Global Climate News

US-based Land Life has announced a partnership with the Colorado State Land Board to reforest up to 1,000 acres of wildfire-affected land in Colorado. This initiative will use private finance to generate carbon credits, which will be sold on the voluntary carbon market to support public schools. The project will focus on state trust lands in Grand, Huerfano, and Larimer counties, with tree planting set to begin in Fall 2025. The project aims to improve watershed health, wildlife habitat, and landscape resilience to climate-induced stressors.

This study explored the electronic and optical properties of MX2/WS2 and MX2/MoSe2 heterojunctions using first-principles calculations. The results showed that these heterojunctions are semiconductors with staggered gaps, enhancing the separation of photogenerated electrons and holes. The MoTe2/MoSe2 heterojunction demonstrated a photoconversion efficiency (PCE) of 25.84%, surpassing the recently reported 23.45% for the OsNCl/FeNCl heterojunction. These findings identify excellent candidate materials for advancing optoelectronics and photocatalysis.

Canada’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, along with PEI’s Minister of Environment, Energy and Climate Action, announced the Prince Edward Island Regional Energy and Resource Table Framework for Collaboration on the Path to Net Zero. This collaboration aims for PEI to become Canada’s first net-zero province, with initiatives focusing on clean electricity, clean fuels, and clean technology innovation. Additionally, $2.7 million in federal investments were announced for multiple clean energy projects across the province.

Canada's federal and provincial collaboration with Prince Edward Island announced the launch of the Regional Energy and Resource Table in 2022, aimed at achieving net-zero status for the province. The initiative identifies three key areas to boost a low-carbon economy: clean electricity and energy storage, clean fuels, and clean technology innovation, with investments totaling $2.7 million into four specific projects. These projects include capacity building for Indigenous expertise in solar and battery storage, a transmission connection study, an energy management system for Holland College, and home energy labelling for all PEI homes.

The European Union published the 2025 European Aviation Environmental Report to provide insights into the aviation sector's environmental performance. This comprehensive report addresses actions taken for improving sustainability in aviation and offers recommendations for enhancing environmental protection. Key topics include sustainable aviation fuels, market-based measures, and international cooperation on climate impacts.

Nigeria-UK PACT has launched a new funding opportunity for clean energy transition projects aimed at supporting Nigeria’s climate change mitigation ambitions. The call for proposals includes funding for projects focused on healthcare electrification, community-led renewable energy frameworks, and small hydropower project preparation. Applications are due by April 4, 2025, and eligible organizations include NGOs and academic institutions. UK PACT has been collaborating with Nigeria since 2021, focusing on low-carbon economic development and climate policy implementation.

US-based RMI has advocated for the use of its Optimus tool to design cost allocation solutions to enhance electricity affordability during a new era of load growth. As the U.S. faces increasing demand for electricity driven by home and vehicle electrification, RMI's research highlights that cost allocation strategies can help offset the expected rise in electricity bills due to new investments. The organization’s analysis reveals that average electricity costs may decrease by up to 15 percent by 2032, supporting accessibility for low- and moderate-income customers while promoting efficient electrification technologies.

US-based RMI has emphasized the need to correct the allowed return on equity (ROE) for utilities to facilitate a rapid transition to a clean energy future. In their findings, they suggest that moving the ROE closer to the cost of equity (COE) can save consumers billions in utility bills, potentially $4 billion annually for every 1% reduction in ROE. RMI's research indicates that allowed utility ROEs currently exceed investor required returns, which creates financial strain on consumers and hampers the affordability and pace of clean energy investments. Rebalancing these rates can lead to more competitive procurement of renewable resources, ultimately aiding in the climate objectives of the electric utility sector.

The FIA's commitment to a sustainable motorsport future has become a reality as motorsport embraces hydrogen technology. The Extreme H championship represents a significant shift towards greener racing, showcasing the potential of hydrogen as a clean energy source. Major manufacturers, including Toyota, have announced plans to race hydrogen-powered cars at Le Mans by 2028. H24EVO, a hydrogen-electric race car, has also been introduced, demonstrating the competitive viability of hydrogen in endurance racing.

Taiwan-based 瑞儀光電 has invested over 13.3 billion in building R&D centers and cleanroom facilities to develop wafer-level optical components, incorporating AI smart manufacturing to enhance production efficiency. The company is also implementing energy-saving and carbon-reduction measures using green construction materials. This investment, expected to create around 480 jobs, aims to position 瑞儀光電 as a leader in optics solutions for displays, wearables, automotive, robotics, and biomedical applications.

The EU saw a record-breaking 45.3% of its gross electricity consumption come from renewable energy sources in 2023, marking a 4.1 percentage points increase from 2022. This growth is predominantly driven by wind and solar power, which have expanded significantly over the past decade. Countries like Austria and Sweden achieved more than 75% of their electricity from renewables, with Austria generating 87.8%, primarily from hydro power. These developments highlight the EU's ongoing transition towards sustainable energy sources.

Framatome, an international leader in nuclear energy based in France, reported a revenue of 4,676 million euros for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024, representing an organic increase of 11.8% compared to 2023. The company signed major contracts, including for the first six EPR2 units in France and Sizewell C in the UK. Significant fuel supply contracts were also secured for VVER 440 reactors in Bulgaria and Slovakia, as well as for PWR reactors in North America. Investments were made to ramp up production for the EPR2 program and modernize the fuel supply chain.

France-based Framatome has released its financial results for the year ending December 31, 2024, reporting a revenue of 4,676 million euros, an 11.8% increase from 2023. The company marked significant contract signings for the EPR2 projects in France and Sizewell C in the UK. The firm also reported a significant increase in cash flow from operations, reaching 706 million euros. The growth is attributed to the acceleration of deliveries and ongoing projects across Europe and North America, including supplying fuels to VVER-type reactors in Bulgaria and Slovakia.

US-based Soleos Solar provides advanced Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) that improve the reliability of solar energy. Their BESS enables users to store excess solar energy and use it during demand spikes or outages. Technologies include lithium-ion and flow batteries, which enhance grid stability and allow for energy independence. The declining costs associated with BESS technology are making it more accessible, contributing to a significant shift towards solar integration in energy markets.

This research demonstrates how the in situ anodic oxidation method can optimize the performance of NiFe alloy-based catalysts in anion exchange membrane water electrolysis (AEMWE). The method, which specifically leaches Mo ions from NiFe alloy particles, facilitates the bulk transformation to NiFeOxHy, resulting in improved electronic states and catalytic properties. The VMo-NiFe catalyst achieved a remarkable overpotential of 222 mV during testing, and the AEMWE system featuring this catalyst layer performed at 1.71 V with high stability under various testing conditions.

Researchers have integrated first-principles-based high-throughput computations with machine learning techniques to predict the thermodynamic stability and optoelectronic properties of 920 valency-satisfied selenide compounds. They identified the edge-sharing orthorhombic Pnma phase as the most stable structure for most ternary selenides and screened candidates for photovoltaic applications. The study found that seven candidates, including SrZrSe3 and SrHfSe3, are optimal for photovoltaic applications, with synthesized single-phase forms showing strong optical absorption. This study lays the groundwork for future research in identifying photoactive materials for sustainable energy technologies.

US-based researchers have demonstrated a Co₃O₄-CdS heterojunction photocatalyst that efficiently converts formate into syngas under alkaline conditions, achieving a production rate of approximately 3300 µmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹. This dual-function catalyst operates without sacrificial agents or noble metals, resulting in near-zero CO₂ emissions. The system not only recycles CO₂ into formic acid but also promotes a closed carbon loop, making it a promising solution for sustainable syngas production.

US-based SkySpecs has developed a new algorithm to detect North Offset in wind turbines, which can lead to incorrect directional measurements in SCADA systems. They analyzed data from 2,598 turbines across 292 wind farms, finding that 20% of turbines had offsets above 14 degrees, and 10% exceeded 24 degrees. This comprehensive analysis aims to improve the efficiency and reliability of wind energy portfolio management by addressing production losses and excessive loads on turbines due to North Offset discrepancies.

The UK-based Great British Energy appointed Dan McGrail as interim CEO to lead its mission towards clean energy. The government is focused on enhancing the country's renewable energy capabilities, with a commitment to achieving clean power by 2030. McGrail, previously at RenewableUK, brings extensive experience in wind and thermal power to the role. Alongside this appointment, the government has established partnerships with key stakeholders to drive clean energy investment and create skilled jobs in the sector.

US-based Clean Fuels Alliance America joined 10 other national trade groups in urging EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin to establish robust, multiyear Renewable Fuel Standards (RFS) for 2026 and beyond. The organizations highlighted that strong RFS volumes are crucial for ensuring energy security and advancing agricultural interests. They emphasized that the standards should reflect ongoing investments in production capacities and the growing demand for clean energy across various sectors. This action also follows a lawsuit filed by Clean Fuels in December 2024 to compel the EPA to set a timeline for the RFS volumes.