Environment

On Monday, Britain will announce measures to fix the broken water sector. Thames Water is on the verge of collapse and needs to "reset" its regulations to avoid nationalisation. The biggest water company in the country has been fighting to survive for 18 months. If the company fails, the government will have to step in and add billions to already stretched public finances. Last year, Britain ordered a review of the privatised water sector in England and Wales. The industry needs massive investments to fix its aging infrastructure and stop sewage spills that angered public. The review is being led...

It said that the New York State Public Service Commission had terminated its offshore transmission planning due to a stalled federal permit, in order to protect ratepayers of New York State from premature infrastructure costs. This ends the Public Policy Transmission Needs process, which was seeking proposals for delivering up to 8 gigawatts (or more) of offshore wind energy to New York City before 2033. The commission cited federal actions that have halted new offshore wind leasing, permitting and it claimed this makes short-term project implementation unfeasible. Rory M. Christian, Chair of the Commission, said: "Given Washington's uncertainty we need...

Indigenous groups say laws undermine consultation right The government says it needs to change in response to U.S. tariffs The U.S. tariffs are just an excuse for the Indigenous leaders By Michael Koy The tensions between government and Indigenous communities are a reflection of long-standing concerns about consultation and environmental impacts of mining projects. Canada's leaders have said that the threat of U.S. tariffs against Canadian goods should prompt the country to accelerate its economic development so as to prepare for potential economic shocks. A group of Canada's First Nations launched this week a constitutional challenge against two laws passed...

Global Environment Facility (GEF), the oldest multilateral climate change fund in the world, plans to issue a new round of wildlife conservation bonds as a way to assist African countries with saving endangered species and eco-systems. In 2022, the World Bank backed rhino bond was the first of many wildlife bonds that provide low-cost funding in exchange for reducing poaching and other measures. Last month, the GEF approved a conservation plan for lemurs in Madagascar. Fred Boltz is the head of programming for the GEF which is affiliated with the World Bank. He told African environment ministers on the sidelines...

The G20 finance chiefs are meeting in South Africa this Thursday, under the shadow cast by President Donald Trump’s tariff threats. Questions will be raised about their ability to work together and tackle global challenges. Since years, the club has been hampered by disagreements among its key players, exacerbated in part by Russia's conflict in Ukraine and Western sanctions against Moscow. Under its motto of "Solidarity Equality Sustainability", the host South Africa has sought to promote an African agenda. Topics include high capital costs and funding climate change action. The G20 is a group that aims to coordinate policy, but...

Lesetja Kganyago, the South African Reserve Bank Governor, said that a "African Agenda" including climate changes and cross-border payments systems is still to be discussed by G20 Finance Chiefs despite fears that tariffs will overshadow this gathering. The U.S. Treasury secretary Scott Bessent missed the G20 Finance Meeting in Durban. This was his second consecutive absence and raised questions about G20's ability to address pressing global challenges. The African agenda was also promoted by Ramaphosa, who used the first G20 presidency of Africa to push for the African agenda. Kganyago said that the African issues had been raised, and all...

FEMA may face a deficit of up to $2 billion in the disaster relief fund Storm season brings increased disasters States and localities could shoulder costs By David Sherfinski "Basements were inundated." "I hate to say it, but that's what happens," she said. She said, "FEMA was my first call." I have this memory that emergency funds were in my account in less than a week. I have a memory of what it should be like. Gutzler struggles to even get a response for help with the damages caused by a tornado in March that swept the St. Louis region,...

Heat can threaten children's education Air conditioning fuels global warming Passive cooling is the new trend among architects Emma Batha Kere, who had studied abroad for many years, returned to his village after completing his studies to build an airy and light school that would allow children to learn comfortably in temperatures as high as 45 degrees Celsius. The architect from Berlin did not use the air conditioner. He incorporated cooling features in Gando Primary School, which he has applied to other projects throughout Africa. Kere is one of many architects who are pioneering sustainable designs for schools in a...

As severe storms ravaged the New York City region on Monday and Tuesday night, flooding cars and subway stations submerged in New Jersey. Intense rainfall has caused travel disruptions across airports, highways, and railways in the region. According to Mayor Eric Adams, more than 2 inches (5cm) of rain fell in Manhattan's Central Park in just one hour, making it the second-most rainfall in 60 minutes in history. On Monday night, videos showed flooding at several subway stations. One station in Manhattan's West Side had a geyser-like water stream. The subway system, according to officials, was overwhelmed by the rain...

In response to complaints from campaigners who accused Brussels of weakening sustainability laws without consulting the public, the EU Ombudsman demanded that the European Commission explain on Tuesday why it had fast-tracked its proposals to curb them. In February, the Commission introduced legal changes to exempt thousands smaller European businesses from European Union reporting rules on sustainability. This was done to simplify regulations for industries that are struggling to compete against rivals in China or the U.S. where President Donald Trump has been rolling back regulations. The EU Ombudsman demanded that the Commission explain why they did not perform a...

Executive Orders to Boost the Coal Industry Trump Administration pulls back plants from retirement The United States has ceased its efforts to reduce coal consumption By Carey L. Biron Then, the Trump administration issued an order to keep the plant operating, citing a regional energy crisis caused, in part by the retirements of coal and natural gas power plants. Trump issued executive orders to boost the coal industry. These were in response to the rapidly increasing electricity demand for new data centres that run artificial intelligence tools. The rebound is a resupply of coal for the JH Campbell plant, located...

Tapestry is increasing its stake in eco leather producer Gen Phoenix from 9.9% to a total of $15 million as part a financing round. The companies said that the parent company for Coach and Kate Spade wants to produce more sustainable leather products. Tapestry has nearly quadrupled its stake in Gen Phoenix as part of a $15 million financing round. The company said that the investment will help it attract Generation Z consumers, those born between 1997 and 2012, who are interested in sustainable leather products. Material Impact, a venture capital firm, led Gen Phoenix's $15 million funding round. Tapestry's...

The finance chiefs of G20 nations were close to agreeing on Friday a position on trade, and other global issues. This would be the first time since Donald Trump won the election and waged a tariff war. To the disappointment of the South African hosts, the G20, which was created as a forum to promote cooperation in the fight against the global financial crisis of 2008, failed to come to a consensus when the finance ministers and central banks met in February. Even though G20 communiqués are not binding and their exact wording is unclear, an agreement in Durban's coastal...

The G20 finance chiefs expressed optimism on Friday about a possible agreement on a position on global trade and other challenges despite the tariffs imposed by U.S. president Donald Trump, which overshadowed the meeting. To the disappointment of the South African hosts, the G20, which was created as a forum to promote cooperation in the fight against the global financial crisis of 2008, failed to come to a consensus when the finance ministers and central banks met in February. Even though G20 communiqués are not legally binding and their exact wording is unclear, an agreement today would be considered a...

South Africa called on G20 nations to show global leadership and cooperation to address challenges, including the rise in trade barriers. The club's finance chiefs were meeting Thursday under the shadows of President Donald Trump’s tariff threats. The G20 has been hindered for years by disagreements among the key players, which have been made worse by Russia's conflict in Ukraine and Western sanctions against Moscow. Under its motto of "Solidarity. Equality. Sustainability", the host South Africa has sought to promote an African agenda. Topics include high capital costs and funding for climate action. Enoch Godongwana, South Africa's finance minister, said...

Safety ministry reports that one person died and over 100 people were evacuated after torrential rains pounded South Korea on Thursday. The Ministry of the Interior and Safety reported that as of Thursday morning some areas of the South Chungcheong Region, south of the capital Seoul, had received over 400 millimetres (15,7 inches) of rainfall since Wednesday. According to the Korea Forest Service, the Korea Forest Service has raised the alert level of landslide dangers to the highest possible level in several areas including Chungcheong due to heavy rains. The Yonhap News Agency reported that two people who were trapped...

BHP, the world's largest listed miner, announced on Monday that it had signed preliminary agreements with China's battery giants CATL & BYD in order to explore battery options for mining equipment & transport across all its global operations. The companies will research and develop joint battery solutions for heavy equipment, such as locomotives and mining trucks. BHP's Western Australian operations transport millions of tons iron ore from mine sites all the way to the coast. Both companies will be involved in the study of battery recycling and fast charging infrastructure. The new products could also be a model for reducing...

Australia and China need to work together more closely on green steel, said Anthony Albanese, the Prime Minister of Australia, in Shanghai, on Monday. He also called for China, the world's biggest steelmaker, to reduce its excess production capacity. China depends on Australia for two-thirds or its iron ore consumption by its massive steel industry. This trade will bring Canberra A$105 Billion ($68.90 Billion) in this financial year according to the most recent government estimates. Decarbonisation, which requires higher-grade iron ore from countries such as Guinea and Brazil, puts this trade at risk for Australia. Green steel is metal that's...

HSBC, the British bank, joined major U.S. banks in leaving the climate coalition as the ambitions of some governments to achieve net zero dwindled. HSBC stated that while it acknowledged the role played in the development of guiding frameworks for banks to set emission-reduction goals by the Net Zero Banking Alliance (NZBA), the foundation had now been established and the bank decided to withdraw as it prepared to update its net zero transition plan. "We are resolutely committed to supporting our clients in achieving their transition goals and making progress toward our Net Zero by 2050 goal," said an HSBC...

HSBC, a British bank, announced on Friday that it has decided to leave the main climate coalition for banking. However, HSBC remains "resolute" about its goal of achieving net-zero emission across all business lines by the mid-20th century. HSBC's decision to leave Net-Zero Banking Alliance brings it in line with global peers such as JPMorgan Citi, Morgan Stanley Macquarie, and Bank of Montreal, who all left this year. HSBC stated that while the alliance helped to create frameworks for setting emissions-reduction goals, the foundations are now in place. It is preparing to update its net zero transition plan later this...

Several China solar stocks rose sharply on Friday, continuing an upward trend that began on Wednesday, on the news that Beijing is looking to slow down aggressive price cuts that have driven prices of certain components by almost 30% over the past year, according to one estimate. Price wars have been sparked by overcapacity and price reductions made to clear stocks among Chinese manufacturers. Analysts are concerned that further price cuts could lead to deflation, and hinder efforts to stabilize the $19 trillion economy. The shares of JA Solar, the leading solar manufacturer, rose by nearly 10%. They had gained...

China's summer wheat harvest 2025 was down by 0.1% compared to the previous year, according to official data released on Thursday. This is due to a severe drought that has affected key growing areas, including Henan Province, the nation's grain storage. In the harvest of 2016, the world's largest wheat producer produced 138.16 millions metric tons. This is a slight decrease from 138.22million tons harvested in previous years. This includes both winter wheat and early spring wheat. Winter wheat production, which was sown last autumn and harvested early this summer, dropped by 45,000 tonnes to 135,45 million tons. This represents...

On Wednesday, torrential rains were sweeping across large areas of China as Tropical Storm Danas dunked coastal tech hubs. Monsoonal rains in the interior unleashed flash floods and deadly landslides over an 1,400 km (870 mile) arc. A subtropical system of high pressure has been saturating the north-east coast and the central provinces in the $19 trillion US economy since last week. This is straining power grids, and parching crops. Extreme weather is a growing threat to the world's second largest economy, and meteorologists attribute it to climate change. The impact of extreme weather threatens to wipe out billions in...

It was announced on Tuesday that the Brazilian state of Piaui would issue carbon credits as a reward for actions taken to combat deforestation. This will give momentum to other regional initiatives to protect the country's forest. Brazil wants to keep its ambitions in reducing emissions, as it prepares for the next round of climate talks to be held in the Amazonian town of Belem this November. Piaui, unlike traditional forest protection plans proposed by private landowners and involving government and local communities, is focused on public sector efforts. These efforts cover a larger area and are aimed at avoiding...