In brief | 15 April '25

Copernicus/WMO: European State of the Climate Report - 2024 warmest year on record

During the year, there was a striking east-west contrast in climate conditions, with extremely dry and often record-warm conditions in the east, and warm but wet conditions in the west.

NY Times: China halts critical exports as trade war intensifies

Beijing suspends exports of certain rare earth minerals and magnets that are crucial for the world’s car, semiconductor and aerospace industries.

DLR: World-first in-flight measurements of contrails from hydrogen propulsion 

Measurements provide new insights into the climate impact of contrails produced by H2 combustion. 

Fraunhofer IZM: Novel inverter to minimise heat development in EV engines 

"Dauerpower" inverter by Fraunhofer, Porsche, Bosch said to be "new benchmark for high-end electric sports cars."

New Climate Institute: The new German government lacks a compass for foreign trade and climate policy - opinion

"Rather than fostering equal and mutually beneficial alliances, the focus lies squarely on Germany’s own interests."

Reuters: New north-south German power line seen in mid-2027 - grid regulator 

The A-Nord line will bring northern wind power to industry centre North-Rhine Westphalia.