Global Climate News

Robeco, a Dutch asset manager, has expanded its engagement in climate and nature, focusing on natural resource management, deforestation (expanding from palm oil to soy, beef, leather, paper and pulp), biodiversity, and human capital management. They are also initiating new themes on transition minerals (supply chains in electric vehicle batteries) and protecting shareholder rights from weakening regulations.

Global biodiversity loss is at an unprecedented rate, with up to one million species at risk of extinction. More than 50% of global GDP depends on natural resources. The World Economic Forum estimates business opportunities in sustainable resource use to be worth up to USD 10 trillion annually by 2030. Nordea launched a biodiversity fund investing in sustainable resource use and biodiversity restoration.

The European Commission launched a public feedback period on a uniform format for Member States’ national restoration plans under the Nature Restoration Regulation. The aim is to reduce administrative burden and improve transparency in the implementation of the EU’s Nature Restoration Law, which aims to restore Europe’s environment and ensure the availability of ecosystem services.

South Africa's tourism sector, driven by natural resources, shows potential for inclusive growth. In 2023, 8.5 million international tourists spent over R95 billion. Strategies to boost tourism include visa improvements, streamlined licensing, infrastructure investment, and safety enhancements. Sustainable tourism and eco-friendly practices are also growing. The country aims to leverage the G20 summit to promote itself as a leading tourism destination.

Taiwan has implemented initiatives to turn incinerator ash into useful products in central Taiwan County, and is working to save native frogs and toads from invasive species through volunteer efforts. An archeological site is providing insights into prehistoric Taiwan.

In Wales, Natural Resources Wales’s Four Rivers for LIFE project, funded by the EU LIFE Programme, Welsh Government and Welsh Water, has installed 25km of riparian fencing on 27 farms along the Teifi, Tywi, Cleddau and Usk SAC Rivers. This aims to reduce soil, sediment and nutrient runoff, improving water quality and benefiting livestock management.

Wales' Natural Resources Wales (NRW) published an interim State of Natural Resources Report (SoNaRR 2025), highlighting urgent need for collective action to address nature degradation, climate change, and pollution. The report emphasizes the importance of pro-nature thinking and decision-making across government, business, and society to ensure the sustainability of Wales’ natural resources. The full report, to be published by the end of 2025, will offer a comprehensive evidence base for decision-making.

The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) and Khalifa University collaborated on a comprehensive coastal seabed survey aboard the marine research vessel Jaywun to explore the effects of climate change on the Arabian Gulf’s marine ecosystem. The research, launched by Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, will inform future sustainability and conservation projects.

The Working Party on Forestry meeting discussed topics including Agriculture and Environment, indicating potential relevance to sustainability.

India reported a 7.93% reduction in GHG emissions in 2020 compared to 2019, as highlighted in its 4th Biennial Update Report (BUR-4). The energy sector contributed 75.66% of emissions. India aims for net-zero emissions by 2070 and has launched several initiatives including the "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam" tree plantation campaign and the Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes (MISHTI) Program, with ₹12.55 crores allocated in FY 2024-25.

Taiwan's Ministry of the Interior (MOI) National Parks Administration held a "2025 Wetland Day" event in Kaohsiung, highlighting the importance of wetlands in carbon sequestration and climate change mitigation. The event included awards for wetland conservation efforts and promoted public awareness of wetland conservation.

US President Joe Biden announced a permanent stop to new oil and gas drilling across more than 625m acres of US coastal waters, protecting 20% of the seabed. President-elect Donald Trump pledged to halt wind farm construction during his second term. The Biden administration finalized rules offering billions in tax credits for hydrogen production. California wildfires caused at least $50bn in losses. 2024 was Earth’s hottest year on record, exceeding 1.5C above pre-industrial levels. Analysis showed climate-induced sea level rise will overwhelm major oil ports. Oxfam analysis revealed the world’s richest 1% used up their 2025 share of the 1.5C carbon budget in 10 days.

Greenpeace conducted various climate activism campaigns globally, including a petition with over 1,640,108 signatures submitted to the UK Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs to ban bee-killing pesticides; a protest against Woodside’s drilling project in Australia impacting endangered species; and highlighting the impact of climate change on residents of Bilangbilangan and Batasan Islands in the Philippines, where solar panels and charging stations were installed.

The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection suspended Bluestone Coal Corporation’s Poca surface mine permit due to numerous violations, including failures in reclamation, sediment and runoff control, and unlawful dumping. The mine, operated by the family of Senator Jim Justice, had received 13 notices of violation and 16 cessation orders in the past year. The suspension follows a federal directive to revoke the permit.

The Audubon Society's 125th Christmas Bird Count in Central Park, NYC, collected data on bird populations. The Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service use this data in reports on climate change and biodiversity loss. The count revealed a banner year for Tufted Titmice (283) and a record number of Red-tailed Hawks (25).

India's ICAR Research Complex for North-Eastern Hill Region has developed over 100 climate-resilient crop varieties, increasing food grain and horticultural crop production by 30% and 40% respectively in the last 10 years. The focus on agri-based enterprises has led to a 25% increase in agri-entrepreneurs in the last five years. The President highlighted the climate resilience of tribal farming systems and urged the conservation of germplasm resources for agricultural sustainability.

The Pew Charitable Trusts, in collaboration with 32 international scientists, conducted a horizon scan identifying 15 significant issues shaping environmental conservation. Four key issues highlighted include: macroalgae as a sustainable source of rare earth elements; record low Antarctic sea ice impacting marine ecosystems; human impact on seabed carbon stores; and offshore wind farms altering ocean processes. The study was published in Trends in Ecology & Evolution and partially funded by The Pew Charitable Trusts.

The US Congress passed several bills related to water conservation and drought preparedness. The Great Salt Lake Stewardship Act will divert funds to conserve Utah’s Great Salt Lake. The WATER Data Improvement Act will support U.S. Geological Survey programs tracking water availability. The Drought Preparedness Act reauthorizes the Bureau of Reclamation’s Drought Response Program. The America’s Conservation Enhancement Reauthorization Act supports wildlife habitat restoration.

The US passed the Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act of 2024, allowing NGOs to remediate polluted mines. The Pensacola and Perdido Bays Estuary of National Significance Act of 2024 designates these Florida waterways as estuaries of national significance, increasing protections and restoration efforts. The EXPLORE Act, improving public lands recreation access, awaits President Biden’s signature. The FISHES Act expedites federal disaster relief for fisheries.

The World Bank issued a NOK 5 billion sustainable development bond to raise awareness for biodiversity and ecosystem services. The bond, managed by Nordea, drew strong investor interest, highlighting growing investor focus on biodiversity. The World Bank also emphasized the need to integrate nature into economic models and decision-making, noting that over half of the world’s GDP depends on nature’s services. An estimated $700 billion in extra funding is needed annually to reverse biodiversity loss by 2030.