All the information in the world won't be useful to us if it isn't absorbable. Absorbing and utilizing information is a skill we can improve on, but in this newsletter I want to make it as easy as I can.

That's why we send just 3 very personalized picks and it's why I usually include a Visual of the Day. I spoke with futurist Ross Dawson this week and he advised me that one of the best ways to make this information easier to absorb could be to offer it in visual concept map format. I can't do that for every update from organizations that we send through here, but below you'll find a matrix mindmap of the most-recommended article of the day today. I think it makes the article MUCH easier to absorb!

Ok, let's go!

Marshall Kirkpatrick

Founder, Earth Catalyst Consulting

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 59 total selected updates, you can find it below. 

Visual of the Day

From the Clean Energy Buyers Association report published today, Energy Customers Harness Innovation in 2024.  This was the most-recommended article today across our subscribers; what does it say? Below I've posted a visualization of the article, followed by a return to your Just for You recommendations.

Notably, CEBA's "clean energy" includes nuclear power - because there's no greenhouse gas emissions. I won't weigh in here on nuclear, but given that nuclear waste is clearly a "7 generations" style challenge, let's see what some key Indigenous voices have to say lately about nuclear. Professor Victoria Sutton (Lumbee) wrote a pro nuclear editorial on Native News Online in September. A counter argument can be found in this April article on APTN: First Nations leaders voice opposition to nuclear power plants.

You can click the chart below to view it full size.

And now...

Today's Updates

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

Table of Contents

• Agriculture (11 stories) - INMACOM, EDF, CGIAR lead water and emissions initiatives while Orville Redenbacher faces pesticide scrutiny; $15M machinery boost for African breeding stations

• Carbon (3 stories) - Ad industry backs CCS despite low capture rates, as Mediterranean cyanobacteria shows promise for CO2 absorption while global emissions trend toward 37.4B metric tons

• Circular (2 stories) - International Recycling Solutions' $185M Erie plant and Ghana's Earthshot-backed waste initiative target plastic waste and open burning

• Ecosystems (8 stories) - Coral Triangle oil risks, plankton adaptation limits, island plant vulnerability studies, plus new forest fire resilience research from Brian Harvey and Texas biodiversity mapping by David Hillis

• Efficiency (1 story) - Data center software evolution brings modular solutions and cloud flexibility, while AI integration remains challenging

• Finance (17 stories) - Record $13.4B clean energy deals, CT's $100M efficiency program via Amalgamated Bank, CoBank's water quality loans, while Havas loses B Corp status over Shell ties amid push for $1T climate finance

• Grid (6 stories) - AI solutions from Asoba and Treeline optimize grid management; ERCOT storage markets expand; smart water heaters and Sunrun's VPPs boost grid flexibility; LiveEO showcases transmission line monitoring

• Indigenous (15 stories) - COP16 Colombia spotlights Rights of Nature principles and Indigenous knowledge systems, while NDN Collective plans COP29 advocacy amid land rights challenges from Alaska to São Paulo

• Industry (6 stories) - KETOS expands water testing capabilities as NotCo shifts focus to AI formulation services

• Policy (31 stories) - Paris Agreement targets falling short as temperatures head toward 2.5-2.9°C; RGGI directs 30% to environmental justice; California invests $750M in clean energy; IRA incentives offer up to $7,500 for EVs; US plans 200GW nuclear expansion by 2050

• Renewables (2 stories) - Qcells powers Hanwha Aerospace USA sites with solar-storage; Brazil sees 5-10% solar cost reduction

• Transport (6 stories) - Proterra's EV battery testing standards, GM-Reliant's free Texas charging program, and shipping emissions' cloud impact on ocean temps

Agriculture

INMACOM, EDF, CGIAR lead water and emissions initiatives while Orville Redenbacher faces pesticide scrutiny; $15M machinery boost for African breeding stations

• Platforms without borders: Envisioning a multistakeholder platform for the whole Incomati Basin (CGIAR) - Three African nations unite to manage water resources for 2.3 million people across the Incomati Basin through the INMACOM commission, linking South Africa, Eswatini, and Mozambique.

• Advancing Emissions Transparency: New Guidance Supports Dairy Sector Progress on Driving Down Methane (EDF) - New guidance from EDF enables dairy companies to track and report methane emissions data, bolstering the Dairy Methane Action Alliance's mission to reduce the sector's climate footprint.

• Dairy Methane Accounting: A guide for disaggregating dairy methane emissions from existing corporate greenhouse gas inventories (EDF+Business) - A new technical guide enables dairy companies to separate methane emissions data from greenhouse gas inventories, helping identify reduction targets and enhance climate reporting practices.

• How popcorn could help save the bees (Environment America) - Popcorn giant Orville Redenbacher faces mounting pressure to abandon neonic-treated seeds, which environmentalists say threaten bee populations through soil and water contamination.

• Water Stewardship in the Beverage Industry: Leading Brands Making Critical Sustainability Commitments (KETOS) - Global beverage giants AB InBev, Coca-Cola, and PepsiCo pledge to slash water consumption through efficiency measures and watershed restoration initiatives by 2030.

• Samen planten we de toekomst (Koperwiek) - Volunteers gathered at a Dutch community garden to plant trees, weave hedges, and prune willows as part of the TreebyTree team's food forest initiative.

• Farmland marketplace CommonGround talks cash-lease insurance and going ‘back to basics’ as a company (AgFunderNews) - Farmland marketplace CommonGround shifts to cash-lease insurance and core operations, slashing costs by 70% in bid for venture capital-free profitability.

• CGIAR Joins the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty to Advance Efforts to End Food Insecurity (CGIAR) - Global agricultural research consortium CGIAR has joined Brazil's G20 Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty to advance food security research and policy worldwide.

• Photo reportage: mechanizing crop breeding stations in Africa to drive data accuracy (CGIAR) - Modern machinery worth $15M has been deployed to crop breeding stations across 10 African nations, boosting seed processing capabilities and data precision through comprehensive staff training.

• Campingbeheerder gezocht (Koperwiek) - Dutch eco-nursery offers free accommodation and utilities to camping manager at 15-pitch food forest campsite for 2025 season in exchange for maintenance duties.

• New technical guide: Protocols for innovative agroecological soil, water and integrated pest management practices (CGIAR) - Scientists unveil comprehensive protocols for Kenyan farmers to implement agroecological practices, targeting soil health, water conservation, and pest control across farming communities.

Carbon

Ad industry backs CCS despite low capture rates, as Mediterranean cyanobacteria shows promise for CO2 absorption while global emissions trend toward 37.4B metric tons

• ‘Give Trees a Hand’ — Ad Agencies Line Up to Sell Sketchy Climate Solutions (DeSmog) - Leading ad firms are spending millions to promote carbon capture for Big Oil, even though the technology has captured just 0.1 percent of global emissions to date.

• Newly Discovered Bacteria ‘Chonkus’ Offers Potential for Cleaning Up Carbon Dioxide (EcoWatch) - Scientists have discovered a robust cyanobacteria strain in Mediterranean volcanic vents that could enhance CO2 capture efforts due to its unique ability to flourish in carbon-rich environments.

• Fossil Fuel Emissions Are Still Rising (Heatmap News) - Global fossil fuel CO2 emissions are set to climb 0.8% to 37.4 billion metric tons next year, marking another record high, scientists warn.

Circular

International Recycling Solutions' $185M Erie plant and Ghana's Earthshot-backed waste initiative target plastic waste and open burning

• Opinion: IRG CEO Hecht says plant will deliver plastic pollution solutions, jobs to Erie (International Recycling Group) - A new $185-million plastic recycling facility in Erie will create 221 jobs and process both recyclable and non-recyclable materials using advanced sorting technology, CEO Mitch Hecht announced today.

• From landfill to limelight, Ghana waste entrepreneurs win Earthshot Prize (Mongabay) - A Ghanaian youth organization has secured £1 million in Earthshot funding for its waste management programs that combat open-air burning across the nation.

Ecosystems

Coral Triangle oil risks, plankton adaptation limits, island plant vulnerability studies, plus new forest fire resilience research from Brian Harvey and Texas biodiversity mapping by David Hillis

• Meena Sankaran: Water, Leadership, Change (KETOS) - Water quality monitoring expert Meena Sankaran explains why direct sensor measurements of rivers provide more accurate data than satellite observations.

• Coral biodiversity hotspot at risk from fossil fuel expansion, report warns (Mongabay) - Oil and gas expansion plans across 16% of the Pacific Coral Triangle pose risks to 76% of known coral species through potential spills, pollution, and shipping traffic.

• Forest Biomass Guide for Media at COP29 (Stand.earth) - Environmental group releases comprehensive media guide ahead of COP29, offering expert analysis on biomass industry's forest impacts.

• Tiny oceanic plankton adapted to warming during the last ice age, but probably won’t survive future climate change – new study (The Conversation) - Marine plankton, which adapted to warming during Earth's last ice age, cannot evolve quickly enough to survive today's accelerated climate change, researchers report.

• 2024 Hamilton Book Award Grand Prize Goes to David Hillis for Homage to Texas Hill Country’s Biological Diversity (UT News) - University of Texas evolutionary biologist David Hillis has won the 2024 Hamilton Book Award for his illustrated biodiversity guide covering Texas Hill Country's native species.

• Associate Professor Brian Harvey awarded three grants to examine how climate-adaptive forest management can foster resilience to wildfire (UW SEFS) - Forest scientist Brian Harvey secures three major grants to examine how climate-focused forest management could strengthen wildfire resilience across Western US woodlands.

• Species Spotlight: Bengal Floricans, Nearing Their Last Dance? (The Revelator) - Conservationists report Bengal florican numbers have plummeted 80% over three decades as Cambodia launches the species' first captive breeding program amid vanishing grasslands.

• More than 20% of Earth’s plants grow only on islands, global study finds (Mongabay) - A new study shows one-fifth of Earth's plant species exist only on islands, with half facing extinction threats and 70% restricted to individual islands.

Efficiency

Data center software evolution brings modular solutions and cloud flexibility, while AI integration remains challenging

• DCIM past and present: what’s changed? (Uptime Institute) - Data center management software has matured significantly in ten years, offering enhanced modularity and cloud options, yet faces ongoing hurdles with artificial intelligence adoption and pricing, reports show.

Finance

Record $13.4B clean energy deals, CT's $100M efficiency program via Amalgamated Bank, CoBank's water quality loans, while Havas loses B Corp status over Shell ties amid push for $1T climate finance

• Energy Customers Harness Innovation in 2024 (CEBA) - Corporate clean energy procurement hit 13.4 GW this year, marking significant expansion in geothermal and nuclear sectors alongside unprecedented tax equity investments.

• Small Business Energy Advantage Program Continues to Grow; Surpasses $100 Million in Loans Since 2018 (CT Green Bank) - Connecticut's Small Business Energy Advantage program has surpassed $100 million in zero-interest energy efficiency loans since 2018, with funding through Amalgamated Bank and Green Liberty Notes.

• Havas Warns of Reputational Risks Over Fossil Fuel Clients Following Shell Backlash (DeSmog) - Global advertising giant Havas faces investor scrutiny after climate activists' backlash and loss of B Corp status due to its Shell contract sparked concerns over fossil fuel partnerships.

• CoBank originates its first sustainability-linked loan with Heartland Co-op with support from EDF (EDF) - CoBank's pioneering sustainability loan with Heartland Co-op incentivizes water quality improvements and farmer engagement through 2028 with reduced interest rates.

• Climate Finance and Accountability at COP29 (EDF) - Global climate negotiators aim to replace the $100B finance pledge with a $1T annual commitment, focusing on accessible funding and measurable impacts.

• CoBank’s new loan signals a new wave of sustainable finance in agriculture (EDF+Business) - Agricultural lender CoBank incentivizes water quality improvements by offering Heartland Co-op reduced interest rates for meeting conservation targets across farmland in Iowa, Nebraska, and Texas.

• Dairy Methane Disclosure: A guide for publicly disclosing dairy methane emissions (EDF+Business) - Leading companies can now track and report dairy methane emissions across their value chains with a new guide that aligns with global ESG standards.

• Former Bank of America sustainability executive Matt Elliott joins Greenplaces Advisory Board (Greenplaces) - Former Bank of America sustainability leader Matt Elliott, who activated North America's largest middle-market environmental program, joins Greenplaces' Advisory Board with ex-Nike CSO Noel Kinder.

• GSIA report identifies misaligned incentives for investors and policymakers in attendance at COP29 (GSIA) - Global investors face five key barriers to climate policy alignment, according to a new PIVOT framework study released ahead of COP29.

• African Development Bank chief calls for ‘green-rich’ continent to also be ‘cash-rich’ (Mongabay) - Africa's $6 trillion in natural capital remains severely undervalued in global carbon markets and GDP calculations, warns African Development Bank's president.

• ‘We are not asking for handouts,’ Rwanada President Kagame says at COP29 (Mongabay) - Rwanda's President Kagame urged COP29 delegates to shift from climate aid to market-based compensation for Africa's natural resources and ecosystem services.

• WWF gives banks a tool to see if they’re financing environmental crime (Mongabay) - Global conservation group WWF has unveiled a free financial toolkit enabling banks to detect clients linked to illegal deforestation, marking a major step toward protecting threatened forests worldwide.

• Agtech VC investment on the rise again but exits still elude the industry, says new PitchBook data (AgFunderNews) - Venture capital investment in agricultural technology climbed to $1.6 billion across 159 deals last quarter, marking two straight quarters of growth despite reduced exits and deal volumes.

• US Water Intelligence Start-up Raises €9 million Series Funding (KETOS) - US water monitoring firm KETOS secures €9M investment to broaden worldwide reach and advance research into PFAS detection technology.

• Elementor #573696 (Impact Hub) - Unilever's Breeze brand launches its fourth annual mentorship initiative in Taiwan, supporting mothers' personal aspirations beyond parenting through December 2024.

• The Power 12: Essential Traits to Go the Distance and Finish Big (Medium) - A prominent venture capitalist and Ironman competitor identifies twelve essential characteristics that link high-achieving startup founders with endurance athletes.

• Trump Already Preparing to Load Up Government with Pro-Crypto Officials (Washington Post) - Trump administration eyes pro-cryptocurrency figures for financial oversight roles amid Bitcoin's post-election surge to $86,000.

Grid

AI solutions from Asoba and Treeline optimize grid management; ERCOT storage markets expand; smart water heaters and Sunrun's VPPs boost grid flexibility; LiveEO showcases transmission line monitoring

• Asoba Selected for IRCAI and AWS’s Compute for Climate Fellowship (Asoba) - South African startup Asoba joins global climate initiative to develop AI solutions for energy forecasting and power grid optimization.

• LiveEO | Treeline is now on the AWS Marketplace! (LiveEO) - Treeline's AI-powered satellite monitoring system launches on AWS Marketplace, promising utilities 66% faster deployment for vegetation management near power lines.

• Active Market Operations for BESS in ERCOT: How to Navigate ERCOT’s Revenue Streams (SYSO Technologies) - Energy storage systems in Texas's ERCOT market can tap into multiple revenue streams, including real-time trading, day-ahead arbitrage, and ancillary services, reports SYSO Technologies.

• If our hot water heaters ran off daytime solar, we would slash emissions and soak up cheap energy (The Conversation) - Smart meter-controlled water heaters in Australia reduced emissions by 15% and saved households $63 annually while improving grid stability when shifted to daytime solar power, researchers found.

• Residential solar is becoming residential solar + storage + VPP (Volts) - Solar provider Sunrun reports 56% of new customers are choosing solar-plus-storage systems as the company expands its virtual power plant network across American homes.

• LiveEO | Meet us at CEATI T&D (LiveEO) - Satellite intelligence firm LiveEO will present its Treeline vegetation monitoring system for power transmission lines at California's CEATI T&D Conference this November.

Indigenous

COP16 Colombia spotlights Rights of Nature principles and Indigenous knowledge systems, while NDN Collective plans COP29 advocacy amid land rights challenges from Alaska to São Paulo

• Proposed Land Exchange in Izembek Refuge Sparks Conservation Concerns (Alaska Wilderness League) - A proposed land swap in Alaska's Izembek National Wildlife Refuge could set a precedent for wilderness privatization, threatening protections for 104 million acres of federal public lands.

• COP16 reforça papel da economia dos povos tradicionais e da restauração como promotores da biodiversidade (ISA) - Indigenous knowledge systems and sustainable financing take center stage at Colombia's COP16 biodiversity summit, where traditional economies and ecosystem restoration emerge as vital conservation pillars.

• Oficinas sobre os Direitos da Natureza na COP16 na Colômbia (Meli-Bees) - Indigenous leaders joined experts to explore eight Rights of Nature principles during workshops at Colombia's COP16, highlighting traditional environmental wisdom.

• Rights for Nature Workshops at COP16 in Colombia (Meli-Bees) - Indigenous leaders and environmental experts outlined eight Rights of Nature principles during Colombia's COP16 workshops, advocating stronger legal protections for global ecosystems.

• ‘Five years and no justice’ as trial over Indigenous forest guardian’s killing faces delays (Mongabay) - After five years, bureaucratic hurdles and payment disputes over an anthropological report continue to stall the trial of those accused in the 2019 killing of Indigenous forest guardian Paulo Paulino Guajajara.

• Building Global Indigenous Power Post U.S. Elections (NDN Collective) - Indigenous advocacy group NDN Collective vows to press forward with climate action and sovereignty rights at COP29, despite mounting U.S. political challenges to tribal autonomy.

• Community Notice: Soil Remediation Project Winter Shutdown (Nipissing First Nation News) - Ontario's Ministry of Transportation halts soil cleanup at Agnew Lake until spring 2025, adding extra winter safeguards for stored niobium tailings.

• Field Notes on Repair: 2 (Places Journal) - Experts examine repair practices in architecture and urbanism through studies of maintenance, preservation, and environmental justice, from disaster recovery to Indigenous land stewardship.

• Atlantic Fellows for Social Equity announces 2025 cohort (University of Melbourne) - Seventeen Indigenous leaders from five Pacific nations have been selected for a prestigious University of Melbourne fellowship program aimed at advancing social equity across the region.

• Audiência pública na Alesp debate titulação quilombola e plano estadual para garantir direitos constitucionais (ISA) - Despite constitutional rights guaranteeing land ownership, only three quilombola communities have received full titles in São Paulo over nearly three decades, prompting lawmakers to investigate delays.

• Elementor #573879 (Impact Hub) - A Taiwan-based women's empowerment program has drawn unprecedented participation this year, offering unique workshops in tree climbing and embroidery to promote personal growth and healing.

• Free Tickets for NFN Members: Curated Shorts Program – In a Good Way (NFN News) - Nipissing First Nation members receive complimentary tickets to The Capitol Centre's November 17 screening of "In a Good Way," featuring local filmmaker Evelyn Pakinewatik.

• PASSAGE OF DRUG FREE SAFE ZONES (Penobscot Nation) - Tribal leaders have enacted strict drug-free zones within 1000 feet of schools, parks, and cultural sites across Penobscot Nation territory, implementing harsher penalties for violations.

• Tidings from Titus | November 2024 (Resource Assistance for Rural Environments) - Program Director Titus Tomlinson marks RARE's 30-year milestone with staff updates and community impact reflections in latest newsletter.

• Yurok Tribe, Del Norte County District Attorney and Superior Court Launch Program to Increase Access to Wellness and Reduce Recidivism (Yurok Tribe) - Del Norte County's new partnership with Yurok Tribal Court offers tribal members facing criminal charges an alternative path through culturally-centered wellness programs.

Industry

KETOS expands water testing capabilities as NotCo shifts focus to AI formulation services

• Discussing Water Quality, Sustainability in Mining with KETOS Founder Meena Sankaran (KETOS) - Advanced water monitoring technology from KETOS now tests 30+ parameters in real time, enhancing mining sustainability and water quality management, says CEO Meena Sankaran.

• NotCo CTO: ‘Within three years, the bulk of our revenue will be from the b2b business. From design, we are an AI company’ (AgFunderNews) - Chilean food tech company NotCo pivots from plant-based products to AI formulation services, projecting tech partnerships will drive over 50% of revenue by 2026.

• Sanctuary AI Is Betting Big on Human-like Machines That Learn and Work (Evok Innovations) - Vancouver firm Sanctuary AI has created Phoenix, a humanoid robot capable of learning physical tasks through real-world interactions.

• AI-Powered Generative Business Services Set to Unlock Unprecedented Value for Global 2000 Enterprises, According to New HFS Research (HFS Research) - AI-powered business services will shift major enterprises toward value creation, with 89% of Global 2000 firms expected to adopt GenAI and machine learning by 2025.

• Cambium Earns Second Place in Hypersonic Cost Reduction Challenge (NSIN) - A startup has won $20,000 for developing affordable, US-made high-temperature composites for hypersonic applications in a Department of Energy competition.

• Davide Grasso Appointed Stellantis Chief Heritage Officer (Stellantis) - Automotive giant Stellantis names Davide Grasso to lead heritage preservation efforts across its 14 iconic brands.

Policy

Paris Agreement targets falling short as temperatures head toward 2.5-2.9°C; RGGI directs 30% to environmental justice; California invests $750M in clean energy; IRA incentives offer up to $7,500 for EVs; US plans 200GW nuclear expansion by 2050

• What are NDCs? (350.org) - Global climate pledges under the Paris Agreement's mandatory five-year action plans are failing to meet the 1.5°C target, with temperatures projected to rise between 2.5-2.9°C.

• Acadia Center Releases Findings on Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) Offering Insights into the Allocation of Program Proceeds and Equity Investments (Acadia Center) - The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative directed 30% of its proceeds to environmental justice communities last year, though experts call for clearer reporting and swifter distribution of funds.

• CEC’s EPIC Symposium Brings Clean Energy Leaders Together (CalEnergyBlog) - California's clean energy program has invested $750M across the state, with 60% supporting disadvantaged communities and $21M dedicated to tribal lands over the past decade.

• Climate vs. weather: a deep dive on the key differences (Climate Feedback) - Scientists confirm Earth's climate patterns over decades differ from daily weather, with human activities driving unprecedented warming trends unseen in two millennia.

• Trump EPA Pick Lee Zeldin Backed by Texas Fracking Billionaire Tim Dunn (DeSmog) - Trump EPA pick Lee Zeldin chairs fossil fuel initiatives at the America First Policy Institute, co-founded by Texas fracking billionaire Tim Dunn.

• At COP29, Article 6 must deliver on urgent finance for forests and Indigenous communities (EDF) - Global climate negotiators at COP29 face mounting pressure to establish carbon market standards that could channel billions into Indigenous communities and forest conservation initiatives.

• As Rhode Island considers future of gas, advocates call for ‘realism’ on cost, availability of RNG (Energy News Network) - Rhode Island energy advocates warn state officials that renewable natural gas cannot realistically replace conventional gas supplies, pushing for electric alternatives instead.

• Trading carbon offsets won’t save the planet, Time for real climate solutions (Greenpeace) - Carbon offset trading rules hastily approved at COP29 in Azerbaijan face criticism for enabling major polluters while failing to tackle urgent climate challenges, Greenpeace reports.

• Climate Tech Companies Plan For Survival Under Trump (Heatmap News) - Climate tech firms are developing backup strategies for a potential IRA repeal under Trump, while focusing on market dynamics and state policies to maintain growth.

• Trump, China, and Climate Change: What Happens Next? (Heatmap News) - China expert Jeremy Wallace identifies three key advisory groups shaping Trump's policy approach, amid concerns over potential climate rollbacks.

• Inside Climate News: Advocates Expect Maryland to Drive Climate Action When Trump Returns to Washington (Inside Climate News) - Maryland forges ahead with ambitious clean energy plans, safeguarding $369 billion in federal climate funding despite looming policy shifts under the incoming administration.

• LiveEO | EUDR: A Step-by-Step Guide to Compliance (LiveEO) - European satellite monitoring firm LiveEO will host a webinar detailing EUDR compliance requirements and digital solutions for businesses affected by new EU deforestation regulations.

• LiveEO | Webinar: EUDR for Rubber: Turning Compliance into a Business Growth Opportunity (LiveEO) - Digital solutions and compliance strategies for EU deforestation regulations in rubber supply chains will be explored in an upcoming webinar.

• Climate inequality must take centre stage at COP29 (The Conversation) - Global climate inequality takes center stage at Azerbaijan's COP29 summit, where nations producing half of emissions face mounting pressure to aid developing countries bearing climate change's burden.

• Thousands of corporate lobbyists are at the UN climate summit in Baku. But what exactly is ‘lobbying’ and how does it work? (The Conversation) - Fossil fuel industry presence at UN climate summits has quadrupled from 503 representatives at COP26 to more than 2,000 at COP28 through corporate lobbying, sponsorships and delegation access.

• Climate science is getting lost in translation (The Conversation) - Language barriers block three-quarters of the world's population from accessing vital climate research, as 89% of climate science papers are published exclusively in English.

• Can the US triple its nuclear energy capacity? (The Verge) - US government unveils ambitious plan to expand nuclear power from 60GW to 200GW by 2050, despite political uncertainty ahead.

• Global status of multi-hazard early warning systems 2024 (UNDRR) - Early warning systems now protect 108 nations, representing 55% of the world, with comprehensive coverage linked to six times fewer disaster-related deaths than countries with limited systems.

• Global status of multi-hazard early warning systems 2024 (UNDRR) - Early warning systems now protect 108 nations, representing 55% of the world, with comprehensive coverage linked to six times fewer disaster-related deaths than countries with limited systems.

• Exploring and enhancing data on non-economic losses (UNDRR) - Global experts convene in Bonn to enhance disaster loss tracking methods, as nearly 100 specialists explore ways to measure non-economic impacts within current assessment systems.

• UNDRR ROAS participates in the World Urban Forum in Cairo: Addressing integrated disaster risk reduction and climate resilience (UNDRR) - Global disaster experts gather in Cairo to address urban resilience, as climate threats force 20 million people to relocate annually.

• United Nations Sustainable Development Group (UNSDG) (UNSDG) - The UN's top coordination body steers development work in 162 nations while overseeing major agencies and monitoring global sustainability targets.

• Social Sciences University of Ankara / Ankara Sosyal Bilimler Üniversitesi (ASBÜ) (ASBÜ) - Ankara Social Sciences University, founded in 2013, delivers multilingual education and research programs while fostering global partnerships from its historic Turkish campus.

• International CGE Modeling Training Program in New Delhi (CGIAR) - South Asian researchers gathered in New Delhi for a week-long training program on CGE modeling, aimed at strengthening regional economic policy analysis skills.

• Oversight of past legacy: Reflections on Nepal’s draft Water Resources Bill 2024 (CGIAR) - Nepal's proposed Water Resources Bill draws backlash from local communities, as experts say it fails to protect traditional water rights and clashes with federal governance frameworks.

• Strengthening early warning systems in Sudan: UNDRR and partners lead pivotal workshops (UNDRR) - Sudan partners with UN to establish nationwide disaster alert systems, aiming to protect its 45 million citizens from climate and conflict risks within four years.

• Every fraction of a degree matters. What will you do? #climateaction (UNEP) - Community leaders and entrepreneurs worldwide are racing to implement climate solutions as the window to limit global warming to 1.5°C narrows, according to a new UNEP video series.

• Let’s keep pushing to protect a clean and safe future for everyone! (YouTube) - The US government's clean energy incentives now provide Americans up to $7,500 for electric vehicles and $2,000 for heat pumps and electric stoves under the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act.

• Impact Hub Skip to content Menu (Impact Hub) - A new Taiwanese initiative aims to empower mothers through 2024 with mentorship and training, helping them achieve aspirations beyond traditional parenting roles.

• Trump picks new defense secretary from his favorite talent pool – Fox News (Independent) - Trump taps Fox News host Pete Hegseth, 44, a former Army National Guard veteran who advocated for war crime pardons, as his pick for Military Secretary in a potential second term.

• CONGRESS IS ABOUT TO GIFT TRUMP SWEEPING POWERS TO CRUSH HIS POLITICAL ENEMIES (The Intercept) - A proposed House bill would grant the Treasury Secretary power to strip tax-exempt status from nonprofits suspected of supporting terrorism, sparking fears of political targeting.

Renewables

Qcells powers Hanwha Aerospace USA sites with solar-storage; Brazil sees 5-10% solar cost reduction

• Qcells and Hanwha Aerospace USA Advance a Clean, Reliable Energy Future by Utilizing Energy Storage Solutions Program. (CT Green Bank) - Korean solar giant Qcells will supply 20% of Hanwha Aerospace USA's energy needs through new solar-storage installations at two sites under Connecticut's Energy Storage Solutions program.

• Energia solar fica 5% mais barata no Brasil no 3º trimestre do ano, aponta Solfácil (Solfácil) - Brazilian solar energy costs fell 5% overall and 10% for large installations during Q3 2024, driven by declining equipment prices across the South American nation.

Transport

Proterra's EV battery testing standards, GM-Reliant's free Texas charging program, and shipping emissions' cloud impact on ocean temps

• We Talked to the Guy Making Those Anti-Elon Musk Bumper Stickers (Heatmap News) - A Hawaii sticker manufacturer has sold more than 10,000 anti-Musk Tesla bumper stickers since Trump's victory and the billionaire's growing political presence.

• Shipping emissions reduction sheds light on marine cloud geoengineering (Mongabay) - Sulfur dioxide emission cuts in shipping have inadvertently demonstrated how marine cloud brightening affects ocean temperatures, as reduced reflective clouds drive record North Atlantic warming.

• Ensuring Battery Reliability for Commercial Vehicles: A Comprehensive Testing Approach (Proterra) - Leading electric vehicle battery maker Proterra unveils extensive testing standards for heavy-duty transport, covering durability, reliability and safety protocols across multiple operational parameters.

• Why Affordable Housing Needs EV Charging—And How to Make It Viable (SwtchEnergy) - New research reveals multiple pathways for affordable housing developments to implement electric vehicle charging stations through strategic financing and payment structures.

• GM offers free nighttime charging to Chevy EV owners in Texas (The Verge) - Automaker GM and Reliant Energy will offer Texas Chevy EV owners complimentary overnight charging through monthly credits during off-peak hours of 11PM to 6AM.

• SkyDriveとオーイーシー、大分県臼杵市で開催される「うすき食文化祭2024」で ドローンショーを実施 (SkyDrive) - Japanese tech firm SkyDrive partners with OEC to orchestrate a 200-drone light display at Usuki's Food Culture Festival, commemorating the city's 20th anniversary celebrations.