Global Climate News

The UK government has responded to the Office for Environmental Protection's (OEP) report on improving the natural environment in England. The response addresses key recommendations related to implementing the Environmental Improvement Plan 2023 (EIP23), setting interim targets, and improving monitoring and evaluation frameworks. A revised EIP23 will be published, including clearer delivery information and a system-view of interventions. The government is also reviewing internal governance and exploring various delivery levers to meet targets and goals.

France: In 2022, French industrial and tertiary establishments generated 15 and 11 million tons of non-hazardous waste respectively. 79% of sorted waste was valued, while 37% of mixed waste was. Half of tertiary sector organic waste could be avoided. Establishments with 500+ employees implemented waste management policies (93%).

The World Bank issued US\$2.7 billion in sustainable development bonds to raise awareness for food loss and waste challenges. The bonds support sustainable development projects, including \$4.6 billion in lending to fund infrastructure, market access, logistics, and waste management. Additionally, research shows that reducing food loss and waste yields tangible food security gains and emissions reductions. Too Good To Go, a scaleup, uses technology to connect consumers with surplus food.

Finland-based Lassila & Tikanoja (L&T), an environmental services company, has embraced its role as a leader of the regenerative society, focusing on circular economy and reducing its carbon footprint. The company implemented Nordea’s AutoFX currency robot to automate liquidity management and reduce currency risks.

Sweden-based Renewcell, a textile recycling company, has raised SEK 1.32 billion (SEK 800 million from IPO and SEK 520 million from project financing) to build a 60,000-tonne textile recycling plant in Sundsvall. The European Investment Bank (EIB) also expressed interest in financing the project. Renewcell's technology uses 100% textile waste to produce Circulose®, a dissolving pulp replacing virgin cotton and petroleum-based polyester.

US-based Ameren Corporation has announced over $70,000 in community support for five southeast Missouri organizations. This includes a $25,000 grant to Community Partnership of Southeast Missouri for neighborhood revitalization, $20,000 to Bootheel Regional Planning Commission for blight identification, $10,000 to Community Counseling Center for social-emotional learning, $5,000 to Semo Alliance for Disability Independence for adaptive bicycles, and $10,000 to Friends of Park Committee for recycling program development. The grants come from Ameren's Charitable Trust, funded by corporate earnings.

Norway's waste management system is analyzed, revealing challenges in achieving circular economy goals. The study highlights the need for improved data quality, clearer definitions, and better indicators to track progress. Research indicates that significant portions of residual waste could be recycled, and technological advancements are explored to enhance waste processing.

The article discusses the importance of responsible battery recycling, highlighting the dangers of improperly discarded batteries, particularly button batteries, which can cause fires or harm children if swallowed. A recent incident in Adelaide, Australia, involved a lithium-ion battery fire that destroyed a family business. The author emphasizes the need to tape battery terminals before disposal to prevent short circuits.

The Maldives recently hosted the Fifth Maldives Marine Science Symposium, where the Ocean Country Partnership Programme (OCPP) presented studies on protected area management and ocean plastic circularity. The OCPP also conducted stakeholder meetings to discuss water quality monitoring, ALDFG, and collaboration on climate change and plastic-free initiatives.

UK-based Environment Agency is consulting the public on an environmental permit application submitted by Mr Eddie Bradley for Clockem Syke Farm related to waste and mining waste operations, installations, water discharge and groundwater activities, and medium combustion plant and specified generators. The agency will decide whether to grant or refuse the application and what conditions to include in the permit.

UK-based Environment Agency is consulting the public on Mr Harry Acland's environmental permit application for waste and mining waste operations, installations, water discharge and groundwater activities, and medium combustion plant and specified generators at Notgrove Estates, The Manor, Notgrove, Cheltenham, GL54 3BT. The application was published on January 20, 2025.

UK-based Environment Agency is consulting the public on Colin Attwood’s environmental permit application for waste and mining waste operations, installations, water discharge and groundwater activities, and medium combustion plant and specified generators at Protea Cottage, The Street, Fersfield, Diss, IP22 2BL. The application was published on January 20, 2025.

UK-based Thakeham Homes Limited submitted an environmental permit application to the Environment Agency for a project in Ringmer, East Sussex. The application concerns waste and mining waste operations, installations, water discharge and groundwater activities, and medium combustion plant and specified generators. The Environment Agency will decide whether to grant or refuse the application and what conditions to include in the permit.

UK-based Environment Agency is consulting the public on an environmental permit application submitted by Sofia Hawken for waste and mining waste operations, installations, water discharge and groundwater activities, and medium combustion plant and specified generators at The Crest, Cuttinglye Road, Crawley, West Sussex, RH10 4LR. The agency will decide whether to grant or refuse the application and what conditions to include in the permit.

The global push for electric vehicles (EVs) is accelerating, with sales climbing to 17 million in 2024. China leads the market with 12 million EV sales, followed by the US and Europe. Advancements in solid-state batteries and dry coating technology are expected to revolutionize EVs, improving energy density and safety, and reducing energy consumption and CO2 emissions. The EV industry is also focusing on recyclable batteries and responsible sourcing of materials. However, challenges remain, including supply chain constraints and the need for increased copper production. The defense sector is also investing heavily in battery technology for drones and other applications. US start-up Lyten plans to invest over $1 billion in a lithium-sulfur battery gigafactory, while Japanese manufacturer TDK achieved a breakthrough in solid-state battery technology.

HQTS, a company specializing in quality control and sustainability solutions, offers Higg FEM verification audits for apparel, footwear, and textile industries. The Higg FEM Index helps measure the environmental impact of product manufacturing, covering areas like energy use, water consumption, and waste management. The process involves self-assessment followed by on-site or off-site verification by HQTS.

Italian ISPRA (Istituto Superiore per la Protezione e la Ricerca Ambientale) removed approximately 60,000 m² of abandoned fishing nets in the waters between Augusta and Syracuse. The operation involved divers using specialized equipment (Multibeam, Side Scan Sonar, ROV) and safely recovered the nets, releasing trapped marine life. Recovered nets will be recycled where possible, promoting a circular economy.

UK-based Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs has banned the sale and supply of single-use vapes from June 1, 2025. The ban applies to all sales (online and in shops) and all vapes regardless of nicotine content. Enforcement will be carried out by various agencies including Trading Standards, Border Force, MHRA, and OPSS, with penalties ranging from fines to prison sentences depending on the nation. Businesses must have systems in place to recycle vapes and vape parts.

India is focusing on sustainable circularity in the automotive sector. The government has implemented policies like the Vehicle Scrappage Policy (2021) and End-of-Life Vehicles (ELVs) Rules (2025) to promote environmentally sound scrapping and reduce emissions. Initiatives to promote electric vehicles (EVs) aim to reach 35% EV sales by 2030, avoiding 5 metric tonnes of CO2 emissions annually. The Minister also highlighted the importance of renewable energy for EVs and encouraged participation in afforestation initiatives.

UK-based Environment Agency published statutory guidance on vehicle storage, depollution and dismantling for facilities handling up to 750 tonnes of waste vehicles annually. The guidance includes permit application charges: £2,641 for new permits, £792 for minor variations, £2,529 for transfers, £1,585 for surrenders, and an annual £971 subsistence charge.