Global Climate News

A recent study by Li and colleagues found a positive association between PFAS detected in US drinking water above maximum containment levels and higher incidence of cancers of the digestive system, endocrine system, oral cavity and pharynx, and respiratory system. The study used county-level cancer incidence data from the US National Cancer Institute and PFAS levels from the EPA, covering approximately half the US population. Further research is needed to understand the mechanism and mitigation of PFAS's impact on cancer.

South African biotech Afrigen Biologics received a $6.2m grant from CEPI to develop the first mRNA-based vaccine against Rift Valley fever, a climate-sensitive disease. The funding will support preclinical testing and a Phase I clinical trial, potentially in South Africa or another affected country. Concerns exist about increasing Rift Valley fever rates due to climate change, and CEPI highlights the need for a new vaccine to address the risk of spread and increased frequency or size of outbreaks due to changing weather events. Additionally, CEPI previously funded research at the University of Oxford for a Rift Valley fever vaccine candidate, providing $3.7m for a Phase II clinical trial in Kenya.

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 Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) has conducted a seminar series exploring emerging technologies and their policy implications, including a session on the basics of atomic energy and the potential of small modular reactors (SMRs) for future energy needs. The course was offered free to congressional staff.

South Korea announced measures to enhance the competitiveness of eco-friendly cars and secondary batteries, including increasing policy financing to promote investment in secondary batteries by 2 trillion won (5.9 trillion won in 2024 → 7.9 trillion won in 2025). The government will also create an innovation ecosystem for pharmaceutical and biotech ventures, launching a new biotech fund worth 400 billion won.

This study, funded by the Lien Environmental Fellowship Programme and other agencies, is a preliminary assessment of emerging and persistent contaminants (EPCs) in the Kamphuan Stream in Southern Thailand. Analysis revealed significantly elevated EPC concentrations during the rainy season, highlighting the episodic nature of contamination driven by urban stormwater runoff. Six EPCs exceeded predicted no-effect concentrations (PNECs) for marine or freshwater ecosystems, though these were not persistent. The study underscores the need for further research into EPCs in Southeast Asia.

Russia's Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) reported on various projects including investments in energy (small hydroelectric power plants in Karelia, domestic gas supply with Gazprom), and artificial intelligence. The RDIF has invested over 2.3 trillion rubles in 100 projects, attracting 36 billion euros of foreign capital and generating significant returns for the state. Investments in renewable energy, including small hydroelectric power plants are mentioned.

The Nordea Economic Outlook report discusses the impact of the green and digital transition on inflation, noting that it may lead to higher inflation due to new taxes and increased demand for certain minerals. The report also mentions the potential for AI to boost productivity in the long term, but highlights challenges like retraining the workforce. The report analyzes the resilience of Nordic economies to monetary tightening and the global economic downturn.

India launched the Genome India Project, sequencing the genomes of 10,000 individuals to understand India’s genetic landscape and develop effective treatments for diseases like sickle cell anemia. The project, involving over 20 research institutions, makes genomic data available at the Indian Biological Data Center. India also aims to boost its Bio Economy, recently launching the Bio E3 Policy to become a global biotech leader.

Taiwan's Executive Yuan passed amendments to the Electricity Act, aiming to promote energy structure transformation and a healthy green energy market. The amendments were passed on January 9, 2025.

Malaysia and Singapore signed an agreement to establish the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), focusing on sectors like manufacturing, logistics, and digital industries. Six memoranda of understanding were also announced, including one related to carbon capture and storage and cooperation on emissions under Article 6(2) of the Paris Agreement.

India launched the National Green Hydrogen Mission in 2023 with a goal to produce 5 million metric tonnes of green hydrogen by 2030. Visakhapatnam will be one of the two initial green hydrogen hubs, creating numerous job opportunities and boosting the manufacturing ecosystem in Andhra Pradesh. Projects worth over 2 lakh crore rupees were launched, including a Bulk Drug Park in Nakkapalli and the KrishnaPatnam Industrial Area (Kris City).

India has launched the first Green Hydrogen Hub under the National Green Hydrogen Mission. The NTPC Green Energy Limited Green Hydrogen Hub Project in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, entails an investment of approximately ₹1,85,000 crore and will produce 1500 TPD Green Hydrogen and 7500 TPD Green Hydrogen derivatives. This project will contribute to India's target of 500 GW non-fossil energy capacity by 2030.

US-based researchers at MIT have been awarded the National Medal of Science and the National Medal of Technology and Innovation for their work in various fields, including developing novel materials for solar cells and batteries, researching anesthesia's effects on the brain, creating thin films for drug delivery, and developing CRISPR genome-editing technology. Their innovations have significant implications for energy, medicine, and healthcare.

India's BIO-E3 policy aims to boost the bioeconomy, creating jobs and promoting environmental sustainability. The policy has spurred growth in India's biotechnology sector, which has increased from \\$10 billion in 2014 to over \\$130 billion in 2024, projected to reach \\$300 billion by 2030. In 2024, the Indian government sanctioned 1000 crores to further accelerate innovation in biotechnology.

India's Department of Commerce has undertaken several initiatives in 2024, including the launch of the InCENT Lab Grown Diamond Project by IIT-Madras to boost indigenous production and reduce import dependency. The Spices Board introduced a new high-yielding, climate-resilient small cardamom variety. The Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) agreements for Pillar III (Clean economy) and Pillar IV (Fair economy) were signed, signifying commitment to sustainable development.

Brazil has enacted Law No. 15.071/2024, which modifies previous legislation on the Mover (Green Mobility and Innovation) Program and simplified taxation of international postal shipments. The law facilitates the import of vehicles and auto parts, encouraging innovation in the automotive industry and promoting a more sustainable market. It also includes R$ 19.3 billion (approximately US$ 3.9 billion) in financial credits until 2028 to support investments in research and development and domestic production.

India and Kuwait elevated their bilateral relations to a ‘Strategic Partnership’, focusing on cooperation in political, trade, investment, defence, security, energy, culture, education, technology, and people-to-people ties. They agreed to enhance cooperation in the energy sector, exploring avenues beyond a buyer-seller relationship to include upstream and downstream collaborations. Kuwait's membership in the International Solar Alliance (ISA) signifies a step towards sustainable energy solutions.

The European Union has been actively working towards the commitments made in the 2022 Kunming-Montréal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). The EU doubled its external financing for biodiversity to €7 billion from 2021 to 2027 and unveiled new initiatives worth close to €160 million at COP16. The Commission is also funding at least 74 nature-based solutions projects in Europe with a total contribution of €654 million.

Researchers have developed a novel core-shell structural catalyst (FeNC@C) for efficient antibiotic degradation that requires no additional energy input. The catalyst achieved 90% degradation efficiency and over 47% total organic carbon removal within 60 minutes, demonstrating significant potential for energy-efficient water treatment and antibiotic decomposition.