Researchers are exploring the use of nanocrystal-nitrogenase biohybrids to reduce energy costs in ammonia production by harnessing light to convert N2 gas to ammonia. By studying electron delivery efficiency and hole scavenging in the CdS:MoFe complex, they aim to optimize the process and potentially lower energy costs. This innovative technology could lead to localized production near agricultural sites, reducing transportation costs and offering applications in fuel, feedstock, and energy storage. The research, highlighted by the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Science Basic Energy Sciences program, provides valuable insights into biological nitrogen fixation and electron transfer pathways, with implications for sustainable climate solutions.
Category: Food, Agriculture, Land & Ocean (FALO)
Cut Emissions:
– Curb Growing Demands
– Restore & Manage Ecosystems
– Shift Agriculture Practices
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A Coal Town Reborn
The town of Loos-en-Gohelle in France has successfully transitioned from a coal mining economy to a sustainable one, with solar panels powering 90% of public energy needs by 2021. The town embraced its mining heritage and involved locals in the transformation process, leading to a diverse range of projects in clean energy, agriculture, biodiversity protection, and more. Citizen participation was key in this transition, which took decades and involved breaking away from the control of mining companies. The success of Loos-en-Gohelle has inspired others to replicate its citizen-powered transition model, with the founding of La Fabrique des Transitions to spread its methods nationwide, potentially impacting France's climate transition efforts.
https://reasonstobecheerful.world/france-coal-town-reborn-loos-en-gohelle/
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Welcome to the ‘agrihood’ â the neighbourhood of the future?
Marcia Mikai and her colleagues are promoting the concept of agrihoods as a solution to unsustainable urban sprawl, aiming to restore ecosystems, build climate resilience, and develop healthy communities through sustainable forestry practices and mixed-use buildings. By replanting native and edible plants, agrihoods help cool cities, reduce flood risk, and replenish aquifers, while also providing shared green spaces that reconnect residents with their food and community. These zones actively sequester carbon from the atmosphere and offer environmental and social benefits for people of all ages and income levels. The UN Environment Programme's State of Finance for Nature report emphasizes the need to shift towards nature-positive solutions to prevent economic downfall, highlighting the potential benefits of incorporating nature-based solutions in cities like New York to increase productivity and create a thriving economy.
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A just agricultural transition takes root in Brazil
Agroforestry is seen as a rare climate solution that can support farmers and the environment, offering a way to decarbonize agriculture without harming rural communities. Belterra, a Brazilian agroforestry enterprise, supports farmers like ZĂ© Maria, proving that profitable and ecologically sustainable family farms are possible in the Amazon. The article emphasizes the potential of agroforestry as a solution, which can restore soil health, conserve water, support biodiversity, and sequester carbon. Large companies like Cargill and Amazon are partnering with Belterra to integrate agroforestry into their supply chains and climate strategies, highlighting the scalability and catalytic nature of these partnerships. It is crucial that agroforestry strengthens the rights and incomes of those on the ground to be part of a just transition towards a more sustainable future.
https://www.climatechangenews.com/2026/01/30/a-just-agricultural-transition-takes-root-in-brazil/
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Nigerian Businesses, RMI, and the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet Collaborate to Empower Women and Youth Through Renewable Technology
The Energising Women & Youth in Agri-Food Systems Programme (EWAS) in Nigeria, a collaboration between local businesses, RMI, and the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet, aims to empower women and youth through solar-powered technology in the agricultural sector. By providing affordable finance, training, and commercial opportunities, the program seeks to increase productivity, reduce post-harvest losses, and improve incomes for smallholder farmers. With women and youth making up a significant portion of the agricultural workforce and many communities lacking access to reliable power, solar-powered productive use of energy (PUE) technologies offer a pathway to inclusive growth and economic development. The initiative builds on the success of the Energizing Agriculture Programme (EAP) and will support projects led by Nigerian enterprises deploying PUE solutions in rural and peri-urban communities. A total of 300 solar-powered refrigeration units with lithium-ion batteries are being integrated in Nigeria to help women and youth preserve perishable goods and stabilize income, while also democratizing access to solar energy and improving product quality and market competitiveness for women agriculture entrepreneurs. The EWAS project, part of a broader three-year program led by the Global Energy Alliance and the Mastercard Foundation, aims to create dignified jobs, improve livelihoods, and reduce emissions in Nigeria's agriculture sector, ultimately working towards providing affordable, reliable, clean electricity to improve lives and accelerate green economic opportunities. Through partnerships and community engagement, the initiative aims to reach 1 billion people with clean electricity, prevent 4 billion tons of carbon emissions, and create or improve 150 million jobs, contributing to sustainable development and climate solutions in Nigeria.
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‘Agrivoltaics is not just a land-sharing concept, but a systems-level solution to some of the world’s most pressing challenges’
Researchers have conducted a multidimensional study on agrivoltaics, finding that it could add over 1,800 million tonnes to global crop yields annually and generate over $1 trillion in added global agricultural income. The study looked at the impact of agrivoltaics on sustainability, soil-crop productivity, socioeconomic resilience, solar power generation, spatial efficiency, and species. Agrivoltaics was seen as a systems-level solution to food insecurity, climate stress, land-use conflicts, and economic vulnerability. The study found that agrivoltaics could potentially increase global crop production by 1.8 billion tonnes annually, providing enough calories to feed over 2.1 billion people per year. This innovative approach combines solar energy production with agricultural practices, offering potential solutions for sustainable land use and renewable energy generation, highlighting the importance of exploring new methods like agrivoltaics to address climate change challenges and promote environmental sustainability.
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20 Best Plants for Aquaponics
Aquaponics is a sustainable food production system that combines aquaculture and hydroponics, using nutrient-rich water from fish tanks to fertilize plants in a closed-loop system. Popular choices for aquaponic systems include lettuce, kale, spinach, tomatoes, watercress, radishes, carrots, strawberries, basil, mint, cucumber, cauliflower, cabbage, sunflowers, and peppers. Each plant has specific requirements for nutrients, temperature, pH levels, and growing medium, with some plants like watercress and carrots needing special attention. It is important to choose the right fish species, such as tilapia and koi, to match the plants' needs. Aquaponics is not only efficient but also allows for the growth of a variety of fruits, vegetables, flowers, and ornamental plants without the use of chemical fertilizers or pesticides, making it a promising climate solution for sustainable agriculture.
https://www.treehugger.com/best-plants-for-aquaponics-5186557
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At CES 2026, Limited Sustainability Presence Is Actually Its Biggest Win
The 2026 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) showcased a growing number of sustainable innovations, with sustainability being integrated into product design rather than treated as a standalone category. Key examples include Solarstic's moldable solar modules for electric vehicles, SolreBorn's mobile units for recovering raw materials from decommissioned solar panels, and WES-Tec Global's plastic waste conversion technology. Additionally, AI-driven solutions like Siemens x NVIDIA Industrial AI Operating System and SaeFarm AI Satellite Farm Monitor are reshaping industrial value chains and agricultural practices for increased efficiency and reduced environmental impact. The deployment of Boston Dynamics Atlas Humanoid robots in manufacturing also highlights the potential for AI to improve operations and sustainability. However, the growing energy footprint of AI raises concerns about whether its efficiencies can outpace resource demands. The focus is on embedding sustainability into intelligent systems by pushing for energy transparency in AI, lifecycle thinking in system design, and ensuring efficiency gains are measurable, durable, and equitable, to avoid missing a second chance later.
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2025 end of year report – UK Health Alliance on Climate Change
The 2025 end of year report from the UK Health Alliance on Climate Change highlights their advocacy work in promoting climate and health policies. Key achievements include the publication of a policy report on building a climate resilient health system, prioritizing plant-based and sustainably sourced food, and including carbon emission reduction targets in the ten-year health plan for England. The Alliance also advocated for a just transition to green energy, published policy priorities for COP30, and sent manifestos to party leaders in Scotland and Wales. The report emphasizes policy wins and progress made throughout the year, thanking members and partners for their support.
https://ukhealthalliance.org/news-item/2025-end-of-year-report/
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Brazil’s biodiversity pledge: Six key takeaways for nature and climate change
Brazil has finally published its National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) aimed at halting and reversing nature decline by 2030, with a focus on conserving 80% of the Amazon and eliminating deforestation in Brazilian ecosystems. The plan aligns actions on climate change and biodiversity loss, setting higher conservation goals than global targets and involving consultation with scientists, Indigenous peoples, and civil society members. Specific actions include recognizing and titling Indigenous lands, establishing ecological corridors, and implementing national strategies for ecosystem protection. Brazil's NBSAP also includes mechanisms such as biodiversity credits and a regulated carbon market to finance efforts to tackle nature loss, with a national low-carbon agriculture strategy in place to promote sustainability in the agricultural sector.