Daily Digest for

Switzerland’s ETH Zurich professor Jordan Aaron has developed an AI-powered computer model that can simulate landslide scenarios 200 times faster than previous models. The model was used to assess the landslide risk for the village of Brienz/Brinzauls in Graubünden, leading to its second evacuation in November 2024. The technology combines GPU computing with AI algorithms to rapidly simulate thousands of potential landslide scenarios.

The UK Office for National Statistics has released data on production industries including manufacturing, mining and quarrying, energy supply, and waste management sectors. The release includes detailed information on production volumes, export data, and business survey responses across these industrial sectors.

New Zealand’s government has introduced a standardized, science-based methodology for measuring farm-level greenhouse gas emissions. The initiative includes farm-specific inputs like stock counts, feed, dairy production, and fertilizer use, aimed at simplifying emissions calculations for farmers. The government has also committed $400 million over four years for emission-reducing technologies in the agricultural sector.

The UK government has unveiled its Clean Power Action Plan to achieve clean power by 2030, with major reforms to the country’s energy system. The plan aims to unblock the grid, speed up planning decisions, and build more renewables. The initiative is expected to unlock £40 billion of annual investment in clean power projects and infrastructure. Key measures include reforming the grid connection system, streamlining planning processes for energy infrastructure, and expanding renewable auction processes. The plan includes bringing onshore wind back into the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project regime and introducing a Planning and Infrastructure Bill.