Global Scans · Decarbonization · Weekly Summary

• [New] The UK aims to capture and store 20 to 30 Megatonnes of CO2 and produce 10 Gigawatts of low-carbon hydrogen annually by 2030. 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] Demand for water, driven by hydrogen production and carbon capture and storage technologies, will rise sharply by 2050. Mirage News
• [New] Carbon capture and storage and early hydrogen projects - including green hydrogen facilities supported by the UAE Energy Strategy 2050 - are emerging alongside traditional projects. / UAE tradearabia
• [New] 2026 will be a year of proof points, where projects must demonstrate economic viability alongside real-world decarbonization benefits. GlobalCom PR Network
• [New] In regions with lower natural gas prices, such as the United States and the Middle East, hydrogen produced with carbon capture is expected to play an important role in the near term. EcoGeneration
• [New] Based on projects that are already operational, the IEA expects low-emissions hydrogen production to reach 4.2 million tonnes per year by 2030. EcoGeneration
• [New] Green material adoption is accelerating from historical levels of 8-10% to an estimated 18-22% by 2033, driven by stricter energy regulations, carbon reduction targets, and ESG-focused investments. Persistence Market Research
• [New] Around 35-40% of existing commercial building stock is expected to undergo energy-efficiency upgrades by 2033, supporting sustained demand for thermal insulation systems, facade refurbishment materials, and low-VOC interior products. Persistence Market Research
• [New] An additional European Commission proposal sets forward a decarbonization fund aimed at temporarily supporting EU producers of CBAM goods, by reimbursing a portion of EU Emissions Trading System costs for goods that are still at risk of carbon leakage. Cleary Gottlieb
• [New] The zero-carbon operation will become an operational reality during 2026. / UK Osborne Clarke
• [New] New research shows electrifying heat systems in U.S. factories by replacing fossil-fuel boilers, ovens and dryers with electric alternatives could cut over a gigaton of CO2 and unlock major decarbonization opportunities in food, chemical and pulp & paper manufacturing. We Mean Business Coalition
• [New] To achieve permanent greenhouse gas neutrality from 2045, it is important to realise all reduction potentials in order to keep the need for offsetting negative emissions as low as possible. / Germany Umweltbundesamt
• [New] Developing a reliable coal-free electricity system to support growth could avoid another 2 GtCO2 by 2050. TotalEnergies.com
• [New] Marks & Spencer has launched RE: Spark, a new supply chain decarbonization programme with Schneider Electric, as part of its Plan A sustainability roadmap targeting net zero emissions by 2040. Yahoo Finance
• [New] The six-year USMCA/CUSMA review will reopen rules of origin, auto, agriculture, and procurement; the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism will shift from reporting to cost in 2026, pricing emissions into inputs; and the U.S.-China rivalry will continue to widen export controls and subsidies. Ivey Business School
• [New] For ResourceWise, 2026 represents a pivotal year in which trade dynamics, capacity rationalization, carbon-related value creation and capital discipline will continue to reshape the global pulp, paper and forest products industry. Paper Advance
• [New] Maryland has set a goal of 1.1 million zero emission vehicles by 2030 (25% of the estimated 4.4 million registered passenger cars and light trucks). Tesla Motors Club
• [New] The carbon intensity of the UK power grid rose last year, for the first time since 2021, highlighting the challenge that Britain faces in achieving its Clean Power 2030 goal. EconCurrent's Substack
• [New] If LESS or a similar standard gains broad acceptance in Europe - including among producers, buyers, and regulators - 2026 could mark the birth of credible lead markets for low-emission steel. EUROMETAL - The Voice of European Steel, Tubes and Meta

Last updated: 18 January 2026