Friday night picks

It's been a busy day but I wanted to send out an evening edition to make sure everyone gets their 3 recommended picks for Friday!

If you're focused on Donald Trump and Elon Musk, I recommend Anat Shenker-Osorio as always. Here's her latest in Rolling Stone: Public Opinion Is Meaningless Against Trump — Public Action Is What Matters. If you're more in the mood for video, she's hard at work so it's a little out of date already, but here she is interviewed 8 days ago.

And now we offer you the best updates from around the green tech and sustainability world today. Email subscribers get 3 just for you.

-Marshall Kirkpatrick

Earth Catalyst: We provide thought leadership support systems and bespoke consulting for green tech and sustainability organizations.

 

Today and every day, our system scans over 1,000 green tech and sustainability organizations for updates. Below, you'll find:

• A Visual of the Day

• A digest-style Table of Contents for 170 selected updates from around the green tech and sustainability world

• (If you subscribe by email) 3 personalized selections just for you and your work

Did a friend forward you this newsletter? Welcome! You can subscribe here and get your own personal recommendations each day.

Visual of the Day

The Ecological Cost of War: Agricultural Devastation Mapped

New satellite research shows devastating damage to Gaza's farming system:

Before late 2023, Gaza grew half its own food. But between October 2023 and September 2024, most of its farming infrastructure was destroyed:

• 7 out of every 10 orchards were wiped out

• 4,000+ greenhouses were demolished

Recovery will be extremely slow. The soil needs major cleanup work before any new planting can begin. Even after that, it will take 15 years for new olive and citrus trees to grow enough to produce fruit.

To take action on this, see our friends at the Veterans for Peace Climate and Militarism Project.

Today's Updates

Table of Contents

• Agriculture (9 stories) - Urban farms in Burkina Faso, Brazil's Landless Workers reform plan, and Montana's Mill Gulch restoration join Avisomo's $5.2M vertical farming round and breakthrough methane-reducing rice variety

  
  

• Carbon (17 stories) - CBO highlights cheap ethanol CCS; Google triples carbon removal investment; global temps hit 1.75°C; Wyoming backs CO2 pipelines; COP29 finalizes carbon market rules

  
  

• Circular (6 stories) - MacroCycle secures funding for energy-efficient plastic recycling, while global guides emerge for sustainable holidays, workwear, and community waste reduction

  
  

• Ecosystems (12 stories) - Beech forests decline 28% in Europe, Gulf whales down 80% post-Deepwater Horizon, while Gaza conflict and Indonesia logging threaten ecosystems; new protections emerge in Ecuador's Andes and Poland's Oder Delta

  
  

• Efficiency (5 stories) - Rental property standards, appliance policies, heat pump adoption and building retrofits drive efficiency gains across US, UK and Canada

  
  

• Finance (9 stories) - Octopus Energy, BNP Paribas advance green financing while Bezos Fund pauses SBTi support; TPG's $2.2B Altus Power deal amid Trump-era climate tech investment concerns

  
  

• Grid (15 stories) - ARENA's 370-battery rollout, Tesla's WA facility, and CIP's Adelaide mega-battery lead grid modernization as AI startups and utilities tackle doubled US demand forecast

  
  

• Indigenous (6 stories) - Fire networks expand Indigenous partnerships while Mexican land defender killed near rail project; California tribes lead watershed restoration and prescribed burn education

  
  

• Industry (13 stories) - Major manufacturing expansions from X-Energy, ES Foundry, TMEIC, and RENA, while US-China trade tensions escalate over graphite and critical minerals amid global supply chain shifts

  
  

• Policy (57 stories) - EPA environmental justice office faces shutdown and layoffs, while Trump administration freezes climate programs and shifts DOE priorities to fossil fuels; state-level utility accountability laws show success in Colorado and Connecticut

  
  

• Renewables (11 stories) - Record solar growth forecasts from BNEF, Axpo's alpine project for Swiss rail, breakthroughs in perovskite cells at Westlake University, and major renewable developments from LUMA Energy, South Australia's Bungama, and global offshore wind sector

  
  

• Transport (10 stories) - BYD rises to #3 global automaker as Beijing buses go 95% electric; U.S. sees EV policy shifts with Trump blocks and state incentives; Pratt & Whitney advances hydrogen aviation while SkyDrive plans Japan flying taxis

Agriculture

Urban farms in Burkina Faso, Brazil's Landless Workers reform plan, and Montana's Mill Gulch restoration join Avisomo's $5.2M vertical farming round and breakthrough methane-reducing rice variety

• ‘We water, rest, water’: the green belt of vegetable plots cooling a city (The Guardian) - Burkina Faso's capital combats climate crisis with 2,000-hectare urban farming green belt that provides food security and reduces city temperatures.

• Brazil: MST Asserts That Agrarian Reform Can End Environmental Destruction and Social Inequality (Via Campesina) - Brazil's Landless Workers' Movement outlines 10-point plan for agrarian reform to combat environmental destruction and social inequality through sustainable farming practices.

• Burning for Better in Southwest Montana (Fire Networks) - Montana ranchers and state agencies collaborate on 1,300-acre prescribed burn project to restore sagebrush habitat and reduce wildfire risk in Mill Gulch.

• RESEARCH FELLOW for FERTILAB project (BC3) - Basque research center seeks PhD-level expert for FertiLab project to assess sustainability of biofertilizers and conduct life cycle assessments of agricultural waste transformation.

• Rice paddies, like cows, spew methane. A new variety makes them a lot less gassy. (Grist) - Scientists develop non-GMO rice variety reducing methane emissions by 70% while nearly doubling average yields through selective breeding.

• Gaza: we analysed a year of satellite images to map the scale of agricultural destruction (The Conversation) - Satellite analysis reveals 70% of Gaza's tree crops and over 4,000 greenhouses destroyed during Israel-Hamas war, marking unprecedented agricultural devastation.

• De la huerta al plato: ‘Elikaduraz’ educa a los más jóvenes sobre alimentación sostenible (BC3) - New educational program 'Elikaduraz' teaches primary school students about sustainable food systems and environmental impact of food choices in Basque Country.

• Proceedings of IAHS (Proceedings of IAHS) - Scientific journal publishes peer-reviewed papers examining climate change impacts on agricultural crops for flood-risk management and adaptation.

• The Week in AgriFoodTech: Avisomo secures $5.2m, BiocSol snaps $4.6m, PlantBaby raises $4m (AgFunderNews) - Norwegian vertical farming startup Avisomo leads $5.2M funding round in week that saw multiple agrifoodtech investments including BiocSol's $4.6M and PlantBaby's $4M raises.

Carbon

CBO highlights cheap ethanol CCS; Google triples carbon removal investment; global temps hit 1.75°C; Wyoming backs CO2 pipelines; COP29 finalizes carbon market rules

• CBO report examines the potential for CCS in the US | Ethanol Producer Magazine (Ethanol Producer Magazine) - Congressional Budget Office report highlights ethanol industry's potential for low-cost carbon capture and storage with costs of $15-35/tonne compared to $50-120/tonne in other sectors.

• China Briefing 6 February 2025: Emissions halt; ‘Green’ Asian Winter Games; US-China tariff war (Carbon Brief) - China's CO2 emissions halted in late 2024 due to record clean energy surge, while US-China trade tensions escalate with new fossil fuel tariffs.

• Google Invests Over $100 Million in Carbon Removal in 2024 (ESG Today) - Google commits over $100 million to diverse carbon removal technologies in 2024, tripling previous year's investment and contracting nearly 800,000 tons of carbon removals.

• Hottest January on record mystifies climate scientists (The Guardian) - Global temperatures hit record 1.75C above preindustrial levels in January 2025 despite La Niña cooling effect, puzzling climate scientists.

• Ice streams move due to tiny ice quakes (ScienceDaily) - Greenland's ice streams found to move through countless tiny ice quakes rather than steady flow, challenging current climate models.

• January 2025 was warmest on record as climate change ‘overwhelms’ La Niña’s cooling (Mongabay) - Global temperatures hit record highs in January 2025, reaching 1.75°C above pre-industrial levels despite cooling La Niña conditions.

• Record hot January despite cooling La Nina effect (DW) - January 2025 hits record 1.75°C above pre-industrial levels despite La Nina cooling effect, marking continuation of extreme global temperatures.

• REDD+ Is a Game-Changer for Ghana (Nature4Climate) - Ghana's REDD+ program reduces deforestation while providing community benefits, achieving 3.3M tons CO2 reduction in 2020/21 through sustainable forest management and cocoa farming.

• Reducing air pollution could increase methane emissions from wetlands – here’s what needs to be done (The Conversation) - Research shows clean air policies reducing sulphur pollution could inadvertently boost wetland methane emissions by 8-15%, complicating global methane reduction goals.

• Reforestation is a Key Plant-Based Strategy in Climate Change Mitigation, New Study Finds (NYBG) - New study finds reforestation most beneficial plant-based climate strategy for both carbon capture and biodiversity preservation compared to alternatives.

• Southeast Asia can perhaps avoid the worst impacts of inadequate oil supply (Energy Central) - Southeast Asian nations better positioned to handle future oil shortages due to warm climate, coal reserves, and simpler living standards, despite growing oil import dependence.

• Study shows small sources account for large share of oil & gas methane emissions, underscores importance of key federal initiatives (EnergyExchange) - New study reveals 70% of US oil and gas methane emissions come from small, dispersed sources emitting less than 100kg/hour, challenging current regulatory focus on super-emitters.

• STUDY: smaller, dispersed sources account for majority of U.S oil & gas methane emissions (EDF) - Study reveals 70% of US oil and gas methane emissions come from smaller, dispersed sources emitting less than 100kg/hour, challenging current detection methods.

• The Carbon Removal Industry’s Trump Playbook (Heatmap News) - Carbon removal industry leaders outline three-point strategy to maintain progress under potential Trump administration, focusing on offensive policy development, cross-industry alliances, and maintaining high standards.

• Understanding Science-Based Targets: A Path to Sustainable Business Growth (RyeStrategy) - Science-Based Targets initiative helps businesses align emissions reduction goals with Paris Agreement's 1.5°C target through structured carbon accounting and reporting frameworks.

• Washington Goes Wild, Wyoming Pipelines Win (Heatmap News) - Wyoming business groups defeat anti-CO2 pipeline legislation as coal and mining interests defend carbon capture investments.

• Why the COP29 Article 6 decision strengthens high-integrity carbon markets (C2ES) - COP29 adopts technical guidance for Article 6 carbon markets, establishing clear rules for international carbon credit trading and strengthening market integrity under Paris Agreement.

Circular

MacroCycle secures funding for energy-efficient plastic recycling, while global guides emerge for sustainable holidays, workwear, and community waste reduction

• Cleantech Startup MacroCycle Raises $6.5 Million to “Upcycle” Plastic Waste into New Products (ESGToday) - Cleantech startup MacroCycle raises $6.5M to commercialize low-energy plastic waste upcycling technology that reduces energy use by 80% versus traditional methods.

• Ho Ho Holy Moly Christmas Is Here🎄 (Faircado) - German sustainability newsletter outlines comprehensive guide for eco-friendly Christmas celebrations, focusing on second-hand gifts and reduced consumption.

• New Year, Better Me? 🎆 (Faircado) - Newsletter outlines practical steps for sustainable living in 2025, focusing on individual actions and systemic change through collective consumer behavior and community engagement.

• Tourists are back at this Instaworthy Philippine town, but can its sewage system keep up? (Mongabay) - Popular Philippine tourist town El Nido faces severe coastal contamination from inadequate sewage infrastructure as tourism rebounds, with only 3.3% of households connected to new treatment system.

• Hocus Pocus, Let’s Focus… On A Sustainable Halloween 🎃 (Faircado) - Halloween sustainability guide offers tips for reducing pumpkin waste and creating eco-friendly celebrations through reuse and composting.

• Suit Up Sustainably 👔 (Faircado) - Newsletter outlines strategies for sustainable workwear and career transitions into sustainability sector, emphasizing second-hand fashion and skill development.

Ecosystems

Beech forests decline 28% in Europe, Gulf whales down 80% post-Deepwater Horizon, while Gaza conflict and Indonesia logging threaten ecosystems; new protections emerge in Ecuador's Andes and Poland's Oder Delta

• As War Halts, the Environmental Devastation in Gaza Runs Deep (Yale E360) - Gaza war has caused severe environmental damage including contaminated water supplies, destroyed farmland, 80% tree loss, and ecosystem destruction, threatening long-term desertification and biodiversity loss.

• Climate warming leads to more frequent beech tree reproduction, at the expense of growth (ScienceDaily) - European beech trees show 28% growth decline since 2005 as warming temperatures trigger more frequent reproduction at expense of tree growth.

• Deepwater Horizon beaked whale decline #news #whales #fossilfuels (Scripps Institution) - Analysis of marine mammal echolocation data reveals 80% decline in Gulf of Mexico beaked whale populations following 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

• Fireforest: A New Film on Forest Management and Wildfire (Fire Networks) - New documentary "Fireforest" demonstrates how prescribed burns and forest thinning helped control Colorado's Cameron Peak Fire, advocating for proactive forest management.

• First Oregon whale entanglement of the year sounds the alarm (Environment America) - Fatal humpback whale entanglement in commercial crabbing gear off Oregon coast prompts state advisory for fisheries to exercise extreme caution.

• Nature-Positive Development and Generous Urban Design (Gonzaga Climate Institute) - Spokane University District CEO outlines ambitious nature-positive urban development strategy to combat climate crisis while enhancing ecosystem services in city planning.

• Rewetting the Oder Delta: a step forward for Europe’s wetlands (Rewilding Europe) - Large-scale wetland restoration project in Poland's Oder Delta successfully rewets 26 hectares, boosting biodiversity and climate resilience through beaver-led ecosystem engineering.

• Surge in legal land clearing pushes up Indonesia deforestation rate in 2024 (Mongabay) - Indonesia's deforestation jumped to highest level since 2021 with 97% occurring in legal concessions, primarily affecting critical wildlife habitats in Borneo and Sumatra.

• The Business of Wildfire Prevention (Big Bear Grizzly) - Environmental groups challenge US Forest Service's 13,000-acre forest thinning project, arguing it could increase wildfire risks in Big Bear Valley.

• Urcu Yaku Kamak (“Guardians of Mountain Water”) Conservation Area protects Páramo Wetlands in Ecuador’s Central Andes (Andes Amazon Fund) - Ecuador establishes 52,681-acre Urcu Yaku Kamak Conservation Area to protect vital páramo wetlands and water resources in Central Andes near Sangay National Park.

• Vietnam and China partner on wildlife-friendly traditional medicine practices (Mongabay) - Vietnam and China launch groundbreaking partnership to develop wildlife-friendly traditional medicine practices while preserving cultural heritage.

• What Can Psychology Offer Biodiversity Protection? (The Revelator) - Conservation psychology emerges as crucial field bridging human behavior and biodiversity protection, offering new approaches to make conservation more inclusive and effective.

Efficiency

Rental property standards, appliance policies, heat pump adoption and building retrofits drive efficiency gains across US, UK and Canada

• 'Warm homes and cheaper bills': DESNZ unveils minimum energy efficiency rules for landlords (BusinessGreen) - UK government proposes all rental properties must achieve EPC level C by 2030 to reduce energy bills and emissions.

• His Decades of Advocacy Saved You Money While Fighting Climate Change. Here’s His Advice for This Moment (InsideClimateNews) - Energy efficiency expert Steven Nadel reflects on 35-year career promoting policies that helped keep US electricity consumption flat while saving consumers billions through appliance standards and building codes.

• New Report: Pathway to Decarbonize New Mexico’s Buildings (NRDC) - New Mexico stakeholders release roadmap detailing six priority actions to eliminate building emissions by 2050, focusing on heat pump adoption and equitable implementation.

• Sustainable Housing for the Homeless (Bluedot Living) - Toronto leads sustainable housing initiatives with modular units, eco-retrofits, and tiny homes to address homelessness crisis while prioritizing energy efficiency.

• Why sustainability in architecture can’t wait: The blueprint for a low-carbon future (Greenplaces) - Architecture firms face urgent pressure to reduce buildings' 40% share of global CO2 emissions through sustainable design as regulations tighten and market demands shift.

Finance

Octopus Energy, BNP Paribas advance green financing while Bezos Fund pauses SBTi support; TPG's $2.2B Altus Power deal amid Trump-era climate tech investment concerns

• 'The Collective': Octopus Energy launches renewables investment platform (BusinessGreen) - Octopus Energy launches 'The Collective' platform allowing customers to directly invest in UK renewable energy projects.

• Are emerging climate technologies in trouble? (Latitude Media) - Emerging climate technologies face steep investment decline and political risks as Trump administration pauses federal funding, particularly impacting nascent sectors like carbon capture and hydrogen.

• BNP Paribas Surpasses 75% of Energy Financing to Low-Carbon Energies (ESG Today) - BNP Paribas achieves 76% low-carbon energy financing in 2024, up from 65% in 2023, advancing toward 90% goal by 2030.

• Earth Investigations Webinar: Tracking the Global Oil Trade with Data and Satellite Imagery (SEJ) - Investigative journalism webinar to teach data and satellite tracking methods for monitoring global oil trade and supply chains.

• Jeff Bezos fund ends support for climate group amid fears billionaires ‘bowing down’ to Trump (The Guardian) - Jeff Bezos's $10bn Earth Fund halts funding for key climate certification group SBTi amid concerns over Trump-influenced retreat from climate commitments.

• LiveEO | Meet us at Sustainability Week (LiveEO) - Satellite analytics company to showcase TradeAware solution for EU deforestation regulation compliance at Economist's Sustainability Week 2025 in London.

• Podcast: John on MCJ's Inevitable (MCJ Podcast) - Keyframe Capital CIO discusses structured financing approaches for climate tech infrastructure and data centers in new episode of 'Inevitable' series.

• TPG Acquires US Solar Developer Altus Power for $2.2 Billion (ESGToday) - Private equity firm TPG acquires largest US commercial solar developer Altus Power for $2.2 billion to accelerate clean power expansion.

• Unlocking the Future of Energy Data: A Q&A with Cleartrace’s CPO, Poormehr Honarmand, and CCO, Patrick Davis (Cleartrace) - Software company launches enhanced data solutions for energy suppliers and corporate buyers to track real-time emissions and manage decarbonization efforts.

Grid

ARENA's 370-battery rollout, Tesla's WA facility, and CIP's Adelaide mega-battery lead grid modernization as AI startups and utilities tackle doubled US demand forecast

• A Renewed Vision for the Energy Grid: Turning Challenges into Opportunities (PowerMag) - Global energy grid faces transformation challenges requiring Totex approach, flexibility markets, improved data access, and power electronics solutions for renewable integration.

• ARENA Community Based Battery Rollout (CleanTechnica) - ARENA allocates AU$143M to deploy 370 community-based batteries across Australia, providing 281 MWh storage capacity to stabilize grid and reduce local energy costs.

• California just debunked a big myth about renewable energy (Yale Climate Connections) - California study shows renewables met 100% of state's electricity demand for up to 10 hours on 98 of 116 days in 2024, with batteries enabling reliable grid operation.

• California utility investigating ‘every possibility’ for cause of Eaton Fire, including its own equipment (Renewable Energy World) - Southern California Edison investigating potential equipment involvement in deadly Eaton Fire while confirming possible link to smaller Hurst Fire ignition.

• Case study: Tennessee cooperative detects hotspot in grid sensor pilot (Renewable Energy World) - Tennessee electric cooperative uses grid sensor pilot to detect and repair hotspot, preventing outage for 1,600 households.

• Construction starts on first giga-scale battery project in South Australia (RenewEconomy) - Construction begins on South Australia's first giga-scale battery project - a 240MW/960MWh facility by Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners near Adelaide.

• Electricity is the next energy crisis (Utility Dive) - US electricity demand forecasted to double by 2050 amid manufacturing boom and data center growth, while grid infrastructure struggles to keep pace with 3-12 year connection delays.

• High-stakes bets for the future of the grid (Latitude Media) - Grid tech startups gain momentum as utilities seek innovative solutions for modernizing power infrastructure amid rising demand and climate challenges.

• Natural gas-fired power plants have different owner types (EIA) - U.S. natural gas power plants show distinct ownership patterns between utilities (53%), independent producers (39%), and industrial firms (8%), affecting plant locations and fuel pricing strategies.

• Resilience through intelligence: AI’s impact on utility disaster readiness (Renewable Energy World) - AI technology enables utilities to predict outages, automate responses, and enhance grid resilience through real-time data analysis and predictive maintenance.

• Tesla inks deal with WA to build megapack servicing plant next to huge Collie battery (RenewEconomy) - Tesla signs agreement with Western Australia to build battery servicing facility adjacent to massive Collie battery storage project.

• The rise of on-site generation to power AI (Latitude Media) - Major tech companies increasingly turn to on-site power generation solutions to meet AI data centers' massive energy demands, with gas turbines leading initial deployments.

• Tyba Raises $14 Million to Help Batteries Make Money (Heatmap) - AI startup Tyba raises $13.9M Series A funding to optimize battery storage revenue through automated energy dispatch and price forecasting technology.

• Alectra Utilities’ Vivek Somasundaram on building the control room of the future (Renewable Energy World) - Alectra Utilities developing advanced control room to manage complex grid challenges including electrification and multi-directional power flows through 2040.

• FERC delay on ISO-NE interconnection plan could lock out 3 GW from capacity auction: Flatiron (Utility Dive) - FERC's inaction on ISO New England's interconnection reform could prevent 3 GW of new power resources from participating in next capacity auction, risking higher electricity rates.

Indigenous

Fire networks expand Indigenous partnerships while Mexican land defender killed near rail project; California tribes lead watershed restoration and prescribed burn education

• 2024: A Year of Growth and Connection for the Fire Networks (Fire Networks) - Multiple fire management networks expand training, partnerships, and Indigenous collaboration across US in 2024 to foster sustainable fire cultures and community resilience.

• Celebrating 10 Years of the Blog! (Fire Networks) - Fire adaptation and resilience network celebrates 10 years of community blogging with over 680 published stories sharing wildfire practitioner experiences and indigenous knowledge.

• Community Weaving for Eco-Cultural Restoration: Partnering with Tribes in Lake County, CA (Fire Networks) - California's Lake County tribes partner with local nonprofit to restore watersheds and revive traditional land management practices through educational workshops.

• Engaging Communities with Prescribed Fire: Lessons Learned from PBA Outreach in Fire-Prone Areas (Fire Networks) - California's Watershed Center shares lessons from prescribed burn outreach workshops, emphasizing trauma-informed communication and community engagement in fire-prone areas.

• Oaxaca Indigenous leader’s killing leaves land defenders’ safety in doubt (Mongabay) - Indigenous leader Arnoldo Nicolás Romero found shot dead near railroad megaproject in Mexico's Oaxaca region amid rising violence against land defenders.

• The Warmth That Keeps Us Coming Back (Fire Networks) - Fire leader reflects on importance of hospitality and human connection in firefighting culture while addressing cancer risks and health impacts in wildland fire community.

Industry

Major manufacturing expansions from X-Energy, ES Foundry, TMEIC, and RENA, while US-China trade tensions escalate over graphite and critical minerals amid global supply chain shifts

• Amazon-backed X-Energy Raises $700 Million to Accelerate Small Modular Nuclear Technology (ESGToday) - Amazon-backed nuclear tech company X-Energy raises $700M to advance small modular reactor development and fuel facility construction.

• Bifacial PERC Silicon Solar Cell Manufacturing Factory In US (TaiyangNews) - ES Foundry launches 3 GW bifacial PERC solar cell factory in South Carolina, set to become largest US crystalline silicon cell producer by Q3 2025.

• Graphite Tariffs Could Upend US EV Industry (CleanTechnica) - US graphite producers seek 920% tariff on Chinese imports, threatening to double EV battery costs and disrupt domestic electric vehicle manufacturing.

• How illicit mining fuels violence in eastern DRC: Interview with Jean-Pierre Okenda (Mongabay) - Rwanda-backed M23 rebels control DRC's largest coltan mines, with minerals being illicitly funneled through Rwanda to Chinese buyers amid ongoing regional conflict.

• Indian Solar Cell Manufacturing Capacity To Exceed 50 GW By FY2027 (TaiyangNews) - India's solar cell manufacturing capacity projected to surge from 10GW to 50GW by 2027, driven by $3.4 billion investment and government support policies.

• Japan's TMEIC Launches 9 GW US Solar Inverter Manufacturing Plant (TaiyangNews) - Japanese electronics firm TMEIC opens 9GW solar inverter manufacturing plant in Texas, producing over 300 units since November 2024.

• More 2025 trends: DeepSeek, plug-in hybrids, and curtailment (Latitude Media) - Chinese plug-in hybrids, solar growth, and AI data centers drive major energy transition trends while wind development stagnates.

• North East Chamber of Commerce | Hydrogen Report (North East Chamber of Commerce) - UK's North East region positioned to lead hydrogen development with government support needed for grid capacity, education, and green hydrogen price matching.

• RENA: High-Throughput, Cost-Effective Wet Chemistry Solutions (TaiyangNews) - RENA showcases high-throughput wet chemistry tools for TOPCon and SHJ cell production, claiming 30% lower operating costs versus Chinese competitors.

• Rio Tinto turns to big batteries to underpin green smelters, as firmed renewables eclipse gas and coal (RenewEconomy) - Rio Tinto plans major battery storage deployment to firm renewables for Queensland aluminum smelters as clean energy proves more economical than coal power.

• The Hydrogen Economy: Opportunities and Challenges For Developing Countries (Earth.org) - Developing nations face $1 trillion funding gap and skills shortages in green hydrogen adoption despite World Bank's $1.5B support and growing project announcements.

• U.S. Coal Plants Get Reprieve as Market and Policies Change (POWER Magazine) - U.S. coal plants extend operations past planned retirement dates due to increased power demand and expected relaxation of environmental regulations under Trump administration.

• What’s A Musk To Do? Green Hydrogen In Play As Europe Faces Russia Threat (CleanTechnica) - Baltic states and European partners develop green hydrogen corridor linking to Germany and Poland, reducing Russian energy dependence amid security concerns.

Policy

EPA environmental justice office faces shutdown and layoffs, while Trump administration freezes climate programs and shifts DOE priorities to fossil fuels; state-level utility accountability laws show success in Colorado and Connecticut

• ‘It’s Worse Every Day’: Environmental Justice Staffers at EPA Face Uncertain Future as Potential Layoffs Loom (Inside Climate News) - EPA environmental justice staff face imminent administrative leave and potential layoffs under Trump administration, affecting up to 100 employees and disrupting pollution reduction programs.

• #Support4SoCal ➡️ Toolkit in the description (ACE) - California wildfires highlight climate change impacts, prompting call for public awareness and solidarity through social toolkit campaign.

• A Bluedot Guide to Citizen Action (Bluedot Living) - Comprehensive guide outlines key strategies for climate activism including contacting representatives, running for office, and organizing community action.

• A tipline to protect the planet (HEATED) - Independent climate journalists launch encrypted tipline for federal employees to report scientific integrity violations and industry interference.

• Big Oil’s Record-Breaking Spending on Lobbying Last Session Hobbled Key California Climate Measures (InsideClimateNews) - Oil industry's record $65.8M lobbying spend in California blocked key climate bills including Polluters Pay Act, while refineries like Martinez avoid stricter penalties.

• Call to make tech firms report data centre energy use as AI booms (The Guardian) - Experts urge mandatory reporting of data center energy and water usage amid AI boom's environmental impact concerns.

• Chris Wright’s First Order of Business (Heatmap News) - Trump's new Energy Secretary Chris Wright orders DOE to prioritize fossil fuels and nuclear while denouncing net-zero policies in first directive.

• Climate Politics: What Would Donald Trump Do? Joel B. Stronberg (Energy Central) - Trump's climate and energy promises face economic realities as red states fear loss of clean energy investments and jobs from potential IRA repeal.

• Colorado and Connecticut saved residents hundreds of thousands of dollars on their utility bills (Grist) - Colorado and Connecticut utility accountability laws blocked companies from charging customers for lobbying and advertising costs, saving ratepayers hundreds of thousands of dollars.

• DOE to focus on expanding baseload generation: Secretary Wright (Utility Dive) - DOE Secretary Wright announces shift to expand baseload power generation, criticizing net-zero policies as threat to energy reliability and costs.

• Eliminating Environmental Justice Office Will Harm American Communities (EDF) - Trump administration plans to shut down EPA's environmental justice office, threatening protections for communities affected by pollution and climate change.

• Energy Insiders Podcast: Energy industry gets ready for election (RenewEconomy) - Smart Energy Council discusses industry priorities and agenda ahead of Australian federal election as organization marks 70th anniversary.

• EPA funding freeze endangers $7B Solar For All program (Utility Dive) - Trump administration freezes $7B EPA Solar For All program funding, endangering solar access for 900,000 low-income households.

• EPA to Shutter Environmental Justice Office: "This Is a Disgrace" (NRDC) - EPA moves to shut down its environmental justice office, reversing decades of federal efforts to address environmental inequity in vulnerable communities.

• EU legislators urge IMF to protect Madagascar forests against road projects (Mongabay) - European Parliament members urge IMF to protect Madagascar's forests by withholding $321M funding for highway projects threatening endangered lemur habitats.

• Exposure to Air Pollution Can Make It Harder to Focus, Study Finds (Yale E360) - Study finds short-term exposure to air pollution impairs focus and emotional recognition abilities in healthy adults, potentially affecting daily tasks and social behavior.

• Extreme weather’s dark aftermath: a rise in domestic violence (Yale Climate Connections) - Study of 156 countries reveals extreme weather events linked to increased domestic violence rates two years after disasters, particularly following storms, landslides, and floods.

• GIJN Webinar: Investigating Fossil Fuels (GIJN) - Global investigative journalism webinar to train reporters on investigating fossil fuel industry's climate impact and corporate accountability, featuring expert panel and guide authors.

• GOP Lawmakers Seek to Roll Back Methane Fee (InsideClimateNews) - House and Senate Republicans introduce legislation to permanently block EPA's first-ever methane emissions fee for oil and gas companies using Congressional Review Act.

• Green campaigners fear UK to renew subsidies to Drax power station (The Guardian) - UK government expected to renew controversial billion-pound subsidies for Drax biomass power station despite environmental concerns over wood burning practices.

• How the Money Stopped at One Environmental Nonprofit, Causing Hardship and Alarm (Inside Climate News) - South Carolina environmental nonprofit Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League loses access to $365,000 federal grant for air monitoring project after Trump administration's IRA funding freeze.

• Killing Queensland hydrogen project is a spectacular own goal by LNP at the worst possible time (RenewEconomy) - Queensland government cancels funding for major green hydrogen project, jeopardizing trade relationships with key Asian energy partners Japan and South Korea.

• Lawmakers Demand Accountability From EPA Leaders Amid Funding Freeze, Staffing Disruptions (Inside Climate News) - Democratic lawmakers confront EPA leadership over funding freeze and potential layoffs of environmental justice staff amid Trump administration's agency restructuring.

• LCV Statement Ahead of Russell Vought Senate Floor Vote (LCV) - Environmental group urges Senate to reject Russell Vought's OMB nomination, citing his plans to cut environmental and social programs under Project 2025.

• Legislature to again weigh whether clean energy credits are helping or harming Maine ratepayers (RenewableEnergyWorld) - Maine legislature debates repeal of net energy billing program as Republicans claim it raises costs while supporters argue benefits outweigh expense.

• Living with Smoke in the Greater Yellowstone (FireNetworks) - Greater Yellowstone Fire Action Network develops community smoke-ready plans to help residents manage health impacts during wildfire and prescribed burn events.

• Loving the world could address the climate crisis and help us make sense of changes to come (The Conversation) - Scholar argues that collective storytelling and 'love for the world' could help society process and respond to climate crisis impacts.

• Moms Call on Administrator Zeldin to Follow the Science and Address Global Warming (Moms Clean Air Force) - Environmental advocacy group urges EPA Administrator Zeldin to maintain greenhouse gas regulations ahead of February 19 policy review deadline.

• New Polling Shows Strong Opposition to Clean Energy Rollbacks (LCV) - New polling reveals widespread public opposition to proposed rollbacks of clean energy policies and initiatives.

• New US Energy Secretary’s Idiotic Press Release (CleanTechnica) - New US Energy Secretary Chris Wright issues order promoting nuclear weapons, commercial nuclear power, while dismissing renewable energy and climate concerns under Trump administration.

• Pierre Poilievre Keen on Canadian LNG Despite Economic and Environmental Risk (DeSmog) - Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre pushes Canadian LNG exports despite expert warnings of declining global demand and environmental risks.

• Preventing the Next Nex Benedict (Atmos) - Oklahoma's queer, trans, and Indigenous communities fight rising anti-LGBTQIA+ policies and climate threats one year after trans teen Nex Benedict's death.

• Puerto Rico y las órdenes ejecutivas del Presidente Trump (Yale Climate Connections) - Trump's new executive orders withdraw US from Paris Agreement, eliminate renewable subsidies, and threaten Puerto Rico's climate resilience efforts.

• Renewed global violence puts pressure on climate adaptation (Climate Home News) - Global conflicts threaten climate adaptation projects, but flexible funding and community engagement show promise in maintaining progress in fragile regions.

• Senator Elizabeth Warren on Russ Vought (The Hill) - Sen. Warren warns against Trump's nomination of Project 2025 architect Russ Vought to lead federal budget office, citing threats to EPA and environmental protections.

• Six ways FDA can do better on food safety (EDF Health) - FDA's food safety program needs major reforms in chemical assessment processes, transparency, and scientific rigor to better protect public health.

• Statement: Bezos Earth Fund guts climate watchdog after failing to rewrite emissions rules in its favor (Stand.earth) - Bezos Earth Fund cuts funding to Science-Based Targets initiative after failed attempt to modify emissions rules, raising concerns about corporate climate accountability.

• The Chemical Lobby Is Laughing at America (NRDC) - Chemical industry lobbyists push to weaken Toxic Substances Control Act and pollution controls on cancer-causing chemicals, threatening public health protections.

• The Impact of Investments in Wildfire Smoke Mitigation Efforts (Fire Networks) - Multiple western U.S. communities receive funding for wildfire smoke mitigation projects, establishing clean air spaces and distributing HEPA filters to vulnerable populations.

• To Slash Energy Costs, Air Pollution & Climate Emissions, Senator Wiener Introduces Legislation to Streamline Heat Pump Permitting (Building Decarb Coalition) - California Senator Wiener introduces Heat Pump Access Act to standardize and streamline permitting process for heat pump installations, aiming to cut costs and meet state climate goals.

• Trump Cancels Key Meeting for Vineyard Wind Expansion (Heatmap News) - Trump administration cancels key environmental review meeting for Vineyard Wind's 2GW New York expansion project, signaling broader offshore wind permit restrictions.

• Trump interior department directive raises fears for national monuments (The Guardian) - Trump's interior department directive signals potential redrawing of national monument boundaries to boost fossil fuel development, sparking conservation concerns.

• Trump is Hurting All Communities by Recklessly Dismantling the Office of Environmental Justice (LCV) - Trump administration dismantles EPA's Office of Environmental Justice, threatening health protections for vulnerable communities and environmental oversight.

• Trump’s EPA to prioritize AI, lobbyists and staff cuts in ‘mission to traumatize’ (The Guardian) - Trump's EPA unveils new priorities focusing on AI development, industry deregulation, and mass staff cuts while downplaying environmental protection and climate action.

• Trump’s offshore wind energy freeze: What states lose if the executive order remains in place (The Conversation) - Trump's executive order freezing offshore wind permits threatens US clean energy goals, jobs, and economic growth while ceding industry leadership to Europe and China.

• Trump’s quest for ‘energy dominance’ is all about the vibes (Grist) - Trump's 'energy dominance' rhetoric reflects nostalgic appeal to fossil fuel era and masculine identity rather than concrete policy goals.

• UN Climate Chief Says Energy Transition ‘Unstoppable’ Despite US Exit From Paris Accord, Urges Countries to Deliver on Climate Finance at COP30 (Earth.org) - UN climate chief Simon Stiell declares clean energy transition 'unstoppable' despite US Paris Agreement exit, emphasizes $1.3 trillion climate finance target for COP30.

• UN gives countries more time to submit “quality” climate plans for 2035 (Climate Home News) - UN extends February climate plan deadline to September for countries to submit higher-quality 2035 emissions targets amid concerns of weakening ambition.

• Uprooted: How Extreme Heat and Disease Displaced One Family From Cameroon to the U.S. (Moms Clean Air Force) - Cameroonian family forced to relocate twice due to climate-induced health issues and civil conflict, ultimately seeking asylum in US.

• Want To Fix The US Economy? Let Renewable Energy Projects Rise On Their Merits (CleanTechnica) - Trump administration pauses 168 renewable energy projects across US to comply with fossil fuels mandate, undermining clean energy development and economic growth.

• Water Affordability: 2024 Year in Review (NRDC) - Federal water assistance program LIHWAP ends as EPA reports 12-18 million US households face unaffordable water bills, while states and cities implement new affordability initiatives.

• Water Utility Groups Seek to Dismantle Public Health Protections (NRDC) - American Water Works Association shifts from public health advocate to opponent, suing to block EPA regulations on lead pipes and toxic chemicals.

• What Inclusion Means to Us (IREC) - Clean energy advocacy group reaffirms commitment to inclusive workforce development and equitable access to clean energy benefits across diverse U.S. communities.

• What’s Really Wrong With the Permitting Pipes (Heatmap News) - Federal permitting bottlenecks for renewable energy projects stem from staffing shortages, inconsistent technology use, and bureaucratic hiring delays, Federation of American Scientists report finds.

• Woodside’s claim that gas displaces coal not borne out by evidence – instead it displaces renewables (RenewEconomy) - Studies show gas exports displace renewable energy rather than coal in Asia, contradicting Woodside CEO's claims about emissions reduction benefits.

• Energy Facilities Spotlight: Compliance Program (Oregon Energy) - State energy department outlines compliance monitoring program for large-scale energy facilities to ensure safety and environmental standards.

• Why earthquakes still matter (UNDRR) - Global earthquake risks rise due to unsafe urban expansion despite improved engineering knowledge, with 30% of expected annual disaster losses linked to seismic events.

Renewables

Record solar growth forecasts from BNEF, Axpo's alpine project for Swiss rail, breakthroughs in perovskite cells at Westlake University, and major renewable developments from LUMA Energy, South Australia's Bungama, and global offshore wind sector

• Axpo to Build 8 MW Alpine Solar Plant for Swiss Railways (TaiyangNews) - Swiss utility Axpo to build 8 MW alpine solar plant at 2,000m altitude to supply Swiss Federal Railways with 11 GWh annually under government's Solar Express initiative.

• BloombergNEF Forecasts 670 GW DC New Global Solar PV Installations In 2025 During TaiyangNews Event (TaiyangNews) - BloombergNEF forecasts global solar PV installations to reach 670 GW DC in 2025, up 12% from 599 GW DC in 2024, despite industry overcapacity and market slowdowns in Europe.

• BNEF: Cost of clean power tech expected to fall by up to 11 per cent in 2025 (BusinessGreen) - BNEF forecasts clean power technology costs to drop up to 11% in 2025, with China producing electricity 64% cheaper than other markets.

• China Solar PV News Snippets: Westlake University’s Perovskite-CIGS Tandem Cell Breakthrough & More (TaiyangNews) - Westlake University achieves 23.4% efficiency in perovskite/CIGS tandem solar cells breakthrough, promising applications in buildings and flexible devices.

• Enhanced Geothermal's Breakthroughs Are the Good News We All Need Right Now (Distilled.earth) - Enhanced geothermal systems achieve 35% cost reduction learning rate, double that of shale gas, with potential for $60-70/MWh clean power by 2030.

• Gas utility cancels networked geothermal pilot in Lowell (Acadia Center) - National Grid cancels major geothermal heating network pilot project in Lowell, Massachusetts, dealing setback to state's climate goals.

• Hearing on contested solar farm next to old coal mine moves online due to “low number of speakers” (RenewEconomy) - Public hearing for 135MW solar farm next to former NSW coal mine moves online after receiving only five in-person speaker registrations.

• Huge solar and battery project to help propel South Australia towards 100 pct net renewables and beyond (RenewEconomy) - South Australia's 339MW Bungama solar farm and 250MW battery project secures landmark merchant financing to help state reach 100% net renewables by 2027.

• Puerto Rico utility LUMA plans to add 1 GW renewables, 700 MW storage (Utility Dive) - Puerto Rico's LUMA Energy announces $4B plan to add 1GW renewables and 700MW storage capacity, aiming to strengthen grid reliability and reduce fossil fuel dependence.

• Report: Global offshore wind capacity grew 15 per cent in past year (BusinessGreen) - Global offshore wind capacity increased 15% to reach 80.9GW in past year despite economic and supply chain challenges.

• Residential solar company leveraging AI in new partnership (Renewable Energy World) - Sunnova partners with OpenSolar to integrate AI-powered solar design technology into dealer platform for faster, automated system proposals.

Transport

BYD rises to #3 global automaker as Beijing buses go 95% electric; U.S. sees EV policy shifts with Trump blocks and state incentives; Pratt & Whitney advances hydrogen aviation while SkyDrive plans Japan flying taxis

• Beijing Buses 95% Electric, Hydrogen Buses Dwindling, Refueling Stations Closing (CleanTechnica) - Beijing's public bus fleet reaches 95% electric while hydrogen buses fade as refueling stations close, highlighting clear winner in clean transit competition.

• BYD Shocks — Is Winning the EV Revolution (CleanTechnica) - Chinese automaker BYD surpasses global rivals to become world's third-largest auto brand, with 47% sales growth in January 2025.

• Democratic Governors Prepared To Keep The EV Revolution Moving Forward (CleanTechnica) - Democratic governors in Colorado and California lead push to maintain EV adoption through enhanced state incentives as federal support faces uncertainty under Trump administration.

• EV Infrastructure and Energy Summit USA 2025 (Energy Central) - Major EV infrastructure summit in Atlanta to convene industry leaders and policymakers for accelerating U.S. electric vehicle adoption in April 2025.

• Hydrogen Engine Project | Promise of Steam Injection (Energy Central) - Pratt & Whitney's hydrogen engine project demonstrates promising results with steam injection technology for aviation applications.

• The Observer view on Heathrow runway: Rachel Reeves is flying in face of dire climate threat | Observer editorial (The Guardian) - Labour chancellor Rachel Reeves faces criticism for backing Heathrow's third runway expansion despite climate concerns and local opposition.

• Trump’s Latest Ploy to Kill America’s EV Charger Program (Heatmap News) - Trump administration blocks $2.6 billion in unspent federal EV charging infrastructure funds by rescinding program guidance, while allowing existing project reimbursements to continue.

• Wireless Charging Is Coming To Port Of Long Beach (CleanTechnica) - Port of Long Beach to install five 150kW wireless charging pads for electric cargo vehicles in 2025, enabling continuous charging without manual plug-ins.

• SkyDriveとJR九州が、大分県における「空飛ぶクルマ」の運航に向けた検討を開始 (SkyDrive) - Japanese firms SkyDrive and JR Kyushu partner with Oita Prefecture to launch flying car services by 2028, aiming to connect tourist spots like Beppu and Yufuin with 15-minute flights.

• Volvo Plugin Vehicle Sales Increased 17% In January (CleanTechnica) - Volvo Cars reports 17% increase in plugin vehicle sales for January 2025, with EVs and hybrids accounting for 44% of total sales while overall vehicle sales declined 5%.