I used data from this newsletter last night to strengthen a connection and expand my capacity to support others. I want to share the story with you as an example of how to use the recommendations offered here each day.

Topic: Climate adaptation and gender intersect in so many different ways that no one serious about supporting a just transition to a more sustainable world can ignore the risks and opportunities presented by these intersections.

Here's what I did: Yesterday I was recommended here to read a UN report compiling 48 status updates from around the world on efforts to implement the UN's Gender Action Plan in climate change mitigation and adaptation work. It was a very bureaucratic document, frankly, but I was struck by the clarity, breadth, and intensity of the barriers reported across the 48 reports. (See a mind map I made below.) While daunting, articulating these barriers is presumably a key step in overcoming them.

I shared this list of barriers in a LinkedIn post (I put the PDF of the report up into Claude and asked it to make a bullet point list of short articulations of the barriers discussed in the report).

Every time something thoughtful is posted on the social web, if it's meaningful enough, if you've established some connections, if you're consistent over time, and if you're lucky - it becomes surface area that others can engage with to share their work, related resources, thoughts, and more.

No big deal, I read my Earth Catalyst recommendations, I was inspired by one part of it in particular, and I decided to share it publicly.

What happened: I was delighted to see that my old boss Marnie Webb, now CEO of nonprofit tech assistance organization TechSoup posted a comment in response to my post! Marnie pointed me to an amazing project her team collaborated on, called Hunger and Gender in Mexico. Check it out, it will probably make you angry, sad, and empowered feeling - all at once! The data visualizations are excellent.

Marnie also pointed me to the paper from DataCommons explaining how this Google project makes it far easier than ever before for more people to use complex public data sources for things like the visualizations in that Mexico project. I will end up recommending that to others in my work.

"For example, responding to the climate change crisis requires understanding the second-order effects of temperature changes on food production, shelter, healthcare, and other aspects of life. Importantly, these analyses often cut across the boundaries of existing data collections, because they require information from different domains often collected by siloed government or research entities." DataCommons makes that easier to do than ever.

Now I know about that research on climate and gender in Mexico, I know about DataCommons (I've already shared it with my team), I'm sharing it all with you, and Marnie and I are back in dialogue. (A real treat.)

So THAT is an example of one way that the personalized recommendations sent to you each day by Earth Catalyst can be used to strengthen your capacity to work in defense of the earth.

If you subscribe by email, you’ll find three updates our system selected just for you, from a collection of over 1,000 green tech and sustainability organizations.  If you want to see the table of contents and full collection of today’s 107 total selected updates, you can find it below. 

Visual of the Day

Here's a mind map of the key barriers identified across the 48 organizations reporting back to the UN on the status of their gender-responsive climate action. You might also appreciate this article from yesterday: The just energy transition ignores labour outside the formal economy. So is it just?

And now...

Today's Updates

Email subscribers get three of these picked just for you, based on your interests.

Table of Contents

• Agriculture (8 stories) - Global alliances launch agroecology tool; GROWMARK-Indigo Ag partnership; Shiru's AI protein platform raises $16M; Indonesian palm oil farmers adopt organic methods; China hosts World AgriFood Innovation Conference

• Carbon (10 stories) - Global CO2 hits 37.4bn tonnes amid Carbon Removers Summit; Drax launches Elimini venture; landfill methane projects earn Core Carbon status; oil majors sponsor COP29 through IETA

• Circular (2 stories) - EU wood/AI construction consortium launches as tozero raises €11M for low-carbon battery recycling tech

• Ecosystems (10 stories) - TIG restores Brazilian Cerrado as Indonesian deforestation continues; marine sanctuary secured in Puerto Rico; climate impacts visible in UK leaf patterns; spontaneous willow forest emerges at Ukraine's Kakhovka Dam site

• Efficiency (3 stories) - Mass. launches zero-down efficiency loans while CT funds student's viral air filter design; CA faces record winter energy costs

• Finance (10 stories) - BNP Paribas leads Klim's $22M Series A while global climate finance faces scrutiny; LiveEO debuts EUDR compliance app; cleantech market projected to hit $2T by 2035 with China's 70% manufacturing share

• Grid (1 story) - Satellite monitoring firm LiveEO to showcase power grid inspection tech at CEATI T&D Conference

• Indigenous (14 stories) - 21 North American Indigenous leaders receive fellowships; UN genetic fund promises $1B yearly; Brazil identifies Dom Phillips murder financier; ancient farming methods show biodiversity benefits

• Industry (3 stories) - AI adoption accelerates 20x faster than prior tech shifts, as Lululemon faces supply chain scrutiny and COP29 explores PLA bioplastics

• Policy (37 stories) - EPA nominee Zeldin's deregulation agenda, COP29's record attendance in Baku, Biden's LNG permit decisions, and Shell's emissions ruling reshape global climate policy landscape

• Renewables (3 stories) - Solar hits 2TW milestone led by China, as global capacity doubles not triples by 2030; only 8 EU nations revise targets while Ukraine shows untapped renewable potential

• Transport (6 stories)

Agriculture

Global alliances launch agroecology tool; GROWMARK-Indigo Ag partnership; Shiru's AI protein platform raises $16M; Indonesian palm oil farmers adopt organic methods; China hosts World AgriFood Innovation Conference

• Boosting Biodiversity Action through Agroecology: Guidance for developing and updating NBSAPs co-authored by the Agroecology initiative (CGIAR) - A global alliance of agricultural organizations has unveiled a guidance tool to help nations incorporate agroecological principles into their biodiversity strategies.

• China can help ensure future food security (CGIAR) - China's extreme weather events underscore its pivotal role in global food security as it prepares to host the 2024 World AgriFood Innovation Conference amid rural development initiatives.

• The power of incentives and digital innovation restoring land and biodiversity (CGIAR) - A new mobile app integrates blockchain and digital payments to reward small-scale farmers for planting trees and protecting biodiversity.

• Using regenerative agriculture to heal the land and help communities: Q&A with Kaleka founder Silvia Irawan (Mongabay) - Indonesian researchers are training 220 palm oil farmers to blend organic methods with agroforestry techniques, aiming to boost soil quality while protecting revenues in Seruyan.

• Genetically modified cotton was planted in a Mato Grosso exclusion zone (Mongabay) - A Brazilian farmer defied regulations by growing genetically modified cotton for five years in Mato Grosso's exclusion zone before authorities lifted the state-wide GM ban.

• GROWMARK and Indigo Ag Announce Biological-and Sustainability Based Strategic Partnership (Indigo Ag) - Agricultural giants GROWMARK and Indigo Ag join forces to deliver biological seed coating solutions and sustainability initiatives across North American FS cooperatives.

• COOPERCUC + PROSPERA MS: Intercâmbio com agricultores familiares do Mato Grosso do Sul promove troca de culturas, tradições, saberes e sabores na Bahia. (COOPERCUC) - Family farmers from Mato Grosso do Sul exchanged traditional agricultural practices with Bahia cooperative members, strengthening Brazil's rural knowledge networks.

• Shiru raises $16m series B to expand AI-powered ingredient discovery platform (AgFunderNews) - Food tech startup Shiru has raised $16 million in Series B funding to enhance its AI platform for discovering new functional proteins in food, skincare, and agriculture.

Carbon

Global CO2 hits 37.4bn tonnes amid Carbon Removers Summit; Drax launches Elimini venture; landfill methane projects earn Core Carbon status; oil majors sponsor COP29 through IETA

• Analysis: Global CO2 emissions will reach new high in 2024 despite slower growth (Carbon Brief) - Global carbon dioxide emissions are projected to reach an unprecedented 37.4bn tonnes next year, rising 0.8% despite reductions in EU and US output, as India and developing nations drive growth.

• The 2024 Carbon Removers Summit (Carbon180) - Leaders from diverse sectors gathered in Washington to explore community climate initiatives and carbon removal strategies at the third annual Carbon Removers Summit.

• Trading Update – Strong Performance, Disciplined Capital Allocation (Drax) - Energy giant Drax forecasts peak-range EBITDA for 2024, unveils £300M share buyback programme and launches Elimini, a new carbon removal venture in the United States.

• Best Practices to Implement a Successful Voluntary Gas Program (video) (3Degrees) - Leading energy expert outlines four essential strategies for gas utilities seeking to implement voluntary carbon credit and natural gas initiatives.

• Landfill methane projects a leader in carbon market standards with CCP approval (3Degrees) - Landfill methane capture projects have earned elite Core Carbon Principles approval, joining just two other project types in meeting strict carbon market standards.

• Dalhousie Field Oceanography Students – Communicating Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement – Week 2 (Planetary Technologies) - Students at Dalhousie University are documenting ocean alkalinity enhancement trials while gaining hands-on experience with marine science measurement techniques in Halifax waters.

• Canada’s Fossil Fuel Export Emissions Set New Record in 2023 (DeSmog) - Canada's exported fossil fuel emissions soared to 1,030 megatons in 2023, surpassing domestic emissions by 328 million tons and showing a 58% rise since 2012.

• Fossil Fuel Giants Paying Thousands to Sponsor COP29 Events (DeSmog) - Oil giants Chevron, ExxonMobil, and TotalEnergies are spending up to $25,000 each to sponsor COP29 climate talks in Azerbaijan through the International Emissions Trading Association.

• Revealed: Big Oil Told 70 Years Ago That Fossil Fuel Emissions Could Impact ‘Civilization’ (DeSmog) - Oil industry executives received warnings in 1954 about fossil fuel emissions' civilization-altering potential, prompting creation of industry-funded Air Pollution Foundation to minimize climate concerns.

• What does it take to implement community-led forest restoration? (Taking Root) - Nicaragua's CommuniTree Carbon Program concludes its 2024 season after planting millions of seedlings across 6,000 monitored hectares while expanding farmer-focused design initiatives.

Circular

EU wood/AI construction consortium launches as tozero raises €11M for low-carbon battery recycling tech

• TIMBERHAUS: Transforming the European construction industry (Metabolic) - A new EU consortium aims to transform construction across Europe through sustainable wood products and AI systems, targeting the industry's massive 40% share of carbon emissions.

• tozero raises €11M in seed funding to ramp up recycled lithium production capacity (NordicNinja) - German startup tozero has secured €11M to expand its battery recycling process, which recovers 80% of lithium while cutting emissions by 70% versus traditional mining methods.

Ecosystems

TIG restores Brazilian Cerrado as Indonesian deforestation continues; marine sanctuary secured in Puerto Rico; climate impacts visible in UK leaf patterns; spontaneous willow forest emerges at Ukraine's Kakhovka Dam site

• FERI celebrates a decade of impact in forest restoration (CGIAR) - Global forest restoration initiative celebrates decade-long success, restoring ecosystems through community partnerships and tech-driven solutions across international borders.

• Wildlife find haven amid Brazil’s vanishing savanna (Conservation International) - Brazilian timber company TIG's restoration of 2,500 hectares of Cerrado savanna has attracted 319 animal species while generating carbon credits for tech giants Microsoft and Meta.

• Satellite data detect appearance of new roads in primary forests in Borneo (Mongabay) - Satellite imagery shows expanding road networks slicing through virgin forests near conservation zones in Indonesia's Barito watershed, signaling continued deforestation for plantation expansion in Kalimantan.

• Local groups drive creation of new Puerto Rico marine protected area (Mongabay) - Local groups have secured a 202-square-kilometer marine sanctuary off Puerto Rico's north coast, safeguarding coral reefs, mangroves and endangered Caribbean manatees after a 16-year campaign.

• Peruvian fishers help red sea urchins recover from overfishing (Mongabay) - Peruvian fishers have revived red sea urchin stocks through a two-decade management plan that established catch limits and protected breeding areas along Marcona's coastline.

• Journal of Hydroinformatics (IWA) (Journal of Hydroinformatics) - Leading water science publication explores digital solutions for managing natural and built water systems amid climate challenges.

• Invasive Cacti: A Prickly Problem in the Eastern Cape, South Africa (Commonland) - South African officials report successful removal of invasive cacti from 4,200 hectares in Eastern Cape using combined biocontrol and herbicide treatments against the 18th-century American species.

• From COP16 to COP29: Insights for Business Leaders to Drive Action on Nature, Climate, and People (Nature4Climate) - Global climate summit draws unprecedented corporate turnout while biodiversity targets and nature funding remain unmet, underscoring urgent calls for business involvement in environmental solutions.

• Autumn leaves are staying green for longer in Britain – here’s why (The Conversation) - British trees now keep their leaves an average of 10-14 days longer into autumn, part of a Northern Hemisphere trend linked to warming temperatures since 1931.

• ‘Like a Phoenix,’ A New Forest Emerges From the Destruction in Ukraine (The Revelator) - A massive 150,000-hectare willow forest has spontaneously sprouted from the dried reservoir bed following Russia's devastating 2023 bombing of Ukraine's Kakhovka Dam.

Efficiency

Mass. launches zero-down efficiency loans while CT funds student's viral air filter design; CA faces record winter energy costs

• Transform Your Home with the Energy Saver Home Loan Program (CET) - Massachusetts residents can now secure zero-down loans at low interest rates for home upgrades that cut energy costs by 20% or more, thanks to the Energy Saver Home Loan Program.

• Higher Winter Energy Bills? Natural Gas Could Be The Culprit (MCE) - California households endure winter energy costs up to six times above national averages amid volatile natural gas prices, according to January 2023 data.

• All Things Black and Green - NOVEMBER 2024  (Black Sustainability Network) - Connecticut fifth-grader Eniola Shokunbi's $60 classroom air filter, which removes 99% of airborne viruses, has secured $11.5M in state funding for school-wide implementation.

Finance

BNP Paribas leads Klim's $22M Series A while global climate finance faces scrutiny; LiveEO debuts EUDR compliance app; cleantech market projected to hit $2T by 2035 with China's 70% manufacturing share

• COP29: Six key reasons why international climate finance is a ‘wild west’ (Carbon Brief) - Global climate finance faces mounting scrutiny as donors employ varying reporting methods, with some counting fossil fuel projects and unconfirmed funds toward climate targets, reveals new analysis.

• LiveEO | Meet us at the Annual Roundtable Conference on Sustainable Palm Oil 2024 (LiveEO) - Satellite monitoring firm LiveEO will present its TradeAware app for EUDR compliance at Bangkok's 2024 Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil Conference.

• Bring Your A Game to the Series B (Lowercarbon Capital) - Analysis of more than 120 portfolio companies reveals Series B funding success hinges on proven customer growth, profitable unit metrics, and clear team expansion strategies.

• Klim raises ‘massively oversubscribed’ Series A, adds financial services layer to its insetting platform (AgFunderNews) - French startup Klim secured $22M in Series A funding, led by BNP Paribas, to scale its agricultural carbon platform and support farmers shifting to regenerative practices.

• From COP16 to COP29: Insights for Business Leaders to Drive Action on Nature, Climate, and People (We Mean Business Coalition) - Private sector engagement in nature-climate solutions remains critically low, with just 3% of climate finance allocated despite potential for one-third of emissions reductions, reports show.

• COP29 can ensure SMEs thrive in the net-zero transition – here’s how (We Mean Business Coalition) - Global business coalition announces COP29 plan to help small and medium enterprises achieve net-zero targets, noting they comprise 90% of businesses and 70% of jobs worldwide.

• Trump’s Other Big Threat to Renewables (Heatmap News) - Rising bond yields and borrowing costs, triggered by Trump's expected win, threaten to undermine renewable energy financing even as the Federal Reserve moves to lower rates.

• Window Into COP29: Cuc Vu talks climate finance with Teresa Anderson (ActionAid) - Climate justice advocate Teresa Anderson urges wealthy nations to provide $1 trillion yearly in grants to developing countries for disaster recovery and green initiatives.

• Expanding Clean Energy Access and Benefits: Award-Winning Programs in Connecticut and Maryland  (CESA) - Two state agencies will showcase their award-winning clean energy initiatives for low-income households during a November 14 webinar.

• Energy = prosperity (Cipher News) - Global cleantech markets could reach $2 trillion by 2035, with China dominating 70% of manufacturing, as developing nations face barriers to clean energy funding despite surging power needs.

Grid

Satellite monitoring firm LiveEO to showcase power grid inspection tech at CEATI T&D Conference

• LiveEO | Meet us at CEATI T&D (LiveEO) - LiveEO will demonstrate its satellite monitoring solutions for power infrastructure at the CEATI T&D Conference in Palm Springs this November.

Indigenous

21 North American Indigenous leaders receive fellowships; UN genetic fund promises $1B yearly; Brazil identifies Dom Phillips murder financier; ancient farming methods show biodiversity benefits

• NDN Collective Announces 2024/26 NDN Changemaker Fellowship Cohort (NDN Collective) - Indigenous organization awards two-year fellowships to 21 leaders across North America, supporting their work in land protection, community building, and cultural preservation efforts.

• Who Gets a Seat on the Struggle Bus? (Climate Generation) - Indigenous delegate reports stark contrast between climate policy leaders and impacted communities, noting privileged behavior during COP29 shuttle rides in Baku.

• Ancestors’ Pride (Climate Generation) - Indigenous climate activist from Minneapolis draws on Ojibwe-Mexican heritage to champion environmental justice as she prepares for COP29 delegation.

• In Kenya, a water fund brings to light Indigenous cultural identity issues (Mongabay) - Indigenous Sengwer community clashes with Kenya's Eldoret-Iten Water Fund over ancestral land rights and delayed payments for conservation efforts.

• Brazil police identify fish trader behind Dom Phillips and Bruno Pereira killings (Mongabay) - Brazilian authorities have identified fish trader Ruben Dario Villar as the financier behind the armed criminal group responsible for killing journalist Dom Phillips and Indigenous expert Bruno Pereira in 2022.

• New ‘Cali Fund’ plans to make companies pay for benefiting from nature (Mongabay) - A new UN-backed fund seeks to raise $1 billion yearly from companies using genetic data from nature, promising 50% to Indigenous peoples and local communities.

• Exploring and enhancing data on non-economic losses (UNDRR) - Global experts gather in Bonn to enhance disaster loss data collection, with emphasis on indigenous knowledge and systematic assessment of non-economic impacts.

• Window Into COP29: Opening Days (COP29 Daily) - Pacific Island activists highlight rising sea threats as Brazil debuts twin climate pavilions during COP29's first day.

• Gathering for Song & Solidarity | Dayenu (Dayenu) - Jewish leaders united more than 500 participants in virtual song and prayer to process election results while sharing climate action strategies.

• Día Internacional de la Tolerancia: ¡Alto a la criminalización del pueblo mapuche! (Cultural Survival Radio) - Mapuche activist Jacqueline Curaqueo Mariano reports 180 political prisoners face detention under Chile's anti-terrorism laws amid escalating territorial seizures and militarization of indigenous lands.

• Justice For Indigenous Women (Cultural Survival) - Indigenous activist Isanti Vasan urges Nepal's government to adopt UN guidelines and amend its constitution to safeguard native women's rights against discrimination and forced relocation.

• Payments for Environmental Services: work that generates abundance and sows life! (Indigenous Knowledge Channel) - Ancient farming methods used by Brazil's indigenous peoples have proven to boost biodiversity while delivering vital environmental benefits, according to new research.

• CONTRATAÇÃO: Analista Socioambiental (Ecoporé) - Environmental NGO in Brazil's Porto Velho region seeks Socio-Environmental Analyst, with applications closing November 30th.

• KU, Haskell renew long-standing MOU, recommit to partnership opportunities (Haskell Indian Nations University) - Two Kansas universities renewed their decade-old partnership to bolster educational opportunities and Indigenous initiatives through a memorandum of understanding.

Industry

AI adoption accelerates 20x faster than prior tech shifts, as Lululemon faces supply chain scrutiny and COP29 explores PLA bioplastics

• Lululemon’s Next Step: Fair Pay, Transparency and Climate Action (Stand.earth) - Global activewear giant Lululemon confronts mounting pressure over worker compensation, supply chain practices, and environmental pledges as critics spotlight labor and sustainability issues across its manufacturing network.

• COP29: A Crucial Step in Climate Action and Sustainable Manufacturing (Floreon) - Global leaders gather in Azerbaijan for COP29 to examine PLA bioplastics and other sustainable manufacturing solutions that could reduce plastic pollution by up to 80%.

• 🔮 Ten charts to understand the Exponential Age (Exponential View) - Analysis of ten key charts shows AI adoption rates surging 20 times faster than previous technological shifts, reshaping global energy and information markets.

Policy

EPA nominee Zeldin's deregulation agenda, COP29's record attendance in Baku, Biden's LNG permit decisions, and Shell's emissions ruling reshape global climate policy landscape

• Donald Trump’s EPA pick wants to ‘make America the AI capital of the world’ (The Verge) - Trump's EPA pick Lee Zeldin pledges to boost AI and data centers through deregulation, raising alarm over potential surge in energy usage and carbon emissions.

• Analysis: Which countries have sent the most delegates to COP29? (Carbon Brief) - Azerbaijan's COP29 climate summit in Baku has drawn over 65,000 delegates, including the host nation's record-breaking 2,229-member delegation, marking history's second-largest COP gathering.

• Fighting for Climate Justice in Uncertain Times (350.org) - Climate advocacy group 350.org will host a worldwide digital summit on November 14th to address climate justice strategies amid rising global authoritarianism and Trump's electoral victory.

• Congratulations to Dave Upthegrove (RFPF) - Democrat Dave Upthegrove has secured victory in Washington's State Lands Commissioner race, garnering 52.88% of votes to defeat Republican challenger Jaime Herrera Beutler.

• Global Leaders at COP29 Urge Biden to Cement LNG Export Pause Before Leaving Office (Fossil Free Media) - Global leaders urge President Biden to reject pending LNG export permits, as European gas demand falls and climate impacts mount.

• How Many More COPs Will It Take? (Climate Generation) - A youth delegate at COP29 reports stark divisions between climate activists and fossil fuel lobbyists as wealthy nations continue blocking financial pledges for climate action.

• My First COP (Climate Generation) - A first-time COP29 delegate reports on climate reparations, CAN meetings, and Gaza discussions during the opening days of the global climate summit.

• African leaders at COP29 demand funding without further debt (Mongabay) - African leaders at COP29 are demanding debt-free climate funding from wealthy nations, citing historical emissions and pressing adaptation requirements across the continent.

• Why solar permitting needs to be modernized now (Environment America) - Experts warn that permitting red tape threatens a $7 billion federal solar initiative, adding $6,000 to residential installation costs compared to other developed nations.

• Deep sea mining frontrunner fails again to get immunity against Greenpeace peaceful protest (Greenpeace) - Dutch court upholds right to protest at sea, rejecting deep-sea mining firm NORI's bid for legal protection against peaceful demonstrations in international waters.

• Hague throws Shell an emissions lifeline (Greenpeace) - Dutch energy giant Shell wins appeal against mandated 45% emissions cut by 2030, though court maintains company's duty to reduce carbon output.

• Tangelic: Empowering Communities, Brightening Futures (UNDRR) - Global non-profit delivers sustainable energy and disaster resilience initiatives to vulnerable communities, reaching 2.3 million people across 47 nations since 2019.

• LiveEO | EUDR Competent Authorities - Updated List (November 2024) (LiveEO) - EU officials have released an updated roster of authorities tasked with enforcing EUDR compliance across 20 member states, effective November 2024.

• Where we’re finding hope following the U.S. elections (Stand.earth) - Environmental group Stand.earth reports multiple pathways for climate progress through corporate partnerships, regional policies, and grassroots activism, despite recent U.S. electoral challenges.

• The dirty truth about fossil fuels and pollution (Citizens' Climate Lobby) - Fossil fuels generate 79% of America's energy while causing pollution that threatens public health, particularly in vulnerable communities near production sites.

• Waste Emissions Charge Builds on Oil and Gas Industry’s Own Goals (EDF) - The Department of Energy's new methane fee targets major polluters, affecting only large producers who exceed set thresholds while maintaining America's energy market competitiveness.

• Historical UN Climate Conference Attendance (Orennia) - Record-breaking COP28 in Dubai drew 80,000 participants, while Azerbaijan's upcoming COP29 anticipates 50,000 attendees as global climate talks shift toward financing and carbon markets.

• Waste Emissions Charge Builds on Oil and Gas Industry’s Own Goals (EDF) - The Department of Energy's new methane fee targets major polluters, affecting only large producers who exceed set thresholds while maintaining America's energy market competitiveness.

• For the Climate, Even Actions That Seem Small Have Outsize Meaning (Terra.do) - Individual climate actions, from installing solar panels to engaging in environmental discussions, can influence up to 5-12 neighbors within local communities to adopt similar eco-friendly practices.

• Trump's environmental assault begins (Heated) - Trump's EPA nominee Lee Zeldin plans to prioritize energy production over environmental safeguards, as his team readies executive orders to eliminate climate regulations.

• Countries spend huge sums on fossil fuel subsidies – why they’re so hard to eliminate (The Conversation) - Despite international phase-out pledges, global fossil fuel subsidies continue to soar between $1.5-7 trillion yearly, driven by political pushback, inflation fears and consumer cost worries.

• Countries spend huge sums on fossil fuel subsidies – why they’re so hard to eliminate (The Conversation) - Despite international phase-out pledges, global fossil fuel subsidies continue to soar between $1.5-7 trillion yearly, driven by political pushback, inflation fears and consumer cost worries.

• Jails and prisons often fail to protect incarcerated people during natural disasters (The Conversation) - US prisons leave two million inmates vulnerable during natural disasters, with widespread failures to evacuate or protect them from flooding, power outages and unsafe conditions.

• Business Lobby Reaches Record High at UN Biodiversity Talks (DeSmog) - Corporate presence at COP16 surged to 1,261 business delegates, more than double the previous summit, as banks, fossil fuel firms, and agribusiness dominated attendance.

• Q&A: How Refugees Are Regaining a Sense of Agency as Climate Impacts Bite (DeSmog) - Aid worker Immad Ahmed empowers climate refugees in Bangladesh and South Sudan to create their own community solutions through design-focused initiatives.

• COP Won’t Survive for Long Unless We Tackle Climate Corruption (DeSmog) - Azerbaijan faces scrutiny over its COP29 hosting role after spending $5 million on PR campaigns while actively silencing environmental activists.

• New Lawsuit Threatens Michigan’s Permitting Reform Law (Heatmap News) - More than 70 Michigan municipalities have launched a legal battle against PA 233, a new state law shifting renewable energy project approval power from local authorities to a state commission.

• What to Know About Shell’s Big Court Victory (Heatmap News) - Dutch oil giant Shell wins landmark appeal against court-ordered emissions cuts, reversing a 2021 ruling that mandated a 45% reduction in carbon output by 2030.

• Trump picks Lee Zeldin to lead EPA (Politico) - Former New York Representative Lee Zeldin has been tapped by Trump to lead the EPA, suggesting a potential reversal of Biden's environmental policies.

• Blue-state leaders are ramping up their Trump-proofing (Daily Kos) - Democratic governors across multiple states, spearheaded by California's Gavin Newsom, are enacting legal safeguards against potential Trump-era policies, with emphasis on protecting abortion access.

• COP29 Pulse Check with Jane Nishida, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EESI) - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Jane Nishida unveiled a new methane emissions fee for oil and gas companies at COP29 in Baku.

• Fascism Feeds Off Despair. We Refuse. (IPS) - Progressive leaders unveil multi-pronged strategy targeting far-right influence through local activism, state policies, and expanded conservative outreach efforts.

• National University of Samoa (NUS) (NUS) - The National University of Samoa, founded in 1984, serves as the country's sole higher education institution, offering vocational and academic programs while advancing disaster preparedness efforts.

• Integrating disease outbreaks and strengthening of health in whole-of-society disaster risk management (UNDRR) - A new guide empowers health and disaster management experts to incorporate disease outbreak readiness into national risk reduction plans through collaborative, society-wide methods.

• What are your projects? (Keep Cool) - Climate journalist Nick van Osdol pivots from political coverage to explore personal and professional climate initiatives.

• FY 2023 National Honor Awards Ceremony (EPA) - EPA bestows gold and silver medals upon top employees during its annual ceremony, celebrating exceptional achievements in environmental protection and public health throughout fiscal year 2023.

• We Are Going to Be Alright (The Climate Dad) - Despite fears over climate policy under a potential Trump presidency, grassroots initiatives and local leadership will drive environmental progress forward, climate expert Mike Smith asserts.

Renewables

Solar hits 2TW milestone led by China, as global capacity doubles not triples by 2030; only 8 EU nations revise targets while Ukraine shows untapped renewable potential

• Countries are ramping up renewable energy plans, but not fast enough (The Verge) - Global renewable energy capacity is set to double rather than triple by 2030, with solar leading growth but wind power falling behind, as only eight EU nations update their targets.

• An America-sized hole in the world (The Crucial Years) - Global renewable energy surges forward as solar capacity reaches 2 terawatts, doubling in two years with China at the helm, despite U.S. climate policy uncertainty following Trump's election.

• Ukraine Energy Security Marshall Plan (Energy Ukraine) - Ukraine could meet its electricity needs with less than 1% of renewable potential, while Russia amassed $752 billion from fossil fuel exports since the war's start.

Transport

• Grounded: A pilot who quit flying to help tackle climate change works to change aviation, for good (Mongabay) - A former pilot launched Safe Landing to tackle aviation emissions after learning that just 1% of people generate half of all flight-related pollution worldwide.

• Fleet stories on the road to electrification (EDF) - Three Pacific Northwest fleets demonstrate successful electric vehicle strategies, with data showing positive community impact and funding insights for medium and heavy-duty fleet conversions.

• Fleet stories on the road to electrification (EDF) - Three Pacific Northwest fleets demonstrate successful electric vehicle strategies, offering insights into funding, community impact, and deployment methods for medium and heavy-duty fleet transitions.

• 北米最大級の航空機整備会社のFEAM Aero社と業務提携 (SkyDrive) - Japanese flying car developer SkyDrive has partnered with FEAM Aero, North America's leading aircraft maintenance firm, to build support systems for electric vertical takeoff operations.

• You will soon be able to power your house with your electric car. Here’s how (The Conversation) - Australian EV owners could earn up to $12,000 yearly through vehicle-to-grid power sharing, following new standards for bidirectional chargers set to take effect by Christmas 2024.

• Kaluza powers smart charging plan within Volvo Cars app in world first (Kaluza) - Volvo Cars has partnered with Kaluza to become the first automaker offering in-app smart EV charging capabilities across its vehicle lineup.