This is my opening intro that goes out to everyone, before the bulk of this email is personalized for each subscriber individually. What do I want to say to everyone on Day 1 of the new US administration? I want to say it's imperative we take our work to the next level now. As the startup book The Hard Thing About Hard Things says, the startups that succeed are the ones where the founders keep their eyes on the window of remaining opportunity, no matter how small it sometimes feels like it's getting.
I'm going to do that by writing more clearly, opening the things I write by setting the stage and then offering a clear call to action.
Here are 3:
Flow state: If you can spend some more of your day in a state of flow, that time is going to be up to 5X as productive as it would have been otherwise. We can Robin Hood that insight from the consulting firm McKinsey, who famously found that across 5,000 executives, 10%-50% of one's day could be spent in a flow state and every moment of it makes a difference. How do you get there? They found three keys: Clear role and purpose, trust and respect between team members, exciting challenges with high stakes. (See McKinsey's Increasing the Meaning Quotient of Work)
VC landscape overview: If you're looking to scale your work rapidly with outside investment, Siteline's webinar on Thursday should be an excellent overview of the current state of things.
Just transition: Environmental justice is under threat by authoritarians taking power all over the world. Let's get aligned on what the earth's most direct guardians, Indigenous communities, are calling for in an effective and just transition to a more sustainable economy. SIRGE Coalition is hosting a webinar tomorrow morning that I highly recommend.
Ok, clarity, action, flow state, then rest, recover, and reset for the next play in this infinite and difficult game.
That's some big picture context - let's get into all of today's selected updates. Email subscribers (see above) will get 3 picks just for you.
-Marshall Kirkpatrick
Earth Catalyst: We'll support your work with our experience, network, and technology
Today and every day, our system scans over 1,000 green tech and sustainability organizations for updates. Below, you'll find:
A Visual of the Day
A digest-style Table of Contents for 136 selected updates from around the green tech and sustainability world
(If you subscribe by email) 3 personalized selections just for you and your work
Did a friend forward you this newsletter? Welcome! You can subscribe here and get your own personal recommendations each day.
Visual of the Day
A Relentless Rise
NOAA's Mauna Loa Observatory shows the stark, unabating increase in atmospheric CO2 from 1980 to present. According to Yale Environment 360 and as measured at Mauna Loa, 2024 saw the largest single-year jump ever recorded at 3.58 ppm, a surge that even record fossil fuel emissions alone cannot fully explain, as climate change itself is now hampering Earth's natural carbon absorption capabilities.
The link above is to veteran climate writer Steve Hanley's write-up of this in Clean Technica. It's got Carl Sagan quotes, it's a good, powerful read.
This number is a major downer. I move we process our feelings about this as best we can and get back to work, as strategically and empathetically as possible.
Today's Updates
Table of Contents
Agriculture (8 stories) - CEFC's $200M farmer carbon credit program, Iraq's 39% desertification crisis, EU soil labs, global farmland grabs, Amazon deforestation scheme exposed, and US neonicotinoid regulation battles
Carbon (4 stories) - Agreena earns Verra soil carbon verification as Equinor faces storage shortfall; ClimeFi launches XPRIZE challenge amid record CO2 spike
Circular (2 stories) - IBM and L'Oréal partner on AI-driven sustainable cosmetics while bamboo toilet paper offers PFAS-free alternative
Ecosystems (4 stories) - Rare Pemba antelope rediscovered in Tanzania's Ngezi Forest, as winter ticks threaten moose populations and cyclone-vulnerable ecosystems face transformation, while Montana's Berkeley Pit draws dark tourism
Finance (4 stories) - BlackRock and GFANZ retreat from climate commitments as solar funding drops 24% to $26.3B; UN Green Climate Fund seeks market financing while climate-driven insurance costs surge
Grid (8 stories) - FERC leadership shift, global nuclear dominance by China/Russia, Moss Landing fire impacts, ecoplanet's €16M AI grid software, and sodium-ion vs lithium-ion battery developments reshape power infrastructure
Indigenous (12 stories) - Indigenous fire networks expand across US, Philippines and Africa, with Fire Networks reaching 8 states, Pomo tribes protecting Clear Lake, and Mt. Kalatungan communities leading forest restoration
Industry (4 stories) - DOE funds workforce training as Danish firm builds German H2 plant; Australia backs smelter renewables; Lhyfe and Atmen launch H2 tracking
Policy (54 stories) - NOAA, WEF protests, and Trump policy shifts dominate as Federal Reserve exits climate coalition, Treasury expands clean energy credits, and EPA nominee Zeldin signals deregulation agenda
Renewables (22 stories) - Amazon hits 600 wind/solar projects; GE Vernova secures 1GW wind repowering; JA Solar's 1.25GW Egypt deal; Qcells patent disputes; Google's 724MW Oklahoma solar; NSW expands to 7.7GW renewable zone; Germany reaches 99GW solar capacity
Transport (14 stories) - EV sales surge 30% globally as Tesla opens in Philippines; KEMPOWER deploys 350kW chargers at London port; Stellar Aircraft develops hydrogen jet; EU maritime regulations drive clean fuel adoption
Agriculture
CEFC's $200M farmer carbon credit program, Iraq's 39% desertification crisis, EU soil labs, global farmland grabs, Amazon deforestation scheme exposed, and US neonicotinoid regulation battles
CEFC backs low-cost loans to help farmers buy in to carbon removal (RenewEconomy) - The Clean Energy Finance Corporation will provide $200 million in low-interest loans to Australian farmers seeking carbon credits through native tree planting initiatives.
Georgetown Security Studies Review (Georgetown Security Studies Review) - Rising temperatures and severe droughts have turned 39% of Iraq's fertile land into desert, sparking concerns about the nation's stability and food security.
GOV4ALL: Regenerating Soil Health Across the Mediterranean (Metabolic) - Mediterranean farmers unite in five living labs to tackle severe soil degradation affecting 70% of agricultural land through EU-funded regenerative practices.
Guest review: Documentary film ‘The Grab’ unpacks the global scramble for farmland (AgFundNews) - Global powers are racing to secure foreign farmland amid climate pressures and rising populations, with investments raising concerns about resource exploitation and food security.
Probe details the playbook of one of Amazon’s top land grabbers (Mongabay) - Brazilian cattle farmer Bruno Heller orchestrated an elaborate scheme using fake contracts, bribes and satellite monitoring to illegally seize and deforest 24,000 hectares of public Amazon land.
Protecting Californians from nemonic pesticides (NRDC) - California must now regulate neonic-coated seeds after a court ruling, addressing more than 500,000 pounds of previously uncontrolled pesticide use each year.
The LA fires left a beloved school in ashes. Now, parents are rallying to restart their ‘community’ (The Guardian) - Parents mobilize to restore Altadena's Village Playgarden school after LA fires devastated its 2-acre campus, destroying both educational facilities and the school's working farm.
Will Oregon become the 13th state to help save the bees? (Environment America) - Oregon lawmakers weigh statewide restrictions on neonicotinoid pesticides, following Eugene and Portland's local bans and 12 other states' efforts to protect declining bee populations.
Carbon
Agreena earns Verra soil carbon verification as Equinor faces storage shortfall; ClimeFi launches XPRIZE challenge amid record CO2 spike
‘A pivotal moment’ for regenerative agriculture as Agreena secures Verra registration for soil carbon project (AgFunderNews) - Danish carbon credit firm Agreena has secured Verra registration for soil carbon verification, becoming Europe's first large-scale agricultural project to help farmers earn from sustainable practices.
ClimeFi at Davos 2025: Advancing Carbon Removal Through the Global1000 Challenge (CleanTechnica) - Global climate initiative ClimeFi partners with XPRIZE at Davos 2025 to drive corporate investment in carbon removal technologies through their new Global1000 Challenge.
Increase In Carbon Dioxide Levels Reached A Record High In 2024 (CleanTechnica) - Carbon dioxide levels surged by 3.58 parts per million in 2024, surpassing UK Met Office forecasts and pushing Earth closer to breaching the Paris Agreement's 1.5°C threshold.
Norway’s Equinor forced to withdraw key carbon capture claim (RenewEconomy) - Norwegian energy giant Equinor has withdrawn claims of storing 1 million tonnes of CO2 annually at Sleipner after data revealed actual 2023 capture was just 106,000 tonnes.
Circular
IBM and L'Oréal partner on AI-driven sustainable cosmetics while bamboo toilet paper offers PFAS-free alternative
IBM, L’Oréal to Use AI to Develop More Sustainable Cosmetics (ESGToday) - Tech giant IBM and beauty leader L'Oréal join forces to harness artificial intelligence for developing sustainable cosmetics using bio-sourced materials, aiming to reduce waste by 2030.
Is Your Toilet Paper Toxic? Understanding the Chemicals in Your Bathroom (EcoSoul Home) - New research reveals toxic PFAS chemicals in standard toilet paper, while bamboo alternatives emerge as a safer, eco-friendly choice free from harmful substances.
Ecosystems
Rare Pemba antelope rediscovered in Tanzania's Ngezi Forest, as winter ticks threaten moose populations and cyclone-vulnerable ecosystems face transformation, while Montana's Berkeley Pit draws dark tourism
‘An oval with legs’: In search of Tanzania’s tiny island antelope (Mongabay) - Scientists have confirmed the survival of Tanzania's rare Pemba blue duiker antelope after spotting the isolated subspecies in Ngezi Forest Reserve for the first time in two decades.
Moose vs. ticks: a battle of giants and bloodsuckers (Yale Climate Connections) - Winter tick infestations are killing 40% of untreated moose calves in northern forests compared to 7% of pesticide-treated calves, as warming temperatures boost tick populations.
Not without effect: Tropical storms will challenge ecosystems (ETH Zurich) - Nearly one-tenth of Earth's land ecosystems face transformation by 2050, as vulnerable regions could see up to 149% more intense tropical cyclones, researchers report.
The beautiful and awful Butte, Montana (High Country News) - Montana's historic mining city Butte draws thousands of visitors annually to its toxic Berkeley Pit Superfund site, which coexists with a resilient community despite environmental concerns.
Finance
BlackRock and GFANZ retreat from climate commitments as solar funding drops 24% to $26.3B; UN Green Climate Fund seeks market financing while climate-driven insurance costs surge
Global financial sector dropping key green pledges as Trump takes office (The Guardian) - Leading financial firms, including BlackRock, retreat from climate pledges and net-zero commitments as GFANZ abandons Paris Agreement requirements ahead of Trump's anticipated return to office.
Global Solar Sector Funding Slashed By 24% In 2024: Mercom (TaiyangNews) - Global solar sector funding plunged 24% to $26.3 billion last year, with venture capital dropping 36% and public market financing falling 59% due to economic headwinds and trade tensions.
Green Climate Fund looks at capital-market borrowing to meet COP29 goal (Climate Home News) - The UN's Green Climate Fund is exploring capital market borrowing options to achieve its COP29 target of tripling annual outflows to $5.2 billion by 2030.
Reads to help you make sense of the climate-changed insurance market (Yale Climate Connections) - Extreme weather linked to climate change has triggered soaring rates and reduced coverage across U.S. insurance markets, creating mounting challenges for homeowners, farmers, and insurers alike.
Grid
FERC leadership shift, global nuclear dominance by China/Russia, Moss Landing fire impacts, ecoplanet's €16M AI grid software, and sodium-ion vs lithium-ion battery developments reshape power infrastructure
Advanced Energy United Congratulates Commissioner Christie on his Appointment to FERC Chair (Advanced Energy United) - Industry leaders applaud Mark Christie's appointment as FERC Chair, citing his expertise in interconnection reform, transmission planning, and state-market coordination.
Africa’s Energy Dilemma: Breaking Free from Generators to Embrace Sustainability (EnergyCentral) - Amid unreliable power grids, African nations grapple with health hazards from widespread generator use, sparking urgent calls for sustainable energy solutions.
As always, a mixed bag (Keep Cool) - China and Russia account for 56% of global nuclear reactor construction, with Chinese-designed reactors representing nearly half of all new installations worldwide, according to IEA data.
As Moss Landing smoulders, what are the prospects for safer salt batteries? (RenewEconomy) - New research reveals sodium-ion batteries must overcome 72% higher material costs and technical hurdles before competing with lithium-ion technology, despite recent safety concerns at Moss Landing.
Ecoplanet Raises €16 Million for Solution for Companies to Optimize Use of Green and Affordable Energy (ESG Today) - Munich-based ecoplanet secured €16M to expand AI-powered software that helps companies optimize renewable energy use across more than 2,000 European sites.
How Can I Use A Low C-Rate Battery To Charge A High C-Rate Battery? (CleanTechnica) - Engineers have discovered that larger battery packs with parallel cells can match high C-rate charging speeds while maintaining voltage, despite having lower C-rates.
Moss Landing Battery Storage Fire Perspectives (CleanTechnica) - After a fire at Vistra's Moss Landing facility, energy storage developers are increasingly favoring safer LFP batteries over NMC chemistry for large-scale projects.
On-site batteries: a solution to avoid connection costs and bottlenecks (GridBeyond) - On-site battery storage systems enable businesses to sidestep grid connection expenses while ensuring reliable power supply amid capacity limitations.
Indigenous
Indigenous fire networks expand across US, Philippines and Africa, with Fire Networks reaching 8 states, Pomo tribes protecting Clear Lake, and Mt. Kalatungan communities leading forest restoration
2024: A Year of Growth and Connection for the Fire Networks (Fire Networks) - Fire Networks expanded its reach across eight U.S. states and three countries in 2024, delivering 26 prescribed fire training events while strengthening Indigenous partnerships and community resilience initiatives.
Burning for Better in Southwest Montana (Fire Networks) - Montana agencies and landowners have united to conduct a 1,300-acre prescribed burn in Mill Gulch, aiming to protect sagebrush habitat and reduce wildfire threats.
Celebrating 10 Years of the Blog! (Fire Networks) - Network marks decade-long milestone with 680-plus published stories from global practitioners, researchers and indigenous communities sharing wildfire resilience strategies.
Commonlanders share how they deal with ‘eco-anxiety’ (Commonland) - Environmental experts reveal six personal coping methods for eco-anxiety, from mindful observation to community building, as climate concerns continue affecting mental health worldwide.
Community Weaving for Eco-Cultural Restoration: Partnering with Tribes in Lake County, CA (Fire Networks) - Local tribes and scientists unite in Lake County, California, combining traditional Pomo knowledge with modern research to protect Clear Lake's watershed and reduce wildfire risks.
Engaging Communities with Prescribed Fire: Lessons Learned from PBA Outreach in Fire-Prone Areas (Fire Networks) - Fire-prone communities in Trinity County are embracing prescribed burn initiatives through trauma-informed workshops, strategic facilitation, and sustained follow-up efforts, reports The Watershed Center.
Escape Into the Story: Three Longform Reads for Your Weekend (Fire Networks) - Interactive narratives delve into wilderness fire management, Texas wildfire resilience, and Fire Learning Network partnerships through three new StoryMaps.
Growing conservation and community: Interview with Ngezi reserve chief (Mongabay) - Reserve chief Khamis Ali Khamis outlines strategies to protect Ngezi Forest while supporting local communities through sustainable resource management and youth education programs.
Made For This Time Opening from Rabbi Jennie Rosenn | Dayenu (Dayenu) - Jewish climate leader Rabbi Jennie Rosenn debuts video series exploring resilience amid environmental challenges, connecting modern struggles with historical Jewish perseverance.
Philippine Indigenous communities restore a mountain forest to prevent urban flooding (Mongabay) - Indigenous communities in the Philippines have restored native forests on Mt. Kalatungan since 2015 through coffee-based agroforestry, protecting urban areas from flooding.
The Warmth That Keeps Us Coming Back (Fire Networks) - Despite mounting health risks and losses in 2024, fire leader Lenya Quinn-Davidson emphasizes the vital role of human connection and hospitality within fire management culture.
Voces del Fuego (Voices of Fire) (Fire Networks) - Fifty fire practitioners from 27 organizations across eight countries unite in California's first Spanish-language prescribed burn training, captured in the film "Voces del Fuego."
Industry
DOE funds workforce training as Danish firm builds German H2 plant; Australia backs smelter renewables; Lhyfe and Atmen launch H2 tracking
6 Organizations Join US Green Workforce Collaborative (CleanTechnica) - Six organizations will share $3.6 million in Department of Energy funding to develop industrial workforce training programs aimed at energy efficiency and decarbonization.
Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners Begins 800-MW Hydrogen Project in Germany (POWER) - Danish investment firm launches 400-MW hydrogen facility in Germany, aiming to double capacity and produce 80,000 tons annually for industrial use.
Labor’s green aluminium play is canny politics, not least for exposing Dutton’s wilful energy ignorance (RenewEconomy) - Government unveils $2 billion credit scheme to help Australian aluminium smelters shift to renewable energy while safeguarding industry competitiveness.
Lhyfe partners with Atmen to enhance traceability in green hydrogen production (EnergyCentral) - French hydrogen producer Lhyfe and software firm Atmen will deploy digital passports to track carbon footprints across European green hydrogen facilities.
Policy
NOAA, WEF protests, and Trump policy shifts dominate as Federal Reserve exits climate coalition, Treasury expands clean energy credits, and EPA nominee Zeldin signals deregulation agenda
‘Unusual’ and weak La Niña confirmed, offers cooling respite after record El Niño (Mongabay) - A weak La Niña system has emerged with a 59% chance of persisting through spring, offering potential global cooling following one of history's strongest El Niños, NOAA reports.
Activists block heliport at Davos to call on governments to tax the super-rich (Greenpeace) - Thirteen activists blocked a heliport at the World Economic Forum in Davos, demanding governments increase taxes on wealthy elites to fund climate initiatives.
Advice From Climate Experts as Trump Is Sworn In (Atmos) - Climate experts urge local organizing, legal challenges, and civil disobedience to counter Trump's environmental rollbacks as wildfires rage through Los Angeles.
Almost 26,000 hectares of threatened species habitat approved for clearing under Labor in 2024, new report finds (The Guardian) - Federal approvals to clear 25,769 hectares of threatened species habitat, including 3,000 hectares of koala habitat, have doubled since 2023, according to new data.
America Shouldn’t Surrender the Fight for a Stronger, Cleaner Future (EDF) - Environmental advocates warn that Trump's inauguration speech suggests imminent executive orders targeting clean energy programs, with 100% of environmental protections and climate commitments at risk.
As Trump Takes Office Again, Earthjustice Is Ceding No Ground (Earthjustice) - Environmental law group Earthjustice vows to challenge Trump's second-term environmental rollbacks, backed by their 85% success rate in previous legal battles against his administration.
Climate change is fuelling Trump’s desire to tap into Canada’s water and Arctic resources (The Conversation) - Amid rising temperatures, Trump eyes Canada's Arctic resources, critical minerals and water rights as climate change opens new access to the contested Northwest Passage.
Community Wildfire Defense Grants: A Round Three Application Primer (Fire Networks) - US Forest Service launches $200 million grant program, enabling communities and Tribes to mitigate wildfire risks through February 2025.
Decrypt (Decrypt) - California deploys AI-powered early detection systems to combat wildfires, with firefighters reporting a 75% faster response time despite budget constraints.
Do The LA Rams Play For Their Fans? Or For Their Big Oil Sponsors? (CleanTechnica) - LA Rams draw backlash over Shell Oil partnership while climate-linked fires kill 24 in Los Angeles and force playoff venue change.
Do the Next Right Thing. Repeat. (Climate Generation) - Climate Generation's Executive Director draws on MLK and poet Wendell Berry to urge continued climate action despite mounting environmental challenges and policy hurdles.
Doug Burgum, Trump’s pick for public lands boss, questions reliability of renewable power (RenewableEnergyWorld) - Trump's Interior nominee Doug Burgum voiced skepticism about renewable energy's reliability while promoting fossil fuels and baseload power during Senate confirmation proceedings.
Get Ready for Trump’s National Energy Emergency (Heatmap News) - Trump vows to declare a national energy emergency in 2025, promising to boost fossil fuel output, fast-track mining permits, and restore strategic petroleum reserves to maximum capacity.
How Bad Is Renewable Energy Misinformation? Take A Look (CleanTechnica) - MSN's Google News coverage favored renewable energy misinformation by a 3:1 margin during January 2025, according to new analysis.
LA fires risk reinforcing the false idea that we’re all in this together (The Conversation) - Wildfires threatening Hollywood mansions mask how climate disasters disproportionately affect low-income communities and exploit incarcerated firefighters earning just dollars per day.
LCV Statement on President Trump’s Speech and Executive Orders (LCV) - Environmental advocates slam Trump's executive orders, claiming they prioritize oil profits while undermining climate action and environmental safeguards.
Living with Smoke in the Greater Yellowstone (Fire Networks) - Three counties and Yellowstone National Park are implementing smoke-ready community plans to help residents cope with wildfire impacts through air monitoring, clean air spaces and communication strategies.
Mientras Trump Asume La Presidencia Nuevamente, Earthjustice No Cede Terreno (Earthjustice) - Environmental law group Earthjustice vows to protect climate initiatives against Trump's deregulation plans, backed by their 85% victory rate in past legal challenges.
Nestlé, Unilever, Mars Warn Against Revisiting EU Sustainability Reporting and Due Diligence Laws (ESGToday) - Global food giants Nestlé, Unilever, and Mars have urged EU officials to preserve current sustainability reporting requirements, opposing potential changes through the proposed "Omnibus" package.
Newsletter: On MLK Day 2025, It’s Never Been More Important for Nice White Liberals to Step Up (Drilled) - Survey data reveals a concerning shift as 30% of climate protesters now support political violence to protect democracy, nearly doubling from 16% in previous years.
President Trump’s Energy EO: “There is no energy emergency. There is a climate emergency” (NRDC) - US oil and gas production hits record highs alongside clean energy growth, yet White House declares energy emergency while targeting climate policies.
Scoping conflict-linked environmental harm in southern Lebanon (CEOBS) - Israeli-Hezbollah clashes inflicted $221M in environmental damage across southern Lebanon, with agricultural losses surpassing $1B between October 2023 and December 2024.
Statement on Inauguration Day 2025 (Climate Justice Alliance) - Climate justice advocates warn that Trump's first-day policies pose direct threats to environmental safeguards, labor protections, and community well-being while favoring big business interests.
Texas Regulators Finalize Oilfield Waste Rule (InsideClimateNews) - Texas regulators approved their first major oilfield waste rule change since 1984, requiring waste pit registration but stopping short of mandating landowner alerts or universal pit liners.
The American Climate Corps fades away (High Country News) - The White House has ended its American Climate Corps program, which officials now acknowledge merely rebranded existing environmental service positions rather than creating new opportunities.
The Changing of the Guard - A Climate of Change (Energy Central) - The United States has reversed course on climate policy, eliminating renewable subsidies and fossil fuel limits in favor of market-driven energy development.
The Energy Crisis Is Knocking At Our Door. And Natural Gas Is Emerging As The Leading Fuel… (Energy Central) - Trump vows to boost US natural gas exports and fossil fuel output while slashing environmental rules if elected in 2025.
Trump administration makes broad commitments to undermine environmental protections (SELC) - The Trump administration vows to declare a national energy emergency and withdraw from global climate agreements while dismantling environmental safeguards if re-elected.
Trump Bids Adieu to the Paris Agreement. Again. (Heatmap News) - Trump pledges to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris Climate Agreement for a second time, with the formal exit process set to conclude in 2025.
Trump declares a ‘national energy emergency’ (The Verge) - President Trump signs executive orders declaring a national energy emergency and withdraws from the Paris climate accord while eliminating environmental safeguards to expand fossil fuel production.
Trump Includes Critical Minerals In His Energy Bonanza (Heatmap News) - The White House aims to boost domestic mining of critical minerals and counter China's market control through sweeping energy policy changes.
Trump is back! How do we prepare for life under a brutal regime of AI climate crypto madness?! | First Dog on the Moon (The Guardian) - A new cartoon series mocks Trump's political comeback while tackling fears over artificial intelligence, climate change and cryptocurrency.
Trump Moves to Deny Americans Cleaner Vehicles (NRDC) - Federal actions to end EV incentives and emission rules could cost drivers £6,000 and add 8 billion tons of greenhouse gases, experts warn.
Trump Paves the Way to Firing Loads of Civil Servants (Heatmap News) - Trump's executive order would reclassify over 50,000 federal civil service positions as political appointments, allowing mass termination of career employees.
Trump promises a second term focused on immigration and nationalism – as well as revenge and retribution (The Conversation) - Trump vows mass deportations, expanded fossil fuel production, and retaliation against opponents while asserting US authority over Panama Canal in his proposed second-term agenda.
Trump Pulls U.S. Out of Paris: Cutting “U.S. Climate Leadership Adrift” (NRDC) - President Trump's withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement jeopardizes global climate initiatives and America's stake in the $2 trillion clean energy market.
Trump signs order to withdraw US from Paris climate agreement for second time (The Guardian) - President Trump has signed an executive order to withdraw the United States from the Paris climate agreement, triggering a one-year exit process from the global treaty.
Trump threatens a global trade war. Europe must unleash a radical alternative | Gabriel Zucman (The Guardian) - Economist Gabriel Zucman urges Europe to counter trade war threats by taxing undertaxed foreign firms and billionaires based on their market access.
Trump to Exit Paris Agreement (ESGToday) - President Trump pledges to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement again, promising to dismantle Biden's EV mandates and clean energy policies if elected in 2024.
Trump vows to ‘unleash’ oil and gas drilling as he rolls back climate rules (The Guardian) - President Trump declares energy emergency, signing orders to boost fossil fuel production and LNG exports while dismantling climate rules on his first day in office.
Trump Waged a Multi-Front Blitz on EVs (Heatmap News) - Former President Trump signed executive orders targeting Biden-era emissions rules and California's regulatory powers while making unsubstantiated claims about electric vehicle mandates.
Trump Will Resume LNG Export Approvals (NRDC) - President Trump orders resumption of liquefied natural gas export approvals, despite warnings from environmental groups about climate impacts and fossil fuel expansion.
Trump’s Inhumane Executive Orders Targeting Immigrants Threaten All Communities and Civil Rights (LCV) - New executive orders targeting immigrants and birthright citizenship face mounting opposition amid warnings they endanger civil liberties for all Americans.
Trump’s Wrong Turn on Wind Energy (NRDC) - The White House has suspended wind power leasing on federal lands while fast-tracking fossil fuels, ignoring wind's 10 percent share of U.S. energy production and its 131,000-strong workforce.
U.S. Federal Reserve Leaves Climate Risk-Focused Central Bank Coalition (ESGToday) - The U.S. Federal Reserve has withdrawn from a global climate-focused banking coalition, stating the group's activities now extend beyond its authorized scope.
U.S. LNG Sales To Ukraine Transform Global Energy Picture (Forbes) - American liquefied natural gas exports to Ukraine, following Kyiv's termination of Russian transit deals, signal a pivotal shift in European energy markets and Moscow's diminishing regional influence.
Understanding international agreements: Non-binding vs. legally binding Explained (UN) - International agreements fall into two categories - non-binding political frameworks like the Stockholm Declaration and legally binding treaties requiring formal ratification, according to UN experts.
US Expands UFLPA Entity List By 37, Including JA Solar Subsidiary (TaiyangNews) - US authorities have added 37 companies, including JA Solar's Donghai subsidiary, to the UFLPA Entity List amid concerns over forced labor practices in China's Xinjiang region.
US Treasury’s Additional Guidance On Clean Energy Credits (TaiyangNews) - The US Treasury has expanded clean energy tax credit guidance to include new cost percentages for domestic solar wafers while adding clarity on retrofits, carports, and floating solar installations.
We Won’t Back Down For People or the Planet (Stand.earth) - Environmental advocates Stand.earth vow to maintain opposition against Trump's climate policies, citing their track record of protecting communities and ecosystems through grassroots activism.
Welcome to Inauguration Day (Heatmap News) - In a stark policy contrast, Trump readies 100 executive orders targeting climate policy, while the outgoing Biden team finalizes $96.7B in clean energy grants.
What does Trump's second term mean for the climate? (DW) - Trump's agenda targets environmental rollbacks through fossil fuel expansion, clean energy cuts, and climate skeptic appointments, with minimal pushback anticipated before 2026.
What Trump's EPA pick, Lee Zeldin, would mean for climate (DW) - Trump's pick for EPA chief, Lee Zeldin, aims to dismantle Biden's climate policies despite acknowledging climate change, drawing criticism for his pro-fossil fuel stance and anti-regulation history.
Wildfire Rebuilds Are an Opportunity to Build More Resilient and Sustainable Homes. But That Comes With Controversy (Inside Climate News) - Communities devastated by wildfires in Colorado and LA face mounting pressure to choose between swift reconstruction and costlier sustainable building codes aimed at future protection.
Renewables
Amazon hits 600 wind/solar projects; GE Vernova secures 1GW wind repowering; JA Solar's 1.25GW Egypt deal; Qcells patent disputes; Google's 724MW Oklahoma solar; NSW expands to 7.7GW renewable zone; Germany reaches 99GW solar capacity
Amazon Claims Title of “Largest Corporate Purchaser of Renewable Energy Globally” for Fifth Year (ESGToday) - Amazon's renewable energy portfolio now encompasses more than 600 wind and solar projects worldwide, producing enough electricity to power 8.3 million American homes.
Astronergy Presents Efficient One-stop Service at the Executive Solar Dialogues in Nigeria (TaiyangNews) - Astronergy showcased its one-stop solar services at Nigeria's AFSIA dialogue, as Africa's solar capacity surged by 3.7GW in 2023.
Central-West Orana REZ Expands Renewable Energy Potential to 7.7 GW (TaiyangNews) - New South Wales has expanded its Central-West Orana renewable energy zone to accommodate 7.7 GW of clean power projects, more than doubling its original 3 GW target.
China Solar PV News Snippets: GSC & BNEF At TaiyangNews Webinar & More (TaiyangNews) - Leading Chinese solar manufacturers predict steep profit declines as polysilicon prices fall, while industry experts prepare to discuss market dynamics at upcoming webinar.
DAS Solar's Flexible Mounting System Unlocks Diverse Innovative Application Scenarios (TaiyangNews) - DAS Solar's mounting system enables installations spanning up to 40 meters across mountains, fish ponds, and highways while maintaining high wind resistance.
DR Laser’s ‘Breakthrough’ LIB For 0BB & XBC Manufacturing (TaiyangNews) - DR Laser's new bonding technology slashes silver usage to 80-90mg in solar modules while boosting bifaciality by more than 10%.
Europe Solar PV News Snippets: Zelestra Bags Avery Dennison As Corporate Offtaker & More (TaiyangNews) - European solar deals surge as Zelestra secures Avery Dennison for 44 MW Spanish plant, while GoldenPeaks acquires 400 MW in Poland and Arctech develops 125 MW in Bosnia.
Fortescue-backed concentrated solar hydrogen tech graduates to pilot phase (RenewEconomy) - Mining giant Fortescue will invest $1.48M in a pilot plant to test solar-powered water splitting for hydrogen production, with completion expected by mid-2025.
GE Vernova says it has more than 1 GW of orders to repower US wind farms (RenewEconomy) - GE Vernova has secured orders exceeding 1GW to repower US wind farms through 2027, promising to triple capacity while using 25% fewer turbines.
GE Wind Repowering Scheme Puts Wind Whiners To Bed (CleanTechnica) - Wind farm upgrades by GE Vernova and others are transforming America's aging turbines into higher-capacity installations, bypassing new construction hurdles while using existing sites.
Germany Installed 1.44 GW New Solar PV Capacity In December 2024 (TaiyangNews) - Germany's solar capacity surged by 1.44 GW last month, pushing 2024's installations to 16.18 GW and lifting the nation's total installed capacity to 99.19 GW.
Google Signs PPAs for Energy From Oklahoma Solar Projects (POWER) - Tech giant Google secures 724 MW of Oklahoma solar power through agreements with Leeward Renewable Energy, including 372 MW near its Pryor data centers.
Ideal Deposition Roots For SALD For Perovskite Solar Cells (TaiyangNews) - Ideal Deposition's SALD technology enables rapid, large-scale production of perovskite solar cells, surpassing traditional ALD methods in speed and coverage area.
JA Solar Signs 1.25GW Module Deal with CEEC to Supply Africa's Largest PV-Storage Project (TaiyangNews) - Chinese solar giant JA Solar will supply 1.25GW of n-type modules to Egypt's largest solar-plus-storage project, set to power 500,000 homes and reduce carbon emissions by 1 million tonnes yearly.
PERC Technology’s Declining Share In TOP SOLAR MODULES Listing (TaiyangNews) - PERC technology's dominance in leading solar modules fell from 44% to 38% as manufacturers pulled 5 products to embrace newer alternatives.
Presidential Executive Orders Threaten Energy Affordability, Energy Reliability, and Jobs (Advanced Energy United) - Executive orders halting offshore wind projects and clean energy investments imperil a $25-billion industry that employs 4 million Americans across 40 states.
Proposed wind farm joins tussle for spot in Victoria’s north, near new transmission line (RenewEconomy) - A 136MW wind farm proposed near Kerang by WestWind Energy becomes the third such project planned alongside transmission upgrades, with 17 turbines set to operate by 2028.
Qcells Launches Drive Against LECO Technology Patent Infringement (TaiyangNews) - South Korean solar giant Qcells has issued patent infringement notices to global manufacturers over unauthorized use of its LECO cell technology, following its 2023 acquisition from Cell Engineering.
Residential solar and storage for free? Here’s how it’s possible (Renewable Energy World) - Texas homeowners can now receive free solar panels and batteries by joining a virtual power plant network and paying 12¢/kWh through SOLRITE Energy and sonnen's new program.
Solar Energy Technology Is Going “Perovskite” (EnergyCentral) - Scientists report perovskite solar cells now convert sunlight to electricity at 34.6% efficiency, outperforming silicon's 24.1%, with global installations expected to reach 85 GW annually by 2035.
Three ways to assess how Liverpool’s tidal energy plan will affect the environment (The Conversation) - Scientists are using predictive modeling, uncertainty exploration, and adaptive monitoring to gauge environmental effects of Liverpool's proposed Mersey tidal energy scheme.
Trump Orders End to All Wind Energy Permits (Heatmap News) - President Trump halts all new federal wind energy permits and launches review of existing leases through executive order that could terminate current projects.
Transport
EV sales surge 30% globally as Tesla opens in Philippines; KEMPOWER deploys 350kW chargers at London port; Stellar Aircraft develops hydrogen jet; EU maritime regulations drive clean fuel adoption
4 EV and Defense Battery Trends for 2025 (Addionics) - Global electric vehicle sales are set to surge 30% next year as battery innovations in solid-state technology, dry coating, and military applications gain momentum.
Buckle Up for a ‘Weird Moment’ in the U.S. Electric Vehicle Market, Even as Global Sales Have Soared (InsideClimateNews) - Global EV sales surged 25% to 17.1 million units in 2024, with China's 40% growth leading the way, while U.S. sales increased 7.3% to 1.3 million despite Tesla's decline.
Economic Value of Methanol (Energy Central) - Maritime fuel penalties in the EU will surge from €39 per tonne to €1,997 by 2050, driving adoption of bio- and e-methanol across the shipping sector.
Electric Straddle Carriers (Energy Central) - Finnish firm KEMPOWER will supply 350kW ultra-fast charging systems to KALMAR, enabling 45-minute charging of electric straddle carriers during shift breaks at London Gateway Port.
Hydrogen | Stellar Aircraft (Energy Central) - A new hydrogen-powered business jet from Stellar Aircraft aims to transform the sustainable aviation market.
Nanotechnology in EV Batteries: Paving the Way for Sustainable Energy (Energy Central) - Scientists report nanotechnology breakthroughs in EV batteries could deliver tenfold energy density increases, rapid charging capabilities, and extended battery life through advanced nanomaterial applications.
New EU maritime regulations set course for sector decarbonisation (EnergyInst) - Maritime operators must switch to low-carbon fuels and clean technologies as EU regulations aim to slash shipping emissions starting January 2025.
Philippines President Opens Tesla Service Center (CleanTechnica) - President Marcos Jr. opened Tesla's first Philippine service center in Manila, emphasizing incentives to reach a 50% electric vehicle market share by 2040.
Shipping and climate change: We need to think short-term and move beyond fuels (Tyndall Centre) - Urgent efficiency upgrades and ship design changes, not fuel alternatives, are vital for shipping to meet IMO's 2030 climate targets, new research shows.
Survey finds Canadians overwhelmingly support building Arctic infrastructure (The Conversation) - Amid mounting climate concerns, a new survey shows up to 80 percent of Canadians nationwide strongly back Arctic infrastructure projects, particularly water and transportation initiatives.
Trump revokes Biden order that had set 50% electric vehicles target for 2030 (The Guardian) - Former President Trump overturns Biden's executive order targeting 50% electric vehicle sales by 2030, pledging support for traditional gas-powered car manufacturers.
Trump signs executive order to reverse Biden’s electric vehicle policies (The Verge) - Former President Trump signs orders blocking Biden administration's electric vehicle incentives and emission rules, which currently affect 56% of new car sales nationwide.
UK charging firm warns over changes to electric car sales amid ‘difficult’ market (The Guardian) - Pod Point reports 12% revenue decline amid weak electric vehicle demand, as the charging firm cautions that proposed changes to zero-emission mandates could destabilize the UK market.
Ultra-Fast Chargers For Electric Straddle Carriers Coming To London Gateway Port (CleanTechnica) - Finnish charging specialist Kempower will deploy Europe's first 500A ultra-fast charging system at London Gateway port, slashing electric straddle carrier charging times to just 45 minutes.
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