Raise the ceiling or the floor?

The top story in green tech and sustainability today is the English government's announcement that it will pause and rewrite its program that pays farmers to take actions that support the natural world. (The Sustainable Farming Incentive.)

The government says the current plan is first-come-first-served and gets taken up entirely by the wealthiest farmers who are able to pay specialists to file requests for them. Those larger farm owners are not happy about the news.

I can't help but contrast this with another update from today, from a data startup called Upright, who have released a double materiality assessment database covering 50,000 companies. (Screenshot below) Upright says it was a mistake for the EU Omnibus scheme to lower the reporting requirements for CSRD due to their complexity - instead it should support an ecosystem of independent data providers who can help build capacity to meet those ambitions.

There is a Libertarian perspective that argues it's best to raise the ceiling on the biggest, richest players and let their innovations trickle down to lower costs for everyone. Often better, they say, than to try to raise up the lowest parties in a dynamic directly. I don't like that perspective but I do think there's something to be said about focusing on growing everyone's capacity to, for example, meet high requirements. Not lower the requirements so more people can meet them.

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

Today's Updates

Table of Contents

• Agriculture (7 stories) - PVC Burundi and IITA lead African agricultural initiatives while Brazilian Amazon farmers face sustainability hurdles; new cowpea disease findings and hazelnut sustainability study reshape farming practices

  
  

• Carbon (4 stories) - Utilities miss emission goals amid political shifts; sustainability firms advance carbon removal, biochar, and urban decarbonization solutions

  
  

• Circular (7 stories) - CIRC toolkit tackles composting streams as PLA cutlery and glycine battery recycling emerge; plastic types guide reveals recyclability limits

  
  

• Ecosystems (17 stories) - Devastating US storms, Ukraine dam collapse, DDT barrel discovery off California, rising microplastics in PA waters, and Arctic polynya preservation efforts reshape ecosystems globally

  
  

• Efficiency (6 stories) - California targets 6M heat pumps by 2030; Montana's Rosauers store gets efficiency upgrade; Bangladesh builds climate-resilient homes; Swiss water treatment success

  
  

• Finance (11 stories) - Major funding flows to solar, nuclear and renewables with £238.5M UK solar-battery project, $130M for Terabase Energy, $57M Palisades loan, €700M Neste green bond, and CIP's $13.1B clean energy fund

  
  

• Grid (24 stories) - Grid modernization advances with battery projects in NSW, AI-driven demand response expansions, new transmission rules for SEEM, and utility tech upgrades from PoleCheck and OpenText

  
  

• Industry (20 stories) - Deep sea mining setbacks, Black & Veatch's 60MW Texas hydrogen plant, Astronergy's ESG ratings, SolarSpace's NC factory plans, pipeline hydrogen challenges, and NextEra leadership changes mark key industry shifts

  
  

• Policy (52 stories) - National Park Service layoffs, UN climate fund meeting prep, state-level battles over renewable energy in TX/VA/IL, and policy shifts on nuclear power, forest management, and environmental justice under Trump administration

  
  

• Renewables (16 stories) - Major solar targets shift in France and China, while India adds 6.9GW; Arcadia-Perch merger creates largest US community solar platform; FRV Australia and BP advance projects as Victorian farms face shutdowns

  
  

• Transport (8 stories) - BYD launches 1000V ultra-fast charging platform, Ford adds Tesla Superchargers to navigation, GM promotes home charging, while Stanley Park Train suspends service and aviation sector explores hydrogen infrastructure

Agriculture

PVC Burundi and IITA lead African agricultural initiatives while Brazilian Amazon farmers face sustainability hurdles; new cowpea disease findings and hazelnut sustainability study reshape farming practices

• ENGLISH – Perfect Village Communities “PVC Burundi” (Equator Initiative) - PVC Burundi social enterprise has restored 5,000 hectares of land through agroforestry and regenerative agriculture, creating 4,500 jobs and supporting 3,000 farmers annually since 2017.

• The rough road to sustainable farming in an Amazon deforestation hotspot (Mongabay) - Small-scale farmers and entrepreneurs in Brazil's Amazon deforestation hotspot struggle to establish sustainable agriculture initiatives amid pressure from cattle ranching and soy production.

• Fossil Fuel Companies Ramp Up Influence In The Food System (CleanTechnica) - Fossil fuel companies expand control over food systems through petrochemicals, fertilizers, and plastics production as oil demand shifts away from transport sector.

• Understanding cowpea anthracnose in Nigeria: New findings on its causal agents (CGIAR) - Nigerian researchers identify two new fungal species (C. chrysophilum and C. siamense) as primary causes of cowpea anthracnose disease, challenging previous understanding.

• IITA and Sierra Leone government ally to boost agricultural transformation and food security (CGIAR) - Sierra Leone government partners with IITA research institute to enhance food security and agricultural innovation through "Feed Salone" initiative and technical support.

• DIY Seed Balls That Are the Bomb (Bluedot Living) - DIY guide teaches three methods for making native wildflower seed balls using household materials for guerrilla gardening and pollinator support.

• Dear Dot: I’m Nuts About Nuts? But Are They Bad for the Planet? (Bluedot Living) - Analysis of nuts' environmental impact reveals varying water usage, transportation costs, and labor concerns, with hazelnuts and locally-sourced options emerging as most sustainable choices.

Carbon

Utilities miss emission goals amid political shifts; sustainability firms advance carbon removal, biochar, and urban decarbonization solutions

• Electric utilities falling behind on emission reduction targets (EnergyandPolicy.org) - Major US electric utilities falling behind emission reduction targets as companies slow decarbonization pace and delay coal plant closures amid Trump victory and data center growth.

• Climate Day Video Hub (3Degrees) - Global sustainability firm hosts first annual "Climate Day" virtual event featuring expert sessions on renewable energy markets, carbon removal, and agricultural supply chain decarbonization.

• HOW URBAN CENTERS CAN IDENTIFY AND MITIGATE GHG EMISSION HOTSPOTS WITHIN CITY SERVICES (Energy Central) - Urban centers can reduce greenhouse gas emissions through immediate solutions like renewable natural gas adoption, route optimization, and waste-to-energy programs, as demonstrated by successful case studies in Des Moines, Dallas, and Sioux City.

• So... You want to do a biochar project? (Grain Ecosystem) - New platform promises to simplify biochar project development by addressing equipment selection, funding, carbon accounting, and credit certification challenges.

Circular

CIRC toolkit tackles composting streams as PLA cutlery and glycine battery recycling emerge; plastic types guide reveals recyclability limits

• 4 reasons why fast fashion will never be green (Greenpeace) - Fast fashion industry's business model fundamentally incompatible with sustainability due to overproduction, resource waste, labor exploitation, and disposable consumption practices.

• PLA Knives vs. Traditional Plastic Knives: Which One is Better? (EcoSoul Home) - PLA-based compostable knives made from corn starch offer biodegradable alternative to traditional plastic disposable cutlery, breaking down into nutrient-rich compost.

• Keeping Compost Clean: Tools to Help Reduce Contamination in the Food Waste Stream and Increase Compostable Packaging Recovery (Closed Loop Partners) - New CIRC toolkit helps reduce contamination in composting streams by providing customizable frameworks for food waste generators, haulers and composters.

• New Battery Recycling Process From China Recovers 99.99% Of Lithium (CleanTechnica) - Chinese researchers develop eco-friendly battery recycling process recovering 99.99% lithium using glycine in 15 minutes, avoiding harsh chemicals.

• Chewing gum is plastic pollution, not a litter problem (The Conversation) - Research reveals chewing gum is primarily made of synthetic plastics like those in car tires, contributing 730,000 tonnes of non-biodegradable plastic pollution annually.

• Your Guide to Recycling Plastics (Earth.org) - Comprehensive guide details which plastic types can be recycled (PET, HDPE, LDPE, PP) and which cannot (PVC, PS), along with their common uses and recycling conversion products.

• Eight Great Sustainable Laundry Products (BlueDot Living) - Eight eco-friendly laundry products including magnesium sachets, microplastic filters and wool dryer balls help reduce waste and energy use in laundry routines.

Ecosystems

Devastating US storms, Ukraine dam collapse, DDT barrel discovery off California, rising microplastics in PA waters, and Arctic polynya preservation efforts reshape ecosystems globally

• Weekend Tornadoes, Fires, and Dust Storms Kill At Least 40 (Heatmap News) - At least 40 killed across US Midwest and South as extreme weather system brings devastating tornadoes, wildfires, and dust storms amid drought conditions.

• Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB) (IGB) - Study reveals ecological impacts of Ukraine's Kakhovka Dam collapse on freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity.

• 500,000 barrels of DDT in the sea: Interview with documentary directors on California coast crisis (Mongabay) - Half a million toxic DDT barrels discovered off California coast continue impacting marine ecosystems and human health decades after dumping, new documentary reveals.

• Microplastics Lurk in Freshwater Environments Across Pennsylvania (Inside Climate News) - Penn State study finds increasing microplastic levels in Pennsylvania freshwater sediments from 1950s to present, with particles discovered even in rural waterways.

• Mysterious sea foam on South Australian beaches reportedly leaves more than 100 surfers ill (The Guardian) - Over 100 surfers fall ill and marine life dies after mysterious sea foam appears on South Australian beaches amid suspected microalgal bloom.

• Before and after photos show the destruction of climate change (Yale Climate Connections) - Before-and-after photo series documents climate change impacts through wildfires, hurricanes, ice melt, and drought across US locations.

• In a land where monkeys are seen as pests, Sri Lanka’s white langurs are winning hearts (Mongabay) - Rare leucistic purple-faced langurs near Sri Lanka's Sinharaja Forest transform local attitudes and boost ecotourism despite general monkey-pest conflicts.

• Stanley Park herons return for 25th year (Vancouver.ca) - Pacific Great Blue Herons return to Stanley Park for 25th consecutive year, with 50+ birds and 30+ active nests marking crucial breeding site for at-risk species.

• Scientists study plant restoration in Argentina’s deserts (Mongabay) - Scientists find mixed success in Argentina's Monte Desert plant restoration efforts using assisted natural regeneration at former oil drilling sites.

• Future for Nature Award 2025 winners conserve frogs, pangolins, dwarf deer (Mongabay) - Three conservationists win Future For Nature Awards 2025 for innovative work protecting endangered frogs, pangolins and dwarf deer, each receiving €50,000 prize.

• De Big Five van de biodiversiteit (Land van Ons) - Dutch conservation group highlights five iconic species - pinksterbloem, small copper butterfly, red earthworm, linnet, and hare - as symbols of declining farmland biodiversity.

• Dutch Postcode Lottery boosts its funding for Rewilding Europe (Rewilding Europe) - Dutch Postcode Lottery increases annual funding to 1 million euros for continental-scale nature restoration efforts.

• The Living Mountain: why a second world war meditation on nature’s fragility and wonder is still relevant today (The Conversation) - Nan Shepherd's 1940s meditation on Scotland's Cairngorm mountains gains new relevance as climate observations in the work echo modern environmental concerns.

• Mouse-to-mouse resuscitation: mice give unconscious friends first aid (Nature) - Study reveals mice attempt first aid on unconscious companions through grooming and tongue-pulling behaviors, with closer social bonds leading to faster recovery.

• ENGLISH – Inuit Circumpolar Council (ICC) - Inuit-led commission pioneers international management plan for Arctic polynya preservation, uniting Indigenous knowledge across four nations to protect vital ecosystem.

• Russia’s Ukraine Invasion Causes a Deadly Oil Spill on the Black Sea (The Revelator) - Russian "shadow fleet" oil tanker collision in Black Sea spills 9,000 tons of toxic fuel, killing wildlife and hampering cleanup efforts due to regional militarization.

• Far-flung outbreak of extreme weather kills at least 39 (Yale Climate Connections) - Massive storm system kills 39 across central US with tornadoes, wildfires, and dust-related crashes in multi-day extreme weather outbreak.

Efficiency

California targets 6M heat pumps by 2030; Montana's Rosauers store gets efficiency upgrade; Bangladesh builds climate-resilient homes; Swiss water treatment success

• California Has A Plan To Install 6 Million Heat Pumps By 2030 (CleanTechnica) - California launches comprehensive blueprint to install 6 million heat pumps by 2030, targeting building decarbonization despite current installation rates falling short of goals.

• California unveils first state plan to unleash heat pumps (Canary Media) - California releases first statewide blueprint to deploy 6 million heat pumps by 2030, addressing cost barriers and contractor support while aiming to become national model.

• Effective, innovative climate-resilient housing in Bangladesh #ClimateAction (UNEP) - Bangladesh builds innovative climate-resilient brick houses that double as mini cyclone shelters, protecting residents and neighbors while incorporating sustainable energy solutions.

• Heat pump action plan (Canary Media) - California unveils first statewide plan to deploy 6 million heat pumps by 2030 as part of clean heating transition.

• Issue 8 March 2025 (Star Electric MT) - Montana electrical contractor completes comprehensive energy efficiency upgrades at Libby Rosauers grocery store, including LED retrofits, new appliances, and advanced control systems.

• From sewage and scum to swimming in ‘blue gold’: how Switzerland transformed its rivers (The Guardian) - Switzerland's transformation from having Europe's dirtiest waters in 1960s to pristine swimming spots today showcases successful nationwide wastewater treatment program and micropollutant removal technology.

Finance

Major funding flows to solar, nuclear and renewables with £238.5M UK solar-battery project, $130M for Terabase Energy, $57M Palisades loan, €700M Neste green bond, and CIP's $13.1B clean energy fund

• The Wildlife Trusts (The Wildlife Trusts) - UK study finds natural flood management investments yield 10x returns over 30 years through ecosystem protection and disaster risk reduction.

• How Credit Streaming Can Transform the Market for Methane Abatement (Tradewater) - Credit streaming model offers upfront financing and price stability for methane abatement projects in carbon offset markets.

• Record Financing for UK's Largest Solar and Battery Project (TaiyangNews) - UK's largest solar and battery project secures record £238.5M debt financing for 373MW solar and 150MW storage facility set to operate in 2025.

• SoftBank Vision Fund 2 Invests In Terabase Energy (TaiyangNews) - SoftBank Vision Fund 2 leads $130M Series C funding for Terabase Energy to advance AI-driven solar automation and robotics solutions.

• Trump DOE pays out Palisades nuclear loan (Latitude Media) - Trump administration approves $57 million loan disbursement for Michigan's Palisades Nuclear Plant restart, marking second major energy loan payout since January transition.

• B Corp successes, stranded asset fears, and woolly mammoth mice (BusinessGreen) - UK faces $2.28tr fossil fuel stranded asset risk amid B Corp growth and de-extinction breakthroughs.

• Neste Issues €700 Million Green Bond to Scale Renewable Fuels Production (ESGToday) - Neste raises €700M green bond to expand Rotterdam refinery into world's largest renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel facility by 2026.

• CIP Raises Over $13 Billion for Energy Transition Infrastructure Fund (ESGToday) - Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners raises $13.1B for fifth flagship fund to invest in renewable energy projects across OECD nations, targeting 30GW new capacity.

• VPPA 101: A Guide for Solar Developers and Asset Owners (SYSO Technologies) - Virtual Power Purchase Agreements provide solar developers with fixed-price revenue streams and REC transfers while helping corporate buyers meet sustainability goals.

• Upright Launches 50,000 Company Double Materiality Assessment Database (ESG Today) - Upright launches database of 50,000 company double materiality assessments to help firms and investors meet EU sustainability reporting requirements.

• IFAC Adds Sustainability Reporting Skills into Training Standards for New Accountants (ESG Today) - International Federation of Accountants updates global education standards to include mandatory sustainability reporting training for new accountants.

Grid

Grid modernization advances with battery projects in NSW, AI-driven demand response expansions, new transmission rules for SEEM, and utility tech upgrades from PoleCheck and OpenText

• Oregon Department of Energy Awards Grants to 19 Counties for Energy Resilience Planning (Oregon Department of Energy) - State awards $950,000 in grants to 19 counties for developing energy resilience plans to maintain critical services during power disruptions.

• Energy Vault Acquires 1.0 GWh Stoney Creek BESS from Enervest, Advancing Project Development under the LTESA Award from New South Wales (Energy Vault) - Energy storage company acquires 1.0 GWh Stoney Creek battery system in New South Wales, Australia, backed by 14-year energy service agreement.

• China makes batteries that run on gravity, could be an end run for lithium-ion (Interesting Engineering) - China develops gravity-based energy storage system as alternative to lithium-ion batteries, using basic physics principles to store renewable energy.

• Albuquerque Business First: Senate Advances NM Grid Modernization Bill (Albuquerque Business First) - New Mexico Senate advances bill requiring utilities to develop advanced grid technology plans for more efficient power delivery and clean energy integration.

• Batteries in the Capacity Market: An Uneasy Friendship (SYSO) - Battery storage systems face operational conflicts and revenue challenges when balancing capacity market commitments with energy trading opportunities.

• Slippery Peaks: Why Humans Need to Be in the Loop (SYSO Technologies) - Human operators remain essential for maximizing battery storage revenue during brief price spikes in energy markets, as automated systems alone cannot fully optimize complex real-time decisions.

• HSGS-Ameresco LLC Celebrates Completion of $10.9M Water Resiliency Microgrid Project at White Sands Missile Range (Ameresco) - $10.9M water resiliency microgrid project completed at White Sands Missile Range, featuring solar, battery storage and natural gas backup to ensure 14-day water independence.

• 🌎 CERAWeek 2025: More power, more problems #237 (CTVC) - CERAWeek 2025 energy conference reveals urgent focus on rapid power infrastructure expansion to meet AI-driven demand growth, with industry leaders prioritizing immediate solutions over climate concerns.

• Natural gas pipeline project completions increase takeaway capacity in producing regions (EIA) - Major natural gas pipeline projects completed in 2024 added 17.8 Bcf/d capacity across US producing regions and LNG export terminals.

• Powering the Future: Powin’s Role in the World Energy Council’s Humanising Energy Campaign (Powin) - World's largest battery storage project in Australia showcases human expertise driving clean energy transition through 850MW Waratah Super Battery system.

• Giant eight hour battery project changes hands, as storage costs plunge 40 per cent (RenewEconomy) - Energy Vault acquires 8-hour battery project in NSW for $350M as battery storage costs drop 40% in past year.

• GridBeyond appoints Chris O’Brien as Managing Director of Australia (RenewEconomy) - GridBeyond names Chris O'Brien as Australia Managing Director to lead AI-powered energy optimization and demand response solutions expansion.

• Advancing the energy transition: Power equipment’s influence in renewable and distributed networks (Renewable Energy World) - Power equipment manufacturers expand transformer and switchgear production capacity to meet surging demand from renewable energy integration and grid modernization efforts.

• 172. The new age of Energy Security, Flexibility, and Resilience - Redefining Energy podcast (Energy Central) - Eurelectric Secretary General discusses energy grid security challenges and Vehicle-to-Grid technology amid rising threats from sabotage and extreme weather events.

• How thermal batteries unlock a more flexible, reliable and efficient grid (Utility Dive) - Thermal batteries enable flexible grid management by storing cheap renewable energy as heat for industrial use while balancing supply-demand fluctuations.

• Santee Cooper wants to sell its unfinished reactors. What happens next? (Utility Dive) - South Carolina's Santee Cooper seeks buyers to complete two mothballed nuclear reactors at V.C. Summer plant, citing surging electricity demand from tech and manufacturing sectors.

• California PUC approves battery storage safety rules (Utility Dive) - California regulators approve new battery storage safety rules requiring emergency plans amid rapid expansion of state's storage capacity.

• Plans to link electricity bills to where you live are unlikely to bring down prices – and that’s a big problem for net zero (The Conversation) - UK proposal to link electricity bills to postcodes unlikely to reduce prices due to persistent system marginal pricing issues, threatening net-zero goals.

• This startup wants to streamline the utility pole inspection process (Renewable Energy World) - Startup PoleCheck develops microwave technology to streamline utility pole inspections, offering more objective and efficient assessment methods for grid maintenance.

• ENTSOG (Energy Central) - ENTSOG releases Ten-Year Network Development Plan 2024 for European gas and hydrogen infrastructure modeling.

• GridBeyond Appoints Chris O’Brien as Managing Director of Australia (GridBeyond) - Global energy tech firm appoints Chris O'Brien as Australia Managing Director to expand AI-driven demand response and energy storage solutions.

• FERC reaffirms approval of Southeastern SEEM market (Utility Dive) - FERC unanimously reaffirms transmission rules for Southeast Energy Exchange Market, rejecting claims of unfair market access limitations.

• Unlocking efficiency across the utility asset lifecycle (Utility Dive) - OpenText introduces AI-powered asset lifecycle management system to help utilities optimize $3 trillion infrastructure investments and improve operational efficiency.

• 🆕 Ameren IL launches EV managed charging pilots (EnergyHub) - Ameren Illinois launches residential and commercial EV charging management pilots that exceeded enrollment targets while ensuring grid stability and reliable charging for 1.2 million customers.

Industry

Deep sea mining setbacks, Black & Veatch's 60MW Texas hydrogen plant, Astronergy's ESG ratings, SolarSpace's NC factory plans, pipeline hydrogen challenges, and NextEra leadership changes mark key industry shifts

• Greenpeace: The deep sea mining industry is crumbling and desperate (Greenpeace) - Deep sea mining industry faces collapse as companies lose government support and investor confidence amid technical challenges and environmental concerns.

• Verdagy Selects Black & Veatch for a Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) Study for its 9,000 tons/year (60-megawatt) Clean Hydrogen Plant in Texas (Verdagy) - Clean hydrogen company selects Black & Veatch for engineering study of 60MW Texas plant capable of producing 9,000 tons of hydrogen annually.

• China Solar PV News Snippets: 2 Astronergy Manufacturing Bases Secure SSI ESG Silver Rating & More (TaiyangNews) - Astronergy's two Chinese manufacturing bases achieve SSI ESG Silver Rating while GCL SI expands cell capacity and CR New Energy files for IPO.

• Astronergy: Towards Zero-Carbon Solar Panels (TaiyangNews) - Chinese solar manufacturer Astronergy targets 8 zero-carbon factories by 2028 through green supply chain, manufacturing, design and recycling initiatives.

• Different Backsheet Structures In PV Modules (TaiyangNews) - PV module backsheet structures have evolved from fluoropolymer-based designs to cost-effective alternatives including fluorine-free and all-PP structures, driven by industry cost pressures and durability requirements.

• SolarSpace Planning US Solar PV Cell Production With Hong Kong IPO (TaiyangNews) - Chinese solar manufacturer SolarSpace plans US solar cell factory in North Carolina funded by Hong Kong IPO, targeting 2026 completion.

• 📈 Data to start your week (Exponential View) - Baidu's ERNIE 4.5 AI model outperforms GPT-4.5 at 99% lower cost while open-source models and global solar capacity show significant growth.

• Debunking The Myth: Liquid Hydrogen Tanker Trucks & Ships Don’t Solve Hydrogen’s Problems (CleanTechnica) - Liquid hydrogen transport remains impractical due to high energy losses, infrastructure costs, and safety risks despite industry claims.

• Debunking The Myth: Existing Natural Gas Pipelines Are Not A Cheap Slam Dunk For Transporting Hydrogen (CleanTechnica) - Study reveals existing natural gas pipelines require extensive, costly modifications for hydrogen transport due to molecular differences and material degradation issues.

• Iowa Adds Green Hydrogen To Its Renewable Energy Roster (CleanTechnica) - Iowa startup SunHydrogen advances solar-powered green hydrogen technology with Honda partnership and German firms, scaling up to commercial-size modules despite US policy uncertainty.

• Jan Lüder appointed as new chief of Voith Hydro (Renewable Energy World) - Voith Group appoints Jan Lüder as new CEO of Voith Hydro division and Corporate Board member, effective April 2025, bringing extensive industrial and international management experience.

• Coal pollution chokes Ulaanbataar – in pictures (The Guardian) - Mongolia's capital Ulaanbaatar faces severe air quality crisis as coal burning for heat creates dangerous smog levels affecting daily life.

• BBC | Grangemouth: A new dawn for the home of UK's oldest oil refinery? (BBC) - Scotland's oldest oil refinery at Grangemouth pivots toward green energy hub with potential for hydrogen transport and carbon capture using existing infrastructure.

• This ‘superintelligence platform’ just raised $200m in seed funding (Latitude Media) - AI startup Lila Sciences raises $200M seed funding to develop autonomous lab platform combining AI and robotics for accelerating climate and biotech breakthroughs.

• North Lincolnshire Green Energy Park gets green light (BusinessGreen) - UK government approves North Lincolnshire Green Energy Park featuring waste-to-energy facility, carbon capture, and hydrogen production to power 221,000 homes.

• The QS Strategic Blueprint (QuantumScape) - CEO outlines three-part strategic vision for commercializing solid-state battery technology to meet growing global energy storage demands.

• Solar Foods announces an investment plan for Europe’s single largest emission reduction moonshot project (Solar Foods) - Finnish biotech firm plans €800M annual production facility to create 50,000 tonnes of sustainable protein, potentially reducing CO2 emissions by 10M tonnes yearly.

• Georgia researchers develop silicon alternatives for solar supply chain (Canary Media) - Georgia Tech researchers develop silicon alternatives for solar cells to reduce dependence on Chinese manufacturing and boost domestic production.

• NextEra Energy announces organizational changes as part of a planned leadership succession process (NextEra Energy) - Major leadership changes announced as CEO Rebecca Kujawa retires from NextEra Energy Resources, with Brian Bolster and Mike Dunne stepping into key executive roles at America's largest renewable energy company.

• How Recheck Can Boost Business (Mosaic) - New Recheck ID verification system helps solar professionals build trust with homeowners, verify credentials, and boost business through increased transparency.

Policy

National Park Service layoffs, UN climate fund meeting prep, state-level battles over renewable energy in TX/VA/IL, and policy shifts on nuclear power, forest management, and environmental justice under Trump administration

• Our National Parks Are Too Vital To Be Lost (Atmos) - Mass layoffs at National Park Service and expanded logging orders threaten park operations, ecosystem protection, and Indigenous collaboration ahead of peak season.

• Two New England energy companies in surprising alliance with fossil fuel lobby, undercutting climate targets (Acadia Center) - Massachusetts utilities Eversource and Avangrid join fossil fuel lobbying group Consumer Energy Alliance, contradicting state's climate goals.

• Observer Registration for the 44th Adaptation Fund Board Meeting: (Adaptation Fund) - UN climate fund opens registration for April 2025 board meeting, welcoming in-person and online observers from UNFCCC-admitted organizations.

• Let’s make good trouble for Climate Justice Education (Climate Generation) - Executive Director rallies support against Trump administration's suppression of climate education, highlighting resistance efforts and state-level progress.

• Protect Illinois’ Environment and Drinking Water in Minutes (Prairie Rivers Network) - Illinois environmental group urges public support for bills protecting Mahomet Aquifer from carbon sequestration risks and children from pesticide exposure through witness slip submissions.

• Episode 102: Can Talking About Climate Change Reduce Anxiety? (Citizens' Climate Lobby) - Climate anxiety counselor Kate Schapira shares decade of experience running public listening booth and strategies for transforming climate despair into collective action.

• U.S. Senate Secures Unanimous Decision to Save D.C.’s Local Budget Amid Continuing Resolution Controversy (CCAN Action Fund) - Senate unanimously restores DC's local tax authority in continuing resolution fix, preventing billion-dollar cuts to essential city services.

• SOA Launches The Deep Sea Academy, New Ocean Advocacy Training Course (SOA) - Global youth-led ocean nonprofit launches free Deep Sea Academy to train advocates against deep-sea mining through expert-led online courses.

• Virginia’s 2025 General Assembly session wraps up (Appalachian Voices) - Virginia's 2025 General Assembly session concludes with victories in clean energy protection and utility rate relief, while pipeline safety measure fails.

• Environmental group requests water usage information for SC Meta data center (SELC) - Environmental law group files FOIA request for Meta data center's water consumption details in South Carolina amid concerns over resource strain.

• Answers to common questions about the EU omnibus proposal (Watershed) - European Commission's omnibus proposal aims to simplify CSRD reporting requirements by reducing data points, focusing on quantitative metrics, and aligning with global standards.

• World’s Biggest Solar Market Moving Towards CfD Mechanism (TaiyangNews) - China to replace solar feed-in-tariffs with contracts-for-difference mechanism from June 2025, aiming to reduce renewable energy costs through market competition.

• What the Technofascists and Religious Fanatics Have in Common: End Days Theology (Drilled) - Silicon Valley tech leaders and religious fundamentalists share apocalyptic worldviews promoting escape from Earth rather than addressing climate crisis.

• The US military has cared about climate change since the dawn of the Cold War – for good reason (The Conversation) - US military's decades-long engagement with climate change research stems from Cold War Arctic defense concerns and continues through modern security planning.

• Now Would Be a Really Bad Time for ‘the Big One’ to Hit (Heatmap News) - NOAA's tsunami warning system faces critical staffing cuts and outdated technology issues under Trump administration, raising concerns about emergency response capabilities.

• Trump blocks wildfire prevention funds despite calling for forest cleanup (SOCAN) - Trump administration freezes $3 billion in federal wildfire prevention funding despite calls for increased forest management, causing project shutdowns and layoffs.

• Action Alert: Week of March 17, 2025 (Texas Impact) - Texas Senate considers three renewable energy bills - one restricting new renewable projects, another mandating large setbacks, and a third creating solar installer licensing requirements.

• Environmental advocates denounce California’s failure to implement SB 54 amid plastic industry influence (Pacific Environment) - California Governor Newsom halts implementation of landmark plastic reduction law SB 54 after pressure from major corporations including Amazon and Coca-Cola.

• Severe Weather Warnings Persist After a Deadly Weekend of Tornadoes, Dust Storms and Fires (Inside Climate News) - Deadly weekend storm system unleashes 50+ tornadoes across US South and Midwest, killing 42 people amid NOAA staffing cuts and warnings of climate change impacts.

• Scrutiny for Florida Agencies Charged with Managing Treasured Waters Sparks Unease (Inside Climate News) - Florida Legislature proposes increased oversight of state water management districts amid concerns over Everglades restoration and budget scrutiny.

• Toxic Waste Cleanups Take Longer in Marginalized San Francisco Communities (Inside Climate News) - Analysis reveals toxic waste cleanups in San Francisco Bay Area take 450 days longer in marginalized communities compared to wealthy areas, highlighting environmental justice concerns.

• “White hot rage:” PV industry begs governments to do better on solar switch-off (RenewEconomy) - Australian solar industry warns NSW government against rushed implementation of mandatory rooftop solar switch-off mechanism after Victoria's chaotic rollout cost industry $50 million.

• “Desperate” Liberals urge Dutton to “stop this stupid nuclear palaver” (RenewEconomy) - New Liberal group launches campaign against Dutton's $331bn nuclear power plan, warning it contradicts party values and risks election losses.

• W.A. names new energy minister as it navigates transition beyond coal (RenewEconomy) - Western Australia appoints Amber-Jade Sanderson as new energy minister to oversee coal exit and renewable transition in world's largest isolated grid.

• U.S. pauses Columbia River water-sharing negotiations with Canada amid Trump threats (Oregon Capital Chronicle) - US halts Columbia River Treaty negotiations with Canada amid Trump administration's trade tensions, threatening crucial water and hydropower sharing agreement.

• Cop30 in talks to hire PR firm that worked for lobby seeking weaker Amazon protections (The Guardian) - UN climate summit Cop30 considers hiring PR firm Edelman despite its past work with Brazilian trade group accused of seeking weaker Amazon protections.

• Liberal supporters launch election ad campaign against Peter Dutton’s plan to build nuclear power plants (The Guardian) - Liberal supporters launch anti-nuclear ad campaign against opposition leader Dutton's nuclear power plant proposal, citing cost concerns and Liberal party values.

• The Demise of the Northwest Forest Plan (The Wildlife News) - Forest Service proposes gutting Northwest Forest Plan protections, aiming to double logging and reduce old-growth safeguards across 24 million acres of federal forestland.

• Energy, the Environment, the Economy and You – The Economy and Energy’s Impact on It. (Energy Central) - YouTube video series explores interconnections between energy systems, environmental challenges, and economic impacts on society.

• California Wildfire Lawfare - "Show me the money." (Energy Central) - California sues major oil companies over wildfire damages, despite evidence showing fires primarily caused by infrastructure issues and forest management practices.

• Is The IEA Getting Back on Track On The Future of Oil and Natural Gas? (Energy Central) - IEA Chief signals potential return to energy realism, acknowledging need for continued oil and gas investments despite previous stance against fossil fuel expansion.

• Media’s Recent EPA Blunder Reminds Us: Oil and Natural Gas Regulatory Framework Is Robust and Complex (Energy Central) - CNN climate correspondent mistakes EPA regulation code "OOOO" for typos, highlighting complexity of oil and gas industry regulatory framework.

• Trump Desmantela Políticas de Justicia Ambiental, Pero la Lucha Continúa (Earthjustice) - Trump administration dismantles federal environmental justice initiatives and EPA regional offices, reversing decades of policies aimed at addressing pollution impacts in marginalized communities.

• Unpacking the EPA’s aggressive moves on energy and climate (Latitude Media) - EPA makes series of controversial moves including power plant deregulation, climate grant cuts, and potential reversal of 2009 endangerment finding.

• Trump Administration Backs $1.52B Loan for Palisades Nuclear Restart (POWER Magazine) - Trump administration releases $56.8M as part of $1.52B loan guarantee to restart Michigan's 800-MW Palisades Nuclear Plant by 2025.

• More support needed for disaster survivors who speak little English (Yale Climate Connections) - Language barriers hinder disaster relief access for non-English speaking communities, despite post-Katrina law requiring federal assistance with translation services.

• Does TCE contaminate your tap water? (EWG) - Over 17 million Americans across 41 states exposed to cancer-causing industrial chemical TCE in drinking water, with highest contamination levels found in CA, NY, PA, AL, and WI.

• Ohio Supreme Court weighs high-stakes solar permitting case (Canary Media) - Ohio Supreme Court reviews solar permit denial case where state regulators' emphasis on local opposition could set precedent for future renewable energy projects.

• Trump repeals America’s first-ever tax on greenhouse gases before it goes into effect (Grist) - Trump signs Republican measure to repeal Biden's first-ever federal methane emissions tax before implementation, undermining US climate goals.

• The end of the EPA’s fight to protect overpolluted communities (Grist) - Trump administration dismantles EPA's environmental justice offices and terminates staff, reversing decades of federal oversight of pollution in disadvantaged communities.

• Carney Eliminates Canada’s Consumer Carbon Tax (ESG Today) - Canada's new PM Mark Carney eliminates consumer carbon tax while maintaining industrial carbon pricing and pledging new climate initiatives.

• The Peruvian farmer taking on a global energy giant (DW) - Peruvian farmer Saul Luciano Lliuya battles German energy giant RWE in landmark climate lawsuit, seeking compensation for glacier flood risks threatening his Andean village.

• Peruvian Farmer Sues German Energy Giant Over Its Role in Climate Change (Yale e360) - Peruvian farmer sues German energy giant RWE for $18,500 to fund flood defenses, claiming company's emissions contributed to glacier melt threatening his land.

• Conservative party to ditch commitment to net zero in UK by 2050 (The Guardian) - UK Conservative Party leader plans to abandon legally-binding 2050 net zero emissions target, breaking long-standing cross-party climate consensus.

• Ed Miliband vows to engage with China on climate after Tory ‘negligence’ (The Guardian) - UK Energy Secretary Ed Miliband announces first formal UK-China climate dialogue since 2017, aiming to restore climate cooperation amid global environmental challenges.

• Climate activists to plead not guilty en masse under NSW’s controversial anti-protest laws (The Guardian) - Over 100 climate activists to plead not guilty to charges under NSW anti-protest laws after Newcastle coal port blockade, facing potential 2-year jail terms.

• Ohio court case has high stakes for solar developers (Canary Media) - Ohio Supreme Court case challenges state regulators' rejection of rural solar farm permit based on local government opposition.

• Women Faith Leaders Unite to Support the Life of the Mother Act (Texas Impact) - Multi-faith women leaders rally behind Life of the Mother Act to clarify medical exceptions in Texas abortion law, citing patient safety and healthcare access concerns.

• Citizen Science: Theory and Practice (CSTP) (CSTP) - Academic journal integrates citizen science into flood early warning systems to enhance local participation and equitable expertise distribution.

• Black Lung Awareness Day at the West Virginia Capitol (Appalachian Voices) - Coal miners and advocacy groups gather at West Virginia Capitol for Black Lung Awareness Day to push for increased disease benefits and protections.

• Protests Are Up, So Are Aggressive Incidents—Here’s How to Intervene as a Bystander (Moms Clean Air Force) - Amid rising political protests, experts outline key bystander intervention strategies including distraction, delegation, and documentation to safely address public harassment and aggression.

• Last call 🔔 (World Water Week) - Global water conference calls for final session proposals and announces 2025 Young Scientific Programme Committee focused on "Water for Climate Action" theme.

Renewables

Major solar targets shift in France and China, while India adds 6.9GW; Arcadia-Perch merger creates largest US community solar platform; FRV Australia and BP advance projects as Victorian farms face shutdowns

• Africa Sees The Light—Green Power To Give 570 Million Energy Access (Forbes) - Africa aims to provide electricity access to 570 million people through renewable energy expansion, with solar mini-grids leading but funding gaps remain major hurdle.

• France Lowers 2035 Solar PV Target To 90 GW In Final Draft Of PPE3 (TaiyangNews) - France reduces 2035 solar power target to 65-90 GW in final energy plan draft, down from previously proposed 75-100 GW.

• India Solar PV News Snippets: 2024 Open Access Solar Capacity Up 77% YoY & More (TaiyangNews) - India's open access solar capacity grew 77% in 2024, adding 6.9 GW to reach 20.2 GW total, driven by low-cost Chinese modules and business demand for green energy.

• Guest post: China will need 10,000GW of wind and solar by 2060 (Carbon Brief) - China must install 10,000GW of wind and solar capacity by 2060 to achieve carbon neutrality, requiring $22 trillion in investments and massive grid modernization.

• Coal hub inks deal to source 100 pct of its power from solar and battery being built by global oil giant (RenewEconomy) - Australian coal export terminal signs deal with BP subsidiary to power operations entirely with solar and battery storage by 2030.

• State safety authority shuts five solar farms due to fire risk, tells them to mow grass (RenewEconomy) - Five Victorian solar farms ordered to cease operations by state safety authority due to fire risks from unmowed grass beneath panels.

• Rooftop solar PV could supply two-thirds of world’s energy needs, and lower global temperatures (RenewEconomy) - Global study finds rooftop solar could provide 65% of world's electricity needs and reduce temperatures by 0.13°C using existing building stock.

• FRV buys solar battery project, and reworks an adjacent project to suit (RenewEconomy) - Saudi-owned FRV Australia acquires 140MW Axedale solar and 50MW battery project near Bendigo, Victoria, while repositioning its adjacent 100MW Fosterville solar-battery development.

• Is Closed-Loop Geothermal The Future of Heat & Power, or Just a Niche Play? (CleanTechnica) - Closed-loop geothermal technology shows promise for district heating applications but faces significant economic and technical hurdles for widespread electricity generation, with companies like Eavor leading development despite uncertain commercial viability.

• Conventional Geothermal’s Untapped Potential: What’s Holding It Back? (CleanTechnica) - Despite high capacity factors and low emissions, conventional geothermal power remains underutilized globally due to geographic limitations, high upfront costs, and lengthy development timelines.

• Don’t Worry, US Investors Can Still Make Offshore Wind Happen … Somewhere (CleanTechnica) - US offshore wind investors pivot to Vietnam's growing market after Trump's federal lease suspension, with Pacifico Energy leading major development initiatives.

• Arcadia, Perch Energy form joint venture combining community solar profiles (Renewable Energy World) - Arcadia and Perch Energy merge community solar businesses to create largest US solar acquisition platform managing 3GW across 1,000 projects in 16 states.

• New project to tap tidal and river energy in North-West Europe (RenewableEnergyWorld) - €10 million SHINES project launches to develop tidal and river energy systems across six North-West European countries using innovative HydroWing, RivGen, and TidalKite technologies.

• Objects may be further away than they appear! (Energy Central) - JPMorgan report reveals global renewable energy transition progressing slowly at 0.3-0.6% annually despite $9 trillion investment over past decade.

• How Drift 'energy ships' aim to harness ocean wind to produce clean electricity at sea (BusinessGreen) - UK startup Drift Energy develops ocean vessels that harness wind power to generate clean electricity while at sea.

• Neoen slashes capacity of proposed wind project and size of turbines after community feedback (RenewEconomy) - French developer Neoen reduces NSW wind farm from 800MW to 577MW and shrinks turbine heights following community consultation.

Transport

BYD launches 1000V ultra-fast charging platform, Ford adds Tesla Superchargers to navigation, GM promotes home charging, while Stanley Park Train suspends service and aviation sector explores hydrogen infrastructure

• Stanley Park Train to remain offline this spring (Vancouver.ca) - Historic Stanley Park Train service suspended indefinitely due to emission safety concerns and aging engines, with future viability assessment due June 2025.

• Atlas-Affiliated Think Tank Wants Canada to Pump Breaks on EVs (DeSmog) - Atlas Network-affiliated Montreal Economic Institute lobbies to repeal Canada's EV mandate, claiming high costs despite evidence of economic benefits and environmental necessity.

• GM Pitches Home EV Charging As Tesla Stock Slithers Down, Again (CleanTechnica) - GM promotes home EV charging and virtual power plant capabilities while Tesla stock falls 5%, highlighting shift in EV market dynamics.

• BYD Launches 1000-Volt EV Platform (CleanTechnica) - BYD unveils 1000-volt EV platform with ultra-fast charging capabilities, enabling 249-mile range in 5 minutes and featuring new high-performance motors reaching 30,511 RPM.

• Chinese EV maker BYD says new fast-charging system could be as quick as filling up a tank (The Guardian) - Chinese EV maker BYD unveils 1000kW charging platform promising 5-minute charges for 400km range, announces plans for 4,000 charging stations across China.

• Hydrogen Aviation | Airside Refuelling (Energy Central) - Aviation industry explores hydrogen refueling infrastructure and logistics at airports to enable zero-emission aircraft operations.

• The Process and Path Forward for a Bipartisan Surface Transportation Bill (Transportation for America) - Congressional briefing outlines bipartisan surface transportation bill challenges, emphasizing funding shortfalls, safety concerns, and need for multimodal infrastructure investment.

• Ford Mustang Mach-E & F-150 Lightning Drivers Get Tesla Superchargers Added on Apple CarPlay (CleanTechnica) - Ford adds Tesla Supercharger locations to Apple CarPlay navigation for Mustang Mach-E and F-150 Lightning drivers.