Current Events Newsletter 📰#5
The fifth instalment of the Tech4Earth current events and insights across green emerging tech.
In the first edition of 2025, and the fifth instalment of the Tech4Earth current events and insights covers hand picked macro and micro general industry news stories, the latest raises in the industry by up and coming environmental and sustainability start-ups in blockchain and AI.
With the political arena for environmental news in a proverbial orange dumpster fire, I decided to shed light on the positive actions being taken by those still fighting for nature positive actions.
General Industry News 📝
The current intensity of the news cycle is palpable, filled with uncertainty and the unknown is stretching outwards beyond our foresight. With that in mind I wanted to highlight some of the more positive environmental innovations, policies and actions being done behind the scenes.
COP 16 Resumes
The 16th Conference of the Parties (COP 16) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) convened in Cali, Colombia, from October 21 to November 1, 2024 and resumed in Rome, Italy, from February 25 to 27, 2025. The conference achieved several significant milestones:
Key Outcomes of COP16 in Rome
Biodiversity Financing Agreement: Countries agreed to mobilize at least $200 billion annually by 2030 to support biodiversity conservation in developing nations. This includes a permanent arrangement for biodiversity finance, ensuring continued funding beyond 2030145.
Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) Implementation: The conference demonstrated strong global commitment to implementing the GBF, which aims to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030. A roadmap for resource mobilization and a monitoring framework were established34.
Cali Fund: The Cali Fund was launched, with half of its resources allocated to Indigenous Peoples and local communities. This fund involves companies sharing proceeds from digital sequence information on genetic resources with biodiverse countries of origin3.
Debt Burden Relief: Countries acknowledged the need for finance and environment ministers to address the debt burdens in lower-income nations, which hinder biodiversity investments2.
Multilateral Cooperation: Despite geopolitical challenges, the conference showcased successful multilateral cooperation, with nations compromising to reach agreements45.
CONNECT: Conservation Basic Income for Biodiversity & Poverty Reduction
The CONNECT project explores a novel approach to conservation by integrating Conservation Basic Income (CBI)—an unconditional cash transfer program for communities living near biodiversity hotspots. Traditional conservation methods, such as protected areas (PAs) and payments for environmental services (PES), have often proven ineffective or alienated local communities. By providing unconditional income, this project aims to assess whether poverty alleviation and biodiversity conservation can be achieved simultaneously without requiring behavioral conditions.
Key Points:
Research Focus: Rwanda’s Nyungwe National Park (NNP) and Volcanoes National Park (VNP).
Interdisciplinary Approach: Sociology, economics, and ecology to study biodiversity protection and human-wildlife conflict.
Local & Global Partnerships: Collaboration with Wageningen University (WUR), University of Rwanda, 100WEEKS, and African Parks.
Project Timeline: 2024 – 2029, with six Rwandan PhD candidates conducting research and fundraising for CBI implementation.
Clarity AI - Sustainable Investment Navigation
Clarity AI has launched a new platform to help fund managers navigate Europe’s evolving sustainable investment regulations by integrating multiple ESG frameworks into a single interface. The tool simplifies compliance with regulatory requirements such as the UK SDR, German FNG, and upcoming French SRI and Belgian labels, reducing the time spent on regulatory screening and decision-making.
Key Points:
Regulatory Complexity: ESG fund regulations require at least 80% sustainable investments under new ESMA guidelines.
Solution: A user-friendly dashboard consolidating regulatory data and screening tools for efficient compliance.
Future Expansion: Currently supports UK SDR and German FNG, with upcoming integrations for French SRI and Belgian Towards Sustainability labels.
Impact: Helps fund managers focus resources on sustainable solutions rather than compliance burdens.
Notable raises👀🚀
(Courtesy of Dealroom)
Climate Intelligence for Construction. AI-powered generation and distribution of environmental product declarations (EPDs) for building material manufacturers
Investors: Claire D. Johnson Revocable Trust, Explorer34, LP, EKIPS Société Civile, Center Ventures
Germany
Jan 2025: SEED
Accelerates the funding of new carbon projects by turning long-term purchase agreement into digital tradeable assets and making them available for corporate buyers today
Investors: Cerulean Ventures
Eberswalde, Germany
Jan 2025: SEED
Software platform for real estate owners to measure, manage and communicate their ESG performance.
Investors: Reimann Investors
Munich, Germany
Jan 2025: EARLY VC
Empowers companies to measure, manage and report their impact and dependency on nature - compliant with regulation
Investors: Founderful, Pale Blue Dot, KOMPAS VC, IRIS Capital Investment
Berlin, Germany
Jan 2025: €3.8m EARLY VC
OCELL offers data-driven carbon credits using AI and aerial data to optimize forest management and support climate action
Investors: Capnamic Ventures, Bayern Kapital, Maximilian Viessmann, AENU, Summiteer
Munich, Germany
Jan 2025: €10.0m SERIES A
Building blockchain-enabled, circular, more transparent, and productive supply chains
Los Angeles, United States
Jan 2025: $8.2m EARLY VC
NatureMetrics brings the power of genetics to frontline ecology, use cutting-edge DNA analysis to monitor biodiversity
Guildford, United Kingdom
Jan 2025: £20.4m SERIES B
Political Insights 🏛️
United Kingdom:
Business and Trade Committee's Green Focus: The UK's Business and Trade Committee engaged with businesses, trade unions, and consumer groups to develop a comprehensive plan emphasizing the green transition. Key proposals include enhancing green and digital markets, investing in clean energy infrastructure, and fostering collaboration with universities to accelerate research and development in green technologies. thetimes.co.uk
Denmark:
North Sea Renewable Energy Hub: Denmark is leading efforts to transform the North Sea into a major renewable energy hub. With over 25 gigawatts of offshore wind capacity already connected, plans are underway to increase this to 120GW by 2030 and 300GW by 2050. This initiative not only supplies clean energy across Europe but also spurs technological advancements and job creation in related sectors. theguardian.com
Indonesia:
Nickel Production for EV Batteries: Indonesia has emerged as a global leader in nickel production, a critical component for electric vehicle batteries. Through strategic policies and investments, the country now accounts for 61% of the world's refined nickel supply as of 2024, positioning itself as a key player in the green technology supply chain. ft.com
Norway:
Hydropower Expansion: Norway's parliament has voted to allow the development of hydropower plants in previously protected rivers, provided the societal benefits are substantial and environmental impacts are acceptable. This decision aims to bolster renewable energy capacity while balancing ecological considerations. theguardian.com
Start-up spotlight 🔦
OCELL
Company Focus
OCELL is a Munich‐based climate-tech startup dedicated to driving sustainability through the generation and trade of high-quality carbon credits. The company focuses on supporting local landowners by monetizing regenerative practices that mitigate climate change.
Core Offerings
Carbon Credits: OCELL develops and certifies carbon credits derived from sustainable land management and regenerative practices.
Technological Verification: Leveraging climate-tech innovations, the platform ensures transparency and the integrity of its carbon credits through robust monitoring and certification processes.
Key Benefits
Environmental Impact: Helps reduce carbon emissions and promotes climate resilience by incentivizing sustainable land use.
Economic Empowerment: Provides local landowners with an additional revenue stream, aligning economic benefits with environmental stewardship.
Credibility & Transparency: Utilizes advanced technology to deliver verifiable, high-quality carbon credits that attract eco-conscious investors and businesses.