AfDB Invests €100 Million in Africa's First Battery Manufacturing Gigafactory
The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) has made a significant commitment to sustainable energy by approving a €100 million loan aimed at financing the construction of a lithium iron phosphate battery gigafactory in Morocco. This facility, strategically located within the Rabat-Salé-Kénitra Free Trade Zone, marks a groundbreaking development as it will be the first integrated battery manufacturing plant of its kind in both Africa and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Under the management of Gotion High-Tech Co. Ltd, a renowned Chinese battery manufacturer, this project is projected to produce an impressive 10 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electric vehicle batteries and storage cells during its initial phase. Kevin Kariuki, the AfDB Group’s Vice President for Power, Energy, Climate and Green Growth, emphasized the vital role of battery storage in Africa’s clean energy transition, stating that such facilities, primarily powered by renewable energy, will bolster the integration of solar and wind energy into the continent's power grids. Furthermore, this initiative is expected to create approximately 600 green jobs and aims to eventually scale production capacity to 100 GWh, significantly contributing to the region's sustainable energy goals.
As reported by impakter.com.
Wildfires Prompt National Emergency and Political Strife in Spain
In Spain, catastrophic wildfires have led to the evacuation of over 100,000 residents across various regions, including Ávila, Toledo, Castellón, and Madrid. These devastating fires have consumed more than 45,000 hectares of land, prompting Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to declare a national emergency. This declaration empowers the government to take charge of firefighting efforts, facilitating coordination across different government levels. However, this situation has sparked political tensions between leaders of the left and right. Isabel Díaz Ayuso, the center-right president of the Madrid region, was the first to advocate for the national emergency declaration, while center-left Transport Minister Óscar Puente criticized her request, accusing the government of neglecting public services and prioritizing tax cuts for the wealthy. Compounding the issue, firefighters from the Madrid Forest Fire Prevention and Extinction Service have reported that they are operating with insufficient resources, including outdated equipment and a reduced workforce—only 60 of the anticipated 124 firefighters are currently deployed, hindering effective firefighting efforts.
As reported by impakter.com.
TotalEnergies Appeals Climate Liability Ruling in France
TotalEnergies, the French oil giant, has announced its intention to appeal a ruling by the Paris Judicial Court that found the company liable for climate harm under the French duty of vigilance law. This decision, delivered on June 25, 2026, has prompted TotalEnergies to assert that climate change is a global issue that should not fall within the parameters of the duty of vigilance law. The company argues that it cannot control whether consumers opt for petrol-powered vehicles, biodiesel, or electric alternatives. In a press statement, representatives from TotalEnergies clarified that their commitment is to ensure that consumers have access to a variety of energy choices. The company's portfolio encompasses a range of energy sources, including oil, gas, renewables, biogas, and low-carbon hydrogen, and it is now set to present its case to the Paris Court of Appeal in hopes of overturning the previous judgment.
As reported by impakter.com.
Climeworks Solutions Introduces New Carbon Removal Options
Climeworks, a Swiss company specializing in carbon capture technology, is expanding its offerings through Climeworks Solutions to assist companies in developing their carbon removal portfolios. The latest initiatives aim to align with various regulatory frameworks, including the EU’s Carbon Removal and Carbon Farming Certification Framework, the Paris Agreement’s Article 6.2, and the International Civil Aviation Organization’s Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA). As the regulatory landscape surrounding carbon removal evolves, Climeworks aims to enhance its compliance-ready offerings to meet changing standards and requirements. Adrian Siegrist, the Chief Commercial Officer at Climeworks, stated that the new offerings are designed to merge carbon removal sourcing with policy and market knowledge, enabling clients to procure high-quality carbon removals that comply with relevant regulations.
As reported by impakter.com.
