Daily Digest for

This review critically evaluates the role of anaerobic membrane bioreactors (AnMBRs) for wastewater treatment while reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. AnMBRs are particularly suited for treating high-strength wastewater with elevated organic content, achieving COD removal efficiency of 87~99%. Despite their effectiveness, full-scale AnMBR applications remain limited to high-strength wastewater from a few industries due to system complexity, large space requirements, and lack of industrial operational experience. The study suggests that AnMBRs have the potential to play a greater role in treating industrial wastewater in efforts to reduce GHG emissions.

The Government of Canada announced that nearly $150 million from the Output-Based Pricing System (OBPS) Proceeds Fund is being allocated to 38 projects under the Decarbonization Incentive Program (DIP). This funding aims to support the development of clean technologies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The OBPS Proceeds Fund collects money from pollution proceeds within provinces such as Ontario, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. Notably, projects such as McCain Foods’ retrofit of their Carberry facility are highlighted, aiming for significant emissions reductions by improving energy efficiency.

The Government of Canada partnered with MDS Coating Technologies Corporation to support a $100 million project aimed at expanding the company’s facility in Prince Edward Island, doubling its production capacity. This initiative, backed by a $7 million loan from the Province of PEI, will enable MDS to produce environmentally friendly nano-coating technologies for aircraft components, aiming to reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions. This investment is part of a broader effort to strengthen the aerospace supply chain and promote sustainability within the industry.

The Canadian federal government has welcomed Electra Battery Materials’ proposal to transform its facility in Temiskaming Shores, Ontario, into a cobalt sulfate refinery. This development is part of a broader effort to expand Canada’s critical minerals value chains to support the transition to a net-zero economy. The cobalt sulfate produced will be vital for the automotive sector, particularly in electric vehicles, and the project is backed by $10 million in support from Natural Resources Canada and the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario.

California has launched a satellite project to track and reduce methane emissions due to a $100 million investment from its Cap-and-Trade program. This initiative is part of a broader effort led by Governor Gavin Newsom, who recently became Co-Chair of the subnational climate coalition America Is All In. The project leverages innovative satellite-mounted sensors to identify and monitor large emissions of methane that could otherwise go undetected, enabling more effective mitigation actions in partnership with local agencies and industry stakeholders.

The EIT Urban Mobility’s Accelerate2Move (A2M) program has announced its support for startups focusing on advanced technologies that promote sustainable urban mobility. The program includes six months of tailored acceleration, 80 hours of online mentoring, and a five-day bootcamp in Latvia, with all costs covered. Selected startups will receive a microgrant of €2,500. The call for applications is open from February 3 to April 21, 2025.

SUSI Partners sold the 95 MW Lyngsåsa wind farm in Sweden to Norwegian energy company Equinor. This sale represents the exit of three quarters of the SUSI Renewable Energy Fund II’s assets. The wind farm generates an average annual power production of 311 GWh, enough for over 60,000 Swedish households, and has avoided over 320,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions. Additionally, SUSI has begun developing a 95 MW solar PV plant in the same area.

The European Commission has launched the ‘Partnership for Textiles of the Future’ to drive sustainability and innovation in the textile sector. This initiative, established under Horizon Europe, will invest up to €60 million from 2025 to 2030 in collaborative research and innovation projects aimed at enhancing sustainable practices within the industry. The partnership emphasizes the importance of technology adoption and circularity in textiles, with immediate funding opportunities expected in the Horizon Europe Work Programme 2025, targeted for project submissions in Autumn 2025.

Great British Energy has launched a £10 million initiative to support the development of clean energy projects across England. The funding will be allocated to mayoral strategic authorities to create rooftop solar, onshore wind, and hydropower projects, aimed at reducing local energy bills and reinvesting profits back into communities. The initiative is part of the UK government’s Plan for Change, targeting the achievement of clean power by 2030.

The Department of Finance (DOF) of the Philippines has developed a Climate Finance Strategy (CFS) to lead efforts in financing climate action. This national blueprint aims to secure resources for climate resilience through public-private partnerships and various international funding mechanisms. The CFS prioritizes the implementation of the National Adaptation Plan and is financially backed by international partners, including the UK and Canada. Furthermore, the DOF announced the replenishment of the People’s Survival Fund with PHP 1 billion for climate adaptation projects by local government units.

Standard Chartered acted as the sole financial advisor in the sale of a 100 percent indirect stake in Philippine Coastal Storage & Pipeline Corporation (PCSPC) by Keppel Infrastructure Trust (KIT) and Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC) to affiliates of I Squared Capital. The transaction, which completed on March 20, 2025, had an enterprise value of USD460 million, including USD181 million in net debt. This divestment aligns with KIT’s strategy to focus on low carbon energy transition segments.

The UK governments have introduced the National Action Plan (NAP) on Pesticides to reduce potential environmental harm from pesticides by 10% by 2030. This initiative follows the ban on neonic pesticides and emphasizes sustainable pest management to protect human health and the ecosystem. It calls for farmers to adopt nature-friendly practices and provides a framework for monitoring pesticide use. The UK government has also committed £150 million via the Farming Innovation Programme to advance agricultural research and innovation.