Global Climate News

The Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment, Ms. Bernice Swarts, hosted a Service Delivery Imbizo and launched an e-Waste drive initiative in Limpopo on 26 and 27 March 2025. The drive aimed to develop long-term recycling habits within communities. Residents were encouraged to bring old electronic waste for recycling, with vouchers given based on weight. Swarts emphasized the importance of responsible management of electronic waste and planned to engage with traditional leaders regarding recycling systems. The events took place at Makonde Village Stadium and Njhakanjhaka Community Hall.

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has released its annual Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement Report for the period April 2023 to March 2024. This marks the 10th anniversary of the report. It details compliance and enforcement measures taken to adhere to the National Water Act, with 429 facility inspections conducted and a compliance average performance score of 56%. Notably, the report highlights a total of 583 cases of non-compliance reported, with 467 investigated. Furthermore, the Department issued fines totaling R150 million against municipalities for environmental violations.

The Global Plastics Treaty, under negotiation, reflects significant concern from government delegates about the health risks associated with plastics. Conducted by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, a survey involving 27 delegates revealed that health concerns surpassed environmental and economic issues regarding plastics pollution. The survey emphasized the importance of reducing plastic production and eliminating hazardous chemicals. These delegates prioritized actions to mitigate health risks from microplastics and air pollution. The next negotiation round will occur between August 5 to 15, 2025, in Geneva, Switzerland, focusing on production cuts and other key provisions.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has published guidance on managing and regulating storm overflows, aimed at supporting water and sewerage companies in their responsibilities. This publication reflects legislative developments related to storm overflows since the Urban Waste Water Treatment (England and Wales) Regulations 1994. It outlines measures in the storm overflows discharge reduction plan and does not impose new legal requirements but emphasizes the need for substantial investments and robust regulatory frameworks.

The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dr. Dion George, leads the Group of Twenty (G20) Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group under South Africa's G20 Presidency. The first virtual meeting is scheduled from March 25 to March 28, 2025, focusing on key environmental and climate change priorities. The G20 ECSWG will discuss five priority areas: Biodiversity and Conservation, Land Degradation, Chemicals and Waste Management, Climate Change and Air Quality, and Oceans and Coastal Management.

Research has shown a methodology for converting waste A4 paper into a calcium carbonate/biochar nanocomposite (CCBN) through hydrothermal treatment and calcination. The end product, CCBN-400, is characterized as a high-efficiency nanocatalyst, which has shown effectiveness in activating PMS for treating antibiotics wastewater. The tests indicated a significant reduction in the bio-toxicity of tetracycline to wheat seeds after treatment with the CCBN-400/PMS system, emphasizing its potential in water decontamination.

A novel electrocatalyst, Pt/Pd@SOG, was developed from recycled automobile catalysts and graphite anodes, enhancing green hydrogen production through seawater electrolysis. The catalyst showed a low overpotential of 195 mV at 10 mA cm⁻², surpassing commercial Pt/C. It maintained stability for over 192 hours at a current density of 100 mA cm⁻². The research aims to valorize city mine wastes, addressing critical element cycling and promoting sustainable energy catalysts.

On March 21, 2025, Saint Kitts and Nevis passed the Plastic Waste Reduction Bill. The bill aims to address plastic pollution which poses significant risks to the country's natural environment and tourism sector. Minister Marsha Henderson emphasized that preserving the environment is crucial for the long-term success of tourism, which is the largest economic driver in the country. The legislation is expected to enhance the upcoming Tourism Climate Action Plan that prioritizes waste management and marine conservation.

The Federal Parliament of Saint Kitts and Nevis passed the Plastic Waste Reduction Bill, 2025, aimed at regulating single-use plastic production and distribution. Implementation began in December 2024 with the prohibition of plastic shopping bags, and will continue with further restrictions on Styrofoam containers and single-use plastic items through 2025. The bill is part of efforts to combat plastic pollution and support sustainability, emphasizing the need for a circular economy. The initiative was driven by extensive consultations and community input, highlighting the economic and environmental significance of plastic waste management.

Researchers at Oregon State University successfully advanced their efforts to convert spent coffee grounds into food packaging materials that enhance product shelf life. Approximately 60 million tons of spent coffee grounds are produced globally every year, primarily ending up in landfills where they produce methane, a greenhouse gas. Utilizing ethanol pretreatment on the spent coffee grounds proved most effective for yielding cellulose-rich materials suitable for eco-friendly packaging. The research team has plans to refine the mechanical processing of this cellulose material to better resist light, moisture, and oxygen and to enhance its antimicrobial properties. They aim to establish a large-scale facility for commercial applications of this packaging innovation.

The Government of Saint Kitts and Nevis passed the Plastic Waste Reduction Bill, 2025, which seeks to minimize environmental damage from single-use plastics. The Bill restricts the production, importation, distribution, and sale of such plastic items to safeguard marine and terrestrial ecosystems. A phased approach to enforcement includes a ban on T-shirt plastic shopping bags from December 31, 2024, with further restrictions on other plastic products over the next year. Key ministerial support reflects a commitment to sustainable practices.

The governments of Canada and Northwest Territories finalized a 10-year agreement under the Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund (CHIF). The Northwest Territories will receive $74.2 million from Canada to support critical infrastructure related to drinking water, wastewater, stormwater, and solid waste, facilitating housing development. The funding aims to meet the growing demand for affordable housing and will be available over ten years.

The Government of Canada has invested over $15.7 million for critical water, wastewater, and ventilation infrastructure upgrades in seven communities across Manitoba. This includes funding for a new concrete reservoir and pumping station in the Rural Municipality of Macdonald, upgrades to Morden's wastewater treatment system, and improved HVAC systems for healthcare facilities in several municipalities. These initiatives are aimed at supporting housing development and ensuring clean, reliable water and environmental sustainability.

The Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens met leaders in Research and Development at M-SParc on Anglesey to discuss the sector's role in driving economic growth in Wales. During her visit, she learned about marine conservation research conducted at the School of Ocean Sciences, focusing on aquaculture, fisheries, and marine renewables. She also highlighted the innovative process developed by MDF Recovery Ltd for recovering fibre from waste MDF for use in thermal insulation.

The article compares electric and traditional wall-mounted radiators, emphasizing their differences in operation and installation. Traditional radiators rely on a central heating system with a boiler, while electric models operate independently. Electric radiators have lower installation costs and require less maintenance but may lead to higher operating costs depending on electricity rates. The article concludes by advising homeowners on which radiator type is best for their needs.

The European Environmental Bureau (EEB), based in Brussels, provided feedback on the evaluation of the Cosmetic Products Regulation (CPR) concerning the ban on mercury and its compounds in cosmetics. This regulation has been significant in ensuring consumer safety by prohibiting harmful substances in cosmetic products. The EEB highlighted areas of concern, particularly about digital transitions and mercury-related exemptions, as part of their submission aimed at refining the regulation.

The Devon and Somerset Fire Rescue Service has launched a campaign named 'Charge Safely, Sleep Soundly' to address the rising incidents of lithium-ion battery fires, particularly in e-bikes and e-scooters. In 2023, over 300 battery-related fires were reported in the UK, leading to numerous injuries, and the campaign aims to promote safer charging, storage, and disposal practices for these devices.

The European Parliament and Council adopted Regulation (EU) 2025/40 on 19 December 2024 to address packaging and packaging waste, enhancing environmental sustainability. The regulation aims for all packaging to be recyclable by 2030, and it introduces minimum recycled content targets for plastic packaging. This includes 30% recycled content for single-use plastic beverage bottles and specifies requirements for reuse systems. Additionally, Member States are set to establish deposit and return systems to boost waste collection rates. The regulation emphasizes the transition to a circular economy and aligns with the goals of the European Green Deal.

The governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador finalized a 10-year agreement under the Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund (CHIF), which allocates $123.1 million to enhance critical infrastructure for drinking water, wastewater, stormwater, and solid waste in the province. This investment supports the construction of homes and addresses housing-enabling infrastructure priorities. The agreement complements federal and provincial investments exceeding $86 million for 73 projects aimed at upgrading water and wastewater systems across Newfoundland and Labrador.

The GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel initiated a major project to address the risks posed by submerged munitions in the Baltic Sea, testing advanced mapping and analysis techniques. The first expedition, aboard the research vessel ALKOR, focuses on areas with suspected munitions contamination in German and Danish waters. It aims to assess the environmental impacts of these munitions, particularly in relation to planned offshore wind farms, as the presence of chemical munitions poses potential risks. The MUNI-RISK project collaborates with local authorities and industry to develop guidelines for managing these risks.