SCI's Daily Digest: your one-stop shop for all of the day's news in science based industry

In today's Daily Digest, a call on the EU and partners to develop a new global framework for AI risks, the WEF highlight the importance of putting nature at the heart of operations, and more.

Energy

Canada's government is working with Volta Energy Solutions Canada, to build a to build a copper foil facility in Quebec. Copper foils are a high-value component need to produce li-ion EV batteries. The project is part of Quebec's battery sector development strategy.

Leaders at the G20 Summit have agreed to triple renewable energy capacity and have stressed the need for more than $4 trillion annual investment until 2030. The International Renewable Energy Agency has said that the move is in line with recommendations that it has put forward.

Policy

Australia's government has released a consultation on revitalising its National Science and Research Priorities and National Science Statement. The four draft priorities include: ensuring a net-zero future and protecting Australia's biodiversity and enabling a more productive and innovative economy.

Innovation

Innovate UK is providing £6.6 million in funding for research projects which aims to build a stronger supply chain for critical minerals. The investment comes through the Critical Minerals for Magnets Competition and is shared among 40 organisations for R&D across 16 innovative projects.

Other News

The UK government's Advanced Research Invention Agency (ARIA) has revealed its first programme directors. They included: Mark Symes, Professor of Electrochemistry and Electrochemical Technology at the University of Glasgo, and Sarah Bohndiek, Professor of Biomedical Physics, and the University of Cambridge.

The EU, India, Saudi Arabi, the UAE, and the US have signed an agreement formalising the development of a corridor between the three regions to deepen economic relationship and enable the production and transport of green hydrogen, amongst other things. The EU is also committed to the Trans-African corridor providing accesses to critical raw materials.

The President of the European Commission used a speech at the G20 Summit, held in India, calling on the EU and partners to develop a new global framework for AI risks. 'We would need a similar body to the IPCC for climate, and here we need additional outreach the scientists, entrepreneurs and innovators,' said President von der Leyen.

According to the WEF, the household product and personal care sector could generate up to $62 billion in annual business value by 2030, if it puts nature at the heart of operations. By prioritising water stewardship, responsible sourcing, nature conservation and circularity, the household product and personal care sector can transform and play its role in halting and reversing nature loss. The WEF noted that plastic production from the sector generate 3.4% of GHG emissions globally, higher than aviation’s carbon footprint.