Wednesday, January 7 2026 Climate Solutions Update

Maritime leaders in Canada are advocating for a Canadian-owned trading fleet and a clean electrification strategy to enhance supply chain security and energy sovereignty, particularly in British Columbia. Their proposals emphasize the importance of government support for domestic shipbuilding and investments in green marine technology and clean energy infrastructure, including advanced electrification and port microgrids for vessel charging to strengthen national trade control.

In a notable advancement in sustainable maritime transport, Kawasaki Heavy Industries and Japan Suiso Energy are collaborating on the construction of a 40,000 cubic meter liquefied hydrogen carrier, which will incorporate a diesel- and hydrogen-fueled electric propulsion system. This initiative aims to address global hydrogen demand by the 2030s and represents a significant step toward more environmentally friendly energy solutions in the maritime industry.

Additionally, the Atmospheric River Reconnaissance Program, a partnership between NOAA and Scripps Institution of Oceanography, seeks to improve forecasting of atmospheric rivers through international research flights, enhancing climate resilience against extreme weather events. Meanwhile, HASI and Sunrun have launched a joint venture to invest up to $500 million over 18 months in distributed energy assets, aimed at supporting over 40,000 home power plants across the U.S., while acknowledging associated risks and uncertainties inherent to the venture.

In Texas and California, Google is advancing its decarbonization goals after acquiring clean energy developer Intersect for $4.75 billion, aiming for 24/7 carbon-free power by 2030.
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Maritime leaders on Canada’s West Coast are advocating for a national fleet and electrification strategy, emphasizing the need for enhanced supply chain security and investment in green technologies.
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Kawasaki Heavy Industries and Japan Suiso Energy are advancing sustainable maritime solutions as they collaborate on the world’s largest liquefied hydrogen carrier, addressing global hydrogen demand by the 2030s.
Estimated reading time: 1 minute

In Texas, Energy Vault is advancing renewable energy integration as construction begins on the 150MW SOSA Energy Center, set to enhance grid support by 2027.
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Participants in Terra.do’s Learning for Action fellowship are gaining essential skills as they engage in a comprehensive climate action course, empowering them to drive meaningful change in their communities.
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In the U.S., utilities are enhancing grid reliability through expanded residential battery demand response programs, effectively managing peak demand during extreme weather events and reducing the need for costly grid upgrades.
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Researchers at UNSW have enhanced the durability of TOPCon solar cells by developing thicker aluminum oxide layers to improve UV resilience, paving the way for more reliable solar energy solutions.
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In California and Hawaii, researchers are launching international campaigns to enhance weather predictions as scientists aim to better predict atmospheric rivers, reducing the risk of floods and fatalities.
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In the US, over 40,000 homes will benefit from a new $500 million joint venture for distributed energy, enhancing access to clean power and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
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In Michigan, Consumers Energy has launched the Muskegon Solar project, generating 250MW of electricity for 40,000 homes and businesses while creating over 200 jobs during construction.
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Places mentioned in this update: British Columbia, California, Canada, Hawaii, Ireland, Michigan, Texas, U.S., US, West Coast