Quebec to ban the sale of new gas-powered vehicles by 2035
The move is part of the province’s $6.7 billion investment over the next five years to help it reduce its impact on climate change.
2020 C.E.
Pfizer reports COVID-19 vaccine 95% effective as Phase 3 trial concludes
Over 41,000 people had completed the vaccination protocol. Out of the 170 positive COVID cases detected in the trial only eight were observed in the active vaccine group.
Asambe launches electric bicycle & scooter sharing service in Zimbabwe
Asambe, a pan-African electric scooter & bicycle sharing and guided tour service company, launched its platform in Harare, Zimbabwe last week after a successful 6-month pilot.
450 public development banks pledge to align with Paris Agreement
The first Finance in Common Summit gathered the world’s 450 public development banks to address recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic in line with the principles of sustainable finance. In a joint declaration the Banks pledge to align financing decisions with the Paris Agreement on climate change.
Barcelona will give 21 downtown streets back to pedestrians and cyclists
The new project, which will be implemented over the next 10 years and cost an estimated $44 million, will convert 21 intersections into public squares, meaning that no one in the area is more than around 650 feet from a small park.
47 faith institutions from 21 countries to divest from fossil fuels
The institutions which announced their divestment include the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union, Irish religious order the Sisters of Our Lady Apostles, the American Jewish World Service, and the Claretian Missionaries in Sri Lanka. Catholic, Protestant, and Jewish organizations joined the coalition.
Tristan da Cunha establishes a massive marine protected area
The government of Tristan da Cunha, a four-island archipelago of about 250 people, has announced that it will be protecting approximately 700,000 square kilometers of its waters, creating the world’s fourth-largest Marine Protected Area.
Vaccine alliance Gavi raises $2 billion to buy COVID shots for poor nations
Over the last two decades, Gavi has helped to immunize a whole generation – over 822 million children – and prevented more than 14 million deaths, helping to halve child mortality in 73 developing countries.
India announces new incentives for solar modules and battery manufacturing
The incentive is available to Indian as well as foreign companies looking to set up shop in India. The Indian government will offer US$605 million for solar PV modules and US$2.4 billion for batteries.
Marlins hire Kim Ng as MLB’s first female general manager
Ng becomes the highest-ranking woman in baseball operations in the major leagues, and she is believed to be the first female GM for a men’s team in a major professional sport in North America, the Marlins said.