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PIK and BOKU: 60% of the world’s land area is in a precarious state

A study by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) and BOKU University in Vienna maps the planetary boundary of “functional biosphere integrity” in spatial detail and over centuries. It finds that 60% of global land areas are now already outside the locally defined safe zone, and 38% are even in the high-risk zone. The study was published in the renowned journal ‘One Earth’.

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An eco-environment monitoring network for sustainable governance

Dawei Zhang has published a paper on China’s three-dimensional monitoring system that covers air, water, terrestrial and marine environments. This outlook first reviews the achievements of China's eco-environmental monitoring network and ongoing technological advancements, then discusses the implications of China's experience for global environmental governance, and finally offers conclusions and recommendations for international collaboration.

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EU and China make joint statement on climate

The 25th EU-China summit took place in Beijing, China on 24 July. President of the European Council, António Costa, and President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, representing the EU, met Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang at two separate sessions. The High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, also participated in the meetings.

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UK water regulator, Ofwat, to be abolished

Ofwat is to be abolished and a new, single regulator to be established to cut water pollution in England’s rivers, lakes and seas, and protect families from massive bill hikes. The new regulator will take responsibility for water functions across Ofwat, the Environment Agency, Natural England and the Drinking Water Inspectorate, in an effort to end complexity.

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11 UK peatlands to become New National Nature Reserve

A network of 11 nature-abundant lowland peat sites, between Liverpool and Manchester, are to become a King’s Series National Nature Reserve. These sites, from lowland raised bogs and fen, through to lowland heath, wet woodland and drier woodland habitats, will be restored to provide homes for rare species, such as lapwings, curlew, sundew and adders.

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ISEP surveys the state of the sustainability profession for 2025

More than 40% of respondents to the Institute of Sustainability and Environmental Professionals’ (ISEP) 'State of the Sustainability Profession 2025 Report' have experienced a change in responsibilities in the past year, reflecting the rapidly evolving nature of the sustainability profession. There is now a wide and varied spread of topics within the remits of sustainability professionals, yet more than 70% of all respondents have a focus on waste management, climate change mitigation and energy efficiency.

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India says it’s leading – not following – the energy transition

Shri Pralhad Joshi, Union Minister, New and Renewable Energy, said that this is not just an energy transition for India; it’s a global reset. Speaking at the inaugural Indian Venture and Alternate Capital Association’s Renewable Energy Summit, he said that India is leading the way and has already surpassed 44% non-fossil fuel capacity, achieving its 2030 target five years ahead of schedule.

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UK air quality: better but not good enough

UK air pollution improved between 2015 and 2024, but is still dangerous too often, research from the University of Reading says in ‘Environmental Science: Atmospheres’. Scientists from the University studied pollution at more than 500 monitoring sites around the UK. They found that two types of pollution got better over the decade: nitrogen dioxide (NO2), which is mainly produced by traffic, fell by 35% on average at monitoring sites; and fine particles called PM2.5, which are small enough to get deep into lungs, dropped by 30%.

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Climate-related financial risks: data is key says FSB

The Financial Stability Board (FSB) has delivered a report to the July 2025 meeting of G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors. It provides a factual update on the work undertaken by the FSB, standard-setting bodies and other international organisations in the four areas identified by the 2021 ‘Roadmap for Addressing Climate-related Financial Risks’. The Roadmap had been welcomed by the G20 in 2021. 

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Weather records and extremes now the norm in UK climate

Record-breaking and extreme weather has become increasingly commonplace in the UK, says the Met Office. Baselines are shifting, records are becoming more frequent and temperature and rainfall extremes are becoming the norm. The latest 'State of the UK Climate report', published by Wiley in the Royal Meteorological Society’s ‘International Journal of Climatology’, provides insight into the UK’s changing climate.