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Nature restoration: Why climate activists have high hopes for the EU

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Nature restoration: Why climate activists have high hopes for the EU

Delayed by a number of months however eagerly awaited by NGOs and local weather activists, the European Fee ought to later this month lastly unveil its plan to revive a few of the EU’s most degraded ecosystems — a key issue within the struggle towards local weather change. 

“The continent is so degraded we have now deteriorated nature a lot that there’s a want to begin restoring it,” Sergiy Moroz, Coverage Supervisor for Biodiversity and Water on the European Environmental Bureau (EEB), an umbrella organisation for environmental NGOs, careworn to Euronews.

About 80% of protected habitats and two-thirds of species within the EU have a poor or dangerous conservation standing, in keeping with **the European Atmosphere Company.**But nature is the most effective ally within the struggle towards world warming and local weather change as totally different ecosystems, from peatlands to forests in addition to rivers and oceans, have various carbon-storing skills.

“There’s a very, very large profit when it comes to carbon sequestration in these as a result of they’re fairly often carbon- wealthy areas. So if we do not destroy them like peatlands, they’ll proceed storing and if we restore them, we’ll permit them to retailer their carbon once more,” Moroz emphasised. 

Establishing legally-binding targets to revive these pure ecosystems would assist the bloc attain its goal of changing into carbon-neutral by 2050, activists say, however they’re going through detractors who’re lobbying that with a warfare on its doorstep and a meals disaster on the horizon, the EU ought to postpone its regulation even additional.

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What’s nature restoration?

Restoring nature mainly means eradicating the totally different pressures placed on particular ecosystems. This could possibly be placing a cease to logging in forests in order that they’re allowed to achieve old-growth standing, blocking drainage to revive peatlands and wetlands, eradicating dams from rivers to allow fish shares and different natural world to return, or banning fishing for areas at sea. 

To this point, the EU had not legislated on the particular concern, calling on member states to voluntarily set targets however this has largely failed.

“Our present efforts to guard nature within the EU should not adequate. We aren’t succeeding in halting this loss,” Sabien Leemans, senior biodiversity coverage officer at WWF EU, informed Euronews.

Peatlands and freshwater ecosystems have been notably impacted. Round half of peatlands within the EU are degraded, some so drastically that they’ve been misplaced. In Germany, for example, solely 5% of near-natural peatlands stay.

Voluntary vs legally-binding targets

What specialists need from the Fee are legally-binding targets for nature restoration to be carried out in no less than 15% of EU land space, 15% of sea space in addition to 15% of river size by 2030.

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“That is vital as a result of what we actually have now could be this window of alternative — this decade — each for tackling nature loss and for tackling local weather change. We have to do the majority of the restoration actions by 2030 and never postpone an excessive amount of to 2040 or 2050,” Leemans stated.

“There may be large potential, and it may actually be a game-changer,” she argued. 

Member states, NGOs stress, ought to have leeway in terms of which areas they need to deal with so long as it covers 15% of their territory, though the Fee ought to have oversight to make sure compliance. The hot button is that measures must be applied quick.

“So long as you place the suitable measures in place, then we predict that ought to be sufficient that your obligation has been fulfilled,” Moroz emphasised. “A few of these ecosystems will want a while to get better, others will get better exceptionally quick. We all know that while you take away the obstacles in a river, it takes a yr for all times to return again.”

However research have proven that in rewetted wetlands, carbon storage 20 years after restoration stays decrease than in pristine wetlands. Some restored saltmarshes will want greater than a century to achieve the carbon accumulation charges of their pure counterparts. 

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The Greens/EFA group within the European Parliament can also be calling for this 15% goal, with an increase to 30% goal by 2040.

As for the legally-binding half, it is pretty explanatory. “We, NGOs, ought to be capable of deliver member states, for instance, to courtroom the place the goal has not been met,” Moroz argued. 

Agriculture and forestry pushing again

Not all people is enthused, nonetheless. Restoring nature would possibly imply placing a cease to human, and financial, exercise in some areas together with agriculture, logging and fishing. 

“There may be quite a lot of pushback from sure teams which are making an attempt to misuse the warfare in Ukraine and meals safety arguments to push again towards this and Farm to Fork commitments — that intention to make our agriculture extra resilient and taking extra under consideration biodiversity — saying the Nature Restoration (Regulation) ought to be postponed as a result of this isn’t a precedence anymore,” Leemans stated. 

“What we have now been seeing is that each the agricultural sector, but additionally the forest sector, have been actively lobbying towards legally binding nature restoration targets, saying voluntary targets could be adequate,” she stated.

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Specialists have put ahead loads of different advantages to spice up their argument. Certain, restoring degraded terrestrial pure habitats within the EU may take away about 300 million tonnes of CO2 equal a yr — “roughly the greenhouse gasoline emissions from Benelux counties,” Leemans identified — nevertheless it may have loads of well being and financial advantages as nicely.

Higher high quality nature that may entice and retailer extra carbon may result in higher air high quality which might seemingly translate to fewer individuals affected by respiratory ailments and deaths. 

WWF additionally estimates that ecosystem companies delivered by biodiversity  – from crop pollination and water purification to flood safety and carbon sequestration – are price an estimated $125-140 trillion (€102-115 trillion) per yr.

Extra concretely, the NGO stated that about 4.4 million jobs within the EU are at present straight depending on the upkeep of wholesome ecosystems with a big share linked to Natura 2000 websites — a community of nature safety areas within the EU.

“Closing the funding hole that’s wanted for the efficient administration of the community may generate 500,000 extra jobs,” it stated.

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For Moroz, Brussels committing to legally binding 15% targets would have an additional advantage.

“It undoubtedly will give the EU the credibility to drive extra bold world settlement” together with its plan to ban imports of meals and agriculture commodities linked to deforestation.

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What a merger between Nissan and Honda means for the automakers and the industry

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What a merger between Nissan and Honda means for the automakers and the industry

BANGKOK (AP) — Japanese automakers Honda and Nissan will attempt to merge and create the world’s third-largest automaker by sales as the industry undergoes dramatic changes in its transition away from fossil fuels.

The two companies said they had signed a memorandum of understanding on Monday and that smaller Nissan alliance member Mitsubishi Motors also had agreed to join the talks on integrating their businesses. Honda will initially lead the new management, retaining the principles and brands of each company.

Following is a quick look at what a combined Honda and Nissan would mean for the companies, and for the auto industry.

An industry shakeup

The ascent of Chinese automakers is rattling the industry at a time when manufacturers are struggling to shift from fossil fuel-driven vehicles to electrics. Relatively inexpensive EVs from China’s BYD, Great Wall and Nio are eating into the market shares of U.S. and Japanese car companies in China and elsewhere.

Japanese automakers have lagged behind big rivals in EVs and are now trying to cut costs and make up for lost time.

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Nissan, Honda and Mitsubishi announced in August that they will share components for electric vehicles like batteries and jointly research software for autonomous driving to adapt better to dramatic changes in the auto industry centered around electrification. A preliminary agreement between Honda, Japan’s second-largest automaker, and Nissan, third largest, was announced in March.

A merger could result in a behemoth worth about $55 billion based on the market capitalization of all three automakers.

Joining forces would help the smaller Japanese automakers add scale to compete with Japan’s market leader Toyota Motor Corp. and with Germany’s Volkswagen AG. Toyota itself has technology partnerships with Japan’s Mazda Motor Corp. and Subaru Corp.

What would Honda need from Nissan?

Nissan has truck-based body-on-frame large SUVs such as the Armada and Infiniti QX80 that Honda doesn’t have, with large towing capacities and good off-road performance, said Sam Fiorani, vice president of AutoForecast Solutions.

Nissan also has years of experience building batteries and electric vehicles, and gas-electric hybird powertrains that could help Honda in developing its own EVs and next generation of hybrids, he said.

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“Nissan does have some product segments where Honda doesn’t currently play,” that a merger or partnership could help, said Sam Abuelsamid, a Detroit-area automotive industry analsyt.

While Nissan’s electric Leaf and Ariya haven’t sold well in the U.S., they’re solid vehicles, Fiorani said. “They haven’t been resting on their laurels, and they have been developing this technology,” he said. “They have new products coming that could provide a good platform for Honda for its next generation.”

Why now?

Nissan said last month that it was slashing 9,000 jobs, or about 6% of its global work force, and reducing global production capacity by 20% after reporting a quarterly loss of 9.3 billion yen ($61 million).

Earlier this month it reshuffled its management and its chief executive, Makoto Uchida, took a 50% pay cut to take responsibility for the financial woes, saying Nissan needed to become more efficient and respond better to market tastes, rising costs and other global changes.

Fitch Ratings recently downgraded Nissan’s credit outlook to “negative,” citing worsening profitability, partly due to price cuts in the North American market. But it noted that it has a strong financial structure and solid cash reserves that amounted to 1.44 trillion yen ($9.4 billion).

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Nissan’s share price has fallen to the point where it is considered something of a bargain. A report in the Japanese financial magazine Diamond said talks with Honda gained urgency after the Taiwan maker of iPhones Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., better known as Foxconn, began exploring a possible acquisition of Nissan as part of its push into the EV sector.

The company has struggled for years following a scandal that began with the arrest of its former chairman Carlos Ghosn in late 2018 on charges of fraud and misuse of company assets, allegations that he denies. He eventually was released on bail and fled to Lebanon.

Honda reported its profits slipped nearly 20% in the first half of the April-March fiscal year from a year earlier, as sales suffered in China.

More headwinds

Toyota made 11.5 million vehicles in 2023, while Honda rolled out 4 million and Nissan produced 3.4 million. Mitsubishi Motors made just over 1 million. Even after a merger Toyota would remain the leading Japanese automaker.

All the global automakers are facing potential shocks if President-elect Donald Trump follows through on threats to raise or impose tariffs on imports of foreign products, even from allies like Japan and neighboring countries like Canada and Mexico. Nissan is among the major car companies that have adjusted their supply chains to include vehicles assembled in Mexico.

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Meanwhile, analysts say there is an “affordability shift” taking place across the industry, led by people who feel they cannot afford to pay nearly $50,000 for a new vehicle. In American, a vital market for companies like Nissan, Honda and Toyota, that’s forcing automakers to consider lower pricing, which will eat further into industry profits.

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AP Auto Writer Tom Krisher contributed to this report from Detroit.

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US military conducts successful airstrikes on Houthi rebel forces in Yemen

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US military conducts successful airstrikes on Houthi rebel forces in Yemen

The U.S. military confirmed it conducted airstrikes in Yemen, saying it targeted a missile storage site and a command-and-control center operated by Iran-backed Houthi rebels.

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced the successful strikes in a release Saturday, saying they were meant to “disrupt and degrade” Houthi operations.

“CENTCOM forces conducted the deliberate strikes to disrupt and degrade Houthi operations, such as attacks against U.S. Navy warships and merchant vessels in the Southern Red Sea, Bab al-Mandeb and Gulf of Aden,” CENTCOM said in a news release.

DISAPPROVAL MOUNTS BOTH AT HOME AND ABROAD AS US AVOIDS DIRECT ACTION AGAINST HOUTHI REBELS

The U.S. military successfully conducted airstrikes in Yemen, saying it targeted a missile storage site and a command-and-control site operated by Iran-backed Houthi rebels. (CENTCOM via X)

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Footage from CENTCOM showed F/A-18’s taking off. The agency said it also used assets from the Navy and the Air Force.

US NAVY SHIPS REPEL ATTACK FROM HOUTHIS IN GULF OF ADEN 

“The strike reflects CENTCOM’s ongoing commitment to protect U.S. and coalition personnel, regional partners and international shipping,” it said.

Houthi rebels

Houthi followers burn the Israeli and American flags on the outskirts of Sana’a, Yemen. (Mohammed Hamoud/Getty Images)

The attacks against shipping are ongoing, and Houthi militants have vowed to continue until Israel ends its campaign in Gaza.

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The terrorist group has targeted more than 100 merchant vessels since the start of the Israel-Hamas war in October 2023.

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Fact check: How deadly was 2024 for journalists?

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Fact check: How deadly was 2024 for journalists?

An estimated 104 journalists lost their lives in 2024, with Palestine the most dangerous territory.

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An estimated 104 journalists were killed worldwide over the past year, according to data shared earlier this month by the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ).

Another report by NGO Reporters Without Borders (RSF) puts the figure at 54, but its methodology means it only includes killings that are considered “directly related” to journalists’ professional activity.

Both organisations say that Palestine is the deadliest place on earth for journalists. More than half (55) of the 104 killings reported by IFJ were Palestinian media professionals in Gaza, while a further six were killed in Lebanon.

At least 138 journalists have been killed in Gaza since the war between Israel and Hamas broke out on 7 October 2023, making the country one of the “most dangerous in the history of modern journalism, behind Iraq, the Philippines and Mexico,” according to the IFJ.

Reporters without Borders has described the number of killings in Gaza as “an unprecedented bloodbath”.

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Israel firmly denies it has intentionally targeted any journalists, but has recognised some that have been killed in its airstrikes on Gaza.

The 104 total killings reported by the IFJ is a slight decrease on the 129 they reported on in 2023, which is considered the bloodiest year for journalists since 1990.

How do other world regions fare?

Asia Pacific is the world’s second most dangerous region for journalists, after the Middle East, according to the IFJ.

It recorded 20 deaths in the region in 2024, of which 70% happened in the southern Asian countries of Pakistan, Bangladesh and India.

The region has seen an “upsurge” in violence, according to the IFJ, with deaths increasing sharply from the 12 recorded in 2023.

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Africa was the third most dangerous region for journalists at eight deaths, five of them in war-torn Sudan.

The number of journalists killed in south, central and north America has dropped sharply over the past two years, from 30 in 2022 to six in 2023, and another six in 2024. Mexico, considered to be one of the deadliest places in the world to do journalism, continues to see “threats, intimidation, kidnappings and murders” against journalists, particularly due to reporting on drug trafficking.

Number of journalists behind bars on the rise

According to IFJ estimates on 10 December, there were 520 journalists in prison across the world, considerably more than in 2023 (427) and 2022 (375).

China, including Hong Kong, accounts for most of journalists behind bars, followed by Israel and Myanmar.

The IFJ says the figures show how “fragile” the independent press is and how “risky and dangerous” the profession of journalism has become.

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