Latest News
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Gresham House CEO says US clients are looking for green investments in Europe
Tony Dalwood said that U.S. investors and Asian investors were looking at Europe as a result of the U.S. government's decision to withdraw support for projects in the United States related to the transition to low-carbon economies. Since assuming office, U.S. president Donald Trump has taken steps to reduce various environmental initiatives and regulations, as well as standards, that were championed by the predecessor. This includes ending tax credits for projects involving green energy years earlier than originally planned. Other countries are also feeling the pressure to slow down their transition to zero emissions, but many governments still remain committed to investing in projects like hydrogen and solar energy. Dalwood, speaking at a NEXT Newsmaker conference during London Climate Action Week, said that "we're seeing (U.S.)... investors wanting to come over to Europe to talk about it a little bit more" in terms of infrastructure, energy transformation investments, and natural capital. "And this is also true elsewhere in the world; Asia thinks they should invest more in Europe than they did before, when they would normally have invested in North America. It's clear, after talking with (investors) worldwide in the past six months. Dalwood said that the British government's commitment to green energy, as outlined in its Industrial Strategy published this week, was a significant signal. The government's plan aims to boost investment in clean energy by more than 30 billion pounds (41.23 billion dollars) per year, but in response to political pressures about the cost of the transition it has said that it will reduce green levies on business. Dalwood stated that the UK's green energy support was crucial for Gresham House. The company, which manages assets worth around $12 billion and is Britain's largest commercial forestry manager with around 12 billion pounds in assets, has a large market for "natural capital". Investors see sustainable development as a way to achieve their goals. This includes investing in sustainable agriculture and forestry, biodiversity, carbon sequestration, and water management. Dalwood added that he expects the number to increase "to a larger number". Reporting by Simon Jessop. Jane Merriman edited the article.
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Siemens Gamesa, Chinese magnet suppliers discuss European production, COO says
Siemens Gamesa, a wind turbine manufacturer, is in discussions with Chinese suppliers about bringing production in Europe. This would reduce the region's dependence on imports following China's restrictions on supply. The delays in the issuance of Chinese export permits for rare earths have forced European automakers and their suppliers into a scramble to find alternatives on a market dominated by China, the world's second largest economy. The production of rare earths across Europe could be affected by the No. 2 economy in the world. Wind sector is also dependent on rare earths produced in China. Most notably, neodymium which is used to make permanent magnets, a vital component of turbines, but not currently affected by delays in export permits. Siemens Gamesa is a division of Siemens Energy and the largest offshore wind turbine manufacturer in the world. It has taken several steps to diversify its business away from China. "Regarding Chinese magnet dependency, it's also about this question: Would I prefer to spend a little bit more money in Europe so that I can become resilient?" Are there any ways to encourage suppliers outside Europe to establish a presence in Europe?," Carina Brühl, Siemens Gamesa chief operating officer, said at an event. We are in general also talking with Chinese suppliers about the possibility to build factories in Europe. This is a possibility if fair competition encourages investments in sustainable constructions. Brehm didn't name any suppliers but some of the largest include JL MAG Rare-Earth and Ningbo Yunsheng. Brehm stated that Siemens Gamesa is working hard to achieve its goal of breaking even by 2026. When asked if the onshore wind business, the cause of the problems, was for sale, Siemens Energy finance chief Maria Ferraro replied that the portfolio would remain intact with the hope of generating double-digit profits in the future. The team rallies around the goal of ensuring stability in this business. It's not an easy task. Ferraro added that what matters is whether it performs according to our expectations. (Reporting and editing by David Evans; Christoph Steitz)
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Petrobras wins major lots at Brazil's oil auction, beating revenue forecast
Petrobras, the state-run oil company in Brazil, was the biggest winner of the auction on Thursday. The sale is expected to generate revenues in excess of $5.08 billion. The amount exceeds initial Government forecasts The 25 billion reais should boost the public coffers, as the Luiz Inacio Lula Da Silva administration tries to reach its fiscal targets. The state-run company PPSA held the auction, and is responsible for selling that portion of oil which companies producing under share contracts in pre-salt fields must give to the Brazilian government according to Brazilian law. Petrobras purchased three of the seven lots that were put up for auction, securing 36.5 million barrels total of oil from the Mero-Sepia fields. Equinor purchased 14 million barrels from Mero while another 14 were bought by a consortium of Galp and ExxonMobil. Petrochina and the Mataripe refinery acquired 10 million barrels. "Our auction had the most participants, winners and best prices. We also broke the record of premiums over lots. "It was a huge success, no doubt," PPSA chief Luis Fernando Paroli said to reporters. He said that PPSA is expecting to auction 100 million barrels next year. This could generate 37 billion reais of revenue. $1 = 5.5117 Reais (Reporting and editing by Brendan O'Boyle, Marta Nogueira Gabriel Araujo Jr.
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AI datacenter boom threatens to destroy Big Tech's Net-Zero plans
Cloud computing and AI consume energy and water Climate crisis in the sector Big Tech claims its accounts are transparent and open By Carey L. Biron According to the research, the tech industry faces a "climate crisis" because its data centers require more and more electricity and water in order to power fields such as artificial Intelligence (AI) or cloud computing. The narrative has changed, from "we're set on the target" to "we're not really sure but we'll make it." He said that the picture was further complicated by ongoing discussions about how to report and count future emissions. Big Tech says it will fight climate change, and is working to be environmentally sustainable in every aspect of its business. Day points out that Microsoft in February called its 2020 sustainability goals "a moonshot". Then it said: "We had to admit that the Moon has gotten farther away." The report shows that the company's energy demand has tripled in the last three years, due to its investment in huge warehouses which house computer systems that allow users to store photos, listen music, chat with AI chatbots, and more. Microsoft has declined to comment. DATA HUBS In recent years, the proliferation of data centres has exploded. Statista reports that North America had fewer than 1,500 data centers in 2014. By this year, there were more than 5,400. The average size of their homes and the power they use has also increased. Environmental campaigners worry that the growing reliance of data centers on energy and water will undermine these ambitions. According to McKinsey Consulting, AI is expected to consume about 12% of U.S. electricity by the end decade. This could make it more difficult for companies transitioning from fossil fuels that are harmful to the planet to clean energy. GROWING GAP The new report, based on information publicly available, shows massive increases in emissions by companies along with seemingly minor changes to sustainability plans. NewClimate reports that the accounting is hazy, making it difficult to pinpoint the difference. Amazon's pledge of being net zero by the year 2040 is "unsubstantiated" and leaves out large parts of its business. It relies on market-based solutions, such as carbon credit. While many companies outsource a large portion of their operations to third parties, such as using data centers that they do not own, Meta and Microsoft do not include these operations in the total emissions. Apple and Google have not responded to our requests for comment. Meta declined to comment, but a spokesperson stated that the company is transparent about its emissions and energy consumption. The spokesperson also pointed to the 2024 blog regarding the energy approach. Amazon stated that the report "mischaracterizes and makes inaccurate assumptions all throughout" -- even its disclaimer acknowledges NCI can't guarantee its accuracy. "By comparison, we have an independently audited seven-year track history of delivering transparently facts that adhere to global reporting standards." AI is also referred to as a technology that transforms industries and households, causing energy consumption to increase. Amazon listed several sustainability initiatives, including more efficient delivery routes or a reduction in water usage. In a press release, it stated that "We are excited about the future and will continue sharing our progress in an open manner." NewClimate’s report also highlighted a much wider concern, given that these companies are the foundation of the digital economy as a whole, said Nick Dyer Witheford, professor of information and Media Studies at the University of Western Ontario. He pointed out the role Big Tech companies play in driving carbon dioxide emissions "through digitally targeted advertising, online shopping, and influencer culture". It is the role that giant digital corporations play in maintaining a global regime based on hyper-production and constant consumption, which needs to be addressed. According to the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (a U.S. think-tank), more than half the 5,400 US data centers that were operating in March used fossil fuels. According to the International Energy Agency, data center energy consumption is expected to increase by 12% between 2017 and 2024. By 2030 it will double again. Anurag Srivastava is a professor of computer science at West Virginia University. He said that within three years, almost half the demand for AI datacenters will come from utilities and grid operators. Srivastava explained that AI usage is likely to change quickly and in large numbers, depending on time of day, or a certain meme or digital trend that is sweeping the Internet. He said that gas is a source of energy that can be ramped up and down rapidly - unlike nuclear power or other sources. He said that solar can be done the same way as long as it is located in the right place. Large storage batteries may help. Srivastava explained that this raises the stakes, as a gas-powered power system capable of handling such peaks and valleys would come at a cost, both financial and environmentally.
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Greece fights wildfire near its capital
Greek firefighters fought a wildfire on Thursday that forced people to flee from their homes and holiday homes near the coastal village of Palaia Fokaia. The town is located 40 km south of Athens. Greece's southernmost, hottest region has been experiencing fires all week. Climate change is to blame for the recent increase in wildfires, and flooding. Twelve aircraft and twelve helicopters helped 130 firefighters in the area of Palaia-Fokaia to extinguish flames caused by strong winds. Vasilios Vathrakogiannis, a spokesperson for the fire brigade, said in a televised press conference that 40 people had been moved to safety by Greek police. He added that coastguard ships were on their way to help with any additional evacuations. He said that firefighters were fighting fierce fires near homes. A road along the seashore running through the affected area was cordoned off as a precaution. On Thursday, thick grey smoke rose over a region of lush vegetation where temperatures reached 38 Celsius (100 Fahrenheit). The authorities said that the wildfire risk would be high Friday, before temperatures cooled. Greece spent hundreds of millions to compensate farmers and households for damages caused by extreme weather conditions and to purchase new, modern firefighting gear to combat wildfires that have become more difficult to control due to rising temperatures in the summer. The number of firefighters has been increased to a new record of 18,000 in preparation for another challenging wildfire season. (Alkis Konstantinidis, Daria SitoSucic and Mark Heinrich edited this article.)
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After whistleblower complaints, US Farm Agency finds safety concerns at top research facility
USDA investigates safety problems at a research facility Experts warn that a decline in investment could threaten US agricultural innovation Hire a new director and modernize facility buildings as part of corrective measures Leah Douglas WASHINGTON, 26th June - In an investigation of 2023 complaints from whistleblowers about the condition of the site, The Department of Agriculture discovered significant safety issues. This was revealed in a report sent to the White House by the Office of Special Counsel. Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, located in Maryland, near Washington, D.C., houses laboratories that study climate change, invasive insect, animal genomics, and other topics. Exclusively reported in May 2023, BARC workers filed complaints about unsafe working conditions. These included broken fire alarms, ventilation systems, and wild temperature swings indoors. Experts warn that the U.S.'s position as a leader in agricultural innovation is threatened by declining government investments in agricultural research. According to a Wednesday letter from the OSC, the investigation ordered by the Office of Special Counsel (OSC) in 2023 substantiated whistleblower claims and revealed "pervasive" safety deficiencies, including excessive grime, damaged floors, mold, and a lack of potable drinking water. In the letter, it was stated that the poor condition of the building was due to inadequate funding, understaffing and a lack necessary tools and equipment. In the letter, it was stated that the investigation had not found that poor conditions hindered research. BARC employees told stories of incidents such as a 2022 plumbing leak that ruined data and records, and how inoperable alarms forced staff to divert time from their research in order to perform fire patrols. The letter stated that the agency had taken corrective measures to address these issues. This included hiring a new facility director and developing a plan for moving employees into fewer, more modern buildings. The Trump administration is proposing to cut funding to USDA research agencies, and the agency has already lost hundreds of employees as part of efforts to reduce the size and cost of the federal government. (Reporting and editing by Bill Berkrot in Washington, Leah Douglas reported from Washington)
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TSX swells as mining shares increase; Fed independence is in focus
Canada's main index of stocks edged up on Thursday, helped along by gains in heavyweight shares of mining, as investors considered U.S. president Donald Trump's recent criticisms against the Federal Reserve chair, which revived concerns over the central bank independence. The S&P/TSX Composite index, which is heavily influenced by commodities, was up 0.05% to 26,579.68. Copper prices rose to their highest level for nearly three months, causing mining shares to rise 0.6%. Copper miners Capstone Copper (up 9.1%), Teck Resources (up 6.7%) and Ero Copper (up 8.1%) were among the best performers on the main Index. In contrast, technology led the way down with a drop of 1.3%. BlackBerry fell 5.1%, after gaining nearly 13% Wednesday. Shopify fell 4.7%. As "people de-risked their portfolios...as little relief rallies have happened", the decline in technology shares is just a rotation. Shiraz Ahmed, CEO of Sartorial Wealth, said that he was taking money off the table now and waiting to see what happens. Trump, meanwhile, called Powell "terrible", and said that he had a few candidates in mind for the top position, after criticizing him repeatedly for not reducing interest rates earlier. The Wall Street Journal reported Powell could be replaced by Trump as early as September and October. Separately, an expert poll showed that Canada's home prices will decline by 2% in 2019 and remain stagnant until 2026 as a result of the tariff war. Twesha Dhikshit and Sukriti gupta report from Bengaluru.
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Brazil, host of COP30, warns against excessive reliance on carbon credits
The chief executive of the U.N. COP30 Summit said that countries should not rely too heavily on carbon credits in order to achieve climate targets. This was as the European Union prepared a new emission goal, which may include credits for a first time. On July 2, the European Commission will propose a new EU Climate Target for 2040. The legally binding target should be to reduce emissions by 90%. Brussels, facing pushback from certain governments, is looking at lowering the target for domestic industry and purchasing international carbon credits to fill in the gap. This was reported previously. These "credits" allow a country's climate goal to be met by purchasing "credits" for projects abroad that reduce CO2 emission, such as forest restoration in Brazil and Guyana. The proponents claim that this is an effective way to raise funds for projects in developing countries that reduce CO2. The opponents point out recent scandals where credit-generating project were found not to deliver the benefits claimed for climate change. Ana Toni is the CEO of the COP30 Climate Summit, which will be held in the Brazilian city Belem, in November. She said that Brazil does not oppose using carbon credits to achieve countries' climate targets - also known as national determined contributions at the U.N. - but cautioned against relying heavily on them for a significant portion of a nation's climate goal. She said: "The amount you receive is important because it shows the amount you have changed in your economy. If it's a large amount (of credits), you are not changing your economy." Toni said that countries should also ensure that any credits used for climate targets are of high quality and deliver environmental benefits. Brazil's view as COP host is not binding for delegations. However, Brazil is responsible for guiding negotiations and doing diplomatic work in order to encourage countries to set ambitious targets. Nearly 200 nations had a deadline of February to submit to the United Nations their climate targets for 2035. The majority, including China and the EU27, missed this deadline. Next week, the EU will present its climate goals for 2035 and 2020 together. The EU is divided on how much of the 2040 climate target should be met by credits. Officials said that Germany proposed to use credits to reach 3 percentage points out of 90%. Other countries, including France, suggested a larger share. Denmark and Finland, among other EU members, say that credits aren't needed. (Reporting and editing by Alison Williams; Kate Abnett)
South Korea's nuclear watchdog has approved the first dismantlement at a nuclear power plant
The Nuclear Safety and Security Commission of South Korea approved the first decommissioning of a nuclear plant in the nation, the Kori-1. It was permanently closed down in 2017 following 39 years of operation.
It said that the panel approved a plan for the nuclear operator Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power to shut down the plant over a period of 12 years at a cost 1.1 trillion won (810 million dollars). This would include the disposal of 170,000 tonnes nuclear waste.
This is the first time that the International Atomic Energy Agency has ranked the United States as the fifth largest producer of nuclear power in the world and the second-largest global builder of nuclear power plants.
The Nuclear Safety Commission said that it found the plan submitted to them by KHNP satisfied the technical requirements of the nuclear safety laws in the country.
Experts say that the dismantlement could allow South Korea to enter the global market for nuclear decommissioning, currently dominated by the United States. Other countries like Japan and Germany have also joined the race.
According to data from the government, South Korea will generate 31.7% its electricity through nuclear power plants in 2024. The country operates 26 power stations, and the Kori-1 plant was the first commercially operated power station in 1978. ($1 = 1,357.4100 Won) (Reporting and Editing by Jack Kim and Joyce Lee)
(source: Reuters)