Good and Bad News, Faster and Faster

Acceleration continues on all fronts, good and bad.

Scientists have discovered that glacial melt rivers and groundwater springs are transporting large volumes of methane from beneath the ice to the atmosphere; it's a previously unrecognized process they call Glacial Fracking.

To make matters worse, the Trump administration has invoked its 'energy emergency' declaration to expedite 688 fossil fuel project permits, bypassing environmental reviews of wetlands and waterways.

But There's Also Good News

But progress on energy efficiency continues as well: The Ashland Oregon City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to pass a policy incentivizing all-electric new home construction, thanks to the work of youth organizers from the Rogue Climate Action Team. In Texas, an important distributed energy virtual power plant pilot is being upleveled to the state level. And utility companies around the country are increasingly hiring Chief AI Officers and embedding AI throughout their processes.

I've been making edits to the Earth Catalyst home page and recently added this context: 2025 is probably the slowest, simplest period of time any of us will ever see again in our lives.

Today's news really makes me feel that.

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

-Marshall Kirkpatrick

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

 

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

• A Visual of the Day

• A digest-style Table of Contents for 184 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

Banking's New Climate Metric

Bloomberg's new analysis tracks how Wall Street's biggest banks are financing low carbon vs fossil fuels energy. This makes a useful retort whenever a bank says "we're financing so much clean energy!" These ratios look pretty dismal to me, both directionally and in absolute terms.

Today's Updates

Table of Contents

• Agriculture (6 stories) - Soil health strategies, cold climate agroforestry, EU farm policy shifts, seaweed-seagrass conflicts, plant stress memory findings, and University of Michigan's mariculture optimization research

  
  

• Carbon (15 stories) - Climeworks DAC removes 6,000+ tons with TikTok partnership; Stanford's mineral-based capture breakthrough; Arctic glacial methane releases; global ice loss hits 273B tons yearly; peatlands store record carbon levels

  
  

• Circular (6 stories) - Battery decommissioning complexities, plastic packaging recovery advances, EU textile recycling fees, student composting programs, and Venice waste-to-fashion art

  
  

• Ecosystems (14 stories) - From Easter Island tree revival and Lake Ontario insights to Greenland's dark algae spread, while endangered species face threats in Tasmania and Vietnam amid rising tourism pressures in Thailand

  
  

• Efficiency (7 stories) - Octopus Energy's zero-bill homes, Orange County's AI fire detection, KKR-EGC heating upgrades, and New Orleans' smart LED streetlights lead efficiency innovations

  
  

• Finance (10 stories) - CDP reports $86B city climate needs, African green finance growth, HSBC delays net-zero goals, Pacific gets $107M tuna grant, Bloomberg launches energy finance metric, US banks exit Net Zero Banking Alliance

  
  

• Grid (17 stories) - Virtual power plants expand in Texas, UK and Australia add major battery storage, utilities embrace AI leadership roles, while research shows US grid ready for data center growth and flexible loads

  
  

• Indigenous (4 stories) - Cofán leader's Amazon legacy, Tribal Clean Energy Alliance's sovereignty work, Mi'kmaw water agreement, and Indigenous songwriters' Earth Day collaboration

  
  

• Industry (22 stories) - Major investments in steel and battery manufacturing with ARENA's $30M to VSPC and Australia's $2.4B Whyalla package, while EU cleantech declines; Tongwei, SPIC Solar, and TrinaTracker expand operations; Terra CO2 and Vema Hydrogen secure funding for emissions reduction tech

  
  

• Policy (51 stories) - Trump orders FERC/EPA control, EU's CSRD mandates 50,000 companies' environmental reporting, lawsuits challenge offshore drilling expansion, Ohio solar support study, Trump's Project 2025 climate rollbacks

  
  

• Renewables (15 stories) - China, India lead 81% global floating solar share; Germany hits 100GW capacity; Invenergy-Verizon expand to 640MW; Lightsource bp secures 1.3GW deals; JinkoSolar tops 502GW module shipments

  
  

• Transport (17 stories) - BYD, Kia, VinFast and Hyundai launch new EVs; Geely tops China sales; Nikola files bankruptcy; EVIQO debuts home chargers; NYC fights for congestion pricing; Washington targets ship emissions

Agriculture

Soil health strategies, cold climate agroforestry, EU farm policy shifts, seaweed-seagrass conflicts, plant stress memory findings, and University of Michigan's mariculture optimization research

• A pathway to strengthening soil health in drylands for resilience, productivity, and sustainability (CGIAR) - Global experts outline comprehensive strategies for improving dryland soil health through water management, targeted monitoring, and sustainable farming practices to support 2 billion people.

• Cold Climate Syntropic Agroforestry (Propagate) - Cold climate syntropic agroforestry adapts tropical farming techniques using grass mulch and strategic tree placement to create sustainable food forests in northern regions.

• EU overhaul of farming strategy ignores vital green proposals, campaigners warn (The Guardian) - EU's new farming strategy promises reduced regulations and import competition while ignoring key environmental proposals, drawing criticism from green groups.

• Expanding seaweed farms pose a risk to vital marine life (The Conversation) - Research warns seaweed farming expansion threatens seagrass ecosystems and marine biodiversity despite industry growth and conservation support.

• How plants are able to remember stress without a brain (The Conversation) - Scientists discover plants use epigenetic changes and soil-based chemical signals to remember and defend against environmental stresses without neural systems.

• We can farm more seafood while minimizing its impact on biodiversity (ScienceDaily) - University of Michigan research shows mariculture production can increase up to 2.36-fold while reducing environmental impact by 30.5% through strategic farm placement.

Carbon

Climeworks DAC removes 6,000+ tons with TikTok partnership; Stanford's mineral-based capture breakthrough; Arctic glacial methane releases; global ice loss hits 273B tons yearly; peatlands store record carbon levels

• 'Glacial fracking': A hidden source of Arctic greenhouse gas emissions (ScienceDaily) - Arctic glaciers release significant methane through 'glacial fracking' process as meltwater transports trapped gas from beneath ice to atmosphere, potentially accelerating global warming.

• A Guide To Developing a Comprehensive Carbon Accounting Plan (RyeStrategy) - New guide outlines comprehensive carbon accounting plan for SMBs to track emissions, set goals, and meet growing client sustainability requirements.

• Captured content: Climeworks inks carbon removal deal with TikTok (BusinessGreen) - TikTok and British rum maker Two Drifters partner with Climeworks to remove over 6,000 tons of CO2 from atmosphere through direct air capture technology.

• Earth is warming, so why is it so cold? (DW) - Arctic warming disrupts polar vortex patterns, causing severe winter storms across North America despite global temperature rise.

• February 2025: Virginia Project Update (Planetary Technologies) - Carbon removal project in Halifax achieves 138-tonne reduction while expanding operations to Norfolk's Elizabeth River treatment plant.

• Global retreat of glaciers has strongly accelerated (ScienceDaily) - Global glaciers lost 273 billion tonnes of ice annually since 2000, with European Alps showing fastest melt rate at 39% loss.

• How satellites revolutionised climate change science (The Conversation) - Satellites revolutionized climate science by enabling precise global monitoring of sea levels, ice sheets, and atmospheric changes, transforming data collection from years to instant measurements.

• Investigating the real price of Congo’s gold (Mongabay) - Congo's Sangha region sees massive gold mining expansion undermining carbon sequestration efforts and destroying local ecosystems despite REDD+ conservation program.

• Melting glaciers caused almost 2cm of sea level rise this century, study reveals (The Guardian) - Global glaciers lost 6.542tn tonnes of ice between 2000-2023, causing 18mm sea level rise and threatening water supplies for 2 billion people.

• New process gets common rocks to trap carbon rapidly, cheaply (ScienceDaily) - Stanford scientists develop energy-efficient process using common minerals to capture atmospheric CO2 thousands of times faster than natural weathering.

• Only 17% of peatlands, vital to curbing climate change, are protected, study finds (Mongabay) - Only 17% of world's peatlands are protected despite storing more carbon than all forests combined, new global mapping study reveals.

• Tell California leaders: No more giveaways for Big Oil through Cap and Trade (The Climate Center) - California activists urge state leaders to eliminate billion-dollar Cap and Trade allowances benefiting oil companies during 2025 program review.

• The Carbon Copy: What we do next (Carbon180) - New studies confirm Earth will exceed 1.5°C warming target, emphasizing urgent need for emissions cuts and large-scale carbon removal alongside political coalition building.

• TikTok and Two Drifters partner with Climeworks (Climeworks) - TikTok and Two Drifters Distillery partner with carbon removal firm to extract 6,100+ tons of CO2 through direct air capture and nature-based solutions by 2030.

• What do Enhanced Rock Weathering and Coca-Cola have in common? Both have Life Cycle Assessments. (InPlanet) - Life Cycle Assessment study reveals enhanced rock weathering process emits 18.25 kg CO2 per ton of basalt applied, crucial data for carbon credit verification.

Circular

Battery decommissioning complexities, plastic packaging recovery advances, EU textile recycling fees, student composting programs, and Venice waste-to-fashion art

• Battery energy storage system decommissioning and end-of-life planning: Why care today? (RenewableEnergyWorld) - Battery storage system decommissioning requires complex $6M process including safety protocols, logistics planning, and recycling considerations for 120MW facilities.

• Closed Loop Partners Unveils Groundbreaking Findings on Small-Format Packaging Recovery, Advances Collaboration with Major Brands for New Industry Consortium to Reduce Plastic Waste (Closed Loop Partners) - New research shows potential to recover thousands of tons of small-format plastic packaging through recycling facility upgrades, leading to launch of industry consortium.

• EU Lawmakers Agree to New Rules Requiring Fashion Brands to Pay to Recycle Clothes (ESGToday) - EU lawmakers mandate fashion brands to pay for textile recycling with fees based on product sustainability and circularity.

• Los estudiantes innovan por la sostenibilidad en Wenatchee High School (SustainableNCW) - Wenatchee High School students lead successful waste reduction initiatives through composting program and reusable lunch tray reintroduction.

• Students Innovate for Sustainability at Wenatchee High School (Sustainable NCW) - Wenatchee High School students lead successful waste reduction initiatives through composting program and reusable lunch tray reinstatement.

• Upcycling Venice’s Forgotten Treasures Into High Fashion (Atmos) - Photographer and stylist transform Venice's discarded materials including fishing nets, ropes, and Murano glass into avant-garde fashion pieces.

Ecosystems

From Easter Island tree revival and Lake Ontario insights to Greenland's dark algae spread, while endangered species face threats in Tasmania and Vietnam amid rising tourism pressures in Thailand

• ‘The last plant left’: can Rapa Nui’s extinct tree be resurrected? (The Guardian) - Scientists attempt to resurrect extinct Easter Island tree using newly-discovered symbiotic bacteria, with 33 saplings now growing in local nursery.

• Climate change is threatening Lake Ontario — lessons from the Little Ice Age show us why we need to adapt (The Conversation) - Historical study of Lake Ontario during Little Ice Age reveals adaptation patterns crucial for addressing modern climate threats.

• Conserving land in wealthy countries may be making things worse somewhere else. (Anthropocene) - Research reveals wealthy nations' conservation efforts inadvertently drive biodiversity loss in developing countries through international trade displacement.

• Four seals die on Norfolk coast after contracting bird flu (The Guardian) - Four seals at England's largest colony die from bird flu at Norfolk coast, raising concerns about disease spread among marine mammals.

• Resilient algae may speed up Greenland ice melt (ScienceDaily) - Greenland ice algae's newly-discovered nutrient storage abilities could accelerate ice sheet melting by enabling wider colonization and surface darkening.

• Spread of Dark Algae Could Hasten Melt of Greenland Ice Sheet (Yale E360) - Dark algae spreading across Greenland's ice sheet can survive in nutrient-poor conditions, accelerating ice melt and potentially creating a self-sustaining cycle of melting.

• Thanks to HBO, everyone wants a White Lotus getaway. Can Thailand handle it? (Grist) - Thailand braces for White Lotus tourism surge while implementing environmental safeguards after previous TV-induced overtourism damaged Maya Bay ecosystem.

• The Maugean skate could be extinct in 10 years – and as usual Albo is making it worse | First Dog on the Moon (The Guardian) - Rare Maugean skate faces extinction within decade due to environmental pressures in Tasmania, with criticism of Australian government response.

• University of Potsdam (UP) (University of Potsdam) - New study finds smaller glacial lake floods pose widespread threat despite focus on larger melting glaciers.

• Can a new DNA test save the world’s rarest turtle? (Mongabay) - Scientists develop portable DNA test kit to detect critically endangered Yangtze softshell turtle in Vietnam's lakes, hoping to find unknown females to prevent species extinction.

• Release of New Film on the Gallatin Range (The Wildlife News) - New documentary film explores conservation challenges and protection needs of Montana's Gallatin Range wilderness area.

• Researchers eye marsupial recovery with first IVF kangaroo embryo (Mongabay) - Australian researchers create world's first IVF kangaroo embryo, aiming to protect endangered marsupial species.

• What a more sustainable tourism industry could look like (Grist) - Thailand's Koh Samui island grapples with overtourism impacts as HBO's White Lotus sparks new wave of visitors, highlighting need for sustainable tourism practices.

• Guest post: How the global ‘water gap’ will grow under climate change (Carbon Brief) - Study projects global water shortages to increase by 15% under 3C warming scenario, with India facing largest gaps.

Efficiency

Octopus Energy's zero-bill homes, Orange County's AI fire detection, KKR-EGC heating upgrades, and New Orleans' smart LED streetlights lead efficiency innovations

• 'Zero Bills': Octopus and gs8 break ground on latest green housing development (BusinessGreen) - Octopus Energy and gs8 begin construction of 113 'Zero Bills' homes in Essex development designed to eliminate energy costs for residents.

• 17-Year-Old Ryan Honary Deploys AI-Powered Wildfire Sensor With OC Fire Authority (Earth.org) - California teen's AI-powered wildfire detection system deployed with Orange County Fire Authority can detect fires as small as one square foot before they spread.

• How to prevent renewable energy assets from becoming liabilities (RenewableEnergyWorld) - AI and Asset Lifecycle Management systems help prevent renewable energy infrastructure from becoming costly liabilities through predictive maintenance and automated monitoring.

• KKR Backs Energy Service Provider EGC to Decarbonize Real Estate (ESGToday) - KKR partners with German energy service provider EGC to decarbonize real estate heating systems, targeting 2 million square meters of property across 800 heating units.

• New Infographics, Infrastructure, Hiring, and More! (Acadia Center) - New England energy efficiency programs delivered $55 billion in lifetime benefits from 2012-2023, creating 160,000 jobs and reducing CO2 emissions equivalent to removing 33 million cars.

• SwitchedOn Podcast Summer Series: How I electrified (RenewEconomy) - Australian podcast series showcases four homeowners who successfully electrified their homes, reducing costs and emissions while achieving energy independence.

• Ameresco Awarded New Streetlighting Retrofit Pilot Project for the City of New Orleans (Ameresco) - New Orleans launches 56-fixture smart LED streetlight pilot project near Superdome, incorporating real-time analytics and safety monitoring capabilities.

Finance

CDP reports $86B city climate needs, African green finance growth, HSBC delays net-zero goals, Pacific gets $107M tuna grant, Bloomberg launches energy finance metric, US banks exit Net Zero Banking Alliance

• CDP: Global cities need $86bn investment to deliver climate-related infrastructure projects (BusinessGreen) - Cities worldwide require $86 billion investment for climate infrastructure projects, including adaptation and low-carbon initiatives, according to CDP report.

• How Green Finance Has Transformed Africa’s Industrial Growth Over 20 Years (EnergyDigest) - African green finance study shows 20-year transformation of industrial growth through eco-friendly investments despite receiving only 3% of global climate funding.

• HSBC net zero goal delayed 20 years, as CEO offered 600% bonus (The Guardian) - HSBC delays net zero emissions target from 2030 to 2050 while offering CEO 600% salary bonus amid weakened environmental commitments.

• HSBC Pushes Back Net Zero Goals by 20 Years (ESGToday) - HSBC delays net-zero emissions goals from 2030 to 2050, citing slow global decarbonization progress and technological limitations.

• News spotlight: Climate change is coming for Pacific tuna (Conservation International) - $107 million grant to help Pacific island nations track and adapt to climate-driven tuna migration threatening their economies and food security.

• Ratio Rundown: Unpacking banking’s newest climate metric (EDF+Business) - Bloomberg's new Energy Supply Finance Ratio metric measures banks' clean energy vs fossil fuel financing to track climate transition progress.

• The climate crisis is a cost of living issue for Australia. My generation will be the first to pay for it | Anjali Sharma (The Guardian) - Young Australian activist explains how climate change directly drives up living costs through impacts on food production, housing, and insurance.

• The world’s biggest climate finance coalition is in crisis. Is it worth saving? (Climate Home News) - Major US banks exit UN-backed Net Zero Banking Alliance amid political pressure, reducing coalition's assets by 25% and sparking debate over its future direction.

• Energy Risk USA (Energy Central) - Major energy risk management conference set for May 2025 at Houston's Westin Galleria to discuss future of energy markets.

• South Pole Appoints Dara Olufon as Co-Head of its Global Climate Advisory Business (ESGToday) - South Pole appoints former McKinsey partner Dara Olufon as Co-Head of Global Climate Advisory to advance energy transition strategies and climate solutions.

Grid

Virtual power plants expand in Texas, UK and Australia add major battery storage, utilities embrace AI leadership roles, while research shows US grid ready for data center growth and flexible loads

• 100MW/331MWh Bramley Energy Storage Project in the UK Now Operational, Thanks to BW ESS and Sungrow (TaiyangNews) - UK's Bramley battery storage project achieves commercial operation with 100MW/331MWh capacity, enhancing grid stability and renewable energy integration.

• 30 Bonneville Power workers get jobs back amid hundreds of layoffs and buyouts (RenewableEnergyWorld) - Trump administration reverses 30 critical worker layoffs at Bonneville Power amid concerns over grid reliability and increased blackout risks.

• As Texas’ energy demand soars, a pilot program looks to bolster grid with “virtual power plants” fueled by people’s homes (RenewableEnergyWorld) - Texas pilot program tests "virtual power plants" by connecting home solar panels and batteries to state grid, offering residents bill credits while bolstering grid resilience.

• Big batteries are booming – and finding their place in an evolving energy market (RenewEconomy) - Large-scale battery storage facilities across Australia's National Electricity Market see increased revenue and price-setting influence in 2024, with arbitrage overtaking FCAS as primary revenue source.

• Duke Researchers: Grid Flexibility Key to Accommodate Load Growth (Duke University) - Research shows US power grids could integrate 76-126GW of new data center loads through flexible curtailment strategies requiring only 0.25-1% downtime annually.

• How about understanding Energy System Integration ESI as a basic energy ? (EnergyCentral) - Energy expert advocates for Energy System Integration (ESI) as fundamental approach to balance local resource availability, storage capabilities, and cross-landscape energy distribution.

• How utilities are designing and embedding AI operating models (Latitude Media) - Major utilities are restructuring leadership and teams around AI integration, creating Chief AI Officer roles and cross-functional pods while expanding specialized AI positions.

• LiveEO | Meet us at the Future of Utilities: Energy Transition Summit 2025 (LiveEO) - Satellite-based vegetation management company to showcase AI-powered grid monitoring solution at Amsterdam utilities summit in March 2025.

• Texas regulators move virtual power plant pilot development to ERCOT (Utility Dive) - Texas shifts virtual power plant pilot program management to ERCOT stakeholder process, with current capacity at 25.5 MW of energy and 20 MW of reserve services.

• The US grid has significant flexible load potential, finds Duke study (RenewableEnergyWorld) - Duke University study finds US grid could integrate 76-126GW of new flexible load with minimal curtailment across major balancing authorities.

• Trickle recharging using a combination of pumped hydro and battery storage can get rid of gas (RenewEconomy) - Hybrid system combining pumped hydro and battery storage can eliminate need for gas backup through trickle recharging strategy, offering 7GW power capacity and 370GWh storage.

• UK Takes Off The Clean Energy Gloves, Claps Back At US (CleanTechnica) - UK energy storage firm Invinity launches global flow battery initiative while defending nation's clean energy leadership against US criticism.

• Virtual power plant boosts Texas grid (Canary Media) - Texas pilot program combines residential solar, batteries, EVs and smart thermostats into virtual power plant to support state grid stability.

• Nokia Bell Labs (Nokia Bell Labs) - Research lab examines network resilience challenges during extreme weather events in new technical paper.

• Essential Power Backup For Winter Storms & More (CleanTechnica) - BLUETTI unveils range of portable power stations with capacities from 768Wh to 4,812.8Wh for winter storm backup and off-grid power needs.

• How to reduce large load speculation? Standardize the interconnection process. (Utility Dive) - Experts propose standardizing large-load interconnection processes to combat speculative behavior and streamline grid connection requests.

• Iowa utility files plans for hundreds of megawatts of new solar, gas generation (RenewableEnergyWorld) - MidAmerican Energy files plans to build 800MW solar project and 465MW gas-fired power plant in Iowa to meet growing energy demand while maintaining low rates.

Indigenous

Cofán leader's Amazon legacy, Tribal Clean Energy Alliance's sovereignty work, Mi'kmaw water agreement, and Indigenous songwriters' Earth Day collaboration

• Randy Borman (1955-2025): An unlikely guardian of the Amazon rainforest (Mongabay) - Randy Borman, American-born leader of Ecuador's Cofán people, dies at 70 after securing over 1 million acres of Amazon rainforest for Indigenous control and conservation.

• The Energy Optimist Episode 8: In Our Lifetime: Tribal Energy Sovereignty and Equity (The Energy Optimist) - Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy founder details organization's work to achieve energy sovereignty and equity for Native American tribes facing severe electricity access and affordability challenges.

• Weso’tmk Samqwan Incorporated signs agreement with Government of Canada to establish Mi’kmaw-led water services in New Brunswick (Canada.ca) - Mi'kmaw organization Weso'tmk Samqwan signs landmark agreement with federal government to take control of water services for First Nations communities in New Brunswick.

• Creation's Song (Creation Justice Ministries) - Eight songwriters collaborate to create "Creation's Song" at Sister Grove Farm, blending diverse musical talents for Earth Day Sunday worship resources.

Industry

Major investments in steel and battery manufacturing with ARENA's $30M to VSPC and Australia's $2.4B Whyalla package, while EU cleantech declines; Tongwei, SPIC Solar, and TrinaTracker expand operations; Terra CO2 and Vema Hydrogen secure funding for emissions reduction tech

• Albanese pledges $2.4 billion to rescue Whyalla and Australia’s green steel ambitions (RenewEconomy) - Australian PM pledges $2.4B rescue package for Whyalla Steelworks to preserve domestic steel production and enable transition to green manufacturing.

• Arena backs Australian factory featuring “breakthrough” in battery storage powders (RenewEconomy) - ARENA grants $30M to Queensland battery company VSPC for demonstration factory producing breakthrough cathode powder technology for EV and grid batteries.

• China Solar PV News Snippets: Tongwei Leads Sichuan PV Technology Innovation Center & More (TaiyangNews) - Tongwei leads new Sichuan PV Technology Innovation Center establishment while multiple Chinese solar companies announce major business developments in manufacturing and infrastructure.

• Cleantech Reality Check: revitalising manufacturing in Europe (SYSTEMIQ) - EU cleantech manufacturing faces decline across batteries, green steel, and electrolysers despite critical role in energy independence and industrial competitiveness.

• Diageo to pour millions into electrification of Cameronbridge Distillery (BusinessGreen) - Diageo investing millions to electrify Scotland's Cameronbridge Distillery, aiming to cut 33,000 tonnes of annual CO2 emissions from spirits production.

• Feds Approve Another Deepwater Oil Export Terminal Off Texas (Inside Climate News) - Trump administration approves second Texas deepwater oil export terminal capable of loading 1 million barrels daily, expanding US fossil fuel export capacity despite climate concerns.

• Greenland’s rapidly melting ice and landslide-prone fjords make the oil and minerals Trump covets dangerous to extract (The Conversation) - Greenland's melting ice, unstable geology, and climate risks pose severe hazards to Trump's proposed mineral and oil extraction plans.

• Heliene and Origami Solar Announce Multi-Year Agreement to Provide Steel-Framed PV Modules, Advancing Solar Industry Domestic Content, Sustainability and Value (Heliene) - North American solar manufacturer partners with Origami Solar to produce US-made steel-framed solar modules, reducing costs and emissions while strengthening domestic supply chain.

• Hydrogen Players Praise Tax Breaks (InterContinentalEnergy.com) - Major hydrogen producers and mining companies welcome Australian government's new $2/kg green hydrogen tax credit aimed at boosting production through 2040.

• Ingka Investments Invests In Sustainable Silicon Producer (TaiyangNews) - Ingka Investments commits €2 million to GREEN14's sustainable silicon production facility in Sweden, using hydrogen plasma technology to reduce emissions by 95% compared to traditional processes.

• Register today for the 2025 ARPA-E Energy Innovation Summit! (ARPA-E) - 2025 Energy Innovation Summit to showcase 400+ breakthrough energy technologies and connect 2,800+ innovators from 48 states at Maryland conference.

• Sellafield nuclear site taken out of special measures for physical security (The Guardian) - UK nuclear regulator removes Sellafield site from special physical security measures while cybersecurity concerns persist at world's largest plutonium storage facility.

• SPIC: Migrating To TBC (TaiyangNews) - SPIC Solar transitions from p-poly IBC to TBC cell technology, achieving 26.08% mass-scale efficiency in new ANDROMEDA 3.0 module series.

• Terra CO2 Raises $82 Million to Scale Low Carbon Cement Technology (ESGToday) - Terra CO2 secures $82M Series B funding to scale production of low-carbon cement alternative that reduces CO2 emissions by 70% compared to traditional Portland cement.

• The Wheels Are Falling off Alberta’s Gas-Powered AI Data Centre Proposal (DeSmog) - Alberta's $70B gas-powered AI data center project faces collapse amid market disruption, Indigenous opposition, and political scandal.

• Three Innovative Energy Trends for 2025 (EnergyCentral) - Three major energy trends for 2025 - lithium iron phosphate batteries, green hydrogen fuel, and small modular nuclear reactors - projected to see significant market growth and technological advancement.

• TrinaTracker Announces 3 GW Saudi Arabia Factory (TaiyangNews) - Chinese solar giant TrinaTracker launches 3GW solar tracker manufacturing plant in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, set to begin operations Q1 2025 serving Middle East and Africa markets.

• Trump threatens to disrupt the world’s critical minerals supply – but there are reasons to be positive (The Conversation) - Trump's potential disruption of critical minerals supply faces limitations due to US market strength, China's dominance in clean tech, and global energy transition momentum.

• US defense think tank warns of China’s grip over Indonesian nickel industry (Mongabay) - US defense think tank reveals Chinese companies control 75% of Indonesia's nickel refining capacity, raising environmental and strategic concerns.

• Vema Hydrogen Raises $13 Million for Solution to Produce Clean Hydrogen Underground at Under $1/KG (ESG Today) - Cleantech startup Vema Hydrogen raises $13M to develop underground hydrogen production technology promising sub-$1/kg clean hydrogen using stimulated geologic processes.

• Unibio CEO: ‘We have the most efficient reactor design for gas fermentation’ (AgFunderNews) - Danish biotech Unibio claims most efficient gas-to-protein reactor design with U-Loop technology, secures $70M Saudi investment for methane fermentation.

• New WWU research on cannabis-based treatments for autism, epilepsy (Western Today) - WWU researcher receives $400,000 NIH grant to study cannabis-based treatments for autism and epilepsy, focusing on CBD and terpenes while excluding THC.

Policy

Trump orders FERC/EPA control, EU's CSRD mandates 50,000 companies' environmental reporting, lawsuits challenge offshore drilling expansion, Ohio solar support study, Trump's Project 2025 climate rollbacks

• ‘I have unprintable thoughts’: Trump asserts control over independent regulatory agencies including FERC, EPA (RenewableEnergyWorld) - Trump signs executive order asserting White House control over independent regulatory agencies including FERC and EPA, threatening agency autonomy.

• A Top Federal Prosecutor Resigned Over the EPA’s Climate Fund Freeze (Heatmap News) - Senior federal prosecutor Denise Cheung resigns after refusing Trump administration's demand to investigate EPA climate grants.

• As Indonesia, US back away from climate goals, hopes fade to retire coal plants early (Mongabay) - Indonesia and US retreat from Paris Agreement commitments threatens $20 billion coal plant retirement program and clean energy transition goals.

• Beyond COP, former UN climate chief talks nuance, optimism on Mongabay podcast (Mongabay) - Former UN climate chief Christiana Figueres discusses Paris Agreement's economic impact and maintains optimism despite COP29 criticism.

• C'est quoi la CSRD ? [Julien Denormandie, Chief Impact Officer chez Sweep] (Sweep) - EU's Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) to require 50,000 companies to report standardized environmental and social performance metrics.

• Climate advocacy groups file two lawsuits against Trump administration (The Guardian) - Climate advocacy groups file lawsuits challenging Trump administration's offshore drilling expansion orders in first environmental legal battles of second term.

• Debunking rural solar opposition (Canary Media) - Study reveals rural Ohio residents largely support solar projects, contradicting claims of widespread opposition to large-scale installations.

• Developing world urges rich nations to defy Trump’s ‘climate nihilism’ (The Guardian) - Developing nations call on wealthy countries to counter Trump's climate stance by increasing emissions cuts and climate finance ahead of Brazil's Cop30.

• Does the colour of your skin make you more vulnerable to climate change? (Greenpeace) - Communities of color and marginalized groups face disproportionate climate change impacts due to existing systemic inequalities and limited adaptation resources.

• Energy crisis: UK has spent £140bn on fossil gas since 2021 (BusinessGreen) - UK government has spent £140bn on wholesale gas since 2021, £90bn more than pre-crisis levels, highlighting costly fossil fuel dependence.

• Environmental Groups Sue to Block Trump’s Repeal of Offshore Drilling Protections (NRDC) - Environmental groups sue to block Trump's executive order revoking Biden-era protections for 625 million acres of ocean from offshore drilling.

• European energy and agriculture investments in Middle East and North Africa risk replicating extractive neocolonial harms of Big Oil and Big Ag, warns Greenpeace report (Greenpeace) - European green energy and agriculture investments in North Africa perpetuate neocolonial resource extraction while failing to benefit local communities, new report finds.

• Finding beauty in a broken world (High Country News) - Former sustainability executive reflects on environmental movement's shift from government regulation to corporate voluntary action, arguing that modern environmentalism's reliance on business solutions has become complicit in climate inaction.

• Groups File First Environmental Lawsuit Vs. New Trump Administration (League of Conservation Voters) - Environmental groups file first lawsuit against Trump administration challenging executive order to revoke Biden-era offshore drilling protections.

• Hills of Gold wind farm stuck in federal green queue as Plibersek delays decision for second time (RenewEconomy) - Australian environment minister delays approval decision for 372MW Hills of Gold wind farm project in NSW for second time, pushing deadline to March 2024.

• How to Talk to Your Friendly Neighborhood Public Utility Regulator (Heatmap News) - Public utility commissions emerge as critical battleground for U.S. energy policy amid rising utility costs and infrastructure decisions affecting 1% of GDP.

• How US Federal Spending Reductions Threaten Our Food, Water, And Health (CleanTechnica) - Trump administration's federal spending cuts threaten food safety inspections, water quality monitoring, and public health programs while expanding corporate tax breaks.

• It takes an ecosystem (Woodwell Climate) - Climate research organization's CEO emphasizes crucial role of federal science agencies in advancing environmental research and providing essential data resources.

• Japan disregarded widespread calls to raise its 2035 emissions goal (Climate Change News) - Japan submits delayed 2035 emissions target of 60% reduction, ignoring widespread public calls for higher ambition despite criticism from environmental groups.

• Kaine, Heinrich, and Environmental Leaders Hold Press Conference on Trump’s War on Affordable, American-Made Energy (LCV) - Senators Kaine and Heinrich lead press conference opposing Trump's executive orders targeting renewable energy support and environmental protections, warning of job losses and increased energy costs.

• Lawmakers, advocates introduce legislation to protect Californians from hazardous ‘forever chemicals’ in drinking water (EWG) - California lawmakers introduce bill requiring state-level drinking water standards for PFAS chemicals, aiming to protect 12 million residents from toxic exposure regardless of federal policy.

• Leaked emails show the nation’s leading wildlife agency has halted critical funding for conservation (ClimateDesk) - US Fish and Wildlife Service emails reveal freeze on millions in critical conservation funding, threatening international wildlife protection efforts.

• Lethal Greed: How Corporate Manipulation of Science and Regulation Makes People Sick (Inside Climate News) - UCSF launches research center to study how corporations manipulate science and regulations to hide health impacts of chemicals, fossil fuels and processed foods.

• LiveEO | Webinar: EUDR: Un approccio completo alla conformità con la direttiva UE sulla deforestazione (LiveEO) - Italian webinar offers comprehensive guidance on EU deforestation regulation compliance, featuring geolocation data tools and expert insights from LiveEO and BDO partners.

• Louisiana Gas Export Terminal Gets Key Approval to Move Ahead (Inside Climate News) - Trump administration grants first conditional LNG export permit to Commonwealth terminal in Louisiana despite environmental concerns and projected consumer cost increases.

• Most in US worry about global warming — but their votes tell a different story (Floodlight) - Despite 73% of Americans believing in global warming and half experiencing its effects, voters continue electing climate-skeptic politicians due to competing priorities and partisan messaging.

• Navigating corporate sustainability under the Trump administration (Greenplaces) - Trump administration's Project 2025 threatens to roll back federal climate initiatives and funding, while states and global markets maintain pressure for corporate sustainability.

• New Poll Finds Broad Support for Conservation and Action on Climate Change Across the West (Inside Climate News) - New poll shows 72% of Western state voters prefer conservation over oil drilling on public lands, marking highest support in 15-year survey history.

• Outrage as Trump cites ‘emergency’ to fast-track fossil fuel projects (The Guardian) - Trump administration invokes 'energy emergency' to expedite 688 fossil fuel project permits, bypassing environmental reviews of wetlands and waterways.

• Peter Dutton’s nuclear accounting trick #2: Pretend petrol and gas are free (RenewEconomy) - Liberal-National Party's nuclear energy cost analysis omits $345 billion in consumer petroleum costs while comparing power system scenarios.

• POW POV: Surviving the Avalanche in DC (Protect Our Winters) - Environmental advocacy group shifts strategy to community-based climate action amid challenging political climate in Washington DC.

• Presenting Climate at the Border - Apply to secure your spot (Covering Climate Now) - Free bilingual training program launches to help US-Mexico border journalists report on climate change's regional impacts, migration patterns, and inequalities.

• Reflecting on Haiti’s Resilient Spirit in 2025 (UUSC) - Haitian leaders discuss nation's humanitarian crisis amid gang violence displacing 700,000 people and leaving 5.4 million food insecure, while emphasizing diaspora solidarity and resilience.

• The Colorado River [Resilient and Healthy River Series] (EESI) - Federal briefing addresses Colorado River's severe water stress and conservation strategies, emphasizing tribal-government collaboration for sustainable water management across seven western states.

• The Nation Must Quickly Course Correct (United Women in Faith) - Religious organization condemns administration's rollback of civil rights, climate commitments, and immigration policies, urging return to justice-focused governance.

• Trump Moves to Kneecap Independent Agencies (NRDC) - Trump executive order aims to restrict independent agencies' authority to act independently of presidential control, threatening regulatory oversight across multiple sectors.

• Trump Order Fast-Tracks Projects That Would Damage Wetlands, Environmental Groups Say (InsideClimateNews) - Army Corps fast-tracks 600+ wetland permits under Trump energy emergency order, including oil pipelines and mining projects that threaten critical waterways.

• Trump’s Grand Energy Plans Still Have to Survive Congress (Heatmap News) - Trump administration's aggressive climate program rollbacks face potential congressional resistance due to Republican districts benefiting from existing clean energy funding.

• Two in five scientists in our survey reported harassment and intimidation. Often, the perpetrators are inside the institution (The Conversation) - Survey of 2,000 scientists reveals 41% faced harassment or intimidation, with most threats coming from within institutions, particularly affecting climate scientists and women.

• UN Climate Weeks to restart with new focus on fast-tracking negotiations (Climate Change News) - UN Climate Weeks to resume in 2025 with streamlined format focusing on accelerating climate negotiations and national commitments in Global South.

• United Women in Faith: Responding With Action to a Changing World (United Women in Faith) - Faith-based organization outlines action plan focusing on mass incarceration reform, climate justice, and immigrant rights protection through religious-guided advocacy.

• Victory for youth organizers: Ashland unanimously passes youth-led policy to incentivize all-electric new homes (Rogue Climate) - Ashland City Council unanimously passes youth-led policy incentivizing all-electric new home construction, set to take effect January 2026.

• Virginia Legislators Pushing to Use Taxpayer Funds for Natural Gas Projects (InsideClimateNews) - Virginia legislators propose $22.4 million in taxpayer funds for natural gas infrastructure projects to support data centers and poultry processing facilities.

• Virginia Legislators Pushing to Use Taxpayer Funds for Natural Gas Projects (InsideClimateNews) - Virginia legislators propose $22.4 million in taxpayer funds for natural gas infrastructure projects to support data centers and poultry processing facilities.

• Walk the Talk: Supporting Science in the Global South (CGIAR) - African scientists face systemic barriers in climate research with only 16% of top development journal articles authored by Global South researchers, despite growing calls for localization.

• Watchdog rules “clean gas” claims from Gina Rinehart company are false, misleading (RenewEconomy) - Australian advertising watchdog rules Hancock Prospecting's "clean gas" claims in recruitment advertisement were false and misleading.

• We Haven’t Lost Hope, and Neither Should You: Moms Make News (Moms Clean Air Force) - Environmental advocacy group continues fight against Trump-era EPA rollbacks while opposing new natural gas plants and defending clean energy funding.

• Meet the scientists that edit Wikipedia in their spare time (Nature) - Scientists volunteer their expertise to edit Wikipedia articles, improving scientific accuracy and bridging partisan divides through collaborative knowledge sharing.

• Racial Justice Time Line now in Spanish, Korean, English (United Women in Faith) - Organization releases racial justice timeline in Spanish, Korean, and English to expand accessibility of historical civil rights information.

• What YIMBYs are learning from their victories across the country (Volts) - YIMBY housing advocates across US share successful strategies for passing state-level housing reforms, including YIGBY bills and transit-oriented development.

• Why a professional ski mountaineer ran for a Senate seat (Yale Climate Connections) - Professional ski mountaineer Caroline Gleich runs for Utah Senate seat to spotlight climate change impacts after witnessing melting glaciers and shrinking snowpack firsthand.

Renewables

China, India lead 81% global floating solar share; Germany hits 100GW capacity; Invenergy-Verizon expand to 640MW; Lightsource bp secures 1.3GW deals; JinkoSolar tops 502GW module shipments

• Asia leads on floating solar  (Cipher) - Asia leads global floating solar development with 81% market share as land scarcity and government support drive rapid adoption across China, India, South Korea and Taiwan.

• Assigning You to a Solar Farm (Nexamp) - Solar company explains multi-month process of allocating customers to solar farms based on usage patterns and farm availability, involving land leasing, construction, and utility approvals.

• Germany Officially Exceeds 100 GW Cumulative Solar PV Capacity (TaiyangNews) - Germany surpasses 100 GW total solar capacity milestone after adding 1.12 GW in January 2025, requiring 1.61 GW monthly installations to meet 2030 target.

• How refugee entrepreneurs are supplying sustainable energy to the camps they live in (The Conversation) - Refugee entrepreneurs establish sustainable energy businesses within camps worldwide, providing solar solutions and electricity services to displaced communities.

• How we're driving China's clean energy boom | New Energy Nexus China (New Energy Nexus) - China leads global clean energy expansion with 60% capacity growth through 2030, as organization bridges Chinese startups with international resources and markets.

• Invenergy, Verizon Expand PPAs for Solar Power (PowerMag) - Invenergy and Verizon expand solar power purchase agreements to 640MW across four states, bringing their total partnership to over 1GW.

• Lightsource bp confirms PPAs totalling 1.3GW in 2024 (BusinessGreen) - Lightsource bp secures 10 power purchase agreements across three continents totaling 1.3GW of renewable energy capacity in 2024.

• New Perovskite-Based Back Contact Solar Cell With Up To 12.8% Efficiency (TaiyangNews) - UK researchers develop perovskite-based back contact solar cells achieving 12.8% efficiency using roll-to-roll production, eliminating rare earth metals.

• New wind projects propel Sunshine state to new milestone, and avoid clash with solar (RenewEconomy) - Queensland hits new wind power milestone of 1GW as MacIntyre and Clarke Creek wind farms boost state's renewable energy capacity during commissioning phase.

• Rooftop solar: A ray of light at a cloudy time for renewables? (Environment America) - Despite federal policy setbacks, rooftop solar remains a crucial renewable energy solution with potential to produce 45% of U.S. electricity needs through residential and commercial installations.

• Rural Ohioans support this solar project (Canary Media) - Rural Ohio community shows 80% support for proposed utility-scale solar project in public comments, countering anti-solar narratives.

• Top 10 Solar Module Manufacturers Ship 502 GW In 2024 (TaiyangNews) - Global top 10 solar module manufacturers shipped 502 GW in 2024, led by JinkoSolar, marking 22% YoY growth but slower than 2023's 78% surge.

• Trinasolar Receives World’s First UL 61730 2000V Certification for 210R Modules (TaiyangNews) - Trinasolar's 210R solar modules become first to receive UL 61730 2000V certification, promising enhanced efficiency and safety for utility-scale projects.

• We Need To Keep Our Eye on the Ball to Save the Planet (CleanTechnica) - Stanford professor argues world must focus on proven wind, water, and solar solutions rather than unproven technologies like carbon capture or nuclear to address climate crisis, air pollution, and energy security.

• DAS Solar Energizes Poland with Its Innovative N-Type Portfolio at ENEX 2025 (TaiyangNews) - DAS Solar showcases advanced N-type solar modules at Poland's ENEX 2025, targeting growing residential market with high-efficiency black-framed and back-contact designs.

Transport

BYD, Kia, VinFast and Hyundai launch new EVs; Geely tops China sales; Nikola files bankruptcy; EVIQO debuts home chargers; NYC fights for congestion pricing; Washington targets ship emissions

• BYD Disrupts Philippine Pickup Truck Market With Electrified Shark 6 DMO (CleanTechnica) - BYD launches electrified Shark 6 DMO pickup truck in Philippines with 321 kW output and 29.58 kWh battery, marking first major electric entry in country's pickup segment.

• Can Kia EV4 Help Kia Become A Top 10 EV Auto Brand Globally? (CleanTechnica) - Kia aims to enter top 10 global EV brands with upcoming EV4 model launch, building on success of EV6 and EV9 models despite fierce competition from Chinese manufacturers.

• China Dominates Global EV Industry (CleanTechnica) - China dominates global EV industry with BYD leading sales and controlling battery supply chain through raw materials, refinement, and manufacturing capabilities.

• EVIQO Level 2: Reliable Home EV Charging Solutions (CleanTechnica) - EVIQO launches advanced Level 2 home EV chargers with industry-leading 25-foot cables, smart features, and up to 48-amp charging capability.

• Exclusive: Nearly Half of Voters Say Elon Is Turning Them Off Tesla (Heatmap News) - New poll shows 45% of likely US voters less inclined to purchase Tesla vehicles due to Elon Musk's behavior and political activities.

• February 2025 Newsletter: Alaska’s future, Washington’s ports and the fight for clean air (Pacific Environment) - Washington state lawmakers propose bill requiring docked ships to use shore power instead of fossil fuels to reduce port emissions and improve air quality in nearby communities.

• Fortescue sees billion dollar windfall from electric truck deal, but Trump throws spanner into green timelines (RenewEconomy) - Fortescue expects $1.6B revenue from electric mining truck deal while Trump presidency threatens green project timelines.

• Geely & Xiaomi Shine In China — January EV Sales Report (CleanTechnica) - Geely surpasses BYD in January Chinese auto sales with 198,000 units, marking 43% year-over-year growth while most competitors declined.

• Nikola Bankruptcy Just Part Of Crumbling Of Hydrogen For Transportation (CleanTechnica) - Nikola Motors files for bankruptcy amid broader collapse of hydrogen transportation sector, marking latest casualty in hydrogen vehicle industry's downward spiral.

• Pacific Environment launches clean shipping advocacy in Japan (Pacific Environment) - Environmental NGO expands clean shipping advocacy to Japan, targeting maritime decarbonization through port initiatives and industry partnerships.

• Predoctoral Researcher for Low Carbon research line (BC3) - Basque research center seeks PhD researcher to study electric vehicle adoption patterns and policy impacts across Spain and EU, focusing on socioeconomic barriers to clean vehicle ownership.

• The MTA Is Going to Court to Defend Congestion Pricing (Heatmap News) - New York's MTA files lawsuit to block Trump administration's attempt to terminate Manhattan's $9 congestion pricing program.

• Trump Administration Tries to Red Light NYC’s Congestion Pricing Project: “They Cannot Slam the Brakes on This Program” (NRDC) - Trump administration attempts to halt NYC's six-week-old congestion pricing program designed to reduce Manhattan traffic and fund transit improvements.

• Trump Administration’s Reckless Action Targets Successful Congestion Pricing Program (EDF) - Trump administration moves to rescind federal approval of NYC's successful congestion pricing program, threatening traffic reduction and clean air gains.

• Vehicle Emissions May Decline Despite Slow EV Adoption (EnergyCentral) - US vehicle emissions projected to decline naturally due to market forces and policy changes, despite slower-than-expected EV adoption rates.

• VinFast Launches VF 3 Mini-SUV In Indonesia, As It Also Debuts In India (CleanTechnica) - Vietnamese automaker VinFast launches affordable VF 3 mini-SUV in Indonesia at $14,000 with free charging incentives, while simultaneously debuting larger VF 6 and VF 7 models in India.

• Hyundai Ioniq 5 Updated, Upgraded, & Upfitted (CleanTechnica) - Hyundai updates 2025 Ioniq 5 with larger battery packs, improved range up to 318 miles, new XRT off-road variant, and NACS charging compatibility.