Climate Change

California Air Resources Board Extends OGV In-Transit Regulation Survey Deadline To 30 April 2026

CARB has extended the deadline for its stakeholder survey on a potential Ocean-Going Vessels (OGV) in-transit regulation, with responses now accepted until 30 April 2026. This gives shipping and port stakeholders additional time to influence how CARB structures future engagement and ultimately designs measures to cut NOx, PM, SOx and greenhouse gas emissions from vessels transiting California waters.

10 Apr 2026, 15:09content.govdelivery.comUnited States

German Environment Agency Publishes Report on AI for EU Emissions Trading Administration and Fraud Detection

UBA has released a detailed April 2026 report exploring how artificial intelligence could automate emissions trading administration and help DEHSt detect criminal risks in the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS).[^1^](https://www.umweltbundesamt.de/publikationen/ki-zur-verwaltungsautomatisierung-zur-erkennung#:~:text=Dieses%20Projekt%20untersucht%2C%20inwieweit%20bestimmte%20Methoden%20der%20k%C3%BCnstlichen%20Intelligenz) For compliance teams in ETS‑regulated installations, this is a non‑binding but important precursor signal that future oversight may rely more heavily on AI‑driven anomaly detection in account verification and emissions reporting rather than manual review alone.

10 Apr 2026, 13:43umweltbundesamt.deGermanyEuropean Union

German Environment Agency Publishes Fact Sheet On Overestimated Climate And Environmental Targeting In Proposed EU Budget 2028–2034

In April 2026, the **German Environment Agency (UBA)** released a fact sheet arguing that the European Commission’s proposed **EU budget (MFF) 2028–2034** significantly overstates climate and environmental spending because many intervention areas are tagged with overly generous green coefficients. If taken up in the upcoming MFF negotiations, this critique could reshape climate‑ and environment‑labelled funding streams—especially in agriculture and cohesion policy—by tightening how EU budget lines qualify as genuinely supporting green objectives.

10 Apr 2026, 13:39umweltbundesamt.deEuropean Union

Netherlands Launches MKI Committees to Set Maximum Values for Asphalt and Concrete

The Netherlands has created two independent MKI committees, led by CROW for the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy, to define maximum environmental cost (MKI) values for asphalt and concrete that will underpin mandatory sustainability requirements in GWW public works procurement from 2027. This signals a move from voluntary MKI use to hard procurement thresholds, so infrastructure clients and material suppliers should prepare for tighter environmental performance criteria in Dutch tenders and contracts.

10 Apr 2026, 13:34pianoo.nlNetherlands

Netherlands Senate Publishes Witteveen+Bos Nitrogen Deposition Assessment for Energy Infrastructure and Natura 2000 Habitats

In April 2026 the **Dutch Senate** published a **165‑page Witteveen+Bos assessment**, commissioned by the **Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate**, on nitrogen deposition from construction of energy infrastructure and subsequent industrial decarbonisation across **143 nitrogen‑sensitive habitat types in 35 Natura 2000 areas**.[^2^](https://zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nl/blg-1242754.pdf) Using worst‑case AERIUS modelling and a habitat‑by‑habitat decision tree, the report finds that temporary construction contributions of **≤1 mol N/ha/year** are ecologically negligible for most habitats, that only a small, already‑vulnerable subset shows a non‑negligible risk of quality deterioration, and that the combined effect of construction plus decarbonisation is a **neutral to slightly positive nitrogen balance** with **no generic ecological barrier** to energy‑infrastructure projects.[^2^](https://zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nl/blg-1242754.pdf) The study is intended as an evidence base for potential Dutch national nitrogen‑permitting routes for energy‑infrastructure and industrial sustainability projects, while underlining the need for better standardised ecological data and monitoring.[^2^](https://zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nl/blg-1242754.pdf)

10 Apr 2026, 13:28zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nlNetherlands

HEAL Responds to European Commission Call for Evidence on DNSH Guidance for 2028–2034 EU Budget

HEAL urges the European Commission to make forthcoming DNSH guidance for the 2028–2034 EU budget apply uniformly across all programmes, backed by horizontal exclusion lists for fossil fuels, biomass burning, ammonia‑intensive agriculture and PFAS‑polluting activities, and stronger tracking of DNSH‑aligned spending. If reflected in the final guidance, these positions would tighten eligibility rules for EU‑funded investments, increasing scrutiny of pollution‑intensive projects and raising expectations that beneficiaries of EU funds can evidence alignment with Taxonomy‑style environmental and health safeguards.

10 Apr 2026, 13:26ec.europa.euEuropean Union

EU Sets First CBAM Certificate Price for Q1 2026

The European Commission has published the first CBAM certificate price, setting the Q1 2026 rate at €75.36 and confirming the quarterly pricing methodology linked to EU ETS auction prices. This gives importers of CBAM-covered goods a concrete carbon-cost benchmark ahead of mandatory certificate purchases from February 2027, enabling more robust exposure modelling and contract and sourcing decisions.

10 Apr 2026, 13:18taxation-customs.ec.europa.euEuropean Union

Upper Austria Adopts 2026 Amendment to Air Pollution and Energy Technology Act

Upper Austria has adopted a 2026 amendment to its Air Pollution and Energy Technology Act that from 1 May 2026 creates a central heating and cooling installation database, tightens acceptance and inspection sequencing, and modernises reporting duties in line with EU energy‑efficiency and climate frameworks.[^1^](https://www.ris.bka.gv.at/Dokumente/LgblAuth/LGBLA_OB_20260326_30/LGBLA_OB_20260326_30.html)[^3^](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2024/1275/oj)[^4^](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2023/1791/oj)[^5^](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2021/1119/oj) Strategically, companies and public bodies operating or servicing heating and cooling plants in Upper Austria must prepare for new four‑week data‑entry and update deadlines, permanent plant labelling, re‑use of federal combustion‑plant inspection results and expanded administrative‑offence risks linked to incomplete or late database records.

10 Apr 2026, 12:52ris.bka.gv.atAustria

EU Parliament ENVI Committee Tables Amendments 29–278 to CAP Support Conditions 2028–2034

ENVI committee members have tabled a large package of amendments (29–278) to the draft CAP support regulation for 2028–2034 that would tie more of the budget to climate, biodiversity, pollution control, protein crops and higher animal‑welfare standards. If carried into the final post‑2027 CAP, these changes would strengthen conditionality on harmful pesticides and other inputs, expand support for agroecological and regenerative systems, and increase the share of CAP funding linked to measurable environmental and One Health outcomes.

10 Apr 2026, 12:39europarl.europa.euEuropean Union

EU Authorises Catalan State Aid Scheme for Zero-Emission Industrial Technologies (SA.121547)

In March 2026 the European Commission approved a EUR 50 million Catalan state aid scheme (SA.121547) supporting zero‑emission industrial technologies across multiple sectors, including chemical manufacturing, with grants available until the end of 2030. This authorisation strengthens the investment case for large decarbonisation and process‑upgrade projects in Catalonia, signalling continued EU backing for public funding of low‑carbon industrial transformation.

10 Apr 2026, 12:37eur-lex.europa.euEuropean UnionSpain

European Commission Reply on Petition 1162/2025 Clarifies How Regulation (EU) 2024/573 Training Aligns With EU OSH Law

In March 2026, the European Parliament’s PETI Committee published a notice on Petition 1162/2025 and the European Commission’s reply, concluding that Regulation (EU) 2024/573 on fluorinated greenhouse gases and its implementing acts already embed safety content in technician training while leaving EU OSH directives fully applicable. For refrigeration and HVAC operators, this confirms that F‑gas and natural‑refrigerant certification schemes complement rather than replace employers’ risk‑based OSH training duties, reinforcing the need to manage both environmental compliance and workplace‑safety obligations in parallel.

10 Apr 2026, 12:35europarl.europa.euEuropean Union

UNECE Draft Decisions on Inland Transport Sub-Bodies and CTU Code Review

In April 2026, UNECE’s Executive Committee tabled draft decisions to approve several new Inland Transport Committee subsidiary bodies, including a CTU Code review group, an inland transport climate‑resilience body, and a team to operationalise the new UN rail freight convention, alongside updated terms of reference for the road‑transport working party.[^1^](https://docs.un.org/en/ECE/EX/2026/L.8) For transport and logistics operators, this is an early signal that international work will intensify on climate‑resilient infrastructure, cycling route standards, rail freight legal frameworks, and container‑packing practices, with potential future impacts on inland freight operations and dangerous‑goods handling rather than immediate new binding obligations.

Massachusetts House Discharges Study Order H.5323 on Utilities, Electric Vehicles and Bottle Bill Expansion to House Rules Committee

Massachusetts has adopted **Study Order H.5323**, directing its Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy Committee to investigate a large package of bills on utilities, electric vehicles and potential bottle bill expansion following 06 April 2026 committee action. For companies in utilities, transport and beverage packaging, this signals sustained legislative interest but also that any concrete changes to bottle deposits or utility/EV regulation remain at an early, non-binding study stage.

10 Apr 2026, 10:56malegislature.govUnited States

US Executive Order 14386 Directs Coal Power Procurement for National Defense

Executive Order 14386 (February 2026) directs the Department of War to secure long‑term coal‑fired power for defence and other mission‑critical US facilities under the declared national energy emergency. This entrenches federal policy support for coal‑based baseload in critical infrastructure, reshaping expectations for the US power mix, emissions trajectories, and ESG risk planning for utilities and large energy users tied to these loads.

10 Apr 2026, 10:56govinfo.govUnited States

UK Extends Emissions Trading Scheme to Domestic Maritime Activities From July 2026

From 1 July 2026, the UK extends its Emissions Trading Scheme to cover greenhouse gas emissions from large domestic maritime activities, requiring operators of ships ≥5,000 GT calling at UK ports to monitor, verify and report CO₂, CH₄ and N₂O emissions and to surrender UK ETS allowances against them.[^1^](http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2026/392/pdfs/uksi_20260392_en.pdf) This creates a new carbon‑cost and compliance regime for UK‑linked shipping, meaning maritime operators must quickly establish monitoring plans, data systems and allowance strategies ahead of first reporting in March 2027 and the initial surrender deadline in April 2028.[^1^](http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2026/392/pdfs/uksi_20260392_en.pdf)

10 Apr 2026, 10:44legislation.gov.ukUnited Kingdom

Taiwan Ministry of Environment Simplifies GHG Inventory Reporting for Chain Businesses Ahead of 30 April 2026 Deadline

Taiwan’s Ministry of Environment has launched simplified greenhouse‑gas inventory reporting tools for chain businesses and reminded newly regulated enterprises to register and upload their 2025 emissions reports by 30 April 2026. This streamlines compliance while tightening inclusion of franchised outlets, so multi‑site retailers, telecoms, transport operators and large service providers need to align data systems and governance quickly to avoid non‑compliance and support Taiwan’s net‑zero transition.

10 Apr 2026, 10:28enews.moenv.gov.twTaiwan

Environmental Standards Scotland Adopts 2026–2031 Strategy for Environmental Law Oversight

Environmental Standards Scotland has adopted a five‑year Strategy 2026–2031, clarifying how it will use its statutory powers to oversee the implementation and effectiveness of environmental law in Scotland. The plan signals that climate change, biodiversity, circular‑economy/resource efficiency and water quality will be the main lenses for ESS scrutiny and enforcement, increasing attention on public bodies and regulated operators whose activities drive impacts in these areas.

10 Apr 2026, 10:16environmentalstandards.scotUnited Kingdom

EU Parliament ENVI Proposes CAP 2028–2034 Amendments on Pesticides, Irrigation and Protein Crops (Amendments 779–987)

EU Parliament’s ENVI committee proposed amendments to the 2028–2034 CAP implementation rules, seeking to block funding for practices using hazardous pesticides and intensive livestock operations in nutrient hotspots. These proposals signal a shift toward stricter environmental conditionality, pressuring the agricultural supply chain to accelerate the transition toward bio-based alternatives and precision irrigation.

9 Apr 2026, 17:49europarl.europa.euEuropean Union

Norway Publishes 2026 Special Tax Rates Including CO2 and Fluorinated Gas Taxes

Norway has finalized its 2026 special tax rates, implementing significant 16-17% increases for CO2 and fluorinated greenhouse gases (HFCs, PFCs, SF6). This sharp escalation in carbon and F-gas pricing signals a continued shift toward higher fiscal penalties for high-GWP substances and fossil fuel consumption.

9 Apr 2026, 17:47regjeringen.noNorway

Dutch Government Reports to Parliament on EU Environment Council Debates on CO2 Car Norms, ETS and Bioeconomy

EU ministers debated lowering the 2035 vehicle CO2 reduction target to 90% and establishing long-term certainty for the EU ETS and bioeconomy frameworks. This signals a potential shift toward technology-neutral transport decarbonization and upcoming bio-based content mandates for the chemicals and packaging sectors.

9 Apr 2026, 17:42zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nlNetherlandsEuropean Union