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Kwasi Kwarteng says biomass wood imports are “not sustainable”

Envirotec Magazine

Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng told a private meeting of MPs this week that Drax’s imports of US-made wood pellets to be burnt for energy are “not sustainable” He added that it “doesn’t make sense” and told MPs the government had not fully investigated the sustainability of burning wood pellets, a type of biomass.

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Amazon, Google, Microsoft and the climate cloud

GreenBiz

All of them are using their artificial intelligence prowess and analytics power to help companies such as BP, Chevron and ExxonMobil continue exploration and extraction. When I asked Microsoft Chief Environmental Officer Lucas Joppa about this tension last year, he told me that changes won't happen overnight.

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Revolutionizing environmental monitoring with photonics

Envirotec Magazine

With applications ranging from drone surveys to in-situ soil and water analysis, photonics is enabling more sustainable practices and transforming the way we monitor and protect our environment. Photonics in Environmental Monitoring Photonics is utilized in environmental monitoring in various ways.

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Coming soon to a lake near you: Floating solar panels

Grist

But if you ask solar-power enthusiasts, a reservoir is also not realizing its full potential. They could simultaneously gather energy from the sun and shade the water, reducing evaporation — an especially welcome bonus where droughts are getting worse.

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Farmland water “battery” storage and leak-detecting broadband cables among winners in Ofwat innovation competition

Envirotec Magazine

With droughts affecting the UK for much of last summer, the project, from Westcountry Rivers Trust and South West Water, will not only contribute to better hydrated wetlands, woodlands and fields, but can help farms manage water demand through dry weather, as well as boost aquatic biodiversity. A full list of the winners is included below.

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Can we have the promised “presumption in favour of sustainable development”?

Terra Infirma

It’s one area where biodiversity is arguably treated above climate change as an issue. It is true that a protected species can block a development, and the biodiversity net gain regulations provides at least a funding stream for nature projects. This meant developments had to drive down energy usage to make that 10% viable.

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🌏 $30bn and 14% fall as market finds new normal in ‘24

Climate Tech VC

AI spurred clean firm power, Europe strengthened carbon markets, and emerging economies’ climate tech demand opened up. 🚗 Vertical: Energy came top in 2024 investment, up 12% to $9.4bn. Scala and Crusoe both support clean energy for data centers. Nuclear and energy storage returned to dominance.