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The latest GreenWave Gazette from Synergy International.
November 25, 2024

The Green Wave Gazette - A round-up of recent sustainabilty news and events around the globe by Synergy International.

Welcome back!

Welcome back to Synergy International’s GreenWave 💚 🌊 newsletter!

We have kept going with our series of focused articles, exploring and providing source material on the international treaties and legal regimes that form the foundation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

This time we focused on SDG 12.

Achieving SDG 12 is much like planning that perfect family picnic—it requires coordination, clear communication, and everyone playing their part responsibly. This global endeavor is guided by several key international agreements and frameworks that set the rules of the game, ensuring we all contribute to a sustainable feast. Let's unpack six pivotal agreements driving SDG 12 forward: Read more...

Article 6.4 under the hammer in Baku

💚 🌊 Devil in the Detail: Article 6.4 Under the Hammer in Baku 💚 🌊

The real progress being made at COP29 towards shaping a United Nations-backed global carbon market under Article 6.4 of the Paris Agreement is the most significant initiative under the hammer in Baku.

Establishing a robust framework for carbon trading is a significant step forward in our collective efforts to combat climate change. A well-designed global carbon market has the potential to incentivise reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, foster sustainable development, and channel investments into green technologies that are essential for a sustainable future.

However, while the advancements are promising, it's crucial to recognise that the devil is indeed in the details. The success of such a market hinges on clear definitions and stringent guidelines that ensure credibility and transparency. Read more...

Projected growth in energy demand

💚 🌊 The International Energy Agency (IEA) projected in January that energy demand for AI and Data Centres will remain relatively modest in the next five years. 🧠⚡As the focus on AI/DC investment remains 🔥 today, this underscores the incredible efficiency gains in computing hardware over the past decade. 📈💡

We've been here before with fears about data centres consuming uncontrollable amounts of energy, but efficiency improvements have kept energy use in check even as compute demand skyrocketed. Between 2010 and 2018, global data centre compute increased by over 550%, but energy use increased by just 6%. That's remarkable! 🌐🔋

However, one aspect that stands out is how energy demand for data centres and AI are highly localised, leading to significant strain on local grids. This brings us to an important point in data centre project planning: the commercial power of sustainable energy to increase project Internal Rate of Return (IRR). 🏗️🌞 🌬️ Read more...

ECB's pioneering integration of nature into monetary policy

💚 🌊 👏🏼 We applaud the European Central Bank's recent stance on integrating nature into the framework of monetary policy, as highlighted in a speech by Frank Elderson, Member of the Executive Board of the ECB and Vice-Chair of the Supervisory Board of the ECB, at the tenth Green Finance Forum “Innovate in Nature."

At a time when global attention is diverted by political stalemates like the one unfolding at COP29 in Baku, it's refreshing—and indeed essential—to see a major financial institution taking decisive action towards sustainability.

The ECB's initiative to incorporate environmental considerations into its policy decisions is not just a progressive move; it's a transformative step that acknowledges the interconnectedness of our ecosystems and economies. By recognising the intrinsic value of nature and its direct impact on economic stability, the ECB is setting a powerful precedent for central banks worldwide. Read more...

New LinkedIn newsletter

You are welcome to join our new LinkedIn newsletter. This week we highlighted important recent key developments in sustainability, net-zero, and climate change.