Global Climate News

US-based Idaho National Laboratory has developed the Sample Preparation Laboratory (SPL), the first new hot cells built in 50 years, to test structural materials for advanced nuclear reactors. SPL aims to cut down irradiated material samples for research and testing in various extreme conditions. The facility is scheduled to go 'hot' in January 2026, with installations and tests of scientific equipment occurring through 2025. This initiative is expected to play a critical role in exploring material properties for sustainable nuclear energy solutions.

German organization WWF partnered with Microsoft AI and Accenture to develop GhostNetZero, an AI-powered technology that detects ghost fishing nets. This initiative successfully recovered 26 tons of marine waste from the Baltic Sea, proving 90% accuracy in detection. Furthermore, researchers from Peking University and the University of South Denmark developed AI-driven tools for sustainable urban planning by analyzing materials in city buildings, utilizing data from Google Street View and satellites to promote eco-friendly development practices.

Japan's Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) began releasing ALPS-treated water into the sea in August 2023. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) announced that it would conduct additional testing to ensure the safety of this discharge. Future discharges will release approximately 7,800 cubic meters each, totaling about 54,600 m3 per year. As of mid-February 2025, TEPCO has stored nearly 1.3 million m3 of ALPS-treated water in tanks on-site.

India's Vice President, Dr. Jagdeep Dhankhar, addressed the African-Asian Rural Development Organization conference, highlighting the importance of gender participation in governance. He stressed that climate change is a significant issue stemming from the reckless exploitation of natural resources, with India leveraging technology to empower people and combat these issues. His government has invested heavily in rural development and education, with a goal of making India a developed nation by 2047.

South Africa's Cabinet approved the submission of the Protocol on Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) in the Western Indian Ocean to Parliament. The Nairobi Convention promotes sustainable biodiversity management and enhances resilience to climate change impacts. This protocol offers opportunities for South Africa to enhance its capacity for climate change mitigation. The adoption was made official on 12 September 2023.

Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry announced that, under the framework of the IAEA, the first sampling of ALPS treated water was conducted at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant on February 21, 2025. This action followed the agreement made in September between Japan and the IAEA to carry out additional monitoring. IAEA officials along with representatives from South Korea, Switzerland, China, and France collected samples from a measurement tank to ensure the safety of the treated water before its release into the ocean. The Ministry aims to provide high transparency and promote understanding of the safety of ALPS treated water among domestic and international communities.

Norwegian SINTEF has been developing advanced models since the 1980s to simulate cable properties in complex marine environments. These dynamic underwater cables are crucial for transporting energy from floating installations like offshore wind turbines to static seabed cables, essential for Europe’s planned 6,000 km of underwater power cables annually. This transition to renewable energy marks a significant shift from previous oil and gas industry investments, optimizing design and manufacturing processes to reduce costs.

Taiwan's Environmental Protection Administration announced on February 12, 2025, that it has lifted the pollution control status of the underground water pollution case at the Penghu County Oil Supply Center, attributed to effective pollution mitigation efforts. After several years of remediation efforts, the pollutant concentration has now fallen below the regulatory standards, marking it as the first successful pollution cleanup case in 2025. The pollution incident, which started in 2018, involved oil contamination discovered during inspections. To ensure safe drinking water for local residents, immediate response measures were implemented by CPC Corporation, with continuous supervision from environmental officials. The case highlights the importance of proactive environmental management for sustainable water resource usage.

US-based Mauser Packaging Solutions has embraced environmentally beneficial practices through its True Sustainability initiatives. The company has committed to using recycled materials in their products and providing solutions for recovering used packaging. They continue to explore sustainable technologies and processes, aiming to reduce environmental impact while meeting customer needs for sustainable packaging solutions.

Cambodia's Cardamom Mountains, a vital ecological area, faced funding cuts that jeopardize a $15 million conservation project. The region, rich in biodiversity, relies on $1 million in U.S. support for community agreements critical for forest protection. Conservation International has worked here for decades to secure these forests, but with U.S. funding not likely to be restored, future efforts hang in the balance.

US-based Department of Energy’s Idaho Cleanup Project successfully tested robotic equipment at the Idaho National Laboratory Site to retrieve radioactive calcine waste. This innovative technology was designed to be operated remotely to weld access points in the site’s Calcined Solids Storage Facilities. The initial tests showcased the robot's ability to weld and cut steel plates, marking significant progress in the ongoing Calcine Disposition Project aimed at safely removing and disposing of hazardous waste stored at the site.

Paptic bags are a groundbreaking development in sustainable packaging, utilizing renewable wood fibres that are responsibly sourced. This aligns with sustainable forest management principles and helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions during production. Paptic bags offer a recyclable and reusable alternative, contributing to a circular economy and significantly decreasing reliance on fossil fuels. By providing a viable alternative to single-use plastics, Paptic products help combat plastic waste, while their unique attributes enhance consumer experience and branding opportunities.

The international team of researchers at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) developed a novel measurement technique for analyzing actinides, enhancing insight into their electronic structures. This groundbreaking method, M4 resonant inelastic X-ray scattering, enables the comprehension of bonding properties in radioactive elements, which could lead to better nuclear waste disposal solutions. Scientists emphasize that the results have substantial implications for the safe management of actinide compounds in environmental contexts.

Spain-based Sidenor participated in the SCALE-UP project, an initiative funded by the Basque Government's HAZITEK program. This project aims to develop innovative methodologies to validate the reliability of large scale wind turbine components without the need for extensive testing facilities. Focused on optimizing induction hardening processes for offshore wind turbine fasteners, Sidenor integrates experimental trials and simulation models to enhance mechanical properties and durability. This effort also aligns with their commitment to reduce carbon emissions in steel production using renewable energies.

The EU's expert group on climate change policy (CCEG) is currently accepting applications from organizations to enhance the aviation formation. The CCEG aims to strengthen discussions and effectively implement the EU ETS Directive for aviation. The selected members will contribute to achieving the EU's target of reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030. Additionally, a new support mechanism to accelerate the use of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) has been introduced, allocating 20 million allowances worth an estimated €1.6 billion. The first meetings will begin in 2025.

Sweden-based Testbädd Ellinge has been producing fourteen different sludge biochars from five wastewater treatment plants since January 14, operating at pyrolysis temperatures between 500-900°C. The pilot plant for sludge drying and pyrolysis is set to be handed over from Aquagreen to VA SYD on March 14. Currently, Ellinge produces sludge biochar on days when no major modifications are needed by Aquagreen, which is focusing on optimizing drying processes, a web portal for trend curves, and CE marking. Samples are being sent to an external lab for analysis to ensure logistics and testing accuracy.

ASEAN's Secretary-General Dr. Kao Kim Hourn attended the Japan-ASEAN Youth Summit 2025, emphasizing the crucial role of youth in tackling societal challenges, particularly in public health and environmental sustainability. He called for the nurturing of youth talent and innovation through initiatives that promote collaboration within the ASEAN community. This summit aimed at fostering closer ties among youth and encouraging them to lead sustainable change within their regions.

Australia is developing its own sustainable finance taxonomy to incorporate circular economy principles. This initiative aims to align with global better practices and includes clear and well-defined circular economy criteria to qualify projects for sustainable finance. Additionally, the NSW Government launched the Circular Solar grants program, a $10 million initiative to manage solar panel and battery waste, which is projected to increase significantly by 2035. Researchers at UNSW have also pioneered a solar panel recycling method that can separate up to 99% of materials, showcasing Australia's commitment to enhancing recycling capabilities in the renewable sector.

Australia is in the process of developing its own sustainable finance taxonomy, which represents a critical opportunity to align with global best practices. The NSW Government launched the Circular Solar grants program, a $10 million initiative designed to manage the anticipated increase in solar panel and battery waste. Projections indicate that NSW will generate between 3,000 to 10,000 tonnes of such waste annually by 2025, escalating to 40,000 to 71,000 tonnes by 2035. This program supports collaborative projects that trial end-of-life solutions for solar panels and battery systems within a circular economy framework.

China-based researchers from the State Key Laboratory of Biogeology & Environmental Geology and the Key Laboratory of Water and Sediment Sciences have developed Cr(III)-incorporated Fe(III) hydroxides. This innovative material demonstrated improved efficiency in removing As(III) and Cr(VI) from acidic solutions. The researchers found that as the Cr incorporation increased, the removal efficiency of these contaminants also increased due to enhanced adsorption capabilities. This development marks a significant advance in water treatment technologies, providing a new method to address heavy metal contamination in aquatic environments.