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The article reviews advancements in gas-sensing technologies using metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). It highlights the need for novel sensing materials with distinct properties to ensure public health and safety. The review focuses on the synthesis strategies for MOFs and the development of resistive gas sensors that operate based on resistance changes. The work underscores the potential of MOFs due to their extensive surface areas and high porosity for innovative gas sensor applications.

Hogan Lovells advised Banco BPM on its first EUR 750 million Social Covered Bond issuance, which is intended for refinancing Eligible Social Loans under the bank’s ESG strategy. The bond, with a maturity of 4.5 years, aims to support residential mortgages for disadvantaged individuals, which benefit from an 80% state guarantee.

The State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) published the updated FTA Monitor on March 20, 2025, revealing that Switzerland benefited from free trade agreements, saving CHF 2.2 billion in customs fees. The report highlighted the increasing utilization of free trade agreements and identified significant financial benefits for companies engaging in international trade. The 2023 edition of the FTA Monitor reinforced the importance of FTAs in today’s economy.

Australia has announced the Murchison Green Hydrogen Project in Western Australia, developed by Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners. The project, awarded up to $814 million in production incentives, will use solar and wind power to produce green hydrogen and convert it to green ammonia for export. It is expected to create 3,600 construction jobs and 600 ongoing roles. The project aims to produce 900,000 tonnes of green ammonia annually, nearly half of Australia’s current ammonia production from fossil fuels. The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) will deliver the funding over 10 years to accelerate development.

SoftBank Group Corp. has announced an agreement to acquire Ampere Computing Holdings LLC for USD 6.5 billion. Ampere, based in Santa Clara, California, specializes in high-performance, energy-efficient processors for AI compute and cloud computing. This acquisition is part of SoftBank’s strategy to innovate in the AI and computing sectors. The transaction is expected to close in the latter half of 2025, pending regulatory approvals.

CarbonScape, a deep-tech innovator in battery-grade graphite production, secured a U.S. patent (Patent No. US12187615B2) for its method of producing high-quality graphite from biochar. This process, instead of traditional mining, utilizes biomass as a renewable resource, addressing supply chain vulnerabilities in the electric vehicle (EV) market. Recently, the company achieved a 90% spheroidization yield, indicating its efficiency in graphite production and has established agreements for sourcing woodchips in the U.S. to support its operations. CarbonScape also plans to build several industrial plants across Europe and North America, with operations starting at a demonstration plant in 2026.

The CONAFER and Terra Bank agreed to finance R$ 5 billion for new reproductive biotechnology projects, including the successful +Pecuária Brasil program, which is Brazil’s largest genetic improvement program. This partnership aims to enhance access to effective reproductive biotechnology for producers, promote sustainable agricultural models, and ensure environmental conservation. In addition to funding existing programs, Terra Bank plans to support new initiatives like +Genética no Sertão, which provides genetic improvement for livestock in northeastern Brazil. The initiative also aims to facilitate better credit access for farmers, particularly focusing on small-scale agriculturalists.

The UK government awarded Polaron £1 million as part of the Manchester Prize for its innovative AI technology that accelerates the development of materials used in clean energy systems, such as wind turbines and electric vehicle batteries. This funding aims to support advancements that are crucial for the government’s Plan for Change to promote economic growth and achieve net zero targets. Polaron’s AI solution utilizes microstructural images to rapidly assess material performance, which can significantly streamline the manufacturing process.

The Canadian government announced a $49 million investment in HTEC to support the construction of a hydrogen liquefier facility in North Vancouver. This facility is part of HTEC’s $472 million project, which aims to capture and liquefy 15 tonnes per day of industrial by-product hydrogen. Once operational, it will improve the distribution of low-carbon hydrogen and is essential for establishing the first full value chain ecosystem for heavy-duty fuel cell electric trucks in Canada. The project will help facilitate the transition to zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles and will maintain up to 500 jobs in the region.

The Ethiopian government has resumed negotiations for its accession to the WTO after a five-year hiatus. Led by Minister of Trade and Regional Integration Kassahun Gofe Balami, the high-level delegation aims for Ethiopia to join the WTO by March 2026, coinciding with the 14th Ministerial Conference in Yaoundé, Cameroon. Ethiopia’s reform agenda focuses on compliance with WTO rules, facilitating private sector participation, and enhancing the business environment. Key reforms include changes in the foreign exchange system and promotion of long-term financing through a securities exchange.

The Government of Canada announced an investment of over $20 million for 67 projects to enhance the competitiveness of British Columbia’s forest sector. This funding includes over $11.3 million for six projects under the Investments in Forest Industry Transformation (IFIT) program aimed at adopting low-carbon technologies. Additionally, over $7 million will support 50 projects through the Indigenous Forestry Initiative (IFI), promoting economic development in Indigenous communities. A further $1.6 million will be allocated to nine projects through the Green Construction through Wood (GCWood) program, encouraging the use of wood-based products in construction.

The AI4Peat project, led by Natural England, employs artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the mapping of peatland features across upland England. This initiative is part of the England Peat Action Plan, aiming to restore vital peatland ecosystems essential for carbon storage and biodiversity. The project utilizes deep learning models trained on high-resolution aerial imagery and LiDAR data to produce comprehensive national maps, significantly aiding restoration efforts. Its outputs are expected to be included in the England Peat Map, set to launch in spring 2025.

The International Partners Group (IPG) has pledged over $12.8 billion to support South Africa’s transition from coal to a low-emission, climate-resilient economy. The US has contributed $56 million in grants and $1 billion in commercial debt/equity through the US International Development Finance Corporation. Despite the US’s withdrawal from some aspects of the partnership, the IPG continues to express strong commitment to the just energy transition in South Africa, with over $2.5 billion of the pledged funds already allocated. South Africa remains a key partner in receiving ongoing international support to ensure the transition benefits all its citizens.

Carbonmark has launched a new integration feature with the International Carbon Registry (ICR), allowing carbon credit holders to seamlessly import and export their credits. This integration simplifies credit transfers, increases visibility, and provides control over transactions through Carbonmark’s non-custodial account system. Users can easily connect with ICR, manage their credits, and enhance accessibility while retaining full control of their transactions.

Graphyte’s Loblolly Project was awarded an ‘AA’ carbon rating from BeZero, marking it as the first biomass carbon removal company to achieve this distinction. The rating assesses the likelihood of the project achieving a tonne of CO2e avoided or removed, placing Graphyte in the top 2% of projects on BeZero’s platform. This is significant as it represents the inaugural biomass-based carbon removal and storage method to receive such recognition, emphasizing Graphyte’s commitment to high standards of carbon accounting and permanence for a duration exceeding 1000 years.

The COMP0LIVE project has launched an innovative approach to convert olive pruning waste into bio-composites for industrial use, reducing waste and reliance on fossil-based plastics. With the support from LIFE’s C2M initiative, the team has developed a solid business plan and aims to launch a startup to scale production of these sustainable materials. They have engaged with notable industry partners, including Ford and Caliplast, to explore various applications for their products beyond automotive parts.

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, approved the establishment of a new Brownfield Ammonia-Urea Complex with a capacity of 12.7 Lakh Metric Tonnes (LMT) of Urea production at Brahmaputra Valley Fertilizer Corporation Limited (BVFCL) in Namrup, Assam. The project has an estimated cost of Rs.10,601.40 Crore and will be funded through a Joint Venture (JV) with a 70:30 Debt Equity ratio. The establishment of this unit is planned to be energy-efficient and aims to enhance Urea production capacity in the North-Eastern region, addressing the growing demand for Urea fertilizers in the area.

The UK National Wealth Fund aims to unlock over £70 billion in private investment to foster economic growth, transition to clean energy, and enhance national security. Prioritized sectors include clean energy innovations like carbon capture and green hydrogen, with confirmed investments including £55 million for electric vehicle charging infrastructure and £9.6 million for heating infrastructure in Solihull. The initiative is bolstered by a recruitment drive for new leadership and collaborations with Great British Energy for increasing clean energy production.

Partners Group and Greenlink announced the sale of the Greenlink undersea electricity interconnector cable, valued at over €1bn. This deal is significant for Ireland’s energy sector, as the interconnector has a nominal capacity to power approximately 380,000 homes. The sale encompasses all Irish law aspects, indicating a comprehensive legal advisory engagement.

CoCoTree Technology Co., Ltd. and BlackStorm Consulting have formalised a strategic partnership to drive innovation in carbon asset development through advanced AI and remote sensing technology. The collaboration aims to assist governments and businesses in achieving environmental sustainability goals by enhancing carbon credit applications and monitoring carbon sinks. The partnership will initially be deployed in Southeast Asian markets and aims to streamline carbon credit applications and enhance transparency in carbon trading, fostering a sustainable carbon market.

The Hong Kong Government has initiated several measures to advance the development of artificial intelligence (AI) as a key industry. They have launched a $3 billion AI Subsidy Scheme to support universities and enterprises in leveraging computing power for breakthroughs. A $10 billion I&T Industry-Oriented Fund will also be established, focusing on AI and robotics. Additionally, a Hong Kong Artificial Intelligence Research and Development Institute will be established with $1 billion earmarked in the 2025-26 Budget. Collaborations with the Mainland will be enhanced through various agreements to strengthen AI development and innovation exchanges.