⚡Good morning, we thank you for choosing Acclimate among your climate tech information sources. We’re here to help you navigate the clean energy transition by highlighting what matters and what doesn’t for climate tech professionals. Let’s dive into the key developments shaping the future of the clean energy transition.

In today’s edition:

• Does climate tech have a voter problem? Our featured article delves into the nuances of voter opinion.

• What we’re amplifying: public perception, Donald Trump, renewable energy, and electric vehicles.

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Curated links, handpicked and summarized.

Public perception

⭐ Why Important to Energy Transition: Public perception is vital for shaping effective climate strategies, mobilizing youth support, and promoting sustainable energy behaviors, all of which are essential for successful energy transitions and reducing emissions.

• Despite Climate Concerns, Young Voter Turnout Slumped and Its Support Split Between the Parties [insideclimatenews.org]
  What: Young voters showed varied support in the recent election, with a notable shift towards Trump among young men. Despite climate change being a significant issue, many young voters prioritized economic concerns, leading to a more complex electoral landscape.
  Why: The diverse opinions of young voters regarding climate change and environmental policies highlight the complexity of their political engagement. Understanding these nuances is crucial for political campaigns aiming to mobilize youth support effectively. [Visit Link]

• The Clean Energy Transition's Voter Problem [www.aei.org]
  What: A YouGov survey revealed significant voter preferences for an 'all of the above' energy policy, with low support for rapid renewable transitions. Voters expressed concerns about energy costs and reliability, indicating a cautious approach to climate action.
  Why: Public opinion on energy policy is crucial for shaping effective climate strategies. The preference for an 'all of the above' approach highlights the need for policies that align with voter priorities, ensuring broader support for energy transitions. [Visit Link]

• Frontiers | Understanding the human dimensions of a sustainable energy transition [www.frontiersin.org]
  What: The article outlines a framework for promoting sustainable energy behaviors, emphasizing the need for behavioral changes in households. It highlights the importance of social science in understanding motivations and designing effective interventions to reduce carbon emissions.
  Why: Understanding and promoting sustainable energy behaviors is crucial for combating climate change. Identifying key behaviors, motivations, and contextual factors can drive the adoption of renewable energy and energy-efficient technologies, essential for reducing emissions. [Visit Link]

Donald Trump

⭐ Why Important: Donald Trump is important due to his influence on energy policies that affect economic growth, the transition to electric vehicles, and climate strategies, which could significantly impact sustainability and emissions in the US.

• Trump picks Colorado oil and gas executive to lead Energy Department [washingtonstatestandard.com] What: Donald Trump announced Chris Wright's nomination as Department of Energy secretary, signaling a focus on fossil fuel production. Wright's controversial views on climate change and energy policy suggest a significant departure from current climate initiatives.
  Why: The nomination of Chris Wright as Department of Energy secretary is significant as it reflects a shift towards fossil fuel prioritization under the Trump administration. This choice raises concerns about climate policy and the potential rollback of clean energy initiatives. [Visit Link]

• Exclusive: How much CO2 emissions might change under Trump [www.axios.com]
  What: An analysis indicates that a second Trump term could result in an additional 27 billion tonnes of CO2 emissions by 2050 compared to a second Biden term. This underscores the significant impact of political leadership on climate policy and emissions.
  Why: The potential rollback of climate policies under a second Trump administration is crucial as it could lead to an additional 4 billion tonnes of CO2 emissions by 2030. This highlights the stark contrast in climate strategies between political candidates.
  Visit Link...

• Why climate-tech momentum might prevail over anti-green policies [www.emergingtechbrew.com]
  What: Trump's administration plans to repeal the Inflation Reduction Act, which supports clean energy initiatives. Additionally, he aims to withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord, potentially reducing international cooperation on climate change mitigation.
  Why: The transition to renewable energy is crucial for economic growth and environmental sustainability. Despite political opposition, the fundamentals of clean energy remain strong, making it a vital topic for future energy policies and job creation. [Visit Link]

Renewable Energy

⭐ Why Important to Energy Transition: Renewable energy is vital for economic growth, environmental sustainability, and effective climate strategies. It supports job creation, enhances grid resilience, and reduces reliance on fossil fuels, making it essential for a successful energy transition.

• Navigating the physical realities of the energy transition [wattsupwiththat.com]
  What: A McKinsey Global Institute report outlines the physical challenges of transitioning to a decarbonized energy system. It highlights the need for new technologies to manage renewable energy variability and the importance of backup resources to ensure grid reliability.
  Why: The challenges of managing renewable energy variability are crucial for a successful energy transition. As reliance on wind and solar increases, ensuring a reliable backup system becomes essential to prevent blackouts and maintain grid stability. [Visit Link]

• Trump has vowed to kill US offshore wind projects. Will he succeed? [apnews.com]
  What: Following the election of Donald Trump, who has pledged to end offshore wind projects, the industry faces uncertainty. Despite this, many companies remain optimistic and plan to collaborate with the new administration to continue developing offshore wind energy.
  Why: The future of offshore wind energy is crucial for sustainable energy development in the U.S. Despite opposition from political figures, the industry has significant potential to provide clean energy and create jobs, making it vital for economic and environmental progress. [Visit Link]

• Net Zero Hinges on Emerging Markets Outside China More Than Doubling Annual Energy Investment [about.bnef.com]
  What: Emerging markets need to more than double their annual energy transition investment to $2.6 trillion by 2050 to achieve net-zero emissions. China requires $1.7 trillion annually, with a significant shift towards electric vehicles and low-carbon technologies.
  Why: Investment in energy transition is crucial for achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Emerging markets must significantly increase their funding to support low-carbon technologies, which are essential for mitigating climate change and ensuring sustainable development. [Visit Link]

Electric Vehicles

🧊 Why not as Important: EVs are not the ultimate solution but are an important piece of the puzzle. Passenger cars make up about 7% of US GHG emissions and while important are not low hanging fruit.
📢 Why amplify: EV innovation, market growth, and cultural impact make them a trending topic worth exploring.

• Tesla's Latest Supercharger Update Brings Big Speed Improvements [insideevs.com]
  What: Tesla has launched the V4 Cabinet for its Supercharger network, allowing for faster charging speeds up to 500 kW for vehicles like the Cybertruck. The new cabinets can power eight stalls simultaneously and are currently in the permitting process for installation.
  Why: The introduction of Tesla's V4 Cabinet is significant as it enhances EV charging capabilities, supporting faster charging speeds for high-voltage vehicles. This advancement solidifies Tesla's leadership in the EV market and improves user experience during long trips. [Visit Link]

• Trump transition team plans to kill Biden's electric vehicle tax credit [www.theguardian.com]
  What: The Trump transition team is considering ending the $7,500 EV tax credit, which could stall the US electric vehicle transition. Tesla supports the repeal, while other automakers warn it would harm their competitiveness against foreign manufacturers.
  Why: The potential repeal of the $7,500 consumer tax credit for electric vehicles is significant as it could hinder the US transition to EVs, impacting competitiveness in the global market and undermining efforts to lead in sustainable automotive technology. [Visit Link]

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Thank you for reading!

- Acclimate Team