The former lead negotiator for the US on Article 6 and CORSIA has joined a voluntary carbon data provider, according to an announcement made Wednesday.

Over $280 million in grant funding for EV charging infrastructure appropriated under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) expired at the end of September as the Trump administration allowed the clock to run out on a spending deadline, according to a new analysis.

Amazon has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) via its Brazilian subsidiary with state-owned oil company Petrobras on Wednesday to explore the development and implementation of low-carbon fuels.

Power grab - Environmental groups have filed a lawsuit challenging the US DOE’s emergency order requiring two ageing units at Constellation Energy’s Eddystone Generating Station in Pennsylvania to remain open despite plans for their closure, E&E News reported. The Natural Resources Defense Council and others argue the agency misused its emergency authority, forcing residents to face higher costs and increased pollution. The DOE defended the move, citing grid reliability concerns flagged by PJM Interconnection.

Leadership shake-up – Berioska Quispe has stepped down as general director of Peru’s Directorate for Climate Change and Desertification (DGCCD), a Tuesday resolution by the Ministry of Environment (MINAM) confirmed. The move is part of a broader turmoil at MINAM, which also included leadership changes in the departments of Economy and Finance, Human Resources, and Biological Diversity. The former head of the latter, Marco Arenas, will now lead the DGCCD. Quispe, who took office in Apr. 2024, was seen by carbon market stakeholders as a pro-market figure. During her tenure, Peru advanced the operationalisation of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, launching its national mitigation registry (RENAMI), signing bilateral agreements with Switzerland and Singapore, and initiating negotiations with South Korea and Japan.

Amazonic trading – Manaus, the capital of the Brazilian state of Amazonas, is studying the launch of an Amazon Carbon Credit Exchange, a platform that would centralise trading of assets backed by conservation and reforestation projects. The initiative, led by Manaus City Hall and backed by the World Bank, aims to attract public and private investment from actors around the world. Beyond carbon credits in the Amazon rainforest, the exchange would also enable the trading of green bonds linked to conservation initiatives in other tropical forests. Manaus City Hall estimates that the exchange could raise up to $500 mln by 2028. (Veja)

Leave it alone - A federal court won’t host a rehearing on its decision to uphold a Biden administration rule that limits the use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), E&E News reported. The US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit rejected a request from conservative legal group Civil Liberties Alliance for a hearing.

Co-location conundrum - The US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is under pressure to issue long-awaited rules on how data centres can directly co-locate with power plants, a move seen as critical to the energy needs of AI hyperscalers like Amazon, Google, and Microsoft, E&E News reported. The issue gained urgency after FERC rejected a request from PJM Interconnection last year to allow Amazon to increase its power draw from Pennsylvania’s Susquehanna nuclear plant, prompting PJM to propose eight potential frameworks for co-location. Former FERC chair Mark Christie stressed consumer protection and grid reliability, while his successor, David Rosner, has signalled urgency in setting “durable rules” to enable data centre growth, though no timeline has been given.

To the moon - While lunar construction is often framed as a step toward reducing dependence on Earth’s resources, its environmental consequences for our planet remain largely overlooked. A new paper in Nature Astrology argues that the emissions, material demands, and supply chain pressures linked to building on the Moon could impose significant burdens on Earth’s environment and resource systems. A key concern is rocket launches, which inject CO2, alumina particles, black carbon, chlorine, and nitrogen oxides directly into the stratosphere. These pollutants can disrupt ozone chemistry and contribute to depletion of the ozone layer. With lunar infrastructure expected to require frequent launches, these impacts may grow substantially. Beyond atmospheric emissions, space debris from launches and re-entry poses an additional long-term hazard. The construction itself also depends heavily on Earth. Even with the use of lunar regolith as a local building material, the equipment needed – such as sintering systems, 3D printers, and energy infrastructure – must be manufactured and launched from Earth. These activities draw on carbon-intensive industrial supply chains, contributing further to emissions and resource depletion. Moreover, experimental research and material testing for lunar technologies already generate hidden terrestrial impacts. The authors stress that far from eliminating environmental costs, lunar development shifts them into global supply chains that remain rooted on Earth. This places added pressure on planetary boundaries, particularly in terms of climate change, material scarcity, and ecosystem impacts. They recommend that governance frameworks incorporate environmental assessments for lunar missions, expand debris mitigation rules, and monitor cumulative impacts to ensure that off-Earth activities do not exacerbate terrestrial environmental degradation.

Researchers have proposed a new framework to estimate peatland carbon emissions using satellite-based measurements of ground subsidence, with results suggesting that widely used approaches may significantly overstate release rates.

Climate change-driven Arctic ice melt could raise global shipping emissions by more than 8% this century as vessels re-route through newly navigable northern passages, according to a new analysis.

Great Britain could dramatically enhance carbon sequestration and biodiversity while maintaining agricultural production if land is strategically reallocated, according to new research.

Contrail cirrus clouds formed by aircraft can impose substantial social climate costs alongside CO2 emissions, with a new study suggesting that targeted flight re-routing could cut aviation’s warming impact even when the extra fuel burn is taken into account.

Latin America and the Caribbean are opening vast new oil and gas frontiers, with Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina leading a wave of deepwater drilling and onshore expansion - even as climate change intensifies and governments pledge cleaner energy.

Panama has decided to create a national carbon registry to record both voluntary (VCM) and Article 6 carbon market transactions, though it foresees a limited role for carbon markets in its third Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to the Paris Agreement, uploaded Wednesday.

Total California-registered accounts under the state's Quebec-linked emissions trading system (ETS) surpassed 800 in Q3 as both general market participants and compliance entities opened accounts, state date published Tuesday showed.

A major financial software and carbon market infrastructure company headquartered in Toronto has announced a C$31 million ($22 mln) placement with a strategic investor.

An Atlanta-based university is spearheading the creation of a state-specific forest carbon exchange platform designed to encourage investment in local projects and reduce risk for buyers and sellers.

Updated NDC – Saint Vincent and the Grenadines published its updated 2020-30 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) on the UNFCCC portal on Tuesday, outlining a conditional, economy-wide emissions reduction target of 25% below business-as-usual levels by 2030. The island state first submitted an NDC in 2016 targeting a 22% economy-wide emissions reduction by 2050. The newly published revised plan sets goals including a 60% renewable energy share in the national energy mix mainly driven by geothermal energy, a 15% cut in electricity consumption through energy efficiency, and a 4% reduction in industrial process emissions. The country also plans to explore mitigation potential in LULUCF and waste sectors. As a small Caribbean island state, the NDC places strong emphasis on adaptation to climate-related threats such as hurricanes. It also includes new gender-focused policies.

Issuance of ARR credits – Verra issued some 767,700 credits to Colombian carbon and biodiversity credits developer Campo Capital in an ARR commercial plantation project for vintages 2021-23, the developer announced on Tuesday via LinkedIn. This marks the second credit issuance of the eucalyptus-focused project, located in the eastern plains region of Colombia. These credits follow Verra's VM0003 methodology for Improved Forest Management through Extension of Rotation Age.

Calgary sunshine to credits - Calgary-based Karbon-X is advancing the Alberta Solar Rewards Program in partnership with an undisclosed Alberta-based solar provider, according to a release by Karbon-X. The initiative is designed to enable homeowners with rooftop solar systems to generate verified carbon credits under Alberta’s Technology Innovation and Emissions Reduction (TIER) framework. The initiative addresses a longstanding gap in the regulated carbon market, where individual resident systems have traditionally lacked a compliant pathway to receive recognition or compensation for their emissions reductions. Karbon-X will facilitate secure data collection, validation, and credit issuance while its partner manages homeowner onboarding and engagement.

Telecom carbon tax - Nigeria will hold a validation workshop in Abuja on Oct. 14 with the UNFCCC’s Regional Collaboration Centre to confirm the design of a pilot carbon tax for the telecommunications sector, aimed at curbing diesel-driven emissions and advancing its NDC targets.

Regional coordination ahead of COP30 – Brazil and Mexico are coordinating a front of Latin American and Caribbean countries for COP30, Folha de S. Paulo reported. The goal is to build consensus among countries in the region and arrive at the climate conference in Belem in a more coordinated manner on common demands, such as increased climate funding, according to sources. Argentina has already expressed reluctance to address gender issues, while Venezuela, which holds the world’s largest oil reserves, dismissed the possibility of discussing fossil fuel reduction.

Government shutdown hits Congress - A Senate Energy and Natural Resources subcommittee is rescheduling a Wednesday morning hearing on several bills thanks to the government shutdown, according to E&E News. The Public Lands, Forests, and Mining Subcommittee, led by Senators John Barrasso (R-WY) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), was scheduled to hear testimony on public land, wildfire, and mining proposals. But because federally-employed officials of the administration won’t be able to appear to provide testimony, the hearing is unable to proceed.

European carbon allowances are forecast to keep rising back towards triple digits, three investment banks said in separate reports this week, identifying differing demand drivers that they predict will trump weaker gas prices.

EU carbon prices wiped out most of Tuesday's losses after swinging in a wide range on Wednesday, falling as much as 1.6% in the morning as traders reacted to Commitment of Traders data that showed continued significant speculative length, before recovering sharply in the late afternoon as long-positioned traders appeared to double down on their bullish bets.

Olive trees for carbon - A new scheme by the government of Greece aims to transform orchards for tree crops such as olives, peaches, and oranges into assets able to earn tradeable carbon credits. The Ministry of Environment and Energy has launched a tender for the design of the Greek Voluntary Carbon Market System, with bids due by Nov. 3 and the project expected to be complete within a year of signing the contract. Farmers could earn between €200 and €300 mln from the scheme in just the first three years, early projections suggestion, with potential to include more crops over time. (Tovima.com)

An industry roundtable held in Brussels this week saw EU policymakers reportedly clarify that the proposed contribution of Article 6 credits to the EU’s 2040 climate target will generate cumulative demand of up to 143 MCO2e for the years 2036-40.

Europe's lack of clarity on renewable hydrogen rules is creating confusion for investors, Oman's energy minister said on Tuesday, urging the EU to adopt a standard and stick to it.

The risk of runaway climate tipping points occurring are significantly underestimated and would lead to severe negative social and economic impacts for the UK – and carbon removals are needed to keep the Paris Agreement targets within reach, academics told a webinar on Wednesday.

Kick'em out - Over 225 civil society groups have signed a letter calling on the Brazilian COP30 presidency to stop inviting the world' biggest polluters to the Belem summit, the Kick Big Polluters Out coalition announced on Wednesday. The letter responded to recent communication from the COP30 president-designate, which, according to the coalition, framed next month's Belem summit as the "defining business opportunity of our time" and called on business leaders to attend. According to the coalition, this comes at a critical moment, as the UNFCCC lacks any meaningful measures to ensure that private interests aren't compromising policies aimed at supporting the Paris Agreement. The groups also expressed concerns about the Brazilian presidency's partnership with the PR agency Edelman, arguing that it simultaneously promotes the interests of major oil and gas companies. The UNFCCC recently introduced measures to make the registration process more transparent, asking applicants to disclose their funding and affiliation.

The Scottish government’s attempts to hit its climate and nature targets have focused on private finance without weighing up the benefits of more public funding models, a think tank has said.

Central Asian nations and Azerbaijan are edging closer to carbon pricing as pressure mounts from global markets and tightening climate regulations, according to a report released this week.

Time to act - EcoAct has rebranded as SE Advisory Services, now fully integrated into Schneider Electric as its global sustainability consulting arm. The service supports organisations with end-to-end expertise in climate strategy, carbon measurement, biodiversity accounting, climate risk, net zero planning, sustainability reporting, and digital climate tools, according to a Wednesday release. Building on EcoAct’s strong advisory track record and Schneider Electric’s global reach and technology, SE Advisory Services combines consulting with digital solutions to accelerate sustainable transformation. The rebrand strengthens the ability to deliver practical, measurable impact, helping organisations manage climate risks, meet regulatory requirements such as CSRD, and achieve long-term resilience and growth, the company said.

No room at the inn - Just 40 days before COP30 kicks off, São Paulo State Environment Secretary Natália Resende and the capital city’s executive secretary for climate change, José Renato Nalini, say they are yet to secure lodging in Belem. Both have attributed the delay to high prices and say they are currently negotiating bookings in the host city for this year's UN climate summit. Nalini is seeking support from religious entities, citing willingness to pay for a bed in a convent or seminary. The price surge for finding a place to stay in Belem has become a global crisis, with the UN raising the daily support for developing countries from $144 to $197,  and daily rates reportedly 20 times higher than during a regular religious procession. (Folha de S.Paulo)

Four critical components of the Earth system are losing stability and may be approaching thresholds that could trigger abrupt and irreversible changes, a new peer-reviewed study has found.

A London-headquartered carbon insurer is set to offer invalidation cover embedded within exchange-traded voluntary carbon credits.

Over the rainbow - The Rainbow carbon removals standard has launched its fully integrated certification platform, which it claims allows developers to issue credits 20x faster and 3x cheaper than market standards. The platform called Arc also introduces improved transparency by ensuring each credit comes with detailed records showing exactly how it was built. Arc allows developers to certify their project through the online dashboard, perform credit calculations, and centralise their proof documents in one place.

The Swedish government is set to slash funding for carbon removals by over €500 million (SEK 6 billion), as part of its 2026 budget. 

Biochar application emerged as the single most effective option among regenerative agriculture practises for boosting soil organic carbon (SOC), according to a meta-analysis of field trials in India.

UK Energy Secretary Ed Miliband intends to ban the controversial method of fracking for onshore gas, he announced in a speech touting the strong potential for renewables and nuclear to create thousands of jobs and bring down energy costs.

High-quality carbon credits are commanding higher prices as buyers pay more for integrity, while registry dynamics shift with Verra losing ground to rivals, according to a new analysis of market trends in the third quarter of 2025.

Electronics downgrades ESG - The UK's largest electronic retailer, Currys, has made moves to disband its board-level ESG committee, effectively ending the formal oversight of environmental, social, and governance issues at the top of the company. The retailer has insisted it remains committed to its ESG objectives, but the move comes at a time of growing political hostility towards ESG in the US and rising instances of corporate 'greenhushing' as a result. However, the UK is a different environment where boards are facing tougher expectations on sustainability disclosures rather than looser ones and investor scrutiny is increasing. Without board-level ESG oversight, ESG risks becoming a peripheral issue rather than one embedded in strategy, argued the Corporate Governance Institute in an emailed statement.

Achieving net zero by 2050 requires deep emissions cuts and a broad rollout of carbon removals to the tune of 5-22 billion tonnes with an associated investment of about $1.3-6 trillion annually, according to new analysis published on Wednesday.

Need for speed - India’s power regulator plans to outsource geological surveys for hydro-power and pumped-storage projects to fast-track approvals, according to a Central Electricity Authority note. Hydropower accounts for over 10% of India’s energy mix, but many projects face delays due to environmental clearances, design changes, and local opposition. Earlier this year, neighbour China began construction on the world's largest hydropower project.

Morocco has identified Article 6 carbon trading, the voluntary market, and progress toward a national CO2 tax as the core of its national mitigation policy, as per the country’s third Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to the Paris Agreement, uploaded Tuesday.

Coal lifeline - Thailand has extended the operational life of several coal-fired units at the Mae Moh power plant in Lampang province, despite earlier decommissioning plans, Reccessary reported. Units 8 and 11, initially scheduled for retirement at the end of 2025, will now remain active until at least 2031. Additionally, units 12 and 13 are set for refurbishment, enabling them to operate until 2048. This decision, announced by the National Energy Policy Committee on Aug. 21, aims to reduce reliance on fuel imports and stabilise energy costs. However, the decision has raised concerns among local communities already grappling with health issues linked to the plant's emissions. Environmental advocates argue that the move contradicts Thailand's commitments to address air pollution and transition to cleaner energy sources.

The European Commission will update its 2020 Hydrogen Strategy by the end of 2026, a senior official confirmed on Tuesday – a timeline that has frustrated industry leaders, who are calling for urgent relief from what they describe as “suffocating” EU rules on renewable and low-carbon hydrogen.

UK renewables record – Renewable sources generated a record 54.5% of the UK’s electricity between April and June, government data showed Tuesday, driven by rising offshore wind and record solar output, the Independent reports. The Department for Energy (DENSZ) reported the “low-carbon” share of generation, including nuclear, climbed to a record 69.8%, despite nuclear output falling 13%. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said the figures prove Britain is “on track to become a clean energy superpower by 2030”, with over £50 billion in private investment announced last year. Fossil fuels made up just 26.7% of power generation, equalling a historic low. (Independent)

Shell ad green light – The UK’s advertising watchdog has ruled that a Shell commercial highlighting the company’s renewable energy products did not mislead consumers or amount to greenwashing, edie reports. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) dismissed a challenge from environmental campaigners who argued the ad overstated Shell’s low-carbon focus while downplaying its role as a major oil and gas producer. The regulator said the ad’s claims were directed at B2B customers, underscoring that the website link could only be accessed in detail by business decision-makers, and not the wider UK audience. (edie.net)

Nuclear vs. mines – Poland may not have enough water to both cool new nuclear reactors and rehabilitate open-pit lignite mines by turning them into lakes, a Polish environmental NGO has said. The Ecological Association EKO-UNIA noted that the Polish government plans to build nuclear power plants in Belchatow, Konin, and Choczewo, while simultaneously phasing out coal units and mines. Scientists say these processes may collide, the NGO stated on the back of a press conference. The scientists present argued that water – not just cost projections or grid integration – may ultimately determine the feasibility of Poland’s nuclear ambitions. In addition, the open-cycle seawater cooling planned for Choczewo could worsen the already fragile state of the Baltic Sea, one said. And climate change may raise water temperatures to force output cuts during summer heatwaves, they added. (EKO-UNIA)

Philippines forest push – The Rimba Collective, managed by Singapore-based Lestari Capital, has launched its first project in the Philippines, conserving 65,000 ha of forest in South Cotabato, Mindanao. Implemented by Keneco (Kennemer Eco Solutions), the CultureLand initiative will restore degraded lands and support nearly 60,000 households across 49 villages with sustainable livelihoods and community benefits. Over its 25-year span, the project is expected to generate 2.74 mln tonnes of CO₂ impact and safeguard habitats for 29 threatened species, including the Philippine Eagle.

Industrial emitters covered under Australia’s Safeguard Mechanism are unlikely to invest in decarbonisation activities if the government’s modelling of lower global demand for fossil fuels are realised, according to a bank’s analysis.

Split COP31 hosts? - A potential compromise is on the table for Australia to split hosting rights for the COP31 climate summit next year with Turkiye, the Guardian has reported. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has said he wished host countries were not decided using consensus rules, but pledged to continue diplomatic talks with the govt of Turkiye - conceding that Ankara is determined to stay in the race. Govt sources have said there was precedent for previous climate summits to be co-hosted or organised across different locations, though only one country can hold the COP presidency. Turkiye's climate minister, Murat Kurum, this week suggested the possibility of "innovative solutions" whereby both countries could win. Australia wishes to host the summit in Adelaide, in partnership with Pacific nations, and has at least 23 votes among the critical 28-country Western European and Others group, whose turn it is to host the summit. But without consensus, UN rules would send the conference to Bonn in Germany.

Saudi's green hydrogen hub - Saudi Arabia's ACWA Power has appointed energy services company Kent as 'owner's engineer' of its green hydrogen and ammonia export facility, Yanbu Green Hydrogen Hub, Kent announced in an emailed statement on Wednesday. The project is expected to be the largest of its kind worldwide, and a key part of the kingdom's Vision 2030 goals to diversify its economy. The planned hub is expected to deliver up to 400,000 tonnes of renewable hydrogen per year at full scale, converted into over 2.2 mln tonnes of green ammonia for international markets. In its new position, Kent will act as technical representative for ACWA Power in the FEED phase, and provide oversight and assurance.

Market vet enters govt. - The northern Brazilian state of Tocantins has appointed Divaldo Jose da Costa Rezende as secretary of environment and water resources, according to the official state gazette. Rezende, who previously led the Social Carbon Foundation in the UK and served as an executive at CantorCO2e, has extensive experience in REDD and carbon asset projects. The move comes as Tocantins advances its jurisdictional REDD+ programme under ART-TREES and partners with Mercuria to market credits.

Environmental partners - France has deepened its cooperation with Vietnam on the blue economy and environmental sustainability, with Vietnamese Acting Minister of Agriculture and Environment Tran Duc Thang meeting with Agnes Pannier-Runacher, French Minister for Ecological Transition, Biodiversity, Forests, the Sea and Fisheries, in Paris on Tuesday. France plans to support Vietnam with its NDC, carbon credit exchange under Article 6, and coordination with the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). The French minister also reaffirmed France's support to help Vietnam in fisheries conservation and sustainable blue economy development. The French govt is also working on a pilot programme using satellites to help Vietnam manage and preserve its marine resources.      

The Malaysian government has unveiled its steel industry roadmap, laying out a three-phase plan to decarbonise one of the country’s most energy-intensive sectors and prepare for a future carbon tax regime.

Carbon trade - Ethiopia has announced its plans to sell 15 mln carbon credits during the UN General Assembly (UNGA) in New York last week, Gazette Plus reported. The officials highlighted that Ethiopia’s forestry initiatives and carbon projects have already attracted significant deals, including $12 mln from Farm Africa, $40 mln from the World Bank, and $75 mln from Norway. Backed by the Green Legacy Program, which has planted more than 20 bln trees since 2019, the government believes the East African nation has the potential to generate substantial revenue from carbon sales, comparable to conventional exports. Last week, Ethiopia released its updated NDC targets, revealing massive emissions reductions due to domestic investment in land-based mitigation. As well, the country said it is committed to participating in high-integrity international voluntary and compliance markets, integrating its national carbon market strategy into NDC 3.0.

Coal out early - Queensland will potentially see closure of its largest coal-fired power station six years early, after operator Rio Tinto told workers Wednesday, according to Australian news reports. The Gladstone Power Station could now close in 2029, although the mining giant has suggested it could only "potentially" close early. The news was welcomed by the Queensland Conservation Council, which said it underlined that operations like the Boyne Smelter, owned by Rio and the station’s largest power customer, could not survive on “expensive” coal power. Rio already has plans to supply cleaner power to its aluminium smelter via a series of large-scale power purchase agreements with wind and solar operators. A local member for the conservative Coalition said it was proof manufacturing and industry could not run on renewables alone.

Eight more methodologies have been granted full approval by the Integrity Council of the Voluntary Carbon Market (ICVCM) for the Core Carbon Principles (CCP) stamp of quality, of which six are carbon removal and two are nature-based.

China has released a draft allocation plan for the newly added sectors under the national emissions trading system, while seeking feedback for the formulation of three new voluntary methodologies.

From Russia with love - Taiwan is the world’s largest importer of naphtha from Russia, the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), the Environmental Rights Foundation (ERF), and Urgewalk said this week, with imports worth $1.3 bln. Taiwanese imports of the solvent, which can be used to produce both gasoline and plastic and is used in the semi-conductor industry, rose six-fold from 2022-25. Taiwan was also the fifth-largest buyer of Russian coal, with total imports of around $4.4 bln, though import volumes are down 67% this year over 2024. The value of Russian fossil fuel imports since 2022 are 220 times higher than Taiwanese aid to Ukraine, which was $50 mln.

Cleaner malls for all - Australia’s Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) has committed A$50 mln ($33 mln) to Queensland government-backed investment company QIC to improve its energy performance, electrify its assets, and reduce embodied carbon in retail centres as part of a wider drive to decarbonise the retail property sector. The QIC Everyday Retail Fund aims to stay ahead of market sustainability-related developments and expectations to create a portfolio of future-proofed, highly sought-after assets while enhancing its ability to deliver investment returns, the CEFC said in a statement.

A government progress report has reaffirmed China’s commitment to Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, saying work is underway to standardise management requirements to convert emissions reductions from other voluntary mechanisms.

Big wind - Southeast Asian wind capacity could hit 26 GW by the end of this decade, consultancy Rystad said this week. The onshore wind sector in the region has witnessed only mild growth this decade thanks to costs, regulation, and infrastructure challenges while traditional energy supply like coal remained cheap. Rystad sees a vast boom in the second half of this decade, with capacity rising by 19.5 GW. Installed wind currently sits at 6.5 GW. This resurgence is fuelled by a combination of short-term policy initiatives such as auctions, project awards, and attractive feed-in tariffs alongside the rising acceptance of mainland Chinese wind turbines, it said. Vietnam leads, and Laos joins the race for the first time, commissioning the largest wind farm in the region, with all power to be exported to Vietnam. Laos' vast hydropower dams also export power to the region.

Battery buzz - French renewable energy and storage developer Neoen announced it has started construction of the Muchea Battery in Western Australia, the company's first six-hour long duration battery. Sized at 164 MW/905 MWh and consisting of 252 Tesla Megapack 2XL units, the project is funded by the federal government's Capacity Investment Scheme. Neoen also announced it started operating the 341 MW/ 1,346 MWh Collie Battery Stage 2, also in WA. Combined with Stage 1, Collie is the first battery in Australia to exceed 2 GWh of storage capacity.