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Carbon

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Current developments in carbon involve advancements in carbon capture technology, new analyses of its environmental impact, and ongoing efforts to mitigate pollution from various sources. These efforts range from funding litigation against polluters to implementing bans on polluting vehicles and refining crude oil without heat.

Carbon: Questions & Answers

Answers synthesised from 12 recent sources · updated 16h ago

What is California's first carbon capture project and what is its status?

California Resources Corporation (CRC), the state's largest oil company, launched its first carbon capture project in May. This project involves injecting carbon dioxide (CO2) deep underground into CRC's own oil fields and is the state's inaugural carbon capture initiative.

How is Carbonfact contributing to transparency in the fashion industry's environmental impact?

Carbonfact released a detailed database this week on fashion's environmental impact, making over 300 fully disaggregated life cycle assessment (LCA) datasets available for free. This initiative aims to provide unprecedented transparency into the environmental footprint of the fashion industry.

What is the "pay-it-forward" model developed by WHEN Justice?

WHEN Justice, a new non-profit organization, has developed a "pay-it-forward" model to fund crucial scientific testing and expert analysis for public-interest litigation against corporate polluters. This model was demonstrated in a case involving AT&T's abandoned lead telecommunications sites.

What are the concerns regarding California's carbon manure policy?

California's climate policy, which incentivizes cattle farmers to convert methane from manure into natural gas, is facing significant criticism for its effectiveness in reducing atmospheric warming. The program aims to encourage the dairy sector to produce a less potent greenhouse gas.

What is the latest on oil well fires and pollution in Nigeria?

Nigerian families in Awoye, Niger Delta, are enduring persistent pollution and sickness six years after an oil well fire ignited following a blowout. The ongoing combustion of crude oil releases smoke, soot, and toxic fumes into the air, impacting the community.

How are banks financing the fossil fuel industry?

Major global banks have significantly increased their financing for companies expanding fossil fuel development, with a substantial rise in funding for petrochemical production. In 2025, the world's top 65 banks contributed $508 billion to companies involved in fossil fuel expansion.

Financial Times4h ago2 min read
The great AI data centre cover-up

The burgeoning demand for artificial intelligence is placing significant strain on global energy resources and water supplies, prompting calls for greater transparency from major technology firms. The construction and operation of AI data centers, which require immense computational power, are contributing to a substantial environmental footprint that is often not fully disclosed. These facilities consume vast amounts of electricity, often sourced from fossil fuels, thereby increasing carbon emissions. Furthermore, the cooling systems essential for maintaining optimal operating temperatures for servers rely heavily on water, leading to concerns about water scarcity in certain regions. Critics argue that the current lack of comprehensive reporting by companies like Google, Microsoft, and Amazon obscures the true environmental cost of AI development and deployment. Environmental advocacy groups and researchers are urging these tech giants to provide detailed data on their energy consumption, water usage, and carbon emissions specifically attributable to their AI infrastructure. The push for disclosure is driven by the rapid acceleration of AI research and the subsequent need for more powerful hardware, which in turn necessitates the building of more data centers. This trend is expected to exacerbate existing environmental challenges if not managed with greater accountability. While some companies have begun to release sustainability reports, these often lack the granular detail required to fully assess the impact of their AI operations. The debate centers on whether the current pace of AI advancement is sustainable without a more concerted effort from the industry to mitigate its environmental consequences and provide clear, verifiable data to the public and policymakers.

The Guardian Environment8h ago3 min read
The great carbon capture con: behold the wasted billions Burnham could claw back | George Monbiot

The United Kingdom's carbon capture and storage (CCS) program is facing significant criticism regarding its escalating costs, with a projected expenditure of £264 billion by 2050. This figure, derived from an analysis of government data by climate experts Dr. Andrew Boswell and Simon Oldridge, far surpasses the £21.7 billion initially stated by the government for the program's first phase. Guardian columnist George Monbiot argues that this substantial investment in CCS is a "deranged, disastrous" approach to tackling climate breakdown, suggesting that the funds could be better allocated to more effective climate solutions. Monbiot contends that successive UK governments have prioritized the interests of fossil fuel companies over evidence-based climate strategies. He points to the analysis by Boswell and Oldridge, which examined data from the government's Climate Change Committee, to reveal the full financial commitment of the CCS initiative. The experts' findings, published on Bylinetimes.com, indicate that the £264 billion projection accounts for the entire CCS program through 2050, a figure that has not been widely publicized by official government channels. The columnist suggests that cancelling the CCS program would not only save public funds but also reduce the overall harm caused by climate change. He implies that the government's continued support for CCS, despite its high cost and questionable efficacy, indicates a bias towards established fossil fuel industries rather than a genuine commitment to renewable energy and sustainable practices. Monbiot frames the CCS program as a significant financial burden that could be clawed back by new leadership, such as Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, by redirecting the funds towards more impactful climate mitigation efforts.