Daily Digest for

Germany-based Naturwärme Kirchweidach-Halsbach GmbH & Co. KG, founded by the municipality of Kirchweidach and Gemüsebau Steiner, signed a heat supply contract with the city of Burghausen. The project involves a geothermal drilling operation in Halsbach to provide sustainable heat to Kirchweidach and the greenhouses of Gemüsebau Steiner. Due to the drilling’s success, the heat can also be supplied to other communities and businesses in the region. Burghausen, through its subsidiary EBG, plans to establish a geothermal district heating network, starting with a connection to the existing network in Burghausen Neustadt by 2026. This initiative aims to significantly reduce CO2 emissions by supplying geothermal heat to numerous residential and commercial units.

France-based Mirova Research Center and Sweep have partnered to launch a Call for Expression of Interest to create an index measuring companies’ contributions to global carbon neutrality. The Corporate Climate Contribution Indicator (CCCI) will assess companies’ decarbonization efforts and progress towards net-zero emissions by 2050. The methodology will be presented at COP30 in Belém, Brazil, in November 2025. The CCCI will evaluate direct and indirect decarbonization and climate financing, providing a dynamic tool for companies and investors to assess climate contributions comprehensively.

US-based Tandem PV has secured $50 million in Series A funding to commercialize its perovskite solar panels. The investment, led by Eclipse and including Constellation Energy and others, will fund the construction of a manufacturing facility in the U.S. Tandem PV’s panels, which achieve 28% efficiency, aim to reduce U.S. dependency on foreign solar manufacturers and enhance energy security. The company plans to surpass 30% efficiency by late 2025, offering a sustainable path toward decarbonization.

Sweden has partnered with Ghana to finance two new emission reduction projects under the Paris Agreement. The Swedish Energy Agency is supporting an e-mobility project by Solar Taxi, deploying 48,000 electric motorcycles to replace fossil-fueled vehicles in Ghana. Additionally, TFI Power Company will develop a 60 MW solar power park connected to the national grid. These initiatives aim to cut emissions by 450,000 tons of CO2 by 2030 and create job opportunities in Ghana.

Indonesia has announced the acceleration of its national industrial downstreaming to enhance energy security, create jobs, and boost economic growth. In a meeting led by President Prabowo Subianto, 21 strategic projects were agreed upon with a total investment of USD 40 billion. Key projects include the construction of an oil storage facility on Pulau Nipah and a refinery with a capacity of 500,000 barrels per day. The government also plans to develop Dimethyl Ether (DME) production as an LPG substitute, leveraging domestic resources without foreign investors.

US-based Eos Energy Enterprises announced an $8 million standalone BESS order for the Naval Base of San Diego, funded by a grant from the California Energy Commission (CEC). This project aims to enhance energy resilience for the U.S. Navy’s western fleet, supporting mission-critical functions and national security. The project will utilize Eos Z3™ Cubes, known for their safety and low operational costs, manufactured in Pennsylvania. This order is part of Eos’ efforts to improve grid resilience in California and expand its partnership with the CEC.

The European Union has proposed a two-year extension of the Gas Storage Regulation to ensure energy security and market stability. This regulation has been crucial in providing additional gas supply during high demand or supply disruptions, contributing 25-30% of winter gas consumption in the EU. The extension aims to maintain security against potential supply risks, especially in winter, and will be reviewed in 2026 for more permanent measures. The proposal includes flexibility for Member States to refill storage without market distortions, with a focus on coordinated action to maintain energy security across the Union.

India has launched its first-ever trials of hydrogen-powered heavy-duty trucks, led by Tata Motors. The trial, funded by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy under the National Green Hydrogen Mission, involves 16 hydrogen-powered vehicles with varying configurations and payload capacities. These trucks will be tested on key freight routes across India, including Mumbai, Pune, and Delhi-NCR. The initiative aims to assess the commercial viability of hydrogen-powered vehicles for long-distance haulage and to establish the necessary infrastructure for their operation. This marks a significant step towards India’s goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2070.

The European Commission welcomed the landmark decision reached at the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) Committee for Aviation Environmental Protection. The agreement establishes new binding standards for aircraft fuel efficiency, effective from December 31, 2031, and noise levels for new aircraft starting January 1, 2029. Aircraft seeking certification after these dates must meet global CO2 standards, achieving a minimum 10% reduction in fuel consumption compared to current models. This agreement signifies a substantial commitment to reaching net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050 and improving air quality around airports.

US-based Idaho National Laboratory (INL) has developed a recipe for the world’s first critical fast-spectrum molten salt reactor, the Molten Chloride Reactor Experiment (MCRE). After five years of research, the team successfully converted uranium metal into uranium chloride for use as fuel, achieving a 90% efficiency in the process.

Claudia Buch, Chair of the Supervisory Board of the ECB, emphasized the importance of banks addressing climate and environmental risks in her recent speech. She mentioned that since making climate-related risks a supervisory priority in 2019, there has been significant progress, with almost all banks now recognizing these risks as material financial threats. Despite the advancements, Buch highlighted that more work is needed to ensure effective climate risk management practices are in place in the banking sector.

US-based NANO Nuclear Energy has announced its support for a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project in collaboration with City University of New York and Advanced Engineering Solutions LLC. The project aims to develop advanced cooling techniques and monitoring systems for the transportation of nuclear microreactors. If funded, it would explore using advanced Heat Pipes, Thermoelectric Cooling Modules, and developing a Smart Alarming System, enhancing safety and regulatory compliance for microreactor transport.

Seattle-based nonprofit Ai2 developed EarthRanger, a software platform that assists wildlife protection efforts globally. This platform supports over 76 countries and integrates data from various sources to enhance conservation efforts. Rouxcel Technology, a South African startup, utilized AI to monitor rhino behaviors, reducing poaching threats in over 40 reserves. Meanwhile, OroraTech employs satellite imagery to detect wildfires and prevent poaching across more than 30 million hectares in Africa and Australia. Wildlife Protection Solutions deployed 3,000 remote cameras to monitor endangered species in real-time, while Conservation X Labs’ technology supports animal population studies for marine and terrestrial species.

U.S.-based Energy Information Administration (EIA) has projected that in 2026, inventories of the three largest transportation fuels—motor gasoline, distillate fuel oil, and jet fuel—will fall to their lowest levels since 2000. Two pending refinery closures are expected to reduce U.S. production of refined petroleum products while consumption is forecasted to grow. The total inventories for these fuels are expected to end next year at 375 million barrels, decreasing significantly from historical averages. Additionally, U.S. consumption of jet fuel is anticipated to rise to an all-time high, exacerbating supply issues in the market.

Canada-based PyroGenesis has successfully met the technical requirements for its Ti64 coarse metal powder produced by its NexGen™ plasma atomization system for Boeing. Following completion of the multi-year product qualification process, it is now in the queue for approval as a supplier for Boeing. This achievement showcases the advancement of PyroGenesis’ sustainable solutions in supporting heavy industry with energy transition and emission reduction.

The UK government has announced a consultation to support the sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) industry, aiming to reduce emissions and establish Britain as a clean energy superpower. The proposals include a revenue certainty mechanism to provide income stability for SAF producers, ensuring lower costs for airlines and consumers. It is estimated that this initiative could support up to 15,000 jobs and contribute £5 billion to the economy by 2050. Alongside the SAF Mandate introduced in January 2025, which requires a growing percentage of aviation fuel to originate from sustainable sources, these efforts are aligned with the UK’s net zero goals.

Portugal’s Galp Company has received a €180 million loan from the European Investment Bank (EIB) to support the development of a 100MW green hydrogen production facility at the Sines Refinery. The electrolyser is set to start production in 2026 and aims to produce 15,000 tonnes of green hydrogen annually. Additionally, €250 million has been allocated for Galp’s biofuel unit to enhance its renewable energy initiatives, aligning with the EU’s goal for decarbonisation to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

The European Commission has adopted a new watchlist of substances threatening surface waters, including twelve pollutants such as pesticides and pharmaceuticals. This decision, made on March 3, 2025, reflects a proactive approach towards monitoring potential environmental risks and human health implications. Member States will track these substances at select monitoring stations for two years, providing essential data that could lead to stricter regulations under the Water Framework Directive.

Switzerland-based Medusoil opened a production plant in Vaud in 2024, producing biocement with a carbon impact at least 55% lower than standard cement. The company’s recent study identified environmental bacteria strains capable of forming an enzyme that triggers carbonate formation, crucial for biocement production. This innovation could cut production costs by 40% and supports multiple geotechnical applications, reinforcing infrastructure against erosion and supporting the circular economy.

Norwegian research institute SINTEF has developed a new tool that can help prevent pipeline ruptures during the transport of CO₂. The tool is a calculation program that provides engineers with rapid feedback in the design process, enabling them to achieve safe and cost-effective solutions. This advancement is crucial for the realization of carbon capture and storage (CCS) on a large scale, supporting the implementation of this important climate technology. Currently, the tool is offered to partners in the NCCS research center and will be further developed for public release through COREu in 2025.

Spain-based Substrate AI has developed an innovative artificial intelligence system to optimize energy consumption in hotels, with support from Red.es. In collaboration with Hoteles Poseidón, the implemented technology reduced energy consumption by 15% through efficient and automated management of climate control systems. The system uses real-time climate information and smart sensors to enhance energy use in 142 rooms, achieving a 95% efficiency in matching guest profiles with preferred cooling conditions. This initiative not only boosts hotel profitability but also significantly contributes to environmental sustainability by reducing the building’s carbon footprint.

Switzerland-based ETH Zurich has developed a groundbreaking method for the near-complete recycling of Plexiglas (PMMA) plastic. The method can break down polymer chains into their monomer building blocks using a chlorinated solvent and UV light, achieving a yield of 94-98%. This process allows the purified monomers to be reused in creating new Plexiglas polymers, significantly impacting the recycling of this versatile material, which has a global annual production of approximately 3.9 million tonnes.

Japan has initiated the pre-registration process for electric commercial vehicles as part of the budget for fiscal year 2024. From March 3, 2025, entities like the Japan Environmental Vehicles Promotion Organization will commence registrations for trucks, taxis, and buses eligible for government subsidies aimed at promoting electrification. This initiative intends to reduce CO2 emissions from vehicles while enhancing price competitiveness and accelerating innovation in the sector. The scheme specifically supports the introduction of battery electric vehicles (BEV), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV), and fuel cell vehicles (FCV), as well as their necessary charging infrastructure.

Japan’s Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) and MHI Machinery Systems (MHI-MS) developed and delivered the ‘Merging Support Information System’ for Japan’s first autonomous truck trial conducted on the Shin-Tomei Expressway. This system uses vehicle detection sensors and roadside processing units to enhance safe merging of autonomous trucks with traffic on the main highway. The autonomous truck trial commenced on March 3, 2025, focusing on improving traffic safety and efficient operations. This project aligns with the Japanese government’s ‘Digital Lifeline Development Plan’ aimed at enhancing autonomous driving safety.

New Zealand-based CarbonScape has developed an innovative biographite technology that transforms forestry by-products into high-performance graphite for electric vehicle (EV) batteries, addressing supply chain challenges and high environmental impact of traditional graphite production. The new process promises lower costs, sustainability, and improved performance without compromising on quality. CarbonScape’s pilot plant has been operational in New Zealand since 2018 and is now expanding its production capabilities into Europe and North America, aiming to reduce dependence on graphite that is mainly supplied by polluting operations in China.