Poland leads in booming CEE digital economy

The CEE digital economy is gaining global recognition, with the combined market capitalization of the 100 largest tech companies in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) reaching nearly $117 billion, according to the “Digital Champions CEE 2025” report by the Digital Poland Foundation. The top-ranking firms include Estonian fintech Wise, along with Polish giants InPost and …

Voluntary Carbon Markets drive climate innovation

Voluntary Carbon Markets (VCMs), while still a small piece of the global climate puzzle, are increasingly being recognized as a powerful tool for accelerating decarbonization. Unlike compliance markets, which are mandated by governments and regulate emissions through legal caps, VCMs operate on a voluntary basis—allowing companies and organizations to purchase carbon credits to offset their …

AI energy solutions power smart cities

Artificial intelligence (AI) is playing a transformative role in how modern cities generate, store, and distribute energy. Acting as a silent orchestrator, AI integrates renewable energy sources—such as wind, solar, geothermal, hydrogen, and batteries—into unified systems that promote cleaner and more efficient energy management. This integration is essential to building the foundation of smart cities, …

Coal mines reborn as solar projects

A groundbreaking analysis by Global Energy Monitor (GEM) reveals that abandoned or soon-to-close coal mines hold immense potential to be repurposed for solar projects, offering a powerful new path toward clean energy. According to GEM’s Global Coal Mine Tracker, 312 surface coal mines have already closed since 2020, covering 2,089 square kilometers of land. An …

UN Ocean Conference spurs global ocean action

The 2025 United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC) in Nice, France, has been widely regarded as a turning point in global efforts to protect the oceans. Attended by nearly 200 countries, UNOC focused on accelerating commitments to existing treaties, particularly the High Seas Treaty, and addressing urgent issues like plastic pollution, illegal fishing, and destructive marine …

Scientists warn against weak EU climate plan

As the European Union nears a pivotal decision on its 2040 climate target, the European Scientific Advisory Board on Climate Change (ESABCC) has issued a strong and unprecedented warning. The independent panel of scientists is urging the EU to reject the use of international carbon credits in favor of ambitious domestic emissions cuts. Their central …

Climate farmers exit carbon credits market

Climate Farmers, a leading nonprofit in Europe’s regenerative agriculture movement and co-developer of its soil carbon credit methodology, has made a surprising decision to step away from carbon credits and carbon markets altogether. According to cofounder Ivo Degn, the choice was not due to a failure of the regenerative mission, but rather because the carbon …