Environment

Experts say that new policies by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission give corporate boards greater power over investors. This could limit investor-initiated efforts to reform everything from climate policy or director contests. Since the U.S. president Donald Trump appointed Mark Uyeda as acting chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission last month, the agency has made a number of changes. They have increased the filing requirements for passive funds and limited the communication capabilities that investors can use. Attorneys say that the changes will give directors greater freedom to ignore efforts to limit emissions and report diversity in the...

A draft document from the European Commission revealed that the European Union plans to tighten restrictions on imported crops that are treated with pesticides prohibited in Europe. This would affect suppliers, including those from the United States. The Financial Times reported that unnamed EU officials had said they would be presenting the plan this week. The draft document of the EU Vision for Agriculture and Food, which is due to be released on Wednesday, confirms that the Commission will take a more aggressive stance on imports in order to provide a level playing field for European farmers. The draft stated...

The operator of the national gas transmission system revealed that Ukraine will increase natural gas imports on Tuesday by 8%, to 26,7 million cubic metres. Gas imports have increased by almost tenfold in the last few months after Russian missiles targeted Ukraine's natural gas facilities. "Shelling continues of gas distribution and production facilities. "We are doing all we can to make sure we have enough fuel to last through the heating season," said Prime Minister Denys Schmyhal at a government gathering. After Russian missiles attacked its gas installations, Ukraine asked its allies for help in importing more natural gas. A...

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced on Friday that it had terminated 388 of its employees who were hired in the past two years. It said this would align their workforce with President Donald Trump’s "energy dominance policy agenda". The agency stated that it conducted a "thorough" review of its probationary employees, which are those who have been in their positions for less than 2 years. In a press release, EPA spokesperson Molly Vaseliou stated that the agency terminated 388 probationary staff after a thorough evaluation of its functions. This was done in compliance with President Trump's Executive Orders. The...

The Trump administration announced on Friday that it would delay the implementation of energy and water efficiency standards for appliances such as central air conditioners and washing machines. The Department of Energy has announced that it will delay seven appliance efficiency standards set by former president Joe Biden. The Environmental Protection Agency announced that it will overhaul its "water-sense" efficiency standards labels for toilets and shower heads. Both agencies' heads said that the move would lower prices for consumers. Chris Wright, Energy Secretary said: "Today's news will encourage consumer choice and lower costs - this is a win all Americans."...

About 2,300 people were laid off by the U.S. Interior Department is part of Trump's government job cuts. Three sources with knowledge of the matter confirm this. Interior Department administers oil and gas leasing onshore and off-shore programs, which account for around one quarter of U.S. production. According to one source, the Bureau of Land Management is among the 800 employees who have been laid off. The Bureau manages millions of acres of federal land for uses such as oil and gas exploration, timber harvesting, cultural conservation and recreation. Sources asked to remain anonymous when discussing the issue. The Interior...

Thames Water, a British utility, filed an appeal with the competition regulator of the country on Friday. This is the first step in a process that will try to increase the prices the company can charge its customers over the next five-year period and improve their chances of survival. Thames Water awaits the court's approval of a rescue deal worth 3 billion pounds ($3.77 billion). This will help it avoid nationalisation and allow time to address its financial issues, which include debts totaling 18 billion pounds. The future viability of the company is also dependent on how much it can...

These are the most popular stories in the British business pages. These stories have not been verified and we cannot vouch their accuracy. The Times – The UK could face 21% tariffs for exports to the US following President Trump's order that imposed reciprocal levies against countries with VAT. Experts have warned of significant economic consequences. Unilever chose Amsterdam over London to spin off its ice-cream division for 13 billion pounds (16,33 billion dollars). This is a blow to UK capital markets in spite of government efforts to ensure the listing. The Guardian – Steve Madden acquired UK footwear brand...

On Thursday, U.S. Senators reintroduced bipartisan legislation that would allow year-round nationwide sales of gasoline containing a higher percentage of ethanol. The plan has the backing of an influential oil trade group. Senator Deb Fischer from Nebraska introduced the bill along with Tammy Duckworth from Illinois. She said that it would eliminate patchwork regulations which would restrict the availability of E15 blends in some areas. Biofuel producers and corn farmers have long sought year-round E15 sales. They would both benefit from a larger market. Fischer and Democratic senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota introduced the first bill in 2023. The government...

The U.S. Senate voted on Thursday to confirm Brooke Rollins as the new head of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. She is a long-time ally of Donald Trump, a former White House advisor, and skeptic of climate change. Rollins is set to lead an agency of 100,000 employees, which oversees the farm programs, school meals, and food benefits. Rollins' appointment coincides with a period of low farm incomes, possible cuts to domestic food assistance, and an aggressive campaign by Elon Musk to reduce federal employees. After the Agriculture Committee heard Rollins nomination on January 23, and unanimously advanced her on...

He said that the head of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency wants to terminate contracts signed by the previous administration for the distribution of $20 billion in grant funds to fund clean energy projects and transportation in disadvantaged areas. In a message on X, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin stated that he would ask the Inspector-General, Congress, and Justice Departments to work together with the agency in order to terminate the contracts with eight regional organizations who were named as financial agents, and rescind the grant money that was awarded under the Biden EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. The Biden EPA...

A U.S. forecaster stated on Thursday that La Nina conditions exist and will continue in the near future. There is a 66% probability of transitioning to ENSO neutral conditions between March and May 2025. Why it's important La Nina is an occurrence that is part of a larger El Nino Southern Oscillation cycle (ENSO), which involves water temperatures in central and eastern Pacific Ocean. ENSO neutral is when the water temperature stays near average and the crop yields are more stable. CONTEXT The Japanese weather bureau stated earlier this week that no signs of El Nino, or La Nina, were...

Iron ore futures rose on Tuesday as expectations of a stronger stimulus package from China, the world's largest consumer, and improved downstream steel demand boosted sentiment. The May contract for iron ore on China's Dalian Commodity Exchange ended the daytime trading 2.51% higher, at 818 Yuan ($112.34) per metric ton. As of 0718 GMT, the benchmark March iron ore traded on Singapore Exchange recovered an earlier loss and jumped 1.18% to $106,95 per ton. Analysts in Shanghai and Singapore said that the volume of transactions for steel products in Hangzhou, east China, exceeded expectations. This boosted sentiment and sent ore...

Analysts predict that iron ore imports for China's top consumer in the first two months 2025 will decline due to tropical cyclones, bad weather and other factors affecting shipments from Australia, a major producer. Analysts said that imports of the main steelmaking ingredient are expected to be 10% lower in January and Febraury than the 209,45 million metric tonnes imported during the same period last. Kpler, a ship tracking service, estimates that Chinese iron ore exports in January and February were 191.7 million metric tons. This is a 10.4% drop year-over-year. In the first two months 2025, cyclones and bad...

Singapore iron ore prices rose on the Friday, and are on course for a weekly increase. This is due to increased concerns about supply disruptions caused by cyclones in Australia, a major producer. As of 0738 GMT the benchmark March iron ore traded on the Singapore Exchange had gained 0.46% to $106.95 per metric tonne, resulting in a 0.6% weekly gain. The contract reached a four-month peak at $108.8 per ton during the morning session. The world's biggest iron ore hub, Australia, prepared on Friday to face a powerful tropical storm, which forced the closure of major ports in the...

The International Energy Agency (IEA), which released data on Thursday showing that China's road and air transportation fuels have likely reached their peak, said the agency. Data showed that China's consumption for gasoline, jet fuel and gasoil had decreased marginally by 2024. In a report published monthly, the IEA stated that the combined consumption of three fuels was 8.1 million barrels a day in China in 2018. This was 200,000 bpd less than 2021 levels and was only marginally higher than 2019 levels. It said that "this strongly suggests fuel consumption in the country has reached a plateau, and may...

Five industry officials have said that the United States will increase coal exports to India following China's tariffs on U.S. energy imports. This could lead to a decline in Australia and Russia’s market share in India. China's Finance Ministry announced last week that it would impose a 15% tax on the import of U.S. Coal. The officials claimed this could force U.S. miner to ship coal to India, the second largest coal importer in the world behind China. "Three U.S. shipments that were meant to go to China are now in India, and another 10 shipments are awaiting." "These are...

Iron ore futures prices extended gains for the second consecutive session on Tuesday as fears over weather-related disruptions to supply in Australia, a major supplier, outweighed discontent with new tariffs announced by U.S. president Donald Trump. As of 0214 GMT, the most-traded contract for May iron ore on China's Dalian Commodity Exchange was trading 0.79% higher. It was 827.5 Yuan ($113.24), per metric ton. Earlier in the session, the contract reached its highest level since 10 December at 830.5 Yuan per ton. As of 0211 GMT the benchmark March iron ore traded on the Singapore Exchange had risen by 0.35%...

According to U.S. Senate Records, President Donald Trump nominated Pierre Gentin as the general counsel of the U.S. Commerce Department. Gentin is currently chief legal officer at consulting firm McKinsey & Co. Trump nominated several other officials for the Department of Commerce on Monday. Neil Jacobs was named to lead the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Arielle Roth was named to head the Commerce National Telecommunications and Information Administration. This agency is responsible for a fund of $42,5 billion to ensure universal access to high-speed internet by 2030. Trump nominated Washington-based trade lawyer Jeffrey Kessler on Monday to head the...

Japan's agricultural, forest and fishery exports rose by 3.7% in 2024 to reach a new record, despite China banning seafood imports after the Fukushima nuclear plant water discharge. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries said that exports in 2018 totaled 1.507 trillion yen, up from 1.454 billion yen by 2023. Kazuyoshi Nakasugi, deputy head of MAFF’s export policy planning department, noted that it was the 12th consecutive year of growth and a new record. He also pointed out that exports from China and Hong Kong were down, but exports in other parts of Asia and the United States increased....

Atomic scientists on Tuesday moved their Doomsday Clock closer to midnight than ever before, citing Russian nuclear threats in the middle of its intrusion of Ukraine, tensions in other world hot spots, military applications of expert system and climate modification as elements underlying the threats of global disaster. The Publication of the Atomic Researchers set the clock to 89 seconds before midnight - the theoretical point of annihilation. That is one 2nd closer than it was set in 2015. The Chicago-based nonprofit developed the clock in 1947 throughout the Cold War tensions that followed World War 2 to warn the...

Dalian iron ore futures traded flat on Monday as traders weighed the relieving supply issues and lagging steel need against improving market belief in top consumer China. The most-traded May iron ore contract on China's Dalian Product Exchange (DCE) held constant, ending early morning trade at 799.5 yuan ($ 109.29) a metric ton. The benchmark February iron ore on the Singapore Exchange was 0.44% lower at $103.4 a heap. Australia's Port Hedland, the world's biggest iron ore export center, has resumed operations after cyclone Sean moved away from the port, the Pilbara Ports Authority stated. The port was closed on...

China, the world's. most significant coal consumer, extended its lead in imports over No. 2. buyer India in 2015 to the largest because at least 2013, customizeds. information shows, cementing its hold on worldwide coal markets and. assisting to suppress a slide in rates. International thermal coal costs have pulled away from record highs. hit after Russia's 2022 intrusion of Ukraine, however are 50% greater. than the average during the 2017-19 duration, according to the. International Energy Firm (IEA). China's hunger is triggering prices to remain in the existing. variety. If not, costs will really decrease, Ramli Ahmad,. president director...

European Union business could end up being more competitive against their U.S. and Chinese rivals if they paid less for energy a goal governments could accomplish by working together to invest and to integrate the EU's. fragmented energy market, the IMF said. Boosting Europe's economic competitiveness is a priority for. the 27-nation bloc as it struggles in the race for brand-new,. climate-friendly innovations versus China and the United. States. The difficulty has actually ended up being much tougher after the collapse of. inexpensive pipeline gas imports from Russia in the consequences of. Moscow's intrusion of Ukraine in 2022, making EU...