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• FOREIGN NEWS @ green | January-February . 2025

Varaha ’ s CEO , Madhur Jain , highlighted that this was Google ’ s first large-scale emissions reduction partnership in India . Google became the first buyer of biochar carbon credits from Varaha ’ s Gujarat facility , though the transaction price remained undisclosed .

Founded in 2022 , Varaha worked closely with small farmers across Asia , using biochar technology to lock CO2 into solid form permanently . With a target of generating 25,000 carbon credits in 2024 , Varaha positioned itself as a leader in India ’ s growing carbon market .

Jain noted that Google ’ s backing would accelerate carbon

EFFECTIVE January 2025 , BASF Coatings has successfully transitioned to utilising 100 per cent renewable electricity at its North American facilities located in Greenville , Ohio , and Blackman removal solutions for small farmers , proving that sustainable practices can be scalable and effective . Additionally , Swiss Re , a global reinsurance firm , invested in Varaha ’ s carbon credits , underlining the growing confidence in biochar technology .

Biochar , produced through the process of pyrolysis - which involves the thermal decomposition of organic agricultural and forestry residues , such as rice husks and sawdust , in the absence of oxygen - absorbs and sequesters carbon dioxide ( CO2 ), consequently generating a negative carbon footprint .

Google has further enhanced

Township , Michigan .

This transition is anticipated to result in a reduction of over 11,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually , thereby contributing to a decreased environmental its partnership with Charm Industrial , a company based in California , through the Frontier Climate initiative , which is a coalition of corporations dedicated to investing in carbon removal technologies .

Charm Industrial has pledged to supply Google with 100,000 biochar-based carbon credits by the year 2030 . This commitment builds upon their prior collaboration , which involved the utilisation of bio-oil - a byproduct of pyrolysis that is sequestered underground to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions further .

With AI-driven data centres consuming increasing amounts of energy , Google acknowledged in its 2024 environmental report that its carbon footprint had surged by nearly 50 per cent over the past five years .

Determined to reverse this trend , the company reaffirmed its focus on cutting-edge carbon removal solutions , including biochar , enhanced rock weathering , and direct air capture .

impact for both the organisation and its clientele .

The Greenville site produced resins , E-Coats , and clearcoats , while the Blackman Township facility focused on surface treatment solutions under the Chemetall brand .

By implementing renewable electricity , BASF Coatings strengthened its sustainability strategy and supported customers in achieving their own environmental targets .

By that time , 17 BASF Coatings sites worldwide operated on renewable electricity , helping to lower carbon footprints across the automotive value chain .

The company viewed this transition as a crucial step in its commitment to climate protection . Dr Markus Piepenbrink , Head of Sustainability at BASF Coatings , stated that using renewable electricity drove meaningful change and aligned with the company ’ s climate goals . He highlighted ongoing innovations , including CO2-reducing solutions such as thin-film technologies and the mass balance approach , to support sustainable transformations further .

THE World Meteorological Organisation ( WMO ) joined the United Nations in celebrating the International Day of Clean Energy on Jan 26 , highlighting the need for accessible , reliable , and sustainable energy for all .

Currently , around 685 million people lack a dependable energy source , impacting health , education , and economic development .

WMO has reinforced its commitment to renewable energy by enhancing tailored weather and climate services . The strong link between renewable energy sources and climate conditions directly influences the potential capacity of wind , solar , and hydropower .

Additionally , climate change affects energy supply and demand , particularly in relation to heating and cooling needs .

UN Secretary-General António Guterres said the shift to renewables was inevitable . Renewables were expected to become the world ’ s largest electricity source in 2024 , while costs continued to fall .

He emphasised that this year provided an unprecedented opportunity for countries to align their climate ambitions with national energy and development strategies .

The International Day of Clean Energy underscores the role of clean energy in reducing emissions while supporting communities without reliable power . Over 80 per cent of the 685 million people without electricity live in Sub-Saharan Africa , making energy access a pressing global issue .

WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo highlighted the organisation ’ s long-standing expertise in monitoring natural energy sources such as sunlight , wind , and water cycles .

She stressed that science-based information could enhance energy resilience , unlock economic opportunities , and drive sustainable development .