Top Climate News - Feb 20
NVIDIA-Arc Institute train AI model for nucleotides; UK funds sustainable packaging, announces EPR for packaging;
NVIDIA unveils Evo 2 AI model for biomolecular research
(February 19)
NVIDIA has unveiled Evo 2, a powerful new AI model for genomic data, in collaboration with the Arc Institute and Stanford University. Trained on an enormous dataset of nearly 9 trillion nucleotides, Evo 2 can be applied to healthcare and agricultural biotechnology, aiming for advancements like climate-resilient crops. The project was accelerated using 2,000 NVIDIA H100 GPUs via NVIDIA DGX Cloud, enhancing research capabilities and speeding up complex scientific inquiries.
National Wealth Fund invests in sustainable packaging company Pulpex
(February 19)
The UK National Wealth Fund has committed £43.5m in direct equity to the sustainable packaging company Pulpex, which is set to build its first commercial-scale manufacturing facility near Glasgow. An additional £10m co-investment is provided by the Scottish National Investment Bank, bringing the total investment to £62m. This facility will produce 50 million fibre-based bottles annually, creating 35 new jobs and contributing to the decarbonisation of the packaging industry in alignment with the UK’s environmental goals.
Canada Invests More Than $9.5M In Innovative Carbon Management Technologies
(February 19)
Canada is investing over $9.5 million (CA$14 million) in six projects focused on developing carbon capture, storage, and transportation technologies. The funding is part of the Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) initiative through the Energy Innovation Program. Enbridge Gas Inc receives the largest share of $3.5 million to evaluate carbon storage potential in Ontario, while Canada Nickel Company is set to receive over $2 million for a novel CO2 storage solution involving mining waste. The University of Toronto will get $1.7 million to enhance its Direct Air Capture technology, among other projects receiving funding.
Packaging data reporting for Extended Producer Responsibility
(February 19)
United Kingdom has implemented Extended Producer Responsibility for packaging (EPR) regulations requiring large and small organizations to collect and submit packaging data. Large producers must submit this data every 6 months, while small producers are required to submit their data annually. The next deadline for all producers is 1 April 2025, for data collected in 2024. This system is intended to ensure accountability and enhance waste management efforts across the region.
EU Ship Recycling Regulation Evaluation and Update
(February 19)
The European Commission evaluated the EU Ship Recycling Regulation, which was adopted in 2013 to improve environmental and social standards in ship recycling practices. The assessment concluded that while the objectives were largely achieved—especially through the European List of authorized ship recycling facilities—issues remain. Shipowners have been changing flags to avoid EU regulations, and hazardous materials inventories are often insufficient. A new edition of the European List was also adopted, now including 43 facilities across Europe, Turkey, and the United States.
Climate change impacts Pacific tuna economies
(February 19)
A US$ 107 million grant announced this week from the Green Climate Fund will help 14 Pacific island nations adapt their tuna-dependent economies as climate change threatens the critical industry. Conservation International led the science behind the grant and highlighted that climate change will have a devastating impact on these nations' economies. The funding will also be used to develop an advanced warning system to monitor tuna migration and seek compensation if the fish move out of their waters.
PoMELO Passive technology for methane emissions monitoring
(February 19)
Canada-based University of Calgary has operationally deployed PoMELO Passive, a technology that combines vehicle-based pollution measurements from public roads with cloud-based software to detect and quantify emissions from oil and gas sites. This technology conducted a blind test program assessing detection and quantification performance, showing effective detection rates between 60% to 100%. The results were delivered daily to the Alberta Methane Emissions Program, enhancing large-scale monitoring capabilities.
EIB Group finances €2.2 billion in Greece for energy supply and disaster management
(February 19)
Greece received €2.2 billion from the European Investment Bank (EIB) in 2024, focused on investments in renewable energy sources and disaster management. This includes a €390 million loan to DEPA Commercial for solar parks, €150 million for HEDNO to upgrade the electricity grid, and €220 million for disaster management capabilities including firefighting equipment. EIB financing aims to enhance energy security and climate adaptation, catalyzing further investments in the region.
Parliament and member states agree on new support plan for Moldova
(February 19)
The European Parliament and EU member states have reached a provisional agreement on a new support plan for Moldova, known as the Reform and Growth Facility. This facility allocates €520 million in grants and €1.5 billion in low-interest loans to help Moldova address the impacts of Russia's war and strengthen its resilience against external threats. The package also includes increased pre-financing for rapid resource deployment, aimed at improving Moldova's energy security and supporting essential reforms.
Belgrade Airport Achieves Third Level in Airport Carbon Accreditation
(February 19)
Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport, part of the VINCI Airports network since 2018, reached level 3 in the Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) program. This recognition indicates its commitment to a 67% reduction in its carbon footprint by 2030. The airport achieved a 39% reduction in carbon emissions by implementing energy-efficient measures, replacing traditional lighting with LED technology, and installing a new natural gas boiler. It has also incorporated a 1 MWp photovoltaic power plant and expanded its EV charging infrastructure.