Climate Tech Highlights #7

Hello, there!

Amidst so many devastating news, especially for us Brazilians, experiencing the worst climate catastrophe in the history of Rio Grande do Sul, I hope this newsletter will be a breath of hope.

In such complex issues as climate change, there is no single silver bullet to solve the problem, but it’s always great to see that there are so many interesting initiatives innovating to address this challenge.

As a reminder for those who wish to extend assistance to Rio Grande do Sul, here is a compilation of credible institutions mobilizing resources to aid the region. It's important to note that individuals outside Brazil can also contribute to these efforts.

Now, let's get to last week's highlights on climate-related technologies. 

Around the globe 🌎

• The world's largest direct-air-capture plant: The startup Climeworks switched on Mammoth, its new direct-air-capture facility. The plant is designed for a nameplate capture capacity of up to 36,000 tons of CO₂ per year once in full swing by filtering CO₂ from the air and storing it permanently underground. The plant has successfully started to capture its first CO₂, with twelve of its total 72 collector containers installed onsite. Read the full story

• Microsoft signed the world’s largest carbon removal deal: Swedish energy company Stockholm Exergi has announced an agreement with Microsoft, covering 3.33 million tons of permanent carbon removals through bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) at Värtan, Stockholm. Although the value of the deal was not disclosed, it is recognized as the largest of its kind globally, based on current prices. The agreement is set to commence in 2028 and will extend over a decade. Read the full story

• Farming on Mars: Scientists in the Netherlands have initiated a 'Martian farm' project to mimic the growing conditions on the red planet. They are exploring how various crops, including peas, carrots, and tomatoes, adapt to simulated Martian regolith—a sandy substrate that covers the planet. “If we can unlock the secret to regenerating poor soils while developing a high-yielding, self-sustainable food production system—exactly the goal of Martian agriculture research—we will have found a solution for a lot of the issues we are having here on Earth as well,” explains Rebeca Gonçalves, a co-author of the study. Read the full story

A glance at Brazil 🇧🇷

• Tech for good: Portable water purifiers from Brazilian startup PWTech are aiding relief efforts in the climate disaster affecting southern Brazil. These devices are designed to clean contaminated freshwater from a variety of sources, including rivers, wells, lakes, reservoirs, cisterns, and rainwater. The purification process involves chlorination, two stages of particulate filtration, and ends with an ultrafiltration membrane, similar to those used in dialysis machines. Read the full story

• Greener Urban Transit: The Brazilian federal government recently announced a funding initiative of R$ 10.6 billion to purchase 5,311 new, eco-friendly urban buses nationwide. Out of this fund, R$ 7.2 billion is earmarked for 2,529 electric buses, and R$ 2.7 billion for 2,782 Euro 6 buses, which run on diesel but are fuel-efficient and more effective. The plan also includes a R$ 700 million investment for 39 trains. This effort is a part of the Fleet Renewal section of the New PAC Selections program, overseen by the Ministry of Cities, with a total investment of R$ 18.5 billion in infrastructure and projects across the country. Read the full story

Don't miss out! 👀

• XPRIZE, from Musk Foundation, announced the Top 100 most promising carbon removal innovators, after three years of the competition and several rounds of judging. The Top 100 is a collection of leading innovators from 25 countries, representing all CDR pathways: Air, Ocean, Land, Rocks. Check it out

• Biofuels are emerging as a driver in the fight against climate change, offering a solution for decarbonizing hard-to-electrify transport sectors like aviation and shipping. But will there be enough biofuels to meet ambitious net-zero goals? S&P Global Commodity Insights dives deep into this question in the report Fueling the Future: Biofuels Driving Progress on Net Zero.

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