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GAIA calls on governments to reject waste incineration and invest in zero waste solutions
Climate advocates, researchers, youth leaders and local government representatives have called on governments and climate financiers to reject waste incineration and prioritise waste prevention, reuse and locally led zero waste systems. Speaking at a press conference at COP31, representatives of the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA) and other organisations argued that addressing emissions from waste requires action across production and consumption, rather than expanding disposal infrastructure. The speakers also highlighted the climate impact of plastic production, which is closely linked to fossil fuels and generates emissions throughout its lifecycle. “Zero waste is climate action – but only when we address the problem at its source,” commented Mariel Vilella, climate program director at GAIA.
UK and Insurance Development Forum establish partnership to strengthen climate resilience in developing economies
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and the Insurance Development Forum (IDF) have agreed to establish a new Insurance Partnership for Development, aimed at improving financial preparedness for disasters and climate-related shocks in emerging markets and developing economies (EMDEs). The partnership is scheduled to launch in 2027. It will focus on three priorities: scaling pre-arranged finance so countries have funding available before disasters occur; using insurance to reduce investment risks and encourage capital flows into developing economies; and strengthening domestic insurance markets to close protection gaps in low- and middle-income countries. “The scale of the [climate] problem cannot be met by the public sector alone,” said UK special representative for climate, Rachel Kyte. “We need to work smarter, in partnership with the private sector, to deliver innovative solutions at scale.”
Food loss and waste reduction needs to be recognised as a ‘climate solution’ at COP31
A coalition of NGOs has called on governments to recognise the role of food loss and waste reduction in climate strategies at COP31, adding that such measures could assist with methane mitigation and bolstering food security. The Global FoodBanking Network, World Resources Institute, Global Methane Hub, WWF, WRAP, the Academy of Global Food Economics and Policy and others have called on the COP31 presidency to ‘formally recognise’ the opportunity that food loss and waste reduction can play in climate resilience strategies. As they note, nearly half of all food in the world is either lost or wasted, making food waste a major source atmospheric methane and contributing up to 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
Over four fifths of Dutch consumers value recycling clothing, but confidence in the system remains low
More than four fifths of Dutch consumers consider clothing recycling important, but fewer than half believe that collected clothing is given a second life, according to research commissioned by textile regeneration company Reju. The survey of 1,006 Dutch consumers, conducted by market research agency Multiscope, found that 82.7% considered clothing recycling important. Nearly half said they would recycle more clothing if they had greater confidence in the recycling system. “The results show that consumers are willing to adopt more sustainable clothing habits, but transparency and trust are crucial to encouraging circular behaviour,” said Patrik Frisk, CEO of Reju.
Umicore invests €450m in expansion of Belgian precious-metals recycling operations
Umicore is investing €450m to expand its precious metals refining operations in Hoboken, Belgium. The new hydrometallurgical processing flowsheet will increase processing flexibility, shorten throughput times for platinum-group metals and expand capacity for metals including antimony, tin and cobalt. The expansion will add cobalt as the 18th metal in the facility’s recycling flowsheet. The investment is expected to be deployed between 2027 and 2030, when commissioning is planned. The European Commission has selected the project as a strategic project under the Critical Raw Materials Act.
FrieslandCampina and Aldi Süd launch farm resilience programme with more than 60 dairy farmers
FrieslandCampina and Aldi Süd have launched a multi-year partnership initially involving more than 60 dairy farmers in Germany and the Netherlands. The programme combines a three-year agricultural initiative in Germany with a five-year carbon reduction programme in the Netherlands. Measures include grass-clover rotations, reduced fertiliser use, improved soil structure, hedgerow planting, renewable diesel, and changes to feed and manure management. Thirty German farms are already participating in the regenerative agriculture programme, while 32 Dutch farms are involved in the carbon reduction initiative. The partners plan to expand participation from January 2027.
Closed Loop Partners backs expansion of recycled-fibre packaging manufacturer
Closed Loop Partners has provided a multi-million-dollar loan to US manufacturer LEI Packaging to support its second production facility in Minnesota. The new plant will process post-consumer recycled paper fibre, in addition to the post-industrial material used at the company’s existing facility, and manufacture moulded-fibre packaging including egg trays and cartons. The facility includes a de-trashing system for processing recovered fibre bales. The expansion is expected to create more than 20 permanent jobs and approximately 15 construction and development jobs. “As more of the packaging industry looks to paper and fibre-based materials to support their circularity goals and meet regulatory requirements, we have to build the recycling infrastructure to support that shift,” said Tazia Smith, CEO of Closed Loop Capital Management.
Munters invests in US manufacturing joint venture and expands Italian chiller facility
Swedish climate-control company Munters has agreed to establish a US manufacturing joint venture with heat-exchanger producer Lordan. Munters will invest $9.5m for a 45% stake, with Lordan holding the remaining 55%. The venture will establish a coil manufacturing facility near Munters’ data-centre technology operation in Selma, Texas, with production expected to begin within 12–18 months. Munters also plans to expand its chiller manufacturing facility in Italy. The announcement concerns manufacturing capacity for cooling equipment used in data centres; it does not quantify resulting energy or emissions savings.
Speira commissions two new aluminium recycling furnaces in Germany
Aluminium producer Speira has commissioned two new recycling furnaces following an €11m modernisation programme at its Recycling Services plants in Töging and Grevenbroich, Germany, according to reports. The furnaces replace older equipment and will process aluminium scrap and dross, including lower-grade materials and production by-products. The company says the investment is intended to improve efficiency, safety and environmental performance while recovering more aluminium for reuse in manufacturing. “We take a holistic view of our contribution to a circular world that works,” said Einar Glomnes, CEO of Speira.
Finnish industry calls for increased share of electrification
Elinkeinoelämän keskusliitto (EK), the confederation of Finnish industries, has said that it supports the target set out at COP31 to increase electricity’s share of global final energy consumption to 35% by 2035. Finland’s existing electricity system provides an example of progress in electrification, according to EK – electricity accounts for more than 30% of the country’s final energy consumption, while more than 95% of its electricity production is emissions-free. EK also said that Finland had more than €350 billion in pending investment plans related to the clean transition.
