Daily Digest for

The United States announced its withdrawal from the Just Energy Transition Partnerships (JETPs) with Indonesia, South Africa, and Viet Nam. Despite this, Development State Secretary Jochen Flasbarth expressed confidence in the continuation of the JETPs, highlighting the growth of these partnerships. In South Africa, the JETP has expanded beyond initial agreements, even without US involvement. The focus remains on mobilizing private investment and creating a conducive environment for renewable energy, which is now often cheaper than fossil fuels. The International Partners Group for South Africa includes the UK, Germany, the EU, France, Denmark, and the Netherlands.

US-based Senators Alex Padilla, Adam Schiff, and Sheldon Whitehouse criticized the Trump administration’s EPA for attempting to undermine California’s Clean Air Act waivers. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) determined that these waivers are not subject to the Congressional Review Act, supporting California’s right to set its own vehicle emissions standards. The senators accused the Trump EPA of prioritizing polluting industries over public health and environmental protections, which are crucial for reducing carbon emissions and combating climate change.

Australia has approved new renewable energy projects capable of powering nearly every household in the country. The Albanese Government’s initiative includes three wind farms in New South Wales: the 1,332 MW Liverpool Range Wind Farm, the 700 MW Spicers Creek Wind Farm, and the 372 MW Hills of Gold Wind Farm. These projects are expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 6.5 million tonnes annually and create 1,340 construction jobs and 80 ongoing jobs. The government has approved a total of 77 renewable energy projects, enough to power over 10 million homes, marking a significant milestone in Australia’s renewable energy efforts.

Viet Nam is seeking a National IT firm to develop a National Registry for Emission Allowances and Carbon Credits. This initiative is part of the project ‘Supporting the Implementation of JETP and NDC in Viet Nam’. The IT vendor will collaborate with the UNDP, Department of Climate Change (DCC), and other experts to design, develop, and test the registry system. The project is expected to last for 5 months and will be home-based with no travel required.

Italy has announced an imminent decree to enhance coastal ports for offshore wind energy projects. The decree, already signed by the Ministry of Environment and Energy Security (MASE) and the Ministry of Culture (MIC), awaits final approval from the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF). It identifies Augusta and Taranto as priority sites, with Brindisi and Civitavecchia as additional sites for developing infrastructure to support offshore wind energy. This initiative aims to reduce costs, improve competitiveness, and foster economic development in coastal communities, contributing to a sustainable, low-carbon energy model.

Canada has initiated investigations into the alleged dumping and subsidizing of renewable diesel imports from the United States. The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is responding to a complaint by Tidewater Renewables Ltd., which claims that these imports have caused material injury to Canadian industries. The Canadian market for renewable diesel imports is estimated to be over $1.4 billion annually. The CBSA and the Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT) will conduct investigations to determine the impact and legality of these imports.

Brazil has announced the second phase of its Accelerated Depreciation program, led by Acting President and Minister of Development, Industry, Trade, and Services Geraldo Alckmin. The program will provide BRL 3 billion in loans over 2025 and 2026 to modernize the industrial park, focusing on productivity, energy efficiency, and decarbonization. The initiative aims to replace outdated machinery with advanced equipment, benefiting 25 economic activities. In 2024, Brazilian industrial production increased by 3.1%, with the manufacturing industry alone growing by 3.7%.

The UK has achieved a 19% market share in battery electric vehicle (BEV) sales, surpassing Germany’s 13%. This shift was propelled by the UK zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate, which sets increasing targets for ZEV sales through 2030. In contrast, Germany could not tighten its regulations, resulting in a drop in its sales share. Moreover, this performance was achieved without substantial financial incentives for buyers, emphasizing the effectiveness of strong regulatory frameworks in promoting the transition to cleaner transportation.

US-based Nauticus Robotics, Inc. announced its intent to acquire SeaTrepid International, LLC, enhancing its capabilities in autonomous subsea robotics. This acquisition aims to integrate Nauticus’ AI-powered software ToolKITT with SeaTrepid’s ROV fleet, boosting operational performance and power efficiency. The transaction is expected to complete by May 2025, significantly increasing combined revenue. Nauticus CEOs remarked on the growth potential and importance of this merger for future underwater solutions.

US-based Maryland’s legislature has prepared HB 49, a bill that authorizes the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) to set Energy Use Intensity (EUI) limits for large commercial and multifamily buildings. The bill will also impose fines for non-compliance, with estimates suggesting a cost of $8.8 billion for building owners to meet EUI targets. Beginning in 2030, non-compliance fees could reach $78 million per year for building owners in Montgomery County alone, as 63% of buildings are expected to be out of compliance by then. The fines are designed to increase electricity costs significantly for violators.

US-based MIT has conducted a study confirming that the Antarctic ozone layer is healing, primarily due to global efforts to reduce ozone-depleting substances. The research indicates a 95% confidence in the recovering state of the ozone layer, linked directly to the Montreal Protocol that phased out CFCs. This study uses advanced climate simulation techniques and data from satellite observations to analyze the recovery patterns over several decades, offering hope for complete ozone restoration by 2035.

US-based Framatome has achieved a significant milestone in enhancing fuel capabilities for the U.S. light water reactor fleet by receiving acceptance from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to review their report on “High Burnup for Pressurized Water Reactors (PWRs)”. This initiative is part of the Advanced Fuel Management program focusing on innovative nuclear fuel technologies that improve fuel efficiency and reduce waste. The use of higher enriched fuel will help extend operational cycles from 18 to 24 months, thereby supporting cleaner and sustainable energy generation.

Germany announced a EUR 500 billion special fund for infrastructure and unlimited defence spending. This dual investment strategy aims to modernize transportation, energy, and digital networks while enhancing military capabilities. Leaders from CDU and SPD emphasized the urgent need for investment due to deteriorating infrastructure and evolving security threats in Europe.

Norway’s Ministry of Energy has announced a new area for CO2 storage on the Norwegian Continental Shelf. This is the eighth time an area has been designated for CO2 storage. The application deadline for interested parties to submit their applications is 23rd April 2025, encouraging applicants to act early. This initiative aligns with ongoing efforts to regulate and optimize carbon storage as part of Norway’s commitment to sustainability and environmental protection.

Germany-based INERATEC has secured a €40 million venture debt loan from the European Investment Bank and a €30 million grant from Breakthrough Energy Catalyst to scale-up its e-Fuel production. This €70 million total investment aims to finance the construction of Europe’s largest sustainable e-Fuel production plant in Frankfurt. The project is focused on decarbonizing hard-to-abate sectors such as aviation and will enable INERATEC to commercialize innovative reactor technology that uses green hydrogen and CO2 to create synthetic aviation fuel.

UK-based Epoch Biodesign has announced an oversubscribed $18.3M Series A funding round, aimed at building their first commercial-scale plant to tackle plastic waste. This funding, which includes participation from Inditex and a $1M grant from the UK government, will enable Epoch to expand their enzyme technology for recycling. The company focuses on enzymatic recycling to transform plastics into reusable monomers, addressing the urgent need for solutions to the plastic waste crisis.

South Africa and Chile agreed to strengthen bilateral trade and investment relations by cooperating in trade, industry promotion, decarbonisation, and critical minerals during the 8th meeting of the Joint Trade and Investment Commission. The agreement involves enhancing opportunities for small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and women-led enterprises. Both countries aim to explore cooperation in battery manufacturing and fuel cells while also facilitating access to larger markets for Chilean companies through South Africa.

Germany’s GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel led a study investigating the environmental impacts of deep-sea mining, focusing on polymetallic nodules at depths of 3,000 to 6,000 meters. The independent MiningImpact project monitored test operations of a nodule collector vehicle in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone. The study revealed sediment plumes generated by mining activities could reach up to 4.5 kilometers away, resulting in significant ecological changes. Researchers aim to inform regulations by the International Seabed Authority regarding the monitoring of future deep-sea mining operations.

The European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Commission have launched the InvestEU Gender Finance Lab, a unique advisory programme aimed at enhancing access to finance for women-owned and women-led SMEs in Europe. This initiative is supported by 25 European banks that have committed to a masterclass programme. The programme includes various components such as designing gender-responsive financial products and understanding the contributions of women-led SMEs to economic growth. The gender-smart finance masterclass is set to commence in March 2025, focusing on inclusivity and gender equality in finance.

Malaysia and Singapore have officially formed the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) on 7 January 2025, envisioned to enhance the economic potential of the region. The initiative is set to roll out 50 projects in its first five years, scaling up to 100 projects over a decade, which will create 20,000 skilled job opportunities across 11 key economic sectors, including Energy and the Green Economy. The project aims to align both countries as global economic hubs, leveraging Iskandar Malaysia’s existing infrastructure and investment commitments that have already surpassed RM383 billion.

South Korea has officially expanded the operational zones for autonomous trucks, allowing them to run on 44 highway routes totaling 5,224 kilometers. Previously, they were limited to only 4 routes covering 332.3 kilometers. This marks a significant step in the practical implementation of autonomous driving technologies, with an aim to enhance efficiency and safety in freight transportation. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced plans to allow payment-based freight transport services following safety verifications and testing.

Australia-based HB11 Energy has developed foams that are emerging as a critical material for fusion energy. During a successful experiment at the GSI Helmholtz Centre for Heavy Ion Research in Germany, researchers utilized foams produced by HB11 Energy to generate high proton fluxes for fusion via laser technology. The company now offers these innovative materials for purchase to research groups at laser facilities. These foams, characterized by a low density of 5 or 10 mg/cc, were tested for the first time, demonstrating their potential in safe and sustainable fusion energy.