UNU-FLORES and Korean Environment Corporation (K-eco) have a history of successful collaboration through projects, internships and fellowships. At COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan Prof. Daniel Karthe and Research Associate Tobias Hatzfeld engaged with K-eco representatives at the Korean Pavilion and shared insights at K-eco's side event titled "Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles in East Asia"
Exploring Battery Solutions
In 2023/24, the UNU-FLORES and K-eco partnership focused on battery energy storage, specifically in electric vehicles through the NABATE (Nexus Approaches to Battery Waste Management for Sustainable E-mobility Transition) project which conducted workshops in Germany and South Korea to discuss challenges and recent advancements in the repurposing and recycling of end-of-life electric vehicle batteries. Complementing this initiative, a doctoral researcher at UNU-FLORES currently addresses the question of what happens to end-of-life electric vehicles and their batteries in the Global South, where many countries are not well prepared to handle wastes that are hazardous for the environment and people. At COP29, the side event “Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles in East Asia” addressed the electrification of buses, trucks and special-purpose vehicles, e.g. in the mining industry. While the electrification of heavy-duty vehicles can significantly contribute to reducing the transport sector’s emissions, they carry some of the largest batteries in use – making their reuse, recycling and safe disposal a top priority.
Tackling Plastic Pollution: The TRANS-PLAST Initiative
In an ongoing collaboration, UNU-FLORES and K-eco address the global issue of plastic waste that leads to water, soil and even air pollution, and to the accumulation of micro- and nano-plastic particles in animals and plants. The TRANS-PLAST project aims to promote a circular economy by reducing plastic consumption and advancing the use of recycled materials. Best practices from the EU, particularly Germany, France, and the Netherlands, are analyzed to provide a roadmap for mitigating plastic pollution. The partnership will also feature co-organized workshops to share regulatory insights and implementation experiences.
Pre-COP29 Workshop: Focus on Plastics
Ahead of COP29, UNU-FLORES hosted a specialized workshop in collaboration with K-eco, centered on innovative strategies for plastic waste management. The workshop coincides with global preparations for the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5) to develop an international treaty for ending plastic pollution, which will be held in Busan, Republic of Korea, from November 25, 2024, onwards.