Global Climate News

The Government of Canada, together with the Government of New Brunswick and the Town of Grand-Bouctouche, has announced funding to renew Bouctouche Rotary Park's natural environment and protect its shoreline (news release dated September 26, 2025). - **Main announcement/action:** The three levels of government are providing a **combined investment of $1.2 million** to restore the park's riparian zone and shoreline, including planting **more than 700 trees, shrubs, and plants**, and creating **accessible green spaces** with walkways, trails, signage, lighting, and benches; federal contribution is **$835,000 via the Natural Infrastructure Fund**, New Brunswick is contributing **$104,375**, and the Town is contributing **$260,625**. - **Background and implementation details:** Funding is provided through the **Natural Infrastructure Fund** which supports natural/hybrid approaches to climate resilience and biodiversity; federal funding is **conditional on Indigenous consultation and environmental assessment requirements**, and the announcement links the project to the federal **Atlantic Growth Strategy**.

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 Honourable Maninder Sidhu, Minister of International Trade, welcomed the World Trade Organization's (WTO) announcement that the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies entered into force on September 26, 2025. - **Main action:** Canada **welcomed** the WTO announcement and was the **fifth WTO member to accept** the Agreement; the Agreement establishes new multilateral trade rules addressing **harmful fisheries subsidies** related to **illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing**, **overfished stocks**, and **unregulated high seas fishing**, and is the WTO’s **second multilateral agreement** and first to prioritize **environmental sustainability** as a core outcome. - **Background and implementation details:** The news release quotes **Maninder Sidhu** (Minister of International Trade) and **Joanne Thompson** (Minister of Fisheries); Canada **encourages** remaining WTO members to submit acceptance of the Agreement. Media contacts provided: Huzaif Qaisar, Director of Communications (Huzaif.Qaisar@international.gc.ca, 343-575-8816) and Media Relations Office (media@international.gc.ca).

The fifth ASEAN Economic Ministers Consultation was held on 25 September 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, co-chaired by H.E. Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul Aziz (Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry of Malaysia) and Minister Liz Lloyd (Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, UK). - **Main announcement/action:** The meeting reviewed ASEAN-UK economic cooperation and progress under the **ASEAN-UK Work Plan**, noting **UK-ASEAN trade of £53.9 billion** (four quarters to end Q1 2025) and **UK FDI into ASEAN of USD 18.7 billion in 2024**; the meeting recorded that **95 activities** across **11 priority areas involving 22 ASEAN Sectoral Bodies** were completed since 2024 with **an additional 80 activities planned**, and noted that **all three pillars of the ASEAN-UK Economic Integration Programme (EIP) are now operational**. - Date: 25 September 2025 - Time: not specified in the source - Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - Agenda/subject: review of the ASEAN-UK Work Plan and Joint Ministerial Declaration on Future Economic Cooperation; discussions on trade, FDI, EIP implementation, supply chain resilience, digital innovation, MSMEs, sustainable finance, and semiconductor supply chain initiatives. - **Background and implementation details:** The meeting highlighted UK support programmes and initiatives including **ASPIRE** (impact analysis for AEC Blueprint 2025), **ARVC II**, **AIPBI**, the **ASEAN Green Investment Catalyst** (launched December 2024), support for **AFISS** and semiconductor industry workshops, promotion of **DEFA**, skills and education programmes (ASLIP, ASEAN Chevening, ASEAN Women in STEM, RIDA, ASEAN i-Teams), and MSME/women entrepreneur support (SheTrades Outlook, AWEN). The meeting agreed to **review and update the Work Plan in 2026**, referenced cooperation on **WTO reform** ahead of **MC14 in Cameroon in March 2026**, and reaffirmed support for **Timor-Leste’s Roadmap to full ASEAN membership** with continued capacity building and technical assistance.

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)**.

HM Treasury and the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) have published and updated OFSI General Licence INT/2022/2300292 governing permitted payments related to gas and electricity activities. - **Main announcement:** The General Licence INT/2022/2300292 was **last updated 26 September 2025**, removing the reference to **frozen UK bank accounts** from Permissions 4.1, and updating the reporting condition to be submitted **"Within 30 days of the end of a Yearly Quarter"**. Annex 1 (Schedule of UK Autonomous Sanctions Regulations) was updated to include the **Global Irregular Migration and Trafficking in Persons Sanctions Regulations 2025**. - **Background and prior amendments:** The licence was **first published 17 November 2022** and has been amended multiple times, including: 29 February 2024 (added permission for **payments for gas and electricity meter installation, certification, validation, monitoring, replacement, removal and related payments**), 15 December 2023 (permission to permit activity otherwise breaching **Regulation 17A of the Russia Regulations**), and extensions/updates on **13 October 2023**, **24 February 2023**, and **29 October 2024**. For accessible formats or queries, contact **digital.communications@hmtreasury.gov.uk**.

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.

The National Treasury has published the Section 71 fourth quarter report for the 2024/25 municipal financial year ending 30 June 2025 (published 26 September 2025). - **Main publication and high-level results:** The report covers **financial and MFMA Circular No. 88 non-financial performance** for **257 municipalities**, reporting **aggregate spending of R597.2 billion (89.8% of adjusted expenditure R665.5 billion)**, **aggregate billed revenue R617.3 billion (93% of adjusted revenue R663.5 billion)**, **capital expenditure R52.1 billion (65.2% of R79.9 billion adjusted capital budget)**, and **49 municipalities with negative cash positions** as at 30 June 2025. It also details conditional grants: **R43.2 billion allocated for direct conditional grants, R42.0 billion transferred, R1.2 billion returned to the NRF**, NTO reported spending R36.1 billion (83.6%) and municipalities reported spending R28.6 billion (66.1%). - **Background, specific grant and debt details:** The publication highlights **aggregate municipal consumer debt R427.7 billion** (R307.5 billion household component), **outstanding creditors R156.1 billion (72.8% >90 days)** with provinces listed for highest >90 day creditors (Free State, Northern Cape, Mpumalanga, North West), **underspending patterns** (total underspending R86.5 billion), and **capacity/disaster grants**: R2.3 billion transferred for capacity grants with municipalities reporting 64.3% expenditure including a **Municipal Disaster Response Grant (MDRG) of R378.4 million** disbursed across six provinces. The report functions as an **in-year management and early warning tool** and provides detailed Annexure A tables and downloadable schedules on the National Treasury website.

The Environment Agency has published an environmental permit application advertisement for Green Future Recycling Limited (EPR/KP3723LP/A001) for a facility in Blackpool; the notice was published 26 September 2025. - **Main announcement:** The Environment Agency is consulting the public on an environmental permit application submitted by **Green Future Recycling Limited** for **Green Future Recycling, Blackpool** (reference **EPR/KP3723LP/A001**). The consultation covers applications related to **waste and mining waste operations, installations, water discharge and groundwater activities, medium combustion plant and specified generators**. - **Background and process details:** The notice directs readers to the agency's **Public Participation Statement** for consultation arrangements and states the Environment Agency will decide **whether to grant or refuse the application** and **what conditions to include in the permit** if granted. Page published **26 September 2025**.

HM Revenue & Customs has published guidance on how businesses can apply to use the Freeport customs special procedure. - **Main action:** Guidance explains how to **apply for Freeport customs special procedure authorisation (form FPT2)**; applicants must have a **provisional agreement with the local customs site operator**, and provide **EORI number, business information (address, company registration number, contact details), PAYE Scheme Reference (if any), and Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR)**. The FPT2 form is provided as a **PDF (476 KB, 10 pages)**; application steps: **download**, open with the **latest free Adobe Reader**, complete on-screen, and submit by **email or post**. Contact: **freeportbusinessapplications@hmrc.gov.uk** or post to **Freeport Authorisations, HM Revenue and Customs, BX9 2AA**. Applicants must comply with authorisation conditions (e.g., **paying Customs Duty**, keeping records, security and control of goods) and may be required to move goods out if they pose a **threat to humans, animals, plant health or the environment**. - **Background and other details:** The page was **published 20 September 2021** and **last updated 26 September 2025** (notable updates: **26 Sep 2025** Section A12 updated to include Welsh and Scottish Freeports; **3 Feb 2025** added information about the post-application letter). The guidance distinguishes requirements for **storage activity** (commodity codes, descriptions, quantities, values; excise classes; hazardous or perishable goods) and **processing activity** (goods details and how they will be processed; separate excise production regime needed for producing excise goods). Accessibility assistance is available via **different.format@hmrc.gov.uk**.

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 Environment and the Ministry of Agriculture jointly signed an MOU with National Pingtung University of Science and Technology to establish a campus-based demonstration center for sustainable energy and climate change. - **Main announcement/action:** On 114-09-26 (Minguo calendar), the **Ministry of Environment**, **Ministry of Agriculture**, and **National Pingtung University of Science and Technology** signed an **MOU** (witnessed by Legislators 鍾佳濱 and 蘇清泉 and the **Pingtung County Government**) to build the "Sustainable Energy and Climate Change Demonstration Center" on **about 300 hectares** of campus land; agreed activities include **waste collection**, **energy conversion (biomass-to-energy)**, and **resource reuse** to create a circular economy pilot on-site. - **Background and implementation details:** The project will leverage Pingtung’s agricultural scale to pilot a **Taiwan biomass energy model**, develop **natural carbon sink and carbon capture technologies**, and offer professional training courses to cultivate **green-collar talent**; the MOU sets collaboration scope (research, demonstration, replication) but **no specific multi-year implementation timeline** is specified in the announcement.