World:
¶ “International Court Of Justice Rules That Climate Change Is An ‘Existential Threat'” • The ICJ delivered a groundbreaking advisory opinion at the Peace Palace in The Hague on July 23, 2025. It said states must act urgently to address the “existential threat” of climate change by cutting emissions, and protecting vulnerable populations and ecosystems. [CleanTechnica]
Peace Palace (Velvet, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped)
¶ “Top UN Court Says Countries Can Sue Each Other Over Climate Change” • A landmark decision by a top UN court has cleared the way for countries to sue each other over climate change, including over historic emissions of planet-warming gases. The ruling is non-binding but legal experts say it could have wide-ranging consequences. [BBC]
¶ “Outdoor Workers Demand Protection As Cruel Heat Bakes Southern Europe” • Cruel heat is baking southern Europe. In homes and offices, air conditioning is sweet relief. But under the scorching sun, outdoor labor can be brutal and sometimes even deadly. Hundreds of workers and concerned citizens marched through downtown Barcelona. [ABC News]
Barcelona (Ken Cheung, Unsplash)
¶ “BasiGo Expands Beyond Nairobi With Launch Of Kenya’s First Inter-City Electric Minibus Pilot” • The minibus sector is gaining momentum in Kenya thanks to companies like BasiGo, which started operations about 5 years ago with a Pay-As-You-Drive model for its EV buses. Owners pay affordable rates that cover charging and maintenance. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Changes In The Earth’s Climate Are Making Food Production More Costly” • In a study published in Environmental Letters, researchers reported that extreme weather has driven up food prices around the world in recent years. There are few things more vital to human life than food, and if it is too expensive, inflation will result. [CleanTechnica]
Farm (Werner Sevenster, Unsplash)
¶ “RWE Bags Permit For 180-MW Byers Gill Solar Farm” • RWE has planning permission for the 180-MW Byers Gill solar farm in County Durham, England. UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero approved a Development Consent Order for the ground-mounted scheme. Battery energy storage of around 180 MW will also be included. [reNews]
¶ “VSB Wins Contract For 303-MW Solar Park In Poland” • VSB Group has secured a contract for difference for a 303-MW solar project in Poland’s Lower Silesian Voivodeship, marking the company’s largest solar development to date. The contract was awarded as part of this year’s renewable energy auction run by the Polish Energy Regulatory Office. [reNews]
Solar array (Enel Green Power image)
¶ “Vena Energy Signs 100-MW Load-Following Solar And Wind Deal With SECI” • Green energy provider Vena Energy signed a 100-MW load-following renewable PPA with the Solar Energy Corporation of India. It will develop renewable energy projects with storage to deliver firm, dispatchable renewable energy that matches demand. [pv magazine International]
¶ “EBRD Backs 50-MW Solar Plant In Albania” • A 50-MW solar PV plant will be built in Albania with €39.2 million in funding from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the European Union. The package includes a sovereign guaranteed loan of up to €30 million from the EBRD to KESH, the state-owned utility. [reNews]
Solar power plant (EBRD image)
¶ “Rosatom Blames ‘Unfriendly Countries’ For Delayed Wages At Turkish Nuclear Plant” • Russia’s state nuclear company blamed “external political factors” for delays in paying wages to workers at the Akkuyu Nuclear Plant being built in Turkey. Rosatom said that a major portion of the project’s financing was blocked by unspecified third parties. [The Moscow Times]
¶ “Renewables Generated 50.8% Of The UK’s Electricity In 2024” • Electricity generated by renewables increased by 6.5% in 2024, and now generates 50.8% of the UK’s electricity. Generating with fossil fuels dropped 16% and produces 31.5% of the electricity now. This was due to a 15% fall in gas generation and eliminating generating with coal. [Solar Power Portal]
Rural wind turbine (Annie Spratt, Unsplash)
US:
¶ “Tesla Profits Drop 16% As CEO Elon Musk Faces Continued Backlash” • Tesla’s profits fell 16% over the quarter ending in June that overlapped with the end of CEO Elon Musk’s tenure in the White House and his ensuing public clash with President Trump, an earnings release showed. Tesla’s performance fell short of analysts’ expectations. [ABC News]
¶ “Congressional Committees Push Back On Proposed NOAA Budget Cuts” • Lawmakers from both parties have so far rejected steep cuts to NOAA proposed by the Trump administration and reiterated their support for a fully staffed National Weather Service during recent committee meetings, which included key appropriations markup sessions. [ABC News]
NOAA ship (NOAA, Unsplash, cropped)
¶ “Three Positives From Tesla’s Q2 2025 Shareholder Update?” • Three potential positive notes in the Tesla shareholder letter stand out. Are they signs of life, hope, and potential? They are the first builds of an affordable Tesla in June, the beginning of production of the Semi in volume, and the fact that the battery storage business is doing quite well. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Trump Administration Cancels $4.9 Billion Loan Guarantee For A Line To Deliver Green Power” • A $4.9 billion federal loan guarantee for a new high-voltage transmission line for delivering solar and wind-generated electricity from the Midwest to the eastern US was cancelled by the Trump administration. It is not immediately clear how that will play out. [ABC News]
Have an unexpectedly nifty day.
geoharvey 