Affordable Energy vs Profits and Pollution

TotalEnergies says transition away from oil and gas is essential, but has to be affordable for consumers. Then why are they allegedly sending 86% of their profits back to shareholders instead of investing more in the transition? And why are they allegedly continuing to pollute the Republic of Congo after courts ruled they had to stop?

The CEO of TotalEnergies said in a McKinsey interview yesterday that in the "tightrope" transition he's charting between oil and gas today, and the fast-growing electric energy of the future "We won’t make this transition if we forget that the fundamental characteristic of energy is affordability, because it’s central to everybody’s lives and to economic development."

While interesting, that feels inconsistent with the new Friends of the Earth findings that Europe's largest polluting companies directed 75% of their $2.1 trillion in profits since 2010 to shareholders instead of clean energy investments. The report says Shell is at 97% and TotalEnergies at 86% of profits going to shareholders instead of transition.

And with this news, speaking of TotalEnergy: Satellite data and documents reveal TotalEnergies' Republic of Congo oil terminal continues polluting local waters and air despite cleanup claims and legal orders.

Let's report and measure these factors, shall we?

Bloomberg announced yesterday that its terminals now include climate risk and opportunity. That feels like it could be a powerful piece of the transition puzzle. Perhaps have a bigger impact on transition than thoughtful interviews in McKinsey Quarterly.

You want us to believe you take energy transition seriously? How about investing more of those profits into transition and stopping oil pollution you've been legally compelled to stop! Put it all on the Bloomberg Terminal!

Join me to discuss that Bloomberg Terminal news here on LinkedIn if you want to help me stir up some conversation about it.

And now we offer you the best updates from around the green tech and sustainability world today. Email subscribers get 3 just for you.

-Marshall Kirkpatrick

Earth Catalyst: We provide thought leadership support systems and bespoke consulting for green tech and sustainability organizations.

 

Today and every day, our system scans over 1,000 green tech and sustainability organizations for updates. Below, you'll find:

• A Visual of the Day

• A digest-style Table of Contents for 189 selected updates from around the green tech and sustainability world

• (If you subscribe by email) 3 personalized selections just for you and your work

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Visual of the Day

Fog to Fresh Water

A mesh screen in Chile's Atacama Desert captures fog droplets to create drinking water for the city of Alto Hospicio. Research shows each collector can make 36,500 liters of water per year, using nothing but gravity and fog – a vital solution for a desert city of 140,000 people.

That's cool.

Today's Updates

Table of Contents

• Agriculture (3 stories) - Methane lab validates rice irrigation in Bangladesh; agrivoltaics ease solar-farm tensions; egg production outperforms chicken meat sustainability

  
  

• Carbon (6 stories) - CarbonZero.Eco raises funds for biochar, CTRL-S tracks supply chains, while new calcium oxide capture method promises $100/ton removal amid Microsoft's AI emissions debate

  
  

• Circular (5 stories) - Major recycling expansions as METYCLE raises $15M for AI metal sorting, Sage acquires Cascade for IT asset reuse, while xAI plans record ceramic bioreactor and Philly targets food waste reduction

  
  

• Ecosystems (17 stories) - Record wildfires in Bolivia and Australia, light pollution threatening nocturnal species, funding cuts endangering Cambodia's Cardamom Mountains, while conservation efforts focus on pangolin habitats, vicuña impacts, and Hawaiian wildlife, amid growing water infrastructure and logging threats across multiple continents

  
  

• Efficiency (10 stories) - Heat pump installations surge with 32% sales growth over gas, military commits $200M for geothermal, and Hyperlume's $12.5M microLED tech targets data center efficiency

  
  

• Finance (18 stories) - Bloomberg MARS, MSCI-Swiss Re climate tools launch as Shell, TotalEnergies face scrutiny over $2.1T profit allocation; Mizuho-GenZero, UK Transition Council, and Octopus Energy advance green finance initiatives

  
  

• Grid (21 stories) - BYD's 15.1 GWh Saudi deal, Empire Wind NYC connection, Akaysha-Gunvor battery swap, virtual power plants gain traction, data center grid impacts, and Last Energy's UK nuclear plans reshape transmission landscape

  
  

• Indigenous (7 stories) - First Nations water teams in BC, Amazon youth communicators, Maya Ch'orti' at COP16, Haida Gwaii title, Yurringa Energy expansion, Māori mountain rights, Masai carbon credits

  
  

• Industry (13 stories) - Major expansions in US EV battery production and Asian ammonia markets, while LONGi's $137M solar venture and Australia's $1bn green iron fund reshape industrial manufacturing landscape

  
  

• Policy (67 stories) - Legal battles over IRA tax credits, state-level climate initiatives, and Trump administration's NEPA rollbacks dominate policy landscape, while COP16 negotiations focus on Indigenous rights and fossil fuel phase-out

  
  

• Renewables (16 stories) - Ocean Sun, Canopy Power, DAS Solar, Ignis Energy, and Heliene drive innovations in floating solar, N-type modules, geothermal, and US manufacturing, while global markets see major capacity gains

  
  

• Transport (6 stories) - Dacia plans $19.4K European EV, Nikola files bankruptcy, global sales hit 17M units, STLA debuts autonomous tech, as NH faces charging hurdles and UK boosts EV training

Agriculture

Methane lab validates rice irrigation in Bangladesh; agrivoltaics ease solar-farm tensions; egg production outperforms chicken meat sustainability

• 'Green Grab': Solar and Wind Boom Sparks Conflicts on Land Use (Yale E360) - Global solar and wind energy expansion triggers land-use conflicts with farmers, Indigenous communities, and conservationists, spurring innovative solutions like agrivoltaics and floating solar farms.

• Bangladeshi researchers pin hopes on irrigation method with real-time methane monitoring (Mongabay) - Bangladesh launches first real-time methane monitoring lab to validate emissions-reducing rice irrigation method and improve data accuracy for climate commitments.

• On an overheating planet, which comes first: the chicken or the egg? (Anthropocene Magazine) - Study compares environmental impacts of chicken meat versus eggs, finding eggs have half the carbon footprint and require no animal slaughter, while lab-grown alternatives show promise.

Carbon

CarbonZero.Eco raises funds for biochar, CTRL-S tracks supply chains, while new calcium oxide capture method promises $100/ton removal amid Microsoft's AI emissions debate

• Carbon Removal Startup Founded by 16-Year Old Raises $3.5 Million to Eliminate 1.5 Million Tons of CO2 (ESGToday) - 16-year-old founder raises $3.5M for biochar startup CarbonZero.Eco to convert almond waste into carbon-sequestering soil amendment.

• Explaining our data collection framework and Field Monitoring System (FMS) (InPlanet) - Company unveils comprehensive Field Monitoring System to track and verify carbon removal through Enhanced Rock Weathering in agricultural soils.

• Interview With CTRL-S Founder Moritz Nill, Global Leader In Supply Chain Emissions Management (CleanTechnica) - CTRL-S founder Moritz Nill discusses tech platform helping companies measure and reduce supply chain emissions through scalable supplier engagement and data analytics.

• Microsoft CSO Says AI Widens Gap – and Offers Solutions – to Meeting Climate Goals (ESGToday) - Microsoft CSO acknowledges AI computing's impact on carbon goals while emphasizing AI's potential role in accelerating climate solutions.

• Serpentinite Carbon Capture (EnergyCentral) - Scientists develop faster carbon capture method combining calcium oxide with magnesium silicates, requiring half the energy of direct air capture at $100 per ton.

• Southern Company extends life of coal plants to power data centers, appears to abandon net zero goal (Energy and Policy Institute) - Southern Company extends coal plants' lifespans to power data centers, jeopardizing net-zero emissions targets and raising customer costs.

Circular

Major recycling expansions as METYCLE raises $15M for AI metal sorting, Sage acquires Cascade for IT asset reuse, while xAI plans record ceramic bioreactor and Philly targets food waste reduction

• CERAFILTEC and xAI Cooperate in Sustainable Water Management for the World’s Largest AI Supercomputer Data Center and Ceramic MBR (CERAFILTEC) - xAI partners to build world's largest ceramic membrane bioreactor for treating 49.2 MLD of wastewater to cool AI supercomputer center in Memphis, protecting local aquifer.

• Closed Loop Partners’ Portfolio Company, Sage Sustainable Electronics, Grows Platform Through Acquisition of Cascade Asset Management (Closed Loop Partners) - Sage Sustainable Electronics acquires Cascade Asset Management to become one of largest IT asset disposition providers in US, expanding electronics reuse and recycling capabilities.

• How do we fix our broken food system? (Ellen MacArthur Foundation) - New podcast episode explores solutions for food system transformation through Big Food Redesign Challenge insights from industry leaders and innovators.

• METYCLE Raises $15 Million to Modernize Metal Recycling (ESG Today) - German startup METYCLE secures $15M Series A funding to expand AI-powered scrap metal recycling platform aimed at reducing metal industry emissions by 95%.

• Philly Food Waste Business Challenge (CET) - Philadelphia launches Food Waste Business Challenge, providing free guidance to local food businesses for implementing zero-waste strategies and shaping future sustainability policies.

Ecosystems

Record wildfires in Bolivia and Australia, light pollution threatening nocturnal species, funding cuts endangering Cambodia's Cardamom Mountains, while conservation efforts focus on pangolin habitats, vicuña impacts, and Hawaiian wildlife, amid growing water infrastructure and logging threats across multiple continents

• ‘If not fire, we’ll be killed by hunger’: villagers continue to feel fallout from Bolivia’s worst wildfires (The Guardian) - Bolivia's record-breaking 2024 wildfires burned 10M hectares, forcing villager relocations and causing ongoing health issues, food shortages, and water scarcity in affected communities.

• ‘Our community deserves beauty’: one man’s mission to green a UK tree desert (The Guardian) - Community group in Grimsby's East Marsh fights urban "tree desert" by planting thousands of trees, aiming to transform area with just 3% tree coverage.

• Australia news live: extreme fire danger warning for parts of Victoria and South Australia with weekend temperatures to push 40C (The Guardian) - Extreme fire danger warnings issued for Victoria and South Australia as weekend temperatures forecast to reach 40C amid strong winds and dry conditions.

• Dark side of bright nights taking toll on forgotten invertebrates (The Guardian) - Light pollution's rapid annual growth of 10% severely disrupts nocturnal invertebrates' behavior and survival, affecting moths, fireflies, and entire ecosystems.

• Funding cuts leave a forest at risk (Conservation International) - Cambodia's vital Cardamom Mountains forest faces uncertain future as $1M funding cut threatens conservation efforts and indigenous communities.

• Illegal seabed dredging surges as Indonesia resumes sand exports (Mongabay) - Indonesia's resumption of sea sand exports triggers surge in illegal dredging, threatening marine ecosystems and fishing communities while exposing weak maritime enforcement.

• Vicuña poop creates biodiversity hotspots as glaciers retreat rapidly (Mongabay) - Vicuña communal latrines create nutrient-rich biodiversity hotspots in Peru's deglaciated areas, potentially accelerating plant colonization by 100 years.

• ‘A Quiet Place’ Is the Lived Reality for These Hawaiian Insects (Atmos) - Hawaiian crickets evolved quieter mating songs to avoid parasitic flies, but new study shows flies are evolving better hearing to detect these hushed calls.

• Wisdom, the world’s oldest known bird at 74, has a new chick (Mongabay) - World's oldest known wild bird Wisdom, aged 74, successfully hatches new chick with new mate at Midway Atoll after 4-year gap.

• ‘Silent killing machines’: How water canals threaten wildlife across the globe (Mongabay) - Global water canal infrastructure acts as deadly wildlife traps, causing mass drownings of diverse species across Argentina, Mexico, Spain and Portugal, with scientists calling for urgent mitigation measures.

• Buckling down for big cats and black bears in Texas (Center for Biological Diversity) - Conservation group sues USDA's Wildlife Services over outdated environmental analyses endangering Texas mountain lions and black bears through trapping and M-44 cyanide devices.

• Conservation Groups File Lawsuit to Protect Elk Hunting, Wildlife Corridors and Old Growth Forests in Montana (The Wildlife News) - Conservation groups sue Forest Service over Montana logging project threatening elk corridors, grizzly habitat, and old-growth forests in Big Belt Mountains.

• Pangolin burrows are biodiversity magnets in burnt forests, study shows (Mongabay) - Chinese pangolin burrows in burned forests significantly boost plant and animal biodiversity, acting as ecosystem restoration hubs, new study reveals.

• Scientific concept two: Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) (Cecil Earth) - Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) data combines physical surface features and human land usage to enable critical environmental monitoring, regulatory compliance, and nature-based analysis.

• Doctors and Medical Schools Are Changing Treatments and Training to Respond to the Warming Climate (Inside Climate News) - Medical schools and doctors nationwide revamp training and treatment protocols to address growing health impacts of climate change-driven disasters like toxic urban wildfires.

• The Colorado River (EESI) - Colorado River faces severe water stress as climate change and overuse deplete reservoirs, forcing complex negotiations between states, tribes, and stakeholders over water rights and conservation measures.

• Thermal drones detect rare tree kangaroos in Australia (Mongabay) - Ecosystems

Efficiency

Heat pump installations surge with 32% sales growth over gas, military commits $200M for geothermal, and Hyperlume's $12.5M microLED tech targets data center efficiency

• Ablauf einer Aira Wärmepumpen Installation (Aira) - German heating company demonstrates complete heat pump installation process, replacing 22-year-old gas system with modern 12kW heat pump system featuring smart controls.

• CRC Innovations and Ameresco Announce Over $200 Million Contract to Promote Energy Savings and Capital Improvements at Three Army Locations (Ameresco) - $200M Army contract awarded to upgrade energy systems across 5,000 military homes at three bases, targeting 40% electricity and 50% gas reduction through geothermal installations.

• For one Minnesotan, a new heat pump brings comfort and savings (Canary Media) - Minneapolis homeowner's heat pump installation cuts gas usage, reduces heating bills, and provides faster warming in sub-zero temperatures.

• Heat pumps keep widening their lead on gas furnaces (Canary Media) - Heat pump sales outpaced gas furnaces by 32% in 2024, marking record growth in U.S. clean-heating transition.

• Hyperlume Raises $12.5M Seed Round to Solve for Latency and Energy Consumption in Data Centers (SOSV) - Ottawa startup Hyperlume secures $12.5M seed funding to develop microLED optical interconnects that reduce energy use and latency in AI data centers.

• Minneapolis resident shows promise of heat pumps in cold climates (Canary Media) - Minneapolis resident successfully demonstrates heat pump effectiveness in nation's coldest major city, showing promise for wider cold-climate adoption.

• Passive House Accelerator (Passive House Accelerator) - Zero-carbon building initiative launches global conference to share expertise in fire-resilient and sustainable building design.

• npj Digital Medicine (Nature) (npj Digital Medicine) - Australian researchers test personalized heat warning system in 78 elderly homes to protect vulnerable seniors from extreme temperatures.

• Data Centre World (Data Centre World) - Global data center industry leaders gather in London for two-day expo focused on efficiency innovations and expert insights.

• Residential energy expenditures have increased with colder weather and higher prices (EIA) - US residential energy costs rise 10% this winter due to colder weather and higher natural gas and propane prices.

Finance

Bloomberg MARS, MSCI-Swiss Re climate tools launch as Shell, TotalEnergies face scrutiny over $2.1T profit allocation; Mizuho-GenZero, UK Transition Council, and Octopus Energy advance green finance initiatives

• A fiscal crisis is looming for many US cities (The Conversation) - Major US cities face unprecedented fiscal crisis due to climate disasters, pension debts, declining downtowns, and end of pandemic-era federal aid.

• Big polluters funnel 75% of profits to shareholders, not clean energy (Climate Change News) - Europe's largest polluting companies directed 75% of their $2.1 trillion profits since 2010 to shareholders instead of clean energy investments, with Shell and TotalEnergies paying out over 85% of profits.

• Bloomberg Launches New Solution to Help Investors Assess Portfolio Climate Risks and Opportunities (ESGToday) - Bloomberg launches MARS Climate solution to help financial firms quantify and manage portfolio climate risks using NGFS scenarios and BloombergNEF's TRACT tool.

• Expert Advice on Climate Finance: Practical Steps for Greener Banking (Protect Our Winters) - Finance experts outline practical steps for sustainable banking, including cleantech investments, bank selection criteria, and policy advocacy for climate action.

• How IROs (Impacts, Risks, and Opportunities) drive ESG strategy success (Future Planet) - New analysis shows IROs (Impacts, Risks, and Opportunities) framework critical for companies to identify, assess and integrate ESG factors into business strategy for sustainable growth.

• Infographic: How ‘digital sequence information’ can generate funds for biodiversity (Carbon Brief) - New global fund launching February 25th will require companies using genetic data from biodiversity to compensate source communities and conservation efforts.

• Insuring the transition: Underwriting as a tool on climate (EDF) - Insurance industry leverages underwriting processes to accelerate corporate decarbonization through climate-focused risk assessments and customer engagement.

• LanzaTech Announces Date for Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2024 Earnings Release and Conference Call (LanzaTech) - Carbon recycling company to release Q4 and full-year 2024 financial results on March 17, with investor conference call scheduled.

• Make Your Green, Greener by Ditching Your Dirty Bank (Protect Our Winters) - Banking calculator reveals major US banks invest 20-30% of customer deposits in carbon-intensive sectors, while switching to climate-conscious banks can reduce individual carbon footprints by 1 metric ton annually per $5000 moved.

• Mizuho, GenZero to Develop Transition Credits to Accelerate Shift to Clean Energy (ESG Today) - Mizuho Bank and GenZero partner to develop transition credits system for funding early retirement of coal power plants through carbon markets.

• MSCI, Swiss Re Partner to Help Financial Sector Assess and Manage Climate Risk (ESGToday) - MSCI and Swiss Re launch partnership combining geospatial and climate risk data tools to help financial institutions assess and manage physical climate risks.

• New High Integrity Finance Council to Facilitate UK Economy-Wide Transition To Net Zero (CleanTechnica) - UK launches Transition Finance Council to position London as global hub for net-zero financing, with Lord Alok Sharma appointed as chair.

• Peter Dutton’s nuclear accounting trick #3: Hide the costs of keeping coal (RenewEconomy) - Coalition's nuclear energy plan hides long-term coal replacement costs by limiting cost analysis to 2051, masking true financial impact of nuclear transition.

• Republicans once embraced ‘green banks.’ Trump is trying to raid them. (Grist) - Trump administration attempts to seize $20 billion in green bank funds from Citibank, marking sharp reversal from previous Republican support for clean energy financing.

• Shares in Octopus Energy's first 'Collective' wind turbine projects sell out within a week (BusinessGreen) - Octopus Energy's first community-owned wind turbine investment projects in Yorkshire and Wales sell out within one week of launch.

• The USAID Funding Freeze Deals a Major Blow to Climate Finance (Earth.org) - USAID's 90-day funding freeze halts billions in climate adaptation programs, threatening global climate resilience and development goals for vulnerable nations.

• Togo Government Agency, ODEF, Accredited as National Implementing Entity by the Adaptation Fund to Develop Climate-Resilient Projects in Vulnerable Nation (Adaptation Fund) - Togo's forestry agency ODEF gains accreditation as National Implementing Entity to directly access climate adaptation funding for vulnerable communities.

• Environmental Defense Fund Appoints Leading Natural Resource Economist Christopher Costello as Chief Economist (EDF) - Leading environmental economist Christopher Costello appointed as Chief Economist to drive market-based climate solutions and economic policy innovations.

Grid

BYD's 15.1 GWh Saudi deal, Empire Wind NYC connection, Akaysha-Gunvor battery swap, virtual power plants gain traction, data center grid impacts, and Last Energy's UK nuclear plans reshape transmission landscape

• One Big Weakness Of ICE: Energy Independence (CleanTechnica) - New Zealand's heavy reliance on imported fuel for transport makes it economically vulnerable to oil price fluctuations, highlighting strategic advantages of domestic renewable energy.

• Advanced Energy United Applauds Pathways Bill, which will Expand Energy Markets, lower costs, and Enhance Grid Reliability for California (Advanced Energy United) - California's new Pathways Bill (SB 540) aims to expand Western energy markets and improve grid reliability through regional transmission organization development.

• Akaysha inks revenue swap deal for Queensland big battery with commodities trader (RenewEconomy) - Akaysha Energy secures revenue swap agreement with Gunvor Group for 205MW/410MWh Brendale battery storage project in Queensland.

• BYD Earns Contract for “World’s Largest Grid-Scale Battery Storage Projects” in Saudi Arabia (CleanTechnica) - BYD secures contract with Saudi Electricity Company for 12.5 GWh grid-scale battery storage projects worth $15.1 GWh total, supporting Saudi Arabia's 50% renewable energy goal by 2030.

• Embracing the Potential of Virtual Power Plants (Advanced Energy United) - States and utilities increasingly embrace virtual power plants as grid solution, with new legislation in California, Virginia and Texas pilot programs demonstrating benefits.

• Govt’s battery storage mandate in solar projects to cut power costs for biz, reduce grid stress (AmpIn Energy) - India mandates battery storage in solar projects to reduce business power costs and grid stress.

• How “Power Couples” Can Help the United States Win the Global AI Race (RMI) - Analysis shows pairing data centers with renewable energy at existing grid connection sites could rapidly meet 50GW of AI power demand while maintaining grid reliability and cost efficiency.

• India Mandates 2-Hour Energy Storage For New Solar PV Projects (TaiyangNews) - India mandates minimum 2-hour energy storage systems for all new solar projects, targeting 14 GW storage capacity by 2030.

• New Mexico utility warns windy, dry spring might prompt it to shut off power to prevent wildfires (RenewableEnergyWorld) - New Mexico's largest utility PNM warns it may implement preventive power shutoffs in high-risk areas during expected dry, windy spring conditions to prevent wildfires.

• New York offshore wind project gets the green light for transmission work (RenewableEnergyWorld) - New York approves transmission construction for Empire Wind 1's 816-megawatt offshore project, marking first wind power connection to NYC grid by 2027.

• NSW announces review into transmission planning as it plots route to renewables and storage (RenewEconomy) - NSW government launches transmission planning review to streamline renewable energy infrastructure development and grid coordination between key bodies.

• South Australia’s biggest battery project secures buyer and “quite enormous” offtake deal (RenewEconomy) - South Australia's 500MWh Limestone Coast North battery project sold to Intera Renewables for $460M with Zen Energy securing complete offtake rights.

• Switching to electric vehicles will push the power grid to the brink (The Conversation) - UK's transition to electric vehicles requires 46% increase in grid capacity, equivalent to 17 nuclear plants or 5,800 wind turbines, threatening potential blackouts.

• Texas is becoming the testing ground for the energy transition (Latitude Media) - Texas leads US renewable energy transition with record solar deployment, falling electricity prices, and massive grid connection requests amid surging power demand.

• The AI energy challenge is coming to a head (Utility Dive) - AI's growing energy demands threaten power infrastructure as data centers projected to consume 11% of US electricity by 2030, forcing industry shift toward energy-efficient computing.

• The software that could save the grid (Renewable Energy World) - DERMS software emerges as crucial grid management tool for controlling distributed energy resources and enabling virtual power plants.

• This startup wants to help utilities get more out of their transmission lines with drones (RenewableEnergyWorld) - Startup Pitch Aeronautics develops specialized drones and software for deploying power line components and monitoring grid performance in hard-to-reach locations.

• What utility earnings say about the AI market (Latitude Media) - Major US utilities report massive capital spending increases and infrastructure expansion plans to meet surging data center power demands driven by AI computing growth.

• Indiana regulators approve ‘large load’ interconnection rules (Utility Dive) - Indiana regulators approve new interconnection rules for data centers and large power loads, protecting existing customers from infrastructure upgrade costs.

• Midwest utility gets regulatory approval for large load tariff settlement (RenewableEnergyWorld) - Indiana Michigan Power receives regulatory approval for large load tariff settlement requiring data centers to make long-term financial commitments for grid infrastructure costs.

• Last Energy Secures UK Nuclear Licensing Milestone for South Wales SMR Project (POWER Magazine) - Last Energy initiates UK nuclear site licensing for four 20-MWe microreactors in South Wales, aiming for first deployment by 2027.

Indigenous

First Nations water teams in BC, Amazon youth communicators, Maya Ch'orti' at COP16, Haida Gwaii title, Yurringa Energy expansion, Māori mountain rights, Masai carbon credits

• 2024 National First Nations Water Leadership Award recipients: Katy Thorne of Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation and the Lower Nicola Indian Band's Public Works Team (Indigenous Services Canada) - Two First Nations water management teams awarded national leadership recognition for innovative water system operations and community education in British Columbia.

• Ecoporé realiza curso de formação de comunicadores indígenas (Ecoporé) - Indigenous youth from six ethnic groups receive training as environmental communicators in Brazilian Amazon to document community issues and conservation efforts.

• En la COP16, Ubaldino García alza su voz en defensa de la vida y los territorios de las comunidades indígenas guatemaltecas (CGIAR) - Indigenous Maya Ch'orti' leader Ubaldino García advocates for indigenous rights and biodiversity protection at COP16, highlighting need for greater indigenous representation in global environmental decisions.

• Haida Nation’s Title Gains Federal Recognition in Landmark Agreement with Canada (Coast Funds) - Canada formally recognizes Haida Nation's title to Haida Gwaii through historic negotiated agreement, marking first-ever federal acknowledgment of Indigenous land rights without litigation.

• Indigenous-owned energy retailer branches further across NEM, supplies power to NBN (RenewEconomy) - Australia's first Indigenous-owned energy retailer Yurringa Energy expands to South Australia and Queensland through $1.6M electricity supply contract with NBN.

• Taranaki Maunga, New Zealand mountain, declared a ‘legal person’ (Mongabay) - New Zealand grants legal personhood to Taranaki Maunga mountain, giving Indigenous Māori tribes joint governance and protection rights over ancestral peak.

• What my Masai community thinks about carbon credits (Nature4Climate) - Tanzanian Masai community member reports carbon credits protect ancestral lands and provide educational funding while maintaining indigenous control.

Industry

Major expansions in US EV battery production and Asian ammonia markets, while LONGi's $137M solar venture and Australia's $1bn green iron fund reshape industrial manufacturing landscape

• Argus Clean Ammonia Asia Conference 2025 (Energy Central) - Major clean ammonia industry conference in Tokyo to explore Asian market development and opportunities in June 2025.

• China Solar PV News Snippets: LONGi, Yingfa, & Wuliangye Establish New Company & More (TaiyangNews) - LONGi, Yingfa, and Wuliangye form $137M joint venture to manufacture BC solar cells, while multiple Chinese solar companies announce business developments.

• Climate Takes Critical Materials (Carbon13) - CEO of Infyos discusses critical materials supply chain challenges for renewable energy transition, highlighting need for mature and sustainable supply networks by 2035.

• Documents, satellite data expose ongoing pollution near TotalEnergies’ Republic of Congo oil terminal (Mongabay) - Satellite data and documents reveal TotalEnergies' Republic of Congo oil terminal continues polluting local waters and air despite cleanup claims and legal orders.

• EV Battery Manufacturing Capacity Will Rise When 10 New Plants Come Online This Year. But Can They Thrive in Chaos? (InsideClimateNews) - Ten new EV battery factories set to open in US during 2025, potentially increasing manufacturing capacity by 90% to 421.5 gigawatt-hours despite policy uncertainties.

• First in-womb treatment for motor-neuron condition is a success (Nature) - First successful in-womb gene therapy treatment eliminates signs of rare motor-neuron disorder in 2.5-year-old girl through targeted drug intervention.

• Government accused of overlooking industrial electrification in favour of 'risky bet' on CCUS (BusinessGreen) - UK government criticized for underfunding industrial electrification while heavily backing carbon capture and storage technologies.

• Green iron fund will lay foundations for Australia to become renewable energy superpower (RenewEconomy) - Australia launches $1bn Green Iron Investment Fund to transform Whyalla into green iron and steel hub, marking strategic shift toward renewable energy manufacturing.

• PV InfoLink Releases 2024 Global Module Shipment Rankings: Tongwei Ranks in the Top 5 Again! (TaiyangNews) - PV InfoLink's 2024 global module shipment rankings show 22% growth to 502GW, with Tongwei maintaining top-5 position for second year.

• TaiyangNews PV Price Index – 2025 - CW8 (TaiyangNews) - China's solar PV component prices remain largely stable in Week 8 of 2025, with only n-type 210R wafer showing 2.3% decline while upstream prices trend upward.

• THE FUSION ERA – Meet Our Two Engineers Seconded from UKAEA！ (Kyoto Fusioneering) - Two UKAEA engineers share experiences during 6-month secondment focused on fusion energy development and knowledge exchange between UK and Japan.

• The New York Times: Clean Energy Was Lifting Manufacturing. Now Investment Is in Jeopardy. (The New York Times) - Clean energy manufacturing investments face uncertainty as Republican proposals threaten to roll back Biden-era renewable energy tax credits and subsidies.

• The promise and perils of sodium-ion batteries (Latitude Media) - New analysis reveals sodium-ion batteries face significant cost and energy density hurdles to compete with lithium-ion, requiring major breakthroughs to match current LFP battery prices of $50/kWh.

Policy

Legal battles over IRA tax credits, state-level climate initiatives, and Trump administration's NEPA rollbacks dominate policy landscape, while COP16 negotiations focus on Indigenous rights and fossil fuel phase-out

• A CCC Call to Action (Charleston Climate Coalition) - South Carolina climate group calls for urgent volunteer mobilization to fight Dominion's gas megaproject and advance local climate initiatives.

• A Hail Mary Kansas Lawsuit Against the IRA (Heatmap News) - Conservative attorneys file lawsuit challenging Inflation Reduction Act's tax credits through Kansas solar project case, aiming to require NEPA reviews.

• AEMC chief quits market rule maker to take up new role at Energy Queensland (RenewEconomy) - AEMC CEO Benn Barr resigns to join Energy Queensland as executive general manager, marking end of five-year tenure overseeing critical energy market reforms.

• Ante la retomada de la COP16 de Biodiversidad, organizaciones de la sociedad civil exhortan a los países a abandonar los combustibles fósiles (Stand.earth) - Civil society organizations urge countries at COP16 Biodiversity Conference to abandon fossil fuels, ensure Indigenous rights, and provide direct funding for biodiversity protection.

• As COP16 Biodiversity negotiations resume, civil society organizations urge countries to transition away from fossil fuels (Stand.earth) - Civil society organizations at COP16 Biodiversity negotiations demand fossil fuel phase-out and direct financing for Indigenous communities to protect biodiversity.

• Bureau of Land Management Trims Environmental Review Before $20 Million Oil and Gas Lease Sale (InsideClimateNews) - Trump administration removes environmental justice and climate cost analysis from $20M New Mexico oil lease sale, marking shift in federal environmental review policy.

• California’s Latest Attack on Oil Industry Reveals Misplaced Priorities (EnergyInDepth) - California introduces bill allowing lawsuits against oil companies for wildfire damages, drawing criticism for avoiding real wildfire management solutions.

• Canadian Fossil Fuel Advocate Stewart Muir on ARC Attendees List (DeSmog) - Canadian fossil fuel advocate Stewart Muir attended Jordan Peterson's ARC conference featuring climate deniers and Trump supporters, contradicting his public image as a moderate resource development advocate.

• Changing the narrative: the case for preserving policies and regulations essential for a clean energy economy (We Mean Business Coalition) - Business leaders urge EU to maintain clean energy regulations and reporting standards amid pressure to simplify rules, warning against dismantling sustainability progress.

• China Briefing 20 February 2025: Missed climate deadline; Clean-tech’s economic contribution; New renewables pricing system (Carbon Brief) - China misses UN climate pledge deadline alongside 181 other nations while clean energy technologies contribute record 13.6tn yuan to Chinese economy in 2024.

• Climate Justice Alliance Awards $140,000 through its Black Caucus Regranting Program to Black-led Member Organizations (Climate Justice Alliance) - Black Caucus awards $140,000 in flexible grants to 11 Black-led environmental organizations across 9 states to combat environmental racism and support climate justice initiatives.

• Com a retomada das negociações da COP16 de Biodiversidade, organizações da sociedade civil pedem que países abandonem combustíveis fósseis (Stand.earth) - Civil society organizations urge nations to abandon fossil fuels and increase direct funding to Indigenous Peoples as COP16 Biodiversity negotiations resume in Rome.

• Connecticut considers incentives to spur networked geothermal projects (Canary Media) - Connecticut lawmakers consider grant and loan program to support geothermal heating networks, aiming to reduce emissions and energy costs.

• Do Trump’s Attacks on Renewables Make a Permitting Deal Pointless? (Heatmap News) - Rep. Jared Huffman warns Trump's politicization of power agencies and anti-renewable stance makes meaningful permitting reform legislation pointless.

• Elon Musk’s Embrace of Far-Right Energizes Transatlantic Climate Denial (DeSmog) - Elon Musk's public support of far-right political groups and climate denial rhetoric energizes transatlantic movement opposing climate action.

• Elon Musk’s Tesla big battery tweets put Australia on road to green energy, now he might derail it (RenewEconomy) - Elon Musk's social media influence and political alignment with Trump threatens to derail Australia's renewable energy transition ahead of critical election.

• Energy Insiders Podcast: Why is the green energy transition made to sound so hard? (RenewEconomy) - Climate 200's Simon Holmes a Court discusses energy transition misconceptions, nuclear power debates, and role of independents in upcoming election.

• EU Commission’s State Aid Plans Fail to Deliver for Cleantech (CleanTechnica) - EU's leaked State Aid guidelines fail to support cleantech manufacturing with effective "Made in EU" requirements and performance-based incentives, Transport & Environment report finds.

• Explainer: How China’s renewable pricing reforms will affect its climate goals (Carbon Brief) - China announces shift from fixed-price renewable energy sales to market-based auction system by 2026, impacting wind and solar project revenues.

• Five ways to have more constructive climate conversations (The Conversation) - Research-backed study outlines five key strategies for effective climate change communication, emphasizing agency, local relevance, and avoiding doomsday narratives.

• Former EPA Employees Sign Letter in Support of Current Agency Staff (Environmental Protection Network) - 568 former EPA employees sign letter supporting current staff against Trump administration attacks.

• Fossil fuel firm’s $300m trial against Greenpeace to begin: ‘Weaponizing the judicial system’ (The Guardian) - Energy Transfer's $300M lawsuit against Greenpeace over Dakota Access pipeline protests begins trial in North Dakota, raising concerns about corporate attempts to silence environmental activism.

• German election: why most political parties aren’t talking about the climate crisis (The Conversation) - German political parties sideline climate crisis in 2025 election campaigns despite business and youth demands, as voters prioritize migration and economy.

• How The West Was Lost (CleanTechnica) - Trump's rejection of Western democratic values and NATO alliances signals potential end of post-WWII international order, European diplomats warn.

• I Believed Climate Change Was a Lie. Here’s What Changed My Mind. (Atmos) - Former climate change denier shares personal journey from conspiracy beliefs to climate activism, highlighting role of education and in-person dialogue in changing perspectives.

• Joint Release: D.C. Circuit Hears Arguments on FERC’s MVP Southgate Pipeline Approval (NRDC) - D.C. Circuit Court hears environmental groups' challenge to FERC's extension of MVP Southgate pipeline project, which faces controversy over expanded capacity and route changes.

• LCV Letter and Statement Urging Senators to Oppose the Senate Budget Resolution (LCV) - Environmental group urges Senate to reject 2025 budget resolution that would cut billions from clean energy programs and environmental protections while benefiting fossil fuel companies.

• Lula’s government pushes for new oil drilling in the Amazon – where it plans to host COP30 (Climate Change News) - Brazil's government seeks oil drilling expansion in Amazon region while preparing to host COP30 climate summit, sparking environmental concerns.

• Melbourne activist can’t rely on evidence from climate experts to defend protest charges, court finds (The Guardian) - Melbourne court blocks climate activist from using expert testimony on global heating to defend against protest charges at ExxonMobil depot.

• Moms Tell Congress: Freezing Federal Funding Hurts Children (Moms Clean Air Force) - Parents rally against Trump administration's freeze of federal environmental funding, warning of impacts on children's health and clean energy projects.

• New EEA Report: Monitoring report on progress towards the 8th EAP objectives - 2024 edition (EEA) - EU only partially on track for 2030 climate goals, with urgent action needed to boost circular economy and reverse biodiversity decline.

• NGOs, Labour Organisations, & Businesses Raise Concern Over Potential Delays To The Implementation Of The EU Batteries Regulation Due Diligence Rules (CleanTechnica) - Coalition of 25 organizations urges EU to maintain August 2025 deadline for battery supply chain due diligence rules amid concerns over implementation delays.

• NRC Proposes Deep Fee Cuts for Advanced Nuclear (Power Magazine) - NRC proposes 54% fee reduction to $146/hour for advanced nuclear reactor applications starting October 2025, aiming to accelerate next-gen nuclear deployment.

• Oregon Department of Energy to Host Public Forums February 27 on Oregon Energy Strategy Development (Oregon Department of Energy) - State agency announces two virtual public forums to discuss modeling results and gather feedback for comprehensive statewide energy strategy aimed at meeting climate goals.

• Policy Digest: February 2025 (ESG Book) - Global sustainability reporting standards advance despite political headwinds, with IFRS adopting "climate-first" approach and multiple jurisdictions implementing ISSB standards.

• Poll finds majority of Westerners support climate action and conservation (High Country News) - Colorado College poll shows 72% of Western voters prefer conservation over oil drilling on public lands, marking highest pro-conservation margin in 15 years.

• RFK Jr., Onetime Environmentalist, Kills NIH Climate Change Programs (ClimateDesk) - RFK Jr. administration terminates NIH climate change health research programs, marking sharp reversal from his previous environmental advocacy stance.

• SOCAN Testimony on HB3179 (SOCAN) - Oregon climate group testifies in support of HB3179 bill to cap energy costs for families facing utility rate hikes from investor-owned utilities.

• States are moving forward with Buy Clean policies despite Trump reversal (Canary Media) - Nine U.S. states maintain Buy Clean policies for low-carbon construction materials despite federal withdrawal, with state coalitions continuing data collection and implementation efforts.

• States keep buying clean (Canary Media) - Despite Trump administration's rollback of federal clean energy support, states continue implementing "Buy Clean" policies to decarbonize building and transportation materials.

• The EPA weighed two LA beachfront sites for toxic waste sorting. These ‘hippies and hicks’ revolted (The Guardian) - California residents successfully protest EPA's hazardous waste sorting site in historic Topanga Canyon, forcing partial relocation of operations to Will Rogers beach.

• The First 100 Days: What It Means for Climate Justice (Green Latinos) - Biden administration's first 100 days sees rollbacks of environmental protections and climate policies, with EPA layoffs and attacks on immigrant communities raising environmental justice concerns.

• The First Amendment Vs. The Wanna-Be King (Covering Climate Now) - Trump bars Associated Press from White House access over Gulf of Mexico naming dispute, sparking First Amendment concerns and media solidarity response.

• The Greens Go to Court (Heatmap News) - Environmental groups file first lawsuit against Trump administration challenging executive order to open public lands and waters for oil drilling.

• The Trump Administration Is Coming for Environmental Review (Heatmap News) - Trump administration moves to eliminate environmental review oversight by dismantling Council on Environmental Quality's regulatory authority over NEPA implementation.

• Timber trade watchdog urges Poland to halt imports of Myanmar ‘blood timber’ (Mongabay) - Environmental watchdog ClientEarth demands Poland halt $11.5M Myanmar teak imports that violate EU sanctions and fuel military junta's illegal logging.

• Trump administration seeks to disassemble bedrock NEPA protections (Southern Environmental Law Center) - Trump administration announces rule to dismantle NEPA environmental regulations, weakening community input and impact assessment requirements for major projects.

• Trump Administration’s Threats to Dismantle NOAA Are an Attack on Our Safety and Our Economy (EDF) - Trump administration threatens to dismantle NOAA, endangering weather forecasting services, sustainable fisheries management, and climate research capabilities.

• Trump Asked to Kill Wyoming Wind Projects for Eagles (Heatmap News) - Wyoming wildlife conservationists urge Trump administration to block two major wind projects, citing threats to protected golden eagle populations.

• Trump energy chief says there are upsides to ecological collapse (HEATED) - Trump's Energy Secretary Chris Wright claims global warming has benefits, including increased plant growth and reduced cold deaths, while downplaying climate crisis risks.

• Trump fast tracks fossil fuels amid clean energy chaos (Canary Media) - Trump administration accelerates fossil fuel permits while cutting clean energy funding, disrupting Southeast's energy transition plans.

• Trump isn’t done cleaning house at DOE (Latitude Media) - Trump administration continues DOE downsizing with contract worker layoffs and mandatory office return for renewable energy staff in Colorado.

• Trump Reverses Course, Reinstates Some EPA Workers Fired From Chicago Office Just Days Earlier (Inside Climate News) - Trump administration reverses decision to terminate EPA Chicago office workers, reinstating multiple scientists and staff days after controversial mass firing.

• Trump’s Friday Firings Leave EPA Chicago Office Down Dozens of Scientists, Staff (Inside Climate News) - Trump administration fires dozens of EPA scientists and staff at Chicago regional office, including new probationary employees overseeing environmental protection across six states.

• Trump’s tariffs could raise onshore wind turbine costs by 7%, slow development: WoodMac (Utility Dive) - Trump's proposed tariffs could increase onshore wind turbine costs by 7% and reduce annual installations up to 30% by 2028, Wood Mackenzie analysis shows.

• Uncertainty surrounds nuclear tax credit guidance, NRC changes: Morgan Lewis (Utility Dive) - Nuclear power plants face uncertainty over tax credit eligibility and regulatory changes under Trump administration's executive order limiting agency autonomy.

• Utah lawmakers propose bill to prevent PacifiCorp from ‘double counting’ renewables (RenewableEnergyWorld) - Utah bill requires utilities to count renewable energy storage capacity and charging power as separate resources, aiming to prevent 'double counting' in resource planning.

• Victoria’s city build policies fall critically short as climate crisis intensifies (University of Melbourne) - Study finds 76% of Victoria's built environment policies lack explicit emissions targets and only 15% align with Paris Agreement goals, threatening net-zero commitments.

• What not to do during a wildfire (Yale Climate Connections) - Colorado fire chief warns against ignoring wildfire evacuation orders, emphasizing how non-compliance endangers both residents and rescue personnel.

• What Trump’s NEPA Wrecking Ball Means for Renewables (Heatmap News) - Trump administration's rescinding of NEPA implementing rules creates uncertainty for renewable energy project permits, likely favoring fossil fuel developments.

• Why Tribal Co-Management Is A Threat to Our Public Lands (The Wildlife News) - Secret tribal co-management agreements on federal lands raise concerns over transparency, environmental protection, and democratic oversight of public lands.

• Why Trump’s water releases were dangerous for California’s levees (The Guardian) - Trump's executive order to release billions of gallons from California reservoirs endangered already-precarious levee system protecting 5 million residents and critical infrastructure.

• Teach Climate Network: Expanding the Use and Reach of the Fifth National Climate Assessment (Teach Climate Network) - National Climate Assessment educator guide expands climate literacy resources with classroom-ready tools, regional guides, and art integration for K-12 teachers.

• Preventing Drought, Disease, and Nutrient Loss in the En-ROADS Simulator (Climate Interactive) - New En-ROADS simulator features reveal how climate change impacts drought likelihood, disease spread, and crop nutrient levels, demonstrating potential to prevent severe outcomes through combined policy actions.

• LCV Statement Opposing Confirmation of Kash Patel to Lead FBI (LCV) - Environmental advocacy group urges Senate to reject Kash Patel's FBI nomination, citing concerns over political bias and environmental law enforcement.

• Joy Is a Superpower (Grist) - Drag queen environmentalist Pattie Gonia explains how joy and celebration are strategic tools for environmental activism and community empowerment.

• Prepared International (PPI) (PreventionWeb) - German consultancy Prepared International (PPI) provides expert disaster risk management and climate adaptation services for public and private sectors worldwide.

Renewables

Ocean Sun, Canopy Power, DAS Solar, Ignis Energy, and Heliene drive innovations in floating solar, N-type modules, geothermal, and US manufacturing, while global markets see major capacity gains

• Asia Pacific Solar PV News Snippets: Ocean Sun & Canopy Power Partner For Floating Solar In Australia & More (TaiyangNews) - Ocean Sun and Canopy Power partner to deploy floating solar technology across Australian water bodies, while multiple solar projects advance across Asia Pacific region.

• DAS Solar Shines at Japan's Smart Energy Week 2025 with N-Type Lightweight Modules (TaiyangNews) - DAS Solar showcases innovative N-type lightweight solar modules at Japan's Smart Energy Week 2025, featuring 50% weight reduction and record-setting 26.7% efficiency.

• Geothermal Startup Ignis Energy Raises $12.5 Million (ESG Today) - Geothermal startup Ignis Energy secures $12.5M Series A funding to expand global exploration projects targeting 1GW capacity by 2030.

• Great British Energy appoints RenewableUK's Dan McGrail as interim CEO (BusinessGreen) - RenewableUK's Dan McGrail appointed as interim CEO of Great British Energy, UK's public clean power investment company.

• Heliene inks deal with Origami Solar to offer US-made steel-framed solar modules (Utility Dive) - Heliene partners with Origami Solar to manufacture US-made steel-framed solar modules amid new steel tariffs.

• India’s Adani withdraws from controversial Sri Lanka wind power project (Mongabay) - Indian conglomerate Adani Green Energy withdraws from 250MW Sri Lankan wind project amid environmental concerns and pricing disputes over bird migration impacts.

• Japan To Aim For 20 GW Perovskite Solar Cell Capacity By 2040 (TaiyangNews) - Japan approves strategic energy plan targeting 20GW perovskite solar cell capacity and 40-50% renewable energy share by 2040.

• Mount Isa turns to wind, solar and gravity storage to save city as big mines close (RenewEconomy) - Mount Isa unveils multi-billion dollar plan to transform from mining hub to renewable energy center with wind, solar and gravity storage projects as Glencore operations close.

• Ocean Sun Hires Kristin Husby Mork As Chief Commercial Officer (TaiyangNews) - Ocean Sun appoints former Equinor and TechnipFMC executive Kristin Husby Mork as Chief Commercial Officer to lead commercial strategy from April 2025.

• PVCAD Mega Demo (PVComplete) - AutoCAD-based PVCAD Mega software streamlines design and engineering of large-scale solar installations with automated site planning, 3D modeling, and energy analysis tools.

• PVSketch Demo (PVSketch) - Cloud-based solar design software enables automated PV system layouts, financial analysis, and permit-ready documentation for residential and commercial projects.

• PVSketch Mega Demo (PVTech) - Solar design software PVSketch Mega enables rapid layout and optimization of utility-scale ground-mount solar projects with automated topography analysis and equipment databases.

• RECOMMENDED ― The EU has doubled its solar capacity in the last three years. Where's the funding coming from? (DW) - EU solar capacity doubles in three years as government subsidies and falling costs drive widespread adoption across residential and commercial sectors.

• Slovakia’s Solar PV Market Grew By Over 274 MW In 2024 (TaiyangNews) - Slovakia added 274MW of solar capacity in 2024, with businesses leading installations at 142.7MW, representing 98% of new electricity generation.

• Tongwei Tops Global Solar Cell Shipment Ranking for the Eighth Consecutive Year (TaiyangNews) - Chinese solar manufacturer Tongwei maintains global leadership in solar cell shipments for 8th straight year, with TOPCon cells dominating 67% of top-5 manufacturers' total output.

• Unleashing American Renewable Energy Dominance (CleanTechnica) - Despite Trump's fossil fuel-focused energy plan, US renewable energy dominated 2024 power capacity additions at 71% while corporate renewable procurement hit record 28GW.

Transport

Dacia plans $19.4K European EV, Nikola files bankruptcy, global sales hit 17M units, STLA debuts autonomous tech, as NH faces charging hurdles and UK boosts EV training

• Anti-EV Policies Will Hit Rural Areas Hardest (CleanTechnica) - Trump administration's anti-EV policies threaten $353 million in tourism revenue for rural New Hampshire by blocking critical charging infrastructure funding.

• Dacia Plans To Introduce An €18,000 Electric Car In 2026 (CleanTechnica) - Renault's Dacia division plans to launch €18,000 ($19,400) European-made electric car by 2026, targeting affordable EV market with 16-month development timeline.

• Electric vehicle adoption is stumbling, but still growing amid geopolitical clashes (Yale Climate Connections) - Global EV sales hit 17 million in 2024 despite political headwinds, with China leading growth while US adoption slows amid policy uncertainty.

• EV Transition Drives Apprentice Recruitment As Industry Skills Up For “Green Growth Decade” (CleanTechnica) - UK automotive firms boost apprenticeship numbers by 16% to support EV transition and green skills development, offering 700+ new positions for battery specialists and EV technicians.

• Troubled electric vehicle maker Nikola files for bankruptcy protection (Energy Central) - Electric vehicle manufacturer Nikola, once a Wall Street darling, files for bankruptcy after cash depletion and scandal.

• Stellantis Unveils STLA AutoDrive, Hands-Free and Eyes-Off Autonomous Technology for a New Era of Driving Comfort (Stellantis) - Automaker unveils STLA AutoDrive system enabling hands-free, eyes-off autonomous driving at speeds up to 37 mph with future capability for 59 mph operation.