Global Climate News

US-based Land Life has announced a partnership with the Colorado State Land Board to reforest up to 1,000 acres of wildfire-affected land in Colorado. This initiative will use private finance to generate carbon credits, which will be sold on the voluntary carbon market to support public schools. The project will focus on state trust lands in Grand, Huerfano, and Larimer counties, with tree planting set to begin in Fall 2025. The project aims to improve watershed health, wildlife habitat, and landscape resilience to climate-induced stressors.

US-based researcher Julie Bert runs a project at SRI’s Hardware Research and Technology Lab that uses microbes to sequester rare earth elements while also cleaning up mine tailings. This innovation addresses significant sustainability challenges by cleaning water and extracting essential rare earth elements used in batteries, electronics, and magnets. These elements are crucial for developing a more sustainable energy system that relies less on fossil fuels. This project aims to help future generations experience a world similar to today.

The Government of Togo has secured up to EUR 150 million in guarantee coverage from Société Générale of France for a short-term loan facility. This funding is aimed at supporting trade-related payments, particularly in the agriculture, electricity, and water distribution sectors. The project aligns with the Togo 2025 Government Roadmap and is designed to improve access to essential utility services and enhance food security. The financing will bolster the country’s resilience and contribute to sustainable fiscal management amid economic constraints.

Canada's federal and provincial collaboration with Prince Edward Island announced the launch of the Regional Energy and Resource Table in 2022, aimed at achieving net-zero status for the province. The initiative identifies three key areas to boost a low-carbon economy: clean electricity and energy storage, clean fuels, and clean technology innovation, with investments totaling $2.7 million into four specific projects. These projects include capacity building for Indigenous expertise in solar and battery storage, a transmission connection study, an energy management system for Holland College, and home energy labelling for all PEI homes.

The European Union published the 2025 European Aviation Environmental Report to provide insights into the aviation sector's environmental performance. This comprehensive report addresses actions taken for improving sustainability in aviation and offers recommendations for enhancing environmental protection. Key topics include sustainable aviation fuels, market-based measures, and international cooperation on climate impacts.

The European Scientific Advisory Board on Climate Change (ESABCC) has released a report titled "Scaling Up Carbon Dioxide Removals", recommending the establishment of legally binding targets for gross emission reductions, permanent and temporary carbon removals, and the development of robust monitoring and verification systems. The ESABCC advocates for increasing EU funding to at least €2.6 billion for carbon dioxide removal (CDR) innovation in the upcoming funding cycle. Furthermore, it emphasizes the need for better CO₂ transport and storage infrastructure as well as compliance markets for CDR, while encouraging stronger government procurement frameworks and responsibilities for current polluters.

US-based RMI has advocated for the use of its Optimus tool to design cost allocation solutions to enhance electricity affordability during a new era of load growth. As the U.S. faces increasing demand for electricity driven by home and vehicle electrification, RMI's research highlights that cost allocation strategies can help offset the expected rise in electricity bills due to new investments. The organization’s analysis reveals that average electricity costs may decrease by up to 15 percent by 2032, supporting accessibility for low- and moderate-income customers while promoting efficient electrification technologies.

US-based RMI has emphasized the need to correct the allowed return on equity (ROE) for utilities to facilitate a rapid transition to a clean energy future. In their findings, they suggest that moving the ROE closer to the cost of equity (COE) can save consumers billions in utility bills, potentially $4 billion annually for every 1% reduction in ROE. RMI's research indicates that allowed utility ROEs currently exceed investor required returns, which creates financial strain on consumers and hampers the affordability and pace of clean energy investments. Rebalancing these rates can lead to more competitive procurement of renewable resources, ultimately aiding in the climate objectives of the electric utility sector.

The inaugural Nature Finance Forum Europe took place in Paris, France, on April 28, 2025, as part of Climate Action's Road to COP30 Nature and Finance Series. It mobilized capital for nature-based investments and aligned financial markets with SDGs and climate commitments. The forum emphasized the integration of nature-based solutions across various sectors and highlighted new regulatory frameworks essential for growth in nature finance.

Taiwan-based 瑞儀光電 has invested over 13.3 billion in building R&D centers and cleanroom facilities to develop wafer-level optical components, incorporating AI smart manufacturing to enhance production efficiency. The company is also implementing energy-saving and carbon-reduction measures using green construction materials. This investment, expected to create around 480 jobs, aims to position 瑞儀光電 as a leader in optics solutions for displays, wearables, automotive, robotics, and biomedical applications.

The article discusses the significant growth in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investing from 2017 to 2022. This investment approach has gained traction due to the phasing out of fossil fuel subsidies and the demand for verified carbon credits, indicating a structural shift in the market. It notes that climate-conscious investors are not only driven by ethical concerns but are also tapping into a changing market landscape where consumers increasingly prefer brands focused on sustainability.

The Green Climate Fund (GCF) approved USD 686.8 million in climate finance for 11 projects in 42 countries to support vulnerable communities facing the climate crisis. New investments were announced for Serbia and Togo, targeting forest resilience and community climate adaptability. Co-chair Seyni Nafo emphasized the urgency of these funding proposals for developing nations. With these approvals, GCF's portfolio now totals USD 16.6 billion.

Wales-based Natural Resources Wales (NRW) collaborated with Adventure Tours UK to plant approximately 200 trees at the confluence of the River Ceiriog and Dee on February 20. This planting is part of the LIFE Dee River project, which has already established 20,000 trees across the catchment area. The initiative aims to enhance local biodiversity and support river health by stabilizing riverbanks, reducing erosion, and providing shade to cool water temperatures for cold-water species like salmon. Additionally, the newly planted trees will sequester carbon, contributing to the mitigation of climate change.

Various central banks have made significant progress in incorporating climate-related factors into their monetary policy operations. They have adjusted their operations to manage financial risks related to climate, including reducing exposure to carbon-intensive assets to support the transition to a low-carbon economy. The Network for Greening the Financial System (NGFS) reviewed and highlighted practical challenges and measures undertaken by central banks in their efforts to adapt operations to climate change. They have experimented with new measures, which include adjusting collateral requirements and asset purchases to favor climate-friendly assets.

The UK-based Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, met with major financial firms like Aviva, HSBC, and Schroders to emphasize the importance of sustainable sovereign debt financing. She co-hosted the launch of the London Coalition on Sustainable Sovereign Debt with EBRD President Odile Renaud-Basso, aiming to bring stakeholders together to facilitate innovative financing solutions in developing economies. The Coalition aims to promote transparent debt restructuring to help emerging markets meet their climate and development targets. The Chancellor highlighted that the National Wealth Fund could mobilize over £70 billion in private investment aimed at high-growth industries.

US-based Clean Fuels Alliance America joined 10 other national trade groups in urging EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin to establish robust, multiyear Renewable Fuel Standards (RFS) for 2026 and beyond. The organizations highlighted that strong RFS volumes are crucial for ensuring energy security and advancing agricultural interests. They emphasized that the standards should reflect ongoing investments in production capacities and the growing demand for clean energy across various sectors. This action also follows a lawsuit filed by Clean Fuels in December 2024 to compel the EPA to set a timeline for the RFS volumes.

The ICM Forum, established in 2021, has released a major report on Carbon Capture and Utilisation (CCU) that outlines the essential actions needed to unlock its full potential. The report emphasizes the need for regulatory simplifications, stronger carbon accounting frameworks under the EU ETS, and long-term policy adjustments to boost investment certainty. It advocates for the integration of CCU into existing policy frameworks and the establishment of financial and market mechanisms to ensure its adoption, demonstrating the collaborative effort required across multiple sectors to achieve climate goals.

Canada's Natural Resources Minister, in collaboration with provincial representatives, announced over $3.6 million in funding for six climate adaptation projects across Quebec on February 20, 2025. This funding aims to enhance community resilience to climate change impacts. Specific projects include economic analyses on wildfire adaptation in Laval receiving $750,000, and a resilience initiative in Gaspé Peninsula with $977,032 allocation. These initiatives are part of a broader $39.5 million government commitment to climate adaptation strategies.

Frank Elderson, a member of the ECB's Executive Board, highlighted the urgent need for central banks to integrate climate and nature risks into their financial systems. He emphasized that the current EU policies may lead to a 3.1°C warming by century’s end, far exceeding the 1.5°C climate target. Elderson drew attention to the economic risks inherent in biodiversity loss and stressed that banks must account for these risks to ensure financial stability. He reported that in the euro area, €3.24 trillion in corporate loans are associated with firms reliant on ecosystem services.

Canada's Natural Resources Canada announced over $3.6 million in funding for six climate adaptation projects in Quebec through the Climate Change Adaptation Program (CCAP) and Climate-Resilient Coastal Communities (CRCC) Program. This investment is part of a larger $39.5 million initiative to bolster community resilience against climate change impacts, including floods and wildfires. The government aims to support various sectors in developing tools and plans for adaptation, tackling both immediate and long-term climate risks.