Mark and Focus desk
Institutions, regulation, policy frameworks, public administration, cooperation, and implementation capacity.
Primary analysis
From 17 September, every proposed Scottish data center above 50 megawatts requires an Environmental Impact Assessment. The direction converts an emerging set of energy, water, carbon and community concerns into evidence that must shape projects before consent.
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China’s HJ 1478-2026 standard narrows routine pollution-hazard checks toward higher-risk hidden infrastructure while making leak detection, fixed checklists, remediation ledgers and inspection cycles more specific for key regulated facilities.
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Conama has approved three linked national measures covering non-potable reuse of treated sewage, risk-tiered aquaculture licensing and updated effluent controls, joining water supply alternatives to pollution prevention and regulatory information.
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New guidance shows how England’s Nature Restoration Fund will let qualifying developers replace specified project-level mitigation with a levy, while Environmental Delivery Plans ration capacity and Natural England carries delivery and enforcement responsibility.
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EU member states have submitted draft national restoration plans.
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Poland’s cabinet-backed permit bill removes a preliminary review after new EU best-available-technique conclusions, replaces it with a 60-day notice, reallocates permits for nuclear and LNG support installations, and extends inspection authority offshore.
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China stopped accepting new-chemical filings on 15 August and now requires qualifying manufacturers and importers to obtain approval before market activity.
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France’s new ultra-fast-fashion malus can add up to 50 per cent to a garment’s price from 1 September.
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Japan has opened consultation on rules for a streamlined environmental-assessment document for replacement infrastructure.
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Canada’s 2026 Chemicals Management Plan notices require manufacturers, importers and users to report on 200 priority substances in two phases.
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