Here’s a fresh edition of our Sustainability in the News roundup, covering last week’s most important stories in science, climate policy, and research.

Think of these updates as your quick-read guide to the headlines shaping the sustainability conversation right now. Our in-depth articles dive deep into the details and analysis, but here we focus on the essentials — major breakthroughs, shifting policies, and the trends worth watching — in a clear, no-nonsense format.

From new research findings to milestone climate agreements or concerns over research integrity, we’ll keep you in the loop with what matters most.

Here’s what caught our attention this week. As you might expect, summer slows things down a bit — but there’s still plenty worth noting.

Latest Developments in Sustainability

Latest Developments in Sustainability

Aug 26 – Fossil‑fuel decline, green hydrogen push and ancient climate lessons

Japan’s utilities cut fossil fuel generation to record lows

In the first half of 2025 Japanese power companies generated less than 60 % of electricity from fossil fuels for the first time. Clean sources such as solar and nuclear climbed to about 41 % of generation, with non‑nuclear clean output up 47 % since 2019. Solar production has increased 25‑fold since 2010, and analysts say clean power could overtake fossil fuels by 2033 if trends continue.

Saudi Arabia picks Sinopec to build a massive green hydrogen–ammonia plant

China’s Sinopec will provide engineering services for ACWA Power’s integrated green hydrogen project in Yanbu, Saudi Arabia. Scheduled to start operations in 2030, the facility will use wind and solar power to produce 400 000 tonnes of green hydrogen and 2.8 million tonnes of green ammonia annually.

Ancient Peruvian sculpture shows climate collapse

Archaeologists uncovered a 3 800‑year‑old toad sculpture and other water symbols at the Vichama site near Caral. The artifacts suggest that extended droughts triggered Caral’s collapse. Human skeletons found alongside show malnutrition, pointing to famine caused by climate‑driven crop failures.

Aug 27 – Investors fret over industrial policy; banks rethink climate coalition

Investors sound alarm after U.S. stake in Intel

A U.S. decision to take a 9.9 % equity stake in Intel through the Chips Act raised fears of deeper government meddling in corporate boards. Investor advocate James McRitchie warned that if presidents can threaten CEOs to secure stakes, corporate governance could be compromised.

Net‑Zero Banking Alliance plans structural overhaul

After major lenders such as UBS, Barclays and HSBC left the Net‑Zero Banking Alliance amid antitrust fears, the group will vote to shift from a membership organisation to a framework initiative. The change aims to maintain net‑zero commitments and interim targets while reducing legal risks for remaining banks.

Aug 29 – Solar trade probe, DEI law blocked and Brazil acts on clean tech and deforestation

U.S. investigates solar imports from Asia

The U.S. International Trade Commission voted unanimously to probe solar panel imports from India, Laos and Indonesia after imports jumped to US$1.6 billion in 2024. Domestic manufacturers allege that Chinese companies operating in those countries receive unfair subsidies and sell panels below cost; tariffs could follow.

Texas law restricting DEI/ESG advice halted

A federal judge blocked Texas from enforcing a statute that would have required proxy advisers to state that recommendations based on diversity, equity and ESG considerations are not purely financial. The court found the law likely infringes on the advisers’ First Amendment rights.

Trump administration cancels US$679 million in offshore wind funding

The U.S. government scrapped grants for 12 offshore wind projects, including US$427 million allocated to California’s Humboldt Bay wind terminal. California’s governor said the move would cost 800 construction jobs and called it an assault on clean energy.

Brazil announces renewable‑energy tax incentives for data centres

Brazilian officials said a new “Redata” programme will offer tax exemptions to attract foreign tech firms to build data centres powered by 100 % renewable energy. The incentives, due in early September, are part of efforts to ease trade tensions with the United States. The scheme will allow projects in export processing zones to source power from new renewable plants and aims to showcase Brazil’s surplus of green power. As part of the Redata plan, Brazil is shelving a proposed digital tax and focusing on incentives tied to renewable energy to woo big tech firms.

Brazil probes meatpackers over deforestation

The environment agency Ibama has notified 12 meatpacking plants, including two operated by JBS, as part of a probe into buying cattle from illegally cleared Amazon land. Ibama said it had already fined six meatpackers 4 million reais (≈US$740 000) and seized more than 7 000 head of cattle from embargoed farms. JBS denies purchasing cattle from deforested areas.

Aug 30 – 31 – Renewable fuels and corporate penalties

Stellantis faces hefty U.S. fuel‑economy penalties

Stellantis paid US$190.6 million this year for failing to meet U.S. fuel‑economy standards for the 2019–2020 model years, bringing its total penalties since 2018 to US$773.5 million. New rules enacted by the Trump administration remove penalties for later model years, making it easier for automakers to sell gasoline‑powered vehicles.

Indian automakers defend ethanol‑fuel rollout

Indian car makers said the country’s 20 % ethanol‑blended fuel (E20) reduces vehicle mileage by only 2 %‑4 % but is safe to use. They acknowledged older vehicles may see bigger drops and promised to honour warranty claims. E20 has replaced earlier blends at most of India’s 90 000 petrol stations as part of a push toward cleaner fuels, and public interest litigation challenging the programme is set for a Supreme Court hearing.

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Figen Sekin

I specialize in sustainability education, curriculum co-creation, and early-stage project strategy. At WINSS, I craft articles on sustainability, transformative AI, and related topics. When I’m not writing, you’ll find me chasing the perfect sushi roll, exploring cities around the globe, or unwinding with my dog Puffy — the world’s most loyal sidekick.

Tags: sustainability