Greenprint

What happened?

President Xi Jinping announced China's first absolute emissions reduction target at the UN General Assembly: cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 7-10% by 2035 from peak levels while expanding renewable energy capacity.

What does this mean for businesses?

As the world's largest emitter, China's commitment provides market signals for green technology demand and supply chain decarbonisation. However, the target falls short of 1.5°C alignment, meaning future policy tightening likely.

What happened?

In his UN General Assembly address, President Trump called climate change "the greatest con job ever perpetrated on the world" and dismissed renewable energy efforts, creating a stark policy vacuum at the federal level.

What does this mean for businesses?

With US government climate leadership uncertain, this creates opportunities for businesses to drive competitive advantage through climate action, capture growing consumer and investor demand, and build resilience.

What happened?

Despite political climate skepticism in the US, Capgemini's global survey found 82% of organisations plan to increase their environmental sustainability investment in the next 12-18 months, up 8 percentage points from last year.

What does this mean for businesses?

While individual and transient political governments waiver, businesses recognise climate action as essential for long-term competitiveness, not just policy compliance. Companies maintaining green investment momentum will gain future market advantage over slower competitors.

What happened?

Two trailblazing carbon capture projects - a cement plant in North Wales and waste-to-energy facility in Cheshire - have signed final contracts to begin construction, securing 500 skilled jobs and removing 1.2M tonnes of CO2 annually.

What does this mean for businesses?

This signals the UK government's serious commitment to carbon capture technology and industrial decarbonisation. Companies in carbon-intensive sectors should prepare for increased government support.

What happened?

The UN pressed nearly 200 countries on September 3rd to submit updated climate plans (NDCs) by month-end ahead of COP30 in Brazil. Major economies including China and EU haven't yet submitted their 2035 emission targets.

What does this mean for businesses?

New national climate targets will shape regulatory landscapes and market opportunities through 2035. Companies should monitor NDC submissions to anticipate policy changes, carbon pricing mechanisms, and sector-specific regulations in key markets.

What happened?

ISO and GHG Protocol announced Sept 8th plans to create unified carbon accounting standards, ending framework fragmentation. GHG Protocol currently used by 97% of S&P 500 companies reporting emissions.

What does this mean for businesses?

Streamlined carbon accounting will reduce compliance costs and improve data consistency. Companies should prepare for unified measurement and reporting requirements, though no timeline was provided for the joint framework's completion.

What happened?

Survey of 700+ institutional investors across 18 countries found 69% believe energy transition "unstoppable" despite policy shifts. 68% drawn to energy transition funds, 70% consider sustainability central.

What does this mean for businesses?

Strong investor confidence in the energy transition creates funding opportunities for clean technology and sustainable infrastructure projects. Companies should align strategies with investor expectations for climate action and transition planning.

What happened?

Emma Reynolds appointed DEFRA Secretary Sept 8th following cabinet reshuffle triggered by Angela Rayner's resignation. Reynolds pledged to focus on "cleaning up rivers, backing British farming and nature recovery" amid 10% cuts

What does this mean for businesses?

UK environmental policy continuity appears likely under Reynolds, though budget constraints may affect regulatory implementation. Companies operating in the UK should monitor her approach to circular economy strategy delivery and resources and waste policy priorities.

What happened?

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch pledged to remove all net-zero requirements on North Sea oil and gas producers, promising to maximise extraction to get "all our oil and gas out", despite warnings from campaign groups and fellow political parties.

What does this mean for businesses?

A Conservative government would scrap emission reduction obligations for oil producers, undermining climate progress. While creating short-term advantages for non-committed firms, it increases regulatory uncertainty and conflicts with investor and consumer

What happened?

New research suggests that the collapse of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) – a critical ocean current system which helps to regulate global climate patterns – is now 25-70% likely, depending on emissions scenarios, upgraded from previously "low-likelihood" assessments.

What does this mean for businesses?

AMOC collapse would trigger extreme weather changes, including European cooling, altered rainfall patterns affecting agriculture, and potential for 50cm sea level rises, requiring urgent reassessment of long-term operational and supply chain resilience strategies.

What happened?

The UN-backed Net-Zero Banking Alliance paused activities after mass departures, including JPMorgan, Citi, UBS, HSBC, and Barclays. Members will vote in September on restructuring or dissolution.

What does this mean for businesses?

Banking sector climate commitments face significant uncertainty as political pressure dismantles collective initiatives. Companies may encounter reduced access to sustainable finance products and inconsistent climate-related lending criteria across institutions.

What happened?

Hundreds of people have died in Pakistan's north from flash floods and landslides, with entire villages destroyed overnight. Monsoon seasons are becoming increasingly severe due to climate change and glacier melt.

What does this mean for businesses?

Extreme weather events in South Asia are intensifying, requiring enhanced supply chain resilience, emergency preparedness, and climate adaptation strategies for operations in monsoon-affected regions.

What happened?

Scientists at Imperial College London warn UK cities face growing "firewave" risks – multiple urban wildfires triggered by hot, dry weather – as recent fires in London and Edinburgh demonstrate increasing vulnerability of urban green spaces.

What does this mean for businesses?

Companies with urban operations or significant green infrastructure should assess wildfire resilience in business continuity planning, whilst property and facilities managers need enhanced fire risk mitigation strategies for heatwaves.

What happened?

The Science-Based Targets initiative found that companies setting both near-term and net-zero targets surged 227% between end-2023 and mid-2025, with near-term targets alone nearly doubling as corporate climate planning accelerates.

What does this mean for businesses?

The trend towards comprehensive target-setting shows competitive pressure for robust climate commitments, suggesting companies should consider both near-term and long-term science-based targets to remain credible in climate leadership.

What happened?

UN-led negotiations in Geneva ended without agreement on a legally binding global plastics treaty, with nations deadlocked over production caps and toxic chemical controls despite pressure from over 100 countries and environmental groups.

What does this mean for businesses?

Companies face continued regulatory uncertainty around plastic production limits and chemical restrictions, whilst voluntary corporate action on plastic waste reduction becomes increasingly crucial as mandatory frameworks remain stalled.

What happened?

The Science Based Targets initiative released its first Financial Institutions Net-Zero Standard, enabling banks, asset managers, investors and other financial institutions to set science-based targets aligned with net-zero by 2050 for their lending, investing and underwriting activities.

What does this mean for businesses?

Financial institutions can now set credible net-zero targets covering their portfolio activities, whilst companies seeking finance should prepare for enhanced climate scrutiny as lenders and investors adopt science-based climate requirements.

What happened?

The International Court of Justice ruled that governments can be held legally responsible for climate inaction, stating that existing international law obliges all countries to fight global warming regardless of Paris Agreement membership status.

What does this mean for businesses?

Companies should expect increased government climate action driven by legal obligations, whilst preparing for potential liability exposure as climate attribution science advances and courts establish precedents for climate-related damages and compensation.

What happened?

PwC's 2025 State of Decarbonisation report reveals corporate sustainability initiatives are quietly progressing and becoming more rigorous, with renewable energy adoption surging and companies finding business value through climate and decarbonisation efforts.

What does this mean for businesses?

Companies should maintain and strengthen climate commitments as sustainability delivers competitive advantage through supply chain resilience, cost efficiency and market positioning, despite political noise about corporate backpedalling on climate goals.

What happened?

The UK government confirmed plans to integrate greenhouse gas removals into the UK Emissions Trading Scheme by 2029, creating new compliance market opportunities for removal developers whilst maintaining strict 200-year permanence thresholds and ex-post issuance only.

What does this mean for businesses?

Removal project developers gain access to new compliance market demand improving project scalability, whilst companies should prepare for enhanced carbon removal procurement options, though EU ETS alignment could alter these timelines significantly.

What happened?

The Met Office warned that the UK is breaking heat and rainfall records increasingly frequently as its climate continues to warm, with extreme weather events becoming the new normal rather than exceptional occurrences across Britain.

What does this mean for businesses?

Companies must integrate extreme weather resilience into core business planning, requiring enhanced infrastructure protection, flexible operations, and comprehensive risk management strategies as climate impacts intensify and become routine.

What happened?

UK green jobs have surged by 34% in under a decade as the clean economy gains momentum, with businesses in the renewable energy, energy efficiency, and recycling sectors steadily transforming the UK's workforce and creating sustainable employment opportunities.

What does this mean for businesses?

The expanding green economy presents significant recruitment and growth opportunities. Companies should invest in workforce retraining and green skills development to capitalise on the clean energy transition and meet evolving market demands.

What happened?

The Office for Budget Responsibility found that government investment needed to reach net zero has halved to 6% of GDP over the next 25 years, to 2050, down from 11% estimated four years ago, while unchecked global warming could cost 8% of GDP by the 2070s.

What does this mean for businesses?

Companies can accelerate net-zero investments with confidence, as costs have fallen dramatically, while the economic case for climate action strengthens, given that the severe financial risks of inaction significantly outweigh the transition costs.

What happened?

Heavy rains in South Korea killed at least 17 people, with 11 missing, after five days of torrential downpours caused landslides and flooding, including a deadly landslide at a campsite in Gapyeong that left families stranded and missing.

What does this mean for businesses?

Companies must strengthen extreme weather preparedness and supply chain resilience, as intensifying monsoons and flooding events threaten business continuity and require enhanced emergency response capabilities.

What happened?

NHS England launched a market sounding seeking views on draft technical requirements for the April 2027 milestone, requiring all suppliers to publicly report targets, emissions and carbon reduction plans for global Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions aligned to NHS net-zero.

What does this mean for businesses?

Healthcare suppliers should participate in the consultation running until September 2025 to influence final requirements, whilst preparing for mandatory comprehensive emissions reporting and net-zero alignment that goes beyond current PPN 006 standards.

What happened?

The European Commission proposed amending the EU Climate Law to set a 2040 climate target of 90% reduction in net greenhouse gas emissions compared to 1990 levels.

What does this mean for businesses?

Companies operating in Europe must prepare for accelerated decarbonisation requirements, to meet the ambitious intermediate target on the road towards 2050 climate neutrality.

What happened?

The Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has approved the Mona offshore wind farm in the Irish Sea, capable of generating 1.5GW annually to power over one million homes, boosting clean energy capacity within the UK.

What does this mean for businesses?

The UK renewable energy sector gains momentum with major infrastructure approvals, potentially reducing energy costs and supporting corporate renewable energy procurement strategies.

What happened?

Catastrophic flash floods across Central Texas have killed dozens of people, with many still missing. The Guadalupe River rose rapidly after excessive rainfall, sweeping away mobile homes and holiday cabins.

What does this mean for businesses?

Devastating events such as these highlight the need for extreme weather preparedness as climate change increases flood frequency and intensity, requiring robust emergency planning, insurance coverage, and operational strategies for weather-related disruptions.

What happened?

The Climate Change Committee's 2025 progress report found improved government policies for emissions reduction but warned that adaptation efforts remain constrained, with only 5% of adaptation recommendations achieved and significant gaps in delivery.

What does this mean for businesses?

Companies should accelerate both mitigation and adaptation strategies as government policy gaps persist, requiring enhanced climate resilience planning and proactive risk management to address physical climate impacts independently of policy support.

What happened?

A new study has found that European cities now endure extreme heat for up to five months annually, with Athens experiencing around 145 days of high temperatures from mid-May to early October, far beyond traditional summer months.

What does this mean for businesses?

Companies must adapt operations for extended heat seasons, requiring enhanced cooling systems, flexible working arrangements, and supply chain adjustments, whilst healthcare and energy sectors face increased demand during prolonged extreme temperature periods.

What happened?

The Science Based Targets initiative is calling for companies to pilot test its draft Corporate Net-Zero Standard V2, following public consultation that ended in June, with the pilot running until August to ensure the standard is effective and practical.

What does this mean for businesses?

Companies can help shape the future of net-zero target-setting by participating in the pilot, whilst those with existing SBTi targets should prepare for updated requirements that will enhance scope 3 emissions approaches and continuous improvement.

What happened?

The UK government published updated GHG conversion factors for 2025, showing changes such as a 15% decrease in electricity emissions, 16-42% reductions in air travel factors, and a 25% increase in water supply emissions reflecting grid decarbonisation.

What does this mean for businesses?

Companies will see notable changes in reported emissions across all scopes, with electricity and travel footprints likely decreasing whilst water-related emissions increase, requiring updated carbon accounting and potentially revised net-zero strategies.

What happened?

The United Nations recognised three new World Restoration Flagships in East Africa, Mexico, and Spain for their ecosystem restoration efforts, collectively restoring nearly five million hectares of marine ecosystems as part of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.

What does this mean for businesses?

Companies can learn from these flagship restoration models to enhance their own nature-based solutions and biodiversity strategies, whilst demonstrating that large-scale ecosystem restoration delivers measurable benefits for both planet and business resilience.

What happened?

Over 35 senior UK academics from ecology, economics, and public health delivered an open letter to the Prime Minister on 9 June, urging the government to place nature at the centre of economic and climate policy decisions for enhanced resilience and sustainability.

What does this mean for businesses?

Companies should anticipate stronger integration of nature considerations into UK economic policy, creating opportunities for nature-positive business models whilst requiring enhanced environmental impact assessments and biodiversity strategies.

What happened?

Leading climate scientists warn that the planet's remaining carbon budget to achieve a 66% chance of staying below 1.5°C warming is just 80 billion tonnes of CO2 from 2025, which will be exhausted within two years at current emission rates.

What does this mean for businesses?

Companies must dramatically accelerate emissions reductions immediately as the window for 1.5°C is rapidly closing, requiring urgent implementation of decarbonisation strategies across all operations and value chains.

What happened?
The COP30 President has issued his third letter to attending governments, emphasising that COP30 can be “that pivot point” to move beyond the status quo, with priorities including tripling renewables, fossil fuel transition and adaptation frameworks.

What does this mean for businesses?
Companies should prepare for accelerated climate expectations as Brazil positions COP30 as decisive for global cooperation, with renewed focus on renewable targets, fossil fuel transitions and adaptation frameworks.