4 April 2026 12:22 am
Iran War Could Spur Europe to Embrace Renewables

Iran War Could Spur Europe to Embrace Renewables

Apr 3, 2026

Solar panels and wind turbine in a snowy landscape, showcasing renewable energy sources. by Pixabay via pexels

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Iran war could spur Europe to double down on renewables — again

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The Mideast conflict is plunging the European Union into yet another energy crisis. EU officials are once again embracing solar and wind as a result.

By Dan McCarthy

 

The European Union is once again facing an energy crisis due to its reliance on imported fossil fuels — and is once again poised to lean into renewables to blunt the effects.

As the war in the Middle East upends global oil and gas markets, European Union energy chief Dan Jørgensen urged member states on Tuesday to build even more renewable energy, faster.

It’s an uncomfortable but familiar position for the EU. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the bloc rapidly reduced its reliance on Russian gas imports and swiftly built out new wind and solar power to cushion the blow to the region’s electricity sector.

The results speak for themselves. The European Union more than doubled its solar generation between 2021 and 2025. Wind grew at a more modest 24% over that time period, but it was already providing a higher share of the bloc’s electricity generation. Meanwhile, fossil fuel–generated electricity declined. For the first time ever, in 2025 the EU produced more electricity from wind and solar than it did from fossil fuels.

But the region has not ditched gas entirely. The EU got about 17% of its electricity from gas last year, and it imports almost all the natural gas it burns — 86% in 2024.

That means its energy system is still exposed to the historic disruption caused by the Iran war. The war has shut down liquefied natural gas production in Qatar, the world’s second-largest exporter of the fuel, for the past month. Gas prices globally and in the EU have surged as a result.

This energy shock will be messy and play out in different stages. For Europe, the most immediate and acute effects are being felt in the availability of jet fuel and diesel. But electricity costs will rise too, as nations are forced to buy much-more-expensive natural gas. In certain countries, it will also get dirtier, at least for a time — some EU nations are relying more heavily on coal-fired electricity to get them through the immediate fallout.

But over the longer term, this energy shock is likely to produce the same outcome as the previous one: an even faster transition away from imported fossil fuels and to domestic wind and solar.

© 2026 Canary Media

 

 

2025 Renewables Grew to 50% of Global Electricity

2025 Renewables Grew to 50% of Global Electricity

Apr 1, 2026

Clean energy wind turbine on a sunny, hilly landscape with clear blue skies. by ✨GüGü✨ via pexels

 

Exclusive: Renewables grew to almost 50% of global electricity capacity in 2025 after solar boost

By 

Summary

  • Global renewable capacity reached 5,149 GW in 2025, up 692 GW from 2024
  • Annual renewable growth rate rose to 15.5% in 2025
  • Middle East crisis underscores fossil fuel energy security risks, says La Camera
LONDON, March 31 (Reuters) – Renewable power made up almost 50% of the world’s electricity capacity last year after a record ‌increase in solar installations, data from the International Renewable Energy Agency shared exclusively with Reuters showed on Tuesday.
As the Middle Eastern conflict has led to record monthly gains on oil markets, some in industry have lobbied for more investment in fossil fuels, but ​countries with higher renewable capacity have been insulated from the market shock, some analysts say.

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“The Middle East ​crisis has, in some ways confirmed dramatically energy security is not something we can be ⁠sure of with fossil fuels,” IRENA Director-General Francesco La Camera told Reuters.
Global renewable power capacity reached a record ​5,149 gigawatts at the end of 2025, up 692 GW from 2024, the data showed.
Expansive view of solar panels in a rural landscape, showcasing renewable energy.

Expansive view of solar panels in a rural landscape, showcasing renewable energy. by Osman Arabacı via pexels

SOLAR SURGE IS BIGGEST ​CONTRIBUTOR

The growth was led by a leap in solar capacity. which grew by 511 GW in 2025 to 2,392 GW, confirming its position as the world’s largest renewable source.
The figures are far greater than the 116 GW growth in fossil fuel power capacity ​and took the share of renewables in global electricity capacity to 49.4% in 2025, up from 46.3% the ​year before, the data showed.
More than 100 countries at the COP28 climate summit in Dubai in 2023 agreed to triple renewable ‌energy ⁠capacity by 2030 as part of efforts to meet global climate targets and La Camera said last year’s additions mean the sector is closer to reaching the target.
“This 700 gigawatts means that we may be quite close in 2030 to the tripling target, not exactly the triple, but very close to it,” he said.
The data shows ​the annual growth rate in ​renewable capacity in 2025 ⁠rose to 15.5% compared with a growth rate of around 15.1% in 2024.
Renewable groups last year said meeting the target by 2030 would require annual growth of ​16.6% from 2025-2030.
New wind energy installations were 159 GW, taking the total installed capacity ​to 1,291 GW.
Capacity ⁠is a measure of the amount of power plants are able to produce but they often generate less than capacity if they are taken offline for reasons such as maintenance or refuelling, or in the case of renewables ⁠during low ​wind and sun periods.
Data from think tank Ember last year showed renewable ​energy sources generated more electricity than coal globally for the first time in the first half of 2025. In all, renewables provided 34% ​of global electricity.
It has yet to publish its full-year data for 2025.
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Yemen Seasonal Agrometeorological Forecast Bulletin Overview

Yemen Seasonal Agrometeorological Forecast Bulletin Overview

Mar 29, 2026

A yellow windsock billowing in the wind set against a dramatic cloudy sky in the countryside. by Francesco Ungaro via pexels

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Yemen Seasonal Agrometeorological Forecast Bulletin March-May 2026 EN-AR

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Source: FAO
Posted in ReliefWeb – 

Executive summary 

This report provides an overview of expected weather conditions and possible impacts on agriculture in Yemen during March–April–May (MAM) 2026. It is based on forecast information, past rainfall and temperature records, and a comparison with long-term average conditions.

Rainfall is expected to intensify during MAM 2026, with seasonal totals averaging reaching peaks of around 150 mm, particularly observed across the Central Highlands (Sana’a, Raymah, and Dhamar). Above-average rainfall (up to +50%) is projected along the Red Sea coast, Arabian Sea coast, Gulf of Aden, and eastern highland escarpments, while below-average rainfall (up to −40%) may occur in parts of the western Southern Uplands (Ibb and Taiz) and northern Yemen. Temperatures are expected to gradually increase, with above-normal conditions in the highlands and southern uplands, reducing frost risk, observed during previous months.

The expected season coincides with key agricultural activities, including cereal planting, vegetable growth, improving pasture conditions for livestock, and active artisanal fishing along coastal areas. However, the anticipated increase in rainfall may lead to flood occurrences, particularly flash floods, alongside land erosion, livestock parasites, desert locust risks, and market constraints, which may affect livelihoods and further aggravate food insecurity.

Building on this, flood exposure analysis indicates that over 409,000 hectares of cropland and approximately 1.7 million small ruminants are located within the most flood-prone watersheds—particularly in the wadis of Siham, Zabid, Rimah, and Sordod across governorates of al Hudaydh, Sana’a, Ibb, Al Mahwit and Dhamar. More than 65% of the exposed cropland is concentrated in Al Hudaydah Governorate, especially in the Siham basin, while the Zabid basin shows the highest livestock exposure, highlighting the potential for significant agricultural losses during flood events.

While excess rainfall during MAM 2026 alongside may support localized improvements in crop and pasture production, these gains are unlikely to offset broader vulnerabilities. Food security conditions remain fragile due to conflict, market dependence, and economic constraints, underscoring the need for strengthened early warning systems, flood preparedness, climate-resilient agriculture, and improved water management.

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Ten Years of Partnership: Türkiye and UNDP Impact

Ten Years of Partnership: Türkiye and UNDP Impact

Mar 28, 2026

Close-up of a development agreement document with pen and Scrabble tiles spelling ‘AGREEMENT.’  by RDNE Stock project via pexels

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Ten years of partnership: Türkiye and UNDP shaping regional solutions for a changing world

UNDP.org  –  March 27, 2026

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UNDP established a regional hub in Istanbul in 2015. Since then, the partnership with Türkiye has expanded well beyond a traditional host country relationship. Photo: UNDP Türkiye

Authors

Aylin Sekizkök, Director General for International Economic Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Türkiye

Ivana Zivkovic, UN Assistant Secretary-General, UNDP Assistant Administrator and Director for Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States

 

Over the past decade, Türkiye and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the UN’s development arm, have built a strong partnership across Europe and Central Asia. Together, this cooperation has supported programmes across the region, strengthening institutions and mobilizing resources to respond to major crises and economic challenges.

Since UNDP established its regional functions in Istanbul in 2015, the partnership with Türkiye has expanded well beyond a traditional host country relationship, supporting collaboration on shared development challenges. Today, Istanbul hosts various UNDP teams that work with governments and partners to test new approaches, support reforms and translate development priorities into concrete results.

This cooperation builds on complementary strengths. Türkiye brings diplomatic reach, a dynamic private sector, and strong experience in recovery response and resilience, while UNDP contributes development expertise and a regional network. Together, they have helped build resilience, strengthen institutions, improve crisis response, and advance digital transformation and innovation.

Advancing regional cooperation

From economic transformation and governance reforms to climate risks, countries across Europe and Central Asia face complex and similar challenges. Cooperation between Türkiye and UNDP helps governments and partners address these challenges together, learning from one another.

Regional initiatives support cross-border collaboration and policy reforms. Platforms such as the Istanbul Development Dialogues and Istanbul Innovation Days bring together policymakers, researchers and business leaders to exchange solutions on governance, climate action and economic transformation. Between 2022 and 2025, the Istanbul hub convened more than 80 regional policy dialogues and events, reinforcing Türkiye’s role as a strategic meeting point for regional cooperation.

Other initiatives, such as the Regional Circular Economy Forum organized in 2025 or the ‘Waste to Wealth’ dialogue organized in 2024, convene governments, businesses and partners in Istanbul to advance climate action and sustainable growth.

Türkiye brings diplomatic reach, a dynamic private sector, and strong experience in recovery response and resilience, while UNDP contributes development expertise and a regional network.

The partnership has also provided platforms to test new ways of tackling complex development challenges by bringing together governments, innovators and investors to design practical solutions. Some approaches developed through this collaboration, such as portfolio-based development methods and innovative financing tools, are now used more widely across UNDP’s work.

Regional cooperation is also strengthened through initiatives that support arms control, local economic development and regional stability, including programmes such as the City Experiment Fund, Aid for Trade and Mayors for Economic Growth.

Partnering with the private sector globally and in Türkiye

Türkiye’s strong institutions and dynamic private sector play an important role in expanding development partnerships. The Istanbul International Centre for Private Sector in Development (ICPSD), UNDP’s global centre of excellence, connects private sector capabilities with development solutions in developing and crisis-affected contexts.

Through initiatives such as SDG Investor Maps, which guide investments aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals and programmes supporting micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, ICPSD helps mobilize investment and strengthen entrepreneurship.

In Afghanistan, UNDP initiatives supported by ICPSD helped 90,000 small businesses get back on their feet, increasing average revenues by 25 percent and creating new opportunities for women entrepreneurs. The Connecting Business initiative, launched at the World Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul, has mobilized more than US$130 million in private sector contributions for crisis response across 22 countries.

At the country level, cooperation between Türkiye and UNDP supports Türkiye’s own digital and green transition. Partnerships with the private sector are expanding opportunities in digital skills, e-commerce and smart agriculture for rural communities, especially women and young people. Climate actions, including cooperation with the Zero Waste Initiative, promote recycling systems and sustainable use of resources and transition towards a low-carbon and climate-resilient economy.

Recovery, response and resilience

The strength of the UNDP–Türkiye partnership becomes particularly visible when it comes to recovery and building resilience. UNDP has been working with national and local partners to support livelihoods, municipal services provision, and help businesses adapt their operations, leaving no one behind.

Since 2014, UNDP has mobilized significant resources to support Türkiye’s response to Syrians under temporary protection, helping them gain new skills, access employment opportunities and overcome language barriers; thus, addressing the needs of one of the world’s largest refugee populations.

Workers walking in front of a crumbling building

The UNDP–Türkiye partnership includes collaborating on recovery and building resilience. UNDP supported the government-led programme to “build back better” following devastating earthquakes in 2023.

Photo: UNDP Türkiye

Following the devastating earthquakes of 2023, UNDP supported the government-led Türkiye Earthquakes Recovery and Reconstruction Assessment (TERRA), which helped define recovery needs and resource mobilization, with a commitment to ‘building back better’. Building on this work and cooperating with a diverse set of donors and partners, UNDP has supported recovery efforts, from debris recycling and livelihood restoration, including women’s economic empowerment, to the rehabilitation of educational infrastructure and the safeguarding of cultural heritage. Among other, by 2025 UNDP grant programmes supported 4,620 small businesses across all earthquake affected provinces, 42% of them women owned. The experiences with the earthquake response reflect a partnership defined not only by solidarity but by the ability to deliver at scale and under pressure, offering lessons of resilience that resonate far beyond Türkiye’s borders.

Looking ahead

As UNDP begins implementing its Strategic Plan 2026–2029 and the Regional Programme for Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States, partnerships that combine leadership, regional cooperation and development expertise will become even more important. During Türkiye’s upcoming Presidency of the COP31 UN Climate Change Conference, Türkiye and UNDP will further strengthen their cooperation on climate action to advance regionally relevant solutions, while UNDP will continue to support Türkiye’s national efforts towards its green transition.

The experience of the past decade shows what such cooperation can achieve. By working together, Türkiye and UNDP will continue their support to their partners in strengthening their institutions, responding to crises and unlocking new opportunities for sustainable growth.

As development challenges grow more complex and interconnected, partnerships like the one between Türkiye and UNDP will be essential to delivering practical and forward-looking solutions in the decade ahead.

This article was originally published in Hurriyet Daily News.

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Prototype Driverless Taxi Unveiled in Astana Event

Prototype Driverless Taxi Unveiled in Astana Event

Mar 26, 2026

Astana cityscape featuring the iconic Bayterek Tower and modern architecture under cloudy skies. by Valeria Drozdova via pexels

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Prototype Driverless Taxi Unveiled in Astana

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@gov.kz

As part of the Nauryz celebrations in Astana, a demonstration run of a driverless vehicle developed at the Daulet Serikbayev East Kazakhstan Technical University (EKTU) was held. In the future, this prototype could become part of the city’s driverless taxi system.

The presentation took the form of a public demonstration for residents and visitors to Kazakhstan’s capital. According to the Astana City Administration, the vehicle’s software and test route were developed by specialists from the Luban Workshop, which opened at EKTU in Ust-Kamenogorsk in late 2023 with support from China’s Tianjin Vocational Institute.

The project is being implemented as part of an initiative to develop engineering competencies and introduce new technologies, ranging from alternative fuels to AI systems in the transport sector.

At the same time, an agreement was signed to establish the Kazakhstan Engineering Center for the Application and Development of Intelligent Automotive Technologies.

The demonstration run was organised by the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development in collaboration with the capital’s city administration and the IT company Astana Innovations.

The test took place at one of the city’s festive venues. Visitors were able to observe the autonomous vehicle in real time and assess its potential for use in an urban environment.

According to the organisers, the prototype demonstrated the potential for integrating AI technologies into Smart City systems, including navigation, data processing, and interaction with infrastructure.

Authorities view driverless transport as one of the key areas in the development of urban mobility. In the future, such solutions may be integrated into Astana’s infrastructure, including the launch of autonomous taxis.

 

It was previously reported that Kazakhstan plans to launch pilot projects for driverless taxis in the capital as early as 2026.

At the same time, work is under way to prepare road infrastructure. Digital “passports” for highways are being developed, which are expected to enable the future use of driverless trucks.

Dmitry PokidaevDmitry Pokidaev