Global Climate News

The Government of India has announced a 16-fold increase in the bio-economy from $10 Billion in 2014 to $165.7 Billion in 2024. This growth highlights the government's commitment to biotechnology as a key economic growth driver. The BioSaarthi initiative has been launched to mentor biotech startups over a six-month period. The BIO-E3 Policy has also been approved to integrate biotechnology with economic development and environmental emphasis. As of 2024, the biotechnology sector contributes 4.25% to India's overall GDP and has seen a significant rise in startups from 50 to over 10,075 in a decade.

The United Kingdom hosted over 25 delegates from all ten ASEAN Member States and the ASEAN Secretariat from March 18 to 20, 2025, for a regional training and workshop on Engineering Biology Chapter II. This initiative focused on aligning regulatory frameworks, technical standards, and innovation pathways between the UK and ASEAN. UK Ambassador to ASEAN, Sarah Tiffin, highlighted engineering biology as crucial for economic growth and sustainable development. Additionally, the ASEAN bioeconomy, which employs over 8% of the global workforce, is expected to grow significantly, underscoring the importance of integrating engineering biology into regional strategies.

Research study introduces a new method to convert 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) into 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) using a tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP)/water system catalyzed by Au/CeO₂. The method allows for rapid synthesis of FDCA within 30 seconds at 90°C, achieving 95% selectivity and full conversion. Adjusting the base concentration in the aqueous medium governs reaction rate and catalyst stability, demonstrating effective control in the conversion process.

The Government of Canada announced a $2.7 million investment through the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings fund in London, Ontario. Up to $2.1 million will be directed to ReForest London to transform a 1940s Veterans facility into an energy-efficient, solar-powered community forestry centre. This initiative aims to combat climate change through tree planting and nature-based solutions. Additionally, $600,000 will be allocated to the London Optimist Sports Centre for retrofitting windows and updating HVAC systems to enhance energy efficiency and reduce environmental impact.

The Government of Canada announced a $5 million non-repayable contribution to Neptune BioInnovation Inc. for setting up a multi-user bio-innovation hub in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. This facility will transform an underutilized space into a center for bioprocessing manufacturing and clean technologies. It aims to foster advancements in biotechnology, including smart materials and bioplastics, thereby driving the region's sustainable development goals. The facility is expected to contribute to local job creation and strengthen the domestic supply chain.

Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh and Bill Gates met to discuss enhancing biotechnology collaboration in India. They focused on the role of startups and private sector investment in bio-manufacturing. Dr. Singh highlighted that over 10,000 biotech startups are now operational, with 70% dedicated to medical biotech. The conversation included potential direct investments by Gates into Indian biotech through Gift City, aimed at advancing India's position in biotechnology and global health.

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.

Clean Fuels Alliance America expressed its support for the USDA's Technical Guidelines for Climate-Smart Agriculture Crops Used as Biofuel Feedstocks Interim Rule. The organization recommends that the USDA incorporates intermediate oilseed crops like winter canola as a conservation crop rotation practice. They believe this incorporation could offer farmers new market opportunities. Clean Fuels also calls for updates to the USDA model, suggesting the addition of crops such as canola, carinata, domesticated pennycress, and camelina to enhance biofuel production. The group emphasizes the economic benefits for U.S. farmers through the promotion of conservation practices.

The research team prepared 4-(azidomethyl)-cyclopentenones from AMF derivatives, which were derived from biobased CMF. The transformation involved the Piancatelli rearrangement catalyzed by Dy(OTf)3 under microwave activation. Notably, these cyclopentenones exhibited significant cytotoxicity against HCT116 and HL60 cancer cell lines with low IC50 values, indicating potential implications in cancer treatment.

Research has demonstrated that food-industry waste can serve as a resource for producing bioplastics. The flexible chemical process leverages keratin derived from animal feathers, enabling the transformation of this abundant waste into valuable plastic materials. This innovation presents a sustainable alternative to conventional plastics, highlighting opportunities for reducing waste in the food industry while promoting eco-friendly materials.

McKinsey has reported on the fashion industry’s efforts to mitigate Tier 2 emissions, which account for 45 to 70 percent of a brand’s Scope 3 emissions. The article highlights six actionable strategies that fashion brands can implement immediately and in the long term to greatly reduce these emissions during fabric production. The analysis points out that working closely with Tier 2 suppliers, introducing technical decarbonization methods, and providing incentives can lead to substantial reductions in emissions. The report details significant potential cost savings associated with these strategies, emphasizing the importance of supplier relationships and data-driven decision-making in achieving sustainability goals by 2030.

Researchers from the State Key Laboratory of Bio-based Fiber Materials, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, have developed a magnetic catalyst for converting 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) to 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA). This process, which operates under mild conditions at 60 °C, achieved a 100% conversion of HMF with a 98.5% yield of FDCA. The catalyst showed exceptional cycling stability, maintaining above 93% yield after 30 cycles. This innovative method presents a potential sustainable alternative for producing biodegradable plastics, thus contributing to the field of renewable materials.

The recent article emphasized the significant advancements in photocatalyst-free C‒N bond formations, highlighting innovative approaches that utilize light without traditional photocatalysts. These sustainable strategies reflect ongoing progress in chemical synthesis, offering novel pathways for environmentally friendly reactions.

The meeting between India and Cuba on March 17, 2025, highlighted their commitment to collaborating in biotechnology and biomanufacturing. India’s Union Minister of State Dr. Jitendra Singh spearheaded discussions focusing on sustainable biomanufacturing and vaccine development. India’s Department of Biotechnology emphasized its initiatives, such as the BioE3 Policy, which aims to enhance the bioeconomy, contributing significantly to the GDP. Cuba's Deputy Prime Minister invited Dr. Singh to Bio-Habana 2026, aiming to strengthen bilateral ties in health and traditional medicine research.

The UK Parliament introduced the Planning and Infrastructure Bill on 11 March 2025, aimed at supporting the Government’s Growth Mission. The Bill seeks to streamline planning processes to facilitate the construction of 1.5 million new homes, boost economic growth, and reinforce Britain’s commitment to becoming a clean energy superpower. It includes provisions for the expedited delivery of clean energy infrastructure as part of the Clean Power 2030 mission, alongside introducing environmental delivery plans and the Nature Restoration Fund.

Researchers at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology genetically engineered _Escherichia coli_ to produce a nylon-like bioplastic called poly(ester amide) (PEA). This plastic addresses the critical issue of non-degradable, petroleum-based plastic waste, estimated at 400 million tonnes produced globally each year. Uluu, a company in Australia, emphasizes the potential of using biology for environmental solutions. The breakthrough allows the production of biodegradable plastics that could mitigate environmental impact and contamination from plastics.

Bioenergy Europe has joined a coalition of 33 organizations to support the EU Green Claims Directive, which aims to establish clearer rules for carbon dioxide removal (CDR) and credible climate claims. The coalition emphasizes the importance of enabling businesses to invest in CDR before achieving net-zero. Their priorities include applying the Like-for-Like principle for offsetting fossil fuel emissions with permanent removals and ensuring that only high-quality carbon removal credits are used in compensation claims. This well-balanced directive aims to combat greenwashing while fostering the development of a €220 billion carbon removal industry.

The Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy (ATB) has celebrated the groundbreaking of the Leibniz Innovation Center for Sustainable Bioeconomy (InnoHof). This project is supported by Brandenburg with a funding of 25 million euros, of which 14.5 million euros are allocated for the construction of a new complex on the Groß Kreutz campus. The facility will include a plant fiber technology center, laboratories, offices, and seminar rooms. The construction is set to be completed by 2026, with the official laying of the foundation stone planned for May 5, 2025.

The study explores the conversion of cellulose to the biofuel additive ethyl levulinate (EL) using a newly synthesized Brønsted-Lewis acidic ionic liquid (BLAIL) [SMIM][ZnCl3]. It compares the catalytic performances of three ionic liquids (ILs). The highest EL yield of 23.53 wt% was reported under conditions of 180 °C for 6 hours with 0.6 g cellulose and 2 g of 2:1 [SMIM][ZnCl3]. It also showed potential for glucose conversion yielding 33.98 wt% EL under the same conditions. These findings suggest effective approaches to mitigate climate change through biomass conversion.

The article discusses the potential of fermentation technology in transforming food production. Key players like Impossible Foods and Quorn have been investing in novel proteins to address the challenges posed by traditional agriculture. The industry is projected to require over $250 billion in investment by 2050 to scale up capacity and improve production processes. Notably, the Oman Investment Authority is partnering with MycoTechnology to leverage waste dates into mycelium proteins, highlighting a trend toward innovative partnerships in sustainable food production.