According to a 2018 World Bank paper: ‘…inadequate access to reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity is a fundamental reason for Nepal’s poor economic competitiveness’. Two‐thirds of Nepal’s firms identify electricity as a major constraint to doing business in Nepal. Nepal is one of a number of countries being considered by the UK Department for International Development for future additional energy research investment. A scoping study by EEG aimed to identify potential research questions of use to decision makers and practitioners in the energy sector, and to explore the extent of research capability in the country. This new Energy Insight lays out the key issues and challenges identified during the scoping exercise. This research is part of the Energy and Economic Growth Applied Research Programme.

Ethiopia’s renewable energy auction programmes have the potential to become regional best practice. The country has managed to twice secure the lowest solar PV project prices in sub-Saharan Africa through its procurement programmes. These bidder commitments still need to be financed and built for the country to realise this potential, and the experience of the country’s pioneer independent power producers (IPPs) shows that this will be no small feat. How Ethiopia managed to secure the solar PV project tariffs, why it has so far struggled to secure existing investments, and how future auction rounds can be improved will form the key questions guiding this analysis. The report will consider the contributing elements of success for IPPs at the country, project, and programme levels. It will, in particular, provide evidence of the importance of project site selection and preparation; risk allocation, mitigation and credit enhancement; the link between dynamic, least-cost planning and procurement; and the centrality of institutions for securing IPP investments at affordable prices. This research is part of the Energy and Economic Growth Applied Research Programme.

Five years ago, few people would have considered Namibia as a prime investment destination for private power developers. While the country exhibited many of the macro-economic fundamentals needed to attract foreign investment, its power sector had no history of meaningful private participation. But the current situation is very different. By 2018, Namibia hosted the third highest number of independent power projects in sub-Saharan Africa. It is also the country in the region with the cheapest, local currency-based utility-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) project – with no sovereign support. This report by Power Futures Lab analyses the drivers behind this rapid market development, focusing in particular on the design and implementation of the competitive procurement programme that delivered the Hardap solar PV project. This research is part of the Energy and Economic Growth Applied Research Programme.

Presentation at the 7th Global Meeting of the Regional Seas Conventions and Action Plans

A major component of the Minamata Initial Assessments (MIA) is the compilation of a standardised, comprehensive national inventory identifying and quantifying sources of mercury releases. To help guide countries through the MIA process, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) created a Toolkit for Identification and Quantification of Mercury Releases. The inventories from 43 countries from around the world were compiled and analysed for this report. Those countries represent a range of socio-economic backgrounds, regions, and sizes (both in population and geographic area).

Background White spot lesions (WSLs) are common adverse effects in fixed orthodontic treatment. Remineralising agents are widely used to prevent WSLs formation and are the first-line treatment for existing WSLs. Previous systematic reviews have evaluated the effectiveness of remineralisation agents in the management of WSLs. However, their conclusions were contradictory. The objective of this study will be to compare the effectiveness and safety of current remineralising agents used in the management of WSLs in patients treated with fixed orthodontic appliances in any orthodontic setting. Methods Literature searches will be conducted in several electronic databases (from inception onwards): MEDLINE (via Ovid), Scopus, Embase, the Web of Science, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), among others. Grey literature will be identified through searching clinical trials registries. Randomised controlled trials that compared the effectiveness of different remineralisation agents in the prevention and treatment of WSLs will be included. Two researchers will independently screen all citations, full-text articles, and abstract data. The study risk bias will be appraised using an appropriate tool. The primary outcomes will be WSLs incidence and severity of WSLs. Secondary outcomes will be subjective measures of WSLs and adverse effects. The mean difference (MD) and relative risk (RR) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) will be chosen as effect measures for continuous and binary outcomes, respectively. If feasible, fixed and random-effects pairwise meta-analyses and frequentist network meta-analyses will be conducted where appropriate. Discussion This network meta-analysis will compare the effectiveness of remineralising agents in the prevention and treatment of orthodontically induced WSLs. By integrating the evidence from direct and indirect comparisons and ranking all evaluated interventions, our findings have the potential to help clinicians make more accurate treatment decisions. Systematic review registration PROSPERO CRD42019116852, registered on March 15, 2019

This report provides an overview of the engagement with faith-based actors and faith-related activities by the UN system members of the United Nations Inter-agency Task Force on Religion and Sustainable Development (short: UN Task Force on Religion/IATF-Religion) covering 2019. This annual report documents the activities, initiatives and efforts undertaken by diverse UN system entities, members of the United Nations Interagency Task Force on Religion and Sustainable Development. None of the opinions expressed here reflect those of the United Nations system, its member entities, Governing Board(s), or territory/territories.

Presentation at the 13th Global Meeting of the Regional Seas Conventions and Action Plans

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of non-pharmacological interventions for seniors with depressive symptoms. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was performed. We conducted network meta-analysis in two ways, intervention classes (psychosocial, psychotherapy, physical activity, combined, treatment as usual) and individual intervention (11 categories). Whenever included studies used different scales, the different instruments were converted to the units of the scale most frequently used (the Geriatric Depression Scale), such that the effect size was reported as a mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence interval (CI). The risk of bias of RCTs included in this review was assessed according to the Cochrane Handbook. Bayesian NMA was conducted using R-3.4.0 software. Results: A total of 35 RCTs with 3,797 enrolled patients were included. Compared to conventional treatment, physical activity and psychotherapy resulted in significant improvements in depressive symptoms (MD: 2.25, 95%CrI: 0.99-3.56; SUCRA = 86.07%; MD: 1.75, 95% CrI: 0.90-2.64; SUCRA = 66.44%, respectively). Similar results were obtained for music (MD: 2.6; 95% CrI: 0.84-4.35;SUCRA = 80.53%), life review (MD:1.92; 95% CrI:0.71-3.14; SUCRA = 65.62%), cognitive behavioral therapy (MD: 1.27; 95% CrI: 0.23-2.38; SUCRA = 45.4%), aerobic (MD: 1.84; 95% CrI: 0.39-3.36; SUCRA = 63%) and resistance training (MD: 1.72; 95% CrI: 0.06-3.42; SUCRA = 59.24%). Network meta-regression showed that there were no statistically significant subgroup effects. Conclusions: Physical activity and psychotherapy demonstrated statistically significant superiority over conventional treatment. Music and life review therapy proved the most promising individual interventions. However, conclusions are limited by the lack of sufficient sample size and consensus regarding intervention categories and so an adequately powered study is necessary to consolidate these findings.

Objectives: Patients in inpatient mental health settings face similar risks (eg, medication errors) to those in other areas of healthcare. In addition, some unsafe behaviours associated with serious mental health problems (eg, self-harm), and the measures taken to address these (eg, restraint), may result in further risks to patient safety. The objective of this review is to identify and synthesise the literature on patient safety within inpatient mental health settings using robust systematic methodology. Design: Systematic review and meta-synthesis. Embase, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Health Management Information Consortium, MEDLINE, PsycINFO and Web of Science were systematically searched from 1999 to 2019. Search terms were related to 'mental health', 'patient safety', 'inpatient setting' and 'research'. Study quality was assessed using the Hawker checklist. Data were extracted and grouped based on study focus and outcome. Safety incidents were meta-analysed where possible using a random-effects model. Results: Of the 57 637 article titles and abstracts, 364 met inclusion criteria. Included publications came from 31 countries and included data from over 150 000 participants. Study quality varied and statistical heterogeneity was high. Ten research categories were identified: interpersonal violence, coercive interventions, safety culture, harm to self, safety of the physical environment, medication safety, unauthorised leave, clinical decision making, falls and infection prevention and control. Conclusions: Patient safety in inpatient mental health settings is under-researched in comparison to other non-mental health inpatient settings. Findings demonstrate that inpatient mental health settings pose unique challenges for patient safety, which require investment in research, policy development, and translation into clinical practice. Prospero registration number: CRD42016034057.

This report summarises the findings of an initial scoping study which aimed to identify common interests, facilitate global and regional collaborations, and help identify opportunities for co-investment in research and development. This study is a starting point for a wider global review and conversation into how active interventions should fit within coral reef management in a changing world. This interim report recommends: Strong action on climate change and other stressors: Coral restoration should not be viewed as a replacement for reducing local, regional and global stressors acting on reefs. • Invest in research and development: Substantial research and development is required to scale up and improve all facets of restoration and adaptation. Promote knowledge-sharing and collaboration: There would be great benefit in global cooperation, collaboration and knowledge-sharing to ensure efficient use of resources. Develop best practice guidelines: Science-based guidance for restoration practitioners is critically needed, and the UNEP and collaborating organisations have committed to facilitating the production of guidelines in the near future. Develop policy and plans: New or refined policy and plans relevant to restoration and adaptation are needed. Promote ‘blue restoration’: the UN Decade of Ecosystem Restoration represents an opportunity to promote ‘blue restoration’ including restoring coral reefs. Further, the goal of large-scale restoration, to sequester carbon and reduce anthropogenic climate change, could help mitigate the main threat to coral reefs.

Two projects were implemented to address adaptation needs in Dar-es-Salaam (pop. 4.3m) and the following coastal districts: Pangani (pop. 54,025), Rufiji (pop. 182,000), Bagamoyo (pop. 82,578) and Zanzibar (pop. 1.3m). The approaches used by the two projects include building and upgrading seawalls, relocating aquifers to protect them from rising seas, implementing integrated coastal zone management (ICZM) strategies, and restoring mangrove forests that protect coastal communities from floods.

The objective and purpose was to visulise how important a role Faithbased organisations have to play in the discussion of the environment and the creation of projects and program with a local sustainable impact. The role of 7B was to visualise the people and projects in the room, enable them to build linkages and partnerships and align individuals and groups (12 projects and three themes) with actionable outcomes they have created that supports the Faith for Earth strategy and the UN SDG agenda.

Presentataion at the 12th Global Meeting of the Regional Seas Conventions and Action Plans

The Sustainable Development Goals Policy Briefshighlight a hotspot of environmental concern. The evidence provided builds on scientific data and information hosted on the online platform Environment Live and is complemented by stories from around the world. Readers are invited to explore the numerous clickable links throughout the Brief.Food loss and waste occurs along the entire food chain. Food loss is the decrease in quantity or quality of food, while food waste refers to discarding or non-food use of food set for human consumption. Unsustainable farming, storage and distribution processes, lack of consumer awareness coupled with environmental factors such as climate change and natural disasters continue to escalate the challenges on food security. Food loss and waste represents a significant inefficiency in the world’s current food system and taking action to reduce it can conserve the environment, decrease greenhouse gas emissions and promote efficient land and water use.

UN Environment and the government of Gambia have launched the country’s largest adaptation project, which aims to develop a sustainable natural resource-based economy. The main approaches of the project are to restore degraded forests and farmland; establish ecologically sustainable businesses; develop ‘home-gardens’ to diversify food and income sources; and integrate adaptation actions into four sectoral policies.

The ‘Future of GEO’ process, launched at the fourth United Nations Environment Assembly through UNEP/EA.4/RES.23 was initiated to develop various options for the future of the Global Environment Outlook. This process will deliver these options, and likely a recommendation, to the fifth UN Environment Assembly in February 2021. In developing these options, the Steering Committee was formed to oversee and manage the Future of GEO process. The Steering Committee on the future of GEO and the Secretariat met in the Ministry of the Environment offices, Prague, Czech Republic from 31 October. – 1 November 2019 to achieve the following objectives: 1. Update Steering Committee members on the rationale and details of resolution UNEP/EA.4/RES.23 and lessons learned from the GEO process, in particular as it pertains to the preparation of GEO-4, GEO-5 and GEO-6. 2. Consider and approve the main issues to be reviewed in the options document; 3. Consider and approve the work plan and timeline for the preparation of the options document and for conducting the broad consultations on the future of GEO 4. Consider and approve the Terms of Reference for the work on the options document and the broad consultations

The project is building climate adaptation near 5 community protected forests across the country. These areas are extremely vulnerable to climate change due to increasingly erratic rainfall, where dry seasons are getting drier and wet seasons are wetter, causing devastating floods and droughts. The main approaches of the project are to reforest natural land to regulate soil waterflow; create patrols to halt illegal logging; establish ‘home-gardens’ with irrigation to diversify sources of food and income; and develop early warning climate systems to inform farmers’ planting decisions.

Background: The use of substances is a growing concern in Ethiopia, and their impacts on younger generation have been a concern of different professionals. Even though students are at high-risk of substance abuse, there is lack of comprehensive evidence for policy decision on substance use among students. Therefore, the aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to estimate the prevalence of common substances among students in Ethiopia. Method: A comprehensive literature searches were done from biomedical databases: PubMed/Medline, African Journal Online, HINARI, Science Direct, and Google Scholar for article published until Dcember 31, 2017, and Addis Ababa Uiversity's electronic library search of unpublished thesis and dissertations. Two authors autonomously selected studies, extracted data, and evaluated quality of studies. The prevalence of lifetime substances use was estimated using the random effects model. Q and I2 statistics were computed to measure the extents of heterogeneity. Results: A total 676 study articles were identified from electronic databases, and 28 of them were included in meta-analysis. The analysis revealed that the lifetime prevalence of any substance use was 52.5% (95% CI 42.4-62.4%), khat 24.7% (95% CI 21.8-27.7%), alcohol 46.2% (95% CI 40.3-52.2%), and smoking cigarette 14.7% (95% CI 11.3-18.5%). Significant heterogeneity was observed but there was no significant publication bias. The lifetime prevalence of khat, alcohol, and cigarette smoking among high school vs university students was 22.5% (95% CI 15.2-30.7%) vs 25.1% (95% CI 21.9-28.5%), 41.4% (95% CI 22.1-62.1%) vs 47.8% (95% CI 39.9-55.7%), and 21.5% (95% CI 12.6-32.1%) vs 12.9% (95% CI 10.1-16.0%), respectively. Conclusion: This meta-analysis highlighted the extent of lifetime prevalence of any substance, khat, alcohol, and cigarettes smoking among students in Ethiopia. Significant percent of high school students have exposed to substances. Policy makers should devise and implement strictly binding regulation to curb widespread of substances around educational institution premises at national level. Priority should be given to intervention strategies that help delay first use of substance to prevent problems later in life. Besides, the problem warrants regular national-level educational institutions based studies focusing on the magnitude, trajectory, and consequences of substance use among students. Systematic review registration: PROSPERO CRD42018082635.

Background: Research on digital technology to change health behavior has increased enormously in recent decades. Due to the interdisciplinary nature of this topic, knowledge and technologies from different research areas are required. Up to now, it is not clear how the knowledge from those fields is combined in actual applications. A comprehensive analysis that systematically maps and explores the use of knowledge within this emerging interdisciplinary field is required. Objective: This study aims to provide an overview of the research area around the design and development of digital technologies for health behavior change and to explore trends and patterns. Methods: A bibliometric analysis is used to provide an overview of the field, and a scoping review is presented to identify the trends and possible gaps. The study is based on the publications related to persuasive technologies and health behavior change in the last 18 years, as indexed by the Web of Science and Scopus (317 and 314 articles, respectively). In the first part, regional and time-based publishing trends; research fields and keyword co-occurrence networks; influential journals; and collaboration network between influential authors, countries, and institutions are examined. In the second part, the behavioral domains, technological means and theoretical foundations are investigated via a scoping review. Results: The literature reviewed shows a clear and emerging trend after 2001 in technology-based behavior change, which grew exponentially after the introduction of the smartphone around 2009. Authors from the United States, Europe, and Australia have the highest number of publications in the field. The three most active research areas are computer science, public and occupational health, and psychology. The keyword "mhealth" was the dominant term and predominantly used together with the term "physical activity" and "ehealth". A total of three strong clusters of coauthors have been found. Nearly half of the total reported papers were published in three journals. The United States, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands have the highest degree of author collaboration and a strong institutional network. Mobile phones were most often used as a technology platform, regardless of the targeted behavioral domain. Physical activity and healthy eating were the most frequently targeted behavioral domains. Most articles did not report about the behavior change techniques that were applied. Among the reported behavior change techniques, goal setting and self-management were the most frequently reported. Conclusions: Closer cooperation and interaction between behavioral sciences and technological areas is needed, so that theoretical knowledge and new technological advancements are better connected in actual applications. Eventually, this could result in a larger societal impact, an increase of the effectiveness of digital technologies for health behavioral change, and more insight in the relationship between behavioral change strategies and persuasive technologies' effectiveness.