In Downturns, Future Leaders Innovate

"History shows that those who are strategic in their investments in innovation during challenging times often emerge as leaders," writes innovation specialist Daniel Hill at Environmental Defense Fund in an excellent blog post yesterday about the strategic advantage that can be built by using foresight at times of seemingly waning economic or political opportunity. "When Others Retreat, Innovate: Climate Action in Times of Uncertainty" As an analogy for investing in climate innovation, Hill tells the story of how in 2008's global recession, while others laid people off and cut spending, Netflix, Mailchimp, and Dominos invested in innovation that make them global leaders once the downturn had passed. I shared this post with further discussion here on LinkedIn; I'd love it if you joined me there to help stir up conversation.

Back in 2008, while the global economy was in recession, Keanu Reeves played an extraterrestrial sent to warn humans we were putting the earth at risk with our behavior in a remake of the 1951 movie The Day the Earth Stood Still

And now we offer you the best updates from around the green tech and sustainability world today. May they help grow your capacity to exercise foresight and strategic innovation! Email subscribers get 3 just for you.

-Marshall Kirkpatrick

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

 

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

• A digest-style Table of Contents for 213 selected updates from around the green tech and sustainability world

• (If you subscribe by email) 3 personalized selections just for you and your work

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Today's Updates

Table of Contents

• Agriculture (8 stories) - Digital tools and agroforestry innovations reshape sustainable farming amid climate challenges, with EU research, Amazonian water management insights, and regenerative strategies for tomato, chocolate, and hay production.

  
  

• Carbon (12 stories) - Ocean alkalinity, direct air capture, and innovative carbon removal techniques advance as United Airlines, Heirloom, Stanford, and Make Sunsets push technological boundaries in climate mitigation strategies.

  
  

• Circular (2 stories) - Cleveland's urban regeneration and ISO 59000 standards drive circular economy innovation through community-centered land use and global business transformation strategies.

  
  

• Ecosystems (19 stories) - Global conservation tech tackles biodiversity crisis through innovative mapping, forest monitoring, and strategic ecosystem restoration efforts across multiple continents

  
  

• Efficiency (4 stories) - Heat pump innovations and home efficiency upgrades highlight energy savings potential, while policy shifts threaten conservation standards

  
  

• Finance (7 stories) - Banking activism and green investment surge, with $272B US clean energy funding and strategic capital raises across battery, energy, and deep tech sectors

  
  

• Grid (26 stories) - Energy storage innovations, grid modernization strategies, and AI-powered solutions drive resilience and renewable integration across multiple states and utilities.

  
  

• Indigenous (8 stories) - Indigenous Tech and Justice: Drone Monitoring, Territorial Rights, and Community Resilience Across Brazil, US, Russia, and Philippines

  
  

• Industry (17 stories) - Ideal Deposition's SALD, TerraPower's nuclear milestones, and BP's oil pivot highlight a transformative year in energy tech, with $388B in domestic clean manufacturing investments reshaping industrial landscapes.

  
  

• Policy (72 stories) - Trump's EPA Cuts, EU Deforestation Rules, and State-Level Climate Battles Define Policy Landscape Amid Renewable Energy Tensions

  
  

• Renewables (26 stories) - AI-driven solar innovations, grid milestones, and strategic shifts mark global renewable energy landscape, with key developments from Australia, India, Sweden, and US tech pioneers transforming solar deployment, storage, and community engagement.

  
  

• Transport (11 stories) - Airport expansions, electric vehicle innovations, and hydrogen mobility drive global transport electrification across Rivian, XPENG, Kia, and emerging aviation technologies.

Agriculture

Digital tools and agroforestry innovations reshape sustainable farming amid climate challenges, with EU research, Amazonian water management insights, and regenerative strategies for tomato, chocolate, and hay production.

• Connecting the Fork to the Farm (Revolve Media) - EU-funded research explores sustainable livestock farming, connecting consumers with producers through digital tools and quality-focused agricultural innovation.

• The Deschutes River Conservancy AKA Deschutes Irrigation Conservancy (The Wildlife News) - Central Oregon's Deschutes River is being critically depleted by inefficient irrigation practices that primarily serve hobby farmers, consuming 86% of water for low-value hay production while devastating aquatic ecosystems.

• Study unearths sophisticated year-round corn-growing system in ancient Bolivian Amazon (Mongabay) - Ancient Amazonian Casarabe culture developed sophisticated water management and year-round corn cultivation system using drainage canals and artificial ponds between 500-1400 CE.

• Pollinator decline & climate change threaten chocolate production (Mongabay) - Pollinator decline and rising temperatures threaten global chocolate production, with hand-pollination and agroforestry offering potential solutions for cacao farmers.

• An uncertain future for agricultural students at Black colleges after Trump cuts: ‘a clear attack’ (Guardian) - Trump administration's suspension of 1890 National Scholars program threatens agricultural education and career opportunities for Black college students.

• Access to land and money still bars the way for many regenerative farmers (AgFunderNews) - Regenerative farmers face significant barriers in accessing land and capital, highlighting the need for innovative ownership models and investor understanding of agricultural timelines.

• How to Grow Hay with Trees (and Why You Should) (Propagate) - Agroforestry technique of growing hay alongside strategically spaced trees offers farmers multiple income streams, environmental benefits, and long-term land value optimization.

• Will there be a ketchup shortage next season? (ClimateAi) - California's processing tomato production faces critical climate challenges, threatening ketchup supply and driving innovative sourcing strategies.

Carbon

Ocean alkalinity, direct air capture, and innovative carbon removal techniques advance as United Airlines, Heirloom, Stanford, and Make Sunsets push technological boundaries in climate mitigation strategies.

• Major Milestone: 1,000 Tonnes Removed And Counting (Planetary Technologies) - Company achieves landmark 1,000-tonne carbon removal milestone through ocean alkalinity enhancement process.

• United Airlines Backs Carbon Removal Tech Company Heirloom (ESG Today) - United Airlines invests in Heirloom's direct air capture technology to support sustainable aviation fuel production and carbon removal goals.

• New EEA Briefing: Methane, climate change and air quality in Europe: exploring the connections (EEA) - European Environment Agency calls for urgent action to reduce methane emissions, highlighting its significant impact on climate change and air quality.

• ‘3D pointillism’: LiDAR paints detailed pictures of field, forest, and carbon storage (Woodwell Climate) - LiDAR technology enables precise 3D mapping of landscapes to estimate carbon storage and biomass through millions of laser light pulses.

• No one is coming to save us. Time to cowboy up! (Keep Cool) - Geoengineering startup Make Sunsets proposes strategic stratospheric sulfur injection as a rapid, low-cost climate cooling method to buy time for global decarbonization efforts.

• Natural rock weathering captures carbon over millennia. Chemists just reduced it to weeks. (Anthropocene Magazine) - Stanford chemists develop rapid rock-based carbon capture method that transforms silicate minerals into CO2-absorbing materials in weeks instead of millennia.

• Capturing CO2, sold as climate solution, rebranded as oil industry boost (Floodlight) - Oil industry seeks to rebrand carbon capture technology as a means to boost oil production and secure federal subsidies, raising concerns about true climate impact.

• Climate Change Update (Energy Central) - Measuring greenhouse gas emissions remains challenging, but tracking human-caused emissions and electric generation carbon intensity provides more direct insights into climate change metrics.

• Carbon Offsets & Renewable Energy Credits (Energy Central) - Webinar explores strategic integration of carbon offsets and renewable energy credits for businesses seeking sustainable practices without greenwashing.

• Meet Chonkus: the CO2-chomping alga that could help tackle the climate crisis (Guardian) - Chonkus, a CO2-absorbing blue-green alga discovered near Sicily, offers potential for carbon capture and food supplement production.

• Why software alone won’t solve corporate carbon accounting: The case for software and services together (Optera) - Corporate carbon accounting requires integrated software and expert services to effectively navigate complex emissions tracking and reduction strategies.

• Why we're betting our lives on carbon removal (and why Trump doesn't matter) (BusinessGreen) - Startup founders argue carbon removal is crucial and inevitable, regardless of political shifts.

Circular

Cleveland's urban regeneration and ISO 59000 standards drive circular economy innovation through community-centered land use and global business transformation strategies.

• The Foundation's newest film: Cleveland's circular city road map (Ellen MacArthur Foundation) - Cleveland transforms vacant lots into a circular economy model, demonstrating urban resilience and sustainable community development.

• Building a Sustainable Future with Circular Economy Standards (Revolve.media) - ISO 59000 standards provide comprehensive framework for businesses to transition from linear to circular economy models, enabling sustainable resource management and value creation.

Ecosystems

Global conservation tech tackles biodiversity crisis through innovative mapping, forest monitoring, and strategic ecosystem restoration efforts across multiple continents

• Botanic gardens are struggling to keep up with the biodiversity crisis – here’s what they can do (The Conversation) - Botanic gardens face critical challenges in preserving global plant biodiversity, requiring innovative collaboration and strategic conservation approaches.

• Extreme heat can age you as fast as a smoking habit (Grist) - Extreme heat accelerates cellular aging as much as smoking, potentially aging individuals up to 14 months faster in high-temperature regions.

• Intelligent Life May Be Hiding in the Moons (Nautilus) - Exomoons could potentially host intelligent life, offering a promising alternative to rocky exoplanets in the search for extraterrestrial civilizations.

• Concerns of illegal sea turtle trade persist in Bali as police foil smugglers (Mongabay) - Bali police seize dozens of endangered sea turtles, highlighting persistent illegal wildlife trade despite conservation efforts.

• Reforesting Malawi’s ‘Island in the Sky’ to save its vanishing woodlands (Mongabay) - Malawi's Mount Mulanje faces critical reforestation efforts to restore endemic Mulanje cedar and miombo woodlands after devastating deforestation and climate impacts.

• February updates #2 from the Nature Tech Collective (Nature Tech Collective) - Global nature tech community prepares for Nature Tech Week with biodiversity mapping, sector landscape analysis, and innovative tech solutions for sustainability.

• ‘We used to think the ice was eternal’: Colombia looks to a future without glaciers (Guardian) - Colombia's glaciers are rapidly disappearing, with experts predicting total loss within 30 years, threatening water supplies and local ecosystems.

• Conservation Florida Protects 101 Acres of Coastal Marsh in Perdido Bay, Enhancing Newly Designated Nationally Significant Estuary (Conservation Florida) - Nonprofit conserves 101 acres of critical coastal marsh in Perdido Bay, enhancing newly designated nationally significant estuary and protecting biodiversity.

• Regenerative forestry offers ‘significant upside to investors,’ says new research from asset manager SLM Partners (AgFunderNews) - Regenerative forestry research shows continuous cover forest management can sequester more carbon, provide stable investor returns, and enhance biodiversity compared to traditional clear-fell methods.

• ‘Holy cow!’ Mangroves discovered in Georgia, farther north than ever before (Yale Climate Connections) - Mangroves discovered in Georgia for the first time, signaling northward expansion due to warming temperatures.

• Federal Firings Threaten Great Lakes’ $5 Billion Fishery (Inside Climate News) - Federal layoffs threaten Great Lakes' $5 billion fishery by potentially allowing invasive sea lamprey to devastate native fish populations.

• Meet CTrees at upcoming events | February 2025 (CTrees) - Gabon's space agency collaborates with CTrees scientists to develop advanced digital monitoring system for tropical forest resources.

• Winter Is Coming (Is it though?) ❄️ (Faircado) - Alpine ski tourism faces existential threat as climate change reduces snowfall, forcing energy-intensive artificial snow production with severe environmental consequences.

• Cop16 countries strike crucial deal on nature despite global tensions (Guardian) - Cop16 countries reach landmark biodiversity funding agreement, securing crucial financial support for global nature conservation efforts despite geopolitical tensions.

• How Climate Change Puts the Safety of Drinking Water at Risk (Yale E360) - Climate change increasingly threatens drinking water safety through wildfires, floods, droughts, and extreme weather events, causing contamination, infrastructure damage, and water quality challenges worldwide.

• Israel’s bombing of Gaza caused untold environmental damage − recovery will take effort and time (The Conversation) - Israel's bombing of Gaza has caused catastrophic environmental damage, with widespread destruction of water, waste, and air quality infrastructure that will require extensive international effort to restore.

• Protect This Place: Otay Mountain — Boon of Biodiversity on the Border (The Revelator) - Otay Mountain's unique biodiversity faces critical threats from climate change, wildfires, and border wall impacts, requiring urgent conservation efforts.

• To benefit biodiversity & climate, restoring lost forests works best: Study (Mongabay) - Reforestation emerges as most effective land-based method for carbon removal and biodiversity protection, outperforming afforestation and bioenergy cropping.

• Mountain bongo antelope fly from Florida to Kenya to help save a species (Mongabay) - 17 mountain bongo antelopes from Florida repatriated to Kenya to help restore critically endangered species and boost local ecosystem biodiversity.

Efficiency

Heat pump innovations and home efficiency upgrades highlight energy savings potential, while policy shifts threaten conservation standards

• A Snowy Georgia Winter Put This Homeowner’s Heat Pump HVAC to the Test (SACE) - Georgia homeowner's dual-fuel heat pump HVAC system demonstrates efficiency and resilience during winter, reducing energy consumption by over 60% despite occasional gas furnace use.

• Octopus Energy trials 'Zero Bills' upgrades for existing homes (BusinessGreen) - Octopus Energy launches innovative 'Zero Bills' home upgrade program to retrofit existing homes with green technologies.

• New Handbook of Best Practices: Room Air Conditioner Installation for the Lowest Carbon Footprint (IGSD) - New handbook provides comprehensive guidelines for installing room air conditioners to maximize energy efficiency and minimize carbon footprint.

• U.S. House Votes to Repeal Efficiency Standards for Water Heaters (NRDC) - U.S. House passes bill to repeal water heater efficiency standards, potentially increasing energy costs for households.

Finance

Banking activism and green investment surge, with $272B US clean energy funding and strategic capital raises across battery, energy, and deep tech sectors

• Divest Your Dollars: A Guide to Climate-Friendly Banking (Protect Our Winters) - Guide reveals how individuals can strategically shift banking practices to reduce fossil fuel financing and support climate solutions.

• Dragonfly Energy Announces Corporate Debt Restructuring and Capital Raise (Dragonfly Energy) - Battery technology company secures $3.5M capital raise and debt restructuring to enhance financial flexibility.

• Ameresco Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Financial Results (Ameresco) - Energy solutions provider reports 29% revenue growth and record project backlog of $4.8 billion in 2024 financial results.

• Connecticut Green Bank Launches 12th Green Liberty Notes Offering (CT Green Bank) - Connecticut launches 12th crowdfunding round of Green Liberty Notes, enabling small investments in energy efficiency projects for local businesses.

• Clean Investment Monitor: Q4 2024 Update (Clean Investment Monitor) - US clean energy investment reaches $272 billion in 2024, with 77% of investments in Republican-represented districts.

• Stellantis Publishes 2024 Annual Report and Files Form 20-F (Stellantis) - Automotive company publishes comprehensive 2024 Annual Report and files Form 20-F with U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

• SEEDS Capital E-news - Discover the latest highlights in the deep tech space (SEEDS Capital) - Singapore commits S$440 million to boost deep tech startup ecosystem, increasing co-investment cap and maintaining regional venture capital leadership.

Grid

Energy storage innovations, grid modernization strategies, and AI-powered solutions drive resilience and renewable integration across multiple states and utilities.

• Big news from Energy Vault for Data Center Battery Backup (IEA) - Energy Vault unveils B-Nest battery solution offering unprecedented 10-hour power backup with eight times energy density for data centers.

• New generation is a ‘better approach’ to energy security than interregional transmission: ERCOT (Utility Dive) - ERCOT argues new generation is faster and more effective for energy security than building interregional transmission lines.

• PJM board approves $6.7B transmission expansion plan (Utility Dive) - PJM approves $6.7B transmission expansion plan to bolster grid reliability and support growing electricity demand across 13 states.

• One way data centers can help the grid? By being flexible (Canary Media) - Data centers can help stabilize electricity grids by being flexible in their power consumption and using on-site generation during peak hours.

• Base Power offers Texans big backup batteries, no purchase necessary (Canary Media) - Base Power offers Texans free home batteries, monetizing grid services through vertical integration and electricity retail.

• LiveEO | Keeping the Lights on in Westerville: 41% Fewer Outages with Vegetation Management Satellite Tech (LiveEO) - Westerville Electric Division reduces power outages by 41% using AI-powered satellite vegetation management technology.

• The Projects Team That Powered Powin’s Success in 2024 (Powin) - Energy storage company successfully deployed 7.3 GWh across multiple countries, achieving 650 GWh grid contribution and 41% improved on-time project delivery in 2024.

• Can caverns of piping hot water heat our cities? (DW) - Swedish city repurposes Cold War-era oil caverns as massive underground heat storage system to efficiently power district heating with renewable energy.

• EnergyAustralia breaks ground on its first four-hour big battery in Victorian coal country (RenewEconomy) - EnergyAustralia launches $700 million, 350MW four-hour battery in Victorian coal region, targeting 1.6 gigawatts of storage by 2030.

• How to make sure big batteries are focused on helping the grid, not lining their owner’s profits (RenewEconomy) - German grid operators seek to transform battery storage from profit-driven market assets to grid-supporting infrastructure.

• Energy Insiders Podcast: Market changes could come quickly (RenewEconomy) - Energy market experts discuss potential rapid shifts in National Electricity Market dynamics and emerging storage technologies.

• NV Energy seeks 9% rate increase in Southern Nevada (RenewableEnergyWorld) - NV Energy proposes 9% rate increase in Southern Nevada, seeking $215.7 million revenue boost with changes to solar billing and low-income customer subsidies.

• Utilities don’t share a definition of ‘resilience’ to extreme weather (Renewable Energy World) - Utilities lack a standardized definition of 'resilience' to extreme weather, complicating consistent planning and response strategies.

• A diversified, clean electric grid is the solution for growing energy demand (Latitude Media) - A diversified, clean electric grid with renewable energy and strategic demand-side solutions can reliably meet growing electricity needs while enhancing grid stability.

• Data centers get flexible (Canary Media) - Data centers can provide grid flexibility by dynamically adjusting their energy consumption and potentially serving as grid assets.

• Fix Interconnection to Cut Rising Energy Costs (Advanced Energy United) - PJM Interconnection's inefficient grid processes could cost consumers $7 billion in latest capacity auction.

• Illinois electric school buses get a summer job (Canary Media) - Illinois utility ComEd proposes summer electric school bus vehicle-to-grid pilot to store and dispatch power during peak demand periods.

• SOCAN Testimony supporting HB3546 (SOCAN) - Oregon climate group advocates for legislative bill to regulate data center energy and water consumption, addressing grid and resource challenges.

• Quidnet Completes Testing of Long-Duration Geomechanical Energy Storage (POWER) - Quidnet Energy successfully tests innovative underground water-pressure energy storage technology at megawatt-hour scale, promising grid stability for Texas.

• GridBeyond Will Optimize 200-MW ESS in California (PowerMag) - GridBeyond to optimize 200-MW energy storage system in California using AI-powered trading strategies to support grid stability and renewable energy integration.

• AI and NLP: Driving the Next Generation of Energy Management Systems (POWER) - AI and NLP technologies are revolutionizing energy management by enhancing grid efficiency, optimizing renewable integration, and empowering consumers through personalized insights and simplified market interactions.

• Consumer attitudes and earlier coal closures: AEMO mulls scenario tweaks ahead of new grid blueprint (RenewEconomy) - AEMO considers adjusting grid blueprint scenarios to account for consumer energy resources, EV uptake, and potential earlier coal plant closures.

• Evergy’s Chad Carsten on communications networks for utility unity (Renewable Energy World) - Evergy's Chad Carsten highlights the critical role of communication networks in supporting grid modernization and utility infrastructure challenges.

• Full year results for the twelve months ended 31 December 2024 (Drax) - UK power generator reports strong 2024 financial performance with 5% EBITDA growth, renewable generation increase, and strategic low-carbon power station developments.

• Gore Street Capital selects GridBeyond to optimise 200MW energy storage system (GridBeyond) - Gore Street Capital partners with AI-powered energy tech firm to optimize 200MW California energy storage system for grid stability and renewable integration.

• Transitioning to a Cleaner Energy Future Without Sacrificing Reliability (POWER) - Balancing renewable energy expansion with grid reliability requires strategic use of natural gas as a bridge fuel and careful integration of solar, wind, and nuclear technologies.

Indigenous

Indigenous Tech and Justice: Drone Monitoring, Territorial Rights, and Community Resilience Across Brazil, US, Russia, and Philippines

• Comitê da política de gestão territorial quilombola toma posse com mais de um ano de atraso (Socioambiental) - Brazil's Quilombola Territorial Management Policy Committee is finally installed after a year-long delay, aiming to protect and strengthen traditional Afro-Brazilian community territories.

• On the Anniversary of Wounded Knee, Leonard Peltier’s Release Sparks Reflection and Hope (Atmos) - On the anniversary of Wounded Knee, Native American activist Leonard Peltier is released after 50 years in prison, marking a rare victory for Indigenous justice.

• CJA Black Caucus Regranting Program (Climate Justice Alliance) - Black Caucus awards $170,000 in grants to 11 organizations across 9 states to support environmental justice in Black communities.

• Yanomami youth turn to drones to watch their Amazon territory (Mongabay) - Yanomami youth deploy drone technology to monitor and protect their vast Amazon territory from illegal mining invasions.

• February Enews: Shor Peoples in Russia Call to Save the Kuznetskiy Alatau Biosphere (Cultural Survival) - Shor Indigenous Peoples in Russia call for preservation of the Kuznetskiy Alatau Biosphere Reserve.

• In remote Philippine villages, micro-hydro alternatives power Indigenous homes (Mongabay) - Remote Philippine Indigenous villages build community-powered micro-hydro generators to electrify homes without national grid connection.

• Rivers of Resistance: Black and Indigenous Solidarity Against Colonial Extractivism (Amazon Watch) - Black and Indigenous communities unite to resist colonial extractivism and protect the Tapajós River Basin from destructive infrastructure and environmental degradation.

• Women’s History Month: Spotlight on Helen O’Gorman (NYBG) - Helen O'Gorman, a pioneering botanical illustrator, documented Mexico's native flora through art and published a seminal book on Mexican flowering plants.

Industry

Ideal Deposition's SALD, TerraPower's nuclear milestones, and BP's oil pivot highlight a transformative year in energy tech, with $388B in domestic clean manufacturing investments reshaping industrial landscapes.

• Ideal Deposition: Spatial Atomic Layer Growth In Perovskite Cell Fabrication (TaiyangNews) - Ideal Deposition introduces Spatial Atomic Layer Deposition (SALD) tool for faster, more efficient perovskite solar cell fabrication with improved thin-film deposition capabilities.

• Why LFP battery makers are walking back their domestic factory plans (Latitude Media) - LFP battery makers are scaling back domestic factory plans due to high costs, interest rates, and uncertain federal support.

• Curtiss-Wright Secures TerraPower Contracts for Natrium Nuclear Reactor Simulation and Control Systems (POWER) - Curtiss-Wright secures TerraPower contracts to develop simulation and control systems for advanced Natrium nuclear reactor project.

• NAES, Gecko Robotics Launch $100M AI Partnership Amid Energy Crisis; Shapiro Questions PJM Future (POWER) - NAES and Gecko Robotics launch $100M AI-driven partnership to modernize power plants and address critical grid reliability challenges amid escalating energy demand.

• The Big Question Hanging over Trump’s Minerals Deal with Ukraine (Heatmap News) - Trump's proposed minerals deal with Ukraine faces significant economic and infrastructural challenges in extracting and developing critical mineral resources.

• Climate+ | Episode 25 | Janne Jakobsen @ CONSIGLI (Energy Central) - AI can revolutionize construction by autonomously generating building models, reducing costs, and enhancing sustainability through innovative technological approaches.

• Syzygy Plasmonics achieves new performance mark with ammonia cracking demonstration in South Korea (Energy Central) - Syzygy Plasmonics successfully tests all-electric ammonia cracker in South Korea, producing 290 kg/day of hydrogen at 11 kWh/kg efficiency.

• BP Increases Oil and Gas Investments, Drops Renewable Targets (Earth.org) - BP abandons renewable energy strategy, increases oil and gas investments by $10 billion annually, signaling a major retreat from clean energy transition.

• Clean Manufacturing in America (EESI) - Domestic clean energy manufacturing is booming, with $388 billion invested in batteries, electric vehicles, solar, wind, and semiconductors since recent legislation, potentially creating over 300,000 manufacturing jobs annually.

• Electric Hydrogen selects Ingeteam for clean hydrogen projects in Europe (Electric Hydrogen) - Ingeteam selected to supply power systems for European clean hydrogen projects, advancing decarbonization goals.

• Implications of the India Union Budget for the Technology Sector in India (IDC) - India's 2025 Union Budget boosts technology sector through AI mission, digital infrastructure investments, and startup funding.

• Kemmerer 1—TerraPower’s Pioneering Fourth-Generation Nuclear Project—Hits Key NRC Milestone Ahead of Schedule (POWER) - TerraPower's Kemmerer 1 nuclear project achieves key NRC safety milestone ahead of schedule, advancing fourth-generation sodium-cooled fast reactor development.

• LONGi’s "Lighthouse Factory" was fully upgraded, HPBC 2.0 production line put into operation (TaiyangNews) - LONGi upgrades its Jiaxing "Lighthouse Factory" with HPBC 2.0 production line, aiming to expand solar module capacity to 50GW by 2025.

• New Zealand is a poster child for industrial electrification. Can Australia follow suit? (RenewEconomy) - New Zealand leads industrial electrification through government support and heat pump technology, offering lessons for Australia's energy transition.

• Perpetual Hydrogen Money Loser FuelCell Energy, Like Ballard, Pivoted From Batteries (CleanTechnica) - Hydrogen fuel cell company FuelCell Energy continues to operate despite decades of consistent financial losses and no clear path to profitability.

• Cultivated meat’s ‘trough of disillusionment’ (Latitude Media) - Cultivated meat industry stalls in 'trough of disillusionment' after decade of hype and limited commercial progress.

• Kips Bay Science District’s Vision for Workforce and Innovation (NYCEDC) - Kips Bay Science District aims to transform Hunter College campus into a cutting-edge life sciences hub, supporting workforce development and industry growth through the SPARC project.

Policy

Trump's EPA Cuts, EU Deforestation Rules, and State-Level Climate Battles Define Policy Landscape Amid Renewable Energy Tensions

• Trump looms large at ACORE’s renewable energy policy conference (Utility Dive) - Trump's stance on renewable energy and potential Inflation Reduction Act cuts dominate ACORE policy conference discussions.

• Trump’s war on climate science is pushing us into a dystopian future (The Conversation) - Trump's systematic suppression of climate science threatens global environmental research and policy progress.

• House, Senate Pass Resolutions Promoting Methane Pollution and Waste of American Energy (EDF) - Congressional resolutions seek to repeal methane polluter fee, potentially wasting energy resources and benefiting oil and gas companies.

• LiveEO | Legal Documentation Required for EUDR Compliance (LiveEO) - Companies must develop comprehensive legal documentation proving deforestation-free sourcing and regulatory compliance under new EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).

• LiveEO | Ensuring Legal Protection Against Supplier Non-Compliance (LiveEO) - Comprehensive legal and technological solution helps companies navigate EUDR compliance and mitigate supply chain risks through proactive auditing and documentation.

• LiveEO | Legal Obligations for Companies Affected by EUDR (LiveEO) - EU Deforestation Regulation mandates comprehensive due diligence for companies importing specific commodities, requiring detailed supply chain tracking and verification to prevent deforestation.

• LiveEO | Introduction to EUDR Legal Requirements and Best Practices (LiveEO) - EU introduces stringent Deforestation Regulation mandating companies trace and verify sustainability of seven key commodities to prevent forest destruction.

• Fund for Climate Solutions awards five new grants (Woodwell Climate Research Center) - Fund for Climate Solutions awards five innovative grants targeting climate challenges across Arctic, soil carbon, AI prediction, forest conservation, and landslide hazard management.

• Gonzales Poll: Sixty-One Percent of MD Democrats OPPOSE Building a New Gas-burning Power Plant in the State (CCAN Action Fund) - Maryland Democratic voters overwhelmingly oppose new gas-burning power plant, preferring solar and battery alternatives.

• US Cultural Revolution: Bonfire of NASA, NOAA, EPA, CDC, & USDA Climate Programs (CleanTechnica) - Trump administration launches ideological purge of climate research institutions, dismantling NASA, NOAA, EPA, CDC, and USDA climate programs in a move reminiscent of China's Cultural Revolution.

• New Power Plant Data Show Another Year of Racial and Economic Inequities (Clean Energy Group) - EPA data reveals peaker power plants continue to disproportionately impact low-income communities and people of color through high emissions and economic burden.

• Climate Retreat In Germany? (Covering Climate Now) - Germany's recent election signals potential retreat from ambitious climate policies as center-right parties gain power.

• California clean energy experts and consumer advocates expose utility spending and excessive profits as true cause of soaring electric bills (EWG) - California clean energy experts reveal utility overspending and excessive profits, not rooftop solar, are driving soaring electricity bills.

• Most States Flunk Community Power Scorecard (CleanTechnica) - Most U.S. states receive failing grades in community power policies, with only Illinois scoring above average in enabling local clean energy ownership and grid access.

• Top 5 Stories Worth Reading — February 2025 (LCV) - League of Conservation Voters highlights climate champions of color, tracks clean energy progress, and fights against environmental rollbacks in comprehensive 2024 impact report.

• Trump Reveals Plans to Cut EPA Staff by 65%, Leaving Public Unprotected from Toxic Pollution (Environmental Protection Network) - Trump proposes massive 65% EPA staff cut, potentially compromising public health and environmental protection.

• Environmental Protection Network Launches #EPAFacts and EPAFacts.org to Counter Misinformation (Environmental Protection Network) - Launching #EPAFacts website and social media campaign to counter misinformation and defend EPA's critical role in protecting public health and environment.

• Gas networks resort to fanciful modelling in new scare campaign against electric homes (RenewEconomy) - Gas networks use misleading modeling to oppose Victorian building electrification reforms, exaggerating costs and underestimating renewable energy potential.

• Trump Ends US Initiative to Boost Renewable Energy Projects, Electricity in Africa (Earth.org) - Trump administration terminates Power Africa initiative, ending US-funded renewable energy and electricity access program across the continent.

• ‘An assault on science anywhere is an assault on science everywhere’: Nature denounces Trump’s attack on US research (Nature) - Global scientific community denounces Trump administration's assault on US research enterprise and calls for international solidarity.

• An unvaccinated child is first US measles death in a decade  (Nature) - Unvaccinated child dies of measles in Texas, marking first US measles death in a decade.

• Trump and Musk take aim at the rural West (HCN) - Trump and Musk's mass federal job cuts threaten rural Western economies, public lands management, and critical infrastructure services.

• Climate Change AI newsletter - February 2025 (CCAI) - Climate Change AI newsletter highlights upcoming events, funding opportunities, research datasets, and job openings across climate and AI domains.

• Coal mine reclamation stalls in Kentucky (Lexington Herald-Leader) - Hundreds of unreclaimed surface mines in eastern Kentucky continue to cause environmental problems for local communities years after coal production ceased.

• Minnesota regains access to federal funds for climate plan (Canary Media) - Minnesota regains access to federal climate plan funding after being previously locked out by the Trump administration.

• The EU's 'Clean Industrial Deal' (Canary Media) - EU unveils 'Clean Industrial Deal' to reduce CO2 emissions and enhance energy security.

• On a Test of Energy Democracy, Illinois Passes, Alabama Flunks and Everyone Else Is In-Between (Inside Climate News) - Illinois leads in energy democracy with highest state score, while Alabama ranks last in community power and renewable energy policies.

• Greenpeace entities petition North Dakota Supreme Court for venue change in Energy Transfer SLAPP trial (Greenpeace) - Environmental activists petition North Dakota Supreme Court to change venue in ongoing SLAPP lawsuit against Energy Transfer.

• Moms Tell Congress to Stand Up for Commonsense Methane Pollution Protections (Moms Clean Air Force) - Advocacy group urges Congress to maintain methane pollution fee to protect family health and combat climate change.

• Rural Businesses, Farmers Lose While USDA’s Rural Energy Program is Frozen (NSAC) - USDA's Rural Energy Program funding freeze halts critical energy efficiency and renewable energy grants for rural businesses and farmers across the United States.

• Omnibus Bill 2025: What the proposed changes mean for businesses (Future Planet) - EU proposes streamlined sustainability reporting rules with broader company eligibility and reduced compliance burden.

• Congressional Roll Back of Commonsense Safeguards for Methane Pollution Will Harm Communities (LCV) - Congressional Republicans seek to eliminate EPA methane pollution fee, prioritizing oil and gas industry profits over public health and climate action.

• When Others Retreat, Innovate: Climate Action in Times of Uncertainty (EDF+Business) - Companies strategically investing in climate innovation during economic uncertainty will emerge as resilient and competitive business leaders.

• Sen. Kaine Excoriates Trump for Declaring a Bogus Energy Emergency (Inside Climate News) - Senator Kaine Denounces Trump's National Energy Emergency as Unnecessary and Politically Motivated Amid Record U.S. Energy Production.

• New York’s Battery Backlash Catches Fire (Heatmap News) - New York communities are mounting growing opposition to battery storage projects, driven by safety fears and local political activism.

• This Week in Trumpian Climate Chaos (Heatmap News) - EPA partially unfreezes climate grant funding, leaving key renewable energy program paused amid potential IRA repeal discussions.

• Advancing Hispanic Representation in Energy: A Strategic Partnership for Equity and Opportunity (Better Energy) - Great Plains Institute and Hispanics in Energy partner to expand Hispanic representation, data insights, and opportunities in the energy workforce.

• Why the Current Climate Strategy is Doomed: Part 3 (Energy Central) - Current climate transition strategies face critical challenges in timelines, economics, raw material supply, and global implementation, particularly regarding China's role.

• Most jurors in US pipeline case against Greenpeace have fossil fuel industry ties (Guardian) - Fossil fuel-linked jurors dominate trial as Energy Transfer seeks $300m damages against Greenpeace over Dakota Access pipeline protests.

• Goodbye X, 2 upcoming events, 13 new jobs (GLF) - Global Landscapes Forum announces two upcoming forest-focused events and 13 job opportunities across sustainability sectors in February 2025.

• US Forest Service firings decimate already understaffed agency: ‘It’s catastrophic’ (Grist) - U.S. Forest Service faces catastrophic staffing cuts, with 3,400 workers laid off, threatening public lands management and emergency response capabilities.

• One senator’s lonely quest to make the farm bill more sustainable (Grist) - Senator Debbie Stabenow's retirement highlights the challenges of integrating climate solutions into the farm bill amid partisan gridlock.

• African NGOs appeal judgement in controversial oil pipeline case (Mongabay) - African NGOs appeal East African Court of Justice dismissal of case challenging controversial East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) on human rights and environmental grounds.

• Duke Energy quietly proposes second massive gas plant in North Carolina (Canary Media) - Duke Energy proposes second massive gas-fired power plant in North Carolina, sparking controversy over necessity and environmental impact.

• Duke pitches another N.C. gas plant, despite carbon goals (Canary Media) - Duke Energy proposes new gas-fired power plant in North Carolina despite state's carbon reduction goals.

• EPA says it has unfrozen billions in funds for climate-related projects (Renewable Energy World) - EPA unblocks nearly $100 billion in climate-related funding, releasing grants for solar and clean energy projects across the United States.

• EU parliament calls for end to Rwanda mineral pact over DRC conflict links (Mongabay) - EU Parliament votes to suspend Rwanda mineral agreement over DRC conflict links, citing concerns about mineral trade fueling regional violence.

• Exporting natural gas raises your power bills. Trump is doing it anyway. (Grist) - Trump administration rapidly approves new LNG export terminals despite DOE report warning of increased domestic energy costs and environmental damage.

• From Davos to G20: It’s time to tax the super-rich for a green and just future (Greenpeace) - Global activists demand G20 implement wealth tax on billionaires to fund climate and social crisis solutions.

• How states are fighting back against Trump’s clean energy ban (LCV) - States launch aggressive clean energy and climate legislation to counter federal policy challenges, with 10 states proposing renewable energy standards, polluter accountability measures, and emissions reduction targets.

• Inclusive Procurement for Decarbonization Projects (Energy Central) - Upcoming online event explores inclusive procurement strategies for decarbonization projects in public sector.

• IRA tax credit repeal would drive up electricity prices, system costs: reports (Utility Dive) - IRA tax credit repeal could increase electricity prices by up to 10% nationwide and potentially create power supply shortfalls by 2029.

• Is Big Oil Really to Blame for Climate Change? (Energy Central) - Big Oil's 5.4% of global emissions challenges simplistic blame for climate change, highlighting complex shared responsibility across producers, consumers, and policymakers.

• Last spots - Climate at the Border- El Clima en la Frontera - Aplica aquí - Apply here (Covering Climate Now) - Free bilingual journalism training program empowers reporters to cover climate change impacts along the US-Mexico border.

• Lee Zeldin Plans to Roll Back Climate Regulations by Denying Greenhouse Gases Threaten Public Health, According to Report (Environmental Protection Network) - Lee Zeldin seeks to dismantle climate regulations by challenging scientific consensus on greenhouse gas health risks.

• Nature Conservancy Allegedly Told to Say ‘Gulf of America’ or Lose Federal Funding (Heatmap News) - Nature Conservancy allegedly pressured by NOAA to rename Gulf of Mexico conservation program to "Gulf of America" or risk losing $156 million in federal funding.

• Oregon bill on wildfire prevention work could give utilities immunity from lawsuits (Renewable Energy World) - Oregon bill proposes utility wildfire prevention standards in exchange for potential lawsuit immunity, sparking controversy among legal experts and fire survivors.

• The EPA Is Bracing for Massive Staff Cuts (Heatmap News) - EPA faces potential 65% workforce reduction under proposed Trump administration staffing cuts.

• The Shattered Mirror of Globalisation: Unveiling the Consequences for the Electricity Industry (Energy Central) - U.S. energy policy stands at a critical crossroads, balancing fossil fuel interests with renewable energy transition amid geopolitical, economic, and climate challenges.

• Third Act Believes In Science—Fossil Fuels, Including CO2, Put Our Planet and Health In Danger (Third Act) - Advocacy group warns EPA's potential rollback of Endangerment Finding threatens climate science and human health by undermining carbon dioxide's environmental impact.

• Trump and the Truth (Climate One) - Trump's Paris Agreement withdrawal exemplified systematic misrepresentation of climate action's economic and democratic potential.

• UN Biodiversity COP16 launches committless Cali Fund and finalises agreement on biodiversity finance (Greenpeace) - UN Biodiversity COP16 establishes roadmap to close $700 billion nature finance gap and mobilize funding for global biodiversity protection.

• What Now? From the IRA to “Drill, Baby, Drill” – SOSV Deep Tech LIVE Premieres with Princeton’s Dr. Jesse Jenkins (SOSV) - Princeton energy expert Dr. Jesse Jenkins reveals Inflation Reduction Act could triple decarbonization rates and spark massive clean energy investment.

• ‘Cruel and thoughtless’: Trump fires hundreds at US climate agency Noaa (Guardian) - Trump administration abruptly fires hundreds of climate researchers at NOAA, decimating critical environmental science workforce.

• “We’re at an inflection point:” Nelson Review may move quickly on some energy market reforms (RenewEconomy) - Nelson Review panel seeks rapid, actionable recommendations to transform electricity market for renewable grid integration and consumer energy resources.

• 2024 National Environmental Scorecard: In a Year of Record Heat, Did Your Members of Congress Vote to Fight the Climate Crisis? (LCV) - Congressional environmental scorecard reveals stark partisan divide with Republicans averaging 3% and Democrats 93% on climate and environmental votes.

• California couple convicted after plane chat leads to animal trafficking bust (Guardian) - California couple convicted of wildlife trafficking after revealing illegal animal possession during plane conversation.

• Best bang for your buck: Personal care products marketed to Black women (EWG) - Only 21% of personal care products marketed to Black women rate as low hazard in comprehensive cosmetics database review.

• Climate policy discussion, sector lunches, and office hours  @ 9Zero SF (9Zero) - Climate innovation hub announces upcoming sector events, member lunches, and community engagement opportunities for climate professionals.

• WWU's Bo Watkins nominated for state Student Civic Leadership Award (WWU) - Bo Watkins nominated for Governor's Student Civic Leadership Award for extensive community service and leadership.

• Food for Thought - February 2025 (CHEM Trust) - European regulators mandate comprehensive investigation of chemicals in packaging, focusing on safety, reuse, and potential health risks.

• Whose growth is it anyway? (Centre for Thriving Places) - Government's economic growth strategy risks extracting wealth from local economies, potentially failing to improve living standards for most workers.

Renewables

AI-driven solar innovations, grid milestones, and strategic shifts mark global renewable energy landscape, with key developments from Australia, India, Sweden, and US tech pioneers transforming solar deployment, storage, and community engagement.

• Leapting’s AI-Powered Robot Is Transforming Solar Panel Installation In Australia (CleanTechnica) - Leapting's AI-powered robot revolutionizes solar panel installation in Australia, promising 60 modules per hour with increased efficiency and safety.

• BP Seeking Buyers To Sell Stake In Solar Developer Lightsource BP (TaiyangNews) - BP plans to sell stake in Lightsource BP solar developer and refocus on oil and gas business as part of strategic reset.

• Microsoft Signs Deal to Deploy Renewable Energy in Underinvested Communities (ESG Today) - Microsoft partners with Clearloop to deploy 100 MW of renewable solar energy in underserved Arkansas and Louisiana communities, supporting carbon reduction goals.

• Renewables Or Fossil Fuels: Which Are, Ultimately, More Efficient? (CleanTechnica) - Comprehensive analysis reveals renewables are more efficient and cost-effective than fossil fuels, with significantly lower environmental and social costs.

• South Australia wind project gets planning approval after swapping to fewer but taller turbines (RenewEconomy) - South Australian wind project gains approval by reducing turbine count and increasing height, enabling 288 MW renewable energy development with lower environmental impact.

• Australia’s main grid ends summer with a new big solar output record (RenewEconomy) - Australia's main electricity grid sets new solar output record of 7,643.3 MW, marking a 14.6% increase from the previous year's peak.

• India Must Double Renewables Deployment To Achieve 2030 Target (TaiyangNews) - India needs to double annual renewable energy deployment, focusing on solar and wind, to achieve its ambitious 500 GW non-fossil fuel capacity target by 2030.

• Sweden’s Energy Future Speeds up: One of the First Hybrid Solar Parks Unveiled in Halmstad (TaiyangNews) - Sweden launches innovative hybrid solar park in Halmstad, generating 7,000 MWh annually with advanced photovoltaic and energy storage technology.

• What supply chain constraints? This startup’s long-duration batteries are powered by molten salt (Renewable Energy World) - Inlyte Energy develops molten salt batteries offering long-duration storage with low-cost materials, high durability, and minimal supply chain constraints.

• BlueFloat CEO Steps Down (CleanTechnica) - BlueFloat Energy founder Carlos Martín Rivals steps down as CEO after leading company to 13 GW offshore wind project portfolio across multiple global markets.

• China Solar PV News Snippets: LONGi Completes HPBC 2.0 Transition In Jiaxing & More (TaiyangNews) - LONGi completes HPBC 2.0 transition at Jiaxing manufacturing base, aims to increase second-generation BC module capacity to 50 GW by end of 2025.

• Meta Signs Up For 505 MW DC Solar Power Plant In Texas (TaiyangNews) - Meta partners with Cypress Creek Renewables to develop 505 MW solar power plant in Texas, supporting clean energy commitments.

• How to Make Friends and Build Solar Farms (Heatmap News) - Solar developer Stephanie Loucas reveals community engagement strategies for successful small-scale renewable energy projects through early, empathetic communication and local participation.

• Bad News for Agrivoltaics in Ohio (Heatmap News) - Ohio Power Siting Board staff recommend rejecting Open Road Renewables' Grange Solar agrivoltaics project due to overwhelming local opposition.

• UK’s offshore windfarms to be painted black to protect birds (Guardian) - UK trials painting offshore wind turbines black to reduce bird fatalities by up to 70%.

• Europe Solar PV News Snippets: Trianel To Add 350 MW Wind & Solar Annually In Germany & More (TaiyangNews) - Trianel plans to add 350 MW of wind and solar annually in Germany, expanding its renewable energy portfolio with strategic grid integration and storage solutions.

• Solutions Series: Solar (350.org) - Solar power emerges as fastest-growing, most affordable renewable energy source with potential to transform global energy systems while addressing critical justice and sustainability challenges.

• Green jobs: Renewables salaries rising as sector continues to attract top talent (BusinessGreen) - Renewables sector sees nearly half of employees receiving pay rises in 2025, signaling strong talent attraction and career development opportunities.

• AGL ready to press go on first wind and battery project after getting approval for bigger turbines (RenewEconomy) - AGL Energy prepares to launch 360 MW wind farm and 270 MW battery project in South Australia after securing new approvals.

• Gone with the wind? Economists react to Trump’s ‘no windmills’ promise (Renewable Energy World) - Trump's potential wind energy ban could jeopardize $45 billion in planned wind projects and 51,000 annual jobs across predominantly Republican-voting counties.

• Huasun Secures Position as BNEF Tier 1 PV Module Manufacturer for 1Q 2025 (TaiyangNews) - Huasun Energy achieves BNEF Tier 1 PV module manufacturer status for Q1 2025, highlighting its high-efficiency heterojunction solar technology and global market performance.

• New Milestone: Lab to Field (Quaise Energy) - Houston startup successfully demonstrates millimeter wave drilling technology for superhot geothermal energy production outside laboratory setting.

• Producing energy with half measures (CNN) - British startup Drift Energy proposes mobile sailboats with underwater turbines to produce green hydrogen while navigating global trade winds.

• Solar-collection fabric; endangered whale conservation ☀️🐋 (Cornell News) - Researchers develop bio-inspired HelioSkin solar-collection fabric and advance acoustic monitoring for endangered North Atlantic right whales.

• TaiyangNews PV Price Index – 2025 - CW9 (TaiyangNews) - Solar PV component prices remain largely stable in Calendar Week 9 of 2025, with minor variations in TOPCon module and wafer segments.

• Shoals Technologies Achieved Higher End Of Q4 2024 Revenue Guidance (TaiyangNews) - Shoals Technologies reports Q4 2024 revenues of $107 million, achieving guidance despite 18% year-on-year decline due to solar project delays and competitive market dynamics.

Transport

Airport expansions, electric vehicle innovations, and hydrogen mobility drive global transport electrification across Rivian, XPENG, Kia, and emerging aviation technologies.

• What are the next steps for expansion at London Gatwick and Heathrow? (Guardian) - UK government signals potential expansion of Gatwick and Heathrow airports, with Gatwick proposing a £2.2bn second runway and Heathrow pursuing a third runway by 2035.

• How Many Customers Can Rivian Steal From Tesla? (CleanTechnica) - Rivian aims to attract Tesla customers through superior vehicle design, lower pricing, and expanding service network amid growing consumer dissatisfaction with Elon Musk.

• London Gatwick Hydrogen Hub – an important first step toward possible zero-carbon flights (Energy Central) - Gatwick Airport launches hydrogen hub as pioneering first step towards potential zero-carbon aviation.

• XPENG Enters Poland & Thailand (CleanTechnica) - XPENG accelerates global expansion by entering Poland and Thailand electric vehicle markets with advanced EV models and strategic partnerships.

• ドバイのヘリコプターチャーター会社AeroGulf Servicesから 最大50機のプレオーダーを合意、パーム・ジュメイラでの事業を検討 (SkyDrive) - Dubai's AeroGulf Services agrees to pre-order up to 50 electric flying cars for Palm Jumeirah tourism operations.

• 100% Electric Vehicles = 17% Of New Car Sales In Europe In January (CleanTechnica) - European electric vehicle market surges to 17% market share in January 2025, with battery electric vehicles leading the transition.

• The New Kia EV4 — Hot New Mass-Market Kia! (CleanTechnica) - Kia unveils EV4 electric sedan and hatchback targeting mass-market with innovative design, long range, and advanced technology.

• Unbeatable Deal: Heybike Mars 2.0 Folding E-Bike Is Just $899 — Plus A Free Basket! (CleanTechnica) - Heybike Mars 2.0 folding e-bike drops to $899 with free basket, offering powerful 750W motor, 45-mile range, and versatile urban and off-road capabilities.

• Lynk & Co Brings Plugin Hybrid with 200km of Range & DC Fast Charging to Europe — Meet the 08 (CleanTechnica) - Lynk & Co launches plugin hybrid 08 in Europe with 200km electric range and fast charging, targeting transition to electric mobility.

• Tesla Releases Updated Model Y to the Philippines (CleanTechnica) - Tesla launches updated Model Y in Philippines with design improvements, expanded charging infrastructure, and competitive pricing starting at ₱2,369,000.

• The New Kia EV2 — YUMMY (CleanTechnica) - Kia unveils Concept EV2, a compact, affordable electric SUV targeting urban mobility with innovative design and advanced tech for 2026 launch.