Global Climate News

A team of researchers at MIT has developed a new method for producing ammonia underground using Earth's natural heat and pressure, reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The process involves injecting water with nitrogen and a catalyst into iron-rich rocks, generating hydrogen that reacts with nitrogen to form ammonia. This could reduce global CO2 emissions by up to 1 percent.

UAE-based Wizz Air Abu Dhabi reported a 20% year-on-year growth in 2024, carrying over 3.5 million passengers and contributing 25% to Zayed International Airport’s point-to-point traffic. The airline carried over 1.2 million international visitors to Abu Dhabi, supporting the emirate’s tourism strategy and contributing to sustainable growth. Wizz Air also introduced new flight subscription models and expanded payment options.

Finnair, a Finnish airline, raised EUR 512 million in equity to improve long-term competitiveness and invest in sustainability and differentiation. The company aims to be carbon-neutral by 2045 and reduce CO2 emissions by 50% by 2025. This investment is part of their long-term sustainability strategy which includes using more sustainable aviation fuels and modernizing their fleet.

VINCI Airports exceeded its pre-COVID traffic levels in 2024, with over 318 million passengers (+3.7% compared to 2019 and +8.5% compared to 2023). Several airports within the network, including Lisbon, Santiago, Edinburgh, and Belgrade, reached record passenger numbers. Significant traffic acceleration was observed in Asia, particularly in Kansai airports (Japan) and Cambodia.

UK-based BeZero Carbon, a global carbon ratings agency, secured a US\$32 million Series C funding round led by GenZero, with participation from Japan Airlines and Translink Innovation Fund. The funds will expand BeZero’s ratings coverage of domestic and sovereign compliance markets, including CORSIA, and invest in automation and its team of climate and data scientists.

US-based Calumet, Inc. announced the closing of a $1.44 billion loan facility with the U.S. Department of Energy to expand Montana Renewables’ renewable fuels facility. The expansion will increase SAF production capacity to 300 million gallons annually and create 450 construction jobs and up to 40 operations jobs.

Researchers at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) found that less than ten percent of announced green hydrogen production was realised in 2023. They determined a competitiveness gap for 1232 global hydrogen projects and estimated that an additional one trillion US dollars in subsidies would be needed to realize all announced projects by 2030. They recommend demand-side instruments like binding quotas to encourage green hydrogen adoption in sectors like aviation.

Switzerland-based Metafuels, a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) producer, raised $9 million to industrialize its e-SAF production. This brings total funding to $22 million, including previous funding and a Swiss government grant. The funds will be used to demonstrate its full production process and advance industrial-scale projects. Metafuels aims to cut life cycle emissions by up to 90% compared to conventional jet fuel.

India launched ‘Mission Mausam’ to transform the nation into a ‘Weather-ready and Climate-smart’ nation using advanced technologies. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) celebrated its 150th anniversary, highlighting achievements in weather forecasting accuracy (40% improvement since 2014) and disaster mitigation (zero cyclone deaths 2020-2024).

US-based Gigablue signed an agreement with SkiesFifty for the sequestration of 200,000 tons of CO2 over four years. This is the largest marine carbon dioxide removal offtake agreement to date. Gigablue’s technology uses marine carbon fixation and sequestration (MCFS) to store carbon dioxide at a gigaton scale.

France-based Turbotech, Safran, and Air Liquide completed ground demonstration testing of a hydrogen-fueled gas turbine aeroengine. The engine was coupled to a cryogenic liquid storage system developed by Air Liquide to demonstrate the end-to-end integration of a propulsion system replicating all functions on a complete aircraft.

The Emerging Africa and Asia Infrastructure Fund (EAAIF) has expanded its operations to Asia, leveraging its two decades of experience in Africa. It has invested $294 million (over half its $500 million target) and plans to deploy over a billion in the next four years across Africa and Asia. Investments include sustainable aviation fuel in Pakistan, industrial solar in Vietnam, and a portfolio of renewable energy projects in Africa. EAAIF is using a blended finance approach and focusing on portfolios of projects to scale impact.

Switzerland-based Jet Aviation has partnered with World Fuel Services to offer Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) at its Basel site. This makes Basel the 12th Jet Aviation facility worldwide to offer on-site SAF, permanently available for all departing flights. Jet Aviation aims to increase access to SAF to contribute to a more sustainable future in the aviation industry.

Chinese steel plate factories, including hanyesteel, produce specialty steel plates used in construction, automotive, aerospace, and energy sectors. These plates offer high strength, durability, and corrosion resistance, making them suitable for demanding applications in various industries.

South Korea-based Sambo+Mobility showcased its hydrogen-battery hybrid electric flying taxi, HAM III-2, at CES 2025. The two-seater aircraft has a 30-foot wingspan, 15-foot height, and weighs 1,875 pounds. It boasts a cruising speed of 110 mph, a range of 62 miles, and a maximum flight time of 40 minutes. Testing is expected to begin in early 2025.

China-based Hanyesteel, a steel plate factory, has committed to sustainability and environmental responsibility by adhering to strict quality control measures and eco-friendly practices throughout its steel plate production process. The company uses advanced technologies and cutting-edge processes to manufacture steel plates known for their exceptional strength, durability, and versatility.

The US Treasury Department and the IRS, in consultation with other federal agencies, issued Notice 2025-11 providing guidance on emissions rates for the clean fuel production credit under Section 45Z of the Internal Revenue Code. The notice requests public comments on emissions rates and outlines methodologies for determining emissions rates for different transportation fuels, including the use of the 45ZCF-GREET model and CORSIA.

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.

Africa and the Middle East are emerging as key players in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) development. In Africa, South Africa has the potential to produce 3.2-4.5 billion liters of SAF annually, exceeding its domestic demand. The Middle East, particularly the UAE, is investing heavily in SAF production, aiming for 700 million liters annually by 2031. Saudi Arabia plans a major e-SAF plant producing 350 million liters annually by 2029. Challenges include feedstock availability and high upfront costs.

India's Prime Minister mentioned renewable energy, aviation ecosystem, electric mobility, metro network expansion, and bullet train projects as examples of the country's rapid progress. He also highlighted India's progress in renewable energy and its aim to become a developed nation by 2047, emphasizing the role of the Indian diaspora in this journey.