The Green Wave Gazette - A round-up of recent sustainabilty news and events around the globe by Synergy International.

Welcome back!

France's Energy Future at a Crossroads?

Our latest episode of the GreenWave Podcast is now live: Episode 9

Now, we’re exploring how they got here—analyzing everything from historic political moves to the pressures of the 1970s oil crisis—and why France’s dependence on nuclear has become both a source of national pride and global debate.

⚡ At the same time, the conversation is shifting toward new horizons, like green hydrogen. France’s low carbon footprint, bolstered by over 70% nuclear electricity production, puts it on the cutting edge of sustainability. But evolving technology and environmental awareness mean nuclear isn’t the only game in town. Read more...

EU Boost to Green Hydrogen Projects

🌱 Europe’s Clean Industrial Deal is gearing up to transform our energy landscape, with newly leaked draft rules suggesting EU nations could subsidise as much as 65% of the investment cost for green hydrogen projects. This is a significant step, offering innovative businesses the spark they need to push sustainable production boundaries.

🏭 Notably, the draft omits explicit mention of nuclear-derived hydrogen, focusing instead on renewable fuels of non-biological origin, also known as RFNBOs. By prioritizing truly green hydrogen and its derivatives, the Commission underscores the urgency of transitioning away from carbon-intensive power sources. With up to 45% of investment costs covered as a baseline, even smaller enterprises stand to benefit from more substantial support. Read more...

COP 16 1/2 Is Back And We're Not Sure Who 🌍 Is Listening

🔔 The international politics behind global funding for biodiversity will have only become even more polarised in the months since the original COP meeting in October last year. So while delegates continue to debate issues like the definition of a "financing instrument," impact of climate change and biodiversity stress continues to run ahead at an accelerating pace.

💡 At Synergy International, we believe multilateral gatherings like COP16 1/2 must prove their worth or adapt. While officials argue over terminologies and potential funding models, communities across the globe grapple with daily climate impacts. Read more...

The Double Trouble Behind "Double Materiality" in 🇪🇺 CSRD

💼 At Synergy International, we remain unconvinced that adding this extra layer of compliance benefits businesses in the way the EU might have hoped. We appreciate the EU’s aspiration to foster greater transparency and accountability in corporate operations. Read more...

The Latest Sustainability Developments

Check it out here.

Date: March 4–5, 2025 Location: Berlin, Germany The H2 Forum is an event for pioneers in the hydrogen industry, focusing on real projects and sharing success stories, including use cases, success factors, and hurdles to realization.

h2ub.com

Sustainability LIVE London

Date: March 5-6, 2025 Location: London, United Kingdom This conference aims to connect sustainability executives to discuss strategies, insights, and technological developments in the field. It features keynote speeches, panel discussions, and networking opportunities.

GLF Forests 2025

Date: April 24–25, 2025 Location: Bonn, Germany, and online Organized by the Global Landscapes Forum, this event will focus on forest conservation, sustainable management, and the role of forests in combating climate change. It offers both in-person and virtual participation options.

ChangeNOW 2025

Date: April 25-27, 2025 Location: Paris, France This three-day summit is returning for its 8th edition, bringing together stakeholders from across the impact sector to plan innovative solutions through workshops, conferences and networking opportunities.

Hydrogen Economy Forum

Date: May 13, 2025 Location: Kuching, Malaysia The Hydrogen Economy Forum aims to discuss the development and implementation of hydrogen as a key component of the future energy economy, featuring experts from various sectors.

World Hydrogen Summit 2025

Date: May 2025 (Exact dates to be confirmed) Location: Rotterdam, Netherlands The World Hydrogen Summit gathers global industry experts to exchange insights, build alliances, and sign agreements to advance hydrogen project developments into the 2030s.

world-hydrogen-summit.com

International Hydrogen Technologies Congress

Date: May 25, 2025 Location: Izmir, Turkey This congress focuses on advancements in hydrogen technologies, providing a platform for researchers and industry professionals to discuss innovations and applications in the hydrogen sector.

African Energy Week (AEW) 2025

Date: September 29 to October 3, 2025 Location: Cape Town International Convention Centre 2 (CTICC2) in Cape Town, South Africa Organized by the African Energy Chamber, AEW serves as a premier platform uniting African energy stakeholders, global investors, and industry leaders for discussions on the continent's energy future. The event features high-level discussions, networking opportunities, exhibitions, private meetings, deal-signing forums, and project site visits, all aimed at driving industry growth and development.

20th Conference on Sustainable Development of Energy, Water and Environment Systems (SDEWES)

Date: September 2025 (Exact dates to be confirmed) Location: Dubrovnik, Croatia This conference will gather scientists and professionals to discuss sustainable development in energy, water, and environmental systems. It serves as a platform for sharing research and advancements in these fields.

COP30 – 2025 United Nations Climate Change Conference

Date: November 10–21, 2025 Location: Belém, Pará, Brazil The 30th UN Climate Change Conference will convene global leaders to discuss and negotiate actions to address climate change. This marks the first time the conference will be held in the Amazon region, highlighting the importance of rainforest conservation.