7 OCTOBER | LONDON 2024
SEPTEMBER 12TH - 14TH
The O2, LONDON
Race to Net Zero
Your weekly CogX briefing on green tech and the future of energy
The world's largest wind farm
This week, a new report revealed that human influence contributed to recent catastrophic Canadian wildfires. Plus, G20 countries are breaking promises to decrease fossil fuel funding: they spent £1.1 trillion in 2022.
Wind is centre stage in green-tech, with Norway opening the world’s largest wind farm and the shipping industry is going green with sails on ships.
Meanwhile, new research shows recycling is stunting our understanding of waste management — and could bacteria really be the solution to cutting methane emissions?
Read on for more on these topics — as well as AI’s travel predictions and Britain’s role in the net zero race— in the CogX Must Reads.
CogX Must reads of the week
Human action doubled chances of Canadian wildfires
Human-led climate change more than doubled the likelihood of the hot, dry and windy conditions that drove the Quebec wildfires. Climate experts say that the effects of fossil fuel may be considerably more serious than we thought.
G20 poured £1.1 trillion into fossil fuels
Despite COP26 promises to reduce spending in oil, gas, and coal, G20 countries spent record levels of public funding on fossil fuels in 2022. Amidst energy companies profiting off of the cost of living crisis, governments must do more to push them in the right direction.
Climate Change
Methane-eating bacteria could slow global warming
California researchers are proposing the use of methanotroph bacteria to convert methane into carbon dioxide and biomass. With methane contributing to over 30% of greenhouse gas emissions, scaling bacteria production could not be more essential.
How will global warming change travel? AI has the answers
Imagine the Pyramids of Giza damaged by acid rain; Central Park and London submerged; or California’s roads consumed by fire. These are real projections of how renowned tourist locations around the world could change due to global warming. AI now offers a more detailed view, emphasising the need to address climate change.
Green Tech
Norway launches the world's largest floating wind farm
The farm will cover 35% of energy costs for offshore oil and gas farms and reduce CO2 emissions by 200,000 tonnes annually. Equinor’s ambition is to reduce Norway’s emissions to net zero, but in order to do that, they need to partner with oil companies.
Cargill’s wind powered cargo ships
Ships are moving back to basics, with new sail integrated ships, harnessing wind to reduce energy costs. The maritime industry contributes 830 million tonnes of carbon dioxide annually, and new wind ships will reduce fuel consumption by a fifth.
Energy
Recycling has stunted the waste management conversation
Waste is unmanageable, unsustainable, and increasing, with microplastic pollution at record highs. Consumers need to better understand the waste management hierarchy.
Britain lags behind global peers in green energy
Recent analysis by EnergyUK predicts green energy trajectories for each country. It puts the UK at number 30, out of 38 OECD countries. With the US set to overtake the UK as the world’s EV manufacturing leader, the report pushes the UK to act immediately.
Top Stories
In case you missed it
Young climate activists scored a groundbreaking victory in Montana’s climate change battle. Check it out below:
We'd love to hear your thoughts on this week’s Issue and what you’d like to see more of.