Renewables to make net-zero possible

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♻️ This week’s sustainability news

Renewables on target to hit net-zero goals by 2030

What’s happening: New analysis by RMI, in partnership with the Bezos Earth Fund, reveals surging solar, wind, and battery capacity is now aligned with ambitious net-zero greenhouse gas emission scenarios by 2030. The forecasts see solar and wind supplying over a third of all power by 2030, up from around 12% currently. The major cost declines over the past 10 years are also expected to continue with solar and wind roughly halving in price again by 2030. Research from Systems Change Lab shows that eight countries have successfully increased their use of solar and wind energy faster than needed to keep global warming below 1.5°C, according to IEA guidelines.

Why it’s happening: Some important countries and regions like China and Europe are quickly adopting clean energy technology. This growth is happening very fast. However, renewable energy is also spreading around the world, including in the Middle East and Africa, which are quickly joining this global trend. Uruguay, Denmark, Lithuania, Namibia, the Netherlands, Palestine, Jordan, and Chile have quickly increased their solar and wind energy production. This shows that many different countries can switch to renewable energy quickly. Wind and solar energy need to increase by 29% globally by 2030. Denmark, Uruguay, and Lithuania have already done this in eight years. Namibia, the Netherlands, Palestine, Jordan, and Chile have been growing their wind and solar energy quickly for the past five years. These countries increased their use of wind and solar energy in different situations. They include both rich and poorer countries, with incomes ranging from $4,000 to $67,000 per annum per person. They boosted renewable energy by using good policies, staying committed politically, reducing the costs of renewable energy, and improving energy security.

Why it’s important: The rapid increase in renewable energy use has brought the world to a crucial moment. Moving away from fossil fuels is now difficult to stop, indicating that the need for fossil fuels in electricity is at its highest and will drop quickly by the end of this decade. The goal of last year’s United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) to triple renewable energy capacity by 2030 will be achievable if we address some remaining challenges. These include investing in the power grid, simplifying the approval process, improving market systems, and increasing energy storage.

📖 Read the RMI reports: On track for net zero and These 8 countries are scaling up renewable energy the fastest

Massive loan to increase EV battery production in U.S.

What’s happening: On Tuesday, the Biden administration offered a $1.2 billion loan to Entek Lithium Separators, a part of the U.S. company Entek which makes important parts for batteries. Entek will use the loan to help pay for a $1.5 billion factory they are building in Terre Haute, Indiana. Entek competes with many Asian companies in the $6 billion market for making battery separators. These separators are important because they keep the positive and negative parts of a battery apart. This helps the battery charge and discharge safely without causing electrical problems or fires.

Why it’s happening: Companies have spent over $100 billion on making electric vehicles (EVs) and batteries in the U.S. since the Inflation Reduction Act was passed two years ago by the Biden Administration. Many parts are needed to make these EVs and batteries. The U.S. Department of Energy's Loan Programs Office (LPO) has made a new loan promise to help the U.S. stay competitive in the clean economy. Since the Biden administration restarted the office, 11 out of 20 loan promises have been for the electric vehicle supply chain. They started in 2022 with a $2.5 billion loan to Ultium Cells, a joint venture of U.S. automaker General Motors and South Korean battery giant LG Energy Solution. There was also a $9.2 billion loan to BlueOval SK in 2023, a joint venture of Ford and South Korea–based battery maker SK On.

Why it’s important: Increasing the production of battery materials and parts in the U.S. is a key part of the Biden administration's plan to create jobs and boost the economy through clean energy policies. The Inflation Reduction Act offers tax credits of up to $7,500 for new EVs, but these credits require that a certain percentage of the battery is made in the U.S. Starting this year, these credits cannot be used for EVs with batteries or parts made by companies linked to countries of concern, especially China. China is currently the leader in making lithium-ion batteries, and it will take a long time to create other supply options. However, the Inflation Reduction Act offers help through 45x manufacturing tax credits for clean energy technologies, including batteries.

📖 Read the full article: Biden admin offers $1.2 billion loan to expand U.S. battery supply chain

🌐 Travel to Grutas Tolantongo, Mexico

Unique natural water parks

Experience the magic: Located in the state of Hidalgo, the Grutas Tolantongo complex along with the neighbouring La Gloria park boasts thermal springs, waterfalls, caves, and more to explore. Read about Janna’s experience there and see all the beautiful images in our new article.

😇 People doing great things

Life mission to protect the ocean

Creating hope around the world: In 2019, Sylvia Earle created the non-profit Mission Blue with 19 ‘Hope Spots’, which she defined as “areas critical to ocean health in that they have a significant amount of biodiversity.” There are now 158 Hope Spots and counting. They include large areas like the coral triangle in the Eastern Tropical Pacific Sea and famous places like the Galapagos Islands, as well as small, less-known spots like a few seamounts off the coast of California. Some Hope Spots are already protected ocean areas, and the goal is to keep them protected even when governments change or money runs out. Sometimes, nominating a Hope Spot can encourage local governments and environmentalists to create new legal protections. Despite her 89th birthday approaching in August, she still travels about 300 days of the year and just returned from the Cayman Islands, Brazil, Mozambique, Mexico, Antarctica and Europe.

⭐️ Weekly inspiration

Biodegradable bioplastics from food waste

Converting food that ends up in landfills in the U.S.: Researchers use a process similar to fermentation in breweries to ensure the bioplastics can be easily composted, mitigating marine pollution caused by microplastics.

Dingoes to be re-classified as a protected species

Previously hunted as pests: In a new study, DNA research shows that Australia's dingoes are more closely related to ancient dogs that lived before Europeans arrived, rather than to modern dog breeds.

Cutting fossil fuel use in city high-rises

Retrofitting a 1931 art deco building: Using ultra-efficient heat pumps to replace old fossil-fuel boilers will serve as a model to decarbonise the more than 6,000 high-rises that are dotted around New York.

Electric vehicle charging ‘trees’ in New York

Recharge in 5 minutes: A startup has designed what they call ‘DEAP Trees’ (for Distributed Energy Access Points) that will be placed as tall, sleek stations at curb sides that can charge any EV in 5 - 13 minutes.

First solar-covered canal in the U.S.

Nearing completing near Phoenix, Arizona: The soon-to-be-commissioned Casa Blanca installation is located on the Casa Blanca Canal, part of an extensive canal network owned by the Gila River Indian Community.

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