Stay informed with the latest developments shaping the future of sustainability, energy, and tech. From major green investments and breakthrough hydrogen projects to AI-powered climate platforms and EV infrastructure milestones — here’s a roundup of this week’s most impactful news and deals across the sector:
Net Zero/Sustainability Key Industry News
EU Deforestation Regulation: EU accused of ‘favouritism’ in country risk taxonomy – edie
The EU is facing criticism over how it classifies countries by deforestation risk under the new EUDR, with claims of political bias in supply chain risk scoring.
Many companies are issuing climate disclosures without internal structures to enforce or govern them, creating a credibility gap in sustainability strategy.
Extreme weather now costing European agriculture €28bn a year, research finds
Climate change–driven extreme weather is costing EU agriculture €28 billion annually, threatening food systems, rural economies, and land-use resilience.
EnergyAustralia withdraws carbon offset product amid greenwashing allegations
EnergyAustralia has pulled its carbon offset-backed retail energy product following scrutiny and allegations of misleading climate claims.
Investors go quiet on climate resolutions, but press for AI governance
Institutional investors are showing less public support for climate resolutions this AGM season, while shifting attention to AI governance and tech risk.
Net Zero/Sustainability Key Deal News
Satellites, robots and drones awarded share of £42m Ofwat Innovation Fund – edie
Ofwat’s innovation fund has awarded £42M to projects including robotic, satellite, and AI-driven monitoring tools to improve the UK’s water infrastructure.
€200m deal to ease low-carbon technology adoption for Europe’s SMEs
A €200M finance package (from EIB and private partners) will support small and mid-sized companies across Europe in adopting low-carbon technologies and accelerating net zero strategies.
Norwegian startup Nomy raised €1.25M to scale a mycelium-based protein alternative using fungi, targeting low-resource food production for climate-conscious consumers.
Spanish startup Catalyxx secures €3 million to boost its sustainable chemicals R&D centre
Catalyxx, a Spanish startup, raised €3M to expand its R&D centre, developing sustainable chemical processes and feedstocks with reduced fossil dependency.
Data Centre Key Industry News
Six more European providers join Virt8ra Sovereign cloud offering – DCD
Six EU-based cloud providers have joined the Virtu8ra initiative, aiming to offer sovereign, GDPR-compliant, and energy-efficient cloud services across Europe.
Penta Infra data center in Netherlands to supply waste heat to heating network – DCD
Penta Infra’s Dutch data centre will supply waste heat to a local heating network, showcasing a circular approach to digital infrastructure.
OVH launches first Italian data center in Milan – DCD
French cloud and hosting firm OVHcloud has opened its first Italian data centre in Milan, enhancing its Southern Europe footprint.
Data Centre Key Industry Deals
French quantum startup Quobly raises €21m for development of 100 qubit chip – DCD
Quobly raised €21M to accelerate R&D of its 100-qubit silicon-based quantum processor, targeting European leadership in quantum hardware.
On-orbit computing startup Sophia Space raises $3.5m, promises orbital data centers – DCD
Sophia Space raised $35M to develop on-orbit computing, envisioning orbital data centres for low-latency, energy-efficient data processing.
New firm Polarnode plans data center campuses across Finland – DCD
PolarNode plans to develop multiple energy-efficient data centre campuses in Finland, leveraging the region’s cool climate and green energy.
Hydrogen Key Industry News
Port of Amsterdam and Newfoundland & Labrador plan for green hydrogen corridor | Policy | H2 View
The Port of Amsterdam and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador are partnering to establish a transatlantic green hydrogen corridor, aimed at large-scale hydrogen trade into Europe.
Hydrogen bus delivers industry leaders to Westminster in £6.5bn HySpeed push | Policy | H2 View
As part of the £6.5 billion HySpeed initiative, hydrogen industry leaders arrived at the UK Parliament in a hydrogen bus to urge policy and investment support for UK H₂ mobility infrastructure.
Mitsui OSK updates on hydrogen-powered passenger ship after year of service | Mobility | H2 View
Mitsui OSK shared operational learnings from one year of running a hydrogen-powered passenger ferry, highlighting feasibility, efficiency, and scaling challenges.
Repsol produces hydrogen from biomethane at Cartagena plant | Power | H2 View
Repsol has begun producing hydrogen from biomethane (renewable gas) at its Cartagena refinery, reducing lifecycle emissions vs fossil-derived H₂.
Experts warn that the hydrogen sector lacks transparent data on H₂ emissions and leakage, potentially undermining its full climate mitigation potential.
Air Products fuels Dutch superyacht Breakthrough with liquid hydrogen | Mobility | H2 View
Air Products is supplying liquid hydrogen for the world’s first superyacht powered by hydrogen, marking a breakthrough in luxury maritime decarbonisation.
Hydrogen Key Deal News
ZeroAvia to build manufacturing hub in Scotland | Aerospace & Aviation | H2 View
ZeroAvia, a leader in hydrogen-electric aviation, will establish a new manufacturing hub in Scotland to produce propulsion systems for commercial aircraft.
Swedish startup Plagazi locks in €29.5 million EU grant to turn waste into hydrogen
Swedish cleantech firm Plagazi has secured a €29.5M EU grant to scale its patented process converting non-recyclable waste into green hydrogen, aiming to close industrial loops.
Energy Storage Key Industry News
8 in 10 industrial businesses want to increase energy efficiency investments – edie
New research shows strong momentum across industrial sectors to boost energy efficiency in the face of cost pressures and net-zero targets.
Grangemouth: Workers retrain in clean energy as investors compete for oil refinery takeover – edie
As buyers circle the Grangemouth oil refinery, workers are being retrained for clean energy roles, showing active just transition implementation.
ABB introduces Battery Energy Storage Systems-as-a-Service to simplify renewable energy adoption
ABB launches a BESS-as-a-Service model to provide flexible, cost-efficient access to battery storage, supporting renewable energy integration without upfront capex.
China’s battery giants target EV and air taxi revolution with solid-state tech
Leading Chinese battery manufacturers are investing in solid-state battery technology aimed at high-performance EVs and electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.
Energy Storage Key Deal News
Germany’s trawa lands €24M to help European businesses slash energy costs – Silicon Canals
Berlin-based Trawa raised €2.4M to expand its AI-driven energy purchasing platform for SMEs, helping optimise costs and reduce emissions through green energy sourcing.
A stealth-mode startup claims to have achieved a battery chemistry leap offering ultra-high energy density, potentially transforming EV range and performance.
Built Environment Key Industry News
UK MPs are urging stronger, clearer plans from the Labour Party on home energy efficiency, citing a decade of stagnation and the need for rapid retrofit acceleration.
Barratt London commits to Passivhaus standards for new homes – edie
Barratt London, a major UK developer, will adopt Passivhaus energy standards across new housing developments, targeting ultra-low energy consumption and future-proofed compliance.
Built Environment Key Deal New
Converge, a UK-based start-up, secured €20M to expand its sensor-based platform that provides real-time emissions and curing data on construction sites.
EV & EV Charging Key Industry News
Charging electric vehicle batteries 5x faster in subfreezing temps
New research reveals methods to dramatically improve EV battery charge rates in subzero conditions, overcoming a major barrier to cold-weather electrification.
Government hears electric van challenges first-hand from fleets
Fleet operators have presented UK policymakers with the barriers they face in transitioning to electric vans, including infrastructure gaps, TCO uncertainty, and limited vehicle availability. The discussion aims to inform future support mechanisms and regulatory frameworks.
EV & EV Charging Key Deal News
GDI raises additional $11,5 million to scale up EV battery anode production
GDI, a battery materials company, secured $115M to scale its silicon-dominant anode technology, aimed at boosting EV range and charge speed.
