Negotiation is ongoing at the COP30 summit in Brazil over how to address crucial topics related to carbon reductions and the phasing out of fossil fuels. André Corrêa do Lago, the COP30 president, has called for reaching agreement. "We need to preserve this regime [of the Paris climate agreement] with the spirit of cooperation, not in the spirit of who is going to win or is willing to lose," said Corrêa do Lago.

Industrial decarbonization in the US has faced significant setbacks, with $17 billion in project cancellations -- outpacing the $15 billion invested since 2018, according to the Clean Investment Monitor. Technologies like hydrogen, clean fuels, carbon management, and green cement are struggling to advance amid policy uncertainties and slow funding deployment. Only 10% of announced investments have materialized, leaving the majority of projects incomplete and at risk of further cancellation.

ESG reporting has shifted from voluntary statements to a focus on auditable data, particularly regarding Scope 3 emissions, writes Behzad Sadegh, director of sustainability and consumer care at DQS. However, the fragmentation of regulations, such as the EU's potential easing of sustainability rules, creates challenges for global businesses, increasing compliance costs by up to 30%. Certification, such as ISO standards and third-party verification, is essential for credible and measurable progress, as it reduces risks and builds trust with regulators, investors and customers, Sadegh writes.

Battery storage systems are emerging as critical enablers of the energy transition, supporting grid reliability amid fluctuating renewable output and rising demand from AI-driven industries. While lithium-ion batteries currently lead the market, their short-duration storage limitations and supply chain risks are prompting calls for technological diversification. Supply chain reshoring and embracing a wide variety of energy storage technologies will be important for the US, said Stryten Energy's Jeremy Furr in a recent op-ed.

Google is updating Maps to show electric vehicle charger availability, using AI and real-time data to predict how many chargers will be open upon arrival. The feature will be available next week through Android Auto and vehicles with Google built-in.

Ionna, a public fast-charging consortium backed by eight automakers, is investing $250 million in California over three years to expand its fast-charging network and serve the state's growing number of electric vehicle owners. This investment will fund over 1,000 charging bays, nearly a quarter of Ionna's planned 4,000 chargers across the US.