Global cooperation is proving resilient even as multilateralism continues to face strong headwinds, according to the World Economic Forum’s Global Cooperation Barometer 2026. However, cooperation is below where it needs to be to address critical economic, security and environmental challenges. Dialogue is a critical factor in identifying pathways that advance shared interests.
The European Commission has unveiled a first set of pilot actions to accelerate Europe's transition to a circular economy, with a particular focus on the plastics sector. The Commission says that by optimising the recycling of plastics, these measures will further unlock the potential of the Single Market and enhance the EU's economic security, strategic autonomy, competitiveness and environmental sustainability.
Artificial intelligence is reshaping economies and societies at a remarkable pace, transforming how people learn, work and live. Its ability to unlock access to knowledge, boost productivity and open new markets holds immense potential to accelerate development, creating jobs, new industries and boosting economic transformation, says the World Bank's 'Digital Progress and Trends Report 2025: Strengthening AI Foundations'. It offers a comprehensive data-driven snapshot of the global AI landscape.
ZeroAvia has completed a further round of financing, led by Barclays Climate Ventures, Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Ecosystem Integrity Fund, Horizons Ventures, Summa Equity and AP Ventures, with participation from the National Wealth Fund and the Scottish National Investment Bank. With additional investment secured, ZeroAvia has extended its cash runway for the next two years and will continue to fully industrialize its hydrogen power and propulsion technology for the aviation market.
Human biology evolved for a world of movement, nature, and short bursts of stress, not the constant pressure of modern life. Industrial environments overstimulate our stress systems and erode both health and reproduction. Analysis from the University of Zurich and Loughborough University says that evidence shows the toll of this mismatch.
Members of Congress in the US have been targeted by more than 230 organisations demanding a national moratorium on the approval and construction of new data centres. The organisations represent millions of people in all 50 states. The letter is explicit in the environmental and social threats posed by unbridled data centre construction.
Decarbonisation is emerging as a key business differentiator. Accenture’s latest report on the decarbonisation activities of the world’s largest companies finds that those that connect climate ambition to business strategy are cutting emissions faster and creating lasting value. But the journey is far from complete: just 16% are on track to reach net zero in their operations by 2050.
Governor Newsom said California is leading by example, proving that climate action and economic growth go hand in hand. As California continues and accelerates its climate action, the Governor urged global investors to embrace the technologies and infrastructure driving the clean energy future.
Ralph Lauren Corporation has announced that it will evolve its approach to climate as part of its ongoing commitment to decarbonisation. It will retire its 2040 net zero goal in favour of setting rolling five-year GHG reduction milestones, with a near-term focus on its current SBTi-validated 2030 goal to reduce emissions by 30% from its FY20 baseline.
Close to 100 countries – including nearly 40 Heads of State and Government – have announced, committed to finalising or set out their commitment to implementing their new climate targets ahead of COP30 in Belém, Brazil this November. The announcements came at a Climate Summit convened by UN Secretary-General António Guterres and President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil on the margins of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly.
The European Parliament has given the green light to new measures to prevent and reduce waste from food and textiles across the EU. For context, each European generates 132kg of food waste and 12kg of clothing and footwear waste per year. The updated legislation will introduce binding food waste reduction targets, to be met at national level by 31 December 2030: 10% from food processing and manufacturing and 30% per capita from retail, restaurants, food services and households.
Polar Night Energy has built an industrial-scale sand battery in Pornainen for Loviisan Lämpö’s district heating network. The new sand battery delivers 1MW of thermal power and offers a storage capacity of 100MWh, making it 10 times larger than the Sand Battery launched in Kankaanpää in 2022.
In a landmark ruling, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has issued its Advisory Opinion on the Obligations of States in Respect of Climate Change, which reinforce climate obligations on States under existing treaties, conventions and protocols. It may open the way for countries to enforce climate obligations on other nations. This is a major step forward for decarbonisation, the acceleration of renewables and a renewed focus on Industrial Revolution 5.0.
A map showing clean energy projects supported by government has been published by the UK’s Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. It supports the government’s clean energy mission to deliver clean power by 2030 and accelerate progress towards net zero. This map includes projects being supported by the National Wealth Fund and Great British Energy.
Even the accountancy profession is talking about communications. Time and again it proclaims that financial and non-financial reporting (especially in relation to climate and nature impacts) should be integrated; but increasingly it says that this integration – and the outcomes of business strategy underpinned by green credentials – should be communicated. But it rarely is.