Search Climate Insights Directory

The document identifies over 59 hazardous substances in EU carpets, including carcinogens and endocrine disruptors, which pose risks to consumers, workers, and the environment. It highlights a regulatory gap where recycled materials are subject to less stringent health standards than virgin materials, potentially perpetuating toxic exposure. To address this, the report recommends the adoption of a specific carpet directive, the implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), and the introduction of an ambitious EU ecolabel for textile floor coverings.

The document presents a comprehensive dataset of iron and zinc concentrations in wheat and corn flours, including fortified and non-fortified samples. It details the brand, producer, and specific iron sources (such as ferrous fumarate, ferrous sulphate, and electrolytic iron) for products across multiple Mexican states and imported brands.

The document presents a detailed dataset of iron and zinc concentrations in various wheat and corn flour products sold in Mexico. It includes quantitative results (mg/kg) for each sample, comparing them against lower and upper limits, and provides comprehensive metadata on the samples, including brand, producer, commercializer, and the specific iron compounds used for fortification.

The report identifies that carpets sold in the EU can contain 59 harmful substances, including carcinogens and endocrine disruptors, which pose risks to human health and the environment. These chemicals hinder recycling efforts and contaminate water and air during production and disposal. The document advocates for stricter EU regulations, the implementation of extended producer responsibility (EPR), and the adoption of ecodesign standards to eliminate hazardous substances and promote a circular economy in the carpet industry.

The statement warns that adopting GWP* would allow the livestock industry to greenwash emissions and undermine the Paris Agreement's 1.5°C target. It recommends maintaining GWP100 or GWP20 for reporting and mitigation policies.

The policy brief critiques the European Commission's proposed approach to reducing acrylamide—a probable carcinogen—in food, arguing that voluntary industry measures have failed. It advocates for the transition from 'indicative values' to legally binding maximum levels and a shift from industry self-monitoring to rigorous oversight by national Food Safety Agencies.

The Methane Matters Consortium argues that the EU's Vision for Food and Agriculture ignores the critical need to reduce methane emissions from animal agriculture. The authors state that over 50% of EU methane emissions originate from agriculture and that current voluntary measures are insufficient. They recommend establishing binding methane reduction targets, reforming the Common Agricultural Policy to support farmers in reducing herd sizes, and promoting plant-based diets to meet the goals of the Global Methane Pledge.

The methodology employs two internationally recognised testing systems—the GyroWash (ISO 105-C06) and the Wascator (ISO 6330)—to measure microfibre shedding from 51 garments made of cotton, polyester, recycled polyester, polyamide, and recycled polyamide. The GyroWash uses standardised 4 x 10 cm fabric samples to provide precise fibre counts and length measurements, while the Wascator simulates full-garment domestic laundering to determine total shed mass. To ensure consistency, both systems used identical temperature (40 °C ± 2 °C), duration (30 minutes), and mechanical action without detergents. The study included blank controls and specific sample preparation, such as sealing cut edges with adhesive, to prevent contamination and ensure that fibre release resulted solely from mechanical and thermal stresses.

The report concludes that breastmilk substitute (BMS) manufacturers use product differentiation and 'premium' branding to increase profits rather than to improve nutritional outcomes. Analysis of over 400 products from Nestlé, Danone, Mead Johnson Nutrition, and Abbott across 14 markets reveals that formulation variations are often based on market research and consumer willingness to pay rather than scientific rationale. This is particularly evident in high-growth Asian markets, where 'super-premium' formulas can cost a significant portion of a family's monthly salary.

The European Union is the global leader in biogas production, reaching 22.8 billion m3 in 2024. While promoted as a renewable energy source, the report argues that the sector risks causing significant environmental harm through methane leakages, the incentivisation of industrial animal farming, and the use of food crops as feedstock. It further contends that the injection of biomethane into existing gas grids may postpone the transition to truly sustainable energy systems by locking in fossil gas infrastructure. The report examines the policy landscapes of seven European countries, noting that while most support biogas expansion, regulatory safeguards against these environmental risks are often insufficient. It also details the role of major oil, gas, utility, and agri-food companies in the sector and identifies the primary financial institutions providing credit and investment to biogas producers.

The authors argue that the current RED III methodology over-credits manure-based biomethane by using unrealistic baseline assumptions for manure management and incorrectly treating manure as a zero-emission waste feedstock. They call for a revision of the default avoided-emissions credit and a reassessment of system boundaries to include upstream livestock emissions.

The report analyzes EFSA data from 2007-2014, finding that acrylamide levels in many European foods remain unchanged or are increasing despite voluntary industry 'toolboxes'. It highlights significant benchmark exceedances in baby foods and specific products in Belgium and Denmark, concluding that the European Commission's proposal to mandate codes of practice without setting enforceable legal limits is insufficient to protect consumers.

The report identifies various hazardous substances, including phthalates, flame retardants, and PFAS, in carpets from leading European brands, arguing that current self-regulation and EU laws are insufficient to protect consumers and enable safe recycling.

The report examines the industrial aquaculture sector's dependence on fishmeal and fish oil (FMFO), highlighting how the extraction of forage fish disrupts marine food webs and undermines food security in vulnerable coastal regions. It criticizes the lack of transparency in supply chains and the inadequacy of current certification schemes, while calling for a transition toward herbivorous species and alternative proteins to protect ocean health.

The report examines the carpet industry in Europe, finding that despite sustainability claims, the vast majority of carpets end up in landfills or incinerators. It highlights a significant gap between the environmental commitments of leading manufacturers like Interface and Desso and their actual recycling rates, which are estimated at 1.5% and 3% respectively. The document identifies specific systemic failures in France's events sector and Germany's waste management infrastructure, and calls for immediate regulatory action, including the inclusion of carpets in the Eco-design Directive.

The report examines how the plastics industry uses voluntary commitments and lobbying to obstruct mandatory legislation. In China, it highlights a reliance on biodegradable plastics over systemic recycling and details how industry interference allegedly prevented the implementation of a deposit return system in Hainan province.

The report details how a network of industry associations and lobby groups, including PlasticsEurope and EUROPEN, worked to weaken the EU's circular economy goals and the Single-Use Plastics Directive. It highlights specific efforts to avoid mandatory tethered bottle caps and to delay separate collection targets. In Austria, the report describes a coalition of retailers and beverage companies, orchestrated by Altstoff Recycling Austria AG (ARA), that has lobbied against the introduction of a deposit return system despite strong public support and evidence of its effectiveness.

The report finds that Swiss retailers largely fail to ensure sustainable aquaculture supply chains, with none meeting half of the assessed sustainability indicators. It highlights the ecological and social risks of using wild fish for aquaculture feed, the inadequacy of current certification labels, and the poor state of fish welfare in farms. The authors advocate for the decoupling of aquaculture from wild fisheries through alternative feeds and the promotion of herbivorous fish species.

The statement calls for a binding global treaty on plastic pollution that addresses the full lifecycle of plastics and ensures a just transition for vulnerable communities. The signatories argue that a consensus-based approach is no longer viable due to obstruction by a minority of low-ambition states and urge the use of voting to secure enforceable rules to reduce global production.