Global Scans · Climate · Weekly Summary

• [New] Tourism destinations around the world face increasing challenges from climate change, whether it's rising sea levels, extreme weather events, or disruptions to biodiversity. Travel And Tour World
• [New] Reuse alone could account for two-thirds of a 97% reduction in plastic packaging pollution by 2040. Gizmodo
• [New] Plastic emissions in coastal habitats may increase by more than 50% by 2030 if present trends continue. / India India Water Portal
• [New] Developing countries and blocs, such as Indonesia and the Alliance of Small Island States, which includes Singapore, had initially wanted adaptation finance to be tripled by 2030. ST
• [New] The Baltic Sea region is facing an increasing range of threats, including suspected hybrid attacks from drones, alleged sabotage of underwater infrastructure and a steady flow of ageing oil tankers in the form of shadow fleet ships carrying crude oil from Russia. The Guardian
• [New] With climate change and unchecked development threatening the fragile ecosystems of the Hindu Kush Himalaya, a new action plan grounded in Bhutan's philosophy of regenerative development has won regional consensus. The Frontier Manipur
• [New] Floods killed more than 1,300 people and caused $20 billion in losses since late November across parts of South and Southeast Asia, devastation that highlights the increasing risks from climate change and extreme weather for the fast-growing region. Insurance Journal
• [New] Plastic pollution will double by 2040 at the current rate. Positive News
• [New] Green IoT is a key driver of sustainability and is projected to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions by up to 20% in the coming decades. Kaa IoT platform
• [New] Sudden-onset weather events displaced over 20 million people in 2023, with projections of more than 216 million internal climate migrants by 2050. Voyageur Group
• [New] Although there is some evidence of improved adaptation planning and implementation, the adaptation finance needs of developing countries by 2035 are at least 12 times as much as current international public adaptation finance flows. ABN AMRO Bank
• [New] Iran's water crisis is affecting the Iranian regime's ability to provide electricity to its citizens, which could eventually lead to domestic unrest. Critical Threats
• [New] Climate change means less frequent and more unpredictable rainfall for Australia. The Conversation
• [New] Nearly eliminating plastic pollution from the packaging sector and reducing plastic pollution from all major economic sectors by 83% by 2040 is possible with international political attention, commitment of resources and existing technologies, continued innovation, and strategic policy approaches. The Pew Charitable Trusts
• [New] Under System Transformation, by 2040, annual combined macroplastic and microplastic pollution falls by 83%, from 280 Mt per year under BAU to 47 Mt per year. The Pew Charitable Trusts
• [New] China's Sponge Cities, which incorporate permeable surfaces and green spaces that capture, filter, and store water, reducing flood risks and promoting water reuse, are an excellent example of how Green Cities can improve climate resilience. Future Cities - Africa Green Building Summit 2025
• [New] The UN calls for developed countries to take urgent action to combat climate change and its impact in SDG 13 and The Paris Agreement sets up the net-zero goal for our global society: stating that greenhouse gas emissions must peak before 2025 at the latest and decline 43% by 2030. UNSW Sites
• [New] Water scarcity could hamper the UK's ability to reach its net zero targets. The Guardian
• [New] Climate change is no longer a distant threat, it is a present reality reshaping livelihoods, economies, and security dynamics across MENA. Food Tank
• [New] Based on current trajectories, by 2050 there will be a shortfall of nearly 5 billion liters of water per day in the UK (A summary of England's revised draft regional and water resources management plans, Environment Agency 2024). GOV.UK
• [New] Responsible: Water companies, Ofwat, EA Invest £10 billion into storm overflow improvements in England from 2025 to 2030 to improve over 2,500 overflows. GOV.UK
• [New] Decarbonization within the Humberside industrial cluster could push Anglian Water into water deficit by 2030, leading to a shortage of 130m liters a day by 2050, while plans around the north-west cluster could push United Utilities into a deficit of around 70m liters a day by 2030. The Guardian
• [New] Water scarcity threatens to erase up to 14% of GDP by 2050. Informed Comment

Last updated: 08 December 2025