Study: Transition as stabilizing force

"Most countries around the world could improve their energy security and reduce trade risks by shifting away from fossil fuels, according to a new study," writes Sarah DeWeerdt this morning in Anthropocene. "The analysis suggests that achieving net-zero carbon emissions at a global scale would result in decreased trade risks for nearly 85% of the global population."

DeWeerdt summarizes and analyzes a new study published in Nature Climate Change, concluding with this powerful note on circularity: "Another strategy to reduce trade-related risks is to reduce the need for raw materials for green energy technologies, either by making things last longer, improving recycling rates, or redesigning technologies to be lighter or more material efficient. For example, quadrupling the current piddling recycling rates of critical minerals could reduce trade risks by 17% on average and by over 50% for the United States."

(We hope you'll join us on Friday for our call about top circularity startups, by the way!)

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 (8 stories) - AgriCapture advances carbon credits for farmers, while USDA rebrands climate program; CGIAR tackles food system innovation and soil moisture crisis deepens globally

  
  

•  🪨Carbon (3 stories) - Blue hydrogen scrutiny at Air Products' Louisiana plant, while scientists warn of climate tipping point cascades between Amazon and AMOC

  
  

•  ♻️Circular (6 stories) - MacroCycle's energy-efficient PET recycling breakthrough, Holiday Inn's AI food waste success, and expanding food surplus networks lead circular innovations

  
  

•  🌱Ecosystems (19 stories) - From dire wolf de-extinction debates to Gulf of Aqaba's bleaching supercorals, plus Yezidi women's environmental renewal in Iraq and RSPB's innovative Sealegs boat protecting UK's roseate terns

  
  

• ⚡Efficiency (3 stories) - AI data centers strain resources as UK explores mine heating, while Iraq battles extreme heat crisis

  
  

• 💰Finance (4 stories) - Energy Vault leads S&P storage rankings while SE Asian startups and African ventures seek climate funding amid aid shifts

  
  

•  🔌Grid (17 stories) - Major storage projects advance with Highview's 10GWh liquid air plan, California's hybrid hydrogen system, and Macquarie's 1GW UK battery portfolio, while transmission faces scrutiny in Southeast US and Maryland data centers

  
  

•  🌍Indigenous (6 stories) - Indigenous filmmakers expose agrochemical threats in Brazil's Xingu, while tribes in Wyoming deploy climate monitoring tech and Arctic communities lead permafrost research

  
  

•  🏭Industry (11 stories) - GM names Dell's Garber as CSO, while hydrogen projects advance globally with Uniper's Humber H2ub and Australia's $55B Pilbara hub, alongside AstraZeneca's landmark UK biomethane plant

  
  

•  📜Policy (45 stories) - EU flooding impacts 500k citizens, Indiana redefines gas as "clean energy," companies exit SBTi commitments, and Trump policies spark environmental data concerns amid federal website changes

  
  

•  🔋 Renewables (27 stories) - Major players advance renewable projects: ACEN's AUD 750M for 13GW portfolio, Cubico's 792MW wind+storage in Queensland, LONGi's 670W module breakthrough, and Trinasolar's 31.1% tandem cell record

  
  

• 🚗Transport (12 stories) - EV market shifts as Tesla's dominance wanes, NYC congestion pricing succeeds, and Kempower launches dual-connector chargers, while aviation struggles with decarbonization and Ethiopia faces EV transition challenges

Agriculture

AgriCapture advances carbon credits for farmers, while USDA rebrands climate program; CGIAR tackles food system innovation and soil moisture crisis deepens globally

• New Video: Scaling Impact with Methane Reduction in Agriculture (AgriCapture) - AgriCapture and Artemeter discuss how carbon finance and methane reduction credits can drive sustainable farming practices and reshape the American food system.

• The global impact of food waste (YouTube) - Globally, up to 40% of food is wasted, contributing 8-10% of greenhouse gas emissions, exceeding aviation's 2%, with individual and community actions crucial for reduction.

• Release: NSAC Responds to USDA Announcement on Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities Program (NSAC) - USDA rebrands climate-smart commodities program as "Advancing Markets for Producers," prioritizing direct farmer payments while raising concerns about reduced technical assistance support.

• Glossary: Carbon Brief’s guide to 24 ‘climate-friendly’ farming methods (Carbon Brief) - Comprehensive guide details 24 climate-friendly farming methods including agroforestry, regenerative agriculture, and vertical farming, explaining key differences and environmental impacts.

• We Need To Save Earth’s Soil — Changing Our Food Choices Can Help (CleanTechnica) - Global soil moisture depletion accelerates at unprecedented rates, driven by industrial agriculture practices and meat consumption, threatening food security and contributing to sea level rise.

• ‘Shock to the system’: farmers hit by Trump’s tariffs and cuts say they need another bailout (The Guardian) - US farmers face financial crisis amid Trump's tariffs, federal program cuts, and extreme weather events, with many calling for another government bailout.

• Harvesting Collaboration for Food Security. CGIAR Science Week Closes. (CGIAR) - CGIAR's Science Week concluded with agreements and discussions focused on leveraging science and partnerships to enhance agri-food systems, water security, and agricultural innovation, while emphasizing the need for sustained investment in agricultural research.

• Brazil: The Struggle for Agrarian Reform 29 Years after the Eldorado do Carajás Massacre (Via Campesina) - Brazil marks 29 years since Eldorado do Carajás Massacre as landless workers continue struggle for agrarian reform amid ongoing land concentration and agricultural inequality.

Carbon

Blue hydrogen scrutiny at Air Products' Louisiana plant, while scientists warn of climate tipping point cascades between Amazon and AMOC

• This Massive Hydrogen Project Could Hurt the Climate More Than It Helps (Heatmap News) - A report suggests Air Products' Louisiana blue hydrogen plant, despite qualifying for billions in tax credits, may have minimal to negative environmental benefits due to methane leakage and carbon capture issues.

• Guest post: Exploring the risks of ‘cascading’ tipping points in a warming world (Carbon Brief) - Research suggests interactions between climate tipping points, like the Amazon rainforest and AMOC, could trigger destabilizing cascades even under current warming projections.

• Andreas Prein introduces himself (ETH Zurich) - Climate scientist Andreas Prein appointed as professor of high-resolution weather and climate models, focusing on extreme weather events and computational modeling for climate change prediction.

Circular

MacroCycle's energy-efficient PET recycling breakthrough, Holiday Inn's AI food waste success, and expanding food surplus networks lead circular innovations

• Designing for Disassembly Turns Waste into Worth (Revolve) - Designing buildings for disassembly allows for the reuse or recycling of materials, reducing waste and environmental impact through a circular economy approach.

• How Holiday Inn London Bloomsbury Cut Food Waste by 34% with AI and Creative Repurposing (Winnow Solutions) - Holiday Inn London Bloomsbury reduced food waste by 34% using Winnow's AI to track waste and creatively repurpose surplus ingredients, saving £20,000 annually.

• Why We Invested: MacroCycle (Clean Energy Ventures) - Startup MacroCycle secures investment for revolutionary PET plastic recycling technology that uses 80% less energy while producing virgin-quality materials from waste.

• FoodCloud’s Vision: A Fairer, Greener Food Future (FoodCloud) - Irish social enterprise expands food surplus redistribution network across Europe, targeting circular food systems and UN sustainability goals by 2030.

• Earth Day Festival brings recycled art and sustainable giveaways (CLEO Institute) - Tallahassee's Earth Day Festival featured recycled art, sustainable giveaways, and community-building activities focused on environmental justice and resilience

• 2025 Earth Day Fair preview on NCW Life (NCW Life) - Sustainable NCW's Earth Day Fair relocates to Wenatchee Valley College campus on Saturday, doubling vendor participation to 60 and featuring eco-talks, e-recycling, live music, and a morning fun run.

Ecosystems

From dire wolf de-extinction debates to Gulf of Aqaba's bleaching supercorals, plus Yezidi women's environmental renewal in Iraq and RSPB's innovative Sealegs boat protecting UK's roseate terns

• Why ‘de-extinct’ dire wolves are a Trojan horse to hide humanity’s destruction of nature (The Conversation) - "De-extincting" dire wolves is a misleading distraction from addressing the root causes of biodiversity loss and preventing extinctions.

• Invasive water hyacinths are effective at removing microplastics, study finds (Mongabay) - A Chinese study finds invasive water hyacinths effectively remove 55-78% of microplastics from polluted water without harming the plant's health.

• Failure Of Conservation Groups To Criticize Tribal Wolf Slaughter (The Wildlife News) - Conservation groups face criticism for their silence on the Colville tribe's wolf killings in Washington, which are hindering the state's wolf recovery efforts.

• 25 years of Everglades restoration has improved drinking water for millions in Florida, but a new risk is rising (TheConversation) - Everglades restoration in Florida has improved drinking water for millions, but rising saltwater intrusion now threatens the region's freshwater supply.

• Even the Gulf of Aqaba’s ‘supercorals’ bleached during 2024 heat wave (Mongabay) - Gulf of Aqaba's resilient "supercorals" experienced unprecedented bleaching during the record-breaking 2024 heat wave, raising concerns about the future of this climate refuge.

• Illegal gold mining creeps within a kilometer of Amazon’s second-tallest tree (Mongabay) - Illegal gold mining, spurred by rising gold prices and displacement from crackdowns elsewhere, is encroaching on protected areas in the Brazilian Amazon, threatening giant trees and Indigenous territories.

• Lauren Boebert wants to de-list gray wolves from the endangered species list (YouTube) - Representative Lauren Boebert proposes delisting gray wolves from the endangered species list, suggesting GMO wolves as a replacement if populations decline.

• Volcanic ash is a silent killer, more so than lava: What Alaska needs to know with Mount Spurr likely to erupt (TheConversation) - Volcanic ash from eruptions like Mount Spurr poses a silent but deadly threat to Alaskans, causing respiratory issues, crop damage, infrastructure collapse, and water contamination.

• Earth Month: Helping nature help the climate (Conservation International) - Global study reveals how protecting and restoring forests, farmland trees, and Himalayan ecosystems can significantly reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change.

• Daripalli Ramaiah, India’s tree man, died April 12, aged 87 (Mongabay) - Indian environmental activist Daripalli Ramaiah, known for planting over 10 million trees across Telangana state, dies at 87.

• Where war once raged in Iraq, Yezidi women plant hope (Mongabay) - Yezidi women survivors of ISIS genocide lead environmental renewal in northern Iraq through tree planting and recycling initiatives, challenging social barriers while restoring war-torn landscapes.

• Climate crisis has tripled length of deadly ocean heatwaves, study finds (The Guardian) - Climate crisis has tripled ocean heatwave duration since 1940s, with half of marine heatwaves since 2000 directly attributed to global heating.

• Why the Forest Service is logging after Hurricane Helene — and why some say it’s a mistake (Grist) - US Forest Service's post-Hurricane Helene salvage logging plans in Pisgah National Forest spark controversy over environmental review process and ecological impacts.

• Amphibious boat brings Bond-style glamour to RSPB in Northumberland (The Guardian) - RSPB deploys innovative amphibious Sealegs boat to improve access for wardens caring for UK's only breeding colony of roseate terns on Coquet Island.

• Back to the skies: the unlikely comeback of one of Brazil’s rarest parrots (Mongabay) - Artificial nests and conservation efforts have nearly doubled the population of Brazil's red-tailed amazon parrot, upgrading its status from "endangered" to "near threatened."

• Acclaimed Lion Conservationist Paola Bouley on Her Second Chance: ‘It Feels Like a Homecoming’ (The Revelator) - Lion conservationist Paola Bouley returns to Mozambique to lead the Macossa-Tambara project, aiming to double lion populations and empower local communities after facing challenges at Gorongosa Park.

• Planet Nurseries Are Smaller Than We Thought (Nautilus) - New study reveals planet-forming disks around young stars are significantly smaller than previously thought, explaining abundance of super-Earth planets.

• Giant rats trained to sniff out illegal wildlife trade (Mongabay) - African giant pouched rats in Tanzania achieve 90% accuracy in detecting illegal wildlife products during controlled laboratory testing.

• Icelandic whaling company calls off fin whale hunt this summer (Mongabay) - Iceland's largest whaling company cancels 2025 fin whale hunt due to unfavorable Japanese market prices.

• Typhoon-strength winds sweep across northern China, killing cyclist (Mongabay) - Record-breaking typhoon-strength winds in northern China kill cyclist, damage infrastructure, and prompt mass emergency alerts.

Efficiency

AI data centers strain resources as UK explores mine heating, while Iraq battles extreme heat crisis

• Are AI and Data Centers Harmful? (Climate Generation) - AI data centers pose major environmental threats through massive raw material use, e-waste production, water consumption, and energy demands that largely rely on fossil fuels.

• Faintings, blackouts and violence: Iraq’s scorching emergency – in pictures (The Guardian) - Iraq's hospitals and cities face severe health crisis amid extreme heat reaching 50C, causing widespread blackouts, violence, and overwhelming medical facilities.

• How mine water could warm up the UK’s forgotten coal towns (The Conversation) - UK's abandoned coal mines could provide low-carbon heating for 25% of population living above them, but funding gaps and regulatory hurdles slow adoption.

Finance

Energy Vault leads S&P storage rankings while SE Asian startups and African ventures seek climate funding amid aid shifts

• Energy Vault Issues 2024 Sustainability Report, Achieving the Highest S&P Global Rating in the Energy Storage Industry (Energy Vault) - Energy Vault's 2024 sustainability report highlights its top ESG ranking by S&P Global Ratings among energy storage firms, marking a 37% score increase.

• Can your pension withstand climate change? (Yale Climate Connections) - Sierra Club urges public pension funds to address climate change risks to protect workers' retirement savings through shareholder voting and corporate accountability.

• As big money wavers, Southeast Asia’s green startups fight to stay powered (Mongabay) - Southeast Asian clean energy startups face funding challenges as US aid cuts and shifting government priorities threaten expansion of solar and EV ventures in Vietnam and Indonesia.

• Examining the role of impact investors as international aid dries up (Vital Capital) - Impact investors can fill funding gaps in African sectors like energy and healthcare as traditional aid decreases, potentially fostering more resilient businesses.

Grid

Major storage projects advance with Highview's 10GWh liquid air plan, California's hybrid hydrogen system, and Macquarie's 1GW UK battery portfolio, while transmission faces scrutiny in Southeast US and Maryland data centers

• Coal’s false solution (Canary Media) - Trump's coal revival attempts are unlikely to succeed due to cheaper, cleaner alternatives like gas and renewables.

• Transmission line conflicts ahead as US electricity demand booms (Floodlight) - A proposed Maryland transmission line to power data centers faces opposition from residents fearing land loss and questioning the necessity amid rising AI-driven electricity demand.

• Inside La Muela: Europe’s largest pumped storage hydropower plant (RenewableEnergyWorld) - La Muela, Europe's largest pumped storage hydropower plant, optimizes renewable energy ROI and stabilizes Valencia's grid by acting as a giant battery, storing surplus energy and quickly providing power during demand surges and extreme weather.

• SPML Infra, Energy Vault lead India’s energy transformation with pioneering BESS rollout (Energy Vault) - SPML Infra and Energy Vault are spearheading India's energy transition by accelerating the production and implementation of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS).

• Sungrow Launches PowerStack 255CS: A Next-Gen C&I Energy Storage System Redefining Efficiency, Safety, and Convenience (TaiyangNews) - Sungrow's PowerStack 255CS is a next-generation commercial and industrial energy storage system featuring liquid cooling, 314Ah battery cells, and advanced safety features.

• Sungrow Releases Its Stem-cell Grid-forming Tech 2.0 White Paper (TaiyangNews) - Sungrow's Stem-cell Grid-forming Tech 2.0 White Paper explores grid-forming technology's role in stabilizing power systems with high renewable energy penetration, focusing on PV and energy storage applications.

• The State of Utility Planning, 2025 Q1 (RMI) - US electric utility planning in Q1 2025 shows increased gas capacity additions and decreased wind and solar due to data center load growth and capacity accreditation.

• World’s largest hydrogen + lithium energy storage system to come online in California this quarter (Energy Vault) - World's largest hybrid hydrogen-lithium energy storage system set to launch in California after securing $28M financing for Calistoga Resiliency Center.

• Clean Energy Associations Recommend Key Revisions to Upcoming ICC Storage Procurement Report (Advanced Energy United) - Clean energy groups urge Illinois Commerce Commission to revise draft storage procurement report to align with 1,500MW target instead of proposed 840MW.

• Trina Storage’s Elementa 2 Platform Earns Dual Recognition for Safety and Bankability from both DNV and UL Solutions (TaiyangNews) - Trina Storage's Elementa 2 energy storage platform receives safety and bankability certifications from DNV and UL Solutions for its 4MWh and 5MWh configurations.

• Brattle Transmission Report Highlights SERTP Status Quo Unsustainable for Southeast (Clean Energy) - Brattle report reveals Southeast's transmission planning system SERTP has never recommended regional projects despite $1.8B annual local spending, missing $3B in potential benefits.

• Macquarie’s Eku acquires a 2 GWh battery storage project portfolio (RenewEconomy) - Macquarie's Eku Energy acquires seven UK battery storage projects totaling 1GW/2GWh capacity, expanding its global energy storage portfolio.

• Origin chases down Snowy Hydro for control of dispatchable generation (RenewEconomy) - Origin Energy gains 24% market share of dispatchable generation through battery investments, challenging Snowy Hydro's historical dominance in Australian electricity markets.

• Another Headache For Fossil Fuels: Liquid Air Energy Storage (CleanTechnica) - UK-based Highview Power plans four 2.5GWh liquid air energy storage facilities in Scotland and England by 2030, offering 12.5-hour power duration for 650,000 homes each.

• Case study: Modernizing the grid in New York to unlock renewable energy potential (Renewable Energy World) - New York completes 55-mile transmission upgrade project ahead of schedule, boosting renewable energy delivery capacity between upstate and downstate regions while maintaining existing infrastructure heights.

• 'Axing zombie projects': Ofgem confirms plan to fast-track grid connections for clean power projects (BusinessGreen) - UK energy regulator Ofgem announces major reforms to eliminate delayed 'zombie projects' and accelerate grid connections for clean energy infrastructure.

• Dragonfly Energy’s Battle Born® Mobile App Now Available for Android Users (Dragonfly Energy) - Battery tech company launches Android app for wireless monitoring of Battle Born smart battery systems, enabling real-time data tracking and system management.

Indigenous

Indigenous filmmakers expose agrochemical threats in Brazil's Xingu, while tribes in Wyoming deploy climate monitoring tech and Arctic communities lead permafrost research

• Curta-metragem indígena vence Festival É Tudo Verdade com denúncia sobre agrotóxicos no Xingu (Instituto Socioambiental) - An Indigenous short film exposing agrochemical contamination in the Xingu wins a Brazilian film festival award, highlighting the community's struggle and resilience.

• New Stream Gauges and Weather Stations Poised to Help Wyoming Tribes Endure Flooding and Drought (Inside Climate News) - Wyoming's Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho tribes are installing new stream gauges and weather stations to improve flood and drought warnings amid climate change.

• Art Rooted in Community: Visual Storytelling with Creative Resistance (NDN Collective) - Indigenous organization's Creative Resistance team teaches visual storytelling and art activism techniques to Native communities across North America, empowering cultural expression through murals, protests, and traditional knowledge sharing.

• La Via Campesina Delegation Visited Palestine in December 2024: Notes from their Daily Diaries [Part – 8] (Via Campesina) - European peasant farmers document Palestinian women's struggles against occupation violence and agricultural resilience during West Bank solidarity visit.

• How do we create equitable solutions to permafrost thaw? Together. (Woodwell Climate) - Indigenous communities and scientists collaborate on Arctic permafrost research to address carbon emissions and infrastructure challenges in warming regions.

• UNESCO Global Study on Indigenous Media Irmgarda Kasinskaite Buddeberg (UNESCO) - Global study analyzes challenges and opportunities for Indigenous media worldwide, aiming to implement UN Declaration Article 16 on Indigenous peoples' right to establish their own media.

Industry

GM names Dell's Garber as CSO, while hydrogen projects advance globally with Uniper's Humber H2ub and Australia's $55B Pilbara hub, alongside AstraZeneca's landmark UK biomethane plant

• GM Appoints Dell’s Sustainability Head as New Chief Sustainability Officer (ESG Today) - General Motors appoints Cassandra Garber, formerly Dell's CSO, as its new Chief Sustainability Officer to lead its environmental and social impact initiatives.

• From Farms to Data Centers: The Natural Gas Industry’s Newest Sales Pitch Comes to Virginia’s Pittsylvania County (DeSmog) - A natural gas developer seeks to rezone Virginia farmland for a massive data center and gas-fired power plant, sparking local opposition over environmental and community concerns.

• Australia’s only surviving newsprint paper mill to switch out coal-fired boilers, go electric (RenewEconomy) - Australia's Boyer Paper Mill will replace coal-fired boilers with electric ones, backed by a $24 million federal grant, securing jobs and cutting emissions.

• The 'Trump effect' is a blip - the low carbon hydrogen future is imminent (BusinessGreen) - Despite White House support for fossil fuels, industry leaders still see low-carbon hydrogen as the future for energy, aviation, and storage.

• GM taps Dell’s sustainability chief as new CSO (Trellis) - GM appoints Cassandra Garber, Dell's sustainability chief, as its new CSO to lead zero-emissions vehicle transition and circular economy initiatives.

• European Hydrogen Index, 2025 (Energy Central) - The 2025 European Hydrogen Index reveals that despite advancements, funding, supply chains, and project execution remain as key obstacles.

• Uniper's Humber H2ub Green Project Advances in HAR2 (EnergyCentral) - Uniper's Humber H2ub Green project is competing in the UK's HAR2 to produce low-carbon hydrogen by 2029.

• The Future of Giga-Scale Green Hydrogen (InterContinental Energy) - Australian Senate passes green hydrogen production tax credits of $2/kg, boosting major projects including $55B Pilbara renewable energy hub.

• Middle East & Africa Solar PV News Snippets: IFC Backs Oman Polysilicon Plant & More (TaiyangNews) - IFC pledges support for $1.6 billion polysilicon plant in Oman, while Dubai's solar park attracts 47 bidders and Shanghai Electric partners with Masdar for 2GW Saudi project.

• AstraZeneca’s $130 million biomethane plant is a model for high-emitting industries (Trellis) - AstraZeneca launches UK's first unsubsidized biomethane plant with $130M investment to power all domestic operations with renewable energy.

• Mora Energy Announces Formation and Partnership With NGP and Old Ironsides Energy (NGP) - Dallas-based Mora Energy secures $250M equity commitment from NGP and Old Ironsides Energy to pursue energy infrastructure development and acquisitions.

Policy

EU flooding impacts 500k citizens, Indiana redefines gas as "clean energy," companies exit SBTi commitments, and Trump policies spark environmental data concerns amid federal website changes

• Nearly Half a Million Europeans Affected By Most Widespread Flooding in More Than a Decade in 2024: Report (Earth.Org) - A 2024 report reveals that widespread flooding, exacerbated by climate change, affected nearly half a million Europeans, causing hundreds of deaths and significant economic damage.

• Atomic Secrets: a Chornobyl scientist warns of a toxic future (The Guardian) - A Chornobyl scientist warns of lasting deadly effects of radiation in Semipalatinsk, Kazakhstan, a former Soviet nuclear weapons testing site, amid war in Ukraine.

• LiveEO | Navigating EUDR Compliance for Cocoa: A Guide (LiveEO) - A guide details how cocoa businesses can navigate the EU's Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) by using due diligence, geolocation, and software to ensure deforestation-free sourcing.

• Report from Harvard Data Science Initiative and Dominici Lab warns of serious health impacts and associated costs from Balico, LLC’s proposed gas plant in Pittsylvania County, Virginia (Southern Environmental Law Center) - A Harvard report warns that Balico LLC's proposed gas plant in Pittsylvania County, Virginia, could cause significant health impacts, costing $31M annually due to PM2.5 emissions.

• Amid EU climate shift, cities face more floods, extreme heat (DW) - A new report reveals Europe is warming twice as fast as the global average, leading to increased floods and extreme heat, impacting nearly half a million people.

• RFK Jr urged to release nearly $400m allocated to help families combat heat (The Guardian) - Advocates urge HHS Secretary RFK Jr to release $400m in LIHEAP funds for low-income families' energy assistance, stalled after staff cuts.

• Safeguard Mechanism far from perfect, but a good start after a decade of climate denial (RenewEconomy) - Australia's Safeguard Mechanism, designed to decarbonise industry, shows early progress with emissions reduction, but requires tighter methane monitoring and international carbon border adjustments.

• The SBTi Is No Longer Fit For Purpose (Earth.Org) - Companies are quietly withdrawing from Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi) commitments, as the rigid net-zero model proves unworkable amid economic and technological constraints.

• To adapt to climate change, we need better models (Yale Climate Connections) - Current climate models, while effective at projecting global temperature increases, need improvement to better inform local adaptation strategies, especially regarding regional weather phenomena and specific geographic features.

• The Secret Way Donald Trump Is Fighting The Climate Crisis (CleanTechnica) - Donald Trump's policies, though not intentionally, may reduce emissions by crashing the economy through tariffs, trade disruption, and undermining trust in US debt.

• Do Heat Pumps Save You Money? In California, It Depends on Your Electric Utility (Inside Climate News) - High electricity rates from California's investor-owned utilities, driven by wildfire mitigation costs, hinder heat pump adoption and the state's ambitious climate goals, despite their efficiency.

• In Indiana, gas is 'clean energy' now (Canary Media) - Indiana has controversially defined natural gas and propane as "clean energy" and will allow utilities to recover costs for unbuilt nuclear projects from ratepayers.

• LiveEO | EUDR Timeline: Key Dates and Milestones in the EU's Deforestation Regulation (LiveEO) - The EU's Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), aimed at curbing deforestation, requires companies to conduct due diligence and submit statements, with compliance deadlines extended to 2025/2026 and a major review planned for 2028.

• Global plan for maritime shipping leaves industry short of net zero goal (Trellis) - The IMO's plan to reach net-zero emissions in maritime shipping by 2050 faces criticism for loopholes and potential failure to meet targets.

• Next Generation Budgets - In-person workshop, Brussels March 2025 (YouTube) - The Next Generation Budgets workshop in Brussels convened government officials to advance green budgeting and increase investment in climate action.

• With Trump and climate change, denial is a hell of a drug (Woodwell Climate) - The Trump administration is accused of removing climate and environmental data from federal websites to support its agenda, as reported by The Boston Globe.

• Public lands, private profits: Inside the Trump plan to offload federal land (Grist) - The Trump administration plans to offload federal land to developers, raising concerns about conflicts of interest and privatization of public resources, particularly benefiting entities like the Yellowstone Club.

• 🌎 Coal hard facts #241 (CTVC) - Trump's pro-coal policies face economic headwinds as cheaper, cleaner energy sources like natural gas, wind, and solar continue to dominate the US energy market.

• Heads roll at Callide and CS Energy as LNP coal plant extension explodes into high farce (RenewEconomy) - Two CS Energy executives departed after the LNP government extended the Callide coal plant's life despite unreliability and a recent explosion, sparking controversy and questions about renewable energy targets.

• Canary Media: Wisconsin Utility’s Data Center–Driven Gas Expansion Meets Skepticism (Canary Media) - Wisconsin utility's plan for gas expansion to power data centers faces skepticism due to uncertain demand and conflict with carbon goals.

• Fishing rights, and wrongs, cast small-scale South African fishers adrift (Mongabay) - South African mixed-race fishing community in Langebaan faces further restrictions on traditional net fishing rights while recreational fishing continues unrestricted, sparking concerns of discriminatory conservation practices.

• Judges charged in Indonesian bribery scandal after clearing palm oil giants of corruption (Mongabay) - Four Indonesian judges charged with accepting $3.57M in bribes to clear major palm oil companies of corruption charges involving illegal exports.

• Spring into Action to Stop Biomass (Dogwood Alliance) - Environmental group launches spring action campaign against biomass industry expansion in US South, releasing action packet for community involvement.

• Let’s Ensure Maryland’s Children Breathe Healthy Air (Chesapeake Climate) - Maryland's zero-emission heating equipment standards could save families $1,000 annually while creating 27,000 jobs and reducing pollution equivalent to removing half the state's diesel trucks.

• SELC objects to Chemours and DuPont hiding information about their toxic PFAS pollution (SELC) - Chemical companies Chemours and DuPont attempt to conceal 21,000 pages of PFAS pollution data affecting 500,000 North Carolinians' drinking water while planning facility expansion.

• SOCAN Testimony Supporting HB3489 (SOCAN) - Oregon climate group testifies in support of timber tax bill HB3489 to restore county revenues and promote sustainable forest management.

• Moms Tell Congress Federal Help for Disaster Recovery Should Be Guaranteed (Moms Clean Air Force) - Parents urge Congress to guarantee federal disaster recovery funding amid threats to FEMA, NOAA, and National Weather Service budgets.

• Environmental Groups Sue the Trump Administration to Restore Web Tools Critical for Gauging Climate and Pollution Impacts (Inside Climate News) - Environmental groups sue Trump administration to restore government websites tracking pollution and climate impacts in disadvantaged communities.

• Congressional Democrats Assail Trump’s Plans for Deep Cuts to Government Science (Inside Climate News) - Congressional Democrats condemn Trump administration's proposed 50% cuts to NASA science budget and NOAA climate research, warning of privatization risks.

• Solar Insiders Podcast: A Teal take on what voters want – and how to give it to them (RenewEconomy) - Independent MP Allegra Spender discusses voter energy priorities and critiques Labor's battery rebate scheme in latest Solar Insiders podcast.

• TMX’s C$3B/Year Oil & Gas Subsidy Lesson: Design Energy Corridor For Electrons Not Oil (CleanTechnica) - Canada's Trans Mountain Pipeline expansion costs taxpayers C$3B annually in subsidies, highlighting need to prioritize electricity transmission over oil in future energy corridors.

• Burnout Is Killing Climate Progress—Here’s How We Fix It (CleanTechnica) - Study finds 96% of climate professionals report severe burnout, highlighting urgent need for organizational restructuring and improved work processes in climate-focused organizations.

• Deadly floods and storms affected more than 400,000 people in Europe in 2024 (The Guardian) - Extreme weather events including floods and storms affected over 400,000 Europeans in 2024, killing 335 people amid record-breaking temperatures.

• Funding Pauses - Change direction and emphasis (Energy Central) - Trump administration pauses billions in climate research funding and UN climate initiatives pending comprehensive review of projects and spending.

• For most countries, there’s a clear smart move to achieve energy security and reduce trade risks (Anthropocene Magazine) - Study finds global shift to clean energy would reduce trade risks and boost energy security for 85% of world population, with expanded trade partnerships key to maximizing benefits.

• The end of DOE as we know it (Latitude Media) - Trump administration's DOE overhaul triggers mass resignations and program cuts across clean energy offices, with over 1,200 staff accepting buyouts amid pressure to downsize.

• Study: Conservative ban on onshore wind farms cost UK £900m in economic output (BusinessGreen) - Conservative government's de facto ban on onshore wind farms in England resulted in £900m loss in economic output and blocked clean electricity for 1.6 million homes.

• Utilities are shedding crocodile tears over community solar ‘cost-shift’ (Utility Dive) - Utilities falsely claim community solar creates unfair cost shifts while ignoring how traditional rate-making already redistributes costs across all customers.

• Wisconsin utility’s gas buildout plan meets skepticism (Canary Media) - Wisconsin faces pushback against a utility's $2B gas infrastructure plan amid data center demand doubts and cheaper alternatives.

• Sec. Wright ~ US Saudi Nuclear Agreement Likely (Energy Central) - US and Saudi Arabia are in talks for a civil nuclear agreement, but disagreements remain over uranium enrichment, potentially impacting regional security and non-proliferation efforts.

• Public Notices from 04/14/2025 (Center for Coalfield Justice) - CCJ is reviewing new permit submissions, approvals, and public meeting notices for Washington and Greene Counties.

• CCNow offers more — ready to take the next step? (Covering Climate Now) - News outlets and journalists are invited to join Covering Climate Now's collaboration for resources and support in climate coverage.

• São Paulo não para, e o trabalho da Prefeitura também não (YouTube) - São Paulo's city government inaugurated 32 new public facilities in early 2025, including healthcare, education, transportation, housing, and cultural centers, alongside initiatives like free transport for mothers with children in public daycare.

• WWU student takes the stage at the Kennedy Center this week (WWU) - Theatre student Ella Newborn will perform at the Kennedy Center after winning the Irene Ryan Award for her role in "Hurricane Diane."

• From the Desk to Deer Island: Interviewing Partners on Grant Programs Across Oregon (Energy Info Oregon) - ODOE staff conduct statewide interviews with grant recipients to evaluate renewable energy and grid resilience programs while building relationships with rural communities.

 Renewables

Major players advance renewable projects: ACEN's AUD 750M for 13GW portfolio, Cubico's 792MW wind+storage in Queensland, LONGi's 670W module breakthrough, and Trinasolar's 31.1% tandem cell record

• AUD 750 Million For ACEN Australia’s 13 GW RE Portfolio (TaiyangNews) - ACEN Australia secured AUD 750 million to advance its 13 GW renewable energy portfolio, encompassing solar, wind, battery storage, and pumped hydro projects.

• AIKO’s Nebular Lightweight Module Selected for Tokyo Government’s 2024 High-Performance Solar Subsidy Program (TaiyangNews) - AIKO's Nebular anti-glare lightweight module, designed for Japan's rooftop solar market, was selected for Tokyo's 2024 High-Performance Solar Power Systems subsidy program.

• Cubico doubles down on Queensland with another major wind and battery project (RenewEconomy) - Cubico proceeds with a 792MW wind and 200MWh battery project in Queensland, despite the state's shifting political landscape and focus on coal and gas.

• Nuclear power is in a hole. To get out, this start-up kept digging (Anthropocene) - Deep Fission aims to reduce nuclear power costs and waste by burying small reactors a mile underground, leveraging techniques from the oil and gas industry.

• Trump Or No Trump, Coal Is Out And Renewable Energy Is In (CleanTechnica) - Despite Trump's efforts, BloombergNEF forecasts renewable energy will surge 84% by 2030, dominating power generation as coal declines due to economic advantages.

• Year in Review 2024 (Eavor) - Eavor secured significant funding and achieved key technological milestones at its first commercial-scale geothermal project in 2024.

• Will climate-linked extreme weather make renewables projects uninsurable? (RenewEconomy) - Extreme weather events are increasing insurance claims for renewable energy projects globally, potentially impacting project bankability, particularly in the US and Australia.

• Fuel For The Edges: Five Biofuel Companies Built To Last In The Energy Transition (CleanTechnica) - Five biofuel companies, including Neste and Darling Ingredients, are positioned for long-term success by focusing on waste biomass feedstocks and targeting sectors difficult to electrify, like aviation and maritime shipping.

• TOPCon UVID: Less Severe Than Assumed (TaiyangNews) - Fraunhofer ISE finds standard UV testing overestimates degradation in TOPCon PV modules, as sunlight exposure triggers a recovery effect after initial efficiency loss.

• China Solar PV News Snippets: GCL Tech Reduces Carbon Footprint For Granular Silicon & More (TaiyangNews) - GCL Tech reduced granular silicon's carbon footprint by 42% to 14.441 kgCO₂e/kg, while AIKO and Skyworth JV will build an ABC cell base, Jinko launched SunTera G3, DAS Solar gets a new controlling shareholder, and Hoymiles debuted new storage products.

• Huasun Energy Shortlisted for CNPC’s 2025 Procument of 9.6 GW Solar Module Supply (TaiyangNews) - Huasun Energy was shortlisted for CNPC's 2025 procurement to supply 100 MW of heterojunction PV modules, reinforcing its role in HJT technology.

• The rural N.C. mayor betting big on clean energy to uplift his hometown (Canary Media) - In Enfield, North Carolina, the mayor is spearheading a clean energy initiative, including a solar farm and weatherization hub, to boost the town's economy and energy independence.

• LONGi Records Highest Cell Efficiency For HIBC Technology (TaiyangNews) - LONGi achieved a record 27.81% efficiency for its HIBC solar cell technology and upgraded its Hi-MO 9 module to 670 W with 24.8% efficiency.

• China’s Solar Industry Absolutely Crushing It On Solar Conversion Efficiency (CleanTechnica) - LONGi Green Energy Technology unveiled a 670-watt solar module with a 24.8% conversion efficiency, surpassing existing TOPCon modules and increasing solar array capacity.

• Inaugural Southwest Virginia Solar Summit (Appalachian Voices) - The inaugural Southwest Virginia Solar Summit on May 21 at UVA Wise Campus will offer panels, presentations, and networking opportunities for residents and local governments interested in solar energy.

• Thornova Solar Launches Composite Frame-Based PV Module (TaiyangNews) - Thornova Solar's new composite frame PV module offers enhanced durability, efficiency, and sustainability with reduced carbon emissions compared to aluminum-frame modules.

• Solar has taken a big bite out of Queensland coal’s lunch, now wind is eating into its midnight snack (RenewEconomy) - Wind energy in Queensland is increasing, challenging coal-fired generators as new wind projects contribute to record output and a higher share of the state's generation.

• Fervo Energy Announces 31 MW Power Purchase Agreement with Shell Energy (Fervo Energy) - Geothermal developer signs 31 MW power purchase agreement with Shell Energy, expanding Utah's Cape Station project to 500 MW total capacity.

• Record 31.1% Efficiency For Trinasolar’s Tandem Solar Cell (TaiyangNews) - Trinasolar achieves record 31.1% efficiency for large-area perovskite-silicon tandem solar cell, certified by Fraunhofer ISE.

• CraftStrom’s Smart Plug & Play Solar Kits Are Already NEC & UL Compliant (CleanTechnica) - CraftStrom's plug-and-play solar kits achieve UL and NEC compliance for Utah's new residential solar law, offering turnkey 1,200W systems with anti-islanding protection and smart monitoring.

• Vast majority of Canadians support new hydro development, survey finds (Renewable Energy World) - National poll shows over 90% of Canadians support new hydropower development, citing affordability and reliability as key factors.

• Carnegie subsidiaries secure contract for wave energy deployment (Renewable Energy World) - Carnegie Clean Energy subsidiaries secure contract to deploy CETO wave energy technology at BiMEP offshore test site in Spain for two-year grid-connected trial.

• Innergex Brings Hawaii Solar Project Online, Supports France Agrivoltaic Installations (POWER) - Innergex launches 30MW solar-plus-storage project in Hawaii and plans two 32MW agrivoltaic installations in France integrating farming of medicinal plants.

• In California, solar generation could finally surpass gas this year (Canary Media) - California's solar power generation is poised to overtake gas-fired electricity production for the first time in 2024, marking historic shift in state's energy mix.

• Rural N.C. town looks to clean energy for economic stability (Canary Media) - A rural North Carolina town aims for economic stability by investing in a solar farm, weatherization center, and resilience hub, despite potential federal support cuts.

• Republicans Asked For an Offshore Wind Exposé. They Got a Letdown Instead. (Heatmap News) - A Government Accountability Office report found no evidence of offshore wind turbines causing whale deaths, despite Republican lawmakers hoping to use it to halt wind farm development.

• Jinko Secures No. 1 Shipment in Australia for 4 Consecutive Years, Wins Dual Awards at Australia SEC Exhibition (TaiyangNews) - JinkoSolar secured the top spot for shipments in Australia for the fourth year and won awards for its solar and energy storage solutions at the Smart Energy Australia conference.

Transport

EV market shifts as Tesla's dominance wanes, NYC congestion pricing succeeds, and Kempower launches dual-connector chargers, while aviation struggles with decarbonization and Ethiopia faces EV transition challenges

• Locally Sourced: Air Transportation (Covering Climate Now) - Commercial aviation, responsible for 4% of global warming, faces decarbonization challenges, with sustainable aviation fuel limited and technological advancements years away.

• Ethiopia’s bold EV ambitions hit bumps in rural areas (Climate Change News) - Ethiopia's ambitious electric vehicle push faces hurdles in rural areas due to limited electricity access and infrastructure, despite a nationwide ban on non-electric vehicle imports.

• Hydrogen vs. Battery Buses: A European Transit Reality Check (CleanTechnica) - European cities are increasingly favoring battery-electric buses over hydrogen buses due to lower costs and more reliable infrastructure, despite ongoing EU funding for hydrogen initiatives.

• Kempower Announces Fast-Charging Flex Satellite EV Chargers (CleanTechnica) - Kempower's Flex Satellite EV chargers offer fast charging with both CCS1 and NACS connectors, designed for public use and NEVI-funded sites.

• Myth Busting: Congestion Pricing – Part II (Acadia Center) - NYC's congestion pricing program shows 13% traffic reduction, increased public transit use, and $48.66M revenue in first month while subway crime dropped 15%.

• Non-Tesla US EV Sales Up 472% vs. 2021! (CleanTechnica) - Non-Tesla electric vehicle sales in US surge 472% since 2021 while Tesla's market share drops to 43% from previous 80% peak.

• More public EV charging, including curbside, envisioned in Chicago plan (Utility Dive) - Chicago unveils comprehensive EV charging expansion plan prioritizing equity, including curbside charging pilot and goal of 2,500 public stations by 2035.

• 150,000 Miles, 5 Years, & 5+ Months on My 2019 Tesla Model 3 Long Range — Where Do I Stand Now? (CleanTechnica) - A 2019 Tesla Model 3 owner reports a 15% battery degradation after 150,000 miles, with $5,748 spent on tires and repairs.

• Electrathon America Comes To Homestead-Miami Raceway (CleanTechnica) - Electrathon America at Homestead-Miami Raceway engages students in STEM by designing and racing energy-efficient electric vehicles, supported by Florida Power & Light.

• Huawei-Backed AITO Releases M9 SUV at Philippine Auto Show (CleanTechnica) - Huawei-backed AITO debuts luxury M9 SUV with 1,200km range extender capability at Manila Auto Show, marking Huawei's strategic shift to automotive technology supplier.

• The 1969 All-Electric GM XP 512E Concept (CleanTechnica) - GM's 1969 XP 512E concept car showcased early EV innovation with 58-mile range, demonstrating automaker's half-century history in electric vehicle development.

• Tesla Model Y & Model 3 Continue to Dominate US EV Market — But … (CleanTechnica) - Tesla Model Y and Model 3 maintain US EV market dominance despite sales decline, while non-Tesla EV sales surge 472% in Q1 2025.