"Namibia, one of the sunniest countries, last year made it easier for private producers to sell electricity into the regional power pool. It sees its future role as more of a platform for the buying and selling of electricity than as a generator and distributor. But others are resisting change. Senegal, Mozambique and Tanzania, for instance, still tangle up dre firms in red tape. Other countries are hoping that the 'geopolitics of solar' will mean that foreign powers seeking influence in Africa will pay to build the solar plants that their bankrupt utilities cannot otherwise afford, argues one industry veteran."

"While labour is cheap, developers face technical hurdles. Unlike in China, many Western companies are still perfecting the complex processes for producing rare earth metals, a costly challenge that has stalled projects for years."

"So, how does it work? TREES supports smallholder farmers with training, seeds, tools, and grants to grow 'forest gardens' instead of tired old monocultures. Supporting biodiversity helps to protect the health of the soil. Groups of farmers get regular support from lead farmers to nurture plots with around 5,800 diverse trees on just one hectare (2.5 acres)."

"The drone can plant one hectare in two hours and needs between 2,000 to 5,000 balls, depending on the type of seeds."

"Occidental and a separate coalition that includes Climeworks have also been selected by the Department of Energy to develop two direct air capture hubs capable of eventually removing 1 million metric tons of carbon per year. Those projects are planned for southern Texas and southeastern Louisiana and backed by roughly $1 billion in federal grants."

"Some misguided environmental activists and old party hands who have not moved on from the 1980s might be alienated, but millions of voters who backed the KMT and TPP in January would be gratified if Lai showed his party recognizes how important energy abundance is for a thriving Taiwan. Lai hinted at the possibility of pivot a year ago when he suggested that the island's nuclear plants could be kept available for emergency use, distancing himself slightly from Tsai."

"Despite these massive hydroengineering efforts, China can’t feed its own people or supply enough water for its industrial economy. More than 75% of China’s surface water supply is contaminated and undrinkable. Under current United Nations standards, the amount of water available in Beijing places the megalopolis in a state of 'extreme water scarcity.' Much of China’s farmland is too polluted by heavy minerals and salinization to grow edible crops. China is now the world’s largest importer of feed grains, accounting for 60% of global imports of soybeans. It also imports 70% of its cooking oils."

"Investors need 'a business case and not prescriptive regulations,' said Martin Brudermueller, chief executive officer of Germany’s BASF SE and president of the European chemical industry association Cefic. 'Regulations in Europe are complicated, lengthy and they are not providing the incentives that would encourage you to invest.'"