AGP Executive Report

Climate Policy: A Conservative proposal to scrap the UK’s Future Homes Standard could leave new houses without solar panels, heat pumps and strong insulation, raising bills and making later retrofits more expensive, critics warn. Wildlife: More than 170 green sea turtle hatchlings were released in Baler, Philippines, after being found in nests in a protected watershed reserve. Climate Resilience: Solar-powered irrigation is being expanded in Eastern Visayas, where a new system will supply water to 70 hectares and help farmers withstand El Niño and dry conditions. Habitat Protection: Sri Lanka says a habitat enrichment programme near Thabbowa Reservoir is reducing wild elephants’ movement into villages in search of food; officials have also removed invasive plants and protected forest areas. Energy Transition: Uncertainty over coal mining’s future on Semirara Island is raising fears of layoffs, as residents are urged to plan for a more diverse and sustainable local economy.

Haiti’s Green Recovery: Haiti and the OAS are developing a five-department program for better waste management, community reforestation and training at least 2,000 young environmental leaders. Caspian at Risk: Kazakhstan is urging regional action to protect Caspian seals and other wildlife as falling water levels, habitat damage, pollution and human pressure threaten the sea. Forest Protection: Finland has halted Google’s construction after 530 hectares of forest were cleared without completed environmental impact studies. Water Pollution: Septic tanks have been linked to 57 pollution incidents in Cumbria and Lancashire. Clean Power: Renewables generated 43% of Ireland’s electricity in September, while Greece plans a 320-megawatt energy storage project at a former coal mine.

Caspian Sea: Five coastal nations have agreed to set up a commission to investigate falling water levels, which threaten ecosystems, shipping and regional livelihoods. Its first meeting is due in 2027. Clean Energy: China’s installed solar capacity has overtaken coal for the first time, marking a major shift in its energy mix. In the UK, a £1 billion government plan aims to help launch more than 1,000 community energy projects. Food and Farming: A survey found 42% of farmers had considered leaving the industry as drought, rising costs and policy uncertainty squeeze food production. Wetlands: Sri Lanka plans tighter controls on tourist boats on the Madu Ganga, where heavy traffic is linked to riverbank erosion, mangrove damage and disruption to aquatic life. Waste and Water: Pembrokeshire plans reuse shops to divert discarded goods from waste, while India’s green tribunal has ordered Chennai to ensure construction waste is processed and rules are enforced. Wildlife: Researchers link the loss of more than half a million chinstrap penguins on Zavodovski Island over 14 years to shifting krill, their key food source.

Clean Energy: Enel has acquired a US portfolio of about 270 MW of operating solar plants. Massachusetts regulators have also revised grid-connection rules to help solar and storage projects connect, including clearer reasons for failed assessments and a route to amend applications. Circular Fashion: Adidas, H&M, Inditex and Bestseller are joining Ghana’s Or Foundation to test a two-year model for producer responsibility and better handling of discarded clothing. Waste to Energy: An Osmania University biogas plant has run for more than 800 days, processing two tonnes of organic waste daily into cooking fuel and garden fertilizer. Nature and Farming: New research finds hedgerows shape ant communities in nearby fields, potentially influencing the ecological services ants provide to farms. Climate and Health: Limerick has signed a European mayors’ call for local action on climate risks, healthy food, nature-positive cities and preparedness for extreme weather.

COP31: Australia and Türkiye plan a joint presidency-led decision to accelerate climate action and keep the 1.5°C goal in reach. Pacific advocates say that means pairing electrification with renewable power and delivering climate finance. Nature at Risk: Amazon says it is reviewing oversight after a contractor drove through Winnipeg’s Rotary Prairie Nature Park, damaging a rare tallgrass prairie. In New Jersey, a proposed $19 million plan to restore Atlantic white cedar is drawing objections over plans to remove some healthy trees. Clean Energy: Cape Town has launched a solar-and-battery plant in Atlantis, with 12,850 panels and two utility-scale batteries; the city expects it to reduce reliance on Eskom and lower costs. Eton College, meanwhile, has proposed an agricultural solar farm as part of plans to decarbonise its operations. Urban Food: An eight-year rooftop greenhouse study found that replacing degraded roof panels boosted tomato yields by more than 56%, highlighting how maintenance can improve urban farming’s productivity and environmental performance.

Fossil-Fuel Dependence: Renewables drove the biggest share of global energy growth in 2025, but fossil fuels still supplied 86% of energy as oil, gas and coal production continued to rise. Grid Storage: India’s SECI has invited bids for 1,200 megawatts of renewable power backed by four-hour storage, aiming to deliver clean electricity during peak demand. Wind Power Tensions: UK defence officials warn a proposed 23-turbine farm in Yorkshire could interfere with radar, highlighting a growing clash between wind expansion and air-defence concerns. Transition Funding: Canada’s shift to cleaner power could require about $2.17 trillion over 25 years, including $1.26 trillion for grid investment, as electricity demand is expected to double. Nature Under Pressure: WWF reports monitored wildlife populations have declined 73% since 1970; separate research finds invasive species can have especially severe environmental impacts in the Global South.

Clean Energy: Vietnamese manufacturers say rooftop solar is cutting power bills by billions of dong a month, while supplying a significant share of factory electricity. Wildlife: WWF’s 2026 Living Planet Report says monitored wildlife population sizes have fallen by an average of 73% since 1970, underscoring mounting pressure on ecosystems. Climate Justice: A new report says women near Indonesia’s nickel mines and processing plants face serious health, livelihood and cultural harms, despite the mineral’s role in the clean-energy transition. Power Reform: Togo’s proposed electricity law would open the sector to private investment, strengthen independent power producers and set rules for storage and renewable power fed into the grid. Low-Carbon Construction: More than 30 zero-emission machines are working on the UK’s Lower Thames Crossing, with the fleet expected to reach about 150 at peak construction in 2028. The project says diesel has been barred from its sites.

Landfill Safety: Philippine lawmakers are seeking an investigation into landfill fires and collapses in Navotas, Davao, Rizal and Cebu, citing risks to workers and nearby communities. Waste Policy: Davao environmental advocates oppose a proposed waste-burning power plant, saying it could undermine recycling. Malaysia and Japan renewed cooperation to help Malaysia reach a 53% recycling rate by 2035. Clean Energy: South Africa is prioritizing battery storage to manage excess electricity, while a US environmental group is suing over new rules that block rural solar funding. Climate Resilience: Wrangell’s tribal government is shaping an adaptation plan around community concerns including water supply, stronger storms and impacts on foraging plants. Climate Outlook: A new forecast puts global warming at 2.3°C, with net-zero emissions delayed until the 2090s.

Renewables Grid Rules: Greece is tightening how fast wind and solar can ramp up or down after negative-price surges threatened grid stability, with new limits on sudden output changes. Energy Costs: Greece also announced a €95 million energy-support package for energy-intensive manufacturers, highlighting how renewables growth hasn’t fully lowered industrial power prices. Water Security: South Africa’s water department ordered uMngeni-uThukela Water to cut system demand by 12% by May 2027, citing over-abstraction, leaks, and El Niño risks. Waste Management: Malaysia’s Terengganu plans daily waste collection for Pulau Redang and inspected an incinerator and new storage facilities. Circular Textiles: A Tadcaster “de-stash” market is pushing textile reuse and repair to cut landfill waste. Food & Climate: A US university’s Food Waste Prevention Week drive collected student scraps to boost composting and cut landfill methane. Just Transition: A Philippine bishop urged a time-bound, funded coal transition for Semirara Island, including worker retraining and land rehabilitation.

Battery storage buildout: Canadian Solar’s e‑STORAGE will supply and commission a 100 MW/200 MWh battery system for OX2’s Muswellbrook solar-plus-storage project in New South Wales, targeting commercial operation in Q3 2028. Grid-scale wind: Romania’s Green Breeze wind farm (99.2 MW) is now fully operational, feeding clean power via a long-term deal. EV and home energy finance: Renew Financial expanded residential PACE financing to Burbank, Artesia, and Lakewood, adding to its growing Los Angeles County footprint for efficiency and resiliency upgrades. Renewables meet policy and planning: North Yorkshire’s solar proposal (49.9 MW with 10 MW storage) heads to committee despite concerns about farmland loss and biodiversity. Waste and circular economy: Qatar opened its 6th Recycling and Sustainability Conference, spotlighting circular-economy solutions and turning waste into value. Marine life warning: A dead loggerhead turtle was found on Spain’s Málaga coast; experts point to threats like plastics and fishing gear. Energy costs pressure: Spain’s regulated tariff is set to push average bills above €200 as wholesale prices climb. Microfiber pollution push: The Nature Conservancy launched a Microfiber Action Alliance with major apparel brands to scale solutions that cut textile fiber shedding. Local cleanup and coastal restoration: Spain’s Puerto Mayor dismantling begins, removing steel and contaminated fill to restore a large coastal area.

Energy Storage Push: ROX Capital launched a Gulf Energy Storage Platform to develop utility-scale storage in the UAE and Oman, weighing options from vanadium flow and LFP to sodium-ion and long-duration ideas like CO₂, gravity, compressed air, and thermal—plus a focus on local assembly where feasible. Plastic Pollution Forecast: The Ocean Cleanup says overseas plastic on Australian beaches could double to 850+ tonnes per year by 2050 without action, with Southeast Asia—especially Indonesia—flagged as a major source. Reef Restoration Effort: Volunteers removed 609 crown-of-thorns starfish off Buyayao Island in Oriental Mindoro, aiming to protect coral that supports biodiversity, fishing, and tourism. Waste & Recycling Funding: Washington state awarded $2.4 million for recycling innovation under an industrial symbiosis program, including turning waste into construction blocks and making renewable natural gas from organic CO₂ byproducts. Power Crunch in India: India faces night-time electricity shortages as hydropower output falls, pushing states to seek extra allocations while renewables expand but storage lags. Energy Security Governance: Ukraine named Ihor Klymenko to chair its Council of Experts on Energy Security, advising on conservation, renewables, and alternative fuels. Hydropower Deal: Adani Power and Bhutan’s DGPC signed on a 770-MW Chamkharchhu hydropower project, targeting commissioning within six years. Food Waste Climate Impact: UNEP warned rotting food waste can drive up to 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions via landfill methane.

Water & Sanitation: Manila Water says it desludged 94,917 septic tanks in its East Zone from January to August 2026, aiming to protect waterways and public health ahead of a potentially stronger El Niño. Energy Resilience & Grid Risk: Philippines lawmakers are pushing for emergency powers to speed up Visayas power generation and transmission after repeated grid alerts and brownouts. Climate Adaptation Tech: Malaysia’s environment ministry is seeking Budget 2027 support for drone-operated cloud seeding to tackle haze and dry spells, plus mapping rare earth deposits. Solar for the Grid Edge: Kenya’s regulator reports businesses added 72,800 kW of solar for self-use, lifting captive power to 676.6 MW and cutting costs for major manufacturers. Waste & Pollution Controls: Ghana is considering a cheaper, more local waste collection system with transfer stations and electronic payments, while Sri Lanka’s WAMCO says it will deny service to ships that bring unsorted waste to its Thilafushi facility. Clean Water Access: Ghana’s World Vision targets 90% universal WASH access in two districts over five years. Renewables Investment: India’s UltraTech commissioned 116.55 MW wind and 10 MW waste-heat recovery, pushing its green power capacity beyond 2 GW. Biodiversity & Habitat: A Loch Ness pumped-storage hydro plan faces strong opposition from salmon fishery leaders warning of major ecological harm.

Renewables & Jobs: The Diocese of Antique urged the Philippines to add a time-bound Just Transition Roadmap for Semirara in the national energy plan, warning that coal workers face uncertainty as the Semirara contract nears expiry. Clean Power Buildout: The New York Power Authority bought a 51% stake in the 240 MW Rich Road Solar project, aiming for construction in late 2027 and operations in 2029, with bill credits for low-income residents. Solar Expansion in the Pacific: Maldives teams are surveying islands for solar PV sites to hit a 33% renewable target by end-2028, including diesel cuts from solar hybrid and floating solar plans. Climate Diplomacy: Fiji and Tuvalu hosted Pre-COP31 talks pushing stronger climate finance, renewable energy, and ocean protection, with Pacific leaders demanding real influence over COP decisions. Waste & Methane Risk: A report highlights Turkey’s Silivri landfill as a top “super-emitting” methane source, underscoring the climate stakes of poor waste management. Energy Policy Fight: Sri Lanka’s opposition leader accused the government of undermining rooftop solar and urged battery storage support. Grid & Renewables Infrastructure: L&T secured major transmission and substation orders across Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and India to strengthen grid capacity for renewable power.

Protected Areas Push: Qatar says terrestrial protected areas cover nearly a quarter of its land, aiming to raise protected land and waters to 30% by 2030 to safeguard habitats and biodiversity. City Climate Action: Mountain View, California approved a five-year decarbonization plan toward carbon neutrality by 2045, focusing on clean buildings, cleaner transport, zero waste, and ecosystem sequestration. Waste Diversion Moves: Niagara Region is rolling out Waste Reduction Week activities tied to a new long-term waste strategy, including tours of an organics composting facility and community diversion events. Food Waste to Compost: Fairbanks, Alaska unveiled a commercial in-vessel composting facility that can process up to 1,000 pounds of organic waste daily, cutting landfill disposal and producing local compost. Marine Life Under Threat: Research warns Iran-linked attacks on oil infrastructure in the Persian Gulf are compounding climate and development pressures, putting coral reefs, mangroves, seagrass, and fisheries at greater risk. Just Transition Gap: A Philippine diocese urges the government to add a time-bound, funded just transition roadmap for Semirara as coal contracts near expiry, to protect workers and communities. Energy Efficiency Enforcement: Ghana’s Energy Commission trained customs officers to better enforce minimum energy performance standards for imported appliances, targeting high-use categories like fridges, air conditioners, and lighting.

Solar for farms in the Philippines: The government says it will expand solar-powered irrigation to 10,000 sites by 2030, doubling today’s network and aiming to cut farmers’ irrigation costs while boosting climate resilience. Just Transition pressure in coal country: The Diocese of Antique urges the Philippines to add a time-bound, funded Just Transition Roadmap for Semirara as a coal contract nears expiry, warning workers could face job losses without a clear plan. Coastal ecology warning from Australia: NSW’s decades-old South African bitou bush plantings are now spreading along 46% of the coastline, threatening native ecosystems and driving long-running removal efforts. Food + power from the same panels: A New Zealand-linked study highlights magenta, semi-transparent solar panels that let broccoli grow underneath while generating electricity. Waste and recycling in the UK: Nottinghamshire launches a food-waste caddy pilot for 3,000 homes ahead of wider 2027 rollout. Water quality gains in England: Phosphate levels in Worcester’s Laugherne Brook have dropped after a cleanup push, with campaigners calling it proof that treatment upgrades work. Data centers face backlash: Opposition to AI data centers is growing in Australia and beyond, with new rules in Victoria requiring on-site renewable power and limiting water use for cooling.

Solar for “everyone, everywhere” by 2030: Climate leaders including Bill McKibben and Christiana Figueres urged governments and businesses to scale clean, affordable power fast, pointing to record solar growth and the need to cut fossil-fuel dependence. Wildlife science in Odisha: Odisha launched CM-GROW, adding 300 AI-enabled cameras to Similipal Tiger Reserve to curb poaching and improve monitoring. Renewables investment in the US: Enel finalized a $140M acquisition of ~270 MW of operational solar plants, while DTE Energy completed Cold Creek Solar Park to support Ford’s carbon-free electricity goals. Waste management pressure in India: Karnataka’s Lokayukta issued notices over waste collection and disposal lapses after inspections found animal waste, hotel waste, and construction debris dumped indiscriminately. Environmental justice in Pasadena: Residents joined a free walk to flag air pollution, food access, safer streets, housing, and public space issues feeding into the city’s new Environmental Justice Element. Aviation safety push in the Caribbean: Guyana hosted a CARICOM symposium focused on strengthening regional oversight through CASSOS and a roadmap to 2035. Climate + energy economics debate: A report warns fossil gas can trap countries in debt and volatility, using Pakistan’s LNG experience as a cautionary case.