This project is part of the Dutch national energy transition strategy, which aims to reduce CO₂ emissions by 95% by 2050 and massively develop renewable energies.

In addition to producing clean energy, Borssele contributes to local job creation, marine engineering research, and European cooperation in the energy sector.

https://gret.org/en/projet/promoting-role-of-women-from-ethnic-minorities-sustainable-management-natural-resources-ecotouristic-activities/

Brought to you by Rekosistem. Rekosistem's waste station encourages people to recycle their waste and enhance responsibilty for waste management.

Learn more through: https://rekosistem.com/waste-station

A project to combat the growing use of plastic bottles

D. M. A. (University Student)

Looking at the European energy landscape, France is a unique case. Unlike many of its neighbours who rely heavily on imported fossil gas, France made a strategic choice decades ago to rely on state-backed nuclear power for about % 70 of its electricity. This gives the country a massive head start in low-carbon energy.

However, France perfectly highlights how strict market-driven economic models can actually slow down a green transition.

The biggest issue is that Europe's unified energy market tries to treat electricity like any other short-term commodity. Because of European market rules, the price of electricity is often tied to the global price of fossil gas, even if the energy is actually generated cleanly and cheaply at home. So, when global gas prices spike due to geopolitical crises, French consumers still end up paying inflated bills. This artificial price volatility makes it harder to convince people and businesses to switch to electric cars or clean heating systems.

Furthermore, relying purely on the invisible hand of the free market doesn't work well for massive green transitions. Building new nuclear reactors or mega offshore wind farms requires billions in upfront cash and decades to pay off. Private investors looking for quick quarterly profits hate that kind of long term risk.

To bypass this market gridlock, the French government recently had to step in and take full % 100 control of its main energy utility to directly fund these giant clean energy projects.

The Bottom Line

France shows that a successful energy transition cannot just be left to free-market fundamentalism. When a country needs to completely overhaul its energy grid for the climate, you need deep state planning and long-term security, not just unpredictable market forces.

Type of project: Sustainable Agriculture

Brief description:
Implemented from 2014 to 2023 with annual cycles, this project was funded by the Government of Japan, supervised by UNDP, and executed by the Iran Wetlands Conservation Project. It focused on capacity building for local engineering firms, raising awareness among communities around Lake Urmia, and promoting sustainable farming practices to maintain crop yields while reducing agricultural inputs—especially water.

Link to go further:
Not available

Name and current occupation:
Hamid Soltani – Technical Expert in Sustainable Agriculture and Environmentally Adaptive Livelihood Diversification

Project Type: Biodiversity, environmental restoration, and sustainable natural resource management.

The Rio Doce Basin, which includes the municipality of Governador Valadares in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, has been undergoing a large-scale ecological restoration process following the collapse of the Fundão tailings dam in 2015. The project includes the restoration of riparian forests, river and spring recovery, biodiversity conservation, environmental monitoring, environmental education, and the promotion of sustainable land management practices.

Beyond restoring ecosystems, the initiative aims to strengthen the resilience of local communities, improve water quality, and promote long-term sustainable development throughout the region. It represents an important example of how environmental restoration can contribute to ecological transition and climate resilience.