Sustainability Update
COP30 Delivers Climate Action Agenda in Brazil The 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) took place on November 6-21, 2025 in Belém, Brazil, bringing together the governments of signatory states to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), as well as experts and civil society, to accelerate global climate action. Notably, for […]
Sustainability Update: October 2025
EU: Implementation of Deforestation Regulation to Be Delayed Another Year The European Commission intends to postpone the launch its anti-deforestation law for another year, marking the second such delay, according to Reuters. On September 23, 2025, the EU’s Environment Commissioner told reporters that the postponement was necessary to address concerns about the readiness of information-technology […]
Sustainability Update: September 2025
EU: Recommendation on Voluntary Sustainability Reporting for SMEs In July, the European Commission adopted a recommendation on voluntary sustainability reporting for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The recommendation presents a voluntary standard that will make it easier for SMEs that are not covered by the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) to respond to specific requests […]
Sustainability Update: July 2025
GRI: Launch of New Climate Change and Energy Standards In June 2025, the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) announced the launch of new climate change and energy standards to empower organizations to take accountability for their impacts and accelerate climate action. GRI 102: Climate Change emphasizes that achieving substantial reductions in greenhouse gas emissions is the […]
Sustainability Update: June 2025
EU: Commission Withdraws Green Claims Proposal On June 20, 2025, the European Commission announced its intention to withdraw its Green Claims proposal, as reported by Euronews. This surprise decision marks the latest withdrawal of a major Green Deal initiative following the publication of the Commission’s “Omnibus” package aimed at simplifying EU legislation. Initially proposed in […]
Sustainability Update: May 2025
Türkiye-Georgia: Brown Marmorated Stink Bug Update The hazelnuts round table at the INC Congress in Mallorca featured interesting updates on efforts in Türkiye and Georgia to mitigate the threat of the brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB). Native to Asia, the BMSB was first detected in Türkiye around 2017–2018 and was initially confined to the Rize […]
Sustainability Update: April 2025
EU: Parliament Votes to Delay Application of Due Diligence and Sustainability Reporting Rules On April 3, 2025, the European Parliament voted to postpone the application dates for new EU laws on due diligence and sustainability reporting requirements. The Parliament’s vote comes after the Council approved its negotiating mandate in late March. Member states will have […]
Sustainability Update: March 2025
EU: Commission Presents Vision for Agriculture and Food In February 2025, the European Commission has presented its “Vision for Agriculture and Food,” a strategic roadmap to secure the future of the agri-food sector in Europe. The vision aims to strengthen the competitiveness and sustainability of farming and food production by 2040, focusing on areas such […]
Sustainability Update: February 2025
Argentina: UN-Funded Project to Improve Raisin Quality Through Sustainable Biocontrol The National University of San Juan has been selected by the United Nations to receive funding for a project aimed at improving raisin quality in Argentina. The project, titled “Biocontrol of ochratoxigenic fungi in raisins promoting food security, safety and regional economies within a One […]
Sustainability Update: January 2025
Australia: AU$2 Million in Funding Awarded to Optimize Hazelnut Production Charles Sturt University is leading a five-year AU$2 million research program funded by AgriFutures Australia to optimize hazelnut production in Australia. The research program will support the long-term growth and competitive advantage of the Australian hazelnut industry by developing quality standards and an industry framework, […]