China to add emissions fees for cement, steel, aluminum production

Cement: It's not everywhere, thank goodness, but almost. (CC by Jeremy Mikkola)

The Chinese government has announced that it will expand its emissions trading system to include the cement, steel, and aluminium industries, which will “require an additional 1,500 firms to purchase credits to cover their emissions." Initially focused on power generation when it launched the world's largest emissions trading system 7 years ago, the government says the system will now cover more than 60% of the whole country's emissions.

To vastly oversimplify things: we're in this mess largely because private industry has been able to dump emissions into our collective environment and socialize the costs. Putting "a price on carbon" is widely said to be the single biggest step society could take towards incentivizing decarbonization. It's also widely considered politically unpalatable, especially in the US, but it seems like a requirement for any serious response to climate change. It's great news China is expanding its program. One big step among many needed, and effective implementation will be essential.

(Meanwhile, in contrast, the US The Department of Transportation has ordered a review of federal funding for bike lanes and plans to target recent projects that “improve the condition for environmental justice communities or actively reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”)

See CarbonBrief's excellent weekly China Briefing for more on this and related climate actions in China.

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

Today's Updates

Table of Contents

• Agriculture (17 stories) - Yam farmers adopt living supports; Uttarakhand faces crop devastation; Nepali farmers switch to tea/lemon; Queensland floods kill livestock; Brazil's groundwater loss threatens agriculture; Southern Oregon Climate Action Now supports SB80, and more.

  
  

• Carbon (8 stories) - Fashion brands explore carbon capture; K2 glacier melt accelerated by black carbon; Forest carbon overestimation risks Paris Agreement; "Doom loops" accelerate climate change; DeSantis criticizes carbon capture; China expands emissions trading; Carbon removal firms seek Canada; Surrey's DFM captures and converts CO2.

  
  

• Circular (3 stories) - Chitosan microcleaners capture microplastics; Fairmat recycles carbon composites; Fiberdom creates plastic-free materials; Carbon Robotics unveils AutoTractor; "Plastic People" reveals microplastic contamination.

  
  

• Ecosystems (9 stories) - Loke Marine Minerals bankruptcy; Romania hay meadow decline; Ice Age migration; China mixed woodlands buffer heat; Center for Biological Diversity protects species; Hong Kong tokay gecko trade concerns; Galápagos warbler aggression; Nutria invasion in Europe; Sydney Water beach balls.

  
  

• Finance (11 stories) - Sweden's Adaptation Fund pledge, Marshall's Tesla stake, AI in microfinance, insurer's capitalism warning, natural capital integration, Mirova/Robeco's AEP, ISS ESG's bond rating, Active Impact Investments' cleantech investments (Jetson, Metafold, Agrology), FutureCard's impact investing segment, AI infrastructure investment surge, and KPMG's ESG executive pay report.

  
  

• Grid (11 stories) - Moss Landing fire spurs safety calls; UK developer plans 1.6GWh NSW battery; Australia expands home and grid storage; hydrogen, pumped hydro, compressed air, and biomass redefine "battery"; US grid operators warn of power shortfall; price volatility rises; Hydro One outage in Ontario; $10B gas plant in PA with hydrogen option; cybersecurity risks in energy storage; Dow and X-energy Texas SMR project; TVA Clinch River Nuclear project advances with GE Hitachi BWRX-300.

  
  

• Indigenous (4 stories) - Brazil Supreme Court mining proposal withdrawn; Kalunga market opens; Amazon Defenders Fund supports Indigenous-led efforts.

  
  

• Industry (13 stories) - Tiamat's sodium-ion batteries, JinkoSolar's TOPCon for "Green Springs" hydrogen, Dow/X-Energy's SMR project, RXN HUB supports green chemistry, Bloom Biorenewables' biomass conversion, LiveEO's SurfaceScout/Treeline at SAP conference.

  
  

• Policy (67 stories) - Trump's tariffs & policies impact Vistra, GE Vernova, LIHEAP, NIOSH, NEPA, Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, REAP, solar, and global climate action; EU delays CSRD/CSDDD; Australian energy transition debate; EDF mobilizes SMEs; Energy Transfer v. Greenpeace; Enbridge's Line 5; IMO net-zero shipping; CAKE & Columbia Climate School resources; and potential impacts to Consumers Energy.

  
  

• Renewables (34 stories) - US solar surpasses gas for 5 hours; Battery tech advances; Sungrow's Spain conference; EU grid carbon intensity; GCL's granular silicon; India's 25 GW growth; Italy's agrivoltaics tender; Empire Wind concerns; Australia's wind/solar oversupply; Potentia acquires Bright Energy; Global coal decline; NSW renewable energy zone; Siemens Gamesa's 21.5-MW turbine; GE Vernova's Abukuma wind farm; Solar Energy UK/BiGGAR Economics report; Octopus Energy's East Anglia One stake; Geothermal for data centers; Czechia's solar/storage subsidy; DAS Solar, TCL, Keneng, Midea Solar, Xinte news; Heliup wins award; HANGZHOU FIRST encapsulants; Canadian Solar, Flow Power, Astronergy, First Solar, Engie, Twin Creek, AIP Management, Silicon Ranch, Sodium-ion batteries, Minnesota community solar, Michigan landfill methane rules.

  
  

• Transport (12 stories) - US DOT considers freezing bike/pedestrian funding; Global EV sales surge (BYD up 1169%); BP & Shell retreat from hydrogen; BYD outsells Tesla in BEVs; IATA launches SAF Registry; Luton Airport expands.

Agriculture

Yam farmers adopt living supports; Uttarakhand faces crop devastation; Nepali farmers switch to tea/lemon; Queensland floods kill livestock; Brazil's groundwater loss threatens agriculture; Southern Oregon Climate Action Now supports SB80; Ohio soil health declines; US National Plant Germplasm System faces cuts; Cranswick megafarm rejected; Ife South prioritizes sustainable farming; UK chicken farms pollute rivers; Gates/Rockefeller Foundation criticized; "Woolly Devil" flower discovered; Digital food marketing targets youth; La Via Campesina mobilizes; Ozempic may reduce food waste; Tensorfield Agriculture uses vegetable oil for weed control.

• Farmers turn to living ‘yam sticks’ to grow their crop and spare the forest (Mongabay) - Farmers in yam-producing regions are adopting living "yam sticks" like pigeon pea and bitter damsel to reduce deforestation caused by traditional wood supports, improving soil and offering additional benefits.

• Uttarakhand’s extreme weather wreaks havoc on crops, livelihoods & futures (Mongabay) - Extreme weather in Uttarakhand, India, including droughts and erratic rainfall, is devastating crops, livelihoods, and cultural traditions, leading to water shortages and increased forest fires.

• Nepali farmers switch crops to reduce human-elephant conflict (Mongabay) - Nepali farmers in Bahundangi reduce elephant conflicts by switching from rice and maize to tea and lemon crops, supplemented by beekeeping and community patrols.

• Floods devastate normally arid parts of Australia’s Queensland (Mongabay) - Unprecedented floods in arid Queensland, Australia, have devastated agriculture, killing over 140,000 livestock and requiring years for recovery.

• Groundwater overuse puts Brazil’s river flow at risk, study finds (Mongabay) - A study reveals that excessive groundwater extraction in Brazil is causing rivers to lose water underground, threatening agriculture, energy, and ecosystems.

• SOCAN Testimony Supporting SB80 (SOCAN) - Southern Oregon Climate Action Now supports SB80 to restrict CAFO development due to water contamination, methane emissions, and overall climate impact, advocating for reduced meat consumption.

• After Severe Drought and Storms, Ohio Farmers Fear for Long-Term Soil Health (Inside Climate News) - Ohio farmers are concerned about long-term soil health after severe drought and storms in 2024 damaged microbial communities and reduced crop yields.

• Our lives depend on seeds. Trump’s cuts put our vast reserves at risk | Thor Hanson (The Guardian) - US National Plant Germplasm System, housing over 2bn seed specimens, faces workforce cuts and project suspensions, jeopardizing seed diversity and future crop improvements.

• Plan for Norfolk megafarm rejected by councillors over environmental concerns (The Guardian) - Norfolk councillors rejected Cranswick's megafarm plan, citing climate change and environmental concerns due to its potential 50,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually from nearly 900,000 animals.

• Economic & Environmental Resilience Plan for an average Southern Nigerian Farming community-case study Ife South Lg, South West Nigeria (Energy Central) - A climate action plan for Ife South, Nigeria, prioritizes sustainable farming, decentralized power, and rainwater harvesting to boost food security, energy access, and climate resilience in the farming community.

• Industrial chicken farms are trashing Britain’s rivers – and planning reforms could make things worse (The Conversation) - UK's industrial chicken farms are polluting rivers with manure, and proposed planning reforms may weaken environmental protections despite existing failed plans.

• How philanthropists are destroying African farms – video (The Guardian) - A video investigation alleges that philanthropic efforts by the Gates and Rockefeller Foundations to revolutionize African farming have led to rising debt, biodiversity loss, and food insecurity for small-scale farmers.

• A Closer Look at the Woolly Devil (Nautilus) - The newly discovered "Woolly Devil" flower, a small sunflower found in the Chihuahuan Desert, may possess medicinal properties due to unique glands on its fuzzy foliage.

• What are kids watching online? How digital food marketing shapes children’s and adolescents’ diets (CGIAR) - Digital food marketing on social media increasingly targets children and adolescents with personalized, subtle ads, raising concerns about dietary impacts.

• 2025 | March Newswrap: Updates from LVC members worldwide (Via Campesina) - La Via Campesina members worldwide mobilized in March for peasant rights, agrarian reform, and against corporate control of resources like water, while advocating for sustainable farming and food sovereignty.

• Anti-obesity medications offer an opportunity to cut food waste—and costs (AgFunderNews) - Anti-obesity medications like Ozempic may reduce food waste as users adjust diets and portion sizes, potentially saving money and prompting restaurants to offer smaller servings.

• Meet the Bay area startup zapping weeds with superheated vegetable oil (AgFunderNews) - Tensorfield Agriculture is using superheated vegetable oil and computer vision in semi-autonomous machines to kill weeds in specialty row crops, offering a cost-effective alternative to hand-weeding and herbicides.

Carbon

Fashion brands explore carbon capture; K2 glacier melt accelerated by black carbon; Forest carbon overestimation risks Paris Agreement; "Doom loops" accelerate climate change; DeSantis criticizes carbon capture; China expands emissions trading; Carbon removal firms seek Canada; Surrey's DFM captures and converts CO2.

• What If Your Clothes Could Actually Clean The Air? (Atmos) - Some fashion brands are exploring carbon capture and recycling technologies to create clothing and accessories that act as "carbon sinks," though challenges remain in scalability and addressing overconsumption.

• An international study measures the impact of black carbon on K2 (BC3 Basque Centre for Climate Change) - A study of K2's Godwin-Austen Glacier reveals black carbon from the Indus Basin, Middle East, and local activities accelerates snow melt, impacting water supply for over a billion people.

• Betting on future forest carbon storage endangers Paris Agreement targets (Mongabay) - Overestimating future forest carbon storage and neglecting disturbances like wildfires could jeopardize Paris Agreement targets and incur significant economic costs.

• ‘Doom loops’ are accelerating climate change – but we can break them (The Conversation) - Climate change is accelerated by "doom loops" like melting Arctic ice and increased air conditioner use, but rooftop solar and international cooperation can break these cycles.

• The Politics of Carbon Capture Are Getting Weirder (Heatmap News) - Political divides are now impacting carbon capture, as seen with DeSantis' criticism and bipartisan opposition to the 45Q tax credit.

• China Briefing 3 April 2025: Solar exports; Carbon market expansion; Leaders’ climate commitments (Carbon Brief) - China expands its emissions trading system to cover steel, aluminum, and cement, aiming for over 60% of national emissions, while boosting renewable energy use in aluminum production and grid investments.

• Canada has a ‘window of opportunity’ to be carbon removal destination (Latitude Media) - Political uncertainty in the US is driving carbon removal companies to seek more stable policy environments in Canada, which offers incentives, clear regulations, and vast storage potential.

• Carbon capture technology to produce clean fuel from air (ScienceDaily) - University of Surrey's Dual-Function Material (DFM) process combines carbon capture and conversion to remove CO2 from the air and create clean fuel at a potentially competitive cost.

Circular

Chitosan microcleaners capture microplastics; Fairmat recycles carbon composites; Fiberdom creates plastic-free materials; Carbon Robotics unveils AutoTractor; "Plastic People" reveals microplastic contamination.

• Tentacled biodegradable cleaners hunt microplastics in open water (Anthropocene) - Biodegradable, tentacled microcleaners made from chitosan actively swim in water, capturing microplastics and then bubbling to the surface for easy collection.

• The Week in AgriFoodTech: Fairmat raises $57m, Fiberdom lands $3.9m, Carbon Robotics unveils AutoTractor (AgFunderNews) - Fairmat secured $57M to recycle carbon composites, Fiberdom got $3.9M for plastic-free materials, and Carbon Robotics revealed an AutoTractor.

• ‘Plastic People’ documentary exposes the human health threats from plastic (Mongabay) - "Plastic People" documentary reveals microplastics contaminate humans from before birth, linking to health issues like organ dysfunction, cancer, and fertility problems.

Ecosystems

Loke Marine Minerals bankruptcy; Romania hay meadow decline; Ice Age migration; China mixed woodlands buffer heat; Center for Biological Diversity protects species; Hong Kong tokay gecko trade concerns; Galápagos warbler aggression; Nutria invasion in Europe; Sydney Water beach balls.

• Major deep sea mining company goes bankrupt (Greenpeace) - Deep sea mining company Loke Marine Minerals declared bankruptcy amidst protests and investor concerns over environmental resistance.

• Big, biodiverse and beautiful: can Romania’s centuries-old giant haystacks survive modern farming? (The Guardian) - Romania's biodiverse hay meadows, shaped by centuries of traditional farming, face decline as modern agriculture and emigration lead to mechanization and habitat loss.

• Climate change and prehistoric human populations: Eastward shift of settlement areas at the end of the last ice age (University of Cologne) - Archaeological study reveals prehistoric Europeans migrated eastward during the last Ice Age's cold phase due to climate change.

• Weatherwatch: Mixed woodlands can help temper weather extremes, study shows (The Guardian) - A study in China found that mixed woodlands with diverse tree species can buffer heatwaves and extreme cold better than single-species plots, offering up to 4C greater cooling.

• Give Gulf Coast wildlife a pipeline lifeline (BiologicalDiversity.org) - The Center for Biological Diversity is fighting to protect endangered species like salamanders, butterflies, and ecosystems from threats like oil pipelines and development.

• Amid fuzzy data, scientists urge monitoring of Hong Kong’s tokay gecko trade (Mongabay) - Scientists are calling for better monitoring of Hong Kong's tokay gecko trade due to data discrepancies between vendor claims and CITES records, raising concerns about sustainability and potential illegal trafficking.

• Traffic noise turns Galápagos warblers into angry birds (Mongabay) - Galápagos warblers near roads become more aggressive due to traffic noise interfering with communication, while those further away are hesitant due to unfamiliarity.

• What are nutria, and how could they possibly be a problem? (DW) - Nutria, invasive semi-aquatic mammals from South America, are causing ecological and agricultural problems across Europe due to their destructive eating habits and lack of natural predators.

• Environment watchdog confirms Sydney’s mystery beach balls likely came from sewage treatment plants (The Guardian) - Sydney's EPA confirmed mystery beach balls that closed beaches likely originated from Sydney Water's sewage treatment plants due to fats, oils, and greases in the wastewater system.

Finance

Sweden's Adaptation Fund pledge, Marshall's Tesla stake, AI in microfinance, insurer's capitalism warning, natural capital integration, Mirova/Robeco's AEP, ISS ESG's bond rating, Active Impact Investments' cleantech investments (Jetson, Metafold, Agrology), FutureCard's impact investing segment, AI infrastructure investment surge, and KPMG's ESG executive pay report.

• Adaptation Fund Receives First New US$ 13 Million Pledge for 2025 from Sweden, Hoping to Set Tone for Rest of Year (Adaptation Fund) - Sweden pledges $13 million to the Adaptation Fund for 2025, aiming to encourage further contributions to address the growing climate adaptation financing gap.

• Hedge Fund Boss Paul Marshall Bet Big on Elon Musk Before Trump’s Election (DeSmog) - Hedge fund manager Paul Marshall increased his Tesla stake before Trump's election, while his media outlets praised Elon Musk, now a key figure in the administration.

• Exploring the future of risk in microfinance (Accion) - Microfinance institutions are integrating AI, climate risk management, and improved repayment capacity assessments to modernize and better serve underserved communities.

• Climate crisis on track to destroy capitalism, warns top insurer (The Guardian) - A top insurer warns that the escalating climate crisis threatens to destroy capitalism as extreme weather costs make financial services unviable.

• Redefining Resilience: Natural Capital & Wildfire Risk (Energy Central) - Utilities are urged to integrate natural capital, like forests and water, into their financial models to build resilience against intensifying wildfires and attract investors.

• Mirova, Robeco Launch Platform to Compare Decarbonization Impact of Climate Solutions (ESG Today) - Mirova and Robeco have launched the Avoided Emissions Platform (AEP) to help investors and companies assess and compare the decarbonization impact of climate solutions using standardized "scope 4" emissions calculations.

• ISS Launches New Sustainability Bond Ratings (ESG Today) - ISS ESG introduces a Sustainability Bond Rating system to assess the sustainability impact and risks of green, social, sustainability, and sustainability-linked bonds for investors.

• March 2025 Highlights (Active Impact Investments) - Active Impact Investments highlights its impact investing work, including a TV segment, "Funder of the Year" award, and follow-on investments in cleantech companies like Jetson, Metafold, and Agrology.

• Almost Famous (Active Impact Investments) - A segment on impact investing featuring FutureCard, a Visa debit card rewarding sustainable choices, aims to educate the public on profitable environmental and social solutions.

• AI infrastructure investment is going global (Latitude Media) - Global investment in AI infrastructure is surging, with multi-billion dollar projects planned in Europe, the Middle East, and East Asia, but concerns about a potential bubble are emerging.

• EU Companies Nearly Twice as Likely as U.S. to Link Executive Pay to ESG Goals: KPMG Report (ESG Today) - A KPMG report reveals that 81% of EU companies link executive pay to ESG goals, nearly double the 44% of U.S. firms, with EU companies also more likely to align targets with material business topics.

Grid

Moss Landing fire spurs safety calls; UK developer plans 1.6GWh NSW battery; Australia expands home and grid storage; hydrogen, pumped hydro, compressed air, and biomass redefine "battery"; US grid operators warn of power shortfall; price volatility rises; Hydro One outage in Ontario; $10B gas plant in PA with hydrogen option; cybersecurity risks in energy storage; Dow and X-energy Texas SMR project; TVA Clinch River Nuclear project advances with GE Hitachi BWRX-300.

• How Should Regulators Grapple With Moss Landing? (Heatmap News) - An environmental studies professor is urging regulators to address safety concerns surrounding large-scale battery storage after a fire at Moss Landing exposed preparedness gaps.

• UK developer proposes $800 million, 1.6GWh big battery in heart of NSW coal country (RenewEconomy) - A UK developer proposes an $800 million, 1.6GWh battery storage facility in New South Wales, aiming to support the grid as coal plants retire.

• Batteries for When the Clouds Cover the Sun (CleanTechnica) - Australia is rapidly expanding battery storage, from home units to grid-scale systems, to manage solar variability and reduce reliance on fossil fuels, with batteries now significantly influencing peak electricity pricing.

• A battery by any other name: Rethinking energy storage (RenewableEnergyWorld) - Rethinking energy storage involves expanding the definition of "battery" to include hydrogen, pumped hydro, compressed air, and biomass systems for a more sustainable and resilient energy infrastructure.

• Nation’s Power Operators Warn Congress of a Coming Reliability Shortfall (POWER) - US grid operators warn Congress of an impending power capacity shortfall due to rising demand from data centers and electrification outpacing supply.

• EIA’s Perspective on Price Volatility Needs Context (POWER) - US electricity price volatility is increasing due to renewables, weather, demand, and transmission, despite EIA's monthly averages showing a decrease.

• Hundreds of thousands of Hydro One customers still without power after massive storm slams Ontario (RenewableEnergyWorld) - A major winter storm in Ontario left hundreds of thousands of Hydro One customers without power, with restoration efforts hampered by widespread damage and ongoing weather challenges.

• Largest US gas-fired power plant planned for data centers in Pennsylvania (Utility Dive) - A $10 billion, 4.5-GW gas-fired power plant, fueled by the Texas Eastern pipeline and enabled for hydrogen, is planned at a former Pennsylvania coal plant site to power data centers and the local grid, with 60% lower emissions per MWh compared to the previous coal operation.

• Experts raise concerns about cybersecurity and energy storage systems (Utility Dive) - Experts warn that energy storage systems, reliant on cloud-based software, face cybersecurity vulnerabilities requiring risk assessments and mitigation protocols.

• Dow and X-energy Advance Landmark Nuclear Project in Texas With Construction Permit Filing (POWER) - Dow and X-energy filed a construction permit for a small modular reactor project in Texas, aiming to decarbonize Dow's industrial operations with nuclear energy.

• TVA’s Clinch River Nuclear Power Project: Where Things Stand Today (POWER) - TVA's Clinch River Nuclear project advances with GE Hitachi BWRX-300 SMR technology, aiming for a construction permit application by mid-year and leveraging existing infrastructure and community support.

Indigenous

Brazil Supreme Court mining proposal withdrawn; Kalunga market opens; Amazon Defenders Fund supports Indigenous-led efforts.

• After outcry, Brazil Supreme Court nixes proposal for mining on Indigenous lands (Mongabay) - Brazil's Supreme Court withdrew a proposal to allow mining on Indigenous lands after widespread opposition, but contentious issues like settler compensation remain.

• Governo e ruralistas não chegam a consenso em conciliação sobre marco temporal no STF (Instituto Socioambiental) - Talks between the government and ruralists regarding the "temporary landmark" for Indigenous land demarcation at the STF (Supreme Federal Court) have failed to reach an agreement.

• Quilombolas inauguram mercado Kalunga em Cavalcante (GO) (Instituto Socioambiental) - Quilombolas in Cavalcante, Brazil, inaugurate the Kalunga market to promote their sociobiodiversity production and strengthen their cultural heritage in the Cerrado.

• 2023-2024 Amazon Defenders Fund Report (Amazon Watch) - The Amazon Defenders Fund supports Indigenous-led efforts to defend land, promote self-determination, and resist extractive industries in the Amazon Basin.

Industry

Tiamat's sodium-ion batteries, JinkoSolar's TOPCon for "Green Springs" hydrogen, Dow/X-Energy's SMR project, RXN HUB supports green chemistry, Bloom Biorenewables' biomass conversion, LiveEO's SurfaceScout/Treeline at SAP conference.

• Tiamat veut produire des batteries sodium-ion dans la Somme à partir de 2027 (TIAMAT) - French start-up Tiamat, a CNRS spin-off, plans to produce sodium-ion batteries in the Somme region starting in 2027 for power and high-power applications.

• JinkoSolar's TOPCon Technology Empowers Australia's 10GW Off-grid Hydrogen Production Project, Setting a New Benchmark for Green Hydrogen Costs (TaiyangNews) - JinkoSolar's TOPCon technology will power Australia's 10GW "Green Springs" off-grid hydrogen project, aiming to reduce green hydrogen costs and cut 10 million tons of carbon annually.

• Robofauna (ReGen Ventures) - Robotics are evolving beyond humanoids, embedding intelligence in structure and materials for autonomous operation in extreme environments, inspired by biological morphological computation.

• Dow & X-Energy Submit Construction License to NRC for Texas Site (Energy Central) - Dow and X-Energy seek NRC approval for an advanced small modular reactor project in Texas to power Dow's manufacturing site with clean energy.

• Catalyzing Green Chemistry (Bluedot Living) - RXN HUB, a Canadian nonprofit, supports emerging green chemistry companies by providing resources and facilities to scale their technologies.

• AI-Driven Predictive Maintenance: The Future of Reliability in Power Plants (POWER) - AI-driven predictive maintenance in power plants reduces maintenance costs by up to 30% and increases equipment availability by 20% through anomaly detection and optimized performance.

• Bipartisan bill to boost green building materials glides through House (Canary Media) - A bipartisan House bill aims to boost research and deployment of low-carbon concrete, cement, and asphalt, despite potential cuts to clean industry projects under the Trump administration.

• Bloom Biorenewables Raises $15 Million to Produce Sustainable Materials from Plants (ESG Today) - Bloom Biorenewables secured $15 million to advance its technology converting plant biomass into sustainable chemicals, industrial inputs, and low-sulfur fuel.

• Clean construction’s bipartisan win (Canary Media) - A bipartisan House bill aims to boost the development and deployment of clean building materials, while states are taking the lead on landfill methane emissions.

• LiveEO | Meet us at SAP for Energy and Utilities Conference (LiveEO) - LiveEO will showcase its SurfaceScout and Treeline solutions for satellite-based infrastructure monitoring at the SAP for Energy and Utilities Conference in Rotterdam, April 8-10.

• Water Operator Roles in Mining: Ensuring Quality, Compliance, and Efficiency (KETOS) - Mining water operators use automated monitoring to ensure water quality, regulatory compliance, and operational efficiency amid challenges like water scarcity and contamination.

• How will the start-up timing of the new U.S. LNG export facilities affect our forecast? (EIA) - The start-up timing of Plaquemines LNG Phase 2 and Golden Pass LNG export facilities could significantly impact the EIA's natural gas forecasts for 2025-2026, affecting domestic supply, demand, prices, and storage.

• Reuters Events: Downstream USA 2025 (Energy Central) - Downstream USA 2025 in Houston will gather 4,000+ delegates and 180 exhibitors to advance operational excellence and sustainable innovation in the downstream sector.

Policy

Trump's tariffs & policies impact Vistra, GE Vernova, LIHEAP, NIOSH, NEPA, Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, REAP, solar, and global climate action; EU delays CSRD/CSDDD; Australian energy transition debate; EDF mobilizes SMEs; Energy Transfer v. Greenpeace; Enbridge's Line 5; IMO net-zero shipping; CAKE & Columbia Climate School resources; and potential impacts to Consumers Energy.

• Energy Is Exempt From Trump’s Tariffs. So Why Did Stocks Take a Hit? (Heatmap) - Energy stocks like Vistra and GE Vernova fell due to concerns that Trump's tariffs would slow economic and electricity demand growth, overshadowing AI-driven optimism.

• Trump-Vance Administration Fires Entire Staff That Helps Alabamians Pay Their Energy Bills (Energy Alabama) - The Trump-Vance administration's firing of all federal employees managing the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) threatens utility support for tens of thousands of vulnerable Alabama households.

• Global experts meet in Sendai, Japan, to bridge knowledge and technology gaps in disaster risk reduction (UNDRR) - Global experts in Sendai, Japan, discussed bridging knowledge and technology gaps to improve disaster risk reduction, especially in the Global South, using innovations like AI and satellite systems.

• EDF Joins Global Campaign to Help Companies Mitigate Climate Risks, Improve Resilience (EDF) - Environmental Defense Fund joins a UN-led campaign to mobilize SMEs (small-to-medium enterprises) in climate action by providing resources and support for resilience and emissions reduction.

• Call for climate research posters: Showcase your work (Tyndall Centre) - Researchers are invited to submit posters by June 6 for the Critical Decade for Climate Action Conference in Norwich, UK, September 8-10, 2025.

• Take Action to help preserve federal funding and programs for clean energy, clean water, and community resiliency! (Prairie Rivers Network) - Contact Congress to protect federal funding for clean energy, water, and community resilience programs that drive economic growth and climate preparedness.

• Big Oil’s “Lawfare” Attacks on Advocacy and Accountability (Amazon Watch) - Big Oil's "lawfare" tactics, exemplified by the Energy Transfer v. Greenpeace case, aim to silence environmental advocacy and Indigenous rights by using SLAPP lawsuits to drain resources and stifle dissent.

• Trump administration cutting vital health and safety services for miners (Appalachian Voices) - The Trump administration is cutting vital health and safety services for miners by gutting NIOSH, including black lung screenings and research, raising concerns about increased risks.

• Community improvement projects proceed in Pound as funding remains uncertain (Appalachian Voices) - Despite funding uncertainties, Pound, Virginia is moving forward with community improvement projects like demolishing a dilapidated bank for a pocket park and planning a riverwalk to boost resilience and recreation.

• This is Not Business as Usual: The Outdoor State Must Rise (Protect Our Winters) - The outdoor community is mobilizing against the current US administration's environmental rollbacks, urging bipartisan action to protect natural resources and address the accelerating climate crisis.

• Answers to common questions about the EU Omnibus proposal (Watershed) - The EU's Omnibus proposal aims to streamline CSRD reporting by reducing data points, aligning with global standards, and potentially delaying deadlines, but key metrics like Scope 3 emissions are likely to remain.

• This election, what are Labor and the Coalition offering on the energy transition, climate adaptation and emissions? (The Conversation) - Australian Labor and Coalition parties offer differing approaches to energy transition, climate adaptation, and emissions reduction in the upcoming election, with Labor focusing on renewables and the Coalition emphasizing gas and nuclear.

• Consecutive El Niños are happening more often and the result is more devastating – new research (TheConversation) - Research shows El Niño and La Niña events are lasting longer and becoming more frequent due to orbital changes and accelerated by human-caused climate change, increasing the risk of prolonged extreme weather.

• Local Governments Engaging Communities and Leading Climate Change Communication (SEJ) - Local governments are increasingly prioritizing climate communication as a vital strategy to engage diverse communities and drive climate action from the ground up.

• Climate Storytellers’ Summit (SEJ) - The Climate Storytellers’ Summit on April 10, 2025, will gather cross-sector experts to explore the power of climate narratives in connecting global climate change with local communities and inspiring action.

• These Are the Critical Minerals Exempt from Trump’s Tariffs (Heatmap News) - Trump's tariffs exempt key energy transition minerals like lithium, cobalt, and copper, but hit nickel sulfate, synthetic graphite, iron phosphate, and neodymium.

• It’s Getting Harder to Build a Solar Farm In America’s Sunniest State (Heatmap News) - Arizona's solar industry faces increasing community opposition, driven by partisan politics and NIMBYism, leading to restrictive ordinances and potential project bans.

• Severe Storms Threaten Millions with ‘Generational’ Flooding (Heatmap News) - Severe storms threaten millions in the Midwest and Mississippi Valley with potentially historic flooding, exacerbated by climate change and hampered by government job cuts.

• SOCAN Testimony Supporting SB1187 (SOCAN) - Southern Oregon Climate Action Now endorses SB1187, urging accountability for corporations contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change, citing substantial economic costs and the "Tragedy of the Commons."

• SOCAN Testimony Supporting SB83 (SOCAN) - Southern Oregon Climate Action Now supports SB83, which mandates wildfire hazard mitigation building codes for new homes to enhance fire resistance in high-risk areas.

• Why a strong National Environmental Policy Act is so important (Woodwell Climate) - A new ruling weakens the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) by removing regulations that ensure consistent, science-based environmental impact assessments across federal agencies.

• LCV State Affiliates Discuss Federal Cut Impacts in State and Local Communities With Members of Congress (LCV) - LCV state affiliates and members of Congress discussed the impacts of federal budget cuts on clean energy investments and environmental protections in local communities.

• New Study Projects Climate-Driven Flooding for Thousands of New Jersey Homes (Inside Climate News) - A Climate Central tool projects that by 2050, tens of thousands of New Jersey homes will face annual flooding due to sea-level rise, even with carbon emission cuts.

• “It’s about survival:” Pacific islands slam Coalition threat to drop bid to co-host COP31 (RenewEconomy) - Pacific islands criticize the Australian Coalition's threat to withdraw from co-hosting COP31, citing concerns about climate survival and damaged relationships.

• Coalition leans on absurd gas definition for fossil subsidy bonanza (RenewEconomy) - Australian Coalition proposes classifying fossil gas as a "critical mineral" to access $4 billion in subsidies, sparking criticism for misrepresenting gas as a mineral and undermining climate goals.

• Americans Pay More For Clean Tech, Fossil Fuel Firms Catch Tariff Shrapnel (CleanTechnica) - New US tariffs on imported clean tech components are set to raise costs for American consumers and developers, potentially slowing the clean energy transition while also increasing expenses for the fossil fuel industry.

• How we got a ‘green bank,’ how Trump is trying to kill it, and who gets hurt (RenewableEnergyWorld) - Trump's administration is attempting to dismantle the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, a green bank initiative, leading to a legal battle over executive power and the future of clean energy investments.

• How Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs could kill American innovation (RenewableEnergyWorld) - Trump's new tariffs, reminiscent of the 1930 Smoot-Hawley Act, could stifle clean energy innovation by reducing competition and increasing costs for key components.

• Severe storms and tornadoes hit US south and midwest, killing at least seven (The Guardian) - Severe storms and tornadoes in the US South and Midwest have killed at least seven, caused widespread damage, and prompted emergency declarations amid warnings of further flooding.

• ‘Potentially historic’ flooding threat looms after almost 100 tornadoes hit US (The Guardian) - After nearly 100 tornadoes, the US Midwest and South face a rare, widespread, and potentially historic flooding threat, straining understaffed weather and disaster response agencies.

• Revealed: Trump’s fossil-fuel donors to profit from data-center boom and green rollbacks (The Guardian) - Trump's fossil-fuel donors are poised to profit from the data-center boom and environmental rollbacks, potentially increasing pollution and undermining renewable energy efforts.

• Lawsuit claims Gore-Tex poisoned drinking water near Maryland facilities (The Guardian) - Gore-Tex faces lawsuits alleging it poisoned Maryland drinking water with "forever chemicals" (Pfas), leading to high cancer rates and environmental damage.

• Trump 2.0 and the Nation’s Federal Forestlands (The Wildlife News) - President Trump's executive orders aim to increase timber supply from federal lands by weakening environmental safeguards and exploiting domestic timber resources, prompting legal challenges.

• An Oil Tunnel is Threatening the Great Lakes (Earthjustice) - Enbridge's Line 5 pipeline, which has leaked over 1.1 million gallons of oil, threatens the Great Lakes with a new tunnel project and reroute, sparking legal challenges from tribal nations and environmental groups.

• COP30: Role of Professional Communications Under Scrutiny in Lead-Up to UN Climate Summit (Earth.Org) - COP30's communications strategy faces scrutiny over potential conflicts of interest involving PR firms representing industries with fossil fuel interests, raising questions about public empowerment and strategic climate storytelling.

• State Republicans join Democrats in pushing back on planned DOE cuts (Latitude Media) - State Republicans are joining Democrats in urging the Energy Secretary to protect clean energy and hydrogen projects from potential budget cuts under the Trump administration.

• Here’s where Trump’s new tariffs are hitting the US energy transition (Latitude Media) - New tariffs imposed by President Trump, including those on solar panels, batteries, and grid tech, are expected to raise the cost of building clean energy in the U.S., potentially increasing electricity prices.

• If we're serious about tackling climate change, we need to address the gender gap in STEM (BusinessGreen) - Addressing the gender gap in STEM through mentorship, training, and inclusive policies is crucial to fully leverage women's potential in the UK's expanding clean energy sector.

• Report: UK must tackle high electricity costs to deliver low carbon industry transformation (BusinessGreen) - A report urges the UK government to address high electricity costs to facilitate industrial decarbonisation and capitalise on the economic opportunities of green industry.

• Pronostican otra temporada activa de huracanes en el Atlántico en 2025 (Yale Climate Connections) - Colorado State University predicts an above-average 2025 Atlantic hurricane season with 17 named storms, nine hurricanes, and a 51% chance of a major hurricane making landfall in the US, influenced by La Niña or neutral ENSO conditions and warmer ocean temperatures.

• Forecasters predict another active 2025 Atlantic hurricane season (Yale Climate Connections) - Colorado State University forecasts an above-average 2025 Atlantic hurricane season with 17 named storms, nine hurricanes, and a higher-than-usual chance of major hurricane U.S. landfall.

• The overlooked power of public utility commissions (Yale Climate Connections) - State public utility commissions, which set electricity prices and plan renewable energy, are often overlooked by those seeking to influence energy policy.

• States lead on landfill methane emissions as federal action stalls (Canary Media) - With federal action stalled under the Trump administration, states like California and Colorado are leading the way in curbing landfill methane emissions through stricter regulations and advanced monitoring technologies.

• FEMA moves to end one of its biggest disaster adaptation programs (Grist) - FEMA is moving to end the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program, which provides billions for climate adaptation, citing cost efficiency despite criticism.

• A deadly mosquito-borne illness rises as the US cuts all climate-health funding (Grist) - As climate change drives a surge in dengue fever cases, the US is cutting climate-health research funding, hindering preparedness and response efforts.

• What makes middle school even worse? Climate anxiety. (Grist) - A survey reveals middle school teachers feel unprepared to address students' climate anxiety, prompting a new toolkit for classrooms nationwide.

• Loss and damage fund proposes helping governments first, local communities later (Climate Change News) - The Loss and Damage Fund plans to initially aid governments before local communities in addressing climate disaster aftermaths, focusing on long-term solutions and national systems.

• Landmark deal to put shipping on course for net-zero is in sight (Climate Change News) - The IMO is nearing a landmark agreement to achieve net-zero emissions in the global shipping sector by 2050 through a global fuel standard and economic measures like a carbon price.

• All Eyes on Virginia (Advanced Energy United) - Virginia's legislature upheld the Clean Economy Act, rejecting amendments that would weaken clean energy expansion, while New England advances grid expansion and Pennsylvania examines AI data centers' electricity impacts.

• Your Monthly Slice of CAKE 🍰 Apr 2025 (CAKE) - CAKE's April 2025 newsletter highlights climate adaptation resources, tribal community initiatives, urban finance strategies, federal support opportunities, and monitoring/evaluation tools.

• Featured Events: Earth Month at the Columbia Climate School (Columbia Climate School) - Columbia Climate School's Earth Month 2025 features talks on climate journalism, volcanic eruptions, arsenic policy, climate coloniality, environmental justice, clean energy, student research, carbon capture, and climate preparedness.

• The Fallout From the Greenpeace Verdict (Covering Climate Now) - A $660 million defamation verdict against Greenpeace for protesting the Dakota Access Pipeline raises concerns about free speech and the chilling effect on environmental activism.

• “The Case for Truly Public Housing” at the National Public Housing Museum (Places Journal) - Chicago's National Public Housing Museum opens with an exhibit highlighting the need for publicly funded, developed, owned, and operated housing as a societal benefit, based on research from Cambridge, Massachusetts.

• Resources for Nonprofits to Navigate Uncertainty (Environmental Protection Network) - The Minnesota Council of Nonprofits offers resources to help nonprofits navigate uncertainty due to recent federal decisions impacting their missions.

• Chinese drone maker DJI pushes US gov’t for ‘fair and timely evaluation to lift the cloud on our company’ (AgFunderNews) - DJI urges the US government to promptly evaluate its drones' security, fearing blacklisting and supply chain disruption if no review occurs by year-end.

• USDA Begins Releasing Frozen REAP Funding (National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition) - The USDA is releasing previously frozen REAP funds, offering recipients 30 days to voluntarily propose project changes following President Trump's executive order on American energy.

• Comment: NSAC Calls for Comprehensive Farm Bill, Addresses Likely Long-Term Cuts to Farm and Food Programs in Budget Process (National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition) - NSAC urges Congress to pass a comprehensive farm bill, warning against using budget reconciliation to slash vital farm and food programs for short-term gains.

• What Donald Trump’s dramatic US trade war means for global climate action (TheConversation) - Trump's trade war threatens global climate action by incentivizing emissions-intensive domestic production and deterring investment in renewable energy.

• Tariffs, Trade, and the Tipping Point: What the New Trump Tariffs Mean for the Global Energy Market (Innowatts) - New Trump-era tariffs threaten to increase costs and slow deployment of renewable energy technologies like solar PV modules and battery storage, potentially delaying decarbonization targets.

• Tariff Foolishness Has Nothing To Do With Tariffs (CleanTechnica) - New US tariffs, driven by flawed calculations and a declared national emergency, are seen as a dangerous political tool undermining global trade and potentially causing a recession.

• Michigan AG slams utility for planning to request a rate hike days after its latest increase (RenewableEnergyWorld) - Michigan's Attorney General criticizes Consumers Energy for planning a rate hike request shortly after a previous increase was approved, citing concerns about affordability and reliability.

• EU Parliament Agrees to Delay Sustainability Reporting and Due Diligence Laws (ESG Today) - The EU Parliament approved delaying key sustainability reporting and due diligence laws, including CSRD and CSDDD, to reduce the regulatory burden on companies.

• The horses and mules that moved mountains and hearts (High Country News) - US Forest Service's historic use of horses and mules for accessing remote areas and supporting trail maintenance is threatened by budget cuts and staff reductions.

• DOJ attorney in EPA funding freeze case breaks with Zeldin’s fraud comments (Utility Dive) - A DOJ attorney distanced himself from EPA Administrator Zeldin's fraud claims regarding frozen Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund grants, arguing the freeze was due to oversight concerns, not grantee malfeasance.

• Report: Transco Pipeline expansion would worsen NC pollution (Canary Media) - A Sierra Club report reveals that the Transco Pipeline expansion would worsen pollution in North Carolina, disproportionately impacting low-income and minority communities.

• SF Climate Week at 9Zero–it's official! (9Zero) - SF Climate Week's official hub, 9Zero, hosts talks, meetups, and happy hours, offering workspace for members and volunteer opportunities.

• Shingles vaccine might help prevent dementia (Nature) - A study in Wales suggests the shingles vaccine may reduce dementia risk by 20% by potentially reducing neuroinflammation.

Renewables

US solar surpasses gas for 5 hours; Battery tech advances; Sungrow's Spain conference; EU grid carbon intensity; GCL's granular silicon; India's 25 GW growth; Italy's agrivoltaics tender; Empire Wind concerns; Australia's wind/solar oversupply; Potentia acquires Bright Energy; Global coal decline; NSW renewable energy zone; Siemens Gamesa's 21.5-MW turbine; GE Vernova's Abukuma wind farm; Solar Energy UK/BiGGAR Economics report; Octopus Energy's East Anglia One stake; Geothermal for data centers; Czechia's solar/storage subsidy; DAS Solar, TCL, Keneng, Midea Solar, Xinte news; Heliup wins award; HANGZHOU FIRST encapsulants; Canadian Solar, Flow Power, Astronergy, First Solar, Engie, Twin Creek, AIP Management, Silicon Ranch, Sodium-ion batteries, Minnesota community solar, Michigan landfill methane rules.

• Solar power nation’s second-largest electricity source for 5 hours (Environment America) - On March 21, 2025, solar power became the second-largest electricity source in the US for five hours, surpassing all sources except gas-burning plants.

• Baterias entram em nova fase e devem mudar geração de energia limpa desde casas a usinas (Sol Fácil) - Battery technology advancements are poised to transform clean energy generation from homes to power plants by enabling energy storage and optimizing renewable sources.

• Sungrow Leads the Dialogue on Spain’s Path to a Sustainable Energy Future (TaiyangNews) - Sungrow hosted a conference in Madrid discussing Spain's renewable energy goals, emphasizing the role of C&I sectors, hybrid PV-ESS solutions, and EV charging in achieving 81% renewable electricity by 2030.

• How clean is the electricity grid in the EU27? (TaiyangNews) - In 2023, EU electricity grid carbon intensity varied widely, with Norway (30 gCO₂/kWh) cleanest and Poland (661.9 gCO₂/kWh) most reliant on fossil fuels, while solar energy offers a scalable solution.

• GCL’s Granular Silicon Reaches 40% Adoption Rate Among Top Customers (TaiyangNews) - GCL's granular silicon, produced via fluidized bed reactor (FBR), now accounts for over 40% of raw material used by its top customers, reducing power usage and carbon emissions.

• India’s RE Capacity Grows by 25 GW in FY2024-25, Solar Dominates (TaiyangNews) - India's renewable energy capacity grew by a record 25 GW in FY2024-25, driven by 21 GW of new solar PV installations and government schemes.

• Italy Opens Another Agrivoltaics Call For €323 Million (TaiyangNews) - Italy launches a new €323.4 million agrivoltaics tender to deploy 1.04 GW of capacity by 2026, utilizing unspent funds from the Recovery and Resilience Facility.

• Congressman Asks Trump to Shut Down the Empire Wind Project (Heatmap News) - Congressman Chris Smith urges Trump to halt the Empire Wind project, citing potential radar interference and demanding further review.

• Wind and solar push renewables share closer to 50 pct despite record level of negative prices (RenewEconomy) - Australian wind and solar supplied 43% of the main grid's power in Q1 2025, but negative pricing increased due to oversupply and inflexible generation.

• “Australia is the place to be:” Italian and Japanese energy giant seal deal for renewable expansion (RenewEconomy) - Italian-Japanese venture Potentia Energy acquired a majority stake in Bright Energy, expanding its Australian renewable portfolio with wind and solar assets.

• “Slow death:” World adds smallest amount of new coal power capacity in two decades (RenewEconomy) - Global Energy Monitor reports the world added the smallest amount of new coal power capacity in two decades during 2024, while renewable capacity surged.

• “Deal sealed” for Australia’s first renewable energy zone, but wait goes on for news of access rights (RenewEconomy) - New South Wales finalizes contracts for its first renewable energy zone, aiming to add 4.5GW of network capacity by 2028, but grid access rights remain unresolved.

• The Economic Benefits Of Renewables That Trump Is Ignoring (CleanTechnica) - Despite Trump's pro-fossil fuel policies, renewable energy's economic benefits, including lower costs and reduced pollution, are driving its growth and attracting investment, potentially ceding clean energy leadership to countries like China.

• Another Trump #Fail As Solar Energy Prevails In The US (CleanTechnica) - Despite federal opposition, solar energy thrives in the US, with overseas investors backing projects and manufacturers establishing facilities, particularly in states like Texas.

• Siemens Gamesa Installs World’s Most Powerful Wind Turbine at Denmark Test Site (POWER) - Siemens Gamesa has installed the world's most powerful 21.5-MW wind turbine prototype at its test site in Denmark, amid a global race to build larger offshore turbines.

• Japan’s Largest Onshore Wind Farm Begins Commercial Operation (POWER) - Japan's largest onshore wind farm, the 147-MW Abukuma facility utilizing GE Vernova turbines, has begun commercial operation in Fukushima, supporting Japan's renewable energy goals.

• Report: Meeting UK's solar targets would deliver 'massive stimulus' to the economy (BusinessGreen) - A report from Solar Energy UK and BiGGAR Economics reveals that meeting the UK's solar targets would provide a "massive stimulus" to the economy.

• Octopus Energy Generation acquires 10 per stake in 714MW East Anglia One offshore wind farm (BusinessGreen) - Octopus Energy Generation has acquired a 10% stake in the 714MW East Anglia One offshore wind farm, marking its seventh offshore wind acquisition and boosting its sector investment to $2bn.

• Wind energy: How to build even better wind turbines (DW) - New wind turbine designs with taller towers and longer blades are increasing electricity production, expanding wind energy's reach, but face design, transportation, and cost challenges.

• Time's Ticking: Geothermal for AI-nergy (ActualHQ) - Geothermal energy offers data centers a faster, more controllable power source compared to traditional options facing supply chain and policy constraints, potentially supplying up to 64% of projected data center electricity demand growth.

• Czechia Expands C&I Solar & Storage Subsidy By CZK 1 Billion (TaiyangNews) - Czechia increases its solar and storage subsidy program for commercial and industrial sectors by CZK 1 billion, bringing the total to CZK 3 billion to encourage widespread adoption.

• China Solar PV News Snippets: DAS Solar Joins SSI & More (TaiyangNews) - DAS Solar joined SSI, TCL launched SunPower Global, Keneng's perovskite modules hit 21% efficiency, Midea Solar won a Red Dot Award, and Xinte's polysilicon revenue dropped while its power station business grew.

• Heliup Wins Gold European Solar Startup Award 2025 (TaiyangNews) - Heliup, a French startup, won the European Solar Startup Award 2025 for its ultra-light, 20% efficient Stykon solar panels designed for flat rooftops.

• Encapsulation Solutions For BC & Beyond (TaiyangNews) - Tailored POE, EPE, and EVA encapsulants from HANGZHOU FIRST are crucial for back-contact solar modules, balancing anti-PID, corrosion resistance, and UV durability for optimal performance.

• Canadian Solar Anti-Hail Modules For South Australian Project (TaiyangNews) - Canadian Solar will supply anti-hail TOPCon modules for Flow Power's PV+BESS project in South Australia, addressing the region's severe weather.

• Astronergy Announces TOPCon Solar Cell Factory In Turkey (TaiyangNews) - Astronergy plans to build Turkey's first wholly foreign-owned TOPCon solar cell factory, supported by government incentives, to enhance its global presence and complete its production chain.

• First Solar Is the Only Winner of Trump’s Tariffs (Heatmap News) - First Solar is poised to benefit from Trump's tariffs due to its domestic manufacturing, while other renewable energy companies face increased costs.

• Solar Panel Prices Are Rising Again. Here’s Why, and What May Be Next (Inside Climate News) - Solar panel prices are rising globally and in the US due to easing oversupply and increasing demand in China, though rooftop solar costs remain stable.

• Energy Insiders: Solar and battery make better grid partners than wind (RenewEconomy) - Engie suggests batteries pair better with solar than wind due to data centre load potential and grid partnership benefits.

• Wind project rejoins planning queue with fewer but much bigger turbines, and a battery (RenewEconomy) - South Australia's Twin Creek wind project is being redesigned with fewer, larger 7.2MW turbines and a battery, aiming for 270MW capacity, with construction planned for 2027.

• Independent power producer Silicon Ranch lands $500M investment (RenewableEnergyWorld) - AIP Management invests $500M in Silicon Ranch, supporting the IPP's growth in utility-scale solar projects and regenerative land stewardship across the US.

• Why is First Solar stock soaring while much of the market sags? (RenewableEnergyWorld) - First Solar's stock is soaring due to its avoidance of Chinese tariffs and eligibility for Inflation Reduction Act tax credits, unlike many other renewable energy companies.

• The Emergence of Sodium-Ion Batteries (Energy Central) - Sodium-ion batteries are emerging as a next-generation rechargeable battery technology, offering a potential alternative to lithium-ion batteries.

• Minnesota community solar in the crosshairs (Canary Media) - Minnesota considers phasing out its community solar program by 2028 amid debates over subsidies and net benefits, while Michigan plans stricter landfill methane rules.

Transport

US DOT considers freezing bike/pedestrian funding; Global EV sales surge (BYD up 1169%); BP & Shell retreat from hydrogen; BYD outsells Tesla in BEVs; IATA launches SAF Registry; Luton Airport expands.

• The government aims to cut funding for safer streets. Here’s who would be hurt most. (Climate Desk) - The US Department of Transportation is considering freezing funding for bike lanes and pedestrian safety projects as the Trump administration prioritizes fossil fuels.

• Global EV Sales — 1.2 Million Units in February, 49% Growth YoY (CleanTechnica) - Global EV sales surged 49% year-over-year in February 2025, reaching 1.2 million units, with battery electric vehicles (BEVs) outpacing plug-in hybrids and representing 19% of the overall auto market.

• BYD Commercial Truck Sales Up 1169%! (CleanTechnica) - BYD's non-bus commercial EV sales surged by 1169% in Q1 2025, highlighting significant growth in the electric vehicle sector.

• BP’s Exit Is Part Of A Broader Collapse In Hydrogen For Transportation Among Majors (CleanTechnica) - Major oil companies like BP and Shell are retreating from hydrogen transportation due to profitability and scalability concerns, favoring oil, gas, and battery-electric alternatives.

• BYD’s BEV Sales Rise to 24% More Than Tesla’s — GRAPHS & CHARTS (CleanTechnica) - In Q1 2025, BYD's battery electric vehicle sales surpassed Tesla's by 23.7%, marking the second consecutive quarter BYD has outsold Tesla in BEVs.

• BYD Sales Up 58% — CHARTS (CleanTechnica) - BYD's Q1 2025 passenger plugin vehicle sales surged by 57.9%, driven by a 75.7% increase in plugin hybrid sales and a 38.7% rise in pure BEV sales.

• IATA Launches SAF Registry to Facilitate Global Sustainable Aviation Fuel Market (ESG Today) - IATA launches a Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Registry to facilitate a global SAF market by tracking transactions and environmental benefits, aiming to decarbonize aviation.

• Europe EV Sales Report — In 2025, BEV Sales Jumping 49% (Excluding Tesla) (CleanTechnica) - European EV sales are projected to jump 49% in 2025, excluding Tesla, with BEVs driving market growth despite an overall market decrease.

• Despite Launching Several Models Over The Past 2 Years, BYD Has Yet To Report Any Sales In South Africa (CleanTechnica) - Despite launching several EV models in South Africa over two years, BYD has yet to report any sales figures, raising questions about its performance in the market.

• In Last 2 Weeks, BYD Opened Pre-Sale of 4 New Electric SUVs (CleanTechnica) - BYD's recent pre-sales of four new electric SUVs, boasting competitive pricing and advanced features, intensify competition with Tesla in the Chinese EV market.

• Luton airport allowed to double capacity after UK government overrules planners (The Guardian) - UK government overruled planners to allow Luton Airport to nearly double its capacity to 32 million passengers annually, citing economic benefits despite environmental concerns.

• Trapped with a Tesla: my dream car has become a living nightmare | The secret Tesla driver (The Guardian) - A Tesla owner regrets their purchase due to Elon Musk's right-wing politics and the car's declining resale value, feeling trapped despite the vehicle's practical benefits.