The British Embassy in Peru, ​​with the technical assistance of UK-based NGO Practical Solutions, this week unveiled a UK-backed renewable energy project in the community of Ocoruro (Puyca District, La Unión Province, Arequipa Region). The project expands electricity to one of the country’s most remote regions. It was inaugurated in presence of the British Ambassador in Peru, Anwar Choudhury; the Regional Governor of Arequipa, Yamila Osorio; and the Vice Minister of Energy, Angela Grossheim.

Located at an altitude of over 4,000 metres, Ocoruro is a very remote and difficult place to access. It is not connected to the electricity grid, but the photovoltaic technology installed by the Embassy has allowed 14 families to tap into the areas’ solar energy. This innovative initiative guarantees the sustainability of the project through the local management of a rural electricity services company.

British Ambassador Anwar Choudhury said: “I am very proud of this project, which has been made possible thanks to British innovation and should serve as a model for future projects in Peru with the aim of providing electricity to remote communities off the electricity grid. The technology exists, the installation is cheap and easy, and it works perfectly in rural areas like Ocoruro”.

Common areas of the community of Ocoruro, such as the main dining room, the primary school and kindergarten, the medical post, and homes now have access to electricity.

The head of the community stated that the power will now be used for the shearing of alpacas, yarn, and the lighting of animal pens, among other uses. Ocoruro’s schools will be able to use computers and multimedia equipment.

The inhabitants of Ocoruro greeted the authorities with a Quechua welcome dance and expressed their gratitude for the British Embassy’s interest in their community.

Published title: Minamata Convention on Mercury

The Environment Agency consults the public on certain applications for waste operations, mining waste operations, installations, water discharge and groundwater activities. The arrangements are explained in its Public Participation Statement

These notices explain:

• what the application is about
• how you can view the application documents
• when you need to comment by

The Environment Agency will decide:

• whether to grant or refuse the application
• what conditions to include in the permit (if granted)

The MCA has launched a public consultation on measures which would address all aspects of living and working conditions on fishing vessels, including decent crew accommodation, work agreements, medical fitness of seafarers and medical care on board. Regular payment of wages or payment of another type in accordance with the fisherman’s work agreement would also be required.

In particular, implementing the International Labour Organisation’s Work in Fishing convention (ILO 188) would also give a framework for protecting all fishermen, regardless of their employment status.

Proposals have been prepared in consultation with representatives from the UK fishing federations, the Fisherman’s Mission and Nautilus International.

Sir Alan Massey, chief executive of the MCA said: ‘The UK ratified the ILO’s Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC) in 2014 and there is evidence that the MLC is making a difference in improving the working lives of seafarers worldwide.

‘Putting in place the Working in Fishing Convention would do the same for fishermen. We know there are concerns about the terrible conditions that some fishermen have been working in – sadly sometimes, even in the UK. We share those concerns as part of our commitment to safer lives and safer ships.

‘One of the most important reasons for bringing in ILO 188 is to prevent mistreatment of any sort on board, by setting out – and enforcing – the minimum standards we expect for living and working conditions for all fishermen.’

Maritime Minister John Hayes said: ‘Fishermen across the UK often brave cold and dangerous seas to bring home their much-needed catches.

‘We have a rightful duty to improve the living and working standards for these men and women who play an important role in our maritime sector and nation.

‘This industry-wide consultation will enshrine better employment conditions into UK law and help ensure that all fishermen have a fair and safe working environment.’

The Consultation closes on 12 January 2018. To see the consultation package in full please follow the link below:

Implementation of the ILO Work in Fishing Convention 2007 (ILO 188) into UKLaw

Coal-fired power plants produce almost 40% of global electricity, and coal-fired power generation emits twice as much CO2 as gas per unit of electricity, making carbon pollution from coal a leading contributor to climate change.

On 16 November 2017 an alliance committed to moving the world from burning coal to cleaner power sources was launched at COP23, the UN climate change talks.

This declaration sets out the commitments and lists the alliance partners.