News and Updates

Carbon emission news, sector updates and SustainZone activities.

Stay informed with source backed carbon emission updates, policy changes, sector specific sustainability developments, events, platform progress and practical climate action from SustainZone.

0 Policy updates tracked
0 Sectors covered
0 Percent UK reduction target

Key carbon policy timeline

A quick view of the major policy moments that affect carbon reporting, carbon pricing and sector compliance.

2025

SAF Mandate starts

UK aviation fuel suppliers begin meeting Sustainable Aviation Fuel obligations.

2025

Packaging EPR invoices

Packaging EPR costs begin moving into operational payment phases.

2026

EU CBAM definitive period

Embedded carbon data becomes more important for covered imported goods.

2026

UK ETS maritime expansion

Domestic maritime emissions move into carbon pricing coverage.

2027

UK CBAM starts

UK importers prepare for carbon border adjustment requirements.

Latest carbon emission and sustainability changes

Compact update cards with the change, date, responsible organisation, affected sectors, business impact and source link.

Power plant emissions
UK Climate Policy June 2026

UK Government proposes Carbon Budget 7 with an 87 percent emissions reduction target.

The UK Government proposed a 2038 to 2042 carbon budget equal to around an 87 percent reduction from 1990 levels.

Changed byUK Government
SectorEnergy, transport, buildings and industry
What changed

Carbon Budget 7 proposes a limit of 535 MtCO2e for the 2038 to 2042 period.

Business impact

Businesses should expect stronger pressure to reduce emissions, improve data quality, electrify operations and provide evidence in procurement.

Source
Industrial factory pipework
EU CBAM 1 January 2026

EU CBAM entered its definitive period for carbon intensive imports.

The EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism strengthened requirements around embedded emissions for covered imported goods.

Changed byEuropean Commission
SectorSteel, aluminium, cement, fertilisers and hydrogen
What changed

The definitive period increases the importance of embedded carbon data for covered goods imported into the EU.

Business impact

Companies need stronger product level emissions data, supplier evidence and reporting processes for carbon intensive goods.

Source
Industrial chimney emissions
UK CBAM 1 January 2027

UK CBAM confirmed for selected carbon intensive imported goods.

The UK Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism will apply to selected imported goods from 1 January 2027.

Changed byUK Government, HM Treasury and HMRC
SectorImporters, manufacturing and construction
What changed

UK CBAM will apply to selected goods, with default emissions values expected for each CBAM good.

Business impact

UK businesses should prepare supplier data, product carbon information and internal reporting processes before 2027.

Source
Eco packaging cardboard box
Packaging EPR October 2025 and 2026

UK Packaging EPR moves into a stronger operational phase.

Packaging EPR invoices began moving into the operational phase, with ongoing payment and compliance activity.

Changed byUK Government, Defra and PackUK
SectorRetail, ecommerce, food, packaging and SMEs
What changed

PackUK confirmed that invoices would be sent to obligated producers from October 2025, with quarterly payments continuing into 2026.

Business impact

Businesses need accurate packaging data, material classification, recyclability evidence, finance preparation and cost forecasting.

Source
Aircraft refuelling at airport
Aviation Fuel Started in 2025

UK Sustainable Aviation Fuel Mandate started with increasing fuel obligations.

The UK SAF Mandate started at 2 percent of total UK jet fuel demand and rises over future years.

Changed byUK Government and Department for Transport
SectorAviation, airports, airlines and fuel suppliers
What changed

The mandate starts at 2 percent in 2025, rising to 10 percent in 2030 and 22 percent in 2040.

Business impact

Aviation related businesses need better visibility of fuel emissions, Scope 3 impacts, infrastructure readiness and cost exposure.

Source
Aircraft on runway
EU Aviation ETS 2026

EU aviation emissions allowances move to full auctioning.

Free allocation to aircraft operators was reduced in 2024 and 2025, moving to full auctioning by 2026.

Changed byEuropean Commission
SectorAviation, travel, tourism and fuel supply chains
What changed

The aviation sector moves away from free allowances, creating a stronger carbon cost signal.

Business impact

Airlines and aviation stakeholders need stronger efficiency, SAF, data tracking and emissions reduction planning.

Source
Ship sailing with emissions
UK ETS Maritime From July 2026

UK ETS expands to domestic maritime emissions.

The UK Emissions Trading Scheme expands to domestic maritime emissions and UK port emissions.

Changed byUK Government and UK ETS Authority
SectorShipping, ports, logistics and freight
What changed

The UK ETS expands to maritime, covering domestic journeys and emissions while in UK ports for vessels of 5,000 gross tonnage and above.

Business impact

Shipping carbon costs and emissions reporting may affect logistics planning, procurement decisions and Scope 3 transport calculations.

Source
Maritime shipping emissions
Maritime Regulation March 2026

UK maritime ETS amendment order sets out domestic shipping coverage.

The 2026 maritime amendment order sets out how UK ETS expansion applies to domestic maritime activities.

Changed byUK Parliament and DESNZ
SectorDomestic shipping, ports and maritime operators
What changed

The amendment order sets out the expansion of UK ETS to domestic maritime activities.

Business impact

Operators may need stronger monitoring, reporting and verification processes for maritime greenhouse gas emissions.

Source

What these updates mean by sector

Carbon policy changes do not affect every sector in the same way. The strongest pressure is now linked to product data, carbon pricing, procurement evidence and supply chain accountability.

01

Energy and Power

Carbon Budget 7 increases pressure for clean electricity, electrification, grid readiness and energy efficiency.

02

Manufacturing and Supply Chains

EU CBAM and UK CBAM create stronger demand for product level emissions data and supplier evidence.

03

Aviation and Airports

SAF obligations and aviation ETS changes increase focus on fuel emissions, airport Scope 3 and supplier emissions.

04

Transport, Shipping and Logistics

UK ETS maritime expansion creates new requirements for logistics emissions visibility and shipping data.

05

Retail, Packaging and Food

Packaging EPR increases the need for accurate packaging records, recyclability evidence and cost management.

06

Healthcare and NHS Suppliers

Suppliers need clearer carbon reduction plans, product emissions data and procurement evidence.

Hertfordshire County Show and Lord Lieutenant of Hertfordshire’s Entrepreneurs Challenge.

SustainZone was selected as a finalist for the Lord Lieutenant of Hertfordshire’s Entrepreneurs Challenge and participated at the Hertfordshire County Show with a dedicated stall on 23rd and 24th May.

The event gave us the opportunity to speak with local businesses, farmers, young people, visitors and community members about practical sustainability, carbon reporting, ESG readiness and how SMEs can start their sustainability journey.

Event Hertfordshire County Show
Date 23rd and 24th May
Recognition Finalist at the Lord Lieutenant of Hertfordshire’s Entrepreneurs Challenge
SustainZone stall at Hertfordshire County Show
SustainZone display at Hertfordshire County Show

Upcoming events and activities

SustainZone continues to engage with businesses, partners and communities through workshops, demonstrations, sector sessions and practical sustainability conversations.

Planned

Sustainability Workshops

Practical sessions for SMEs and suppliers on carbon reporting, EPR, SBTi, ESG evidence and tender expectations.

In Progress

Partner Demonstrations

Demonstrating SustainZone tools, emissions calculators, supplier portals and carbon reduction models.

Open

Community Engagement

Supporting public conversations around climate action, carbon emissions and practical sustainability.

Sector Focused

Industry Update Sessions

Focused sustainability discussions for healthcare, aviation, manufacturing, construction and finance.

Project and platform updates

Practical digital tools, simulation platforms and supplier focused solutions to support compliance, carbon reporting and sector specific sustainability action.

In Development EPR Compliance

EPR Packaging Calculator

Helping businesses organise packaging data, understand category breakdowns and prepare clearer EPR evidence.

In Development Aviation Sustainability

Airport Carbon Reduction Simulation

Scenario based planning for airport operations, infrastructure, surface transport and supply chain emissions.

Advanced Stage AI and Carbon Data

AI Auto Data Extraction and SBTi Platform

AI assisted extraction from invoices and PDFs to support emissions reporting and SBTi aligned planning.

Early Development Healthcare Sustainability

NHS Evergreen Supplier Portal

Helping NHS suppliers organise evidence, understand carbon expectations and improve sustainability readiness.

Supported through advisory, enterprise and collaboration networks.

SustainZone benefits from advisory and enterprise support through the University of Hertfordshire ecosystem. As part of the University of Hertfordshire incubator programme, and with our working base at the Enterprise Hub on the de Havilland Campus, we are developing our sustainability solutions in a collaborative innovation environment.

01 Advisory Support
02 Incubator Programme
03 Enterprise Hub Based
04 Open to Collaboration

Need help understanding what these updates mean for your business?

SustainZone helps organisations turn carbon emission updates, compliance changes and sector requirements into practical action plans, measurable reduction pathways and clear sustainability evidence.

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