Daily Digest for

Moldova approved its National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) 2025-2030, aiming to achieve decarbonization goals. The plan, supported by the EU and implemented by UNDP Moldova, sets national targets for renewable energy, energy efficiency, and GHG emissions. By 2030, Moldova commits to 30% renewable energy in final consumption and reducing GHG emissions by 68.5% compared to 1990 levels. The NECP also includes actions for energy security, such as diversifying import routes and enhancing interconnectivity with Romania.

Thailand has launched the ‘Thai Rice: Strengthening Climate-Smart Rice Farming Project’ with a funding of 118 million Euros. The initiative aims to support 253,400 Thai rice farmers in adopting climate-smart farming practices and reduce 2.44 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent by 2028. The project is funded by the Green Climate Fund, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, and private sector partners including Ebro Foods, MARS Food, Olam Agri, and PepsiCo. It involves multiple agencies and aims to transition smallholder rice farming in Thailand to climate-smart models, enhancing productivity and lowering emissions.

Bloomberg and General Index (GX) have expanded their strategic collaboration to provide Bloomberg Terminal users with access to over 200 voluntary carbon price indexes. This expansion includes transparent carbon credit ‘price baskets’ and detailed assessments of voluntary carbon markets (VCM). The collaboration aims to offer market participants pricing oversight and transparency in the VCM sector. Emilie Gallagher from Bloomberg highlighted the importance of price transparency in evolving markets like voluntary carbon, while Diane Charnock from General Index emphasized the critical nature of reliable benchmarks in the VCM markets.

The UK Climate Change Committee (CCC) has presented a new pathway to decarbonise the UK by 2050, aiming for an 87% reduction in emissions by 2040 compared to 1990 levels. The plan emphasizes electrification, which accounts for 60% of emissions reductions, and highlights the need for investment in clean energy, expected to reach $2 trillion globally by 2024. The CCC projects that by 2050, household energy bills could be £700 cheaper annually. The report also stresses the importance of private sector investment, estimating that it will cover 65-90% of the financing requirement from 2025 to 2050. The CCC’s recommendations include making electricity cheaper, removing barriers to low-carbon technology adoption, and supporting households and businesses in the transition to a low-carbon economy.

Singapore has outlined its strategy in the 2024 Biennial Transparency Report to use 2.51 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO2e) per annum of Internationally Transferred Mitigation Outcomes (ITMOs) to meet its emissions reduction commitments from 2021 to 2030. The country plans to obtain high-quality ITMOs in the form of International Carbon Credits (ICCs) compliant with Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. Singapore has signed Implementation Agreements (IAs) with Ghana and Papua New Guinea for carbon credits cooperation and is engaging over 20 other countries for similar agreements. Additionally, the government has initiated a Request for Proposal (RFP) to source ICCs from nature-based solutions, with evaluations of proposals currently underway.

US-based Aemetis, Inc., a renewable natural gas and renewable fuels company, announced the receipt of $6 million in cash from the sale of $7.7 million in Inflation Reduction Act investment tax credits. These credits were generated by the construction of dairy biogas digesters by Aemetis Biogas, a subsidiary of the company. The credits were sold to a corporate purchaser as part of a multi-closing purchase arrangement. Aemetis is operating twelve dairy digesters and a biogas pipeline to produce renewable natural gas, expecting to produce 550,000 MMBtu of RNG per year. The project aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to 6.8 million metric tons of carbon dioxide over ten years.

Italy has approved the allocation of territorial compensation measures for sites hosting nuclear power plants and nuclear fuel cycle facilities. Approximately 15 million euros will be allocated to municipalities and provinces for interventions in territorial defense, remediation of polluted sites, waste management, biodiversity protection, and protection from air and noise pollution. The announcement was made by Vannia Gava, the Deputy Minister of Environment and Energy Security, following the CIPESS meeting.

Slovakia’s government has accepted an investment from Gotion InoBat Batteries to establish a strategic project in Šuranoch. The prime minister announced that the project, which represents an investment of approximately 1.2 billion euros, is aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of the automotive industry in the country. Mobile charging stations, which do not require permanent installation and can be relocated to charge electric vehicles, were presented at this meeting. These mobile chargers are a novel solution in Slovakia and Europe, with development led by InoBat’s research center in Voderady.

Italy-based Ansaldo Energia has been awarded €317 million ($332 million) by the Italian Government to develop 1MW AEM electrolyser systems for green hydrogen production. This funding, part of the €5.4 billion ($5.7 billion) Important Project of Common European Interest (IPCEI) Hy2Tech scheme, will support Ansaldo Green Tech in building a new AEM production line and expanding R&D at its Genova site. The systems are capable of producing over 500kg of hydrogen per day with high efficiency and decreased use of critical minerals.

Colombia’s Environment Minister María Susana Muhamad and Agriculture Minister Martha Carvajalino emphasized the imperative need for full implementation of biodiversity action at COP16. The FAO launched the Agri-NBSAPs Support Initiative to assist governments in integrating agrifood systems into their National Biodiversity Strategies, aiming to eliminate contradictions between agricultural policies and biodiversity goals. Secretary-General António Guterres pointed out the critical funding issue, stating that only a fraction of the necessary $200 billion per year has been mobilized. The discussions ahead will focus on enhancing accountability frameworks for financial commitments made by wealthier nations.

UK Secretary of State for Defra announced initiatives to enhance the profitability of farming while ensuring sustainability. The government plans to establish a new farming profitability unit and has committed to investing £110 million in farming grants. Additionally, the Seasonal Worker visas will be extended for five years to support farming needs. The government is also focusing on resilience against climate challenges, such as flooding and drought, while promoting technological innovations like the Precision Breeding Act.

An international team of researchers led by GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel and Durham University has successfully captured the internal structure of the longest-runout sediment flow ever recorded on Earth. Using seismic measurements, the researchers have for the first time been able to analyse in detail the internal structure of these tens to hundreds of kilometres long turbidity currents. These findings will improve risk assessments for underwater infrastructure, such as submarine cables, and refine models of sediment and carbon transport in the ocean.

Germany’s Microgravity User Support Centre (MUSC) successfully carried out the Arthrospira-C experiment to investigate the capability of cyanobacteria (spirulina) to produce oxygen and edible biomass in microgravity. This breakthrough is crucial for ensuring a sustainable food supply for long-term space missions, contributing to the ongoing MELiSSA project focused on regenerative life support systems for missions to the Moon and Mars.

South Africa has committed to lowering carbon emissions to net-zero by 2050 and ushering in a green economy. The Energy Council of South Africa launched the Energise Mzansi campaign to enhance energy literacy among citizens, focusing on the impacts of energy transition on the economy. The country estimates that R2 trillion will be necessary by 2035 for new technology financing and system upgrades, emphasizing the dual drivers of its energy reform agenda anchored in law.

The European Central Bank (ECB) under President Lagarde’s leadership reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring a low and predictable inflation environment, essential for fostering investment in green technologies. The ECB aims to facilitate funding for clean energy initiatives and bolster the EU’s competitiveness in the green tech sector. With the urgency of climate adaptation evident, the speech highlighted the importance of maintaining strong momentum for energy transition in Europe.

The European Commission’s Green City Accord (GCA) has seen 42 cities committing to improve their environmental standards by 2030. These cities pledged to enhance air quality, increase green spaces, and improve waste management in alignment with EU laws. The GCA aims to create cleaner, greener, and healthier urban environments, with cities like Vilnius showcasing their commitment to sustainable urban growth.

UK-based Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL) leads the AquaWatch AUK project, which focuses on improving water quality monitoring using Earth observation and data modeling. Co-funded by the Australian Space Agency, this project contributes to sustainable practices and enhancement of water health. Another project, Vertical Future, develops technology for remote monitoring of agriculture to support both space missions and sustainable agriculture on Earth. The third project, led by the University of Strathclyde, employs AI for space sustainability to reduce collision risks among satellites, establishing a foundation for future advancements in this domain. The total Australian contribution amounts to up to AUD $3 million.

In 2023, 13 EU countries generated 619,601 gigawatt hours (GWh) of electricity from nuclear power, an increase of 1.7% compared to 2022. The increase was largely attributed to France completing maintenance of its nuclear reactors. France accounted for 54.6% of the EU’s nuclear power generation, followed by Spain and Sweden. Notably, Germany terminated its nuclear production completely in April 2023 after generating 7,216 GWh at the beginning of the year.

Kazakhstan and Russia have collaborated in the field of energy as discussed in a recent meeting. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak conveyed greetings from President Vladimir Putin and acknowledged the strong dialogue between the two countries. This meeting highlights the friendly and allied nature of Kazakhstan-Russia relations, focusing on enhancing bilateral trade and cooperation in energy matters.

The South Korean government has established a joint investment fund of 1.1 trillion won targeting global infrastructure, construction, and smart city projects through the Global Plant, Infrastructure, and Smart City Fund (PIS). This move aims to support domestic companies in advancing into overseas investment development projects, enhance the overseas contract capabilities of high-value projects, and promote exports. As of now, approximately 1.4 trillion won has been raised from the first phase, while the government, public institutions, and private investors are expected to collectively form a total of 1.1 trillion won for the second phase, known as PIS 2.

UK-based Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) has established the Plutonium Ceramics Academic Hub in collaboration with the Universities of Manchester and Sheffield. This initiative follows a £5 million investment commitment from NDA Group CEO, David Peattie, aimed at postgraduate research linked to the NDA’s plutonium disposition strategy. The Hub will support around 20 PhD and 2 post-doctoral researchers to aid in developing technology for the immobilisation of plutonium into a stable ceramic form, essential for effective long-term disposal and safety enhancements.

The UK’s Department for Transport has amended the Regulation (EU) 2019/1242 that sets carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions targets for new heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs). This was necessary due to previous amendments that incorrectly narrowed the reference emissions to vehicles registered only in the UK. The correction now bases reference emissions on HDVs sold in both the EU-27 and UK during the 2019 reporting period.

India has launched the North East Transformative Industrialization Scheme, ‘Unnati,’ aimed at advancing industry and tourism across the North East region. Assam is becoming a hub for semiconductor manufacturing, reinforced by the recent inauguration of the Tata Semiconductor Assembly & Test facility in Jagiroad, which will promote technological growth. India has set a target to add 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030 and aims for an annual green hydrogen production of 5 million metric tons by the same year. The government is seeking to maximize Assam’s potential in the renewable energy sector.

Denmark has postponed the necessary measures to achieve good condition in lakes, rivers, and groundwater until 2033, which is six years later than required by EU law. This has drawn sharp criticism from four green NGOs, including the Danish Society for Nature Conservation and Greenpeace, who have filed a complaint with the EU Commission. According to these organizations, Denmark is violating the EU Water Framework Directive, risking legal action and potential fines.

Finland-based Carbonaide has successfully demonstrated its carbon curing technology in combination with Direct Air Capture (DAC) CO₂. Partnering with Germany’s NeoCarbon and Finland’s Soletair Power, they produced industrial batches of carbon-cured concrete, achieving carbon-negativity. The solution allows for reduced cement consumption while offering a decentralized approach to CO₂ storage captured from various sources. Their collaboration aims to transform concrete production into a carbon sink while addressing the urgent need for effective carbon capture solutions.

Germany’s Senator for Economics, Ports and Transformation Bremen has announced a new round of calls for proposals under the aerospace research programme (LuRaFo). The programme focuses on small and medium-sized companies from the aerospace sector, offering funding for projects that contribute to environmentally friendly aerospace technologies. Eligible projects include developments in space transport and reusability, with applications accepted until 17 March 2025.

Singapore-based Standard Chartered has adopted the ICC’s Sustainable Trade Finance Principles, thus becoming the first international bank to fully align with these global industry standards. This decision supports the bank’s sustainable finance solutions that are governed by two frameworks: the Transition Finance Framework and the Green and Sustainable Product Framework 2024. This initiative follows their introduction of a sustainable trade finance proposition in 2021 and aims to provide a standardized approach to evaluating sustainable trade finance transactions.

Taiwan’s Ministry of Environment has announced the prohibition or restriction of the manufacturing, import, export, sale, use, and emission of Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) as part of its commitment to the Montreal Protocol’s Kigali Amendment. The regulations specify 18 types of HFCs that will be controlled starting from July 1, 2025, with a freeze on consumption beginning in 2026, aiming to reduce overall use gradually. These measures are intended to align with international agreements to mitigate global warming, especially since some HFCs have a Global Warming Potential (GWP) thousands of times greater than CO2.

Japan-based Green Carbon Inc. has launched a pilot project in Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines, aiming to generate approximately 1 million tons of carbon credits over the next decade by utilizing 30,000 hectares of rice paddies. The project employs the JCM methodology for methane emission reduction through Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD), reducing methane emissions from rice paddies. This pilot started in January 2025, with expectations of scaling up carbon credit generation in the future.

Norway-based HydrogenPro ASA has reported its Q4 2024 financial results with revenues of NOK 70 million and an ongoing focus on sustainable hydrogen solutions. The company received investments of NOK 140 million from partners including Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and LONGi, which will further strengthen its capabilities. HydrogenPro has also achieved a significant milestone with the start-up of a new manufacturing line for advanced electrodes in Denmark, aimed at increasing their delivery capacity for sustainable hydrogen production.

South Korea’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced the removal of greenbelt restrictions in 15 areas, including Busan, Daejeon, Daegu, Gwangju, and Ulsan, as part of its initiative to foster regional economy and specialized industries. The government aims to promote balanced regional development by lifting restrictions on greenbelt areas designated for national and regional strategic projects. A total investment of approximately 27.8 trillion KRW is expected, along with an induced economic impact amounting to about 124.5 trillion KRW and the creation of around 380,000 jobs.

The German Aerospace Center (DLR) was part of an international study, the Glacier Mass Balance Intercomparison Exercise (GlaMBIE), investigating glacier melting. This study revealed that glaciers are losing an average of 273 billion tonnes of ice per year, contributing significantly to freshwater loss and global sea level rise. Notably, the DLR satellites TanDEM-X provided crucial data for this research, which highlighted alarming ice loss rates globally, particularly in regions such as Central Europe and the Arctic.

The Horizon Europe project BeBoP, initiated by the German Aerospace Center (DLR), aims to develop advanced and cost-effective components for hydrogen fuel cell systems, enhancing their efficiency and reliability for heavy-duty transport vehicles. The project has a duration of 42 months and a total budget of 3,983,049 Euro. Leading developers and research institutions are collaborating to improve crucial components such as air compressors, humidifiers, and DC/DC converters, which are vital for the performance and durability of fuel cells in various transport sectors including road and maritime transport.