1.5C Surpassed, but Still Within Reach, UN Says
- Marshall Kirkpatrick
- Mar 19
- 29 min read
"The latest State of the Global Climate report confirms 2024 as the hottest year since records began 175 years ago, with a global mean temperature of 1.55°C above pre-industrial levels – surpassing the critical warming threshold of 1.5°C for the first time," the UN wrote yesterday.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres: “Our planet is issuing more distress signals – but this report shows that limiting long-term global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius is still possible. Leaders must step up to make it happen –seizing the benefits of cheap, clean renewables for their people and economies – with new national climate plans due this year."
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Today's Updates
Table of Contents
Agriculture (9 stories) - Cyclone Alfred hits Australian farms, coffee supply chain threats drive innovation, grass-fed beef emissions study, UK farming scheme closure, global yield projections test resilient methods, Thai fish protests, and Cornwall fishing documentation
Carbon (11 stories) - Record 1.55°C warming and CO2 spikes tracked by UN and GHG Protocol, while Nordea partners with Inherit Carbon for Danish storage and UK plans Sco2tConnect network
Circular (7 stories) - Sirenas de Mexico tackles ghost nets, biochar innovation in Cameroon, PV CYCLE and DAS Solar advance panel recycling, Vytal expands reusable packaging network, as Mediterranean and UK face waste challenges
Ecosystems (12 stories) - Major conservation zones established in Bolivia's Tahuamanu-Orthon and South Africa's penguin colonies, while US battles March tornadoes and wildfires across 13 states; Lake Kerkini protects endangered pelicans as coastal habitats face mounting threats
Efficiency (5 stories) - ACEEE ranks Oregon top 10; heat recovery systems and BuildingLens platform drive industrial and building efficiency; heat pumps prove superior; utilities focus on optimization
Finance (14 stories) - Major banks adjust Tesla outlook while Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners raises €12B for renewables; UBS delays net-zero goals and Sarasin divests from Equinor amid $1.3T climate finance gap
Grid (20 stories) - Major storage deals from Zenobē, Trina, and DTE Energy; utilities tackle transmission challenges with SPP's $263B plan; grid resilience focus at Energy Evolution Summit; California battery standards approved
Indigenous (12 stories) - Indigenous rangers, communities advance conservation and clean energy across Australia, Brazil, Guatemala, while global organizations fight for land rights and environmental justice
Industry (18 stories) - Tax credits boost Australian hydrogen and minerals, Summit Nanotech scales lithium tech, DMEGC and Chinese solar firms expand, while H2SITE, Electric Hydrogen, and Lawrence Livermore advance H2 production methods
Policy (66 stories) - EPA faces elimination of Research Office and 1,155 scientists; Colorado adopts strict methane rules; Trump administration considers coal mandates and monument cuts; Norway reviews oil field permits
Renewables (10 stories) - Major solar expansions in Germany, Poland, and Bangladesh; GE Vernova's Texas wind projects; BP-EnBW offshore developments; Terabase's AI solar tech funding; JA Solar and AIKO module deals
Transport (11 stories) - BYD's 5-min charging breakthrough, BMW i3 battery upgrades, Hireco's zero-emission refrigeration units, and Bahamas vessel electrification lead transport innovations as California EV share hits 22% and global ICE sales decline
Agriculture
Cyclone Alfred hits Australian farms, coffee supply chain threats drive innovation, grass-fed beef emissions study, UK farming scheme closure, global yield projections test resilient methods, Thai fish protests, and Cornwall fishing documentation
Australia faces inflation, agriculture losses after Cyclone Alfred (Mongabay) - Cyclone Alfred hits Australia causing A$1.2 billion GDP loss, agricultural damage, and inflation pressure from crop destruction and infrastructure impacts.
Guest article: Pressures and possibilities; rethinking the future of coffee (AgFundNews) - Coffee industry faces critical supply chain pressures and climate threats, driving innovation in crop resilience, molecular alternatives, and digital traceability solutions.
Grass-Fed Beef No Better for Climate Than Industrial Beef, Study Finds (Yale e360) - New study finds grass-fed beef produces equal or higher greenhouse gas emissions compared to feedlot beef due to slower growth rates and longer raising periods.
The UK has closed its flagship sustainable farming scheme, choosing short-term cuts over long-term security (The Conversation) - UK government abruptly closes flagship sustainable farming incentive scheme, prioritizing immediate budget concerns over long-term environmental and agricultural security.
Locally Sourced: Resilient Agriculture (Covering Climate Now) - Global crop yields projected to decrease 22% due to climate change as farmers test resilient agricultural methods including Indigenous practices, drought-resistant crops, and emissions reduction strategies.
A spring dance and a fish protest: photos of the day – Tuesday (The Guardian) - Thai fish farmers dump two tonnes of fish outside Government House in Bangkok to protest spread of invasive blackchin tilapia and demand compensation.
Did you catch that? On the boats with Cornish fishers – in pictures (The Guardian) - Photographer Jon Tonks documents year-long journey with Cornwall's small-scale fishers, capturing traditional fishing practices and environmental challenges through intimate portraits and seascapes.
Magic Mulch Mountain (Bluedot Living) - Free wood chip mulch from local tree services helps Santa Barbara family improve soil water retention while providing children with educational outdoor play opportunities.
Make change, right here (Sustainable Northwest) - Pacific Northwest nonprofit seeks donations to support community-led conservation programs linking natural resource economies with environmental protection across agriculture, forestry and ranching.
Carbon
Record 1.55°C warming and CO2 spikes tracked by UN and GHG Protocol, while Nordea partners with Inherit Carbon for Danish storage and UK plans Sco2tConnect network
Climate change: Paris Agreement goals still within reach, says UN chief (UN News) - Global climate report shows record 1.55°C warming in 2024 but Paris Agreement goals remain achievable with urgent action, says UN chief.
How to use the GHG Protocol’s optional consequential electricity emissions reporting option (WattTime) - GHG Protocol offers optional consequential emissions reporting method using marginal emissions data, now globally available through free datasets for more accurate climate impact assessment.
Flooding in the Sahara, Amazon tributaries drying and warming tipping over 1.5°C – 2024 broke all the wrong records (The Conversation) - Global climate records shattered in 2024 with temperatures exceeding 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, unprecedented flooding in Sahara, and Amazon tributaries drying up amid rising greenhouse gas concentrations.
Sand-sized fossils hold secrets to the history of climate change (The Conversation) - Scientists analyze sand-sized fossil shells near Tasmania to reveal how Southern Ocean released CO2 during last ice age, improving climate change predictions.
Supermarkets Accused of Major Methane ‘Blindspot’ (DeSmog) - Major supermarket chains including Carrefour, Lidl, Tesco and Walmart lack concrete methane reduction targets despite meat and dairy products accounting for one-third of their emissions.
New Net Zero Standard Leaves Key Carbon Removal Questions Unanswered (Heatmap News) - Science Based Targets initiative's new Net Zero Standard leaves carbon removal industry uncertain by proposing optional near-term targets and limiting requirements to Scope 1 emissions.
The “Energy Transition” Delusion (The Wildlife News) - Historian Jean-Baptiste Fressoz argues energy transitions are a myth, with fossil fuels and renewables adding to total consumption rather than replacing each other.
Sco2tConnect | Proposed UK Hydrogen & CCS backbones. (Energy Central) - UK proposes 'Sco2tConnect' network to integrate hydrogen and carbon capture infrastructure across Britain, despite investment uncertainty.
Record Sea Levels, Ocean Heat, CO2 Concentrations in 2024 a ‘Wake-Up Call’ For Humanity, Warns UN Weather Agency (Earth.org) - UN weather agency reports record-breaking CO2 levels, ocean temperatures, and sea levels in 2024, calling it an urgent warning sign of accelerating climate change impacts.
Nordea Signs 68,000 Tonne Carbon Removal Agreement (ESGToday) - Nordea bank signs multi-year agreement with Inherit Carbon Solutions to remove 68,000 tonnes of CO2 from Danish biogas plant for geological storage under North Sea.
What state is the global climate really in? (DW) - Global climate report shows 2024 hit record 1.55°C temperature rise above pre-industrial levels, with unprecedented ocean warming and extreme weather events worldwide.
Circular
Sirenas de Mexico tackles ghost nets, biochar innovation in Cameroon, PV CYCLE and DAS Solar advance panel recycling, Vytal expands reusable packaging network, as Mediterranean and UK face waste challenges
As ghost junk haunts the sea, ‘mermaids’ are fighting back (Conservation International) - All-women diving group "Sirenas de Mexico" trained to remove deadly ghost fishing gear from ocean waters, removing 900kg of abandoned nets and traps in initial cleanup.
Cameroonians combat deforestation using cheaper charcoal alternative (Mongabay) - Cameroonian engineer develops cheaper biochar alternative to charcoal from organic waste, aiming to reduce deforestation while creating green jobs.
PV CYCLE: PV Recycling & Circular Economy (TaiyangNews) - PV CYCLE reports 70% recycling yield rate for end-of-life solar panels while developing new reuse standards for 2025 release.
Global Recycling Day: DAS Solar Advances PV Recycling for Sustainable Development (TaiyangNews) - DAS Solar advances PV module recycling technology with zero-emission processes and 50+ patents as global solar panel waste expected to reach 80 million tons by 2050.
Tech you should know about: digital reuse systems (Emerald.vc) - German reusable packaging startup Vytal secures €14.2M funding to expand digital tracking system for sustainable containers across 7,000 partners in 24 countries.
Single-use plastic waste on UK and Channel Island beaches ‘up by 9.5% last year’ (The Guardian) - Single-use plastic waste on UK and Channel Island beaches increased 9.5% in 2024, with items like crisp packets and bottle tops polluting at nearly two items per square meter.
The Circular Shift to a Sustainable Economy (REVOLVE) - Mediterranean circular economy initiatives face funding and market challenges while women entrepreneurs lead sustainable business transformation despite systemic barriers.
Ecosystems
Major conservation zones established in Bolivia's Tahuamanu-Orthon and South Africa's penguin colonies, while US battles March tornadoes and wildfires across 13 states; Lake Kerkini protects endangered pelicans as coastal habitats face mounting threats
Tahuamanu – Orthon Departmental Natural Heritage Area Created to Safeguard Major Riverway in Pando, Bolivia (Andes Amazon Fund) - Bolivia creates 762,248-acre Tahuamanu-Orthon Natural Heritage Area to protect major riverways and forests from gold mining while supporting indigenous communities' sustainable harvesting.
Los Angeles Wildfires Disaster Relief: Feb 16 & 23 (Tzu Chi USA Journal) - Los Angeles completes emergency wildfire relief distributions as Palisades and Eaton fires reach 100% containment after destroying 16,248 structures across 37,728 acres.
Severe Weather and Wildfires Devastate the Midwest and South: How You Can Help (Good360) - Over 90 tornadoes and wildfires across 13 US states cause 40+ deaths, 400+ homes destroyed, and widespread power outages in March 2024.
SOCAN Testimony Supporting HB 3587 (SOCAN) - Oregon climate group urges passage of HB 3587 to protect rocky coastal habitats for biodiversity conservation and carbon sequestration benefits.
A Gold Standard for Ecological Recovery (Revolve) - Rewilding Europe director advocates for large-scale ecological restoration as new gold standard for recovering European landscapes and ecosystem resilience.
Seal ‘oceanographers’ reveal fish abundance in Pacific Ocean’s twilight zone (Mongabay) - Northern elephant seals serve as ocean scientists, revealing fish abundance patterns in Pacific's hard-to-reach twilight zone through 50-year study of their foraging success.
Spring Whale Watch Week returns to the Oregon Coast (Environment America) - Oregon's annual Spring Whale Watch Week returns March 22-30, with 20,000 gray whales expected to pass coastline during northward migration to Alaska.
Too many urban deer is ‘an impending disaster’ – still, we owe them an apology (The Guardian) - Urban deer populations surge in US cities causing safety concerns and habitat damage, while communities struggle to balance conservation with population control.
I’m obsessed with cave diving. This is the closest environment we have to space (The Guardian) - Professional cave diver describes underwater caves as Earth's closest parallel to space exploration, highlighting unique marine life and conservation challenges in Bahamas' ancient cave systems.
Hope for endangered penguins as no-fishing zones agreed off South Africa (The Guardian) - South Africa agrees to 10-year no-fishing zones around major penguin colonies to protect critically endangered African penguins from extinction.
Pelicans of Lake Kerkini (Bluedot Living) - Lake Kerkini in Northern Greece serves as crucial sanctuary for endangered Dalmatian and Great White Pelicans, showcasing successful conservation efforts and breeding population recovery.
Rising Seas and Land-Based Salt Pollution Pose Dual Threats for Drinking Water (Inside Climate News) - Rising sea levels and land-based salt pollution threaten drinking water supplies through dual contamination of freshwater reserves and watersheds.
Efficiency
ACEEE ranks Oregon top 10; heat recovery systems and BuildingLens platform drive industrial and building efficiency; heat pumps prove superior; utilities focus on optimization
Oregon Department of Energy Celebrates No. 9 Ranking for Most Energy Efficient States (Oregon Department of Energy) - Oregon ranks 9th in ACEEE's national energy efficiency scorecard, marking its 15th time in top 10 since 2006, with strong performance in building standards and equity initiatives.
The Business Case For Implementing An Advanced Heat Recovery System (Skyven) - Advanced heat recovery systems in manufacturing can reduce natural gas use by 30%, save $1M annually, and cut carbon emissions by 96,000 metric tons.
Electric Heat vs. Heat Pump – Which Is Best for Your Home? (Elephant Energy) - Comprehensive comparison shows heat pumps outperform traditional electric heating in efficiency, cost savings, and environmental impact.
This startup uses analytics and automation to help reduce building energy consumption (RenewableEnergyWorld) - BuildingLens startup launches analytics platform to optimize energy efficiency in small and mid-sized buildings through automated monitoring and real-time data analysis.
But first, eat your vegetables: A guide to smarter load management (Utility Dive) - Utilities urged to prioritize energy efficiency measures before electrification initiatives to optimize grid performance and manage customer costs.
Finance
Major banks adjust Tesla outlook while Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners raises €12B for renewables; UBS delays net-zero goals and Sarasin divests from Equinor amid $1.3T climate finance gap
Multiple Roads to the 1.3T Goal: Integrating Quality Finance for Climate Action (EDF) - Research shows closing $1.3T climate finance gap requires diverse funding sources, carbon markets integration, and improved leverage ratios by 2035.
Sri Lanka communities left gasping for climate mitigation support (Mongabay) - Sri Lankan communities struggle to access climate funding amid rising coastal erosion, water salinity and extreme weather impacts due to institutional weaknesses and limited project implementation capacity.
NextEra Energy to meet with investors throughout March 2025 (NextEra Energy) - Leading clean energy company to meet investors in March 2025 to discuss long-term growth expectations and reaffirm financial outlook.
Danish Fund Manager Exceeds €12B Target For New RE Fund (TaiyangNews) - Danish fund manager Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners exceeds €12B target for renewable energy fund to enable 30GW of new capacity.
Save the IRA! Tax credits enable hundreds of millions of dollars in new clean energy investments supporting distributed generation (Renewable Energy World) - IRA tax credits drive major clean energy investments with Morgan Stanley, Catalyze, and Aspen Power securing over $740 million in new financing for distributed generation projects.
Sarasin & Partners to divest from Equinor over failure to align strategy with Paris Agreement (BusinessGreen) - Asset manager Sarasin & Partners divests from Norwegian oil giant Equinor citing company's failure to align with Paris Agreement climate goals.
Microsoft, CalSTRS Back $175 Million Natural Climate Solutions Strategy by Just Climate (ESG Today) - Microsoft and CalSTRS invest $175 million in Just Climate's Natural Climate Solutions strategy to scale businesses transforming land use for net-zero goals.
Australia Court Fines Active Super A$10.5 Million for Greenwashing ESG Investing Claims (ESG Today) - Australian court fines Active Super A$10.5M for misleading ESG investment claims after finding continued investments in restricted sectors like gambling and coal.
UBS Pushes Back Net Zero Target by 10 Years Following Credit Suisse Acquisition (ESG Today) - UBS delays net-zero emissions target by 10 years to 2035 following Credit Suisse merger, withdraws asset management climate goals.
“Forgotten” fragile states unite to end climate-finance blind spot (Climate Home News) - Thirteen conflict-affected nations form alliance to demand increased climate funding, citing $41.5 billion annual needs by 2030 versus current $11 billion received.
Another Leading US Bank Downgraded Tesla Stock (CleanTechnica) - Wells Fargo, JP Morgan, and other major US banks downgrade Tesla stock targets amid falling sales, weak demand, and ongoing controversies.
Lighting the Way: How Women’s Self-Help Groups Are Transforming Lives in Andhra Pradesh (Commonland) - Women's self-help groups in rural Andhra Pradesh transform communities through financial literacy workshops and savings initiatives, reaching 750 women across 26 villages.
BayWa’s Deal With Energy Infrastructure Partners Falls Through (TaiyangNews) - German firm BayWa's €150 million deal to sell majority stake in renewable energy subsidiary to Energy Infrastructure Partners collapses, prompting €435 million alternative financing plan.
Creating a force multiplier: cultivating super-champions for your climate startup (Enduring Planet) - Climate tech investor Taylor Chapman outlines strategies for startups to identify and cultivate "super-champions" who actively promote products and drive revenue growth through structured incentive programs.
Grid
Major storage deals from Zenobē, Trina, and DTE Energy; utilities tackle transmission challenges with SPP's $263B plan; grid resilience focus at Energy Evolution Summit; California battery standards approved
Energy Vault Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Financial Results (Energy Vault) - Energy storage company reports 90% increase in contract revenue backlog to $660 million in Q4 2024, driven by Australian and US utility partnerships.
LiveEO | Corridor Maintenance Best Practices: How to Keep Energy Pathways Safe and Sustainable (LiveEO) - Power companies adopt ecological corridor management strategies to maintain transmission lines while enhancing biodiversity and preventing outages through sustainable vegetation practices.
SEPA’s Energy Evolution Summit: Tackling Three Key Challenges to an Affordable, Resilient, Clean Energy System for All (SEPA) - Energy Evolution Summit addresses utility challenges in demand growth, grid resilience, and coordinated gas-electric planning amid accelerating electrification and extreme weather events.
Getting Alterative Transmission Technologies to Scale (RMI) - Alternative transmission technologies show proven benefits in pilot projects but face scaling challenges due to planning process gaps and lack of utility coordination across territories.
Trina Storage’s Elementa 2 Liquid Cooling System Earns World’s First 20-Year Full Lifecycle EPD Certification by UL Solutions (TaiyangNews) - Trina Storage's Elementa 2 liquid cooling system becomes first energy storage product to receive 20-year full lifecycle Environmental Product Declaration certification from UL Solutions.
Trinasolar Begins Deliveries for Integrated Solar and Energy Storage Project at Sandon Brook, UK (TaiyangNews) - Trinasolar begins delivery of 49.9MW integrated solar-plus-storage project in Essex, UK, featuring 70MWh battery storage and capability to power 16,500 homes.
Utilities are shutting off power to a growing number of households (Grist) - Six major US utilities disconnected power over 662,000 times in first nine months of 2024, up 20% from 2023, with most shutoffs during record summer heat.
Natural gas-fired electricity generation during Texas cold snap just shy of record high (EIA) - Texas natural gas power generation neared all-time record during February cold snap, providing 73% of peak electricity demand amid reduced wind and solar output.
CAISO updates to battery maintenance and operation standards (GridBeyond) - California regulators approve new safety and reporting standards for battery storage systems, requiring incident reporting and emergency response plans.
Too many cooks spoil the battery broth: Delays and added costs for landmark storage project (RenewEconomy) - Neoen's landmark Blyth battery storage project faces delays and cost overruns due to compatibility issues between multiple equipment suppliers.
Cheaper, faster and farmer friendly: Battery developer proposes buried transmission cable along highway (RenewEconomy) - Australian developer proposes 265km underground transmission cable along highway median to transport renewable energy, avoiding traditional poles and wires while maintaining farmland use.
Making Distributed Energy Resources Pay (CleanTechnica) - MIT researchers develop algorithm for local electricity markets enabling utilities to pay homeowners for distributed energy resources and grid stabilization services.
Enhancing grid resilience: EV charging as a key strategy amid natural disasters (Renewable Energy World) - Electric vehicle charging infrastructure emerges as crucial strategy for grid resilience during natural disasters through vehicle-to-grid and battery-to-grid technologies.
'Largest ever': Zenobē breaks ground on 800MWh battery storage project in Scotland (BusinessGreen) - Zenobē begins construction of UK's largest 800MWh battery storage facility in Scotland following £220m financing deal.
Telehouse inks 10-year PPA with RWE to power London Docklands data hub (BusinessGreen) - Data center provider Telehouse signs 10-year renewable energy deal with RWE to power its London Docklands facility.
A new way to power data centers: pair clean energy and peaker plants (Canary Media) - RMI report proposes pairing data centers with existing gas peaker plants and renewables to bypass grid interconnection delays while maintaining clean power supply.
DTE Energy seeks proposals for 450 MW of energy storage (Utility Dive) - Michigan's DTE Energy seeks proposals for 450MW of energy storage projects to be operational by 2028, supporting state's 2,500MW storage target.
Southwest Power Pool could need $263B generation investment by 2050: Brattle (Utility Dive) - Southwest Power Pool needs $88-263B for new generation by 2050, including 48GW wind and 130GW solar capacity, while maintaining grid reliability and affordability.
Wisconsin utilities face pushback over transmission construction bill (Canary Media) - Wisconsin utilities face opposition from consumer advocates over bill giving them first rights to build transmission projects, with critics arguing competition would better control costs.
PJM’s capacity ‘price collar’ proposal sparks market confidence concerns (Utility Dive) - PJM's proposed capacity market price collar with $325/MW-day cap and $175/MW-day floor faces opposition over market confidence and consumer cost concerns.
Indigenous
Indigenous rangers, communities advance conservation and clean energy across Australia, Brazil, Guatemala, while global organizations fight for land rights and environmental justice
Catch up on all the #8M25 mobilizations worldwide (Via Campesina) - Global women farmers and peasants organize worldwide demonstrations on March 8 (#8M25) to protest agricultural violence, land rights violations, and gender discrimination.
Peru: Indigenous organizations demand the government to reject the “Gag Law” (APCI) for violating Indigenous Peoples’ Rights (Via Campesina) - Peruvian Indigenous organizations oppose new "Gag Law" that would restrict international funding and their ability to defend territorial rights.
Spring Funding and Grants Round-Up (Coast Funds) - Comprehensive spring funding guide details 40+ grants available to First Nations for conservation, economic development, and cultural initiatives across British Columbia and Canada.
Officials share strategies to stop spread of illegal miners from Munduruku land (Mongabay) - Brazilian officials outline multi-agency strategy to prevent illegal miners from returning to Munduruku Indigenous Territory after current eviction operation ends.
Live near Geraldton in WA? Come to a workshop (First Nations Clean Energy Network) - Two-day free workshop in Geraldton, WA aims to empower Indigenous communities with renewable energy knowledge and opportunities for clean energy development partnerships.
New exclusive update for Network Members out today (First Nations Clean Energy Network) - Indigenous clean energy organization announces member symposium, regional workshops, and policy initiatives focused on renewable energy transition for First Nations communities.
This Guatemalan City Is Exploring Innovative Conservation Initiatives For Sustainable Livelihoods (Earth.org) - Guatemala's Totonicapán combines Indigenous forest management with agroforestry, eco-tourism, and sustainable initiatives to protect 22,000 hectares while supporting local livelihoods.
Why I’m training Colombian Amazonians to become archaeology tourist guides (The Conversation) - Colombian Amazon communities receive specialized archaeology tourism guide training to protect ancient rock art sites while creating sustainable economic opportunities.
Hot off the press CSQ 49-1! Resilience Rising: Indigenous Wisdom in Disaster Response and Climate Crisis Management (Cultural Survival Quarterly) - New issue explores Indigenous communities' traditional knowledge and practices in disaster response and climate crisis management across global regions.
Now Hiring: NWT Community Engagement Coordinator – Apply by April 4, 2025 (Keepers of the Water) - Indigenous water protection organization seeks Community Engagement Coordinator in Northwest Territories for water protection and environmental monitoring initiatives with Indigenous communities.
Setting Compassion in Motion Across the Nation (Tzu Chi USA Journal) - Nationwide interfaith community mobilizes emergency relief efforts, fundraising, and volunteer support for Los Angeles wildfire survivors through Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation's "Help Los Angeles Heal" campaign.
A new dawn for night parrots (cartoon) (Mongabay) - Australia's largest known population of endangered night parrots discovered by Indigenous rangers in Western Australia's Ngurrurpa Protected Area.
Industry
Tax credits boost Australian hydrogen and minerals, Summit Nanotech scales lithium tech, DMEGC and Chinese solar firms expand, while H2SITE, Electric Hydrogen, and Lawrence Livermore advance H2 production methods
Hydrogen won’t scale on its own – but driving demand and onshoring industries will unlock its growth (InterContinental Energy) - Australian government passes $2/kg green hydrogen production tax credits and 10% critical minerals processing incentives, welcomed by major industry players including Fortescue and BP.
Summit Nanotech Corporation Closes US$25.5M Funding Round to Accelerate Commercialization of their Direct Lithium Extraction Technology (Evok Innovations) - Summit Nanotech secures $25.5M funding to scale sustainable lithium extraction technology with demonstration plant success in Chile.
NY Climate Tech: Mar 18 - Mar 24 (NY Climate Tech) - Diverse climate tech events across NYC feature DAC conference, offshore wind accelerator, and women in climate leadership gatherings, highlighting growing momentum in regional climate innovation ecosystem.
DMEGC’s FY2024 Shipments Increase 73% YoY To 17.2 GW (TaiyangNews) - Chinese solar manufacturer DMEGC reports 73% increase in annual PV shipments to 17.2 GW despite revenue decline, maintaining 18.74% gross margin through power plant operations.
China Solar PV News Snippets: DAS Solar Partners With China Huaneng CERI & More (TaiyangNews) - Chinese solar companies announce major partnerships and expansions, including DAS Solar's validation agreement with Huaneng CERI and KLEC's $201M investment in perovskite production.
Solar Encapsulation Market Moving From EVA Toward EPE (TaiyangNews) - Solar panel encapsulation market shifts from EVA dominance as POE and EPE materials gain market share due to superior performance in new cell technologies.
A New Green World (NIRS) - Nuclear power industry's claims of revival contradicted by data showing no new US plants under construction while renewables added more capacity in 2023 than all nuclear plants worldwide.
Debunking The Myth: Ammonia Is A Bad Way to Transport Hydrogen For Energy (CleanTechnica) - Analysis shows ammonia is inefficient and costly as hydrogen carrier, with 30-40% energy loss in cracking process and final costs 10x higher than LNG imports.
Enhanced Geothermal Has A Flock Of Black Swans (CleanTechnica) - Enhanced geothermal systems face major economic and technical barriers due to high drilling costs, scattered infrastructure requirements, and significant project risks unlike efficient shale oil operations.
H2SITE and SNAM collaborate on hydrogen and natural gas separation (EnergyNews) - H2SITE and SNAM partner to develop largest Pd-alloy membrane separator for extracting hydrogen from natural gas blends at industrial scale.
Electric Hydrogen is building through the market downturn (Latitude Media) - Green hydrogen manufacturer Electric Hydrogen advances production despite market slowdown, with first commercial-scale electrolyzer plant expected by year-end.
Lawrence Livermore Lab, Verne Demonstrate Hydrogen Production Program (Power Magazine) - Lawrence Livermore Lab and Verne demonstrate novel cryo-compressed hydrogen production method achieving 50% energy savings over traditional liquefaction.
ORE Catapult appoints shipbuilder to steer UK offshore wind vessel manufacturing plan (BusinessGreen) - UK's ORE Catapult, National Shipbuilding Office, and Crown Estate select APCL Cammell Laird to assess market opportunities for domestic offshore wind vessel manufacturing.
Georgia + cleantech’s “long-term relationship” (Canary Media) - Georgia's cleantech industry employs 82,000 workers, growing twice as fast as state's overall economy, with majority in energy efficient appliances, renewables and EVs.
Sorry, Elon, But “Conservatives” Will Not Pull Your Feet Out Of The Fire (CleanTechnica) - Tesla faces declining sales and stock value as CEO Elon Musk's alignment with Trump administration alienates core liberal customer base, while conservative buyers fail to fill the gap.
Light pollution threatens fleet of world-class telescopes in Atacama Desert (Nature) - Proposed green hydrogen plant in Chile's Atacama Desert threatens to increase light pollution by 35-55% at world-class telescopes, potentially rendering them inoperable.
March updates from the Nature Tech Collective (Nature Tech Collective) - Global nature tech community announces Nature Tech Week events featuring summit, unconference, and meetups focused on advancing nature-positive technology solutions.
Counting whales by eavesdropping on their chatter, with help from machine learning (Mongabay) - Scientists combine acoustic monitoring, machine learning, and aerial surveys to count endangered North Atlantic right whales in Cape Cod Bay.
Policy
EPA faces elimination of Research Office and 1,155 scientists; Colorado adopts strict methane rules; Trump administration considers coal mandates and monument cuts; Norway reviews oil field permits
The Colorado Way Delivers with a Unanimous Vote for a Groundbreaking Oil and Gas Methane Rule (Environmental Defense Fund) - Colorado unanimously adopts groundbreaking oil and gas methane rule requiring early phase-out of polluting equipment by 2027, ahead of federal timeline and with industry support.
President Trump Signals Mandating More Coal Power, Action Would Impose High Health and Electricity Costs (EDF) - Trump administration considers using emergency powers to mandate coal-fired power production despite higher costs and pollution concerns.
Eliminating science research department latest sign that President Trump’s EPA works for polluters (EDF) - Trump administration moves to eliminate EPA's Office of Research and Development, undermining science-based environmental protection and public health safeguards.
Former EPA Leaders Sound Alarm on Proposed 65% Cut to Agency Funding (Environmental Protection Network) - Former EPA leaders from both parties warn Congress against proposed 65% budget cuts that threaten agency's core environmental protection capabilities.
Plans to Eliminate EPA’s Science Office are a Wrecking Ball Assault on Science (Environmental Protection Network) - EPA plans to eliminate its scientific office and terminate 1,155 scientists, threatening research capabilities at major labs across multiple states.
Love Converges at the 2025 Wildfires Resource Hub (Tzu Chi USA Journal) - Multi-organization Wildfires Resource Hub in Pasadena provides one-stop disaster relief services including financial aid, eyeglasses, and supplies to over 12,000 Southern California wildfire-affected households.
What environmental history reveals about our current ‘planetary risk’ (Mongabay) - Yale historian warns current U.S. environmental policy shifts pose unprecedented planetary risks, drawing parallels to 1930s international agreement withdrawals.
EUDR compliance costs to be minimal, report finds — but industry disagrees (Mongabay) - EU deforestation regulation compliance costs estimated at 0.1% of company revenues, though industry leaders dispute methodology and true implementation costs.
Political appointments in Indonesian climate program spark outcry over accountability (Mongabay) - Indonesian climate program faces backlash after forestry minister appoints unqualified political party members to key positions funded by Norway and UK.
Norway’s Supreme Court hears demand to halt oil and gas field production (Greenpeace) - Norway's Supreme Court reviews environmental groups' appeal to halt three North Sea oil and gas fields over inadequate climate impact assessments.
Illinois Small Businesses and Farmers Hit Hard by Trump Cuts to USDA Energy-Saving Programs (Prairie Rivers Network) - Trump administration cuts to USDA's Rural Energy for America Program leave Illinois farmers and businesses stranded after promised $119.1M in energy project funding halted.
Mastering the Shift: Why Governments Must Back Clean Aviation Innovation (Heart Aerospace) - Aviation industry requires increased government funding and policy support to accelerate clean aviation technologies for meeting 2050 net-zero emissions targets.
Pittsylvania Residents urge denial-without-delay of rezoning request for huge gas plant and data center complex (SELC) - Pittsylvania County residents oppose Balico's repeatedly delayed rezoning request for 3,500-megawatt gas plant and data center complex on 750 acres of rural land.
Nevada Clean Energy Fund Applauds Introduction of Clean Energy Investment & Solar-Powered Affordable Housing Legislation (Nevada Clean Energy Fund) - Nevada lawmakers introduce two bills providing $5M for clean energy financing and enabling solar installations in affordable housing complexes to reduce tenant utility costs.
Clean Fuel Standards: The Market-Based Policy for States Looking to Clean Up Transportation (RMI) - New calculator tool helps states design customized Clean Fuel Standards to reduce transportation emissions through market-based mechanisms and flexible crediting pathways.
Answers to common questions about the EU omnibus proposal (Watershed) - European Commission's omnibus proposal aims to simplify CSRD reporting requirements by reducing data points, focusing on quantitative metrics, and aligning with global standards.
"Make America Healthy Again" is dead (Heated) - Trump administration's EPA dismantles dozens of critical environmental and public health regulations while RFK Jr.'s "Make America Healthy Again" campaign proves ineffective at Department of Health.
Water cooperation is essential when countries share lakes and rivers – yet it’s been deteriorating in many places, with serious consequences (The Conversation) - Global decline in water cooperation between nations threatens freshwater resources, ecosystems, and regional stability as countries increasingly pursue unilateral actions.
Kemi Badenoch Made Anti-Net Zero Speech at Shell Ad Agency (DeSmog) - UK Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch abandons net zero 2050 target during speech at Shell's advertising agency Havas, citing economic concerns.
If Canada Won’t Tax Gas to Cut Emissions, Who Will? (Heatmap News) - Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney scraps consumer carbon tax due to political pressure despite data showing most households benefited financially from rebates.
The EPA Wants to Gut Its Research Office (Heatmap News) - EPA plans to eliminate its Office of Research and Development, threatening 1,155 research jobs and environmental policy research capabilities.
Factcheck: Why Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch is wrong about UK’s net-zero goal (Carbon Brief) - Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch falsely claims UK's 2050 net-zero target is "impossible" and lacks evidence, contradicting scientific consensus and economic analysis showing feasibility.
Moms Announces 2025 Annual Summit: A Health Crisis in Plain Sight (Moms Clean Air Force) - Environmental group announces April summit on health impacts of plastics pollution, featuring scientists, lawmakers, and experts discussing solutions.
Stop the smoke and mirrors: California’s air regulation rule fails on port pollution, transparency (Pacific Environment) - California air regulators criticized for weak port pollution rules lacking emission targets and transparent monitoring in South Coast Air Basin communities.
Former Top EPA Official Warns of Dire Consequences of Planned Purge at the Agency’s Science Office (Inside Climate News) - Former EPA science chief warns planned purge could eliminate 1,155 scientists and multiple research facilities, severely hampering agency's ability to detect and address environmental threats.
Alabama’s Celebrity Weatherman Pleads for the National Weather Service (Inside Climate News) - Alabama's celebrity meteorologist James Spann defends National Weather Service against Trump administration cuts, highlighting agency's critical role in weather forecasting and public safety.
As Americans Protest Attacks on Public Lands, Trump Signals National Monuments May be Shrunk or Eliminated (Inside Climate News) - Trump administration signals plans to eliminate or shrink national monuments including California's recently designated Chuckwalla and Sáttítla Highlands, sparking widespread protests.
As Monterrey’s Air Quality Worsens, Citizens Demand Urgent Government Action (Inside Climate News) - Monterrey citizens protest worsening air pollution as city records only 85 days of good air quality in 2024, prompting demands for government action amid 2,500 annual pollution-related deaths.
Peter Dutton accused of copying Donald Trump as he promises to fast track Woodside gas project (RenewEconomy) - Opposition leader Peter Dutton pledges to fast-track Woodside's 50-year gas project within 30 days if elected, drawing criticism for Trump-like approach to environmental approvals.
New documents reveal how Labor stalled on 2035 emissions reduction target (RenewEconomy) - Freedom of Information documents reveal Australian Labor government has been internally discussing 2035 emissions targets for over a year while publicly delaying announcements.
Dutton blames renewables for rising power prices, but bills would be much higher without them (RenewEconomy) - New report shows Australian electricity bills would be $155-$417 higher without renewable energy, contradicting opposition leader's claims that renewables drive up costs.
“Time for us to start digging coal:” NZ minister irate as big wind farm rejected on threat to wetlands, bats (RenewEconomy) - New Zealand's proposed 300MW wind farm rejected over wetland and bat protection concerns, sparking energy minister's coal mining comments.
Victoria slaps down Murdoch media reports that giant coal fired power station to be kept open (RenewEconomy) - Victorian government and EnergyAustralia firmly reject Murdoch media claims about extending Yallourn coal plant's life beyond 2028 closure date.
Greens kick off election home battery battle with suite of grants and loans to get homes off gas (RenewEconomy) - Australian Greens propose $8 billion policy package offering grants and loans to help households transition from gas to electric appliances and install battery storage.
Elon Musk May Need to Recalculate His Opinion on EV Tax Credit Repeal (CleanTechnica) - Tesla's declining sales and industry projections suggest EV tax credit removal could significantly harm Tesla's market position, contradicting Elon Musk's previous support for ending subsidies.
Making America Irrelevant (CleanTechnica) - Trump administration's isolationist policies and unreliability as global partner causing US to lose military sales, education exports, and technological competitiveness to other nations.
Don’t Use The Phrase “Climate Resilient” If You Want US Federal Funding (CleanTechnica) - Trump administration reviews $400M in USDA climate-related projects for termination, forcing farmers to avoid terms like "climate resilient" in funding applications.
Utility line caused 21,000-acre Mogote Hill Fire in New Mexico, which is now under control (RenewableEnergyWorld) - New Mexico's 21,000-acre Mogote Hill Fire caused by utility line sparks debate over rural electric co-op wildfire liability legislation.
Following Moss Landing fire, California sets new fire safety standards for battery energy storage facilities (Renewable Energy World) - California regulators implement strict new fire safety standards for battery storage facilities following multiple incidents at Moss Landing facility.
White House sparks uncertainty over fate of two major California national monuments (The Guardian) - White House removes references to two California national monuments from fact sheet, raising concerns over their protected status under Trump administration.
Destructive dust and Trump cuts: five things to know about latest US storms and tornadoes (The Guardian) - Over 120 tornadoes and severe dust storms across 11 US states killed 40+ people amid climate crisis impacts and weather service staffing cuts.
‘Cataclysmic’: environmentalists fear effects of Trump cuts on Great Lakes (The Guardian) - Trump administration's funding cuts and staff firings at Great Lakes environmental agencies threaten water quality, fishing industry, and ecosystem health for 40 million people.
Trump administration may fire more than 1,000 EPA scientists and scrap research office, Democrats say (The Guardian) - Trump administration plans to eliminate EPA's research office and potentially fire 1,155 scientists, according to Democratic committee documents.
What does Maga-land look like? Let me show you America's unbeautiful suburban sprawl | Alexander Hurst (The Guardian) - Cross-country road trip reveals how America's suburban sprawl and chain-store dominated landscape reflects and reinforces MAGA movement's cultural aesthetics.
These Companies Are Backtracking on Climate in Bow to Conservatives (Earth.org) - Major corporations including Meta, BlackRock, and BP reverse climate commitments and ESG policies amid pressure from Trump administration and conservative backlash.
Huge new study exposes disparate climate emotions around the world—and their consequences (Anthropocene) - Global study reveals stark geographical differences in climate emotions, with Global South showing most hope while Southern Europeans express highest anger and sadness.
Trump’s appointee is out at the DOE Loan Programs Office (Latitude Media) - Trump-appointed DOE Loan Programs Office director John Sneed exits role after two-month transitional period.
Vermont’s clean energy transition faces unprecedented political threat (Canary Media) - Vermont's clean energy progress faces setbacks as Republican governor and lawmakers push to weaken climate policies amid cost concerns and political shifts.
You rely on this agency’s data for weather and climate forecasts. DOGE is decimating its workforce. (Grist) - NOAA faces severe workforce cuts and facility closures under Trump administration's DOGE initiative, threatening weather forecasting and climate research capabilities.
‘Our people are hungry’: What federal food aid cuts mean in a warming world (Grist) - Trump administration's USDA cuts billions in food aid funding, disrupting food banks and local farming programs amid rising climate-driven food insecurity.
EPA Planning to Gut Its Science Office (NRDC) - EPA plans to eliminate Office of Research and Development, laying off over 1,000 scientists responsible for environmental and public health research.
How Donald Trump's climate cuts will cost US taxpayers (DW) - Trump administration's climate policy rollbacks and clean energy funding cuts threaten US economic growth, jobs, and taxpayer costs through increased climate damages.
Industry groups, utilities encourage more ‘efficient’ Part 53 changes (Utility Dive) - Nuclear industry groups and utilities urge U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission to streamline Part 53 nuclear licensing pathway for advanced reactors.
More than 150 ‘unprecedented’ climate disasters struck world in 2024, says UN (The Guardian) - UN report reveals 151 unprecedented climate disasters in 2024 including record floods, heatwaves, and storms that displaced over 800,000 people globally.
Samantha Harvey and Téa Obreht shortlisted for inaugural Climate fiction prize (The Guardian) - Five authors shortlisted for new £10,000 Climate Fiction Prize celebrating novels that tackle climate crisis with hope and inventiveness.
Countries must bolster climate efforts or risk war, Cop30 chief executive warns (The Guardian) - Cop30 chief executive Ana Toni warns nations that cutting climate action for defense spending will increase future conflict risks.
Vermont’s new climate threat (Canary Media) - Vermont's climate leadership faces political threat as state legislature considers rolling back clean energy and emissions reduction policies.
Payne Institute | March 2025 Monthly Update (Payne Institute) - March newsletter highlights critical minerals diplomacy, methane reduction initiatives, and Native American energy sovereignty while showcasing research on space-based solar power and offshore lighting detection.
Let’s make good trouble for Climate Justice Education (Climate Generation) - Trump administration threatens climate education progress as five states mandate climate change education while federal resources face removal and censorship.
Don’t say mRNA: scientists say they were told to avoid mentioning life-saving vaccines in NIH grant applications (Nature) - Scientists report being warned by NIH officials to avoid mentioning mRNA vaccines in grant applications despite the technology's proven safety and success.
For John Green, Tuberculosis Is More Than A Disease (Atmos) - Bestselling author John Green advocates for TB eradication, drawing parallels between tuberculosis and climate change as solvable crises perpetuated by social injustice and inequality.
Greenpeace condemns the Israeli government’s renewal of attacks on Gaza and end of the ceasefire (Greenpeace) - Organization condemns Israeli government's renewal of Gaza attacks and ceasefire end, calls for permanent ceasefire and humanitarian aid.
Inside the UK cultivated meat regulatory sandbox with Mosa Meat, Hoxton Farms, and BlueNalu (AgFunderNews) - UK Food Standards Agency launches cultivated meat regulatory sandbox program with eight companies to streamline approval process through direct consultation and monthly workshops.
Non-violent protesters should not have to disavow motives at trial, study says (The Guardian) - Oxford study argues courts should allow non-violent protesters to explain their actions without requiring expressions of remorse.
What to do when you return home after a wildfire (Yale Climate Connections) - Experts outline critical safety steps for returning home after wildfire evacuation, including checking structural damage, gas leaks, and proper debris cleanup procedures.
Invitación: Cubrir el cambio climático en América Latina (Covering Climate Now) - Online panel to discuss climate journalism challenges in Latin America, where 660M people face disproportionate climate impacts despite contributing <10% of global emissions.
Renewables
Major solar expansions in Germany, Poland, and Bangladesh; GE Vernova's Texas wind projects; BP-EnBW offshore developments; Terabase's AI solar tech funding; JA Solar and AIKO module deals
Germany Installed 1.53 GW New Solar Capacity In February 2025 (TaiyangNews) - Germany added 1.53 GW of solar capacity in February 2025, bringing total installations above 102 GW, with ground-mounted systems leading at 967 MW.
AIKO and Menlo Electric Join Forces to Drive Poland’s Solar Transformation (TaiyangNews) - AIKO and Menlo Electric sign 100MW distribution deal to expand advanced solar technology across Poland and CEE region, featuring AIKO's third-generation INFINITE ABC modules.
Plug-In Solar Systems Gain Popularity in Europe, Germany Leads the Way (TaiyangNews) - Plug-in solar systems surge across Europe with Germany leading at 780,000 registered installations, as falling prices and easy installation drive household adoption.
485 MW JA Solar DeepBlue 4.0 Pro Modules Drive Ecological Restoration in Bayin Wenduer Desert of Inner Mongolia (TaiyangNews) - JA Solar to supply 485MW of desert-optimized solar modules for combined wind-solar project in Inner Mongolia aimed at ecological restoration and desert stabilization.
Australia’s biggest solar farm trebles profits despite grid outages (RenewEconomy) - Australia's largest solar farm New England Solar triples annual profits to $66 million despite October grid outages, as it ramps up to 720MW capacity.
GE Vernova will supply more than 100 turbines to two Texas wind farms (Renewable Energy World) - GE Vernova to supply 109 wind turbines totaling 305MW for two Texas wind farms, supporting 85,000 homes and creating hundreds of construction jobs.
UK Planning Inspectorate Completes Examination of BP and EnBW's Morgan & Mona Applications (Energy Central) - UK Planning Inspectorate concludes review of BP-EnBW joint venture's development applications for 580-square-kilometer Morgan and Mona offshore wind farms in Irish Sea.
GE Vernova Turbines Will Power Texas Wind Farms (Power Magazine) - GE Vernova to supply 109 wind turbines totaling 305MW for two Texas wind projects with RWE, supporting US manufacturing jobs and energy security.
Terabase Raises $130 Million for Robotics Technology to Scale Deployment of Solar Power Plants (ESG Today) - Terabase Energy raises $130M Series C funding to scale AI and robotics-assisted solar power plant deployment technology, aiming to double installation productivity.
Bangladesh Utility Launches 120 MW Solar PV Tender (TaiyangNews) - Bangladesh utility DESCO launches tender for 120MW solar power project across 8 districts, with 15MW lots available for EPC contractors under DBFOM basis.
Transport
BYD's 5-min charging breakthrough, BMW i3 battery upgrades, Hireco's zero-emission refrigeration units, and Bahamas vessel electrification lead transport innovations as California EV share hits 22% and global ICE sales decline
New Study Demonstrates Feasibility and Benefits of Small Vessel Electrification in The Bahamas (EDF) - Study shows small vessel electrification in The Bahamas could reduce $10/gallon fuel dependency while benefiting fishing industry worth $600M annually.
Hireco Places Order for Sunswap Zero-Emission Transport Refrigeration Units (Sunswap) - Major UK fleet provider Hireco orders zero-emission transport refrigeration units to help customers reduce operating costs and CO2 emissions by 120 tonnes per unit over 10 years.
The Driven Podcast: Will everything go electric? (RenewEconomy) - AEVA expert discusses EV market trends and consumer policy needs while The Driven team reviews Everything Electric expo highlights.
Elecq Home: The Future Of EV Charging Is Smarter, Safer, & More Efficient (CleanTechnica) - Elecq Home launches advanced EV charger with solar integration, dynamic load balancing, and extreme weather resilience for smarter home charging.
California Electric Vehicle Sales Rose to 22% Share in 2024, Dominated by (a Declining) Tesla (CleanTechnica) - California's EV market share reached 22% in 2024 with Tesla's dominance declining to 52.5% from 60.1% despite overall EV sales growth.
The End of the Gas-Powered Vehicle Era — Look at the Numbers (CleanTechnica) - US and EU internal combustion vehicle sales show steady decline since 2018, with US dropping from 17.4M to 14.45M units and EU from 15.6M to 11.5M units by 2024.
Could A BMW i3 Be The Last Car You Ever Own? (CleanTechnica) - BMW i3 electric vehicles gain new life through aftermarket battery upgrades offering 160-200 mile range, suggesting EVs could become generational vehicles with battery replacements.
EnergyHub, Ameren Illinois launch EV managed charging pilots (RenewableEnergyWorld) - Ameren Illinois and EnergyHub launch residential and commercial EV charging management pilots with equity-focused incentives to reduce peak grid demand.
This Tesla News is Even Worse than its Sales and Stock Decline (EnergyCentral) - BYD announces 5-minute EV charging technology capable of 249-mile range, posing significant threat to Tesla's technological dominance in electric vehicle market.
Low Price Electric Vehicles (Energy Central) - Major automakers offering new EVs under $40,000 base price target cost-conscious commuters seeking decent range.
Evolve Future Mobility Show 2025 (Energy Central) - Middle East's leading electric vehicle industry event, Evolve Future Mobility Show 2025, set for October in Sharjah UAE.
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