Global Climate News

Poland-based 45 Wojskowy Oddział Gospodarczy awarded a contract worth 8 776 666,68PLN to EWE energia Sp. z o.o. for pipeline transport services of natural gas. The contract was awarded without prior call for competition due to technical reasons, as EWE energia Sp. z o.o. is the sole owner of the necessary pipeline network.

Ukraine-based Metinvest Group plans to build a green steel plant in Italy with support from Italian partners, including SACE and Cassa Depositi e Prestiti. The plant will produce 2.7 million tonnes of green steel annually using electric arc furnaces and raw materials from Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine. This project aims to strengthen ties between Ukrainian and European industries and promote sustainable industrial development.

Canadian PyroGenesis Inc. received a CA$1.04 million payment for milestones reached under a CA$4.1 million contract with a US aeronautics and defense client. A second contract for a $27 million plasma torch was also signed with the same client. PyroGenesis' plasma torches are designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Swedish Celltech Group, a global supplier of battery solutions with nearly 40 years of experience in defense and security applications, will participate in SecD-Day 2025 in Helsinki, Finland. Their battery solutions focus on reliability, safety, and sustainability for modern defense applications.

The US AI sector's explosive growth is driving a massive increase in energy and rare earth mineral demand. President Trump's interest in acquiring Greenland and Canada is linked to securing these resources, crucial for AI development and reducing reliance on China. The growth of the US AI sector is projected to reach 223.61 billion USD in 2030, representing 14.19% of the US GDP. This growth fuels a demand for semiconductors, with Nvidia's market value reaching 3.2 trillion USD in 2024.

The global push for electric vehicles (EVs) is accelerating, with sales climbing to 17 million in 2024. China leads the market with 12 million EV sales, followed by the US and Europe. Advancements in solid-state batteries and dry coating technology are expected to revolutionize EVs, improving energy density and safety, and reducing energy consumption and CO2 emissions. The EV industry is also focusing on recyclable batteries and responsible sourcing of materials. However, challenges remain, including supply chain constraints and the need for increased copper production. The defense sector is also investing heavily in battery technology for drones and other applications. US start-up Lyten plans to invest over $1 billion in a lithium-sulfur battery gigafactory, while Japanese manufacturer TDK achieved a breakthrough in solid-state battery technology.

Taiwan's government voiced strong objections to proposed budget cuts by opposition parties, warning of negative impacts on national competitiveness, security, technology, civil service, and communications. Specific concerns included cuts to anti-fraud media campaigns (NT$230 million allocated, compared to NT$250 million spent by a single fraud group in six months), the Ministry of Justice's media budget (NT$12.3 million cut), the national defense budget (up to 44 percent cut affecting 38 projects), and Taiwan Power Co.'s budget (NT$200 billion cut, potentially leading to electricity price increases). Cuts to the Ministry of Agriculture's budget (40 percent) would also impact essential services and consumer safety.

China-based Hanyesteel, a leading steel plate manufacturer, produces specialty steel plates used in renewable energy technologies such as wind turbines and solar panels. The corrosion resistance and durability of these steel plates make them suitable for harsh environmental conditions.

Taiwan's Executive Yuan has allocated over 426 billion NTD to build 141 new patrol vessels for the Coast Guard Administration between 2018 and 2027 to enhance maritime security and protect its territorial waters. The government also designated Kinmen, Penghu, and Matsu islands as "low-carbon, eco-friendly islands", aiming to develop them as models for low-carbon, green energy, and energy conservation.

The UK and Poland signed a new defense and security treaty to cooperate on tackling shared threats, including climate change. The agreement includes boosting their militaries’ collaboration, fighting people smuggling, securing energy supplies, and protecting infrastructure. InPost, a Polish logistics company, announced a £600 million investment in the UK, creating up to 12,000 jobs.

The UK and Ukraine have agreed to deepen collaboration on energy, based on principles of sustainability and clean transition, and strengthen conditions for investment in Ukraine’s energy sector. They will also work together to meet Ukraine’s climate objectives in line with the Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals.

The UK has cemented itself as a preferred partner for Ukraine's energy sector, critical minerals strategy, and green steel production. The 100 Year Partnership includes a £40 million economic recovery program (TIGER) to support Ukrainian small and medium businesses, focusing on green economy sectors. A new Grain Verification Scheme will also track stolen grain from occupied territories, aiding global food security.

The article discusses the impact of trade tensions, particularly between the US and China, on critical mineral markets. The US imposed tariffs on Chinese imports of critical minerals, leading to supply chain disruptions and price volatility in various metals like indium, chrome, tantalum, and rare earths. China also implemented export controls on gallium and germanium, further impacting global supply. The return of President-elect Donald Trump is anticipated to exacerbate these issues, potentially leading to broader tariffs.

The UK Ministry of Defence has updated JSP 317, a manual detailing safety regulations for fuel storage and handling at MOD installations. The updates cover both directive and guidance sections and were published in January 2025.

The US removed three Indian entities (Indian Rare Earths, Indira Gandhi Atomic Research Center, and Bhabha Atomic Research Center) from the Entity List to support advanced energy cooperation and reduce barriers to joint research and development. This action aims to strengthen US-India collaboration on energy security and peaceful nuclear cooperation.

China-based Hanyesteel produces steel plates used in various sectors, including construction, manufacturing, aerospace, defense, and energy. Steel plates provide structural support and reinforcement in construction, machinability in manufacturing, and high-temperature resistance in energy applications.

The United Kingdom's climate technology sector, while promising, faces challenges in scaling. McKinsey's analysis reveals risk aversion among investors, limited late-stage capital, and fragmented ecosystems. The report highlights the need for increased ambition, securing capital for hyperscaling through captive demand and cost advantages, building talent, and fostering collaboration between startups, incumbents, and the public sector. Examples include investments in CCUS and EV battery technologies, with funding figures cited for various projects and companies.

The UK and Iraq signed a Memorandum of Cooperation on Climate Change, the Environment, Energy Transition and the Carbon Economy. The agreement includes a partnership to enhance cooperation to deliver Iraq’s commitment to end gas flaring by 2028 and dry gas venting. A trade and export package of £12.3 billion was also announced, including investments in clean energy. The UK is supporting Iraq in establishing the Iraq Fund for Development (IFD) to support socio-economic infrastructure projects.

The article discusses Donald Trump's "America First" philosophy and its potential impact on climate and economic policy. It also mentions Germany's economic challenges, including slow digitalization and the green transition's impact on the automotive industry. Finally, it highlights the importance of labor market developments and inflation for monetary policy in 2025.

The Government of Canada has awarded a $98 million contract to Colbourne & Kembel Architects Inc. for a new 8,350 m2 facility at Canadian Forces Base Kingston for the 21 Electronic Warfare Regiment. The facility will be built to meet the Canadian Green Building Council Zero-Carbon Building Performance Standards and include on-site solar power generation. Construction will sustain approximately 150 jobs.