Truth is not a commodity

Affordable and Renewable Clean Energy

At a glance:  These trends illustrate a dual dynamic: rapid investment and expansion in many regions—especially across the Middle East, India, Canada, and the EU—but also significant policy pushback in the U.S. and local political resistance in places like Lincolnshire and Victoria.

Takeaways: 

  • Growth Hotspots   Saudi Arabia, India, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and the U.S. solar sector
  • Policy Boosters BC’s permitting reform, EU’s Clean Industrial Deal, UK’s Energy Act
  • Risks   U.S. clean energy incentive rollback; local opposition in UK and Australia
  • Energy Mix   Solar surges globally and in U.S.; diverse clean energy reinforcements underway

Global & Regional Policy & Investment

  • UK speeding up renewable deployment: The UK’s Net Zero Conference (July 5–11) included a £58 bn grid modernization and clean energy push—but policy resistance in places like Lincolnshire shows local tensions.
  • Canada’s streamlined permitting: British Columbia enacted Bill 14 to fast-track renewable projects—expanding BC Energy Regulator oversight, exempting selected solar and wind developments from environmental review, and facilitating First Nations consultation (JD Supra).
  • EU’s Clean Industrial Deal: Launched mid-July, it mandates 100 GW of renewables per year until 2030 and introduces an affordable energy action plan aiming to save €260 bn annually by 2040
  • Great Britain Energy Act 2025: Even outside this week, remember it came into force May 15, creating a public entity (Great British Energy) to accelerate homegrown renewable infrastructure.

Major Project Announcements & Capacity Milestones

  • Saudi Arabia launches $8.3 bn solar + wind plan: ACWA Power, Aramco Power, and partners will deploy 15 GW across 7 farms in key regions by 2028, aiming for 50% renewables by 2030 and 130 GW total renewables by decade’s end.
  • India hits 50% non-fossil capacity early: With ~184.6 GW installed, India is halfway to its 500 GW non-fossil target for 2030—supported by strong additions in solar + wind and battery, green‑H₂ incentives.
  • Uttar Pradesh’s clean energy summit: Launched large-scale solar, bioenergy, EV charging networks, grid storage, and AI integration to drive affordability, reliability, and rural livelihoods.
  • US solar generation jump: The U.S. Energy Information Administration forecasts solar output rising ~34% this summer compared to last—and to become the top renewable summer source by 2026.

Policy Headwinds & Risks

  • U.S. tax cuts threaten renewables: The July 4 “One Big Beautiful Bill” and executive orders undercut federal solar/wind incentives. Utility-scale credits are being phased out; residential solar now sees pressure. Developers face tighter safe‑harbor rules.
  • Australia offshore wind setback: BlueFloat Energy cancelled its Victorian offshore wind project after failing to find a buyer—raising doubts on Victoria’s target of 2 GW by 2032 and 9 GW by 2040

Personal Democracy

At a glance: Supreme Court rulings and federal policy shifts are testing activists’ response strategies.  Voices like Bhargava stress the need for deliberate nonviolent civic tactics and institutional defections.   In Hong Kong, state pressure shuts down dissent, while elsewhere civic actors regroup and rethink democratic tools.   Platforms like The Fulcrum are building shared visions for democracy’s future through cross-sector dialogue.

U.S. Civic & Political Innovation

Supreme Court decisions spark civic backlash

  • A recent newsletter highlights the Supreme Court’s conservative majority limiting individual rights, raising alarms among democracy advocates. Organizations like The Constitution Project warn this could erode public access to democratic protections.

Grassroots strategy: disruption, delegitimization, defection

  • In a June 14 essay, Deepak Bhargava outlines a personal democracy roadmap centered on nonviolent disruption, de-legitimizing authoritarian tactics, and drawing institutional defectors as vital tools in democratic renewal.

Global Democratic Challenges & Movements

Hong Kong pro-democracy group disbands

  • The League of Social Democrats, Hong Kong’s last street-protesting pro-democracy party, formally disbanded under Beijing’s tightening national security regime. This marks another blow to Hong Kong’s democratic movement.

Media spotlight on democratic revitalization

  • The Fulcrum launched The Path Forward: Defining the Democracy Reform Movement, a new interview series—led by Scott Warren and the Bridge Alliance—to bring together civic leaders and clarify next steps for democracy reform.

 

Food Production and Distribution

At a glance: Launch of Kinda Cod and Vow quail signal both plant-based and cultivated products entering real markets. Investment in scale-up facilities in Netherlands and policy support in Australia show maturity beyond lab stage.   FAO’s framework and Asia’s regulatory coordination efforts reflect global readiness driving.Market MovementCapital is consolidating around proven fermentation tech; downstream cost reductions continue as a critical focus.

Outlook

  • Consumer adoption of novel proteins is warming—evidence from plant-based launches and fine-dining cultured-meat entries.
  • Regulatory synergy across regions (Asia, Australia, EU institutions) is emerging as essential to scaling and public acceptance.
  • Infrastructure readiness is rising, with scale-up hubs and shared resources falling into place to support next-phase commercialization.

Product Innovation & Market Launches

  • “Kinda Cod” 3D‑printed plant-based fish: Austrian startup Revo Foods teamed with Juicy Marbles to launch “Kinda Cod”, a mycoprotein-based alternative to cod featuring 3D printing for flaky texture, rolling out in the U.S., with EU/UK expansion planned space.
  • Australia’s first cultured quail on menus: Vow’s cultivated quail, approved by FSANZ on April 7, began appearing at Sydney and Melbourne restaurants in mid-June, marking a key milestone for cultured meat in Oceania.

️ Scale‑Up Infrastructure & Funding

  • Asia Food Journal reported on July 15 that Asia’s cellular agriculture faces regulatory and food‑safety hurdles; regional associations (APAC‑SCA) are fostering ecosystem alignment and standards to accelerate scaling
  • Australia white paper (July 2): Cellular Agriculture Australia released a policy-focused report outlining precision fermentation opportunities and regulatory needs to bolster domestic biomanufacturing

Regulation, Ecosystems & Collaboration

  • FAO on food‑safety frameworks: Published early July, the FAO offered guidance on nomenclature, processes, and regulatory standards in precision fermentation to harmonize global oversight.
  • Food‑tech hub progress: The Netherlands bolstered its leadership by supporting two scale‑up fermentation/cultivation hubs with a €25 million public/private investment, offering shared infrastructure to SMEs.

Sector Trends & Market Analysis

  • A mid‑2025 FoodTech report emphasized a shift towards fermentation-based ingredients (e.g., dairy proteins) and cultivated meat, noting a more disciplined investment landscape favoring later‑stage and precision‑fermentation players.
  • Market dynamics: Precision fermentation is lauded for recreating dairy, egg, and functional proteins at lower cost and environmental impact—though overall scalability and cost parity remain key challenges

Transportation and Mobility

At a glance:  $17.6 T TaaS market; MaaS climbing toward $1.43 T by 2032Mozee moving HQ to Arlington; May Mobility expands “driver‑out” servicesQuantum-enabled windbreaker fleets concept (WaaS)Large displacement potential, yet pilots struggle with integration.

Outlook

  • Continued autonomous shuttle rollouts in controlled environments (campuses, events) suggest TaaS tools are maturing toward hybrid public-private systems.
  • MaaS platforms still grapple with bundling offerings and aligning incentives across private operators and transit agencies.
  • Novel concepts like WaaS + quantum routing may redefine cost-efficiency in shared mobility—but are still early-stage research.
  • Expect strong industry consolidation, infrastructure investments, and expanded AV pilot programs in urban and peri-urban zones through late 2025.

Broader Market Growth & Forecasts

 Autonomous Fleet Advancements

  • Mozee, a Dallas-based autonomous shuttle startup, announced in early July it’s relocating to Arlington, TX, and setting up a new manufacturing facility to support deployment of 12-passenger electric AV shuttles—targeting events such as transportation demands around the 2026 FIFA World Cup
  • May Mobility, known for low-speed driverless shuttles, continues scaling its “driver-out” operations. It launched its first fully autonomous service in Ann Arbor, Michigan, in late 2024, and earlier in 2025 rolled out commercial driverless service in Peachtree Corners, GA—a model that’s influencing MaaS-integrated deployments.

Emerging Tech Concepts

Ongoing Challenges & Opportunities

Outlook:  Continued autonomous shuttle rollouts in controlled environments (campuses, events) suggest TaaS tools are maturing toward hybrid public-private systems.

  • MaaS platforms still grapple with bundling offerings and aligning incentives across private operators and transit agencies.
  • Novel concepts like WaaS + quantum routing may redefine cost-efficiency in shared mobility—but are still early-stage research.
  • Expect strong industry consolidation, infrastructure investments, and expanded AV pilot programs in urban and peri-urban zones through late 2025.

Mozee’s Model for Event Shuttles

  • Modular agile transit: Mozee from Arlington, TX, deploys 12-passenger electric autonomous shuttles designed for controlled zones—like stadium districts, campuses, and airports—to address first-mile/last-mile gaps.
  • World‑Class Events Pilot: They’re gearing up mass deployments in Arlington’s Entertainment District—covering events like Cowboys, Rangers games, concerts, and the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
  • Live route optimization & hotspot integration: Using a communications backbone from 46 Labs, Mozee provides real-time fleet management and even uses their shuttles as mobile Wi-Fi hotspots during high-demand events.
  • Local manufacturing: Mozee is relocating its HQ to Arlington and building a 3D-printing-enabled facility to assemble shuttles — boosted by a $4 M local incentive and creating 100+ jobs at $100K+ average salary.

Key takeaway: Mozee builds on a flexible, data-driven shuttle model tailored for event zones—leveraging connectivity and localized manufacturing to scale operations quickly ahead of major events.

May Mobility’s Integration Strategies

  • Driver-out scalability: May Mobility has steadily expanded its fully autonomous, low-speed shuttle services—now operating in places like Ann Arbor, MI and Peachtree Corners, GA—marking progress toward autonomy-first MaaS.
  • MaaS-focused deployment: Their access-first, fixed-route shuttles integrate into broader transit frameworks, enabling smooth transfers and bundling with public transport—aligned with evolving MaaS priorities.

While direct details on their integrations weren’t in the latest reports, their deployment patterns reflect a deliberate strategy: embed autonomous shuttles into existing transit networks, focusing on partnerships with municipalities and infrastructure solutions.

MaaS Pricing & Bundling Studies

  • Milan university case (January 2025): A survey at Politecnico di Milano found 45% uninterested, 29.5% open to one bundle, and 25.3% interested in two+ MaaS packages.  Notably, public transit pass holders showed 17.5–28.3% higher willingness to pay compared to their current costs
  • Qualitative evidence from London: Earlier research demonstrated that once subscribed, over 60% of users tried new modes included in their bundle—suggesting bundling can shift behavior.
  • Implementation insight from Athens: A Greek pilot integrated bike-sharing, taxis, metro, and intercity rail. Key challenges: user journey complexity, operator coordination, and creating effective booking/payment systems.

Essentials: Bundled MaaS packages resonate most with existing public transit users, drive adoption of new modes post-enrollment, and highlight integration challenges around UX, coordination, and payment systems.

Futuristic WaaS Concept: Windbreaking-as-a-Service (WaaS)

  • WaaS & QUEST: A May 2025 research paper introduced Windbreaking-as-a-Service, where larger “windbreaker” vehicles reduce drag for trailing “windsurfer” vehicles, lowering collective energy use .
  • Quantum partnership: They modeled the pairing challenge as a mixed-integer quadratic optimization (MIQP), then adapted it for quantum annealing and QAOA via their QUEST framework. Early experiments confirmed prototype viability .
  • Next steps: The study lays a foundation for multi-segment routing and scalable quantum-enhanced fleet coordination—but real-world pilot work is still forthcoming.

Key insight: WaaS shows how quantum computing and novel shared-vehicle models could unlock aerodynamic efficiencies in future MaaS fleets.

Summary Table

Area Highlight
Mozee Event-focused AV shuttles with real-time network control and local manufacturing.
May Mobility Embedding low-speed autonomous shuttles into transit networks for MaaS integration.
MaaS Bundling Study results: PT pass holders most open, bundling fosters behavior change, but integration remains hard.
WaaS (Quantum) Conceptual pairing of vehicles for drag-reduction, using quantum tech for fleet route optimization.

Smarter Cities:

At a glance: Cities worldwide are not just layering technology onto existing systems—they’re embracing holistic, human-centered design paired with AI-optimized mobility, civic safeguards, and platform-based urban ecosystems. The pace of innovation is accelerating, with pilots launching across continents and global policy frameworks catching up to embed ethics and equity into the transformation.

Snapshot:

  • Design-first infrastructure Projects in Australia, Singapore, Saudi Arabia showcase embedded intelligence and resilience.
  • Mobility & emissions AI traffic systems in Genoa/Dubai plus global emissions savings ambitions.
  • Rights & governance New toolkit and summit discussions emphasize equity and inclusion.
  • Connectivity & platform integration A burst of smart-city pilots in transport, energy, e‑mobility, and IoT globally.

Smart-by-Design Urban Development

SJ Group’s approach now prioritizes embedding intelligence at the planning stage:

  • Australia’s The Point Estate integrates water-sensitive design across 195 ha, preserving two-thirds of the landscape and using digital 3D models for earthworks and sewer systems.
  • Singapore’s NUS campus now has a centralized Integrated Operations Center, consolidating security, engineering, and energy systems across 170 ha for enhanced real-time management.
  • Sudair City in Saudi Arabia is built from the ground up with integrated zoning, infrastructure phasing, and industrial planning to support both growth and livability.

Takeaway: Cities are moving beyond retrofitting tech—they’re purposefully designing systems with sustainability, efficiency, and resilience at their core.

AI-Driven Traffic & Emissions Control

Recent initiatives highlight AI’s growing role in mobility:

Governance, Rights & Responsible Innovation

Emphasis on protecting rights and civic inclusion within smart city projects:

Integrated Platforms, Connectivity & Net‑Zero Goals

Ongoing global trends shape smarter city ecosystems:

  • The Smart Cities Roundup (July 11) highlights initiatives like Milton Keynes targeting net-zero by 2030, Cardiff launching e‑bike sharing in 2026, autonomous taxi trials in Dubai, dynamic traffic systems in Tallinn, EV lamppost chargers in New York State, and more.
  • A Smart City & Urban Tech update (June–July) underscores six themes: electrified transport, smart grids, 5G networks, IoT integration, AI safety systems, and digital twins.

 

 Information and Communications Technology (ICT) 

Strategic Industry Moves & Investments

Global ICT Policy & Governance Events

  • WSIS+20 High-Level Event (July 7–11) — held in Geneva by ITU, gathering over 150 countries to reassess digital progress since WSIS and shape policies on universal connectivity, AI governance, and inclusive digital ecosystems.
  • U.S. “One Big Beautiful Bill” — passed July 3; restores FCC authority to auction spectrum through 2034, and mandates auctions of 800 MHz between 1.3–10.5 GHz, shaping the future of wireless infrastructure.

National ICT Industry Policies & Talent Development

  • Indonesia plans 8% growth via ICT — Deputy Industry Minister emphasizes building domestic ICT manufacturing (ICs, components) and developing 12 million digital professionals by 2030 through scholarships and AI Talent Factory initiatives.

️ Regulation, Standards & Ethics

  • UK smart-product regulation — ICO consults on guidance for manufacturers and developers of smart products (open until Sept 7), while Ofcom lays out AI governance strategy. Meanwhile, the EU AI Act’s “high-risk” category consultation is open until July 18.

Manufacturing Frameworks & Public Procurement

Industry Reports & Benchmarking

  • KnowTheChain ICT benchmark — latest report highlights human rights and forced labor issues in ICT supply chains with an average score of 20/100; only Samsung (61), HPE (53), and Cisco (51) scored above 50.

Semiconductors & Hardware Ecosystem

  • China’s chip sector cap-ex delays — restructuring of Jiangsu Advanced Memory Semiconductor cancelled due to funding shortfalls. Meanwhile, MediaTek gains ground on Qualcomm in China amid continued U.S.–China tech tensions.

Weekly Snapshot:

  • M&A & Infrastructure Capgemini–WNS merger; Groq’s EU AI data center
  • Global Governance WSIS+20 summit; U.S. spectrum auction extension
  • National Strategy Indonesia’s ICT manufacturing and AI talent push
  • Regulatory Landscape UK/EU smart product & AI rules shaping innovation
  • Procurement Wales extends ICT frameworks pending new contracts
  • Ethical Supply Chains Forced-labor benchmarking reveals major gaps
  • Chip Industry Health Chinese chip fab delays; MediaTek’s local gains

A better understanding:

  • Consolidation + Expansion: Big tech players are expanding via acquisitions (Capgemini) and infrastructure (Groq).
  • Policy & Regulation Maturing: Spectrum policy in the U.S., global digital governance at the UN level, and smarter product regulations are advancing.
  • Industrial Capacity Building: Nations like Indonesia are transitioning from resource-export models to high-tech ICT ecosystems.
  • Ethical Accountability Needed: Supply chain human rights benchmarking shows widespread room for improvement.
  • Hardware Disruption: Chip supply tensions continue with geopolitical overtones, while competitive shifts favor firms like MediaTek.

Capgemini’s AI Strategy via the WNS Acquisition

  • AI‑first “Intelligent Operations”: On July 7, Capgemini agreed to acquire WNS for $3.3 billion to blend its AI strengths—especially in generative and agentic AI—with WNS’s business process outsourcing expertise.
  • Resonance AI Framework: Capgemini’s internal AI platform, launched July 3, underpins the integration—aiming to embed AI across consulting and operations, shifting from task automation to autonomous workflows.
  • Market positioning: The merger revives the integrated IT + BPO model, giving Capgemini scale in intelligent operations and accelerating AI deployment in finance, travel, procurement, healthcare, and insurance.
  • CEO’s caution: Capgemini’s CEO Aiman Ezzat emphasizes a case-by-case AI approach, noting not all projects yield ROI—even halting a chatbot for cost inefficiency—highlighting a disciplined AI deployment strategy.

A better understanding: Capgemini is betting big on AI by combining its analytics and consulting capabilities with WNS’s operational depth, creating a new frontier in “Intelligent Operations” to monetize AI in end-to-end enterprise processes.

Indonesia’s AI Talent Factory & Digital Ecosystem

  • Talent gap & goals: Indonesia currently has ~3 million digital workers but needs ~12 million by 2030 to support its digital economy and AI ambitions.
  • AI Talent Factory launch: The Ministry’s initiative—supported by scholarships, Digital Leadership Academy, industry partnerships, and a computing cluster—is a flagship to train AI professionals domestically.
  • Infrastructure support: The program includes building data centres, reliable computing resources, and nurturing semiconductor capabilities—especially in Batam—tying in with national AI strategy
  • Center of Excellence: A new national AI center, backed by Cisco, Nvidia, and Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison, will develop sovereign LLMs and serve as an innovation hub via secure sandboxes

A better understanding:  Indonesia’s multi-pronged effort—skilling millions, building infrastructure, and fostering innovation—signals a serious drive for AI sovereignty and creating an export-capable talent and tech ecosystem.

Know The Chain ICT Benchmarking Methodology

  • Purpose & scope: Know The Chain benchmarks 45 of the world’s largest ICT companies using a methodology grounded in the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
  • Evaluation metrics: It assesses forced labor due diligence across clusters like traceability, purchasing practices, worker rights, and responses to allegations.
  • Key findings: The average score was just 20/100; only Samsung (61), HPE (53), and Cisco (51) scored above 50. Worst-performing areas include responsible purchasing (average 5/100), with 84% scoring zero, and traceability gaps as companies failed to map suppliers beyond Tier 1.
  • Investor tool: The benchmark enables investors to leverage scorecards and “race to the top” competition, using public disclosure and engagement to push companies toward better practices .

A better understanding:: The Know The Chain benchmark highlights severe weaknesses in ICT supply chain practices—especially around purchasing and traceability—and aims to mobilize investors and companies toward better human rights alignment.

Connected Health: Planet and Public

️ 1. Heatwaves & Mortality: UK & Europe

  • A PLOS Climate study shows extreme heat could cause over 30,000 deaths annually in England & Wales by the 2070s under worst-case warming (~4.3 °C), compared to ~634/year between 1981–2021. Even with adaptation, heat fatalities might increase sixfold.
  • The UK Health Security Agency issued amber/yellow heat alerts (July 10–15) across England, citing high health risks for older adults and those with chronic conditions—and implemented hosepipe bans in some regions to conserve water.
  • In France, drowning deaths surged 58% in early summer due to heat-driven swimming — a stark reminder that rising temperatures create unexpected health risks beyond heat exposure.

️ 2. Climate Disasters Undermining Healthcare Access in the U.S.

Global Policy Framing & Recognition

Emerging Tools & Research

  • Two new AI-driven datasets were released:
    • SatHealth integrates satellite environmental data with disease prevalence in Ohio—a novel approach enhancing geohealth models .
    • EpiClim, a weekly district-level India dataset, links climate factors with dengue, malaria, and diarrhoea cases—enabling climate-health forecasting.

These tools integrate environmental and health data, empowering precision public-health planning.

Insights and Understandings

  • Heat & mortality:     Heat impacts expand beyond hot days—straining vulnerable populations and urban health systems.
  • Infrastructure resilience:  Climate disasters reduce healthcare capacity, disproportionately affecting poorer communities.
  • Policy framing:   Leaders are explicitly recognizing planetary health as a driver of public health equity.
  • Data & tools:   Emerging AI and geohealth datasets support anticipatory health interventions tied to environmental change.

A better understanding:

These updates highlight the intersection of climate and health:

  • Public health systems must adapt to heat extremes through preparedness, early-warning systems, and heat-resilient urban design.
  • Disaster recovery needs to prioritize health infrastructure resilience in vulnerable regions.
  • Policy recognition at high levels signals growing support for integrated environmental-health strategies.
  • Innovative data tools like SatHealth and EpiClim provide actionable insights for real-time, climate-informed health responses.