How the Biodiversity Breakthrough This Week Was Made

From EDF's Building Trust and Consensus at CBD COP16: A Breakthrough for Biodiversity Finance

A major international negotiation to protect the earth's biodiversity has had a breakthrough: an agreement to create the permanent funding mechanism for the estimated $200B in annual investment needed to protect global biodiversity. Here's how Paul Todd of the NRDC introduced it:

"This week at a resumed session of the 16th United Nations Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in Rome, the world’s governments (minus the United States, which isn’t a Party to the treaty) finally agreed to create the permanent funding mechanism for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity that was demanded more than 30 years ago at the 1992 'Earth Summit' in Rio de Janeiro."

The breakthrough came as a result of a sound strategy that's worthy of close study, but I'll summarize my understanding like this:

• Key stakeholders formed alliances to amplify their demands (eg The 10 Point Plan for Financing Biodiversity)

• Key decision-making pressure points in the schedule of conversations were identified and exploited for leverage (NRDC: "Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), with the support of the Africa region, blocked consensus during negotiations on the monitoring framework for the KMGBF until the biodiversity finance issues were decided. But since many Parties had already left Colombia by the next morning, the meeting was suspended because it had lost quorum, necessitating the resumed session in Rome.")

• Diverse participation and bundling interconnected issues for balanced trade-offs helped strengthen legitimacy (see the Colombia and Mexico-led communities of practice plan, including "Mainstreaming Champions Group with 18 countries committed to integrating biodiversity goals into all economic sectors and policies")

Implementation of the agreement will present challenges, but let's celebrate, study, build upon, and aim to reproduce breakthroughs where we can.

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

Today's Updates

Table of Contents

• Agriculture (12 stories) - Rumin8's methane-slashing feed, AI-driven food system innovations, and global climate challenges reshape agricultural sustainability, from California's organic fertilizer to Palestinian olive harvests and solar grazing solutions.

  
  

• Carbon (7 stories) - Mast Reforestation, OCOchem, and Mitico drive carbon removal innovation with advanced technologies, while Puro.earth and Baker Hughes expand carbon capture infrastructure and market solutions.

  
  

• Circular (2 stories) - Ocean-sourced materials transform LEGO tires as Team Repair empowers youth through hands-on sustainability skills

  
  

• Ecosystems (16 stories) - Forest restoration, seagrass mapping, and wildlife adaptation highlight global ecosystem resilience amid climate challenges, from Washington State's wildfire strategies to Amazon jaguars' flood survival and solar farm biodiversity innovations.

  
  

• Efficiency (1 story) - Open-source tool by global water researchers enables collaborative groundwater tracking and resource optimization

  
  

• Finance (6 stories) - Climate investment landscape disrupted by policy shifts, with innovative funding models emerging amid EPA funding challenges and strategic bank engagement

  
  

• Grid (16 stories) - Data center electricity demands drive grid infrastructure transformation, with strategic partnerships between tech giants, utilities, and energy companies reshaping power generation and storage solutions across global markets.

  
  

• Indigenous (4 stories) - Native ecological leadership training and climate resilience strategies advance Indigenous environmental stewardship across North America

  
  

• Industry (14 stories) - TSMC's $100B US expansion, AIKO's solar manufacturing, INOXGFL's solar tech leadership, and emerging industrial decarbonization strategies across semiconductors, solar, and hydrogen technologies

  
  

• Policy (65 stories) - Congestion Pricing Lawsuit, Climate Superfund Act, and Supreme Court's Clean Water Act Ruling Highlight Complex Policy Landscape of Climate Governance

  
  

• Renewables (21 stories) - Meta-Driven Solar Expansion and Global Innovation: From Utah's 400MW Farm to Lenovo's Solar Laptop, Highlighting Technological Breakthroughs in Renewable Energy Infrastructure and Consumer Tech

  
  

• Transport (13 stories) - California and BYD Lead Global EV Expansion, with XPENG, VinFast Driving Southeast Asian Market Growth and Innovative Charging Infrastructure Developments

Agriculture

Rumin8's methane-slashing feed, AI-driven food system innovations, and global climate challenges reshape agricultural sustainability, from California's organic fertilizer to Palestinian olive harvests and solar grazing solutions.

• Rumin8 achieves a 95.2% methane reduction in cattle trial at UC Davis (UC Davis) - Rumin8's feed additive achieves unprecedented 95.2% methane reduction in cattle without impacting animal production.

• Farmers depend on climate data. They’re suing the USDA for deleting it. (Climate Desk) - Farmers sue USDA for deleting critical climate data essential for agricultural planning and food production.

• Guest article: Food’s tech-nature revolution is a $20 trillion opportunity (AgFunderNews) - Technological convergence in food systems creates a $20 trillion opportunity by leveraging AI, computing power, and connectivity to decode nature's complexity and transform agriculture and healthcare.

• Solar Foods introduces the protein snack of the future (Solar Foods) - Innovative protein snack made from air-derived protein showcases potential of novel sustainable food technology.

• Half of global croplands could see a drop in suitable crops at 2C of warming (Carbon Brief) - Over half of global croplands could experience reduced crop suitability under 2°C warming scenario, with tropical regions most severely impacted.

• World's critical food crops at imminent risk from rising temperatures (ScienceDaily) - Rising global temperatures threaten up to half of world's critical food crop production, with low-latitude regions facing most severe agricultural diversity and food security risks.

• Agroforestry stores less carbon than reforestation, but has many other benefits, study finds (Mongabay) - Agroforestry project in Panama demonstrates complex trade-offs between carbon sequestration, community livelihoods, and ecosystem management.

• ECVC Conference of Farmers and Researchers: Day One Highlights Market Regulation, Access to Land, Fair Prices, and Generational Renewal (Via Campesina) - European farmers conference highlights critical need for market regulation, fair prices, and generational renewal in agricultural policy.

• Nitricity raises $10m for organic fertilizer plant in California, pivots to new tech (AgFunderNews) - Nitricity secures $10M to build California organic fertilizer plant using recycled almond shells and renewable energy, targeting local organic farmers.

• Gaza and West Bank farmers salvage olive harvest amid displacement, destruction and Israeli settler violence (Mongabay) - Palestinian olive farmers overcome Israeli settler violence and land restrictions to salvage a record-breaking 27,300-ton olive harvest in the West Bank.

• IITA and the Government of Sierra Leone strengthen agricultural partnership during presidential visit (CGIAR) - IITA and Sierra Leone's president collaborate to advance agricultural transformation and food security through innovative solutions.

• US farmers switch to renting out sheep as lawn mowers for solar sites (TaiyangNews) - US farmers discover innovative revenue stream by leasing sheep to maintain vegetation at solar installations.

Carbon

Mast Reforestation, OCOchem, and Mitico drive carbon removal innovation with advanced technologies, while Puro.earth and Baker Hughes expand carbon capture infrastructure and market solutions.

• This is CDR: Mast Reforestation (YouTube) - Mast Reforestation pioneers advanced technology and nature-based solutions to scale forest restoration and carbon removal through innovative seed collection, nursery techniques, and carbon finance.

• OCOchem Featured in GeekWire Startups Column (GeekWire) - OCOchem, a climate tech startup, secures funding to scale CO2 electrolyzer technology for converting captured carbon into sustainable industrial chemicals.

• The Carbon Copy: What voters say about CDR (Carbon180) - Survey reveals 63% of voters know nothing about carbon removal, but 65% support it after learning more.

• Mitico Raises $4.3 Million to Commercialize Industrial Carbon Capture Solution (ESG Today) - Mitico secures $4.3 million seed funding to develop industrial carbon capture technology with 95% CO2 removal efficiency.

• Baker Hughes, Frontier Infrastructure to Develop Large-Scale Power and Carbon Capture Projects (ESG Today) - Baker Hughes and Frontier Infrastructure partner to develop large-scale carbon capture and power solutions for growing data center and industrial energy demands.

• Carbon Credit Platform Puro.earth Appoints Jan-Willem Bode as New President (ESG Today) - Carbon removal marketplace Puro.earth appoints Jan-Willem Bode as new President to accelerate carbon dioxide removal efforts.

• February Was Third Warmest on Record But Temperatures Still ‘Anomalously High’ For El Niño Aftermath (Earth.org) - February records third-warmest temperatures globally, breaking 20-month streak of record-breaking heat while signaling potential La Niña cooling.

Circular

Ocean-sourced materials transform LEGO tires as Team Repair empowers youth through hands-on sustainability skills

• LEGO Group Launches Tires Containing Recycled Materials from Engine Oil, Fishing Nets (ESG Today) - LEGO Group introduces tire pieces made from recycled ocean ropes, nets, and engine oil, advancing its sustainable materials strategy.

• 🚀 Team Repair on BBC London (BBC London) - Team Repair launches innovative school workshops teaching repair skills, with 36% of young participants experiencing their first repair and high confidence boost.

Ecosystems

Forest restoration, seagrass mapping, and wildlife adaptation highlight global ecosystem resilience amid climate challenges, from Washington State's wildfire strategies to Amazon jaguars' flood survival and solar farm biodiversity innovations.

• How Washington State pioneered an ‘all hands, all lands’ wildfire prevention strategy (Grist) - Washington State's innovative 'all hands, all lands' strategy reduces wildfire risks through forest restoration, community resilience, and collaborative land management.

• From Kenya to Madagascar, massive effort aims to put seagrasses on the map (Mongabay) - Large-scale initiative aims to map seagrass ecosystems across Western Indian Ocean to understand blue carbon potential and support conservation efforts.

• Warming Brings Heavy Snowfall to Greenland, Replenishing Some Lost Ice (Yale E360) - Atmospheric rivers in Greenland dump massive snowfall, potentially slowing ice sheet loss by replacing 8% of annual ice loss and delaying summer melting.

• Thousands affected as cyclone floods Réunion Island in Indian Ocean (Mongabay) - Cyclone Garance devastates Réunion Island, killing four, displacing hundreds, and causing widespread infrastructure damage in powerful Indian Ocean storm.

• In a seasonally flooded Amazon forest, jaguars take to the trees (Mongabay) - Amazon jaguars uniquely adapt to seasonal floods by living and hunting in trees, maintaining their territories despite challenging environmental conditions.

• Audio: The trill of hummingbirds adapting (HCN) - Climate change is altering hummingbird migration patterns, with birds arriving earlier and appearing in unusual seasons in southern Arizona.

• Fires used to terrify city residents. New research suggests climate change could see this fear return (The Conversation) - Climate change could increase urban outdoor and vehicle fires by up to 22% by 2100, challenging city safety assumptions.

• Why can’t I sleep? 4 ways climate change could be keeping you up at night and what you can do about it (The Conversation) - Climate change disrupts sleep through rising temperatures, air pollution, extreme weather events, and climate anxiety, impacting health and well-being.

• What happens to fish (and humans) when fish eat plastic? (Environment America) - Study reveals widespread microplastic contamination in fish, with potential health risks for marine life and human consumers.

• 91% of Brazilian Amazon deforestation last year was illegal, report finds (Mongabay) - 91% of Brazilian Amazon deforestation in 2023-2024 was illegal, revealing widespread unauthorized forest clearing and systemic enforcement challenges.

• Tropical Cyclone Alfred: Queensland evacuations begin as storm path tracks towards Brisbane (Guardian) - Queensland prepares for Tropical Cyclone Alfred with potential storm surge threatening 20,000 homes near Brisbane.

• World’s biggest iceberg runs aground after a near-40-year journey from Antarctica (Guardian) - World's largest iceberg A23a runs aground near South Georgia island after 40-year journey, potentially benefiting local wildlife ecosystem.

• Solar farms can host up to three times as many birds as crop fields – new research (The Conversation) - Solar farms with mixed habitats can host up to three times more bird species than traditional croplands, offering a biodiversity-friendly renewable energy solution.

• Sweden to kill 87 Eurasian lynx despite complaints to EU Commission (Mongabay) - Sweden issues controversial hunting licenses to kill 87 Eurasian lynx despite conservation concerns and EU directive challenges.

• Webinar: Key outcomes from the resumed UN COP16 biodiversity summit (Carbon Brief) - UN COP16 biodiversity summit concludes in Rome with key agreements on finance and implementation mechanisms for global biodiversity protection.

• Learning Medicine from Animals (Nautilus) - Biologist reveals how animals self-medicate, demonstrating sophisticated health strategies that humans can learn from and potentially improve medical treatments.

Efficiency

Open-source tool by global water researchers enables collaborative groundwater tracking and resource optimization

• Groundwater Accounting Platform Adds Open-Source Access to Boost Sustainable Water Management (EDF) - Open-source groundwater accounting platform launches to enhance water management collaboration and precision.

Finance

Climate investment landscape disrupted by policy shifts, with innovative funding models emerging amid EPA funding challenges and strategic bank engagement

• Ameresco to Participate at Upcoming Conferences (Ameresco) - Energy solutions provider to showcase investment potential at multiple financial conferences across the United States in March 2025.

• EPA $20B funding freeze leaves ‘green bank’ nonprofits unable to pay bills (Utility Dive) - EPA's $20B funding freeze paralyzes green bank nonprofits, threatening climate investment projects and potential economic disruption.

• Trellis Climate’s Investment in Nitricity Showcases Thoughtful Catalytic Investing Toward the FOAK Climate Gap (Prime Coalition) - Trellis Climate launches innovative philanthropic investment model to support first-of-a-kind climate infrastructure projects through strategic capital deployment.

• Standard Chartered to Engage with all Priority Clients in High-Emitting Sectors Over Next 12 Months (ESG Today) - Standard Chartered commits to engaging with all high-emitting priority clients over next 12 months to advance net-zero transition strategy.

• March 2025 Newsletter (CT Green Bank) - Green Liberty Notes crowdfunding offering launches to support small business energy efficiency with low-minimum investments and priority for Connecticut investors.

• Trump’s energy secretary pushed legal attack on green investing (Grist) - Trump's energy secretary seeks to dismantle ESG investing rules for retirement plans, challenging environmental considerations in financial decision-making.

Grid

Data center electricity demands drive grid infrastructure transformation, with strategic partnerships between tech giants, utilities, and energy companies reshaping power generation and storage solutions across global markets.

• Power struggle: will Brazil’s booming datacentre industry leave ordinary people in the dark? (Guardian) - Brazil's booming datacentre industry risks exacerbating energy poverty by consuming massive electricity resources while millions of citizens still lack reliable power access.

• GE Vernova, AWS Address Energy Demand With Collaboration Agreement (Power Magazine) - GE Vernova and AWS partner to enhance data center energy solutions, advance grid reliability, and support decarbonization efforts across global markets.

• GE Vernova and AWS extend collaboration to scale data centers, electrification (Renewable Energy World) - GE Vernova and AWS expand strategic partnership to scale data centers, advance grid decarbonization, and explore innovative energy solutions.

• How Trump’s trade war could impact U.S. electricity prices — and state climate plans (Grist) - Trump's trade war with Canada threatens U.S. electricity prices and state climate plans by disrupting cross-border energy imports.

• How artificial intelligence can transform transmission and distribution (Renewable Energy World) - AI technologies offer transformative solutions for power grid modernization, addressing challenges of data center energy demands and grid resilience through advanced predictive and optimization capabilities.

• LG&E, KU Propose $3.7B Power Buildout: 1.3 GW of New Gas Plants, $153M Coal Unit Upgrade (PowerMag) - LG&E and KU propose $3.7B power infrastructure expansion with two new gas plants and battery storage to meet surging data center and industrial electricity demand in Kentucky.

• ‘A really dumb idea’: Trump tariffs threaten the grid as Ontario Premier reaffirms promise to cut off electricity to the US (Renewable Energy World) - Trump's new tariffs threaten US-Canada electricity trade, with Ontario Premier threatening to cut off power exports to northeastern states.

• Australia’s biggest battery project nears first production as it enters grid management system (RenewEconomy) - Australia's largest battery project at Eraring begins grid integration, set to replace coal-fired power station with 700 MW storage capacity.

• Decentralised Energy and Peer-to-Peer Trading: Why Utilities Need to Wake Up (Energy Central) - Utilities must transform from passive energy suppliers to dynamic, decentralized platforms enabling peer-to-peer energy trading or risk becoming obsolete.

• This Morning’s Electricity Price Spike Probably Wasn’t About Tariffs (Heatmap News) - Electricity price spike in Northeast likely unrelated to new Trump tariffs on Canadian imports, but potential future price impacts remain uncertain.

• EPRI takes its data center flexibility project global (Latitude Media) - EPRI expands global data center flexibility project to nearly 40 members, exploring grid integration and flexibility solutions across international markets.

• Southern California Edison’s Jerome Marr on longterm distribution planning and modern grid challenges (Renewable Energy World) - Southern California Edison's Jerome Marr highlights grid modernization challenges and tools for achieving California's 2045 carbon neutrality goals.

• Texas electric co-op teams up with Tesla for utility-scale virtual power plant (Renewable Energy World) - Texas electric cooperative partners with Tesla to create a utility-scale virtual power plant, enhancing grid stability through distributed energy resources.

• Kentucky utilities pitch gas, storage, coal to meet demand surge (Canary Media) - Kentucky utilities propose $3.7 billion plan to build gas units, battery storage, and upgrade coal plant to meet surging power demand from data centers and EV manufacturing.

• Minnesota utility to end coal by 2035 (Canary Media) - Minnesota utility proposes 90% renewable electricity and complete coal phase-out by 2035, while simultaneously planning to add natural gas capacity.

• Canada Bitcoin Miner Acquiring Two Pennsylvania Coal Plants (Power Mag) - Canadian Bitcoin miner Bitfarms acquires two Pennsylvania coal-fired power plants to support cryptocurrency mining operations and potentially expand grid services.

Indigenous

Native ecological leadership training and climate resilience strategies advance Indigenous environmental stewardship across North America

• TERA Winter Newsletter (TERA) - Indigenous-led nonprofit launches Native Stewards Fellowship to train tribal members in ecological restoration and wildfire resilience.

• Centro de Investigación en Gestión Integral del Riesgo de la Universidad Autónoma de Baja California Sur (CIGIR-UABCS) (UNDRR) - Mexican university research center focuses on multidisciplinary risk management strategies for Baja California Sur and Northwest Mexico.

• Helping to Bridge the Gaps between Ports and Parents from Environmental Justice Communities (Friends of the Earth) - Nonprofit partners collaborate to engage parents in environmental justice efforts at New Jersey ports, focusing on zero-emissions advocacy and community health impacts.

• Join us on 3/13 at NAICOB: How to Use the UPR for Indigenous Rights (Cultural Survival) - Indigenous advocates to learn UN human rights mechanisms for advancing Indigenous rights through Universal Periodic Review process.

Industry

TSMC's $100B US expansion, AIKO's solar manufacturing, INOXGFL's solar tech leadership, and emerging industrial decarbonization strategies across semiconductors, solar, and hydrogen technologies

• Delta Corporate Video (Delta) - Global technology company providing innovative energy-efficient solutions across power electronics, mobility, automation, and infrastructure sectors to support sustainable smart cities and manufacturing.

• TSMC’s $100B US investment sparks concerns over reliance on fossil fuels (Stand.earth) - TSMC's massive $100B US semiconductor expansion risks increasing fossil fuel reliance due to unprecedented electricity demand without renewable energy commitments.

• China Solar PV News Snippets: AIKO’s Tianjin Base Gets Low-Carbon Recognition & More (TaiyangNews) - AIKO's Tianjin solar manufacturing base receives low-carbon recognition for innovative energy-saving and emissions reduction strategies across production processes.

• $5 a dozen: major egg companies may be using avian flu to hike US prices, new report finds (Guardian) - Major egg companies potentially exploiting avian flu to inflate US egg prices, generating record profits amid a 157% price increase.

• Does Shein’s Profit Slump Indicate a Waning Obsession With Fast Fashion? (Atmos) - Shein's 40% profit drop signals potential transformation in ultra-fast fashion industry amid growing regulatory scrutiny and ethical concerns.

• INOXGFL Group Hires Virender Sharma As Chief Technology Officer (TaiyangNews) - INOXGFL Group appoints experienced solar technology expert Virender Sharma as CTO to lead its new solar manufacturing expansion.

• Blue hydrogen hopes hinge on managing methane emissions (EDF) - Blue hydrogen's climate viability depends critically on rigorous methane emissions management and near-total carbon capture.

• Hydrogen, The Dream That Won’t Die, Gets A New Lease On Life (CleanTechnica) - Finnish startup Hycamite develops methane pyrolysis technology to produce low-carbon hydrogen and valuable carbon nanofibers, potentially transforming hydrogen production economics.

• Gas fermentation startup Solar Foods bags $10.6m grant to enter pre-engineering phase of commercial-scale plant (AgFunderNews) - Solar Foods secures €10 million grant to advance gas fermentation protein production facility with plans for commercial-scale manufacturing by 2028.

• Anesthesia has a greenhouse gas problem. A few tweaks could give the climate some breathing room (Anthropocene Magazine) - University of Michigan medical system halves surgical anesthesia emissions without compromising patient safety through strategic gas selection and reduction.

• This map shows where to swap out industrial boilers for heat pumps (Canary Media) - New map reveals strategic opportunities to replace polluting industrial boilers with efficient electric heat pumps in 174 U.S. counties to improve air quality and reduce emissions.

• New Wave Biotech’s AI-Powered Optimisation Drives 55% Cost Reduction for Multus (BBC) - New Wave Biotech's AI-powered optimization helps Multus reduce cultivated meat ingredient production costs by 55% using hybrid modeling approach.

• Swapping boilers for heat pumps (Canary Media) - Industrial heat pumps could significantly reduce emissions by replacing fossil fuel boilers in key manufacturing regions.

• U.S. natural gas-directed rigs decreased for second consecutive year in 2024 (EIA) - U.S. natural gas-directed drilling rigs decreased by 32% in 2024, driven by record-low gas prices and reduced economic viability in key production regions like Haynesville and Appalachia.

Policy

Congestion Pricing Lawsuit, Climate Superfund Act, and Supreme Court's Clean Water Act Ruling Highlight Complex Policy Landscape of Climate Governance

• Congestion Pricing is a Big Win for Clean Air. We’re Suing Trump to Keep It. (Earthjustice) - Lawsuit challenges Trump administration's attempt to block New York City's congestion pricing program that reduces traffic and funds public transit improvements.

• Extreme weather survivors (50 Shades of Green) - Extreme weather survivors share personal stories of resilience, community support, and advocacy in the face of climate-driven disasters.

• Have you heard of the NEW #PollutersPay Climate Superfund Act in CA? (YouTube) - California lawmakers propose Climate Superfund Act to make oil companies financially responsible for climate change damages, potentially requiring billions in annual compensation by 2050.

• The $500 million cut to Mass Save budget is ‘short-sighted,’ climate activists say (Acadia Center) - Massachusetts reduces Mass Save energy efficiency budget by $500 million, sparking concerns about long-term climate and cost impacts.

• U.S. Supreme Court further erodes Clean Water Act protections (SELC) - Supreme Court ruling further weakens Clean Water Act protections, limiting EPA's authority to control water pollution permits.

• This Is CDR: Tracking Europe's Evolving CDR Policy Landscape-Alexis Dunand (Carbon Gap) - Europe's evolving carbon dioxide removal policy landscape mapped through comprehensive new tracking tool.

• President Lula’s Dance with Climate Ambition, Accountability, and Action (350.org) - President Lula faces criticism for contradictory climate policies, balancing COP30 hosting with controversial Amazon oil project approvals.

• Scaling Resilience Hubs, Finance Sector Net-Zero Transition, & More. (C2ES) - Colorado launches comprehensive Resilience Hub Toolkit to enhance community climate preparedness and local leadership.

• The six most harmful contaminants in drinking water (EWG) - Six critical drinking water contaminants pose significant health risks, including PFAS, disinfection byproducts, nitrate, heavy metals, radiological substances, and volatile organic compounds.

• A Legacy of Partnering with the US Government (RMI) - Rocky Mountain Institute highlights decades of nonpartisan, collaborative clean energy work with multiple US government administrations across political divides.

• Bet on America’s Clean Energy Future (C2ES) - Landmark clean energy legislation has driven $600 billion in investments, creating jobs and boosting economic opportunities in energy communities across America.

• Solar is not the culprit for Maine’s high utility bills, despite claims (Canary Media) - Maine's solar incentive program is not responsible for high utility bills, with fossil fuel volatility and transmission costs being the primary drivers of electricity price increases.

• Gazans pay a high price for dangerous batteries to light tents (Climate Change News) - Gazans resort to dangerous, leaking old batteries for power amid war-induced electricity crisis, risking severe health hazards from toxic chemical exposure.

• How to sort fact from fiction after a weather disaster (Yale Climate Connections) - Expert advises turning to local news and officials to distinguish truth from rumors after weather disasters.

• Texas Could Face Historic Fire Conditions This Week (Heatmap News) - Texas braces for potentially historic fire conditions as a powerful winter storm brings extreme wind risks across the state.

• Why the Climate Fight is Critical to Europe’s Security (CleanTechnica) - Europe's climate fight is crucial for energy security, national defense, and reducing dependence on oil-producing adversaries.

• First Trump threatened to nuke hurricanes. Now he’s waging war on weather forecasters | Arwa Mahdawi (Guardian) - Trump administration fires hundreds of NOAA workers, threatening critical climate and weather forecasting capabilities through aggressive privatization efforts.

• Americans Are Increasingly Aware That Climate Change Is Harming Their Health (Inside Climate News) - Survey reveals growing American awareness of climate change's direct health impacts, with increased understanding of specific health risks and trust in scientific sources.

• Organic farmers expose RFK Jr.'s delusion (HEATED) - Organic farmers sue USDA over Trump administration's climate information purge that threatens sustainable agriculture resources.

• EU Set To Back Down On Exhaust Emissions Rules (CleanTechnica) - EU proposes three-year flexibility for automakers to comply with strict exhaust emissions rules while maintaining overall climate targets.

• Great News from the Dear Leader! (Wildlife News) - Executive Order aims to dramatically accelerate timber production by streamlining federal forest management regulations and bypassing environmental protections.

• Just how bad are plastic straws? (DW) - Trump's executive order reverses plastic straw ban, reigniting debate about single-use plastics and environmental impact.

• Tariff havoc begins, complicating energy supply chains (Latitude Media) - New U.S. tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China disrupt critical energy supply chains, potentially increasing costs and complicating clean energy transitions.

• Netflix’s Toxic Town offers a stark warning on environmental rollbacks (The Conversation) - Netflix's documentary 'Toxic Town' exposes the devastating health consequences of weak environmental regulations and industrial negligence in Corby, UK.

• Powering Up the Bay Area’s Green Workforce (MCE) - Bay Area nonprofit partners with NextGen Trades Academy to create equitable clean energy workforce opportunities for underserved youth.

• Dominion seeks SCC approval for proposed Chesterfield gas plant (SELC) - Dominion Energy seeks approval for a controversial 1,000 megawatt gas plant in Chesterfield, sparking local environmental and health concerns.

• After 30 Years, Biodiversity COP16.2 Delivers Hope for Vulnerable Countries (NRDC) - After 30 years, UN Biodiversity COP16.2 establishes landmark financial mechanism to support Global South's ecosystem conservation efforts.

• Extreme heat silently accelerates aging on a molecular level − new research (The Conversation) - Long-term exposure to extreme heat accelerates biological aging by up to 14 months, comparable to effects of smoking, in study of over 3,600 older adults.

• ‘Unusually strong’ storms bring risk of tornadoes and flash floods to US south (Guardian) - Powerful and 'unusually strong' storms threaten southern US states with potential tornadoes, flash floods, and destructive winds driven by warming Gulf air.

• All Moms on Deck: Scientists, “Green,” and MAHA Mothers Must Unite in Opposition (Moms Clean Air Force) - Diverse mothers must unite across ideological lines to protect children's health and combat climate change threats.

• These climate newsletters can help you stay informed (Yale Climate Connections) - Comprehensive guide highlights top climate newsletters offering reliable, diverse information across multiple platforms and perspectives.

• Trump at CPAC 2025: Attack Climate Policy and Double Down on Denial (DeSmog) - Trump attacks climate policy at CPAC 2025, doubles down on fossil fuel agenda and climate denial while promising deregulation.

• ‘People see it as invasive’: did anti-green feeling fuel the right’s rise in Germany? (Guardian) - German election reveals growing anti-green sentiment, with conservative and far-right parties capitalizing on voter frustration with climate policies.

• EU to Give Automakers More Time to Meet Emissions Goals (ESG Today) - EU proposes more flexible timeline for automakers to meet vehicle emissions reduction targets, allowing three-year compliance window while maintaining overall decarbonization goals.

• We Need NOAA Now More Than Ever (NRDC) - Trump administration threatens NOAA's critical climate, weather, and marine research through massive budget cuts and potential privatization.

• Federal layoffs hit the deep-red, rural US west: ‘Our public lands are under threat’ (Guardian) - Trump administration's federal layoffs threaten public lands and rural western communities' economic stability.

• NRDC: The State of the Union is Dire (NRDC) - Environmental advocacy group warns of dire state of the union under Trump administration's policies targeting clean energy and environmental protections.

• US moves to repeal water heater efficiency standards in all-in attack on decarbonisation (RenewEconomy) - US House votes to repeal water heater efficiency standards, potentially increasing energy costs and supporting fossil fuel interests.

• Supreme Court Ruling Rolls Back Clean Water Protections, Endangering Environment and Public Health (NRDC) - Supreme Court ruling strips EPA of critical water pollution permitting powers, threatening environmental and public health protections.

• Louisiana: Zero-Emission Ports and a More Sustainable Future (Friends of the Earth) - Louisiana community advocates push for zero-emission ports and environmental justice through collaborative policy and community engagement strategies.

• US supreme court weakens rules on discharge of raw sewage into water supplies (Guardian) - US Supreme Court limits EPA's authority to issue generic water pollution permits, weakening Clean Water Act protections.

• Supreme Court Puts Another Limit on the EPA’s Ability to Protect Water (Inside Climate News) - Supreme Court further limits EPA's water pollution regulatory powers in 5-4 decision favoring industry groups.

• ‘Prepare for the worst’: northern NSW warned Cyclone Alfred’s impact could rival devastating 2022 floods (Guardian) - Northern NSW braces for Tropical Cyclone Alfred, with potential flooding and damage comparable to 2022 Lismore disaster.

• Offshore wind sector feeling the Dutton effect, even from the shadows of opposition (RenewEconomy) - Australian offshore wind sector faces political uncertainty as opposition leader Peter Dutton threatens to rescind development zones and disrupt renewable energy projects.

• Portland’s Urban Tree Plans May Face a Withering in Federal Funds (Inside Climate News) - Portland's urban tree planting efforts face potential collapse as federal funding freeze threatens $58.2 million in tree canopy development grants.

• The 2025-26 Strategic Plan is Now Available (NFN News) - Nipissing First Nation releases comprehensive 2025-26 Strategic Plan outlining organizational goals and future initiatives.

• CSW69: Thirty Years of Feminist Progress—What Comes Next? (UUSC) - UN Commission on the Status of Women marks 30 years of feminist progress, highlighting grassroots advocacy amid global challenges to women's rights.

• Moms Tell Congress Cleaner Energy Benefits Are Too Massive to Cut (Moms Clean Air Force) - Mothers urge Congress to preserve clean energy tax credits that reduce pollution, lower energy bills, and create jobs.

• The Uphill Battle Of Clean Energy Against Musk’s Mighty Disinformation Campaigns (CleanTechnica) - Elon Musk and right-wing influencers spread disinformation about renewable energy, undermining clean energy policies and public support.

• City Council Meeting | March 3, 2025 (BBC) - Dubuque City Council approves development agreement for $2.5 million office space restoration project at 902 Main Street.

• Building Decarb Digest - March 2025 (Building Decarbonization Digest) - California unveils legislative and utility strategies to phase out methane gas pipelines and launch neighborhood decarbonization zones over next five years.

• Organizations File Brief and Amicus Briefs in Support of Michigan’s PA 233 for Energy Siting and Permitting (Advanced Energy United) - Michigan stakeholders file briefs supporting streamlined renewable energy siting law to boost clean energy development and economic growth.

• Biggest threat to affordable and reliable electricity in Victoria? It might just be Peter Dutton (RenewEconomy) - Peter Dutton's opposition to offshore wind threatens Victoria's affordable and reliable electricity future.

• Call Him ‘Green New Donald’ (Heatmap News) - Trump's unprecedented tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports could inadvertently drive massive decarbonization across transportation, energy, and industrial sectors.

• MEMO: How Trump’s Actions Are Already Causing Harm (LCV) - Trump's proposed environmental policy rollbacks threaten clean energy jobs, public health, and democratic institutions through aggressive deregulation and fossil fuel expansion.

• DOE’s return-to-office Catch-22 (Latitude Media) - DOE staff face uncertain return-to-office mandate amid potential workforce downsizing and OPM's new weekly reporting requirement.

• US scientists rise up against Trump’s efforts to dismantle federal science (Nature) - US scientists organize nationwide protests against Trump administration's cuts to federal science funding and dismantling of scientific initiatives.

• Striking true or overreaching? How a new executive order clouds FERC’s decisional authority (Utility Dive) - Executive Order 14215 raises concerns about potential federal overreach into FERC's independent regulatory authority and state-level energy jurisdiction.

• Latin American Faculty for Social Sciences (FLACSO Ecuador) (UNDRR) - FLACSO Ecuador advances academic research and training in disaster risk reduction, vulnerability, and climate change adaptation for Latin American urban contexts.

• Universidad del Valle (UniValle) (PreventionWeb) - Universidad del Valle launches continuous training program on vulnerability, disasters, and climate change in Latin American cities.

• Universidad del Bío-Bío (PreventionWeb) - Chilean university's project aims to develop continuous training program on vulnerability, disasters, and climate change in Latin American cities.

• CT Lawmaker Eyeing PURA Seat Owes Struggling Ratepayers Over $1 Million (Energy and Policy Institute) - Connecticut state senator John Fonfara, a potential PURA commissioner, owes over $1.1 million to struggling ratepayers through his mismanaged electric supplier company Wattifi.

• Exchange Partners Welcome New Leadership (NYCCExchange) - Stony Brook and RIT welcome new presidents Andrea Goldsmith and William Sanders, promising continued leadership in climate innovation and technological advancement.

• Universidad Autónoma de Baja California Sur (UABCS) (UNDRR) - Universidad Autónoma de Baja California Sur offers in-person Disaster Prevention and Civil Protection Engineering program in La Paz, Mexico.

• Water Is No Longer Business as Usual (REVOLVE) - EU Commissioner warns of critical water challenges, calls for comprehensive strategy to restore water systems, ensure clean water, and boost water-smart technologies.

Renewables

Meta-Driven Solar Expansion and Global Innovation: From Utah's 400MW Farm to Lenovo's Solar Laptop, Highlighting Technological Breakthroughs in Renewable Energy Infrastructure and Consumer Tech

• Clean Energy Utah — An Update (CleanTechnica) - Utah's Green River Energy Center advances clean energy transition with 400MW solar farm and 1600MWh battery storage near existing coal plants, driven by Meta's renewable energy commitments.

• 2024 Electric Program Investment Charge (EPIC) Symposium recap (BBC) - California's EPIC Symposium highlights clean energy innovation, tribal involvement, and technological advancements driving state's 100% renewable energy transition.

• Lenovo’s Back Contact Solar Panel Powered Laptop With 24% Efficiency (TaiyangNews) - Lenovo unveils solar-powered laptop with 24% efficient back contact solar cells, capable of powering one hour of video playback in just 20 minutes.

• Welcome to the ‘Silicon Jungle’: How Costa Rica could wean the U.S. off Taiwanese semiconductors (Renewable Energy World) - Costa Rica leverages its 24/7 renewable energy infrastructure to attract semiconductor manufacturing, positioning itself as an alternative to Taiwan's geopolitically sensitive chip production.

• Colored solar modules: Inspiring options for architectural solar integration (TaiyangNews) - Soluxa introduces high-efficiency colored solar modules that enable architectural solar integration while maintaining aesthetic harmony in heritage and urban spaces.

• 'Making round-the-clock clean energy a reality': Solar storage start-up Moonwatt raises €8m (BusinessGreen) - Solar storage start-up Moonwatt secures €8m to develop sodium-ion battery system enabling 24/7 solar power accessibility with potential to abate 14 gigatonnes of CO2 annually by 2050.

• Sunset for Sunnova? Leading residential solar and storage company casts doubt on its ability to survive (Renewable Energy World) - Sunnova, a leading residential solar company, faces potential bankruptcy amid financial challenges and uncertain political climate for renewable energy.

• Engie Targets 95 GW Renewable Energy Capacity By 2030 (TaiyangNews) - Engie plans to expand renewable energy and storage capacity to 95 GW by 2030, investing €24 billion with 75% dedicated to renewables, batteries, and power networks.

• New Report Reveals Economic, Tax Benefits of Expanding Solar in Indiana (Advanced Energy United) - Indiana solar expansion could generate $352 million in tax revenue and create over 16,000 jobs while meeting growing electricity demand.

• India’s GP Eco Solutions’ 7 GW Solar PV Manufacturing Plans (TaiyangNews) - GP Eco Solutions plans 7 GW solar PV manufacturing expansion in Madhya Pradesh with INR 10 billion investment.

• Advancing Renewable Energy in Indonesia: A Comprehensive Analysis of Challenges, Opportunities, and Strategic Solutions (TaiyangNews) - Indonesia faces complex renewable energy transition with significant policy, infrastructure, and investment challenges requiring multi-stakeholder strategic interventions.

• Latin America Solar PV News Snippets: EU Endorses Solar-Hydrogen Project In Barbados & More (Taiyangnews) - EU supports innovative Barbados solar-hydrogen project that will provide clean electricity to 18,680 homes and boost renewable energy penetration by 50%.

• Sunnova’s debt problem (Latitude Media) - Sunnova faces potential bankruptcy with $8.46 billion debt, plummeting stock, and "substantial doubt" about continuing operations amid residential solar market contraction.

• Sunnova warns of dwindling cash amid rooftop-solar woes (Canary Media) - Sunnova, a leading residential solar company, warns of potential cash shortage within 12 months due to high interest rates and declining solar installations.

• IEA PVPS Proposes Stronger Partnerships To Drive BIPV Growth (TaiyangNews) - IEA PVPS recommends stronger industry partnerships and regulatory frameworks to accelerate building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) technology adoption across seven countries.

• First women-only rooftop solar project powers up in Victoria, sets higher bar for industry (RenewEconomy) - First all-women solar project at Officeworks highlights industry potential and challenges for female workforce in renewable energy sector.

• Record year for renewable PPAs features two mega-deals – and a new biggest spender (RenewEconomy) - Australian corporate renewable Power Purchase Agreements hit record 3400 MW in 2024, with resource sector dominating mega-deals and market dynamics shifting.

• Neoen goes public with new plans for scaled back wind farm and a four-hour big battery (RenewEconomy) - Neoen proposes scaled-back 577 MW wind farm with 350 MW/1,340 MWh battery in New South Wales' Southwest Renewable Energy Zone.

• Contractor named to build delayed solar-battery project in Victoria (RenewEconomy) - Recurrent Energy selects GRS to build 171MW solar-battery project in Victoria, advancing grid infrastructure and renewable energy development.

• EcoFlow DELTA Pro + Two 220W Solar Panels: The Ultimate Powerhouse Is 52% Off (CleanTechnica) - EcoFlow offers powerful DELTA Pro portable solar power station with 52% discount, providing versatile off-grid energy solution for adventurers and homeowners.

• A summer of record renewables, record demand highs and record demand lows, and no blackouts (RenewEconomy) - Australia's main grid achieves record 44.7% renewable energy during summer with no supply shortfalls, demonstrating growing battery storage reliability.

Transport

California and BYD Lead Global EV Expansion, with XPENG, VinFast Driving Southeast Asian Market Growth and Innovative Charging Infrastructure Developments

• Over 16,000 Medium- and Heavy-Duty ZEV Charging & Fueling Points Available In California (CleanTechnica) - California leads U.S. with over 16,000 charging and fueling points for medium- and heavy-duty zero-emission vehicles, targeting 98,000 charging ports by 2030.

• High-Mileage BYD Uber (CleanTechnica) - Australian Uber driver demonstrates BYD Atto 3's reliability by driving 150,000 km with minimal battery degradation, highlighting electric vehicle performance and cost-effectiveness.

• VinFast Partners with Motech to Establish Nationwide Service Center Network in the Philippines (CleanTechnica) - VinFast partners with Motech to establish comprehensive EV service network across Philippines, supporting green transportation expansion.

• BYD Electric Bus Sales Grow 40.5%, Non-Bus Commercial Vehicle Sales Grow 1,459%! (CleanTechnica) - BYD electric bus and non-bus commercial vehicle sales surge dramatically, with 40.5% bus growth and 1,459% non-bus commercial vehicle sales increase in early 2025.

• BYD New Energy Vehicle Sales Jump 161% (CleanTechnica) - BYD's new energy vehicle sales surge 161% in February 2025, showcasing robust growth in electric and hybrid vehicle market.

• Ain’t no mountain high enough (Active Impact Investments) - Venture capital firm's founders climb Kilimanjaro while highlighting successful African investments in solar battery and electric motorbike companies.

• XPENG Goes to Indonesia (CleanTechnica) - XPENG launches in Indonesia, partners with Erajaya Active Lifestyle to sell and locally produce X9 and G6 electric vehicles, targeting Southeast Asia's largest auto market.

• 25 Polish Hydrogen Bus Princesses Likely Need New Fuel Cells (CleanTechnica) - 25 Polish hydrogen buses withdrawn from service after diagnostic systems detect unexpected malfunctions potentially linked to fuel quality.

• Massachusetts to deploy 100 bidirectional EV chargers in first-of-its-kind ‘V2X’ pilot (Utility Dive) - Massachusetts launches pioneering statewide pilot to deploy 100 bidirectional EV chargers, enhancing grid resilience and renewable energy integration.

• EU to Gift Weaker Climate Targets to Car Industry in Return for No Commitments (CleanTechnica) - EU Commission proposes weakening 2025 electric vehicle emissions targets, giving car manufacturers more flexibility and potentially delaying EV production.

• Half of New EU City Buses Were Zero-Emission in 2024 (CleanTechnica) - Nearly half of new EU city buses were zero-emission in 2024, with battery-electric buses dominating and fuel cell buses emerging, signaling rapid transition to clean urban transport.

• Argus Green Marine Fuels Europe Conference, 12-14 May 2025, Antwerp, Belgium (Argus) - Green marine fuels conference to convene industry experts in Antwerp, Belgium to discuss sustainable shipping technologies and decarbonization strategies.

• Airstream Introduces The 20Xe: The Future Of Electric-Ready Off-Grid Adventure (CleanTechnica) - Airstream launches Basecamp 20Xe, an all-electric, off-grid capable travel trailer designed for EV owners and adventure enthusiasts with advanced solar, battery, and electric appliance systems.