Weekly Digest of Sustainability News (July 7th - July 14th, 2025)
In the global pursuit of a greener future, several significant developments have taken place in recent days. Here's a roundup of the latest updates on climate change, sustainable standards, and the advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
On July 14, 2025, the United Nations General Assembly passed a climate change motion, a compromise that saw the Marshall Islands dropping its focus on fossil fuel phase-out. The resolution emphasizes adaptation and resilience measures to address climate impacts, serving as a step towards broader support [3][4]. Separately, the UN Human Rights Council was set to vote on a resolution calling for the phase-out of fossil fuels, with major producers opposing the motion [1].
The International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) proposed updates to the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) standards on July 9, 2025, although specific details about the updates are not yet available [3]. Meanwhile, China has set new renewable standards for heavy industries, aiming to increase the use of renewable energy in these sectors, but the specifics of these standards remain undisclosed [3].
In response to climate action, the UK is pushing to cut regulatory red tape to facilitate emissions reduction efforts. This initiative is part of broader strategies to support climate action by streamlining processes and encouraging innovation [3]. The UK government announced a new initiative on July 13, 2025, to reduce regulatory barriers for businesses aiming to cut emissions and support net-zero ambitions.
Notably, Masdar and Iberdrola invested €5.2B in UK offshore wind on July 13, 2025, a move aimed at expanding renewable energy capacity and supporting the UK's clean energy transition. The aim of the UK's National Wealth Fund investment is to boost sustainable energy innovation and job creation, aligning with the UK's net-zero goals and targeting industrial decarbonization.
The UN High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) began in New York on July 14, 2025, with over 1,000 representatives discussing progress on the Sustainable Development Goals. The 2025 HLPF will convene under the theme “Advancing sustainable, inclusive, science- and evidence-based solutions for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.” This forum focuses on advancing progress toward the SDGs by emphasizing sustainable and inclusive solutions [5].
China introduced renewable energy standards for steel, cement, and polysilicon industries on July 11, 2025, aiming to reduce emissions in high-polluting sectors. On July 7, 2025, UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced investments through the National Wealth Fund to support carbon capture technologies.
The UN Forum, running through July 23, focuses on health, gender equality, and oceans, following recent conferences on ocean protection and SDG financing. The forum is designed to boost progress towards the SDGs.
These updates underscore the global commitment to addressing climate change, promoting sustainable development, and transitioning to renewable energy sources. As these efforts continue to unfold, it is clear that the world is moving towards a greener and more sustainable future.
- The United Nations General Assembly passed a climate change motion on July 14, 2025, focusing on adaptation and resilience measures, serving as a step towards broader support for climate change mitigation.
- On July 9, 2025, the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) proposed updates to the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) standards, aiming to strengthen sustainable development practices in various sectors.
- China has established renewable energy standards for several high-polluting industries including steel, cement, and polysilicon, with the goal of reducing emissions and supporting sustainable development.
- The UK government is seeking to cut regulatory red tape to accelerate emissions reduction efforts, encouraging innovation and supporting the country's net-zero ambitions.
- Masdar and Iberdrola invested €5.2B in UK offshore wind on July 13, 2025, supporting the expansion of renewable energy capacity and contributing to the UK's clean energy transition goals.
- At the UN High-Level Political Forum in New York, from July 14 to July 23, representatives will discuss progress on the Sustainable Development Goals, with a focus on health, gender equality, and oceans, emphasizing science-based solutions for a sustainable future. This global commitment demonstrates a shared focus on addressing climate change, promoting sustainable development, and transitioning to renewable energy sources.
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