Sustainability

• [New] The greatest increases in consumption, emissions, and social impacts in the coming decades will occur in China, India, and Africa.
• [New] While exports to key markets in Europe and Asia fell, opportunities in other global markets emerged as the value of exports to Africa growing by 87 pc and by 43 pc to the Middle East driven by increased exports of mackerel.
• [New] The effect of CVS on the risk of miscarriage is different when the risk of aneuploidy is high compared to when it is low.
• [New] Solar energy: The ability to use dye-sensitive PV coatings on building cladding to generate electricity is being pioneered in Swansea by Tata Steel for instance, and will become available and cost effective in just a few years.
• [New] A definition of 'public order' will be developed to enable the UK to withhold NRM protections and effect removal where there is a link to serious criminality or a risk to national security.
• [New] A fair bit of trade diversion should be expected, with global trade shuffled around as China replaces Australian imports with other sources and Australian exports shift to other markets (with some impact on prices).
• [New] The rising demand for acoustic and thermal insulation in the building & construction industry in developing economies including China and India is expected to increase the demand for high-quality polymers.
• [New] Innovative Financial Initiatives for Africa will help close adaptation finance gaps, enhance access to existing finance and mobilize new public and private sector investment.
• [New] Taking into consideration the associated risks of the COVID-19 pandemic, Cabinet approved that, as a starting point, only small, sustainable cruise ships with a maximum capacity of 300 passengers will be allowed to dock in Port Victoria and cruise in the waters of Seychelles.
• [New] Many Chinese firms now outline their thinking on sustainability, their aspirations to reduce their carbon footprint and the frameworks they have in place to negate ESG-related risks.
• [New] Artificial intelligence, improved data analytics, energy grids, new methods for delivering and managing energy storage and delivery could make energy systems around the world cleaner, more efficient and lead to significant productivity gains in the energy sector itself.
• [New] While the involvement of Afghan females in the ongoing and forthcoming Afghan Peace Processes and the future Afghan government can not only uplift the societal status of women in Afghan society but will improve the longevity of sustainable peace in Afghanistan.
• [New] In 2021-22, Public Safety Canada will renew the Continuity of Government program, integrate lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic, and improve leadership, expertise, tools, and training in order to ensure the enhancement of organizational resilience across the Government of Canada.
• [New] Public Safety Canada will continue to lead Canada's engagement with the International COSPAS-SARSAT Programme Agreement, which is a satellite-based search and rescue system that allows for a more efficient and effective use of Canada's search and rescue assets.
• [New] In 2021-22, Public Safety Canada will continue to support the advancement of a Public Safety Broadband Network in Canada, and the enhancement and sustainment of the National Public Alerting System, to ensure the effectiveness and safety of first responders and to keep Canadians safe.
• [New] Public Safety Canada recognizes the potential for highly damaging impacts, and will continue to lead interdepartmental efforts to enhance policy coordination, by proposing policy and operational solutions to increase incident reporting, deter criminality and enhance cyber resilience.
• [New] In 2021-22, Public Safety Canada will continue to lead national efforts to enhance the security and resilience of Canada's critical infrastructure.
• [New] The Trudeau government is following its predecessors in instituting policies, due to come into effect in January, that will force significant price reductions on new drugs and vaccines launched in Canada.
• [New] In the short-term, there will be a faster increase of steel flows in the first 15 years (i.e., ~400 Mt additional capacity for largely primary production mainly in India, Developing Asia, and Middle East, etc.).
• [New] Subscriber growth will decelerate in large markets such as China, India and Korea with a focus on ARPU growth and driving efficiencies through further consolidation.
• [New] Other regions in China will seek to promote investment and provide incentives for businesses from RCEP countries within the digital and e-commerce areas.

Last updated: 10 April 2021