Top Climate News - Feb 26
COP16 update, UK govt support farming profitability; European Central Bank keen to support greentech; EU Green City Accord; Carbon-negative concrete; Taiwan bans manufacturing and use of HFCs;
COP16 update: Farmers must be at the heart of biodiversity action
(February 25)
Colombia’s Environment Minister María Susana Muhamad and Agriculture Minister Martha Carvajalino emphasized the imperative need for full implementation of biodiversity action at COP16. The FAO launched the Agri-NBSAPs Support Initiative to assist governments in integrating agrifood systems into their National Biodiversity Strategies, aiming to eliminate contradictions between agricultural policies and biodiversity goals. Secretary-General António Guterres pointed out the critical funding issue, stating that only a fraction of the necessary $200 billion per year has been mobilized. The discussions ahead will focus on enhancing accountability frameworks for financial commitments made by wealthier nations.
UK Government announces support for sustainable farming and profitability
(February 25)
UK Secretary of State for Defra announced initiatives to enhance the profitability of farming while ensuring sustainability. The government plans to establish a new farming profitability unit and has committed to investing £110 million in farming grants. Additionally, the Seasonal Worker visas will be extended for five years to support farming needs. The government is also focusing on resilience against climate challenges, such as flooding and drought, while promoting technological innovations like the Precision Breeding Act.
Underwater infra: new research to help assess risk
(February 25)
An international team of researchers led by GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel and Durham University has successfully captured the internal structure of the longest-runout sediment flow ever recorded on Earth. Using seismic measurements, the researchers have for the first time been able to analyse in detail the internal structure of these tens to hundreds of kilometres long turbidity currents. These findings will improve risk assessments for underwater infrastructure, such as submarine cables, and refine models of sediment and carbon transport in the ocean.
GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel
South Africa: Energise Mzansi campaign to empower South Africans on energy transition
(February 25)
South Africa has committed to lowering carbon emissions to net-zero by 2050 and ushering in a green economy. The Energy Council of South Africa launched the Energise Mzansi campaign to enhance energy literacy among citizens, focusing on the impacts of energy transition on the economy. The country estimates that R2 trillion will be necessary by 2035 for new technology financing and system upgrades, emphasizing the dual drivers of its energy reform agenda anchored in law.
South African Government News Agency
European Central Bank aims to enable cleantech funding
(February 25)
The European Central Bank (ECB) under President Lagarde's leadership reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring a low and predictable inflation environment, essential for fostering investment in green technologies. The ECB aims to facilitate funding for clean energy initiatives and bolster the EU's competitiveness in the green tech sector. With the urgency of climate adaptation evident, the speech highlighted the importance of maintaining strong momentum for energy transition in Europe.
Bank for International Settlements (BIS)
EU: 42 signatories of the Green City Accord report steady ambition for 2030
(February 25)
The European Commission's Green City Accord (GCA) has seen 42 cities committing to improve their environmental standards by 2030. These cities pledged to enhance air quality, increase green spaces, and improve waste management in alignment with EU laws. The GCA aims to create cleaner, greener, and healthier urban environments, with cities like Vilnius showcasing their commitment to sustainable urban growth.
UK and Australia Collaborate on Space Sustainability Projects
(February 25)
UK-based Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL) leads the AquaWatch AUK project, which focuses on improving water quality monitoring using Earth observation and data modeling. Co-funded by the Australian Space Agency, this project contributes to sustainable practices and enhancement of water health. Another project, Vertical Future, develops technology for remote monitoring of agriculture to support both space missions and sustainable agriculture on Earth. The third project, led by the University of Strathclyde, employs AI for space sustainability to reduce collision risks among satellites, establishing a foundation for future advancements in this domain. The total Australian contribution amounts to up to AUD $3 million.
UK Government | UK Space Agency
EU: Slight increase in nuclear power production in 2023
(February 25)
In 2023, 13 EU countries generated 619,601 gigawatt hours (GWh) of electricity from nuclear power, an increase of 1.7% compared to 2022. The increase was largely attributed to France completing maintenance of its nuclear reactors. France accounted for 54.6% of the EU's nuclear power generation, followed by Spain and Sweden. Notably, Germany terminated its nuclear production completely in April 2023 after generating 7,216 GWh at the beginning of the year.
South Korea: 1.1 trillion won for global infra and construction
(February 25)
The South Korean government has established a joint investment fund of 1.1 trillion won targeting global infrastructure, construction, and smart city projects through the Global Plant, Infrastructure, and Smart City Fund (PIS). This move aims to support domestic companies in advancing into overseas investment development projects, enhance the overseas contract capabilities of high-value projects, and promote exports. As of now, approximately 1.4 trillion won has been raised from the first phase, while the government, public institutions, and private investors are expected to collectively form a total of 1.1 trillion won for the second phase, known as PIS 2.
Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) | Republic of Korea
Carbonaide is enabling Carbon Storage for Direct Air Capture
(February 25)
Finland-based Carbonaide has successfully demonstrated its carbon curing technology in combination with Direct Air Capture (DAC) CO₂. Partnering with Germany's NeoCarbon and Finland's Soletair Power, they produced industrial batches of carbon-cured concrete, achieving carbon-negativity. The solution allows for reduced cement consumption while offering a decentralized approach to CO₂ storage captured from various sources. Their collaboration aims to transform concrete production into a carbon sink while addressing the urgent need for effective carbon capture solutions.
Taiwan bans or restricts manufacturing and use of Hydrofluorocarbons
(February 25)
Taiwan's Ministry of Environment has announced the prohibition or restriction of the manufacturing, import, export, sale, use, and emission of Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) as part of its commitment to the Montreal Protocol's Kigali Amendment. The regulations specify 18 types of HFCs that will be controlled starting from July 1, 2025, with a freeze on consumption beginning in 2026, aiming to reduce overall use gradually. These measures are intended to align with international agreements to mitigate global warming, especially since some HFCs have a Global Warming Potential (GWP) thousands of times greater than CO2.
Executive Yuan (Taiwan Cabinet)
Japan’s Green Carbon launches methane reduction project in Philippines rice paddies
(February 25)
Japan-based Green Carbon Inc. has launched a pilot project in Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines, aiming to generate approximately 1 million tons of carbon credits over the next decade by utilizing 30,000 hectares of rice paddies. The project employs the JCM methodology for methane emission reduction through Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD), reducing methane emissions from rice paddies. This pilot started in January 2025, with expectations of scaling up carbon credit generation in the future.
HydrogenPro ASA reports Q4 2024 financial results with focus on sustainable hydrogen
(February 25)
Norway-based HydrogenPro ASA has reported its Q4 2024 financial results with revenues of NOK 70 million and an ongoing focus on sustainable hydrogen solutions. The company received investments of NOK 140 million from partners including Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and LONGi, which will further strengthen its capabilities. HydrogenPro has also achieved a significant milestone with the start-up of a new manufacturing line for advanced electrodes in Denmark, aimed at increasing their delivery capacity for sustainable hydrogen production.
15 Regions in South Korea Lift Greenbelt Restrictions for Economic Growth
(February 25)
South Korea's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced the removal of greenbelt restrictions in 15 areas, including Busan, Daejeon, Daegu, Gwangju, and Ulsan, as part of its initiative to foster regional economy and specialized industries. The government aims to promote balanced regional development by lifting restrictions on greenbelt areas designated for national and regional strategic projects. A total investment of approximately 27.8 trillion KRW is expected, along with an induced economic impact amounting to about 124.5 trillion KRW and the creation of around 380,000 jobs.
Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) | Republic of Korea
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