Former UN Environmental Director and climate activist Svein T Veitdal warns the climate crisis needs immediate action
Svein T Veitdal is a global expert and activist on climate change, renewable energy & nature. He is a former UN Director and is now the Director of Klima 2020. Based in Norway, Svein says “we still have hope and possibility, but we have to act extremely fast.”
“I think everybody understands that the situation is extremely dangerous for future generations. There is no doubt about that anymore. There is one recipe that works. That is to take the source to the problem. Which is the fast reduction of emissions. And that means cutting down on fossil energy production.”
Svein T Veitdal, former UN Director, climate activist
Nordic countries lead the way on climate action
The recent IPCC climate report sent a stark climate science warning around the world. Now, more extreme weather events are wreaking havoc across Greece, the United States.
Nordic countries like Norway, Sweden, and Denmark are showing great leadership when it comes to climate change action. Now, more than 50%, of all new cars sold in Norway are fully electric, with no hybrids.
Norway is focusing on subsidising, with free parking, no road tolls, and a growing network of charging stations.
“So we are not more environmentalists than other countries, it’s just to do it like this and it will happen everywhere. So that’s a way to speed up the transition. But now, we are starting to withdraw the benefits because now the market works and we can withdraw the benefits.”
Svein T Veitdal, former UN Director, climate activist
Norway also leads the way for remarkable hydrogen opportunities. More than 95% of their energy is renewable, mainly from hydrogen.
“We definitely continue to invest in hydrogen and hydrogen development”
Svein T Veitdal, former UN Director, climate activist
However, while Norway is leading in so many ways Veitdal insists Norway can also be seen as hypocritical. He says in comparison to Sweden and Denmark, Norway has only reduced its emissions by 4% since 1990.
” Norway is not willing to set an end date to oil and gas and we are even subsidising to look for new areas. And we are going against the advice to the Secretary-General in the UN and also the new report from the International Energy Agency.”
“Our neighbours have done much better.”
Svein T Veitdal, former UN Director, climate activist
Cop26 Glasgow
The 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference, also known as COP26, is fast approaching. It’s scheduled to be held in the city of Glasgow, Scotland between 1 and 12 November 2021.
Glasgow will potentially be one of the most important global climate discussions of all time. Action must happen now before it’s too late.
“It’s super important because maybe it’s the last chance we have to reach global climate goals. I don’t think we will make the 1.5 goals but what is needed is an agreed plan to phase out fossil energy production and increased renewable energy production much faster than what is happening today.”
“We need to reduce emissions by 10% a year until 2030.”
Svein T Veitdal, former UN Director, climate activist
"I don't know what the world will look like in 30 years… We still have hope, but we have to act extremely fast."
“We now have almost 80% of the world’s emissions covered by net-zero pledges – up from about 20% in 2019. AUS still has a target set in 2015”
Scott Hamilton, Energy expert & ticker climate co-host
Veitdal has attended most of the climate conferences in the past and says Australia’s track record is not great. He believes Australia is a victim of climate change to forest fires, heatwaves, and the downgrading of the Great Barrier Reef.
Veitdal warns if Australia doesn’t pick up its game, it will lag behind, lose a lot of green business opportunities and suffer more from the impact.
“It looks like you have failed to act to protect your people from I think, maybe the greed of the fossil fuel industry before sea lobby, the coal lobby is probably too strong.”
“Even if you have excellent conditions for renewable energy production, it looks like the shift is coming slower to Australia than the rest of the world.”
“Australia must leave fossil energy behind that’s your solution, that will be successful to the people and to the world.”
Svein T Veitdal, former UN Director, climate activist
Australia’s AI workforce revolution: automation paves the way for a four-day work week.
In Short
UiPath’s report highlights the rapid shift towards “agentic automation,” where AI makes autonomous decisions, encouraging businesses to reassess roles and harness automation for productivity. This evolution may enable a four-day work week and necessitates the retraining of staff while ensuring regulations are in place for trust and compliance with AI integration.
The trend towards work reallocation is rapidly advancing, with UiPath’s new report identifying significant shifts in AI and automation.
Key insights from the report suggest a move towards “agentic automation,” where AI begins to make autonomous decisions. Yelena Galstian, Head of Solutions and Customer Advisory at UiPath shares her key insights.
Organisations are encouraged to reassess existing roles and identify areas where automation can enhance productivity.
A critical aspect will be the orchestration of collaboration between human employees, AI agents, and software robots to ensure effective teamwork.
Looking ahead, the motto for businesses is to “redesign and reassign” processes while considering how AI can handle repetitive tasks, allowing human employees to focus on more complex responsibilities.
As organisations embrace these changes, we could see a potential transition to a four-day work week, made feasible through increased efficiency and productivity from AI.
For further insights into the research and methodologies for implementing AI in business, interested parties can connect with the UiPath team through their website.
As global tourism revenue surges, cutting-edge technology and automation are revolutionising the hospitality industry.
Global travel demand remains strong heading into 2025, with industry experts predicting record-breaking tourism revenue.
According to the World Travel & Tourism Council, global tourism revenue is set to hit $1.9 trillion this year.
With record-breaking growth projected for the travel industry, hospitality leaders are embracing AI, automation, and luxury innovations to enhance guest experiences.
As demand for international travel remains strong, hospitality businesses are adapting to evolving traveler expectations through technology and innovation.
One of the key trends shaping the industry is the rise of artificial intelligence and smart automation.
From AI-powered customer service to energy-efficient hotel management systems, technology is redefining guest experiences.
Luxury boutique hotels like London’s Eccleston Square Hotel are at the forefront of this transformation.
Known as one of the world’s most technologically advanced hotels, Eccleston Square has recently unveiled a major tech upgrade.
The hotel is now using Apple TVs from ROOMNET, an advanced automation system developed with Leading Edge Automation, and a cutting-edge building management system by HSYCO. These innovations enhance operational efficiency while maintaining a commitment to sustainability.
These enhancements work in sync with the hotel’s property management system, MEWS, to create a smarter, more sustainable hospitality experience.
As AI continues to reshape the hospitality landscape, Eccleston Square Hotel’s approach reflects the industry’s broader shift toward innovation, efficiency, and sustainability—paving the way for the future of luxury travel.
Olivia Byrne, Owner and Company Director Eccleston Square Hotel joins Veronica Dudo to discuss.
Reform UK surpasses Labour in polling for first time, with Brexit leader Nigel Farage gaining support amid Conservative decline.
In Short
Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, has overtaken Labour in a YouGov poll with 25% support, while Labour sits at 24% and the Conservatives at 21%. This shift indicates growing discontent with the government, particularly as Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch struggles to regain support.
The poll, conducted among 2,223 adults at the beginning of February, shows Reform UK at 25 percent support, a rise of two points from the previous poll.
Labour has declined by three points to 24 percent, while the Conservative Party has dropped to 21 percent.
While these results are notable, the next general election is not required until August 2029, and Reform’s lead falls within the poll’s margin of error. POLITICO’s Poll of Polls shows Labour and Reform both at 25 percent, with Conservatives at 22 percent.
This polling data is troubling for the government, particularly after Labour’s dominance in the last election, where they achieved a majority with 33.7 percent of the vote. Reform UK was in third place with 14.3 percent.
The findings also reflect poorly on Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, who seeks to restore support following recent losses.
YouGov indicates that 24 percent of those who voted Conservative in July would now choose Reform, with 43 percent of Conservative voters in 2024 favouring a merger between the two parties.