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 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**.

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**.

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.

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.

The National Property Administration (NPA) announced it was rated **'Excellent' by the Executive Yuan** for its execution of the “Respect the Sea - Coastal Cleaning Maintenance Plan” for the 113th year. - **Main announcement and results:** The NPA reported cleaning and maintenance across a **699.5 km** coastal jurisdiction; in the 113th year it recorded **41,542 km** of patrol/cleaning coverage, **5,686 tonnes** of waste removed, **70,715 person-times** mobilized, and **17,193** cleaning actions. The NPA also engaged **4,950** coastal aquaculture lessees with outreach on correct waste disposal and recycling to reduce source pollution. - **Methods, scope and upcoming activities:** The plan was executed via five strategies: **fixed-point patrol cleaning**, **key mobile cleaning**, **coordinated agency-led cleaning**, **proactively matching adoption willingness**, and **strengthening source control and publicity**. For the 114th year the NPA will participate in **7** beach-cleaning events located in **Yilan, Miaoli, Chiayi, Tainan, and Penghu** (no specific dates provided). Contact person listed: **Chief Specialist Shu-Man You**, phone **02-27718121 ext.1211**.

Wright State University researchers Natasha Banerjee and Sean Banerjee received a nearly **$3 million NSF grant** to study converting scrap metal from large broken consumer goods into new small products. - **Main announcement:** Wright State University (Department of Computer Science and Engineering) awarded a **nearly $3 million grant from the National Science Foundation** to fund research on recycling manufacturing that makes small products from broken but intact large metal objects (examples cited: **refrigerators, washing machines**). Principal investigators are **Natasha Banerjee** and **Sean Banerjee**. - **Project details and collaborators:** The project will explore how **small-scale manufacturing** can use recycled materials and scale for business; employees would be trained as **“recyclofacturers”** using **artificial intelligence, virtual reality headsets, and robots**. Collaborators include an economist from **Chapman University**, a sociologist from **University of Lynchburg**, a roboticist and a human factors expert from **Santa Clara University**, community recycling/manufacturing leaders, and members of the public. (No implementation timeline provided in the article.)

The Government of Canada is launching a public consultation on Phase 1 of the proposed risk management for the class of PFAS, excluding fluoropolymers. - **Main action:** The Government of Canada is **consulting on Phase 1** of a phased PFAS risk management approach focused on **PFAS in firefighting foams (e.g., "C6 AFFF")**; the **consultation document** is open for public comment **until November 25, 2025**. The Phase 1 consultation follows the March 2025 **State of PFAS Report**, which concluded the class (excluding fluoropolymers) is **toxic under CEPA** and proposed adding the class to **Part 2 of Schedule 1 to CEPA** to enable risk management instruments. - **Background and related actions:** The Government published a **Risk Management Approach** (March 2025) proposing three phases (firefighting foams; non-essential consumer uses; uses requiring further consideration). Recent actions include: **163 PFAS** added to the **National Pollutant Release Inventory (2025)**; Health Canada final **drinking water objective (Aug 2024)** for PFAS; **CFIA interim standard (June 2024)** on PFAS in biosolids; a **2024 information collection notice** covering **312 PFAS**; updates planned to the **Prohibition of Certain Toxic Substances Regulations, 2012**; ongoing federal contaminated sites actions and international work (e.g., Stockholm Convention).

President of Russia Vladimir Putin addressed the Global Atomic Forum and announced that Russia plans to launch the world's first nuclear power system with a closed fuel cycle in the Tomsk Region by 2030, and that an International Research Centre in the Ulyanovsk Region will test advanced materials for the closed cycle. - **Main announcement:** Russia will **launch the world's first closed fuel-cycle nuclear power system in the Tomsk Region by 2030**, aiming to **reuse ~95% of spent nuclear fuel**; an **International Research Centre in Ulyanovsk Region** will test the full range of advanced materials for the closed fuel cycle and Russia invited international scientists to cooperate. - Event details: **Global Atomic Forum**, part of **World Atomic Week**; **Date:** 25 September 2025; **Time:** 18:50; **Location:** ATOM Museum at VDNKh, Moscow; **Agenda/subject:** discussions on present and future of nuclear industry, new technological paradigm, nuclear safety, financing and closed fuel-cycle technologies. - **Background and other details:** Putin said Russia possesses expertise across the entire nuclear power technology chain and is developing **small-scale land-based and floating nuclear power plant projects** which will enter **serial production soon**; he noted the **New Development Bank** has confirmed readiness to finance nuclear projects and that a **BRICS Nuclear Energy Platform** was established; he cited **IAEA** forecasts (global nuclear capacity may reach nearly **1,000 GW** mid-21st century) and **OECD** estimates that uranium resources could be depleted by **2090** (or possibly as early as the **2060s**); he also highlighted that **electricity consumption by data centres** is set to **more than triple in the current decade** and that Russia is deploying modular data processing systems at nuclear power plants.

The Milken Institute and the Motsepe Foundation announced 10 semifinalist teams for the Milken-Motsepe Prize in AI and Manufacturing, awarding each team $50,000 in unrestricted funding to support inclusive economic growth and sustainable development in Africa. - **Main announcement:** The Milken Institute and the Motsepe Foundation named **10 semifinalists** for the Milken-Motsepe Prize in **AI and Manufacturing**, each receiving **$50,000** in unrestricted funding; the prize program features a **$2 million** total prize pool and is intended to accelerate AI-enabled manufacturing solutions in Africa. - **Background and timeline/details:** The semifinalists will **present at the Milken Institute Middle East and Africa Summit** (sub-bullets): - Date: **December 4–5, 2025** - Location: **Abu Dhabi, UAE** - Agenda/subject: semifinalist pitches judged on **commercial viability, operational economics, technological integration, and market scalability in Africa** - Prize timeline: Five finalists chosen in December; a **$1 million Grand Prize**, a **$250,000 runner-up**, and a **$100,000** award for Most Advanced Use of Fourth Industrial Revolution Technologies will be awarded at the **2026 Milken Institute Global Conference in Los Angeles**.

Mercy Ships highlights sustainable maritime practices aboard its hospital ships during humanitarian missions (press release dated September 25, 2025, Freetown, Sierra Leone). - **Main announcement/action:** Mercy Ships describes on-board sustainability measures on the Global Mercy™ and Africa Mercy® including **bio-reactor sewage plants**, **green cleaning products**, **ballast water treatment systems**, and operational measures: the Global Mercy is designed to use **15% less energy** through advanced air-conditioning, **recycles up to half of its water**, enforces a **"two-minute shower" guideline**, issues **reusable water bottles** and uses mugs to reduce single-use plastics; **medical waste is incinerated on board** and electronic equipment is stored for **recycling in Europe**. - **Background and details:** The release ties these practices to World Maritime Day's theme **"Our Ocean, Our Obligation, Our Opportunity"** (article dated **September 25, 2025**); it cites that **40% of the global population lives along coastlines** and that **95% of world trade depends on maritime industry**; Emmanuel, a 34-year-old Nigerian maritime officer, served **three months on Africa Mercy in 2024** and notes each field service can carry out **over a thousand surgeries**.