Daily Digest for

On March 4, 2025, the Supreme Court ruled in City and County of San Francisco v. Environmental Protection Agency, deciding that the EPA cannot enforce permit provisions that hold permit holders responsible for the receiving water quality. This decision affects marine carbon dioxide removal (mCDR) activities that require permits under the Clean Water Act, potentially complicating the permitting process for these emerging technologies. The Court emphasized that EPA can impose effluent and narrative limitations but not end-result requirements, leading to uncertainty in existing permits and future applications. EPA may now refuse permits if it lacks sufficient information to develop tailored requirements, impacting mCDR projects significantly.

The Government of Canada announced the imposition of 25 percent tariffs on non-CUSMA-compliant U.S.-made vehicles as of April 9, 2025. This measure targets vehicles and components that do not adhere to the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) regulations. The tariffs will remain effective until the U.S. eliminates similar tariffs on the Canadian auto sector. The announcement includes a detailed list of affected vehicle categories based on engine type and specifications.

The French government has more strictly regulated PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) due to their persistence in the environment and health risks. New EU directives, including Directive 2024/3019 and Regulation 2024/573, impose enhanced monitoring of PFAS in urban wastewater and extend regulations to greenhouse gases. A 2024 action plan aims to improve knowledge on PFAS emissions and expand surveys to more areas. By January 2026, a gradual ban on PFAS in various products like cosmetics and textiles will commence. The French law emphasizes monitoring water quality and includes a polluter-pays principle for PFAS emissions.

The European Union is contemplating the use of international carbon credits to meet its climate target for 2040. Andrei Marcu, Executive Director of ERCST, pointed out that this approach might be positively perceived by developing nations that require climate finance, presenting both potential benefits and challenges regarding credibility and ambition.

The UK Government has engaged industry leaders to support the revitalization of British steelmaking amid global tariff concerns. At the recent Steel Council meeting, Industry Minister Sarah Jones announced the implementation of the Network Charging Compensation (NCC) scheme aimed at reducing energy costs for steel companies. The first payments from the NCC will be made next month, providing over £15 million in energy price relief in May, with total reduced electricity prices expected to reach between £320 million and £410 million by 2025, and over £5 billion in the next decade.

On April 8, 2025, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin chaired a strategic session focused on advancing the power-generating sector. The session addressed the need to enhance the resilience of the power grid and accommodate the increasing electricity demands from businesses and households. The recently approved plan aims for a 15% capacity increase in the country’s power grid, along with a dual installation of new power-generating equipment and ongoing upgrades of existing infrastructure. Mishustin indicated that the price of electricity, currently among the lowest globally, is a significant advantage for both consumers and industry.

The European Investment Bank (EIB) released its 2025 Municipalities Survey, indicating that 56% of surveyed EU cities plan to increase investments to cut greenhouse gas emissions, while 53% intend to boost social infrastructure budgets over the next three years. The survey covered 1,002 EU municipalities, representing around 26 million residents. EIB officials noted the importance of leveraging innovative financing solutions to support climate action and address urban investment needs.

The European Parliament’s International Trade Committee adopted revised rules for screening foreign investments in the EU on April 9, 2025. The new regulations require mandatory screening for more sectors, including media services, critical raw materials, and transport infrastructure, to mitigate risks to security and public order. The European Commission gains the authority to intervene proactively in these investments, addressing concerns taken since the framework’s introduction in 2020 regarding foreign control over critical technologies and services. The proposal will face a vote in the Parliament’s plenary session before negotiations for the final law begin.