Global Climate News

The federal government is investing in retrofits and energy upgrades for the Canora Community League building in Edmonton through the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings (GICB) program. - **Main announcement/action:** The Government of Canada is investing **$679,513** (GICB) to support retrofit works at the Canora Community League hall in Edmonton, including **improved insulation**, **solar features**, **geo-thermal heating**, widened entryway, upgraded bathrooms, new flooring, improved signage, and other **climate resilience enhancements**; the Canora Community League is contributing **$169,533**. - **Background and additional details:** These enhancements are expected to **reduce energy consumption by an estimated 100%** and cut **greenhouse gas emissions by 50.6 tonnes annually**; the GICB program launched in 2021 with an initial **$1.5 billion** over five years and Budget 2024 added **$500 million** to support projects through 2029; at least **10% of GICB funding** is allocated to projects serving First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities.

PackUK has published a package of support materials to help producers complete Recyclability Assessment Methodology (RAM) assessments. - **Main announcement / resources:** PackUK published a RAM support package including **RAM one page material guidance notes** (infographic-style cards by material type, plus a **colourblind-friendly version**) and **RAM Supplementary guidance** (technical specifications, testing, compliance, stages of recyclability). The supplementary guidance is **available on GOV.UK** and the infographic cards are available via the Defra Collection and Packaging Reform links provided. - **Background and timeline details:** PackUK has **moved the RAM update cycle from October to July**, meaning **the next RAM update will be published in July 2026** and **will apply to packaging supplied in 2027**; the RAM naming convention will align with the year of applicability (next called **RAM 2027**); there will be a **'stand still' on changes for 2025 and 2026 reporting years**; PackUK will publish a **Roadmap of future RAM changes in October**.

The African Energy Week (AEW) announced that Invictus Energy will lead the Invest in Zimbabwe Energies Closed Door Summit, hosted by the Government of Zimbabwe, at AEW: Invest in African Energies in Cape Town (Sept 29–Oct 3, 2025). - **Main announcement/action:** Invictus Energy will lead the **Invest in Zimbabwe Energies Closed Door Summit** (hosted by the Government of Zimbabwe) during **AEW: Invest in African Energies (Sept 29–Oct 3, 2025, Cape Town)** to showcase opportunities across **gas, mining and energy**; Invictus has **green light in 2025 to begin pilot production**, including supplying gas to the **Eureka Gold Mine**, and is preparing to drill **Musuma-1 in H2 2025** (Musuma-1 targets **up to 1.2 trillion cubic feet** of gas). - Event sub-details: **Date:** Sept 29–Oct 3, 2025; **Location:** Cape Town, South Africa; **Agenda/subject:** Invest in Zimbabwe Energies Closed Door Summit — gas exploration & production, mining investment, cross-sector gas utilization. - **Background and additional details:** The Government of Zimbabwe holds a **Petroleum Production Sharing Agreement** with Invictus and has granted **National Project Status** to the **Cabora Bassa Project**; in **August 2025** Invictus signed a deal with **Al Mansour Holdings (AMH)** for AMH to acquire **19.9%** of Invictus and **mobilize up to $500 million** in conditional future financing to support exploration; Zimbabwe expects **coal production to rise 10.5% to 6.3 million tons in 2025** and has multiple hydropower projects (Lake Mutirikwi, Batoka Gorge, Osborne Dam Mini-Hydro).

The Ministry of Environment and National Cheng Kung University co-hosted the “Net-zero Technology Strategy × Industrial Sustainability Summit” on September 26 at NCKU’s Gezhiy Hall, convening industry, government, academic, and research leaders to discuss concrete policy and technology solutions for industrial low-carbon transition. - **Main announcement/action:** The Ministry of Environment (Minister Peng Chih-ming present) and National Cheng Kung University **co-hosted the summit on 26 September** at **NCKU Gezhiy Hall**, focusing on supporting industry decarbonization through policy, funding, and technology; the Ministry stated **Taiwan's carbon pricing system began this year (Year 114)** and **~90% of obligated entities submitted voluntary reduction plans** to seek preferential rates. - **Background and details:** - **Event details:** Date: **September 26**; Time: **not specified in article**; Location: **NCKU (Gezhiy Hall)**; Agenda/subject: three themed sessions — 1) **Taiwan industry transition opportunities under global green competition** (speakers included China Steel, ITRI, Prof. Chen Zhi-yong from NCKU), 2) **Building low-carbon materials for semiconductor industry** (participants included China Steel, CPC, Formosa Petrochemical, Sheng Yi Chemical), 3) **Urban mining and strategic metals planning** (participants included Taiwan Jingcai, Lianyou Metals, Epoxy Technology, GreenRise International). The Ministry said **carbon pricing revenues will be used to support industrial low-carbon transitions**, and reiterated the **2030 emissions reduction target of 28 ± 2%**.

The Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Agriculture jointly signed an MOU with National Pingtung University of Science and Technology to establish a campus-based demonstration center for sustainable energy and climate change. - **Main announcement/action:** On 114-09-26 (Minguo calendar), the **Ministry of Environment**, **Ministry of Agriculture**, and **National Pingtung University of Science and Technology** signed an **MOU** (witnessed by Legislators 鍾佳濱 and 蘇清泉 and the **Pingtung County Government**) to build the "Sustainable Energy and Climate Change Demonstration Center" on **about 300 hectares** of campus land; agreed activities include **waste collection**, **energy conversion (biomass-to-energy)**, and **resource reuse** to create a circular economy pilot on-site. - **Background and implementation details:** The project will leverage Pingtung’s agricultural scale to pilot a **Taiwan biomass energy model**, develop **natural carbon sink and carbon capture technologies**, and offer professional training courses to cultivate **green-collar talent**; the MOU sets collaboration scope (research, demonstration, replication) but **no specific multi-year implementation timeline** is specified in the announcement.

BRGM has released a series of films illustrating applications of 3D subsurface modelling, produced with the help of l’Esprit Sorcier and published via BRGM's YouTube channel. - **Main announcement:** BRGM released a video series (produced with **l’Esprit Sorcier**) that demonstrates how the organisation uses **3D subsurface modelling** and software to address concrete problems across **groundwater resources**, **geothermal energy**, **mineral resources**, and **risk management**; films are available on BRGM's YouTube channel. - **Background and examples:** The North-Aquitaine model **MONA** has existed since the **1990s** and is described as the product of **30 years of research** to better understand **aquifer recharge**; example films listed include: **water in Nouvelle-Aquitaine**, **geothermal in Orléans**, **French tungsten**, and the **Le Teil earthquake** case.

Zimbabwe’s Deputy Minister of Mines and Mining Development Polite Kambamura has confirmed his participation as a speaker at African Mining Week (AMW) 2025. - **Main announcement:** Deputy Minister Polite Kambamura will speak at **African Mining Week (AMW) 2025**, using the platform to highlight **sector reforms**, **investment opportunities** and a downstream **beneficiation drive**; key factual metrics include **mineral exports up 27% year-on-year (H1 2025)**, **full-year mining revenues projected at $6.2-$6.5 billion**, **more than $1 billion in Chinese investment** in lithium development, **lithium concentrate exports up 30% (H1 2025)**, and **capital expenditure projected at $600 million** for the year. - **Background and project details:** The article reports recent policy and project developments including the **gazetting of a new Mines and Minerals Bill**, the **launch of a digital mining cadaster system**, upgraded processing facilities at **Bikita** and **Sandawana**, Tharisa’s **Karo Platinum Mine set for 2025 commissioning**, and Zimplats’ **Mupani mine targeting 2.2 million tons annually**. - Event details (AMW 2025): - Date: **October 1-3, 2025** - Location: **Cape Town, South Africa** - Agenda/subject: **Mining investment and policy dialogue**, held alongside **African Energy Week: Invest in African Energies 2025**

President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the establishment of a South Africa-US Trade and Investment Forum; its inaugural session will take place next year in South Africa alongside the South Africa Investment Conference. - **Main announcement/action:** **Establishment of a South Africa-US Trade and Investment Forum** with inaugural session **next year in South Africa**, intended to provide structure and continuity for addressing trade obstacles and pursuing investment opportunities. The speech also called for support to renew **AGOA (African Growth and Opportunity Act)**, which **expires later this month**, and noted **more than 600 US companies** already operate in South Africa. - **Background and details:** The address highlighted specific sectors for US investment and collaboration: **renewable energy projects**, **green hydrogen economy**, **digital infrastructure**, **advanced manufacturing** (including **automotives/EV and battery production**), **agro-processing and high-value food production**, **pharmaceuticals and healthcare manufacturing**, and **aerospace and defence**. It referenced the **African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)** as a market of **1.4 billion people**, and mentioned continuity of priorities from **B20** including the **green economy**, **SME support**, and the **digital transition**.

Ministry of Mines publishes an archive of press releases covering initiatives on critical minerals, auctions, MoUs, workshops, and campaigns from 2023–2025. - **Main announcement / scope:** The Ministry of Mines has compiled press releases documenting **auctions of critical & strategic mineral blocks (multiple tranches, including first-ever offshore auction)**, the launch and details of the **National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) with an outlay of Rs.34,300 crore over seven years**, and a **Cabinet-approved Rs.1,500 crore incentive scheme** for critical mineral recycling; entries span formal **MoUs, seminars, roadshows, and hackathons** held between 2023 and 2025. - **Background & supporting details:** Archive entries record **MoUs and cooperation** (e.g., with the IEA on critical minerals, GSI-CNR-IRPI Italy for landslide forecasting, India–Chile and India–Argentina cooperation on lithium and mining), **events/workshops** (critical minerals summits, AI-driven mineral targeting hackathon in Goa, national workshops on offshore mining), and **auction activity** (Tranche I–V completed; Tranche VI and EL auctions announced/ongoing) with dates and linked press documents in the archive.

Wright State University researchers Natasha Banerjee and Sean Banerjee received a nearly **$3 million NSF grant** to study converting scrap metal from large broken consumer goods into new small products. - **Main announcement:** Wright State University (Department of Computer Science and Engineering) awarded a **nearly $3 million grant from the National Science Foundation** to fund research on recycling manufacturing that makes small products from broken but intact large metal objects (examples cited: **refrigerators, washing machines**). Principal investigators are **Natasha Banerjee** and **Sean Banerjee**. - **Project details and collaborators:** The project will explore how **small-scale manufacturing** can use recycled materials and scale for business; employees would be trained as **“recyclofacturers”** using **artificial intelligence, virtual reality headsets, and robots**. Collaborators include an economist from **Chapman University**, a sociologist from **University of Lynchburg**, a roboticist and a human factors expert from **Santa Clara University**, community recycling/manufacturing leaders, and members of the public. (No implementation timeline provided in the article.)