Global Climate News

Robeco, a Dutch asset manager, has expanded its engagement in climate and nature, focusing on natural resource management, deforestation (expanding from palm oil to soy, beef, leather, paper and pulp), biodiversity, and human capital management. They are also initiating new themes on transition minerals (supply chains in electric vehicle batteries) and protecting shareholder rights from weakening regulations.

Egypt's government has outlined a strategy for exploiting mineral resources and supplying petroleum products. العلمين للبترول allocated $25 million to drill three developmental wells. أدنوك للغاز awarded a $1.2 billion contract. The Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources presented a plan to increase mining's contribution to GDP from 1% to 5-6%. 10 companies bid to supply 400 tons of coal. Saudi Arabia allocated 5 complexes for mining activities.

The Pew Charitable Trusts, in collaboration with 32 international scientists, conducted a horizon scan identifying 15 significant issues shaping environmental conservation. Four key issues highlighted include: macroalgae as a sustainable source of rare earth elements; record low Antarctic sea ice impacting marine ecosystems; human impact on seabed carbon stores; and offshore wind farms altering ocean processes. The study was published in Trends in Ecology & Evolution and partially funded by The Pew Charitable Trusts.

US-based Blue Whale Materials (BWM) received a \\$55 million grant from the Department of Energy to expand its lithium-ion battery recycling facility in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. The expansion will enable the facility to process up to 50,000 tons of battery feedstock annually and produce enough critical minerals to power more than 100,000 electric vehicles annually. Approximately \\$3 million will go towards workforce development and community outreach.

A Chinese research team, including researchers from Donghua University, Fudan University, and Inner Mongolia University, demonstrated the use of lithium titanium phosphate (LTP) with negative thermal expansion properties as electrodes for lithium-ion batteries. This addresses the issue of declining battery performance in cold environments by facilitating lithium ion diffusion even at low temperatures. The research was published in Angewandte Chemie.

Fastmarkets proposes to amend the publication time of the daily Chinese lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide assessments from 4:00 pm London time to 7:00 pm Shanghai time to better align with the operational hours of the Chinese market. The change will affect price assessments MB-LI-0036 and MB-LI-0040 for lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide, respectively. The amendment will take place on February 18, 2025, subject to market feedback. Separately, news about CATL facing a potential US investment ban is also included.

The Norwegian producer price index (PPI) measures price developments for goods at the producer level, for both the domestic and export markets. The index covers oil and gas extraction, industry, mining, power supply, water supply and some services. In 2024, industrial prices increased by 3.7 percent, while energy prices decreased. The reference year for PPI was changed to 2021=100 from January 2024.

India plans to triple its nuclear power capacity from 8,180 MW to 22,480 MW by 2031-32 to meet its net-zero target. The country is also developing thorium-based nuclear fuel and a prototype fast breeder reactor. However, challenges include high upfront costs, public opposition, and stringent liability laws.

Sweden is expected to produce the world’s first truly zero-carbon emission steel in 2025. This will reshape pricing, markets, and supply chains. The EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), effective in 2026, incentivizes decarbonization but also pressures steel mills to invest in green technologies. Green steel premiums currently track at an additional 20-40% cost. The transition requires significant capital investment and collaboration across stakeholders.

The Indian Ministry of Mines organized a Chintan Shivir to discuss transformative strategies for the mining sector, focusing on innovation, sustainability, and local manufacturing. Key initiatives included promoting a circular economy, expanding access to geo-scientific data to attract private investment, and boosting the ‘Make in India’ initiative to develop local mining equipment manufacturing. The Ministry also launched the Annual Capacity Building Program and approved 18 research and development projects.

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.

German scientists at HZB and Fraunhofer IWS gained insights into lithium-sulfur pouch cells, identifying degradation processes that limit performance and lifespan. A new design approach with a perforated cathode current collector showed promise in reducing weight without compromising performance. The research was supported by the BMBF's SkaLiS project and published in Advanced Energy Materials.

The William Blair Investment Management, LLC published a blog post analyzing the impact of the global energy transition on base metals markets in 2025. The analysis highlights the increasing demand for copper and aluminum driven by electric vehicles, renewable energy, and data centers. Supply chain disruptions in alumina production, particularly in Guinea and Australia, are noted as a factor influencing prices. The potential impact of a second Trump administration, including tariffs and higher interest rates, and China’s role in the market are also discussed. The blog also considers the sustainability challenges of gold mining.

The BAPE report on the Falco Horne 5 mining project in Quebec, Canada, highlighted the project’s modest contribution to the energy transition and decarbonization. Over 90% of the commission’s opinions have been considered, and a committee will be formed to ensure the project’s compatibility with a local radio-oncology center. The project is expected to start in 2030.

US-based Powin, a company focused on energy storage solutions, has implemented an ESG framework across its supply chain. This includes selecting vendors committed to minimizing carbon emissions and using renewable energy, conducting due diligence to ensure fair labor practices, and performing regular audits to maintain ethical and environmental standards. Powin is also working to reduce its carbon footprint and formalize a battery recycling program, and is fostering relationships with diverse small businesses.

Vale and GreenIron signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on decarbonization projects in Brazil and Sweden. They will develop a feasibility study for a direct reduction facility in Brazil, using green hydrogen and other innovations. Vale will supply iron ore to GreenIron’s facility in Sweden.

The EU stainless steel industry heavily relies on imports of raw materials and semi-finished products, with a drastic increase in nickel pig iron imports in 2024. Imports of stainless steel slabs reached record levels in 2024 (around 330,000 MT), the highest since 2008. The EU's dependence on imports casts doubt on its market protection measures and emission allowance allocation.

The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) in South Africa promotes Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (ASM) to create jobs, boost economic growth, alleviate poverty, and improve environmental and health safety practices. The DMRE established the Small-Scale Mining Fund to support ASM activities, offering financial assistance to approved applicants for capital, operational, and rehabilitation expenses.

US-based MIT engineers have developed a new nanofiltration membrane technology to recover aluminum ions from cryolite waste in aluminum production. The membrane selectively captures more than 99 percent of aluminum ions, reducing waste and enabling a circular economy for aluminum. This reduces the need for new mining and improves the environmental quality of waste generated by aluminum plants.

Ecuadorian-based Silvercorp Metals Inc. has awarded a contract to CRCC 14 Bureau Group CO., Ltd for the construction of the El Domo Project’s initial phase, including temporary camp, TSF starter dam, and other infrastructure. The project aims to begin production in the second half of 2026 and includes measures to mitigate climate change impacts on power supply.