Global Climate News

The Norwegian company Farmforce has developed a software solution to trace agricultural goods, helping its 70 customers meet sustainability targets by tracing crops of 1.1 million small farmers across Africa, Latin America, and Asia. Farmforce, with financial support from Nordea, focuses on documenting the absence of child labor and deforestation in production. The company aims to improve farmers' living standards and empower them in the international market. The EU's deforestation-free regulation further emphasizes the importance of Farmforce’s work.

In Wales, Natural Resources Wales’s Four Rivers for LIFE project, funded by the EU LIFE Programme, Welsh Government and Welsh Water, has installed 25km of riparian fencing on 27 farms along the Teifi, Tywi, Cleddau and Usk SAC Rivers. This aims to reduce soil, sediment and nutrient runoff, improving water quality and benefiting livestock management.

The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) held its Fifteenth Assembly session, focusing on accelerating the renewable energy transition. Discussions included SDG7 progress, renewable energy partnerships in Central Asia (APRECA), legislative pathways for tripling renewables and doubling energy efficiency, grid and storage solutions, clean cooking initiatives, Mediterranean energy transitions, risk mitigation instruments, a Global Coalition for Energy Planning, environmental impacts of renewables, empowering lives and livelihoods with renewables, community support for the energy transition, and a youth forum. Multiple MoUs were signed with SAARC and KAZENERGY.

In Uganda, Makerere University honored EfD Uganda leaders and researchers for their contributions to environmental sustainability. Edward Bbaale received the Research and Leadership Excellence Award, and EfD Uganda has secured over USD 1.5 million in research funding in the past five years for projects such as "Improving Bill Payments for Water and Sanitation in Uganda", "Policy Options for Clean Cooking", and "Clean Energy for Development: A Call for Action (CEDCA)". Johnny Mugisha received the Exemplary Leadership Award. Three researchers—Nicholas Kilimani, Florence Lwiza, and Aisha Nanyiti—were awarded Research Excellence Awards for their work on solar-powered irrigation, clean energy usage, and LPG/electric cooking technologies.

The US Department of Treasury and IRS announced $6 billion in tax credits for the second round of the Inflation Reduction Act’s § 48C Qualifying Advanced Energy Project Tax Credit. This is in addition to the $4 billion allocated in Round 1. The program funds projects to expand clean energy manufacturing and recycling, critical materials processing, and reduce GHG emissions. Approximately 250 projects across more than 40 states received funding, totaling over $44 billion in project investments.

The Government of Canada has invested $500,000 in the Manitoba Theatre for Young People (MTYP) for renovations and modernization, including improving energy efficiency through LED lighting, HVAC systems, window and roof replacements. An additional $1.8 million has been contributed through the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund and Infrastructure Canada’s Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program.

Canada's Polar Knowledge Canada opened a new office in Whitehorse, Yukon, to strengthen relationships with researchers and Indigenous knowledge holders. Since 2021, it has provided over $4 million in grants for 25 Yukon projects and over $470,000 to 119 students for research. Research includes testing clean energy technologies to reduce fossil fuel dependence and understanding diseases affecting wildlife sustainability.

US-based Algaeo, founded by Nick Sokol, has developed a technology to produce organic fertilizers from microalgae. This reduces reliance on petroleum-based synthetic fertilizers, decreasing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Algaeo is part of the Innovation Crossroads program at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, utilizing ORNL resources to optimize its fertilizer production.

Chile launched a training program on Circular Economy financing, co-funded by CTCN and supported by Go4SDGs. The program aims to promote circular economy financing in the business sector and strengthen financial institutions to expand their portfolios in circular economy initiatives contributing to the country’s decarbonization. The program, implemented by UNEP FI and Fundación suiza BASE, will involve 8 sessions (2 in-person, 6 virtual) and a practical methodology to develop a theoretical circular economy project.

The European Investment Bank (EIB) provided a €4.7 million loan to Lviv, Ukraine, to reclaim the Hrybovychi landfill. This is part of the EIB’s Ukraine Solidarity Urgent Response package and the Ukraine Municipal Infrastructure Programme (UMIP). The project will improve waste management, minimize ecological impact, and transform the landfill into a green zone and park. Earlier phases received €6.04 million from EIB and co-financing from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).

The UK government announced a long-term vision to make farming more profitable and support farmers through reforms. This includes a commitment to food security and diversification of income streams. The Accelerating Development of Practices and Technologies (ADOPT) Fund will provide grant funding for farmer-led trials of innovative technology and techniques to drive sustainable food production, tackle climate change impacts, and protect nature.

The UK government has announced a new farming roadmap focusing on sustainable food production, business diversification, and nature restoration. £5 billion will be invested over two years in sustainable farming methods. The government will also monitor public sector food sourcing to increase purchases of British produce and introduce reforms to improve supply chain fairness and planning regulations for farm businesses. New precision breeding technologies will be introduced to improve crop resilience.

The UK-based M-SParc’s Egni team secured £360,000 from the NDA’s Socio-Economic Fund in 2021 and an additional £389,000 in 2024 for projects supporting low-carbon businesses and education. The NDA has invested £60 million over five years in similar community projects.

The UK government awarded nearly £52 million to 25 businesses to reduce their carbon emissions. Projects include heat pumps, carbon capture, and expanding recycling capacity. Notable recipients include Heinz (£2.5M grant, £5M investment), Hanson Cement (£5.6M grant), and Novelis (£14M grant). Total project value is £154 million.

Oregon DEQ awarded $1.2 million in Reduce, Reuse, Reimagine grant funds to 14 recipients across 11 counties. The grants support waste prevention projects focusing on reusable foodware, construction material reuse, deconstruction programs, and reusable goods markets. The program aims to reduce environmental and human health impacts of materials throughout their lifecycle.

Australian-based Fortescue awarded A$123,000 in its inaugural Innovation Grants to seven Pilbara initiatives focused on environmental sustainability. These include a traditional bush medicine ‘pharmacy’, green power solutions, and a school upgrade project. The grants aim to support projects with positive sustainable impacts on Pilbara communities.

The Canadian government, through the Canada Water Agency, has launched a funding program to protect freshwater ecosystems. $650 million will be invested over 10 years in the Freshwater Action Plan. Funding is open to various applicants, including Indigenous communities, to support projects enhancing water quality and incorporating Indigenous knowledge.

The Indian Ministry of Mines organized a Chintan Shivir to discuss transformative strategies for the mining sector, focusing on innovation, sustainability, and local manufacturing. Key initiatives included promoting a circular economy, expanding access to geo-scientific data to attract private investment, and boosting the ‘Make in India’ initiative to develop local mining equipment manufacturing. The Ministry also launched the Annual Capacity Building Program and approved 18 research and development projects.

The US Department of Energy (DOE) opened new funding (DE-FOA-0003504) for small businesses to develop innovative clean energy technologies, focusing on hydrogen and fuel cells. Phase I grants can reach $200,000, and Phase II grants up to $1 million.

The Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU) has announced €165 million in funding opportunities for 2025, advancing circular bio-based industries in Europe across 13 topics. The funding comes from Horizon Europe and will be complemented by private investments. The call for proposals will open on April 4, 2025, and close on September 17, 2025.