🌳 Enviro Futures #4

HolonIQ's environment futures coverage for the week ahead.

Our Climate Tech coverage has grown significantly, and due to popular demand, we're splitting it into weekly Energy Futures, Enviro Futures, Infra Futures, and Mobility Futures newsletters over the coming weeks.

This newsletter is 'Enviro Futures,' and you can update your subscriptions to any of the other weekly newsletters here.

Happy Monday 👋

El Niño-induced drought in Southern Africa has slashed corn production by 3 million tons, exacerbating food insecurity and forcing countries to import grain. This will severely impact the region's economy. Simultaneously, India released 109 varieties of crops this week that can withstand the effects of climate change, aimed at helping farmers who are highly vulnerable to climate change. These developments highlight the growing impact climate change is imposing on the global agriculture sector. Meanwhile, in the US, Heimdal and CapturePoint launched the largest operational direct air capture facility with the potential to capture over 5,000 tons of CO2 annually. Further, the U.S. DOE awarded $44.5M to projects that advance commercial-scale carbon capture, transport, and storage technologies through regional partnerships. The sector was also boosted this week by the $40M injection into LanzaTech, a carbon capture and utilization company by Carbon Direct Capital.

🌱 Food Systems

🌽 El Niño Triggers Massive Corn Deficit in Southern Africa. The El Niño weather phenomenon has caused a severe drought in Southern Africa, leading to a projected 3 million ton deficit in corn production this year. The Famine Early Warning Systems Network stated that the affected nations must import large quantities of corn, driving up food costs.

🌱 India Releases Climate-Resilient Crop Varieties for Farmers. The Indian government has released 109 varieties of crops that can withstand the effects of climate change, aimed at helping farmers who are highly vulnerable to climate change.

🍲 Canada Invests $5M to Boost Food Safety. The Canadian government and the province of Ontario are investing $5 million in the Food Safety and Growth Initiative to help food companies improve their safety practices and traceability.

🌳 Carbon Markets

🍃 Largest US Direct Air Capture Facility Launched. Heimdal and CapturePoint have launched the largest operational direct air capture facility in the US, located in northern Oklahoma near Shidler.

💨 Egypt Launches Carbon Emissions Reduction Market. Egypt is establishing its first monitored market for voluntary carbon emissions reduction certificates, which will allow companies and individuals to trade carbon credits.

🌳 DOE Funds Carbon Capture Projects. The U.S. Department of Energy awarded $44.5 million to projects focused on advancing commercial-scale carbon capture, transport, and storage technologies through regional partnerships.

♻️ Circular Economy

♻️ Lagos Embraces Circular Economy to Tackle Waste Crisis. Lagos, Nigeria's largest city, is intensifying efforts to transition towards a circular economy model to address its massive waste generation and promote sustainable resource management.

♻️ UK Recycler Aims to Boost PET Recycling and Circular Economy. QC Polymer, a UK rPET recycler, has announced ambitions to grow the business significantly, boosting the UK's circular economy and PET recycling capacity.

🌊 $24M Available for Caribbean Sustainability Projects. The Caribbean Biodiversity Fund has announced the first call for proposals for circular economy projects aimed at combating regional marine pollution, with $24 million in funding now available.

💰 Environment Deals

🌳 Carbon Direct Capital Invests $40M in LanzaTech Amid Q2 2024 Revenue Surge. LanzaTech, a carbon capture and utilization company, reported strong Q2 2024 results and received a $40 million investment from Carbon Direct Capital.

🌱 Asian Oat Milk Leader Oatside Raises $35M in Series B Funding. Oatside, a Singapore-based oat milk company, has raised $35 million in its Series B funding round, with the potential to raise $74 million.

🌱 Finnish Startup Collo Raises €5M to Reduce Emissions from Dairy Plants. Collo, a Finnish startup offering IoT analyzers for optimizing industrial liquid processes, has raised €5 million in growth financing.

🌎 Reconomy Expands into North America with Acquisition. Reconomy, an international circular economy company, has acquired Lincoln Waste Solutions LLC, a US waste and recycling firm, marking its first acquisition in the United States.

Thank you for reading. Have a great week ahead!
Have some feedback or suggestions? Let us know at hello@holoniq.com