Republicans move against renewable tax credits, California's support for EVs

“The fossil fuel industry essentially runs the Republican Party right now.”

— Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.)

Climate news is dominated today by two related stories: the Trump budget's moves against renewables and the federal congressional action to block California from taking strong action in favor of electric vehicles.

Key details in The Guardian: "tax credits for cleaner cars will end this year, with incentives for wind, solar and even nuclear energy projects scaled down and then eliminated by 2032. Clean energy manufacturing tax credits will be axed by 2031."

On California's EV mandate, SFist rounded up coverage well: "The GOP-controlled US Senate just voted Thursday to revoke California’s mandate to switch to only electric cars by the year 2035, in an obvious middle finger to California from politicians who claim to support 'states’ rights.'"

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

Today's Updates

Table of Contents

• 🌾Agriculture (16 stories) - Thirstwaves threaten US crops; OvipestePlus vaccine targets goat plague; seed sovereignty in Korea; Brazil's macaúba biofuel; UK seabass linked to Senegal overfishing; USDA honeybee research cut; EU drought losses; All G casein for infant formula.

  
  

• 🪨Carbon (11 stories) - South America cancels coal; Microsoft & Exomad Green biochar deal; veritree raises funds; Avnos unveils water-positive DAC; PepsiCo delays net-zero.

  
  

• ♻️Circular (7 stories) - Oregon bans plastic film bags; Lithium-ion battery recycling market soars; Reju recycles polyester garments.

  
  

• 🌱Ecosystems (26 stories) - JBS linked to Amazon deforestation; record tropical forest loss; UK marine heatwave; Attenborough's "Ocean"; cicada emergence; AI for biodiversity; Royal Golden Eagle group and Indonesian forests.

  
  

• ⚡Efficiency (7 stories) - Duct sealing tech with 50-year lifespan; Green Upgrade Calculator 2.0; Rheem & Bradford White's high-UEF heat pump water heaters; Australian solar homes study.

  
  

• 💰 Finance (6 stories) - Female-founded climate tech outperforms but is underfunded; Suma Impact Foundation launches; Baltimore community solar project; Illinois insurance hikes; Green Liberty Notes; Blooms raises seed round.

  
  

• 🔌Grid (16 stories) - Jinko ESS unveils 520 kWh storage; X's AI grid mapping with PJM; ABB & GridBeyond's battery service; Duke's sodium-sulfur pilot; Lightshift's Vermont battery for GlobalFoundries.

  
  

• 🌍Indigenous (13 stories) - Indigenous groups challenge Indonesia's conservation law and mining; Chile addresses Mapuche land disputes; Xingu integrates traditional farming; Indigenous knowledge aids conservation and climate resilience.

  
  

• 🏭Industry (27 stories) - Hydrogen emission study; sustainable palm oil via fermentation; 5B's Maverick solar expansion; Jinko on ESG list; Silfab acquires EnPV tech; LONGi marine modules; green hydrogen in Western Australia; battery mineral dominance in China; European Hydrogen Bank funding; iron-fortified wood; PepsiCo reduces targets; SolarSpace expands; Singulus tech for Roltec; TVA's SMR permit.

  
  

•  📜Policy (46 stories) - House votes to overturn Clean Air Act protections, Republicans eliminate clean energy incentives, Brazil faces criticism for Amazon policies, and UN Ocean Conference draft declaration is criticized.

  
  

• 🔋Renewables (12 stories) - New York's 2.5GW renewables push, China's 105GW solar surge (AIKO tech wins award), North Sea wind wake clash, AES & Meta's 650MW solar deal.

  
  

• 🚗Transport (8 stories) - Ford F-150 Lightning, Volvo, SparkCharge, ZeroAvia, BYD, Toyota, and Heybike make headlines.

Agriculture

Thirstwaves threaten US crops; OvipestePlus vaccine targets goat plague; seed sovereignty in Korea; Brazil's macaúba biofuel; UK seabass linked to Senegal overfishing; USDA honeybee research cut; EU drought losses; All G casein for infant formula.

• A Dangerous Kind of Weather (Nautilus) - Scientists define new climate phenomenon called "thirstwaves" - extreme atmospheric moisture-absorption events increasingly threatening US croplands over past 40 years.

• “Lifting all boats” with a heat-tolerant and cost-effective vaccine against goat plague (CGIAR) - New heat-tolerant goat plague vaccine "OvipestePlus" developed for Mali shows 99% efficacy and extended stability in high temperatures, aiming to eradicate devastating livestock disease by 2030.

• Asia: Conference on Agroecology and Seeds Highlights Diverse Experiences in Peasant Seed Sovereignty (Via Campesina) - Asian peasant organizations gather in Korea to share experiences in seed sovereignty and agroecology, emphasizing women farmers' role in preserving traditional seeds.

• Brazil bets on macaúba palm to make renewable diesel and aviation biofuel (Mongabay) - Brazil invests heavily in native macaúba palm plantations for biofuel production, aiming to produce renewable diesel and aviation fuel by 2027 despite environmental concerns.

• Revealed: UK Supermarket Seabass Linked to Devastating Overfishing in Senegal (DeSmog) - UK supermarkets including Waitrose, Co-op, Lidl, Asda and Aldi selling farmed seabass linked to devastating overfishing and food insecurity in Senegal through Turkish fish farms using local fishmeal.

• Tesla CEO Heads Back Home, Leaving A Potential Honeybee Crisis Behind (CleanTechnica) - USDA honeybee research disrupted after Musk-led budget cuts eliminate 800 Agricultural Research Service workers amid worst colony collapse crisis in US history.

• Why Can’t We Grow Healthy Food For A Sustainable World? (CleanTechnica) - Global food system faces sustainability crisis as Big Agriculture's profit-driven practices conflict with need for healthy, environmentally-responsible food production.

• Chris Packham calls sea bass labelling in UK supermarkets a ‘dereliction of duty’ (The Guardian) - UK supermarkets criticized for selling sea bass from Turkish farms using African fishmeal, raising ethical and food security concerns.

• The hidden cost of your supermarket sea bass (The Guardian) - Investigation reveals UK supermarket sea bass supply chain depletes Senegal's fish stocks, causing local food insecurity and unemployment through fishmeal production for aquaculture.

• On the Path to Reconcile Ecology and Technology (Revolve Media) - Agricultural experts call for reconciliation between modern farming technology and ecological principles to ensure sustainable food production while preserving biodiversity.

• ‘It’s a critical time’: European farmers struggle through driest spring in a century (The Guardian) - European farmers face severe agricultural losses as northwestern Europe experiences its driest spring in 100 years, with drought causing over half of EU's €28.3bn annual crop losses.

• Foresight Transitions (Foresight Transitions) - New study warns EU food imports face increasing environmental threats, highlighting policy and preparedness concerns for bloc's food security.

• Biodiversity Day Feature Story: A Delicate Balance: Insect Pests, Pollinators and Food Production (CGIAR) - Global crop yields face 13% annual losses from insect pests while 40% of insect species decline, highlighting agriculture's complex balance between pest control and biodiversity preservation.

• All G assembles human casein micelles to bring infant formula ‘dramatically closer’ to breast milk (AgFunderNews) - Australian startup All G develops breakthrough technology to create human casein micelles for infant formula, bringing it closer to matching breast milk composition.

• Swipe to Support: How two college students are tackling hunger in Appalachia (Appalachian Voices) - Two University of Virginia students create meal swipe donation program that has distributed thousands of meals to crisis shelters across six Appalachian states.

• Young food entrepreneurs are changing the face of rural America (The Conversation) - Young entrepreneurs are revitalizing rural America through local food businesses, shared kitchens, and farmers markets, driven by increasing migration of 25-44 year olds to small towns.

 Carbon

South America cancels coal; Microsoft & Exomad Green biochar deal; veritree raises funds; Avnos unveils water-positive DAC; PepsiCo delays net-zero.

• South America Sets Historic Benchmark: Zero New Coal Plants Planned (CleanTechnica) - South America achieves continental milestone as all planned coal power plants cancelled, marking complete shift away from new coal development.

• Many glaciers are shrinking more in summer than they can grow in winter (Yale Climate Connections) - Global warming causes glaciers to lose more ice mass in summer than they can regain in winter, accelerating sea level rise worldwide.

• Assent Launches CBAM Compliance Solution for Manufacturers (ESG Today) - Assent launches automated solution to help manufacturers calculate and report embedded carbon emissions for EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism compliance.

• Microsoft Signs Largest-Ever Biochar Carbon Removal Agreement (ESGToday) - Microsoft signs world's largest biochar carbon removal deal with Exomad Green for 1.24 million tonnes over 10 years in Bolivia.

• AI’s latest field to boost: nature-based solutions (Trellis) - Canadian startup veritree raises $6.5M Series A to expand AI-powered verification system for nature-based carbon removal projects.

• 2025 Carbon Removal Challenge Showcase Stream (Carbon Removal Challenge) - Five student teams showcase innovative carbon removal projects in final competition, demonstrating next-generation approaches to atmospheric CO2 reduction.

• This is CDR: Avnos' Water-Positive, Hybrid Direct Air Capture with Will Kain (This is CDR) - Avnos unveils water-positive Hybrid Direct Air Capture technology that harvests atmospheric moisture for CO2 separation, requiring less energy than traditional carbon capture methods.

• The Carbon Copy: Sand dollars for ocean CDR 💸 (Carbon180) - Organization launches ocean-based carbon removal grant initiative while establishing new ocean policy team to explore marine carbon drawdown with community input.

• RSVP: Tropical Forests for Climate Impact (CTrees) - London Climate Action Week event on June 26 to discuss tropical forest protection, featuring panels on jurisdictional REDD+ and the Tropical Forest Forever Facility with science, policy, and finance leaders.

• Author Correction: Global methane emissions from rivers and streams (Nature) - Scientists correct graph error in global methane emissions study showing river and stream activation energy slopes.

• PepsiCo Pushes Back Climate, Packaging Goals Due to “External Realities” (ESG Today) - PepsiCo delays net-zero emissions target by 10 years to 2050 and reduces packaging sustainability goals, citing infrastructure and market constraints.

Circular

Oregon bans plastic film bags; Lithium-ion battery recycling market soars; Reju recycles polyester garments.

• Oregon House passes bill to eliminate all plastic film bags at checkout (Environment America) - Oregon House passes bill to ban all plastic film bags at retail checkouts, closing loophole in existing single-use plastic bag ban.

• Powering Sustainability in the Lithium-Ion Battery Recycling Market (Energy Central) - Global lithium-ion battery recycling market projected to grow from $10.26B to $98.42B by 2034, driven by EV battery waste and material recovery needs.

• Dutch startup aims to recycle 300 million pieces of polyester clothing a year (Trellis) - Dutch startup Reju plans to recycle 300 million polyester garments annually using parent company's expertise and advanced textile recycling technology.

• Let's Get Grilling: 5 Tips for Zero-Waste Memorial Day Cookout (EcoSoul Home) - Guide outlines sustainable Memorial Day cookout strategies using compostable plates, cups, and cutlery made from plant-based materials to minimize waste.

• Memorial Day Sales from Sustainable Brands (Bluedot Living) - Major sustainable brands offer Memorial Day discounts up to 40% off on eco-friendly apparel, home goods, and outdoor gear through May 28.

• At Thrifty Threads, a $12 Red Jacket Takes Me Back to My Childhood (Bluedot Living) - College student finds deeper meaning in sustainable fashion after discovering $12 vintage red jacket at Boston thrift store that sparks childhood memories.

• Dear Dot: What Was Your Most Popular Advice? (Part Two) (Bluedot Living) - Sustainability advice column recaps popular reader questions on solar panel sourcing, waste disposal, pest control, food safety, and home electrification.

Ecosystems

JBS linked to Amazon deforestation; record tropical forest loss; UK marine heatwave; Attenborough's "Ocean"; cicada emergence; AI for biodiversity; Royal Golden Eagle group and Indonesian forests.

• Ocean & Coastal Management (Science Direct) (Ocean & Coastal Management) - Leading academic journal publishes peer-reviewed research on sustainable ocean governance, coastal development, and marine conservation strategies.

• Plastic pollution from fibre optic drones may threaten wildlife for years (CEOBS) - Fibre optic drone cables used in Ukraine war create persistent environmental hazard as kilometers of non-degradable plastic cables threaten wildlife through entanglement and PFAS contamination.

• Report links meat giant JBS to massive destruction of jaguar habitat (Mongabay) - Global Witness report reveals JBS meatpacking linked to destruction of 27 million hectares of jaguar habitat in Brazil's Amazon states, with 89% cleared illegally since 2014.

• Tropical forest loss hit new heights in 2024; fire a major driver in Latin America (Mongabay) - Global tropical forest loss reached record 6.7 million hectares in 2024, with fires surpassing agriculture as primary driver in Latin America.

• Why biological diversity should be at the heart of conservation (Mongabay) - Scientists emphasize critical role of diverse species and genetic variety in forest restoration success, warning against single-species tree planting initiatives.

• Royal Golden Eagle fails to expressly deny Greenpeace report indicating shadow empire threatening Indonesia’s forests (Greenpeace International) - Royal Golden Eagle group fails to deny report linking it to 257 shadow companies threatening Indonesian forests.

• Groups Sue to Protect Critically Endangered Gulf Rice’s Whale from Oil and Gas Impacts (Friends of the Earth) - Environmental groups sue federal government over inadequate protections for endangered Rice's whale and sea turtles from Gulf oil drilling impacts.

• Clownfish shrink during marine heatwaves – new study (The Conversation) - Wild clownfish in Papua New Guinea found to physically shrink during marine heatwaves, increasing their survival chances by 78%.

• From the Archives: An Okapi Tragedy, a New Beginning (The Revelator) - First okapi returns to DRC conservation center 13 years after militia killed all resident animals and staff in deadly 2012 attack.

• Global Newsletter #95: REBEL EARTH MONTH: WE ARE THE FIRE (Extinction Rebellion) - Global climate activists escalate direct actions worldwide against fossil fuel expansion and environmental destruction, highlighting indigenous rights and ecosystem protection.

• Fish Threatened By Farms and Mining Set to Be First Species Listed As Endangered in Second Trump Term (Inside Climate News) - Nevada's Fish Lake Valley tui chub faces endangered species listing due to groundwater depletion from farming and threats from lithium mining.

• Flooding Caused by Atmospheric River Over Maryland Shows How Climate Change Is Stressing Inland Communities (Inside Climate News) - Atmospheric river dumps 6+ inches of rain in 24 hours on Western Maryland, overwhelming local emergency response and flooding Westernport Elementary School, highlighting inland communities' climate vulnerability.

• ‘Unprecedented’ marine heatwave hits waters around Devon, Cornwall and Ireland (The Guardian) - Marine scientists warn of unprecedented spring heatwave as UK and Irish coastal waters reach up to 4C above normal temperatures, threatening marine ecosystems.

• NSW floods: three dead, one missing as state faces worse flooding than many have seen in their lifetimes (The Guardian) - Three dead and one missing in NSW as record-breaking floods isolate 48,000 people amid intense rainfall and emergency evacuations.

• How an idealistic tree-planting project turned into Kenya’s toxic, thorny nightmare (The Guardian) - Kenya's well-intentioned 1970s tree-planting initiative with mathenge trees backfires as invasive species spreads across 2M hectares, destroying ecosystems and livestock.

• ‘Powerful and horrifying’ — David Attenborough’s latest film is a cry to protect our oceans (Nature) - David Attenborough's new film 'Ocean' delivers urgent message about marine conservation on his 99th birthday, highlighting threats to world's oceans.

• One Home One Future: Native Plants w/ Naomi Edelson (National Wildlife Federation) - Sacred Grounds program helps faith communities replace lawns with native plants to support wildlife, reduce flooding and engage congregations in environmental stewardship.

• Forest Growth Is Rebounding, According to the Swedish National Forest Inventory (SLU) - Swedish forests show growth rebound with increasing timber stock reaching 3.6 billion cubic meters, while Scots pine volumes rise and spruce declines.

• Harpy eagle confirmed in Mexico for first time in over a decade (Mongabay) - First confirmed sighting of harpy eagle family in Mexico's Lacandon Jungle since 2011 signals potential breeding territory for this vulnerable species.

• Land van Ons geeft op de Europese dag van de biodiversiteit het Boerenland een Stem (Land van Ons) - Dutch citizen cooperative launches biodiversity awareness campaign featuring five farmland species to highlight agricultural biodiversity challenges on European Biodiversity Day.

• Billions of cicadas are emerging, from Cape Cod to north Georgia – here’s how and why we map them (The Conversation) - Billions of periodical cicadas from Brood XIV emerging across 12 US states, as scientists map their distribution using expert surveys and citizen science data.

• How outdoor sports can support youth as they navigate climate change (The Conversation) - Research shows outdoor sports like rock climbing and mountain biking can help youth develop environmental stewardship and cope with climate anxiety.

• A Walkthrough in How to Get Involved in Biodiversity Conservation (The Climate Initiative) - Comprehensive guide outlines steps for public engagement in biodiversity conservation, emphasizing species protection, policy support, and individual actions to combat extinction crisis.

• 'Give these blokes the clothes off my back': Taree man films SES flood rescue – video (The Guardian) - NSW resident captures dramatic SES flood rescue on video as unprecedented flooding hits mid-north coast, leaving one dead and three missing.

• How and when North America’s deepest river gorge formed (Nature) - New geological study reveals formation timing and mechanisms of Hells Canyon, North America's deepest river gorge at 2,400 meters.

• IA et solutions innovantes : les outils du futur au service de la nature (Fondation François Sommer) - Leading researchers to discuss AI, bioacoustics, and genomic sequencing applications for biodiversity management and wildlife conservation in upcoming May 2025 conference.

Efficiency

Duct sealing tech with 50-year lifespan; Green Upgrade Calculator 2.0; Rheem & Bradford White's high-UEF heat pump water heaters; Australian solar homes study.

• Aeroseal FAQ: Homeowner Questions Answered About Duct and AeroBarrier® Sealing (Aeroseal) - Advanced duct and envelope sealing technology promises 50-year durability and up to $700 annual energy savings while improving indoor air quality and comfort.

• A Newer and More Powerful Green Upgrade Calculator (RMI) - Free Green Upgrade Calculator 2.0 adds geothermal heat pump analysis and enhanced energy impact metrics to help contractors estimate home electrification costs and savings.

• Electric houses with solar use much less energy than gas, but home batteries critical in some states (RenewEconomy) - Australian study shows electric homes with solar consume 54GJ less gas annually than gas-powered homes, though battery storage crucial for managing winter peak demand.

• Two Leading Manufacturers Bring New Heat Pump Water Heater Updates To Market (CleanTechnica) - Rheem and Bradford White release updated heat pump water heaters with improved efficiency ratings over 4.0 UEF, enhanced connectivity, and new installation features.

• 'Disastrous lost decade': Home retrofit policy failures pushing energy targets further off track (BusinessGreen) - UK MPs warn decade of weak home energy efficiency policies threatens climate targets and fuel poverty goals.

• Everblue Celebrates 10 Years of IREC Accreditation (IREC) - North Carolina-based clean energy training provider Everblue marks 10 years of accreditation for its weatherization and energy efficiency programs.

• Oregon [Environmental Council] seeks to stimulate electrification and energy efficiency in Medford (SOCAN) - Oregon Environmental Council plans community meeting in Medford to promote building electrification and energy efficiency initiatives.

Finance

Female-founded climate tech outperforms but is underfunded; Suma Impact Foundation launches; Baltimore community solar project; Illinois insurance hikes; Green Liberty Notes; Blooms raises seed round.

• How to Beat the Market in Climate Tech? Invest in Women. (RMI) - Analysis shows climate tech firms with female founders deliver 13% faster exits and could generate $12B more annual returns, yet receive only 10% of VC funding.

• Suma Capital promueve la Suma Impact Foundation para liderar una transición ecológica con propósito (Suma Capital) - Spanish investment firm launches Suma Impact Foundation to drive ecological transition through knowledge generation, talent development, and support for vulnerable communities.

• Verified Benefits Empower Valuable Community Partnerships with Social RECs (CleanTechnica) - Baltimore's $3.8M community solar project combines renewable energy credits with social impact, providing clean energy savings to 150 low-income households while funding job training through innovative Social RECs partnership.

• Illinois insurance rates climb as companies back oil and gas (Canary Media) - Illinois insurance premiums surge as companies continue investing in fossil fuels while citing climate risks, with Chicago metro rates jumping 46% from 2021-2024.

• Connecticut Green Bank Launches 13th Green Liberty Notes Offering (Connecticut Green Bank) - State-backed green investment fund launches 13th round of crowdfunded "Green Liberty Notes" offering, having raised $3.3M across 43 states for small business energy efficiency projects.

• Blooms plans more digital financial tools for Latam’s produce exporters with SP Ventures-led fundraise (AgFundNews) - US fintech startup Blooms raises $2.6M seed round to expand digital financial tools for Latin American produce exporters supplying North American markets.

Grid

Jinko ESS unveils 520 kWh storage; X's AI grid mapping with PJM; ABB & GridBeyond's battery service; Duke's sodium-sulfur pilot; Lightshift's Vermont battery for GlobalFoundries.

• Jinko ESS Launches SunGiga 520 kWh Storage Solution (TaiyangNews) - Jinko ESS launches new 520 kWh commercial energy storage system with 310 Ah battery cells, offering up to 250 kW output and scalability to 6.2 MWh.

• A "Google Maps for electrons" (Volts) - X's Tapestry project develops AI-powered "Google Maps for electrons" to visualize electricity grids and accelerate power interconnection processes, partnering with PJM grid operator.

• GridBeyond and ABB deepen their strategic partnership to power BESS-as-a-Service (GridBeyond) - ABB and GridBeyond partner to deliver battery storage-as-a-service solution for commercial customers using AI-driven energy optimization.

• How electricity meters distort the role of rooftop solar generation (RenewEconomy) - Electricity meters undercount rooftop solar's true contribution by failing to measure on-site consumption, leading to misattribution of energy efficiency gains and winter solar performance.

• Unlocking Value From Existing Solar: SolMicroGrid’s Array-to-Microgrid Program (CleanTechnica) - SolMicroGrid launches program to purchase existing commercial solar arrays and convert them into comprehensive microgrids with no upfront costs to businesses.

• Could this utility’s next-gen storage test be a game changer? (Renewable Energy World) - Duke Energy launches 5MW sodium-sulfur battery pilot at Suwannee River site to test 8-hour energy storage capabilities as lithium-ion alternative.

• Lightshift is developing Vermont’s biggest battery project (Latitude Media) - Vermont's largest battery project (16MW/52MWh) under development by Lightshift Energy for GlobalFoundries' semiconductor facility will provide 40% of peak power needs.

• Meta’s Senate scrutiny signals growing backlash to data centers’ thirst for gas (Latitude Media) - Meta faces Senate inquiry over Louisiana data center's massive gas power demands amid growing state-level pushback against tech facilities' energy consumption.

• Boitekong BESS Project (AMEA Power) - South Africa awards 300MWh Boitekong Battery Energy Storage System project to be connected to Marang substation in North West Province.

• Nevada Current: NV Energy Peak Usage Plan Could Be Costly for Southern Nevadans (Nevada Current) - NV Energy proposes mandatory demand pricing for all customers, potentially adding $20-38 to monthly bills while penalizing energy-efficient users in Southern Nevada.

• Kaluza acquires Australian energy software specialist Beige Technologies (Kaluza) - UK energy software firm acquires Australian tech company Beige Technologies to expand APAC presence and enhance commercial energy management capabilities.

• Power Up: Redodo’s Memorial Day Sale Offers Up To 55% Off LiFePO₄ Batteries (CleanTechnica) - Redodo announces Memorial Day sale with up to 55% discounts on LiFePO4 batteries for solar storage and off-grid applications.

• This Northeast US utility is bringing Kraken’s AI-powered customer service platform to 6.5 million customers (Renewable Energy World) - National Grid partners with Kraken to deploy AI-powered customer service platform for 6.5 million Northeast US energy customers.

• In Georgia, stakeholders still can’t agree on data center load growth numbers (Latitude Media) - Georgia regulators challenge Georgia Power's data center electricity demand forecasts, as Microsoft and others dispute growth projections amid project cancellations.

• FERC Anticipates Higher Energy Prices This Summer (FERC) - Federal regulators forecast higher summer electricity prices across US regions due to increased demand, tighter generation margins, and lower natural gas storage levels.

• Last Chance to Register for Next Week’s Grid Edge Innovation Forum (Advanced Energy United) - Grid Edge Innovation Forum announces new speakers from CAISO and EPRI to discuss AI's role in grid modernization at upcoming May 27 event in San Jose.

Indigenous

Indigenous groups challenge Indonesia's conservation law and mining; Chile addresses Mapuche land disputes; Xingu integrates traditional farming; Indigenous knowledge aids conservation and climate resilience.

• Trump Wants to Save Columbus Day. From What, Exactly? (Atmos) - Trump vows to "save" Columbus Day despite the federal holiday remaining intact, as debate continues over Indigenous Peoples Day recognition and colonial history.

• Indigenous rights advocates petition to overturn Indonesian conservation law (Mongabay) - Indigenous groups challenge Indonesia's new conservation law over lack of Indigenous rights recognition and participation in protected areas management.

• West Sulawesi erupts in protest over sand mining for Indonesia’s new capital (Mongabay) - Hundreds of Indigenous protesters clash with authorities in West Sulawesi over sand mining operations for Indonesia's new capital, citing environmental damage and lack of community consent.

• Chile draws road map for peace in Mapuche land conflict, but concerns remain (Mongabay) - Chile's special commission delivers 21 policy recommendations to address Indigenous Mapuche land disputes and rights, but implementation timeline and effectiveness remain uncertain.

• Wahkohtowin Attends the Canadian Ecological Connectivity Conference in Banff (Wahkohtowin) - Indigenous conservation team attends first Canadian Ecological Connectivity Conference in Banff, sharing traditional knowledge and corridor planning initiatives.

• Da roça à sala de aula: povos do Xingu querem escolas que preservem cultura e alimentação tradicional (Instituto Socioambiental) - Xingu Indigenous peoples integrate traditional farming and food practices into school curriculum while battling climate change impacts and industrial agriculture pressures.

• Why space exploration must not be left to a few powerful nations (Nature) - Global space industry expansion raises concerns over exclusion of Indigenous peoples and developing nations from space exploration decisions and benefits.

• Important Reminder: Reminder: Indigenous Peoples Safeguard Nature's Diversity and Mother Earth (Cultural Survival) - Indigenous peoples' traditional knowledge and practices play crucial role in biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation through sustainable land management and ecosystem protection.

• Cultural Survival Denounces Harassment of Indigenous Delegates at International Fora (Cultural Survival) - Indigenous delegates from Bolivia face harassment and threats at UN Permanent Forum while denouncing mining activities and rights violations in their territories.

• Social Links (Cultural Survival) - Massachusetts-based non-profit organization advocates for Indigenous rights and self-determination through community support, cultural preservation, and educational initiatives since 1972.

• Indigenous Wisdom in Disaster Response and Climate Crisis Management (Cultural Survival) - Indigenous communities worldwide share traditional knowledge and strategies for climate crisis management and disaster response in upcoming webinar.

• Resilience Rising: Indigenous Wisdom in Disaster Response and Climate Crisis Management (Cultural Survival) - Indigenous communities worldwide demonstrate climate crisis resilience through traditional ecological knowledge while leading innovative disaster response and cultural preservation initiatives.

• Da roça à sala de aula | II Encontro de Educação Escolar Indígena do Território Indígena do Xingu (ISA) - Indigenous peoples of Xingu Territory gather for second Indigenous School Education Meeting to integrate traditional knowledge and food sovereignty into educational curriculum.

Industry

Hydrogen emission study; sustainable palm oil via fermentation; 5B's Maverick solar expansion; Jinko on ESG list; Silfab acquires EnPV tech; LONGi marine modules; green hydrogen in Western Australia; battery mineral dominance in China; European Hydrogen Bank funding; iron-fortified wood; PepsiCo reduces targets; SolarSpace expands; Singulus tech for Roltec; TVA's SMR permit.

• Major Collaborative Research Study Launches to Measure Real-World Hydrogen Emissions (EDF) - International research consortium launches comprehensive study to measure hydrogen emissions from infrastructure across North America and Europe using new high-precision analyzers.

• Why Partnerships Are Essential in Bringing Innovation to Life: A Conversation with Lars Langhout (NoPalm Ingredients) - CEO Lars Langhout emphasizes strategic partnerships as crucial for scaling sustainable palm oil alternatives through fermentation technology and collaborative product development.

• How 3D Current Collectors Can Accelerate Adoption of Dry Coating (Addionics) - 3D current collector technology eliminates need for primer layers in dry coating battery production, enabling simpler and more cost-effective manufacturing processes.

• 5B Secures First Solar Sunshot Funding in Australia (TaiyangNews) - Australian solar tech firm 5B secures $29.5M government funding to expand manufacturing of its rapid-deployment Maverick solar system to 200MW capacity.

• Laser-Assisted Contact Formation Enhances TOPCon Cell Performance (TaiyangNews) - Laser-assisted contact formation technology boosts TOPCon solar cell efficiency by up to 0.5% through improved metallization and reduced recombination.

• Jinko Solar Ranked on 2025 FORTUNE China ESG Impact List for Second Consecutive Year (TaiyangNews) - Chinese solar giant Jinko Solar secures spot on FORTUNE China's ESG Impact List for second year, recognized for zero-carbon factories and global sustainability initiatives.

• Silfab Solar Acquires EnPV’s Back-Contact Technology Patents (TaiyangNews) - North American solar manufacturer Silfab Solar acquires EnPV's back-contact technology patents and expert team to enhance solar panel efficiency and production capabilities.

• China Solar PV News Snippets: Antaisolar At TaiyangNews Solar Power Plant Developments Conference & More (TaiyangNews) - Multiple Chinese solar companies announce developments including LONGi's marine modules, Astronergy's sustainability gains, and DAS Solar's new standards, while Yingxun suspends 3GW cell project.

• “Less hype isn’t a problem:” WA says it still has high hopes for green hydrogen (RenewEconomy) - Western Australia government reaffirms commitment to green hydrogen industry development, targeting large-scale production by 2030 despite market challenges.

• China Dominates Global Trade of Battery Minerals (CleanTechnica) - China controls 44% of global battery mineral imports and 58% of exports while dominating processing capacity for lithium, cobalt, and graphite in 2023.

• Revealed: three tonnes of uranium legally dumped in protected English estuary in nine years (The Guardian) - Nuclear fuel factory near Preston legally discharged three tonnes of uranium into protected Ribble estuary over nine years, raising environmental concerns.

• Enabling Green Hydrogen on an industrial scale | A Process Safety Study (Energy Central) - New process safety study outlines industrial-scale green hydrogen production requirements and safety protocols for widespread implementation.

• European Hydrogen Bank | Auction (Energy Central) - European Hydrogen Bank selects 15 renewable hydrogen projects for funding in second auction round.

• The next big thing in sustainable construction: Iron-fortified wood? (Anthropocene) - Scientists develop iron-fortified wood that's 260% stiffer and 127% harder while remaining lightweight, offering sustainable alternative to steel and concrete in construction.

• PepsiCo downgrades its sustainability ambitions (Trellis) - PepsiCo reduces multiple sustainability targets including emissions, packaging, and water goals, citing lack of systemic support and investment.

• Steel plants tied to poor air quality  (Canary Media) - Seven remaining coal-fired steel plants in US concentrated in cities with nation's worst air quality, raising environmental justice concerns.

• U.S. retail gasoline prices heading into Memorial Day weekend are at a four-year low (EIA) - U.S. retail gasoline prices hit four-year low at $3.17/gallon ahead of Memorial Day weekend, driven by falling crude oil prices and increased domestic production.

• New School Foods scales ‘directional freezing’ tech to make next generation of plant-based whole cuts (AgFunderNews) - Canadian startup New School Foods secures nationwide distribution for plant-based whole cuts using patented 'directional freezing' technology that replicates meat texture.

• What Comes Next Isn’t a Product. It’s a Provocation. (Collaborative Fund) - MIT Media Lab co-founder argues future AI innovation requires experimental spaces and unconventional thinking rather than productivity-focused applications.

• CERAFILTEC Appoints Olivier Suter as Chief Operating Officer for Next Stage of Global Scale-Up (CERAFILTEC) - Global water filtration technology firm appoints Olivier Suter as COO to lead international expansion and scale manufacturing operations.

• SolarSpace Aims For Tier-1 Status In Module Market (TaiyangNews) - Chinese cell manufacturer SolarSpace targets Tier-1 module supplier status within 3 years, expanding from 40GW n-type cell to 10GW module capacity while emphasizing ESG practices.

• Europe Solar PV News Snippets: Singulus To Supply CIGS Equipment For Roltec In Poland & More (TaiyangNews) - Singulus Technologies to supply vacuum sputtering systems for Roltec's 50MW CIGS thin-film solar module factory in Poland, with multiple European solar developments announced including UK pub installations and Latvia projects.

• Chinese Solar Module Exports Decline By 8% YoY In Q1 2025 (TaiyangNews) - Chinese solar module exports dropped 8% to 61.9 GW in Q1 2025 amid market oversupply, with Africa being the only region showing growth at 39% YoY.

• U.S. EIA Forecasts World Oil Consumption Growth to Slow Amid Less Economic Activity (CleanTechnica) - EIA forecasts global oil consumption growth to fall below 1 million barrels per day through 2026 due to economic slowdown, particularly in Asia.

• TVA is first US utility to apply for an SMR construction permit (Utility Dive) - Tennessee Valley Authority becomes first US utility to submit small modular reactor construction permit application, aiming for 300MW nuclear plant completion by 2032.

• Coal-fired steelmaking adds to poor air quality (Canary Media) - Seven Midwestern cities with coal-burning steel mills rank among top 25 worst U.S. air quality locations, showing direct correlation between steel production emissions and poor air quality.

• ‘I used AI to design an awful protein’ (Nature) - Reporter uses AI protein language model to design non-functional protein, highlighting both limitations and potential of new AI tools for computational biology.

Policy

House votes to overturn Clean Air Act protections, Republicans eliminate clean energy incentives, Brazil faces criticism for Amazon policies, and UN Ocean Conference draft declaration is criticized.

• In Chicago, Artists Imagine a World Without Prisons or Environmental Hazards (Inside Climate News) - Chicago art exhibition links environmental hazards in prisons to climate justice, featuring works by incarcerated artists highlighting toxic water, extreme heat, and systemic neglect.

• “Release the Funds: A National Conversation about Putting America’s Future Back in the Hands of Communities” (Environmental Protection Network) - National virtual town hall to address impacts of federal environmental funding cuts on frontline communities, featuring experts and community leaders discussing clean air, water, and climate resilience initiatives.

• House Votes to Undo Industrial Air Pollution Protections (EDF) - U.S. House votes 216-212 to overturn Clean Air Act protections limiting toxic industrial emissions of arsenic, lead, and mercury.

• House Passed Tax Plan Will Raise Costs, Surrender Jobs, Increase Pollution (EDF) - House Republicans pass tax bill eliminating clean energy incentives, projected to increase household costs by $32 billion and add 530 million metric tons of emissions over next decade.

• On Amazon destruction, will Brazil President Lula’s ‘disinformation space’ be penetrated? (commentary) (Mongabay) - Brazil's President Lula faces criticism for supporting Amazon-destroying projects while surrounded by ministers promoting deforestation and petroleum extraction despite climate crisis warnings.

• Wildlife crime crackdown in jeopardy worldwide after US funding cuts (Mongabay) - Trump administration's abrupt cuts to USAID and wildlife crime prevention grants threaten global conservation efforts and species protection programs across Africa and Southeast Asia.

• Extreme heat, violent storms: How Rio de Janeiro is facing its new climate reality (Mongabay) - Rio de Janeiro faces escalating climate disasters with record heat and rainfall, as 21% of homes occupy high-risk areas vulnerable to floods and landslides.

• Plenário do Senado aprova projeto do licenciamento ambiental ainda pior que o da Câmara (Socioambiental) - Brazilian Senate approves controversial environmental licensing bill that weakens protections and exempts multiple sectors from environmental review requirements.

• UN Ocean Conference draft declaration fails to address the ocean crisis (Greenpeace International) - UN Ocean Conference draft declaration criticized for weak ocean protection measures, lacking commitments on deep-sea mining, plastic reduction, and Indigenous rights.

• Advanced Energy United Calls House Tax Package a ‘Meat Cleaver,’ Urges Senate to Preserve Tax Credits, Restore Business Certainty (Advanced Energy United) - House passes controversial tax reform bill threatening clean energy tax credits and industry growth, prompting urgent call for Senate intervention.

• Making Polluters Pay To Clean Up Their Toxic Mess (Climate Breakthrough) - Global initiative launches to force oil and gas companies to pay trillion-dollar cleanup costs for abandoned wells and infrastructure rather than passing to taxpayers.

• Appalachian Voices urges “No” vote on catastrophic budget reconciliation bill (Appalachian Voices) - Environmental advocacy group urges Congress to reject budget bill that would weaken environmental protections, cut social benefits, and increase fossil fuel production on federal lands.

• Zero Carbon: Rebranding Green Energy (247Solar) - Renewable energy sources rebranding from climate-saving technology to essential energy security assets amid geopolitical tensions and falling costs.

• Trump’s federal tax bill undermines critical environmental protections, economic progress in the South (SELC) - Trump's House-passed tax bill aims to eliminate clean energy credits, weaken environmental oversight, and cut forest protection funding across Southern states.

• Anti-environmentalism is on the rise but it’s full of contradictions (The Conversation) - Anti-environmentalism movement gains political momentum despite contradicting traditional conservative values and widespread public support for environmental protection.

• The Future of Clean Energy Tax Credits Is Now in the Senate’s Hands (Heatmap News) - House passes budget bill severely restricting clean energy tax credits, requiring 60-day construction starts and eliminating EV incentives.

• How SALT Melted the Republican IRA Defense (Heatmap News) - Republican tax bill negotiations reveal SALT deduction advocates wielded more influence than IRA clean energy credit defenders in shaping final legislation.

• How the GOP Megabill Would Reshape the U.S. Energy Economy: Transcript (Heatmap News) - Princeton analysis shows GOP House budget bill would increase US emissions by 500M tons by 2030, slow clean energy transition, and raise consumer energy costs through IRA cuts.

• Congress Deals an Unprecedented Blow to Vital Protections Against 7 Toxic Air Pollutants (Moms Clean Air Force) - House passes resolution removing Clean Air Act protections for seven major toxic pollutants from 1,800 industrial facilities, marking first-ever Congressional rollback of toxic air safeguards.

• Cutting Air Pollution Standards Is a Surefire Way to Increase Cancer (Moms Clean Air Force) - Medical oncologist warns House vote to roll back Clean Air Act pollution controls could increase cancer rates and toxic exposure in communities near industrial facilities.

• LCV and Chispa Statements on Senate Votes on Illegitimate Congressional Review Acts (LCV) - Senate Republicans push to eliminate California's vehicle emission standards through Congressional Review Act votes, sparking opposition from environmental groups over air quality concerns.

• Remembering Representative Gerry Connolly’s Climate Legacy (LCV) - Rep. Gerry Connolly, co-founder of Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition and key supporter of Inflation Reduction Act, remembered for environmental leadership after passing.

• House Republicans Have Passed a Bill to Gut the IRA. What Happened to All the Supposed Holdouts? (Inside Climate News) - House Republicans pass bill to eliminate most Inflation Reduction Act clean energy provisions despite previous GOP commitments to preserve tax credits.

• Major reforms ease grid access for big wind, solar and batteries, and lay down rules for big data centres (RenewEconomy) - Australian energy market reforms streamline grid connections for renewable projects and establish new rules for data centers' grid impact.

• Coalition’s nuclear split leaves Labor with zero excuses on climate and renewables (RenewEconomy) - Coalition parties' split over nuclear policy removes key obstacle to Labor government's renewable energy and climate action agenda.

• Repugnican Budget Bill Could Decimate US Solar Industry (CleanTechnica) - Republican budget bill threatens to eliminate IRA clean energy incentives, risking 300,000 solar industry jobs and $220 billion in investments by 2030.

• Trump’s USDA resurrects one climate grant program, kills another (Floodlight) - Trump administration restarts USDA renewable energy grants for farmers while terminating $3B climate-smart agriculture program.

• Fury as Republicans go ‘nuclear’ in fight over California car emissions (The Guardian) - Senate Republicans advance controversial plan to revoke California's decades-old authority to set stricter vehicle emissions standards, sparking fierce opposition from Democrats and environmentalists.

• Trump’s tax bill to cost 830,000 jobs and drive up bills and pollution emissions, experts warn (The Guardian) - Republican tax bill threatens 830,000 jobs, higher energy costs, and increased emissions through dismantling of clean energy incentives and tax credits.

• We bear the brunt of the climate crisis. A Pacific Cop could help shape the global response | Surangel Whipps Jr (The Guardian) - Pacific leader urges Australia to host COP31 climate conference with Pacific nations while calling for stronger emissions targets and end to fossil fuel expansion.

• What to make of Trump’s deep-sea minerals push (Latitude Media) - Trump administration's executive order to accelerate deep-sea mining faces regulatory hurdles and environmental concerns while aiming to secure critical minerals for clean energy technologies.

• Push to make big oil pay for climate damage losing steam in California legislature (Yale Climate Connections) - California lawmakers postpone Climate Superfund Act bills requiring oil companies to pay for climate damage amid political pressure and industry opposition.

• How states can pick up the slack on industrial decarbonization (Canary Media) - States explore funding alternatives and regulatory measures to maintain industrial decarbonization momentum as Trump administration threatens to cancel billions in federal clean industry funding.

• Why killing home-energy tax credits would be bad for the economy (Canary Media) - House Republicans propose ending federal home-energy tax credits worth thousands in annual savings, threatening 460,000 jobs and grid reliability benefits.

• The Kentucky tornadoes spur mounting anxiety over weather service warning systems (Grist) - National Weather Service staffing cuts and warning system failures raise concerns after deadly Kentucky and Missouri tornadoes kill 28 people.

• EU Lawmakers Agree to Exempt 90% of Companies from CBAM Import Carbon Tax (ESGToday) - EU Parliament votes to exempt 90% of companies from carbon border tax while maintaining coverage of 99% of emissions from key industrial imports.

• EU’s Omnibus package heightens legal risk (Trellis) - EU's proposed rollback of corporate sustainability disclosure rules increases companies' vulnerability to climate-related lawsuits, warn 31 legal scholars.

• USGS’ biological research arm could vanish next week (High Country News) - Trump administration plans to eliminate USGS's $307 million Ecosystems Mission Area, threatening 1,200 scientists' jobs and vital national wildlife research programs.

• Você entraria num avião sabendo que ninguém avaliou o piloto? UM ABSURDO! | #PLdaDevastação #Shorts (YouTube) - Brazilian senators propose controversial bill allowing companies to self-regulate environmental compliance, sparking public outcry over lack of oversight and environmental risks.

• Republicans go nuclear (Canary Media) - House passes Republican bill slashing IRA clean energy funding while preserving nuclear incentives and speeding environmental reviews.

• The 89 Percent Project: By the Numbers (Covering Climate Now) - Global media initiative reveals 80-89% of people worldwide support stronger climate action, reaching hundreds of millions through 73 news outlets across 24 countries.

• BC3 shows the challenges of climate change in the bars (BC3) - Scientists present climate change research on satellite monitoring and plant-invertebrate interactions at global Pint of Science events in Basque bars.

• DMEGC Solar Officially Signs UN Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs), Reinforcing ESG Commitment (TaiyangNews) - Chinese solar manufacturer DMEGC Solar signs UN Women's Empowerment Principles, committing to workplace gender equality and ESG practices.

• Moms Tell FDA: Lead Does Not Belong in Baby Food (Moms Clean Air Force) - Parents urge FDA to establish comprehensive limits on lead contamination in baby food products amid ongoing safety concerns.

• FERC rejects MISO’s ERAS proposal but offers specific guidance for refiling (RenewableEnergyWorld) - FERC rejects MISO's Expedited Resource Addition Study proposal due to lack of project limits but provides specific guidance for future resubmission.

• Texas bill would ban offshore wind (Canary Media) - Texas lawmakers advance bill that would effectively ban offshore wind development along state's coastline, blocking potential cheap and abundant electricity source.

Renewables

New York's 2.5GW renewables push, China's 105GW solar surge (AIKO tech wins award), North Sea wind wake clash, AES & Meta's 650MW solar deal.

• New York Grants Contracts For 2.5 GW Renewable Energy (TaiyangNews) - New York awards contracts for 26 renewable energy projects totaling 2.5GW capacity, requiring $6 billion private investment and completion by 2029.

• China Deploys 105 GW New Solar Capacity In 4M 2025 (TaiyangNews) - China installs record 105GW of solar capacity in first 4 months of 2025, with 45GW added in April alone ahead of policy transition to market-based pricing.

• AIKO Wins EUPD Research “Top Innovation Award 2025” in Europe (TaiyangNews) - AIKO wins EUPD Research's Top Innovation Award 2025 for its N-Type ABC solar technology and intelligent module innovations in Europe.

• AIKO Doubles Down On Innovation With Efficient & Smarter Modules (TaiyangNews) - AIKO showcases third-generation ABC solar modules with 25% efficiency and smart monitoring capabilities at Intersolar Europe 2025.

• You’re stealing our energy: Accusations of offshore wind theft hurled across North Sea (RenewEconomy) - Major offshore wind companies in North Sea clash over wind wake effects causing energy losses worth hundreds of millions in neighboring wind farms.

• AES, Meta Sign PPAs for 650 MW of Solar Power in Kansas and Texas (PowerMag) - AES Corp signs 650MW solar power purchase agreements with Meta to supply data centers in Texas and Kansas, creating jobs and tax revenue.

• Tracking the Lesser Kestrel: How Solar Farms and Wildlife Can Coexist 🛰️🌿 (Lightsource BP) - Scientists use GPS tracking to study Lesser Kestrel adaptation to solar farms in Spain, informing wildlife-friendly solar plant design.

• China’s NORINCO Building ‘Largest’ Solar Plants In Balkans (TaiyangNews) - China's NORINCO begins construction of largest solar plants in Bosnia (125MW) and Croatia (99MW), investing €100 million for 200GWh annual generation.

• Germany Installed Over 838 MW Of Solar PV In April 2025 (TaiyangNews) - Germany installed 838.5 MW of solar PV in April 2025, marking 37% year-over-year decline despite remaining country's leading renewable energy source.

• French nuclear giant plans name change and capacity boost for wind project in Banana Shire (RenewEconomy) - French nuclear giant EDF plans to double capacity to 560MW for second stage of Queensland wind project while navigating new state planning rules.

• U.S. Hydropower Generation Expected to Rise in 2025 Following Last Year’s Relative Low (CleanTechnica) - U.S. hydropower generation forecast to increase 7.5% in 2025 to 259.1 BkWh, remaining 2.4% below 10-year average due to mixed precipitation patterns across Western states.

• How a text message launched a geothermal revolution in Utah (Latitude Media) - Fervo Energy's text message confirmation of steam flow from Project Red in Nevada led to development of 500MW Cape Station geothermal plant in Utah using oil/gas drilling techniques.

Transport

Ford F-150 Lightning, Volvo, SparkCharge, ZeroAvia, BYD, Toyota, and Heybike make headlines.

• Ford F-150 Lightning Owner Review (CleanTechnica) - Australian EV expert reviews Ford F-150 Lightning electric truck's off-road capabilities and solar charging system while testing vehicle for potential rental fleet service.

• Volvo to Produce Electric Semis in Australia Next Year (CleanTechnica) - Volvo to begin manufacturing electric semi-trucks in Brisbane facility next year following major 30-vehicle order from logistics company Linfox.

• All Your Fleet Electrification & Range Anxiety Problems, Solved (CleanTechnica) - SparkCharge secures $30.5M investment to expand mobile EV charging services across North America, offering fleet operators pay-as-you-go charging solutions without fixed infrastructure costs.

• ZeroAvia to Build Manufacturing Hub for Production of Its Hydrogen-electric Powertrains in Scotland (Energy Central) - ZeroAvia announces plans to build Scotland manufacturing facility for hydrogen-electric aircraft powertrains.

• Maritime shipping decarbonization update: off-course and behind schedule (Energy Central) - Maritime shipping sector falling behind 2030 zero-emission fuel targets with only 7.5% of global fleet capable of using alternative fuels.

• BYD & Toyota Bringing Affordable EVs To The Masses (CleanTechnica) - BYD and Toyota launch affordable electric vehicles in Europe and China, with BYD's Dolphin Surf starting at €19,990 and Toyota's Model Y competitor bZ5 priced at $18,000.

• Ride Into Summer: Heybike’s 4th Anniversary Sale Offers Massive E-Bike Savings (CleanTechnica) - Heybike launches 4th anniversary sale with up to $1,000 discounts on e-bikes, offering free accessories and tree planting with each purchase.

• Government planning reforms should speed up the EV chargepoint rollout - but it could go further and faster still (BusinessGreen) - UK Planning and Infrastructure Bill proposes removal of Section 50 license requirements for home EV chargepoint installations to accelerate nationwide rollout.