In 2025, silver has shown remarkable strength despite global trade tensions, shifting investor behavior, and changes in the mining industry. With rising macro risks and uncertain policy decisions ahead, silver is benefiting from solid supply-demand fundamentals and strong technical patterns that suggest more upside may be coming.

Silver Shines Amid Trump Tariffs and Trade Wars

Rising geopolitical risks have played a major role in silver’s rally. When former U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to impose a 30% tariff on imports from Mexico and the European Union, markets reacted fast.

Investors rushed to buy safe-haven assets, driving silver prices to nearly $39 per ounce—a level not seen since 2011. Mexico, being the largest silver producer in the world, is especially exposed to these kinds of policy moves, adding even more pressure to the supply side of the market.

Bullish Technical Patterns Signal More Upside

Experts say that if silver consolidates between $35 and $37, it could be a sign of continued strength. Technical tools like Fibonacci extensions and measured move projections also suggest a possible rally to the $41–$42 range.

Adding to the bullish case, CME Group silver futures show rising open interest during this consolidation period, often a sign that investors are accumulating silver, not selling.

Investor Behavior Shifts Across Regions

Institutional investors are also bullish on silver stocks. According to the Silver Institute’s report, Silver-backed ETFs (Exchange-Traded Funds) have seen record inflows this year. And Global holdings recently reached over 1.13 billion ounces.

This large-scale accumulation reflects growing long-term confidence in silver’s value as a safe haven and also as an asset linked to clean energy and industry. Combined with tightening supply and ongoing global risks, the outlook for silver remains positive.

Silver Keeps Pace with Gold

• The report further says that this 25% silver price jump in the first half of 2025 nearly matches gold’s 26% rise during the same period.

In April and May, the gold-to-silver ratio remained high, making silver look undervalued to long-term investors. At the same time, renewed trade talks between China and the US boosted confidence in industrial metals, giving silver an extra lift.’

• MUST CHECK OUT: How to profit from silver’s next great bull market

Silver’s Supply and Demand: A Tight Market

New projections from the Silver Institute indicate that the total silver supply in 2025 will rise by 2% to about 1,030.6 million ounces. This increase mainly comes from mine production, expected to hit 835 million ounces. Meanwhile, recycling levels remain steady at 193.2 million ounces.

On the demand side, total usage is set to fall by 1% to 1,148.3 million ounces. Lower demand for jewelry and less physical investment will be offset by steady industrial use. This is especially true in electronics and solar panels.

The market faces a deficit of roughly 96 million ounces. This gap widens when excluding exchange-traded product (ETP) holdings. This imbalance keeps prices high and suggests that further increases may follow.

• ALSO READ: BloombergNEF Reveals Mining Needs $2.1 Trillion by 2050 to Fuel Net-Zero Raw Material Demand. Where Does Silver Stand? 

Sustainable and AI-Driven Silver Mining

Silver mining is evolving due to global sustainability demands. Companies are adopting new technologies to improve efficiency and reduce environmental impact:

• AI-Driven Ore Sorting: Mines now use real-time AI to quickly sort silver ores by quality. This boosts recovery rates and lowers waste, making production more efficient and sustainable.
• Predictive Analytics and Monitoring: Advanced software can predict equipment failures before they occur. This cuts downtime and helps maintain a steady supply despite market changes.
• ESG and Resource Optimization: They use satellite monitoring to track emissions and optimize resources. This tech-driven method is essential for reducing costs and impacts. It is especially useful in remote areas like Chile and Australia.

Industrial Demand: The Backbone of Silver

Silver is vital for the net-zero economy. Its uses span electronics, renewable energy, and healthcare, keeping industrial demand strong:

• Electronics and Communication: Silver’s excellent conductivity makes it essential for circuit boards and electronic parts.
• Solar Panels and Renewable Energy: The clean energy movement boosts silver demand, as its efficiency is key for solar panels.
• Healthcare and Green Technologies: Silver fights germs in medical devices. It also helps new green technologies. This makes silver vital in fast-growing sectors.

Countries like Mexico, Peru, and Australia are key suppliers. Any disruptions in their output could tighten the global market further.

Silver’s Future: Price, Policy, and Profit Opportunities

Silver is expected to rise in 2025. This is due to increasing geopolitical risks, a tight supply market, and strong technical setups. If prices break above the $40 mark, we may see more buying as profit-taking meets accumulation.

Investors can use these trends to guard against inflation and trade uncertainty. Also, tech advancements and sustainability are changing silver mining. These factors could also affect silver’s performance this year.

In conclusion, current technical patterns and market fundamentals suggest a bullish trend for silver. Strong institutional inflows and solid industrial demand support this outlook. Also, improvements in mining efficiency will help. The precious metal is likely to be a key asset in uncertain economic times.

• FURTHER READING: Why Silver Is the New Gold: Top 3 Silver Stocks to Watch in 2025 

The post Silver Prices Surge to 14-Year High in 2025: What’s Sparking this Sustainable Metal Boom? appeared first on Carbon Credits.

Bitcoin has once again broken records, soaring past the $120,000 mark early this week. The world’s most famous cryptocurrency is riding a wave of investor enthusiasm, policy momentum, and institutional support. But behind the price surge is a growing concern: Bitcoin’s massive carbon footprint.

As Bitcoin gains more value, it needs more energy. This raises big questions about sustainability in the digital world. Let’s dig deeper into how and why this could be the case.

Record-Breaking Rally and What’s Fueling It

Bitcoin reached a new all-time high of over $120,000 last week, supported by major institutional investments. Spot Bitcoin ETFs saw over $2.7 billion in inflows, showing strong demand from large investors. Companies like MicroStrategy have also continued their buying spree, recently adding $472 million in Bitcoin to their holdings.

Several other key drivers are behind this rally:

• U.S. lawmakers kicked off “Crypto Week.” They introduced new laws to support stablecoins, clarify digital assets, and even create a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve.
• President Donald Trump showed support for crypto during his campaign. This raised hopes that future regulations could benefit the industry.
• Technical analysts now predict price targets between $130,000 and $160,000. This depends on market momentum and sentiment.

Bitcoin is becoming more accepted on Wall Street. Its use in regulated financial products, like ETFs, is also growing. This makes Bitcoin easier to access than ever. This momentum is helping reshape the digital asset’s role in the global financial system.

• SEE MORE: Bitcoin’s New Gold Rush: ETFs, Energy Battles and the Rise of American Bitcoin

The Carbon Caveat: Energy Use and Emissions Surge

Bitcoin’s success doesn’t come free, at least not environmentally. The process of mining Bitcoin is energy-intensive, as it relies on powerful computers solving complex math problems 24/7. This activity consumes a tremendous amount of electricity.

According to the Digiconomist Bitcoin Energy Consumption Index, the Bitcoin network uses around 175.9 terawatt-hours (TWh) per year. That’s more electricity than entire countries like Poland or Argentina. The resulting emissions are estimated at nearly 98 million tonnes of CO₂ annually—about the same as Greece emits in a year.

Let’s break it down further:

• Each Bitcoin transaction emits about 672 kg of CO₂—as much as driving 1,600 km in a gas-powered car.
• Bitcoin mining now accounts for about 0.7% of global CO₂ emissions.
• The International Monetary Fund (IMF) warns that by 2027, US crypto and AI could use 2% of global electricity. They might also contribute 1% to total emissions.

This energy use raises big worries about climate change. The world is racing to reach net-zero goals. Critics say Bitcoin’s environmental cost might be higher than its financial gains. They believe the industry needs to improve.

Green Bitcoin? Renewables and “Clean Mining” Push

In response to growing criticism, many Bitcoin miners are shifting toward renewable energy sources. A report by the Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance found that as of 2025, over 52% of Bitcoin’s electricity now comes from clean sources. This includes:

• 23% from hydropower
• 15% from wind
• 3% from solar
• Around 10% from nuclear energy

Big mining companies like Marathon Digital, Riot Platforms, and CleanSpark are setting up near wind or solar farms. They are also trying flare gas capture, which uses waste methane from oil fields to power their mining operations. Others are purchasing renewable energy certificates (RECs) or engaging in tokenized carbon offset programs.

However, not all miners are on the green path. A 2025 environmental review showed that in key U.S. mining states—like Texas and Kentucky—up to 85% of the electricity still comes from fossil fuels.

This imbalance is a challenge. While some parts of the network are “clean,” others continue to rely heavily on coal and natural gas. And the patchy data makes it hard for ESG investors to know which projects are sustainable.

• RELATED: Bitcoin Meets Sunshine: SolarBank Blends Clean Energy with Digital Assets

Policy Tailwinds vs. Environmental Headwinds

Recently, the U.S. is on the verge of passing a trio of significant crypto bills aimed at shaping the future of digital assets and their regulation. These laws aim to provide clarity, security, and innovation in the fast-changing world of cryptocurrency.

First, the GENIUS Act is a landmark bill focused on regulating stablecoins—digital currencies pegged to traditional money. It sets up a tiered system for issuers. It also requires stablecoins to be fully backed by liquid reserves, like cash and Treasury bills.

Moreover, the CLARITY Act, alongside the GENIUS Act, aims to set clear rules for crypto markets. In contrast, the Anti-CBDC Surveillance Act wants to ban central bank digital currencies. This is to protect user privacy and ensure national security.

These bills promote cryptocurrency adoption. They offer legal certainty and protect consumers. They are now close to passing the U.S. House with strong bipartisan support and are expected to be signed into law soon.

As Bitcoin becomes more popular, regulators are scrutinizing its environmental impact more closely. Several proposals aim to bring transparency and accountability to crypto mining’s carbon footprint.

Some of the current regulatory moves include:

• The Sustainable Bitcoin Protocol, which promotes blockchain-based proof that Bitcoin was mined using renewable energy.
• The European Union and U.S. SEC are exploring carbon intensity scoring for crypto assets—essentially labeling them “clean” or “dirty” based on emissions.
• The IMF has proposed a carbon tax of up to $0.09 per kWh for crypto miners. If implemented, this could raise $5 billion per year in revenue while cutting up to 100 million tonnes of CO₂.

These policy discussions show that environmental concerns are now part of the crypto conversation. If Bitcoin mining doesn’t improve, regulators might act tougher. They could ban high-emission projects from ESG-focused portfolios.

Some governments are also starting to link crypto mining to energy strain on national grids. During heatwaves in Texas and Canada, mining operations have been temporarily shut down to reduce demand. These events hint at the challenges ahead in balancing Bitcoin’s growth with grid stability.

Forecast: Sustainability Meets Financial Opportunity

As Bitcoin’s price keeps climbing, sustainability will become more important to its future. Here’s what analysts suggest BTC could hit:

• $130K (short-term)
  
• $160K by Q4 if ETF inflows continue
  
• $200K by 2026, per Citi and Standard Chartered

Some banks, like Citi and Standard Chartered, project Bitcoin could reach $200,000 by the end of 2026—if sustainability concerns are addressed and institutional investors keep flowing in.

But that “if” is important. Many ESG-focused funds already screen out companies that don’t meet sustainability standards. If Bitcoin mining doesn’t get greener, those funds may avoid crypto altogether.

Bitcoin’s latest rally shows its growing influence in the financial world. However, its rising carbon footprint is now under the spotlight. While over half of the network is powered by renewable energy, the remaining fossil fuel use still contributes significantly to emissions.

Mining innovation is helping, with new projects using solar, wind, and methane capture. And regulators are pushing for more transparency and accountability. Unless the entire network commits to sustainability, Bitcoin’s environmental reputation may limit its future growth.

Still, if Bitcoin can combine financial performance with climate responsibility, it could become a true store of value—not just in dollars, but in environmental integrity.

• READ MORE: The Energy Debate: How Bitcoin Mining, Blockchain, and Cryptocurrency Shape Our Carbon Future

The post Bitcoin Hits All-Time High, But Will Its Carbon Footprint Cloud the Rally? appeared first on Carbon Credits.

Google signed a $3 billion, 20-year hydropower deal with Brookfield Asset Management. This agreement will provide up to 3 gigawatts (GW) of carbon-free electricity. It is the largest corporate hydropower deal in history.

The deal starts with 670 megawatts (MW) from Pennsylvania’s Holtwood and Safe Harbor dams. This move helps Google meet its growing energy demands, which come from fast data center and AI growth on the PJM grid.

Amanda Peterson Corio, Head of Data Center Energy, Google, stated:

“This collaboration with Brookfield is a significant step forward, ensuring clean energy supply in the PJM region where we operate. Hydropower is a proven, low-cost technology, offering dependable, homegrown, carbon-free electricity that creates jobs and builds a stronger grid for all.”

How Water Powers Google’s Clean Energy Strategy

While solar and wind are widely used in clean energy, they’re not always available when needed. Google’s AI-driven services require power 24/7, and hydropower offers a stable, renewable energy source that can meet this demand. It provides reliable electricity both day and night, which is important for powering energy-heavy data centers.

Hydropower also responds quickly to electricity needs, helping balance the grid during demand spikes. This is very important in places like the PJM Interconnection, where Google is growing its operations. The company’s agreement with Brookfield Renewable ensures up to 3 gigawatts of hydropower, which also supports Google’s clean energy goals in important U.S. areas.

Another reason for this shift is policy support. New U.S. laws have extended hydropower tax credits until 2036. Meanwhile, solar and wind incentives will begin to phase out in 2027. This gives Google more long-term certainty for its infrastructure plans.

Hydropower’s low emissions also support Google’s broader climate targets. The company plans to use only carbon-free energy by 2030. Clean baseload power, such as hydropower, is key to this goal.

• RELATED: Google Rides the Wind: First Offshore Wind Deal in Asia Pacific For 24/7 Carbon-Free Energy

Scaling AI Responsibly: From Deal to Data Centers

Google’s energy deal closely aligns with its $25 billion U.S. data center expansion across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Maryland. These new facilities will help Google’s expanding AI and cloud services. They need a lot of energy all the time.

Hydropower provides the carbon-free electricity needed to operate these centers without increasing emissions. AI workloads consume huge amounts of energy, and powering them with fossil fuels would worsen climate impacts. By pairing clean energy with digital growth, Google is working to scale AI responsibly.

This move reflects a broader industry shift. At a recent summit, Blackstone and CoreWeave announced they’re investing $90 billion. This funding will go toward AI and clean energy projects. Like Google, they see the need to tie digital growth with firm renewable power sources.

Google’s deal also sets a model for long-term clean energy planning. Instead of buying short-term carbon offsets, it’s investing in physical power assets with 20-year contracts. This ensures energy reliability, better emissions tracking, and real climate impact.

Environmental Upside and Responsible Dam Upgrades

Brookfield and Google will upgrade the Holtwood and Safe Harbor plants. This will boost turbine efficiency, improve fish passage, and ensure sustainable water flow. These relicensing efforts will depend on environmental impact assessments and local stakeholder engagement.

Brookfield Renewable Partners is one of the world’s largest platforms for renewable power and sustainable solutions. It has the following portfolio:

Unused hydropower will be fed into PJM’s grid, supporting energy pricing and supply stability. The initiative creates local jobs during both construction and operation. This brings economic benefits to nearby communities.

The Broader Picture: Clean Power, AI Growth, and PPA Boom

Google’s clean energy deal with Brookfield reflects a couple of industry trends, such as the following:

Hydropower and Energy Mix Forecasts

Hydropower remains a key renewable base for utilities. The U.S. Energy Information Administration expects hydropower output to rise by 7.5% in 2025. However, it will still make up about 6% of total U.S. electricity, which is a small drop from long-term averages.

The global hydropower market is set to grow. It’s expected to rise from $265 billion in 2025 to $381 billion by 2032. This growth represents a 5.3% annual rate. The main drivers are decarbonization and the need for grid flexibility.

Corporate PPA Market Expansion

Corporate Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) are booming. In 2023, the PPA market was about $35 billion and would grow at a 37% annual rate until 2032. This could push the market to around $200 billion. The IT sector alone accounted for 30% of PPA capacity in 2024, nearly 3.8 GW of projects.

AI-Driven Grid Demand Surge

The International Energy Agency (IEA) predicts that electricity use in data centers will more than double. By 2030, it will reach about 945 TWh. This increase is due to AI workloads, which are expected to grow fourfold. In the U.S., data centers are expected to drive nearly 50% of electricity demand growth, and could account for 12% of U.S. electricity by 2028.

Analysts warn that AI-driven electricity demand could strain the grid. This is especially true without clean energy sources. For example, PJM capacity auction prices have soared by 800%, highlighting infrastructure challenges.

Smarter Grids: AI, PJM, and Smooth Integration

Google is working with PJM Interconnection, the largest grid operator in the U.S. They are using AI tools to speed up clean energy integration. These tools can reduce grid interconnection times—a major bottleneck for renewables.

Together with better forecasting and automation, this innovation can boost grid reliability, avoid cost spikes, and help speed up clean energy projects.

Despite these milestones, however, hurdles remain, such as:

• Grid constraints: PJM has only added 5 GW while AI and data center demand is forecast to rise 32 GW by 2030, triggering concerns of limited capacity and regional rate hikes.
• Regulatory delays in grid approvals and infrastructure planning may cause project bottlenecks .
• Environmental due diligence during dam modernization must meet community and wildlife protection standards.

A Blueprint for Clean Tech Expansion

Google’s hydropower commitment shows that scaling AI infrastructure responsibly is feasible. By locking in inexpensive, baseload renewable power while modernizing existing hydro assets, Google positions itself as an ESG frontrunner.

In doing so, the company aligns with broader industry and grid forecasts. As AI energy demand grows and PPAs rise, Google’s approach stands out. They combine clean energy buying, dam upgrades, and smart grid integration. This model is a useful guide for expanding sustainable tech.

As data center electricity use nears 1,000 TWh by 2030 and hydropower output slowly grows, this deal exemplifies how bold energy procurement can simultaneously power innovation and protect the environment. Google’s strategy is more than a contract; it’s a roadmap for climate-aligned growth in the digital age.

• READ MORE: Explosive Report Challenges Google’s Emissions Data as Nothing but Greenwashing

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