Global Scans · Climate · Weekly Summary

• [New] A full transition to ammonia produced using conventional processes paired with carbon capture could cut global greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 71% for a 23.2% cost increase. MIT News | Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• [New] Environmental threats, from extreme weather to biodiversity loss and critical changes to Earth's systems, may have dropped in prominence relative to short-term geopolitical concerns, but they still dominate the ten-year risk outlook. IO+
• [New] As long as Earth continues to absorb more energy than it releases, ocean heat content will keep rising and new records will continue to be set. ScienceDaily
• [New] Against the backdrop of global climate change and digital transformation in urban planning, enhancing community risk perception capabilities and developing the potential of community technology empowerment have become important issues in responding to sudden disasters and long-term risks. Nature
• [New] England faces a shortfall in public water supplies of nearly five billion liters per day by 2055, and a further one billion liters a day shortfall in the wider economy. Mirage News
• [New] Significant water deficits are projected for Anglian Water and United Utilities by 2030 and for Yorkshire Water by 2040. Mirage News
• [New] Additional water demand from associated decarbonization projects could reach 860 million liters per day (plus or minus 150 million liters) by 2050. Mirage News
• [New] The European Union and the U.S. are both considering scoring crypto assets based on how clean or dirty they are, while the IMF has proposed a carbon tax on crypto miners that could raise $5 billion per year in revenue while cutting carbon pollution up to 110 million tons. The Cool Down
• [New] If current planting rates are maintained, the total area of missed planting will be an area equivalent to three times the size of Greater London, with a third less carbon sequestered than on the Climate Change Committee's Balanced Pathway. Euronews
• [New] Platforms like Climawise link global adaptation strategies to local risks, helping cities design tailored responses to flooding, heat, and sea-level rise. Forbes
• [New] Extreme weather, biodiversity loss and irreversible changes to Earth's systems continue to threaten global stability, even as governments struggle to maintain focus amid competing priorities. European Business Magazine
• [New] In 2026, astronauts will travel around the Moon for the first time since the Apollo era, powerful new space telescopes will prepare to survey billions of galaxies, and multiple nations will launch missions aimed at finding habitable worlds, water on the Moon and clues to how our solar system formed. The Conversation
• [New] The rapid global expansion of artificial intelligence is set to drive a 129% increase in water demand across the AI value chain by 2050. Stock Titan
• [New] Without adequate mitigation and adaptation measures, coastal flooding along the European coastline could result in expected annual damage of €240 billion by 2100 under the high-emission Representative Concentration Pathway, a more than 170-fold increase over the present-day EAD of €1.4 billion. Nature
• [New] By 2050, finance needed for adaptation could hit one trillion dollars every year, under certain emissions scenarios. The Daily Star
• [New] The maritime environment in Indonesia and the Southeast Asian region is prone to high risks because of factors such as security threats, environmental risks, cyber threats, as well as monsoon weather. All About Shipping
• [New] More extreme weather events are expected for Australia and the world as the rise in global temperatures continues unabated. World Socialist Web Site
• [New] The impact on business interruption risks, such as supply chain bottlenecks and disruption of logistics due to extreme weather events, is the main climate-related business concern for 63% of respondents. Claims Journal
• [New] 2026 will be the year climate risk assessments move from a reporting function to a strategic one, and adaptation becomes a huge opportunity. ESG News
• [New] The global requirement for water for the development of AI will increase up to 4.2-6.6 billion cubic meters in 2027. Paradigm Shift

Last updated: 19 January 2026