(TST) NO COP29

BRUSSELS – World leaders from major economies including the United States, the European Union and Brazil are planning to skip the 2024 United Nations climate change summit, known as COP29, in Baku, Azerbaijan.

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen will not attend COP29 because of political developments in Brussels, a commission spokesperson told Reuters on Nov 5.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva had already cancelled his trip to COP29 following a head injury in October.

China, Japan, Australia and Mexico are also absent from the UN’s latest agenda for leaders’ speeches at COP29. The EU will be represented at the summit by European Council president Charles Michel and the bloc’s climate policy chief, Mr Wopke Hoekstra. More of this article (The Straits Times) - link - more like this (COP) - link - more like this (EU) - link - more like this (EU2) - link

(PVM) INDIA ADDS 12.8 GW OF SOLAR

India installed 12.8 GW of new solar capacity in the first half of 2024, up 228.3% increase from the first six months of 2023, according to Mercom India’s “India Solar Market Leaderboard 1H 2024” report.

Large-scale solar projects made up 91.4% (11.7 GW) of the installations, including 3.7 GW from open access/off-site commercial and industrial solar. Rooftop solar installations totaled over 1.1 GW.

As of June 2024, India’s cumulative solar capacity reached about 85.5 GW, with 126.1 GW of large-scale projects (including open access) in development and 103.8 GW of tenders awaiting auction.

Adani Green Energy led utility-scale solar development with the highest capacity additions and largest cumulative capacity as of June 2024. ReNew and O2 Power ranked second and third in new capacity added.

The top 10 developers together contributed 76.8% of utility-scale additions and held 44.5% of the project development pipeline as of June 2024. More of this article (pv magazine) - link - more like this (India) - link - more like this (pv) - link

(NAT) DUO & BENTO

Renault's fun-loving Twizy compact EV was spun out into a new sub-brand in 2022. Now, following a world premiere at the Paris Motor Show last month, the Mobilize Duo electric micro-car and Bento e-van have driven onto the show floor at EICMA in Milan.

Technically an electric quadricycle that could be driven with or without a full car license in certain jurisdictions, the Twizy first burst onto the world stage at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show. It was presented as one of four Z.E. vehicles that included what subsequently became Europe's favorite small EV, the Zoe, plus an electric Kangoo van.

The driver sat up front and the passenger squeezed in behind. Though protected from the elements by a windshield and roof, the two doors lacked windows. And it came in two variants – one capped at 45 km/h (28 mph) and the other at 80 km/h (50 mph). Either way, the battery wasn't included in the purchase price but was leased from Renault.

It was quirky, it was enormous fun (based on my two or three test drives), and it was relatively inexpensive. In 2022, Renault announced the end of the Twizy era but also its rebirth as the Mobilize Duo. The rear-wheel-drive micro-quad recently made its production debut in Paris, and was made available to order in mid-October. The curtains were also pulled back on a modern reworking of the Twizy Cargo, an electric micro van called the Bento.

"Responding to the challenges of mobility in and around cities, Duo and Bento reflect the vision of Mobilize: to bring retail and business customers mobility solutions that are safer, simpler, more eco-friendly and closely aligned with the major issues facing cities today," said Mobilize CEO, Gianluca De Ficchy, at last month's official launch.

The basic specs for the Duo and Bento are about the same. A 48-V motor from the Renault Austral hybrid powers the drive. The Duo two-seater comes in a lower-speed version that can be driven with or without a license in some regions and another variant that would require a Class B license.

The Bento is available in one drivetrain version only – which has a top speed of 80 km/h, meaning that folks who want to get in the driving seat will need a full license. More of this article (New Atlas) - link - more like this (Renault) - link - more like this (mini ev) - link

(IAN) EMISSIONS TRADING SCHEME - CONSPIRACY THEORY

The UK Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS) replaced the UK’s participation in the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) on 1 January 2021.

Emissions trading schemes usually work on the ‘cap and trade’ principle, where a cap is set on the total amount of certain greenhouse gases that can be emitted by sectors covered by the scheme.

This limits the total amount of carbon that can be emitted and, as it decreases over time, will make a significant contribution to how the UK meets our Net Zero 2050 target and other legally binding carbon reduction commitments - link

In a nutshell, The Emissions Trading Scheme is a system that applies an additional cost to fossil-based emissions released by the incineration process.

With its extension into the waste incineration sector starting in 2026, ETS will bring significant additional costs to businesses via their waste management contractors and the public via increased Council Tax charges as it works to bring about this reduction in emissions from the incineration of waste. These additional costs will be levied as higher gate fees – or in simple terms – the price per tonne a contractor or a local council pays to burn waste.

With its introduction, gate fees for general waste going to EfW incinerators will significantly increase and will affect everyone in the UK directly or indirectly – no ifs and no buts.

This one-off price hiking event does also pose a question pertaining to the economies of scale within the waste industry – i.e. what’s to stop the major players within the UK waste sector, most of whom operate waste to energy incinerators, systematically eliminating and/or taking over the country’s smaller private and family-owned waste management companies by pricing them out of the market under the cover of fair trade?

By offering highly subsidised or discounted put-or-pay contracts to other large waste operators (who operate their own waste to energy facilities) based upon input volume and therefore and crucially, not to the smaller operators, the majors will be able to simultaneously either force the smaller operators to raise their prices to their customers thus making them uncompetitive or reduce the profitability of the smaller operators who keep try to keep prices down/competitive.

Never – conspiracy theory? surely not? more like this (EfW) - link

(D24) KAWASAKI ZERO EMISSIONS - ZERO ELECTRIC

We have heard and read about zero-emissions engines produced for four-wheeled vehicles. However, this time around, there is a futuristic motorcycle created. The demise of internal combustion engines powered by fossil fuels is becoming more and more obvious. Whether we like it or not, there are increasing pressures from around the world to limit the production and sale of road vehicles, but there isn’t a magic bullet technology available to replace them just yet.

Kawasaki Motors, a part of the Kawasaki Heavy Industries Group, demonstrated a hydrogen internal combustion engine motorcycle in public for the first time by a mass-production motorcycle manufacturer. Still, in its infant stage, the Kawasaki Hydrogen H2 motorcycle has brought about a change within the automotive industry, particularly for motorcycle makers and challenging the electric bike makers.

Just in case you want to know more about this hydrogen combustion motorcycle; it is futuristic and stimulates sustainability, high performance and efficiency. Kawasaki’s hydrogen-powered H2 motorcycle uses a hydrogen-fueled combustion engine with a supercharger to optimise power output, in contrast to electric motorcycles that run on batteries. The engine burns hydrogen and releases water vapour with 100% zero emissions.

Not only does Kawasaki want to design a product that is eye-catching for the customer or consumer, but also a product that protects the customers and their environment. A working hydrogen internal combustion engine (ICE) motorcycle is one carbon-neutral alternative for riders in the early 2030s, according to research and development being carried out by Kawasaki Motors as part of their carbon-neutral effort. More of this article (eldiario24) - link - more like this (motorbikes) - link - more like this (Kawasaki) - link

(POL) ANGER ERUPTS AT SPAIN'S KING FELIPE VI

Anger boiled over on Sunday in Spain’s flood-stricken Valencia region as locals attacked Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s motorcade and threw mud at King Felipe VI.

A royal entourage that also included Queen Letizia came under pressure from angry crowds in the town of Paiporta, which was among the hardest hit by the devastating floods that have claimed the lives of at least 211 people, with 1,900 others still missing.

Residents accuse authorities of failing to warn them about rising floodwaters and have complained that recovery teams have been largely absent in the aftermath of the disaster.

“I want to convey all our solidarity and our recognition of the anguish and suffering of the people of Paiporta,” Sánchez told the media. But he added that he “rejected the kind of violence like that which we’ve seen today.”

While tens of thousands of civilian volunteers have travelled to Valencia to assist in the clean-up, recovery professionals have yet to arrive in some of the affected villages, where locals continue to live among ruined buildings, mountains of mud and dead bodies.

Paiporta’s residents reacted with fury when the king and a police escort comprising dozens of officers appeared in the town on Sunday, throwing mud, bottles and other objects at the retinue.

“It’s been four days, where have you been?” indignant locals asked a mud-splattered Felipe VI. “You’ve just come here to pose for pictures. You have no shame!” More of this article (Politico) - link - more like this (Spain) - link - more like this (floods) - link

(ELE) CATERPILLAR CAT 793 XE

With a massive, 240 ton payload and a host of new features, the first of Caterpillar’s next-generation CAT 793 XE Early Learner battery electric trucks has arrived at Newmont’s Cripple Creek and Victor (CC&V) mine in Teller County, Colorado.

Just weeks after the next generation of Caterpillar’s battery electric Large Mining Truck line was announced, Newmont’s CC&V mine in Colorado was announced as one of the testing and validation sites the first seven of the all-new CAT 793 XE Early Learner haul trucks would be deployed to. The production of these trucks marks the second key development phase of the company’s Early Learner EV program following the demonstration of the company’s first battery electric 793 prototype in November 2022, and that vehicle’s deployment at Vale’s Brazilian mining operations earlier this year.

“In less than two years, we went from retrofitting an existing piece of equipment at our proving ground to designing a ruggedized solution ready for validation at our customers’ sites,” explains Caterpillar Vice President, Brian Weller. “This was not a small change. Just about everything in the powertrain has been enhanced while still leveraging proven components of our Cat 793 model. With these changes, we still have learning to do with our customers in real-world applications.”

The next phase of Caterpillar’s Early Learner program will see the company attempt to integrate multiple electrified trucks at a single site with remote operators, validating the integration of a battery electric fleet with CAT’s existing autonomous and fleet management systems.

The Newmont gold mining operation has a long-standing “strategic alliance” with Caterpillar (signed in 2021) that aims to deliver a fully connected, automated, zero carbon emitting, end-to-end mining operation by 2050 while reducing downtime and operating costs.

As I’ve said before, EVs and mining to together like peanut butter and jelly. In confined spaces, the carbon emissions and ear-splitting noise made by conventional, ICE-powered mining equipment can create dangerous circumstances that can lead to serious injuries (or worse), and that’s just going to make it even harder for a mining operation to keep people working and minerals coming out of the ground. More of this article (electrek) - link - more like this (Caterpillar) - link - more like this (mining) - link

(ENG) BIDEN - SPRINTING TO THE FINISH

With just three days to go until the American presidential election, outgoing president Joe Biden is prioritising clean energy.

Biden’ administration is shelling out billions of dollars for clean energy as well as approving major offshore wind projects as officials race to secure major climate initiatives before he leaves office.

Since his election in 2020, Biden has made it clear that he wants to establish a legacy for climate action which includes locking in a trajectory for reducing the nation's planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions. The US is the second most polluting country on earth, behind China.

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has frequently expressed climate scepticism and has pledged to rescind unspent funds in Biden's landmark climate and health care bill and stop offshore wind development if he returns to the White House in January.

There is unease in parts of the United States and further afield about Trump potentially becoming president for a second time. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm told The Associated Press news agency that it would be “political malpractice” to undo clean energy incentives that are benefiting American incomes.

Currently most of the investments are going to areas with below-average weekly wages and college graduation rates. “A lot of it is going to parts of America who have felt left behind. And this is giving them an opportunity,” Granholm said.

“Why would we take that away? And why would we prevent counties and cities and people and families from having future-facing jobs in industries like clean energy, which young people are very excited about being a part of?”

With this in mind, Granholm says she and her team are racing to commit funding and get contracts signed.

If Vice President Kamala Harris and Democratic nominee wins November’s election, she says she will pursue a climate agenda similar to Biden’s, focussing on reducing emissions, deploying renewables and creating more clean energy jobs.

Ahead of the election, announcements of major environmental grants and project approvals have sped up significantly.

The White House’s Deputy Chief of Staff Natalie Quillian has said that Biden is “sprinting to the finish” and delivering on promises to promote clean energy and slow climate change. More of this article (Euro News) - link - more like this (Joe Biden) - link - more like this (Donald Trump) - link

(REN) RIVIAN SIGNS 15 YEAR PPA WITH RWE

Electric vehicle manufacturer and solar financier Rivian has signed a 15-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) for the electricity from a soon-to-be upgraded RWE wind farm in West Texas.

RWE’s 127-megawatt (MW) Champion Wind in Nolan and Mitchell Counties, TX will help power Rivian’s fast-charging network, the Rivian Adventure Network, with clean energy. Champion Wind is currently being upgraded with new, state-of-the-art, made-in-the-USA turbine nacelles and blades that will extend the facility’s lifetime. Its repowering will be completed in mid-2025, according to RWE.

Rivian claims to power its charging networks with 100% renewable energy, but the truth is a bit murkier than that. The company matches or exceeds each kilowatt-hour its chargers deliver by purchasing (and sometimes developing) renewable energy generated elsewhere. Rivian considers a given area’s current energy composition- namely how much of the fuel mix comes from fossil fuels- and then “fills in the gap” to reach 100% renewables by adding those resources to communities where their chargers operate or in places where the grid heavily relies on fossil fuels.

When Champion Wind resumes operations, it will generate enough electricity to power nearly 1 billion miles of renewable driving every year, the equivalent of 36,000 homes annually in Texas. More of this article (Rebewable Energy World) - link - more like this (Rivian) - link - more like this (wind) - link

(WEV) NISSAN TO INTEGRATE V2G FROM 2026

Nissan has announced plans to integrate Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology into its electric vehicles (EVs) starting in 2026, marking a significant step towards the company's vision of creating a sustainable energy ecosystem.

The initiative will launch in the UK before expanding to other European markets, aligning with the global push towards cleaner energy solutions and greater energy independence.

As of early 2024, around 1.5 million UK homes were equipped with solar panels, representing approximately 5% of the total 28 million homes. This figure has been steadily rising, driven by increasing affordability and awareness of renewable energy options. In terms of ‘home battery storage', adoption is also growing, with government incentives such as zero VAT for battery installations helping to drive uptake. By the end of 2024, around 8 GW of battery storage is expected to be available, though it's important to note that not all homes with solar panels currently have battery storage systems.

So while solar panels are becoming more common, home battery storage is still in the early stages. However, advances in the technologies surrounding batteries and increased awareness of the financial benefits, means that much of the UK will be considering a new way of working with energy at home by 2050. Nissan's announcement hopes to plug directly into that trend.​

The integration of V2G technology is part of Nissan’s long-term strategy, detailed in its business plan, The Arc, which focuses on delivering innovation in the electric vehicle sector. This latest development also supports Nissan's Ambition 2030 initiative, which envisions a cleaner, safer, and more inclusive world powered by sustainable energy solutions. More of this article (Which EV) - link - more like this (V2G) - link - more like this (Nissan) - link

(SMW) MOROCCO AWARDS SUEZ NEW CONTRACTS

On the occasion of French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Rabat at the invitation of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, SUEZ, a global leader in circular solutions for water and waste management, is announcing four new agreements in Morocco to optimize water resources and ensure sustainable waste management.

In a context of demographic growth and climate change, Morocco is facing recurrent situations of water stress and growing waste management challenges. Established in the country since the 1950s, SUEZ has announced four agreements to support the Kingdom's environmental transition.

Sabrina Soussan, Chairman and CEO of SUEZ, said: "SUEZ has been working alongside Moroccans for almost 75 years to build sustainable water and waste management infrastructures. These four new agreements demonstrate our determination to continue investing in Morocco to support the Kingdom's environmental transition. These agreements illustrate our willingness to work in partnership with Moroccan authorities and companies."

SUEZ and its partners SOMAGEC and JET CONTRACTORS announce the entry into force of the contract with the Etablissement de Coopération Intercommunale AL ASSIMA for the construction and operation of the Oum Azza waste treatment and recovery centre in the Rabat region.

This centre, which receives 850,000 tonnes of waste per year from the 13 municipalities in the Rabat-Salé area (over 2 million inhabitants), will become a “green landfill”, a waste treatment centre that contributes to the circular economy. Less than half of the waste received will be landfilled (47%). The liquid residues (leachate) will be treated in an exemplary manner, in particular to produce biogas.

SUEZ also was awarded the contract for the waste treatment and recovery centre in Kenitra, one of the country's largest cities, with almost 500,000 inhabitants. Worth €120 million over 20 years, the contract includes the construction of a new site which will also become a “green landfill”. Waste will no longer just be landfilled, but will also be recovered as local, sustainable energy. In this way, SUEZ is supporting the industrial transformation of the site by investing in infrastructure to recover the biogas produced by the fermentation of the waste. More of this article (Smart Water Magazine) - link - more like this (Morocco) - link - more like this (Suez) - link - more like this (water treatment) - link

(GRE) AMERICA - WHY IS FOOD LANDFILL DIVERSION FAILING?

Several US states have introduced food waste bans. But of the first five, only one state’s approach has worked, according to one study. But there’s more than meets the eye.

To curb the US’s gnawing food waste problem, a number of states have been prohibiting supermarkets, restaurants and other commercial waste generators from sending uneaten food to landfills.

In the last decade, nine states have introduced such legislation in a bid to reduce food waste by 10-15%. But in a recent study, researchers compiled datasets covering the waste produced by 85% of the population between 1996 and 2019, and used it to examine the first five state food waste bans, in Connecticut, Vermont, and Massachusetts (all implemented in 2014), Rhode Island, and California (both in 2016).

They found that Massachusetts reduced landfilled food waste by 7% annually in the first five years – but none of the other four was successful in diverting waste from landfills or incinerators.

“We can say with high confidence that the combination of waste bans did not reduce landfilled waste by more than 3%, and that is including Massachusetts,” said Robert Evan Sanders, assistant professor of marketing at the Rady School of Management and co-author of the study. “Essentially, the data suggests that in four out of the five states we studied, these laws did nothing to reduce waste.”

The bans laid out in New York, New Jersey, Maryland and Washington were deemed too new to analyse, but the researchers sought to highlight the inefficacy of current measures to cut food waste – even though some experts have called the findings into question. More of this article (green queen) - link - more like this (waste food) - link - more like this (waste) - link

(LBC) THE END OF HEREDITARY FARMING?

Hundreds of angry farmers will take to the central London in protest on November 19 after Labour announced that it would be revoking farmer exemption from inheritance tax for those with combined business and agricultural assets worth more than £1m.

The rate of Agricultural Property Relief will be set to 20 per cent on the value of business and agricultural assets over £1million.

The budget has sparked outrage, with campaigners warning that the switch could kill off family farms, damage food security and environmental protection work. Protesters plan to take to the streets with tractors and other large machinery to make a stand against the changes, which are set to come in from April 2026.

On Thursday evening, Ms Reeves said the change was a 'fair' way for the government to raise money for public spending.

Responding to the announcement, Clarkson's Farm star Kaleb Cooper said on his Instagram: “After the news today, I want to say this and that is: Farmers keep your head up and remember we all need to stick together.”

Some of his fans said in the comments: “Farming is a way of life that passes down generations to generations all to feed the country. "They are custodians of the land for the next generations. The government doesn't understand a thing.”

Jeremy Clarkson accused the government of "shafting" farmers with the changes. "Farmers. I know that you have been shafted today," he said. "But please don’t despair. Just look after yourselves for five short years and this shower will be gone."

President of the National Farmers’ Union Tom Bradshaw said: “It’s been a disastrous budget for family farmers, and especially tenant farmers.

"The shameless breaking of clear promises on Agricultural Property Relief will snatch away the next generation’s ability to carry on producing British food, plan for the future and shepherd the environment. More of this article (LBC) - link - more like this (Labour) - link - more like this (funding) - link - more like this (taxing farming) - link - more like this (taxing farming 2) - link

(NSC) HAVE CHINA'S EMISSIONS PEAKED?

A massive rollout of wind and solar power across China may mean the country’s emissions peaked in 2023, in what would be a historic turning point in the fight against climate change.

China’s CO2 emissions hit an all-time high in 2023 as its economy rebounded from the impacts of the covid-19 pandemic. But since then, huge amounts of wind and solar power have been added to the nation’s electricity grid, while emissions from the construction industry have fallen.

A new analysis indicates that China’s carbon emissions remained flat from July to September 2024 after falling 1 per cent in the second quarter of the year. It means 2024 emissions may remain flat on 2023 levels overall, or even fall slightly.

This would be hugely significant for global climate efforts, says Lauri Myllyvirta at the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air, a think tank in Finland. “China’s emissions growth has been the dominant factor pushing global emissions up for the past eight years since the signing of the Paris climate agreement,” he says.

In its climate change plan submitted to the United Nations, China promised to peak its greenhouse gas emissions before 2030, and to reach net-zero emissions by 2060. But experts warn this plan is not nearly ambitious enough given the outsize impact China has on global climate change, as the world’s largest emitter.

Peaking emissions as early as possible in China is crucial, says Myllyvirta. “That would open up the door to the country beginning to reduce emissions much faster than its current commitments require,” he says. “This would have enormous significance for the global effort to avoid catastrophic climate change.”

China is racing to ramp up electricity supply across the country and meet rapidly increasing demand for power. This demand jumped by 7.2 per cent between July and September compared with a year earlier, driven by rising living standards, as well as strong heatwaves during August and September, which increased demand for cooling.

New renewables capacity has been deployed across China at breakneck speed to help bridge the power demand gap. Solar generation rose by a phenomenal 44 per cent and wind by 24 per cent during July to September, compared with the same period in 2023. Based on current trajectories, the growth in solar power in China this year will equal the total annual power generation of Australia in 2023. More of this article (New Scientist) - link - more like this (China) - link - more like this (renewables) - link

(NAT) PRESENTING - THE TOYOTA KAYOIBAKO

Is there any vehicle more adorable than a sub-4-m (13.1-ft) Japanese micro-camper van? Maybe a next-gen micro-camper built into an ultra-versatile van platform that also works as a commercial goods-hauler, micro shuttle and mobile pop-up shop? 

And since we're looking ahead to the future, why not make it a clean-running EV? That's the Toyota Kayoibako, a concept van that paints a truly endearing picture of the future of affordable tiny van living and transport.

The Kayoibako celebrated its first birthday this month, having debuted at last year's Japan Mobility Show. The little multi-machine popped back up into our conscious, and we thought it time to have a closer look. While it doesn't appear to have a future of its own, it definitely previews how electric power and software-driven automotive architecture will help Toyota in its quest to make vehicles more configurable into personalized spaces.

The 399-cm (157-in) Kayoibako concept van borrows its name from Japan's kayoibako shipping containers, transport units designed to be customized with interchangeable interiors fit to the needs of specific loads. Toyota considers the van a "quality base unit of mobility," essentially a broad blank canvas upon which customers can brush the picture of their choosing.

Our initial choosing is the all-season adventure camper layout. Toyota showed variants all dressed up for both winter and summer action, using a full-size platform roof rack for strapping down gear and cargo, a rear ladder to access the 186-cm-high (73-in) roof, and a side rack for water/fuel canister carry. More of this article (New Atlas) - link - more like this (camper vans) - link - more like this (Toyota) - link