Climate Aimed to Destroy Capitalism & Civilization, Says World's Largest Insurance Co Leader

Last week Günther Thallinger, Board member at the world's largest insurance company, Allianz in Germany (€2.448 trillion assets under management, amazingly modest headquarters photographed below), posted on LinkedIn that climate change is poised to so disrupt insurance that capitalism is unable to function.

Thallinger concludes: "The good news: we already have the technologies to switch from fossil combustion to zero-emission energy. The only thing missing is speed and scale. And the understanding that this is not about saving the planet. This is about saving the conditions under which markets, finance, and civilization itself can continue to operate."

The Guardian wrote about the post today. I thought it notable.

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 (4 stories) - FAIRR study backs nature-based farming; agrivoltaics expand in Appalachia; Kansas biodefense lab addresses ag risks; Cambridge cafe models local sourcing

  
  

• Carbon (11 stories) - Stanford and Ben Gurion's carbon capture breakthroughs, Frontier's $31.6M Oslo plant retrofit, Helen Oy's coal exit in Helsinki, and Roche's 90% emissions pledge highlight advances amid rising global temperatures and Amazon oil concerns

  
  

• Circular (5 stories) - Unilever buys plastic-free Wild as PVH hits 98% solar waste recycling; Grand Hyatt Seoul cuts food waste 40%; paper demand drives Mozambique eucalyptus farms

  
  

• Ecosystems (26 stories) - IUCN reports fungi extinction crisis, amphibian habitat threats in Amazon, Svalbard polar bear study, while Lake Erie and California coast battle toxic algae; Northern Rockies Protection Act aims to preserve 20M acres

  
  

• Efficiency (8 stories) - Heat pump momentum builds with Lennar-Dandelion deal and Mass Save incentives, while New England efficiency programs cut power demand 15% and new software tools boost building optimization

  
  

• Finance (12 stories) - Major banks retreat from climate goals as DWS faces $27M ESG fine; Goldman Sachs acquires Atlas-SSI amid water infrastructure push; P97 Networks and Speeki launch new sustainability platforms

  
  

• Grid (13 stories) - Grid modernization advances with PG&E's $43M microgrid projects, GM-EnergyHub partnership, SPML's $100M battery deal, and Queensland's 300MW Tarong battery, while Southeast US and Victoria face capacity challenges

  
  

• Indigenous (7 stories) - Indigenous knowledge preservation spans Colombia's Lanawaru film, Wampanoag environmental lab on Martha's Vineyard, and Brazil's land demarcation study showing 31.5% better conservation in native territories

  
  

• Industry (21 stories) - Major solar firms LONGi and Trinasolar expand Asian operations while Myanmar earthquake disrupts supply chains; leadership changes at TVA, Duke Energy, and Entergy; uranium production rises as Amazon backs X-energy nuclear startup

  
  

• Policy (45 stories) - California Air Resources Board, International Seabed Authority, and USDA shape major regulatory decisions while Trump administration threatens $27B climate fund and imposes new tariffs affecting clean energy markets

  
  

• Renewables (10 stories) - Major geothermal deal by Lennar, EDP's €500M solar loan, DAS Solar's N-type modules, Orbital Marine's 2.4MW tidal turbine, and PacifiCorp's 4.7GW renewables expansion highlight global clean energy scaling

  
  

• Transport (12 stories) - Major EV charging expansion as Spark Alliance unites European networks; Tesla sales drop while GM, Ford, Hyundai, Kia show growth; Fortescue debuts ammonia-powered ship; Rubicon brings card payments to South African chargers

Agriculture

FAIRR study backs nature-based farming; agrivoltaics expand in Appalachia; Kansas biodefense lab addresses ag risks; Cambridge cafe models local sourcing

• Pandemicene Blues (Places Journal) - New $1.25B federal biodefense lab in Kansas highlights paradox where industrial agriculture simultaneously requires protection from and drives emergence of zoonotic diseases, as government's public health infrastructure faces political threats.

• Guest article: Why agriculture needs a nature-based revolution beyond technology (AgFunderNews) - Nature-based farming solutions outperform tech interventions across environmental metrics while offering faster returns on investment, according to FAIRR analysis.

• Grazing in the sun: Enterprising farmers pair agriculture with solar power (Appalachian Voices) - Farmers across Appalachia boost income and improve soil health by grazing sheep under solar panels, with U.S. agrivoltaic sites doubling since 2020 to cover 64,688 acres.

• Asaro Bakery & Cafe: Sustainability and Flavor in Every Bite (Bluedot Living) - Cambridge's Asaro Bakery & Cafe demonstrates sustainable dining through locally-sourced ingredients, plant-forward menu, and affordable pricing while maintaining Mediterranean-inspired flavors.

Carbon

Stanford and Ben Gurion's carbon capture breakthroughs, Frontier's $31.6M Oslo plant retrofit, Helen Oy's coal exit in Helsinki, and Roche's 90% emissions pledge highlight advances amid rising global temperatures and Amazon oil concerns

• Ground-level ozone pollution poses growing threat to planetary health (Mongabay) - Ground-level ozone pollution threatens human health, crop yields, and forest growth globally, with impacts set to worsen due to climate change and rising temperatures.

• Understanding Emissions for Commercial Property Owners (King Energy) - Commercial property owners can track and reduce emissions across Scope 1-3 categories while generating financial returns through solar installations and monitoring systems.

• What is Climate Change (Protect Our Winters) - Comprehensive explainer details how human CO2 emissions since Industrial Revolution have disrupted Earth's natural greenhouse effect, leading to measurable climate changes and extreme weather patterns.

• Helsinki shutters last coal plant, as it turns to heat batteries and pumps (RenewEconomy) - Helsinki eliminates coal from energy mix as energy company Helen Oy closes its last coal plant, replacing it with heat batteries and Europe's largest electric boiler plant.

• ‘Same shit, different year’: Australia records hottest 12 months and warmest March on record (The Guardian) - Australia records hottest 12-month period and March in history with temperatures 2.41C above average, marking continued pattern of record-breaking heat.

• New Ways To Sequester Carbon Despite Retreat From Climate Change Action (Energy Central) - Stanford and Ben Gurion Universities develop low-cost carbon capture solutions mimicking natural weathering processes amid industry cost barriers.

• Southern Ocean warming will mean a wetter West Coast, US (ScienceDaily) - Cornell study finds Southern Ocean warming will trigger increased precipitation in East Asia and Western US for up to 150 years due to heat redistribution patterns.

• Roche Sets Science-Based Net Zero Targets (ESGToday) - Pharmaceutical giant Roche commits to 90% emissions reduction and net zero by 2045 across operations and supply chain, with targets validated by Science Based Targets initiative.

• Frontier Signs Deal to Remove 100,000 Tonnes of Carbon Emissions from Garbage Incineration (ESGToday) - Frontier coalition signs $31.6M deal to remove 100,000 tonnes of carbon from Oslo waste incineration plant through first-ever carbon capture retrofit.

• The Amazon rainforest emerges as the new global oil frontier (Climate Change News) - Amazon rainforest holds 20% of global oil and gas reserves discovered 2022-2024, sparking extraction plans despite environmental risks and Indigenous opposition.

• Biggest Shake-Up for Scope 3 – Action Required! (The Climate Choice) - Science Based Targets initiative releases major update requiring enhanced Scope 3 emissions reporting and 100% Tier 1 supplier engagement for large companies.

Circular

Unilever buys plastic-free Wild as PVH hits 98% solar waste recycling; Grand Hyatt Seoul cuts food waste 40%; paper demand drives Mozambique eucalyptus farms

• The price for Europe’s packing paper boom (Mongabay) - European paper packaging boom drives eucalyptus plantations in Mozambique, displacing farmers and depleting water resources as Portugal restricts domestic production.

• PVH: Foundation System For Complex Terrain PV Installations (TaiyangNews) - PVH launches innovative pile foundation system for complex terrain solar installations, achieving 98% waste recycling and 'Zero Waste to Landfill' certification.

• Circular Economy: The Modern Hack for (Almost) Infinite Material Life (Earth.org) - Circular economy enables infinite recycling of materials like glass and metals while other materials face recycling limitations, driving new business models and emission reductions across industries.

• Pass It On: Insights from Chef Marco Torre (Winnow) - Grand Hyatt Seoul's Executive Chef Marco Torre shares insights on reducing food waste in luxury hospitality, achieving 40% reduction through innovative ingredient use.

• Unilever Acquires Sustainable Personal Care Products Brand Wild (ESGToday) - Unilever acquires Wild, a sustainable personal care brand known for plastic-free packaging and plant-based products, aiming to mainstream eco-friendly bathroom items globally.

Ecosystems

IUCN reports fungi extinction crisis, amphibian habitat threats in Amazon, Svalbard polar bear study, while Lake Erie and California coast battle toxic algae; Northern Rockies Protection Act aims to preserve 20M acres

• Nearly one-third of fungi on IUCN Red List are threatened with extinction (Mongabay) - Nearly one-third of fungi species on IUCN Red List face extinction due to agriculture, deforestation and climate change, threatening ecosystem health.

• Longer periods of drought threaten Brazilian amphibians (Mongabay) - Global warming study predicts up to 33% of frog and toad habitats face severe drought risk by 2100, threatening Brazil's Amazon and Atlantic Forest amphibian populations.

• Rare polar bear cub footage offers crucial conservation insights (Mongabay) - Scientists capture rare footage of polar bear den emergences in Norway's Svalbard region, revealing crucial data about cub survival patterns and denning behavior.

• A gold standard for ecological recovery (Rewilding Europe) - Executive Director outlines how rewilding offers transformative ecosystem restoration solutions that benefit both nature and people across 10 European landscapes.

• In Ohio, Facing a Future Without Clean Water (The Revelator) - Ohio's Lake Erie faces severe toxic algae blooms threatening Toledo's water supply, with wetland restoration proposed as potential solution.

• California: sea lion attack on teenager raises fears of toxic algae poisoning (The Guardian) - Sea lion attack on California teen lifeguard trainee linked to toxic algae outbreak causing erratic behavior in marine mammals along coast.

• I don’t want to die with a freezer full of seeds. It’s time to rethink biodiversity and preservation | Chris Smith (The Guardian) - Hurricane Helene's destruction of seed banks prompts rethinking of biodiversity preservation methods, highlighting vulnerabilities of frozen seed storage versus active cultivation.

• Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act Reintroduced (The Wildlife News) - Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act reintroduced to Congress, aiming to protect 20 million acres across five states including Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks.

• Potentially devastating multiday flood brewing for mid-Mississippi Valley (Yale Climate Connections) - Record-breaking multiday flood threatens mid-Mississippi Valley with up to 15 inches of rain and severe storms, prompting warnings of "generational flooding" across multiple states.

• Bringing back the mammoth won’t fix the future (Yale Climate Connections) - Scientists' efforts to resurrect woolly mammoths for Arctic methane control face ethical concerns and practical limitations, with experts questioning both feasibility and climate impact claims.

• What ‘the world’s loneliest whale’ may be telling us about climate change (Grist) - Scientists suggest mysterious '52 Hertz Whale' may be climate-driven hybrid of blue and fin whales, indicating concerning trend in cetacean interbreeding.

• Toxic Algae Spurs Sea Lion Attacks in Southern California (Yale e360) - Toxic algae bloom in Southern California causes brain-damaged sea lions to attack swimmers and surfers, with scientists linking warmer waters and wildfire ash to increased blooms.

• Specieswatch: Sardines doing well around UK, but struggling in warmer waters (The Guardian) - UK sardine populations thrive while Mediterranean stocks decline due to warming waters affecting plankton food supply and increasing microplastic ingestion.

• From the archive: ‘The treeline is out of control’: how the climate crisis is turning the Arctic green – podcast (The Guardian) - Arctic treeline's rapid expansion due to climate change threatens traditional ways of life and transforms tundra ecosystems in northern Norway.

• Maltese Falcon Poachers: European hunters endanger Egypt’s birds (Mongabay) - Investigation reveals Maltese hunters illegally killing thousands of protected birds in Egypt, exploiting weak enforcement and smuggling routes despite EU conservation efforts.

• If you love Periwinkle … Grow Wild Geranium Instead (Bluedot Living) - Native wild geranium recommended as eco-friendly alternative to invasive periwinkle groundcover for supporting local wildlife and biodiversity.

• Flies are masters of migration – it’s about time they got some credit (The Conversation) - Research reveals flies constitute 90% of migrating insects globally, playing crucial roles in pollination, decomposition and nutrient transport across ecosystems.

• An oil-rich West African island offers decades of insight into the wild meat trade (Mongabay) - 23-year study on Bioko Island reveals wild meat trade dynamics driven by oil wealth, with endemic primates and duikers heavily targeted despite conservation efforts.

• New strategy launched to protect Tanzanian biodiversity hotspot (Mongabay) - Tanzania launches 20-year conservation strategy for Udzungwa Mountains biodiversity hotspot, allocating $3 million annually for protected areas and community development.

• Brazilian rescue center returns trafficked animals to the wild (Mongabay) - Brazilian wildlife rescue center rehabilitates thousands of trafficked animals including monkeys, birds, and sloths for return to Atlantic Forest habitat.

• Karina Miotto (The Wellbeing Project) - Environmental journalist and eco-philosopher Karina Miotto leverages Deep Ecology principles to help people emotionally connect with the Amazon rainforest and other landscapes.

• The secret to finding one of the most endangered bumblebees in the US? Dogs (The Guardian) - Conservation dogs and trained volunteers help locate rare rusty patched bumblebee nests in Wisconsin, aiding crucial research to save the endangered species.

• Polar Shades of Blue (Revolve) - Arctic city Tromsø emerges from two-month polar night with unique blue twilights, showcasing Indigenous Sámi culture and extreme ecosystem adaptations.

• Evolution by automotive selection (Anthropocene) - Scientists discover Galápagos yellow warblers near roads exhibit more aggressive behavior and altered songs due to traffic noise adaptation.

• Innovators battling wildfires with AI, drones & fungi get $50k grants to scale up (Mongabay) - Conservation X Labs awards $50,000 grants to 12 teams developing AI, drone, and fungi-based innovations for wildfire prevention and management in North America.

• What are nutria, and how could they possibly be a problem? (DW) - Semi-aquatic nutria, invasive rodents from South America, threaten European ecosystems through aggressive feeding habits, rapid breeding, and infrastructure damage amid warming temperatures.

Efficiency

Heat pump momentum builds with Lennar-Dandelion deal and Mass Save incentives, while New England efficiency programs cut power demand 15% and new software tools boost building optimization

• ISO-NE Consumer Liaison Group Discusses Benefits of Energy Efficiency (RTO Insider) - New England energy efficiency programs have reduced regional power demand by 15% since 2012, delivering $55 billion in benefits despite recent political pushback and budget cuts.

• Momentum Q1 | 2025 (Building Decarb Central) - Q1 2025 report shows accelerating heat pump adoption, with 80% of new homes choosing all-electric service in California and projections that heat pump sales will surpass AC sales by 2028.

• Design Principles Behind Station A's New Portfolios Product (Station A) - Software company unveils redesigned portfolio management platform with Excel-like interface to help businesses track and optimize building decarbonization projects.

• KETOS, Siemens Partner To Enhance Global Water Management with AI & Robotics (KETOS) - AI and robotics firm partners with Siemens to develop automated water quality monitoring and management solutions for industrial and municipal sectors.

• 5 Reasons to Install a Mini Split Heat Pump in Massachusetts (Neeeco) - Massachusetts homeowners offered up to $16,000 in Mass Save rebates for energy-efficient mini split heat pump installations that provide both heating and cooling.

• Lennar will build 1,500 new Colorado homes with geothermal heat pumps (Canary Media) - Lennar partners with Dandelion Energy to build 1,500 Colorado homes with pre-installed geothermal heat pumps, making efficient ground-source heating cost-competitive with traditional HVAC systems.

• Researchers explore using soil for heat storage (ScienceDaily) - Kaunas University researchers demonstrate soil's potential as thermal energy storage system, using underground heat accumulators to store and distribute energy efficiently.

• S2E7:The bumps, bruises, and lessons learned of scaling a home performance business to $150M with Chris Nichols (Amply Energy) - HomeWorks Energy COO shares insights on scaling HVAC business to $150M revenue through energy efficiency focus, strategic marketing, and comprehensive training programs.

Finance

Major banks retreat from climate goals as DWS faces $27M ESG fine; Goldman Sachs acquires Atlas-SSI amid water infrastructure push; P97 Networks and Speeki launch new sustainability platforms

• Forbes 2025 Billionaires List: extreme wealth soars while the planet pays the price (Greenpeace) - Forbes 2025 Billionaires List reveals record 3,028 billionaires worth $16.1 trillion while climate crisis worsens, prompting calls for fair taxation of ultra-wealthy.

• March 2025 product updates (Watershed) - Climate software platform releases March 2025 updates including improved finance analytics, mortgage emissions tracking, and automated company mapping features.

• Costs of permafrost thaw damage to infrastructure in Alaska could double by 2050 (Woodwell Climate) - AI-enhanced mapping reveals Alaska's permafrost thaw infrastructure damage costs could double by 2050, with 47% of at-risk structures previously unmapped.

• Banks Rush To Embrace Fossil Fuel Financing (CleanTechnica) - Major US banks abandon climate commitments and increase fossil fuel financing to $730 billion as political pressure mounts and net-zero alliances collapse.

• Why Are So Many Banks Backing Away From Net Zero Goals? (CleanTechnica) - Major banks retreat from net-zero commitments amid regulatory uncertainty and pressure from fossil fuel industry despite climate crisis urgency.

• US banks predict climate goals will fail – but air conditioning firms will thrive (The Guardian) - Major US banks forecast Paris climate goals will fail while predicting 41% growth in global air conditioning market due to rising temperatures.

• Could a slowdown in innovation investment derail the clean energy transition? (BusinessGreen) - Global clean energy innovation faces potential slowdown despite promising technological advances as investment trends remain uneven and challenging.

• Companies used to tout their climate plans. Under Trump, they’ve gone quiet. (Grist) - Major corporations dramatically reduce climate-related communications during Trump presidency amid growing ESG backlash and political pressure.

• Deutsche Bank’s DWS Fined $27 Million for Greenwashing (ESGToday) - Deutsche Bank's investment arm DWS fined $27 million by Frankfurt prosecutors for misleading investors about its ESG investment credentials.

• Emerald portfolio company P97 acquired by PDI Technologies (PDI Technologies) - Houston-based mobile commerce platform P97 Networks, specializing in digital payments and loyalty systems for fuel retailers, acquired by PDI Technologies.

• Speeki Launches Sustainability Skills Training Platform (ESG Today) - Speeki launches sustainability training platform "Speeki Academy" offering professional courses in ESG, sustainability management, due diligence, and governance.

• Goldman Sachs Sustainable Investing Team Acquires Water Management Solutions Provider Atlas-SSI (ESGToday) - Goldman Sachs acquires Atlas-SSI, a water infrastructure solutions provider, aiming to expand services amid $744 billion projected investment in aging water systems.

Grid

Grid modernization advances with PG&E's $43M microgrid projects, GM-EnergyHub partnership, SPML's $100M battery deal, and Queensland's 300MW Tarong battery, while Southeast US and Victoria face capacity challenges

• Getting Grounded: Oregon’s Electricity Sources – The Resource Mix (Oregon Energy Info) - New podcast series explores state's electricity mix dashboard showing increasing renewable power sources in Oregon's grid.

• Energy Vault Signs 10-year, 30+ GWh Licensee and Royalty Agreement with India’s SPML Infra to Manufacture and Deploy the B-Vault Battery Energy Storage Technology Platform for the Indian Market (Energy Vault) - US energy storage company signs $100M deal with India's SPML Infra to manufacture and deploy 30+ GWh of battery storage systems over 10 years.

• Ameresco Celebrates Double Win for Innovative Projects in 2025 Environment+Energy Leader Awards (Ameresco) - Energy solutions provider wins two Environment+Energy Leader awards for virtual power plant at Fort Detrick and innovative solar installation at London Stadium.

• Southeast Energy Opportunities Require a Bigger, Better, Faster Grid: Business Leaders Call for Regional Transmission Planning (Clean Energy Buyers Association) - Southeast US faces urgent need for regional power grid expansion and modernization as electricity demand projected to surge 25% by 2035, risking reliability and economic growth.

• Watt’s New: March 2025 Recap (Powin Energy) - Battery storage company named among FastCompany's Most Innovative Companies 2025, expands partnerships in Brazil and advances energy storage safety standards with TÜV Rheinland.

• Victoria needs at least another 2 GW of committed capacity before next coal closure, says state energy chief (RenewEconomy) - Victoria's State Energy Commission chair says state needs additional 2GW capacity before 2028 Yallourn coal plant closure to maintain reliable power supply.

• Another big battery joins the grid as charging and discharging records fall across the country (RenewEconomy) - Queensland's 300MW/600MWh Tarong battery enters grid system as Australia sets new battery charging and discharging records across multiple states.

• Building the Right Data Strategy for BESS: Unlocking System-Level KPIs for Optimal Performance (Energy Central) - Battery storage operators focus on Round-Trip Efficiency metrics and automated data systems to optimize performance and financial returns of grid-scale batteries.

• Power outages put diabetes patients at risk (Yale Climate Connections) - Diabetes patients face health risks during power outages as medical devices and insulin storage require reliable electricity during extreme weather events.

• PG&E announces microgrid awards for $43M as Sunrun joins its 2025 VPP (Utility Dive) - PG&E awards $43M for nine community microgrids serving 9,000 vulnerable customers in Northern California, while partnering with Sunrun for 600-home virtual power plant program.

• A market-based path to unlocking interconnection queues (Utility Dive) - Economists propose market-based pricing and tradable queue positions to solve grid interconnection bottlenecks, replacing current first-come-first-served system.

• 🆕 EnergyHub & GM Energy partner to unlock EV flexibility (EnergyHub) - GM Energy partners with EnergyHub to enable GM electric vehicles and home storage systems to participate in utility grid flexibility programs nationwide.

• Northern Michigan — no stranger to wild weather — tries to cope with days of no power (RenewableEnergyWorld) - Michigan's northern region grapples with widespread power outages after ice storm downs trees and poles, leaving 170,000+ without electricity for days.

Indigenous

Indigenous knowledge preservation spans Colombia's Lanawaru film, Wampanoag environmental lab on Martha's Vineyard, and Brazil's land demarcation study showing 31.5% better conservation in native territories

• ‘It protects us from them’: In new film, Indigenous traditions persist amid loss (Conservation International) - New film "Lanawaru" documents Amazon Indigenous community's sacred rituals and traditional ecological knowledge passed between generations in Colombia.

• Building up community resilience, highlighting systemic failures, and climate change impacts (Climate Generation) - Indigenous climate educator shares personal story connecting Uvalde school shooting tragedy with climate impacts and community resilience in Texas and Minnesota.

• Photos: Colombia’s Indigenous Nasa push back against cultural loss to reconnect with nature (Mongabay) - Colombia's displaced Nasa Indigenous people revive traditional Saakhelu ritual near Cali to preserve cultural identity and connection to nature despite decades of conflict-driven displacement.

• "A virada dos tempos": indígenas na Amazônia buscam soluções para a crise climática (Instituto Socioambiental) - Indigenous communities in the Amazon seek climate crisis solutions while battling mental health challenges linked to environmental changes and historical traumas.

• Terras Indígenas não demarcadas são as mais vulneráveis na Caatinga, Mata Atlântica, Pampa e Pantanal (Instituto Socioambiental) - Study reveals non-demarcated Indigenous Lands in Brazil's Caatinga, Atlantic Forest, Pampa and Pantanal biomes are 31.5% more preserved than surrounding areas, highlighting demarcation's importance for environmental recovery.

• Local Hero: Bret Stearns (Bluedot Living) - Wampanoag Tribe's Natural Resources Director Bret Stearns leads pioneering environmental lab and indigenous resource protection efforts on Martha's Vineyard for over two decades.

• Journal of Cultural Heritage Management and Sustainable Development (Emerald) (Journal of Cultural Heritage Management and Sustainable Development) - New research explores integration of indigenous knowledge with climate science for heritage preservation strategies.

Industry

Major solar firms LONGi and Trinasolar expand Asian operations while Myanmar earthquake disrupts supply chains; leadership changes at TVA, Duke Energy, and Entergy; uranium production rises as Amazon backs X-energy nuclear startup

• The Hazardous Machinations of Canada’s Mining Elite (IPS) - Canadian mining company Equinox Gold pressures Mexican community to accept reduced land agreements amid record gold prices, raising concerns about corporate impunity.

• Peruvian fishers sue for additional compensation after big December oil spill (Mongabay) - Peruvian fishers seek additional compensation from state oil company Petroperú after December oil spill paralyzes fishing for 4,000 artisanal workers.

• 2025 SEPA Power Player Awards Winners Announced (SEPA) - Smart Electric Power Alliance announces 2025 Power Player Awards winners across six categories, recognizing innovative clean energy projects and leaders in resilience, transportation, storage, technology, policy, and equity.

• 7.9-Magnitude Earthquake in Myanmar Disrupts Global Solar Supply Chain (TaiyangNews) - 7.9-magnitude Myanmar earthquake disrupts global solar supply chain, halting 50% of China's wafer production and causing equipment failures in key manufacturing regions.

• The Southeast Asia Hi-MO X10 LONGi Tour: A Success in Showcasing High-Value Products and Building Booming Markets (TaiyangNews) - LONGi showcases Hi-MO X10 solar panel technology across Southeast Asia, demonstrating superior performance and market dominance with 18-20% market share in Thailand and Vietnam.

• China Solar PV News Snippets: Trinasolar Forms JV For Smart Energy & More (TaiyangNews) - Trinasolar forms $20.7M joint venture in Changzhou for smart energy systems R&D and PV storage manufacturing, while multiple Chinese solar firms announce major facility plans.

• Devastating Myanmar Earthquake Disrupts Global Solar Supply Chain (TaiyangNews) - Myanmar's 7.7 magnitude earthquake disrupts global solar supply chain, affecting major Chinese wafer production hubs and causing price spikes and delivery delays.

• Rachel Owens Named Solar Stewardship Initiative CEO (TaiyangNews) - Rachel Owens appointed CEO of Solar Stewardship Initiative to promote responsible solar supply chain practices and industry sustainability standards.

• Exclusive: Trump’s Plans to Build AI Data Centers on Federal Land (Heatmap News) - Trump administration advances plans to build AI data centers on federal land across 16 sites, with potential for new power plants including nuclear reactors by 2027.

• U.S. uranium production in 2024 was highest in six years (EIA) - U.S. uranium production reached six-year high in 2024, driven by higher prices and increased output from facilities in Texas, Wyoming, and Utah.

• People on the move: TVA, Duke select new CEOs (Renewable Energy World) - TVA, Duke Energy, and Entergy announce major leadership changes with new CEOs and executives taking helm at key power utilities.

• Future demand for green hydrogen-based steel (Energy Central) - Green hydrogen adoption in steelmaking could revolutionize production processes and reshape value chains through blast furnace injection or Direct Reduction Iron methods.

• Hydrogen in Steel (Energy Central) - OECD study shows hydrogen-based steel production could cut emissions by 90%, but industry overcapacity threatens adoption of hydrogen solutions by 2026.

• Inside Amazon’s nuclear investment strategy (Latitude Media) - Amazon invests $500M in X-energy nuclear startup and partners with Energy Northwest to deploy 5GW of small modular reactors by 2039, citing data center power needs.

• Nation’s Largest Gas-Fired Plant Planned at Former Pennsylvania Coal Plant Site (PowerMag) - Pennsylvania announces 4.5 GW natural gas power plant and data center at former coal site, set to become nation's largest gas-fired facility.

• Companies pull projects from Texas gas power fund (Canary Media) - Nearly one-third of proposed gas power plant projects withdraw from Texas' $5 billion incentive fund, citing market challenges.

• LiveEO | Meet us at the Common Ground Alliance Conference & Expo 2025 (LiveEO) - Satellite monitoring company to showcase AI-powered pipeline threat detection system at 2025 Common Ground Alliance Conference in Orlando.

• One of The 109 Female Founders and Investors to Know in 2025 (KETOS) - CEO Meena Sankaran named among 109 influential female founders and investors to watch in 2025 for water quality monitoring technology.

• JinkoSolar Recognized as Top Brand PV 2025 in Italy and Latin America by EUPD Research (TaiyangNews) - JinkoSolar earns EUPD Research's Top Brand PV 2025 certification in Italy and five Latin American markets based on customer satisfaction and market performance.

• Encapsulation Solutions For HJT (TaiyangNews) - Cybrid's RayBo light conversion film enhances HJT solar cell efficiency by converting UV light to blue spectrum while protecting against moisture and UV degradation.

• 6 tips on how to leverage sustainability to win business and stay ahead of competition with Wavin (Ecochain) - Global water systems leader Wavin shares six strategies for leveraging EPDs and sustainability data to win business and drive innovation across international markets.

Policy

California Air Resources Board, International Seabed Authority, and USDA shape major regulatory decisions while Trump administration threatens $27B climate fund and imposes new tariffs affecting clean energy markets

• Comment Letter: Comments to the California Air Resources Board on Climate Disclosure Rule (Greenlining Institute) - Environmental justice group submits comments to California Air Resources Board urging transparent corporate emissions reporting guidelines under new climate disclosure laws.

• Wazzup Pilipinas (PreventionWeb) - Philippines-based news platform Wazzup Pilipinas launches initiative promoting climate-smart disaster resilience strategies across ASEAN region.

• University of the Philippines Resilience Institute (PreventionWeb) - University of Philippines Resilience Institute provides disaster risk education and research through online courses, hazard mapping tools, and scientific studies to enhance national climate resilience.

• The road to COP30 is paved with people power, and we’re already moving (350.org) - Global climate activists prepare for COP30 as early NDC submissions show promising renewable energy commitments, despite significant gaps in climate financing and emission reduction targets.

• Fuel Rates, Mandates, Tariffs Add Punch to Energy Price Stew (Acadia Center) - Massachusetts energy price debate intensifies as Republicans blame clean energy mandates while Democrats point to Canadian oil tariffs amid regional fossil fuel dependency concerns.

• A New Bill in Rhode Island Would Give Electric Ratepayers More Resources to Fight Back (Acadia Center) - Rhode Island bill proposes funding for ratepayers to participate in utility commission hearings, aiming to increase public influence in energy decisions.

• Global seabed regulator concerned by mining company’s unilateral actions (Mongabay) - International Seabed Authority challenges US-based mining company's attempt to bypass global regulations for deep-sea mining in Pacific Ocean.

• 2025 Sustaining Our World Lecture featuring Hilary Franz – former WA State Commissioner of Public Lands (UW SEFS) - Former WA State Lands Commissioner Hilary Franz to deliver lecture on unifying climate action and building resilience across political divides at annual Sustaining Our World event.

• Oregon Energy Strategy: April Public Engagement Opportunities (Oregon Energy Info) - Oregon Department of Energy announces April public engagement sessions for state energy strategy development, featuring household cost analysis and air quality modeling discussions.

• Digging in to defend clean energy tax credits (Citizens' Climate Lobby) - Conservative climate advocates mobilize nationwide campaign to protect Inflation Reduction Act's clean energy tax credits from potential Republican budget cuts.

• USDA Programs Freeze: What We Know (NSAC) - USDA freezes $4.7 billion in agricultural program funding affecting conservation, local food systems, and rural clean energy initiatives across multiple states.

• The view from inside DC, with Rep. Sean Casten (Volts) - Rep. Sean Casten discusses IRA tax credits, constitutional challenges, and clean energy deployment strategy in Congress while urging continued renewable development despite political uncertainty.

• Hands off...the future (The Crucial Years) - Trump administration's aggressive climate policy rollbacks and trade tariffs threaten to push global temperatures beyond 3°C, potentially devastating world economy by 40%.

• The Climate Election You Missed Last Night (Heatmap News) - Naperville, Illinois voters elect four city council members opposing coal power contract renewal with Prairie State Generating Station, signaling local climate action priority.

• Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’ Tariffs Loom (Heatmap News) - Trump administration plans sweeping new 20% import tariffs and trade restrictions that could disrupt global clean technology markets and increase domestic emissions.

• The Least-Noticed Climate Scandal of the Trump Administration (Heatmap News) - Trump administration weaponizes criminal law to block $27 billion Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund by freezing green bank funds through unprecedented legal maneuvers.

• Intertwined Disasters: Both Natural and Human-Made (UUSC) - Burma faces dual crisis as military junta hampers earthquake relief efforts while continuing airstrikes on civilians, with international aid distribution severely restricted.

• The Climate Crisis Is a Women’s Health Crisis: Moms Make News (Moms Clean Air Force) - Female activists highlight climate change's disproportionate health impacts on women and condemn environmental protection rollbacks threatening maternal and child health.

• New Poll Shows Americans View Water That’s Safe to Drink and Reliably Supplied as Top Issues (Inside Climate News) - Americans rank safe drinking water and reliable water supply as their top concerns above inflation and healthcare in new national poll.

• People Who Depend on Public Lands Say Firing National Park and Forest Workers Stresses Nearby Communities (Inside Climate News) - Mass layoffs of federal land management workers threaten rural economies dependent on outdoor tourism and increase wildfire risks across Western communities.

• What Are the Rights of Nature? (Inside Climate News) - Rights of Nature movement seeks legal recognition of ecosystems and wildlife as living beings with inherent rights to exist, challenging traditional property-based environmental laws.

• Why Trump’s tariffs shock could be good for Australia’s green energy transition (RenewEconomy) - Trump's new tariffs could benefit Australia's renewable energy transition by freeing up global supply chains and redirecting capital investment, says major green energy investor.

• Labor will announce home battery rebate in “coming days,” says federal treasurer (RenewEconomy) - Australian Federal Treasurer announces imminent home battery rebate scheme to reduce energy costs and boost clean energy adoption ahead of 2025 election.

• From Video Ezy to Netflix: Report offers three easy reforms to get NEM back to the future (RenewEconomy) - Clean Energy Investor Group proposes three market reforms to modernize Australia's National Electricity Market for renewable transition, targeting lower prices and improved reliability.

• Coalition’s Ted O’Brien admits gas is a disaster for energy prices (RenewEconomy) - Opposition energy spokesman Ted O'Brien inadvertently highlights gas dependency's role in driving high energy prices while criticizing government policy.

• Council says it can’t approve road upgrades in latest attempt to stop contested New England wind project (RenewEconomy) - Tamworth council joins lawsuit against Hills of Gold wind farm, claiming inability to approve road upgrades for contested 372MW project.

• Top Stories of the Week & New Substack (CleanTechnica) - Media outlet launches Substack newsletter to provide weekly cleantech analysis while reporting strong global renewable energy growth, EV market shifts, and battery storage expansion in 2024.

• Flood risks getting worse along U.S. coastlines, new analysis shows (Floodlight) - New Climate Central analysis reveals U.S. coastal flooding to increase 10-fold over next 25 years, threatening 2.5 million people and 1.4 million homes.

• Maryland energy reform bills focused on new power generation pass the Senate (Renewable Energy World) - Maryland Senate passes energy reform package to boost power generation and provide ratepayer rebates, including solar and nuclear initiatives.

• Environment secretary’s appeal against Yorkshire river pollution ruling fails (The Guardian) - Environment secretary loses court appeal against Yorkshire anglers who argued government's river cleanup plans were ineffectively vague.

• In the event of a hung parliament, one wildcard has been largely overlooked – the Nationals (The Guardian) - Nationals could derail Coalition's climate negotiations with crossbenchers in potential hung parliament scenario, highlighting internal tensions over environmental policy.

• CJA Leads Nearly 200 Organizations in Opposing NEPA Rollback (Climate Justice Alliance) - Nearly 200 organizations oppose White House proposal to repeal National Environmental Policy Act, warning of increased environmental risks to vulnerable communities.

• US Military Exits Climate Change After a Decade of Waste (Energy Central) - US military abandons climate change initiatives and emissions reduction goals under new Defense Secretary, ending decade of biofuel, electric vehicle, and renewable energy programs.

• How Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs could kill American innovation (Grist) - Trump announces sweeping new import tariffs up to 49%, threatening US clean energy innovation and raising concerns about long-term domestic manufacturing competitiveness.

• How the Trump administration is targeting green transportation in blue states (Grist) - Trump administration targets Democratic states' climate-friendly transportation initiatives by threatening funding cuts to NYC congestion pricing, California high-speed rail, and urban transit systems.

• Trump takes aim at the people who protect national parks from climate change (Grist) - Trump administration plans 30% staff cuts at National Park Service, threatening climate monitoring and disaster response capabilities in America's most climate-vulnerable landscapes.

• Five ways to improve net zero action – our new research highlights lessons from the past (The Conversation) - Research identifies five key strategies for net zero implementation including public engagement, fairness focus, and acceptance of opposition based on historical case studies.

• Phasing out Fossil Fuels is a Global Health Intervention (Fossil Fuel Treaty Initiative) - WHO conference highlights fossil fuels as major health threat causing 7 million annual deaths, with 80% of air pollution linked directly to fossil fuel use.

• Offshore wind’s new hurdle (Canary Media) - Trump's EPA head Lee Zeldin emerges as new obstacle to offshore wind projects by revoking permits and showing sympathy to anti-wind advocates.

• Minnesota bill would require carbon-free power for data centers (Canary Media) - Minnesota bill would require data centers to use 65% carbon-free power and disclose electricity consumption, facing opposition from utilities and tech firms.

• Putting state wildlife staff to work, efficiently and quickly (Environment America) - Bipartisan 'Make SWAPs Efficient Act' aims to speed up federal review of state wildlife conservation plans from 18 months to 180 days.

• Food & ag groups blast ‘destabilizing’ tariffs, seek exemptions: ‘We urge the White House to reconsider’ (AgFunderNews) - US food and agriculture groups demand exemptions from Trump's new broad tariffs, warning of destabilizing effects on American manufacturers and consumers.

• Environmental Careers Panel for Providence College (Environmental Protection Network) - Environmental career experts from federal, state, and NGO sectors share professional insights and guidance with Providence College biology students in virtual roundtable.

• Answers to common questions about the EU Omnibus proposal (Watershed) - European Commission's Omnibus proposal aims to simplify CSRD reporting requirements by reducing data points, delaying deadlines, and removing reasonable assurance standards.

• HV Viewfinder: April Update (Scenic Hudson) - April newsletter highlights Earth Month initiatives including rain gardens, sustainable coffee alternatives, and $1 billion in New York State climate funding.

Renewables

Major geothermal deal by Lennar, EDP's €500M solar loan, DAS Solar's N-type modules, Orbital Marine's 2.4MW tidal turbine, and PacifiCorp's 4.7GW renewables expansion highlight global clean energy scaling

• Dandelion Energy and Lennar Announce One of the Largest Residential Geothermal Deployments in US History (Dandelion Energy) - Lennar Corporation partners with Dandelion Energy to install geothermal heating systems in 1,500 new Colorado homes, marking largest US residential deployment.

• Europe Solar PV News Snippets: Jinchen At TaiyangNews Solar Manufacturing Conference & More (TaiyangNews) - European solar sector sees major developments as EDP secures €500M EIB loan, Meyer Burger expands in Italy, and multiple companies advance renewable energy projects across the continent.

• DAS Solar's N-Type Modules and Flexible Mounting Systems Define the Future of “PV+” (TaiyangNews) - DAS Solar unveils advanced N-type solar modules and flexible mounting systems achieving 26.9% efficiency and withstanding extreme weather conditions, enabling solar installations on complex terrains.

• Japan’s NEDO Identifies Solar PV Challenges To Address (TaiyangNews) - Japan's NEDO unveils 2025 solar strategy focusing on next-gen cells, diverse applications, and recycling systems to achieve 2050 carbon neutrality.

• Wine region solar farm to use hail-proof PV modules in Australian first (RenewEconomy) - South Australian wine region's Coonawarra Energy Project to pioneer Canadian Solar's hail-resistant solar panels alongside 15MWh battery storage system.

• World’s Most Powerful Tidal Energy Turbine Headed To US Waters, Eventually (CleanTechnica) - World's most powerful 2.4MW tidal turbine by Orbital Marine Power awaits US deployment pending political shifts, with Washington state cooperative OPALCO leading implementation efforts.

• 'A major milestone': UK sets new solar generation record (BusinessGreen) - UK solar generation hits new record of 12.2GW during midday period on April 2nd, marking significant milestone for renewable energy.

• PacifiCorp aims to add 4.7 GW renewables, 1.7 GW storage by 2031 (Utility Dive) - PacifiCorp plans massive renewable energy expansion with 4.7GW of wind and solar plus 1.7GW storage by 2031, while potentially extending some coal operations.

• Faces of AE: Where Passion Meets Profession (TaiyangNews) - AESOLAR sales representative Mariam Sarjveladze bridges cultural gaps in APAC solar markets while promoting sustainable energy solutions from her base in Tbilisi, Georgia.

• Higher Efficiency, Ultimate Safety: Sungrow Reveals Its New Range of C&I PV Inverters Compatible with Optimizers at Solar & Storage Live London 2025 (TaiyangNews) - Sungrow launches new commercial PV inverters with integrated optimizers and enhanced safety features at Solar & Storage Live London 2025.

Transport

Major EV charging expansion as Spark Alliance unites European networks; Tesla sales drop while GM, Ford, Hyundai, Kia show growth; Fortescue debuts ammonia-powered ship; Rubicon brings card payments to South African chargers

• Federal EV Tax Credits Make Our Communities Healthier & Stronger (Clean Energy) - Federal EV tax credits reduce vehicle costs, support US manufacturing, and improve community health through reduced emissions and expanded charging infrastructure.

• The European Spark Alliance Makes Charging Easy (CleanTechnica) - Four major European charging networks form Spark Alliance to create unified 10,000-charger network with single-app access across 1,700 locations.

• From Solar Tiles to Starship: The Decade Musk Failed to Deliver Puts Semi At Risk (CleanTechnica) - Tesla's decade of missed deadlines and scaled-back promises across multiple ventures raises doubts about Semi truck's 2025 production targets.

• EVs Take 24.4% Share In France — Renault 5 Unassailable? (CleanTechnica) - France's EV market share reaches 24.4% in March 2025, with Renault 5 leading BEV sales despite overall auto market decline.

• US Carmakers Crush It On Q1 EV Sales (Except You-Know-Who) (CleanTechnica) - GM and Ford report strong Q1 2025 EV sales growth (94% and 12% respectively) while Tesla faces market challenges and declining sales in key regions.

• ‘World’s first’ dual-fuel ammonia-powered vessel arrives in the UK (Energy Central) - World's first dual-fuel ammonia-powered vessel "Fortescue Green Pioneer" arrives in UK, demonstrating potential for cleaner maritime transport.

• Cruising: Ride and Drive Event (Bluedot Living) - San Diego utility hosts EV test drive event featuring eight electric vehicles, allowing potential buyers hands-on experience with various models while connecting with passionate EV owners.

• Flying: How Far Am I Willing to Go? (Bluedot Living) - Writer grapples with ethical dilemma of air travel's climate impact, choosing virtual tourism over flights despite past globe-trotting experiences.

• What Tesla’s massive image problem means for the world’s transition to EVs (Grist) - Tesla's global EV sales plummet amid backlash over CEO Elon Musk's far-right political activities and Trump administration role.

• The Driven Podcast: Kia takes on the Chinese EV giants (RenewEconomy) - Kia launches new EV3 model and reveals strategy to compete with Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers in global market.

• Credit Card Payments Now Accepted At Rubicon EV Charging Stations — A First In South Africa (CleanTechnica) - Rubicon launches South Africa's first credit card payment system for EV charging stations, eliminating need for pre-funded wallets.

• Hyundai Coasts Into Another EV Sales Record While Tesla Hits Brick Wall (CleanTechnica) - Hyundai reports 38% increase in Q1 2025 electrified vehicle sales while celebrating female leadership, as Tesla sales decline in US market.