Sustainability Notice #4 (4-10 July)

World, floods, drought, fires: Italy, Spain, Portugal, US and Australia

Italy has declared a state of emergency because of drought: ‘There is no doubt that climate change is having an effect,’ the prime minister said (Source Link)

The Italian government declared a state of emergency in five regions because of a drought caused by lack of rain and rising temperatures. “For the Po basin, this is the most serious water crisis of the last 70 years, according to analysis by the Po River District Basin Authority,” Prime Minister Mario Draghi said.

Spain and Portugal suffering driest climate for 1,200 years, research shows (Source Link)

Spain and Portugal are suffering their driest climate for at least 1,200 years, according to research, with severe implications for both food production and tourism.

Electra fire: California communities ordered to evacuate after blaze erupted on Fourth of July (Source Link)

Communities in northern California has been forced to evacuate their homes to escape a rapidly-growing wildfire. The Electra Fire has spread to 3,900 acres, a bit larger than the size of Los Angeles airport. The fire is burning in Amador County, around 40 miles southeast of Sacramento.

Yellowstone flooding reveals forecast flaws as climate warms (Source Link)

The Yellowstone National Park area’s weather forecast the morning of June 12 seemed fairly tame: warmer temperatures and rain showers would accelerate mountain snow melt and could produce “minor flooding’’, a National Weather Service bulletin said. But, in reality, torrents of water poured off the mountains. Swollen rivers carrying boulders and trees smashed through Montana towns over the next several days. The flooding swept away houses, wiped out bridges and forced the evacuation of more than 10,000 tourists, park employees and residents near the park.

4 Answers About Yellowstone’s June Megaflood (Source Link)

The US Geological Survey described the storm, which forced the evacuation of visitors and closed parts of the park indefinitely, as a 1 in 500-year event.

Flood threat moves north as Sydney area emergency eases (Source Link)

Floodwaters were receding in Sydney and its surrounding area as heavy rain threatened to inundate towns north of Australia’s largest city. Evacuation orders and official warnings to prepare to abandon homes were given to 60,000 people by Thursday, down from 85,000 on Wednesday, New South Wales state Premier Dominic Perrottet said.

Snow at one of world’s highest observatories melting earlier than ever before (Source Link)

The snow at the highest observatory in the world to be operated all-year-round is expected to completely melt in the next few days, the earliest time on record. Scientists at the Sonnblick observatory in the Austrian Central Alps, which is 3,106 metres above sea level, have been shocked and dismayed to see the snow depleting so quickly.

?World: EU, US, France and Switzerland

'Institutional greenwashing': MEPs back 'green' investment labels for fossil gas and nuclear projects (Source Link)

The European Parliament has backed the classification of fossil gas and nuclear power projects as 'green' investments in the EU's sustainable finance labelling system, in a controversial vote that was quickly slammed by environmental groups as "an act of institutional greenwashing".

EU set to use ‘green’ label for gas, nuclear investments after parliamentary vote (Source Link)

The European Parliament voted in favour of plans to award a green investment label to nuclear and gas projects amid loud protests from green activists, who denounced the “betrayal” of MEPs’ climate commitments.

‘Putin rubbing hands with glee’ after EU votes to class gas and nuclear as green (Source Link)

The European parliament has backed plans to label gas and nuclear energy as “green”, rejecting appeals from prominent Ukrainians and climate activists that the proposals are a gift to Vladimir Putin. One senior MEP said the vote was a “dark day for the climate”, while experts said the EU had set a dangerous precedent for countries to follow.

California released a bold climate plan, but critics say it will harm vulnerable communities and undermine its goals (Source Link)

By law, California must reduce statewide greenhouse gas emissions by 40% below 1990 levels by 2030, and Gov. Gavin Newsom has also directed the state to become carbon neutral by 2045. In many ways, the draft plan offers a bold vision for tackling the climate crisis. But activists once again voiced their concerns over measures included in the plan that they say significantly undermine its purpose, and threaten to harm the state’s most vulnerable communities.

Court decision leaves Biden with few tools to combat climate change (Source Link)

After a Supreme Court decision, the Environmental Protection Agency will have less authority to limit carbon dioxide from power plants, a major source in this country of the pollution that is dangerously heating the planet. It’s one in a series of setbacks for Mr. Biden, who came into office with the most ambitious climate agenda of any president.

US proposes up to 11 new offshore oil leases, under industry pressure (Source Link)

The US government has proposed auctioning off up to 11 oil leases in federal waters, after president Joe Biden’s campaign pledge to end new drilling was frustrated by the courts.

French prime minister vows to fight inflation, climate change (Source Link)

France’s Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne vowed to fight inflation and climate change. Addressing lawmakers in the lower house of the parliament, amid boos and heckling, Borne acknowledged that the president’s alliance fell short of winning the absolute majority in last month’s general elections, and dismissed calls for a confidence vote.

Switzerland launches climate scores for investment products and portfolios (Source Link)

Switzerland’s Federal Council announced the launch of Swiss Climate Scores, based on a series of indicators aimed at providing transparency into the alignment of companies with global climate goals.

EVs, Renewables and Hydrogen Power: Oxford, Octopus, Rivian, VW, Toyota, OVO, Sand Batteries, Fincantieri and Shell

Europe's most powerful electric charging hub opens in Oxford (Source Link)

The ￡41 million project, in Oxford, will offer ultra-rapid charging for 42 EVs at once. The hub is powered by renewable energy and is directly connected to the National Grid's network. The City Council said this will be vital for about 36 million EVs expected to be on UK roads by 2040.

One-stop-shop: Octopus launches EV package featuring car, charger, and clean energy tariff (Source Link)

Octopus Energy launched a new EV package, which provides customers with a car, charger, and flexible clean energy tariff, to enable UK drivers to save up ￡3,755 on fuel bills over a 3-year lease contract.

Rivian confirms it’s on track to build 25,000 electric vehicles this year (Source Link)

Electric-vehicle startup Rivian Automotive said it produced more than 4,000 vehicles in the second quarter and that it remains on track to build 25,000 vehicles in 2022.

VW and Goldman-backed battery maker Northvolt gets $1.1 billion funding injection (Source Link)

Developing factories capable of manufacturing EV batteries at scale is intensifying. Northvolt said its first gigafactory, Northvolt Ett, had started commercial deliveries to European customers.

Toyota hits electric-vehicle sales milestone, joins Tesla and GM in triggering phaseout of tax incentives for buyers (Source Link)

Toyota Motor said it sold its 200,000th plug-in electric vehicle during the 2nd quarter, triggering a phaseout of U.S. tax incentives of up to $7,500 for people who buy the cars. The Japanese automaker joins Tesla and General Motors in initiating a phaseout of the credit for future consumers.

OVO preps ￡1m investment in small-scale UK wind and solar generators (Source Link)

Energy giant OVO is to invest ￡1m in small-scale wind and solar projects around the UK, today setting out plans to directly purchase electricity from renewables projects which are not eligible to receive subsidies through any government or industry-backed schemes.

‘Sand batteries’ could be key breakthrough in storing solar and wind energy year-round (Source Link)

Solar energy stored in ‘sand batteries’ could help get Finns through the long cold winter, which is set to be even tougher after Russia stopped its gas and electricity supplies. The new technology has been devised by young Finnish engineers Tommi Eronen and Markku Yl?nen, founders of Polar Night Energy.

MSC Cruises, Fincantieri to launch world’s first cruise ships utilizing hydrogen power (Source Link)

Explora Journeys, MSC Group, and Fincantieri, one of the world’s largest shipbuilding groups, announced the signing of a memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the construction of an additional two hydrogen-powered luxury cruise ships to take the total fleet number from four to six vessels.

Shell to build the largest renewable hydrogen plant in Europe (Source Link)

Energy giant Shell announced its final investment decision to move forward on building Europe’s largest renewable hydrogen plant, Holland Hydrogen Anticipated to be operational in 2025, the plant will produce up to 60,000 kilograms of renewable hydrogen per day for use by industry and the transport sector.

Business: Nestle, Unilever, Twelve, Algebris, Climentum Capital, Partners Capital and Pfizer

Nestlé and Unilever CEOs: we will make our supply chains deforestation-free (Source Link)

Nestlé?and Unilever are?contending with some significant challenges right now: food and energy security and sharply rising commodity prices. This is not easy. Their efforts to eliminate deforestation from supply chains, whether for cocoa or palm oil, have often been the subject of public debate.

Carbon transformation startup Twelve raises $130 million to turn captured CO2 into products (Source Link)

Carbon transformation company Twelve announced a $130 million financing aimed at supporting the acceleration of the engineering, manufacturing, and deployment of its technology to create products from captured CO2.

Algebris raises €200 million for private equity fund targeting green transition opportunities (Source Link)

Algebris Investments announced the first close of its first private equity fund, the Algebris Green Transition Fund, which aims to raise a total of €400 million for the fund over the next twelve months.

Climentum Capital launches €150 million venture fund to scale climate solutions startups (Source Link)

Venture capital firm Climentum Capital announced the launch of a new €150 million venture to in invest in and scale European early-stage climate tech companies tackling CO2 emissions.

Partners Capital raises $143 million for inaugural environmental impact private equity fund (Source Link)

Investment services provider Partners Capital announced the closing of its inaugural private equity environmental impact fund, Partners Capital 15 degrees Fund, LP, raising $143 million in client commitments.

Pfizer announces commitment to accelerate climate action and achieve net-zero standard by 2040 (Source Link)

Pfizer announced a commitment to further reduce Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions and aims to achieve the voluntary Net-Zero Standard by 2040, ten years earlier than the timeline described in the standard. As part of the commitment, Pfizer aims to decrease its GHG emissions by 95% and its value chain emissions by 90% from 2019 levels by 2040.

Climate Activism, Litigation and Greenwashing: UK, Just Stop Oil, Ukrainian Celebs, KLM Airlines, Peruvians, Climate Change Litigation and Environment Agency

Charities call on UK government to back urgent scaling-up of climate solutions (Source Link)

Save the Children, National Trust, and Women’s Institute are among groups to call for decisive policy action to drive clean tech adoption at Inaugural Westminster Climate Solutions Fair.

Just Stop Oil campaigners glue themselves to Da Vinci copy in Royal Academy (Source Link)

Five supporters of the Just Stop Oil coalition have glued themselves to a 500-year-old depiction of The Last Supper in London’s Royal Academy, the fifth time in a week that it has disrupted a major British art institution.

Ukrainian celebs urge EU to stop fueling Russia’s ‘war of aggression’ (Source Link)

Ukraine’s most famous celebrities, human rights activists and environmental campaigners are calling for gas to not be classified as a green energy source in the EU.

KLM airline sued for greenwashing adverts which encourage 'responsible' flying in the Netherlands (Source Link)

Environmental groups are suing the Dutch subsidiary of Air France KLM over an advertising campaign they allege breaches European consumer law by misleading the public over how sustainable its flights are.

Who pays for climate change? The Peruvian suing a German utility (Source Link)

The group was deep in the mountains to gather evidence in a high-stakes lawsuit brought by a Peruvian farmer, Saúl Luciano Lliuya, against RWE, Germany’s largest utility company.

Global trends in climate change litigation: 2022 snapshot (Source Link)

Climate change litigation continues to grow in importance year-on-year as a way of either advancing or delaying effective action on climate change. In 2022, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change recognized the role of litigation in affecting the outcome and ambition of climate governance.

Environment Agency chief hits out at greenwashing by businesses (Source Link)

Widespread greenwashing by businesses is compromising efforts to prepare for climate impacts such as floods and heatwaves, the chair of the Environment Agency said.

Green energy jobs: Report of the Department of Energy and Robert Downey Jr.

Green energy jobs are on the rise as fossil fuel companies lose workers (Source Link)

A report released by the Department of Energy in the US found that nearly every part of the renewable energy sector added jobs last year. And despite a rise in fossil fuel production, the number of oil and gas-related jobs actually declined — with some industry workforces shrinking by as much as 12 percent.?Overall, jobs in the energy sector grew by about 4 percent, or about 300,000 jobs.

Granholm, actor Robert Downey Jr. boost clean energy jobs (Source Link)

The Energy Department in the US is teaming with actor Robert Downey Jr. to recruit up to 1,000 new workers focused on climate change and clean energy.

Research, Reports and Other: EU, Climate Change, Soil Degradation, Lakes, Horn of Africa, Methane, UN, Food Prices, SMEs, Space Travels, Russia, Environmental Stories and OPEC

The European Commission has adopted the 2022 strategic foresight report (Source Link)

The 2022 Strategic Foresight Report looks at the long-term interaction and reciprocal reinforcement – what we call ‘twinning' – between the digital and green transitions in the current geopolitical context (most notably, with regards to Russia's military aggression against Ukraine).

Scientists warn MEPs against watering down EU deforestation law (Source Link)

More than 50 scientists have warned MEPs that a high-level move to water down EU legislation on deforestation could undermine Europe’s net zero emissions plans. European environment ministers rewrote a draft regulation last week to define “forest degradation” as the replacement of primary forest by plantations or other wooded land.

Europe heating up faster than other ‘hot spots,’ study finds (Source Link)

A new study confirms that Western Europe has become what the researchers call a heat wave hot spot, over the last four decades with events increasing in frequency and cumulative intensity (defined as heat in excess of a certain threshold).

Scientists are learning just how climate change impacts extreme weather events (Source Link)

For decades, it was impossible to say that a specific weather event was caused, or even made worse, by climate change. But advanced research methods are changing that.

Here are the most effective things you can do to fight climate change (Source Link)

Limiting global warming to 1.5℃ above pre-industrial levels requires reaching net zero emissions by the middle of this century. This article includes an analysis of 60 individual actions which can help fight climate change, building on researched by the University of Leeds.

What is soil degradation and why is it so important? (Source Link)

Soil supports agriculture, wildlife, filters water, and stores carbon. Soil degradation involves both the physical loss (erosion) and the reduction in quality of topsoil associated with nutrient decline and contamination. A total of 2.2 million tonnes of topsoil is eroded annually in the UK and over 17% of arable land shows signs of erosion, according to the Environment Agency.

More water evaporates from lakes than we thought (Source Link)

A new dataset quantifies trends of evaporative water loss from 1.4 million global lakes and artificial reservoirs. With much of the United States experiencing above-normal temperatures, below-average rainfall, and a changing climate, it’s vital that water management decision-makers have accurate information.

An algorithm to predict how climate change will affect future conflict in the Horn of Africa: here’s what we found (Source Link)

The Horn of Africa, on the eastern coast of the continent, is currently being battered by an intense and sustained drought thanks to which around 20 million people are going hungry. Whether directly or indirectly, both drought and conflict can be linked to climate change.

Methane emissions reach new highs despite pandemic – they are four times more sensitive to climate change than first thought (Source Link)

Eliminating emissions of CO? is high up the environmental agenda – but the world should not lose sight of the threat from methane. The latest report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) showed that methane is responsible for around one-third of the estimated 1.5°C of global warming, with around half due to CO?.

World is moving backwards on eliminating hunger and malnutrition, UN report reveals (Source Link)

The number of people affected by hunger globally rose to as many as 828 million in 2021, according to a new UN report that provides fresh evidence that the world is moving in reverse, away from the Sustainable Development Goal of ending hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition in all its forms, by 2030, when the SDGs are supposed to be realized.

Rising prices: why the global drive to keep food cheap is unsustainable (Source Link)

As prices rise, everywhere, for pretty much everything, the prospect of the human suffering this will cause is deeply worrying. There are predictions that the number of people in the world experiencing acute hunger – currently 276 million – could soon rise by as many as 47 million.

SMEs lagging on climate action due to cost, lack of information: report (Source Link)

Over three quarters of small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) in the UK lack a strategy to address their climate impact, according to a new survey released by Lloyds Bank for Business, despite acknowledging the importance of sustainability. Key barriers to the pursuit of climate strategies for small business owners included cost and a lack of information.

Space travel will absolutely gut the environment, scientists warn (Source Link)

Space travel is undoubtedly one of the most exciting frontiers in science, but it comes at a significant cost as well. With launch rates in recent decades tripling according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), as well as significant investments in space tourism, the damage space travel may do to the environment may no longer be as negligible as once believed.

Russia’s oil is in long-term decline – and the war has only added to the problem (Source Link)

The prevailing fear was that substantial Russian supplies would be lost to the world market either through western sanctions or a voluntary decision by Moscow in retaliation to western support for Ukraine. The International Energy Agency predicted that “from April, three million barrels per day of Russian oil output could be shut in” – that’s about a third of the total. It feared that this could produce “the biggest supply crisis in decades”.

Here are all the positive environmental stories from 2022 so far (Source Link)

Eco-anxiety, climate doom, environmental existential dread - as green journalists, we see these terms used a lot - and often feel them ourselves. There's a lot to be worried about when it comes to the climate and nature crises, but when a sense of hopelessness becomes the overarching emotion, apathy begins to creep in too. So, as part of our ongoing effort to tackle eco-anxiety, these are the positive environmental stories from this year.

OPEC secretary-general dies, just weeks shy of departure (Source Link)

The Secretary-General of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries has died, Nigerian authorities and the oil cartel announced. Only hours before his death, he’d met with Nigeria’s president and spoken in defense of the energy industry amid increasing climate change pressure.