EU
The European Commission is reportedly considering suspending methane emissions penalties amid energy supply emergencies. The EU has come under pressure from the US and the wider fossil fuel industry to relax its Methane Regulation.
The EU has blocked public funding for Chinese providers of key solar energy parts due to the bloc’s latest crackdown on sensitive China-made imports. The Commission said these parts represent one of “the most pressing threats” to the EU’s critical infrastructure, and that funding would end from November 1.
The Federation of European Risk Management Associations and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development have launched an initiative to develop a climate resilience financing framework. The project aims to unlock financing for preventive and adaptive climate measures to close the climate resilience financing gap.
Germany will invest €5bn to support energy-intensive heavy industries to decarbonise. The green subsidy scheme — approved by the EU — will support steel, cement and chemical producers to cut industrial emissions. Eligible projects must replace fossil fuels or raw materials with low-carbon alternatives and deliver “substantial” emissions reductions, including 50 per cent within four years and 85 per cent by the end of the contract in 15 years.
Sales of residential heat pumps across France, Germany and Poland have increased by 25 per cent on average this year. The European Heat Pump Association found around 575,000 units were sold across 11 European countries between January and March, compared with 494,000 in the same period last year. The overall average was lowered by Austria, whose sales dropped by 30 per cent due to a lack of government subsidies.
The Commission’s spending on energy and climate policy consultants has increased by more than 400 per cent since 2014. Spending rose to €127mn between 2014 and 2024, during which the bloc expanded its suite of environmental laws under its 2019 Green Deal.
UK
More than 50 businesses and trade associations have written to the government calling for the release of the delayed Circular Economy Growth Plan. The government launched its Circular Economy Taskforce in November 2024, with initial plans to publish the scheme in early 2026.
The UK Court of Appeal has ruled Australian mining company BHP cannot appeal a British ruling that it is liable for the 2015 collapse of a dam in south-eastern Brazil. In November 2025, the High Court ruled BHP was responsible under Brazilian law for the collapse of the Fundão dam in Mariana. The environmental disaster killed 19 people, left thousands homeless and destroyed local ecosystems.
Trade association Energy UK has published a report arguing carbon pricing is essential for UK competitiveness in the industries of the future. The report also calls for a linkage agreement with the EU to ensure decarbonisation can be achieved “more quickly and at lower cost”. Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch said last month she would scrap carbon pricing if she wins the next general election.
The government has announced £14mn in funding to support Pacific Island communities in preparing for extreme weather. The funding will focus on “practical, locally led action” that helps anticipate climate shocks, respond more quickly and recover faster, it said.
Asia-Pacific
The Asian Development Bank held its 59th annual meeting in Uzbekistan. The bank said during the event it will back $70bn to support energy and digital infrastructure initiatives across the Asia-Pacific region by 2035. The package includes $50bn for the Pan-Asia Power Grid Initiative, which aims to improve the connectivity of the region’s power grids and integrate 20 gigawatts of renewable energy across borders.
The ADB also announced the launch of the Critical Minerals-to-Manufacturing Financing Partnership Facility aimed at helping countries across Asia-Pacific to create critical mineral supply chains for renewables, batteries, electric vehicles and new technologies.
The bank has likewise partnered with the Japanese government to launch a joint initiative seeking to support businesses affected by rising costs amid the ongoing energy crisis.
Pension fund Australian Ethical has pushed insurer QBE to further assess and disclose physical climate risk in its portfolio. The fund’s requests to QBE at its annual meeting asked the insurer to demonstrate which part of its book of business might not be financially viable due to climate risks.
Methane emissions from Australian coal mines in 2025 were double the government’s estimates, the International Energy Agency has said. The report arrives as the federal and Victorian governments approved a new gas drilling project for Victoria’s Otway Basin.
US
The Securities and Exchange Commission has proposed listed companies shift to “semi-annual” reporting instead of quarterly, after President Trump suggested the move last September. Announcing the proposal, SEC chair Paul Atkins said the change would give companies flexibility to choose the correct reporting frequency, with the aim of making it easier to be a public company.
The state of California has announced enforcement action against insurer State Farm for its alleged mishandling of claims from Los Angeles fire victims. An investigation into a sample of claims found 398 violations of state law, which California insurance commissioner Ricardo Lara said represents a pattern of unlawful behaviour. Fines could reach up to $10,000 per violation. The filing also proposes a potential licence suspension of up to one year.
Americas
Canada has announced its international climate finance commitment in its spring economic update, with a funding goal of C$13bn ($9.5bn) over the next five years. However, its budget commitments for international climate finance show a near 40 per cent reduction from its previous commitment, said Climate Action Network Canada.
The fossil fuel industry and environmental groups have criticised the pace of the Canada-Alberta memorandum of understanding on carbon pricing and oil sands development, which has been delayed from its intended April 1 signing date. The carbon pricing aspect of the deal is reportedly close to being signed, but agreements on oil sands greenhouse gas limits and a crude oil pipeline deal are still being negotiated.