Global Scans · Decarbonization · Weekly Summary

• [New] By integrating graphene to reduce the volume of required material, we have the potential to slash concrete colossal 8% global carbon footprint by up to 2%. PubMed Central (PMC)
• [New] As the UK construction sector seeks to translate policy intent into delivery, success will hinge on embedding sustainable building practices and defensible whole life carbon strategies into every stage of design and procurement. Whole Life Carbon
• [New] Global renewable capacity is projected to reach 8.4 TW by 2031, aligning infrastructure delivery with the transition to net zero carbon buildings. Whole Life Carbon
• [New] Only by mandating circular carbon content, including bio-based renewable sources, can Europe break the polyester bottleneck, unlock transformational investment, and deliver tangible circularity and climate outcomes by 2030. Unblocking circularity in textiles - bio-based syntheti
• [New] Clarity on renewable carbon targets, including a mandatory 30% circular content threshold by 2030, will de-risk investment, stimulate innovation, and support European competitiveness in advanced materials. Unblocking circularity in textiles - bio-based syntheti
• [New] The International Maritime Organization aims to reduce green-house gas emission from ships by 40% by 2030. Consegic Business Intelligence
• [New] Baowu Steel officials emphasized that the 1 million tonne nearly zero carbon steel production line has the potential to reduce more than 3.14 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually. Steel Radar
• [New] EIA projected carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels would decline from a three-year high of 4.904 billion metric tons in 2025 to 4.820 billion metric tons in 2026 as oil, coal and gas use decreases, and 4.816 billion metric tons in 2027 as coal use declines. Energy News, Top Headlines, Commentaries, Features & Ev
• [New] The EU plan to roll out small nuclear reactors (SMRs) by the early 2030s is designed to provide low-carbon electricity and heat while also decarbonising and lowering energy costs for heavy industries such as steel and chemicals. Euronews
• [New] Analysts expect the energy summits to highlight AI-for-Oil partnerships, where Big Tech firms like Microsoft Corporation and Alphabet Inc. collaborate with energy giants to optimize carbon capture and grid stability, ensuring that the AI boom does not run out of fuel. FinancialContent
• [New] Developed economies are expected to settle into a phase of low but positive growth, while China remains a key contributor to global expansion, even as it slows structurally. BIL Investment Insights
• [New] The mechanism through 2035 is direct: national and corporate decarbonization goals mandate massive additions of solar capacity, requiring exponential growth in polysilicon production. IndexBox Inc.
• [New] 2025 To 2030, AI could add 1.3 to 1.7 gigatons of carbon emissions annually, equivalent to 2-3% of global emissions. Forrester
• [New] Strategic planting with future climate considered, such as in Canada's boreal forest edge, could significantly boost carbon removal. Resilience
• [New] To stay on a 1.5 °C pathway, emissions must fall 40% below 2019 levels by 2030. Home & Art Magazine
• [New] Global logistics providers are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence to deliver immediate cuts in freight-sector carbon emissions while handling rising volumes and unpredictable conditions. FIDI Focus
• [New] In that scenario, the share of fossil energy could fall to between 30 and 45% by 2050; correspondingly, up to 70% of energy consumption could come from low-carbon sources. EurekAlert!
• [New] From 2026 to 2030, the Middle East's low-carbon hydrogen capacity is expected to grow at a CAGR of 48%, across ~84 projects. GlobeNewswire
• [New] CCUS will need to account for nearly 25% of all emission reductions required by the Indian cement sector to achieve net zero by 2070. Chemistry World
• [New] The draft rules mandate facilities in select hard-to-abate sectors to meet GHG emission intensity targets and have assigned baseline emission intensity values for 186 cement facilities along with their respective targets for 2026 and 2027. / India Chemistry World
• [New] The mechanism through 2035 will be increasingly driven by regulatory pressure for emission control and waste minimization, coupled with the economic incentive to recover and reuse raw materials and water. IndexBox Inc.
• [New] In 2026, performance-based standards and increased use of digital tools like AI-enabled mix optimization could speed up the uptake of low carbon concrete by prioritising strength, durability and performance instead of sticking to a rigid ingredient list. Climate Group

Last updated: 15 March 2026