How are you using the updates from organizations you're getting through this email? I heard from one of you yesterday that Earth Catalyst recommended an organization that was just the kind of place you'd like to work someday. That's awesome!

I want to share a visual of something fun and useful I used learnings from this newsletter for this week. It's pretty far out. I'm going to make it the visual of the day, in fact.

As always, we tracked updates from 1012 (and counting) green tech and sustainability organizations this morning and email subscribers will find three updates from organizations that are just for you, interspersed with a visual of the day and a quote of the day.

You'll find the table of contents for the full set of 67 updates at the end of this post.

Ok, let's go!

-Marshall Kirkpatrick

Founder, Earth Catalyst

Daily super-personalized email and strategic consulting based on two decades of tech startup trailblazing, now focused on green tech and sustainability.

Visual of the Day: Concept Synthesis and Predictive Action Sequence

Ok, Friday experiment time. Let's see if readers find this useful. If not, feel free to skip down to your remaining two personal recommendations below.

The above is a Mermaid diagram visualized by Claude (full size) of a process I experimented with on paper and pencil earlier this week. I was thinking about the role of parallel processes in the power of computing concurrency, and I thought I'd take some inspiration from that. So I made two columns on a pad of paper and down each I analyzed what I found so interesting about two concepts: the gap between actual emissions, planned emissions, and target emissions from US utilities (the subject of Wednesday's Visual of the Day and Concept 1 here). And Concept 2 was the concept of "exponential back-off and retry," something software developers do when a system they query doesn't return data in a timely manner, and something I was discussing with my teammate Andrea this week. (More on the team we're building soon!).

So for each of those two concepts, I made a list of three things I find most interesting about them. And then I repeated that three times, so three sets of three sub-ideas. Then I took the most fecund or generative of the sub-concepts from each of the two columns (which in this case were about the importance of skillful foresight and the power of deliberately planning sequences of actions), and I wrote out three perspectives that each of those concepts could offer to the other.

The realization that came out of this: sequences of foresight models could be powerful in informing sequences of actions.

Then I decided to pick a topic in my life. I thought I'd pick something low-stakes just for this exercise, but it ended up feeling really meaningful after the next few steps!

I decided to apply the following foresight models to this topic in my life in sequence: in-casting, a simplified causal layered analysis (I looked at the topic literally, metaphorically, and spiritually), and a pre-mortem.

After doing that, a smart and heartfelt sequence of four actions I wanted to take, in a specific order, was pretty evident! And at the end of all of this I sent a fellow climate activist a text message offering to ride my bike to their house and lend them a magazine. :) But there was actually a lot to think about before and after that. It sent an echo through memories and dreams of the future, and I may not have thought of it were it not for the thinking fodder of that RMI study of utility decarbonization progress.

And now...

Today's Updates

Table of Contents

• Agriculture (2 stories) - Funding flows to alt-chocolate and wildfire tech; Biotalys CEO warns of regulatory hurdles for ag biologicals

• Carbon (18 stories) - Xpansiv, Ecologi, Sylvera tackle carbon credit issues; VCM Knowledge Vault launched; Carbon Run's river alkalinity project; Climeworks' removal services; Make Sunsets' geoengineering debate; BSI's Net Zero standard; Google's emissions avoidance plan; EDAC Labs' electrochemical tech for carbon-negative mining

• Circular (1 story) - Fashion Industry Launches Compostable Seaweed Polybags

• Ecosystems (5 stories) - Global biodiversity loss accelerates as deforestation surpasses targets; marine conservation lags 30x30 goal; The Wellbeing Project and Oregon initiatives highlight ecosystem interconnectedness

• Efficiency (3 stories) - Smart meters, building retrofits, and Ameresco's energy solutions drive efficiency gains across cities and continents

• Finance (6 stories) - SkyDrive, World Resources Institute, AXA, and Asahi Global Holdings make moves in climate finance; World Bank's $41B climate fund discrepancy revealed by Oxfam

• Grid (3 stories) - Utilities explore Virtual Power Plants and energy storage while states push for grid resilience and faster clean energy adoption

• Indigenous (4 stories) - Indigenous leaders advocate for rights and conservation, from Nemonte Nenquimo's memoir to Haaland's $15M youth corps investment, as groups prepare for COP16 and COP29 negotiations.

• Industry (3 stories) - Microsoft partners with Sublime Systems for low-carbon cement; LNS Research highlights operational strategies; pharma industry tackles emissions challenges

• Policy (8 stories) - US military adaptation, NYC climate tax proposal, EU deforestation regulation delay, and COP preparations highlight diverse policy approaches to climate challenges

• Renewables (6 stories) - DOE's $8.1M for solar innovation, Utah geothermal project approved, Koloma's $50M for hydrogen, Indiana's 188 MW solar online, Bluetti's portable solar, U.S. biofuels capacity up 7%

• Transport (4 stories) - EDF reports surge in electric truck adoption; Battery Smart achieves 50M EV battery swaps; Quebec invests in Swiss electric aviation firm H55

Agriculture

Funding flows to alt-chocolate and wildfire tech; Biotalys CEO warns of regulatory hurdles for ag biologicals

• The Week in AgriFoodTech: Blue Stripes, Nukoko land rounds for alt chocolate, OroraTech snags deal for wildfire detection (AgFunderNews) - Startups secure funding for alternative chocolate production and wildfire detection technology, while multiple agrifoodtech firms announce new investments and collaborations.

• Regulatory bottleneck is thwarting biologicals, says Biotalys CEO: ‘We’ve got to figure out another way’ (AgFunderNews) - Slow regulatory processes threaten innovation in ag biologicals, potentially forcing smaller firms out and shifting development abroad, warns Biotalys CEO Kevin Helash.

Carbon

Xpansiv, Ecologi, Sylvera tackle carbon credit issues; VCM Knowledge Vault launched; Carbon Run's river alkalinity project; Climeworks' removal services; Make Sunsets' geoengineering debate; BSI's Net Zero standard; Google's emissions avoidance plan; EDAC Labs' electrochemical tech for carbon-negative mining

• Webinar | Overcoming Carbon Credit Procurement Challenges (Source not provided) (Sylvera) - Experts from Xpansiv and Ecologi join Sylvera's webinar to tackle carbon credit procurement issues, offering insights on risk reduction and effective portfolio management techniques.

• Introducing the VCM Knowledge Vault (Carbon Pulse) (We Mean Business Coalition) - The VCM Knowledge Vault, a new resource to guide businesses through the voluntary carbon market and support investment in credible climate solutions, has been launched by We Mean Business Coalition.

• Carbon removal on the cover of the New York Times (AirMiners) (YouTube) - The New York Times spotlights carbon removal, featuring Carbon Run's river alkalinity enhancement project, as scientists underscore its crucial role in combating climate change.

• Are you an innovator or an impact seeker? (Climeworks) - Swiss firm Climeworks offers carbon removal services to businesses and individuals, targeting both innovators and impact seekers in the global effort to combat climate change.

• Theories of change (Keep Cool) - Startup Make Sunsets sparks debate on solar radiation management with controversial sulfur dioxide releases into the stratosphere, advocating for increased research in geoengineering.

• Shana Gallagher, British Standards Institute talks the core areas to unlock the net zero transition (Climate Group on YouTube) (Climate Group) - BSI's Shana Gallagher explains how the world's first international Net Zero transition plan standard will boost trust and accountability, accelerating global decarbonization efforts.

• Climate Week NYC 2024 - Kate Brandt (Climate Group on YouTube) (Climate Group) - Google's Kate Brandt unveils plans to enable 1 gigaton of carbon emissions avoidance by 2030 and achieve net-zero operations with 24/7 carbon-free energy.

• Maryland Legislators Visit EDAC Labs (EDAC Labs) - Maryland startup EDAC Labs has created electrochemical technology for carbon-negative mining and decarbonization, drawing attention from lawmakers.

• DOE Visits EDAC Labs (EDAC Labs) - Johns Hopkins scientists unveil an electrochemical process for carbon removal, potentially impacting mining and ocean alkalinity, according to EDAC Labs.

• EDAC Moves Into 10,000 sqft R&D Facility (EDAC Labs) - Startup EDAC Labs has expanded into a 10,000 sq ft R&D facility to advance its electrochemical technology for carbon-negative mining and decarbonization applications.

• EDAC Completes Purchase of Aquahydrex Assets (EDAC Labs) - US-based EDAC Labs acquires AquaHydrex assets, aiming to enhance electrochemical production of acids and bases for carbon removal and industrial decarbonization efforts.

• EDAC Labs Selected by Frontier for Carbon Removal Purchases (EDAC Labs) - Johns Hopkins-developed electrochemical carbon removal technology, chosen by Frontier for purchase, targets commercial applications like carbon-negative mining and ocean alkalinity enhancement, with plans for scaling up.

• EDAC Labs Secures $3M Seed Funding for Carbon Removal (EDAC Labs) - Carbon removal startup EDAC Labs secures $3M seed funding to commercialize electrochemical technology for producing acids and bases, enabling carbon-negative mining and other decarbonization applications.

• Chemicals Industry Process Engineering Team Leader (EDAC Labs) - Johns Hopkins researchers have created an electrochemical process for carbon-negative mining and industrial decarbonization, potentially capable of removing gigatons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

• Electrochemical Engineer (Full Time / Part Time / Internship) (EDAC Labs) - Johns Hopkins researchers have developed an electrochemical technology for carbon-negative mining and decarbonization, with startup EDAC Labs now scaling the innovation for commercial use.

• Chemicals Industry Process Engineer (Full / Part Time, or Intern) (EDAC Labs) - Johns Hopkins researchers have created an electrochemical process for carbon-negative mining and industrial decarbonization, potentially capable of removing gigatons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

• EDAC Enters Third Derivative's First Gigaton Captured Accelerator (EDAC Labs) - Johns Hopkins scientists unveil electrochemical carbon removal tech, targeting carbon-negative mining and potentially reducing atmospheric CO2 by gigatons, reports EDAC Labs.

• EDAC Labs Completes Licensing Agreement with Johns Hopkins (EDAC Labs) - Johns Hopkins University's licensed technology for electrochemical production of acids and bases aims to enable carbon-negative mining and other decarbonization applications, potentially transforming industrial processes.

Circular

• Fashion Industry Launches Compostable Seaweed Polybags (Sway) - Fashion brands introduce compostable seaweed-based polybags, aiming to replace plastic packaging in industry supply chains and reduce environmental impact.

Ecosystems

Global biodiversity loss accelerates as deforestation surpasses targets; marine conservation lags 30x30 goal; The Wellbeing Project and Oregon initiatives highlight ecosystem interconnectedness

• Corinna Otto (The Wellbeing Project) (The Wellbeing Project) - The Wellbeing Project emphasizes the interconnected nature of individual, collective, and planetary wellbeing, illustrating how each level supports and enhances the others.

• Countdown to COP16: How can we shape the future of biodiversity? (CIFOR-ICRAF) - Experts examine approaches to safeguard biodiversity and fund conservation initiatives as the COP16 biodiversity conference looms, with global species loss accelerating at unprecedented rates.

• World off track to meet 2030 targets for eliminating deforestation (Unknown source) (CTrees) - Global deforestation surpassed targets by 45% in 2023, with 6.37 million hectares lost and 3.8 billion metric tons of CO2-equivalent emissions, reports the 2024 Forest Declaration Assessment.

• It's not a competition, but… (Sustainable Northwest) - Oregon nonprofit spotlights regenerative ranching, local mill's airport contribution, energy symposium, and the first salmon's return to Upper Klamath Basin post-dam removal.

• Assessing progress toward the 30x30 target for ocean conservation (No source provided) (Metabolic) - New report reveals global marine conservation efforts lag behind 30x30 target, with just 8.30% of oceans protected and a mere 2.80% likely effectively conserved.

Efficiency

Smart meters, building retrofits, and Ameresco's energy solutions drive efficiency gains across cities and continents

• Smart Meter Myths Debunked: The Facts Behind Energy Savings and Technology (Asoba) - Smart meters offer precise, instantaneous energy data, allowing improved usage control and reduced expenses, despite widespread concerns over privacy, precision, and potential health impacts.

• The Most Sustainable Building is the One Already Built (Ameresco) - Cities are increasingly retrofitting buildings to slash emissions and costs, employing energy efficiency measures, renewables, and innovative financing to meet sustainability targets.

• Ameresco Earns Frost & Sullivan’s 2024 Company of the Year Award for the Energy Services Industry (Ameresco) - Global energy services firm Ameresco clinches Frost & Sullivan's 2024 Company of the Year award for its innovative, customer-centric solutions across North America and Europe.

Finance

SkyDrive, World Resources Institute, AXA, and Asahi Global Holdings make moves in climate finance; World Bank's $41B climate fund discrepancy revealed by Oxfam

• 経理税務室 室長に、元大塚ホールディングスの小清水裕之氏が就任 (SkyDrive) - Former Otsuka Holdings executive Hiroyuki Koshimizu joins SkyDrive as Head of Accounting and Tax, bringing over two decades of expertise to bolster the company's international growth plans.

• WRI webinar explains COP29's biggest issue (World Resources Institute) (World Resources Institute) - Experts will explore strategies to boost climate funding for developing countries at COP29 in Baku during an upcoming webinar hosted by the World Resources Institute.

• Global Energy Council: First-of-a-kind energy projects (Global Corporate Venturing) - Energy transition startups struggle to secure funding for novel projects, with only 25% of venture capital going to hardware-based solutions, necessitating innovative strategies and corporate backing to scale technologies.

• Ulrike Decoene, AXA talks about the role of insurers in the net zero transition (Climate Group on YouTube) (Climate Group) - AXA's Ulrike Decoene outlines how insurers can drive climate adaptation and net-zero goals through risk consulting, data analytics, and sustainable investments.

• Preeti Srivastav, Asahi Global Holdings speaks on their Sustainability Innovation project (Climate Group on YouTube) (Climate Group) - Asahi Global Holdings unveils a new initiative to boost sustainability innovation and aid climate tech pioneers, as announced by Preeti Srivastav.

• The Case of the Missing Climate Money (Heatmap) - A new Oxfam report reveals that up to $41 billion, or nearly 40%, of World Bank climate finance funds distributed since 2016 are unaccounted for due to inadequate record-keeping practices.

Grid

Utilities explore Virtual Power Plants and energy storage while states push for grid resilience and faster clean energy adoption

• Building Back After Extreme Weather (Advanced Energy United) - Recovery efforts in Florida and North Carolina underscore the necessity of resilient energy solutions, such as distributed resources, to address the growing frequency of extreme weather events.

• Why utilities should go big on VPPs (Canary Media) (EnergyHub) - Upcoming live event on October 22nd examines how utilities can leverage Virtual Power Plants to enhance grid flexibility, addressing load growth and infrastructure challenges.

• Clean Energy Industries Rally Behind Illinois Bills to Save Ratepayers $3 Billion Through Grid Modernization (Advanced Energy United) - Illinois lawmakers propose legislation to enhance grid reliability, reduce consumer costs, and expedite clean energy targets through energy storage procurement and streamlined interconnection processes.

Indigenous

Indigenous leaders advocate for rights and conservation, from Nemonte Nenquimo's memoir to Haaland's $15M youth corps investment, as groups prepare for COP16 and COP29 negotiations.

• Tiu de Haan (The Wellbeing Project) (The Wellbeing Project) - Oxford-educated Tiu de Haan crafts custom rituals and ceremonies for individuals, communities, and organizations, aiding them in navigating transitions and discovering meaning through The Wellbeing Project.

• The Violence of Climate Change (Covering Climate Now) - Indigenous leader Nemonte Nenquimo's memoir underscores the vital role of Indigenous peoples in preserving biodiversity, as global leaders prepare for COP16 negotiations on climate action.

• Secretary Haaland Highlights Biden-Harris Administration Commitment to Building Next-Generation Conservation Workforce in New Mexico and Colorado (U.S. Department of the Interior) (DOI) - Interior Secretary Haaland tours New Mexico and Colorado, showcasing a $15 million investment in Indian Youth Service Corps as part of the American Climate Corps initiative to bolster conservation efforts.

• Cultural Survival is headed to CBD COP16! (Cultural Survival) (Cultural Survival) - Indigenous Peoples Advisory Group seeks backing for statement urging financial bodies to respect Indigenous rights and biodiversity at CBD COP16 and COP29, reports Cultural Survival.

Industry

Microsoft partners with Sublime Systems for low-carbon cement; LNS Research highlights operational strategies; pharma industry tackles emissions challenges

• What is an Industrial Operations Strategy, & How Can You Use it to Win? (LNS Research) - Industrial operations strategies offer competitive advantages, aligning with enterprise goals and optimizing processes, potentially boosting productivity growth by up to 20% beyond mere cost reduction, according to LNS Research.

• Climate Week NYC 2024 - Johanna C Jobin (Climate Group on YouTube) (Climate Group) - Pharmaceutical leader Johanna C Jobin outlines industry efforts to address regulatory challenges and reduce emissions, aiming for net zero targets through collaboration and innovation.

• Why Climate’s Hardest Problem Might Need a Carbon Market (Heatmap) - Microsoft collaborates with Sublime Systems to establish a market for low-carbon cement certificates, allowing the tech giant to offset its concrete-related emissions through environmental attribute purchases.

Policy

US military adaptation, NYC climate tax proposal, EU deforestation regulation delay, and COP preparations highlight diverse policy approaches to climate challenges

• Innovative Leadership in Housing Affordability: Insights from HR&A Advisors’ Directors (HR&A Advisors) - Directors at HR&A Advisors highlight strategies for affordable housing, including NOAH preservation and master leasing, while emphasizing mentorship and collaborative problem-solving in their approach.

• Ondřej Liška (The Wellbeing Project) (The Wellbeing Project) - Ondřej Liška's profile emphasizes cultivating leaders with practical skills and intangible qualities to address complex global issues, according to The Wellbeing Project.

• Threat Multiplier: Climate, Military Leadership, and the Fight for Global Security (America Adapts Newsletter) (America Adapts) - Sherri Goodman's new book explores climate change's impact on national security, highlighting the US military's adaptation strategies and the Department of Energy's role in addressing this global challenge.

•  America Is All In in driving meaningful progress for a prosperous, equitable, and sustainable future (Second Nature) - U.S. leaders urged to sign open letter backing ambitious climate action, set for release during COP29 UN Climate Negotiations, as part of America Is All In coalition initiative.

• Pre-COP29 Earth Diplomacy Leadership Workshops start Monday, October 21 (Citizens' Climate International) - Earth Diplomacy Leadership Workshops, beginning October 21, will prepare participants for UN Climate Change negotiations through five sessions covering key aspects of the process.

• COP16 on Biodiversity: down with fossil fuels, up with life! (Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty) - Global leaders at COP16 on Biodiversity seek to address fossil fuel industry's impact on nature and climate, while championing indigenous rights and environmental conservation.

• Is it Time for Climate Resilience Taxes? (Source not provided) (Climate Proof) - New York City's Chief Climate Officer proposes a dedicated tax to fund climate resilience efforts, emphasizing the need for substantial resources to safeguard against coastal storms.

• LiveEO | EUDR Delay: Why the EUDR Compliance Postponement Is the Perfect Time to Act (LiveEO) - EU Council delays enforcement of Deforestation Regulation, pending European Parliament approval, while businesses are urged to maintain readiness for implementation.

Renewables

DOE's $8.1M for solar innovation, Utah geothermal project approved, Koloma's $50M for hydrogen, Indiana's 188 MW solar online, Bluetti's portable solar, U.S. biofuels capacity up 7%

• Solar Snapshot: New Prize for Sustainable Solar Manufacturing; Small Innovative Solar Projects Selected (Source not provided) (DOE) - The Department of Energy launches a $2.7 million prize for sustainable solar manufacturing and selects 16 projects for $5.4 million in small innovative solar research funding.

• Biden-Harris Administration Takes Major Steps to Accelerate Clean Energy Geothermal Development on Public Lands (U.S. Department of the Interior) (Department of Interior) - The Biden administration has approved a major geothermal project in Utah, proposed streamlined permitting, and announced a successful lease sale to boost clean energy development on public lands.

• Koloma raises $50M more in quest to find natural hydrogen underground (Evok Innovations) - Denver-based Koloma secures $50M in Series B extension, bringing total funding to $350M since 2021, as it explores natural underground hydrogen reservoirs for clean energy production.

• Indiana reaps benefits of American-made energy investment | Honeysuckle Solar (Lightsource bp on YouTube) (Lightsource bp) - Indiana's 188 MW Honeysuckle Solar project, now operational, employs 85% local labor and bolsters domestic renewable energy production, marking a significant milestone for the state's clean energy sector.

• This backpack solar generator can help you ignore nature (The Verge) - Portable power company Bluetti unveils backpack-integrated solar generators, catering to outdoor enthusiasts and digital nomads seeking on-the-go energy solutions.

• U.S. capacity to produce biofuels increased 7% in 2023 (EIA) - U.S. biofuels production capacity surged 7% to 24 billion gallons annually in 2023, with renewable diesel and other biofuels capacity soaring by 44%, according to the Energy Information Administration.

Transport

EDF reports surge in electric truck adoption; Battery Smart achieves 50M EV battery swaps; Quebec invests in Swiss electric aviation firm H55

• Charging ahead: Key reasons for confidence in a commercial EV trucking future (EDF) - Electric truck adoption surges as infrastructure investments, technological progress, and financial incentives overcome initial hurdles, reports energy company EDF.

• Charging ahead: Key reasons for confidence in a commercial EV trucking future (EDF) - Electric truck adoption surges as infrastructure investments, technological progress, and financial incentives overcome initial hurdles, reports energy company EDF.

• Battery Smart Achieves 5 Cr Mark In EV Battery Swaps (Battery Smart on YouTube) (Battery Smart) - Indian startup Battery Smart reaches 50 million EV battery swaps across 1,400 stations in under 5 years, setting an industry milestone.

• H55 is thrilled to announce discussions regarding the Government of Quebec’s investment in H55 (H55) - Quebec's government will invest in Swiss electric aviation firm H55, backing its North American growth and increased production in Montreal's aerospace hub.