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 plans regional water councils to influence billions in infrastructure investment
Eight regional water councils are to be established in England, bringing together local leaders, customers and businesses to help set priorities for water-company investment. Their remit will include sewage and water quality, flooding, drought and future water supplies. Each council will prepare a regional plan identifying pressures on water systems and the public and private investment required. Local leaders have been asked to submit proposals for the councils by the end of 2026.
Goethe University reports 32% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions
Goethe University Frankfurt has published its first sustainability report, covering 36 measures under its sustainability strategy. The university reports that greenhouse gas emissions across Scopes 1, 2 and 3 fell by 32%, from 58,483 tonnes of CO₂ in 2022 to 39,728 tonnes in 2025. “Our first sustainability report demonstrates, through its comprehensive analysis, that we at Goethe University take this issue very seriously,” commented university president Prof. Dr Enrico Schleiff.
2D Fusion outlines commercial availability of nuclear fusion products
Swedish company 2D Fusion AB has outlined what it sees as the commercial availability of products for nuclear fusion power plants, including reactor components and control systems. It says first deliveries are scheduled for the third quarter of 2029, with a first 1GW power plant using its technology expected to enter commercial operation by 2032. The company estimates electricity production costs below €0.02 per kWh. “Driven by a significant cost advantage, we expect that our deuterium-deuterium nuclear fusion invention has replaced all fossil fuels and all nuclear fission power plants globally within 30-40 years starting from today,” commented acting CEO PJ Peltola.
Mondi incorporates sugarcane-based polyethylene into flexible packaging pouch
Mondi and Braskem have presented a flexible packaging pouch incorporating Braskem’s ‘I’m green’ bio-based polyethylene, produced from sugarcane-derived renewable feedstock. Mondi’s re/cycle StripPouch contains at least 98% of the bio-based polyethylene. The design also uses laser marking during the converting process, eliminating printing inks and additional processing steps. Mondi says its internal Product Impact Assessment indicates lower CO₂ emissions than a conventional fossil-based, printed and laminated plastic pouch, while maintaining packaging performance.
Climate Mental Health Network launches website addressing young people’s climate emotions
The US-based Climate Mental Health Network has announced The Weather Within, an interactive website designed to help teenagers and young adults understand and respond to emotions associated with climate change. Developed with support from the Cisco Foundation, the resource includes peer stories, guided reflection, wellbeing exercises and links to organisations and opportunities for action. The initiative draws on research involving 15,793 people aged 16–25, in which 85% reported at least moderate concern about climate change. “The research shows that climate emotions are already affecting how young people feel, function and plan for the future,” commented Sarah Newman, founder and executive director of Climate Mental Health Network.
European Commission sets out 2040 vision for fisheries and aquaculture
The European Commission has presented a 2040 vision for the EU fisheries and aquaculture sector, setting priorities for the next 15 years. The sector employs more than 200,000 people across the EU, including almost 124,500 in fisheries and approximately 76,000 in aquaculture. The strategy focuses on healthy aquatic ecosystems, the energy transition, supply-chain security, demand for EU-produced aquatic food, access to finance and support for producers.
Masdar, Endesa begin construction of €25.2m Spanish battery storage portfolio
Masdar and Endesa have started construction of three battery energy storage projects at solar plants in Extremadura and Andalusia, Spain. The projects will add 60.16MW of capacity and 120.34MWh of storage, representing a combined investment of €25.2m. The grid-forming battery systems are the first storage projects delivered under the companies’ partnership and are expected to become operational by the end of 2027. Dr. Ibraheem Almansouri, acting COO, Masdar, said, “Spain is one of Europe’s fastest-growing major economies and this growth requires secure, resilient power.”
UK report examines wildfire impacts on biodiversity and natural capital
A government-commissioned scientific review has examined how wildfires affect biodiversity and natural capital across UK landscapes. The report identifies immediate and longer-term damage through the destruction of habitats and species populations. It records findings from an expert roundtable held in August, chaired by Natural England’s chief scientist. ‘The impacts of wildfires cannot be considered in isolation but must acknowledge clear interdependencies with other extreme weather events driven by climate change, such as heatwaves, droughts and flooding,’ the report noted, adding that wildfires in the UK are likely to become ‘larger, more severe and more frequent over the next 10 years and beyond’.
Agilyx subsidiary agrees acquisition of French packaging recycling business
GreenDot, the majority-owned holding of Agilyx, has completed the acquisition of a 50% stake in Valorie SAS, which owns French packaging extended producer responsibility organisations Léko and Léko Pro. Léko generated €42m in revenue in 2025, with nearly 80% annual growth over the previous two years. The transaction is intended to expand GreenDot’s access to packaging waste and strengthen its recycling and producer-responsibility services across France and Germany.
Sustainable Markets Initiative proposes Commonwealth-wide insurance vehicle for extreme weather risks
The Sustainable Markets Initiative has completed a feasibility study for Commonwealth Mutual, a proposed sovereign-owned mutual reinsurance vehicle designed to provide financial protection against extreme weather events and natural disasters across Commonwealth countries. Presented at the 2026 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Antigua and Barbuda, the study involved insurers, reinsurers, brokers, risk-modelling specialists and capital providers. The proposed vehicle would pool risks across member states to increase coverage capacity and reduce costs, while providing rapid payouts following hurricanes, cyclones, floods, droughts, excessive rainfall and earthquakes.
Scotland’s food and drink sector publishes Climate Transition Plan ahead of 2045 net zero target
Scotland’s food and drink sector has published a Climate Transition Plan setting out priority actions for businesses and government to reduce emissions and strengthen resilience ahead of Scotland’s legally binding 2045 net zero target. The sector generates approximately £19 billion in annual turnover, contributes £7 billion in gross value added and supports around 115,000 jobs. Developed through the Partnership’s Net Zero Programme, the plan covers the supply chain from farming to delivery and identifies four priorities for resilience: finance and investment, energy and infrastructure, workforce and skills, and on-farm and product diversification.
