World Bank Report Reviews MENA's Water Demand and Options [viewed]
1 February 2013: A new World Bank report, titled “Renewable Energy Desalination: An Emerging Solution to Close MENA's Water Gap,” indicates that water demand in the Middle East and North of Africa (MENA) countries will quintuple by 2050. The study highlights that a water demand gap might persist even after applying all demand management options, and suggests that "new" water produced through desalination and greater investment in renewable energy are required.
5 February 2013: A review of Sweden's energy policy published by the International Energy Agency (IEA) indicates that Sweden's trajectory towards a low-carbon economy is on track, although challenges remain. The review recommends that Sweden should, inter alia, develop an action plan to realize the 2030 target for achieving a fossil fuel-free vehicle fleet and increase investment in clean energy technologies, including smart grids, biofuels, and carbon capture and storage (CCS).
6 February 2013: The 2013 Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum was held on the theme “resilient dynamism” and focused on three pillars: leading through adversity; strengthening societal resilience; and restoring economic dynamism.
4 February 2013: The Nordic Group on Climate and Air Quality (KoL) has released a report on scientific and policy developments related to black carbon, HFCs, methane, and other short-lived climate forcers (SFLCs) in Nordic countries. The report cites recent studies indicating that SLCFs exert a greater climate impact than previously believed, but also describes opportunities for immediate emissions reductions to delay a 2°C warming in global temperatures by three to four decades.
