Here are some noteworthy cleantech announcements of the day from around the world:

At a global summit on climate change, U.S President Joe Biden pledged to ensure that the United States cuts its greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by the end of the decade. The country vowed to build a critical infrastructure to produce and deploy clean technology. Biden said he is hopeful that these steps would set America on a path of net-zero emissions economy by no later than 2050. He linked the U.S. climate response to job creation and economic opportunity ready to be tapped. He said that he has proposed a huge investment in innovation in the sector to tap the economic opportunity that climate change presents the workforce with.

On the occasion of Earth Day and as a part of a ‘Go Green’ initiative, the Indian Army inaugurated a solar project at Jalandhar Cantonment and dedicated it to the Military Hospital. The facility is expected to boost healthcare services to combat Covid-19. The 1 MW capacity project, with 3,176 Indian-origin solar panels constructed under the aegis of Vajra Corps, was conceptualized as part of the Army’s pursuance to government policy to rely more on renewable energy. The project spans across 5 acres of land and has been constructed at the cost of ₹51.6 million (~$686,053). The unit will generate at least 15 lakh units of electricity annually or about 1.25 lakh units per month, amounting to an approximate saving of ₹10 million (~$132,956) annually to the government exchequer.

In a green push, Thailand’s floating hydro-solar hybrid project on the surface of Sirindhorn Dam, as a new renewable energy learning center and tourist attraction, is near completion. Executed in collaboration with the Electricity Generation Authority of Thailand, the project is being promoted as a new renewable energy learning center and tourist attraction. Built on a reservoir in the northeast province of Ubon Ratchathani, the project is expected to create sustainable jobs, generate income for locals, and stimulate the overall economy of the province.

The World Bank aims to help the biggest emitters flatten the greenhouse gas emissions curve and accelerate the downtrend. According to the climate change action plan summary, at least 50% of its climate finance is to help countries prepare for and adapt to climate change. The World Bank has reached its highest-ever levels of climate finance in the past two years. The organization commits to increase its spending and propel private sector mobilization through International Finance Corporation and Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency, its private sector-focused entities.

City officials in Germany’s Anklam voted in favor of a 300 MW solar park of the Ingolstadt solar company Anumar. The project would currently be the largest solar power plant in all of Germany. According to Anumar, the project would involve land use planning. A detailed examination of the project has been initiated. The company plans to present a coherent and binding concept for stakeholders over the next few months.

Srinwanti is a copy editor at Mercom India, where she writes and edits news stories across the clean energy spectrum. Prior to Mercom, she has worked in book publishing at Macmillan Publishing House and Integra and honed her editorial and writing skills in both online and print media such as Reuters, Times Group Books, The Times of India, and Pune Mirror, covering local to international stories. More articles from Srinwanti Das.