Negotiations for a global plastic pollution treaty have ended without an agreement after oil-producing nations and countries seeking to curb plastic production failed to reach a compromise. The talks in Geneva, which included representatives from 185 countries, highlighted the divide between nations wanting to focus on waste management and those aiming to reduce plastic production. Despite last-minute efforts to find common ground, the talks concluded with no deal.

Electric vehicle repair costs in Germany are decreasing as mechanics gain experience, but they remain 15% to 20% higher than those for vehicles with internal combustion engines, according to the German Insurance Association. The gap has narrowed from 20% to 25% last year.

Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners is seeking approval for a $1.3 billion hybrid renewables project in Chile that would feature 1 gigawatt of solar, 152 megawatts of wind and a battery energy storage system with a capacity of nearly 4 gigawatt-hours. The project's environmental impact assessment details the use of over 1.39 million solar modules and 19 wind turbines.

The California Energy Commission has allocated $55 million through the Fast Charge California Project to fund the installation of high-speed electric vehicle chargers, covering up to 100% of installation costs. Meanwhile, the US Department of Transportation has resumed the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program with revised guidelines, including the removal of a requirement that charging stations be no more than 50 miles apart. "Our revised NEVI guidance slashes red tape and makes it easier for states to efficiently build out this infrastructure," Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy says.

Starting Sept. 30, electric and alternative-fuel vehicle drivers will no longer be able to drive alone in HOV lanes or use express lanes toll-free on Interstate 85 in Gwinnett County, Ga. Almost 40,000 trips are made per day on the express lanes along with about 17,000 on the express lane extension, with approximately 20% of the trips qualifying as toll-exempt.

Climate change is impacting surface water quality in Georgia through extreme rainfall and drought, according to experts from the University of Georgia Extension and Georgia State University. Heavy rainfall contributes to runoff, which carries pollutants such as sediment, fertilizer and waste from urban areas into rivers and streams, while droughts concentrate pollutants by reducing water flow. Georgia has 70,000 miles of rivers, 425,000 acres of lakes and 4.5 million acres of freshwater wetlands.

The Treasury Department is due to release new tax credit eligibility guidance that BloombergNEF estimates could put more than 2,500 wind and solar projects at risk. Although the specifics have yet to be released, Rhone Resch of Advanced Energy Advisors warns that many projects "aren't going to be able to adapt to these new deadlines."

Watch this space: To sort out changes to tax credits and help make sense of new tariffs, Jessica Libby, Principal at KPMG Trade and Customs, will be making a return appearance next week on the Renewable Energy SmartPod.

Chinese scientists have introduced Geair, the first AI-powered breeding robot, capable of autonomous cross-pollination. Developed by Xu Cao's team at the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Geair combines AI and biotechnology to reduce breeding costs and cycles, improve efficiency, and minimize human error, and the robot's successful greenhouse test highlights its potential to transform agriculture through precision and sustainability.

Many people underestimate the climate impacts of actions such as avoiding long-haul flights and using renewable electricity, and many overestimate the impact of actions such as recycling and using energy-efficient appliances and lightbulbs, according to a study in PNAS Nexus. People also underestimate the negative impacts of dog ownership, which contributes to climate change primarily through feeding dogs beef. Dog owners can reduce their climate impacts by choosing less carbon-intensive foods, such as seafood and turkey.