Global Climate News

US-based Digital Realty, a data center REIT, has expanded its portfolio to over 41 million square feet across 300+ data centers in 25+ countries. The company has secured a 500-acre land bank near Dulles Airport to support nearly 4 gigawatts of additional capacity and formed a $7 billion venture with Blackstone to build hyperscale projects. Digital Realty's current portfolio possesses 2.7 gigawatts of power capacity and is investing in renewable energy sources, including contracting for 1.4 gigawatts of renewable capacity.

Japan and Norway are collaborating on floating offshore wind technology. A delegation from FLOWRA visited SINTEF's research facilities. SINTEF Ocean and the FME NorthWind Research Centre (with NTNU) are involved. The collaboration aims to advance floating offshore wind energy.

Hong Kong: AECOM has been selected to conduct an investigation study for the Sam Po Shue Wetland Conservation Park (SPS WCP), the first wetland conservation park under the Northern Metropolis Development Strategy. The study will cover preliminary design, engineering, wetland enhancement, landscaping, sustainability integration, digital monitoring, and park management. The park aims to enhance ecological quality, biodiversity, and provide eco-education and recreational facilities.

The article discusses the growth of green corridors in Asia, focusing on renewable energy and sustainability. By 2040, Asia will account for nearly 50 percent of global energy demand, with significant investment in decarbonization technologies. The China-ASEAN corridor is highlighted, with companies like BYD manufacturing EVs in Thailand and Geely reviving Malaysia's Proton brand. Southeast Asia is also pushing for greater environmental sustainability.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) published a brief on carbon taxes and fossil fuel subsidies, highlighting the need to align these policies to meet climate goals in Asia and the Pacific. The ADB also developed a Carbon Pricing and Fossil Fuel Subsidy Rationalization Tool Kit to help policymakers navigate this process. The IMF estimates that raising fuel prices to efficient levels would reduce CO2 emissions by 43% below baseline 2030 levels. Full fossil fuel price reform in emerging and developing economies could generate $3 trillion to finance Sustainable Development Goals.

Taiwan's National Taipei University of Technology (北科大) and Sunbird are collaborating on a project focused on cultivating software talent in the field of smart energy.

Taiwan's Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) warned of a cold front bringing air pollution from mainland China, resulting in poor air quality (orange alert) across the country, with potential red alerts for outlying islands. The EPA has notified local authorities to implement measures such as strengthening pollution control at factories and construction sites, and increasing traffic enforcement.

Taiwan's Green Island features Zhaori Hot Spring, a saltwater hot spring formed by volcanic activity. The spring water, heated by magma, mixes with seawater, offering a unique bathing experience. The facility, managed by May Lin, also incorporates community initiatives like beach cleanups and art installations, aiming to boost local tourism and culture.

India and Singapore elevated their bilateral relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and established a Ministerial Roundtable dialogue mechanism covering sectors including Sustainability.

VINCI Airports exceeded its pre-COVID traffic levels in 2024, with over 318 million passengers (+3.7% compared to 2019 and +8.5% compared to 2023). Several airports within the network, including Lisbon, Santiago, Edinburgh, and Belgrade, reached record passenger numbers. Significant traffic acceleration was observed in Asia, particularly in Kansai airports (Japan) and Cambodia.

The UK built a sustainable pavilion for Expo 2025 in Osaka, using a modular system for easy relocation after the event. The pavilion’s design is inspired by Ada Lovelace and incorporates perforated aluminum strands, referencing both early computing and textile industries. Iconic UK brands such as AstraZeneca, Aston Martin, and IHG Hotels & Resorts supported the project.

McKinsey's report highlights the significant physical challenges in the energy transition, especially in Asia. The report reveals that only about 10 percent of the energy transition is complete, with 25 physical challenges hindering progress. Asia faces a triple imperative: decarbonization, increased energy demand, and energy security. The report identifies opportunities in exporting and deploying low-emission technologies, and the need for massive investment in the energy transition.

Japan-based ESR Group and CloudHQ announced a joint venture to co-develop and operate a US\$2 billion, 130 MW Cosmosquare Data Centre campus in Osaka. The campus will deliver 130 megawatts of data centre capacity over three phases, with the first phase ready in June 2025. ESR aims for net-zero emissions for its Data Centres platform by 2040, with 75% renewable energy by 2030.

Japanese Mitsubishi Heavy Industries has delivered 60 new railway cars for the Nippori-Toneri Liner in Tokyo, increasing passenger capacity to alleviate congestion. The new Model 330 cars utilize long-type seating and lightweight aluminum alloy bodies. MHI aims to contribute to a carbon-neutral society through the delivery of AGT, a clean transport mode that emits no CO2.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) supports projects in developing member countries that create economic and development impact, delivered through both public and private sector operations, advisory services, and knowledge support. ADB's Strategy 2030 includes a focus on climate change and sustainable development. The ADB also publishes numerous reports and data on climate-related topics.

The Atlantic Council report highlights East Asian democracies’ energy security challenges due to reliance on maritime imports vulnerable to Chinese actions. It suggests increasing indigenous energy prices and importing more US LNG to enhance security and reduce reliance on coal. The report also notes that US LNG export capacity is rapidly increasing.

China has successfully connected a 300MW/1,500MWh compressed-air energy storage (CAES) power station in Yingcheng City to the grid. The project, named Nengchu-1, leverages an abandoned salt mine and has an annual capacity of 500 million kilowatt-hours, saving over 150,000 metric tons of coal annually. It was completed in two years.

Germany's Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action secured a loan of over €248 million for a Guinean bauxite mine expansion, despite criticism regarding environmental standards and human rights. Bauxite imports from Guinea decreased to 71% in 2023, while imports from China increased to 15%.

Asia is the world leader in aquaculture, producing over 90% of the global total (nearly 120 million tonnes in 2022). The sector is predicted to grow by over 5% annually through 2030. Investment opportunities include sustainable fish feed production (Skretting invested USD 24 million in Vietnam), high-value species farming, disease detection, and downstream processing. Several Asian countries actively encourage foreign investment in aquaculture.

Russia and Vietnam have strengthened economic ties, with a 24 percent increase in mutual trade last year, driven partly by the Eurasian Economic Union-Vietnam free trade agreement. Energy cooperation is strategic, with joint ventures developing oil and gas deposits. Russia supports a nuclear science and technology center in Vietnam and seeks collaboration in digital technologies. Russia also cherishes cultural and humanitarian ties with Vietnam.