The Second Africa Climate Summit, held in Ethiopia in September 2025, drew more than 25,000 people – from presidents and ministers to farmers, activists, business leaders

Google has partnered with Italian company Energy Dome to use carbon dioxide–based long-duration energy storage (LDES) systems that can stabilize renewable energy grids. The system stores excess solar or wind power by compressing CO₂ gas into liquid form and later releasing it back as gas to drive turbines when energy demand rises. Unlike lithium-ion batteries that last around four hours, Energy Dome’s technology can supply clean energy for up to 24 hours, improving grid reliability. Google’s investment aims to scale this CO₂ battery globally, supporting renewable integration and community access to affordable, resilient electricity.

Researchers from the University of Granada and University of Bologna, with support from China, have developed a method to recycle used e-cigarette butts into asphalt for roads. After removing ash, the cellulose and PLA fibers from filters were shredded, bound with synthetic wax, and formed into pellets. Mixed with recycled asphalt and bitumen, this material created a new asphalt that was 40% butt pellets and recycled road material. The enhanced asphalt showed greater strength, flexibility, fatigue resistance, and lower production temperatures, making it more durable and energy-efficient while addressing cigarette waste pollution.

A strong data foundation is key to navigating regulatory change in energy management. Energy and utility data, once seen mainly for compliance, now drive procurement, investor relations, and climate risk planning. Organizations must centralize and standardize data across platforms to avoid fragmentation, ensuring accessibility for decision-makers. Building flexibility into systems allows quick adaptation to evolving reporting frameworks like ENERGY STAR. By integrating compliance with cost savings, carbon reduction, and resilience, companies can turn regulation into strategic advantage. Importantly, accurate data should come before technology investments, ensuring tools truly support compliance and sustainability goals.

2025 Environment+Energy Leader Award winners are scaling sustainability impact through innovation, AI, digital platforms, and retrofit technologies. Companies like Bidgely, Benchmark Gensuite, Carrier Abound, Infinitum, Uplight, and Trane are leveraging emerging tech to drive energy efficiency, smarter ESG reporting, and sustainable building management. Their efforts range from AI-powered workflows and energy-saving motors for data centers to behavior-driven energy programs and unified digital platforms for smart buildings. Looking ahead, the 2026 awards introduce new Startup categories—Disruptor, Planet, and Power—to spotlight early-stage companies pioneering bold solutions for climate, energy, and resource challenges.