BP Refocuses on Petroleum

Good afternoon.

BP has "fundamentally reset" its relationship to net zero plans, slashing investment in renewables, boosting investment in oil and gas. The company's CEO said: “Our optimism for a fast [energy] transition was misplaced, and we went too far, too fast.”

The company will reset to "an unwavering focus on growing long-term shareholder value.”

Long-term stakeholder value be damned.

I guess oil companies aren't going to save us. Back to work we go!

(If you'd like something cheerier, check out this case study of a startup that reduced food waste at the Hiroshima Sheraton kitchen by 80% using AI, computer vision, and behavioral change.)

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 181 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

(Earth) Movers and Shakers

We generated this visualization from the data in Harvey et al.'s new PNAS study Global diversity and energy of animals shaping the Earth’s surface. It reveals how different animal groups contribute energy to reshaping Earth's surfaces, with elephants leading despite being endangered and ants providing surprising impact through their collective activities. "We conservatively estimate that wild animal species collectively contribute ≈76,000 GJ (gigajoules) energy or more to geomorphic processes annually, equivalent to the energy expended by hundreds of thousands of extreme floods. [emphasis added, but whoa] Livestock acting as geomorphic agents are estimated to exceed this contribution by three orders of magnitude. Our results reveal that the energy of animal geomorphic agents is a significant and overlooked driver of landscape change at the global level."

Today's Updates

Table of Contents

• Agriculture (14 stories) - EU deforestation rules face coffee industry resistance, Colombia tackles cattle tracking, while UK pushes 38% livestock reduction and Actual Veggies raises $7M amid global agricultural shifts from Nepal to DRC

  
  

• Carbon (8 stories) - Rice methane credits, mangrove conservation threats, Woods Hole ocean trials, Octavia's Kenya DAC plant, and United-Heirloom carbon capture deal lead carbon initiatives

  
  

• Circular (8 stories) - Major recycling breakthroughs from Trinasolar's TOPCon modules and Resynergi's plastics conversion, while Pulpex and global hotels advance waste reduction through AI and innovative packaging

  
  

• Ecosystems (15 stories) - Coral trade threats, Niger Delta red colobus rediscovery, Chile forest collapse risk, and Ocean Revolution Moçambique's conservation success, while California faces coastal challenges and rare dolphin superpod appears in Monterey Bay

  
  

• Efficiency (4 stories) - AI weather forecasting slashes energy use, while solar O&M embraces drones and VR; RI benchmarks building efficiency and shared housing gains traction

  
  

• Finance (13 stories) - BBVA's $735B sustainability pledge, Brookfield's $1.7B National Grid renewables buyout, CDPQ's CAD 10B Innergex acquisition, and Runergy's $124M investment lead major green finance moves

•  Grid (23 stories) - Major battery projects advance in Australia and New York, NERC transmission study contested, utilities prepare for data center surge, while Ofgem raises UK price cap and US plans 12.3GW capacity retirement

  
  

• Indigenous (5 stories) - Indigenous groups from Indonesia to Costa Rica lead forest protection and climate solutions, while Standing Rock faces state opposition to pipeline lawsuit

  
  

• Industry (13 stories) - Cambium, Holtec, Kellogg's, Hyundai, Samsung SDI and Tesla make headlines with AI wood processing, nuclear plans, hydrogen pilots, battery development and corporate governance shifts

  
  

• Policy (45 stories) - Federal climate policy turmoil as Trump administration fires 20,000 workers, blocks NASA/IPCC participation, and faces lawsuits over environmental funding, while state-level clean energy initiatives advance in Virginia and Michigan despite utility pushback on regulations

  
  

• Renewables (19 stories) - Major solar projects from DEWA, Duke Energy, and Microsoft; BP abandons renewables targets; golf courses show 1.5TW potential; global shifts in China-Pakistan solar trade; setbacks for Atlantic Shores wind

  
  

• Transport (14 stories) - Federal EV charging funds flow to Southeast, Honda advances fuel cells, Norsepower and Samsung Heavy develop cleaner ships, Einride demos remote autonomous trucks, Volvo ES90 and Ram Ramcharger launch

Agriculture

EU deforestation rules face coffee industry resistance, Colombia tackles cattle tracking, while UK pushes 38% livestock reduction and Actual Veggies raises $7M amid global agricultural shifts from Nepal to DRC

• Coffee companies are readier for the EUDR than they claim (commentary) (Mongabay) - Major coffee companies resist EU Deforestation Regulation compliance despite having necessary infrastructure and minimal implementation costs.

• Colombia’s cattle traceability bill awaits approval as deforestation spikes (Mongabay) - Colombia considers fourth attempt at cattle traceability law to combat rising deforestation linked to 30 million cattle requiring extensive grazing lands.

• Decline of Cambodia’s native bees spells trouble for country’s farming future (Mongabay) - Cambodia's four native honey bee species face population decline from climate change and habitat loss, threatening agricultural productivity and forest health.

• In Nepal, a eucalyptus boom became an ecological cautionary tale (Mongabay) - Nepal's 1970s eucalyptus reforestation program depleted soil moisture and damaged crops, leading to widespread tree removal and legal disputes among farmers.

• Nepali – Tergar Charity Nepal (TCN) (Equator Initiative) - Tergar Charity Nepal empowers remote Himalayan communities through sustainable agriculture, solar greenhouses, and women-led wild rose harvesting partnerships with luxury tea companies.

• The UK farmer protests you probably haven’t heard about (The Conversation) - UK farm workers protest labor exploitation and modern slavery allegations at major agricultural companies, highlighting systemic issues in seasonal worker programs.

• The UK must make big changes to its diets, farming and land use to hit net zero – official climate advisers (The Conversation) - UK climate advisers call for 38% reduction in livestock by 2050, major dietary shifts, and tripling woodland coverage to meet net-zero targets.

• Actual Veggies raises $7m series A, anticipates $20m+ revenues in 2025: ‘We’re not trying to imitate meat’ (AgFundNews) - Plant-based food startup Actual Veggies secures $7M Series A funding to expand distribution of whole-food veggie burgers, projecting $20M revenue by 2025.

• Farmers worried if they will make it to 2026 amid ‘cashflow crisis’, says NFU (The Guardian) - UK farmers face severe cashflow crisis amid rising costs, policy changes, and weather challenges, with many uncertain about survival through 2025, NFU conference reveals.

• DRC Conflict: Southern and Eastern African La Via Campesina Calls for International Solidarity, Flags Attacks on Women and Girls (Via Campesina) - Peasant organization calls for international solidarity amid escalating DRC conflict, highlighting attacks on women and displacement of farmers in mineral-rich Kivu provinces.

• In a Word: Reducitarian (Bluedot Living) - New 'reducitarian' movement promotes flexible approach to reducing meat and dairy consumption without strict dietary rules.

• Not Your Mama’s Chili and Cornbread (Bluedot Living) - Plant-based chili and vegan cornbread recipes offer sustainable, eco-friendly alternatives to traditional comfort foods using meat substitutes and dairy-free ingredients.

• One Man’s Long Journey (Too Long) to Eating Less Meat (Bluedot Living) - Former meat enthusiast details personal journey to reducing meat consumption after learning about environmental impacts and discovering satisfying plant-based alternatives.

• Seeds of 19 African tree species added to Svalbard Global Seed Vault (Mongabay) - Seeds from 19 African tree species, including baobab and Faidherbia albida, added to Norway's Svalbard Global Seed Vault for long-term preservation of vital genetic diversity.

Carbon

Rice methane credits, mangrove conservation threats, Woods Hole ocean trials, Octavia's Kenya DAC plant, and United-Heirloom carbon capture deal lead carbon initiatives

• AgriCapture on SRP Webinar: Carbon Project Approaches (AgriCapture) - Agricultural tech firm partners with Sustainable Rice Platform to develop rice methane reduction carbon credits and revenue streams for farmers.

• Mangrove deforestation for commodities limits conservation funding in SE Asia (Mongabay) - Study finds 85% of Southeast Asia's carbon-credit-viable mangroves threatened by commodity expansion and climate risks, undermining conservation funding potential.

• Massive Attack’s homecoming gig analysed by Tyndall Manchester (Tyndall Centre) - Researchers analyze environmental impact and sustainability measures of Massive Attack's 2024 Bristol homecoming concert against industry benchmarks.

• The Carbon Copy: Uncharted waters for CDR (The Carbon Copy) - Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution seeks EPA permit for 16,500-gallon ocean alkalinity enhancement trial in Gulf of Maine amid mixed community response.

• This is CDR: Octavia Carbon’s Project Hummingbird – Pioneering Direct Air Capture in Africa. (This is CDR) - Africa's first Direct Air Capture facility launches in Kenya's Rift Valley, led by Octavia Carbon with $5M seed funding and community-focused approach.

• UK urged to act now on net zero – and skip two kebabs’ worth of meat a week (The Guardian) - UK climate advisers recommend reducing meat consumption by 260g weekly alongside broader emissions cuts to meet 2050 net-zero targets.

• United Airlines Bets on Heirloom’s Direct Air Capture (Heatmap News) - United Airlines invests in Heirloom's direct air capture technology with potential to purchase 500,000 tons of CO2 for sustainable aviation fuel production.

• View Our Webinar on Demand: How Super Pollutant Credits Abate the Most Potent Greenhouse Gases (Rubicon Carbon) - Webinar highlights super pollutant credits as cost-effective tools for reducing high-impact greenhouse gases like methane, nitrous oxide, and HFCs.

Circular

Major recycling breakthroughs from Trinasolar's TOPCon modules and Resynergi's plastics conversion, while Pulpex and global hotels advance waste reduction through AI and innovative packaging

• A packaging quandary: Plastic may have less environmental impact than alternatives (Anthropocene) - Life-cycle analysis shows plastic packaging produces 70% lower emissions and uses fewer resources than glass, metal, and paper alternatives.

• China Solar PV News Snippets: ‘World’s First’ Fully Recycled Solar Module Launched & More (TaiyangNews) - China launches world's first fully recycled TOPCon solar module achieving 20.7% efficiency and 645W+ output through industry collaboration led by Trinasolar.

• Plastic Recycling Tech Provider Resynergi Raises $18 Million (ESGToday) - Plastic recycling startup Resynergi secures $18M Series B funding to launch first commercial site converting waste plastics into reusable molecular feedstock.

• Pulpex Raises $78 Million to Scale Production of Paper-Based Bottles (ESGToday) - Sustainable packaging company Pulpex secures $78M funding to scale production of recyclable paper-based bottles that could replace plastic and glass containers.

• Register Today: Copper Recycling in the U.S. & Europe (WRI) - Upcoming webinar explores copper recycling expansion in US and EU to meet 50% demand growth by 2050, featuring experts from IEA, CDA discussing challenges and opportunities.

• Breathing New Life into Found Objects (Nautilus) - NYC artist Katherine Streeter discusses her creative process of transforming found objects and magazine clippings into layered narrative collages featured in major publications.

• How Sheraton Grand Hiroshima cut food waste by 80% while enhancing guest experience (Winnow) - Sheraton Grand Hiroshima Hotel achieves 80% food waste reduction through AI-powered tracking system while improving guest dining experience.

• Shifting Cultures, Hidden Opportunities: How The Santa Maria, a Luxury Collection Hotel & Golf Resort, Panama Is Tackling Food Waste with AI (Winnow Solutions) - Panama's luxury Santa Maria Hotel deploys AI technology to track and reduce food waste, transforming kitchen scraps into new menu items.

Ecosystems

Coral trade threats, Niger Delta red colobus rediscovery, Chile forest collapse risk, and Ocean Revolution Moçambique's conservation success, while California faces coastal challenges and rare dolphin superpod appears in Monterey Bay

• Cash for Corals: Exploiting Ecosystems on Their Way to Extinction (The Revelator) - Global coral trade continues and intensifies despite unprecedented mass bleaching events threatening reef survival worldwide.

• First Niger Delta red colobus monkey videos reflect community conservation success (Mongabay) - First-ever video footage captures critically endangered Niger Delta red colobus monkeys, marking success of community conservation efforts after decades of oil-related habitat destruction.

• In Chile, a Declining Forest Worries Scientists (Inside Climate News) - Chile's sclerophyllous forests face severe decline with 40% at high collapse risk due to drought, rising temperatures and deforestation, threatening biodiversity and carbon storage capacity.

• Portuguese- Ocean Revolution Moçambique (Equator Initiative) - Ocean Revolution Moçambique transforms fishing community through vocational training and marine conservation education, helping protect critical biodiversity in Inhambane Bay.

• What it takes to regrow a community after wildfire (Yale Climate Connections) - California's Altadena Seed Library leads community-driven effort to restore gardens and urban greenspaces after devastating wildfires destroy thousands of structures.

• Wildfire debris washes up on LA beaches after major rainstorm (The Guardian) - Los Angeles beaches face environmental hazard as wildfire debris and urban runoff from deadly Palisades fire wash ashore after major rainstorm.

• ‘Superpod’ of more than 2,000 dolphins frolic off California coast: ‘Like flying eyebrows’ (The Guardian) - Rare 'superpod' of over 2,000 Northern right whale and Pacific white-sided dolphins spotted frolicking off Monterey Bay, California coast.

• Male African elephants develop distinct personality traits as they age, study finds (Mongabay) - Study reveals male African elephants develop unique personality traits with age, showing social hierarchies and complex networks that benefit group dynamics.

• Protected: An interview with Jen Guyton: judge for the Rewilding Europe Award 2025 (Rewilding Europe) - Wildlife photographer Jen Guyton announced as judge for prestigious Rewilding Europe Award 2025 photography competition.

• Study confirms that ant-eating aardvarks have a craving for buried melons (Mongabay) - Camera trap study reveals aardvarks actively seek and dig up buried African melons, serving as key seed dispersers for the unusual fruit.

• The Collective Power of Ants (Nautilus) - Israeli study finds ant colonies outperform human groups in maze-navigation tasks due to superior collective problem-solving abilities.

• Giant ice bulldozers: How ancient glaciers helped life evolve (ScienceDaily) - Ancient glaciers acted as geological bulldozers, releasing minerals that altered ocean chemistry and enabled complex life to evolve, new research reveals.

• Six highways in the sky aid in seabird migration (Environment America) - Scientists identify six major wind-driven flyways used by 48 species of seabirds for long-distance migration across global oceans.

• The rarely seen Madras hedgehog in India is also poorly studied (Mongabay) - Madras hedgehog, found only in southern India, faces research gaps and population threats despite "least concern" conservation status.

• California faces worsening drought despite recent heavy rainstorms (The Guardian) - California's drought intensifies despite heavy rainstorms as Colorado River basin faces critically low snowpack and water levels amid climate crisis impacts.

Efficiency

AI weather forecasting slashes energy use, while solar O&M embraces drones and VR; RI benchmarks building efficiency and shared housing gains traction

• Europe’s New AI Weather Forecasting Model Up to 20% More Accurate Than Conventional Methods (Earth.org) - European AI weather forecasting system launches with 20% higher accuracy than traditional models while using 1000x less energy for predictions up to 15 days ahead.

• Innovative Trends Feature In SPE’s 6th O&M Best Practices Report (TaiyangNews) - SolarPower Europe's 6th O&M best practices report highlights autonomous drones, virtual reality glasses and data-driven solutions for streamlined solar plant maintenance.

• New RI report takes step towards reducing energy usage, emissions of large buildings (Acadia Center) - Rhode Island releases comprehensive report on building energy benchmarking to reduce emissions from large buildings, consulting 13+ organizations for implementation strategies.

• Three Crises, One Solution: The Case For Intergenerational Housing (Atmos) - Intergenerational housing programs match elderly homeowners with young tenants, addressing housing affordability, loneliness, and climate impact through shared living spaces.

Finance

BBVA's $735B sustainability pledge, Brookfield's $1.7B National Grid renewables buyout, CDPQ's CAD 10B Innergex acquisition, and Runergy's $124M investment lead major green finance moves

• BBVA Raises Sustainable Finance Goal to More than $700 Billion by 2029 (ESGToday) - Spanish bank BBVA doubles sustainable finance target to $735 billion by 2029, focusing on climate change mitigation and inclusive social development.

• Brookfield Acquires National Grid’s U.S. Renewables Business for $1.7 Billion (ESGToday) - Brookfield Asset Management acquires National Grid's U.S. renewables business for $1.7B, including 3.1GW of solar, wind and battery storage assets.

• Can a different approach to risk accelerate the energy transition in the Global South? (Climate Change News) - New risk assessment model reveals high capital costs and market volatility as key barriers to renewable energy deployment in Global South, with India case study showing 4% higher investment returns needed.

• CDPQ To Acquire Innergex Renewable Energy In CAD 10 Billion Deal (TaiyangNews) - Canadian pension fund CDPQ to acquire renewable energy company Innergex in CAD 10 billion deal, expanding its clean energy portfolio across North America.

• Exploring the Role of Catalytic Capital at Cleantech Forum (Cleantech Forum) - Experts discuss catalytic capital's role in financing first-of-kind climate tech projects, using AtmosZero's heat pump manufacturing scale-up as case study.

• Gigi Alsaadi Spotlights CRANE At UofT’s Sustainability Conference 2025 (Prime Coalition) - CRANE fellow presents nonprofit's climate impact assessment tool to 100+ attendees at University of Toronto sustainability conference, highlighting free resource used by 5,500+ worldwide.

• How could religious principles boost climate action? (Greenpeace) - Islamic Finance principles and $4 trillion in assets could drive significant climate action through ethical investment practices and faith-based environmental stewardship.

• National Grid sells US renewables arm to Brookfield for $1.7bn (Renewable Energy World) - National Grid sells its US renewables business to Brookfield Asset Management for $1.7 billion in deal expected to close by 2026.

• Paying for Clean Building Materials with C-PACE (RMI) - Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy loan programs could unlock billions in financing for low-carbon building materials through small rule changes.

• UK aid budget cuts threaten climate finance pledge to vulnerable nations, experts warn (Climate Change News) - UK slashes overseas aid budget from 0.5% to 0.3%, threatening its £11.6bn climate finance commitment to developing nations.

• China’s Runergy Bags RMB 900 Million Equity Investment From Suppliers (TaiyangNews) - Chinese solar manufacturer Runergy secures RMB 900M ($124M) equity investment from equipment suppliers S.C New Energy and Autowell Technology after failed Tongwei acquisition.

• Rivian Stock Down 20% in Past Week — But Why, Really? (CleanTechnica) - Rivian stock drops 20% after Bank of America downgrade amid concerns over 2025 sales targets and EV market challenges, despite positive Q4 gross profit.

• Working with a venture studio as a climate startup (Enduring Planet) - Climate startup expert outlines key considerations and strategies for partnering with venture studios, including equity stakes, deal terms, and maximizing studio relationships.

Grid

Major battery projects advance in Australia and New York, NERC transmission study contested, utilities prepare for data center surge, while Ofgem raises UK price cap and US plans 12.3GW capacity retirement

• 'Great Britain is too reliant on gas': Ofgem confirms energy price cap to rise 6.4 per cent (BusinessGreen) - UK energy regulator Ofgem announces 6.4% price cap increase to £1,849 annually per household, citing excessive reliance on gas prices.

• Arena launches second round of federal Labor’s community battery grants (RenewEconomy) - ARENA launches $46.3 million second round of community battery grants for 50kW-5MW distribution network projects across Australia.

• Before, during and after: How utilities can prepare for natural disasters (RenewableEnergyWorld) - Electric utilities must strengthen infrastructure, implement AI-powered monitoring, and establish disaster response protocols to handle increasing frequency of extreme weather events.

• Construction kicks off on landmark NSW BESS (Energy Vault) - Construction begins on New South Wales' first large-scale 200MW/400MWh battery storage system at ACEN Australia's New England Solar project, featuring grid-forming inverters for enhanced network stability.

• Contract awarded for SEC Renewable Energy Park (Energy Vault) - Victorian Government selects contractor for 100MW battery storage system at State Electricity Commission Renewable Energy Park.

• Flying blind on data center demand (Canary Media) - Utilities across US struggle to plan grid capacity as data center power demand grows rapidly with uncertain timing and location.

• Midwest utilities lead on data center preparation (Canary Media) - Midwest utilities proactively prepare grid infrastructure and regulations for data center growth while protecting ratepayer interests.

• NERC interregional transfer capability study lacks detail to drive transmission upgrades: EIPC (Utility Dive) - NERC's interregional power transfer study deemed insufficient for transmission planning decisions by Eastern grid operators, who urge FERC to establish clear metrics.

• New York PSC approves retail and residential storage plan as 6-GW 2030 target in question (Utility Dive) - New York approves retail and residential energy storage plan targeting 6GW by 2030, with first bulk storage procurement planned for mid-2025.

• Planned Retirements of U.S. Coal-Fired Electric-Generating Capacity to Increase in 2025 (CleanTechnica) - U.S. plans to retire 12.3 GW of power capacity in 2025, with coal plants accounting for 66% of shutdowns as utilities transition to cleaner energy sources.

• PPL’s Shelby Linton-Keddie on tackling rapid load growth (RenewableEnergyWorld) - PPL executive Shelby Linton-Keddie to discuss utility strategies for managing rapid electricity load growth at DTECH conference panel alongside regulatory and industry experts.

• Rethinking Load Growth: Assessing the Potential for Integration of Large Flexible Loads in US Power Systems (Enchanted Rock) - Duke University study reveals US power systems could integrate 100GW of large flexible loads through demand response and on-site generation solutions, minimizing grid expansion needs.

• Sen. Cunningham and Rep. Evans Introduce Illinois Energy Storage Bill to Save Consumers $2.4 Billion (Advanced Energy United) - Illinois lawmakers introduce energy storage bill targeting 15GW capacity, promising $2.4B consumer savings and 115,000 jobs through grid modernization and virtual power plants.

• SOCAN Testimony Supporting HB 3628 (SOCAN) - Oregon climate group urges support for HB3628 bill to expand state's electric transmission capacity through independent entity financing and infrastructure development.

• SOCAN Testimony Supporting HB3336 (SOCAN) - Oregon climate group urges passage of bill requiring utilities to include grid-enhancing technologies in resource plans to boost transmission capacity and reduce wildfire risk.

• The best spots for solar and wind farms, with the least need for new poles and wires (RenewEconomy) - Australian researchers create interactive heatmaps showing optimal locations for solar and wind farms based on existing transmission infrastructure and resources.

• The International Flow Battery Forum 2025 (REVOLVE) - International Flow Battery Forum 2025 to convene leading experts and manufacturers in Vienna to advance flow battery technology and commercialization.

• This startup is giving utilities more control at the grid edge without costly retrofits (RenewableEnergyWorld) - Startup inGeniti launches Optima platform enabling utilities to control grid-edge devices without infrastructure upgrades, offering real-time monitoring and demand response capabilities.

• Tri-State Energizes Colorado Transmission Line (Power Magazine) - Tri-State completes 230-kV Burlington-Lamar transmission line in Colorado, enabling 700MW additional generation capacity and improved grid reliability.

• US gets EV-to-power-grid technical parameters (RenewableEnergyWorld) - US electrical manufacturers establish technical standards for EVs to sell power back to grid through bidirectional charging systems.

• Trump’s National Energy Dominance Council should appoint a ‘hydropower czar’ (Utility Dive) - Trump administration urged to appoint hydropower czar to leverage federal dams for expanding power capacity and strengthening industrial supply chains.

• Maximize Off-Grid Power With The Redodo 12V 300Ah LiFePO4 Battery — Now Over 50% Off! (CleanTechnica) - Redodo's 12V 300Ah LiFePO4 battery offers 3,840Wh capacity and 4000+ cycles at 50% discount ($539.99), targeting off-grid and solar backup applications.

• The POWER Interview: Terrestrial Energy’s Push to Commercialize Molten Salt Reactors for Industrial and Grid Applications (POWER Magazine) - Terrestrial Energy advances commercialization of 390-MWe molten salt reactor technology for industrial heat and grid applications, targeting early 2030s deployment.

Indigenous

Indigenous groups from Indonesia to Costa Rica lead forest protection and climate solutions, while Standing Rock faces state opposition to pipeline lawsuit

• French – OELO (UNDP Equator Initiative) - Ten indigenous and local communities across nine countries awarded 2022 Equator Prize for innovative nature-based solutions addressing biodiversity loss and climate change.

• Indigenous Dayak community makes strides on Borneo toward forest autonomy (Mongabay) - Indigenous Dayak community in Indonesian Borneo seeks government approval for 2,000-hectare autonomous forest management under traditional customs.

• Silencing Standing Rock: How 14 States Are Protecting Big Oil Over People (Amazon Watch) - Fourteen US states file unprecedented legal motions to intervene against Standing Rock Sioux Tribe's lawsuit challenging Dakota Access Pipeline, using taxpayer funds to support oil company interests.

• Spanish – Asociación de Mujeres Indígenas del Territorio Cabécar Kábata Könana (Equator Initiative) - Indigenous women's association in Costa Rica's Talamanca region empowers Cabécar women through traditional agriculture, seed conservation, and forest protection while establishing virtual barter system.

• The Central Role of Social Movements in Navigating Ecological Crises (Climate Institute) - Social movements expert Gopal Dayaneni argues climate justice requires transforming economic power structures and indigenous knowledge to address ecological crises.

Industry

Cambium, Holtec, Kellogg's, Hyundai, Samsung SDI and Tesla make headlines with AI wood processing, nuclear plans, hydrogen pilots, battery development and corporate governance shifts

• Cambium Raises $18.5 Million to Replace Carbon Intensive Building Materials with Sustainable Wood (ESGToday) - AI-powered wood supply chain platform Cambium raises $18.5M to transform waste wood into sustainable building materials, targeting carbon-intensive construction industry alternatives.

• Energy, the Environment, the Economy and You – the Introduction (Energy Central) - Inventor of Thermodynamic Geoengineering launches YouTube series exploring energy, environment and economic interconnections through AI-narrated videos.

• Holtec unveils plan for small modular reactors at Palisades nuclear site (Canary Media) - Holtec plans to build nation's first small modular reactors at Michigan's Palisades nuclear site while restarting existing reactor, partnering with Hyundai for construction.

• Kellogg's hydrogen-powered cereals serve up 'UK first' trial (BusinessGreen) - Kellogg's UK factory pilots government-funded hydrogen power to produce popular cereals in first-of-kind industrial demonstration.

• Major Organizations’ Low Cost Estimates On Hydrogen Electrolyzer Systems Indefensible (CleanTechnica) - Major organizations' cost projections for hydrogen electrolyzer systems proven unrealistic due to decades of historical data showing slower industrial scaling patterns.

• Production of green hydrogen in Taranaki has been cleared to start (Energy Central) - New Zealand court upholds consent for four wind turbines to power green hydrogen production facility in Taranaki.

• Second H2Global tender for the import of hydrogen and hydrogen derivatives. (Energy Central) - Germany launches second H2Global tender for importing hydrogen and hydrogen derivatives to accelerate clean fuel supply chain development.

• Shoreham Port | Industrial Cluster Plan (EnergyCentral) - Shoreham Port launches industrial cluster decarbonization plan targeting 40% emissions reduction through multi-business collaboration and hydrogen infrastructure.

• UK battery firm says it has learned from others’ errors as it licenses Chinese tech (The Guardian) - UK startup Volklec partners with Chinese firm Far East Battery to manufacture EV batteries near Coventry, planning phased approach from research facility to full gigafactory.

• Yet another abandoned mine erodes — this time, in a Panamanian protected area (Mongabay) - Abandoned Cobre Panamá copper mine's tailings dam at imminent risk of failure due to poor monitoring and internal erosion, threatening protected rainforest and Indigenous communities.

• Hyundai Motor, Kia, & Samsung SDI Collaborate to Develop High-Performance Robot Batteries (CleanTechnica) - Hyundai Motor, Kia, and Samsung SDI partner to develop specialized high-performance batteries for service robots, aiming to overcome space limitations and enhance energy density.

• Tesla Board: “Elon Musk, what did you do last week? Provide 5 bullets of what you accomplished last week within 5 days.” (CleanTechnica) - Tesla board members urged to demand Elon Musk account for his work activities and time management amid concerns over Tesla's declining sales and his controversial political activities.

• The CEO Agenda: 5 Critical Priorities Shaping Business in 2025 (IDC) - CEOs prioritize AI transformation, regulatory compliance, customer experience, cybersecurity, and ESG integration as top business priorities for 2025.

Policy

Federal climate policy turmoil as Trump administration fires 20,000 workers, blocks NASA/IPCC participation, and faces lawsuits over environmental funding, while state-level clean energy initiatives advance in Virginia and Michigan despite utility pushback on regulations

• ‘We know what it’s like’: How Appalachian towns are learning to help each other after floods (Grist) - Appalachian communities develop informal mutual aid networks to help each other respond to increasingly frequent climate-driven floods.

• ‘We’re being treated as grifters or terrorists’: US federal workers on the fear and chaos of their firings (The Guardian) - Trump administration fires 20,000 federal workers in first month under Musk's efficiency department, sparking lawsuits and worker outcry over mass terminations.

• “Facts, not politics:” Kean fights Coalition attempts to silence him, but will he stand alone? (RenewEconomy) - Climate Change Authority chair Matt Kean defies Coalition threats over analysis showing nuclear policy would add 2 billion tonnes to emissions.

• Africa set to reach 1.5 C climate change threshold by 2040 even under low emission scenarios (ScienceDaily) - All African regions projected to exceed Paris Agreement's 1.5°C warming limit by 2040 despite continent's minimal global emissions contribution.

• Are There Forever Chemicals in Your Drinking Water? (Heatmap News) - New database reveals 563 U.S. water utilities report unsafe PFAS "forever chemical" levels, with some locations exceeding recommended limits by thousands of times.

• Art shines a light on urban flooding in Philadelphia (Yale Climate Connections) - Philadelphia art installation educates residents about urban flooding caused by historic stream burial and climate change-intensified storms.

• Building a More Equitable Energy Future: Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion (Elephant Energy) - Company outlines diversity and equity initiatives in clean energy transition, focusing on heat pump installations for low-income communities and inclusive hiring practices.

• Can solar power avoid Trump’s culture wars? (Grist) - Solar industry adapts messaging to avoid political polarization by emphasizing American energy independence and economic benefits rather than climate change.

• Catherine Coleman Flowers: On Environmental Justice and Protecting Holy Ground (Climate One) - Environmental justice advocate Catherine Coleman Flowers discusses her work fighting sewage contamination in Alabama and connecting environmental racism to civil rights, fossil fuels, and reproductive justice.

• CEBA Report: Repealing Clean Energy Tax Credits Would Raise Electricity Prices for American Families and Job Creators Across the United States (CEBA) - Study shows repealing clean energy tax credits would increase US household electricity bills by $110 annually and business rates by 10% by 2026, with Midwest seeing highest regional impact.

• Climate Change Could Thwart Trump’s Efforts to Occupy Greenland (Inside Climate News) - Trump's renewed push to acquire Greenland faces major obstacles as climate change destabilizes infrastructure and creates hazardous conditions for development.

• Coalition spokesninnies have lashed out at the nice man at the Climate Change Authority | First Dog on the Moon (The Guardian) - Climate Change Authority official faces Coalition backlash after criticizing Dutton's energy policy as environmentally dangerous.

• Companies Seek Relief From Coal Clean-Up Rules (CleanTechnica) - Twelve major utility companies petition EPA to roll back federal coal ash regulations and cleanup requirements, sparking environmental concerns over groundwater contamination.

• Disaster response should put people first — not politics (ActionAid USA) - Trump's disaster response visits criticized as political theater amid threats to dismantle FEMA and weaponize aid distribution against political opponents.

• Energy bill relief: Don’t bet the house on a federal battery rebate, offer something better (RenewEconomy) - Australian energy policy experts argue for broader household energy savings initiatives beyond battery rebates, suggesting legislative targets and diverse technology support.

• EWG Tap Water Database update shows hundreds of contaminants widespread in U.S. tap water (EWG) - Analysis of 50,000 US water systems reveals 324 contaminants in drinking water nationwide, with most systems containing levels above EWG's health-based standards.

• Explainer: What Is the IPCC? (Earth.org) - UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change faces operational challenges as Trump administration withdraws US participation and funding from key climate assessment meetings.

• Global Civil Society: The Dire Consequences of Secretive Biotech Regulation (Independent Science News) - Over 50 global civil society groups reject industry self-regulation of biotechnology, citing historical failures and risks of secretive oversight.

• House Republicans Pass Harmful Budget Resolution (LCV) - House Republicans pass budget resolution extending wealthy tax cuts while threatening clean energy investments and environmental protections.

• March 9-14 Rise for Future Generations at CERA Week in Houston, TX (198methods.org) - Climate activists plan protests and rallies against fossil fuel industry leaders during Houston's CERA Week conference March 9-14, featuring Grammy-nominated performer Antonique Smith.

• Matt Kean says suggestion Coalition could sack him if it wins election is ‘concerning threat’ (The Guardian) - Climate Change Authority chair Matt Kean defies Coalition's threat of dismissal over criticism of nuclear energy proposal, vowing to maintain evidence-based stance.

• Mental Health and Climate Change: When the Earth Moves—5 Months After Hurricane Helene (Moms Clean Air Force) - North Carolina family recounts ongoing mental health impacts and community disruption 5 months after Hurricane Helene's devastating landfall killed 300 across multiple states.

• Nauru sells citizenship to help fund relocations as sea levels rise (The Guardian) - Nauru launches $105,000 'golden passport' citizenship scheme to fund inland relocation of population threatened by rising sea levels.

• New report skewers Coalition’s contentious nuclear plan – and reignites Australia’s energy debate (The Conversation) - Australian parliamentary report finds Coalition's nuclear power plan would cost $116 billion and face delays until mid-2040s, making it unviable compared to renewables.

• Offshore Wind Faces Its ‘Worst Case Scenario’ Under Trump (Heatmap News) - Trump administration's aggressive blocking of offshore wind permits and agency communications threatens to derail entire US offshore wind industry and state climate goals.

• Polling shows strong support for clean energy among Michiganders amid state and federal GOP pushback (Renewable Energy World) - Michigan poll reveals 62% of voters support state's clean energy standard and job creation initiatives despite Republican opposition.

• Senate Democrats Push Back Against the EPA’s Funding Freeze (Heatmap News) - Senate Democrats challenge EPA Administrator Zeldin's attempt to revoke $20 billion in climate mitigation grants, while nonprofits proceed with fund distribution.

• SOCAN Testimony Supporting HB2151 (SOCAN) - Oregon climate group urges legislature to fund seismic safety upgrades for Portland's Critical Energy Infrastructure Hub to prevent catastrophic oil spills and emissions.

• SOCAN Testimony Supporting HB2152 (SOCAN) - Oregon climate group urges passage of HB2152 to diversify fuel storage locations away from Portland's vulnerable Critical Energy Infrastructure Hub to reduce earthquake disaster risk.

• Terminated Parks Employee Warns of the Danger and Cruelty of Job Cuts (Atmos) - Former National Park Service biologist warns mass terminations threaten wildlife monitoring programs and visitor safety across US national parks.

• The Fossil Fuel Industry Wants to Keep New Buildings Dependent on Gas (DeSmog) - Fossil fuel industry wages global lobbying campaign to block building electrification policies and maintain gas dependency in new construction across 26 U.S. states.

• This is CDR: Tracking Europe's Evolving CDR Policy Landscape (CarbonGap) - New Carbon Removal Policy Tracker tool maps and analyzes carbon dioxide removal policy developments across Europe to identify gaps and opportunities for scaling CDR solutions.

• This Is CDR: Tracking Europe's Evolving CDR Policy Landscape with Alexis Dunard, Carbon Gap (OpenAir) - Carbon Gap's Policy Tracker tool maps and analyzes carbon removal policy developments across Europe, highlighting progress and gaps in EU's CDR strategy implementation.

• Too slow and too expensive: House committee says Coalition nuclear plan won’t help climate targets (RenewEconomy) - Australian House Committee report concludes Coalition's nuclear power plan is too expensive and slow to meet climate targets, with Labor MPs and independent experts rejecting nuclear viability.

• Trump Administration Restores $2.1 billion in Funding to Pennsylvania After State’s Lawsuit (InsideClimateNews) - Trump administration unfreezes $2.1 billion in federal climate and environmental funding to Pennsylvania following state lawsuit and court orders.

• Trump officials bar US climate team from global talks (Nature) - Trump administration blocks NASA chief scientist from UN climate talks in China and terminates US technical support team for global climate assessment.

• Understanding the cultural experience of keeping warm can help us embrace clean energy (The Conversation) - Research across four nations reveals how cultural attachments to traditional heating methods influence communities' willingness to adopt clean energy solutions.

• US anti-pipeline activists say charges against them ‘meant to intimidate’ (The Guardian) - Environmental activists face serious criminal charges including felonies for protesting Mountain Valley Pipeline construction in Virginia, claiming charges are meant to suppress dissent.

• US officials have been absent from global climate forums during Trump 2.0 (The Guardian) - US officials absent from multiple international climate meetings under Trump's second term as administration withdraws from Paris Agreement and blocks scientists from IPCC participation.

• VA 2025 General Assembly Wrap Up: Big Wins on Climate, But More Work to Do. (CCAN Action Fund) - Virginia legislature passes multiple climate bills including clean energy expansion, EV charging infrastructure, and workforce development, while falling short on solar siting reform and data center regulations.

• Why the Current Climate Change Strategy was Doomed to Fail (Energy Central) - Analysis reveals historical energy transitions were ignored by climate activists, dooming current fossil fuel elimination strategy.

• Good360 and Amazon Support First Responders Children’s Foundation in Honoring Heroes of Southern California Wildfires (Good360) - Amazon and Good360 partner to distribute essential supplies to first responder families affected by Southern California wildfires at Dodger Stadium appreciation event.

• Investigative Processes Webinar: March 12, 12:30-2:00 PM ET (Environmental Protection Network) - Legal and environmental organizations to host webinar on federal investigative processes and compliance guidance for environmental grantees.

• Postdocs and PhD students hit hard by Trump’s crackdown on science (Nature) - Early-career scientists face uncertain futures as Trump administration's funding freeze and DEI clampdown threatens research grants and careers.

• Public Lands Are Part Of Our Nation’s Inheritance (The Wildlife News) - Bipartisan Public Lands in Public Hands Act aims to protect federal lands from mass sell-offs by requiring Congressional approval for disposal of significant public tracts.

Renewables

Major solar projects from DEWA, Duke Energy, and Microsoft; BP abandons renewables targets; golf courses show 1.5TW potential; global shifts in China-Pakistan solar trade; setbacks for Atlantic Shores wind

• 10 Countries With Most Golf Courses Can Support Up To 842 GW Solar Capacity (TaiyangNews) - Study reveals golf course land in top 10 countries could host 842 GW of solar and 659 GW of wind capacity, highlighting land use priorities for renewable energy.

• BP to abandon renewable targets, divest assets in shift back to fossil fuels (RenewEconomy) - BP abandons 2030 renewable energy targets and plans to divest clean energy assets in strategic return to fossil fuel focus.

• Cheap Chinese Panels Sparking a Solar Boom in the Global South (Yale E360) - Chinese solar manufacturers shift focus to developing nations amid trade barriers, driving significant solar adoption in Pakistan and Southern Africa.

• Clearloop Announces Multi-Year Agreement with Microsoft to Accelerate Grid Decarbonization with Portfolio of Community-Focused Solar Projects (Clearloop) - Microsoft partners with solar developer to deploy 100MW of renewable projects across underserved US communities, targeting 5 million metric tons of carbon reduction.

• Coalition broadens attack on offshore wind with pledge to scrap second declared zone (RenewEconomy) - Australian Coalition pledges to scrap second offshore wind development zone, threatening $4 billion Spinifex project and broader renewable energy plans.

• Dubai’s DEWA Launches MBR Solar Park Phase VII Tender (TaiyangNews) - Dubai's DEWA launches tender for 2GW solar plus 1GW storage project at MBR Solar Park, targeting completion by 2029 as world's largest single-site solar facility.

• Duke Energy Florida planning four new solar energy sites (RenewableEnergyWorld) - Duke Energy Florida plans four new 74.9 MW solar facilities totaling 300 MW, with three sites to be operational by 2026 and fourth by summer 2026.

• EDF Renewables books $980M impairment from Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind (Utility Dive) - EDF Renewables takes $980M impairment on Atlantic Shores offshore wind project after Shell's exit and NJ policy shifts.

• Energy Vault to build Australia’s first 100% publicly owned clean energy project (Energy Vault) - Company begins construction on Australia's first fully public-owned renewable energy storage facility in Horsham, set for 2027 completion.

• Israel To Add 100,000 New Rooftop Solar Systems By 2030 (TaiyangNews) - Israel launches program to install 100,000 rooftop solar systems by 2030, targeting 1.6GW capacity and 15% residential coverage with AI-powered mapping tool.

• JA Solar Empowers Ghana’s Sustainable Future with High-Performance PV Solutions (TaiyangNews) - JA Solar installs 507kW rooftop solar plant at Ghana's National IT Agency, delivering 696,000 kWh annually in challenging tropical conditions.

• Microsoft, Clearloop Have Deal for Community Solar Projects (PowerMag) - Microsoft partners with Clearloop to deploy 100MW of community solar projects across underinvested US communities, aiming to prevent 5 million metric tons of carbon emissions over 40 years.

• Power & Progress: The Global Energy Transition Is Unstoppable (Covering Climate Now) - Global renewable energy transition accelerates in 2024 with wind and solar beating fossil fuels in EU, UK, and US despite political opposition.

• Reports: BP to drop renewables target as part of fossil fuel 'reset' (BusinessGreen) - BP set to abandon 2030 renewable energy generation target of 50GW as company pivots back towards fossil fuels.

• Serbia Awards 645 MW Wind & Solar Capacity In Oversubscribed Auction (TaiyangNews) - Serbia awards 645 MW of wind and solar capacity in oversubscribed auction, attracting €782 million investment with winning tariffs below price caps.

• Solar and battery project targeted by Barnaby Joyce gets federal green tick (RenewEconomy) - 320MW solar farm and 300MW battery project in NSW receives final federal environmental approval despite opposition from Barnaby Joyce.

• Two workers fall to their death after equipment failure at wind farm (RenewEconomy) - Two wind turbine maintenance workers died after equipment failure caused them to fall from a turbine at Nebraska's Plum Creek Wind Farm.

• Astronergy Strengthens Partnerships at Solar Pakistan 2025 (TaiyangNews) - Astronergy showcases N-type solar modules at Solar Pakistan 2025, signs new partnerships and honors distributors while expanding presence in Pakistani renewable market.

• Empowering Elderly Care with Solar: Residencia La Golondrina’s Path to Sustainability (TaiyangNews) - Spanish elderly care facility installs 66.55 kWp AIKO N-Type solar system, achieving 80% self-consumption and projected 69,772 kWh annual generation.

Transport

Federal EV charging funds flow to Southeast, Honda advances fuel cells, Norsepower and Samsung Heavy develop cleaner ships, Einride demos remote autonomous trucks, Volvo ES90 and Ram Ramcharger launch

• $89.7 Million Awarded to Southeast from CFI EV Charging Program (CleanEnergy.org) - Southeast receives $89.7M from federal Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Program to expand EV charging stations across six states, despite potential executive order challenges.

• Bad News For Oil: Digital Twin Optimizes Wind Power To Decarbonize Cargo Ships (CleanTechnica) - AI-enabled digital twin technology helps Norsepower's Rotor Sails achieve up to 21% fuel savings for cargo ships through optimized wind power and route planning.

• Einride GoodWood (TechCrunch) - Einride demonstrates remote-controlled autonomous electric transport pod at Goodwood Festival, operated from 1200km away in Sweden.

• Electric Trucks Launched Into 2025 With A Bang… (CleanTechnica) - US electric truck deployments hit record 29,000 vehicles in 2024 despite policy uncertainty, with 331 fleets now operating electric trucks nationwide.

• Honda goes solo on next-gen hydrogen fuel cell (Energy Central) - Honda develops next-generation hydrogen fuel cell independently, promising 50% cost reduction and doubled durability compared to previous version.

• How Can Auto Dealerships Evolve During The EV Transition? (CleanTechnica) - Auto dealerships must shift from traditional sales model to tech-focused education centers with EV specialists as industry transitions to electric vehicles.

• Innovations in Commercial Battery Design: Safety Testing and Best Practices (Proterra) - Leading EV battery manufacturer details multi-layered safety approach combining active monitoring systems and physical protection features that exceed industry standards.

• Kentucky, Virginia to build more EV chargers despite Trump cuts (Canary Media) - Kentucky and Virginia push ahead with EV charging infrastructure plans despite Trump administration's federal funding freeze, demonstrating state-level commitment to electrification goals.

• Samsung Heavy Industries Is Advancing Ships Powered By Ammonia (Forbes) - Samsung Heavy Industries develops ammonia-powered ships promising 100% emissions reduction compared to LNG vessels, with commercial rollout expected within two years.

• 6 Good Deals on Used Electric Cars in Florida (CleanTechnica) - Multiple used electric vehicles including Volkswagen ID.4, Chevrolet Bolt, and Hyundai IONIQ models available in Florida for under $25,000, eligible for $4,000 federal tax credit.

• Botched wind turbine blade delivery takes out tree and street signs in rural town (RenewEconomy) - 70-meter wind turbine blade delivery causes damage to street infrastructure and traffic disruption in Victorian town of Ararat.

• Enter this Rivian raffle & help protect solar progress (Grist) - Illinois Solar Education Association launches Rivian EV raffle fundraiser offering choice of R1T or R1S, with proceeds supporting solar energy advocacy and education.

• Faster & Further than Any Volvo Car Before: New ES90 Adds 300km in 10 Minutes & Goes 700km on One Charge (CleanTechnica) - Volvo's new ES90 electric car features 800V technology enabling 300km range addition in 10 minutes and 700km total range, with enhanced charging efficiency and recycled materials.

• Ramcharger Is A “Goldilocks” Truck, Ram CEO Says (CleanTechnica) - Ram unveils Ramcharger hybrid pickup with 647hp, 690-mile range combining 91.8kWh battery and gas generator, targeting towing-focused customers at $60-78k.