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Daya Pandey on the Climate Technology Progress Report and COP30

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COP30 is now underway. World leaders are gathered, and discussions will include the exploration of cutting-edge technologies for addressing the climate emergency.

Integral to these discussions is this year's Climate Technology Progress Report which has just been released to coincide with the conference. We spoke with one of its contributors, Priestley member Daya Pandey, to learn why this report is so important for COP30 and humanity's future.

Smiling man in a suit standing outside a UN building

 

Hi Daya, can you tell us a bit about your background, your involvement with the Priestley Centre, and what drives your work in climate and sustainability?

I am currently an Assistant Professor in Energy Systems at the School of Mechanical Engineering, University of Leeds. My academic journey began with a PhD from the University of Limerick in Ireland, where I was fortunate to be a Marie-Curie Fellow. Since then, I have held roles as a Senior Lecturer at the University of Huddersfield and as a Research Fellow at Brunel University London, working with the RCUK Centre for Sustainable Energy Use in Food Chains.  I have been recognised as a Global Talent by the Royal Academy of Engineering and received the BRICS Young Scientist Award in 2022.

My research focuses on sustainable energy solutions particularly waste-to-energy systems, biomass-to-hydrogen conversion and nutrient recovery. These areas are critical for building circular economies and addressing global sustainability challenges. Over the years, my work has been supported by a range of funding bodies including UKRI-EPSRC, the British Academy, FCDO and the European Union.

At the Priestley Centre, I collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to advance climate and sustainability research. What drives me is the urgent need to transition to low-carbon, resource-efficient systems especially in regions most vulnerable to climate change. I’ve also had the privilege of contributing to global initiatives, such as serving as a Climate Advisor (Energy) for ISO and working on the UNEP Climate Technology Progress Report 2025, which will be launched at COP30 in Brazil. The impact of my work on energy transition and sustainable farming keeps me motivated.

 

What is the Climate Technology Progress Report about, and what was your specific contribution to it? Could you share a key insight or finding from your section?

The Climate Technology Progress Report is an annual publication that tracks and evaluates the advancement of climate-related technologies globally. It highlights trends, barriers and opportunities, helping countries and international bodies champion effective technology deployment crucial for meeting climate and sustainability targets around the world. The Climate Technology Progress Report 2025 focuses on Advancing Biobased Technologies in the Bioeconomy. Since the global bioeconomy is expected to reach $30 trillion by 2050, it is a cornerstone of the transition to a low-carbon, climate-resilient and sustainable future. This year’s report highlights how biobased technologies can bridge climate and nature agendas unlocking innovation, equity and resilience across sectors.

I served as a Contributing Author to Chapter 2 – “Adoption of Biobased Technologies”, which explores how biobased climate technologies are being implemented across regions. When combined with climate technologies, biobased technologies provide a powerful means to reduce emissions, enhance resilience and support inclusive, sustainable development including waste to energy conversion and resource recovery. Commercial applications such as biogas production from organic waste and biochar for soil enhancement and carbon storage are already in use. However, scaling other promising technologies requires reducing costs, securing raw material supply chains, and developing supportive infrastructure and policies.

Although biobased technologies hold strong potential for climate mitigation and adaptation, nevertheless, their scalability varies by context. Waste-based biogas stands out as a viable bioenergy option with broad environmental and social benefits. Other biofuels like algal fuels and biohydrogen, show promise but face high costs and low readiness. Ethanol and biodiesel may be limited by land-use concerns, which can be mitigated through sustainable feedstock choices. Integrating bioenergy into wider energy systems enhances resilience and energy security. Solid, liquid and gaseous bioenergy offer flexibility in storage and infrastructure compatibility, but regional differences in feasibility and deployment remain significant.  Chapter 2 also highlighted the importance of biogenic carbon capture, utilisation and storage (Bio-CCUS) technologies for decarbonisation but remain under-deployed and their widespread adoption relies on long-term strategic planning and strong policy frameworks.

 

COP30’s theme for days 1 and 2 focuses on laying the groundwork for climate readiness and resilience across systems and regions. How does the report—and your work—connect to this theme?

The Climate Technology Progress Report 2025, with its focus on Advancing Biobased Technologies in the Bioeconomy, aligns closely with COP30’s Day 2 theme of building climate readiness and resilience across systems and regions. Biobased technologies offer a unique opportunity to decentralise climate action by leveraging locally available resources, indigenous knowledge and region-specific innovation. This makes them particularly effective in rural and peri-urban areas, where traditional industrial infrastructure may be limited but has the high potential for sustainable development.

My contribution to the report centres on the adoption and scaling of biobased technologies especially biomass conversion technologies, Bio-CCUS and biobased materials. These technologies not only reduce emissions but also enhance energy security, improve soil health and support circular economies key pillars of climate resilience. The report highlights that while some technologies, such as waste-based biogas and biochar to improve soil and store carbon, are commercially viable, others like biohydrogen and algal fuels require further investment, infrastructure and policy support to reach scale.

Chapter 2 highlighted that by integrating biobased technologies into broader climate strategies, we can create adaptive systems that are not only low carbon but also socially inclusive and economically viable. This approach supports COP30’s vision of readiness not just in terms of technology, but in empowering communities and regions to lead the transition toward a sustainable future.

 

In your view, why is this report particularly important right now? What makes it stand out in the broader climate conversation?

The Climate Technology Progress Report 2025 – Advancing Biobased Technologies in the Bioeconomy showcases how technological innovation is driving growth in biomass utilisation, biogenic carbon solutions, sustainable land use and advanced biobased materials. As the world approaches the tipping points in both climate change and biodiversity, the urgency to deploy scalable, inclusive and locally adaptable solutions has never been greater. This report emphasising biobased technologies as standout innovations that not only reduce emissions but also build resilience, regenerate ecosystems and empower local communities while supporting the bioeconomy.

What makes this report especially timely is its emphasis on regional relevance and equity. Biobased technologies can be implemented using locally available biomass and knowledge, making them accessible to rural and peri-urban areas often left behind in industrial transitions. This decentralisation of climate action is essential for achieving readiness across diverse systems and regions, aligning directly with COP30’s focus on resilience. The report bridges the gap between technological maturity and policy readiness. It highlights commercially viable solutions like biogas and biochar, while also identifying barriers to scaling emerging technologies such as biohydrogen and Bio-CCUS. By doing so, it provides a roadmap for targeted investment, infrastructure development and governance reform.

In a landscape often dominated by high-tech centralised solutions, this report brings attention to nature-based integrated solution and community-driven innovations. It reinforces the idea that climate action must be inclusive, context-sensitive and rooted in long-term planning. By advocating for a diversified portfolio of biobased and land-based technologies, the report offers a pragmatic yet visionary approach to climate resilience making it a vital resource for policymakers, researchers and practitioners.

 

What do you hope world leaders and policymakers take away from this report? How could it influence decisions or actions at COP30 and beyond?

I hope world leaders and policymakers recognise that biobased technologies are not only technical solutions but are enablers of inclusive and locally driven climate action. The Climate Technology Progress Report 2025 highlights how these innovations can transform rural and peri-urban economies, regenerate ecosystems and strengthen resilience across sectors. It shows the pathways to leverage regionally available biomass and knowledge, decentralised biobased technologies for climate adaptation while making it more accessible and equitable.

At COP30 and beyond, this report can guide strategic investment and policy alignment. It identifies mature technologies like organic waste to biogas and biochar that are already scaled, while also outlining the support needed for emerging solutions such as biohydrogen and Bio-CCUS. It is promoting integrated system approaches i.e. embedding bioeconomy development with climate adaptation, biodiversity and food system goals.

Policymakers can embed biobased solutions into national strategies and financing frameworks to accelerate countries’ transition to low-carbon and climate-resilient futures. This report provides a clear roadmap supported by scientific evidence and guided by principles of equity and designed for immediate implementation.

Read the report here

Learn more about the University of Leeds at COP30 here

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