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.

Since we were unavailable the past few weeks, we are giving you a round-up of the sustainability news since September 10.

Latest Developments in Sustainability

Latest Developments in Sustainability

Sept 10 – Energy security and biofuel debates

Europe’s widening energy security divide

Europe has slashed its Russian gas imports from about 40 % of supply before the war to around 10 % by mid‑2025 thanks to more LNG from the United States and Norway, but this has created new dependencies and widened a divide between western and eastern member states. Countries such as Hungary still buy three‑quarters of their gas from Russia, and high prices and grid unreliability are harming industry in parts of Central and Eastern Europe. A coordinated investment will be needed in grids and storage to close the gap and maintain prosperity.

Asia’s coal subsidies stall the clean‑energy transition

Executives at the APPEC energy conference in Singapore warned that coal remains heavily subsidized in parts of Asia and some governments cancel renewable auctions or delay permits, discouraging investors. Malaysia has revived coal‑fired power because of its low cost, and data‑centre operators often choose cheap electricity without regard to carbon intensity The executives urged predictable policies and faster permitting to reduce financing risks.

White House weighs half reallocation of biofuel waivers

According to U.S. government sources, the Environmental Protection Agency is considering a plan to require major refiners to cover roughly half of the 1.1 billion gallons of biofuel blending requirements waived for small refineries. The compromise would cut biofuel demand by about 550 million gallons while avoiding a flood of renewable fuel credits (RINs), but it risks angering biofuel producers who want full reallocation of waived volumes.

Sept 18 – Businesses back EU’s 2040 climate target

Companies urge Brussels to “stay the course”

A commentary reported that more than 150 European corporations and investors support the European Commission’s proposed 90 % emissions cut by 2040 and warn that delaying or watering down the goal would undermine investment. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told lawmakers to “stay the course,” but a final decision was delayed until an October summit amid opposition from several member states. Businesses argue that renewables are now the cheapest power source and that long‑term policy clarity is needed to keep investment and industrial leadership in Europe.

Sept 20–22 – Climate Week and California’s emissions program

New York Climate Week surges despite U.S. climate denial

Organizers of Climate Week said Climate Week NYC will host over 1,000 events this year, up from around 900 in 2024, even as the U.S. government rolls back climate policies. Businesses, nonprofits and local governments continue to showcase net‑zero commitments and push for international cooperation.

California extends cap‑and‑trade to 2045

With federal subsidies being rolled back, California passed a long‑term extension of its cap‑and‑trade program through 2045. The market covers about 85 % of the state’s emissions and has raised billions for climate projects; lawmakers introduced measures like electricity bill credits to address affordability concerns. Supporters say the program offers a model for keeping emissions cuts affordable, while critics worry about higher energy costs.

Sept 24–25 – U.S. policy reversals, corporate pleas and new targets

DOE cancels $13 billion in clean‑energy subsidies

The U.S. Department of Energy announced plans to cancel more than $13 billion in funds for wind, solar, batteries and electric vehicles, saying it would “return funds to taxpayers.” California’s governor criticised the decision, warning it will cede clean‑energy leadership to China. Despite federal rollbacks, clean‑energy jobs in the U.S. grew three times faster than the rest of the workforce in 2024.

Tesla urges EPA to retain emissions standards

Tesla petitioned the Trump administration not to repeal vehicle emissions limits or the endangerment finding, arguing that repeal would let automakers avoid measuring and reporting greenhouse‑gas emissions and destroy the value of regulatory credits. Tesla sells billions of dollars of credits to other automakers and warns that losing them could hurt its finances; however, groups representing General Motors, Toyota and others have asked for rollbacks.

China pledges 3,600 GW of wind and solar by 2035

At a UN summit, China announced plans to expand wind and solar capacity six‑fold from 2020 levels to 3,600 GW by 2035 and cut emissions by 7 – 10 % from their peak. Analysts said the target is relatively modest because current growth rates could exceed 4,500 GW by 2035 and curtailment, not capacity, is the real challenge. China did not set a new cap on coal consumption.

U.S. energy secretary warns coal plants will stay online to power AI

Energy Secretary Chris Wright said most U.S. coal‑fired plants nearing retirement will remain in operation to meet soaring electricity demand from AI data centres. The plan includes restarting shuttered nuclear facilities and using emergency powers to extend coal plant lifetimes. Wright emphasized keeping existing “firm” capacity and installing backup generators to avoid blackouts as electricity demand hits records.

Fortescue chair challenges Trump and presses on with decarbonisation

Australian mining billionaire Andrew Forrest vowed not to abandon decarbonization projects despite the U.S. policy shift, saying he is ready to debate or legally challenge President Trump for calling climate change a “con job.” Fortescue recently acquired wind‑turbine technology company Nabrawind and aims to deploy 300–400 battery‑powered mining trucks while surpassing its 2–3 GW renewable‑energy goal.

Sept 26 – Policies, corporate consolidation and climate justice

Trump’s energy pivot sparks M&A boom

A Reuters analysis reported that after the OBBBA tax bill eliminated investment tax credits for solar and wind projects, mergers and asset sales surged. The first half of 2025 saw 63 deals worth $34 billion, compared with $7 billion in the second half of 2024, as smaller developers sold projects to private equity firms and utilities. The analysis suggests consolidation may be a lasting feature of U.S. renewables if federal incentives are rolled back.

New York fast‑tracks renewable procurement

Governor Kathy Hochul directed state agencies to procure $5 billion in wind and solar projects before federal subsidies expire. Eligible projects must start construction within a year or reach operation by 2027; the initiative is expected to create 2,500 jobs and leverage remaining incentives.

Global call for climate justice and reparations

More than 240 environmental and human‑rights groups urged Brazil to dedicate space at COP30 for discussions of climate justice and reparations for historical injustices like slavery and colonialism. The letter notes that Brazil has the largest population of African descendants outside Africa and asks it to lead on these issues.

China accuses EU of hypocrisy

After EU climate commissioner Wopke Hoekstra criticised China’s emission‑reduction targets, China’s foreign ministry said the EU was using “double standards” and argued that Europe’s progress on its own climate plan was also slow. The remarks again shows tensions as the EU has yet to finalize its new climate targets while China faces criticism for its modest 2035 goals.

Sept 27 – Infrastructure expansion and energy outlooks

Kuwait plans 14 GW of new power projects

The Kuwaiti government announced plans to add 14.05 GW of power capacity by 2031 to meet rising demand and prevent blackouts. Projects include a 2.7 GW expansion at the Al‑Zour North gas plant, two phases of the Shagaya renewable complex totalling 4.6 GW (with Chinese partners), a 1.8 GW plant at Khairan and contributions from the 7.2 GW Nuwaiseeb desalination project. Officials said that despite temperatures reaching 51 °C, the country reduced peak loads during the 2025 heatwave.

Sept 28 – Global energy outlook and emerging trends

BP Energy Outlook sees oil demand peaking around 2030

BP’s 2025 Energy Outlook predicts global oil demand will continue to grow to about 103.4 million barrels per day and peak by 2030. In a scenario aligning with less than 2 °C warming, demand peaks this year and declines to 33.8 million bpd by 2050. The report foresees renewables overtaking coal in the global energy mix by 2040 and supplying half of electricity by mid‑century, while natural gas demand grows 17 % by 2040 and then plateaus.

Emerging economies lead clean‑energy investment

60 % of emerging economies are leapfrogging richer nations in clean‑electrification, with roughly 87 % of 2024 power‑investment in these countries going to renewable energy and supporting infrastructure. Emerging economies hold around 70 % of the world’s solar and wind resources and half of known supplies of key transition minerals. At the same time there is a need for more coordinated finance and risk‑sharing to accelerate the transition and protect against climate shocks.

Typhoon Ragasa and growing storm threats

The Sustainable Switch newsletter reported that Category 5 Typhoon Ragasa packed winds above 260 km/h and hit southern China and Taiwan, killing at least 15 people and causing a barrier lake to burst. The newsletter also noted that Storm Bualoi killed three people in the Philippines and that stronger storms pose fiscal catastrophes for small island nations.

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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.

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