Global Scans · Nature · Weekly Summary

WHAT''S NEXT?: Oceans, animals, and land are all under threat from climate change and human activities. The effective and efficient conservation of agricultural biodiversity is vital to meeting the global challenges of food and nutritional security for an expanding world population. But, the signs are of continued degradation of our global natural resources and environment.

• [New] The Pact seeks to halt and reverse biodiversity loss to put nature on a path to recovery for the benefit of people and the planet in cities worldwide by 2030. UN Decade on Restoration
• [New] Quebec was one of the first subnational governments to unveil its 2030 strategic Nature Plan at COP 16. UN Decade on Restoration
• [New] A UN target to protect and restore 30% of nature by 2030 will not be achieved in ocean environments until 2107 on current trends. Morning Star
• [New] The UK's Sustainability Disclosure Standards are expected to incorporate nature-related requirements. Gray Group International
• [New] Sustainability and biodiversity schemes are currently receiving lots of support from private investment, such as the $15 trillion that has been committed to an investor stewardship initiative tackling biodiversity loss by 2030 - as investors realise the economic benefits of giving back to nature. Environment Bank
• [New] If conservation zones receive international recognition, then any move to liberate them militarily on Ukraine's part could be presented as a crime against nature. Ukraine War Environmental Consequences Work Group - See
• [New] Regulatory requirements for biodiversity impact assessments, net gain requirements (the UK requires 10% biodiversity net gain on all new developments), and environmental permitting delays create project timeline and cost risks. Gray Group International
• [New] Forestry investments are increasingly tied to environmental compliance and carbon credits-use digital carbon accounting tools to access new markets and manage climate-related risks in 2026. Farmonaut
• [New] Africa's diamond and gold sectors will thrive by integrating technological, environmental, and community-focused strategies-delivering benefits across extractive output, agricultural resilience, and forestry protection in 2026 and beyond. Farmonaut
• [New] In 2026, highest diamond production country 2026 and highest gold production country rankings will reflect not only the extraction of precious minerals but a wider commitment to sustainable regional development, community empowerment, and environmental stewardship. Farmonaut
• [New] Modern mineral intelligence unlocks investment opportunities in Africa's extractive sector with lower risk, higher transparency, and positive environmental impact. Farmonaut
• [New] By 2026, the vertical farming model is positioned as a core strategy for increasing food production in cities, reducing environmental risk in forestry and mine rehabilitation projects, and expanding scalable agriculture where arable land is limited. Farmonaut
• [New] According to the Government of Canada, July 20023 data, the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (2023-2028) commits approximately USD 3.5 billion in federal-provincial funding to strengthen the environmental performance, including soil health and nutrient management initiatives. Research Nester
• [New] Water managers in Wyoming and Washington are already signaling that some water rights holders - cities, irrigation districts, individual farms and industries can take limited amounts of water from rivers, canals and aquifers - can expect to receive less than their full allotment of water in 2026. The Conversation
• [New] A global study reveals widespread human-made chemicals in the oceans, while a new campaign and Netflix documentary warn plastic-associated toxins are emerging as a major, under-recognised threat to human health. Oceanographic
• [New] USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service regulates GE plants for plant pest risk. Morrison Foerster
• [New] Droughts exacerbate antibiotic resistance in bacteria, posing a dual threat from environmental shifts and public health. Coaio Limited
• [New] Cosmo 6 U cubesat of University of Colorado Boulder will measure the Earth magnetic field, and QuantX Labs of Australia will send a key component of its atomic clock. Space Calendar - The First Space Calendar on the Moon
• [New] At current rates, just under 10% of the world's oceans will be protected by 2030 - a far cry from what scientists say is needed to stop the loss of marine biodiversity, stem the climate crisis, and protect communities that rely on oceans for food and livelihoods. Conservation International
• [New] Threatened mammals fared best, with populations showing signs of stabilization in recent years, likely reflecting a combination of good rainfall and the measurable benefits of predator control and habitat restoration. EurekAlert!
• [New] Germany envisages 100 low-Earth-orbit satellites exclusively for military communications, while the EU project, which aims to deploy 290 satellites by 2029, is designed to establish a unified, space-based communication system. Just Security
• [New] A likely El Nino return in late 2026, layered on record-warm oceans, is raising concerns over flight disruption, coastal tourism risks, and fragile travel hotspots. The Traveler

Last updated: 04 April 2026