Global Climate News

Thailand has unveiled initiatives to become a global leader in agriculture, using gene editing (GEd) to modernize its sector, combat climate change, and improve food security. The plan includes developing GEd crops like maize, soybeans, sugarcane, and medicinal herbs, reducing import reliance and creating high-value products. International collaborations with the US and Japan are supporting research and regulatory frameworks.

Global biodiversity loss is at an unprecedented rate, with up to one million species at risk of extinction. More than 50% of global GDP depends on natural resources. The World Economic Forum estimates business opportunities in sustainable resource use to be worth up to USD 10 trillion annually by 2030. Nordea launched a biodiversity fund investing in sustainable resource use and biodiversity restoration.

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.

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.

German scientists at the Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy (ATB) have developed a hydrothermal process to produce artificial humic substances from agricultural waste. This process, which mimics natural humification but is faster and more controlled, creates a product that improves soil health, reduces the need for fertilizers and water, and sequesters carbon. The ATB is exploring applications in agriculture and other areas, including enhancing biogas production and creating new types of micro-fertilizers.

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.

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.

US-based REP Provisions published an article about the negative health impacts of seed oils, highlighting their high omega-6 content, processing methods, and potential links to various diseases. The company promotes its own regenerative agriculture products as a healthier alternative.

The Working Party on Forestry meeting discussed topics including Agriculture and Environment, indicating potential relevance to sustainability.

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.

The UK and China have agreed to further cooperation in clean energy, including strengthening the existing UK-China clean energy partnership. China announced plans to issue a sovereign green bond in London in 2025 to finance environmentally sustainable projects. Agreements are expected to deliver up to £1 billion of value to the UK economy.

The European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen established fourteen Project Groups to deliver on political priorities. One of the Project Groups focuses on Clean Industrial Deal and is jointly chaired by three Commissioners. Other Project Groups cover Artificial Intelligence, External Action, Skills, Jobs and Social Rights, and other crucial areas.

The WTO circulated a panel report on January 10th in a case brought by Indonesia against the European Union concerning certain measures on palm oil and oil palm crop-based biofuels (DS593).

The US Department of Treasury and IRS released guidance on the Clean Fuels Production Credit (section 45Z), a tax credit for transportation fuels with low lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions. The guidance clarifies eligibility for entities and fuels, methods for determining lifecycle emissions using models like 45ZCF-GREET, and plans to incorporate emissions benefits from climate-smart agriculture practices.

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.

Grenada: The Green Climate Fund, through GIZ, has approved a project to improve water resource management and resilience to climate change, benefiting over 100,000 people by 2024. This includes building 16 storm-proof water storage facilities and improving water efficiency. Renewable energy will also be implemented for the National Water and Sewerage Authority, co-financed by the BMU.

The UK Environment Agency has provided low risk waste positions (LRWPs) for landspreading waste operations, allowing certain activities without environmental permits if conditions are met. LRWPs may be reviewed or withdrawn; the agency replaced LRWP 13 (zoo manure) with RPS 313 and added waste type 03 01 05 to LRWP 61.

India's ICAR Research Complex for North-Eastern Hill Region has developed over 100 climate-resilient crop varieties, increasing food grain and horticultural crop production by 30% and 40% respectively in the last 10 years. The focus on agri-based enterprises has led to a 25% increase in agri-entrepreneurs in the last five years. The President highlighted the climate resilience of tribal farming systems and urged the conservation of germplasm resources for agricultural sustainability.

India launched the 8th edition of the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP), aiming to increase organic exports to Rs 20,000 crore in three years. The program includes simplified certification, TraceNet 2.0 for traceability, and new portals for organic promotion and Agri-exports. The initiative promotes sustainable farming to combat water scarcity and pesticide overuse.

Denmark plans to introduce a phased agricultural CO2e tax from 2027 to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 70% by 2030. This follows a similar tax for the industrial sector. The IMF highlights the need for a 25-50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 to meet climate goals, requiring massive increases in low-carbon investments.