Daily Digest for

This preprint announces the development of a machine learning framework to estimate annual Scope 1 and 2 CO2-equivalent emissions for subnational jurisdictions in G20 countries from 2000 to 2020.

• The model integrates geospatial, socioeconomic, and environmental data with self-reported emissions inventories, aligned with subnational administrative boundaries, improving spatial relevance and predictive accuracy (R2=0.77, MAPE=38.57%).
• The dataset covers 5,972 cities and 116 regions in G20 countries, leveraging multiple data sources and advanced AutoML techniques (AutoGluon), and aims to provide a globally consistent baseline for assessing subnational climate progress, especially where data are scarce or inconsistent.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued a 140-page advisory opinion on July 23, 2025, declaring climate change a universal threat and affirming states’ duty to reduce emissions and adapt to climate change, framing a clean environment as a human right.

• Key rulings include: Germany’s 2021 Federal Constitutional Court decision recognizing climate protection as constitutional; the 2019 Urgenda case in the Netherlands mandating emission reductions; the 2024 European Court of Human Rights ruling favoring Swiss Climate Seniors on human rights grounds; and the 2025 Inter-American Court of Human Rights advisory opinion declaring climate protection a mandatory right under international law.
• Ongoing litigation: Cases against companies like RWE and Shell highlight challenges in proving liability; climate litigation against states generally has higher success rates. The ICJ opinion and other court decisions shape international climate law but lack binding force, emphasizing the judiciary’s role in setting legal frameworks while political action remains essential.

The New Zealand government has reported progress on the Fast-track Approvals system, designed to expedite infrastructure and development projects.

• Over 50 projects have applied since the system opened on 7 February 2024, with eight projects currently before expert panels and decisions expected by mid-September 2024.
• The Infrastructure Minister has referred seven additional projects into the Fast-track process, including developments involving an artificial intelligence data centre and renewable energy projects, with 16 more applications under consideration.

The Department of Energy’s Manufacturing Demonstration Facility at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, in partnership with Kairos Power and Barnard Construction, has developed and validated large-scale 3D-printed polymer composite forms for casting complex concrete structures for nuclear infrastructure.

• 3D-printed forms enable rapid, precise cast-in-place construction of complex nuclear reactor shielding components, reducing timelines from weeks to days and lowering costs compared to traditional steel or wood forms.
• The project is part of the SM2ART Moonshot Project, funded by DOE’s Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies Office, aiming to modernize nuclear construction with additive manufacturing, AI, and digital tools, supporting Kairos Power’s Hermes reactor construction and future commercial plants.

The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) has launched the Abu Dhabi Climate Change Adaptation Plan for the Environment Sector (2025–2050), a science-based roadmap to protect natural resources from climate change impacts.

• The plan focuses on groundwater, soil, and biodiversity, identifying 142 adaptation actions including 86 high-priority projects for the next five years.
• It aligns with UAE national strategies and COP28 commitments, and is part of a broader emirate-wide adaptation strategy including upcoming plans for energy, health, and infrastructure sectors.

The UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has announced that the Sizewell C nuclear power project will be financed using the nuclear Regulated Asset Base (RAB) funding model.

• The RAB funding model will be regulated by Ofgem, the UK’s independent energy regulator.
• Revenue collection will be managed by the Low Carbon Contracts Company, which acts as the counterparty for revenue contracts under the nuclear RAB model.

Aéroports de Lyon has launched a full-scale trial of a hydrogen-powered Toyota Hilux pickup to assess its suitability for airport airside operations.

• The week-long test started on July 15, focusing on durability, refueling logistics, and operational integration.
• This trial follows the June 30 opening of a Hympulsion hydrogen station near Lyon–Saint-Exupéry Airport, supported by the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region, to fuel hydrogen vehicles and future airport fleets.

The UN Secretary-General António Guterres declared the fossil fuel era is nearing its end and urged nations to submit ambitious new climate plans before the COP30 summit in Brazil.

• $2 trillion invested in clean energy last year, surpassing fossil fuels by $800 billion; solar power is now 41% cheaper and offshore wind 53% cheaper than fossil fuels.
• Calls for G20 nations to align national climate plans with the 1.5°C Paris Agreement target, doubling energy efficiency and tripling renewables capacity by 2030; highlights financing gaps especially in Africa and urges reform of global finance and debt relief.

The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan and the Ministry of Energy of Thailand held the 7th Japan-Thailand Energy Policy Dialogue in Pattaya, Thailand.

• Three Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) on decarbonization cooperation were welcomed, including agreements involving JBIC, Tokyo Century, TISCO Tokyo Leasing, PTT Public Company Limited, JERA, Banpu NEXT, and Asuene.
• A visit to PTT’s LNG facility in Rayong Province was conducted to inspect LNG receiving, storage, gasification, supply systems, and greenhouse gas reduction systems, followed by discussions on decarbonization efforts at the facility.

The UK Government has announced the Blue Belt Programme to support UK Overseas Territories in marine conservation and sustainable management.

• The Programme focuses on protecting biodiversity, strengthening governance, managing human impacts, enforcement, capacity building, and ocean literacy, covering over 4.4 million square kilometres of marine environment.
• Funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office from 2022 to 2025, it includes sub-programmes like the Blue Belt Ocean Shield for maritime domain awareness and the Global Ocean Wildlife Analysis Network for biodiversity monitoring.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) conducted a follow-up Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review (INIR) mission in July 2025 to assess Sri Lanka’s progress in developing nuclear power infrastructure.

• Sri Lanka has identified five candidate sites for a nuclear power plant, established a management structure for reactor procurement, drafted nuclear law, and included nuclear power in its 2025-2044 energy plan.
• The INIR mission team included experts from Bulgaria and Türkiye; Sri Lanka hosted workshops and SEED missions to review site selection and infrastructure readiness.

The United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) has announced the commissioning of two advanced additive manufacturing (3D printing) machines at its Central Support Facility to produce specialized components for future fusion power plants.

• Two complementary 3D printing technologies have been deployed: an electron beam powder bed fusion machine (eMELT by Freemelt) for tungsten components and a selective laser manufacturing machine (SLM280 by Nikon SLM Solutions) for complex geometries and material combinations.
• These machines aim to produce plasma-facing components capable of withstanding extreme fusion conditions, reduce reliance on traditional welding, and demonstrate scalable production methods essential for commercial fusion energy development.

Standard Chartered has released its 2025 Sustainable Banking Report, revealing strong interest in transition investing among high-net-worth individuals across eight Asian and Middle Eastern markets.

• 87% of surveyed high-net-worth investors expressed interest in transition investing, with top themes including green hydrogen (49%), low-emission fuels (47%), and carbon capture and storage (45%).
• Key barriers identified were perception of higher risks (50%), lack of benchmarks (46%), and perception of low returns (44%); only 15% of investors could fully define transition investing, prompting Standard Chartered to launch a Transition Investing Guide.