AGP Executive Report

Oil & climate litigation: Middlesex County, New Jersey sued Big Oil over flooding and other climate impacts, joining a wave of state and local cases that could hinge on the U.S. Supreme Court’s Boulder decision. Transport emissions fight: Environmental groups sued the Trump administration over vehicle fuel-economy rollbacks, arguing higher gas use will raise costs and pollution. Power-plant rules: 21 states sued EPA to reinstate climate pollution limits for power plants, warning rollbacks would worsen heat, storms, flooding and wildfires. Canada energy policy: Prime Minister Mark Carney designated the Alberta-to-B.C. “Pacific Link” oil pipeline a Project of National Interest, fast-tracking review toward a 2027 construction timeline. Super-pollutant push: The Philippines sought CCAC support to cut methane, ozone-forming gases and other “super pollutants.” Heat and water stress: Europe’s extreme summer brought record heat stress across 52% of the continent and widespread river low flows, with major crop losses. Plastics treaty talks: More than 70 developing countries backed action on all drivers of plastic pollution in Bangkok, despite fossil-fuel-aligned resistance. Community climate action: San Diego Climate Week opened with a cleanup and a Tijuana River pollution awareness paddle-out. Biodiversity & pests: Trinidad and Tobago’s Giant African Snail is being targeted for climate-resilient agriculture and enterprise via a new UWI committee.

Climate justice in practice: Nepal’s foreign minister says climate justice must mean grant-based finance and real adaptation support, not slogans, as the country faces disproportionate losses despite tiny emissions. Food and fuel pressure: UN data shows global food prices hit their highest level in nearly four years, driven by weather-linked shocks and trade disruptions that could feed through to consumers. COP31 momentum in the Pacific: World powers head to pre-COP talks in the Pacific to push the 1.5°C goal, with island leaders warning of rising seas and a widening adaptation finance gap. Adaptation and resilience tools: A new framework (GEAR) is set to measure how decentralized renewables can strengthen climate resilience in agriculture, with a people-first focus on smallholders and women. Air pollution crisis: Lahore is again ranked the world’s most polluted major city, with officials citing weak winds and temperature effects as smog hotspots intensify. Climate impacts on livelihoods: In Kenya’s Kakamega, women in artisanal gold processing say changing weather is making an already dangerous work harder. Energy transition push: UN climate chief backs India’s Green Energy Corridor Phase-III, pairing grid upgrades with battery storage to cut curtailment and scale renewables. Climate risk in courts: The US Supreme Court is set to weigh whether states can push climate liability costs onto fossil fuel companies.

Climate Justice & Finance: Kenya’s Wetang’ula urged a polluter-pays approach and stronger African climate laws to fund resilience. Global Governance: Greta Thunberg renewed calls for concrete action on Western Sahara, linking the issue to climate and social justice. Legal Showdown: The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments on whether states can sue oil and gas firms over climate damages, a case that could reshape climate liability. Extreme Water Stress: The Caspian Sea hit its lowest level in 48 years, with experts warning of cascading environmental and economic risks. Adaptation on the Ground: Greece’s Koroneia Lake has shrunk to a fraction of its size as drought and over-irrigation bite, mirroring wider European heat impacts. Disaster-Rebuild: The World Bank approved $110m for climate-resilient road repairs in Sri Lanka after Cyclone Ditwah. Ocean & Indigenous Knowledge: Namibia’s ocean resilience work highlights how Indigenous knowledge and science can steer better decisions. Policy Implementation: Nepal stakeholders pushed for a more implementation-ready National Climate Change Policy 2083, with climate justice and local government prioritized. Corporate Climate Reporting: The UK’s FCA set a new sustainability disclosure regime aligned to UK Sustainability Reporting Standards from 2027.

Climate Finance & Forests: The Philippines says it’s ready to join the Tropical Forests Forever Facility fast-track program, aiming to plug a major gap in long-term, results-based funding for tropical forest restoration as UNEP warns current forest investment is far short of what’s needed. Biodiversity & Nature Commitments: DENR chief Mitch Cuna reaffirmed the Philippines’ push for the 30×30 goal at UNGA, stressing that ambition must be matched with financing and implementation. Climate Mobility: Cuna also urged rights-based action on climate displacement, citing 8.9 million internal displacements in the Philippines in 2024 as extreme weather accelerates. Climate Justice in Africa: Kenya’s Pan-African Parliament delegation backed stronger accountability for polluters and home-grown climate funds, including ideas like taxing extraction to finance adaptation and mitigation. Legal Pushback on Fossil Fuels: The U.S. Supreme Court will hear ExxonMobil and Suncor’s bid to block Boulder, Colorado’s climate liability case, with dozens of similar suits pending. Waste & Methane Cuts: Rio de Janeiro is selected for the Zero Waste Districts pilot, targeting landfill diversion to reduce methane and air pollution. Air Pollution at School: Australia’s “Idle Off” campaign tackles toxic vehicle exhaust near school gates to protect children’s health. Denmark’s Tight Margin: Denmark released its annual climate plan warning the buffer to hit its 2030 target has narrowed sharply, with agriculture flagged as a key risk area.

Climate Adaptation: Philippines’ National Irrigation Administration is stepping up preparations for a “very strong” El Niño, including canal clearing and desilting, plus mobile solar-powered pumps and groundwater mapping to protect drought-hit farms. Conservation & Wildlife Crime: Global efforts to protect pangolins spotlight how illegal trade in meat and scales keeps all eight species under severe threat. Ocean & Maritime Security: Iran’s president marks World Maritime Day by stressing Hormuz’s strategic role and calling for regional cooperation to keep sea lanes stable. Food Systems & Stability: UNGA discussions frame food security as tied to climate shocks, conflict, migration and global price impacts—especially after disruptions across major shipping routes. Energy Transition vs. Litigation: Big Oil is again asking the US Supreme Court to curb climate-related lawsuits, a move that could reshape cases filed by states and cities. Climate Justice Push: Pacific civil society demands an end to new coal, oil and gas expansion ahead of COP31, alongside stronger loss-and-damage action. Water & Flood Risk: A US report finds flood insurance coverage is far too low for areas at severe risk, leaving millions exposed as climate-driven flooding grows. Nature-Based Action: South Africa reports planting 7.13 million trees since April as part of its one-billion-trees programme.

EU Trade & Climate Accountability: Dutch group Both ENDS has filed the first climate-regression complaint under the EU–New Zealand free trade deal, alleging New Zealand rolled back climate action (including ending climate liability claims and reopening offshore oil and gas) and breached “non-regression” and Paris-alignment promises. Global Ice & Sea-Level Risk: Scientists are urging a major international push to study East Antarctica’s Wilkes Subglacial Basin, flagged as a major sea-level threat with big prediction gaps. Climate Litigation Shock: Justice Samuel Alito’s last-minute recusal has shaken a landmark US climate case, raising the odds of an evenly split Supreme Court outcome. Health Impacts of Heat & Cold: A Swedish study links extreme cold and heat to higher heart-failure hospitalisation risk, underscoring climate-driven strain on health systems. Nature-Based Solutions for Resilience: New guidance highlights gender-responsive nature-based solutions, arguing women’s leadership improves ecosystem projects and climate adaptation outcomes. Local Pollution Control: India’s National Green Tribunal orders compliance with CPCB idol-immersion rules to protect Bhopal’s lakes from toxic waste. Renewables Grid Bottleneck: South Korea will allow some solar plants to connect beyond grid capacity with curtailment, aiming to speed renewable buildout without new lines. Energy Storage Approval: Australia’s NSW approved a 125 MW/1 GWh battery project, clearing the way for construction. Antarctic/El Niño Watch: China says El Niño is rapidly intensifying toward a possible “super” event, with knock-on risks for precipitation and temperature swings.

Climate Adaptation Planning: Qatar kicked off its National Dialogue on Climate Change 2026 in Doha, urging a shift from climate planning to implementation as adaptation becomes a core national priority. El Niño Food Security: Sri Lanka faces warnings that El Niño could cut the Maha 2026/27 paddy harvest by 30%, threatening rice shortages and farmer incomes unless planning catches up. Extreme Weather Signals: Tokyo logged a record 34 straight rainy days, with officials linking the pattern to El Niño and long-term warming. Coastal Flooding: A new U.S. analysis says human-caused sea level rise drove about 8 in 10 coastal flood days from 2016–2025, with flood frequency tripling in many cities. Water & Nature Restoration: Carlsberg Britvic and The Rivers Trust will restore rivers, wetlands and floodplains near the company’s Rugby site to replenish water use and cut downstream flood risk. Southern Ocean Carbon Science: South Africa’s CSIR-led COCO2 project will use uncrewed vessels to improve Southern Ocean carbon and heat observations. Environmental Governance: Uganda called for a national ESG framework to stop sustainability efforts from staying fragmented across agencies. Energy Policy Backlash: Trump’s new fuel-efficiency rules loosen pollution pressure, complicating California’s clean-car and climate goals. Mining & Environmental Crime: Global Witness reports the Philippines remains Asia’s deadliest place for environmental defenders, tied to an aggressive push in mining and critical minerals.

Climate targets shortfall: A new UNEP-linked warning says the world is on track to cross 1.5°C soon, with only aggressive cuts and carbon removal keeping a “peak and decline” path alive. Climate finance for vulnerable states: Samoa urged UN members to scale up climate funding that’s easier to access and not diverted into disaster recovery, warning small islands are being forced to borrow for survival. Groundwater crisis: A global groundwater resilience push calls for better monitoring and aquifer management as most major aquifers decline, threatening drinking water, farming and ecosystems. Forests and food security: FAO’s forestry committee opened with calls to better integrate forests into food security and development, amid deforestation, wildfire and pests. Fossil-fuel legal showdown: U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito recused himself from a major climate damages case, after scrutiny over oil and gas stock holdings. West Coast pipeline fight: Canada faces an October 1 decision deadline as climate groups urge the government to reject a proposed oil pipeline. Reproductive health and pollution: An NIH-funded study will track how persistent chemicals and heavy metals may affect fertility and pregnancy. Water-smart farming: Kazakhstan unveiled smart irrigation that adjusts water to crop stage, cutting water use in field tests.

Radio Spectrum Protection: The UN warns that interference with radio frequencies used for weather forecasts, early warnings, and climate monitoring could degrade data and weaken disaster preparedness, urging governments to safeguard meteorology bands. El Niño Heat Surge: Climate scientists say El Niño is now more frequent and, on top of human-driven warming, is intensifying drought and flood risks worldwide, with experts flagging a “super El Niño” threat to autumn and winter conditions. Climate Migration Law, Illinois: Illinois passed the US’s first climate displacement law, but reporting deadlines and task-force meetings have lagged, raising concerns that a potential blueprint is stalling. Food Systems & Waste: Upcycled Food researchers and Slow Food are pushing new coalitions and symposiums to cut food loss and waste while protecting biodiversity and fair value chains. Ocean & Fisheries Transparency: Global Fishing Watch launched a vessel tracking best-practices guide to help governments tackle illegal fishing by improving standards for tracking systems. Sea-Level Risk Funding: The UK pledged £330m to support low-lying states facing rising seas, aiming to turn climate governance commitments into on-the-ground action.

Plastic & circular economy: The Philippines’ DENR-backed National Plastic Action Roadmap targets cutting plastic pollution by 85% by 2040, citing 61,000 tons of waste daily and plastic’s role in flooding-linked climate and disaster risks. Greening diplomacy: Kuwait and UN-Habitat’s “Kuwait Plants” campaign brings 60+ embassies into tree-planting and emissions/carbon-neutrality messaging, pushing community participation as the engine of local climate action. Energy efficiency as climate policy: India’s EESL will showcase clean-cooking and efficiency wins in Germany, including smoke-free Anganwadi cooking that cuts costs and avoids tens of thousands of tonnes of CO2 annually. Food systems & biodiversity: Slow Food’s Terra Madre Salone del Gusto in Turin ends with a renewed push for food justice, biodiversity, and peace, linking local farming and Indigenous knowledge to global action. Climate finance pressure: Fiji’s disaster agency warns of a $105m funding shortfall and seeks reforms so donors can fund risk reduction and relocation beyond only declared disasters. El Niño watch: The Atlantic’s Invest 91-L is being monitored for possible tropical development, underscoring how fast weather risks can escalate. Youth voice: Vanuatu signs a declaration to give children and young people a stronger role in climate decisions ahead of COP31 prep talks.

Climate Diplomacy at UNGA: The Philippines urged disputes to be settled through diplomacy and international law, warning that conflicts plus a “state of calamity” for climate are battering the global economy. Himalayan Climate Risk: Nepal’s Himalayan floods and glacier-linked hazards stayed in focus, with experts pointing to climate-driven glacier loss and warning of higher future landslide and flood risks. Loss-and-Damage Push: Nepal said it is seeking an immediate $20 million payout from the Loss and Damage Fund ahead of the fund’s December board meeting. Clean Energy & Finance for the Global South: FAO highlighted worsening hunger in least developed countries, while European Council President António Costa called for stronger multilateralism and accountable AI governance. El Niño Food Threat: Forecasters warn a potentially record-strong El Niño could bring drought to parts of Asia and raise food insecurity risks worldwide. Adaptation as Business: Lesotho urged climate ideas to move off paper and into real, job-creating adaptation solutions. Tropical Infrastructure: Singapore rolled out a liquid-cooling data centre standard tailored to hot, humid conditions, linking energy and water efficiency to climate-ready design. Outdoor Access Debate: The US Forest Service proposed changing trail rules to treat motorized use as “open unless closed,” drawing concern over wildlife, erosion, and carbon storage.

UN Climate Justice Push: Nepal PM Balendra Shah returned from UNGA81 urging climate justice and compensation after deadly Bhotekoshi floods, warning melting permafrost and Himalayan instability threaten downstream communities. G77 Finance Reform: Kuwait’s foreign minister backed the G77 Seville Commitment to make global finance and climate funding more equitable, alongside calls for technology transfer and closing the digital divide. Gulf Security Meets Energy Security: Saudi FM Prince Faisal bin Farhan warned UNGA that Middle East escalation threatens global trade and energy security, urging protection of shipping routes and freedom of navigation. Environmental Health Regulation: Pakistan’s Sindh province is tightening pollution monitoring and environmental enforcement, linking clean air, water and sanitation to public health. Rivers Under Pressure: Bangladesh groups inspected the Buriganga and Dhaleshwari, demanding action against encroachers and polluters. Lead Ammunition Debate: A new explainer argues lead bullets fracture into fragments that contaminate meat and harm ecosystems, pushing hunters toward lead-free ammo. Local Wins, Global Lessons: Philippines’ Guiuan earned international recognition for marine protection, waste management and clean energy—showing community programs can scale. AI for Cities: The TRACE project won the AI x City Climate Action Hackathon, aiming to help cities target flood impacts on the most vulnerable. Climate in Classrooms: A Ghana traditional leader urged making climate change a standalone school subject, not a side topic.

Sea-Level Rise Pressure: Tanzania urged the international community to turn sea-level commitments into concrete action, warning coastal erosion, saltwater intrusion and flooding are already hitting livelihoods and ecosystems—and calling for predictable climate finance, tech transfer and early-warning systems. Global South Multilateralism: Malaysia pushed for a more inclusive, just and accountable multilateral system at UNGA, arguing global governance and finance must better reflect Global South needs. Himalayan Climate Risk: Nepal used UNGA to call for coordinated action “from Everest to the sea,” proposing a trilateral Himalayan Climate Resilience Mechanism with India and China for satellite data sharing, glacial-lake monitoring and cross-border early warnings after deadly floods. COP31 Finance Debate: Cambodia’s civil society groups warned that LDC graduation could reduce concessional support, urging accessible, predictable and sustainable climate finance for adaptation and a just transition ahead of COP31 in Türkiye. Climate in the Real World: A study on conservation tillage found climate benefits depend on how practices are implemented and local conditions, while Türkiye reported record heat in 2024 and extreme dryness in 2025. Local Resilience Spotlight: Philippines’ Guiuan, Eastern Samar, won national recognition for coastal protection, marine areas, plastic recycling, solid waste management and renewable energy—linking environmental action to food security and livelihoods. El Niño Warning: Projections tied to a potentially intense El Niño warn of major heat, drought, flood and crop risks, with the Global South expected to bear the heaviest toll.

Climate Finance & Delivery: Pakistan’s finance minister says climate commitments must become “investable” results, warning fragmentation and a lack of bankable projects still block implementation as COP31’s BRIDGE initiative selects pilot countries to turn pledges into finance-ready pipelines. UN Climate Urgency: UN chief António Guterres and leaders at Climate Week/UNGA pushed for concrete timelines to cut fossil fuels and scale renewables, arguing trust is fraying and climate impacts are now daily reality. Himalayan Climate Justice: Nepal PM Balen Shah used UNGA to propose a tri-national Himalayan Climate Resilience Mechanism with India and China, including early-warning and cross-border disaster support, while demanding more grant-based funding for loss and damage. Media Accountability in the Pacific: Pacific newsroom leaders adopted the Savusavu Loss and Damage Media Forum Declaration, pledging stronger reporting on non-economic harms already hitting communities. Water & Resilience in Practice: Manila Water and UN Global Compact Network Philippines held a peer learning session on climate resilience, water stewardship and circularity, spotlighting collaboration between business and academia. Local Environmental Governance: Fishermen and national authorities agreed a Dynamic Fisheries Management Plan for Cubagua to resume regulated, sustainable fishing under coordinated environmental controls. Energy Transition Push: Indonesia launched a 100 GWp solar program to attract global investment, while California highlighted offshore wind and electrification efforts during Climate Week NYC.

Climate Justice at UNGA: Nepal’s PM Balendra Shah used the Bhote Koshi floods to press for faster, fairer climate action, arguing vulnerable countries need relief, “responsibility, reparation, resilience,” not bureaucracy. Himalayan Cooperation: He also proposed a tri-national Himalayan Climate Resilience Mechanism with India and China for shared satellite monitoring and early warnings. LDC Support Focus: Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal told LDC ministers that finance, climate justice, productive capacity and sustainable development must turn pledges into action. Corporate Climate Rules: A report warns California’s climate disclosure proposal could let major polluters dodge most Scope 3 emissions reporting. Ocean Data Push: An OceanEye alliance secured nearly €220m to strengthen global ocean observation for forecasting, storms and coastal protection. Sea-Level Rise Funding: Kuwait urged solidarity and access to adaptation money and technology for SIDS and LDCs. West Africa Mobilizes: ECOWAS Parliament called for a regional climate resilience fund, stronger early-warning systems and cooperation. Long-Lasting Warming: A study says past emissions from top fossil producers will keep affecting the climate for hundreds of years. Ocean Biodiversity Treaty: Papua New Guinea ratified the BBNJ agreement, strengthening rules for marine biodiversity beyond national waters. Croatia Toxic Dumping: Residents’ protests over illegal hazardous waste in Gospić sparked calls for cleanup after PFAS were found in groundwater.

Sea-Level Rise Push: UN members backed the first sea-level rise declaration, with leaders urging sustained, funded action as coastal threats intensify. Climate Justice & Finance: Ghana’s Mahama said climate change is the “ultimate test of global equity,” calling for predictable, non-debt climate grants; Fiji lawmakers also warned that repeated reliance on overseas funds risks building dependency. Renewables Pace: IRENA reported record renewable additions in 2025 but said growth must accelerate to triple capacity by 2030, with major grid and flexibility investment gaps. Maritime Decarbonization: Liberia urged a fair, affordable, performance-based IMO approach so net-zero shipping doesn’t crush developing economies. AI Governance at the UN: OpenAI and Anthropic CEOs called for shared AI safety standards, while the UN Security Council debate highlighted disputes over global regulation. Energy Demand Outlook: S&P Global projected global energy demand could jump 60% by 2060, complicating the path to emissions cuts. Local Policy Moves: Jamaica advanced an Environmental Protection Levy framework, while the UK’s National Grid launched consultation on major transmission upgrades. Human Rights & Climate-Linked Security: Amnesty alleged a “climate of fear” in Nigeria’s Kano over crackdowns on critics, as UK spy chiefs warned ecosystem collapse could threaten national security.