McKinsey On Moving To Net Zero, Under 30 Europe And A Better Battery Factory
This week’s Current Climate, which every Saturday brings you a balanced view of sustainability news. Sign up to get it in your inbox every week.
Earlier this week, McKinsey released a new report aimed at providing a detailed guide for business leaders in the United States who are looking to strategize around the transition to net zero carbon emissions. Among the consultant group’s findings was that reducing carbon emissions doesn’t have to be capital intensive: Boosting operational efficiency, for example, could reduce around one-fifth of the emissions needed for the net-zero goal while also saving money for businesses.
The report notes that there’s a wide gap between the current trajectory of U.S. emissions and the trajectories needed to meet emissions targets, and its authors note that getting on the right path isn’t easy. But it is possible, especially if the country takes advantage of both its native resources and the skills and talents of its workforce to “deliver a range of climate solutions.” And using this approach, the authors say, means a potential win-win for both the climate and the economy.
The Big Read
30 Under 30 Europe 2022: Optimizing The Materials And Energy Of Tomorrow
This year’s Forbes Under 30 Europe list for manufacturing and industry features young people who are innovating in surprising ways. And a lot of that innovation has to do with improving renewable energy and helping industry move towards net zero. Read more here.
The Progress
U.S.-based satellite launch provider Rocket Lab used a helicopter to snag a used rocket booster in midair during a launch Monday, a maneuver the company says brings it closer to developing the first fully reusable small satellite launcher.
In a non-binding opinion delivered to the European Union Court of Justice, German Advocate General Juliane Kokott said an infringement of air quality guidelines under E.U. law “may give rise to entitlement to compensation” from the governments of member states.
New research finds that if just 20% of the global consumption of beef was replaced with microbial sourced proteins, annual deforestation could be reduced by as much as 56% a year.
The Other Big Story
Ex-Tesla Engineer Building Silicon Anode Plant As U.S. Amps Up EV Battery Production
Sila
Sila, a battery materials startup cofounded by one of Tesla’s earliest engineers and backed by Mercedes-Benz, is building a large-scale factory in Washington State to make battery anodes that use silicon instead of graphite. The company says that will make electric vehicle battery packs more energy-efficient and, eventually, cheaper. Read more here.
The Challenges
The arrival of May means that the Atlantic hurricane season is right around the corner. Here are four things that climate scientist Marshall Shepherd is looking out for as the season approaches.
This summer’s initial forecast is calling for much of the same as last year:; dry and warmer than average for much of the country. With thousands of sporting events scheduled for the summer, that brings heat safety to the top of the list for event organizers.
Grid managers at the Electric Reliability Council of Texas are apparently concerned about grid capacity for May, asking power generators to put off planned maintenance outages and bring some inactive natural gas and coal-fired plants back online in anticipation of high temperatures.
On The Horizon
Six months before Fisker Inc. starts delivering its first electric SUVs, CEO Henrik Fisker says the company plans to target a big segment of the auto market that most manufacturers have so far avoided: vehicles priced around $30,000 that appeal to younger people.
