Why LiFePO4 Energy Storage Is Driving the Next Phase of Electrification
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The debate about electrification worldwide is now moving beyond the infancy period. Several years ago, all conversations were about increasing the number of panels, farms, and renewable sources. Such focus made sense. However, in 2026, the topic that occupies the center of public debates is somewhat different. Clean energy generation became less of a problem. […]
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Q&A: How the UK government aims to ‘break link between gas and electricity prices’
The UK government has announced a series of measures to “double down on clean power” in response to the energy crisis sparked by the Iran war. The conflict has caused a spike in fossil-fuel prices – and the high cost of gas is already causing electricity prices to increase, particularly in countries such as the UK. In […]
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State of the climate: Strong El Niño puts 2026 on track for second-warmest year
The first three months of 2026 have been the fourth warmest on record, with each successive month surpassing historical averages by a greater margin. While weak La Niña conditions pushed down temperatures at the start of the year, scientists expect the development of a strong – and potentially “super” – El Niño event by early […]
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Britain’s empty buildings could unlock billions, advocacy group tells treasury
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Advocacy group Don’t Waste Buildings is calling on the UK government to overhaul its tax system to incentivise the reuse of empty buildings, warning that Britain is missing out on billions of pounds of potential economic growth. The group launched its report, “The Reuse Dividend: Unlocking Economic Growth from Britain’s Existing Buildings”, at a reception […]
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Patent transfer agreement brings phosphorus recovery technology closer to full-scale rollout
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Haskoning ViviMag®team, from left to right: Sigrid Scherrenberg, Paul Roeleveld and Martijn van Leusden. Copyright Haskoning Royal HaskoningDHV has signed a patent transfer agreement with Kemira for ViviMag, a phosphorus recovery technology designed to improve resource extraction from sewage sludge. The agreement marks a shift from pilot-stage development to early commercial deployment, with a full-scale […]
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Comment: Efficiency in motion – why sustainable pumping must be a strategic priority
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Wayne Rose is chief executive of the British Pump Manufacturers Association (BPMA). By Wayne Rose of the BPMA Energy efficiency is no longer a peripheral consideration for the UK pump industry — it is now central to how the sector innovates, competes and contributes to national sustainability goals. Given that pumping systems account for a […]
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Hybrid lining system enables live repair of critical port infrastructure
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Shoreham Port pipe before cleaning and lining. UK utilities and drainage services provider Lanes Group says it has used a newly-developed lining system for the first time to seal four large-diameter pipes that are vital for keeping a sea port operational, as it explains here. The pipes feed water from a pump house to refill […]
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Clean energy pushes fossil-fuel power into reverse for ‘first time ever’
Renewable energy has overtaken coal to become the world’s largest source of electricity in 2025, according to thinktank Ember. The growth of solar and wind meant that, for the first time since 1919, the share of coal power was lower than that of renewables. Fossil-fuel generation fell by 0.2% in 2025, the thinktank’s latest annual […]
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Revealed: Scientists tell Colombia fossil-fuel transition summit to ‘halt new expansion’
Countries attending a first-of-its-kind fossil-fuel summit have been asked to consider “action recommendations” such as “halting all new fossil-fuel expansion” and “reject[ing] gas as a bridging fuel”, according to a preliminary scientific report seen by Carbon Brief. Around 50 nations will gather in Santa Marta, Colombia from 24-29 April to debate ways to “transition away” […]
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Project gives a second life to fire-damaged components from one of UK’s earliest wind farms
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Offshore wind expert RWE says it has successfully recycled major components from a fire-damaged offshore wind turbine, marking what the group claims is a significant step forward in circular practices within the UK’s renewable energy sector. RWE is “giving a second wind” to deconstructed components from a turbine at its Scroby Sands Offshore Wind Farm, […]
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Engineered algae targets smaller microplastic fragments in wastewater
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Susie Dai (image credit: University of Missouri). A research team at the University of Missouri has developed a genetically engineered algae strain they say is designed to capture microplastics in wastewater, while also enabling their reuse in new materials. Led by Susie Dai, professor of engineering and principal investigator at the Bond Life Sciences Centre, […]
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Waste-to-Energy omission risks “incomplete” methane strategy, warns alliance of European plant operators
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Javelin Park waste incinerator near Gloucester An alliance of European Waste-to-Energy operators has welcomed the growing international focus on methane mitigation but warned that current global guidance risks overlooking a key part of the waste management chain. In a newly published position paper, the The WtE+X Knowledge Alliance — which brings together Confederation of European […]
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Q&A: What Magyar’s defeat of Orbán in Hungary means for climate and energy
The right-wing populist Hungarian government led by Viktor Orbán has suffered a landslide electoral defeat to the centre-right Tisza party, led by Péter Magyar. This brings to an end 16 years of rule by Orbán and his Fidesz party, a move welcomed by many around the world who were concerned about Hungary’s “slide toward authoritarianism”. […]
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DeBriefed 17 April 2026: Fossil-fuel power slumps | ‘Super’ El Niño warning | Afghanistan’s climate struggle
Welcome to Carbon Brief’s DeBriefed. An essential guide to the week’s key developments relating to climate change. This week Oil prices rebound OIL UP AGAIN: Oil prices surged by more than 7% and back above $100 a barrel on Monday after US-Iran peace talks faltered and US president Donald Trump ordered the blockading of Iranian ports, […]
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Jacob Andreas and Brett McGuire named Edgerton Award winners
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MIT Associate Professor Jacob Andreas of the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science [EECS] and MIT Associate Professor Brett McGuire of the Department of Chemistry have been selected as the winners of the 2026 Harold E. Edgerton Faculty Achievement Award. Established in 1982 as a permanent tribute to Institute Professor Emeritus Harold E. Edgerton’s great and enduring […]
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BNG reforms welcomed but uncertainty and nature concerns remain
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Construction of a large multi-storey building on a hill in Lynmouth, Devon in April 2022. On 16 April the UK government published its response to a consultation on improving the implementation of Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) across minor, medium and brownfield development, outlining a package of reforms intended to streamline delivery while maintaining environmental outcomes. […]
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Bringing AI-driven protein-design tools to biologists everywhere
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Artificial intelligence is already proving it can accelerate drug development and improve our understanding of disease. But to turn AI into novel treatments we need to get the latest, most powerful models into the hands of scientists. The problem is that most scientists aren’t machine-learning experts. Now the company OpenProtein.AI is helping scientists stay on […]
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China Briefing 16 April 2026: Billions for grid | Petrochemical plan | China’s high-seas bid
Welcome to Carbon Brief’s China Briefing. China Briefing handpicks and explains the most important climate and energy stories from China over the past fortnight. Subscribe for free here. Key developments Surge in grid investment TRILLION-YUAN ERA: China’s two largest power grid operators invested a total of 167.5bn yuan ($24.5bn) in the first quarter of 2026, reported […]