Acceleration and Public Sentiment

Those aren't cumulative levels, those are growing annual sums.

New science finds that net CO2 in the air is accelerating. Last year's jump was 3.75 ppm, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Global Monitoring Laboratory

As explained by Inside Climate News: "That brings the annual mean global concentration close to 430 ppm, about 40 percent more than the pre-industrial level, and enough to heat the planet by about 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit (1.5 degrees Celsius)."

Meanwhile, globally, 80% of the world's population wants governments to take stronger climate actions. 89% in poorer countries, 66% in rich countries, 80% total.

So let's go already! The other direction, please!

And now, our daily summaries of nearly 200 selected updates from around the world of green tech and sustainability.

Today's Updates

Table of Contents

• 🌾Agriculture (6 stories) - USDA farm-to-school grant canceled; community gardens in NY & Scotland address food insecurity; Checkerspot develops non-GMO algal oil; Whole-Farm Revenue Protection sees high enrollment.

  
  

• 🪨Carbon (7 stories) - Record CO2 increase; São Paulo carbon market conference; Eni's Liverpool Bay CCS; RepAir's $15M funding; Microsoft's 10M ton carbon removal purchase; Xi's 2035 emissions plan.

  
  

• ♻️Circular (3 stories) - Ripple cups, misleading eco-labels, World Circular Economy Forum 2025 in São Paulo.

  
  

• 🌱Ecosystems (15 stories) - Janine Benyus' biomimicry, Gary Shapiro's orangutan research, endangered penguins, Chile's Gran Abuelo tree, Himalayan zoo's snow leopards, Eaton Fire wildlife return, Hydramo's flood warnings, and AI disaster rescue.

  
  

• ⚡Efficiency (3 stories) - UN guidance for water infrastructure resilience, Chemitek Solar's antistatic coating, and Swedish heat pump expansion.

  
  

• 💰Finance (13 stories) - JBS gets SEC approval despite deforestation concerns, TPG invests in Ardabelle Capital, off-grid solar funding drops, and Silicon Ranch secures $500M.

  
  

• 🔌Grid (13 stories) - Texas grid upgrades, Melbourne battery complete, AI adoption, M-TEC storage, SolarEdge ONE, UK-Germany hydrogen, transformer delays, Duke-GE turbines, Lightshift-Danville battery.

  
  

• 🌍Indigenous (6 stories) - East African conservation vs. Indigenous rights; Sáttítla Highlands Monument threatened; Trump at UN Indigenous forum; Brazilian celebrities for land rights; Burmese activist fights junta; Phoenician DNA.

  
  

• 🏭Industry (31 stories) - LONGi achieves dual certification; Thea Energy's fusion breakthrough; Electra's $186M for clean iron; xAI's pollution controversy; China's rare earth controls; Trump's clean energy policy reversal.

  
  

• 📜Policy (57 stories) - MONLAR urges exit from IMF; UN calls for 'deep changes'; AmeriCorps faces cuts; Pope Francis' legacy; US bypasses UN on deep sea mining; Campaign targets fossil fuel companies; Interior Dept. fast-tracks energy projects; Reform UK courts oil & gas; MN solar program threatened; Trump's influence weakens climate policies; American Lung Association report; CA solar bill; Trump halts LIHEAP; Interior Dept. fast-tracks fossil fuels; Trump ends civil rights settlement; Drax power station scrutiny; EU water resilience strategy; Trump halts Empire Wind; WRI study; Jordan investigates Chinese solar cells; Austria offers solar bonus; Clean energy tax credits face cuts; NJ requests PJM investigation; Trump denies disaster aid; MPs question Drax subsidies; UK water infrastructure targets off track; Carbon capture stalls; HBO documentary exposes Ohio utility bribery scandal; Center for Biological Diversity sues agencies.

  
  

• 🔋Renewables (11 stories) - Solar mobilization (SUN Day), Wood Mackenzie forecast, Tigo Energy off-grid, perovskite panels, geothermal projects, Apollo/Bullrock Energy, JA Solar/NSEG deal.

  
  

• 🚗Transport (7 stories) - DOJ doubts NYC congestion pricing case; Tesla Model Y demand softens in China; Robotaxi challenges emerge; Hyundai expands EV in Asia; Kia gains Tesla Supercharger access; BYD Denza Z challenges Tesla/Porsche; Tesla faces delivery/sales slump.

Agriculture

USDA farm-to-school grant canceled; community gardens in NY & Scotland address food insecurity; Checkerspot develops non-GMO algal oil; Whole-Farm Revenue Protection sees high enrollment.

• Trump’s Latest USDA Cuts Undermine His Plan to ‘Make America Healthy Again’ (Inside Climate News) - Trump administration cancels $10 million USDA farm-to-school grant program that provided fresh produce and agricultural education to public schools nationwide.

• How growing and foraging food can become a common part of cities (The Conversation) - Urban communities across New York and Scotland demonstrate how community gardens and food foraging initiatives transform city spaces while addressing food insecurity and mental health.

• Robert Swan selected as recipient of the 2025 Excellence in Teaching Award (UW SEFS) - Graduate student Robert Swan receives 2025 Excellence in Teaching Award for outstanding mentorship and innovative teaching in environmental sciences, including beekeeping and forestry initiatives.

• Fats from fermentation: Checkerspot unveils high-oleic palm alternative… without genetic modification (AgFunderNews) - California-based Checkerspot develops non-GMO algal oil matching high-oleic palm oil profile for premium applications in infant formula, cosmetics, and nutraceuticals.

• Whole-Farm Revenue Protection Analysis: New Enrollments Reveal Path Forward (NSAC) - Whole-Farm Revenue Protection insurance program sees second-highest enrollment since 2018 with 2,256 farmers participating, driven by recent USDA improvements and expanded coverage options.

• Meet CALS' new faculty 👋 (Cornell CALS) - Nine new faculty members join College of Agriculture and Life Sciences to advance purpose-driven science and global impact.

Carbon

Record CO2 increase; São Paulo carbon market conference; Eni's Liverpool Bay CCS; RepAir's $15M funding; Microsoft's 10M ton carbon removal purchase; Xi's 2035 emissions plan.

• A Grim Signal: Atmospheric CO2 Soared in 2024 (Inside Climate News) - Global atmospheric CO2 levels show record annual increase of 3.75ppm in 2024, reaching 430ppm total concentration.

• Argus Latin America Carbon Conference 2025, São Paulo, Brazil (Energy Central) - Latin America's first commercial carbon markets conference set for São Paulo in June 2025 to boost regional presence and support pre-COP policy discussions.

• Liverpool Bay: Eni and government finalise deal for 'world's most advanced' CCS project (BusinessGreen) - Italian energy firm Eni and UK government finalize agreement for major Liverpool Bay carbon capture project targeting 4.5 million tonnes CO2 storage annually.

• Scientists knew about global warming in the 1950s (Yale Climate Connections) - Scientists understood global warming and fossil fuel risks in 1950s, but industry campaigns later undermined public acceptance of settled science.

• RepAir Raises $15 Million to Scale Electromechanical Carbon Capture Solution (ESG Today) - Israeli startup RepAir raises $15M Series A funding to scale its energy-efficient electromechanical carbon capture technology for industrial emissions and direct air capture.

• Unpacking Microsoft’s mega-purchases in durable carbon removal (Trellis) - Microsoft purchases record-breaking 10 million tons of durable carbon removal credits in past month, exceeding all corporate purchases in 2024.

• Xi commits China to full climate plan but emissions-cutting ambition still unclear (Climate Change News) - China's President Xi pledges comprehensive emissions reduction plan covering all sectors and greenhouse gases by 2035, though specific targets remain unclear.

Circular

Ripple cups, misleading eco-labels, World Circular Economy Forum 2025 in São Paulo.

• Eco-Friendly Ripple Cups: The Sustainable Choice for Coffee Lovers (EcoSoul Home) - Ripple cups offer sustainable alternative to traditional disposable coffee cups with plastic-free, compostable paper design featuring superior insulation and durability.

• Wishcycling: how ‘eco-friendly’ labels confuse shoppers and make recycling less effective (The Conversation) - Research reveals misleading eco-friendly labels drive 'wishcycling,' making recycling systems less effective and highlighting need for standardized packaging design.

• Watch now: What the Foundation is sharing at WCEF 2025 🌎 (Ellen MacArthur Foundation) - World Circular Economy Forum 2025 to be held in São Paulo, Brazil from May 13-16, featuring sessions on circular design, reusable packaging, and sustainable development with global industry leaders.

Ecosystems

Janine Benyus' biomimicry, Gary Shapiro's orangutan research, endangered penguins, Chile's Gran Abuelo tree, Himalayan zoo's snow leopards, Eaton Fire wildlife return, Hydramo's flood warnings, and AI disaster rescue.

• Biomimicry: Learning From Life’s Genius (Atmos) - Biomimicry pioneer Janine Benyus explains how nature's 3.8-billion-year-old design solutions can revolutionize human innovation and sustainability practices.

• An interview with orangutan conservationist and advocate Gary Shapiro (Mongabay) - Orangutan researcher Gary Shapiro's 50-year career reveals breakthrough findings in great ape communication while advocating for orangutan conservation and legal personhood rights.

• Climate Weirdness Hits The Colorado Plateau (CleanTechnica) - Colorado Plateau experiences unprecedented weather patterns with late April snowfall, record heat waves, and freezing temperatures disrupting traditional seasonal stability.

• World Penguin Day 2025: All You Need to Know About Endangered Penguin Species (Earth.org) - Nine out of 18 penguin species now endangered as climate change and human activities threaten to wipe out 90% of Emperor penguins by 2100.

• Can the world's oldest tree standing in Chile survive 'progress'? (DW) - Chile's 5,400-year-old Gran Abuelo tree and surrounding ancient forest face threat from proposed logging road, sparking scientific community's urgent conservation efforts.

• Week in wildlife: wild ponies, a playful jaguar and penguin chicks taking their first swim (The Guardian) - Global wildlife photo gallery showcases diverse species including wild ponies, jaguars, penguin chicks, and rescued bear cubs in their natural habitats worldwide.

• Why We Might Not Find Life on Titan (Nautilus) - New study suggests Saturn's moon Titan's underground ocean could only support microbial biomass equivalent to a small dog, limiting prospects for significant life.

• Fishing cats misunderstood, misidentified in Nepal’s Kapilvastu (Mongabay) - Fishing cats in Nepal's Kapilvastu face persecution due to misidentification as leopards and unproven accusations of fish predation, highlighting need for science-based conservation.

• Saving Snow Leopards at the Foothills of the Himalayas (Bluedot Living) - Award-winning Himalayan zoo's snow leopard breeding program achieves 81 births since 1983, now houses world's largest captive population of 11 snow leopards.

• Wildlife Returns to Site of Devastating Southern California Wildfire (Yale e360) - Wildlife including mountain lions, deer and coyotes return to California's Eaton Fire site after four months, with new vegetation growth following heavy rains.

• Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences (Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences) - Study compares geomagnetic impacts of May 2024 solar storm with historical events including 1859 Carrington Event, analyzing magnitude and latitudinal differences.

• Hydramo (PreventionWeb) - Dutch startup Hydramo develops autonomous flood warning systems combining satellite data and ground sensors to protect vulnerable communities in remote areas.

• AI-Powered Rescue Dogs (Nautilus) - AI-powered software combines search dog behavior data with drone surveillance to locate disaster victims up to 10 times faster than traditional rescue methods.

• State of the climate: 2025 close behind 2024 as the hottest start to a year (Carbon Brief) - Global temperatures in Q1 2025 were second-warmest on record despite La Niña conditions, with both poles experiencing record-low sea ice coverage.

• EV supply chain & transport need redesign, Mongabay podcast shows (Mongabay) - Electric vehicle transition faces challenges in battery material sourcing, recycling, and transport system redesign, requiring circular economy solutions.

Efficiency

UN guidance for water infrastructure resilience, Chemitek Solar's antistatic coating, and Swedish heat pump expansion.

• Global Methodology for Infrastructure Resilience Reviews: Guidance for the water sector (UNDRR) - UN agencies release comprehensive guidance for assessing and improving disaster resilience in water infrastructure systems worldwide.

• A New-Generation Antistatic Solution For Solar Panels By Chemitek Solar (TaiyangNews) - Chemitek Solar launches upgraded antistatic coating solution for solar panels promising 1-year durability and 50% water reduction in cleaning.

• Aira Manifesto (Aira) - Swedish heat pump company launches European expansion with smart home heating systems promising reduced emissions and energy bills through integrated design-to-maintenance solution.

Finance

JBS gets SEC approval despite deforestation concerns, TPG invests in Ardabelle Capital, off-grid solar funding drops, and Silicon Ranch secures $500M.

• Paying to prevent deforestation is positive, not ‘nothing’ (commentary) (Mongabay) - Commentary argues paying landowners to preserve rainforests is as legitimate as stock dividends and critical for protecting ecosystem services in Panama.

• LiveEO | LiveEO Secures Strategic Investment from Kyuden International to Expand Satellite-Powered Infrastructure Observations (LiveEO) - German satellite monitoring firm secures strategic investment from Japanese energy giant Kyuden International to expand infrastructure observation capabilities in Asian markets.

• How Clean Energy Fared in Q1 (Heatmap News) - Clean energy sector sees $8B investment drop in Q1 2025 amid tariff concerns, policy uncertainty, and shifting electricity demand patterns.

• The World’s Biggest Meat Company Gets the Greenlight to Go Public on the New York Stock Exchange (Inside Climate News) - World's largest meat company JBS receives SEC approval for NYSE listing despite history of Amazon deforestation and corruption charges.

• Green groups decry plan to list world’s biggest meatpacking company on NYSE (The Guardian) - Environmental groups protest SEC approval for Amazon deforestation-linked meat giant JBS to list on NYSE, raising concerns over climate impact and corporate accountability.

• TPG Backs New Supply Chain Sustainability-Focused Private Equity Firm Ardabelle (ESG Today) - TPG invests in Ardabelle Capital, a new private equity firm focused on sustainable supply chain transformation and mid-market industrial investments.

• Report accuses Starbucks of tax avoidance through ‘ethical’ Swiss subsidiary (Mongabay) - Starbucks accused of shifting $1.3 billion in profits through Swiss ethical coffee sourcing subsidiary to avoid higher taxes in other countries.

• Stakes high as G20 ministers miss opportunity to pursue solidarity, wealth tax (Greenpeace) - G20 Finance Ministers' meeting fails to advance wealth tax initiatives and solidarity measures amid global economic challenges.

• Assemblée Générale d’ENGIE du 24 avril 2025 (ENGIE) - French energy giant's shareholders approve all board resolutions, climate strategy, and €1.48 dividend per share at annual general meeting.

• 2024 Off-Grid Solar Funding Fell 30 Percent To $300 Million (TaiyangNews) - Global off-grid solar funding dropped 30% to $300 million in 2024, with scale-up companies raising 77% while startup investments declined 70%.

• Novata Launches ESG Due Diligence Solution (ESG Today) - Novata launches new ESG Due Diligence solution to help private market investors streamline sustainability data collection and management for pre-investment and post-deal monitoring.

• Tariffs aren’t phasing this solar developer (Canary Media) - Solar developer Silicon Ranch secures $500M investment despite tariffs and policy headwinds, showing resilience in US renewable sector.

• New stuff to read from The Informal Blog (By Informal Systems) for 04/24/2025 (Informal Systems) - Blockchain company Quint holds launch event with community Q&A session and provides recap of discussions.

Grid

Texas grid upgrades, Melbourne battery complete, AI adoption, M-TEC storage, SolarEdge ONE, UK-Germany hydrogen, transformer delays, Duke-GE turbines, Lightshift-Danville battery.

• Texas Approves First-Ever High Voltage Transmission Lines to Power Growing Demand (Advanced Energy United) - Texas Public Utility Commission approves state's first 765-kilovolt transmission lines in Permian Basin, doubling voltage capacity to meet growing electricity demand.

• Last of three giant transformers gets craned into place at massive state-backed battery (RenewEconomy) - Final 335-tonne transformer installed at Victoria's 600MW Melbourne Renewable Energy Hub battery project, enabling 1.6GWh storage capacity to power 200,000 homes.

• Utilities want AI for climate resilience (Latitude Media) - U.S. utilities increasingly adopt AI technologies for climate resilience planning and grid management, driven by state regulatory mandates and extreme weather risks.

• Energy Tower: M-TEC’s New Modular Battery Storage System (TaiyangNews) - Austrian firm M-TEC launches modular battery storage system scalable up to 230.5 kWh with integrated hybrid inverter for commercial buildings.

• Alaska, rich in petroleum, faces an energy shortage (The Conversation) - Alaska, despite vast oil reserves and daily crude exports, faces domestic natural gas shortage due to lack of infrastructure to transport North Slope gas to population centers.

• Intersolar Europe 2025: SolarEdge Launches New 14a Compliant Solution, Opening German Residential Solar Customers to Smart Integration of Controllable Energy Loads (CleanTechnica) - SolarEdge launches ONE Controller device enabling German residential solar customers to comply with new grid regulations while integrating EV chargers and heat pumps.

• CT electric bills to drop slightly following new PURA ruling (CT Mirror) - Connecticut regulators approve slight electric bill decrease due to favorable nuclear power purchase agreements, with Eversource customers saving $13 and United Illuminating customers saving $3 monthly starting May 1.

• Hydrogen; UK, Germany | Landfall Interconnectors (Energy Central) - UK and Germany plan hydrogen interconnector infrastructure for cross-border clean energy trade.

• Optimizing Supply Chain Processes to Ensure a Reliable Electric Power System (PowerMag) - Power industry faces severe supply chain delays with transformer delivery times extending from 3 months to 2 years, prompting utilities to adopt new procurement strategies and partnerships.

• Duke Energy, GE Vernova Strike Major Gas Turbine Deal to Support Explosive Demand Growth (POWER Magazine) - Duke Energy partners with GE Vernova to secure up to 11 advanced gas turbines amid unprecedented power demand growth from data centers and manufacturing.

• Smaller, public utilities see growth potential in data centers, but there are risks: APPA (Utility Dive) - Small public utilities report growing data center interconnection requests but face challenges balancing potential revenue growth with grid reliability and ratepayer protection.

• Lightshift to build 11-MW storage project for Virginia municipal utility (Utility Dive) - Lightshift Energy to build 11-MW/44-MWh battery storage facility for Virginia's Danville Utilities, aiming to cut peak demand costs by $30 million over 20 years.

• Scaling BYOB: EnergyHub clients surpass 100 MW of battery capacity (EnergyHub) - Residential battery capacity for virtual power plants surpasses 130MW across North America, marking 64% growth in 2024.

Indigenous

East African conservation vs. Indigenous rights; Sáttítla Highlands Monument threatened; Trump at UN Indigenous forum; Brazilian celebrities for land rights; Burmese activist fights junta; Phoenician DNA.

• Beyond the Safari (Mongabay) - East African protected areas face mounting tensions between colonial-era conservation models and indigenous rights as biodiversity preservation efforts evolve.

• Indigenous nations fought for a new national monument. Will it survive Trump? (Mongabay) - Indigenous-led Sáttítla Highlands National Monument faces uncertain future as Trump administration signals potential rescission of protected status for 200,000-acre California site.

• Trump admin speaker at UNPFII met with silence (High Country News) - US official's pro-Trump speech at UN Indigenous forum met with silence after claiming Trump administration protected Indigenous women's rights, while Indigenous leaders emphasize self-determination and environmental protection.

• Brasil Indígena, Terra Demarcada! #shorts (ISA) - Brazilian celebrities advocate for indigenous land rights, highlighting tribes' role in protecting forests, regulating climate, and safeguarding water resources amid ongoing territorial threats.

• Face of the Future: Lway Poe Ngeal (UUSC) - Burmese activist Lway Poe Ngeal leads Women's League of Burma's fight against military junta's sexual violence and discrimination while facing humanitarian aid cuts and earthquake aftermath.

• Ancient Phoenicians spread their culture — but not their DNA (Nature) - DNA analysis reveals ancient Phoenicians spread their culture across Mediterranean without significant genetic mixing, maintaining distinct regional ancestries.

Industry

LONGi achieves dual certification; Thea Energy's fusion breakthrough; Electra's $186M for clean iron; xAI's pollution controversy; China's rare earth controls; Trump's clean energy policy reversal.

• Ameresco Celebrates 25th Year of “Showing the Way”, Releases 2024 Impact Report on “People, Planet & Policy” (Ameresco) - Energy solutions provider marks 25th anniversary with impact report highlighting $16B in sustainability projects and 17M metric tons of CO2 emissions avoided in 2024.

• Thea-retical fusion (Keep Cool) - New Jersey startup Thea Energy demonstrates breakthrough in fusion reactor design using modular superconducting magnets and software controls, aiming for commercial fusion power within 20 years.

• The University of Tokyo and Eight Private Companies Driving Fusion Innovation Launch Corporate Sponsored Research Programs (Kyoto Fusioneering) - University of Tokyo partners with eight private companies to launch fusion energy research program focused on plant design and next-gen talent development.

• China Solar PV News Snippets: Recognition For LONGi’s Manufacturing Base At Shanghai Climate Week & More (TaiyangNews) - LONGi's Jiaxing facility becomes world's first dual-certified Lighthouse and Zero-Carbon solar manufacturing base, integrating advanced automation and achieving carbon neutrality through renewable energy.

• Electra Raises $186 Million to Decarbonize Steel (Heatmap News) - Electra secures $186M Series B funding for low-temperature electrochemical iron refining process that could drastically reduce steel industry emissions.

• Electra Announces $186M Series B Funding Round to Scale Clean Iron Production (GlobeNewswire) - Electra secures $186M Series B funding to scale clean iron production using renewable energy, targeting 99% pure iron with 90% lower carbon emissions than traditional methods.

• Fighting Giants: Standing with Memphis to Stop Pollution and Protect the People (Clean Energy) - Elon Musk's xAI facility in Memphis operates 35 unpermitted methane gas turbines, becoming county's largest nitrogen oxide polluter while bypassing environmental regulations.

• Leading Global Battery Expert Kenneth Hoffman to Join Pure Lithium as Special Advisor (CleanTechnica) - Former McKinsey Global Battery Head Kenneth Hoffman joins Pure Lithium as Special Advisor to advance commercialization of lithium metal battery technology.

• Elon Musk’s xAI accused of pollution over Memphis supercomputer (The Guardian) - Elon Musk's xAI faces pollution controversy in Memphis over unauthorized operation of 33 methane gas turbines powering AI supercomputer near historically Black neighborhoods.

• UK Germany | Trade of Hydrogen (Energy Central) - UK and Germany explore feasibility of pipeline-based hydrogen trade with four potential route options connecting UK's east coast to European mainland.

• From Pit to Power — Transforming Energy Management in Mining Operations (Energy Central) - Mining industry shifts toward renewable energy and smart technologies to reduce costs and emissions, with major companies like Rio Tinto investing billions in solar and battery storage.

• The geopolitics of rare earth elements (Latitude Media) - China escalates rare earth export controls on magnets and materials, leveraging its 90%+ market dominance in processing and heavy rare earth elements.

• A Clear Path to a Sustainable Facility (POWER Magazine) - Manufacturing facility achieves decarbonization through bio-residual oil conversion and 209-kW solar carport installation, maintaining operational flexibility with natural gas backup.

• Chart: Trump is killing the country’s clean-energy manufacturing momentum (Canary Media) - Trump's policies trigger $8 billion in clean energy manufacturing cancellations in Q1 2024, reversing Biden-era growth momentum.

• Electra lands $186M to scale up its clean iron electrowinning process (Canary Media) - Electra secures $186M investment from major steel and mining companies to scale up low-temperature, electric-powered iron purification process for greener steelmaking.

• Clean Iron Startup Electra Raises $186 Million to Decarbonize Steelmaking (ESGToday) - Clean iron startup Electra raises $186M from major industry players to scale its renewable-powered, low-temperature iron ore refining process for decarbonizing steelmaking.

• ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (JOEM) (JOEM) - Study examines workplace temperature extremes' impact on productivity and work time losses across industries.

• AI is rewriting the rules of workspaces (HR&A Advisors) - AI revolution demands flexible workspaces and updated urban policies as offices evolve from productivity containers to creative hubs in the Age of Imagination.

• LiveEO | Meet Us at the 2025 API Pipeline Conference and Expo (LiveEO) - Pipeline monitoring company to showcase AI-powered satellite surveillance system for leak prevention at 2025 API Pipeline Conference in Austin.

• Sinopont’s EVA Portfolio With White Reflective And UV-Targeted Films (TaiyangNews) - Chinese manufacturer Sinopont launches advanced EVA film portfolio for solar panels featuring white reflective and UV-targeted variants with improved lamination properties.

• TaiyangNews PV Price Index – 2025 - CW17 (TaiyangNews) - Chinese solar PV component prices decline across all categories except solar glass in week 17 of 2025, marking first major price drop of the year.

• Risen Energy’s 2024 Earnings Dip Amid Price Pressure (TaiyangNews) - Chinese solar manufacturer Risen Energy reports 42.7% revenue drop and $472M net loss in 2024 amid global oversupply and price pressures.

• China Solar PV News Snippets: Red Dot Design Award For Trina’s Vertex S+ Modules & More (TaiyangNews) - Trina Solar's Vertex S+ Black modules win 2025 Red Dot Design Award while multiple Chinese solar companies report mixed financial results and new project developments.

• Made-In-Europe EVA Films From Satinal (TaiyangNews) - Italian manufacturer Satinal launches domestically-produced STRATO EVA solar panel encapsulation films with multiple variants for European market.

• The First Sign the U.S. Oil and Gas Sector Is Pulling Back (Heatmap News) - Matador Resources cuts drilling operations and $100M in capital costs amid oil price volatility, potentially signaling broader U.S. oil sector pullback.

• Kia Establishes IT Education Center to Empower Youth in Côte d’Ivoire (CleanTechnica) - Kia launches IT education center in Côte d'Ivoire to provide digital skills training and entrepreneurship programs for local youth through 2027 as part of its Green Light Project initiative.

• Toyota Invests More into Old Tech in West Virginia (CleanTechnica) - Toyota invests $88 million in West Virginia factory to produce hybrid transaxles, continuing focus on hybrid technology despite industry shift toward full electric vehicles.

• NextEra CEO feels ‘very good about tariffs’ (Latitude Media) - NextEra CEO reports minimal tariff impact on operations due to diversified supply chain, sees potential advantage over smaller competitors.

• Tesla’s energy arm is no stranger to resource shortages (Latitude Media) - Tesla Energy's history of resource constraints and supply chain challenges resurfaces amid geopolitical tensions and CEO controversy affecting growth.

• NextEra Energy CEO urges ‘energy pragmatism’ amid rising costs, demand (Utility Dive) - NextEra CEO warns natural gas costs tripling and construction delays growing while solar and battery storage remain cheapest options amid surging US energy demand.

• WaveSave (PreventionWeb) - WaveSave launches as private sector water management firm offering flood and drought control solutions for communities worldwide.

Policy

MONLAR urges exit from IMF; UN calls for 'deep changes'; AmeriCorps faces cuts; Pope Francis' legacy; US bypasses UN on deep sea mining; Campaign targets fossil fuel companies; Interior Dept. fast-tracks energy projects; Reform UK courts oil & gas; MN solar program threatened; Trump's influence weakens climate policies; American Lung Association report; CA solar bill; Trump halts LIHEAP; Interior Dept. fast-tracks fossil fuels; Trump ends civil rights settlement; Drax power station scrutiny; EU water resilience strategy; Trump halts Empire Wind; WRI study; Jordan investigates Chinese solar cells; Austria offers solar bonus; Clean energy tax credits face cuts; NJ requests PJM investigation; Trump denies disaster aid; MPs question Drax subsidies; UK water infrastructure targets off track; Carbon capture stalls; HBO documentary exposes Ohio utility bribery scandal; Center for Biological Diversity sues agencies.

• Sri Lanka: Exit Harmful Debt Restructuring Agreements, Reform Laws to Align with UNDROP, MONLAR Tells Government (Via Campesina) - Sri Lankan peasant organization MONLAR urges government to exit IMF debt agreements and reform laws, citing violations of UN peasant rights declaration affecting 1.65 million small-scale farmers.

• UN report recommends ‘deep change’ theory to address global crises (Mongabay) - UN report outlines five 'deep changes' needed in societal structures to address climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution crises.

• AmeriCorps budget slashed, raising concerns for community service and public lands (Mongabay) - AmeriCorps budget cuts threaten vital environmental conservation work and disaster response capabilities across U.S. national parks and forests.

• Global warming hits hardest for those who can’t escape it (Mongabay) - New study reveals climate change impacts disproportionately affect world's most vulnerable populations who lack mobility options to escape heat, flooding and landslides.

• Pope Francis’ uncompromising defense of nature may be his greatest legacy (Mongabay) - Pope Francis, who died at 88, leaves legacy of unprecedented papal environmental advocacy through landmark documents defending nature, Indigenous peoples, and criticizing unchecked capitalism.

• US government confirms their support for deep sea mining plans that bypass United Nations: Greenpeace response (Greenpeace) - US government bypasses UN authority with executive order supporting deep sea mining in international waters, drawing widespread condemnation.

• 2025 is the year to make polluters pay (Greenpeace) - Global campaign launches to make fossil fuel companies pay for climate damage through new international tax agreements and policies in 2025.

• A multi-billion dollar question: What good can come from taxing oil and gas corporations for climate damages? (Greenpeace) - Global campaign calls for taxing oil and gas corporations' profits to fund climate disaster recovery and prevention in vulnerable communities worldwide.

• Fossil fuels are a threat to our security – here’s 6 reasons why (Greenpeace) - Fossil fuel dependence threatens global security through war financing, price manipulation, environmental damage, and delayed renewable energy transition.

• Diminishing environmental reviews would endanger public health, safety and the environment (Appalachian Voices) - Department of Interior plans to drastically reduce environmental review periods for energy projects to under a month, raising concerns about public health and safety.

• The True Cost of Nuclear Weapons: Updated Community Cost Calculator (PSR) - Updated Community Cost Calculator reveals U.S. taxpayers spend $110 billion annually on nuclear weapons, with Los Angeles County alone contributing $3.2 billion in FY2025.

• How Pope Francis became a climate change influencer (The Conversation) - Pope Francis leveraged Catholic Church's influence to become major climate activist, publishing influential encyclicals and mobilizing religious communities worldwide.

• Farage’s Top Fundraiser Targets Oil and Gas Donations (DeSmog) - Reform UK treasurer Nick Candy seeks major donations from oil and gas executives while party pushes anti-climate policies and questions climate science.

• Rise and Grind Through the Apocalypse (Heatmap News) - San Francisco Climate Week events highlight stark contrast between apocalyptic warnings from climate leaders and business-as-usual approach from climate tech companies amid Trump presidency.

• CSCI Grant Applications Reflect High Level of Community Interest in Climate Resilience (Climate Resilience Fund) - 118 US communities apply for climate resilience grants, with flooding and extreme heat as top concerns, reflecting growing demand for adaptation support.

• Join Moms’ Maternal & Children’s Health Forum Live May 8 (Moms Clean Air Force) - Environmental and health experts to discuss maternal health disparities for women of color in live forum addressing pollution, heat, and chemical exposure impacts.

• On Earth Week, We’re Endorsing Climate Champions to Take Back the House (LCV Action Fund) - Environmental advocacy group announces 63 House candidate endorsements during Earth Week, targeting pro-climate action Democrats for 2026 election cycle.

• How Will Trump’s Effort to Revitalize Coal Play Out in the Nation’s Most Productive Coal Fields? (InsideClimateNews) - Environmental groups and tribes seek to defend BLM's coal lease restrictions in Powder River Basin against potential Trump administration rollbacks.

• Community Solar Plays Defense in Minnesota (Inside Climate News) - Minnesota Senate bill threatens to end state's pioneering community solar program despite its success in expanding renewable energy access to low-income residents.

• Australia and Canada: Two fossil fuel giants where Trump has had stunning impact on election polls (RenewEconomy) - Trump's influence drives parallel polling shifts in fossil fuel giants Australia and Canada, with both nations seeing conservative surge and weakened climate policies.

• Nearly Half Of All Americans Are Breathing Unhealthy Air (CleanTechnica) - American Lung Association report reveals 156.1 million Americans now exposed to unhealthy air pollution levels, with communities of color facing disproportionate impact.

• California’s AB 942 Will Undermine Rooftop Solar — And Why That Matters (CleanTechnica) - California's proposed AB 942 bill threatens to cut guaranteed solar net metering agreements from 20 to 10 years, potentially increasing costs for existing solar customers by $750 annually.

• MN Senate energy bill could dial back landmark climate policies (Renewable Energy World) - Minnesota Senate bill proposes ending community solar program by 2028 and reducing net metering benefits for rural utility customers, reversing key climate policies passed in 2023.

• Trump Administration severs ‘lifeline’ for families struggling to pay utility bills (Inside Climate News) - Trump administration layoffs at HHS halt LIHEAP utility bill assistance program, leaving $400 million in aid unallocated to states during critical spring period.

• US interior agency to fast track fossil fuel and mining permits over ‘fake emergency’ (The Guardian) - US Interior Department announces 28-day fast-track permits for fossil fuel and mining projects, citing Trump's disputed 'energy emergency' declaration.

• Trump administration kills landmark pollution settlement in majority-Black county (The Guardian) - Trump administration terminates civil rights settlement addressing raw sewage crisis in majority-Black Alabama county, labeling it as "illegal" DEI agreement.

• Lifesize herd of puppet animals begins climate action journey from Africa to Arctic Circle (The Guardian) - Life-size puppet animal herd begins 20,000km climate awareness journey from Africa to Arctic Circle, training 2,000 local volunteers to create recycled-material puppets along the way.

• UK spending watchdog censures water firms and regulators over sewage failings (The Guardian) - UK spending watchdog finds water companies evading sewage work improvements while overspending on infrastructure, with costs passed to consumers.

• Drax needs a better policeman (The Guardian) - UK Public Accounts Committee demands stricter oversight of Drax power station's wood pellet sourcing amid concerns over self-reporting and sustainability verification.

• 89% of the public demand climate action. (Energy Central) - Global survey reveals 89% of public wants stronger government action on climate crisis, highlighting disconnect between public sentiment and policy implementation.

• How Earth Day 1970 Sparked a Lifetime of Environmentalism (Bluedot Living) - Montreal teenager's Earth Day 1970 organizing experience sparked lifelong environmental journalism career and activism spanning five decades.

• Finding Hope Amid the Los Angeles Wildfires (Bluedot Living) - Los Angeles wildfires spur massive community mutual aid response providing food, masks, and shelter to displaced residents amid climate disaster.

• Europe Needs a Water Resilience Strategy (REVOLVE) - MEP Thomas Bajada calls for comprehensive EU water resilience strategy addressing PFAS pollution, climate adaptation, and cross-border water management.

• The EU’s Adaptation Efforts for a Changing Climate (Revolve Media) - EU launches Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change with 308 regions joining to combat extreme weather, rising seas, and biodiversity loss through research and innovation.

• How to break through climate apathy (ScienceDaily) - UCLA study finds presenting climate data as binary outcomes (frozen lake vs. not frozen) rather than gradual temperature changes increases public climate change awareness by 12%.

• Minnesota bill could 'all but stop' rural small-scale solar installs (Canary Media) - Minnesota Senate bill backed by rural electric cooperatives aims to end net metering and slash solar credits for future rural customers by 2026.

• Trump’s Empire Wind freeze threatens South Brooklyn jobs and economy (Canary Media) - Trump administration's halt of Empire Wind project threatens 1,500 jobs and economic revival plans at South Brooklyn's offshore wind terminal.

• Despite global opposition, Trump just fast-tracked deep-sea mining (Grist) - Trump issues executive order to fast-track deep-sea mining applications, citing national security and economic growth despite environmental concerns.

• Individual action won’t save the climate – unless governments and businesses back it (Climate Change News) - Individual climate actions like reducing meat consumption and flying less only achieve 10% of potential emissions reductions without systemic government and business support, WRI study finds.

• At energy security talks, US pushes gas and derides renewables (Climate Home News) - At London energy security summit, US officials promote fossil fuels and criticize renewables while EU and UK leaders advocate for clean energy transition.

• SF Climate Week at Climate One: Alexis Madrigal, Ms. Margaret Gordon and Abby Reyes (YouTube) - SF Climate Week's Climate One event highlighted environmental justice advocates fighting pollution and building community-owned solutions.

• Jordan Launches Anti-Dumping Probe Into Chinese Solar Imports (TaiyangNews) - Jordan launches anti-dumping investigation into Chinese solar cells and modules following complaint from local manufacturer Philadelphia Solar Energy Company.

• Austria To Offer ‘Made In Europe’ Bonus For Solar & Storage (TaiyangNews) - Austria to offer 20% bonus incentive for European-made components in small-scale solar and storage projects, launching June 2025 with €60 million funding.

• Advocates say clean energy tax credits further Trump agenda regardless of climate benefits (Renewable Energy World) - Clean energy tax credits face potential cuts despite $238M annual economic value to Iowa, as GOP leaders target Biden-era environmental policies.

• New Jersey Governor wants feds to investigate higher PJM electricity prices (RenewableEnergyWorld) - New Jersey Governor requests federal investigation into PJM Interconnection's electricity price increases, citing potential market manipulation amid 17-20% rate hikes.

• Trump denies aid for Arkansas after storms that killed more than 40 people (The Guardian) - Trump administration denies federal disaster aid to Arkansas following tornadoes that killed 40+ people, amid his stated plans to eliminate FEMA.

• MPs question value of billions in subsidies granted to Drax power plant (The Guardian) - MPs and spending watchdog question £6.5bn in government subsidies to Drax power plant amid sustainability concerns and biomass sourcing controversies.

• 'Failed to deliver': Spending watchdog warns government off track to meet water targets (BusinessGreen) - UK spending watchdog warns government is off track to meet water infrastructure targets due to insufficient investment and repeated delays.

• Balcony solar took off in Germany. Why not the US? (Grist) - Germany's widespread adoption of plug-in balcony solar panels faces regulatory hurdles in US despite Utah's pioneering legislation to remove barriers.

• Carbon capture technology is ready. Permitting needs to catch up. (Utility Dive) - Carbon capture technology deployment stalls due to EPA's backlog of 150+ CO2 injection well permit applications despite proven effectiveness.

• SF Climate Week at Climate One: San José Mayor Matt Mahan and Rep. Jared Huffman (Climate One) - San José Mayor Matt Mahan and Rep. Jared Huffman discuss city-level climate action and federal environmental protection strategies during SF Climate Week events.

• Looking Ahead to AABE (Advanced Energy United) - CEO to speak at AABE National Conference in Atlanta, highlighting industry's commitment to diversity and clean energy workforce development.

• Don't miss it: how to prepare for the CCDAA + unlocking Scope 3 with Sweetgreen (Watershed) - Two upcoming webinars announced on California climate reporting law compliance and food industry supply chain emissions management strategies.

  Ohio’s HB 6 scandal gets a wider audience (Canary Media) - New HBO documentary exposes Ohio's massive utility bribery scandal involving power plant bailouts, bringing wider attention to the years-long corruption case.

• Trump disrupts Georgia’s growing solar industry (Canary Media) - Trump's tariff threats and rollback of clean energy tax credits create uncertainty for Georgia's solar industry after record 1.5GW capacity addition last year.

• The latest from Day 4 of 89 Percent Project Coverage (Covering Climate Now) - Global journalism collaboration "89 Percent Project" launches to highlight widespread public support for climate action, featuring coverage from major news outlets worldwide.

• Unearthing Trump’s planet-killing plans  (Biological Diversity) - The Center for Biological Diversity is suing agencies to release Trump's plans to boost fossil fuels by weakening environmental protections, endangering species and ignoring court orders.

Renewables

Solar mobilization (SUN Day), Wood Mackenzie forecast, Tigo Energy off-grid, perovskite panels, geothermal projects, Apollo/Bullrock Energy, JA Solar/NSEG deal.

• Faiths 4 Climate Justice: SUN Day (GreenFaith) - Multi-faith coalition announces nationwide 'SUN Day' mobilization for September 2025 to advocate for solar power adoption and end to fossil fuel subsidies.

• What is clean energy and why is it important? (Citizens' Climate Lobby) - Comprehensive overview explains five major clean energy sources - solar, wind, nuclear, geothermal, and hydropower - highlighting their benefits, challenges, and crucial role in reducing emissions and ensuring energy security.

• US To Install 502 GW DC New Solar Capacity By 2035 (TaiyangNews) - Wood Mackenzie forecasts US to add 502 GW of solar capacity by 2035, reaching 740 GW total despite policy uncertainties.

• Tigo Energy Introduces Comprehensive High-Performance Off-Grid Solar Package (CleanTechnica) - Tigo Energy launches comprehensive off-grid solar package combining enhanced efficiency, storage options, and simplified deployment for residential and commercial installations.

• New study compares growing corn for energy to solar production. It’s no contest. (Anthropocene) - Study reveals solar panels on just 3.2% of US corn-ethanol farmland could match current ethanol energy output while reducing fertilizer use and increasing farmer income.

• Next-Generation Panels Recharge Utility Solar Economics (PowerMag) - Next-generation tandem perovskite solar panels achieve 27% efficiency, promising to reduce utility-scale solar costs by 15% amid rising land and component prices.

• Geothermal Energy Growing as Renewable Energy Resource (Power Magazine) - Global geothermal energy adoption accelerates with major projects in Colorado, Utah, and Taiwan, while multiple countries now generate over 15% of electricity from geothermal sources.

• Catalyze Announces Community Solar Acquisition in New York (Catalyze) - Houston-based renewable energy company acquires 48MW of community solar projects in upstate New York, set for 2026 operation.

• Apollo Launches $220 Million Community Solar JV with Bullrock Energy (ESG Today) - Apollo commits $220 million to joint venture with Bullrock Energy for community solar projects across New York and New England.

• JA Solar Expands Rooftop Market Reach in Australia with 150MW MOU Signed with NSEG (TaiyangNews) - JA Solar signs 150MW solar module supply agreement with Australian rooftop provider NSEG for 2025 delivery, expanding its presence in Australia's residential solar market.

• Who’s optimistic about renewable energy? People in Africa and the Middle East (Trellis) - Survey reveals stark regional divide in renewable energy optimism, with 80% confidence in Africa/Middle East versus 46% in North America.

Transport

DOJ doubts NYC congestion pricing case; Tesla Model Y demand softens in China; Robotaxi challenges emerge; Hyundai expands EV in Asia; Kia gains Tesla Supercharger access; BYD Denza Z challenges Tesla/Porsche; Tesla faces delivery/sales slump.

• Trump’s Lawyers Told a Judge They Think They’ll Lose Their Own Lawsuit (Heatmap News) - Trump administration's own Department of Justice lawyers accidentally reveal memo stating their legal case against NYC's congestion pricing program is likely to fail.

• New Tesla Model Y Sales Bump Already Over In China?! (CleanTechnica) - Tesla's new Model Y in China shows early signs of weakening demand with short delivery times and declining insurance registrations despite recent launch.

• Flaws in the Robotaxi Revolution Dream (CleanTechnica) - Robotaxi revolution faces significant challenges due to increased vehicle miles traveled, peak-hour demand constraints, and practical limitations of shared vehicle usage versus private car ownership.

• Hyundai Launches EV Center in India & Rolls Out Electric Buses in Japan (CleanTechnica) - Hyundai expands EV operations in Asia with new battery research center in India and electric bus deployment at UNESCO site in Japan.

• Kia EV Drivers Get Access to Tesla Superchargers (CleanTechnica) - Kia EV owners gain access to Tesla's 21,500 Supercharger stations via Kia Access app, expanding their fast-charging network by 80%.

• Move Over, Tesla & Porsche. Behold The Denza Z From BYD! (CleanTechnica) - BYD unveils Denza Z electric supercar at Shanghai Auto Show with advanced tech and expected $40,000 price tag, challenging Tesla and Porsche.

• Times will Get Even Tougher for Tesla (Energy Central) - Tesla faces severe market challenges with Q1 global deliveries down 13%, EU sales plunging 49%, and brand reputation deteriorating among core EV consumers.