Global Climate News

Robeco, a Dutch asset manager, has expanded its engagement in climate and nature, focusing on natural resource management, deforestation (expanding from palm oil to soy, beef, leather, paper and pulp), biodiversity, and human capital management. They are also initiating new themes on transition minerals (supply chains in electric vehicle batteries) and protecting shareholder rights from weakening regulations.

US-based Algaeo, founded by Nick Sokol, has developed a technology to produce organic fertilizers from microalgae. This reduces reliance on petroleum-based synthetic fertilizers, decreasing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Algaeo is part of the Innovation Crossroads program at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, utilizing ORNL resources to optimize its fertilizer production.

Grenada: The Green Climate Fund, through GIZ, has approved a project to improve water resource management and resilience to climate change, benefiting over 100,000 people by 2024. This includes building 16 storm-proof water storage facilities and improving water efficiency. Renewable energy will also be implemented for the National Water and Sewerage Authority, co-financed by the BMU.

The Environment Agency in England is consulting the public on Sizewell C Limited’s application for an environmental permit to construct a highway drainage surface water headwall and remove an associated ash tree near the River Yox/Minsmere River. The works will take place on the south bank of the river, downstream of the A12 Yoxford road bridge.

US-based Plug Power has detailed its hydrogen production process, from water purification to liquefaction and distribution, emphasizing its use of proton exchange membrane-based electrolyzers and commitment to sustainable practices. The company has completed its first customer fill of liquid green hydrogen at its Georgia plant.

The US Congress passed several bills related to water conservation and drought preparedness. The Great Salt Lake Stewardship Act will divert funds to conserve Utah’s Great Salt Lake. The WATER Data Improvement Act will support U.S. Geological Survey programs tracking water availability. The Drought Preparedness Act reauthorizes the Bureau of Reclamation’s Drought Response Program. The America’s Conservation Enhancement Reauthorization Act supports wildlife habitat restoration.

The US passed the Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act of 2024, allowing NGOs to remediate polluted mines. The Pensacola and Perdido Bays Estuary of National Significance Act of 2024 designates these Florida waterways as estuaries of national significance, increasing protections and restoration efforts. The EXPLORE Act, improving public lands recreation access, awaits President Biden’s signature. The FISHES Act expedites federal disaster relief for fisheries.

The Environment Agency in England is consulting the public on an environmental permit application submitted by Mr Richard Geoghegan and Mrs Jane Skelton for waste and mining waste operations, installations, water discharge and groundwater activities, and medium combustion plant and specified generators at The Rosery, Basingstoke Road, Old Alresford, SO24 9DL.

UK-based Severn Trent Water Limited submitted an environmental permit application to the Environment Agency for Loggerheads Sanatorium Sewage Treatment Works. The application concerns water discharge and is subject to public consultation.

Jeremy Collins has submitted an environmental permit application to the Environment Agency for Meridon House in Bishops Sutton, UK. The application concerns waste and mining waste operations, installations, water discharge and groundwater activities, and medium combustion plant and specified generators.

The Environment Agency in England is consulting the public on an environmental permit application submitted by Indurent Strategic Land Ltd for land off Junction 1 of the A50 in Leicestershire. The application concerns waste and mining waste operations, installations, water discharge and groundwater activities, and medium combustion plant and specified generators.

The Environment Agency in England is consulting the public on an environmental permit application submitted by Richard Pearson-Wood for White Farm Stables in Kingsdown, Kent. The application concerns waste and mining waste operations, installations, water discharge, groundwater activities, and medium combustion plant and specified generators.

The European Investment Bank (EIB) provided a €4.7 million loan to Lviv, Ukraine, to reclaim the Hrybovychi landfill. This is part of the EIB’s Ukraine Solidarity Urgent Response package and the Ukraine Municipal Infrastructure Programme (UMIP). The project will improve waste management, minimize ecological impact, and transform the landfill into a green zone and park. Earlier phases received €6.04 million from EIB and co-financing from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).

India's Jal Jeevan Mission has brought tap water to every household in Bundelkhand, Uttar Pradesh. The initiative, showcased at Mahakumbh 2025, highlights the region's transformation from water scarcity. A 40,000 sq ft exhibition, 'Swachh Sujal Gaon', will feature a digital corner for water conservation awareness and real-time water supply information. The Rural Water Supply and Namami Gange Department will establish a ‘Jal Mandir’ (Water Temple) promoting water conservation.

India's Ministry of Jal Shakti showcased the success of the Jal Jeevan Mission in bringing tap water to every household in Bundelkhand, Uttar Pradesh. The initiative, part of the 'Swachh Sujal Gaon' program, was highlighted at Mahakumbh 2025, demonstrating the region's transformation from water scarcity. A digital corner provided real-time water supply information.

India invited around 10,000 special guests to witness the 76th Republic Day Parade. The guests included representatives from various government schemes focusing on renewable energy (PM Surya Ghar Yojna, PM KUSUM), agriculture (Agriculture Infrastructure Fund, Rashtriya Gokul Mission), and rural development (PM-VISHWAKARMA yojana, OM Matasya Sampada Yojana). Disaster relief workers, Pani Samiti, Water Warriors, and environmental conservation volunteers were also invited.

The UK government has announced a new farming roadmap focusing on sustainable food production, business diversification, and nature restoration. £5 billion will be invested over two years in sustainable farming methods. The government will also monitor public sector food sourcing to increase purchases of British produce and introduce reforms to improve supply chain fairness and planning regulations for farm businesses. New precision breeding technologies will be introduced to improve crop resilience.

The Environment Agency in England has received water abstraction licence applications from Viscount Piers Mountgarret for licences to abstract water. The applications are open for public consultation.

The Environment Agency in England has received an application from Anglian Water Services Limited to vary a licence to abstract water. The agency consults the public on such applications.

South Africa launched the Citizen Science for Water Photo Story Competition to raise awareness on the relationship between water and culture, education, and natural sciences, and to promote sustainable water management. The competition, a collaboration between the Department of Water and Sanitation and the UNESCO Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme, targets citizens, organizations, and artists, encouraging submissions aligned with five themes related to water. The deadline for submissions is March 26, 2025.