Global Climate News

German organization WWF partnered with Microsoft AI and Accenture to develop GhostNetZero, an AI-powered technology that detects ghost fishing nets. This initiative successfully recovered 26 tons of marine waste from the Baltic Sea, proving 90% accuracy in detection. Furthermore, researchers from Peking University and the University of South Denmark developed AI-driven tools for sustainable urban planning by analyzing materials in city buildings, utilizing data from Google Street View and satellites to promote eco-friendly development practices.

Canada has launched a significant Antarctic research initiative as part of Operation PROJECTION 2025-01, sending a team of 15 scientists aboard HMCS Margaret Brooke for a month-long mission starting February 23, 2025. This expedition, supported by Polar Knowledge Canada and several federal departments, aims to study climate change effects, glacial retreat, and pollution in the Antarctic region. Notably, Polar Knowledge Canada signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Instituto Antártico Chileno to enhance collaborative polar research ahead of the International Polar Year 2032-33.

Chile-based Schmidt Ocean Institute has successfully completed its first scientific expedition to Antarctica aboard the research vessel Falkor (too). The three-week expedition explored marine biodiversity and included eight dives using the remotely operated vehicle (ROV) SuBastian, reaching depths of nearly 2.5 miles. The initiative was part of a collaboration with National Geographic Society's Perpetual Planet Ocean Expeditions, aimed at understanding and conserving the critically important Southern Ocean ecosystem. This mission marked a significant milestone for the Institute and laid groundwork for future explorations planned over the next decade.

The GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel launched the METEOR expedition M208 "NowUP" to study coastal upwelling and its impact on marine ecosystems. The expedition emphasizes the roles of oceanic and atmospheric dynamics in enhancing biological productivity in Northwest Africa's coastal upwelling region. Running from February 14 to March 17, 2025, the research aims to improve understanding of how various factors, including Saharan dust and nutrient dynamics, affect ocean health and climate change implications.

Norway has targeted a significant increase in offshore wind capacity, planning to achieve 30 GW of installed capacity by 2040. The need for dynamic power cables, which are essential for transporting electricity generated from offshore renewable sources to land, is rapidly rising. These cables face unique engineering challenges due to environmental factors such as vortex-induced vibrations. SINTEF Ocean has established state-of-the-art testing facilities to conduct full-scale tests and optimize the design and structural integrity of these cables, ensuring they can withstand the rigors of offshore operations.

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.

The World Trade Organization (WTO) has emphasized the importance of sustainable fishing practices through its Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. This Agreement, which prohibits harmful subsidies, is intended to protect oceans and promote sustainable fishing worldwide. Currently, 90 out of 111 required Members have accepted the Agreement, and the WTO is urging further acceptance to meet the target before the Third UN Ocean Conference in June. The European Union has been acknowledged for its early acceptance and contributions to developing Members' implementation.

Spain-based Sidenor participated in the SCALE-UP project, an initiative funded by the Basque Government's HAZITEK program. This project aims to develop innovative methodologies to validate the reliability of large scale wind turbine components without the need for extensive testing facilities. Focused on optimizing induction hardening processes for offshore wind turbine fasteners, Sidenor integrates experimental trials and simulation models to enhance mechanical properties and durability. This effort also aligns with their commitment to reduce carbon emissions in steel production using renewable energies.

The EU's expert group on climate change policy (CCEG) is currently accepting applications from organizations to enhance the aviation formation. The CCEG aims to strengthen discussions and effectively implement the EU ETS Directive for aviation. The selected members will contribute to achieving the EU's target of reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030. Additionally, a new support mechanism to accelerate the use of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) has been introduced, allocating 20 million allowances worth an estimated €1.6 billion. The first meetings will begin in 2025.

Germany-based GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel and Kiel University (CAU) have initiated the MAWACAAP (Quantifying the role of submarine canyon slides at active and passive margins) expedition. Departing from Wellington on 20 February 2025 and concluding on 22 March 2025, this expedition aims to gather data on factors influencing submarine landslides in the South West Pacific. The project will enhance risk assessments for coastal regions and underwater infrastructure through extensive seismic surveys and geological sampling.

Norge, through SINTEF, participated actively in COP16 and COP29, focusing on the crucial role of the ocean in climate and environmental discussions. Notable achievements included the agreement on updating ecological and biological significant areas at sea (EBSA), an important step in ocean conservation efforts. The discussions emphasized the ocean's contribution not just as a food source, but also as a vital element in carbon storage and climate resilience. There remains a call for balancing conservation with sustainable use of marine resources to protect this essential ecosystem.

US-based NRDC and Earthjustice have challenged President Trump's executive order that revokes protections for over 625 million acres of ocean. The lawsuit, filed in Alaska, seeks to restore safeguards against offshore oil and gas leasing established by previous administrations. These areas, which support critical marine ecosystems, are at risk from increased drilling activities. The plaintiffs argue that the legal precedent exists to reinstate these protections, ensuring the sustainability of marine environments and coastal economies.

US-based Northern Chumash Tribal Council has successfully led the initiative to establish the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary, protecting over 4,500 square miles of vital marine and cultural resources. This sanctuary is the first new designation in California in over 25 years and represents a historic collaborative effort between the Tribal Council and various stakeholders. Moving forward, the sanctuary will be co-stewarded by NOAA and the Tribal members, integrating traditional practices with federal processes to ensure the protection of sacred sites for future generations.

Australia has officially opened a major expansion of the National Sea Simulator (SeaSim) at the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS), with a $42.7 million investment. This expansion nearly doubles the experimental space, supporting projects like breeding heat-resilient corals. The expansion was funded through the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy. Additionally, the government announced $7.1 million in funding for AIMS to continue research to protect the Great Barrier Reef, including the Reef Restoration Adaptation Program (RRAP).

China-based researchers analyzed seventy drinking water samples collected from tap water, water boiling machines, and water vending machines in Shanghai for seven target organotin compounds (OTCs). They found that the summed concentrations of target OTCs (ΣOTCs) reached up to 129 ng Sn/L, with significant levels varying among drinking water types and source zones. The research identified materials used in pipes and emissions from maritime, agricultural, and industrial activities as the main pollution sources, supporting the need for informed policy and urban planning to maintain drinking water quality in rapidly urbanizing regions.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva held a phone conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron to discuss global and bilateral agenda topics. They stressed the significance of addressing the international climate financing needs of developing nations, especially in light of the upcoming COP-30 in Belém. Macron acknowledged Brazil's critical role in seeking solutions for climate-related issues and reiterated support for increasing available climate funding. Additionally, they planned to maintain ongoing discussions about these initiatives.

Netherlands-based SeaO₂ has partnered with Svašek Hydraulics to develop high-resolution modeling for the dilution of decarbonized seawater. This collaboration aims to provide critical data to inform the optimal placement of SeaO₂'s carbon removal technology, ensuring environmental safety and effectiveness in countering ocean acidification. Utilizing advanced 3D non-hydrostatic models, the partnership will analyze dilution patterns and spatial scales of mixing zones in coastal environments, enhancing understanding of Direct Ocean Capture's interaction with marine ecosystems.

The UK Government through its Sustainable Blue Economies Programme Blue Social Challenge Fund (BSCF) has awarded a grant of £99,191 (approximately BZD250,000) to MarAlliance for the project "Mangrove Habitat for Juvenile Fish Recruitment: Building Local Knowledge and Capacity." This initiative aims to enhance the resilience of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) like Belize against climate change impacts through better ocean management and nature-based solutions. High Commissioner Christine Rowlands emphasized the importance of Mangrove ecosystems in mitigating coastal erosion and supporting fisheries livelihoods.

Norway's parliament (Stortinget) has recently decided to allow development projects in protected waterways, which previously were safeguarded from water power development. This decision has sparked intense debate about the potential loss of valuable natural heritage. Researchers from NTNU and SINTEF are now working to gather new data on the state of these protected waterways and the implications of any developments.

India's Ministry of Earth Sciences has successfully developed the Matsya-6000, a fourth-generation deep-ocean submersible, as part of the Samudrayan Project. The submersible is designed for three humans and is set to demonstrate its capabilities at depths of up to 500 meters by the end of 2025. Critical integrated tests focused on evaluating human support, safety systems, and navigation capabilities were successfully conducted.