Today’s ESG Updates
- UK Backs Critical Minerals Projects: Britain will invest £50 million in critical minerals projects as it looks to strengthen domestic supply chains and reduce reliance on imports.
- Amazon Signs German Wind Power Deal: Amazon has agreed to buy electricity from the Gennaker offshore wind farm in the Baltic Sea, supporting one of Germany’s largest renewable energy projects.
- China’s AI Boom Raises Energy Questions: Experts say the rapid growth of AI data centres could make it harder for China to expand renewable energy use in the sector.
- Technology Targets Wildlife Crime: Conservation groups and businesses are increasing the use of AI and digital tools to combat wildlife trafficking and disrupt illegal trade networks.
UK invests in critical minerals projects
Britain is providing £50 million for critical minerals projects aimed at strengthening domestic supply chains and supporting future industrial demand. The funding will go towards developing domestic supply chains as the country tries to reduce its dependence on imported materials.
The investment forms part of the UK’s Critical Minerals Strategy and builds on more than £200 million already committed to the sector. Ministers say the program will help secure supplies of materials needed for industry and the energy transition while supporting jobs, innovation, and economic growth across the country.
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Further reading: UK to secure critical minerals boosting economic resilience and cutting reliance on imports
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Amazon signs major offshore wind deal
Amazon has signed a 600 MW power purchase agreement with Skyborn Renewables, marking the largest single renewable energy deal of its kind in Germany. The agreement will support the development of the Gennaker offshore wind farm in the Baltic Sea, providing the project with long-term revenue certainty as it moves towards construction.
Once completed, the wind farm is expected to generate enough carbon-free electricity to power more than one million German households each year. The project will also contribute to Germany’s target of reaching 30 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2030 while supporting the wider expansion of renewable energy across Europe.
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Further reading: Amazon, BlackRock’s Skyborn Sign Germany’s Largest PPA Agreement for Baltic Offshore Wind Farm
Related Articles
Here is a list of articles selected by our Editorial Board that have gained significant interest from the public:
China’s AI expansion challenges renewable energy plans
China’s efforts to increase the use of renewable energy in its growing AI data center sector are facing challenges as electricity demand becomes harder to manage. The government has set a target for renewables to provide 80% of data center power consumption by 2030, up from 11% in 2023.
Demand for electricity from China’s data centers is expected to increase substantially over the next decade. Experts say the sector’s power consumption is harder to predict than that of traditional industries, creating challenges for efforts to expand renewable energy use and manage pressure on the electricity grid.
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Further reading: China’s push for green power use in AI projects faces hurdles, experts say
Technology expands fight against wildlife crime
Conservation groups are making greater use of satellite technology and AI to help detect poaching and monitor wildlife habitats. New tools are also being used to analyze large amounts of data more quickly, helping organizations respond to illegal wildlife activity.
United for Wildlife says traffickers are increasingly using online marketplaces to sell wildlife products and move money across borders. As a result, businesses are being encouraged to pay closer attention to wildlife crime and its potential impact on supply chains and commercial operations.
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Further reading: Outsmarting the traffickers: AI’s new front in the war on wildlife crime
Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed here by the authors are their own, not those of impakter.com — In the Cover Photo: Lithium Mining Cover Photo Credit: MiningWatch Portugal
