The former imperial power known as the United Kingdom announced this morning that it will expand the number of runways at London's Heathrow airport from 2 to 3, investing in growth of commerce, along with investments in sustainable aviation fuel, offshore wind, and electric vehicle charging. For context, there are 4 runways at Charles de Gaulle and Frankfurt, 6 at Schiphol in Amsterdam.
Not everyone is convinced, but the UK government says this is good news.
Trade offs?
“There is no trade-off between economic growth and net zero,” UK finance minister Rachel Reeves said this morning. “Quite the opposite. Net zero is the industrial opportunity of the 21st century, and Britain must lead the way.”
Maybe. But we're not talking about economic growth through geothermal energy and heat pumps. We're talking about 50% more airplane runways!
The mayor of London disagrees with Reeves.
“I remain opposed to a new runway at Heathrow airport because of the severe impact it will have on noise, air pollution and meeting our climate change targets," Mayor Sadiq Khan said.
Reeves claims climate requirements will be met, though. “Heathrow themselves are clear that their proposal for expansion will meet strict rules on noise, air quality and carbon emissions and we are already making great strides in transitioning to cleaner and greener aviation.”
Net zero, though, means, using the famous analogy of Donella Meadows, that the more water that flows from the faucet into the bathtub, the more the tub has to drain to hold steady. More emissions means still more decarbonization and carbon removal will be required, you're just making it harder.
Will the Heathrow expansion and decarbonization investment math work out - or will it push us further into climate collapse? High stakes. The UK government's statement doesn't link to any specific details, it just invokes "money in working peoples' pockets" and "acting in the national interest."
Ok, so that's that news! Let's zoom out and take a look around the world.
Let's go!
-Marshall Kirkpatrick
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Visual of the Day
Harvesting Blue Carbon
A seaweed farmer works one of the extensive seaweed farms that were part of Oceans 2050's Global Seaweed Project study, which examined 20 farms across five continents. As detailed in Nature Climate Change, these farms can sequester significant amounts of carbon dioxide while providing economic opportunities and food security for coastal communities. Over 99% of participating farmers are from developing countries, most of whom are women. As always, interesting comments from CleanTechnica readers at that link, too.
Today's Updates
Table of Contents
Agriculture (15 stories) - Marigold trap cropping revival, Denver Urban Gardens' food forests, Food Brewer and Kokomodo's lab-grown coffee/cocoa, Camelina phytomining for EV batteries, and Swedish rust-resistant wheat varieties lead agricultural innovations
Carbon (12 stories) - BBC, Microsoft outline net-zero plans as studies show 35% higher LA fire risk; Manulife raises $480M forest fund; Rubicon-Ecobase deal launches EU forest credits
Circular (4 stories) - Suay Sew Shop, BMEx marketplace, and Moment Energy lead circular initiatives in textile reuse, construction material exchange, and EV battery repurposing
Ecosystems (16 stories) - Antarctic ice calving patterns shift, Marshall Islands creates 48,000km² marine sanctuary, Ecuador expands Río Negro park, while global ocean warming accelerates and threatens Galician shellfish stocks
Efficiency (8 stories) - Major efficiency gains from New England's $55B program and Australia's home upgrades, while UK floating house and DC summit showcase adaptive building innovations
Finance (9 stories) - Major funding moves from Schroders, Colesco, and Structure Climate drive ESG growth, while WFP develops climate finance for refugees and new platforms emerge for green building incentives
Grid (13 stories) - Major grid partnerships emerge as Amazon shifts strategy, Cisco/Gridspertise modernize infrastructure, and storage projects advance with Ninedot, CIP, Transgrid, and esVolta leading multi-GW developments across US and Australia
Indigenous (9 stories) - U.S. prison systems profit from tribal lands while Indigenous fire networks expand training; African conservancies show success; Lake County tribes lead watershed restoration
Industry (19 stories) - DMEGC Solar's 12GW factory launch, Photowatt closure, Lightbridge-Oklo nuclear partnership, and European Hydrogen Backbone progress mark key industry shifts, while Mondragon Assembly and RENA Technologies advance solar manufacturing capabilities
Policy (50 stories) - Federal funding freezes target climate programs as Trump administration signals rollbacks; states and advocacy groups mount legal challenges while new policies emerge from EU, Australia, and US states
Renewables (15 stories) - Floating solar potential hits 22TW globally; Amazon's 97MW wind farm launches in Victoria; ManOrga-BayWa parking canopies expand in France; Huasun achieves 720W module milestone; UNSW breaks kesterite efficiency record
Transport (15 stories) - Port electrification summit in Long Beach, fleet conference in DC, Tesla NACS adoption, Bosch hydrogen investment, and flying car deal between Japanese maker and India's JetSetGo highlight transport sector shifts
Agriculture
Marigold trap cropping revival, Denver Urban Gardens' food forests, Food Brewer and Kokomodo's lab-grown coffee/cocoa, Camelina phytomining for EV batteries, and Swedish rust-resistant wheat varieties lead agricultural innovations
A Forgotten Farming Technique Is Making a Big Comeback – Here’s Why (Earth.org) - Ancient trap cropping technique using marigolds and other plants makes global comeback as farmers seek pesticide-free pest control amid climate change impacts.
Denver nonprofit transforms city lots into lush food forests (Yale Climate Connections) - Denver nonprofit Denver Urban Gardens expands network of community food forests providing free produce and cooling green spaces in underserved neighborhoods.
EWG comments to California Department of Pesticide Regulation on the proposed regulation for 1,3-dichloropropene (EWG) - Environmental advocacy group urges California regulators to strengthen protections against carcinogenic pesticide 1,3-dichloropropene for farmworkers and residents.
Is plant cell culture a scalable way to futureproof cocoa and coffee? (AgFunderNews) - Plant cell culture startups like Food Brewer and Kokomodo are scaling up production of lab-grown coffee and cocoa to address future supply shortages caused by climate change.
Mixed Farming System Initiative’s feed and forage innovations enhancing resilience of smallholder farms in rural Ethiopia (CGIAR) - Mixed farming initiative in Ethiopia boosts smallholder resilience through feed innovations and training, reaching 1,200 farmers with climate-smart agricultural practices.
Phytomining research has big implications for electric vehicles #shorts (UMass Amherst) - Scientists develop phytomining technique using Camelina plants to extract nickel from soil for EV batteries while improving soil health and producing biofuel.
Produce in home gardens near PFAS plant in US contain dangerous levels of chemicals (The Guardian) - Home garden produce near North Carolina PFAS plant contains dangerous chemical levels, with water-rich fruits showing highest contamination from air emissions.
She wants to protect wheat from a forgotten enemy (SLU) - Swedish researchers develop resistant wheat varieties to combat resurgent stem rust fungus threatening global food security amid climate change concerns.
Smart Foods for Smarter Policies: Millets in India’s Public Distribution System (ICRISAT) - India explores integrating nutrient-rich millets into Public Distribution System to improve food security and reduce environmental costs while supporting local farmers.
Trump says he’s sending water to LA. It’s actually going to megafarms. (Grist) - Trump's executive orders to "help" Los Angeles fire crisis actually redirect water to Central Valley agricultural interests, not to firefighting efforts.
EU-Mexico Free Trade Negotiations Sparks Outcry Among European Small-Scale Farmers (Via Campesina) - European small-scale farmers protest EU-Mexico trade deal that favors large agribusinesses over local producers and sustainable farming practices.
Clean Energy & Pork Production at Milford, Utah (CleanTechnica) - Utah's Milford region combines 315MW solar farm, 300MW wind farm, and large-scale pork production facilities, though hog operations face uncertain future due to reduced demand.
Disease and Pest Management of Legumes and Cereals in Africa (ICRISAT) - International workshop in Malawi brings together experts from six countries to advance sustainable pest management strategies for African legumes and cereals amid climate challenges.
NATURE+ has another strong year in Kenyan media (CGIAR) - Nature-Positive Solutions Initiative achieves widespread Kenyan media coverage in 2024, highlighting sustainable agriculture and biodiversity conservation efforts across multiple media platforms.
New research finds strong smallholder support for native-tree planting. Yet barriers remain (CGIAR) - New research reveals Kenyan smallholders strongly support native tree planting despite wildlife concerns and delayed benefits, with digital tools helping overcome implementation barriers.
Carbon
BBC, Microsoft outline net-zero plans as studies show 35% higher LA fire risk; Manulife raises $480M forest fund; Rubicon-Ecobase deal launches EU forest credits
BBC commits to 'low-carbon future' in first Net Zero Transition Plan (BusinessGreen) - BBC releases first Climate Transition Plan outlining pathway to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 while reducing environmental impact.
Climate change helped turn LA into dry tinderbox before fires, scientists find (Climate Home News) - Scientists find climate change made Los Angeles 35% more susceptible to winter fires by creating unusually dry conditions during high-wind season.
Climate change made deadly Los Angeles wildfires 35% more likely: new attribution study (Yale Climate Connections) - World Weather Attribution study finds climate change made January 2025 Los Angeles wildfires 35% more likely and 6% more intense due to global warming.
Climate change primed LA to burn — catastrophically (Grist) - Climate change made Los Angeles wildfires 35% more likely and created 23 additional fire-prone days annually, according to new World Weather Attribution study.
Global Warming Set the Stage for Los Angeles Fires (InsideClimateNews) - Global warming made hot, dry, windy conditions driving deadly Los Angeles fires 35 times more likely, with climate change extending fire-prone conditions by 23 days annually.
LA wildfires: Did climate change make them worse? (DW) - Climate change increased likelihood of devastating LA wildfires by 35% through hotter, drier conditions and intensified Santa Ana winds, study finds.
Manulife Raises $480 Million for Carbon Credit-Generating Forest Climate Fund (ESGToday) - Manulife Investment Management raises $480M for forest climate fund aimed at generating carbon credits through sustainable forest management and reforestation.
Met Office: A review of the UK’s climate in 2024 (Carbon Brief) - UK records fourth-warmest year in 2024 with record-breaking spring temperatures, increased rainfall, and multiple severe storms amid ongoing climate change impacts.
Microsoft energy lead: CDR may be a ‘backstop’ for corporate net zero targets (Latitude Media) - Microsoft's energy lead suggests carbon removal technology may be crucial backup for meeting corporate net zero targets as AI-driven data center emissions surge.
Ocean-surface warming four times faster now than late-1980s (ScienceDaily) - Ocean surface temperatures now warming at 0.27°C per decade, quadrupling from 0.06°C rate in late 1980s due to Earth's growing energy imbalance.
Rubicon Carbon and Ecobase Announce Offtake Agreement for First-Ever European Afforestation Credits (Rubicon Carbon) - First-ever European afforestation carbon credits purchased through strategic partnership between Rubicon Carbon and Ecobase, covering 24 countries and targeting 300M tons CO2 removal.
Seaweed Farms Are An Important Carbon Sequestration Strategy (CleanTechnica) - Global study finds seaweed farms can sequester carbon at rates comparable to mangroves and seagrasses, potentially removing 140 million tons of CO2 annually by 2050.
Circular
Suay Sew Shop, BMEx marketplace, and Moment Energy lead circular initiatives in textile reuse, construction material exchange, and EV battery repurposing
‘Overwhelming’: what happens to 50,000lbs of extra LA wildfire clothing donations? (The Guardian) - LA's Suay Sew Shop rescues 50,000lbs of excess wildfire clothing donations for upcycling, highlighting textile waste crisis and overconsumption issues.
Introducing the BMEx Marketplace: Share Building Material Excess on Vancouver Island, Canada (Rheaply) - Vancouver Island launches BMEx marketplace platform to facilitate buying and selling of surplus construction materials, aiming to reduce landfill waste and costs.
Second Life Adds More Green Punch To EV Battery Recycling (Eventually) (CleanTechnica) - Amazon's Climate Pledge Fund backs Moment Energy's EV battery repurposing venture for stationary storage, with plans for Texas gigafactory now on hold due to federal funding freeze.
Sustainable Battery Recycling at Powin (Powin) - Energy storage company achieves 95% material recovery rate in battery recycling program using efficient 'Spoke & Hub' model for lithium iron phosphate batteries.
Ecosystems
Antarctic ice calving patterns shift, Marshall Islands creates 48,000km² marine sanctuary, Ecuador expands Río Negro park, while global ocean warming accelerates and threatens Galician shellfish stocks
Antarctic ice sheet faces 'death by a thousand cuts' (ScienceDaily) - Study reveals Antarctic ice sheet loss primarily driven by frequent small ice calving events rather than large icebergs, despite warming climate.
Burning for Better in Southwest Montana (Fire Networks) - Montana landowner partners with state agencies for 1,300-acre prescribed burn project to combat conifer encroachment and reduce wildfire risk in Mill Gulch sagebrush habitat.
Drop in Amazon deforestation confirmed, but degradation soars 497% in 2024 (Mongabay) - Brazilian Amazon sees 7% drop in deforestation but 497% surge in forest degradation during 2024, driven by drought-fueled fires.
Escape Into the Story: Three Longform Reads for Your Weekend (Fire Networks) - Three longform StoryMaps explore wilderness fire management, urban interface fire adaptation, and fire learning network partnerships.
Fireforest: A New Film on Forest Management and Wildfire (Fire Networks) - New documentary "Fireforest" shows how prescribed burns and forest thinning helped control Colorado's Cameron Peak Fire, demonstrating effective wildfire management strategies.
LA wildfires release toxic chemicals that threaten wildlife, experts say (Mongabay) - Los Angeles wildfires release toxic chemicals from burning synthetic materials, threatening wildlife with severe health impacts and habitat destruction.
Marshall Islands protects ‘pristine’ Pacific corals with first marine sanctuary (Mongabay) - Marshall Islands establishes first 48,000-square-kilometer marine sanctuary to protect pristine coral reefs and endangered species at Bikar and Bokak atolls.
New Expansion doubles area of the Río Negro Sopladora – Tinajillas Río Gualaceño National Park in southern Ecuador (Andes Amazon Fund) - Ecuador doubles size of Río Negro Sopladora National Park to 162,741 acres, protecting endangered species and enhancing ecological connectivity in Andean-Amazon region.
Pennsylvania flood museum temporarily closed due to flooding (The Guardian) - Pennsylvania's Johnstown Flood Museum, dedicated to 1889 disaster that killed 2,209, temporarily closes due to internal flooding from cold weather damage.
Rewilding conference generates optimism for the future (Rewilding Europe) - Global rewilding conference in Cambridge showcases successful nature restoration initiatives and calls for bold, scaled-up action across landscapes worldwide.
Spanish fishers in Galicia report ‘catastrophic’ collapse in shellfish stocks (The Guardian) - Spanish fishers report 90% collapse in Galicia's shellfish stocks due to climate change and pollution, threatening Europe's largest shellfish industry.
Suffocating seas: low oxygen levels emerging as third major threat to tropical coral reefs (The Conversation) - Research reveals low oxygen levels in warming oceans pose a third major threat to coral reefs alongside warming and acidification, with some species showing no visible signs of stress.
‘Super pod’ of more than 1,500 dolphins spotted off California coast (The Guardian) - Rare 'super pod' of over 1,500 Risso's dolphins spotted swimming and leaping off California coast, far exceeding typical pod sizes of 10-30.
Aquarium surprised by ‘virgin birth’ of swell shark in all-female tank (The Guardian) - Louisiana aquarium reports unexpected 'virgin birth' of swell shark in all-female tank, suggesting rare parthenogenesis or delayed fertilization.
Global wildlife trade is an enormous market – the US imports billions of animals from nearly 30,000 species (The Conversation) - US legally imports 2.85 billion animals from nearly 30,000 species over 22 years, with birds and reptiles being most traded species.
Finally, an answer to why Earth’s oceans have been on a record-hot streak (Grist) - Earth's oceans experience unprecedented warming as study reveals quadrupled heating rate over 40 years due to solar absorption and greenhouse gases.
Efficiency
Major efficiency gains from New England's $55B program and Australia's home upgrades, while UK floating house and DC summit showcase adaptive building innovations
A Plan to Build the Biggest Amphibious House in the World (Atmos) - World's largest amphibious house planned for UK riverside location will float up to 8 feet during floods, showcasing innovative climate adaptation in luxury residential construction.
Acadia Report Outlines Benefits of Energy-Efficiency Programs (Acadia Center) - New England energy-efficiency programs delivered $55 billion in benefits from 2012-2023, creating 160,000 jobs and reducing emissions equivalent to removing 33 million cars.
Curtain call: Basic energy upgrades and replacing gas hot water will save households billions (RenewEconomy) - Australian study shows basic home energy upgrades and gas-to-electric conversions could save households up to $1,579 annually, with potential national savings of $23.6 billion.
My Green Job: Sustainability Coordinator (Bluedot Living) - St. John's sustainability coordinator leads city-wide initiatives for net-zero emissions through building retrofits and EV infrastructure, drawing from experience with Pakistan's climate challenges.
Views from the frontline: The trends reshaping the energy retail contact centre (Kaluza) - Energy retail contact centers evolve with AI integration and digital tools while maintaining human touch for complex customer support amid energy transition challenges.
What digital tools are needed to harness energy efficiency? (BusinessGreen) - Digital tools like smart meters and cloud platforms are revolutionizing energy management as UK grid shifts from centralized to decentralized network.
Why Efficiency Matters in the Race to Decarbonise (Revolve Media) - Energy efficiency expert argues wasteful industrial systems must be modernized alongside renewable energy adoption to achieve meaningful decarbonization.
Facilities & Campus Energy Summit (Energy Central) - Washington DC summit to convene healthcare, education and federal facility leaders on energy efficiency and decarbonization strategies in May 2025.
Finance
Major funding moves from Schroders, Colesco, and Structure Climate drive ESG growth, while WFP develops climate finance for refugees and new platforms emerge for green building incentives
Ameresco Upsizes and Extends Corporate Senior Credit Facility (Ameresco) - Clean energy company secures expanded $325M credit facility with international banking partners to support European growth and sustainability projects.
Building climate-resilient livelihoods for refugees and host communities in Jordan (CGIAR) - World Food Programme partners with researchers to develop climate-resilient financing options for Syrian refugees and Jordanian host communities in agricultural sector.
This Is CDR: Structure Climate - Innovative Approaches to CDR Finance (This Is CDR) - Structure Climate CEO Matt Schmitt details innovative financing solutions for scaling carbon dioxide removal projects and bridging investment gaps.
We Need a Data Revolution to Avert Climate Disaster (DeSmog) - Advanced data visualization and real-time environmental monitoring systems needed to track and respond to climate threats with same urgency as financial markets.
We Need a Data Revolution to Avert Climate Disaster (DeSmog) - Advanced data visualization and real-time environmental monitoring systems needed to track and respond to climate threats with same urgency as financial markets.
Schroders to Adopt All Four of the FCA’s SDR Sustainability Labels for Funds (ESGToday) - Global investment manager Schroders becomes first to adopt all four FCA sustainable investment labels for funds under new UK anti-greenwashing regulations.
2 Min Product Demo of IncentiFind Pro 🎥 (IncentiFind) - New software platform helps building owners search and apply for green building incentives worth $25,000-$100,000+ per property through automated database and expert application services.
Navigating Sustainability: How to Engage Investors on ESG Amidst Backlash and Challenges (Earth.org) - Global ESG investment assets projected to reach $40 trillion by 2030 despite political backlash, as companies navigate complex reporting requirements and investor engagement strategies.
Sustainable Lending Startup Colesco Raises Over $800 Million (ESGToday) - Dutch sustainable lending startup Colesco raises €800 million to invest in companies focused on sustainable food, energy transition and inclusive society solutions.
Grid
Major grid partnerships emerge as Amazon shifts strategy, Cisco/Gridspertise modernize infrastructure, and storage projects advance with Ninedot, CIP, Transgrid, and esVolta leading multi-GW developments across US and Australia
Amazon’s data center strategy: ‘Get back to being grid-tied’ (Latitude Media) - Amazon shifts away from behind-the-meter power strategy for data centers, preferring grid-tied solutions despite recent nuclear deal with Talen Energy.
Cisco, Gridspertise Join to Support Grid Digitization (Power Magazine) - Cisco and Gridspertise form partnership to develop digital solutions for electricity grid modernization, establishing joint Center of Competence for global utility market innovation.
Community storage in New York City: Developer finances up to 20 battery projects (Renewable Energy World) - New York developer Ninedot Energy secures $65M financing for 20 community battery storage projects totaling 100MW/400MWh across NYC metro area.
Contractors named for new 12GWh pumped hydro storage project (RenewEconomy) - Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners signs contractors for 750MW/12GWh pumped hydro storage project in Queensland, targeting 2031 operation.
Contractors shortlisted for new transmission link between biggest coal plants and batteries in NSW (RenewEconomy) - Transgrid selected to build 100km transmission line connecting NSW coal-turned-battery sites at Bayswater and Eraring, with seven contractors shortlisted for $2.5B project.
DeepSeek Sparks Demand Debate, While Chevron Plans Gas-Fired Plants for Data Centers (POWER Magazine) - DeepSeek's energy-efficient AI model sparks debate over data center power demand forecasts while Chevron plans 4GW gas-fired plants for AI computing centers.
EsVolta poised to bring 490 MW/980 MWh of storage online in ERCOT (Utility Dive) - EsVolta to deploy three battery storage projects totaling 490 MW/980 MWh in Texas grid system amid broader storage expansion.
esVolta Raises $243 Million for Texas Battery Energy Storage Projects (ESGToday) - Energy storage developer esVolta secures $243 million investment for three battery storage projects in Texas totaling 1GWh capacity, set to begin operations in 2025.
IEA’s Best Practices For Wind & Solar PV Grid Integration (IEA) - Third edition of Wind/PV Integration Studies guide provides updated methodologies and best practices for integrating renewable energy into power systems worldwide.
New Report Shows Positive Benefits for California from Greater Western Market Participation (Advanced Energy United) - New Brattle Group study shows California would gain economic benefits and lower emissions through expanded Western day-ahead energy market participation.
US wholesale power prices to rise about 7% in most regions in 2025: EIA (Utility Dive) - US wholesale electricity prices forecast to rise 7% in most regions during 2025 due to higher natural gas costs, with largest increases expected in Southwest and California.
Generator, advanced nuclear stocks reel as low-cost DeepSeek chills AI load growth outlook (Utility Dive) - Chinese AI startup DeepSeek's energy-efficient models trigger stock plunge for nuclear and gas power producers as AI-driven electricity demand forecasts face uncertainty.
Global battery project developer mourns “sudden passing” of Australian head (RenewEconomy) - NHOA Energy announces sudden death of Ashley Mangano, VP of Australia operations who led major battery storage projects including landmark Kwinana and Blyth installations.
Indigenous
U.S. prison systems profit from tribal lands while Indigenous fire networks expand training; African conservancies show success; Lake County tribes lead watershed restoration
10 states fund prisons using stolen Indigenous lands (Grist) - Ten U.S. states generate $33 million for prison systems using 2 million acres of stolen Indigenous lands, affecting 57 tribal nations.
2024: A Year of Growth and Connection for the Fire Networks (Fire Networks) - Indigenous fire management networks expanded training programs and partnerships across US tribes in 2024, hosting 19 prescribed fire training events and strengthening cultural burning practices.
Can communities living side by side with wildlife beat Africa’s national parks at conservation? (The Guardian) - African community-run conservancies outperform national parks in wildlife protection, with local-managed areas showing higher animal populations and successful coexistence between humans and wildlife.
Celebrating 10 Years of the Blog! (Fire Networks) - Fire adaptation and resilience network celebrates 10 years of community blogging with over 680 stories from practitioners, researchers, and indigenous voices worldwide.
Community Weaving for Eco-Cultural Restoration: Partnering with Tribes in Lake County, CA (Fire Networks) - California's Lake County tribes partner with local nonprofit to restore watersheds and revive traditional ecological practices through community workshops.
Engaging Communities with Prescribed Fire: Lessons Learned from PBA Outreach in Fire-Prone Areas (Fire Networks) - California's Watershed Center shares lessons from prescribed burn outreach workshops, emphasizing trauma-informed communication and community engagement in fire-prone areas.
The Warmth That Keeps Us Coming Back (Fire Networks) - Fire leader reflects on importance of hospitality and human connection in firefighting culture while addressing cancer risks and health impacts in wildland fire community.
What’s in a Name? Mount McKinley and Gulf of America, Explained (InsideClimateNews) - Trump orders renaming of Denali back to Mount McKinley and Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of America, sparking backlash from Alaskan and international communities.
What’s in a Name? Mount McKinley and Gulf of America, Explained (InsideClimateNews) - Trump orders renaming of Denali back to Mount McKinley and Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of America, sparking backlash from Alaskan and international communities.
Industry
DMEGC Solar's 12GW factory launch, Photowatt closure, Lightbridge-Oklo nuclear partnership, and European Hydrogen Backbone progress mark key industry shifts, while Mondragon Assembly and RENA Technologies advance solar manufacturing capabilities
Building Brick from Methane (Bluedot Living) - Colorado company captures methane from abandoned coal mines to power kilns making ceramic tiles from reservoir sediment.
Chevron continues to fuel Genocide for Profit (198methods.org) - Chevron faces global protests over profits linked to Israeli military operations and fossil fuel expansion ahead of quarterly earnings announcement.
China Solar PV News Snippets: DMEGC Commissions 12 GW Sichuan Solar Cell Fab & More (TaiyangNews) - DMEGC Solar commissions 12GW solar cell factory in China's Sichuan province while ranking 8th globally in module manufacturing.
Cleantech Group Honors Outstanding Innovators Recognizing Companies of the Year (Cleantech Group) - Eight innovators including Fervo Energy, Instagrid, and Indra Water receive top honors at annual Global Cleantech 100 awards for sustainable innovation leadership.
End Of An Era: Shutters Down For French Solar Module Maker Photowatt (TaiyangNews) - French solar pioneer Photowatt shuts down after 45 years as parent company EDF Renewables fails to stop €20-30 million annual losses.
European Hydrogen Backbone | Resilience and Competitiveness (Energy Central) - European Hydrogen Backbone initiative advances plans for continental hydrogen transport network to enable cost-effective clean energy distribution across Europe.
Fashion has a coal problem, but the solutions are electrifying (commentary) (Mongabay) - Major fashion brands including H&M and Adidas aim to eliminate coal from factory operations by 2025, shifting toward electrification despite biomass alternatives raising deforestation concerns.
How to Reach Positive Tipping Points in Electrification of Industrial Heat (SYSTEMIQ) - Companies using sub-400°C industrial heat can achieve significant emissions reductions by switching to electric technologies like heat pumps and boilers, with potential for positive tipping points across multiple sectors.
Lightbridge, Oklo to Explore Co-Located Advanced Nuclear Fuel Fabrication Facilities (POWER Magazine) - Lightbridge and Oklo explore co-locating advanced nuclear fuel fabrication facilities and recycling opportunities to accelerate nuclear supply chain innovation.
Mondragon's Spanish Engineered Turnkey Line For BVG India (TaiyangNews) - Spanish firm Mondragon Assembly delivers 500MW automated solar panel production line to India's BVG, featuring future-proof design for larger modules.
RENA Technologies Marks a Decade of Innovation with Patented Water-Capping Technology (TaiyangNews) - RENA Technologies celebrates 10 years of patented Water-Capping Technology that protects solar cell surfaces during manufacturing, with 630 machines deployed globally.
Scottish Government announces plans to export green hydrogen to Germany 'by ship' (Energy Central) - Scotland announces plans to export green hydrogen to Germany via maritime shipping, marking major step in cross-European clean energy trade.
Team Spotlight: Evody Tshijik Karumb, Senior Metallurgical Research Engineer (Brimstone) - Senior Metallurgical Research Engineer Evody Tshijik Karumb leads innovative cement decarbonization research while emphasizing collaborative problem-solving and experimental design.
The Paradox of Trump’s Critical Minerals Crusade (Heatmap News) - Trump's push for domestic critical minerals production conflicts with his anti-renewable energy policies, potentially undermining mineral demand certainty needed for mining investment.
YourBuddy: Ribbons For 0BB Metallization (TaiyangNews) - Chinese PV ribbon maker YourBuddy unveils ultra-thin low-temperature ribbons for 0BB solar module metallization, featuring enhanced corrosion resistance and improved shelf life.
YourBuddy: Ribbons For 0BB Metallization (TaiyangNews) - Chinese PV ribbon maker YourBuddy unveils ultra-thin low-temperature ribbons for 0BB solar module metallization, featuring enhanced corrosion resistance and improved shelf life.
CSG company proposes small solar farm and battery to “cut emissions” at expanded gas project (RenewEconomy) - Arrow Energy seeks approval for 17MW solar farm and 8MWh battery to partially power gas compressor at Queensland coal seam gas expansion project.
Greenplaces welcomes former General Motors Chief Sustainability Officer Kristen Siemen to advisory board (Greenplaces) - Former GM Chief Sustainability Officer Kristen Siemen joins advisory board to help scale sustainability solutions for businesses of all sizes.
Reuters Events: Global Energy Transition Awards 2025 (Reuters Events) - Global energy transition awards event in New York to recognize industry leaders driving net-zero progress, with tickets priced at $599.
Policy
Federal funding freezes target climate programs as Trump administration signals rollbacks; states and advocacy groups mount legal challenges while new policies emerge from EU, Australia, and US states
'A rigged system': Capacity Market provides £12.5bn in fossil fuel subsidies since 2015 (BusinessGreen) - UK Capacity Market has provided £12.5bn in fossil fuel subsidies since 2015 through consumer energy bill levies, new Aurora Energy Research reveals.
10 Ways We’ll Fight the Trump Administration to Protect Our Environment (Earthjustice) - Environmental law organization outlines 10 legal strategies to counter Trump administration's anticipated rollbacks of climate, wildlife, and pollution protections.
89 Seconds to Midnight: Doomsday Clock Time Set for 2025 (Bulletin of Atomic Scientists) - Doomsday Clock moves to 89 seconds to midnight, one second closer than 2024, due to nuclear threats, climate change, and emerging technologies.
A Wisconsin family’s case could have helped clarify a nagging solar ownership question. But then they moved. (Renewable Energy World) - Wisconsin court dismisses key third-party solar ownership case after family's move derails potential legal precedent for residential solar financing.
Amazon’s Advocates Fear Trump’s Return Means Little U.S. Help to Protect Rainforest (Amazon Watch) - Environmental advocates fear Trump's potential return to presidency threatens U.S. funding and support for Amazon rainforest protection and Indigenous communities.
As Trump Enters Office, a Ripe Oil and Gas Target Appears: An Alabama National Forest (InsideClimateNews) - U.S. Forest Service initiates process to open Alabama's Conecuh National Forest for new oil and gas leases, threatening biodiversity hotspot and recreational areas.
Australians who get most of their news from commercial media more likely to believe in climate conspiracy, study finds (The Guardian) - Study finds Australians consuming news from commercial media more prone to believe climate change conspiracy theories compared to public broadcaster viewers.
California wildfires 2025: a wake-up call for climate action and innovation (Energy Central) - California's 2025 wildfires trigger urgent climate action calls as rising temperatures and human activities intensify year-round fire crisis, prompting focus on resilient building solutions.
Climate Change, Disasters & Politics (Energy Central) - Ten wildfires in Southern California cause $250-275 billion in damages, killing 28 people and destroying over 10,000 structures amid climate-linked weather anomalies.
Community Wildfire Defense Grants: A Round Three Application Primer (Fire Networks) - US Forest Service opens third round of Community Wildfire Defense Grants with $200M available for communities and tribes to plan and implement wildfire risk mitigation projects through February 2025.
Disaster evacuations can take much longer than people expect − computer simulations could help save lives and avoid chaos (The Conversation) - Computer simulations of evacuation patterns could help communities better prepare for wildfires by identifying bottlenecks and improving response times.
Donald Trump wants to claw back clean energy funding (The Verge) - Trump administration orders federal funding freeze targeting clean energy and climate programs, but federal judge temporarily blocks implementation until February 3rd.
DRC orders environmental, operational audits of oil company Perenco (Mongabay) - Democratic Republic of Congo orders year-long environmental and operational audits of oil company Perenco amid pollution concerns and production reporting questions.
EDF applauds Arizona Governor Hobbs’ historic investments in water supply protection (EDF) - Arizona Governor Hobbs announces $60.3 million investment to protect state water supply through conservation, technology and infrastructure improvements.
Empty Homes Tax: One week left to declare (Vancouver.ca) - City warns 25% of property owners face $250 fine if they miss February 4 deadline for Empty Homes Tax declaration.
European Council calls for faster geothermal deployment (Eavor) - European Council approves measures to accelerate geothermal energy deployment across EU member states, including facility conversion and workforce training programs.
Federal Spending Freeze Could Have Widespread Impact on Environment, Emergency Management (InsideClimateNews) - White House memo orders freeze on thousands of federal environmental and emergency management programs pending review, sparking legal challenges from states and advocacy groups.
In Vermont, a Push to Prevent Flooding or Get Out of the Way (Yale E360) - Vermont communities rush to implement flood prevention measures and property buyouts as climate change drives increased rainfall and devastating mountain floods.
Junk Science Has No Place in a President’s Cabinet (Moms Clean Air Force) - Trump's HHS nominee Robert F. Kennedy Jr. faces scrutiny over anti-science views and public health misinformation ahead of Senate confirmation.
Living with Smoke in the Greater Yellowstone (Fire Networks) - Greater Yellowstone Fire Action Network develops community smoke-readiness plans to help residents manage health impacts during prescribed burns and wildfires.
Market structures and governance are not keeping up with energy transition. Here’s how to fix that (RenewEconomy) - Australian Senate committee releases 22 recommendations to overhaul energy market governance and accelerate clean energy transition amid systemic delays.
Money for the Colorado River Faces an Uncertain Fate Under Trump (InsideClimateNews) - Trump administration pauses $388.3 million in federal drought response funding for Western states' Colorado River water conservation projects.
Moving from climate doomerism to optimism through humor (Grist) - Comedians and entertainers increasingly use humor to combat climate anxiety and inspire action, with NRDC leading entertainment partnerships to reach diverse audiences.
Policy Digest: January 2025 (ESG Book) - EU announces major sustainability disclosure streamlining, with plans to consolidate CSRD, EU Taxonomy and CSDDD regulations into single framework by 2025.
Rio Tinto says wind and solar make economic sense, but LNP stands in way of its plans to save smelters (RenewEconomy) - Rio Tinto warns Queensland's LNP government pause on wind farm approvals threatens its smelter operations' renewable energy transition plans.
Sen. Golden seeks constitutional environment amendment (SOCAN) - Oregon Senator Jeff Golden introduces constitutional amendment to guarantee residents' right to clean and healthy environment, requiring voter approval.
Texas-Led Multi-State Coalition Threatens BlackRock, Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan and Others with Legal Action Over ESG Commitments (ESGToday) - Texas leads 10-state coalition threatening legal action against major Wall Street firms over ESG and DEI policies, following firms' withdrawal from climate initiatives.
The White House’s Shocking Federal Funding Freeze (Heatmap News) - White House orders temporary freeze on all federal grants and loans, citing opposition to climate initiatives and clean energy spending, sparking widespread concern over program disruptions.
Trump administration freezes critical environmental funding (Southern Environmental Law Center) - Trump administration freezes federal funding for environmental programs including hurricane recovery, pollution monitoring, and clean energy initiatives, affecting Southern communities.
Trump Administration's Unlawful Power Grab Threatens Clean Air, Water and Jobs (EDF) - Trump administration's Project 2025 agenda and nomination of Russell Vought threatens to remove environmental protections and bypass Congressional oversight of clean air and water regulations.
Trump Administration's Unlawful Power Grab Threatens Clean Air, Water and Jobs (EDF) - Trump administration's Project 2025 agenda and nomination of Russell Vought threatens to remove environmental protections and bypass Congressional oversight of clean air and water regulations.
Trump Drops a Bomb on Green Energy (EnergyNews) - Trump signs executive orders to halt offshore wind projects, EV mandates, and climate initiatives while boosting fossil fuel development on first day in office.
Trump freezes federal loan and grant programs, injecting further uncertainty into clean energy projects (RenewableEnergyWorld) - Trump administration freezes federal grants and loans, threatening billions in clean energy investments and IRA funding despite legal challenges.
Trump Order Can’t Dismantle Environmental Justice Progress (NRDC) - Trump's executive orders aim to dismantle Biden's Justice40 environmental equity initiative, threatening decades of environmental justice progress for marginalized communities.
Trump’s Chaotic Halt to Federal Grants and Loans (NRDC) - Trump orders immediate freeze on federal grants and loans affecting emergency aid, utilities, and social services nationwide.
Trump’s Funding Freeze Will Hit These Climate and Energy Programs (Heatmap News) - Trump administration targets major climate and energy programs in sweeping federal grant freeze, including DOE cleantech research and IRA tax credits.
Trump’s Illegal Government Investment Shutdown Will Cost Jobs and Harm Public Health (Environmental Protection Network) - Trump administration's memo ordering pause on federal agency grants and loans deemed illegal, threatens public health projects and risks political abuse of taxpayer funds.
Trump’s offshore wind assault threatens factory jobs in GOP districts (Canary Media) - Trump's executive order freezing offshore wind development threatens $3.4 billion in manufacturing investments and thousands of jobs across Republican districts.
Water firm river pollution fines must be spent on rivers, MPs to say (The Guardian) - MPs to push for law requiring water company pollution fines be ringfenced for river restoration as Treasury attempts to seize £11m fund.
Wisconsin Republicans reintroduce strict siting bill for solar and wind projects (Renewable Energy World) - Wisconsin Republicans propose bill requiring local approval for large solar and wind projects, potentially hindering state's renewable energy development.
You don’t have to be a net zero hero – how focus on personal climate action can distract from systemic problems (The Conversation) - Research reveals how corporate focus on individual climate actions distracts from systemic changes needed from governments and industries to address climate crisis.
Justice for people, animals and the environment are inextricable, Arcus Foundation says (Mongabay) - Arcus Foundation VP explains how social justice and conservation are inextricably linked, highlighting their dual focus on LGBTQ rights and great ape protection.
How Government Grants Actually Turn Into Cash (Heatmap News) - Federal grant disbursement process revealed as Trump administration's funding freeze threatens existing climate and energy program payments.
Want to get a species protected? Publish in a small, niche journal (Nature) - Research reveals species protection under US Endangered Species Act relies heavily on studies from small, specialized journals rather than prestigious publications.
Call for nominations: 2025 Sasakawa Award for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) - UN opens nominations for 2025 Sasakawa Award recognizing innovative use of science and technology in community disaster resilience.
CEBA CEO: Tax Credits in President Trump’s Toolbox Can Help Grow Our Economy and Keep Electricity Costs Down (CEBA) - CEO advocates for maintaining technology-neutral tax credits to boost US energy security, reduce electricity costs, and strengthen critical minerals supply chain against Chinese dominance.
Does vulnerability to natural disasters make people more open to sustainable consumption? (Anthropocene) - Study finds people in disaster-prone areas more likely to make sustainable purchases, especially among right-leaning individuals in Western nations.
FERC in Focus: Consumers, reliability and states are FERC’s top priorities, Chairman Christie says (Utility Dive) - FERC Chairman Christie prioritizes consumer protection, grid reliability and state cooperation while addressing data center colocation challenges at power plants.
Just Stop Oil activists interrupt Sigourney Weaver performance in The Tempest – video (The Guardian) - Just Stop Oil protesters disrupt London theatre performance of The Tempest starring Sigourney Weaver with confetti cannon and climate protest banner.
Sasakawa Award for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) - UN opens nominations for 2025 Sasakawa Award recognizing innovative disaster risk reduction efforts with focus on connecting science to communities.
Renewables
Floating solar potential hits 22TW globally; Amazon's 97MW wind farm launches in Victoria; ManOrga-BayWa parking canopies expand in France; Huasun achieves 720W module milestone; UNSW breaks kesterite efficiency record
22 TW FPV Can Be Hosted On Just 10% Of World’s Inland Reservoirs: Research (TaiyangNews) - Research shows installing floating solar panels on 10% of world's inland reservoirs could generate 22TW, enough to meet global electricity needs.
Amazon taps into new Victoria wind farm even as its boss courts favour with Trump (RenewEconomy) - Amazon begins operations at new 97MW Hawkesdale wind farm in Victoria to power its Australian facilities, despite CEO's alignment with Trump's anti-renewables stance.
Closed-Loop Geothermal Potentially Redefining Energy for AI-Driven Data Centres (Eavor) - Closed-loop geothermal systems emerge as potential solution for powering AI data centers with reliable, clean baseload energy as global demand surges.
Europe’s Rooftop Revolution: Residential, Commercial, and Industrial PV Growth (TaiyangNews) - European solar capacity reaches 338 GW with rooftop installations dominating at 64%, led by Netherlands at 1,467W per capita.
Manorga Solar Parking Canopies To Be Distributed By BayWa re (CleanTechnica) - BayWa re becomes first distributor of ManOrga Solar's parking canopies in France, supporting new law requiring 50% solar coverage for large parking lots.
Renewable records surge across the grid in midst of latest heatwave (RenewEconomy) - New South Wales sets multiple renewable energy output records during extreme heatwave as wind and solar generation peaks at over 10GW.
The future (and present) is still solar: Forecast for a brighter 2025 (AuroraSolar) - Solar power accounted for 64% of new US electricity generating capacity in 2024, with industry experts forecasting stronger residential solar growth in 2025.
The future (and present) is still solar: Forecast for a brighter 2025 (AuroraSolar) - Solar power accounted for 64% of new US electricity generating capacity in 2024, with industry experts forecasting stronger residential solar growth in 2025.
TOP SOLAR MODULES: Progression Of Power Ratings (TaiyangNews) - Solar module power ratings hit new peak of 720W in 2024, with HJT technology from Huasun leading the advancement in commercial solar panel capacity.
TOP SOLAR MODULES: Progression Of Power Ratings (TaiyangNews) - Solar module power ratings hit new peak of 720W in 2024, with HJT technology from Huasun leading the advancement in commercial solar panel capacity.
UNSW Team Achieves 13.2% Solar Efficiency With Kesterite Cells (TaiyangNews) - UNSW researchers achieve record 13.2% efficiency in kesterite solar cells using hydrogen annealing, aiming for commercialization by 2030.
UNSW Team Achieves 13.2% Solar Efficiency With Kesterite Cells (TaiyangNews) - UNSW researchers achieve record 13.2% efficiency in kesterite solar cells using hydrogen annealing, aiming for commercialization by 2030.
AESOLAR’s Award-Winning Solar Project in Smederevska Palanka, Serbia (TaiyangNews) - AESOLAR's 1.022MWp solar project in Serbia generates 1.49 GWh annually while preventing 1,200 tons of CO2 emissions.
Germany Announces 2.625 GW Solar Auction (TaiyangNews) - Germany's Federal Network Agency launches 2.625 GW solar tender with 6.80 ct/kWh maximum bid value, including agri-PV systems, with March 2025 deadline.
News from Exhibition | Germany's Ambassador to the UAE Visits AESOLAR Booth on WEFS 2025 (TaiyangNews) - German Ambassador to UAE visits AESOLAR's booth at World Future Energy Summit 2025, discussing solar solutions and bilateral energy partnerships.
Transport
Port electrification summit in Long Beach, fleet conference in DC, Tesla NACS adoption, Bosch hydrogen investment, and flying car deal between Japanese maker and India's JetSetGo highlight transport sector shifts
3rd Annual Conference on Port Electrification US (Energy Central) - Major port electrification conference in Long Beach to convene policymakers, port authorities, and technology providers for accelerating sustainable maritime operations.
5th Annual Conference on Fleet Electrification US (Energy Central) - Annual fleet electrification conference in Washington DC to explore strategies, federal programs, and implementation best practices for electric vehicle fleets.
All the news about EV charging in the US (The Verge) - Major automakers adopt Tesla's NACS charging standard while US government invests $7.5B in nationwide EV charging infrastructure buildout.
BMW — Luxury Sells Well Down Under (CleanTechnica) - BMW achieves 30% BEV sales in Australia during 2024 with 7,787 electric vehicles sold, making it the fourth best-selling EV brand behind Tesla, BYD, and MG.
Bosch doubles down on hydrogen as key to trucking’s sustainable future (Energy Central) - Bosch announces major investment in hydrogen technologies for trucking, including fuel-cell powertrains and new hydrogen combustion engines for long-haul transport.
Building the Future of Transit: Glydways Expands with New 14-Acre Development Hub (Glydways) - Transportation tech company launches 14-acre development hub in Richmond, California to test automated transit network ahead of 2026 pilot launch.
Don’t Sell Your Tesla Because of Elon Musk (Heatmap News) - Tesla owners urged to keep their EVs despite Musk's controversies, as selling vehicles for political reasons creates unnecessary environmental impact.
Haffner Energy, LanzaJet, and LanzaTech Join Forces to Unlock Alcohol-To-Jet SAF Production from Biomass Residues (LanzaTech) - Three major biofuel companies partner to develop commercial-scale sustainable aviation fuel production from biomass residues using integrated alcohol-to-jet technology.
How Do These Tesla Model Y Competitors Reach 5× More Sales? (CleanTechnica) - Tesla Model Y competitors struggle to match sales despite growing EV market, with marketing and consumer education identified as key barriers to wider adoption.
The US electric vehicle industry faces a bumpy road ahead (Canary Media) - US electric vehicle sales expected to grow to 10% market share in 2025 despite Trump administration's anti-EV policies and reduced federal incentives.
The Volvo EX30 Leads The Way In South Africa As BEV Sales Go Up 35% In 2024 (CleanTechnica) - South Africa's BEV sales rise 35% to 1,257 units in 2024, with Volvo EX30 leading at 32.3% market share despite high import duties limiting affordable options.
Brightening Influences — Bright EVs To Cheer Up The UK … And Also China, Greece, Pacific Northwest (CleanTechnica) - Renault launches colorful EV initiative to brighten UK roads with yellow and green Renault 5 models, as global automakers expand vibrant color options for electric vehicles.
Brazil EV Sales Report: Market Share Rises to 5.4% in December in PHEV-Dominated Market (CleanTechnica) - Brazil's EV market share hits 5.4% in December 2024, dominated by plug-in hybrids as BYD leads sales with locally-produced vehicles.
Renault’s Automotive Pedigree Sells the Megane E-Tech Down Under (CleanTechnica) - Renault's Megane E-Tech electric vehicle gains traction in Australian market with 266 units sold in 2024, leveraging brand heritage and dealer expertise to attract government and private buyers.
SkyDriveが、インドのプライベートジェット運航会社 JetSetGoから50機のプレオーダーを受注 (SkyDrive) - Japanese flying car company secures 50-unit pre-order from India's private jet operator JetSetGo for urban air mobility expansion in Gujarat and beyond.
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