GTG Links No.2 – 13th May

Keeping with the theme of this week's post, news from the Japanese energy market

Three big asset managers file joint climate resolutions at J-Power

Three European asset managers, including the largest, Amundi , said on Wednesday they had jointly filed climate-change resolutions at Japanese electricity generator Electric Power Development Co Ltd , known as J-Power.

ReutersMakiko Yamazaki

"Amundi, hedge fund Man Group and HSBC Asset Management called on J-Power to set credible emissions-reduction targets and to disclose plans to achieve them. J-Power is Japan's largest operator of coal-fired power stations."

Tokyo Steel Calling for Faster Nuclear Power Revival in Japan

A major Japanese steel-maker is calling for a quicker restart of nuclear reactors that were idled after the Fukushima disaster more than a decade ago as it grapples with soaring energy costs.

BloombergMasumi Suga

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said last month that Japan must consider using more nuclear power as the nation, which imports most of its energy, struggles with rising fuel prices and a weakening yen.

Playing 4 The Planet Alliance keeps growing

Sumo Group joins the Playing for the Planet Alliance, pledging net-zero CO2 emissions by 2025 and more | Sumo Group

Sumo Group announces today that it has joined the Playing for the Planet Alliance and outlines its commitments for the next 12 months.

Sumo Group Ltd

As part of our pledge to be net zero by 2025, including Scope 3 emissions, the Group will reduce CO2 emissions against a 2019 baseline through a combination of investment in efficient facilities and equipment and behavioural change initiatives.

Congratulations to UsTwo Studios for going employee owned

If you only read one piece on this week's crypto crash, make it this one

The Cryptocurrency Crash Is Replaying 2008 as Absurdly as Possible

Substitute dollars backed by almost nothing are taking down the market.

Foreign PolicyDavid Gerard

Tim Sweeny isn't interested in Mark Zuckerberg's version of the Metaverse

Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney talks the metaverse, crypto, and antitrust

After all the hype about the metaverse, it was good to talk to someone who’s actually built one.

Fast CompanyMark Sullivan

Floating solar farms

Europe’s largest floating solar farm is ready to come online in Portugal

Europe’s largest floating solar farm – which is on the Alqueva hydroelectric dam’s reservoir in Portugal – is ready to produce power in July.

ElectrekNordVPN Because I don’t want to wait for the best of British TV.

China no longer provides cover for sluggish action on climate

Analysis: What do China’s gigantic wind and solar bases mean for its climate goals? - Carbon Brief

China is set to add at least 570 gigawatts (GW) of wind and solar power in the 14th five-year plan (FYP) period (2021–25).

Carbon BriefLauri Myllyvirta

“Installing the 570GW of wind and solar we identified would put China on track to meet the  target in 2026, four years earlier than planned, our analysis shows.”

Why would you make solar more expensive than it needs to be?

The fate of the entire U.S. solar industry could hinge on the whims of one small company in California. If the tariffs being demanded by San Jose–based panel manufacturer Auxin Solar are enacted, it could bring the fast-growing, multibillion-dollar solar sector to a screeching halt.

50:50 Chance of Global Temperature Temporarily Reaching 1.5°C Threshold in Next 5 Years

“This study shows – with a high level of scientific skill – that we are getting measurably closer to temporarily reaching the lower target of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. The 1.5°C figure is not some random statistic. It is rather an indicator of the point at which climate impacts will become increasingly harmful for people and indeed the entire planet,” said WMO Secretary-General Prof. Petteri Taalas.

Time to get cracking...