Green Top 10 – December 2024

1- A Year In Climate Negotiations — 2024 Wins, Losses And What Lies Ahead

2024 saw significant strides in climate negotiations, including a historic agreement at COP29 to triple climate finance for developing nations and a focus on biodiversity at COP16 in Colombia. The Global South, led by G77+China, secured increased funding and introduced innovative mechanisms like debt-for-climate swaps. Youth involvement reached new heights, emphasizing links between climate, peace, and inclusivity. However, debates over fossil fuel phaseouts and insufficient contributions to the loss and damage fund highlighted ongoing divides. With the 2025 global stocktake approaching, nations face mounting pressure to align domestic policies with international commitments. The outcome may hinge on bold leadership and equity-focused solutions.

Source: Forbes

2- ‘World’s First’ Grid-Scale Nuclear Fusion Power Plant Announced in the US

Virginia is set to host the world’s first grid-scale nuclear fusion power plant, expected to generate 400 megawatts of electricity by the early 2030s, according to Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS). The plant, near Richmond, represents a multibillion-dollar investment and a significant step toward commercializing fusion energy, which promises abundant, clean power without long-term nuclear waste. While fusion has long been elusive, CFS, spun out of MIT, aims to achieve net energy production by 2026 using its advanced tokamak technology. The site, chosen for its clean energy focus and grid accessibility, will be built in partnership with Dominion Energy. Despite its potential to revolutionize energy, fusion’s viability as a power source remains unproven, with significant technical hurdles ahead. CFS emphasizes that while progress takes time, the Richmond plant could mark a historic breakthrough for fusion energy.

Source: CNN

3- Seven Quiet Breakthroughs for Climate and Nature in 2024 You Might Have Missed

2024 saw remarkable yet understated wins for climate and nature. The UK closed its last coal power plant, signaling the end of coal as an energy source and repurposing sites like Ferrybridge C for battery storage. Global renewable energy capacity surged, driven by solar power and China’s leadership, with renewables expected to meet nearly half of global electricity needs by 2030. Legal personhood was granted to natural entities, from Ecuador’s rivers to New Zealand’s mountains, enhancing environmental protections. The Azores announced the largest marine protected area in the North Atlantic, safeguarding vital ecosystems. Brazilian Amazon deforestation hit a nine-year low under President Lula’s conservation policies. Conservation efforts worldwide showed tangible success, including the recovery of Kazakhstan’s saiga antelope population. Finally, in the U.S., salmon returned to the Klamath River after a century, following historic dam removals led by the Yurok Tribe.

Source: BBC

4- Electric Vehicle Charging Is Going to Get Political

The Trump administration’s skepticism toward EV infrastructure could redirect federal funds away from public charging to battery-mineral processing. Companies like Revel are focusing on blue states and urban areas with strong EV incentives, while bipartisan support for chargers persists in states like Texas and California. With $3.5 billion in federal funds already allocated, charger expansion is underway, but political divides may limit progress. Advocates argue that equitable charger access is critical to boosting EV adoption and maintaining U.S. competitiveness in the global market.

Source: Wired

5- Unilever Merges Sustainability Role After Revising Environmental Goals

Unilever has merged its sustainability and communications departments following a shift in its environmental strategy. CEO Hein Schumacher emphasized a focus on “execution” over advocacy, scaling back previous sustainability targets deemed unachievable. Chief Sustainability Officer Rebecca Marmot will take on corporate affairs, a move criticized for potentially compromising the integrity of sustainability efforts. Despite reducing some goals, Schumacher highlighted continued increases in sustainability spending. The company also replaced its former purpose of “sustainable living” with a new focus on “brightening everyday life.”

Source: FT

6- Scrambled Weather Cycle Prompts Meteorologists to Rethink Models

Global warming is disrupting traditional models for forecasting Pacific Ocean cycles, prompting leading climate agencies like NOAA to revise their approaches. Historically reliable indicators of El Niño and La Niña effects are becoming less accurate due to rising ocean temperatures, causing erratic weather patterns worldwide. Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology faced backlash after predicting drought that turned into flooding, highlighting the challenges of outdated models. Scientists are now discussing integrating global tropical ocean temperatures into forecasts to address these shifts. This year’s anticipated La Niña effect is expected to be weak and short-lived, further complicating predictions. As climate change progresses, meteorologists acknowledge the growing need for updated, sophisticated tools to maintain forecasting accuracy.

Source: FT

7- Microplastics Impact Cloud Formation, Likely Affecting Weather and Climate

New research from Penn State reveals that microplastics in the atmosphere can act as ice nucleating particles, influencing cloud formation and potentially altering weather and climate patterns. Experiments showed that microplastics caused water droplets to freeze at warmer temperatures, which could impact precipitation and storm intensity. The study highlights how mixed-phase clouds, containing both liquid and ice, might form differently in polluted environments with microplastics, leading to heavier rainfall or altered cooling and warming effects. Environmental aging, such as exposure to light and ozone, was found to change the ice-forming properties of certain plastics, complicating their atmospheric impact. While the exact effects on weather and climate remain unclear, researchers emphasize the need for further study to understand how microplastics are reshaping Earth’s climate systems.

Source: ScienceDaily

8- Trump 2.0: This Time the Stakes for Climate Are Even Higher

Donald Trump’s return to the White House threatens to halt federal climate progress, with plans to repeal the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and withdraw the U.S. from the Paris climate accord. Key Biden-era policies supporting clean energy, electric vehicles, and power plant emissions reductions are at risk, potentially stalling momentum for renewable energy projects. States and cities may become the primary drivers of U.S. climate action, leveraging local regulations and procurement power to push for emissions reductions. Legal battles over auto emissions standards and the IRA’s tax credits are expected, alongside debates about fossil fuel expansion under Trump’s pro-drilling agenda. Despite federal setbacks, advancements in clean energy technology and market dynamics offer hope for continued progress. However, the next four years will pose significant challenges for U.S. climate leadership and global cooperation.

Source: YaleEnvironment360

9- Wells Fargo Leaves Climate-Focused Banking Initiative

Wells Fargo has exited the Net-Zero Banking Alliance (NZBA), following Goldman Sachs as the second major departure from the UN-backed coalition promoting net-zero financing goals. The NZBA, representing over $73 trillion in assets, requires members to align their financed emissions with net-zero pathways by 2050 and set interim 2030 targets for key sectors. Wells Fargo cited its individual circumstances for leaving, though political pressure, including from Texas officials labeling the NZBA as anti-energy, likely influenced the decision. Despite its exit, the bank maintains its net-zero and 2030 emissions reduction targets on its website. The NZBA expressed disappointment but highlighted continued global membership growth. Republican lawmakers have praised the departure, framing it as a victory against ESG-focused initiatives.

Source: ESGToday

10- Amazon Will Use AI-Designed Material to Capture Carbon Emissions in Data Centers

Amazon is set to trial an AI-designed carbon-capturing material in its data centers, addressing the environmental challenges of AI-powered infrastructure. Developed by Orbital Materials, the innovative material functions like an atomic-level sponge, selectively trapping CO2 while being cost-effective, adding just 10% to GPU rental costs compared to traditional carbon offsets. The pilot program, launching in 2025 in one data center, is part of Amazon’s push toward its 2040 net-zero emissions goal. AWS, Amazon’s cloud-computing division, plans to further collaborate with Orbital to explore materials for improving water efficiency and cooling systems. This partnership highlights the potential for AI-designed materials to transform sustainability efforts across industries.

Source: Technology.org