Global Climate News

Researchers at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa initiated a dye tracer study at Red Hill, Oʻahu, in February 2025 to investigate groundwater flow. The approved method involved injecting a non-toxic fluorescent compound into a monitoring well to study its migration over the spring of 2025 as part of ongoing recovery efforts following prior jet fuel leaks. The team plans to monitor the water extraction and dye recovery effectiveness to ensure community drinking water safety.

US-based Idaho National Laboratory has developed the Sample Preparation Laboratory (SPL), the first new hot cells built in 50 years, to test structural materials for advanced nuclear reactors. SPL aims to cut down irradiated material samples for research and testing in various extreme conditions. The facility is scheduled to go 'hot' in January 2026, with installations and tests of scientific equipment occurring through 2025. This initiative is expected to play a critical role in exploring material properties for sustainable nuclear energy solutions.

Canada's federal government has invested over $4 million in five local food initiatives in the Northwest Territories to enhance food security and encourage self-reliance among communities. This funding, announced by MP Michael McLeod at the Territorial Agrifood Conference, supports projects like production facilities and food processing plants. The goal is to create jobs and promote culturally relevant food systems while reducing the reliance on food from southern Canada.

Abu Dhabi's Integrated Transport Centre has partnered with GIGATONS to advance net-zero e-mobility solutions in the emirate. This collaboration focuses on developing sustainable, smart, zero-emission electronic mobility systems. The partnership will utilize the latest technologies in electric vehicles and ensure the implementation of efficient charging infrastructure. Initial projects will include multi-modal charging stations for electric cars and taxis, with a focus on reducing carbon emissions and promoting clean energy in transport.

Canada’s federal government invested $10 million in the new Sydney Curling Club facility through the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings (GICB) program. The new facility, set to replace the current one on George Street, will increase capacity by 50% and will feature energy-efficient constructions. This investment aligns with Canada's Strengthened Climate Plan, aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing resilience to climate change.

US-based Vinton Steel, a subsidiary of Kyoei Steel LTD, announced an expansion project in El Paso County. The company committed to investing over $229 million to create more than 180 new jobs in their facility, which recycles ferrous scrap into steel products. Governor Greg Abbott highlighted the significance of this investment, emphasizing the importance of sustainability in advanced manufacturing. The expansion, supported by a Texas Enterprise Fund grant of $1,504,000, aims to enhance the region's economic resilience and sustainable innovation.

Kajiado County has implemented new building restrictions aimed at curbing unplanned growth following a Memorandum of Engagement signed between the Kajiado County Alliance of Residents Associations (K-CARA) and the County Government. All development applications are now required to obtain a No Objection Letter from residents' associations to ensure compliance with community needs and planning policies. This transformative policy promotes sustainable spatial planning and enforces zoning regulations, representing a significant shift in how developments will be managed.

India's Inland Waterways Authority (IWAI) has commissioned a feasibility study for the Urban Water Transport System across 17 cities. The initiative, led by Kochi Metro Rail Limited, aims to create a sustainable urban transport system by utilizing waterways—promoting energy-efficient electric ferries and modernized terminals. The selected cities include Ayodhya, Kolkata, Varanasi, and others, with a focus on leveraging existing navigable waterways to connect municipalities and promote tourism and regional economic growth.

Côte d'Ivoire authorities must compensate 133 farmers, their employees, and families for losses after forced evictions in Abidjan on February 21, 2024. The evictions removed farms and fishponds belonging to the Agro-Past Eburny association without prior notice, destroying livelihoods. Compensation for losses is estimated at 650 million FCFA, or 1 million euros, but so far, no payments have been made despite commitments from the government. The evictions have left over 300 families in poverty, with many unable to pay for education and health needs.

India and Japan have established a strong partnership emphasizing economic cooperation and sustainable development. The Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal, highlighted the collaboration in green energy and manufacturing during the India-Japan Economy and Investment Forum. The partnership aims to bolster manufacturing's share of GDP to 25%, and focuses on renewable energy and high-tech sectors. With Japan's aid, India pursues initiatives in digital technologies and sustainable practices, fostering an innovative environment.

Norway's Norwegian Offshore Directorate upgraded its FactMaps, enhancing accessibility and integrating third-party data from various players, including the UKCS/ENS. This improvement introduces new functionalities such as predefined filters for easier data visualization. The old FactMaps will remain accessible until May 2025, ensuring a smooth transition to the upgraded system.

Sweden's gas sector is looking for clearer guidelines regarding the proposed gas transmission tariff. The ACER (Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators) emphasized the importance of transparency in the tariff setting process to ensure the sustainability and reliability of gas transmission in the region.

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.

US-based Pew Charitable Trusts and Gensler co-authored research that identified local rules requiring operable apartment windows as barriers to addressing housing affordability and homelessness. By removing this outdated rule, new affordable housing options can be constructed in cities, allowing developers to offer rents approximately half of current median prices—$750 in Minneapolis, $850 in Denver, and $1,000 in Seattle. This model revitalizes downtowns, supports various resident demographics, and makes better use of public funds for housing subsidies.

South Africa's Cabinet approved the submission of the Protocol on Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) in the Western Indian Ocean to Parliament. The Nairobi Convention promotes sustainable biodiversity management and enhances resilience to climate change impacts. This protocol offers opportunities for South Africa to enhance its capacity for climate change mitigation. The adoption was made official on 12 September 2023.

Cyprus-based University of Cyprus, supported by Imperial College, has developed innovative smart systems to monitor and manage electricity and water networks. This initiative, aimed at creating resilient critical infrastructure, is part of the Horizon 2020 Teaming programme. Researchers identified the fragmentation of data from water operators and developed a custom-designed geographical information system called Oceanos to integrate and analyze this data. The Oceanos Digital Twin, which offers tools for simulating the water network, is now being used for effective day-to-day management of over 1300km of water pipes in Limassol, while smart monitoring systems for electricity have similarly enhanced grid operations.

The Water Resources Agency of Taiwan has taken proactive measures to enhance its water resource infrastructure to ensure water resilience amid climate change. A report highlighted potential water shortages due to drought impacting the advanced semiconductor industry. In response, the agency has strengthened its supply resilience, with an existing surplus of 679,000 tons of water per day across Taiwan. It has partnered with local governments to promote the construction of 16 recycled water plants, producing 634,000 tons of treated water daily, supporting the industry's green energy needs and ensuring a balanced water supply for public and agricultural use.

Norwegian SINTEF has been developing advanced models since the 1980s to simulate cable properties in complex marine environments. These dynamic underwater cables are crucial for transporting energy from floating installations like offshore wind turbines to static seabed cables, essential for Europe’s planned 6,000 km of underwater power cables annually. This transition to renewable energy marks a significant shift from previous oil and gas industry investments, optimizing design and manufacturing processes to reduce costs.

Abu Dhabi Airports has completed a comprehensive rehabilitation project at Sir Bani Yas Airport to enhance tourism infrastructure in the Al Dhafra Region. The upgrades involved extensive reconstruction of runway, taxiways, and apron pavements to improve safety and operational efficiency. The airport now features a high-performance LED Airfield Ground Lighting system as part of the sustainability initiatives. This project supports eco-tourism and the country's vision for sustainable growth in the region, making it more accessible for visitors.

US-based Cornell University has launched the HelioSkin project, a bio-inspired solar collection initiative, receiving $650,000 in phase I funding from the National Science Foundation’s Convergence Accelerator program. The project aims to blend photovoltaics with innovative design and materials, targeting a new solar skin product that can be utilized in various architectural settings. The team, including members from multiple disciplines, is working on developing a mechanically tracking solar-collection skin projected to support commercial endeavors in the future.