Happy Monday. I'm going to keep today's preamble short because I'm preparing for the first Earth Catalyst on-site team meeting this morning!

Email subscribers will find three stories just for you. Below you can see here a visual of the day and a quote of the day, followed by the table of contents and the full set of 46 highlighted updates from the 1012 green tech and sustainability organizations we're tracking.

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: Renewables Tipping in the Global South

From Rocky Mountain Institute's October report Powering Up the Global South: The Cleantech Path to Growth via Noah Smith's post from yesterday, EVs are just going to win: Because they're a superior technology, and superior technologies win.

Note that although RMI says here that 5% is "generally accepted to be the market share at which change takes off" - most other people put that at 10%-15%.

Quote of the Day: Your Impact & Dependence on Nature

This may be obvious to readers here, but I like this quote because it makes the two-way relationship explicitly and says it is universal among organizations.

“Every business in every sector needs to be thinking about its impact on nature and its dependency on nature and how that dependency creates risk to their organization. We need to get every business in every sector to think about nature differently,” says Tony Goldner, executive director of the task force on Nature-related Financial Disclosures.

“They must understand their impacts on the planet and how to reduce them.”

From Forbes this morning, World Leaders Gather To Halt And Reverse Biodiversity Loss By 2030

And now...

Today's Updates

Table of Contents

• Agriculture (2 stories) - Herenboeren's farm updates; California dairy biogas subsidies' environmental impact in Tulare County

• Carbon (2 stories) - Climeworks gains support for future-focused carbon capture; Dalhousie University plans dye study for ocean CO2 removal technique

• Circular (1 story) - NICE unveils plans for towering biobased residential structure, pushing boundaries of sustainable urban design

• Ecosystems (6 stories) - Commonland, eagle owls in Ukraine, Okefenokee expansion, 'Walking Conversations', COP16 biodiversity goals, and nature job course launch

• Efficiency (3 stories) - Cortex partnership boosts NYC building efficiency; blown-in insulation for homes; wellness programs cut costs and boost productivity

• Finance (3 stories) - AON, Blackstone experts discuss tax credits; Schnellecke Logistics benefits from disclosure; Southeast Asian cleantech investments soar, especially in Vietnam and Philippines

• Grid (5 stories) - DOE funds Pearl Harbor microgrid; California tackles data accuracy; $1.9B for grid resilience; Google and Amazon eye small nuclear reactors

• Indigenous (2 stories) - Indigenous leaders at COP16 workshop; Alberta group advocates water protection

• Policy (15 stories) - Washington's Climate Commitment Act faces repeal; EU's Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive set for 2025; Clean energy investments expected to continue in US despite political uncertainties

• Renewables (4 stories) - Google-powered Texas solar, STOIC's geothermal push in Canada, China's renewable dominance, and U.S. biofuels capacity growth

• Transport (3 stories) - Stellantis partners with Kaluza for smart EV charging; Optimum Automotive acquired by Shiftmove; EVs poised to lead market as battery costs decline

Agriculture

Herenboeren's farm updates; California dairy biogas subsidies' environmental impact in Tulare County

• Nieuwsbrief herfst 2024 (Herenboeren) - Dutch community-supported agriculture network Herenboeren releases Autumn 2024 newsletter, showcasing updates from its 22 member farms across the country.

• Report: CA manure biogas subsidies devastating local communities (Source not provided) (Friends of the Earth) - California's subsidies for dairy manure biogas are worsening pollution and environmental injustice in vulnerable areas, especially Tulare County, a new report reveals.

Carbon

Climeworks gains support for future-focused carbon capture; Dalhousie University plans dye study for ocean CO2 removal technique

• Voices of Climeworks Pioneers (Climeworks) - Supporters of Climeworks' carbon removal technology cite concerns for future generations and climate change mitigation as key motivations for backing the innovative approach.

• Dalhousie Dye Tracer Announcement: Oct 21st & Oct 25th (Planetary Technologies) (Planetary Technologies) - Researchers at Dalhousie University will conduct a dye tracer study in Halifax Harbour on October 21st and 25th to map the dispersion of an alkaline substance used for ocean-based CO2 removal.

Circular

NICE unveils plans for towering biobased residential structure, pushing boundaries of sustainable urban design

• the aftermovie - NICE Developers (NICE Developers) - Dutch firm NICE marks 5 years by announcing plans for a 140-meter tall circular, biobased residential tower, showcasing sustainable construction innovation.

Ecosystems

Commonland, eagle owls in Ukraine, Okefenokee expansion, 'Walking Conversations', COP16 biodiversity goals, and nature job course launch

• Where to find us at Biodiversity COP16, 2024 (Commonland) - Landscape restoration group Commonland will champion holistic, community-centered biodiversity initiatives at UN COP16 in Colombia.

• Five more eagle owls released in the Danube Delta (Rewilding Europe) - Five eagle owls have been released in Ukraine's Danube Delta, marking a significant step in an ongoing reintroduction program aimed at restoring the species and improving ecosystem health.

• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposes boundary expansion of Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge to include Trail Ridge (Southern Environmental Law Center) - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposes expanding Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge to include Trail Ridge, bolstering safeguards against potential mining activities in the area.

• Walking Conversations: A journey to connection (Reboot the Future) (Reboot the Future) - A new 'Walking Conversations' initiative, involving Crown Estate, Somerset House, and Eden Project, aims to promote outdoor dialogues for tackling key challenges and building relationships.

• World Leaders Gather To Halt And Reverse Biodiversity Loss By 2030 (Forbes) - World leaders from 190 nations convene in Colombia for COP16, targeting protection of 30% of ecosystems by 2030 and a $200 billion annual fund for conservation initiatives.

• How I launched our new product. 5-minute blueprint. (The Wild Business Mate) - Entrepreneur unveils comprehensive 5-week strategy for launching online nature job course, detailing journey from problem identification to securing initial customers.

Efficiency

Cortex partnership boosts NYC building efficiency; blown-in insulation for homes; wellness programs cut costs and boost productivity

• Class A office drives energy efficiency with Cortex (Cortex) - A Manhattan office building achieved 13% year-on-year energy efficiency improvement and $307,000 in electricity savings through a partnership between an asset management group and Cortex.

• Why You Can & Should Insulate Existing Walls (Neeeco) - Homeowners can enhance comfort and energy efficiency by insulating existing walls using blown-in materials or injection foam, offering upgrades without extensive renovations.

• Employee Wellness Programs: How They Benefit Employers (Scope Zero) - Employee wellness initiatives yield significant advantages for companies, with studies showing up to 25% lower healthcare expenses, 56% higher productivity, and 87% better retention rates.

Finance

AON, Blackstone experts discuss tax credits; Schnellecke Logistics benefits from disclosure; Southeast Asian cleantech investments soar, especially in Vietnam and Philippines

• Webinar: Top 3 Concerns for Tax Credit Buyers: Risk, Risk, and Risk (LevelTen Energy) - Energy experts from AON, Blackstone, GreenbergTraurig, and Ryan LLC will join LevelTen Energy's webinar on November 4, 2024, to explore risks and trends in renewable energy tax credit purchases.

• How environmental disclosure unlocks access to capital (CDP on YouTube) (CDP) - Environmental disclosure empowers firms like Schnellecke Logistics to cut financing costs and gain competitive edges through sustainability reporting and goal-setting with financial institutions.

• Southeast Asia's climate startups are booming! (New Energy Nexus) - Climate and clean energy startups in Southeast Asia are surging, with investments in Vietnam soaring 365% year-on-year and Philippine startups multiplying sixfold in just four years.

Grid

DOE funds Pearl Harbor microgrid; California tackles data accuracy; $1.9B for grid resilience; Google and Amazon eye small nuclear reactors

• Ruling by California Public Utilities Commission Establishes Process to Resolve Issues with Critical Grid Data Needed for Clean Energy Transition (IREC) - California regulators have implemented a new process to tackle grid data accuracy challenges, crucial for achieving the state's ambitious clean energy and electric vehicle targets.

• The U.S. Department of Energy selected Ameresco’s Pu`uloa Microgrid Energy Asset for the Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships Program (Ameresco) - The U.S. Department of Energy has chosen a 99 MW microgrid project at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam to bolster energy resilience for the base and Oahu.

• Biden Administration Investments Will Bolster Grid Resilience in the Wake of Severe Storms (EDF) - The US government will invest $1.9 billion in 38 projects to bolster the electric grid's resilience against extreme weather, enhancing reliability for millions of Americans.

• Hot, hot atoms (Keep Cool) - Tech giants Google and Amazon have signed agreements for small modular nuclear reactors to power their data centers, indicating a shift towards nuclear energy in the tech sector.

• Biden admin awards $2B in new grid resilience grants (Canary Media) - The U.S. government has allocated $2 billion to 38 projects across 42 states, aiming to strengthen and modernize power grids against climate change and increasing energy needs.

Indigenous

Indigenous leaders at COP16 workshop; Alberta group advocates water protection

• Rights of Nature (COP16) (Meli Bees Network) - Global summit COP16 to feature multilingual Rights of Nature workshop in Cali, offering online and in-person participation, with indigenous leaders sharing decolonial perspectives.

• Keepers Of The Water Newsletter (Keepers Of The Water) - Indigenous-led group in Alberta champions water protection and environmental stewardship, engaging communities through education and advocacy efforts.

Policy

Washington's Climate Commitment Act faces repeal; EU's Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive set for 2025; Clean energy investments expected to continue in US despite political uncertainties

• Washington's Climate Battle: The Fight to Save Emissions Caps (YouTube) - Washington's Climate Commitment Act, which has raised $2 billion for emissions reduction projects since 2023, faces a repeal effort amid false claims linking it to gas price increases.

• European Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive: Strategic Game-Changer or Compliance Exercise? (ABI Research) - The EU's Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive will require large companies to disclose environmental data from 2025, promoting transparency and sustainability despite potential compliance hurdles.

• Mauritania holds national technical validation workshop for the development of its first national disaster risk reduction strategy (UNDRR) - Mauritania convenes a national workshop to approve its inaugural Disaster Risk Reduction Strategy, seeking to bolster the country's defenses against various hazards.

• Frontiers in Human Dynamics (Frontiers in Human Dynamics) - The journal publishes peer-reviewed studies on human resilience and adaptation, examining societal responses to global shifts and modernization.

• APMCDRR 2024 Co-Chairs' Statement (UNDRR) - Ministers from 50 Asia-Pacific nations convened to bolster regional cooperation on disaster risk reduction and climate resilience, aligning efforts with global frameworks.

• US Election Poses Risks But Energy Policy Will Muddle Through | BloombergNEF (BloombergNEF) - Clean energy investments are expected to continue in the US, driven by economic advantages and bipartisan backing, despite election uncertainties and a divided Congress, reports BloombergNEF.

• Connecting about climate change with the most skeptical people in the USA (Citizens Climate Lobby) - Filmmaker Ben Stillerman reveals strategies for engaging climate-skeptical Utah residents, highlighting the importance of trust-building and active listening to address climate change concerns.

• Episode 100: Climate Adaptation and Jobs of the Future with Doug Parsons (Citizens' Climate Lobby) - Climate adaptation expert Doug Parsons and engineering student Justin Baumann highlight the pressing need for climate action and the expanding career opportunities in the field.

• A milestone Climate Week for The Exchange (New York Climate Exchange) - During Climate Week NYC 2024, the New York Climate Exchange co-hosted 30 events, partnered with 33 organizations, and engaged over 1,500 attendees in climate solution discussions, while showcasing its future Governors Island Climate Campus.

• Innovative Leadership in Housing Affordability: Insights from HR&A Advisors’ Directors (HR&A Advisors) - Directors Ada Peng and Peter Brewton of HR&A Advisors explore strategies for affordable housing, including NOAH preservation and master leasing, while emphasizing mentorship and collaborative problem-solving.

• New Playbook Recommends Suite of Policies to Ensure Artists Can Thrive in New York (HR&A Advisors) - New York policy playbook outlines strategies for governments to support artists, addressing housing, financial security, labor protections, and economic development for creative workers.

• EUDR FAQ Update 2024: Everything You Need to Know (LiveEO) (LiveEO) - The European Commission's 2024 EUDR FAQ update outlines key compliance measures for businesses, focusing on geolocation data and due diligence to ensure deforestation-free supply chains.

• Values For A Life Economy (Reboot the Future) (Reboot the Future) - Global discussions during the pandemic have yielded 10 guiding values for a sustainable future, as outlined in the new book 'Values For A Life Economy'.

• UNDRR engagement at COP29: Financing climate action is not charity but a responsibility (UNDRR) (UNDRR) - UNDRR's COP29 engagement aims to fast-track climate action and disaster risk reduction by advocating for emissions cuts, increased adaptation funding, and implementing loss and damage mechanisms.

• Early warning systems and early action in fragile, conflict-affected and violent contexts: Addressing growing climate and disaster risks (UNDRR) (UNDRR) - New guidance seeks to enhance climate initiatives and early warning mechanisms in unstable and conflict-prone areas, tackling escalating disaster risks in vulnerable regions.

Renewables

Google-powered Texas solar, STOIC's geothermal push in Canada, China's renewable dominance, and U.S. biofuels capacity growth

• SB Energy Announces Commercial Operation of American-made Solar Projects to Help Power Google Data Centers (SB Energy) - Three Texas solar projects with 900 MWdc capacity, using American-made components, have begun operations to power Google data centers, SB Energy reports.

• Energy Industry Veterans Join STOIC to Transform Geothermal Energy Development (Geothermal Canada) - Energy industry veterans Rob Klenner and Susan R. Eaton have joined STOIC's board to propel geothermal energy development and transform Canada's sustainable energy landscape.

• How To Dance With China (Climate One) - China's renewable energy investments have propelled it to global leadership in solar panel and electric vehicle production, sparking debate on the interplay between economic rivalry and climate action.

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

Transport

Stellantis partners with Kaluza for smart EV charging; Optimum Automotive acquired by Shiftmove; EVs poised to lead market as battery costs decline

• Paris Fonds Vert, a fund managed by Demeter, is selling its stake in Optimum Automotive following the sale of the company to Shiftmove. (Demeter) - Investors, including Paris Fonds Vert, have sold their stake in Optimum Automotive to Shiftmove, forming a fleet management platform with over 350 staff and 550,000 vehicles under management.

• You are being redirected... (Kaluza) - Stellantis teams up with Kaluza to offer smart charging services across its electric vehicle brands, optimizing charging without extra hardware.

• EVs are just going to win (Noahpinion) (Noahpinion) - Electric vehicles are set to dominate the auto market, driven by falling battery costs, convenience, lower maintenance, superior performance, and quieter operation compared to traditional combustion engines.