Unilever makes acquisition to replace single-use plastics

Wild's flagship product

In a blow against single use plastics, Unilver has acquired refillable body care company Wild. The 5 year old direct to consumer startup is known for mainstreaming re-fillable deodorant. The acquisition is estimated to be worth 275 million Euros.

🌍 Global context

Unilver has pledged to make 100% of its plastic packaging reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2030 for rigids and by 2035 for flexibles. This is one of the ways that will happen.

Let's put this in global and historical context. New research this week models possible a possible weather scenario that disrupts supply chains and drops global GDP by 40% by the end of this century. And the UN is now advocating for a shift from focus on Gross Domestic Product to Net Domestic Product - very logically, resource depletion should count against! Put those two together and we're in a very different global economy.

It's not just numbers, it's about oil, plastic, and distribution of the goods that fill human needs.

Wild and Unilever are operating in that context.

🧠 Product and market strategy

Many good things happen in threes, and Wild's purchase experience for deodorant has three steps:

1. Pick your reusable aluminum case

2. Choose your scents

3. Select delivery frequency (subscription or one-time)

The company's partnership with B-corp industrial design firm Morrama stands out. As does its start in European DTC and digital marketing, but growth into mainstream retail and US markets, including Target.

🐎 LFG

May their success inspire us all.

More: What are the top 10 startup companies in circular economy doing now? Join us on April 18th to see our research.

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 (14 stories) - CGIAR's GenderUp & IPSR, "Insight to Impact" report, Colombian coffee, US agroforestry funding freeze, Soul Fire Farm, Brazil orange yields, Texas water crisis, EVERY Co, AgriNovus Indiana, Rhoon farm, Seed Swap, USDA pilot program, Irish Burren Life, Kellogg's plant-based legacy.

  
  

• Carbon (7 stories) - DAC energy/water use; NYC climate tech week (nuclear, AVs, carbon capture); Phlair DAC deal; plastics emissions; Carbon Removal Standards Initiative (Anu Khan); pharma emissions surge.

  
  

• Circular (4 stories) - Cassava/jute bags in Bangladesh, BLACK PEARL's fashion repurposing, Epic Cleantec's water reuse (whiskey), and Bluedot Living's plastic-free dishwashing (Dirty Labs, Zero Waste Store, Marley's Monsters).

  
  

• Ecosystems (24 stories) - South Korean wildfires, Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon coastal measures, ZALF landslide prediction, Brazilian wildlife rescue, Nigeria gorilla trade, Ecuador Kichwa ecotourism, Colombian mangrove protection, Oregon coastal bill, Arctic coastline changes, Conecuh forest opposition, California Methuselah threat, UK butterfly decline, mosquito malaria drug, community conservation, Norway tundra trees, Argentina Salinella search, Argentina intersex whale, German Baltic Sea study, Congo parrot ban, Apennines trout release, Quebec beluga expansion, H5N1 in wildlife, sustainable burials, UK sardine increase.

  
  

• Efficiency (5 stories) - Josiah Quincy Upper School earns LEED Platinum; UK fund & NatWest invest in social housing retrofits.

  
  

• Finance (6 stories) - Oslo Forum urges increased disaster risk reduction financing; WeeFin secures $27M for ESG data platform; Internal audits crucial for climate risk management; Supply chain disruptions threaten 40% global economic losses; ESG in Life Sciences Summit West focuses on cost savings; Climate tech developers need comprehensive data rooms for investors.

  
  

• Grid (7 stories) - Energy Vault's Calistoga microgrid, AI-optimized battery storage, ThinkLabs AI's digital twin, LS GreenLink's submarine cable facility, ISO New England's transmission upgrades, Reading Municipal Light's smart grid with Tantalus, and battery fire safety review.

  
  

• Indigenous (7 stories) - Brazilian Indigenous leaders protest Amazon land rights law; US Forest Service halts huckleberry harvesting after Yakama Nation complaint; Alaska Native activists combat climate change; Indigenous curators address NAGPRA violations; Climate change threatens Canadian Indigenous ice roads; Nipissing First Nation consults on Land Use Plan; Webinar teaches Indigenous leaders media communication.

  
  

• Industry (17 stories) - Coca-Cola, PepsiCo linked to fracking; Copper demand challenges; Third Derivative invests in cement, steel, chemical startups; DAS Solar joins SSI; Trump eyes deep-sea mining; Fossil gas pipeline risks; Plastic pollution documentary; Australia gas market woes; Texas solar boom/bust; Solar Foods CEO; Canada propane exports; Kyoto Fusioneering US base; Stellantis AGM; Tesla CEO change?; DISTRIBUTECH awards ABB, Mitsubishi; Battery Innovation Days; Schneider Electric EPDs.

  
  

• Policy (58 stories) - Trump's tariffs, Acadia Center's energy analysis, IPCC's climate reports, state clean energy grants, Greenpeace's SLAPP suit appeal, Trump's executive order challenges, South Fork Coal's pollution, EU energy transition, EU Omnibus proposal changes, Ontario's gas reliance, Reform UK's climate denial, Trump's USDA grant pause, WEDO's feminist activism, Williams Companies' SSEP pipeline, Milwaukee's lead remediation, Trump's Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund dismantling, Pennsylvania's fracking protections, Australian home electrification debate, EU vehicle emissions targets, California's clean energy job risks, EPA toxic emissions rollbacks, Australian Greens' environmental spending pledge, Trump's USAID cuts, Kerala's flood monitoring, Oman's sustainability conference, Trump's LIHEAP cuts, EPA's Atlantic Shores wind farm permit revocation, Montana's National Park Service layoffs, Intertek's deforestation regulation tools, EU's simplified sustainability reporting standards, Montana's youth climate activism, EPA's greenhouse gas reduction grant freeze, UN's new economic measure, global warming's wealth impact, US clean energy investment mapping, climate change-driven migration, SAVE Act voting rights threat, oil and gas executives' tariff concerns, Tennessee Valley Authority's CEO appointment, SIJ Media's social impact podcasts, UN's Myanmar earthquake support, climate activist's role, Myanmar earthquake devastation, nonprofit's Hurricane Helene aid, Third Act's democracy mobilization, Solar Insiders' home battery rebate program, Nationals' nuclear insurance claim, First Hydrogen's nuclear reactor plan, Robert McChesney's media critique, US National Weather Service's forecast suspension, "Come Along for the Ride" play, NOAA's Hurricane Hunters, Boise's homeless shelter opposition, FERC's PJM data center colocation rules, Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act successor, Illinois' clean truck standards, US health agency layoffs, Bonsai Leadership Group's coaching, and First Hydrogen's nuclear reactor plan.

  
  

• Renewables (30 stories) - Energy Vault, LONGi, Risen, Sungrow, Huasun, Astronergy, HIUV, HANGZHOU FIRST, Sembcorp, SouthCoast Wind, Entergy, Caltech, XGS Energy, Amazon, Switch, FTC Solar, Recurrent Energy, Emeren, Prozeal Green Energy, Canadian Solar, Contact Energy, BYD, and L'Oréal developments in solar, wind, geothermal, and storage.

  
  

• Transport (12 stories) - B23 Energic electric aircraft, electric school bus adoption, XPENG & NIO sales surge, corporate travel emissions mixed, EU CO2 target flexibility concerns, Revel & PG&E charging, Illinois clean truck standards, zero-emission trains, and Li-Cycle's financial challenges.

Agriculture

CGIAR's GenderUp & IPSR, "Insight to Impact" report, Colombian coffee, US agroforestry funding freeze, Soul Fire Farm, Brazil orange yields, Texas water crisis, EVERY Co, AgriNovus Indiana, Rhoon farm, Seed Swap, USDA pilot program, Irish Burren Life, Kellogg's plant-based legacy.

• Putting the Responsible into Scaling Readiness: Integrating GenderUp with CGIAR’s IPSR Process (CGIAR) - Integrating GenderUp with CGIAR's IPSR process aims to ensure agricultural innovations are inclusive and equitable by addressing gender and social biases in scaling strategies.

• This isn’t just another report. It’s a survival guide. (CGIAR) - CGIAR's "Insight to Impact" report offers decision-makers practical, science-based solutions for building resilient food systems amid climate change, focusing on nutrition, gender, livelihoods, and the environment.

• Colombia’s coffee farmers try to balance innovation and tradition to adapt to climate change (Mongabay) - Colombian coffee farmers adopt hybrid varieties and traditional shade-growing methods to combat climate change impacts on crops while balancing yields and sustainability.

• As US agroforestry grows, federal funding freeze leaves farmers in the lurch (Mongabay) - Federal funding freeze halts US agroforestry projects and farmer reimbursements, threatening food security and income for rural communities.

• March ’25 Love Notes (Soul Fire Farm) - Soul Fire Farm welcomes spring with volunteer opportunities, skill shares on climate-resilient farming, and celebrates handing over their first hand-built dwelling to the community for program participant lodging.

• Brazil’s Orange Juice Supply Chain: How Extreme Weather Impacts Yield, Price, and Demand (ClimateAi) - Extreme heat and drought in Brazil, which produces 75% of the world's orange juice, have significantly reduced orange yields, causing price volatility and impacting global supply chains.

• Texas Confronts Its Water Crisis (CleanTechnica) - Texas faces a water crisis as fracking and urban growth strain groundwater supplies, leading to legal battles and exploration of costly, energy-intensive wastewater treatment solutions.

• The EVERY Co on egg proteins… without chickens: ‘Next year, we will have profitable unit economics’ (AgFunderNews) - The EVERY Co announces profitable unit economics by 2025 for its precision-fermented egg proteins, with production scaling to hundreds of tons.

• AgriNovus CEO on why his agbioscience glass is always half full: ‘Pessimists sound smart, optimists make money’ (AgFunderNews) - AgriNovus Indiana CEO Mitch Frazier emphasizes optimistic outlook for agtech innovation despite funding challenges, predicting increased corporate acquisitions and focus on labor-shortage solutions.

• Agrarisch bedrijfsleider gezocht voor Herenboeren Rhoon (Herenboeren) - Dutch cooperative farm Rhoon seeks 32-hour agricultural manager for sustainable mixed farming operation starting spring 2025.

• Seed Swap 2025: We Just Keep Growing! (Center for Coalfield Justice) - The 2025 Seed Swap saw increased attendance and provided more seeds and resources to local families, promoting community growth and sustainable gardening practices.

• Release: New bill introduced in the US House and Senate proposes bipartisan solution to the farmland access crisis (National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition) - Bipartisan bill introduced in US Congress aims to help new farmers access land through USDA pilot program.

• When farmers and scientists collaborate, biodiversity and agriculture can thrive – here’s how (TheConversation) - Research shows Irish Burren Life program successfully bridges farmer-scientist divide by combining local agricultural knowledge with conservation science to improve biodiversity outcomes.

• How controversial nutritionist John Harvey Kellogg pioneered the path to modern plant-based eating (TheConversation) - John Harvey Kellogg, despite his controversial views, pioneered plant-based eating through his Battle Creek Sanitarium, developing and marketing meat alternatives in the late 19th century.

Carbon

DAC energy/water use; NYC climate tech week (nuclear, AVs, carbon capture); Phlair DAC deal; plastics emissions; Carbon Removal Standards Initiative (Anu Khan); pharma emissions surge.

• Energy and water use for DAC (Carbon180) - Direct air capture (DAC) energy and water consumption is currently low, but could strain US resources by 2050 if scaled to gigaton capacity, necessitating transparent data sharing and strategic siting.

• NY Climate Tech: Apr 1 - Apr 7 (NY Climate Tech) - NYC's climate tech scene hosts a week of events focused on nuclear energy, autonomous vehicles, carbon capture, and sustainable solutions.

• “CO2 is the new gold” (Verve.vc) - Startup Phlair's cost-effective direct air capture technology, backed by major companies, secures a $30.6 million deal to remove 47,000 tons of CO2 by 2030.

• More Than Trash: The Carbon Cost of Plastic (Clean Growth Fund) - New research reveals plastics contribute 4.5% of global emissions through production and disposal, with demand projected to double by 2050 despite recycling efforts.

• Interview With Anu Khan, Founder Of Carbon Removal Standards Initiative (CleanTechnica) - Carbon Removal Standards Initiative founder Anu Khan leads nonprofit focused on establishing accountability metrics and standards for carbon dioxide removal projects.

• Increased access to medications may be a public health good—but it’s a big climate challenge (Anthropocene Magazine) - Global pharmaceutical industry's carbon emissions surge 77% over 24 years despite efficiency gains, driven by increased medication consumption particularly in China and US.

• The Carbon Copy: Our best issue (no joke) (The Carbon Copy) - Direct air capture's energy and water needs are relatively small nationally, but localized impacts require transparent data and efficiency research.

Circular

Cassava/jute bags in Bangladesh, BLACK PEARL's fashion repurposing, Epic Cleantec's water reuse (whiskey), and Bluedot Living's plastic-free dishwashing (Dirty Labs, Zero Waste Store, Marley's Monsters).

• Bangladesh continues promotion of biodegradable bags amid battle against polythene (Mongabay) - Bangladesh persists in promoting biodegradable bags made from cassava and jute amid challenges in enforcing its 2002 plastic bag ban due to cost and lax enforcement.

• Wildfire Relief Effort Offers Solution to Fashion Waste (Bluedot Living) - Los Angeles sustainability agency BLACK PEARL repurposes fashion industry's excess inventory to aid wildfire victims while promoting circular fashion practices.

• Marshall, have you ever had whiskey proofed with recycled water? 🥃 (Epic Cleantec) - Epic Cleantec showcased water reuse innovations, including a limited-edition recycled-water whiskey, at SXSW 2024, emphasizing urban sustainability and drought solutions.

• Dishes and Discounts: Sustainable, Plastic-Free Dishwashing Products (Bluedot Living) - Bluedot Living highlights plastic-free dishwashing products from Dirty Labs, Zero Waste Store, and Marley's Monsters, offering discounts for Earth Month.

Ecosystems

South Korean wildfires, Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon coastal measures, ZALF landslide prediction, Brazilian wildlife rescue, Nigeria gorilla trade, Ecuador Kichwa ecotourism, Colombian mangrove protection, Oregon coastal bill, Arctic coastline changes, Conecuh forest opposition, California Methuselah threat, UK butterfly decline, mosquito malaria drug, community conservation, Norway tundra trees, Argentina Salinella search, Argentina intersex whale, German Baltic Sea study, Congo parrot ban, Apennines trout release, Quebec beluga expansion, H5N1 in wildlife, sustainable burials, UK sardine increase.

• Wildfires in South Korea kill at least 30 people (Mongabay) - Massive South Korean wildfires kill 30 people and burn 48,000 hectares amid unusually warm spring temperatures linked to climate change.

• Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon (PreventionWeb) - Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon advocates for sustainable coastal development measures to address rising sea levels and increased storm surges in the North Sea.

• Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF) (PreventionWeb) - PreventionWeb: ZALF researchers developed a machine learning framework enhancing landslide prediction, contributing to disaster risk reduction efforts. CATEGORIZED: Ecosystems

• Brazilian rescue center returns trafficked animals to the wild (Mongabay) - Brazilian wildlife rescue center rehabilitates thousands of trafficked animals including monkeys, birds, and sloths for return to Atlantic Forest habitat.

• Mongabay investigation finds gorilla trade more widespread than previously thought (Mongabay) - Investigation reveals illegal gorilla trade extends beyond known regions in Nigeria, with higher kill rates threatening critically endangered Cross River gorilla populations.

• A Kichwa women collective uses ecotourism to safeguard Ecuador’s Amazon (Mongabay) - Indigenous Kichwa women's collective in Ecuador combines ecotourism, organic chocolate production and fish farming to protect Amazon rainforest while generating sustainable income.

• Colombia’s women clam collectors protect Pacific mangroves and mollusks (Mongabay) - Colombian women's collective monitors mangrove health and implements sustainable harvesting practices to protect endangered piangüa mollusks along Pacific coast.

• Bill bolstering Oregon’s rocky habitat passes through first committee (EnvironmentAmerica.org) - Oregon legislature's House Committee unanimously approves bill to enhance protection and management of state's rocky coastal habitats and marine biodiversity hotspots.

• Global warming is ‘exposing’ new coastlines and islands as Arctic glaciers shrink (Carbon Brief) - Arctic glaciers' retreat from 2000-2020 has exposed 2,500km of new coastline and 35 islands, increasing risks of landslides and tsunamis.

• Should Oil and Gas Drilling Expand in This Biodiverse National Forest? The Public Overwhelmingly Says No (Inside Climate News) - Public overwhelmingly opposes oil and gas expansion in Alabama's Conecuh National Forest, citing biodiversity risks and climate concerns.

• California wildfire threatening forest home of world’s oldest tree (The Guardian) - California wildfire threatens Methuselah, world's oldest tree at 5,000 years old, as Silver fire burns 1,600 acres near Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest.

• Last summer was second worst for common UK butterflies since 1976 (The Guardian) - UK butterfly populations hit second-worst levels since 1976 as more than half of Britain's 59 native species face long-term decline amid habitat loss and climate impacts.

• What if human blood were toxic to mosquitoes? A drug can make it so (Nature) - A drug for metabolic disorders has been found to make human blood toxic to mosquitoes, potentially preventing malaria spread.

• Community-Based Living Is the Future of Conservation (Earth.Org) - Community-based living, involving shared resources and minimized environmental impact, is emerging as a viable conservation strategy by fostering sustainability and local resilience.

• From the archive: ‘The treeline is out of control’: how the climate crisis is turning the Arctic green – podcast (The Guardian) - As the climate crisis warms the Arctic, trees are rapidly encroaching on the tundra in northern Norway, endangering traditional ways of life dependent on snow and ice.

• An elusive worm: the Salinella is shrouded in mystery (The Guardian) - Scientists search for mysterious Salinella worm in Argentina's salt pans, hoping to unlock evolutionary insights from the simplest known animal ever recorded.

• Discovering the First Intersex Southern Right Whale (Nautilus) - Scientists discover first known intersex southern right whale through DNA analysis, revealing XXY chromosomes in historical samples from Argentina.

• The Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research Warnemünde (IOW) (PreventionWeb) - German marine research institute studies Baltic Sea humidity and precipitation patterns to improve future climate modeling and hydroclimate predictions.

• Key transit province in DRC bans gray parrot capture and trade (Mongabay) - Tshopo province in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a key transit route, has banned the capture and trade of gray parrots to combat trafficking.

• Protected: Mediterranean trout release advances river restoration in the Central Apennines (Rewilding Europe) - A Mediterranean trout release in the Central Apennines aims to advance river restoration efforts.

• Creating a Nursery for Beluga Whales (Bluedot Living) - Quebec's Saguenay-Saint Lawrence Marine Park plans fourfold expansion to protect endangered beluga whale nurseries and critical habitats.

• Bird flu finds its way into Western wildlife (High Country News) - H5N1 avian influenza has been detected in Western wildlife, including cougars, raising concerns about its spread and potential for mutation into a human-contractible form.

• Urban cemeteries are at capacity – here’s how they can be more sustainable (The Conversation) - As urban cemeteries reach capacity, sustainable alternatives like forest cemeteries and natural woodland burials, which integrate interment with nature and reduce environmental impact, are gaining traction.

• Specieswatch: Sardines doing well around UK, but struggling in warmer waters (The Guardian) - UK sardine populations thrive while Mediterranean stocks decline due to warming waters affecting plankton food supply and increasing microplastic ingestion.

Efficiency

Josiah Quincy Upper School earns LEED Platinum; UK fund & NatWest invest in social housing retrofits.

• Reaching New Heights: Josiah Quincy Upper School is Boston’s First LEED Platinum Public School! (HMFH) - Boston's Josiah Quincy Upper School achieves LEED Platinum certification with its fossil fuel-free design, efficient systems, and focus on indoor air quality and student well-being.

• National Wealth Fund and NatWest Group to mobilise £500m for social housing retrofits (BusinessGreen) - The UK's National Wealth Fund and NatWest Group will mobilize £500m for social housing retrofits via a £400m loan guarantee.

• Spec-tacular week (The Verge) - This week's series explores how technical standards impact our digital lives, from video codecs to battery power, and why Nintendo thrives by ignoring them.

• How to calculate your home battery needs for the next blackout (The Verge) - Calculating watt-hour needs helps determine the correct battery capacity for powering essential devices during blackouts or off-grid living.

• BMJ Mental Health (PreventionWeb) - Study evaluates effectiveness of preventive mental health interventions for natural disaster survivors and emergency responders.

Finance

Oslo Forum urges increased disaster risk reduction financing; WeeFin secures $27M for ESG data platform; Internal audits crucial for climate risk management; Supply chain disruptions threaten 40% global economic losses; ESG in Life Sciences Summit West focuses on cost savings; Climate tech developers need comprehensive data rooms for investors.

• Oslo Forum elevates financing for disaster risk reduction to a global priority (UNDRR) - The Oslo Forum highlighted the urgent need to increase global financing for disaster risk reduction, which has not kept pace with the rising costs of disasters.

• WeeFin Raises $27 Million to Expand ESG Data Management Platform for Financial Institutions (ESG Today) - WeeFin secured $27 million to expand its ESG data management platform, aiding financial institutions in integrating sustainability into investment strategies.

• Guest Post – Navigating Climate Risk: Internal Audit’s Role in Assurance and Strategic Insights (ESG Today) - Internal audit teams play crucial role in helping organizations assess and manage climate risks through governance evaluation, disclosure verification, and strategic insights.

• Global Economy More Vulnerable to Warming Than Previously Thought (Yale e360) - A new study reveals that the global economy is far more vulnerable to the impacts of climate change due to supply chain disruptions, with potential losses rising to 40% by the end of the century if emissions remain unchecked.

• ESG in Life Sciences Summit West (Energy Central) - The ESG in Life Sciences Summit West in San Francisco focuses on optimising cost savings and building market-leading ESG strategies within the life sciences sector.

• Data room essentials for developers (Enduring Planet) - Climate tech developers raising capital should create a comprehensive data room with clear taxonomy, financial models, team bios, pipeline details, and policy primers to build investor trust and streamline transactions.

Grid

Energy Vault's Calistoga microgrid, AI-optimized battery storage, ThinkLabs AI's digital twin, LS GreenLink's submarine cable facility, ISO New England's transmission upgrades, Reading Municipal Light's smart grid with Tantalus, and battery fire safety review.

• Energy Vault Achieves Successful Close of $28 million in Project Financing for the Calistoga Resiliency Center. World’s First Ultra-Long Duration Hybrid Green Hydrogen Energy Storage Microgrid (Energy Vault) - Energy Vault secures $28 million in project financing for the Calistoga Resiliency Center, a hybrid green hydrogen energy storage microgrid in California.

• Optimizing battery science for maximum efficiency and profitability (GridBeyond) - Advanced AI and machine learning systems optimize battery storage efficiency by balancing revenue generation against degradation costs while using predictive analytics for energy price forecasting.

• ThinkLabs AI crowned DTECH Initiate winner; Treeswift, Senpilot, DG Matrix turn heads (RenewableEnergyWorld) - ThinkLabs AI, specializing in AI for critical infrastructure, won DISTRIBUTECH's Initiate program with its AI-powered digital twin for electric grids.

• Virginia facility acquired in plan to create US’ largest submarine power cable manufacturing site (RenewableEnergyWorld) - LS GreenLink acquired a Virginia site to build the largest US submarine power cable facility, supporting offshore wind and grid resilience, with operations starting in 2028.

• ISO New England issues transmission RFP to access new wind resources (Utility Dive) - ISO New England seeks proposals to upgrade transmission for integrating 1,200 MW of northern Maine wind power into southern New England's grid by 2035.

• Massachusetts utility taps Tantalus for grid modernization (Renewable Energy World) - Massachusetts utility Reading Municipal Light Department partners with Tantalus Systems to modernize distribution grid with advanced data management and smart grid technology.

• Battery fires pose minor environmental risks: ACP report (Utility Dive) - A review of US battery fires since 2012 found no public health concerns from environmental contamination, but recommends updated safety standards.

Indigenous

Brazilian Indigenous leaders protest Amazon land rights law; US Forest Service halts huckleberry harvesting after Yakama Nation complaint; Alaska Native activists combat climate change; Indigenous curators address NAGPRA violations; Climate change threatens Canadian Indigenous ice roads; Nipissing First Nation consults on Land Use Plan; Webinar teaches Indigenous leaders media communication.

• Brazilian Indigenous Leaders Blockade Key Amazon Highway Demanding the Repeal of Law (Amazon Watch) - Brazilian Indigenous leaders blockaded a key Amazon highway for eight days, protesting a law they say slashes their land rights and demanding its repeal.

• Forest Service pauses commercial huckleberry picking in Gifford Pinchot National Forest (High Country News) - US Forest Service halts commercial huckleberry harvesting in Washington's Gifford Pinchot National Forest after Yakama Nation complaints of treaty rights violations and sustainability concerns.

• How Alaska Native youth are protecting the land for their future ancestors (High Country News) - Young Alaska Native activists are employing traditional knowledge and modern advocacy to combat climate change impacts on subsistence resources and cultural continuity.

• The importance of Indigenous curators (High Country News) - A lack of Indigenous curators in Western museums has led to NAGPRA violations, misrepresentation of artifacts, and slow repatriation, but mentoring and policy changes are fostering a new generation of Indigenous curators.

• ‘The ice is not freezing as it should’: supply roads to Canada’s Indigenous communities under threat from climate crisis (The Guardian) - Climate change threatens vital winter ice roads used by Canada's Indigenous communities for essential supplies, forcing reliance on costly air transport and intensifying housing crises.

• Have your say: Nipissing First Nation Land Use Plan Consultation (NFN) - Nipissing First Nation is consulting members on a proposed Land Use Plan to guide responsible land development and exercise self-government, with sessions on April 17 and May 5.

• Join us on 4/9! How to Communicate Effectively with Journalists (Cultural Survival) - A webinar on April 9, 2025, will teach Indigenous leaders how to effectively communicate with journalists and media outlets.

Industry

Coca-Cola, PepsiCo linked to fracking; Copper demand challenges; Third Derivative invests in cement, steel, chemical startups; DAS Solar joins SSI; Trump eyes deep-sea mining; Fossil gas pipeline risks; Plastic pollution documentary; Australia gas market woes; Texas solar boom/bust; Solar Foods CEO; Canada propane exports; Kyoto Fusioneering US base; Stellantis AGM; Tesla CEO change?; DISTRIBUTECH awards ABB, Mitsubishi; Battery Innovation Days; Schneider Electric EPDs.

• New Investigation Exposes More than 25 Global Brands Driving Fracking and Fueling the Plastic Crisis (Stand.earth) - Investigation reveals 25+ major brands including Coca-Cola and PepsiCo directly linked to Texas fracking operations for plastic packaging production.

• Copper’s Crossroads: Powering the Energy Transition Without Compromising the Planet (Addionics) - Global copper demand for clean energy transition creates environmental and supply chain challenges, highlighting need for sustainable mining and recycling innovations.

• Accelerating Industrial Innovation in Cement, Steel, and Chemicals (RMI) - Third Derivative accelerator launches industrial innovation cohorts with 31 startups targeting emissions reduction in cement, steel, and chemical sectors.

• DAS Solar Joins Solar Stewardship Initiative (SSI) to Drive Sustainability Efforts (TaiyangNews) - DAS Solar joined the Solar Stewardship Initiative (SSI) to enhance its ESG practices and promote a sustainable solar value chain through transparent and responsible operations.

• Trump Reportedly Wants to Fast Track Deep-Sea Mining (Heatmap News) - Trump is reportedly considering an executive order to fast-track deep-sea mining for critical minerals, bypassing international safeguards and raising environmental concerns.

• A Pipeline of Problems (Southern Alliance for Clean Energy) - A new report highlights the safety risks and increasing frequency of incidents associated with fossil gas pipelines in the Southeastern US, questioning the continued expansion of pipeline infrastructure.

• From Louisiana to Pennsylvania, Tracing Plastics Pollution Back to Its Source (Inside Climate News) - A documentary traces plastic pollution from the Pacific Ocean to its source in Louisiana and Pennsylvania, highlighting the role of fracking, subsidies, and lobbying in the plastics industry.

• Social hour at the gas rodeo: Why the market is broken (RenewEconomy) - Australia's gas market faces limited uncontracted supply, high prices driven by LNG exports, and declining domestic demand due to electrification, with Santos dominating Eastern Australia's gas reserves.

• Texas Lawmakers Just Can’t Quit Solar … Manufacturing, That Is (CleanTechnica) - Texas embraces solar panel manufacturing with multiple gigawatt-scale factories while state legislature moves to restrict solar farm development.

• Rami Jokela starts as CEO of Solar Foods to lead the global growth (Solar Foods) - Rami Jokela assumes the CEO role at Solar Foods to spearhead the company's global expansion and transition towards profitability.

• Canada's propane exports to Asia are growing, making up more than 40% of exports in 2024 (EIA) - Canada's propane exports to Asia reach 40% of total exports in 2024, driven by new marine terminals and growing petrochemical demand.

• THE FUSION ERA – A Behind the Scenes Peek into KF’s North American Expansion! (Kyoto Fusioneering) - Kyoto Fusioneering expanded its global presence by establishing a US base in Seattle to strengthen ties with fusion energy partners and tap into the active US fusion development sector.

• MEDIA ADVISORY: Stellantis Annual General Meeting Live Webcast Available (Stellantis) - Stellantis will webcast its Annual General Meeting on April 15, 2025, where the 2024 financial statements will be presented, as part of its Dare Forward 2030 plan to become a carbon net zero mobility tech company by 2038.

• Tesla Board Asks Elon Musk to Step Down (CleanTechnica) - Tesla's board has reportedly asked Elon Musk to step down as CEO amidst declining sales and concerns over his increasingly controversial public persona.

• DISTRIBUTECH 2025 ‘Exhibit Excellence Award’ winners announced (RenewableEnergyWorld) - DISTRIBUTECH 2025 announces Exhibit Excellence Award winners for innovative grid technology displays across four size categories, with ABB and Mitsubishi among top honorees.

• Battery Innovation Days 2025 (REVOLVE) - Battery Innovation Days 2025 in Graz, Austria, will gather researchers, policymakers, industry, and end-users to discuss battery trends and technologies.

• Schneider Electric publishes life cycle analysis data for more than 50,000 products (BusinessGreen) - Schneider Electric releases environmental impact data for 50,000+ mechanical, electrical and plumbing products in largest-ever Environmental Product Declaration publication.

Policy

Trump's tariffs, Acadia Center's energy analysis, IPCC's climate reports, state clean energy grants, Greenpeace's SLAPP suit appeal, Trump's executive order challenges, South Fork Coal's pollution, EU energy transition, EU Omnibus proposal changes, Ontario's gas reliance, Reform UK's climate denial, Trump's USDA grant pause, WEDO's feminist activism, Williams Companies' SSEP pipeline, Milwaukee's lead remediation, Trump's Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund dismantling, Pennsylvania's fracking protections, Australian home electrification debate, EU vehicle emissions targets, California's clean energy job risks, EPA toxic emissions rollbacks, Australian Greens' environmental spending pledge, Trump's USAID cuts, Kerala's flood monitoring, Oman's sustainability conference, Trump's LIHEAP cuts, EPA's Atlantic Shores wind farm permit revocation, Montana's National Park Service layoffs, Intertek's deforestation regulation tools, EU's simplified sustainability reporting standards, Montana's youth climate activism, EPA's greenhouse gas reduction grant freeze, UN's new economic measure, global warming's wealth impact, US clean energy investment mapping, climate change-driven migration, SAVE Act voting rights threat, oil and gas executives' tariff concerns, Tennessee Valley Authority's CEO appointment, SIJ Media's social impact podcasts, UN's Myanmar earthquake support, climate activist's role, Myanmar earthquake devastation, nonprofit's Hurricane Helene aid, Third Act's democracy mobilization, Solar Insiders' home battery rebate program, Nationals' nuclear insurance claim, First Hydrogen's nuclear reactor plan, Robert McChesney's media critique, US National Weather Service's forecast suspension, "Come Along for the Ride" play, NOAA's Hurricane Hunters, Boise's homeless shelter opposition, FERC's PJM data center colocation rules, Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act successor, Illinois' clean truck standards, US health agency layoffs, Bonsai Leadership Group's coaching, and First Hydrogen's nuclear reactor plan.

• How Trump’s Tariffs Could Spark a New Plastic Crisis (Atmos) - Trump's tariffs on steel and aluminum, coupled with deregulation, could incentivize increased plastic use and hinder the transition to sustainable packaging.

• APRIL FOOL’S GOLD: Acadia Center Responds to Latest Fossil Fuel Interest Attacks on Clean Energy Policies in New England (Acadia Center) - Acadia Center refutes fossil fuel interests' claims that clean energy policies drive up New England utility bills, highlighting the region's overreliance on volatile fossil fuels and the cost-saving benefits of energy efficiency and renewables.

• At Bilbao, IPCC shows how its work contributes to climate policies (BC3 Basque Centre for Climate Change) - IPCC presents organizational structure and climate policy contributions at Bilbao outreach event, highlighting greenhouse gas inventory methodologies and upcoming climate assessment reports.

• Oregon Department of Energy Awards $2 Million in Grants to Support Energy Workforce (Energy Info) - State awards $2M in grants to six organizations for clean energy workforce development, focusing on heat pump installation and energy efficiency training for disadvantaged communities.

• Greenpeace vs. Energy Transfer’s SLAPP: What happens after the North Dakota trial? (Greenpeace) - Greenpeace is appealing a $660 million verdict in North Dakota, part of a SLAPP suit by Energy Transfer, while also suing ET in the Netherlands to counter the legal attack.

• Resisting the Onslaught of Trump Executive Orders (Friends of the Earth) - Trump's executive orders targeting equity, immigration, and the environment face legal challenges for potentially violating constitutional rights and undermining environmental protections.

• Bankrupt coal company cited for releasing ‘sludge’ into West Virginia’s Gauley River watershed (Appalachian Voices) - Bankrupt South Fork Coal Co. received a violation notice from West Virginia DEP for "iron staining and sludge deposits" harming the Gauley River watershed, a brook trout habitat and tourism driver.

• Europe’s Moment? The way ahead for secure energy in the EU & UK (SYSTEMIQ) - Europe can achieve energy security and competitiveness through an ambitious, integrated, and policy-driven energy transition away from volatile fossil fuels.

• Answers to common questions about the EU Omnibus proposal (Watershed) - Experts clarify the EU Omnibus proposal's potential CSRD reporting changes, including fewer required data points and alignment with global standards, but emphasize continued compliance with current rules until formal adoption.

• Doug Ford’s Policies Increased Ontario’s Energy Dependency on U.S., Say Experts (DeSmog) - Ontario Premier Doug Ford's cancellation of renewable projects and increased reliance on U.S. fracked gas imports has heightened the province's energy vulnerability amid trade tensions with America.

• Reform Candidate Arron Banks Has Repeatedly Mocked Basic Climate Science (DeSmog) - Reform UK candidate Arron Banks, running for West of England Mayor, has repeatedly dismissed climate science as a "hoax" and attacked net-zero targets.

• Trump’s Funding Cuts Are Killing Small Farmers’ Trust in Climate Policy (Heatmap News) - Trump administration's pause on USDA grants, intended for climate-smart farming practices, jeopardizes small farmers' trust and conservation efforts, impacting sustainable transitions and community relationships.

• 15 Years with WEDO: A Feminist Reflection on Time, Change and Possibility (WEDO) - WEDO reflects on 15 years of feminist activism, highlighting progress in gender equality within climate policy amid challenges like rising authoritarianism and digital disinformation.

• SIGN & SEND a No SSEP comment! Tell FERC to stop this supersized fossil fuel pipeline. (198methods.org) - Williams Companies seeks approval for SSEP pipeline expansion across five southeastern states, raising environmental concerns over 1.6 billion cubic feet daily gas transport capacity.

• Supermom of the Month: Kristen Payne Fights Lead Dust in Milwaukee Public Schools (Moms Clean Air Force) - Milwaukee mom Kristen Payne advocates for lead remediation in schools after lead poisoning cases, revealing widespread lead dust issues in the district's aging buildings.

• How We Got a Green Bank, How Trump Is Trying to Kill It and Who Gets Hurt (Inside Climate News) - Trump's EPA is attempting to dismantle the $27 billion Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, a green bank initiative meant to spur private clean energy investment, leading to a court battle over contractual obligations and program integrity.

• Pennsylvania Health Advocates Say Gov. Shapiro Has Let Residents Down on Fracking Protections (Inside Climate News) - Pennsylvania health advocates criticize Gov. Shapiro for failing to implement promised fracking protections and chemical disclosure requirements after two years in office.

• Coalition and Labor agree on bill busting benefits of electrification, and kicking gas out of homes (RenewEconomy) - Australian Coalition and Labor parties agree on a report promoting home electrification for cost savings and emission reduction, but debate remains on banning gas connections.

• EU Slashes EV Tires Amidst EV Sales Growth (CleanTechnica) - EU weakens 2025 vehicle emissions targets despite 28% growth in electric vehicle sales, delaying compliance requirements to 2027.

• Will California’s Clean Energy Tax Credits Be Eliminated Or Reduced? (CleanTechnica) - California's $11 billion clean energy sector faces potential job losses and investment decline as Republican-led federal spending bill threatens to eliminate clean energy tax credits.

• As EPA pulls back, schoolchildren could face the steepest risks (Floodlight) - EPA rollbacks under Trump's administration threaten to increase toxic emissions exposure for schoolchildren near petrochemical facilities, reversing environmental justice protections.

• Greens promise to push government to spend 1% of budget on environment if they hold balance of power (The Guardian) - Australian Greens pledge to allocate 1% of the federal budget to environmental spending if they gain balance of power in the upcoming election.

• ‘Is it “woke” to care about the environment?’: how Trump’s cuts are dismantling global conservation work (The Guardian) - Trump administration's USAID budget cuts threaten global wildlife conservation projects, risking surge in poaching and trafficking across Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

• Floods and Landslides in Kerala Are Met with Local Action (Bluedot Living) - Kerala communities establish local flood monitoring networks and early warning systems, successfully evacuating 100+ families during recent disasters.

• Oman Sustainability Week (Revolve) - Oman to showcase sustainability leadership and net-zero strategies at week-long national conference in May 2025.

• Home energy assistance program gutted in HHS mass firings (Latitude Media) - The Trump administration gutted the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) by firing the staff administering the $4 billion program, potentially halting aid to low-income families.

• The newest hurdle for offshore wind: Trump’s EPA (Canary Media) - EPA under Trump appointee Zeldin revokes Atlantic Shores wind farm permit, signaling broader threat to offshore wind projects with existing permits.

• Yellowstone’s gateway town fears for its future amid Trump funding cuts (Grist) - Montana's Yellowstone gateway town Gardiner faces economic crisis as Trump administration's National Park Service layoffs threaten tourism-dependent local economy.

• Intertek Launches New Solutions Enabling Compliance with EU’s New Deforestation Regulation (ESG Today) - Intertek launches blockchain-enabled tools and services to help companies comply with EU's upcoming deforestation regulation requiring supply chain traceability.

• EU Commission Asks EFRAG to Fast-track Development of Simplified CSRD Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESG Today) - EU Commission requests EFRAG develop simplified sustainability reporting standards within seven months to reduce administrative burden while maintaining CSRD objectives.

• Montana’s youth climate activists aren’t stopping at their landmark court win (High Country News) - Montana's youth climate activists, emboldened by their landmark court victory in Held v. Montana, continue to push for climate action despite legislative pushback seeking to limit environmental reviews.

• EPA denies harm from GGRF freeze in court filing (Utility Dive) - EPA argues in court that freezing $14B in greenhouse gas reduction grants causes no irreparable harm to nonprofit recipients despite their claims of operational crisis.

• Fossil fuel nations to see value of their economies shrink under new UN-agreed measure (Climate Change News) - UN Statistical Commission endorses new economic measure that will reduce reported economic value of fossil fuel-dependent nations while better accounting for renewable energy assets.

• Average person will be 40% poorer if world warms by 4C, new research shows (The Guardian) - New research shows global warming of 4°C would reduce average person's wealth by 40% due to underestimated economic impacts of extreme weather and supply chain disruptions.

• National Tax Credit Investment Map, C2ES Statement on President Trump's Joint Address, & More (C2ES) - US clean energy and manufacturing investments spurred by tax credits are mapped at the congressional district level, highlighting economic benefits and potential risks from incentive rollbacks.

• Locally Sourced: Climate Migration (Covering Climate Now) - Climate change is driving increased internal migration as people seek more habitable conditions, with an estimated 44 to 216 million expected to move within their countries by 2050.

• LCV and Chispa Statements on Legislation to Subvert Voting Rights (LCV) - Environmental groups condemn proposed SAVE Act legislation as threat to voting rights of millions, including marginalized communities and military voters.

• O&G execs blow raspberries at Trump’s ‘drill, baby, drill’ meme (Energy Central) - Oil and gas executives express skepticism towards Trump's "drill, baby, drill" approach, citing market instability and tariff concerns.

• TVA selects new CEO  (Canary Media) - Tennessee Valley Authority appoints Don Moul as CEO amidst clean energy transition and rising power demand in the Southeast.

• SIJ Media (PreventionWeb) - SIJ Media, a UK-based development communications agency, produces podcasts and supports social impact organizations in communicating positive social impact stories, expanding its services in 2025.

• Statement on Myanmar earthquake by Kamal Kishore, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction and Head of UNDRR (UNDRR) - The UN calls for international support for Myanmar after a devastating earthquake, urging countries to enhance disaster risk reduction efforts.

• Don’t Let You Say You’re Not (Climate Generation) - A climate activist reflects on finding their unique role in the climate movement through community building and reconnecting with personal passions.

• Myanmar earthquake latest: Entire communities flattened, aid teams say (UN News) - A 7.7 magnitude earthquake in Myanmar has flattened entire communities, leaving thousands dead, injured, and without essential resources, as aid efforts face funding shortages and challenging conditions.

• Good360 Partners with Caring For Others to Distribute Essential Supplies to Support Hurricane Helene Recovery in Georgia (Good360) - Nonprofit partners with Caring For Others to distribute $5M in essential supplies to 2,500 Georgia families affected by Hurricane Helene.

• Highlights from Our All-In Call with Ezra Levin (Third Act) - Third Act is partnering with Indivisible to mobilize people for the April 5 "HandsOff!" mass mobilization against threats to democracy and social security, urging local participation to pressure elected officials.

• Solar Insiders Podcast: Get ready for battery rebates (RenewEconomy) - The Solar Insiders podcast previews the upcoming federal home battery rebate program, discussing expectations and timelines with Wayne Smith of the Smart Energy Council.

• Littleproud’s great pretence on nuclear insurance, as sparkies attack Coalition nuke proposals (RenewEconomy) - Nationals leader David Littleproud falsely claimed nuclear insurance costs were factored into the Coalition's energy plan modelling, which experts dispute amid a rising insurance crisis.

• Bavarian SMRs & Hydrogen Vans: What Could Possibly Go Wrong? (CleanTechnica) - Canadian firm First Hydrogen proposes unrealistic plan to power hydrogen vehicles using non-existent small modular nuclear reactors in nuclear-averse Germany.

• Robert McChesney’s Media Literacy Work Was Prescient — Why Didn’t More People Listen? (CleanTechnica) - Robert McChesney's prescient work highlighted the threat of corporate media control to democracy, advocating for media to serve citizens over corporate interests.

• US Weather Service Set to Halt Foreign-Language Forecasts As Contract With AI Translation Firm Expires (Earth.Org) - US National Weather Service suspends foreign-language forecasts in 30 cities after $5.8M translation contract expires amid broader federal agency cuts.

• A play that confronts climate change with humor (Yale Climate Connections) - A new play, "Come Along for the Ride," uses humor to explore climate grief and encourage dialogue about climate change concerns.

• Thrill seekers, here’s your chance at the ride of a lifetime (Yale Climate Connections) - NOAA's Hurricane Hunters are now owned by Kickass Planetary Adventures, offering thrill-seekers hurricane flights where they replace scientists, collect data, and use AI for research, sponsored by Maybelline.

• How a crucial homeless shelter in Boise was obstructed by neighbors (High Country News) - Boise neighbors obstructed a crucial homeless shelter's relocation and expansion, citing concerns about crime and property values, leading to a legal battle and highlighting growing opposition to shelters.

• FERC review of PJM colocation rules for data centers, large loads may extend past mid-year: analysts (Utility Dive) - FERC's review of PJM's data center colocation rules at power plants likely delayed past mid-2024 as grid operator requests further guidance instead of proposing new regulations.

• Last Chance to RSVP: Navigating Surface Transportation Reauthorization (Boundary Stone Partners) - With the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act expiring in 2026, early engagement and strategic advocacy are crucial to secure funding for organizational priorities in its successor legislation.

• Illinois looks to become an electric truck leader (Canary Media) - Illinois considers adopting California's clean truck standards requiring manufacturers to increase zero-emission heavy-duty vehicle sales over next decade to reduce local air pollution.

• ‘One of the darkest days in modern scientific history’: mass layoffs across US health agencies (Nature) - Thousands of employees across US health agencies, including the FDA, CDC, and NIH, face layoffs and reassignments, prompting concerns about the future of scientific research.

• Don’t Drop That Mic! (Bonsai Leadership Group) - Bonsai Leadership Group offers leadership coaching, career advice, and recruiting services, with a focus on helping individuals and organizations achieve their goals in mission-driven roles.

Renewables

Energy Vault, LONGi, Risen, Sungrow, Huasun, Astronergy, HIUV, HANGZHOU FIRST, Sembcorp, SouthCoast Wind, Entergy, Caltech, XGS Energy, Amazon, Switch, FTC Solar, Recurrent Energy, Emeren, Prozeal Green Energy, Canadian Solar, Contact Energy, BYD, and L'Oréal developments in solar, wind, geothermal, and storage.

• NPM Interconnections (US) – Episode 143: Robert Piconi | Energy Vault (Energy Vault) - Energy Vault's CEO discusses the company's battery storage solutions for enabling a sustainable world with renewable energy.

• Trump’s Tariffs May Dim Solar Sector’s Future As Energy Demand Spikes (Forbes) - Potential new tariffs under a Trump administration threaten to raise solar panel prices, hindering the growth of the U.S. solar industry despite incentives from the Inflation Reduction Act.

• New Report: Renewable Energy and Peace in the Central African Republic (Energy Peace Partners) - A new report suggests renewable energy investments in the Central African Republic could foster peace by addressing marginalization and reducing reliance on costly, insecure diesel fuel for the UN peacekeeping mission.

• Meta To Offtake Power From 150 MW Floating Solar Plant (TaiyangNews) - Meta will purchase power from a 150 MW floating solar plant in Singapore, built by Sembcorp, to support its local operations with renewable energy.

• China Solar PV News Snippets: Solamet At TaiyangNews India Manufacturing Conference & More (TaiyangNews) - China's solar industry sees major developments as LONGi partners with CTG for perovskite research lab while Risen delays HJT plant construction to 2026 amid industry fluctuations.

• Elevating BIPV: LONGi’s BIPV For Building & C&I Roof (TaiyangNews) - LONGi's BIPV solutions, including colored aesthetic options and C&I roof systems, offer advantages over traditional BAPV by integrating into building materials and providing additional features.

• Sungrow unveils cutting-edge solutions to drive Africa’s clean energy future at Solar & Storage Live Africa 2025 (TaiyangNews) - Sungrow showcases new solar and storage solutions at African trade show, including PowerTitan 2.0 AI-driven storage system and PowerStack 200CS hybrid system, to enhance grid stability and expand clean energy access across Africa.

• Huasun Named Among TIME’s World’s Top GreenTech Companies of 2025 for Its HJT Solar Advancements (TaiyangNews) - Huasun Energy, a leader in heterojunction (HJT) solar technology, has been named one of TIME’s World’s Top GreenTech Companies of 2025 for its contributions to renewable energy.

• Astronergy’s Anti-Dust Modules: Elevating Efficiency and Sustainability in Global PV Systems (TaiyangNews) - Astronergy unveils anti-dust solar modules with optimized frame design showing 3.33% daily power gain and reduced maintenance needs through innovative water-guiding technology.

• Low-Acid EVA & UV Films Address Corrosion & UVID In PV Modules (TaiyangNews) - New low-acid EVA and UV conversion films developed by HIUV and HANGZHOU FIRST combat corrosion and UV-induced degradation in solar photovoltaic modules.

• China solar giants are now turning to battery storage, and building the projects themselves (RenewEconomy) - Chinese solar companies are expanding into battery storage, building large-scale projects and offering DC-coupled solutions to integrate solar and storage.

• Meta signs 25-year off take deal for planned floating solar PV system to support regional data centres (RenewEconomy) - Meta has signed a 25-year deal with Sembcorp Solar Singapore for a 150MW floating solar PV system to power its regional data centres in Singapore.

• Awash in uncertainty, SouthCoast Wind contract delayed for a third time (Renewable Energy World) - SouthCoast Wind's offshore wind project faces a third contract delay due to federal policy uncertainty and ongoing negotiations between Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

• US electricity prices are surging – These Louisiana companies want out (Renewable Energy World) - Louisiana industrial companies seek to bypass utility Entergy and build own renewable power amid projected 90% electricity price surge by 2030.

• Transforming the Canary in the Global Warming Coalmine into a Dove of Peace (Energy Central) - Small Island Developing States (SIDS) can achieve energy independence and economic growth by developing ocean energy resources within their Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs), particularly through Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC).

• Solar-Powered Jet Fuel: The Dawn of Carbon-Neutral Aviation (Energy Central) - Caltech scientists developed a solar reactor converting sunlight and CO2 into sustainable aviation fuel, potentially reducing aviation's climate impact.

• Tom Steyer on the economic case for clean energy in the Trump era (Latitude Media) - Billionaire investor Tom Steyer emphasizes economic forces driving clean energy transition despite Trump administration's fossil fuel policies, citing falling renewable costs and technological innovation.

• Finland Ending Use of Coal as Last Utility-Scale Plant Shuts Down (POWER) - Finland has ended coal use as its last utility-scale plant, Salmisaari, transitions to renewables and waste heat, aiming for further emissions cuts.

• XGS Energy Raises $13 Million to Deploy Geothermal Energy Projects (ESG Today) - XGS Energy secures $13M funding to expand geothermal technology deployment using innovative single-well heat harvesting system for baseload power generation.

• Is a nuclear renaissance coming? (High Country News) - Tech giants like Amazon and Switch lead nuclear power revival, developing smaller reactors to power data centers while facing traditional challenges of waste storage and uranium mining.

• Finance for renewable energy in sub-Saharan Africa is defying the odds (Climate Change News) - Sub-Saharan Africa's renewable energy capacity grows 16-fold over decade despite economic challenges, with wind and solar projects expanding across multiple countries.

• FTC Solar Achieves Q4 2024 Revenue Guidance (TaiyangNews) - FTC Solar reports Q4 2024 revenue of $13.2M with narrowed losses, secures major contracts including 5GW Recurrent Energy deal, targets EBITDA breakeven in 2025.

• Chinese Solar Module Exports Declined 11% YoY In 2M 2025 (TaiyangNews) - Chinese solar module exports dropped 11% year-on-year to 38.52 GW in early 2025 as manufacturers prioritize domestic demand amid installation rush.

• Julia Xu Appointed Interim CEO In Emeren’s CEO Transition (TaiyangNews) - Solar developer Emeren appoints Julia Xu as interim CEO amid leadership transition and privatization talks, with outgoing CEO Yumin Liu departing after 5-year tenure.

• Indian Solar EPC Prozeal Green Energy To Go Public (TaiyangNews) - Indian solar EPC firm Prozeal Green Energy files for $84 million IPO to fund working capital, debt reduction and expansion plans.

• Wide Variance In 2024 Global Solar PV Installation Numbers (TaiyangNews) - Global solar PV installation estimates for 2024 show wide variance from 452 GW to 599 GW, with analysts predicting uncertain growth in 2025 due to grid capacity and policy changes.

• Wine region solar farm to use hail-proof PV modules in Australian first (RenewEconomy) - A solar farm in South Australia's Coonawarra wine region will be the first to use hail-proof solar panels from Canadian Solar, enhancing durability and reliability in extreme weather.

• Wind farm developer heads to court to fight “significant legal errors” in project rejection (RenewEconomy) - Contact Energy is challenging the rejection of its 300MW South Island wind farm in court, citing legal errors related to environmental concerns and planning rules.

• BYD Announces Home Solar-Powered Humanoid Robot for $10,000! (CleanTechnica) - BYD announced a $10,000 solar-powered humanoid robot, "BoYoboD," capable of household tasks, with deliveries expected to begin in December 2025 in China.

• L’Oreal Reaches 100% Renewable Energy in Europe (ESG Today) - L'Oréal achieves 100% renewable energy across all European operations including factories, distribution centers and offices by December 2024.

Transport

B23 Energic electric aircraft, electric school bus adoption, XPENG & NIO sales surge, corporate travel emissions mixed, EU CO2 target flexibility concerns, Revel & PG&E charging, Illinois clean truck standards, zero-emission trains, and Li-Cycle's financial challenges.

• H55 Showcases Electric Aviation Innovation at the 51st Sun ‘n Fun Aerospace Expo (H55) - Swiss aviation company unveils B23 Energic electric training aircraft at Sun 'n Fun Expo, launching US tour to demonstrate emission-free flight technology.

• How States and Utilities Can Lead on Electric School Buses (Better Energy) - States and utilities lead electric school bus adoption through legislation, funding, and grid integration programs, targeting health benefits and emissions reduction for 21 million daily student riders.

• XPENG Scores 331% Sales Growth! (CleanTechnica) - XPENG's EV deliveries surged by 331% in Q1 2025, driven by strong March sales and expansion into new markets like Indonesia.

• Corporate Travel Reduced by a Third on 2019 Levels Despite Increased Flying by Merck, Bosch, & JPMorgan Chase (CleanTechnica) - Global corporate business travel emissions dropped 34% since 2019, while major companies like Merck, Bosch, and JPMorgan Chase increased their flying.

• How 3-Year Average Flexibility Weakens the 2025 Car CO₂ Target and Delays BEVs (CleanTechnica) - EU's proposed 3-year averaging flexibility for car CO2 targets could reduce electric vehicle sales by 880,000 units during 2025-2027, potentially delaying affordable EV rollout.

• How Revel is fast-tracking new EV chargers through a deal with PG&E (Canary Media) - EV charging startup Revel partners with PG&E on "flexible connection" program allowing fast-track installation of high-power urban charging stations by accepting occasional power reductions during peak grid stress.

• The bid to make Illinois a leader on electric trucking (Canary Media) - Illinois considers adopting California's clean truck standards requiring 40-75% zero-emission heavy vehicle sales by 2035, despite Trump administration opposition.

• Where battery and hydrogen-powered trains are coming to US commuter rail (Utility Dive) - Three major global train manufacturers compete for US contracts as California and Boston lead adoption of zero-emission hydrogen and battery-powered commuter trains.

• New For April 2025: CleanTechnica Diesel Wednesday! (CleanTechnica) - CleanTechnica's April Fools' article satirically announces a temporary shift to pro-diesel content, highlighting the absurdity of abandoning EVs and embracing pseudoscience.

• NIO Sales Increase 40% (CleanTechnica) - Chinese EV maker NIO reports 40.1% increase in Q1 2025 sales with 42,094 vehicles delivered across premium and family-oriented vehicle lines.

• People Do Not Simply Want to Get from A to B (CleanTechnica) - Research shows people's travel destinations are determined by available transport options, with average daily travel time remaining constant at 1.1 hours despite technological advances.

• Fighting for electric trucks (Canary Media) - Illinois advocates push for zero-emission truck mandates, while Revel innovates EV charging with PG&E, and Li-Cycle faces potential bankruptcy.