Second-ever patient cured of HIV
A man from London has become the second person in the world to be cured of HIV, doctors say. Adam Castillejo is still free of the virus more than 30 months after stopping anti-retroviral therapy.
Europe
UBS ends financing for all new offshore oil projects in Arctic
In addition to this announcement, the investment bank has achieved its sustainable investment goal three years early, increasing its core sustainable investments by more than 56% to USD $488 billion.
U.K. carbon emissions have fallen by 29% in last decade
In 2019, Carbon Brief found that the U.K.’s CO2 emissions fell by 2.9%, bringing the total reduction to 29% over the past decade since 2010, even as the economy grew by a fifth.
Germany hits record 61% renewables for month of February
Throughout the month, Germany’s renewable energy sector regularly provided around 60% or above of the country’s electricity production – including over a dozen days around or above 70%.
Britain sets new daily record for wind generation
Stormy conditions drove wind to a new record-high share of Britain’s electricity supply that at one point hit 56% this weekend, said power market analysts.
United Kingdom to ban petrol, diesel, and hybrid cars by 2035
The sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans will be banned as of 2035. After the ban comes into effect, only electric and hydrogen vehicles will be available for purchase.
AI system develops new drug for OCD patients, cutting costs and moving it to trail faster
AI could reduce costs of labor and R&D of pharmaceuticals by 80%. The front-loaded savings means that more drugs for more diseases can be synthesized and moved into trials.
Katerina Sakellaropoulou becomes Greece’s first female president
A high court judge and ardent human rights advocate has been elected Greece’s first female president in a historic vote by parliament.
Switzerland votes in favour of LGBT protection bill
The result – 63.1% in favour to 36.9% against – is a huge boost for Switzerland’s LGBT community. A bill to legalise same-sex marriage is currently on its way through parliament.
Ernst & Young pledges to be carbon neutral by end of 2020
To achieve carbon neutrality, EY will focus on areas including reducing travel emissions, sustainable procurement practices and purchasing more renewable energy to power EY offices, for example wind or solar energy.