Daily Digest for

China announced that prices of on-grid electricity from new energy sources like wind and solar will be market-determined. The National Development and Reform Commission and the National Energy Administration issued a notice to promote high-quality development by leveraging market mechanisms. By the end of 2024, China’s new energy generation capacity reached 1.41 billion kilowatts.

The United States is exploring the potential of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) made from residual wood products and other non-petroleum-based sources to reduce the carbon footprint of airplanes. Rick Horton, Executive Vice President of Minnesota Forest Industries, highlighted the need for scaling up the technology. Jeff Davidman from Delta Air Lines noted that SAF costs two to five times more than conventional jet fuel, but demand is high as airlines aim for net-zero emissions by 2050. Andrea Vaubel from the Department of Agriculture emphasized Minnesota’s readiness with available feedstocks and urged legislative support for tax credits to boost the SAF industry.

Switzerland held a vote on the Environmental Responsibility Initiative, which aimed to limit economic activities to within planetary boundaries. The initiative was rejected with 69.75% voting against it. It proposed that Switzerland’s consumption should not exceed its share of global resources within ten years.