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Collections of Pt monomers (close to each other but not directly bonded) supported on black TiO₂ exhibit superior photocatalytic performance in the nonoxidative dehydrogenation of alkanes than that of single-atom catalysts. The extent of clustering of Pt species has a decisive role in determining the reaction activity and product selectivity.

Energy-development projects typically adopt a Western perspective, which can create tensions and difficulties among Indigenous communities. In this Review the authors examine sustainable energy interventions in Indigenous territories and call for a more pluralistic approach that is focused on learning from Indigenous narratives.

Dehydrogenation of alkanes produces hydrogen and useful carbon molecules but typically requires harsh conditions to operate effectively. Here the authors show that Pt/TiO₂ photocatalysts where Pt atoms are isolated from, yet still close to, one another are promising for visible-light-driven alkane dehydrogenation.

An accurate evaluation of lithium-metal battery performance is challenging due to the excessive lithium that is often used at the anode. Here the authors report a methodology to assess the degradation mechanism and cycle life of practical lithium-metal batteries.

Clean hydrogen could play a pivotal role in decarbonization but the paths for different sectors remain to be understood. Yang et al. present detailed scenarios to 2060 to explore options for using clean hydrogen in China’s economy for the sectors of industry and transport that are hard to abate.

It is an important challenge to ensure that battery components such as lithium come from a sustainable source. A Li isotope-based approach is now shown to be a potentially useful tool for tracing the origin of processed Li in Li-ion batteries.

Electroreduction of N₂ to ammonia is a possible alternative to the Haber–Bosch process, but the competing hydrogen evolution reaction typically limits yields. Now, electrochemical protocols combining two molecular catalysts are shown to produce ammonia with adequate selectivity at moderate overpotentials under mild conditions.

The electrification of transport could present problems for power grids if charging is not managed well. Powell et al. model deep electrification scenarios for the western United States to understand how different types of charging control and scenarios of charging infrastructure produce different impacts.

The growth of small-scale off-grid solar products across the Global South has expanded access to energy but also created a rising issue of e-waste. Munro et al. explore the structure of the off-grid solar sector, how it creates barriers to addressing e-waste, and what research is needed to overcome them.

The microstructure of metal halide perovskite films has profound implications for solar cells. Here, Zhou et al. analyse the impact of three microstructure types on perovskites’ optoelectronics and on device efficiency and stability, outlining future opportunities for microstructural engineering.

European fuel tax cuts will lead to significant income transfers to Russia, thus undermining the Union’s sanction efforts against the country. EU politicians should instead consider alternative policies, such as direct income transfers to households, if they want to shield citizens from increased fuel prices without benefiting Russia.

Many countries are considering tax cuts on petrol and diesel in the wake of fuel price surges following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Here, the authors find that such a tax cut in the EU would increase Russian oil profits, and model the impact a cash transfer to citizens would have instead.

Introducing Mo into a Ni-rich layered cathode enables a Co-free Li-ion battery to cycle stably at 4.4 V, retaining 86% of its initial capacity after 1,000 cycles. The grain size refinement engendered by Mo increases the resistance to fracture by deflecting cracks while providing fast diffusion paths for Li ions.

A pro-health fuels and stoves agenda based on the World Health Organization standards can realign lagging progress toward meeting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 7’s call for universal energy and clean cooking access by 2030, combat the household energy crisis, and promote health and social justice.

At this September’s Global Clean Energy Action Forum, delegates should consider ways to expand innovation goals while protecting collaborations amid a changed energy landscape.

Ahead of the Global Clean Energy Action Forum, a joint convening of the 13th Clean Energy Ministerial and 7th Mission Innovation Ministerial in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania this September, Nature Energy spoke with three members of the Mission Innovation Steering Committee — Drew Leyburne, MI Steering Committee Chair and Assistant Deputy Minister, Energy Efficiency and Technology Sector, Natural Resources Canada; Julie Cerqueira, incoming MI Steering Committee Chair and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office of International Affairs, US Department of Energy; Rosalinde van der Vlies, Vice-Chair of the MI Steering Committee and Director, Clean Planet Directorate in the Directorate-General for Research and Innovation for the European Commission — to hear their thoughts about the next phase of clean energy technology development.

Mission Innovation seeks to accelerate deployment of clean energy and make it affordable, attractive and accessible to all. Fully succeeding in these aims will require greater attention to the needs and context of developing countries, concerted focus on capacity building, and increased emphasis on energy access and justice.

In its next phase, Mission Innovation plans to further develop multinational collaborations that include a variety of entities. This may require new governance structures to shield the new collaborations from increasingly protectionist domestic politics while incorporating renewed concerns about climate change and energy security.

In September, ministers will gather in Pittsburgh to consider how their governments should respond to the energy and climate innovation imperative. Building on Glasgow, the meeting should strive to fill critical gaps in areas such as capital-intensive demonstration projects and innovation-friendly trade in carbon-intensive goods.