The Triple Bottom - 🌱 A Hawaiian Seaglider?

Michael Bloomberg (UN Climate Envoy) plans $242m investment in clean energy 
The situ: Developing countries have growing populations and economies = rapidly increasing energy needs. Meeting these needs with clean energy will be key to limiting the warming effects of developing economies while also ensuring a fair and equitable energy transition. BUT the IEA has called out the 7x funding requirement for clean energy by 2030. 
The plan... is for Bloomberg to invest in clean energy production projects across nations such as Bangladesh, Brazil and Kenya. Crucially, this will be done in coordination with local nonprofits and governments to identify each area’s unique energy needs so that appropriate spending strategies and projects are put in place.

EU's largest battery recycling plant comes online - enough for all of Norway's batteries 
Hydrovolt, the largest battery recycling plant in Europe, has started operations in Norway. The plant is a joint venture between two Norwegian companies – Hydro, one of the world’s largest aluminium companies, and Northvolt, a battery producer. The new battery recycling facility has the capacity to process 25,000 EV batteries per year and recover 95% of the materials used.

Why? 

• Suring up supply chains: Hydro gains access to recycled aluminium and Northvolt gains access to other components for reuse in new batteries.
• Emissions: Recycled aluminium only takes about 5% as much energy to produce as primary aluminium - which will make the recycled batteries increasingly attractive as carbon taxes rise.

"Build a shared future for all life" urges UN chief on Biodiversity Day
The UN chief highlighted that biodiversity offers solutions for green and inclusive growth and, this year, governments will meet to agree on a global biodiversity framework with clear and measurable targets to put the planet on the path of recovery by 2030. Importance: If current negative trends in biodiversity are not addressed, they will undermine progress toward 8 of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Is it a boat?... Is it a plane?... NO - it's a sea glider! 
Hawaiian Airlines are investing in startup Regent, which is developing electric sea gliders that could replace commercial flights for shorter journeys between islands. The battery-powered sea gliders are a hybrid between a boat and plane flying close to the water's edge. No silver bullet… Seagliders are designed for short-distance travel between island nations. For longer journeys (which require travelling overland) the debate is ongoing between electric/hydrogen/sustainable aviation fuel-powered planes.

• Nissan and Mitsubishi collaborate to create an affordable EV that will cost $15k.

• A new facility to test tidal turbine blades under strenuous conditions is hoping to accelerate marine energy development.

• Starbucks adds abortion travel coverage to US health benefits as some US states impose tighter abortion restrictions.

• Brilliant Planet plans cheap, gigaton-scale carbon capture using algae.

• Nature-based solutions are on the agenda at the WEF’s annual meeting at Davos.

3 of these stories are true, and 1 is not, can you guess which?

• A giant mural highlights the plight of bees

• Pentagon officials testify on UFO

• Rare snowfall in Brazil

• Tom Cruise brings out vegan meat brand