DHL Global Connectedness Index

The DHL Global Connectedness Index analyses data from 171 countries and territories and reveals how flows of trade, people, capital, and information move around the world

There are di ering views of what recent global crises will mean for globalisation: the war in Ukraine prompted some to predict its end, while others argue it will continue but change. e recent DHL Global Connectedness Index 2022, an in-depth report on the state of globalisation and its prospects has shown that international ows have actually been remarkably resilient in the face of recent shocks.

Key Takeaways

1. A er a modest decline in 2020, the DHL Global Connectedness Index rebounded to above pre-pandemic levels in 2021, and currently available data points to another increase in 2022. International ows have proven remarkably resilient through recent crises, strongly rebutting the notion that globalisation has gone into reverse.

2. ere is evidence of decoupling between the United States and China across most types of international ows, but this has not yet led to broader fragmentation of international activity between rival blocs.

3. Trade ows stretched over longer distances during the pandemic, contrary to predictions of a shi to regionalisation. Roughly half of all international ows already happen inside major world regions, and it is still an open question whether regionalisation will increase signi cantly in the coming years.

4. e volume of world trade in goods reached 10% above its pre-pandemic level in mid-2022, and trade in services also surpassed pre-pandemic levels. Trade growth, however, is forecast to slow in 2023, mainly due to slower global economic growth.

5. Foreign direct investment ows, which re ect companies buying, building, or reinvesting in international operations, rebounded to above pre-pandemic levels in 2021, before starting to weaken in Q2 of 2022.

6. e globalisation of information ows continued in 2021, based on measures such as the growth of international internet tra c and voice calls. e proliferation of data ow restrictions, however, raises questions about future prospects for global information ows.

7. People ows remained below prepandemic levels through 2022, due to the continued e ects of the pandemic on international travel. e number of people traveling to foreign countries roughly doubled in 2022, but was still down 37% from 2019.

8. e Netherlands was the most globally connected country in 2021, a er falling to second place in 2020. Singapore ranked second overall and rst in terms of the size of international ows relative to domestic activity. e United Kingdom had the most globally distributed ows.

9. Europe is the most globally connected region, with 8 of the 10 most globally connected countries. Europe leads on connectedness of both trade and people, while North America leads on capital and information.

10. e public policy environment has become less favourable for globalisation, increasing the risk of a costly decline or fragmentation of international ows. Present challenges should motivate a focus on making globalisation work better to preserve and expand the bene ts of a connected world.

e DHL Global Connectedness

Index analyses data from 171 countries and territories. It reveals how ows of trade, people, capital, and information move around the world.

To read a more in-depth version of the report scan the barcode to visit the site.

Guidance designed to take the uncertainty out of waste segregation for businesses is now available from MyWaste, Ireland’s o icial guide to waste

This government funded initiative provides a free and extensive suite of signage and training materials to help workforces make accurate recycling decisions. is will assist Irish businesses to achieve greater Circular Economy performance through increased recycling and composting rates.

Planning O ces, Kevin Swi , Connacht Ulster Region Waste O ce said: “ is initiative will empower small and medium size businesses, particularly those in the retail, hospitality, manufacturing and corporate sectors to further improve how their waste is managed. With clear language and visuals, the materials will make it easy for sta

A waste characterisation study by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) found that almost 70% of materials being placed in the general commercial waste bins is waste that should be placed in the recycling or food waste bins. Targeted materials (those suitable for recycling) accounted for only 60% of the materials in the mixed dry recycling bins, with food waste among the contaminants. e study found that by improving waste segregation practices, businesses could divert signi cant amounts of waste from the general waste stream annually.

Speaking on behalf of the Regional Waste Management to quickly understand what waste goes in what bin. is should help signi cantly increase the amount of recyclables and food waste diverted from the general bin and correctly placed in the recycling and food waste bins.” e toolkit is free to download or order from www.mywaste.ie/business

Proud Sponsor of Ireland's Afternoon Tea Hotel Award

Sod turned on AIM Centre in Sligo; Carrick-on-Shannon awarded prestigious Purple Flag accreditation; and Roscommon gets a Greenway and fouryear Digital Strategy.

Contracts signed for major regeneration project in Letterkenny; UPSURGE project plans begin to take shape in Belfast; and Belfast secures funding to develop green hydrogen technology plan.

Cost of Living Increases for Sporting Organisations in €26m Core Grant Investment Package for 2023

Sport Ireland announced an investment of over €26m to National Governing Bodies for Sport (NGBs) and to the network of Local Sports Partnerships (LSPs) for 2023. This year’s figures see a €1m (6%) increase in allocation to the National Governing Bodies on 2022 funding. The total core funding to the NGBs in 2023 is €16m. This increased investment provides Sport Ireland with an opportunity to support the majority of governing bodies with a cost-of-living increase for 2023 along with continued targeted investment in a number of specific areas. The rising costs of sports administration is also acknowledged by Sport Ireland, with NGBs having been provided with additional funding to absorb this expenditure. Investment into the Local Sports Partnerships has maintained the same level of support for 2023, with a total investment of €10,365,000 being allocated across the 29 Local Sports Partnerships. Human resourcing in the Local Sports Partnerships has been prioritised, with additional funding for the resourcing of Local Sports Partnership Development O icers and Sport Inclusion Disability O icers to assist with the ongoing vital work being undertaken across the country.

Fingal moves forward on climate change actions

Fingal County Council presented its third annual progress report on the Climate Change Action Plan to Fingal Councillors. The plan sets out four key targets and 133 actions that the council will undertake in the areas of energy and buildings, transport, flood resilience, nature-based solutions and resource management. All departments of Fingal County Council are responsible for the successful rollout of actions within the Climate Change Action Plan.

The Climate Change Action Plan 2019-2024 (CCAP) was launched in 2019 following collaboration with the Dublin Local Authorities in partnership with the City of Dublin Energy Management Agency (Codema) and Dublin’s Climate Action Regional Office (CARO), and a progress report is presented annually.

The 2022 progress report reveals that Fingal County Council is currently taking action on 111 of the 133 items laid out in the five-year Climate Change Action Plan, with a further 19 actions completed and just three yet to be progressed.

Some of the actions already taken or completed include a review of energy efficiency across the organisation, conversion of public lighting to climate-friendly LED lighting and significant advances with retrofitting of council social housing with 91 homes completed in 2022 and a further 150 to be completed in the coming 12 months.

€17.11M

funding awarded to Fingal Active Travel projects

Fifty-two Active Travel projects across Fingal have been granted €17.11m in National Transport Authority (NTA) funding as part of an overall €290m to be spent on 1,200 walking and cycling infrastructure projects across Ireland this year. Projects to receive funding in Fingal include Safer Routes to School spread across the county, Active Travel upgrades for Skerries, Rush, Lusk and Portmarnock, connections to Dublin Airport, the Swords Cycle Network as part of the Sustainable Swords initiative, Broadmeadow Greenway, the Royal Canal Cycle Route and a series of routes planned for Blanchardstown, Clonee and Castleknock.