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.

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.

The Maldives conducted a stakeholder consultation to improve tracking of climate finance support received under its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). The workshop involved representatives from various government ministries, private sector entities, and organizations. Dr. Anaa Hassan and James Sammut presented draft guidelines for state and non-state actors to streamline climate finance reporting, enhancing transparency and accountability. The initiative is part of the CBIT Maldives project, funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and supported by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

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.

Sri Lanka-based Planboo, a climate technology startup, has signed a carbon removal offtake agreement with Shopify. This is Planboo’s first portfolio purchase, diversifying carbon removal credit delivery for Shopify and distributing revenue to a global network of biochar projects. Planboo uses agricultural waste to create biochar, removing CO2 and boosting climate resilience for farmers. The agreement supports the growth and improvement of biochar projects, aiming to mitigate climate change and global inequality.

India, Nepal, and three companies (IREDA, SJVN, and GMR Energy) partnered to develop the 900 MW Upper Karnali Hydro-electric Project in Nepal. The project aims to strengthen regional energy security and accelerate renewable energy growth. The project will operate under a Build-Own-Operate-Transfer (BOOT) model with a 25-year term.

India-based Ampin Energy focuses on energy transition solutions. The company's website provides information on its services, projects, and career opportunities.

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.

South Asian countries, particularly India, face challenges balancing trade pressures, climate vulnerabilities, and net-zero goals due to the finalized rules for a global carbon market under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement and the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). India's policies have already reduced emissions, but bolder action and increased financial support are needed to achieve net-zero by 2070.

India has organized India Energy Week 2025 (IEW’25) from February 11-14 in New Delhi, focusing on decarbonization, energy equity, and low-carbon economies. The event featured 70+ CEOs from major energy companies, 20+ foreign energy ministers, and discussions on clean power pathways, grid-scale energy storage, and methane mitigation. IEW’25 also highlighted India’s advancements in renewable energy and technologies like green ammonia and hydrogen production.

The Union Minister of Coal & Mines of India will attend the Future Minerals Forum 2025 in Saudi Arabia from January 14-16, 2025. The forum will focus on mineral supply chains and energy transition.

India's renewable energy installed capacity reached 209.44 GW in December 2024, a 15.84% increase from December 2023. Solar power capacity increased by 24.54 GW (33.47%) to 97.86 GW, and wind capacity increased by 3.42 GW (7.64%) to 48.16 GW. The MNRE aims to achieve 500 GW of renewable energy by 2030.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Discovery Channel launched a five-part video series, "Good To Know," showcasing how nuclear science addresses global challenges like microplastics, cancer, food insecurity, water scarcity, and industrial contamination. The series airs in over 30 countries, reaching 44 million households.

India’s Department of Biotechnology (DBT) held a webinar on "Biomanufacturing for Climate Resilient Agriculture," focusing on sustainable biomanufacturing solutions for agriculture under the BioE3 Policy. The webinar included discussions on leveraging bioresources, sustainable practices, and technologies like synthetic biology and AI/ML to improve plant productivity and create bio-based solutions for climate-resilient agriculture.

India launched ‘Mission Mausam’ to make the country a ‘Weather-ready and Climate-smart’ nation by developing cutting-edge weather technologies, implementing high-resolution atmospheric observations, and improving the understanding of weather and climate processes. The IMD Vision-2047 document for weather resilience and climate change adaptation was also released.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has recommended policy solutions to address the impacts of megatrends, including climate change, on labor markets in Asia and the Pacific. These solutions focus on creating a jobs-centered approach to megatrends, strengthening capacity to anticipate changing labor demand, understanding the distributional impacts of megatrends on people and jobs, and adapting to an era of uncertainty.

India reported a 7.93% reduction in GHG emissions in 2020 compared to 2019, as highlighted in its 4th Biennial Update Report (BUR-4). The energy sector contributed 75.66% of emissions. India aims for net-zero emissions by 2070 and has launched several initiatives including the "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam" tree plantation campaign and the Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes (MISHTI) Program, with ₹12.55 crores allocated in FY 2024-25.

India's Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue focused on sustainable future with sessions on sustainable farming, and steering India towards a sustainable future. Experts from various fields shared their insights, and the event highlighted youth-focused initiatives in education, skill development, and entrepreneurship.

India's Vice President addressed Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL)'s R&D Award Function, emphasizing the need for increased research and development in crucial sectors like defense and green technologies. He highlighted the importance of import substitution, collaboration between industries and academia (IITs, IIMs), and focusing on the Green Hydrogen Mission. A fiscal allocation of 6000 crores for quantum computing was mentioned.

India faces challenges in meeting the energy demands of its AI infrastructure. By 2030, AI infrastructure could consume 100-200 terawatt-hours annually. Scaling up renewable energy is crucial, but challenges remain. Modernizing India’s power grid is necessary to ensure consistent energy supplies for data centers.