The European Union notified its decision to appeal the panel report in DS618 concerning countervailing duties on biodiesel imports from Indonesia.

• EU appeal notified at the Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) meeting on 26 September; the panel report was circulated on 22 August 2025; no Appellate Body Division available at present to hear the appeal; further information will be provided in WT/DS618/5 within the next few days.
• Background and related developments: Indonesia expressed regret at the EU appeal and the EU invited Indonesia to join the MPIA; China reported it had fully complied with the MPIA arbitration award in DS611 while calling aspects of the award “deeply concerning”; Colombia (on behalf of 130 members) reintroduced for the 90th time a proposal to start selection processes to fill Appellate Body vacancies; the United States does not support that proposed decision and cited a lack of effective outcomes (delays, non-compliance); next regular DSB meeting: 24 October 2025; DSB Chair Ambassador Clare Kelly and General Council Chair Ambassador Saqer Abdullah Almoqbel plan formal joint consultations after the October General Council meeting.

The Nature Returns programme, led by Natural England in partnership with the Environment Agency, Forestry Commission and Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, has published results demonstrating nature-based solutions’ carbon and flood benefits.

• Programme achievements and interventions: Over four years the six Local Partnership Projects across England delivered 800 hectares of habitat created, 95,000 trees and shrubs planted, 16 km of hedgerow restored, 2.5 km of watercourses improved, and engaged over 7,000 people with 400 volunteer days. Projects trialled 3D laser scanning to measure hedgerow carbon (finding hedgerows can rival woodlands) and identified soil fungi as an indicator for soil carbon; practical interventions included leaky dams that reduced peak flows by 12% in Plymouth’s Seaton Valley.
• Funding, partnerships and monitoring: The programme was funded by HM Treasury’s Shared Outcomes Fund and Defra’s Net Zero R&D budget, and worked with partners to develop blended public-private finance models. Sites will be monitored for 10 years to track long-term carbon storage and biodiversity, with lessons feeding into England’s forthcoming Land Use Framework.

The Government of Canada, together with the Government of New Brunswick and the Town of Grand-Bouctouche, has announced funding to renew Bouctouche Rotary Park’s natural environment and protect its shoreline (news release dated September 26, 2025).

• Main announcement/action: The three levels of government are providing a combined investment of $1.2 million to restore the park’s riparian zone and shoreline, including planting more than 700 trees, shrubs, and plants, and creating accessible green spaces with walkways, trails, signage, lighting, and benches; federal contribution is $835,000 via the Natural Infrastructure Fund, New Brunswick is contributing $104,375, and the Town is contributing $260,625.
• Background and implementation details: Funding is provided through the Natural Infrastructure Fund which supports natural/hybrid approaches to climate resilience and biodiversity; federal funding is conditional on Indigenous consultation and environmental assessment requirements, and the announcement links the project to the federal Atlantic Growth Strategy.

The Environment Agency prosecuted five organisations after discovering large-scale illegal stockpiling of construction waste at two Suffolk farms; courts fined the firms and ordered Nicholls Ltd to pay a proceeds of crime order.

• Main action: Five organisations pleaded guilty to illegal waste activities after investigators found ~121,000 tonnes of waste dumped at Hill Farm and The Anchorage in Iken between 2016 and 2018; the court imposed combined fines and orders including £70,666 in fines, a £425,000 proceeds of crime order against Nicholls Ltd, and Environment Agency costs of £102,250.
• Background and details: Nicholls Ltd transported the waste on behalf of East Suffolk Water Management Board without permits; the waste (wood, plastic, concrete, brick) was wrongly described as soil and breached two registered waste exemptions. Fines breakdown: Nicholls Ltd £26,666 (plus £425,000 proceeds order), Howard Construction £18,000, Barconn Ltd £14,000, Landex £8,000, East Suffolk Water Management Board £4,000. Costs ordered: Nicholls £62,000, Water Management Board £15,500, Howard Construction £7,750, Barconn £7,500, Landex £7,500; victim surcharges totalling £850.

The Honourable Maninder Sidhu, Minister of International Trade, welcomed the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) announcement that the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies entered into force on September 26, 2025.

• Main action: Canada welcomed the WTO announcement and was the fifth WTO member to accept the Agreement; the Agreement establishes new multilateral trade rules addressing harmful fisheries subsidies related to illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, overfished stocks, and unregulated high seas fishing, and is the WTO’s second multilateral agreement and first to prioritize environmental sustainability as a core outcome.
• Background and implementation details: The news release quotes Maninder Sidhu (Minister of International Trade) and Joanne Thompson (Minister of Fisheries); Canada encourages remaining WTO members to submit acceptance of the Agreement. Media contacts provided: Huzaif Qaisar, Director of Communications (Huzaif.Qaisar@international.gc.ca, 343-575-8816) and Media Relations Office (media@international.gc.ca).

The fifth ASEAN Economic Ministers Consultation was held on 25 September 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, co-chaired by H.E. Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul Aziz (Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry of Malaysia) and Minister Liz Lloyd (Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, UK).

• Main announcement/action: The meeting reviewed ASEAN-UK economic cooperation and progress under the ASEAN-UK Work Plan, noting UK-ASEAN trade of £53.9 billion (four quarters to end Q1 2025) and UK FDI into ASEAN of USD 18.7 billion in 2024; the meeting recorded that 95 activities across 11 priority areas involving 22 ASEAN Sectoral Bodies were completed since 2024 with an additional 80 activities planned, and noted that all three pillars of the ASEAN-UK Economic Integration Programme (EIP) are now operational.

  • Date: 25 September 2025
  • Time: not specified in the source
  • Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • Agenda/subject: review of the ASEAN-UK Work Plan and Joint Ministerial Declaration on Future Economic Cooperation; discussions on trade, FDI, EIP implementation, supply chain resilience, digital innovation, MSMEs, sustainable finance, and semiconductor supply chain initiatives.

• Background and implementation details: The meeting highlighted UK support programmes and initiatives including ASPIRE (impact analysis for AEC Blueprint 2025), ARVC II, AIPBI, the ASEAN Green Investment Catalyst (launched December 2024), support for AFISS and semiconductor industry workshops, promotion of DEFA, skills and education programmes (ASLIP, ASEAN Chevening, ASEAN Women in STEM, RIDA, ASEAN i-Teams), and MSME/women entrepreneur support (SheTrades Outlook, AWEN). The meeting agreed to review and update the Work Plan in 2026, referenced cooperation on WTO reform ahead of MC14 in Cameroon in March 2026, and reaffirmed support for Timor-Leste’s Roadmap to full ASEAN membership with continued capacity building and technical assistance.

ASEAN Secretary-General Dr. Kao Kim Hourn and H.E. Senator Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz (Chair of the AEM for 2025 and Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Malaysia) briefed the media on the outcomes of the 57th AEM Meeting and Related Meetings.

• Main announcement: The press conference reported the highlights of outcomes from the 57th ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Meeting (AEM) and related meetings, with constructive exchanges by ASEAN Ministers and ASEAN Dialogue Partners focused on strengthening economic integration in the region and beyond. Key named officials: H.E. Senator Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz and Dr. Kao Kim Hourn.
• Background and details: The briefing covered a series of meetings (57th AEM and related meetings) involving ASEAN Ministers and Dialogue Partners; the article gives no monetary figures, specific projects, or implementation timelines and provides images from the event.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration reports that distributed solar generating capacity is the fastest-growing power source in Brazil, reaching 40 GW installed through June 30, 2025, and accounting for 43% of all electricity capacity additions since 2019.

• Main finding & figures: Distributed solar grew from <1 GW in 2018 to 40 GW by June 30, 2025; utility-scale solar was 17.9 GW at the same date; total solar represented 23% of Brazil’s total electric generating capacity. The EIA cites ANEEL data showing >3.7 million renewable distributed generation systems installed as of June 30, 2025 and 99% of distributed capacity is solar.
• Policy and project context: Brazil’s net metering framework (ANEEL rules from 2012, updated 2015, and a 2022–2023 law/regulation) shaped eligibility and capacity limits (initially up to 1 MW, raised to 5 MW for solar in 2015; limits for systems with storage set at 3 MW in 2022/2023). ANEEL lists 122 GW of planned utility-scale solar projects in its data as of June 30, 2025, with 6 GW currently under construction; the largest state distributed capacities are São Paulo (5.8 GW), Minas Gerais (4.9 GW), Paraná (3.7 GW), Rio Grande do Sul (3.4 GW), and Mato Grosso (2.6 GW).

HM Treasury and the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) have published and updated OFSI General Licence INT/2022/2300292 governing permitted payments related to gas and electricity activities.

• Main announcement: The General Licence INT/2022/2300292 was last updated 26 September 2025, removing the reference to frozen UK bank accounts from Permissions 4.1, and updating the reporting condition to be submitted “Within 30 days of the end of a Yearly Quarter”. Annex 1 (Schedule of UK Autonomous Sanctions Regulations) was updated to include the Global Irregular Migration and Trafficking in Persons Sanctions Regulations 2025.
• Background and prior amendments: The licence was first published 17 November 2022 and has been amended multiple times, including: 29 February 2024 (added permission for payments for gas and electricity meter installation, certification, validation, monitoring, replacement, removal and related payments), 15 December 2023 (permission to permit activity otherwise breaching Regulation 17A of the Russia Regulations), and extensions/updates on 13 October 2023, 24 February 2023, and 29 October 2024. For accessible formats or queries, contact digital.communications@hmtreasury.gov.uk.

The Forestry Commission, Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs and the Animal and Plant Health Agency provide guidance on preventing and managing tree pests and diseases in the UK (page updated 26 September 2025).

• Main action: The guidance explains prevention, reporting and management routes including TreeAlert for reporting suspected pests/diseases, and references key strategy documents: England tree health management plan, England tree health resilience strategy, and the plant biosecurity strategy for Great Britain. It lists transmission pathways (movements of plants/wood, wind/water, contaminated vehicles/equipment) and links to UK plant health resources and registers.
• Funding and targeted measures: The page details funding schemes and pilots: the tree health pilot (grants for larch with Phytophthora ramorum; spruce with or at risk of Ips typographus; sweet chestnut with Phytophthora ramorum or sweet chestnut blight; oak with oak processionary moth; ash with ash dieback) and the Woodland tree health grant (part of the Countryside Stewardship scheme) with restoration and improvement grant types; updates to the page and scheme links were made on 26 September 2025.

The RPD portal (EPR digital service) has gone live with enhanced functionality and opened registration and submission windows.

• Main announcement: The Report Packaging Data (RPD) service and EPR for packaging digital service have launched multiple new features now available to producers, including H1 2025 data submission window open, 2026 registration capability, an updated subsidiaries module, direct recyclability assessment data submission, new joiner/leaver codes (01-17), public registers access, and a 2025 recycling obligations calculator. Key submission deadlines: Large producers must submit H1 2025 data (1 Jan–30 Jun 2025) by 1 October 2025; Small producers must submit full-year 2025 data (1 Jan–31 Dec 2025) by 1 April 2026.

• Background and supporting details: The portal updates are intended to support compliance with the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging and Packaging Waste) Regulations 2024 and regulator guidance; supporting resources linked on GOV.UK include data collection guidance, packaging data specification and valid file generator, example data files, the Recyclability Assessment Methodology (RAM), and an instructional video. The civil sanctions register is noted as not yet published and will be released in due course.

PackUK has published a package of support materials to help producers complete Recyclability Assessment Methodology (RAM) assessments.

• Main announcement / resources: PackUK published a RAM support package including RAM one page material guidance notes (infographic-style cards by material type, plus a colourblind-friendly version) and RAM Supplementary guidance (technical specifications, testing, compliance, stages of recyclability). The supplementary guidance is available on GOV.UK and the infographic cards are available via the Defra Collection and Packaging Reform links provided.
• Background and timeline details: PackUK has moved the RAM update cycle from October to July, meaning the next RAM update will be published in July 2026 and will apply to packaging supplied in 2027; the RAM naming convention will align with the year of applicability (next called RAM 2027); there will be a ‘stand still’ on changes for 2025 and 2026 reporting years; PackUK will publish a Roadmap of future RAM changes in October.

The MicroCarb satellite captured its first view of Earth on 28 August, following its 25 July launch.

• First observation details: MicroCarb collected initial images and spectrometer measurements over the Amazon Basin (a region with sparse ground-based CO₂ observations). The onboard imager identified cloud-free areas and urban/agricultural/forested interfaces, while the spectrometer detected distinct CO₂ and O₂ spectral signatures, confirming instrument functionality.
• Background, validation and next steps: Data were calibrated using pre-launch characterizations (including thermal vacuum testing completed in late 2022) and early in‑flight calibrations (dark current, internal lamp, solar reference). Cross-checks used Sentinel-2 imagery for the imager and 4AOP radiative transfer simulations for the spectrometer, showing both instruments operate within expected parameters; the team will now begin fine calibration and tuning of data processing algorithms to deliver precise space-based atmospheric CO₂ measurements.

The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne hosted a virtual meeting with provincial and territorial finance ministers to coordinate economic priorities ahead of Budget 2025 (meeting held September 26, 2025).

• Main announcement/action: Minister François-Philippe Champagne provided updates on trade negotiations with the United States (noting over 85 per cent of Canada-U.S. trade tariff-free), discussed Canada’s response to U.S. trade measures and the ongoing review of current surtaxes on imports from China, and highlighted the recently launched Major Projects Office that will fast-track nation-building projects — five of which are already under review; he also noted Budget 2025 will be tabled on November 4, 2025 and ministers discussed joint procurement to obtain better pricing/terms for governments.
• Background and other details: The meeting included remarks from Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem and Senior Deputy Governor Carolyn Rogers on the economic outlook; related initiatives and links include the Prime Minister’s announcements on projects to be reviewed by the Major Projects Office and the Build Canada Homes launch (Associated Links: PM announcements).

The Honourable Tim Hodgson, Canada’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, announced an investment of over $1.44 million on September 26, 2025, to fund 10 projects under Natural Resources Canada’s Global Forest Leadership Program, delivered through the International Model Forest Network.

• Main announcement: On September 26, 2025, Canada (Natural Resources Canada) committed over $1.44 million to 10 projects under the Global Forest Leadership Program, delivered via the International Model Forest Network; notable grants include $350,000 to Kasetsart University (Bangkok, Thailand) and $150,000 to Association Forêt Modèle Ifrane (Ifrane, Morocco), with the remaining project grants ranging from $100,000 to $125,000 (see project list for exact amounts).
• Background and project details: The funded projects target rehabilitation and restoration, agroforestry and tree planting, forest and mangrove restoration, graduate curriculum development for forest leaders, nursery development, invasive species control, and landslide-affected land restoration across Morocco, Cameroon, Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia, Switzerland (project supporting India), and India; recipients include local model forest associations, universities, municipal bodies and IUCN, each receiving specific grant amounts as listed in the announcement.

The Honourable Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, announced over $1.44 million in funding for 10 projects under Natural Resources Canada’s Global Forest Leadership Program, delivered through the International Model Forest Network.

• Funding and projects: Canada announced over $1.44 million CAD to support 10 projects under the Global Forest Leadership Program, delivered via the International Model Forest Network (IMFN); funds will be used to restore damaged ecosystems, support agroforestry and sustainable local businesses, and empower Indigenous and local communities (including women and youth).
• Background and program details: The Global Forest Leadership Program expands Canada’s international engagement and shares Canadian expertise; the Model Forest approach originated in the early 1990s at 10 sites in Canada and the IMFN now includes more than 60 Model Forests in more than 30 countries, with activities focused on sustainable management and landscape-level conservation.

OPEC and the African Energy Chamber (AEC) will host the OPEC-Africa Roundtable at African Energy Week (AEW) 2025 in Cape Town to convene ministers and industry leaders to coordinate Africa’s oil and gas strategy.

• Main announcement/action: OPEC and the AEC will host the OPEC-Africa Roundtable at AEW 2025 in Cape Town (event referenced on September 26, 2025) with OPEC Secretary General Haitham Al Ghais and ministers from Nigeria, Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon and South Africa, moderated by AEC Executive Chairman NJ Ayuk; discussions will focus on policy alignment, investment attraction, refining and petrochemical expansion, and integrating natural gas into power and industry.
• Background and details: The release cites Africa holding ~120 billion barrels of oil and 620 trillion cubic feet of gas, OPEC’s forecast that crude use in Africa may rise from 1.8 million bpd (2024) to 4.5 million bpd (2050), and an estimate that investments in African oil and gas projects could reach $1.4 trillion cumulatively to 2050 if conditions are met.

Event details/sub-bullets:

• Date: AEW 2025 (press dated September 26, 2025)
• Location: Cape Town, South Africa
• Agenda/subject: High-level dialogue on Africa’s oil & gas future, policy alignment with OPEC’s 2025 vision, investment and infrastructure financing, and regional collaboration.

The National Treasury has published the Section 71 fourth quarter report for the 2024/25 municipal financial year ending 30 June 2025 (published 26 September 2025).

• Main publication and high-level results: The report covers financial and MFMA Circular No. 88 non-financial performance for 257 municipalities, reporting aggregate spending of R597.2 billion (89.8% of adjusted expenditure R665.5 billion), aggregate billed revenue R617.3 billion (93% of adjusted revenue R663.5 billion), capital expenditure R52.1 billion (65.2% of R79.9 billion adjusted capital budget), and 49 municipalities with negative cash positions as at 30 June 2025. It also details conditional grants: R43.2 billion allocated for direct conditional grants, R42.0 billion transferred, R1.2 billion returned to the NRF, NTO reported spending R36.1 billion (83.6%) and municipalities reported spending R28.6 billion (66.1%).
• Background, specific grant and debt details: The publication highlights aggregate municipal consumer debt R427.7 billion (R307.5 billion household component), outstanding creditors R156.1 billion (72.8% >90 days) with provinces listed for highest >90 day creditors (Free State, Northern Cape, Mpumalanga, North West), underspending patterns (total underspending R86.5 billion), and capacity/disaster grants: R2.3 billion transferred for capacity grants with municipalities reporting 64.3% expenditure including a Municipal Disaster Response Grant (MDRG) of R378.4 million disbursed across six provinces. The report functions as an in-year management and early warning tool and provides detailed Annexure A tables and downloadable schedules on the National Treasury website.

The Bank for International Settlements (BIS) published Working Paper No.1292 on 26 September 2025 analysing the macroeconomic effects of weather disasters across up to 151 countries for 2000–24.

• Main analysis and findings: The paper uses panel local projections to estimate cumulative effects on GDP over 16 quarters and on prices over 12 months, studying seven disaster types (cold waves, droughts, floods, heat waves, landslides, storms, wildfires). It reports average-sized droughts, landslides and wildfires reduce GDP by −2%, −1% and −0.4% respectively over four years; and finds larger, more persistent increases in food prices versus other CPI components.
• Scope, data and policy-relevant details: Sample sizes vary by analysis: 89 countries for quarterly real GDP growth (2000–24), 54–131 countries for sectoral annual output, and 151 countries for monthly inflation components. The paper highlights affected sectors (agriculture-forestry-fishing; mining-construction-water-energy) and notes that fiscal space and insurance can mitigate disaster impacts.

KIT (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology) has announced the third KIT Science Week 2025 themed “City of the Future”, running from 14–19 October 2025, combining a scientific congress with participatory public events and the InnovationFestival @karlsruhe.digital.

• Main announcement and format details: KIT Science Week 2025 is a week-long, participative event mixing a top-level scientific conference and public programming focused on sustainable architecture, smart mobility, urban planning, digital innovations, and AI; InnovationFestival @karlsruhe.digital will take part to showcase digital solutions and startups. More than half of the events target children, adolescents, families, and school classes; KIT is presented as The Research University in the Helmholtz Association with about 10,000 employees and 22,800 students (institutional background).
• Event highlights, dates, times, locations and agenda/subject (verifiable facts):
  • Official Opening / Keynote — Tuesday, 14 Oct 2025, 19:30 hrs, KIT Audimax, Straße am Forum 1, 76131 Karlsruhe; keynote by Sabine Knierbein (TU Vienna); exhibition opens 18:00 hrs.
  • Scientific Conference: “Urban Transformation” — Wed 15 Oct to Fri 17 Oct 2025; researchers present and discuss urban-space research; public “Keynote in Dialogue” on Wed 15 Oct at 18:30 hrs.
  • Science on the Rocks — Wed 15 Oct 2025, starting 18:00 hrs, Karlsruhe Oststadt (three bars: Gazebo 18:00–19:00, Maschinenhaus 19:30–20:30, Gottesauer Eck 21:00–22:00); topics include AI, nutrition, mobility, architecture.
  • Autonomous Driving debate (“13 Questions”) — Thu 16 Oct 2025, 19:00–21:00 hrs, TOLLHAUS cultural center, Alter Schlachthof 35; interactive debate on autonomous local transport.
  • InnovationFestival @karlsruhe.digital — Fri 17 Oct 2025, 14:00–19:00 hrs, ZKM Media Theater and via Live Stream; spotlight on digital sovereignty, AI in cities, mobility, energy supply, and urban infrastructure.
  • Lecture: Christian Ude — “Nachhaltigkeit ist mehr – Städte in Zeiten des Klimawandels” — Fri 17 Oct 2025, 17:00–18:30 hrs, KIT Audimax; admission free, no prior registration required.
  • Dialogue with citizens: “Turbulenzen global, mitgestalten lokal” — Sat 18 Oct 2025, 14:00–18:00 hrs, TRIANGEL Transfer | Kultur | Raum, Kaiserstraße 93; prior registration required.
  • Nerds at Work (MAITHINK X-Science podcast recording) — Sat 18 Oct 2025, 20:00–22:30 hrs, Kulturzentrum TOLLHAUS; presenters Dr. Jens Foell and Dr. Christian Scharun; prior registration required.