renewable energy
Newsletter
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Midwest’s hydrogen plans spark debate over clean energy standards
The Midwest Hydrogen Hub has received $22.2 million in federal funding to advance clean hydrogen production, but critics argue its reliance on fossil fuels undermines its environmental claims.
In short:
- The Midwest Hydrogen Hub aims to decarbonize industries using wind, nuclear and natural gas but faces criticism over its inclusion of fossil fuel-derived hydrogen.
- Environmental groups, including Just Transition Northwest Indiana, argue the hub perpetuates fossil fuel reliance, citing BP's proposed hydrogen facility near a refinery as a concern.
- Backed by a $7 billion national initiative, the hub expects to create 12,000 jobs and cut emissions equivalent to removing 867,000 cars annually.
Key quote:
“These hubs are being built across the country in our backyards, without transparency, without our consent, and under the lie that hydrogen is a clean energy source and magic wand that will solve climate change.”
— Lisa Vallee, organizing director with Just Transition Northwest Indiana
Why this matters:
Hydrogen could revolutionize energy systems, but its climate benefits depend on production methods. Critics warn projects like this may greenwash fossil fuels, undermining true decarbonization goals.
Related EHN coverage: What a Trump administration means for the federal hydrogen energy push
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Elon Musk leverages ties with Trump and Xi for Tesla’s success
Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s relationships with Donald Trump and Xi Jinping position him to influence U.S.-China trade dynamics as tensions escalate over tariffs and EV supply chains.
In short:
- Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, maintains close ties with both Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, enabling strategic navigation of U.S.-China trade issues.
- Tesla’s operations in China include its largest factory and new investments in battery production, benefiting from favorable terms from the Chinese government.
- Trump’s proposed tariffs on Chinese imports, including EVs, may challenge Tesla, but Musk’s influence could lead to exemptions or softened trade policies.
Key quote:
“To have [Musk] there, it offsets a little of the hawkishness from Rubio and others.”
— Daniel Ives, the global head of technology research at Wedbush Securities
Why this matters:
Musk’s ability to balance relationships with rival superpowers underscores the interconnected nature of global trade and clean energy industries. With EVs and batteries central to both nations’ economic priorities, Tesla’s success could shape broader U.S.-China relations.
Related: Tesla's turbulent shift: Can Musk power through the transition?
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Tesla’s hunger for nickel clashes with New Caledonia’s biodiversity crisis
The demand for nickel to power electric vehicle batteries is driving mining expansion in New Caledonia, threatening the unique biodiversity of one of the world’s most ecologically rich regions.
In short:
- New Caledonia holds a quarter of the world’s nickel resources, a critical material for EV batteries and companies like Tesla rely on its mines to fuel the green transition.
- The island is home to thousands of endemic species, many of which are found nowhere else, yet nickel mining is razing rainforests that took centuries to grow.
- Scientists warn that mining could accelerate species extinction, making New Caledonia’s forests a battleground between biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation.
Key quote:
“Climate change is not the principal driver of current population declines or species extinctions… habitat loss is.”
— 2021 study by conservation biologists
Why this matters:
The green energy transition risks eroding global biodiversity if critical habitats are sacrificed for materials like nickel. While the world races toward a cleaner future, the price is being paid in the silence of disappearing species and razed rainforests. Read more: In push to mine for minerals, clean energy advocates ask what going green really means.
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Newsletter
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US and India lead G20 in climate progress but challenges remain
The U.S. and India have made the most strides in reducing emissions among G20 nations since the 2016 Paris Agreement, yet global temperatures are still projected to rise significantly.
In short:
- G20 nations' policies since 2015 could reduce CO2 emissions by 6.9 gigatons by 2030, but this falls short of Paris Agreement targets.
- The US leads in projected reductions, driven by Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, but this progress is threatened by Trump’s potential policy rollbacks.
- Despite renewable energy growth, global emissions are on track to push temperatures up by 2.7°C by 2100, risking catastrophic impacts.
Key quote:
“This is nothing to brush off. This is a major improvement in the group of countries covering more than 80% of global emissions.”
— Leonardo Nascimento, analyst at Climate Action Tracker
Why this matters:
A 2.7°C rise would intensify extreme weather, economic disruptions and global inequality. Political shifts in major emitters like the US could derail progress, making international unity and renewable investments crucial.
Read more:
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COP29 finance negotiations hinge on last-minute deal-making
With only hours left at COP29 in Baku, negotiators scramble to finalize a climate finance deal amid accusations of poor leadership and insufficient ambition.
In short:
- A revised climate finance text proposes $250 billion annually by 2035 but falls far short of the over $1 trillion requested by developing nations to address the climate crisis.
- Representatives of developing countries express outrage while civil society groups criticize the draft as inadequate, with organizations like 350.org and Oxfam condemning wealthy nations for failing to meet their obligations on climate justice.
- Negotiators also remain divided on the commitment to “transitioning away from fossil fuels,” with convoluted language diluting the phrase’s urgency in the latest texts.
Key quote:
“No deal is better than a bad deal… Poor countries don’t need to be held hostage in Baku.”
— Mohamed Adow, director of Power Shift Africa
Why this matters:
The outcome of COP29 will shape global climate finance for years, determining whether developing countries can fund mitigation and adaptation efforts. The stakes couldn’t be higher. As climate-driven disasters escalate, the gap between promises and action reflect a widening chasm between those who make the rules and those who live—and die—by them.
Read more: It’s time to re-think the United Nations’ COP climate negotiations
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Biden accelerates clean energy loans before Trump takes office
The Biden administration is rushing to finalize $25 billion in clean energy loans through the Department of Energy before President-elect Donald Trump, who opposes many green initiatives, assumes office in January.
Benjamin Storrow, Kelsey Tamborrino, Brian Dabbs and Jessie Blaeser report for POLITICO.
In short:
- Biden’s Department of Energy Loan Programs Office is pushing to finalize major loans for projects like EV battery factories and charging infrastructure, hydrogen plants and lithium mining before Trump takes office.
- There are 16 loans and loan guarantees that have yet to be completed.
- The loans support Biden's goals of reducing emissions and dependence on China, but Trump’s administration could halt or rescind deals.
- With most projects located in Republican districts, proponents hope bipartisan benefits might save them from cuts.
Key quote:
“There’s nothing like seeing your own coffin to get you moving faster.”
— Andy Marsh, CEO of the hydrogen company Plug Power.
Why this matters:
The future of clean energy development and U.S. climate goals could hinge on whether these loans are secured. A Trump administration shift could stall or redirect funding, affecting both environmental progress and regional economies.
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Newsletter
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How to shift to environmentally conscious investments
Investors looking to reduce their portfolios’ reliance on fossil fuels have numerous options, including green funds and direct indexing, which often perform as well as traditional investments.
In short:
- Many investment funds exclude fossil fuel companies, and over the past decade, these funds have performed comparably or better than traditional ones.
- Tools like Fossil Free Funds and Morningstar Direct help investors analyze their current holdings and explore greener alternatives.
- Options such as ESG funds, index funds and direct indexing allow for customized investments that avoid fossil fuel-related companies.
Key quote:
“The No. 1 thing is to figure out what you own. But frankly, Wall Street doesn’t really want you to know. It is very hard to change when you are profiting from the current system.”
— Andrew Behar, CEO of environmental advocacy group As You Sow.
Why this matters:
Investing in environmentally conscious funds aligns portfolios with efforts to combat climate change, avoiding the financial support of industries that contribute heavily to global warming. It also provides individuals with opportunities to advocate for workplace options like ESG funds in retirement plans.
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