US Launches Redesigned Drought Outlooks and Funds New Research on Drought Assessment
On October 15, 2026, the US National Weather Service started using redesigned monthly and seasonal US drought outlooks. The outlooks mainly serve the agriculture, water resources, fire weather and emergency management communities. The same day, NOAA’s National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS) announced that funding had been awarded for nine new research projects to improve […]
EU Opens Consultation on Bio-Based Plastics in Packaging and Launches Bio-Based Europe Alliance
The European Commission has opened a public consultation on the role of bio-based plastics in packaging, which will run until January 13, 2027. The consultation is part of the review under Article 8 of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). It will help the Commission assess possible demand-side measures and targets to increase the […]
European Parliament and Council Back Different Exemptions From Packaging Rules
On October 20, 2026, the European Parliament adopted its negotiating position on a proposal to simplify environmental compliance requirements for businesses, including the obligation to appoint an authorized representative for extended producer responsibility (EPR) in each EU Member State where they sell products. Parliament backed a more targeted exemption than the European Commission originally proposed, […]
COP31 Puts Climate-Resilient Agriculture and the Food-Water-Climate Nexus at the Centre of Its Food Security Agenda
The 2026 UN Climate Change Conference (COP31) will take place in Antalya, Türkiye, from November 9 to 20. Food Security is one of the themes of the agenda. According to the COP31 Presidency, the theme addresses the acute food insecurity faced by around 318 million people because of climate shocks, and aims to transform food […]
European Parliament’s Environment Committee Backs Simpler Packaging Rules for SMEs
The European Parliament’s Environment Committee (ENVI) has backed a proposal to temporarily suspend the requirement for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to appoint an authorized representative for extended producer responsibility (EPR) in each EU Member State. While the Commission proposed a complete suspension until 2035 of the obligation on producers to appoint an authorized representative […]
EU Council Backs Simpler Environmental Rules and Seeks Relief on Packaging Obligations for Small Producers
On September 30, 2026, the Council of the European Union agreed its negotiating position on a proposal to simplify and accelerate environmental assessments. The proposal is part of the “Omnibus VIII” simplification package, which aims to reduce administrative costs and burdens while keeping the EU’s high standards of environmental protection. Measures include single points of […]
EU Publishes Voluntary Sustainability Reporting Standard for Smaller Companies
On September 21, 2026, the Official Journal of the European Union published a delegated regulation establishing a sustainability reporting standard for voluntary use by certain smaller companies. The voluntary reporting standard provides a single, proportionate reference framework for sustainability reporting by smaller companies outside the scope of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). It is […]
EU Publishes Simplification of Certain Sustainability Reporting Standards
On September 21, 2026, the Official Journal of the European Union published a delegated regulation simplifying certain aspects of the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS). This regulation amends the existing sustainability reporting standards by reducing the number of datapoints; prioritizing quantitative datapoints over narrative text; further distinguishing between mandatory and voluntary datapoints; providing clear instructions […]
Cashew Waste Technology Attracts New Funding for Food Preservation Applications
Singapore-based N&E Innovations has raised approximately US$1.73 million in Series A funding to expand technology that converts agricultural by-products into antimicrobial ingredients, according to FoodBev Media. The company’s ViKANG99 technology uses naturally occurring compounds extracted from discarded materials including cashew nut husks. The resulting food-grade ingredient can be applied directly to fresh produce or incorporated […]
Australia Drops Planned Packaging Reforms
The government of Australia has shelved plans to introduce mandatory national packaging standards during the current term of government, reversing a commitment made in 2023 to strengthen rules aimed at reducing packaging waste and increasing recycling, according to the Guardian. The proposed reforms were intended to establish stronger requirements around packaging design, waste reduction and […]