Global Climate News

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.

German scientists at the Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy (ATB) have developed a hydrothermal process to produce artificial humic substances from agricultural waste. This process, which mimics natural humification but is faster and more controlled, creates a product that improves soil health, reduces the need for fertilizers and water, and sequesters carbon. The ATB is exploring applications in agriculture and other areas, including enhancing biogas production and creating new types of micro-fertilizers.

German researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging IVV have developed sustainable packaging from peatland plants. The project, supported by multiple German ministries, uses paludicultures (cultivated peatland plants) with low lignin content, reducing the need for chemicals in paper production. Processes achieved temperatures below 100°C, up to 45 percent lower than conventional methods. The resulting packaging is suitable for the non-food sector.

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 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-based Algaeo, founded by Nick Sokol, has developed a technology to produce organic fertilizers from microalgae. This reduces reliance on petroleum-based synthetic fertilizers, decreasing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Algaeo is part of the Innovation Crossroads program at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, utilizing ORNL resources to optimize its fertilizer production.

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.

India launched the 8th edition of the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP), aiming to increase organic exports to Rs 20,000 crore in three years. The program includes simplified certification, TraceNet 2.0 for traceability, and new portals for organic promotion and Agri-exports. The initiative promotes sustainable farming to combat water scarcity and pesticide overuse.

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.

India invited around 10,000 special guests to witness the 76th Republic Day Parade. The guests included representatives from various government schemes focusing on renewable energy (PM Surya Ghar Yojna, PM KUSUM), agriculture (Agriculture Infrastructure Fund, Rashtriya Gokul Mission), and rural development (PM-VISHWAKARMA yojana, OM Matasya Sampada Yojana). Disaster relief workers, Pani Samiti, Water Warriors, and environmental conservation volunteers were also invited.

The UK government has announced a new farming roadmap focusing on sustainable food production, business diversification, and nature restoration. £5 billion will be invested over two years in sustainable farming methods. The government will also monitor public sector food sourcing to increase purchases of British produce and introduce reforms to improve supply chain fairness and planning regulations for farm businesses. New precision breeding technologies will be introduced to improve crop resilience.

German Fraunhofer UMSICHT is showcasing mushroom materials as a bio-based, sustainable building material at the 2025 BAU trade fair. They are exhibiting applications like a 1 x 1.2-meter facade element combining photovoltaics and mushroom material insulation, developed with Fraunhofer ISE. The institute also offers a mycelium pilot plant for material production and prototype construction.

Zambia's Ministry of Green Economy and Environment, supported by the World Bank, is implementing the Eastern Province Jurisdictional Sustainable Landscape Programme (EP-JSLP) to generate payments for emission reductions and distribute them according to a Benefit Sharing Plan. A key component involves strengthening community forestry management, aiming to enhance the management capacity of existing CFMGs and establish new ones.

Australian-based Fortescue awarded A$123,000 in its inaugural Innovation Grants to seven Pilbara initiatives focused on environmental sustainability. These include a traditional bush medicine ‘pharmacy’, green power solutions, and a school upgrade project. The grants aim to support projects with positive sustainable impacts on Pilbara communities.

President Jimmy Carter's environmental legacy includes doubling the size of the national park system, creating the Department of Energy, and emphasizing renewable energy sources. He also signed legislation protecting millions of acres of wilderness in Alaska and designated numerous wild and scenic rivers. Throughout his life, he advocated for climate action.