Global Climate News

US-based Algaeo, founded by Nick Sokol, has developed a technology to produce organic fertilizers from microalgae. This reduces reliance on petroleum-based synthetic fertilizers, decreasing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Algaeo is part of the Innovation Crossroads program at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, utilizing ORNL resources to optimize its fertilizer production.

Wales-based green energy firm Haush has opened a new green hydrogen production facility in Pembroke Dock. By 2026, it will produce 5,000 kg of green hydrogen daily, increasing to 25,000 kg by 2028. The company is also investing in training programs to develop a skilled workforce for the green energy sector. The project received support from the Welsh Government.

India's Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports organized the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue from January 10-12, 2025. One of the ten identified themes was \"Steering India Towards a Sustainable Future.\" 3000 young leaders presented innovative solutions for a developed India to policymakers and the Prime Minister.

India invited around 10,000 special guests to witness the 76th Republic Day Parade. The guests included representatives from various government schemes focusing on renewable energy (PM Surya Ghar Yojna, PM KUSUM), agriculture (Agriculture Infrastructure Fund, Rashtriya Gokul Mission), and rural development (PM-VISHWAKARMA yojana, OM Matasya Sampada Yojana). Disaster relief workers, Pani Samiti, Water Warriors, and environmental conservation volunteers were also invited.

\"India and the Middle East-based sentra.world, a sustainability integration company, has partnered with over 30 steel companies to help them decarbonize. They offer digital solutions for CO2 emissions measurement, reporting aligned with standards like CBAM and ISO, and net-zero target achievement. They also facilitate carbon credit monetization and ESG metric management.\"

Norway-based Cemit, a rail tech company, has developed technology using sensors and AI to increase train efficiency and reduce maintenance costs. They secured funding from Nordea with a guarantee from the European Investment Fund (EIF), aiming for a NOK 500m turnover and 300 employees by 2025. Their technology improves punctuality, efficiency, and reliability, contributing to the green transformation of the railway industry.

India's Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) launched several key knowledge products to drive urban transformation, including the Urban Learnathon 2.0, NULP 4.0, and a discussion paper on \"Pathways for Mainstreaming Urban Climate Action.\" The initiatives aim to build institutional capacity for sustainable urban governance and empower urban officials for digital governance, focusing on citizen-centric approaches and resilient, inclusive, and sustainable urban futures.

Encube, a company founded by Hugo Nordell, offers an AI-powered platform to streamline the manufacturing process, reducing time-to-market by 20-50% and potentially lowering cost per part. The platform tackles challenges like talent scarcity and sustainability targets by using AI for tasks such as manufacturability analysis and manufacturing process simulation.

Norwegian Invertapro, with support from Nordea, produces larvae for sustainable protein sources, aiming for 70 tonnes per week by 2025. Larvae require significantly less feed, water, and land, and produce far less CO2 than traditional protein sources like beef. The company focuses on aquaculture, aiming to increase Norway's food security.

Canadian companies Deep Sky and Low Carbon have announced a power purchase agreement, signifying a partnership between carbon removal and clean energy industries. This collaboration is expected to attract further investment and job creation in regions that support such initiatives. The Pembina Institute highlights the potential for growth in this sector.

Finnish company Tracegrow has developed a technology to produce agricultural fertilizer from battery waste. In 2021, Taaleri invested €1.5 million. The company's technology is scalable and aims for global expansion, aligning with EU circular economy goals.

US-based Elaphe unveiled its high-performance in-wheel motor, Sonic.1, at CES 2025. Sonic.1 offers 272 horsepower per wheel (347 HP peak) and is compatible with high-performance brakes. Italdesign showcased the motor on its Quintessenza concept car, highlighting its potential for sustainable, high-performance vehicles.

"Denmark-based Technical University of Denmark (DTU) launched a new initiative called BRIGHT, supported by Novo Nordisk Foundation with up to DKK 1.05 billion (€134.1 million) over seven years. BRIGHT focuses on sustainable materials, microbial foods, and microorganisms for net-zero agriculture to create bio-based solutions and reduce greenhouse gas emissions."

"French-based CARBIOS has postponed the completion of its PET biorecycling plant in Longlaville by 6 to 9 months due to delayed non-dilutive funding. The company has secured €30 million from France 2030 and a pledge of €12.5 million from the Grand Est region. CARBIOS also applied for an €86 million loan from the French state under the Strategic Projects Guarantee (GPS) program and is in discussions with Indorama Ventures and other private and public investors for additional funding. The company expects to sign several substantial licensing agreements in the first half of 2025."

Taiwan's National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) led 72 Taiwanese tech startups to participate in CES 2025, showcasing AI applications in five areas: Artificial Intelligence, Digital Health, Smart Cities, Sustainability, and Advanced Mobility. The event aimed to attract international talent and business opportunities.

Australian company Vaulta is leading innovations in integrating new battery chemistries like sodium and aluminum batteries into real-world applications. They are also focusing on second-life battery usage, sustainable energy solutions for neighboring islands, and AI integration for energy management and IoT functionality.

Norwegian startup Carrot (formerly WasteIQ) has developed technology solutions to help renovation companies, shopping centers, and housing associations manage waste sustainably and profitably, contributing to a circular economy.

Norwegian waste management company BIR, with support from Nordea, co-founded Carrot, a waste management tech startup. Carrot's pay-as-you-throw system reduced residual waste by 9% and increased sorting rates in Bergen. Norselab invested NOK 30 million for nearly 30% of Carrot's shares, highlighting Carrot's sustainability and digitalisation.

Swedish investment company Kinnevik has highlighted the growing focus among consumers on sustainability, impacting its investment decisions in digital consumer sectors like food and healthcare. The company also emphasizes the positive sustainability impact of e-commerce, citing reduced waste from centralized warehouses compared to physical stores.

Finland-based Kåska Drinks, a low-alcohol spirits company, focuses on eco-friendly practices such as using less glass in bottles, biodegradable packaging, and concentrated spirits to reduce transportation needs. They also support social causes, allocating 15% of their initial product's sales margin to organizations combating loneliness and social isolation. The company plans to expand B2B and event sales and build a production facility and experience center.