Hijacking “net zero”, Arctic tundra flips role and the 5,700 year battery
In this issue:
Hijacking “net zero”
The original concept and definition of net zero is being manipulated according to the scientists who originally developed it. In a recently published article, they argue governments’ reliance on carbon sinks like forests and oceans lies outside the originally intended definition of net zero, more accurately referred to as net human-induced CO2 emissions. They suggest emissions accounting rules and COP29 outcomes facilitate this misrepresentation and will lead to shortfalls on what needs to be done. They have proffered the alternative concept of Geological Net Zero to get back on track to a true understanding of what was meant by the term.
From sink to source – Arctic tundra now emitting more than sequestering
The latest report card on Arctic temperatures from the NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, US) tells us the area is seeing temperature increases above the global average and the last nine years have been the highest nine since records began. Record daily temperatures are being witnessed and rainfall records are smashing records too. Data covering sea temperatures are equally alarming and, because of wildfires, the tundra has swapped from being a carbon sink to a carbon source. The migratory caribou population is down 65%.
Climate risk to slash corporate earnings by 7% by 2035
That’s if companies fail to adapt to climate risk, according to a report from the World Economic Forum published this week. The most exposed companies are likely to be those in telecommunications, utilities and energy. However, early movers are expected to be able to capitalise on green markets predicted to expand from US$5 trillion (NZ$8.6trn) (2024) to US$14 trillion (NZ$24trn) by 2030. Companies investing in adaptation, decarbonisation and resilience are seeing up to $19 in avoided losses for every dollar spent, according to the report.
Shipping hydrogen not viable
That’s the conclusion of a report from Ariadne, a research agency funded by the German government comprising researchers from the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research and the Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research. The research was commissioned to investigate how heavy industry in Germany can maintain its scale while decarbonising. The conclusion was that importing hydrogen as a green fuel by ship would not be economic, suggesting the alternative of importing energy-intensive intermediate products such as pig iron, ammonia or methanol is a more viable strategy to retain those industries. The conclusion could have implications for thoughts of hydrogen exports from New Zealand as Germany is the leader in developing an international market.
Energy efficiency to contribute 25% of global decarbonisation by 2030
That’s the conclusion of a market report from ABI Research looking into the importance of efficiency and some of the key technologies to improve it. The 14-page report, titled The Role of Energy Efficiency in Reaching Net Zero Targets for Enterprises and Industries, costs a whopping US$1,950 (NZ$3,360) but at least reaffirms the significance of efficiency.
Of course, the IEA’s expectation of efficiency’s contribution is even higher at 30% by 2050 and 35% by 2035 under its 2050 net zero scenario.
Flexibility is the key
The importance of flexibility in future networks and in enabling electrification and decarbonisation is emphasised in Gridbeyond’s recent report on Energy Trends 2025 – the rise of the demand side. While focused on the energy systems in the UK, Ireland, USA, Australia and Japan, the significance of flexibility in any system shines through, especially in an environment where the distributed generation market is predicted (in the report) to double over the next three years.
The 5,700 year battery
That’s the claim of scientists from The University of Bristol and the UK Atomic Energy Authority. They are using the radioactive properties of carbon-14, wrapped up in a diamond to create a low power battery they claim is a world first. The batteries are considered safe given the short range radiation of carbon-14 and the absorption properties of the diamond. Of course, 5,700 is the half-life of carbon-14 and so the battery could actually be expected to last a lot longer.
Did you know ……..
Scientists from Dartmouth College (US) are experimenting with spraying clay dust on the ocean after algal blooms so that when zooplankton feed on the blooms their faeces weigh more? The blooms absorb 150 billion tonnes of CO2 a year but most is rereleased into the atmosphere as the microbes feed. With heavier poo, more sinks to deep water retaining more of the CO2 in the deep ocean. The scientists found the denser poo demonstrated a sinking velocity 1.8 to 3.6 times that of untreated poo. What an interesting job!