With so much happening in the world of corporate sustainability, SustainabilityOnline has introduced The Sustainability Brief – a regular round-up of some of the top stories making headlines around the world.
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UK sets agricultural emissions target of 1.63m tonnes CO₂e a year by 2037
The UK Government has set an objective for England’s farming sector to deliver at least 1.63 million tonnes of agricultural emissions abatement per year by 2037. Agriculture produced an estimated 46.5 million tonnes of CO₂e in 2024, representing 12% of UK greenhouse-gas emissions. The measures include improved farm efficiency, fertiliser management, livestock measures and other agricultural practices. Since 1990, annual emissions have declined by around 15%, with the majority of emissions from livestock and fertiliser usage.
European Parliament backs three-year delay to EU methane import rules
The European Parliament has voted to delay by three years requirements governing methane emissions from imported oil, gas and coal. According to reports, under Parliament’s position, importers would have until 31 May 2031 to demonstrate that supply contracts comply with monitoring, reporting and verification requirements equivalent to EU rules. The vote follows pressure from several governments, including France and the US. Final negotiations with EU governments remain outstanding.
Data-centre waste heat could produce up to 200,000 gallons of water per MW
Endeavour Energy and Trevi Systems have announced a partnership to scale desalination technology using data-centre waste heat. The companies say their system could produce up to 200,000 gallons (750,000 litres) of clean water per day for every megawatt of computing capacity when processing brackish groundwater, or around 50,000 gallons per MW from oilfield-produced water. The technology is designed to avoid concentrated brine discharge. “Desalination can help address water scarcity, but managing the resulting brine remains a major challenge,” said Jakob Carnemark, founder and CEO of Endeavour.
Ecolab invests in ZwitterCo to expand industrial water reuse
Ecolab has made a strategic investment in ZwitterCo, whose membrane technology is designed to enable industrial wastewater reuse. The companies will collaborate on water-recycling solutions for food and beverage manufacturers, with Ecolab’s investment supporting the scaling of ZwitterCo’s membrane systems. The technology is intended to recover water from difficult industrial wastewater streams and increase water circularity in manufacturing. “We are thrilled to have Ecolab as an investor and strategic partner,” said Alex Rappaport, co-founder and CEO of ZwitterCo.
Nuada wins €14.6m EU funding for carbon capture project in France
Belfast-based carbon capture company Nuada has had its SCALA project in France selected for €14.6 million from the EU Innovation Fund. The project will deploy Nuada’s AdSpire technology at an Idex biomass cogeneration plant in Hauts-de-France and produce 10,000 tonnes of biogenic liquid CO₂ annually. The project was one of 77 selected from 358 applications, with €3.4 billion allocated across the latest Innovation Fund call. “Carbon capture is critical infrastructure for industrial decarbonisation, but to achieve deployment at the scale required, it needs to be cheaper and easier to integrate into existing industrial assets,” commented Conor Hamill, co-CEO of Nuada.
Sylvan Hungary switches on 312-panel solar installation
Sylvan Hungary has brought a 312-panel solar installation into operation at its Dunaharaszti plant. The system covers approximately 4,000 square metres and is expected to supply nearly 30% of the site’s annual electricity demand. The company estimates that the installation will reduce its carbon emissions by approximately 32 tonnes of CO₂ per year. The project was completed during September, with operations beginning at the end of that month.
Coral reef ecosystem collapse risk rises sharply under climate warming
A new assessment of 127 coral reef regions found that 24% of reefs across more than 80 countries are currently critically endangered, rising to 96% when projected climate impacts are included, according to reports. The assessment assumes a pathway producing about 2.7°C of global warming by the end of the century. Australia’s 17 assessed reef regions, including the Great Barrier Reef, would all become critically endangered under the future climate scenario.
Go Eve secures £750,000 for EV charging technology
Mobility startup Go Eve, a spin-out from University College Dublin and Imperial College London, has secured £750,000 to advance its DockChain electric-vehicle charging technology, according to reports. The company is developing charging infrastructure designed for electric vehicles and fleet applications.
Gore reaches 100% renewable electricity and cuts Scope 1 and 2 emissions 64%
Materials science firm W. L. Gore & Associates said in its 2026 sustainability update that it has achieved 100% renewable electricity across global manufacturing operations and a 64% reduction in absolute market-based Scope 1 and 2 emissions against its 2016 baseline. Gore says the emissions reduction has already surpassed its 2030 target, four years ahead of schedule. “We’ve translated our sustainability priorities into meaningful action,” said Gore sustainability leader Bernhard Kiehl.

