Climate Change Solutions Update

Category: Buildings

Cut Emissions:
– Shift Energy Sources

  • US startup launches DC-powered solar water heater

    Apparent Inc. has introduced a DC-powered solar water heater that can eliminate 100% of a home's water heating costs. This innovative system utilizes low-voltage DC electricity from solar panels and a cloud-based platform for efficient energy management. It is designed to operate off-grid with standard photovoltaic panels and features a patented alloy heating element for optimal heat transfer. With an AI-driven control platform for performance optimization and energy resource management, the water heater is grid-independent, blackout-resistant, and boasts a lifespan of 10 to 15 years.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2025/11/12/us-startup-launches-dc-powered-solar-water-heater/

  • UN Secretary-General’s remarks at the Belém Climate Summit’s energy transition roundtable

    UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized the need for a rapid transition to renewable energy at the Belém Climate Summit, highlighting the growth of renewables in the global energy landscape and the importance of investing in clean energy. He stressed the urgency of meeting the goals set at COP28 to triple renewable energy capacity and double energy efficiency by 2030, calling for aligning laws and policies with a just energy transition, supporting workers in fossil fuel industries, investing in infrastructure, and providing finance for developing countries to accelerate the shift to renewables. The section emphasizes the need to move quickly and collectively towards clean, inclusive, and resilient economies, driving the acceleration of climate solutions with fairness and turning climate challenges into development opportunities worldwide. The message highlights the end of the fossil fuel era and the rise of clean energy, urging for a fair, fast, and final transition.

    https://unfccc.int/news/un-secretary-general-s-remarks-at-the-belem-climate-summit-s-energy-transition-roundtable

  • Australia’s SolarCloud opens rooftop solar access to renters, flats

    Australian startup SolarCloud has introduced a virtual rooftop solar ownership model that allows renters and apartment residents to buy shares in existing commercial systems without installation or approvals. Customers can purchase one or more panels starting at AUD 139 each and monitor generation 24/7 via an online platform. The company aims to make solar energy more accessible to households previously excluded from the solar transition. SolarCloud CEO John Kennedy highlighted that this model provides a way for everyone to access cheaper, cleaner energy without needing a suitable roof.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2025/10/27/australias-solarcloud-opens-rooftop-solar-access-to-renters-flats/

  • Statement from the Global Climate and Health Alliance Regarding Bill Gates Commentary and Responses to It

    Dr. Jeni Miller emphasizes the importance of urgent emissions reduction and transitioning away from fossil fuels to protect human health, especially in developing countries facing growing climate impacts. The recent Hurricane Melissa in the Caribbean underscores the need for rapid cuts in emissions due to human-induced warming. Health professionals, including the Global Climate and Health Alliance, are advocating for resilient health systems and clean energy investments at COP30 to prioritize the health and survival of people worldwide. Visit https://climateandhealthalliance.org/who-we-are/about/ for more information on the alliance's efforts to address climate change and minimize its health impacts while maximizing mitigation benefits for a sustainable future.

    https://climateandhealthalliance.org/news/statement-from-the-global-climate-and-health-alliance-regarding-bill-gates-commentary-and-responses-to-it/

  • Climate shelters aim to save lives during urban heatwaves

    Cities around the world are implementing climate shelters to provide relief from extreme heat and protect public health in the face of climate change. Barcelona, Boston, Buenos Aires, Rosario, Mendoza, New Orleans, and Phoenix are among the cities working on creating cooling spaces for residents during heatwaves. Initiatives include networks of shelters, green roofs at bus stops, and community lighthouses powered by solar energy. Challenges include awareness among vulnerable populations and determining the effectiveness of these shelters. Experts stress the importance of learning what works and what doesn't in terms of climate shelters as the planet continues to warm, with a focus on expanding coverage in vulnerable neighborhoods and improving data collection on shelter usage.

    https://dialogue.earth/en/climate/climate-shelters-aim-to-save-lives-during-urban-heatwaves/

  • World Mayors Summit Day 2

    At the 2025 World Mayors Summit, C40 Cities announced three new accelerators to address climate-related issues in cities. The Cool Cities Accelerator aims to help cities prepare for extreme heat and protect residents from its deadly effects, while the Thriving Food Systems Accelerator focuses on transforming food systems for all residents. The Urban Planning Accelerator aims to drive bold climate action by placing people, planet, and prosperity at the center of urban development. These initiatives aim to create cooler, safer, fairer cities, tackle hunger, improve livelihoods, and cut greenhouse gas emissions by up to 25% by 2050. City leaders are also collaborating to decarbonize freight transport, reduce methane emissions, and accelerate climate progress through initiatives like CHAMP and the Global Mutirão, emphasizing the importance of cities in shaping the global climate agenda.

    https://www.c40.org/news/world-mayors-summit-day-2/

  • Cambridge scientists discover photovoltaic properties in organic radical semiconductor

    Researchers at the University of Cambridge have discovered photovoltaic properties in an organic semiconductor molecule called P3TTM, which has an "open-shell" character due to unpaired electrons, allowing for efficient photon-to-charge conversion in solar cells. The new material enables the fabrication of solar cells from a single, low-cost, lightweight material, potentially increasing overall efficiency. The findings were published in the study "Intrinsic intermolecular photoinduced charge separation in organic radical semiconductors" in Nature Materials, highlighting a promising advancement in solar cell technology for climate solutions experts.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2025/10/30/cambridge-scientists-discover-photovoltaic-properties-in-organic-radical-semiconductor/

  • Putting people at the heart of cities, key to improving urban life

    Bogotá, Colombia is at the forefront of smart city initiatives, focusing on creating fairer, greener, and more inclusive urban spaces through digital transformation, mobility, and sustainability efforts. The city's approach prioritizes people-centered solutions like the TransMilenio bus system and Ciclovía car-free community spaces, showcasing how technology can enhance quality of life and strengthen community bonds. Keynote speaker Carlo Ratti advocates for cities to evolve into "senseable cities" that prioritize people over technology and prioritize reuse, retrofitting, and transformation in the face of the climate emergency. Bogotá's efforts align with a global conversation on sustainable and inclusive urbanization, emphasizing collaboration, learning, and a shared commitment to a more equitable urban future.

    https://news.un.org/en/story/2025/10/1166227

  • Building healthy, thriving cities: A conversation between C40 and Novo Nordisk

    Novo Nordisk and C40 Cities are partnering to create healthier, more sustainable cities by focusing on prevention, community engagement, and addressing everyday factors that impact health. The Green and Thriving Neighbourhoods programme, supported by Novo Nordisk and C40, aims to create low-carbon, people-centred neighbourhoods with access to healthy food, green spaces, and safe transport. Community-led projects in Buenos Aires, Nairobi, and Rio de Janeiro are transforming urban spaces through initiatives like expanding markets for healthy food and creating communities where daily needs are within walking or biking distance. By involving residents in the design process, cities can promote health, equity, and sustainability while reducing emissions and creating environments that benefit all residents. City leaders are taking bold steps to shape healthy and sustainable living environments for urban residents, demonstrating the effectiveness of local action in influencing broader change nationally and globally.

    https://www.c40.org/news/in-conversation-novo-nordisk/

  • C40 cities on track for 50 million good green jobs by 2030 as mayors deliver on World Mayors Summit job creation pledge

    C40 Cities are committed to delivering 50 million green jobs by 2030, with a focus on inclusive economic growth and city-led climate action. The recent data highlights the importance of creating good green jobs in sectors like waste management, construction, transport, and energy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve well-being. Mayors are accelerating investments in sustainable initiatives and working towards a just transition, recognizing the central role of cities in driving global climate and economic progress. Efforts are being made to address gender and equity gaps in green jobs, with a focus on providing fair wages, safe working conditions, and stable employment for all workers. The World Mayors Summit in Rio de Janeiro will further emphasize the need to scale up finance for city-led climate action and strengthen skills training to drive the transition to a green economy.

    https://www.c40.org/news/c40-good-green-jobs-pledge/