Climate Solutions News

OXCCU has raised $28 million to scale its technology that converts waste carbon and green hydrogen into sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). In this episode of the Climate Solutions News podcast, Andrew Symes, Co-founder and CEO of OXCCU, explains how their process works, what the new funding will support, and why scaling SAF is critical as airline emissions continue to rise.We discuss:The $28m Series B funding round and OXCCU’s investorsPlans for the next demonstration plant at Oxford AirportHow OXCCU’s catalyst turns waste carbon and hydrogen into jet fuelThe challenge of sustainable feedstocksWhy SAF costs about 2x fossil jet fuel, and how that gap can closeThe role of airlines, mandates, and government policy in accelerating SAF✈️ Aviation accounts for 2–3% of global CO₂ emissions, and demand is growing fast. SAF is one of the few near-term solutions that can make a difference.📌 Read more at https://climatesolutions.news/business/oxccu-secures-28m-to-scale-sustainable-jet-fuel-production

How can philanthropy accelerate the growth of carbon removal? In this interview, Climate Solutions News publisher Dominic Shales speaks with Adam Fraser, Chief Executive of TerraSet, about the role of donors in scaling breakthrough technologies.Fraser explains how TerraSet channels philanthropic capital into early stage carbon removal projects through strategic pre-purchases, supporting a diverse portfolio that includes Climeworks, Heirloom, Octavia Carbon, TerraFixing, and Carbon Run.Key topics covered:Why less than 0.1% of global philanthropy goes to carbon removalHow pre-purchases provide catalytic funding for startupsAddressing skepticism and raising awareness of carbon removalExamples of innovative projects across Africa, Canada, and beyondThe role of governments alongside private donorsWhy “everyone can play a role” in climate solutions🔗 Learn more: https://www.terrasetclimate.org/Subscribe to Climate Solutions News for interviews, analysis, and reporting on the technologies driving the net-zero transition.#CarbonRemoval #ClimateSolutions #Philanthropy #CarbonCapture

As Europe ramps up defence spending, what’s the hidden cost to the climate?In this episode of the Climate Solutions News podcast, we speak with Alexis Normand, CEO of carbon accounting platform Greenly, about their new report Rearming Europe: Counting the Carbon Bootprint. The report reveals how NATO’s growing military budgets—and the EU’s €800 billion ReArm Europe initiative—could generate emissions rivaling the annual carbon footprint of the Netherlands, yet remain almost entirely unreported.Alexis explains why military emissions are such a major blind spot in climate policy, how Greenly calculated the scale of the problem, and what steps governments could take to decarbonise defence without compromising security.🎧 A must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of geopolitics, emissions accountability, and climate action.Keywordsmilitary emissions, carbon footprint, climate change, NATO, Greenly, emissions reporting, defense spending, EU Green Deal, decarbonization, climate policyTakeawaysThe military accounts for approximately 5.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions.NATO's emissions are projected to reach 256 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2024.Military emissions are often unreported and unregulated, creating a significant loophole in climate commitments.Greenlee aims to simplify emissions reporting for businesses, including those in the defense sector.The EU's rearmament initiative could lead to an additional 150 million tonnes of CO2 emissions.Security concerns should not overshadow the need for emissions reduction in military operations.Comprehensive emissions reporting is essential for understanding military impacts on climate change.Innovative solutions like virtual training can help reduce military emissions.There is a need for binding emissions targets and transparency in military budgets.The military sector's spending surge presents an opportunity for broader decarbonization efforts.

Climate Solutions News speaks to Dr Mattia Romani, co-author of a groundbreaking new study published in npj Climate Action, which explores how artificial intelligence could dramatically cut global carbon emissions.The report, produced by the Grantham Research Institute at LSE and Systemiq, finds that AI applications in power, transport and food systems could reduce emissions by 3.2 to 5.4 billion tonnes of CO₂ annually by 2035 — more than the current emissions of the entire EU.Dr Romani breaks down the five key ways AI can support climate action:Optimising complex systems (like energy grids and transport networks)Accelerating technology discovery (especially in batteries and alternative proteins)Nudging low-carbon behaviourModelling climate systems and policy impactsEnhancing resilience and disaster preparednessHe also addresses AI’s own energy footprint, the need for intentional public policy, and why this moment is a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” for governments and tech leaders to align climate and digital strategies.

What happens when governments cut the very data that helps us forecast extreme weather, respond to climate risks, and power clean tech innovation?In this Climate Solutions News interview, host Dominic Shales speaks with Kelly Wanser, Executive Director of SilverLining, about the critical loss of atmospheric monitoring capabilities in both the US and UK. From NOAA’s potential lab closures to the UK Met Office dropping key aerosol programmes, these decisions are creating dangerous blind spots at the worst possible time.Kelly explains why this data matters—not just for weather forecasts, but for everything from AI-driven climate modelling to preparing for future climate interventions like solar radiation modification (SRM). She also breaks down what SRM is, what it isn’t, and why research—not deployment—is where SilverLining is focused.📌 Subscribe for more interviews on real-world climate tech📰 Read the full article: https://climatesolutions.news/spotlight/losing-sight-of-the-sky-why-data-cuts-threaten-climate-innovation 🌐 Learn more about SilverLining: https://www.silverlining.ngo/TakeawaysKelly Wanser emphasizes the importance of atmospheric monitoring.NOAA cuts could severely impact climate data and innovation.The US has unique capabilities in atmospheric research.Solar radiation modification is a potential quick response to climate change.The UK Met Office has also faced cuts in climate-related programs.Aerosols play a significant role in climate regulation.Data is crucial for AI-driven climate solutions.The future of climate innovation depends on sustained research funding.There are opportunities for innovative approaches in climate science.Public-private partnerships could drive future climate solutions.#ClimateTech #AtmosphericScience #Geoengineering #ClimateInnovation #SolarRadiationModification

Nuclear power is back in the spotlight as countries look for reliable, low-carbon energy sources - but the question of what to do with radioactive waste still looms large.In this episode, we explore three practical, science-backed approaches to managing nuclear waste around the world. We begin in Finland, where engineers are preparing to open the world’s first deep geological repository, a facility designed to keep spent fuel isolated for 100,000 years. Then we look at how the U.S. is funding a new wave of companies aiming to make nuclear waste treatment safer, faster, and more affordable. Finally, we head to Australia, where researchers at CSIRO are turning radioactive byproducts into a durable ceramic that could offer a long-term storage solution.Together, these stories show how science, engineering, and public policy are converging to tackle one of nuclear energy’s most persistent challenges.🔗 Read the full stories at climatesolutions.news/tag/nuclear-waste

How Can Retailers Drive Health & Sustainability?In this insightful conversation, Mike Barry, former Head of Sustainability at M&S and co-founder of The Planeatry Alliance, discusses how retailers and food companies can align human and planetary health. He breaks down the complexities of the food system, explains why retailers hold the key to large-scale change, and explores the role of technology, data, and AI in making sustainable shopping effortless.Barry also highlights the biggest challenges facing the food industry, the importance of government intervention, and why businesses need to move beyond ESG targets to deliver real impact.🔍 Topics Covered:✅ How food choices affect both personal and environmental health✅ The role of retailers in making sustainability simple✅ Why technology (AI, digital twins, and data platforms) is key to change✅ The future of sustainable food shopping

In this insightful interview, Charlie Stewart, content strategist at Exceptional, discusses the often-overlooked environmental impact of digital marketing and PR activities. Digital campaigns, powered by energy-intensive data centers, now contribute 2.5-3% of global carbon emissions—surpassing the aviation industry.Charlie highlights key findings from the report From Words to Actions: Reducing the Climate Impact of Your PR and Digital Marketing Activity, co-authored by Exceptional and Thinking Hat Media. He emphasizes the need for marketers to rethink strategies, focusing on efficiency and sustainability. Key topics include: • The environmental cost of data centers in digital campaigns. • How to make marketing campaigns more efficient and impactful. • Avoiding greenwashing and embracing transparency in sustainability claims. • Practical steps for reducing the carbon footprint, such as using energy-efficient formats and targeting high-engagement platforms.Charlie also explores the dual role of PR in influencing behavior and amplifying positive change while addressing its potential misuse in greenwashing.Listen to the full interview to learn actionable steps marketers can take to make their campaigns more sustainable while driving results.Link to Report:Download From Words to Actions here: exceptional.marketing/digital-sustainability