The first presidential debate saw President Biden and former President Trump engage in a heated exchange on China’s economic influence and climate change policies. Trump criticized Biden’s handling of China and the Paris Agreement, while Biden highlighted his own accomplishments in combating climate change. The debate highlighted the growing focus on China in US politics and the ongoing tensions between Washington D.C. and Beijing.
Pure Strategies, a sustainability consulting firm, has introduced ‘Pure Supply,’ a platform designed to enhance supplier engagement in achieving climate goals and advancing sustainability programs. This platform provides a structured framework for companies to educate, guide, and support their suppliers in reaching renewable energy and climate targets, addressing the significant impact of supply chains on overall sustainability efforts.
Despite initial concerns about a shift away from green priorities, a leaked draft of the EU’s Strategic Agenda reveals a continued commitment to climate action, energy transition, and environmental protection. The document, set to be adopted by EU leaders during their summit in Brussels, emphasizes the importance of achieving net-zero goals while also ensuring competitiveness and strategic autonomy.
Pope Francis has announced plans to install solar panels on a Vatican-owned property near Rome, aiming to power the entire Vatican City with renewable energy. The initiative is part of his commitment to combating climate change, as outlined in his recent letter, ‘Brother Sun.’
Air New Zealand has received its first shipment of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) in Wellington, marking a significant step towards its goal of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050. The fuel, manufactured using 100% used cooking oil, represents a life-cycle carbon emissions savings of at least 80 percent compared to traditional jet fuel.
OnLocation, a KeyLogic company, has released its Energy Outlook (OL EH) report, providing insights into the future of the U.S. energy system through 2050. This report, developed using an enhanced version of the National Energy Modeling System (OL-NEMS), explores the impacts of clean technology innovation and enabling policies that could lead to deeper decarbonization. It presents two scenarios: Reference and Advanced Technologies, highlighting the potential for significant emissions reductions by 2050. OL EH is a valuable resource for policymakers, industry stakeholders, and researchers seeking to understand and shape the evolving U.S. energy landscape.
Lufthansa, the German airline giant, announced it will implement an environmental charge of up to €72 on European flights to cover the increasing costs of EU climate regulations. The charge will be added to flights departing from EU countries, Britain, Norway, and Switzerland starting in January 2024. The airline cites the EU’s requirement to increase the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) as a major driver of the new charge.
A new survey highlights the devastating impact of climate change on Indian marginal farmers, revealing significant crop losses, income reductions, and livelihood shifts. The study, conducted by the Development Intelligence Unit (DIU) and Forum of Enterprises for Equitable Development (FEED), surveyed 6,615 marginal farmers across 21 states and union territories, painting a stark picture of the challenges they face.
A record number of over 1,300 people have died during this year’s Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, primarily attributed to extreme heat. The majority of the fatalities were unauthorized pilgrims who endured long walks in soaring temperatures. Saudi authorities have been criticized for failing to prevent the deaths despite record spending on crowd control and safety measures. The tragedy highlights the increasing danger posed by climate change on religious gatherings.
Hawaii has agreed to a comprehensive climate action plan after losing a lawsuit brought by thirteen children and teens who argued that the state’s inaction on climate change violated their constitutional rights. The settlement, a landmark victory for youth climate advocates, requires Hawaii to achieve zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045, prioritizing transportation sector transformation and investing in renewable energy.
