Global Climate News

The United States hosted a technical program on Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) from March 3-5, 2025, at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, TX. The event featured presentations and discussions on various themes including subsurface storage, site selection, injectivity challenges, and global CCUS implementation. Companies like Net Power, ExxonMobil, and Chevron participated, highlighting advancements in CO2 storage and utilization technologies. The program also included discussions on policy innovations for CCUS in India and a model for developing oil and gas regions globally, such as the Niger Delta.

The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) has conducted 66 auctions, generating a total of $8,616,386,174.45 in proceeds. Auction 66, held on 2024-12-04, saw 15,943,608 allowances sold at a clearing price of $20.05, generating $319,669,340.40.

The United States' eighth liquefied natural gas (LNG) export terminal, Plaquemines LNG, shipped its first cargo on December 26, 2024. This facility, developed by Venture Global LNG, uses mid-scale liquefaction technology and has a nominal capacity of 1.3 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d), expandable to 2.6 Bcf/d upon completion of both phases. Another facility, Corpus Christi Stage 3, also began LNG production in December 2024.

University of California in Los Angeles researchers Richard Kaner and Yuzhang Li are developing zinc and vanadium batteries for grid-scale energy storage. These batteries are cheaper and safer than lithium-ion batteries, recycle three times faster, and are less flammable due to their water-based electrolyte. The team has achieved the longest-cycling performance of a vanadium-based cathode with the highest cycling rate and capacity reported.

The US-based EcoFlow has published a blog post explaining how to get the 30% solar tax credit, which is part of the Inflation Reduction Act and is valid from tax year 2023 through 2032. The post details what costs qualify for the credit, how to claim it, and how it works with other incentives and rebates.

MIT researchers conducted an experiment in Amsterdam, resulting in households reducing energy expenses by half, and a 75% success rate in alleviating energy poverty. The experiment involved providing energy usage data and coaching, along with smart devices in one version. Electricity consumption decreased by 33% and gas by 42%, lowering bills by 53%. A follow-up experiment will examine the benefits of residential building retrofits to lower energy costs.

The Los Angeles area experienced unprecedented Santa Ana winds causing multiple wildfires. The Palisades fire was uncontainable due to strong winds, and water hydrants ran dry due to insufficient water pressure. The Eaton Canyon fire, possibly caused by an electrical tower, spread to Altadena. SoCal Edison faced criticism due to past fire-related settlements.

Global bio-based polymer capacity is projected to grow 13% CAGR (2024-2029), driven by investments in China, Europe, the Middle East, and the US. The EU's Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) is creating demand for industrial compostable plastics. Companies like NatureWorks, Futerro, and Emirates Biotech are expanding PLA production capacities. The European Union’s Fertilising Products Regulation (FPR) is creating demand for soil-biodegradable products.

The article discusses the impact of rising inflation and central banks' actions on interest rates. Henrik Unell, Nordea's chief strategist, expects significantly higher rates due to persistent inflation and factors like the war in Ukraine and efforts to reduce energy dependence. He highlights Nordea's corporate loans with interest rate caps as a risk management tool for companies.

Taiwan has unveiled an expanded carbon reduction reporting plan.

US-based MIT chemical engineer Zachary Smith is developing highly efficient filters to replace energy-intensive gas, liquid, and ion separation processes. His company, Osmoses, aims to reduce energy consumption by up to 90 percent in industrial processes by using room temperature membranes.

An international team of researchers, including those from NOAA’s Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory (PMEL), conducted a study on Arctic outbreaks. The study found that despite Arctic warming, cold-air outbreaks will continue. The researchers aim to better understand the triggers of these events and improve their predictability to help communities better prepare for adverse winter weather.

Researchers from Stanford University, University of California, Berkeley, and University of Washington quantitatively compared five environmental justice screening tools used in California to classify disadvantaged communities. They found substantial variation among the tools in designating communities and prioritizing sociodemographic groups, with potential implications for resource allocation and policy interventions. The study highlights the need for careful consideration of tool selection in environmental justice research and policymaking.

Researchers used satellite data to characterize marine heatwaves in the Chesapeake Bay, identifying a north-south gradient in heatwave duration and number of events. They found that marine heatwave maximum intensity is higher in tributary waters than in the main stem of the Bay. The study highlights the effectiveness of satellite data for studying marine heatwaves in estuaries.

The US and Taiwan held their annual working-level talks in Washington D.C. on Taiwan’s participation in international organizations. The US reiterated its bipartisan support for Taiwan’s efforts, focusing on public health, aviation safety, combating transnational crime, and environmental issues. Both sides agreed to continue collaborating with allies and like-minded countries to enhance global support for Taiwan’s participation.

Canada has offered support to California in response to devastating wildfires. The Canadian Armed Forces are providing air transport, the Canadian Coast Guard is exploring available resources, and Natural Resources Canada is working with US agencies to identify deployable resources. Several Canadian provinces are also mobilizing resources, including firefighters, aircraft, and equipment.

Oregon-based Climate Solutions advocates for a 2025 transportation package to address climate pollution, focusing on zero-emission school buses (LC 1772) and charging infrastructure (LC Pending). They also aim to advance an energy affordability package, including measures to protect ratepayers from utility costs (LC 1806, LC 1547), and expand access to clean technologies (LC 1823, LC 1953). Additionally, they promote innovative transmission solutions (LC 1902, LC 3681) and economic growth through clean tech initiatives (LC 3353) and funding for existing climate programs.

The blog post explains the difference between scheduling and dispatching in PJM’s energy markets. Scheduling focuses on planning energy commitments in advance, while dispatching is all about real-time operations. The post provides insights into how scheduling works in PJM’s day-ahead and real-time markets and how dispatching operates in real-time, highlighting the key differences between the two processes and offering practical tips for market participants.

The blog post explores the key obligations for capacity resources in ISO-NE, including availability requirements, penalties for non-performance, and compliance processes. It compares these obligations to those in PJM and MISO, highlighting differences in their frameworks and enforcement mechanisms. The author emphasizes the importance of these obligations for grid reliability and meeting energy needs.

The article explains uplift payments in CAISO (California Independent System Operator), their purpose, calculation, and comparison with other markets like MISO and PJM. CAISO calculates uplift payments based on cost categories (IFM Bid Cost Uplift, RTM Bid Cost Uplift, Exceptional Dispatch Uplift, etc.), allocating them proportionally based on demand and other metrics. These payments ensure resources are fully compensated for costs not recovered through market revenues, maintaining grid reliability.