Global Climate Legislation: September 20-30
Anti-microbial resistance on global agenda; Hong Kong's draft sustainability standards; New Zealands' Crown Minerals Bill; EU Flight Emissions Label; Plastic bans picking up; US Food Traceability Rule
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In this newsletter
Antimicrobial resistance
Climate Disclosures
Housing and Infrastructure
Sustainability
Energy
More Government News
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Antimicrobial Resistance
The UN General Assembly has approved a political declaration to reduce the deaths associated with anti-microbial resistant microbes by 10% annually by 2030.
One of the commitments from the declaration is to
Facilitate sustainable funding from international cooperation to support the implementation of national action plans on antimicrobial resistance, with the target of achieving US$ 100 million to catalyse the achievement of at least 60 per cent of countries having achieved funded plans by 2030, through, inter alia, diversifying funding sources and increasing the number of contributors to the Antimicrobial Resistance Multi-Partner Trust Fund;
Meanwhile, Taiwan’s Cabinet has approved the five-year “One Health Antimicrobial Resistance Management Action Plan”, scheduled to start in 2025, with a total outlay of NT$1.9 billion (US$59.63 million).
Climate Disclosures
The IFRS Foundation has published a new guide to support the implementation of IFRS S1 General Requirements for Disclosure of Sustainability-related Financial Information and IFRS S2 Climate-related Disclosures. IFRS
The World Bank and the IFRS Foundation will work towards the adoption of sustainability standards in emerging markets and developing economies. The World Bank will also align its financial disclosures with the standards of the ISSB.
The World Bank has also embarked on a multi-year roadmap aimed at aligning its climate and sustainability-related financial disclosures with the Standards of the International Sustainability Standard Board (ISSB), while considering the unique business models of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the International Development Association.
Hong Kong has released its draft Sustainability Disclosure Standards for public consultation. The relevant body has proposed a full convergence of the country’s sustainability standards with the IFRS standards, effective from August 1 2025. Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants
The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBSCD) has released new guidance for financial institutions “on how to integrate deforestation into financial disclosure, and its importance amid increasing material risks arising from exposure to companies linked to deforestation.” WBSCD
Taiwan has published new guidelines for companies claiming ‘carbon neutrality’ to avoid greenwashing. Compliance is voluntary. Focus Taiwan
Housing and Infrastructure
The Czech Republic has approved a €1.8 billion budget for the State Environmental Fund for 2025, with a focus on energy efficiency housing and water infrastructure. CEENERGY News
New Zealand has published its Q4 Action Plan focused on infrastructure. Key actions include
Passing the Fast-track Approvals Bill to speed up delivery of regional and national projects of significance.
Passing the first Resource Management Amendment Bill to reduce the regulatory burden on farmers and the primary sector.
Introducing the second amendment bill for the Resource Management Act to cut through red and green tape holding back growth in the infrastructure, energy, housing and farming sectors.
Taking Cabinet decisions on funding and financing tools to get more housing built.
Introducing legislation to make it easier to build offshore wind farms.
Taking Cabinet decisions to get local councils back to basics.
Sustainability
Norway is introducing zero emissions requirements for tourist ships and ferries, effective January 1 2026, in the World Heritage Fjords. Govt Press Release
The European Union is holding consultations on its proposed Flight Emissions Label (FEL), that will allow passengers to view “standardised information on the carbon footprint of flights in the EU”. The FEL will set a common methodology for determining carbon emissions of flights based on factors like “aircraft type, average passenger numbers and freight volume on board, as well as aviation fuel used.” Press Release
Indonesia, in its National Long-Term Development Plan for 2025-45, has included downstream processing of coconut products, especially making sustainable aviation fuel from coconut oil. Indonesia Business Post
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has published its Final Rule on Requirements for Additional Traceability Records for Certain Foods, which will require compliance from January 20 2006. Under the rule, persons who manufacture, process, pack or hold foods on the Food Traceability List, must maintain “records containing Key Data Elements (KDEs) associated with specific Critical Tracking Events (CTEs); and provide information to the FDA within 24 hours or within some reasonable time to which the FDA has agreed.” FDA
California (USA) has signed into law the senate bill SB 1053, which will prevent any single-use plastic bags to be offered at checkout in stores, effective from 2026. Recycled paper bags, with minimum 40% recycled content, and a price of at least 10 cents will be allowed instead. Waste Dive
Guinea has issued a decree banning the “manufacturing, import, sale, and use of single-use plastic packaging and products across the country.” news.cn
Bangladesh will ban use of polythene bags in superstores effective October 1, and in 10 markets in Dhaka by November 1. United News of Bangladesh
Energy
The New Zealand Parliament has introduced the Crown Minerals Amendment Bill that would
reverse the 2018 ban that limited new petroleum exploration permits outside onshore Taranaki
provide greater flexibility to the decommissioning regime
return the Act’s purpose statement to “promote prospecting for, exploration for, and mining of Crown owned minerals for the benefit of New Zealand”
introduce a new permit class (Tier 3) to make it easier for small-scale, non-commercial mining operations.
The European Commission has published new revised rules for its second hydrogen auction (to be opened in December 2024), that will award a total €1.2 billion to hydrogen production projects in the EU. The updated terms require that “projects have to limit the sourcing of electrolyser stacks which include surface treatment, cell unit production and stack assembly from China to not more than 25% (in MWe)” to encourage use of locally produced components. Press Release
The European Union has released a draft methodology for determining the emissions savings from low-carbon fuels. EC Press Release
California (USA) has signed into law the SB1006 bill that will require transmission utilities, effective January 2026, to determine every 2 years if grid enhancing technologies, such as advanced conductors, can be used to increase transmission capacity for connecting more renewable generation to the grid. pv magazine
Indonesia plans to expedite licensing and investment in geothermal power projects in the country. Indonesia Business Post
Malaysia has announced the Corporate Renewable Energy Supply Scheme that will allow companies to buy renewable energy directly from developers through open access to the grid. pv magazine
Bermuda is considering an amendment to its Electricity Act, that will allow companies to install on-site renewable power systems of capacity more than 500kW as long as they store or consume bulk of the power generated, so as to avoid disruptions to the grid. The Royal Gazette | Ministerial Statement
More government news:
Norway has extended its Tropical Forest Initiative until 2035. The total allocation reached NOK 4 billion in 2024. Govt Press Release
The Norway Parliament is considering a new national biodiversity strategy and action plan (in Norwegian).
Northern Ireland has published its first Environmental Improvement Plan. Govt Press Release | BBC
Malaysia has published its National Climate Change Policy 2.0.
Voters in Switzerland have rejected implementing the proposed Biodiversity Initiative, in a national referendum held on September 22. The proposal included increasing funding and coverage of protected areas, and was opposed primarily by Switzerland’s agriculture industry. Reuters
Switzerland and Italy have had to redefine a 100-metre stretch of their common border as the Theodul glacier along the border lost significant mass over the past 4 decades. Euronews
New guidance on importing and exporting waste electrical and electronic equipment into and out of England from January 1, 2025.
The US administration is considering a new rule that will allow EV charging developers to claim tax credits per charging port installed, rather than per project. Automotive Dive
New Zealand has released its Space and Advanced Aviation Strategy 2024-2030 Press Release
You can find all previous posts of this newsletter here.
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