Health concerns from e-waste piling up in East Africa’s landfills grow: Tech stakeholders and authorities in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi are warning of serious environmental concerns stemming from the lack of facilities available for the safe disposal of electronic gadgets, Kenyan outlet the East African reports. A report by the World Health Organization (WHO) singled out thyroid dysfunction, reduced fertility, and certain cancers as possible consequences of e-waste exposure. Over 1k harmful substances — including lead, mercury, nickel, brominated flame retardants and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) — are found in e-waste landfills, according to WHO.

France joins in the global carbon subsidy war: Renewable companies in France are fearful of falling behind due to the Biden administration’s subsidies under the Inflation Reduction Act, leading French lawmakers to propose offering tax breaks and subsidies of their own, Reuters reports. The proposals suggest the size of a company's investment and how much it generates in renewables will determine the amount of tax breaks and subsidies the companies are eligible for. If passed, the policy would target producers of batteries and critical metals, electrolysers, heat pumps, next-generation nuclear plants, PV and wind generators, as well as carbon capture and storage technologies.

OTHER STORIES WORTH KNOWING ABOUT THIS MORNING-

  • Dubai-headquartered water management solutions provider Metito has signed an agreement with Tanzania’s Dar Es Salaam Water Supply and Sanitation Authority to design, build, and operate a new 6k cubic meter per day wastewater treatment plant. The plant is expected to be inaugurated in October 2024. (Zawya)
  • Japan is set to revise its hydrogen strategy to 12 mn tons by 2040 as demand on the cleaner fuel alternative picks up. (Reuters)
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