United Kingdom: Environment

The European Commission's ambitious plan to simplify environmental product regulations is actually transforming them into a more digital, interconnected, and enforceable framework that could significantly impact investment decisions.

The UK's ambitious Clean Power 2030 strategy and Great Grid Upgrade face a critical planning challenge that threatens to derail progress. As National Grid races to build new transmission lines for renewable energy, local authorities continue granting planning permissions for developments directly on proposed cable routes, forcing costly redesigns and delays.

As set out in the EPO’s recently-released Technology Dashboard 2025 (its annual summary of key figures and trends in patent activity), growth in the field of battery technologies continues unabated, with the number...

The European Commission's ambitious plan to simplify environmental product regulations is actually transforming them into a more digital, interconnected, and enforceable framework that could significantly impact investment decisions.

In December 2024, the EU’s Carbon Removal and Carbon Farming Certification Framework Regulation ("CRCF") (EU 2024/3012) was published, with the aim of establishing a harmonised, voluntary certification system for three main activities...

Before the development of modern weather forecasting, the average farmer, sailor, or event-planner had to get creative with weather predictions. Some methods were entirely superstitious...

White Papers, consultations, reports, updates – all pointing towards increased accountability, along with guidance on the implementation of sanctions and their enforcement when environment...

On 20 January 2026, the UK Government published its White Paper, "A New Vision for Water", setting out a comprehensive package to transform the water sector in England.

A New Vision for Water introduces reforms that organisations across the water supply chain, industry, agriculture, development and local government need to prepare for.

As set out in the EPO’s recently-released Technology Dashboard 2025 (its annual summary of key figures and trends in patent activity), growth in the field of battery technologies continues unabated, with the number...

The European Commission has unveiled a comprehensive package of measures designed to simplify the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), promising to slash annual compliance costs by approximately 75% while...

Battery technology advances are driving unprecedented growth in recycling innovation, with patent filings for end-of-life battery processing increasing seven-fold in the last decade. The European Patent Office's latest analysis reveals how the race to create a circular battery economy is accelerating, particularly in chemical transformation processes that could address critical material shortages and mounting waste concerns.