AGP Executive Report

Climate in Court: Australia’s highest court blocked a coal mine expansion over its climate impact, as lawsuits gain ground while governments scale back climate policies. Three international courts have also affirmed countries’ duties to address climate change. Pacific Energy: Fiji is urging a shift to 100% renewable energy, with cleaner transport a priority; land transport accounts for about 60% of the country’s energy emissions. Energy Projects: A proposed 125-megawatt solar farm near Colorado’s Mesa Verde National Park has drawn both support and opposition, including concerns about its scale and effects on the landscape. Food and Farming: West Oxfordshire councillors are pressing for a food security strategy and sustained investment in climate-resilient farms as extreme weather threatens production. Weather Readiness: The UK is setting up a taskforce to prepare for flood and drought risks this winter. Oceans: Researchers warn that rising carbon dioxide is acidifying seawater, putting shell-forming species and marine ecosystems under added pressure.

Water Under Stress: The Rio Grande has lost about 85% of its historic flow, with more than 112 miles drying up in New Mexico this summer. Some 15 million people rely on the river for drinking water. Heat and Flood Risk: As urban areas warm, planners are being urged to treat heat as a growing threat to health and ecosystems. California has also declared an emergency ahead of El Niño, citing risks of heavier flooding and sea-level rise. Clean Energy: Rooftop solar is booming in Australia: about 4 million homes and small businesses now have panels, and 2026 could set a record for new installations. Nature Under Pressure: Coral reefs are shifting toward cooler waters, but researchers say they may not move fast enough to escape rapid ocean warming. Climate and the Courts: Australia’s High Court blocked a coal mine expansion in a landmark ruling, requiring climate impacts to be considered in decisions on fossil-fuel projects.

Mining and Conservation: Armenia’s Amulsar gold mine began operations after years of public opposition, renewing concerns about the balance between economic growth, environmental protection and public health. Water Security: A new UN report says 2025 was among the driest years in 35 years, with river flows below normal across 36% of monitored basin areas and groundwater reserves under growing pressure. Climate-Ready Food: Kenyan scientists are using tissue culture to develop resilient planting materials as erratic weather, drought and crop disease threaten harvests. Extreme Weather: Tropical Storm Rachel could strengthen near California, where El Niño and unusually warm ocean waters are helping create rare conditions for a West Coast storm. Caspian Sea: Five coastal nations agreed to form a commission to investigate falling water levels and coordinate responses, with its first meeting planned for 2027.

Extreme Heat: September 2026 was the second-hottest September on record globally and the hottest in the U.S., extending a run of exceptional warmth. Climate Adaptation: Nepal’s deadly floods highlight the need for safer housing, better warnings and recovery plans shaped by affected communities. Wildfire Smoke: Fires in Brazil’s Amazonas state pushed Manaus air pollution to unhealthy levels, closing schools and municipal offices as the Amazon’s fire hotspots rose nearly 50% from a year earlier. Caspian Sea: The shoreline has receded by 20,000 square kilometres in 20 years, Putin said at a regional summit, citing climate change and warning of risks to wildlife, fisheries and coastal livelihoods. Clean Energy: California regulators will hear proposals for nearly $1 billion in 2026–30 clean-energy research, including grid resilience, electrification and climate adaptation. Pollution Oversight: The EPA extended the deadline for some facilities to file hazardous-discharge response plans to 2030 and removed climate change and environmental justice references from the rule.

Wildlife Protections: The Trump administration has narrowed how the Endangered Species Act defines harm, weakening a key safeguard for threatened species and their habitats. Climate in Court: The U.S. Supreme Court heard oil companies’ bid to block climate-damage lawsuits; justices questioned the companies’ argument. In Australia, a landmark ruling rejected a coal-mine extension because its climate emissions were not considered. Clean Energy: South Korea unveiled a $747 billion, decade-long green-industry plan and a goal of 100 gigawatts of renewable power by 2030. Water and Extreme Weather: Yorkshire entered drought after its fifth-driest April-to-September period on record, while heavy rains brought flooding and landslide risks to central Vietnam. COP31 and Climate Finance: Pacific leaders are pressing for climate funding and action to keep the 1.5°C target within reach as summit preparations continue. Conservation: Giant tortoises now number more than 180,000 on Seychelles’ Aldabra Atoll, a recovery credited to decades of protection; researchers caution that earlier counts likely missed many animals.

Climate impacts: New Zealand’s latest climate report warns its glaciers could lose all their volume by 2100 under high emissions. A separate study finds heatwaves are starting earlier and reaching peak intensity faster, leaving less time to prepare. Climate law: Australia’s High Court has blocked a coal-mine expansion, ruling that emissions from exported coal must be considered. Adaptation: Four Swiss students say sheep’s-wool blankets cut melting on a small Alpine glacier by more than half in a three-month trial, though they stress the method cannot replace emissions cuts. Cleaner homes: Canada announced C$2 billion to retrofit one million homes, aiming to lower heating bills and emissions. Disaster readiness: New Zealand advocates want urgent funding and faster land-use changes in Tairāwhiti before cyclone season, warning that exposed forestry debris could worsen future damage. Public health: A new UK study will assess how climate and environmental changes may expand mosquito- and midge-borne disease risks.

Green Transition: Malaysia says its 2035 emissions cuts must go hand in hand with affordable energy, secure livelihoods and international support. Climate Finance: Nepal’s diplomatic push has yet to deliver major funding, even as Tuvalu secured a $36 million grant for coastal adaptation. Pacific health officials say finance is urgently needed to protect communities and turn adaptation plans into action. COP31: Pacific leaders are pressing for stronger climate action and protection of the 1.5°C goal; summit organisers say they will seek a concrete plan to move from promises to implementation. Extreme Conditions: The WMO warns a strengthening El Niño could bring record Pacific ocean temperatures and raise risks of heat, drought and flooding. England recorded its worst July for wildfires, while Indonesian fires drove hazardous haze across Singapore and Malaysia. Climate Accountability: Australia’s top court ruled that climate impacts must be considered in a coal mine expansion decision, a landmark case for fossil-fuel project reviews.

U.S. Emissions: The EPA says it will move to scrap a methane-leak program for oil and gas sites, rolling back a rule aimed at curbing a potent greenhouse gas. Biodiversity: WWF warns wildlife populations have fallen an average 73% since 1970 and says food production must change to help prevent biodiversity collapse. Environmental Crime: An INTERPOL operation across nine Latin American and Caribbean countries led to 233 arrests, recovered more than 1,000 animals and identified 60,000 hectares of illegally cleared forest. Climate Law: Australia’s High Court ruled that state authorities must consider downstream emissions when assessing fossil-fuel projects, though the decision does not itself require rejecting them. Climate Impacts: A survey of health professionals found rising reports of heat-related complications for pregnant women and harm to babies, adding urgency to calls for climate action. Clean Energy: A biodigester now operating at a Nigerian food factory is expected to replace gas use, cut emissions and turn food waste into energy and fertiliser.

Climate Diplomacy: Nepal floated a “Sagarmatha to the Sea” partnership linking Himalayan glacier risk with Pacific sea-level threats ahead of COP31, pushing for faster adaptation and loss-and-damage support. Pacific Climate Finance: Palau’s Whipps urged leaders to swap slow funding and debt for direct grants, while ADB’s Kanda warned adaptation money covers only about a quarter of Pacific needs. Tuvalu Land Protection: Papua New Guinea pledged PGK25 million over five years to help Tuvalu reclaim and defend land as seas rise. Paris Implementation Push: India’s Bhupender Yadav called for accelerating Paris Agreement implementation at Pre-COP31, stressing “means of implementation” over intent. Amazon Conservation: Coldplay and Re secured commitments from six Brazilian states to protect 1.7 million hectares and cut emissions. Local Climate Pressure: Finland ordered Google to halt early work on two data centers pending required environmental impact assessments. Nature & Health: Researchers in Manitoba are probing for deadly chytrid fungus in amphibians, warning it may already be widespread. Water as Risk: A new industry report links water constraints to infrastructure strain, financing pressure, and even data-center demand.

Supreme Court Climate Showdown: The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in Suncor Energy v. Boulder County, a landmark case that could decide whether local governments can sue oil companies over climate damage costs. Clean Energy Permitting: Finland ordered Google to halt environmentally significant preparatory work at two planned data center sites until required impact assessments are finished. Food Waste & Methane: A new push highlights how rotting food in landfills drives major warming via methane, urging faster action to cut organic waste. Coral Under Pressure: Studies from Thailand’s Maya Bay and Bali’s Sanur point to reef recovery when protections are strong—but warn tourism and pollution can still keep decline going. Carbon Markets Scrutiny: Kenya launched a guide to attract “high-integrity” carbon investments, while civil society groups demanded suspension of the first UN Article 6.4 credits over integrity and safeguards concerns. Ocean Health Alerts: Maine reported shifting offshore algal bloom activity, with climate-linked warming worsening bloom frequency and duration. Local Climate Action: Nagaland’s Wildlife Week urged stronger implementation of wildlife protection pledges, not just promises.

Climate accountability in court: The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in City of Boulder v. Suncor/Exxon over whether local governments can sue oil companies for climate harms—an outcome that could shape Hawaii and other state cases. Climate finance pressure in the Pacific: Fiji’s leaders warned that adaptation money must reach communities faster, while Australia pledged renewables support amid tensions over coal and gas expansion. Energy and emissions debate: A report says Drax’s planned wood-burning datacentre could nearly double Gatwick’s annual flight emissions, reigniting scrutiny of “green” data-centre claims. Food waste and methane: UNEP says rotting food waste drives up to 10% of global greenhouse gases, with landfill methane a major near-term warming driver. Rooftop solar push in India: India’s PM Surya Ghar scheme is framed as the next step after rapid rooftop growth, aiming to expand solar to millions of homes. Biodiversity and land care in Ireland: A new CAP Network Ireland booklet spotlights how agri cooperation is boosting biodiversity and rural resilience.

Supreme Court Climate Liability Fight: The U.S. Supreme Court opened its term with arguments in Suncor v. Boulder, where local governments are trying to sue oil and gas firms in state court over alleged climate harms—an outcome that could reshape climate accountability cases nationwide. COP31 Fossil Fuel Push: Environment MEPs backed faster fossil fuel phase-out ahead of COP31, warning EU emissions rose in 2024–2025 and urging member states to close the gap. Water Under Pressure: Westchester County launched a Westchester Waterways Portal to help residents track watersheds, flood zones, aquifers, and water quality, while Corpus Christi voters will decide a “Fair Water Amendment” to end drought exemptions for large industrial water users. Climate Justice in Kenya: Indigenous herders in Kenya filed a lawsuit challenging a carbon credit project over consent, transparency, and control of funds. Heat and Health at School: A new study found Orange County public school grounds reached nearly 122°F, highlighting rising heat risks for low-income students. Nature Protection vs. Logging: North Carolina faces a public comment deadline on a proposed repeal of the Roadless Rule, with advocates warning it could endanger old-growth forests. El Niño Watch: Reports say a “Super El Niño” could be the strongest on record, with knock-on effects like warmer, drier winters in parts of the U.S. Marine Safety: Turkmenistan’s environment ministry removed hazardous waste dumped at sea, warning against dumping that threatens marine life and navigation safety.

Climate Journalism & Community Listening: Solutions Journalism Network Africa urged African newsrooms to start with listening to communities, treating residents as sources of both problems and solutions. Water “Bankruptcy” Concept: A new framing warns more water systems can’t bounce back to normal, pushing policymakers to move beyond temporary “crisis” thinking. Data Centres in Scotland: Campaigners want a public consultation and independent assessment before hyperscale AI data centres get approval, citing grid strain and net-zero impacts. Pacific Climate Urgency: Pacific leaders and negotiators in Fiji pressed for stronger action as sea-level rise makes land uninhabitable and COP31 approaches. US Climate Lawsuit at Supreme Court: The court will hear Big Oil bids to block Boulder, Colorado’s climate damages case, with federal authority cited against state claims. Food Security & UK Preparedness: UK experts warned the country is unprepared for food supply shocks from climate heating and other threats, calling for a new local resilience system. Green Industry & Steel: TERI and Transition Asia assessed green steel pathways for Andhra Pradesh, focusing on green DRI economics, renewables needs, and CBAM impacts. Biodiversity & Wildlife: Scotland’s corncrake numbers are rising after crofters changed mowing timing and practices; in India, five cheetah cubs mark a new Botswana lineage in Project Cheetah. Local Environment Actions: Malaysia’s water sector is urged to adopt zero-waste recovery from treatment residues, while Liberia’s social protection strategy and a Liberia farm resilience project target resilience and sustainable livelihoods.

Pacific Pre-COP31 Push: Fiji’s PM Sitiveni Rabuka opened Pre-COP31 in Nadi urging leaders to “come, see and listen,” framing climate inaction as a moral choice and pressing for climate finance “now,” not later. Ocean & Blue Economy Focus: Pacific ministers say the region wants oceans and climate action tied together in COP31 talks, with renewable energy and blue-economy solutions central to resilience. Climate Adaptation in the Philippines: The Philippines’ DENR is ramping up El Niño preparedness, expanding water sources, pushing conservation, protecting watersheds and forests, and boosting wildfire prevention as drought and heat risks intensify. Nature-Based Coastal Protection: Malolos City in the Philippines is showcasing a Dutch-indigenous nature-based solutions project using oyster shells, bamboo and coconut materials to defend Manila Bay communities from tidal flooding and storm surges. Biodiversity Protection in Qatar: Qatar’s environment ministry says protected areas cover nearly 25% of land, aiming for 30% by 2030, with breeding and monitoring programs for species like Arabian oryx and sand gazelles. Local Climate Action Support (Canada): Severn Sound Environmental Association launched a free “Community Climate Concierge” to help residents and businesses with retrofits, emergency preparedness and sustainable transportation.

Climate litigation: The US Supreme Court opens its term with a major climate liability fight, weighing whether oil firms can be forced to pay for harms tied to heat waves, wildfires and droughts—an outcome that could reshape similar lawsuits nationwide. El Niño preparedness: The Philippines’ DENR is ramping up water-supply, watershed protection and heat/fire safeguards as El Niño is forecast to intensify into late 2026 and linger into early 2027. Urban heat & greening: At India’s Earth Again Conference, experts warned that rapid urbanization, air conditioners and traffic are driving hotter cities, while rooftop greenery and tree cover are pitched as practical carbon and heat relief. Biodiversity & habitat: Odisha leaders urged more mangroves and expanded wild grasslands for human–wildlife coexistence, and India released two male Great Indian Bustards in Rajasthan’s Sam Desert National Park. Forests under stress: Luxembourg reports a steep decline in forest health as drought, pests and heatwaves bite. Clean energy science: Oregon State researchers say they’ve developed a light-driven method to make hydrogen from water, aiming to cut emissions from fuel production. Water security: Florida’s Everglades restoration may fall short, with advocates calling for a much larger water storage plan.

Climate Litigation: The U.S. Supreme Court is set to hear a major climate liability case tied to Boulder County’s push for damages from fossil-fuel companies, with Justice Alito’s last-minute recusal raising the stakes for how climate lawsuits play out. El Niño Preparedness: The Philippines’ environment agency says it’s ramping up water sourcing, conservation, watershed protection, and heat safeguards as El Niño could intensify into a very strong event through early 2027. Super Pollutants Push: The Philippines also confirmed it’s applying to a UN-backed accelerator program to cut super pollutants, aiming to build a dedicated government team and host a leadership meeting. Deforestation & Trees: Nigeria’s Ogun State says it has planted about five million trees and restarted forest reserve operations to curb deforestation and support sustainable timber. Biodiversity & Invasives: Canberra groups are urging the ACT government to stop planting Callery pears, warning the “protected” ornamental tree is spreading into nature reserves. Food & Climate: A study from Sweden finds students may know meat has a higher climate footprint, but taste, fullness, and familiarity drive choices—so schools may need to cut meat without changing what kids like. Health & Climate: Britain reports its worst bluetongue outbreak on record, with climate-linked spread of the virus adding pressure on farmers.