Efficiency improving, companies ignoring AI environmental costs and 50% energy savings from new innovations
In this issue:
Efficiency improving but still not by enough
The latest IEA report on energy efficiency tells us the global rate of efficiency improvement has increased to 1.8% in 2025, up from 2024’s 1%. While the improvement is very welcome, it still remains a long way behind the 4% per annum needed up to 2030.
97% of companies not reporting AI engagement effectively
A study by Thomson Reuters informs us 97% of major companies do not consider the energy use and carbon footprint of options when it comes to selecting AI data systems. The study looked at published information from 1,000 major, global companies. Only 48% published information or guidelines about AI use and only a tiny proportion actually looked at the environmental implications of their usage.
Climate change to bump land use as main driver of nature loss
Climate change will surpass land use change as the most significant driver of nature loss within the next 25 years. That’s the conclusion in a new publication from the OECD, Environmental Outlook on the Triple Planetary Crisis, the trio being climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. The report calls for several mitigating actions from governments, led by integrating policies on the trio rather than treating them in silos.
Effective green budgeting benefits developed and developing economies
That’s the finding of recently published analysis from the IEEFA (Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis). The report concludes green budgeting – aligning fiscal and environmental goals in the national budgetary process – is becoming more common in advanced economies and is helping progress towards national and international emissions objectives. In developing economies that lack the depth of data, the practice is still beneficial, contributing to improved data acquisition and capacity building.
55% energy saving from hybrid heatpump system
A team from Shenyang Jianzhu University (China) has developed a hybrid, residential, generation and storage system that reduces energy consumption by 55% in a region with hot summers and cold winters. The system was field tested in a 2-storey, 335 square metre home and comprised solar and wind generation along with thermal and electrical storage. The basis is complementary ground and air-source heatpumps fuelled by the renewables and storage.
COP31 off to an inauspicious start
So, COP31 will be in Türkiye, a country whose NDC commits it to a 42% increase in emissions by 2035 – at least according to Greenpeace.
100% recycled and 50% less energy intensive aluminium products
German engineering company Entec Stracon has developed a new technology for the manufacture of cast aluminium automotive wheels, although the technology could be used for other products. The process, Turbu Pressure Casting, does not require combustion based energy sources and can use 100% recycled aluminium. The high pressure injection process uses half the energy of traditional casting methods and can produce a stronger, lightweight wheel in 0.05 seconds.
Did you know …
The Saudi oil company Aramco makes US$170,000 (NZ$300,000) of profit every minute? That’s over US$10m (NZ$18m) an hour, $250m (NZ$446m) a day. No wonder its government is one of the most vocal in opposing climate action and that we saw no reference to fossil fuels in the final outcomes report from COP30.