debris and restoring critical infrastructure, he noted the scale is limited and called for stepped-up funding. The issue of Syrias sovereignty must also be comprehensively addressed. Unilateral sanctions have brought immeasurable harm to the country, and Member States should take actions to mitigate their impact. The international community must also abandon double standards and eradicate terrorist forces at an early date.

STEPHANIE NGONYO MUIGAI (Kenya) said the situation in Syria is a test of the United Nations Charters promise to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war. Appealing to the Council to rise out of its dormancy, she voiced regret about the lack of commitment to convene the seventh round of Constitutional Committee discussions. Urging parties to agree to this undertaking, she noted that progress on the political track is intimately linked to the humanitarian track. Recalling the practices of collective punishment meted out by colonial authorities throughout Africa in the last century, she said Syrias Government must closely distinguish between civilians and terrorist insurgents, and avoid any collective punishment of groups or areas. Urging all Member States with leverage to update their approaches, she stressed that the cross-border mechanism, supported by cross-line deliveries, remains crucial for humanitarian assistance.

DIANI JIMESHA ARIANNE PRINCE (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines)said counter-terrorism operations are required for the protection of Syrias people and its territorial integrity. However, military activities should never take precedence over the protection of civilians, which extends to those residing in displacement camps, such as Al-Hol, where insecurity persists. The economic crisis compounds the myriad challenges facing Syrians, with women and girls being disproportionately affected. With millions heavily dependent on humanitarian aid, the cross-border mechanism is a lifeline, she said. Cross-line deliveries are also necessary to complement the mechanism and ensure timely, sustained and unimpeded humanitarian access, she said, noting that a second cross-line operation to the north-west took place in early December. Critically low water levels in the Euphrates, due partly to climate change, have generated a water crisis, and she called for a priority focus on finding a sustainable solution to issues around the Alouk water station. The politicization of the grave humanitarian situation must end, she asserted, underscoring the international communitys responsibility to support Syria and its people.

TAREK LADEB (Tunisia) called for a negotiated political settlement in accordance with resolution 2254 (2015) to preserve Syrias unity and sovereignty, to end the external interventions and presence of terrorist groups and to bring the country back on the path of peace, stability and development. It is necessary to combine international efforts with those of the Security Council to create a positive political and economic impact, as was the case with the adoption of the central resolutions on the Syrian issue. He welcomed the start of aid distribution across lines in Sarmada on 16 December, stressing that priorities must centre on alleviating the suffering of Syrians, ensuring that aid reaches those who deserve it, through all available mechanisms without hindrance, and ending terrorism.

SVEN JRGENSON (Estonia) welcomed the timely publication of the 2585 reports, which focus on cross-line deliveries. There have been substantial improvements when it comes to the coordination between the parties on the ground. Stressing that cross-border aid remains the backbone of the United Nations humanitarian response, he said maintaining stable aid flow is crucial, as the war has not ended. In November, Estonia organized an Arria-formula meeting, where the United Nations-mandated International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism and Syrian civil society representatives gave a detailed overview on the question of accountability. These kinds of meetings do not stop atrocities in Syria, he acknowledged, but they do provide the international community with relevant information for acting against impunity. The international community will never normalize its views on killings, torture, sexual violence and forced disappearances, which unfortunately continue in Syria on a daily basis, he stressed.

JUAN RAMN DE LA FUENTE RAMREZ (Mexico) recognized the Special Envoys efforts to promote dialogue between the Government and the opposition towards resuming the work of the Constitutional Committee. Welcoming the Secretary-Generals two detailed reports, he reiterated Mexicos condemnation of the violence impacting civilians and attacks carried out in areas around humanitarian aid houses and distribution roots. He also welcomed the second cross-line humanitarian aid convoy deployed to the north-west. The recently adopted six-month plan is a tool to strengthen this mechanism and ensure regular operations, he explained, adding that its implementation will be followed closely and reiterating the importance of security guarantees. Warning about the challenges posed by the winter season, he welcomed that the report explains in detail the monitoring, risk management and early recovery projects that are in place. He also pointed to the devastating effects of the conflict on the economy, resulting in 90 per cent of people living in poverty, and stressed the importance of early recovery projects as a part of the humanitarian response.

ABDOU ABARRY (Niger), Council President for December, speaking in his national capacity, stated that Syria needs us and needs us now. Condemning hostilities, including the use of improvised explosive devices, air strikes and rockets targeting civilian areas, he said their immediate end is essential for peace and security. However, collective efforts in that domain and in addressing the pandemic should not divert attention from terrorist groups. He cited attacks by Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Daesh), in the south and elsewhere, rearing its head yet again after defeat by the international coalition. A Syrian-led dialogue reflecting the will of the people is the only possible peaceful long-term solution in line with resolution 2254 (2015). Expressing disappointment over the dearth of progress by the bipartisan Constitutional Committee, he said it lacks understanding of how to advance efforts and develop a drafting process indicating deadlock and the need for a radical shift in that bodys composition and working methods. External meddling in its affairs must end, with all external actors respecting Syrias sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity. He also expressed support for internal and cross-border aid mechanisms, as the situation must not be allowed to further deteriorate. Addressing the pandemic, he said it is appalling that less than 3 per cent of the population has been vaccinated. As winter sets in, Syrians will need humanitarian assistance to reach them on time and in sufficient quantity. Citing water issues along the Euphrates River, he said that resource should be a source of cooperation, not a driver of discord. He also called for sanctions to be eased or suspended, as they gravely undermine ability to tackle pandemic and economic crisis, adding that the political and humanitarian tracks must be dealt with together.

BASSAM SABBAGH (Syria) said that in terms of enhancing cross-line access, the Government continues to make all possible efforts to provide the necessary facilities to the United Nations and its competent agencies to facilitate implementation of the mandate in resolution 2585 (2021). Pointing to the report, which confirmed that humanitarian access to Rukban is still attainable, he stressed the importance of the complete closure of this notorious camp, which has no other purpose than to increase the suffering of Syrian citizens, and to support armed groups. He expressed disapproval of the exaggeration contained in the report regarding the numbers of needy people in the northern part of Syria.

Turning to early recovery projects, he expressed disappointment that some Western countries within the so-called donor community obstruct implementation of many projects. Some of the early recovery projects mentioned in the report have been implemented for years even before the adoption of resolution 2585 (2021). Noting that the report ignores the disastrous effects of the illegal and immoral blockade, he also described the wall as inhumane, imposed by the United States and the European Union. Any objective assessment of the complex humanitarian situation in Syria leads to one conclusion: the main driver of the suffering is Turkeys regime, its practices and its tyranny. He called for this regime to be held accountable for its various ravages and attempts to hinder Syria from consolidating stability.

FERIDUN HADI SINIRLIOLU (Turkey) said cross-border operations adhere to universally agreed United Nations principles, including transparency. They have no hidden agenda aside from saving lives. Turkey is committed to ensuring the safety of those involved in the distribution of cross-line aid, who are subjected to shelling and attacks by Syrias regime and its backers. However, even with full implementation, cross-line convoys cannot replace the cross-border mechanism. While such operations are endeavouring to save lives now, only negotiations can assure sustained peace, in which children can walk to school, carefree, with full bellies, he said, adding that the next round of peace talks in Geneva must produce tangible results. He welcomed the Special Envoys step-by-step initiative in this regard and expressed hope that the new Constitution will adhere to the letter and spirit of Council resolution 2254 (2015).

While preserving Syrias territorial integrity and unity is essential to a sustainable solution, he said ceasefire violations by Syrias regime and its backers represent a hurdle to peace and harm civilians. The prolonged conflict affects security in the region, including Turkey, by providing a breeding ground for terrorists from the PKK/PYD [Kurdish Workers Party/Democratic Union Party] and its offshoot, the Syrian Democratic Forces, who target civilian facilities, wield violence against demonstrators and block the return of internally displaced persons by the threat of death. He cautioned those rolling out the red carpet to such forces in the fight against ISIL/Daesh, stating: Todays crimson carpet can turn into a flow of blood. On Syrian refugees, 4 million of whom now live in Turkey, he expressed hope that they will one day know their homeland. He pointed out that Council discussions, which repeatedly yield no results, represent the last chance for Syrian people, asking: Is this the best we can come up with? On the remarks of Syrias delegate about Turkey, he said: I wont honour his delusional accusations with a response, and I do not consider him my legitimate counterpart; his presence is an affront to the millions of Syrians who have suffered due to the acts of his Government.

ZAHRA ERSHADI (Iran) stressed the need to redouble efforts in finding a political solution to the conflict in Syria, especially considering the danger it poses to regional peace and security. Noting that humanitarian conditions are deteriorating, and significant civilian infrastructure has been destroyed, she underscored the need to bolster assistance to the country, including through the removal of unilateral sanctions, which have prolonged suffering and adversely affected international and national humanitarian work. Adding that early recovery efforts must be expanded, especially through implementation of resolution 2585 (2021), she stressed the importance of ensuring that aid entering Syria through cross-border operations reaches actual beneficiaries, rather than terrorist groups. Likewise calling for an increase in funding and humanitarian aid to cross-line operations, she expressed disappointment that only two deliveries have taken place so far, which have yet to be distributed. Moreover, foreign occupation of parts of Syria constitutes a flagrant violation of international law and the United Nations Charter, she said, emphasizing that all uninvited forces must leave the country without preconditions or further delay.

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Possibilities for Political Progress in Syria Must Be Explored, Special Envoy Tells Security Council, as Governments Trade Blame over Sources of...

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This patented technology is an advanced thermochemical process (novel gasification) that chemically recycles carbon molecules contained in waste materials into added-value renewable products. It consists of transforming the solid waste materials into an ultra clean and usable intermediate called a synthesis gas, a building block from which the industry can bolt on proven industrial processes to synthesize specific molecules such as methanol, ethanol, sustainable aviation fuel, synthetic gasoline and ethylene. The process is conceived on carbon recycling as well as low carbon intensity principles, providing a clear scalable solution for the decarbonization of chemicals and fuels.

Enerkems technology complements conventional recycling options by focusing on reject fractions from conventional recycling processes. It addresses some present limitations in the closed-loop pathways due to mixing, degradation and contamination (which in the current plastics system is produced in high volumes) or of unfeasibly low volume (e.g. novel materials). The produced circular plastics products can meet highest performance specs and desired aesthetics just as fossil virgin-grade plastics.

Enerkems carbon recycling technology is well positioned in the waste hierarchy. In the Netherlands, for example, chemical recycling is officially recognised as Recycling in Dutch waste policy.

OTHER PROJECTS

The Enerkem technology is currently at the heart of a number of other major industrial ventures centered on the production of renewable chemicals from different types of waste.

In Edmonton (Alberta, Canada), Enerkem Alberta Biofuels (EAB) has been recycling carbon from residual materials into methanol and ethanol since 2016. It is the worlds first commercial-sized waste to biofuels and renewable chemicals facility.

In Varennes (Qubec, Canada), VCR (Varennes Carbon Recycling), a partnership with Shell, Suncor, Proman, and Investissement Qubec, has begun construction of a similar facility using Enerkems technology and know-how[2]. It will produce biofuels and renewable chemicals made from non-recyclable residual materials.

Conclusion

The Enerkem chemical recycling technology provides a sustainable solution for waste management and can contribute strongly to reach the EUs objective of climate neutrality by 2050. The versatility of technology regarding feedstock and end products allows to build structuring projects adapted to the local context of each country.

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Ecoplanta one of seven projects preselected for support by the European Commission Innovation Fund - EURACTIV

By Kim Harrisberg

GABORONE, Dec 16 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Everytime an aeroplane streaked the sky over Kgomotso Phatsima's village in rural Botswana, she would pause, look up and vow she too would fly high one day.

Phatsima has more than kept her promise.

Not only did she become one of the country's first female military pilots, the 36-year-old has also built an organisation that trains thousands of young girls in robotics, coding and entrepreneurship programmes.

Her graduates get to celebrate their digital achievements with a physical ride piloted by captain Phatsima.

"We use the power of flight to ignite new passions and we can see that things are changing...there has been a positive exponential wave of people realising that tech will take our country to the next level," Phatsima said.

Phatsima is just one part of a nationwide push to diversify Botswana's economy, investing in science, tech and entrepreneurship to lessen a dependency on diamond mining.

Her main focus is young women, other entrepreneurs are boosting different skills or sectors. All, though, are equally eager to reform Botswana's economic model, their drive only deepened by the pandemic.

"COVID was a wakeup call for Botswana that the careers of tomorrow are going to be in programming, innovation and technology," Phatsima told the Thomson Reuters Foundation from the country's innovation hub in Gaborone, the capital.

"As life moved online it opened our eyes that robotics and coding are good for kids in the future," said Phatsima, who has also worked as a teacher and trained as an aviation safety specialist in her jam-packed career.

DIAMONDS AREN'T FOREVER

Botswana's post-independence economy was burgeoned by the discovery of diamonds beneath the earth's surface, a resource that pulled one of the world's poorest countries into the middle-income bracket, according to the World Bank.

Mining remains the biggest revenue earner for this sparsely populated southern African country, accounting for just under 20% of total gross domestic product.

But in recent years the government has begun investing in a "knowledge-based economy", one that does not rely on a finite resource or that can be so easily sideswiped by a pandemic.

Instead, it is banking on the minds of it citizens who have benefited from the country's free education, say government officals.

"We need to diversify our economy...the fourth industrial revolution needs people in the digital world and our natural resources are finite," said Douglas Letsholathebe, the country's minister of tertiary education, research, science and technology.

With high levels of inequality, an unemployment rate of 24.5% and a tiny population of just over 2 million, the Batswana are eagerly launching initiatives from e-learning to online markets, all while navigating funding challenges in the COVID-19 era.

AFRICA'S SILICON VALLEY?

Phatsima operates out of the Botswana Digital and Innovation Hub, launched in 2014 to create a generation of startups by huddling all sorts of tech entrepreneurs together in one industrial park.

Online images boast sleek architecture, hovering drones, modern shuttles and commuters on bicycles and hoverboards.

A brave new world that isn't. For the pandemic interrupted the build, and while some offices are now starting to fill up, others stand empty amid builder rubbble.

"A lot should be happening here, we should be having young people criss-crossing doing all sorts of things from one room to the other if we want to be seen as the Silicon Valley of Africa," said Phatsima.

But young inventors say finding funding is the main hurdle.

Ked-Liphi - a local startup that invents simple, everyday objects with an eye on social justice - say they have had to self-fund their products every step of the way.

Their inventory is wide and practical.

As the pandemic hit, they created a temperature check machine with built-in facial recognition, sanitiser dispenser and identity card scanner, all aimed at slowing transmissions.

More recently they have built a backpack with a built-in solar panel that charges as students walk to school, allowing them to plug in devices or light sources at home.

It also has a built-in tracker to locate children in countries with high kidnapping rates, said Ked-Liphi founders.

"Accessing funding has been a challenge," said Kedumetse Liphi, the 31-year-old founder of the Ked-Liphi.

"It has taken months to get meetings with government bodies and then we were rejected, they said we need a letter of intent from a company interested in working with us but we only have a prototype, we need funding to commercialise first," he said.

BALANCING ACT

Handing out money to entreprenurs in a country that lacks universal electricity or proper roads is a fine balancing act, said minister Letsholathebe.

"If I find you stuck and you don't have petrol, and then I see somebody starving, whom do I start with? Naturally, I will start to feed somebody to survive then come back to you and say okay, now I can help you too," said Letsholathebe.

Amid all the talk of automation, innovation and a fourth industrial revolution, mine workers fear they will be left behind as the economy changes gear.

"Our fear is on looming job losses coming," said Kitso Phiri, executive secretary of the Botswana mineworkers union.

"We want government to commit to retooling and reskilling mineworkers ... and make sure the fourth industrial revolution doesn't negatively impact job security," Phiri said.

Phatsima agrees that while tech is important it is only "an enabler" that cannot exist without strong policies and processes in place.

Letsholathebe said "no one will be left behind" and that government is funding new thinking and digital training in the classroom to foster a "mindset change that technology is for everybody".

Thirteen-year-old Katlo Ntwaetsile started learning robotics at school, and also attended Phatsima's workshops at the hub.

"I have learnt to code and build a robot and use software to make the robot move...this has changed the way I thought about my future," said Ntwaetsile.

"I realised I can be an engineer or a pilot or a business woman in control of my life, making my own money and creating jobs...if we use tech in the right way I think we will have a more equal country."

This story is one in a series supported by Mozilla and Omidyar Network's Powering Local Innovation initiative, which aims to deepen the conversation around technology innovation in different regions in the Global South.

Related stories:

Bridging Africa's digital divide: The rise of community internet

South Africans battle to bridge digital divide in COVID-19 vaccination race

'By Africans, for Africans': Female entrepreneur pioneers facial recognition tech

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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Botswana to diversify from diamond mining to tech - Thomson Reuters Foundation

The EU is currently revising its Waste Shipment Regulation (from 2006), which governs shipments both within the EU and from and to the EU. One of the aims of this revision is to align the regulation with circular economy principles. The revision is based on a study, known as an impact assessment, by the European Commission, analysing the socio-economic and environmental impacts of potential changes to the regulation. The EEAs work on the EUs internal waste shipments summarised in this briefing is viewed as complementary to this impact assessment.

An essential condition for establishing a circular economy is retaining as high a value as possible for materials that become waste. This will reduce the demand for extracting natural resources, which is associated with significant environmental and climate impacts globally. Meeting the economys needs through the good-quality recycling of waste materials has the potential to reduce these impacts substantially. This applies especially to materials that are very energy intensive to produce (e.g. metals), are based on fossil resources (e.g. plastics) or require the use of large amounts of land and water to produce (e.g. textiles). Shipments of non-hazardous waste for recycling purposes could be key to achieving this, especially for improving the secondary raw material markets, which in turn play a key role in meeting the EUs raw material demands through secondary material sources.

More specifically, facilitated but still well-controlled shipments of waste within the EU may lead to the building of economies of scale, reducing the cost of waste treatment and therefore the price of secondary raw materials. Countries or individual stakeholders in the waste sector, if they secure adequate investments, could benefit from economies of scale through access to good-quality, separately collected waste, not only from their own country but also from other EU Member States. This would create opportunities for the development of good-quality, technologically advanced recycling facilities and economically competitive business models.

Moreover, the right incentives for increasing cross-border shipments of waste for recycling would increase the security of supply for recyclers. This would help recyclers to plan more effectively and, consequently, increase producers confidence in steady streams of secondary material resources, which has traditionally been a barrier to the further uptake of secondary materials in new production processes.

Such developments could result in lower prices for secondary raw materials produced from waste, with a favourable impact on their cost competitiveness compared with primary raw materials. This in turn could lead to the higher uptake of secondary raw materials in production processes.

Overall, the promotion of the right type of intra-EU waste shipments of good-quality recyclable waste could optimise the effectiveness of material recovery and increase material circularity, one of the primary objectives of the circular economy policy agenda.

More than 90% of the waste generated in the EU is treated in the country in which it was generated. This is in line with the proximity principle underpinning EU waste law, which calls for waste to be treated as close as possible to the point of generation to avoid the environmental impacts of transporting waste and to avoid exporting the impacts of waste management operations. The high share of waste treated in the same country it is generated is the result of decision-making by waste operators taking into account multiple factors, such as regulatory restrictions, economic considerations and environmental issues related to waste transport and treatment (see Figure 1). For example, restrictions and administrative burdens are in place in relation to waste being shipped by individual EU Member States. However, it is important to clarify that it is not the administrative burden associated with waste regulations that ultimatelyblocks the shipment of waste. Instead, it increases waiting times and the costs of shipments, which ultimately decreases profit margins and/or slows down resource movement. Most waste generated has a low intrinsic value compared with long-distance transport costs, meaning that operators would not make a profit if they were to ship waste to other countries.

However, the volume and value of waste shipped across borders within the EU are significant. Over the past 15 years, the share of waste being traded across borders, rather than being treated in the country in which it was generated, has grown, albeit slowly. In 2018, around 6% of the total waste generated was shipped across borders, but within the EU. Table 1 shows the amounts of waste generated, by year, excluding major mineral waste[1], in all EU Member States that are treated abroad, either outside the EU or in another EU Member State. The trends indicate that the secondary material markets for recyclable waste are growing in the EU. If these markets perform optimally, they could be the ideal vehicle for increasing both the quantity and quality of recycling in the EU.

2004

2006

2008

2010

2012

2014

2016

2018

Total EU waste generated (excl. major mineral wastes)

781

790

760

759

758

770

785

809

Total waste exported from the EU

18.6

19.5

24

30

32

28

29

31

Total waste shipped inside the EU

42

44.5

46.4

46.4

46.4

46.4

45.3

49.2

The value of the commodities traded on secondary material markets is not insignificant: the value of non-hazardous recyclable waste traded across borders within the EU reached EUR 12.2 billion in 2019, with metals accounting for 69% of the total (Table 2). This is approximately equal to the annual gross domestic product (GDP) of Malta, indicating significant opportunities in these markets, especially if they are supported by measures to increase the price competitiveness of secondary materials.

Paper and cardboard

Textiles

Plastics

Glass

Non-ferrous metals

Ferrous metals

Total

Value (million EUR)

1,260

682

557

113

1,227

8,379

12,217

Data reported under the EU Waste Shipment Regulation and through Eurostats Comext database allow us to understand which waste flows are most prevalent. They also reveal which countries rank highest as destination countries for recyclable waste and in terms of dispatching waste, and if and how the prices of recyclable waste vary depending on the receiving EU Member State. For more details on the Comext database, please consult the technical reportunderpinning this briefing. An analysis of waste shipments within the EU at national level reveals that some Member States rely more than others on shipping their recyclable waste to other Member States for treatment, while some manage most of their waste within national borders.

If a country does not ship much waste to other countries, this might indicate that the country has designed its waste policy in line with the proximity principle, for instance by developing capacity to treat all the types of waste it generates. Another factor influencing how much waste is shipped across borders is country size: in general, smaller countries find it economically unfeasible to develop treatment facilities for all waste and all types of treatment, meaning that some waste has to be shipped elsewhere. In terms of receiving waste, steady and large imports of specific types of recyclable waste indicate that a country is cost competitive for treating those types of waste. This could be the result of the countrys investment in capacity (perhaps due to a particular industrial activity in the country needing the secondary material produced from the waste), the availability of technology and know-how in the country, or factors such as low labour costs.

On the other hand, the consistent export of low-value waste is typically associated with exporting polluting activities elsewhere. Through the revision of the Waste Shipment Regulation in 2021, the EU as a whole aims to restrict the exporting of waste to third countries to the minimum, to limit the exporting of environmental issues. Investigating individual countries reasons for exporting or importing waste is beyond the scope of this study.

Figure 2 shows the net shipments of six types of recyclable waste, as well as waste shipped for incineration, per Member State over time.

Note: Net shipments refer to the volume of dispatched shipments minus the volume of received shipments (in tonnes). A negative value indicates that the volume of dispatched shipments exceeds that of received shipments.

A closer look at the data shown in Figure 2 gives some insights into intra-EU shipments of specific types of waste:

It should be underlined that this briefing covers shipments of waste only within the EU and does not reflect on quantities shipped to outside the Union. This means that countries with large ports might appear to import a relatively large volume of recyclables, while in fact most of these are then shipped out of the EU (e.g. the Netherlands for plastics).

Within the scope of this briefing, waste shipped for incineration is the only type of material investigated that is not destined for recycling. This includes mixed municipal waste, sorting residues and other materials not collected separately for recycling. This waste is destined to receive lower level treatment, according to the waste hierarchy, which is associated with greater environmental impacts. Aside from countries with no incineration capacity, EU Member States differ in how they manage their incineration capacities, with some relying on shipments to other Member States for the incineration of residual waste, because of a lack of capacity, and others relying on imports to fill incineration overcapacity (see Figure 3).

For example, as shown in Figure 3, Slovakia fills its incineration capacity through imports of residual waste, while, at the other end of the spectrum, Ireland and, to a lesser extent, Slovenia are heavily reliant on shipments to other countries for the incineration of their waste, which might indicate a lack of capacity for incinerating locally generated waste. It should be noted that Figure 3 relates exclusively to waste shipped from one EU Member State to another. However, EU Member States also export and import waste to and from countries outside the EU (e.g. imports of waste for incineration from the United Kingdom and exports to Norway and Switzerland).

Note: Residual waste consists of waste with the following codes: 191210 combustible waste (refuse derived fuel), 191212 other wastes (including mixtures of materials) from mechanical treatment of wastes and 200301 mixed municipal waste.

Figure 4 shows the value per unit of recyclable waste shipped from each Member State in 2019. If it is assumed that the value of recyclable waste is an indication of its quality for recycling, it can be deduced that countries that ship high-value recyclable waste to other countries have good waste management systems in place (e.g. separate collection, advanced sorting, etc.) or possibly lack the infrastructure to complete all steps of the recycling value chain within their own borders.

A closer look at the data shown in Figure 4 helps to explain why shipments from some countries fetch better prices than those from other countries. In other words, these data shed some light on what determines the price of a waste shipment. A good example comes from Cyprus, where more than two thirds of shipments of paper and cardboard waste have already been sorted, making the value of the shipped materials generally higher than that of the unsorted streams shipped by other Member States.

Plastic waste shipped from Portugal generally comprises polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and PET mixed with other plastics. The fact that PET generally has the highest value of all plastic waste is thought to explain the higher value per tonne of plastic waste shipments from Portugal than from other Member States. At the opposite end of the spectrum, Cyprus generally ships only mixed plastic waste, accounting for the relatively low value of shipped plastic waste from this country. This pattern is seen among other Member States: the higher the degree of sorting of plastic waste before shipment, the greater the value of the plastic waste shipped.

The composition of shipments also plays a key role in determining the value of other types of waste shipments. For example, almost 85% of non-ferrous metal shipments from Ireland comprise lead scrap, which has a relatively high average market value and is therefore likely to explain the higher value of non-ferrous scrap from Ireland than from other EU Member States. Within the ferrous metal category, Ireland is also a clear outlier. Irelands shipments to other EU Member States are dominated by shredded iron and steel (61% of total shipments) and ferrous metal alloys (25% of total shipments). However, it is the value of stainless steel scrap from Ireland that appears to account for the biggest difference in value between Ireland and other Member States.

In general, the functioning of a countrys waste management system is a critical determinant of the value of waste shipments. Extensive separate collection and optimal sorting of waste into different quality grades result in large quantities of relatively homogeneous waste material, which can be traded at higher prices. On the other hand, mixed waste, where high-quality materials are mixed with low-quality materials, is generally traded at lower prices.

The data presented here cannot, however, account for other aspects that determine the value of waste shipments, such as the technological specialisation of some countries for recycling specific waste materials, the investment in economies of scale for treatment facilities by some countries, or the role of labour and transportation costs. Further analysis, investigating economic conditions in each country, is necessary to account for these aspects.

[1] Major mineral waste is generated in high volumes and is scarcely moved across borders because of its high weight and low value. Therefore, including this type of waste in Table 1 would skew the conclusions drawn from it.

Briefing no. 14/2021 Title:Linking cross-border shipments of waste in the EU with the circular economyHTML - TH-AM-21-014-EN-Q- ISBN 978-92-9480-409-9- ISSN2467-3196 - doi:10.2800/579515PDF - TH-AM-21-014-EN-N- ISBN ISBN: 978-92-9480-410-5- ISSN2467-3196 - doi:10.2800/013029

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Linking cross-border shipments of waste in the EU with the circular economy - European Environment Agency