South Korea commits $61 billion for ‘net-zero society’ by 2025
The five-year, $61 billion initiative calls for zero-energy public facilities and is expected to create 660,000 new jobs and reducing GHG by 12 million tons.
Clean & renewable energy
This archive tracks real progress in clean and renewable energy — from solar and wind expansion to grid upgrades and policy wins. Each story focuses on what’s working, where, and why it matters for people and the planet.
15 U.S. states follow California’s push to electrify all trucks and buses by 2045
Fifteen states and Washington, DC have announced that they will follow California’s lead in switching all heavy-duty trucks, vans, and buses over to running on electricity, in what could be one of the most significant efforts to reduce harmful diesel engine pollution in the United States.
Ørsted & TSMC sign world’s largest ever renewables corporate power purchase agreement
TSMC, the world’s largest semiconductor foundry, will offtake the full production from Ørsted’s 920MW Greater Changhua 2b & 4 offshore wind farm, making it the largest-ever contract of its kind within renewable energy.
City of Sydney now runs on 100% renewable energy
Central Sydney, Australia is now entirely powered by renewable energy. By using locally sourced clean energy from wind and solar farms, the region will now see CO2 emissions reduced by around 20,000 tonnes each year. The move will save an estimated A$500,000 per year over the next decade.
Santiago, Chile to purchase more than 700 electric buses in 2020
Chile just order 150 electric buses from BYD to transport people around its capital city of Santiago. Santiago intends to have its public transportation system fully electric by 2040.
Spain permanently closes half of its coal-fired power stations
Seven of the 15 coal plants still working in Spain will cease operations today, after their owners – the electricity companies – decided that it does not make financial sense to adapt them to European regulations. Four more will shut down soon.
Construction begins in England on world’s biggest liquid air battery
The world’s largest liquid air battery is rising on a former industrial site near Manchester, with enough storage to power 200,000 homes for five hours. Developed by Highview Power, the £85m facility will compress surplus renewable electricity into liquid air, then release it weeks later to spin a turbine when demand peaks. About 200 workers are building it, many transitioning from oil and gas careers into clean energy. Unlike pumped hydro, which needs mountains and reservoirs, liquid air storage can be built almost anywhere — making this Manchester project a potential template for grids worldwide that are racing to keep renewable power flowing even when the wind drops and the sun sets.
California makes zero-emission trucks and vans mandatory by 2045
It’s the first rule of its kind in the United States, and it follows California’s 2018 decision to mandate that transit agencies purchase all-electric buses starting in 2029, as well as its long-standing Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) program for passenger cars and trucks.
More than 70% of Londoners have changed usual mode of transport due to Ultra Low Emission Zone
London’s “Ultra Low Emissions Zone,” which was established on April 8, 2019, has led to major shifts in transportation patterns. Most of those now use public transportation or walk.
India completes world’s largest ever solar tender
Adani Green Energy Limited and Azure Power have been declared to be the winners of the largest ever solar tender. This effort will result in an investment pegged at almost US $9 billion, create 400,000 direct and indirect jobs, and displace 900 million tons of carbon.