A new partnership supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies and the Brazilian National Front of Mayors aims to help 50 Brazilian cities implement over 20 climate projects by 2027, focusing on sustainable transport, waste management, and climate action planning in the Amazon region. The program involves collaboration between national, state, and local governments, as well as various organizations, to ensure effective and sustainable solutions are implemented. Expected outcomes include the development of a national emissions data platform, mitigation projects, climate budgeting integration, and the promotion of multilevel coordination to accelerate climate responses in Brazil. Brazilian cities are receiving investment to enhance their resilience to climate change, with a focus on initiatives such as deploying e-buses and reducing methane emissions from waste, highlighting Brazil's leadership in implementing multilevel climate initiatives. Mayor Eduardo Paes of Rio de Janeiro emphasizes the importance of empowering cities and states to scale successful climate solutions, emphasizing the role of cities in leading climate action and building a stronger, healthier world.
Category: Industry, Materials & Waste
Cut Emissions:
– Improve Materials
– Improve Processes
– Cut Fugitive Emissions
– Use Waste as a Resource
– Shift Energy Sources
-
Cropped 5 November 2025: Nature finance at COP30; Storms devastate crops; Brazilian deforestation decline
Key climate-related points from the section include Brazil's announcement of an 11% drop in deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon, Malaysia and Indonesia updating their climate targets ahead of COP30, and the failure of UN biodiversity negotiations to agree on recommendations for the next major round of discussions. Additionally, Hurricane Melissa caused damage to crops in the Caribbean, while Cyclone Montha affected the agricultural sector in India, leading to significant losses for farmers. Around 1.7 billion people worldwide are living in places where human-driven land degradation is leading to falling crop yields, posing a threat to agricultural productivity and food security. Nigeria approved a new national carbon market framework to unlock up to $3bn annually in carbon finance, reinstated funding for climate change initiatives, and committed to mainstreaming climate action into national development. American pop star Billie Eilish announced a donation of $11.5m from her upcoming tour proceeds to causes dedicated to food equity, climate justice, and reducing carbon pollution. Eel trafficking in Europe, combined with habitat loss, pollution, and the climate crisis, is driving the slippery fish towards extinction. The COP30 UN climate talks in Brazil are focusing on the Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF) as a new funding mechanism to protect tropical forests. However, concerns have been raised about the fund's design and effectiveness in preserving forests. Brazil is also pushing for increased use of sustainable fuels and the development of biodiversity offsets and carbon credit markets. Despite a deadline for new climate pledges, only a third of countries have submitted them so far. Climate finance experts are concerned that the focus on private sector involvement is weakening official funds for climate solutions at COP30. They argue that addressing root drivers of tropical forest loss, such as changing diets and shifting harmful subsidies, would unlock serious grant money for countries. New science highlights the impact of expanding irrigation on water depletion and the potential climate implications of ammonia emissions from farming. The article also includes information on greenwashing in agriculture, wildlife trafficking, rainforest threats in Nigeria, and life in Sulawesi island.
-
From Ruins to Reuse: How Ukrainians Are Repurposing War Waste
In 2024, Zero Waste Kharkiv, led by Anna Prokayeva, initiated a project to recover and repurpose materials from the bomb-flattened village hall in Ruska Lozova, Ukraine, which was heavily damaged during the Russian invasion. The project aimed to address the issue of war waste and teach residents how to rebuild their homes using recovered materials. The team of volunteers sorted and transported materials to a circular construction yard, where they were repurposed for various construction needs, such as filling potholes, insulating walls, and heating buildings. By the end of the project, the site of the village hall was cleared and ready for new construction, now hosting a new council building. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is leading a major debris management effort in Ukraine, clearing nearly 800,000 tons of war rubble, with 150,000 tons processed into gravel for road repairs. Other nations are also contributing, with an Australian company making bricks from gravel, glass, and plastic bottles, and Japan providing training and equipment for waste processing. The use of A.I.-enhanced robotic cleanup machinery is being tested to reduce costs and increase safety in areas with potential hazards. Efforts are being made to amend Ukrainian laws to allow for the reuse of recycled concrete made from the war rubble. Zero Waste Kharkiv in Ukraine aims to repurpose all war wreckage, sending nothing to landfills or incinerators. The organization educates residents about the zero waste concept and follows a hierarchy of closed-loop circular systems. They send second-hand clothes, toys, and bedding to various centers, and collect spent batteries for reconfiguration. Zero Waste Kharkiv plans to continue their recycling efforts in war-torn areas to rebuild Ukraine sustainably.
-
Portugal’s EDP, Rondo sign PPA for solar-powered industrial heat project
Portugal's EDP and Rondo Energy have partnered to provide zero-emission steam for industrial use through a heat-as-a-service agreement using a 7 MW solar plant and a 100 MWh thermal battery. The project with Central de Cervejas e Bebidas aims to store renewable electricity as high-temperature heat to supply continuous, carbon-free steam, replacing fossil-fuel boilers. This innovative approach of combining renewable energy generation with on-site heat storage could serve as a model for other energy-intensive industries like food and beverage, paper, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals.
-
One Brownfield Down, One Clean Solar Power Plant Up
Solar power plants are being established as a quick and economical way to add kilowatts to the grid while also preserving farmland and transforming contaminated sites into community assets. The US Environmental Agency's Re-Powering America's Land program aims to harvest clean energy from contaminated sites, with brownfield-to-solar development becoming a mature sector of the solar industry. The Acton project in Massachusetts, utilizing ground screws for secure racking systems, showcases the industry's ability to transform contaminated sites into clean power stations. Terrasmart, a US racking firm, is manufacturing ground screws in-house to support the growth of the solar industry. The Acton project repurposes a contaminated Superfund site for solar energy production, creating local jobs and boosting grid resilience, with energy storage included to optimize the value of solar power for ratepayers. Community solar projects like Acton enable all ratepayers to save money as solar costs have dropped, driving significant growth in the community solar market and integrating with the agrivoltaic market. Despite challenges from the federal government, the demand for solar energy remains strong among ratepayers, with a new solar power plant in Acton, Massachusetts transforming a contaminated site into a community asset.
-
Mutirão in action at C40 World Mayors Summit as cities lead the way to COP30
City leaders from around the world are showcasing real solutions for climate action at the C40 World Mayors Summit in Rio de Janeiro ahead of COP30. The theme of the summit is "Mutirão in Motion: Cities Leading the Way to COP30" and highlights Brazil's tradition of community collaboration to build solutions. Initiatives such as the Global Methane Hub and the Urban Planning Accelerator are being launched to support cities in cutting methane emissions and integrating climate and equity into city master plans. Mayors are calling for increased funding for urban climate finance and are pushing for the 'Baku-to-Belém Roadmap to $1.3 trillion' to mobilize public and private investment in cities, states, and regions, especially in the Global South. Investment in electric bus fleets in Brazil, Chile, Colombia, and Mexico has surged to US$4.3 billion, with a partnership aiming to drive port decarbonization through a $1 billion Global Port Sustainability-Linked Loan initiative. Mayor Sadiq Khan emphasizes the importance of cities in addressing climate change and building a sustainable future, while Mayor Eduardo Paes highlights the role of C40 cities in reducing emissions and creating green jobs. Mark Watts, Executive Director of C40, discusses China's "irreversible" green transition and growing global ambition, with efforts in transitioning to a more sustainable economy seen as a positive development in the fight against climate change, influencing other nations to follow suit. This shift towards sustainability is crucial in addressing the climate crisis and creating a more environmentally friendly future.
-
Australia introduces Guarantee of Origin scheme for clean energy exports
The Australian Government has introduced the Guarantee of Origin (GO) scheme, a voluntary framework to support businesses and exporters in tapping into the demand for renewable electricity. The scheme aims to provide emissions accounting and certification of renewable electricity for products, offering transparency for consumers and access to low-emissions markets for Australian producers. The Clean Energy Regulator will administer the scheme, certifying emissions of products like hydrogen and green metals, as well as renewable electricity, providing regulatory certainty for businesses and investors to increase Australia's share in the global clean energy market. Additionally, initiatives such as the Hydrogen HeadStart program, Hydrogen Production Tax Incentive, and Green Aluminium Production Credit are being launched to support the energy transition, showcasing how products are made and their life cycle emissions to compete in a decarbonizing global economy and attract investment in Australia.
https://www.power-technology.com/news/australia-introduces-guarantee-of-origin-scheme/
-
Singapore and Sweden Strengthen Energy Partnership at SIEW 2025
The Energy Market Authority of Singapore and the Swedish government have established a bilateral energy forum to enhance clean energy cooperation, focusing on areas such as hydrogen supply chains, grid technologies, energy efficiency, and cross-border electricity trading. The partnership includes the deployment of HVDC transmission technology to integrate into the ASEAN Power Grid architecture. Challenges include significant financial commitments for HVDC interconnection and hydrogen infrastructure development, with success measured by tangible outcomes like project finance commitments and operational hydrogen supply chains. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and Swedish Deputy Prime Minister Ebba Busch emphasize the strategic significance of the forum in advancing innovation and accelerating the green transition towards a sustainable energy future.
-
The Built Environment reimagined: What trees can teach us about design
Andrés Mitnik, CEO of Strong by Form, is pioneering wood-based composites that mimic how trees grow to create lightweight, low-carbon materials for buildings, furniture, and vehicles. The company's breakthrough material, Woodflow®, uses digital modeling and robotic forming to create three-dimensional wood composites that are 90% natural material yet rival steel in performance. By learning from trees, Strong by Form is able to create thin yet powerful composites that can replace carbon-intensive materials in various structures. Collaboration is a key design principle for the company, working with scientists, engineers, and architects to ensure new technologies can be safely scaled and adopted. The interconnectedness of nature and innovation, highlighted by the Biomimicry Institute's AskNature Hive, emphasizes the importance of learning from nature to drive sustainable practices and create energy-efficient and restorative spaces in the Built Environment. The partnership between One Earth and the Biomimicry Institute focuses on collaboration across science, design, and local action to accelerate progress towards a thriving planet by working together with each other and with the natural world.