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EU packaging rules have become mandatory for businesses. On 12 August, the EU-wide Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) entered into force, replacing the previous 1994 directive. The key difference is that PPWR is a regulation, not a directive. It…

In June 2026, the U.S. reported that 39.9% of honey bee colonies had died during the 2025/2026 season. Extreme heat, pesticides, habitat loss and parasites are putting pollinators under growing pressure worldwide. In Russia, beekeepers have reportedly lost around 200,000…

Europe’s extreme heat this summer could reduce the European Union’s economic output by about 1% in 2026, effectively erasing most of the bloc’s projected growth, according to an assessment by Dutch bank Triodos Bank. The estimated hit of around €180…

Global electricity consumption is forecast by the International Energy Agency (IEA) to grow by 3.6% in 2026 and a further 3.8% in 2027, following 3% growth in 2025. Key drivers include industry, air conditioning, electric vehicles, household appliances and data…

A study by the European Space Agency has found that since 2018, each hectare of disturbed forest in Europe has experienced 46% more biomass loss than before. The main cause is drought, which has weakened trees and been followed by massive outbreaks…

The largest field experiment to date in Wales evaluating methods to improve the growth of young forests has been completed. Scientists from Imperial College London tested two approaches: applying crushed basalt to the soil and introducing a microbiome from mature…

In South Korea’s Chilgok County, melon peels are being turned into an innovative material for bags and wallets. Chilgok is one of the country’s major melon-growing regions, but tons of low-quality fruit are discarded every rainy season, with some ending…

A group of older women in Massachusetts is making a splash by diving into Cape Cod’s ponds to remove underwater garbage. “Old Ladies Against Underwater Garbage” was founded in 2018 by 86-year-old Susan Bauer and now has about 30 members.…

For the first time in history, coal accounted for less than half of China’s electricity generation. In the first half of the year, coal-fired power generation fell to 49.7%. Renewables, meanwhile, surpassed 40% for the first time, with wind and…

Since 19 July, large companies in the EU have been prohibited from destroying unsold clothing, accessories and footwear. Medium-sized companies will be subject to the same rules from 2030. The new requirements were introduced under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products…