Wheat blast, a devastating fungal disease, threatens food security in countries around the world. Now, a new project led by CABI is using Earth observation data and climate forecasts to combat this threat. The project targets wheat blast in India, Bangladesh, Thailand, Australia, and the UK. Wheat blast thrives in warm, humid climates and can cause yield losses exceeding 50% under favorable conditions. Pascale Bodevin, CABI’s Project Manager for the project, said, “Climate change has altered the way pests and diseases establish and spread around the world. “Countries and habitats that would historically be deemed inhabitable by a species, are changing due to rising temperatures and changing precipitation patterns which are expanding the distribution of species into new areas. “Likewise, the consequences of increased global trade and pathways have led to pests and diseases travelling between countries accidentally, widening the species’ reach. “Under these conditions, wheat blast is expected to spread mainly in tropical regions. A more humid and warmer climate in the future will likely increase the number of suitable areas for wheat blast in the Southern hemisphere. “Capturing local data and validating it will enable the project to collaborate with an existing research programme in wheat blast management…
Carver Bancorp, Inc. (Nasdaq: CARV) (“Carver”), the holding company for Carver Federal Savings Bank, a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and Minority Depository Institution (MDI), announced a $25 million revolving loan facility with NY Green Bank. This collaboration empowers Carver to leverage critical funding for clean energy and building electrification projects in historically underserved communities. “Partnering with NY Green Bank allows us to address financial barriers and advance clean energy initiatives,” said Craig C. MacKay, Carver’s Interim President and CEO. The loan facility will support Carver in financing a range of sustainability initiatives: “NY Green Bank is proud to support Carver, whose commitment to serving diverse middle-income neighborhoods is well aligned with the energy benefit goals of the Community Decarbonization Fund,” remarked David Davenport, Managing Director at NY Green Bank. “By providing mission-driven lenders like Carver with low-cost capital that supports sustainable infrastructure, we aim to advance New York State’s greenhouse gas reduction goals.” Mr. MacKay added, “It is vital that we invest in initiatives that aim to mitigate the impact of climate change and contribute to a more sustainable future for the next generation of New Yorkers. Our partnership with NY Green Bank is a notable step toward…
Heartland Water Technology and Empire Diversified Energy (“Empire”) have announced a collaborative effort, alongside Empire Green Generation (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Empire), to develop a groundbreaking facility at the Port of West Virginia. This state-of-the-art plant will convert food waste into clean-burning hydrogen and sustainable carbon, contributing to the Department of Energy’s Appalachian Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub (ARCH2) initiative. The partnership signifies a significant advancement in transforming waste into a source of renewable hydrogen. The project utilizes a multi-step process to achieve this goal: “The project not only aligns with our vision to redefine waste, it underscores the critical role of renewable hydrogen in shaping a sustainable, circular economy. Hydrogen is more than an energy carrier; it represents a cornerstone for future sustainability goals, offering a path to decarbonize industries and energize communities in an environmentally responsible manner,” said Chris Beaufait, CEO of Heartland. “Empire is a world class developer of sustainable projects. We are excited to work together to deliver an exciting and impactful waste treatment and hydrogen generation plant.” Bernard Brown, Empire COO, added, “The ARCH2 hydrogen hub is a beacon of innovation and leadership in the renewable energy sector. By leveraging this hub as a pivotal platform…
The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office (HFTO) has unveiled its Multi-Year Program Plan (MYPP), a roadmap outlining its mission, goals, and strategic approach to advancing clean hydrogen and fuel cell technologies. Aligned with the National Clean Hydrogen Strategy and Roadmap, the MYPP identifies key challenges and proposes solutions through HFTO’s research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) activities. These activities aim to unlock the full potential of clean hydrogen and fuel cells in the near, mid, and long term. A Guide for Stakeholders and the Public Structured with an Executive Summary followed by sections on program implementation, specific focus areas, and technical details, the MYPP serves as both an operational guide for HFTO and a valuable resource for stakeholders and the public. It provides a clear overview of HFTO’s priorities and the critical RD&D pathways that will de-risk and advance technologies crucial to a thriving clean hydrogen economy. The MYPP outlines specific cost reduction targets for key technologies, including: The document also provides summaries of the technical areas covered and links to detailed information on targets and resources for each technology. You can read the full report here Overall, the HFTO’s MYPP signifies a significant step…
AECOM, a world-renowned infrastructure consultancy, has announced its joint venture with Arup as the design and consenting service partner for the National Grid’s Great Grid Partnership. This partnership signifies a major step forward in the UK’s energy transition strategy. The Great Grid Partnership aims to deliver a comprehensive design and construction programme by 2030. This programme will connect clean energy sources to homes and businesses throughout England and Wales. This critical infrastructure upgrade forms part of a wider £9bn supply chain framework that will support future infrastructure projects beyond 2030. “We’re excited to work with National Grid and our partners to shape the energy transition in England and Wales through the delivery of modern, stable, and flexible grid infrastructure,” said Colin Wood, chief executive of AECOM’s Europe and India region. “Our unrivalled enterprise capabilities enable our teams to draw on a deep, global bench of expertise in grid design, positioning us to not only execute on National Grid’s ambitious objectives but to also meet the unprecedented demand for grid improvements in the region.” This major grid modernisation programme will deliver a fivefold increase in electricity infrastructure over the next six years compared to the past three decades. This significant undertaking…
Green Project Management (GPM Global), in collaboration with the Association for Project Management (APM), has released a new report titled “Insights into Sustainable Project Management 2024.” The report examines how organisations around the world perceive, integrate, and operationalise sustainability principles. The growing emphasis on sustainability and responsible management across society is placing increasing pressure on businesses. GPM Global’s extensive survey, with over 10,000 respondents from 113 countries, explores the impact of extreme weather on projects and organisations, the consequences of neglecting sustainable and regenerative practices, and the influence of sustainability on organisational strategy. The report highlights a significant shift, with 31% of organisations reporting a heightened impact of climate change and sustainability on their strategies since 2021. The remaining 69% reported a consistent impact over the same period. APM’s Chief Executive, Professor Adam Boddison OBE, commented “This insight shows the need for organisations to ensure that project management teams are actively integrating sustainability into their decision-making processes. It also underpins the importance of project management in delivering effective sustainable outcomes for projects around the globe, now and in the future.” Dr Joel Carboni, President and Founder of GPM Global, gave insight into what the changing climate will mean for the…
