Global Climate News: September 12
WHO guidance on antibiotic resistance; Egypt plans solar manufacturing hub; Ørsted halts SAF project; British Airways to procure rock weathering carbon offsets; India's first Green Hydrogen Valley
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In this newsletter
Top stories
News from Governments
Carbon Removal
Energy
Synthetic Fuels and Hydrogen
Research
Top Stories
WHO has issued guidance to mitigate antibiotic resistance by managing waste at pharmaceutical manufacturing sites. Manufacturing Dive | WHO Press Release | Guidance on wastewater and solid waste management for manufacturing of antibiotics
UK's Prudential Regulations Authority has announced reforms in line with the internationally agreed Basel 3 framework. From January 1 2026, the capital requirements on infrastructure projects will be reduced, "ensuring no increase on current requirements and supporting the UK’s transition to net zero." UK Government
The UK Government has ended the programme for funding retrofits in public buses, that supported installing Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) systems to reduce NOx emissions, as real-world emission reductions were not meeting expectations. UK Government
India’s Cabinet has approved the PM E-DRIVE scheme that will provide incentives for procuring EVs directly to buyers through an e-voucher system. There’s also an outlay for electric ambulances, buses and trucks and for installation of public EV charging infrastructure. Renewable Watch | Press Release
Denmark-based Ørsted has halted its project to supply sustainable jet fuel amid Danish parliamentary debate on ‘green’ domestic routes. EnergyWatch - Latest News
Eygpt is planning an 8GW solar manufacturing hub in the Suez Special Economic Zone, with a 2GW solar cell production line expected to be operational by 2025. Renewable Watch
Indonesia is planning a Light Rail Transit project in Bali, with possible investment from the South Korean government and private investors in South Korea. Indonesia Business Post
Spain-based Novameat has raised €17.4M for enhancing plant-based product expansion. Business Wire
The International Labour Organization (ILO) reports that half the world lacks social protection amid the climate crisis, urging greater investment. UN
The UN Environment Programme has published the "Resourcing the Energy Transition" report that contains seven Guiding Principles and five Actionable Recommendations for sustainable extraction of critical minerals. Climate Home News | UNEP Report
News from Governments
The UK has launched a new taskforce to enhance flood preparedness and coordinate defenses against extreme weather. UK Government
The state of Punjab (India) is offering a 60-80% subsidy to farmers for procuring solar pumps. Energetica India
The US Department of Energy is funding two Energy Innovation Hubs for research on next generation storage technologies. Power Engineering International | Press Release
The US will provide incentive payments to 293 hydropower plants for upgrading components, improving dam safety, and improve water and ecosystem conditions. Press Release | Innovation News
The state of Maryland (USA) will provide grants for installing solar panels on parking lots and parking garages. Solar Power World
California is considering a bill that will require cars sold after 2030 to warn speeding drivers when they are 10 mph over the speed limit. Smart Cities Dive
Australia is funding a pilot to use battery electric vehicles for home delivery of groceries in Sydney. ARENA Press Release
Australia is now making a funding pool of AUD$550 million available for manufacturing solar modules and inputs for modules, as well as for solar PV manufacturing studies, as part of its Solar Sunshot program. ARENA Press Release | pv magazine
Philippines, supported by the International Fund for Agricultural Development has launched the VISTA (Value Chain Innovation for Sustainable Transformation in Agrarian Reform Communities) project to support “350,000 small-scale farmers, particularly women, youth, and indigenous peoples, by strengthening value chains, promoting sustainable land use practices, and enhancing climate resilience”. IFAD Press Release
Carbon Removal
British Airways will purchase carbon offsets from an enhanced rock weathering project, being developed by UK-based UNDO. Climate Home News
California-based AirMiners has selected 20 startups (involved in direct air capture, enhanced rock weathering, ocean-based removal, biochar, and utilization) for carbon removal funding; Shopify has offered each a $100,000 purchase. Business Wire
New study shows Elevated Pressure CO2 shipping is safer (less corrosive), cheaper, and energy-efficient than transporting captured CO₂ at low or medium pressure. Offshore Energy
Switzerland-based Daphne Technology has launched a new, Gold Standard-approved carbon credit methodology to reduce methane emissions in Shipping. Carbon credits may be generated through use of technology that reduces emissions of unburned methane that escapes from internal combustion engines.
The methodology mandates high-accuracy, real-time measurement before and after the abatement system to ensure robust monitoring and verification emission reductions. The methodology is designed for use on both maritime and stationary land-based internal combustion engines, maximising its potential impact.
Energy
Fervo has achieved record-breaking geothermal drilling at Cape Station at its 400 MW plant expected to be operational by 2028. Utility Dive
India’s public sector enterprise NHPC's has awarded 1.2 GW renewable energy projects, along with storage, at a tariff of ₹4.37 (~$0.0521)/kWh. Mercom India
SECI invites bids for 2 GW renewable projects with 8 GWh storage capacity across India. PV Magazine India
“The average cost of large-scale solar projects in India fell 2% quarter-over-quarter (QoQ) and 25.7% year-over-year (YoY) in the second quarter (Q2) of 2024”, reports Mercom.
Texas (USA) regulators have adopted Brattle's analysis to determine costs of power outages. The analysis finds costs to be $35,685 per MWh unserved. Utility Dive
Ford has partnered Southern California Edison to enable EV owners to earn money for reducing peak-time charging. Utility Dive
Tata Motors and MG Motor are offering free charging and battery rentals to boost India’s EV sales. Economic Times
Europe's LNG demand fell 20% since year-start, reports global think tank IEEFA. EnergyWatch - Latest News
Synthetic Fuels and Hydrogen
India's first Green Hydrogen Valley will be developed in Pune to support Chemicals facilities. Mercom India
Ohmium has partnered with Ten08 Energy for 500MW Texas clean ammonia project using PEM electrolyzers. Business Wire
Thermax has partnered with Ceres to manufacture and commercialize SOEC technology for efficient hydrogen production in India. PV Magazine India
Nordsol and Attero have opened a bio-LNG plant to supply sustainable maritime fuel in Wilp (Netherlands). Offshore Energy
India's GH2 target by 2030 requires significant renewable energy expansion, affecting power system operations, as per CEEW report. Renewable Watch
IRENA's report highlights renewable hydrogen's potential to reshape global energy trade and opportunities for developing countries. Offshore Energy | IRENA - Shaping Sustainable International Hydrogen Value Chains (PDF)
Research
CNRS (France) researchers have developed high-quality silicon clathrate films, enhancing photovoltaic potential and opening applications in energy storage and thermoelectricity. PV Magazine India
TU Bergakademie Freiberg (Germany) has developed a recyclable aluminum-polymer battery, aiming for industrial production by 2025. PV Magazine India
Dibrugarh (India) researchers have patented a cost-effective hydroelectric turbine for shallow water bodies in Assam. Economic Times
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