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Investors say government should keep out of ownership of mature technologies, but assistance welcomed for new tech like storage, hydrogen and offshore wind.

The post Investors urge government to let private capital do its work on clean energy transition appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Finnish pension fund Ilmarinen has made a significant investment in the Xtrackers MSCI USA Climate Action Equity ETF, the largest exchange-traded fund (ETF) launched in the US.

A technology firm has announced a tool to help clients scale their climate ambitions within their own value chains, noting that the tailored marketplace has already resulted in noteworthy demand for carbon credits from a three-month test phase.

Another voluntary carbon firm has made big staffing cuts, laying off nearly 40% of its workforce amid a slowing market.

European carbon prices rose for a third day in thin trading amid the holiday season, while the daily auction cleared at a sixth consecutive premium to the spot market as the end-April compliance deadline approached.

A major international organisation in a decarbonisation push has launched a tender to purchase batches of various types of carbon offset and other environmental credits.

The African Guarantee Fund (AGF) and the Clean Cooking Alliance (CCA) on Tuesday announced a strategic partnership that they said will aims to promote financial innovation, increase access to carbon finance, and expand investments in clean cooking companies and programmes on the continent.

Global miner Rio Tinto has tapped an Australian energy major to hire a senior carbon originator, as the company works to increase its engagement with the carbon offset market.

Ørsted signs deal to carry out a detailed assessment of combining offshore wind farms with liquid air energy storage.

The post Offshore wind giant Ørsted turns to liquid air energy storage appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Campaigners say potential energy plan would leave consumers bearing cost of building hydrogen economy

Blending hydrogen into the UK’s gas heating systems could raise consumer bills by almost £200 for an average household, analysis suggests.

The blending of natural gas with about 20% hydrogen, for use in home heating systems, is one of the key recommendations by the government’s hydrogen champion, Jane Toogood, in a report to ministers on how to produce and use hydrogen in the UK.

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The climate crisis can seem overwhelming, but there are radical, pragmatic solutions – and they all begin with an idea

Is there any hope? Are we all doomed? I write books about the climate crisis, so I am often asked fearful questions like these. But I’m being asked them more and more often and by younger people, an alarming trend not unconnected to the number of scientific reports detailing how humans are pushing the Earth’s systems to dangerous extremes.

I write about planetary-scale ecosystem destruction but, importantly, I also focus on our species’ extraordinary capacity to adapt; this has been key to our success in the past – and it is key to surviving our future. There are radical, yet pragmatic, solutions to our crises. But fear of what will happen if we don’t act is imprisoning people in a mindset that makes alternatives seem unthinkable. I am frequently told my solutions are unrealistic and will never happen; that people would rather fight each other in wars than adapt to share food and land, for instance. We make our own future, even if it’s hard to see the process. So let me try to make the case for hope.

Gaia Vince is an author, journalist and broadcaster. Her latest book is Nomad Century: How To Survive The Climate Upheaval

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Thailand plans to introduce a carbon tax covering three key sectors to help meet the Southeast Asian economy’s net zero goals, although details on when it will be implemented are yet to be determined, according to local media reports.

Australian Carbon Credit Unit (ACCUs) issuance has climbed upwards, thanks to nearly 200,000 units being awarded to just one project, while an Australian hydrogen company has signed an agreement with two major Japanese firms to build a facility using its novel technology in the country.

China is facing a funding gap of over 1.6 trillion yuan ($232.7 billion) in funding per year to achieve its carbon neutrality targets by 2060 due to information asymmetry and inefficiency issues surrounding the operations of green projects, according to a top official at a government-backed association.

Solar thermal technology has the potential to provide both long-duration storage and industrial heat, yet it has been largely overlooked in the Australian context. That is about to change. Dominic Zaal, Director, Australian Solar Thermal Research Institute (ASTRI), CSIRO Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

A group of Papua New Guinea environmental NGOs have urged the government to publicly release key documents relating to its carbon market regulations, and to hold further consultations with stakeholders.

Rooftop solar ate everyone's lunch on a mild Easter holiday, sending grid demand to record lows but also causing unheard of levels of renewable curtailment.

The post Rooftop solar eats everyone’s lunch and sends grid demand to record lows appeared first on RenewEconomy.

GMR Energy announces "early works" agreement for its big standalone battery on Victoria's Mornington Peninsula.

The post GMR begins early works on 480MWh standalone battery in Victoria appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Japan has launched a blockchain-based pilot programme to digitally verify emissions reductions and issue carbon offsets under the government’s J-Credit scheme.

World's largest solar and battery project has inked a deal to supply 24/7 renewable power to Darwin-based critical minerals supplier.

The post Sun Cable inks deal to supply “24/7 renewables” to Darwin minerals processing plant appeared first on RenewEconomy.