U.N. adopts landmark resolution that aims to end plastic pollution
The measure calls for an international negotiating committee to set the terms of a treaty on plastic pollution by the end of 2024.
Yale Environment 360
GM makes largest-ever investment, spending $7 billion on EV manufacturing capacity
GM is spending $7 billion to erect a new battery plant and overhaul an existing assembly plant to produce electric trucks. The move will create more than 4,000 jobs.
Beijing meets air quality standards for the first time
Since 2013, levels of particulate pollution in China’s capital have dropped 63 percent, China Daily reported.
Landmark ruling blocks mining in Ecuadorian forest, citing rights of nature
Ecuador’s constitutional court has blocked plans to mine copper and gold in Los Cedros, a protected cloud forest, ruling that the plans violate the rights of nature.
Nissan to spend $18 billion developing a cheaper, more powerful EV battery
Nissan says its solid-state battery will cut charging time by two thirds and help its EVs to achieve cost-parity with gas-powered cars.
China breaks ground on massive 100-gigawatt renewable energy project
The new project, likely built in western China, will generate more renewable energy than all solar and wind installations in India combined.
New iron-based batteries offer an upgrade to storing renewable energy
“Long-duration energy storage, like this iron-flow battery, [is] key to adding more renewables to the grid,” Venkat Viswanathan, a battery expert and associate professor of mechanical engineering at Carnegie Mellon University.
Sri Lanka pledges no new coal, makes push into rooftop solar
In its latest climate plan, Sri Lanka is ruling out new coal power and aiming to reach 70 percent clean electricity by 2030.
Whatcom County in Washington State first in U.S. to ban new fossil fuel infrastructure
Whatcom County’s council unanimously passed a measure that bans the construction of new refineries, coal-fired power plants and other fossil fuel-related infrastructure.
U.K. is now halfway toward meeting its zero-carbon goal by 2050
Indeed, last year’s carbon emissions in the U.K. were at their lowest levels since 1879, during the reign of Queen Victoria. And on a per capita basis, the the nation’s carbon emissions last year were as low as in 1853, Carbon Brief said.