UNHCR launches sustainable energy strategy, strengthens climate action

In recognition of the growing climate crisis and to boost refugees’ access to safe and sustainable energy, while minimizing its own environmental impact, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, launched a four-year Global Strategy for Sustainable Energy. The strategy promotes the transition to clean, renewable energy at refugee camps and hosting sites, including for individual households, communal areas and support facilities. “There is no escaping the fact that climate change is contributing to underlying causes of conflict and displacement. From drought and famine to more frequent extreme weather events, the impacts…

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Nesta launches £15,000 prize for innovative new forms of storytelling

Innovation charity Nesta has launched Alternarratives, an open prize for writers and creatives to explore new ways of using short-form narrative to engage young people (aged 11-16/KS3 and 4)with reading and storytelling. With rates of reading for young people at record lows and games having overtaken books and music combined in the creative economy, Nesta is making the £15,000 prize available to the best example of innovative accessible short-form storytelling for young people. This is an open call for bold written narrative ideas that push the boundaries of storytelling. Entries…

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Nearly 6 in 10 people want plastic bag levy to benefit environmental charities

The UK’s 5p levy on plastic bags is proving popular with the general public with a majority saying funds raised should go to charity, according to new research from the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF). The mandatory levy was introduced across the UK as a whole in 2015, for plastic bags from large retailers such as supermarkets. CAF research found that nearly eight in ten (77%) of those surveyed said the levy was a positive step to protect the environment. The survey also found that shoppers are adopting new habits since…

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Apple expands Everyone Can Code to bring more coding resources to teachers and students

Apple has unveiled completely redesigned Everyone Can Code curriculum to help introduce more elementary and middle school students to the world of coding. Now available, the new curriculum includes even more resources for teachers, a brand new guide for students and updated Swift Coding Club materials. Today millions of students in more than 5,000 schools worldwide already use Everyone Can Code curriculum to bring their ideas to life and develop important skills including creativity, collaboration and problem solving. Additionally, starting today, learners around the world can register for thousands of…

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BHP targets 100 per cent renewable energy at Escondida and Spence operations and elimination of water usage from aquifers in Chile

BHP have announced four new renewable power agreements, to meet power demand for its Escondida and Spence copper operations in Chile. The new contracts will meet Escondida and Spence’s current energy needs and also contain flexibility to help manage future demand as well. BHP aims to supply Escondida and Spence’s energy requirements from 100 percent renewable energy sources from the mid-2020s. “These new renewable energy contracts will increase flexibility for our power portfolio and will ensure security of supply for our operations, while also reducing costs and displacing CO2 emissions,”…

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