Today's newsletter is coming in the afternoon because I spent the usual morning time kicking off a new client's consulting engagement. (Here's a description of my consulting services.) Capacity building is underway!
Today's visual and quote of the day are a UN leadership rallying call about just how much work must be done, quickly, to avoid disaster.
As always, we've scanned for updates from over 1000 green tech and sustainability orientations, gathering their learnings, analyzing and summarizing them, in order to help advance your work. If you subscribe by email, you’ll find three updates our system selected just for you.
My goal is to deliver information you can connect to your work, now or later, so we can all learn together and make a bigger impact.
Ok, let's go!
-Marshall Kirkpatrick
Founder, Earth Catalyst
Daily super-personalized email and strategic consulting based on two decades of tech startup trailblazing, now focused on green tech and sustainability.
Visual of the Day
The COP16 UN Conference on Biodiversity kicks off today in Cali, Columbia and there's a whole lot of work to do. I recommend CarbonBrief's excellent round-up of the week's news for in-depth coverage of the event, including a big interactive grid on who supports what and who's blocking what.
Also from that post:
3,071
That's the number of “square brackets” remaining in negotiating documents at COP16, as of Thursday night, according to Carbon Brief’s COP16 text tracker. (Square brackets denote areas of disagreement in UN texts. They must all be resolved before countries can reach consensus.)
And now...
Today's Updates
Table of Contents
Agriculture (6 stories) - ASEAN-CGIAR food security initiative, Agtonomy's $32.8M funding for agri-robotics, SAPLING's digital skills program in Tanzania, and concerns over digital agriculture's impact on traditional farming
Carbon (11 stories) - Morgan Stanley, Microsoft invest in carbon removal; Climeworks, Ebb Carbon secure deals; Planetary Technologies raises $11.35M; Industrial fishing impacts ocean carbon storage; Geoengineering methods explored; Real estate sector adopts sustainability certifications; Global emissions hit record high
Circular (7 stories) - Recycled blankets, EcoBuilding Bargains, advanced plastic recycling tech, yeast-based vegan cheese, and salvaged wood repurposing lead circular economy innovations
Ecosystems (12 stories) - Biodiversity challenges and conservation efforts: ACES birding, Cambodia's forest loss, Bolivia's Gran Manupare, right whale population, Northland Council, vulture reintroduction, woodpecker status change, koala DNA tracking, Oregon kelp decline, Texas conservation awards, old-growth forest protection
Efficiency (2 stories) - Variable-speed heat pumps and proper insulation deliver comfort, health, and energy savings
Finance (8 stories) - Bristol's £1B City Leap project honored; World Bank's disaster resilience program; UN complaint against nature finance initiative; Prime Coalition's catalytic capital research; Nature4Climate's tech reports; $2B nature tech investment forecast; EU's Web3 ESG rules; Azerbaijan's COP29 finance focus questioned
Grid (2 stories) - Grid modernization expert joins Great Plains Institute; CA and NY set long-duration energy storage targets
Indigenous (12 stories) - Tostan's Hearth Summit, carbon market demands, Coast Funds opportunities, and Brazil's Guarani land declarations highlight Indigenous climate action and rights
Industry (2 stories) - Mining giants accused of fear tactics; wood pellet industry's impact on vulnerable communities revealed
Policy (13 stories) - Pacific nations demand Australian fossil fuel limits; UN-Habitat boosts African climate resilience; Georgia revokes biomass permit; Australia delays 2035 target; US election's climate impact; UNDRR calls for COP29 action
Renewables (4 stories) - Tax credit threats, Democratic nuclear support, King Energy's $10M solar boost, Lightsource bp's global expansion
Transport (2 stories) - Québec's ambitious EV charging network expansion; health concerns over ultrafine combustion particles
Agriculture
ASEAN-CGIAR food security initiative, Agtonomy's $32.8M funding for agri-robotics, SAPLING's digital skills program in Tanzania, and concerns over digital agriculture's impact on traditional farming
‘Peasant seed systems prove that innovation is not always digital’, says Paola Laini of La Via Campesina at the UNDFF MidTerm Forum (Via Campesina) - Peasant advocate Paola Laini warns of digital agriculture threats to traditional seed systems at UN family farming forum, urging protection of farmers' rights.
ASEAN-CGIAR presents strategic program at the 46th AMAF PrepSOM (CGIAR) - ASEAN-CGIAR unveiled advancements and strategies for its regional food security initiative at the 46th AMAF PrepSOM, emphasizing robust agri-food systems and climate adaptation.
SAPLING initiative empowers youth agripreneurs in livestock through digital innovation in Tanzania (CGIAR) - Tanzania's SAPLING initiative equips young agripreneurs with digital skills, business training, and technology, aiming to enhance livestock productivity and foster entrepreneurship in the agricultural sector.
Serving Our State – A family history of ranching leads to academic and professional success (Colorado State University) - Colorado State University student Cora Schrock, a Boettcher Scholar from a ranching background, aims to combine her animal sciences degree with sustainable cattle farming practices for a future in rural veterinary care.
The Week in AgriFoodTech: Agtonomy raises $32.8m, NVentures backs Orbital Materials, NotCo unveils ‘fragrance formulator’ (AgFunderNews) - Agtonomy secures $32.8 million in funding, leading a wave of investments and product launches in agricultural robotics and automation startups this week.
World Forum on Family Farming: LVC Declares, “No More Policies That Harm Family Farming! We Need a New International Trade Framework!” (Via Campesina) - Global peasant movement outlines five-point plan to bolster family farming at World Forum, emphasizing land redistribution, equitable trade, and agroecological practices.
Carbon
Morgan Stanley, Microsoft invest in carbon removal; Climeworks, Ebb Carbon secure deals; Planetary Technologies raises $11.35M; Industrial fishing impacts ocean carbon storage; Geoengineering methods explored; Real estate sector adopts sustainability certifications; Global emissions hit record high
2 Climate Removal Deals, 1 Final Tax Credit Rule (Heatmap News) - Global financial giants Morgan Stanley and Microsoft invest in large-scale carbon removal projects, with Climeworks securing a 40,000-ton deal and Ebb Carbon partnering for 350,000 tons of ocean-based removal.
For Immediate Release: Planetary Technologies Secures $11.35 Million in Series A Funding to Accelerate Carbon Removal Initiatives (Planetary Technologies) - Canadian startup Planetary Technologies secures $11.35M in Series A funding to expand its ocean-based carbon removal technology, aiming to reduce atmospheric CO2 levels.
Industrial Fishing Undermines World’s Greatest Carbon Sink, Experts Warn (DeSmog) - Industrial fishing weakens the ocean's ability to store carbon by damaging ecosystems and releasing trapped CO2, contradicting claims of fish as a climate-friendly food source.
Morgan Stanley partners with Climeworks to remove CO₂ (Climeworks) - Global financial giant Morgan Stanley commits to removing 40,000 tons of CO₂ from the atmosphere by 2037 through its first Direct Air Capture credit purchase with Climeworks.
Stormfury (Keep Cool) - A new study outlines 13+ geoengineering methods, from stratospheric aerosol injection to space-based solar reflection, detailing their potential, challenges, and development stages in the fight against climate change.
The role of sustainability certifications in driving the real estate industry towards net zero (Thallo) - Sustainability certifications such as LEED and BREEAM are propelling the real estate sector towards net zero emissions through reduction strategies and carbon offsetting measures for remaining emissions.
U.S. shale natural gas production has declined so far in 2024 (EIA) - U.S. shale gas output fell 1% in the first nine months of 2024, potentially ending a 24-year growth streak, with declines in Haynesville and Utica regions due to low prices.
(Climate Action Network) - A UN video presents three potential climate futures for 2030, underscoring the critical importance of swift emissions cuts to keep global warming within the 1.5°C target.
(UN Environment Programme) - Global greenhouse gas emissions reached a record high, increasing 1.3% last year, and must decrease 9% annually until 2030 to limit warming to 1.5°C and prevent catastrophic climate change.
(UNEP) - Global greenhouse gas emissions reached a record high in 2023, necessitating a 42% reduction by 2030 to limit warming to 1.5°C, while current policies project a 3.1°C rise by 2100.
(Climate Central) - New research reveals climate change has dramatically increased the likelihood of hurricanes like Milton, with the probability now 800 times higher due to rising global temperatures and warmer oceans.
Circular
Recycled blankets, EcoBuilding Bargains, advanced plastic recycling tech, yeast-based vegan cheese, and salvaged wood repurposing lead circular economy innovations
10 Eco-Friendly Picnic Hacks: Enjoy the Outdoors with Less Waste (EcoSoul Home) - Eco-conscious picnickers can reduce waste by 80% using recycled blankets, homemade meals, loose snacks, and compostable tableware, according to sustainable living experts at EcoSoul Home.
BC3 publishes a new book about the life cycle of products (BC3) - A new children's book, targeting Basque primary students, seeks to educate about product life cycles, aiming to reduce consumption-related pollution and enhance environmental stewardship.
Impact Briefing (CET) - The Center for EcoTechnology's Fall 2024 Community Briefing showcased climate solutions impact and celebrated the EcoBuilding Bargains initiative, highlighting progress in sustainable practices.
Opinion: IRG recycling plant will be good for the planet – and Erie's eastside (International Recycling Group) - A $300 million US Department of Energy loan commitment aims to bring advanced European and Japanese recycling technology to Erie, potentially quadrupling America's plastic recycling rates.
Protected: Rethink Food Waste NY at SUNY Sustainability Solutions Summit (CET) - The SUNY Sustainability Solutions Summit will host a panel discussion exploring innovative approaches to tackle New York's food waste challenges.
When Scientists Meet Cowboys: An Animal-Free Camembert Cheese (NoPalm Ingredients) - Scientists and Those Vegan Cowboys have developed an animal-free Camembert using sustainable yeast-based fat, successfully replicating the creamy texture and cheesy flavor without dairy products.
(Cambium) - U.S. firm Cambium repurposes salvaged wood from waste streams, marketing it as 'carbon smart' for construction and furniture industries nationwide.
Ecosystems
Biodiversity challenges and conservation efforts: ACES birding, Cambodia's forest loss, Bolivia's Gran Manupare, right whale population, Northland Council, vulture reintroduction, woodpecker status change, koala DNA tracking, Oregon kelp decline, Texas conservation awards, old-growth forest protection
ACES Morning Birding at Hallam Lake 10/22/24 (ACES) - Despite cold temperatures and recent snowfall, morning birding at Aspen's Hallam Lake revealed 12 bird species, coyote howls, and frost-covered scenery, according to ACES.
Cambodia’s once-massive national park continues to lose its forest (Mongabay) - Cambodia's Botum Sakor National Park has seen a 30% loss of its humid primary forest over two decades, largely due to government-approved development projects.
Mining and logging threaten Bolivia’s newest protected area (Mongabay) - Bolivia's newly established Gran Manupare protected area faces immediate challenges from illegal gold mining along its borders and potential logging of valuable mahogany trees within its boundaries.
Near-extinct North Atlantic right whales get a small population boost (Mongabay) - North Atlantic right whale numbers rose marginally to 372 in 2023, yet the species remains critically endangered, facing persistent threats to its survival.
Northland Regional Council (UNDRR) - New Zealand's Northland Regional Council oversees environmental protection, biosecurity, emergency response, and sustainable development across multiple sectors in the region.
Protected: Cinereous vulture reintroduction advances in the Iberian Highlands (Rewilding Europe) - Cinereous vultures, once extinct in Spain's Iberian Highlands, are making a comeback through a reintroduction program led by Rewilding Europe, marking a significant step in regional wildlife restoration efforts.
Red-cockaded woodpecker loses endangered species status (Southern Environmental Law Center) - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service downgrades red-cockaded woodpecker's status from endangered to threatened, sparking debate over the iconic Southern bird's protection.
Researchers track koalas using innovative airborne DNA detection tool (Mongabay) - Australian scientists have successfully identified koalas and other wildlife using innovative airborne DNA collection methods in Queensland, marking a significant advancement in conservation technology.
Roughly two thirds of Oregon kelp forests have disappeared (Environment America) - Oregon's kelp forests have diminished by roughly 70% in the last ten years, largely attributed to unchecked purple sea urchin populations and a lack of natural predators.
Texan by Nature Unveils the 2024 Texan by Nature 20 (Texan by Nature) - Texas-based conservation group honors 20 companies from 12 industries for their outstanding sustainability and conservation efforts across the state.
Value of Old Growth (YouTube) - A new video delves into the vital role of old-growth forests, emphasizing their significant contributions to biodiversity and carbon storage.
(U.S. Forest Service) - The U.S. Forest Service underscores the critical need to protect 25 million acres of old-growth forests, citing their ecological, cultural, and economic significance amid climate change and wildfire threats.
Efficiency
Variable-speed heat pumps and proper insulation deliver comfort, health, and energy savings
Ep. 12: Jim Bergmann's religious conversion... to heat pumps (Amply Energy) - Heat pump expert Jim Bergmann reports significant comfort and efficiency improvements after installing a modern variable-speed system in his home, calling the experience transformative.
There Is a Wrong Way to Insulate Your Home (Heatmap News) - Experts warn that inadequate home insulation can result in mold growth, structural issues, and compromised air quality, underscoring the importance of professional building science knowledge in weatherization efforts.
Finance
Bristol's £1B City Leap project honored; World Bank's disaster resilience program; UN complaint against nature finance initiative; Prime Coalition's catalytic capital research; Nature4Climate's tech reports; $2B nature tech investment forecast; EU's Web3 ESG rules; Azerbaijan's COP29 finance focus questioned
Bristol City Leap Wins 2024 Award of Distinction for Public-Private Collaboration in Cities (Ameresco) - Bristol's City Leap project, aiming to decarbonize the city through £1 billion in clean energy investments, has been honored with the 2024 Award of Distinction for its innovative public-private partnership.
Financial Protection Forum (World Bank) (World Bank) - The World Bank's Financial Protection Forum oversees a program aimed at enhancing financial resilience against natural disasters in developing nations.
Global NGOs File Complaint with UN Program Over Support for “Corporate Greenwashing” Initiative (Friends of the Earth) - Environmental groups lodge UN complaint against nature-focused financial initiative, citing greenwashing concerns and potential policy breaches.
Green Artha Report Features Prime’s Research Centering Global South-Based Climate Investors (Prime Coalition) - Prime Coalition's research on foreign catalytic capital in India and initiatives for Global South climate investors has been highlighted in Green Artha's comprehensive India Climate Finance Report.
Harnessing nature tech for a nature-positive future: actionable steps for businesses (Nature4Climate) - New reports reveal how businesses can harness nature tech to implement eco-friendly practices throughout their operations and financial strategies, according to Nature4Climate.
Nature tech market nears $2 billion: A crucial intersection for private sector and policymakers at COP16 (Nature4Climate) - Nature tech investments are set to double to $2 billion by 2024, driven by companies leveraging AI, satellites, and IoT to address environmental regulations and nature-related risks.
Navigating MiCA’s sustainability disclosure requirements: a guide for Web3 companies (Thallo) - New EU regulations mandate sustainability reporting for Web3 firms, with 80% of crypto asset service providers potentially unaware of the looming ESG disclosure deadline.
Will COP 29 Succeed as “the Finance COP” or Amount to “Blah Blah Blah?” (Terra.do) - Azerbaijan's COP 29 faces scrutiny as a "Finance COP" due to the host nation's fossil fuel expansion plans and leadership's oil industry connections.
Grid
Grid modernization expert joins Great Plains Institute; CA and NY set long-duration energy storage targets
Charles Hua Joins GPI’s Board of Directors (Better Energy) - Former Department of Energy advisor Charles Hua, founder of PowerLines and expert in grid modernization, joins Great Plains Institute's board, bolstering the organization's clean energy policy initiatives.
Playing The Long Game: Why States Are Turning Their Attention to Long-Duration Energy Storage (Clean Energy Group) - California and New York have established ambitious targets for long-duration energy storage procurement, aiming to bolster renewable capacity and advance grid decarbonization objectives.
Indigenous
Tostan's Hearth Summit, carbon market demands, Coast Funds opportunities, and Brazil's Guarani land declarations highlight Indigenous climate action and rights
African Youth Wellbeing Challenges At The Forefront Of The Hearth Summit Thiès (Africa.com) - Senegal's Thiès hosts Tostan's Hearth Summit, uniting over 200 African participants for cross-generational talks on youth issues, including mental health and environmental concerns.
Carbon markets must recognize Indigenous ‘high forest, low deforestation’ areas (commentary) (Mongabay) - Indigenous leaders demand carbon markets compensate communities safeguarding high-forest, low-deforestation areas, emphasizing the need for climate justice and ongoing conservation support.
EPN Celebrates at WE ACT’s Annual Gala (Environmental Protection Network) - Michelle Roos, Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Network, was honored at WE ACT's Annual Gala, recognizing her contributions to environmental justice and movement accomplishments.
Funding Round-Up: Apply for Fall Funding and Grants for First Nations (Coast Funds) - Coast Funds announces a diverse array of autumn funding opportunities for BC First Nations, covering arts, economic development, clean energy, and conservation initiatives.
Impacts and legacies of migration across the Pan Amazon (Mongabay) - Jesuit missionaries, despite their small numbers, wielded significant cultural and political influence over Indigenous populations throughout the Pan Amazon during the 17th and 18th centuries.
Indigenous advocates lament decade of failures by Indonesia’s Jokowi (Mongabay) - Indigenous rights advocates condemn ex-Indonesian President Widodo's 10-year neglect of Indigenous land rights, highlighting unfulfilled promises and ongoing threats to ancestral territories.
Le bien-être des jeunes africains au coeur du Hearth Summit Thiès (YouTube) - African youth well-being takes centre stage at Hearth Summit in Thiès, Senegal, addressing key issues facing the continent's young population.
Les défis du bien-être des jeunes africains au coeur du Hearth Summit Thiès (Les Echos du Niger) - Experts and stakeholders convene in Thiès, Senegal for the Hearth Summit, addressing critical challenges to youth well-being across Africa.
Saiba quais são e onde ficam as sete Terras Indígenas declaradas ao povo Guarani em SP (Instituto Socioambiental) - Brazil's Justice Minister declares seven Guarani Indigenous Lands in São Paulo, spanning 18,000 hectares, advancing their demarcation after an average 14-year wait.
Study: REDD+ doesn’t work without Indigenous peoples, but fails to engage them (Mongabay) - Research reveals REDD+ climate initiatives inadequately involve Indigenous communities, despite their crucial role in safeguarding forests, with only 8% of projects actively engaging them.
Voces del Fuego (Voices of Fire) (Fire Networks) - A new documentary highlights California's inaugural Spanish-language Prescribed Fire Training Exchange, uniting 50 participants from 27 organizations across 8 countries.
(Watershed Research and Training Center) - California's inaugural Spanish-language Prescribed Fire Training Exchange brings together 50 experts from 8 countries and 3 U.S. states, fostering international collaboration in wildfire management techniques.
Industry
Mining giants accused of fear tactics; wood pellet industry's impact on vulnerable communities revealed
Dam terrorism: How mining companies in Brazil scare residents into relocating (Mongabay) - Brazilian mining firms allegedly exaggerate dam risk assessments to coerce local residents into relocating, capitalizing on fears stemming from the 2019 Brumadinho tragedy that claimed 270 lives.
New survey puts human face on pollution caused by U.S. wood pellet mills (Mongabay) - A new survey of 312 households near U.S. wood pellet mills exposes widespread health and quality of life issues from pollution, primarily affecting poor, rural minority communities.
Policy
Pacific nations demand Australian fossil fuel limits; UN-Habitat boosts African climate resilience; Georgia revokes biomass permit; Australia delays 2035 target; US election's climate impact; UNDRR calls for COP29 action
‘We will not allow others to determine our fate’: Pacific nations dial up pressure on Australia’s fossil fuel exports (The Conversation) - Pacific nations, spearheaded by Tuvalu, ramp up demands for Australia to limit fossil fuel exports at Commonwealth gathering, warning of climate crisis's dire impact on their survival.
Building Urban Climate Resilience in Southeastern Africa (Adaptation Fund) - The Adaptation Fund supports a UN-Habitat project boosting climate resilience in four southeastern African cities through regional cooperation, policy improvements, and local infrastructure enhancements.
Georgia revokes biomass facility’s unlawful air permit after conservation groups’ legal challenge (Southern Environmental Law Center) - Georgia's Environmental Protection Division revokes air permit for Telfair Forest Products biomass facility following legal challenge by conservation groups, citing Clean Air Act violations.
Grattan on Friday: a possible Trump victory is making the Albanese government cagey about its 2035 climate target (The Conversation) - Australia delays announcing its 2035 climate target, citing concerns over a potential Trump presidency and its potential effects on global climate action.
How the 2024 election outcome affects just about everything (Climate Desk) - The upcoming U.S. presidential election could profoundly shape climate policy, public health, land management, food costs, and various facets of American society.
How the US could sabotage global climate goals (The Verge) - A UN report cautions that the US presidential election result could substantially affect global climate targets, given America's disproportionate impact on worldwide emissions reduction endeavors.
Notes from the doors (The Crucial Years) - Climate activist Bill McKibben shares insights from canvassing in Philadelphia and Phoenix, highlighting the critical nature of the upcoming U.S. election for environmental policy.
Tiny airborne particles within air pollution could be a silent killer – new study uncovers hidden risks and reveals who’s most at risk in New York state (The Conversation) - A new study reveals prolonged exposure to ultrafine air pollution particles in New York state correlates with increased mortality rates, especially among vulnerable groups.
U.S.-China Engagement and International Climate Diplomacy, What Congress Needs to Know about COP29 (Wilson Center) - U.S. and Chinese officials engaged in climate talks and COP29 planning during a Congressional briefing on global climate diplomacy, as reported by the Wilson Center.
UNDRR engagement at COP29: Financing climate action is not charity but a responsibility (UNDRR) - UNDRR urges immediate steps at COP29 to achieve zero climate disasters through emissions cuts, enhanced adaptation, loss and damage mechanisms, and sustainable climate finance.
(EESI) - Experts examine how U.S.-China relations shape global climate talks, energy shifts, and emissions cuts, influencing UN negotiations and worldwide environmental strategies.
(EOPA) - Federal climate funding empowers Dearborn, Michigan to tackle flooding, upgrade infrastructure, and boost sustainability through local initiatives, according to city officials.
(Climate Interactive) - New simulation reveals policies such as carbon pricing, renewable energy, and deforestation reduction could limit global warming to 1.7°C by 2100, potentially averting severe climate impacts on marine ecosystems and biodiversity.
Renewables
Tax credit threats, Democratic nuclear support, King Energy's $10M solar boost, Lightsource bp's global expansion
How bad could Trump be for renewables? (HEATED) - Analysis suggests Trump's potential repeal of clean energy tax credits could slash renewable development by 212 GW and boost emissions by 1.8 billion metric tons by 2040.
The Democratic Party Is Pro-Nuclear — and Ready to Talk About It (Heatmap News) - The Democratic Party has embraced nuclear energy, backing existing plants and new reactor development through recent legislation and policy shifts, marking a significant change in their energy stance.
UtilityDive: King Energy Secures $10M in Solar Financing (UtilityDive) - King Energy secures $10M funding to grow its solar platform for multi-tenant commercial buildings, offering property owners roof rental income and tenants discounted energy.
(Lightsource bp) - Global solar developer Lightsource bp, in partnership with bp, plans to expand utility-scale solar projects worldwide, targeting increased electricity demand and net-zero goals.
Transport
Québec's ambitious EV charging network expansion; health concerns over ultrafine combustion particles
(Hydro-Québec) - Québec plans to deploy 116,700 public EV charging stations by 2030, aiming for a 1:16 charger-to-vehicle ratio in a bold move towards widespread electric mobility.
(YouTube) - Researchers warn of potential health hazards from ultrafine combustion particles, which can infiltrate lungs and possibly enter the bloodstream, though comprehensive data on their impact is still scarce.
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