Head and Heart Appeals: We're Doing It, It's Happening

From energy risk management firm DNV's remarkable short firm The Great Energy Transition: A Future Worth Building

We've already started, the train is leaving the station: Smart people are already doing great work that's head and heart oriented. It's already impacting the corporate world in big, exciting ways. Check out these two projects out this week that make a great combo to motivate dramatic change.

We're in a multi-factor mess and it's going to take a multi-faceted strategy to get through it. Today I want to share two very different approaches that I think work really well together. First, a striking appeal to emotion from risk management firm DNV in their new video  The Great Energy Transition: A Future Worth Building. It's a great example of marketing as a higher-level call to action. Well done! I highly recommend watching it for a glimpse of a hopeful future.

On the flip side, though equally urgent, and equally focused on technology that already exists but in desperate need of dramatic scaling: RMI's detailed analysis of the new 2.0 draft from the Science Based Targets initiative regarding carbon dioxide removal. As RMI explains "SBTi is one of the most influential sources of guidance for voluntary corporate action on climate and clean energy. At the time of publication, 7,425 companies have SBTi-approved targets. In 2023, companies with SBTi-approved targets and commitments represented 39 percent of global market capitalization."

The short version is: SBTi is moving to require, in order to get its seal of approval, accelerated, meaningful investment in pulling greenhouse gasses out of the air and storing them in effective, long-term storage facilities. RMI says this will be a meaningful demand signal that will drive more investment in carbon dioxide removal technology.

Good news from an analytical perspective, good communications from a heart-based perspective. It's going to take all of that and more. It's a good thing we've already started.

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

Today's Updates

Table of Contents

• Agriculture (6 stories) - Innovative terracing, cultivated meat breakthroughs, and honeybee crisis mark global agricultural resilience amid climate challenges

  
  

• Carbon (7 stories) - Eion's $33M carbon removal deal, SBTi's CDR guidance, and UN studies expose methane underreporting in coal mines amid Verra's carbon credit auditor suspensions

  
  

• Circular (7 stories) - Biotech and ZymoChem drive sustainable materials innovation, transforming food waste, seaweed, and textiles into circular economy solutions across cosmetics, apparel, energy, and recycling sectors.

  
  

• Ecosystems (17 stories) - Innovative conservation strategies span global ecosystems, from urban forests and jaguar habitats to marine environments, driven by strategic partnerships, technological tracking, and community-led restoration efforts

  
  

• Efficiency (10 stories) - AI and Data Analytics Drive Efficiency Innovations in Energy, Mining, and Building Decarbonization

  
  

• Finance (5 stories) - Akuo Energy acquisition by Ardian, Fidelity's €110M climate real estate fund, and New York's market-driven emissions reduction highlight sustainable finance innovations

  
  

• Grid (23 stories) - AI-Powered Grid Innovations: Drax, Schneider, Hitachi, and Heimdall Drive Intelligent Energy Infrastructure Transformation

  
  

• Indigenous (8 stories) - Indigenous sovereignty, media empowerment, and environmental justice through tribal resistance against mining, pipeline, and industrial threats across North America and global Indigenous movements

  
  

• Industry (12 stories) - Hydrogen engines, low-carbon cement, electric steel, and sulfur batteries drive industrial decarbonization efforts across manufacturing, energy, and transportation sectors

  
  

• Policy (50 stories) - Nationwide Climate Protests Spark Policy Battles Across State Legislatures, International Forums, and Judicial Arenas

  
  

• Renewables (22 stories) - Solar Milestones Surge: California Grid Breakthroughs, Global Expansion with LONGi, Jinko ESS, and International Collaborations Driving Renewable Energy Transformation

  
  

• Transport (17 stories) - BYD Overtakes Tesla, E-Bikes Rise, and Global EV Infrastructure Expands with AI-Enhanced Mobility Solutions

Agriculture

Innovative terracing, cultivated meat breakthroughs, and honeybee crisis mark global agricultural resilience amid climate challenges

• Photos: Ethiopian farmers blend tradition, innovation to sustain centuries-old agriculture (Mongabay) - Ethiopian farmers in Konso highlands adapt centuries-old terracing techniques with innovative strategies to combat climate change and sustain agricultural heritage.

• Farmers are reeling from Trump’s attacks on agricultural research (Grist) - Trump administration's funding freeze threatens critical agricultural research grants, disrupting farmer-led sustainability and climate adaptation projects.

• These vegan meat brands taste almost as good as the real thing. Taste tests prove it. (Grist) - Blind taste tests reveal top vegan meat brands now nearly indistinguishable from animal products, offering promising climate-friendly alternatives.

• US honeybee deaths hit record high as scientists scramble to find main cause (Guardian) - US honeybee colonies suffer record 60% winter loss, threatening agricultural pollination and raising urgent scientific concerns about ecosystem health.

• Bridging the gender gap in maize breeding: A call for inclusive agricultural research in Nigeria (CGIAR) - Nigerian maize breeding research calls for gender-inclusive approach to improve agricultural productivity and seed adoption.

• Exclusive: Aleph Farms lands $29m to commercialize lower-cost whole-cut cultivated steak (AgFunderNews) - Aleph Farms secures $29 million to advance lower-cost cultivated whole-cut steak technology with optimized production process.

Carbon

Eion's $33M carbon removal deal, SBTi's CDR guidance, and UN studies expose methane underreporting in coal mines amid Verra's carbon credit auditor suspensions

• Enhanced rock weathering startup Eion secures $33m carbon removal offtake deal with Frontier (AgFunderNews) - Enhanced rock weathering startup Eion secures $33M carbon removal deal with Frontier, partnering with Growmark to apply olivine on farmland for CO2 sequestration.

• Proposed Guidance for Corporates Explores the Role of Carbon Removal in Reaching Net Zero (RMI) - Science Based Targets initiative proposes new corporate guidance for integrating carbon dioxide removal to address residual emissions in net-zero strategies.

• Methane from giant Queensland coal mine could be eight times more than reported, says new study (RenewEconomy) - Queensland coal mine's methane emissions could be eight times higher than Glencore's official reporting, reveals UN-backed study.

• Carbon credit auditors suspended for failures in sham rice-farming offsets (Climate Change News) - Verra suspends four carbon credit auditors for failing to detect integrity issues in Chinese rice-farming offset projects.

• Glencore's Hail Creek coalmine methane emissions could be higher than official reports – video (Guardian) - UN-backed research suggests Glencore's Hail Creek coalmine methane emissions are 3-8 times higher than official reports.

• Methane emissions from Queensland mine may be gross underestimates, UN research finds (Guardian) - UN research suggests Queensland coalmine methane emissions may be three to eight times higher than officially reported.

• Decarbonizing the Supply Chain: Why market-based solutions are key to meeting 2030 targets (3Degrees) - Market-based solutions emerge as critical strategy for companies to effectively decarbonize complex supply chains and meet 2030 emissions targets.

Circular

Biotech and ZymoChem drive sustainable materials innovation, transforming food waste, seaweed, and textiles into circular economy solutions across cosmetics, apparel, energy, and recycling sectors.

• Upcycling in Beauty: Unlocking New Possibilities for Sustainable Cosmetic Ingredients (NoPalm Ingredients) - Biotech startup transforms food industry side streams into sustainable cosmetic oils through fermentation, reducing emissions by up to 90% and land use by 99%.

• Lululemon Partners with Biotech Company ZymoChem to Scale Use of Sustainable Materials in Products (ESG Today) - Lululemon partners with ZymoChem to develop sustainable, bio-based nylon with near-zero CO2 emissions for high-performance apparel.

• UPM – We renew the everyday (UPM) - Pioneering renewable material solutions to decarbonize value chains and transform industries through innovative, sustainable technologies.

• From foul to fuel: how a seaweed problem could power the Caribbean (Guardian) - Grenada transforms invasive sargassum seaweed into a multibillion-dollar opportunity for clean energy, bioplastics, and agricultural fertilizer.

• Guide to organizing a kid’s clothing swap (Environment America) - Community-driven clothing swap offers sustainable solution to children's fast-growing wardrobe needs while reducing textile waste.

• UPM – We renew the everyday (EN sub) (UPM) - Pioneering renewable materials to decarbonize value chains and transform industries through innovative, sustainable solutions.

• New Data Reveals High Quantities of Food-Grade Polypropylene in Recycling Facilities, Identifying Opportunities for Increased Material Recovery (Closed Loop Partners) - AI-powered analysis reveals high volumes of food-grade polypropylene in recycling facilities, offering new insights for material recovery.

Ecosystems

Innovative conservation strategies span global ecosystems, from urban forests and jaguar habitats to marine environments, driven by strategic partnerships, technological tracking, and community-led restoration efforts

• Kia Protecting Freshwater in USA (CleanTechnica) - Kia partners with The Nature Conservancy to invest $3 million in freshwater conservation across the United States, targeting river, lake, and wetland ecosystem protection.

• African forum on urban forests calls for greater access to green spaces (Mongabay) - African Urban Forest Forum calls for equitable green spaces and climate resilience in rapidly growing African cities.

• Ambitious conservation projects pave the way for Argentina’s jaguar recovery (Mongabay) - Argentina launches groundbreaking jaguar conservation efforts through GPS tracking, genetic diversity initiatives, and wild-to-wild translocation to restore populations in Gran Chaco region.

• Secondary roads cause more deforestation than primary roads in tropical forests (Mongabay) - Secondary roads in tropical forests cause exponentially more deforestation than primary roads, with Brazilian Amazon experiencing 305 times more forest loss.

• How animals shape the planet in surprising ways (The Conversation) - Diverse animal species from tiny ants to elephants act as powerful landscape engineers, reshaping Earth's surface with energy equivalent to massive river floods.

• Mulheres restauram florestas e vidas: conheça histórias de luta de coletoras de sementes (ISA) - Women seed collectors in Brazil drive ecological restoration, economic empowerment, and community resilience across five biomes through sustainable seed collection networks.

• David Myers, conservationist and land broker for nature, dies at 73 (Mongabay) - Conservationist David Myers transformed land preservation by strategically acquiring over 2.3 million acres through business-like negotiation, turning potential development sites into protected wilderness.

• Deep-sea mining threatens sea life in a way no one is thinking about − by dumping debris into the thriving midwater zone (The Conversation) - Deep-sea mining threatens fragile midwater ecosystems by potentially releasing sediment plumes that could disrupt marine life and food webs in poorly understood oceanic zones.

• Mysterious foam on South Australian beaches caused by bloom of tiny but toxic algae (Guardian) - Toxic algae bloom Karenia mikimotoi caused mysterious sea foam and marine life deaths on South Australian beaches, leading to health concerns for over 100 surfers.

• A Colorado couple invested in wildfire protection for their home. It paid off. (Yale Climate Connections) - Colorado homeowners successfully protect their house from wildfire through proactive prevention strategies recommended by Wildfire Partners.

• I’m a vet for bees – I think I might be the only one in the US (Guardian) - First US bee veterinarian highlights critical challenges facing honeybee and wild bee populations amid increasingly erratic climate conditions.

• Climate change spikes wildfire risk in Sri Lanka (Mongabay) - Climate change intensifies wildfire risks in Sri Lanka, with human activities and invasive species escalating forest destruction and biodiversity loss.

• How Peruvian cockfighters could tip the scales for endangered sawfish (Mongabay) - Peruvian cockfighters' demand for sawfish teeth spurs threatens critically endangered largetooth sawfish population despite conservation efforts.

• Drowned lands and poisoned waters threaten Peru’s campesinos and their livestock (Mongabay) - Peru's Lake Chinchaycocha faces ecological and human crisis as mining, dam operations, and contamination devastate campesino communities and native ecosystems.

• Decoding the Astonishing Secret Languages of Animals (Atmos) - Scientists discover complex communication systems in animals, challenging long-held beliefs about language being unique to humans.

• Hotter weather threatens heart health, Australian study warns (Mongabay) - Australian study warns rising temperatures could double heart disease burden by 2050 without emissions reduction and heat adaptation.

• Surgically implanted tags offer rare insight into rehabilitated sea turtles (Mongabay) - New England Aquarium's surgically implanted acoustic tags reveal survival and migration patterns of rehabilitated loggerhead sea turtles along the U.S. East Coast.

Efficiency

AI and Data Analytics Drive Efficiency Innovations in Energy, Mining, and Building Decarbonization

• Are We Smart Enough to Curb AI’s Environmental Impacts? (Climate One) - AI's massive energy and water demands threaten sustainability goals, with data center consumption projected to double or triple in three years, raising urgent environmental concerns.

• Pathway to Net Zero Carbon for Buildings: Insights from Greg Bolino (HData) - Building decarbonization requires rapid retrofitting of existing structures, leveraging AI and data analytics to transform the least digitized asset class with significant market potential.

• Making sense of the energy information haystack with AI (Latitude Media) - AI-powered Halcyon Alerts help energy professionals efficiently navigate complex utility commission data and regulatory filings.

• TED Talk with MineSense: Why are we sending critical metals to the dump? (Evok Innovations) - MineSense CEO reveals how AI and data can reduce metal waste in mining, driving more sustainable critical metal extraction.

• DOE withdraws, postpones multiple appliance energy efficiency rules (Utility Dive) - DOE withdraws and postpones multiple appliance energy efficiency standards, citing consumer choice and reduced regulatory burden.

• Ductless vs. Ducted Heat Pumps: Which One Is Right for You? (Neeeco) - Homeowners can choose between ducted and ductless heat pumps based on existing infrastructure, comfort preferences, and energy efficiency goals.

• Building performance standards set to proliferate, evolve in 2025 (Utility Dive) - Smaller cities are increasingly adopting building performance standards to reduce energy use and advance climate action, with Evanston, Illinois leading the way in 2025.

• Lumi AI nets $3.7m to unlock supply chain insights with natural language prompts, led by AgFunder (AgFunderNews) - Lumi AI secures $3.7M seed funding to develop AI-powered supply chain analytics platform enabling natural language data insights.

• How Aeroseal Helps Contractors and Builders Meet Building Codes (and Why It’s Better Than Traditional Methods) (Aeroseal) - Advanced duct-sealing technology enables contractors to efficiently meet complex building codes and performance standards across multiple energy efficiency certifications.

• Ameresco Partners with City of Hurst, Texas to Replace Aging Water Meter Technology and Improve Efficiency (Ameresco) - City of Hurst partners with energy solutions provider to upgrade water meter technology, enhancing water conservation and customer transparency.

Finance

Akuo Energy acquisition by Ardian, Fidelity's €110M climate real estate fund, and New York's market-driven emissions reduction highlight sustainable finance innovations

• HeavyFinance Appoints a New Head of Lending (HeavyFinance) - Climate tech firm appoints Marek Kujawa as new Head of Lending to advance sustainable agricultural finance.

• Consumers’ Energy Costs Are Low from Private Sector Energy Markets, a New Report Finds (CleanTechnica) - Competitive electricity markets in New York deliver 35% lower consumer costs, accelerated emissions reduction, and substantial economic benefits compared to utility-owned generation.

• Fidelity International Raises Over $330 Million for Climate-Focused Real Estate Fund (ESG Today) - Fidelity International secures €110 million for climate-focused real estate logistics fund targeting net-zero property refurbishments across Western Europe.

• Ardian Acquires French Renewable Energy Company (TaiyangNews) - Ardian acquires French renewable energy company Akuo Energy, aiming to expand its 1.9 GW capacity to 5 GW by 2030 through strategic investment.

• Global Market Insights Report (3Degrees) - Global Market Insights Report offers comprehensive worldwide climate updates covering electricity markets, policy developments, and renewable energy trends across multiple sectors.

Grid

AI-Powered Grid Innovations: Drax, Schneider, Hitachi, and Heimdall Drive Intelligent Energy Infrastructure Transformation

• Drax agrees £200m deal for UK battery storage investor Harmony Energy Income Trust (BusinessGreen) - Drax acquires Harmony Energy Income Trust's 395MW UK battery storage portfolio for £200m to expand flexible generation capabilities.

• Schneider Electric unveils the ‘future of energy intelligence’ at DISTRIBUTECH (Renewable Energy World) - Schneider Electric launches AI-powered One Digital Grid Platform to enhance grid resiliency, reliability, and efficiency at DISTRIBUTECH 2025.

• Newest collaboration between Hitachi Energy and AWS targets cloud-based grid solutions (Renewable Energy World) - Hitachi Energy and AWS partner to deploy AI-driven cloud solutions for predictive grid vegetation management and infrastructure reliability.

• Election Watch: The grid doesn’t need more gas to go clean; beer drinkers to pay more tax than gas (RenewEconomy) - Australia's energy transition challenges false narrative of needing new gas fields for grid stability, with budget favoring gas industry over climate action.

• Global energy demand surges in 2024 (GridBeyond) - Global energy demand rises 2.2% in 2024, driven by electricity consumption, renewables, and record solar PV expansion, with low-emissions sources meeting nearly all new power needs.

• GE Vernova tackles grid reliability and digitization challenges at DISTRIBUTECH 2025 (Renewable Energy World) - GE Vernova releases whitepapers addressing grid reliability, cybersecurity, and AI-driven modernization strategies at DISTRIBUTECH 2025.

• Kaluza participates in PG&E’s dynamic pricing pilot launch, expanding Kaluza’s EV managed charging program (Kaluza) - PG&E launches innovative EV charging pilot enabling dynamic pricing, cost savings, and grid optimization through smart charging technology.

• Guest Post: Clean Energy in the Age of AI – Striking the Right Balance (ESG Today) - AI and big data are transforming renewable energy integration, offering smarter grid solutions and accelerating the transition to clean energy infrastructure.

• Want to walk the DTECH show floor without taking steps? (Renewable Energy World) - Virtual DTECH show floor tour offers industry professionals remote access to cutting-edge transmission and distribution technology innovations.

• Heimdall Power shows off its ‘magic ball’ that promises to save the grid (Renewable Energy World) - Heimdall Power introduces 'magic ball' sensor technology that can increase power line capacity by 30-40% using drone-installable grid-enhancing devices.

• Itron, Schneider Electric expand Microsoft collaboration to target complexity at the grid edge (Renewable Energy World) - Itron and Schneider Electric partner with Microsoft to enhance grid intelligence through advanced data integration and AI-powered solutions for utility grid management.

• Renew Home to roll out new VPP features this summer (Utility Dive) - Renew Home to launch advanced virtual power plant features this summer, enabling rapid load shifting and grid optimization across 3 GW of residential energy resources.

• Sense and Landis+Gyr Announce collaboration on 1MHz processing for the Revelo grid sensing platform at DISTRIBUTECH (Renewable Energy World) - Sense and Landis+Gyr collaborate on 1MHz grid sensing platform with advanced AI capabilities for utility grid intelligence.

• “Really terrible:” Bad location could triple cost of pumped hydro project favoured by LNP (RenewEconomy) - Queensland's Borumba Pumped Hydro project faces potential cost tripling due to poor site location, highlighting critical importance of strategic site selection in energy storage infrastructure.

• Span’s new smart electrical panel can plug right into utility meters (Canary Media) - Span launches smart electrical panel that plugs directly into utility meters, offering utilities a cost-effective solution for managing home electrification and grid capacity.

• Scaling DER Deployment via Inclusive Utility Investment: Lessons, Opportunities, and Guidance (SEPA) - Utilities can drive virtual power plant deployment by using inclusive investment models to finance distributed energy resources with no upfront customer costs.

• Beyond Guesswork: New Research Shows the Value of Accurate Battery State of Charge (Powin) - New research reveals precise battery state of charge estimation can significantly improve energy storage system revenue and operational efficiency.

• New England could connect 9.6 GW of offshore wind without new infrastructure: report (Utility Dive) - New England grid can integrate 9.6 GW of offshore wind without major transmission infrastructure upgrades, according to ISO New England analysis.

• Why rolling blackouts are a thing of the past — and why President Trump is wrong on green energy (Utility Dive) - California and Texas demonstrate how battery storage eliminates rolling blackouts and proves renewable energy's reliability and cost-effectiveness, challenging President Trump's fossil fuel narrative.

• More Natural Gas-Fired Plants Planned to Support Ohio Data Centers (Power Mag) - Ohio's New Albany plans multiple natural gas power plants to support growing data center energy demands.

• GridUnity unveils new tool for transmission owners to manage stuffed interconnection queues (Renewable Energy World) - GridUnity launches GridSync software to help transmission owners manage complex grid interconnection queues more efficiently.

• G&W Electric shows off next-gen recloser amongst transmission and distribution solutions at DTECH (Renewable Energy World) - G&W Electric showcases next-generation Viper-ST recloser with enhanced safety features and digital integration at DISTRIBUTECH conference.

• Sense smart meter software gives utilities a real-time look at the grid edge (Renewable Energy World) - Sense smart meter software enables utilities to gain real-time, high-resolution insights into grid performance and home energy consumption through advanced AI-powered meter technology.

Indigenous

Indigenous sovereignty, media empowerment, and environmental justice through tribal resistance against mining, pipeline, and industrial threats across North America and global Indigenous movements

• Rebecca Nagle considers Supreme Court wins and what’s at stake for tribes under Trump (High Country News) - Cherokee journalist Rebecca Nagle explores Supreme Court tribal sovereignty cases, historical injustices, and potential threats to Indigenous rights under a potential Trump administration.

• ‘Protect our future’: Alaskan Indigenous town fights ‘destructive’ uranium mine project (Guardian) - Alaskan Indigenous community of Elim fights uranium mining project that threatens their traditional subsistence lifestyle and local ecosystem.

• What 30 Years of Fighting for Environmental Justice Looks Like in One Community (Inside Climate News) - Little Village's 30-year grassroots battle exposes environmental racism through community-led efforts to combat industrial pollution and health hazards in a predominantly Latino Chicago neighborhood.

• Join us on 4/9! Share Your Story with the Media (Cultural Survival) - Indigenous media training webinar aims to empower leaders in effectively communicating their stories to journalists.

• Dr. Bayo Akomolafe (Wellbeing Project) - Renowned Nigerian philosopher Dr. Bayo Akomolafe emerges as a transformative global intellectual bridging posthumanist thought, indigenous wisdom, and systemic social change.

• The Rise of Fascism and the Indigenous Peoples Response | LIVE Discussion! (Indigenous Climate Action) - Indigenous leaders discuss the rise of fascism, systemic oppression, and ongoing resistance across Turtle Island.

• Tribes no longer cooperating on Line 5 tunnel  (Canary Media) - Six Great Lakes tribes withdraw from Line 5 tunnel environmental review, citing predetermined federal approval.

• CGIAR women support women’s health in Tanzania on International Women’s Day (CGIAR) - Women researchers donate critical medical equipment to improve maternal health and dignity at Tanzanian health center.

Industry

Hydrogen engines, low-carbon cement, electric steel, and sulfur batteries drive industrial decarbonization efforts across manufacturing, energy, and transportation sectors

• Hydrogen Combustion Engine | Cummins - Brunel - Advanced Propulsion (Energy Central) - Cummins leads UK consortium to develop hydrogen combustion engine technology, boosting national self-reliance in emerging hydrogen economy.

• Solving cement’s climate problem (Yale Climate Connections) - Innovative startups are developing low-carbon cement technologies to address the industry's significant 8% global carbon emissions challenge.

• Hyundai to make ‘low-carbon’ steel at $6B plant in Louisiana (Canary Media) - Hyundai plans $6B Louisiana steel plant using electric arc furnace and potentially fossil gas-based process to produce low-carbon steel for automotive manufacturing.

• Guest Lecture: Dr. Richard Vlosky – Cross-Laminated Timber in the U.S. South: Changes in Sector Influence and Sawmill Engagement Over the Past Five Years (SEFS) - Dr. Richard Vlosky explores Cross-Laminated Timber market dynamics and adoption trends in the U.S. South over the past five years.

• Backsheet Component Market – Fluoropolymers To Coatings (TaiyangNews) - Solar backsheet market shifts from fluoropolymers to cost-effective coatings, with non-fluorinated alternatives gaining market dominance.

• Theion Raises €15 Million for Low Cost Alternative to Lithium Batteries (ESG Today) - Theion secures €15 million to develop sulfur-based batteries with lower cost and higher energy density for electric vehicles and aviation.

• Geothermal & Heat Pumps Are Quietly Undermining Fossil Industrial Heat (CleanTechnica) - Geothermal heat pumps emerge as a quiet, cost-effective solution for decarbonizing industrial process heat at low to mid-temperatures.

• Trump’s DOE is reupping Biden-era funding for small modular nuclear reactors (Latitude Media) - Trump's Department of Energy reissues $900-million funding opportunity for small modular nuclear reactors, removing community benefit requirements.

• Powering Progress: Industrial Decarbonization Planning at the State Level (RMI) - States are developing strategic approaches to decarbonize industrial sectors by tailoring policies, leveraging co-benefits, and addressing unique regional manufacturing challenges.

• Fail, Learn, Innovate, Scale, Repeat: Failure as Fuel for Innovation (CGIAR) - Agricultural research community embraces failure as a critical learning tool for driving innovation and scaling impactful solutions.

• U.S. manufacturing energy consumption has continued to increase since 2010 low (EIA) - U.S. manufacturing energy consumption continues upward trend, with natural gas driving increases since 2010 low point.

• Sierra Space Strengthens Partnership with Yuri to Advance Space-Based Medical Research (Sierra Space) - Advancing space-based medical research through expanded partnership with Yuri for innovative biotech experiments in microgravity.

Policy

Nationwide Climate Protests Spark Policy Battles Across State Legislatures, International Forums, and Judicial Arenas

• April 5: hands off our climate and communities (198methods) - Nationwide protests planned on April 5 to resist fossil fuel-driven political agenda and defend climate, community rights.

• This is CDR: 2025 State-Level Carbon Removal Policy Action with Chris Neidl (YouTube - This is CDR) - State legislatures emerge as critical policy arenas for advancing carbon dioxide removal through innovative, complementary legislation beyond federal action.

• How can Article 6 shape the future of forests? #climateaction (UNEP) - Article 6 of Paris Agreement could revolutionize forest carbon markets by establishing complex trading rules that require integrity, transparency, and Indigenous knowledge.

• Government climate pledges and citizen climate support are pulling in opposite directions (Anthropocene Magazine) - Wealthy nations' governments set ambitious climate pledges despite citizens' unwillingness to financially support climate action.

• Is Brazil abandoning its climate promises? (DW) - Despite Lula's climate promises, Brazil is expanding oil exploration and joining OPEC+, potentially undermining its environmental commitments and global climate leadership.

• Can we power both humanity and machines with cheap renewables? (RenewEconomy) - As AI and robots dramatically increase energy demands, experts propose a tiered energy system prioritizing human needs over machine consumption.

• COP30 countdown: Leaders urge stronger climate action (DW) - Global climate leaders push for stronger action and economic opportunities at Petersberg Dialogue despite US withdrawal from Paris Agreement.

• As Australia’s ‘nature positive’ plans ring hollow, how will other nations respond? (Mongabay) - Australia abandons key 'nature positive' environmental reforms, undermining global biodiversity leadership and koala conservation efforts.

• 5 reasons to watch or listen to Greenpeace’s SystemShift podcast (Greenpeace) - SystemShift podcast launches third season exploring intersectional climate solutions with global perspectives and accessible multilingual content.

• Down to the Wire: Clean Energy Legislation Amended at the Deadline in Virginia (Advanced Energy United) - Virginia Governor Youngkin attempts to undermine clean energy legislation by introducing amendments that weaken renewable energy expansion and grid resilience initiatives.

• Climate Change Is the Backdrop to Our Lives, But It’s Missing in Movies (Inside Climate News) - Study reveals only 13% of popular movies acknowledge climate change, highlighting a significant gap in media representation of the global environmental crisis.

• The 2025 federal budget fails the millions of voters who want action on Australia’s struggling environment (The Conversation) - Australia's 2025 federal budget neglects environmental concerns despite overwhelming voter support for conservation and climate action.

• Join United Women in Faith’s Lenten Action for Justice (United Women in Faith) - Calls for Lenten Action to Advance Racial and Climate Justice Through Congressional Engagement and Community Activism.

• Hidden cost: How keeping climate data classified hurts developing countries (Climate Change News) - Classified U.S. intelligence climate data disproportionately harms vulnerable developing countries by limiting their ability to prepare and adapt to climate risks.

• Trump administration moves to shutter mine safety offices in coal country (Grist) - Trump administration plans to close 35 Mine Safety and Health Administration offices, potentially compromising mine worker safety and inspection capabilities.

• Some water boss bonuses in England could be banned, says Ofwat (Guardian) - UK water regulator Ofwat proposes banning executive bonuses for companies that breach environmental and consumer standards.

• Can ARPA-E survive a second Trump term? (Latitude Media) - ARPA-E faces uncertain future under potential second Trump administration, with agency drawing record summit attendance despite potential funding cuts and elimination threats.

• EXCLUSIVE: Global Ad Giant WPP Shutters Sustainability-Focused Agency (DeSmog) - Global ad giant WPP closes sustainability-focused agency AKQA Bloom amid fossil fuel industry pivot and declining revenues.

• Badenoch and family spent week as guests of climate sceptic Tory donor (Guardian) - Kemi Badenoch and family spent £14,350 on week-long residential with climate sceptic Tory donor Neil Record before net zero policy reversal.

• Budget locks in green metals funding, ignores household energy opportunity (RenewEconomy) - Australian budget allocates $3 billion for green metals while overlooking household energy storage opportunities.

• The European Politician Bringing Nature Into the Halls of Power (Inside Climate News) - German European Parliament member Carola Rackete champions environmental justice by connecting global social movements with institutional politics, challenging capitalist systems and advocating for Indigenous rights.

• How Elon Musk’s Layoffs Are Threatening America’s Shrimp (Heatmap) - Elon Musk's NOAA layoffs threaten America's shrimp industry and fisheries management, risking sustainable seafood production and marine ecosystem monitoring.

• Can cities ban natural gas in new buildings? A federal judge just said yes. (Grist) - Federal judge upholds New York City's ban on natural gas in new buildings, providing legal precedent for urban electrification policies.

• EPA Undermines Its Own Authority to Combat Climate Change (Covering Climate Now) - EPA seeks to undermine its own climate change authority by targeting the 16-year-old endangerment finding that allows regulation of greenhouse gas emissions.

• Regulator finds fossil fuel group engaged in greenwashing in defence of gas stoves (RenewEconomy) - Australian advertising regulator finds gas infrastructure group AGIG engaged in greenwashing with misleading social media claims about gas versus electric cooktops.

• U.S. Supreme Court declines to revive landmark climate suit brought by young Oregonians (SOCAN) - U.S. Supreme Court dismisses landmark youth-led climate lawsuit against federal government, ending decade-long legal battle.

• 84% of Companies Keeping or Accelerating Climate Targets: PwC (ESG Today) - 84% of companies maintain or accelerate climate targets, with smaller firms increasingly setting emissions reduction goals.

• Trump Is Still Holding Up FEMA Funds, Despite Court Order (Heatmap News) - Trump administration continues to withhold critical FEMA disaster relief funds despite court order, causing urgent disruptions to state emergency programs.

• North Carolina program helps low-income utility customers pay their bills (Canary Media) - Duke Energy's low-income bill assistance program helps fewer households than expected but provides significant monthly credits to struggling customers.

• Trump’s Funding Cuts Seek to Kill Environmental Efforts, Especially in Impacted Communities (Moms Clean Air Force) - Trump administration terminates $10 million EPA environmental justice grant for community technical assistance center, citing policy misalignment.

• In an Era of Environmental Deregulation, What Happens to Fetal and Reproductive Health Outcomes? (Inside Climate News) - Environmental deregulation and abortion restrictions disproportionately impact reproductive health outcomes in pollution-heavy states, particularly for women of color.

• Military climate action has never been more urgent, here’s why (CEOBS) - Rising global military spending threatens climate action by locking in carbon-intensive equipment and diverting resources from green initiatives.

• Some First Nations Ready ‘To Rise’ If Poilievre Lifts BC Oil Tanker Ban (DeSmog) - Some First Nations warn they will resist potential Conservative government's efforts to lift British Columbia's oil tanker ban on the North Coast.

• Oregon Climate Action Commission to Meet Virtually on April 11, 2025 (Oregon Energy Info) - Oregon Climate Action Commission to convene virtual meeting, introduce new members, and discuss climate strategy and legislative updates.

• NOAA Cuts Weather Balloon Launches Due to Staff Shortages After DOGE Layoffs (Inside Climate News) - NOAA reduces weather balloon launches nationwide due to staffing shortages following government efficiency cuts, potentially impacting weather forecast accuracy.

• Government heads to court in latest North Sea oil and gas legal challenge (BusinessGreen) - Environmental group Oceana UK challenges government's North Sea oil and gas drilling licences in High Court legal battle over marine wildlife protection.

• NY Climate Tech: Mar 24 - Mar 31 (NY Climate Tech) - NYC climate tech ecosystem highlights diverse events spanning deep tech, sustainability, climate writing, and community engagement across March 24-31.

• SJR28-2 (SOCAN) - Oregon climate organization advocates for constitutional amendment to protect citizens' right to a healthy environment through SJR 28.

• A Clean Energy Lobbying Blitz Is About to Descend on Washington (Heatmap News) - Over 100 clean energy companies launch massive Capitol Hill lobbying campaign to preserve critical Inflation Reduction Act tax credits amid budget reconciliation negotiations.

• Can Duke’s N.C. customer assistance program rebound? (Canary Media) - Duke Energy's North Carolina customer assistance program falls short of initial enrollment targets but shows promise for low-income bill relief.

• New Study Shows Extreme and Far-Reaching Impacts of Sackett Ruling on Federal Wetland Protections (Inside Climate News) - Supreme Court's Sackett ruling threatens federal protections for millions of acres of wetlands, potentially leaving 60% unprotected and increasing flood and pollution risks.

• Winning grants from the California Energy Commission (Enduring Planet) - California Energy Commission offers strategic grants for climate tech startups across diverse clean energy sectors, with a transparent points-based application process emphasizing environmental justice and local economic benefits.

• UK experts urge prioritising research into 24 types of deadly pathogen families (Guardian) - UK experts identify 24 critical pathogen families requiring urgent research to mitigate potential global health risks from emerging infectious diseases.

• Exclusive: NIH to cut grants for COVID research, documents reveal (Nature) - NIH plans to cut billions in COVID-19 research grants, citing pandemic's end despite ongoing viral threats.

• Public Information Intern (UNDRR) - UN seeks unpaid, full-time Public Information Intern in Bonn to support disaster risk reduction content management and research.

• Venice Sustainability Foundation (PreventionWeb) - Venice Sustainability Foundation aims to create an integrated sustainable development model for Venice, focusing on environmental, economic, and social revitalization.

• Answers to common questions about the EU Omnibus proposal (Watershed) - EU's Omnibus proposal seeks to simplify CSRD reporting requirements, potentially reducing data points and aligning with global standards while delaying implementation timelines.

• Global Cities Hub (UN PreventionWeb) - Global Cities Hub aims to strengthen local governments' influence in international multilateral processes through urban diplomacy and policy engagement.

• Tesla Chair Robyn Denholm Decides To Dummy Up When Asked About Elon Musk (CleanTechnica) - Tesla Board Chair Robyn Denholm Remains Silent on Elon Musk's Controversial Actions Despite Mounting Criticism.

• Member Perspectives on 3MSP in New York City (PSR) - Physicians for Social Responsibility delegation observes UN Treaty on Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, highlighting global impacts and citizen activism against nuclear proliferation.

Renewables

Solar Milestones Surge: California Grid Breakthroughs, Global Expansion with LONGi, Jinko ESS, and International Collaborations Driving Renewable Energy Transformation

• In 50 of 82 Days in 2025, Solar, Wind, & Water Surpass 100% of Electricity Demand in California for Part of Day (CleanTechnica) - California achieves over 100% renewable electricity demand for part of the day in 50 out of 82 days in early 2025, with solar power peaking at 122% of grid needs.

• Solar Power Was #2 Electricity Source in USA for 5 Hours Last Week! (CleanTechnica) - Solar power briefly became the second-highest electricity source in the US on two consecutive days in March 2025, marking a significant milestone in renewable energy generation.

• Intersolar Summit Brasil Nordeste: Fortaleza to Host Fifth Edition of Leading Renewable Energy Event (TaiyangNews) - Fortaleza to host fifth Intersolar Summit Brasil Nordeste, showcasing solar energy, green hydrogen, and renewable technologies in Brazil's promising Northeast region.

• Jinko ESS Implements Tahiti’s First Large-Scale PV+ESS Project, Merging Agriculture with Renewable Energy (TaiyangNews) - Jinko ESS launches Tahiti's first large-scale solar and energy storage project, generating 15,000 MWh annually and reducing fossil fuel consumption.

• Middle East & Africa Solar PV News Snippets: RCT Solutions At TaiyangNews Solar Manufacturing Conference & More (TaiyangNews) - Middle East and African countries advance solar PV projects with international collaborations, including Kuwait-China 7 GW solar agreement and Scatec's 120 MW Tunisia power plant.

• Bangladesh Launches 2.6 GW Solar Capacity Tender (TaiyanggnNews) - Bangladesh seeks 2.6 GW solar capacity across 12 locations through national tender, with bid submission closing May 28, 2025.

• China Solar PV News Snippets: 5 LONGi-led PV Standards Approved By CPIA & More (TaiyangNews) - LONGi leads development of five new photovoltaic industry standards to improve cell and module testing methodologies and performance.

• California Gov. Newsom uses judicial streamlining provision to advance 600 MW of solar, storage (Utility Dive) - California Governor Newsom accelerates 600 MW solar and storage project through judicial streamlining provision, enabling faster renewable energy development.

• GoodWe’s PV Solutions For Low-Load-Bearing Roofs (TaiyangNews) - GoodWe unveils specialized BIPV solar module solutions for low-load-bearing roofs, offering Galaxy Ultra and Galaxy Plus series with innovative installation techniques for commercial and industrial applications.

• Yes, Solar Power Can Save You Thousands Of Dollars. Yes, There Are Some Rooftop Solar Scams Out There. (CleanTechnica) - Rooftop solar can save homeowners thousands of dollars, but consumers should be cautious of potential scams and use trusted platforms like EnergySage or established companies like Sunrun.

• CFS takes its next step toward fusion energy: assembling the SPARC tokamak (CFS) - Commonwealth Fusion Systems begins critical assembly of SPARC tokamak, marking a significant milestone in commercial fusion energy development.

• Biggest generator in New Zealand presses go on first solar farm, next to big battery (RenewEconomy) - New Zealand's largest electricity generator Meridian Energy approves first 130MW solar farm adjacent to new battery storage system.

• Offshore wind applications reveal 375 metre towers and epic size of the job facing project developers (RenewEconomy) - Great Eastern offshore wind project proposes massive 375-metre turbines in Gippsland, revealing complex challenges of Australia's emerging offshore wind sector.

• CEBA Notes Landmark 100 Gigawatts of Clean Energy Procured by Corporate and Industrial Customers Since 2014 (CEBA) - Corporate and industrial customers surpass 100 gigawatts of clean energy procurement, with solar leading at 73% of capacity and growing interest in firm resources like nuclear and geothermal.

• The Momentum for Climate Action is Growing! (350.org) - 19 countries submit updated climate action plans with strong renewable energy targets, signaling growing momentum for clean energy transition.

• Trump’s Solar Permitting Pause Is Over, BLM Says (Heatmap News) - Bureau of Land Management claims Trump's solar permitting pause is over, but developers remain skeptical about actual permit approvals.

• Explainer: Why are wind turbines so big – and could smaller be better? (RenewEconomy) - Australian wind farm developers increasingly opt for larger turbines to maximize energy production and economic viability, balancing technical efficiency with community concerns.

• JA Solar Signs MOU with Terawat Energy to Strengthen Partnership in Thailand’s Clean Energy Market (TaiyangNews) - JA Solar partners with Terawat Energy to expand high-efficiency solar module distribution in Thailand's growing renewable energy market.

• UK Renewable Energy Cooperative Ripple Energy Enters Administration (TaiyangNews) - UK renewable energy cooperative Ripple Energy collapses into administration, impacting 20,000 customers who co-owned wind and solar farms.

• Ares Acquires Stake in 900 MW U.S. Solar and Storage Portfolio from Engie (ESG Today) - Ares Management expands renewable energy partnership with Engie, acquiring stake in 900 MW U.S. solar and storage portfolio.

• Canadian Solar Achieves $34 Million Net Income In Q4 2024 Amid Tough Year (TaiyangNews) - Canadian Solar reports $34 million Q4 net income amid challenging solar market, shipping 8.2 GW modules and targeting 30-35 GW in 2025.

• Solar, wind and batteries set records in Texas as thermal plants the size of Australia’s entire coal fleet sit idle (RenewEconomy) - Texas solar, wind, and batteries set new output records, supplying over 56% of grid demand while 25 GW of thermal plants remain offline.

Transport

BYD Overtakes Tesla, E-Bikes Rise, and Global EV Infrastructure Expands with AI-Enhanced Mobility Solutions

• Bogotá’s 50-Year Journey to Sustainable Transport (Revolve Media) - Bogotá's 50-year sustainable transport revolution transforms urban mobility through innovative Bus Rapid Transit and car-free Ciclovía programs, connecting communities and reducing carbon emissions.

• Insights From An Electric Truck Driver (CleanTechnica) - German electric truck driver shares insights on range, charging, and benefits of electric trucking in logistics.

• The Power of E-Bikes Takes Center Stage at Minnesota Summit (Better Energy) - Minnesota summit highlights e-bikes' transformative potential for mobility, showcasing growing popularity, infrastructure needs, and equity challenges in electric micromobility.

• BYD Deals Another Blow to Tesla (Heatmap News) - Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD surpasses Tesla with $100 billion in annual sales, challenging the U.S. company's market dominance.

• BYD Advances Its “All EVs Great And Small” Strategy (CleanTechnica) - BYD expands electric vehicle lineup with affordable Qin L sedan and premium Denza N9 SUV, challenging global automakers with diverse, technologically advanced models.

• Coalition may rethink rules that push car makers to create cheaper EVs and hybrids for Australians (Guardian) - Australian Coalition may challenge vehicle emission standards that incentivize cheaper electric vehicles and hybrids, potentially making fuel-efficient car regulations an election issue.

• Former BC Environment Minister Doubts EV Viability, Leads Cenovus-Backed Campaign (DeSmog) - Former BC Environment Minister Barry Penner leads Cenovus-backed campaign questioning electric vehicle adoption targets and climate policy effectiveness.

• Pilot, GM, & EVgo Reach 130 EV Charging Stations in 25 States (CleanTechnica) - Pilot, GM, and EVgo expand EV charging network to 130 stations across 25 states, enhancing long-distance electric vehicle travel infrastructure.

• Denver Leads the Way on E-Bikes (Bluedot Living) - Denver pioneers nationwide e-bike rebate programs, offering up to $1,400 to incentivize sustainable urban transportation and reduce carbon emissions.

• Ping, You’ve Got Whale (Nautilus) - AI-powered WhaleSpotter system uses thermal cameras and human verification to detect whales and prevent ship collisions in real-time across global maritime routes.

• VERMEER launches its new electric Horizontal Directional Drill D20x22S3E equipped with WATTALPS batteries (WATTALPS) - Vermeer launches electric horizontal directional drill with advanced lithium battery technology for efficient, quiet, and lower-emission work.

• Upcoming Webinar: Navigating Surface Transportation Reauthorization (Infrastructure Funding Webinar) - Experts Outline Strategic Advocacy for Surface Transportation Reauthorization Amid Shifting Congressional Priorities.

• “The Californians” Try To Help Sell Volkswagen ID. Buzz (CleanTechnica) - Volkswagen leverages nostalgic "The Californians" SNL skit to market ID. Buzz electric van to California market.

• The Hyundai INSTEROID Is … Interesting (CleanTechnica) - Hyundai unveils INSTEROID concept car, a gaming-inspired electric vehicle targeting young male demographic with bold design and tech-forward styling.

• Why the Tesla backlash could help electric cars finally go mainstream (The Conversation) - Tesla's political controversies may ironically accelerate electric vehicle mainstream adoption by challenging the tech-bro image and highlighting broader environmental and practical benefits.

• Waymo D.C. (CleanTechnica) - Waymo announces autonomous ride-hailing service launch in Washington, D.C. for 2026, expanding its robotaxi network to the nation's capital.

• Tesla’s growing global challenges (Canary Media) - Tesla faces growing global challenges as Chinese rival BYD outperforms and European market share declines.