Global Climate News

The Environment Agency prosecuted five organisations after discovering large-scale illegal stockpiling of construction waste at two Suffolk farms; courts fined the firms and ordered Nicholls Ltd to pay a proceeds of crime order. - **Main action:** **Five organisations pleaded guilty** to illegal waste activities after investigators found **~121,000 tonnes** of waste dumped at **Hill Farm** and **The Anchorage** in Iken between **2016 and 2018**; the court imposed combined fines and orders including **£70,666 in fines**, a **£425,000 proceeds of crime order** against Nicholls Ltd, and Environment Agency costs of **£102,250**. - **Background and details:** **Nicholls Ltd** transported the waste on behalf of **East Suffolk Water Management Board** without permits; the waste (wood, plastic, concrete, brick) was wrongly described as soil and breached two registered waste exemptions. Fines breakdown: **Nicholls Ltd £26,666** (plus **£425,000** proceeds order), **Howard Construction £18,000**, **Barconn Ltd £14,000**, **Landex £8,000**, **East Suffolk Water Management Board £4,000**. Costs ordered: **Nicholls £62,000**, **Water Management Board £15,500**, **Howard Construction £7,750**, **Barconn £7,500**, **Landex £7,500**; **victim surcharges totalling £850**.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration reports that distributed solar generating capacity is the fastest-growing power source in Brazil, reaching **40 GW** installed through **June 30, 2025**, and accounting for **43% of all electricity capacity additions since 2019**. - **Main finding & figures:** Distributed solar grew from <1 GW in 2018 to **40 GW** by June 30, 2025; utility-scale solar was **17.9 GW** at the same date; total solar represented **23%** of Brazil’s total electric generating capacity. The EIA cites ANEEL data showing **>3.7 million** renewable distributed generation systems installed as of June 30, 2025 and **99%** of distributed capacity is solar. - **Policy and project context:** Brazil’s **net metering** framework (ANEEL rules from **2012**, updated **2015**, and a **2022–2023** law/regulation) shaped eligibility and capacity limits (initially up to **1 MW**, raised to **5 MW** for solar in 2015; limits for systems with storage set at **3 MW** in 2022/2023). ANEEL lists **122 GW** of planned utility-scale solar projects in its data as of June 30, 2025, with **6 GW** currently under construction; the largest state distributed capacities are **São Paulo (5.8 GW)**, **Minas Gerais (4.9 GW)**, **Paraná (3.7 GW)**, **Rio Grande do Sul (3.4 GW)**, and **Mato Grosso (2.6 GW)**.

The RPD portal (EPR digital service) has gone live with enhanced functionality and opened registration and submission windows. - **Main announcement:** The Report Packaging Data (RPD) service and EPR for packaging digital service have launched multiple new features now available to producers, including **H1 2025 data submission window open**, **2026 registration capability**, an **updated subsidiaries module**, direct **recyclability assessment data submission**, **new joiner/leaver codes (01-17)**, public registers access, and a **2025 recycling obligations calculator**. Key submission deadlines: **Large producers** must submit H1 2025 data (1 Jan–30 Jun 2025) **by 1 October 2025**; **Small producers** must submit full-year 2025 data (1 Jan–31 Dec 2025) **by 1 April 2026**. - **Background and supporting details:** The portal updates are intended to support compliance with the **Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging and Packaging Waste) Regulations 2024** and regulator guidance; supporting resources linked on GOV.UK include **data collection guidance**, **packaging data specification and valid file generator**, **example data files**, the **Recyclability Assessment Methodology (RAM)**, and an **instructional video**. The civil sanctions register is noted as **not yet published** and will be released in due course.

PackUK has published a package of support materials to help producers complete Recyclability Assessment Methodology (RAM) assessments. - **Main announcement / resources:** PackUK published a RAM support package including **RAM one page material guidance notes** (infographic-style cards by material type, plus a **colourblind-friendly version**) and **RAM Supplementary guidance** (technical specifications, testing, compliance, stages of recyclability). The supplementary guidance is **available on GOV.UK** and the infographic cards are available via the Defra Collection and Packaging Reform links provided. - **Background and timeline details:** PackUK has **moved the RAM update cycle from October to July**, meaning **the next RAM update will be published in July 2026** and **will apply to packaging supplied in 2027**; the RAM naming convention will align with the year of applicability (next called **RAM 2027**); there will be a **'stand still' on changes for 2025 and 2026 reporting years**; PackUK will publish a **Roadmap of future RAM changes in October**.

China announced an absolute emissions reduction target and related clean-tech pledges. - **Main announcement:** China (announced by **Xi Jinping**) will **adopt an absolute emissions reduction target** for the first time: **cut greenhouse gases by 7–10% by 2035** (from an unspecified peak/year); **expand wind and solar capacity more than sixfold from 2020 levels**; and make **new energy vehicles the mainstream of new car sales**. - **Background and related developments:** The **EU missed the UN deadline** to submit updated targets and has issued a **statement of intent** proposing **66.25–72.5%** emissions reductions by **2035** while member states are divided over a **90% 2040** target; the article calls for Europe to agree a credible **2040** target and to back climate partnerships via the next **multiannual financial framework**, **technology-transfer instruments**, and **local content rules** (mentions partner countries **Brazil** and **India** and contrasts China’s export-and-investment model).

Seventeen African governments committed to reforms and actionable National Energy Compacts under Mission 300 at the Bloomberg Philanthropies Global Forum to expand electricity access and help connect 300 million Africans by 2030. - **Main announcement/action:** Seventeen countries (Benin, Botswana, Burundi, Cameroon, Comoros, Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, São Tomé and Principe, Sierra Leone, and Togo) endorsed **National Energy Compacts**—practical blueprints integrating **infrastructure, financing, and policy**—aimed at expanding electricity access, guiding public spending, triggering reforms, and attracting private capital. The Mission 300 partnership (led by the **World Bank Group** and **African Development Bank Group**) reports **30 million people already connected** and **more than 100 million in the pipeline**, with the overarching target to connect **300 million Africans by 2030**. - **Background and implementation details:** Development partners supporting implementation include the **Rockefeller Foundation**, **GEAPP**, **SEforALL**, and the World Bank's **ESMAP** trust fund; many **development finance institutions** are providing co-financing and technical assistance. Earlier this year additional countries (Chad, Côte d'Ivoire, DRC, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Zambia) endorsed Compacts and together pledged **more than 400 policy actions** to strengthen utilities, reduce investor risk, and remove bottlenecks. São Tomé and Principe's Compact specifically targets raising **US$190 million** from the private sector to finance its objectives, and multiple Compacts set the implementation timeline of achieving **universal access by 2030**.

The Ministry of Environment and National Cheng Kung University co-hosted the “Net-zero Technology Strategy × Industrial Sustainability Summit” on September 26 at NCKU’s Gezhiy Hall, convening industry, government, academic, and research leaders to discuss concrete policy and technology solutions for industrial low-carbon transition. - **Main announcement/action:** The Ministry of Environment (Minister Peng Chih-ming present) and National Cheng Kung University **co-hosted the summit on 26 September** at **NCKU Gezhiy Hall**, focusing on supporting industry decarbonization through policy, funding, and technology; the Ministry stated **Taiwan's carbon pricing system began this year (Year 114)** and **~90% of obligated entities submitted voluntary reduction plans** to seek preferential rates. - **Background and details:** - **Event details:** Date: **September 26**; Time: **not specified in article**; Location: **NCKU (Gezhiy Hall)**; Agenda/subject: three themed sessions — 1) **Taiwan industry transition opportunities under global green competition** (speakers included China Steel, ITRI, Prof. Chen Zhi-yong from NCKU), 2) **Building low-carbon materials for semiconductor industry** (participants included China Steel, CPC, Formosa Petrochemical, Sheng Yi Chemical), 3) **Urban mining and strategic metals planning** (participants included Taiwan Jingcai, Lianyou Metals, Epoxy Technology, GreenRise International). The Ministry said **carbon pricing revenues will be used to support industrial low-carbon transitions**, and reiterated the **2030 emissions reduction target of 28 ± 2%**.

The Ministry of the Interior announced awards for 120 outstanding cooperatives and practitioners and launched a four-year "Cooperative Business Revitalization and Development Plan" with planned funding. - **Main announcement:** The Ministry of the Interior held the 103rd International Cooperative Day conference on **ROC 114-09-26 (2025-09-26)** and **awarded 120 winners** (87 top cooperatives, 20 excellent practitioners, 12 provincial-level A-grade cooperatives, 1 A-grade practitioner). The Ministry announced a **four-year mid-term plan** beginning this year with a **total investment of nearly NT$345 million**, covering five pillars: **cross-agency collaboration platform**, **promotion of cooperative system concepts**, **talent cultivation for cooperatives**, **strengthening development resources/environment**, and **international exchange and research**. - **Background and details:** The campaign responds to the **United Nations' designation of 2025 as the "International Year of Cooperatives"**; award examples include **Taiwan Homemakers Union Consumer Cooperative** (sustainability, waste recycling) and **Taiwan Green Advocate Green Power Production Cooperative** (citizen power plants, energy transition). The Ministry encouraged cooperatives to participate in **disaster preparedness training** to support community disaster mitigation and resilience.

Zimbabwe’s Deputy Minister of Mines and Mining Development Polite Kambamura has confirmed his participation as a speaker at African Mining Week (AMW) 2025. - **Main announcement:** Deputy Minister Polite Kambamura will speak at **African Mining Week (AMW) 2025**, using the platform to highlight **sector reforms**, **investment opportunities** and a downstream **beneficiation drive**; key factual metrics include **mineral exports up 27% year-on-year (H1 2025)**, **full-year mining revenues projected at $6.2-$6.5 billion**, **more than $1 billion in Chinese investment** in lithium development, **lithium concentrate exports up 30% (H1 2025)**, and **capital expenditure projected at $600 million** for the year. - **Background and project details:** The article reports recent policy and project developments including the **gazetting of a new Mines and Minerals Bill**, the **launch of a digital mining cadaster system**, upgraded processing facilities at **Bikita** and **Sandawana**, Tharisa’s **Karo Platinum Mine set for 2025 commissioning**, and Zimplats’ **Mupani mine targeting 2.2 million tons annually**. - Event details (AMW 2025): - Date: **October 1-3, 2025** - Location: **Cape Town, South Africa** - Agenda/subject: **Mining investment and policy dialogue**, held alongside **African Energy Week: Invest in African Energies 2025**

AIMC 2025 (Angola International Mining Conference) unveiled an expanded roster of sponsors and exhibitors and will formally launch Angola's Digital Mining Cadastre at the event in Luanda. - **Main announcement/action:** AIMC 2025 has published an initial sponsor and exhibitor list and will **formally launch the Digital Mining Cadastre** during the conference; the Cadastre will centralise permit applications, geological and spatial data, license histories and compliance records and will feature a **live demonstration** and stakeholder Q&A. - **Event details:** - **Date:** October 22–23, 2025 - **Time:** not specified in the article - **Location:** Luanda, Angola - **Agenda/subject:** launch and demo of the Digital Mining Cadastre; panels on financing, regulation, sustainable supply chains, oil & mining synergies, women in mining, and strategic minerals for the energy transition. - **Background and additional details:** The sponsor/exhibitor lineup includes **government bodies (ANRM, SODIAM E.P., ENDIAMA E.P.)**, major operators (Sociedade Mineira de Catoca, De Beers, Rio Tinto), energy firms (Sonangol), financiers and insurers (ENSA Seguros de Angola, Caixa Angola, Banco Keve), and equipment/service providers (HiperMáquinas Angola, Maqman / Maqtools, GeoAtlanticus, Huawei). - The conference program lists thematic sessions such as **"Financing the Future"**, **"Risks, Taxation & Regulation"**, **"Sustainable Supply Chain"**, **"Oil & Mining Synergies"**, and **"Strategic Minerals & Energy Transition"**; a pre-event webinar on the Lobito Corridor drew **more than 700 participants**.

CPC Corporation, Taiwan has announced emergency fuel-response measures after overflow from the Mataian Creek landslide lake caused severe flooding in Guangfu, Hualien. - **Main action:** CPC immediately **activated emergency fuel-response measures**, partnered with **Taiwan Sugar Corporation** to use **Dajin Gas Station** (Taiwan Sugar Dajin station at No. 232, Sec. 1, Zhongshan Rd., Guangfu Township) as an **alternative fueling site**, completed cross-district dispatch to maintain public fuel supply; **route change effective Sept 24** (now via Provincial Highway 11 → Yuchang Highway → Provincial Highway 9, ~166 km) and unified dispatch from **Hualien Fuel Supply Center Beipu Depot**. - **Additional details/background:** CPC reported the original tanker route via Provincial Highway 9 (~51.5 km) was interrupted due to Mataian Creek bridge washout; **Taitung dispatched 100 empty small containers** (50 gasoline 10 L, 50 diesel 20 L) for emergency refueling of machinery/equipment/vehicles; CPC will rapidly complete **dredging and restoration of two directly operated stations** and will coordinate with the **Central Emergency Operation Center "Hualien Mataian Creek Landslide Lake Disaster Forward Coordination Office"**. Station hours for Taiwan Sugar Dajin station: **06:30–21:30**, Tel: **03-8705800**.

The HKMA announced a set of actions to build a transition finance ecosystem in Asia, including taxonomy updates, guidance for banks on transition planning, enhanced disclosure alignment, and scaled capacity-building programmes. - **Main actions by the HKMA:** Published Phase 1 of the Hong Kong Taxonomy for Sustainable Finance and launched a consultation on the prototype of **Phase 2A taxonomy** (expanding sectors, increasing activities from 12 to 25, adding **transition elements** such as interim decarbonisation targets, supportive measures, and sunset dates, and introducing a new environmental objective on **climate change adaptation**); issued **good practices** for bank transition planning (Dec 2024) and is revising **draft guidelines** after industry consultation; will align banking disclosure requirements with **ISSB Standards** and the **Basel disclosure framework** (Basel framework issued June 2025); administers the **CBSS** (since 2022) with **>7,600 reimbursements** approved amounting to **over HK$42 million**, and launched the **ECF-GSF** Professional Level module (Nov 2024). - **Background and implementation details:** HKMA framed the need with IMF estimates that **emerging and developing Asia needs at least US$1.1 trillion per year** for climate actions and faces an **investment shortfall of about US$800 billion**; the HKMA is the first Regional Anchor with the **IFC's Alliance for Green Commercial Banks** (Alliance has 18 member banks); event context: keynote delivered at the **CASI Sustainability Forum**, Hong Kong, **12 September 2025** (part of Hong Kong Green Week).

The Ministry of Economic Affairs published the "Annual National Power Resources Supply and Demand Report for Year 113" on 9/26, presenting a 10-year demand projection and supply planning for years 114–123. - **Main announcement:** The report projects an **average annual electricity demand growth of ~1.7%** for Years **114–123 (ROC calendar; roughly 2025–2034)** and plans to continue deploying **renewable energy and gas-fired generation** to ensure stable supply; it estimates a **net increase of 12.2 GW of gas generation capacity from 2025–2034** and sets **renewable share targets of 20% by 2026 and 30% by 2030**. - **Background and implementation details:** The assessment incorporated **AI demand, semiconductor expansion timing adjustments, and deep energy-saving measures**; it notes **first-half GDP growth of 6.75% and electricity consumption down 1.1% YoY**, reports the **Hsingta (興達) gas pipeline leak on Sept 9** which delayed the Hsingta new gas Unit 2 dispatch to **May of Year 115**, and includes updated private gas generation plans from **Guoguang Power** and **Mailiao Cogeneration**; daytime solar will be prioritized with **high-efficiency gas units, energy storage, and hydropower** used to meet night peak demand.

Minister John Steenhuisen announced South Africa is hosting the International Berry Organisation conference in Cape Town and outlined departmental commitments to support the berry sector. - **Main announcement & concrete details:** Minister Steenhuisen highlighted market access and production figures: **production grew from < 3 000 tons in 2018 to > 21 000 tons in 2022**, **severe frost in Groblersdal wiped out 60–70% of early cultivars causing estimated losses of 2 000–3 000 tons**, **exports rose 7% to surpass 22 500 tons**, and volumes are **projected to exceed 46 000 tons by 2033**. He confirmed **market access protocols finalised or near completion for India, Israel and Vietnam**, negotiations advancing with **Thailand and South Korea**, and that **GACC (China) is conducting a risk assessment for cherries and blueberries** (feedback expected in due course). - **Background, challenges and departmental priorities:** The Minister noted challenges including **rising costs, currency volatility and logistics disruptions**, cited BFAP data that **blueberries absorb >4 jobs per hectare**, and set out departmental Strategic Plan priorities: **expand research & innovation**, **reform logistics**, **invest in water-efficient production systems**, and **strengthen labour-intensive horticulture** to leverage intra-African demand under the African Continental Free Trade Area; the speech also referenced that Africa accounts for **about USD12 billion in fresh produce exports globally**.