Global Climate News

A recent report by the North American Council for Freight Efficiency (NACFE) estimated that greenhouse gas emission savings from natural gas engines for trucks are 13%–18% compared to diesel. However, a well-to-wheel analysis, considering methane leakage in natural gas production, shows that the climate benefits are marginal, with potential for CNG trucks to be worse than diesel if methane leakage exceeds 2.5%. The study highlights the risk of technology lock-in with CNG trucks, potentially hindering the adoption of zero-emission vehicles in the future.

The World Bank issued US\$2.7 billion in sustainable development bonds to raise awareness for food loss and waste challenges. The bonds support sustainable development projects, including \$4.6 billion in lending to fund infrastructure, market access, logistics, and waste management. Additionally, research shows that reducing food loss and waste yields tangible food security gains and emissions reductions. Too Good To Go, a scaleup, uses technology to connect consumers with surplus food.

The European Union (EU) statistical office, Eurostat, released the 2024 edition of Key figures on European transport. The publication presents data on passenger and freight transport, transport safety, environmental impact, energy consumption, and economic indicators for transport.

Singapore's shipping companies are investing in technologies to improve efficiency and sustainability. Companies like PSA International are using automated systems, while others are adopting digitalization and real-time tracking. Sustainability initiatives include using electric and hybrid vehicles and exploring alternative fuels. The country faces challenges such as rising transport costs and competition but maintains a significant role in international trade.

The article discusses the evolution of supply chain agility, highlighting the increasing importance of sustainability and proactive risk mitigation. Businesses are integrating advanced technologies like AI and predictive analytics to anticipate disruptions and build more resilient, profitable, and sustainable supply chains.

The article discusses the growth of green corridors in Asia, focusing on renewable energy and sustainability. By 2040, Asia will account for nearly 50 percent of global energy demand, with significant investment in decarbonization technologies. The China-ASEAN corridor is highlighted, with companies like BYD manufacturing EVs in Thailand and Geely reviving Malaysia's Proton brand. Southeast Asia is also pushing for greater environmental sustainability.

India's Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025 showcased numerous electric vehicles and sustainable mobility solutions. Companies like VinFast, BMW, MG Motor, Eka Mobility, BYD, and others launched electric cars, buses, trucks, scooters, and related technologies. Vayve Mobility launched India’s first solar electric car, 'Eva'. The expo highlighted advancements in e-mobility, battery technology, and sustainable transportation.

UK-based Howard Tenens, a logistics company, has reduced its fleet's average emissions by 17% in 2024 through using HVO and biomethane, bioLPG MHE, solar panels and 100% renewable electricity. They aim for a 46% reduction by 2030 and net-zero by 2045, using battery electric technologies powered by renewables. They have installed over seven Megawatts peak of solar PV panels.

India has inaugurated the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025, focusing on green technology, EVs, hydrogen fuel, and biofuels. The government has launched initiatives like the National Electric Mobility Mission and the Green Hydrogen Mission, and the FAME-2 scheme provided incentives worth over ₹8,000 crore for EVs. An ₹18,000 crore PLI scheme promotes advanced chemistry cell battery storage.

The South African Government-Business Partnership has set an ambitious agenda for 2025, focusing on accelerating reforms and key interventions in energy, transport and logistics to drive economic growth and job creation. The partnership aims to achieve GDP growth above 3% and attract substantial investments. Key milestones include a significant reduction in load shedding and the promulgation of the Electricity Regulation Amendment Act.

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.

California has deployed over 150,000 EV chargers and implemented permitting reforms to accelerate EV charging infrastructure deployment. The state focused on streamlining outdated permitting processes for electric truck and EV charging, addressing challenges like inadequate provisions for EV chargers in zoning, lack of dedicated staff, and significant delays. Governor Newsom signed an Executive Order establishing an Infrastructure Strike Team, and the legislature passed bills to expedite permitting processes. These efforts resulted in 342 cities and counties complying with permit streamlining requirements, with fewer project cancellations due to infrastructure issues.

Los Angeles, California is preparing its grid for increased power demand from electric medium- and heavy-duty trucks by 2030. RMI and the Mission Possible Partnership analyzed truck data and found that areas with the largest power demand include LA’s ports and downtown. They suggest grid upgrades, new chargers, managed charging, and collaboration between fleets, utilities, and charging providers to meet the demand and reduce pressure on the grid. The analysis uses Geotab Altitude truck travel data to identify areas where new chargers will have the greatest impact.

India's Ministry of Labour & Employment, in collaboration with CII, hosted a conference on the future of jobs. The conference highlighted the importance of skill development for addressing global workforce shortages and creating a future-ready workforce. Green jobs, digital technologies, and service sectors were identified as key growth areas. India aims to create 100 million highly skilled jobs in smart manufacturing and reach 500 GW of non-fossil fuel energy capacity by 2030, creating 10.3 million new green jobs globally.

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.

E-Logi Fest 2025, a regional event in Armenia, connected professionals, innovators, and decision-makers from logistics, e-commerce, and technology. The summit included discussions on sustainable logistics and AI in supply chains.

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.

Japanese Toyota is expanding its hydrogen focus to commercial applications such as trucks, buses, and light commercial vehicles (LCVs). Collaborations with Isuzu Motors, Hino Motors, and Mitsubishi Fuso are key to scaling production and achieving cost efficiency. These alliances aim to build a comprehensive hydrogen ecosystem, addressing key market challenges and accelerating the adoption of FCEVs globally.

Asia is the world leader in aquaculture, producing over 90% of the global total (nearly 120 million tonnes in 2022). The sector is predicted to grow by over 5% annually through 2030. Investment opportunities include sustainable fish feed production (Skretting invested USD 24 million in Vietnam), high-value species farming, disease detection, and downstream processing. Several Asian countries actively encourage foreign investment in aquaculture.

Russia and Vietnam have strengthened economic ties, with a 24 percent increase in mutual trade last year, driven partly by the Eurasian Economic Union-Vietnam free trade agreement. Energy cooperation is strategic, with joint ventures developing oil and gas deposits. Russia supports a nuclear science and technology center in Vietnam and seeks collaboration in digital technologies. Russia also cherishes cultural and humanitarian ties with Vietnam.