Global Scans · Environment · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT:? Our natural environment is under ever-increasing threat. Landscape and ocean adaptation plus stabilizing biodiversity strategies will play an important role in maintaining global food productivity as climate changes. Evidence is mounting that any economic strategy that ignores carbon pollution will impose tremendous costs on the global economy and will result in fewer jobs and less economic growth over the long term. The global market for commercial "Earth observation" data is expected to hit $3.5 billion by 2024. Battles over environmental regulation could become particularly pointed in the coming years.

• [New] The growing use of space to support sustainability and security on Earth will lead to more adverse impacts on the space environment. Stanford Emerging Technology Review
• [New] Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) blending volumes have continued to increase as well, with the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) setting higher blending volumes for 2026 and 2027. Resources for the Future
• [New] With arms control agreements collapsing and arsenals expanding, the risk of nuclear war - deliberate or accidental - is rising in a fragile global environment. Pearls and Irritations
• [New] Expanding Low Earth Orbit satellite broadband could help narrow global connectivity gaps and generate substantial economic benefits by extending high-quality internet access to unserved and underserved communities. Oxford Economics
• [New] Oxford Economics today released a report finding that expanded low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite broadband services could add between $32 billion and $863 billion to global GDP by 2035 and support between 800,000 and 21 million jobs worldwide by 2035. US Press Center
• [New] The potential restructuring of British Steel could expand the supply of low embodied carbon materials and stimulate broader resource efficiency in construction, bolstering national capacity for decarbonising the built environment. Whole Life Carbon
• [New] China has 168 satellites in low Earth orbit for a constellation called Guowang, with plans to deploy 12,992 by the early 2030s. Global Recon
• [New] Beyond environmental concerns, 2026 will see a heightened focus on the human element of sustainable fashion. BindasLook.in
• [New] The meeting between Trump and Xi will likely focus narrowly on trade and export controls - including tariffs, Chinese purchases of US goods such as soybeans, energy, and airplanes, and stable rare earth flows. financialpost
• [New] Trump is expected to push for reduced US dependence on China's dominant position in rare earth minerals, the critical inputs for everything from electric vehicles to missile guidance systems. Crypto Briefing
• [New] For the next leg of the Artemis program, the Artemis III crew will fly in the Orion spacecraft to low Earth orbit and test docking capabilities with Blue Origin and SpaceX's landers, or whichever one is ready. Engadget
• [New] The solidarity and unity of ASEAN will become even more salient in the new global environment characterised by a more fragmented and competitive geopolitical landscape. ST
• [New] As UK aviation regulatory frameworks for eVTOL operations mature and certification standards are formally published and enforced, regulatory clarity will provide the investment confidence and operational permission environment required for commercial eVTOL service launch and fleet scale-up. Mobility Foresights
• [New] Airlines face tightening emissions mandates - the EU's ReFuelEU Aviation regulation, EASA environmental requirements, and CORSIA offsetting obligations - that will require either SAF at volumes far beyond current production, radical improvements in airframe and engine efficiency, or both. BUSINESS 2.0 NEWS
• [New] Growing numbers of visitors bring risks including disease, invasive species and pollution to the delicate ecosystems of Antarctica and the remote sub-Antarctic islands that teem with bird life, sea lions and whales. gCaptain
• [New] Russian officials indicated plans to begin deploying a national orbital station in 2028, alongside development of a next-generation crewed spacecraft, as both countries evaluate the future of low Earth orbit infrastructure and continuity of human spaceflight operations. JD Supra
• [New] NASA is targeting late 2027 for the launch of Artemis 3, which will fly four astronauts to Earth orbit aboard an Orion space capsule. Space
• [New] The Federal Reserve will keep rates higher for longer, speculative assets usually face a tougher environment. investing.com
• With global demand for passenger transport expected to nearly triple by 2050, an expansion of efficient, affordable public transport is critical in helping address the climate crisis and toxic air pollution. The Guardian
• With over 140 million objects orbiting the Earth at an average of ten times the speed of a bullet, space junk poses a significant risk to new satellites and communication constellations, as well as new space launches, like the recent Artemis II mission. Innovation News Network
• The increasing regulatory pressure from international bodies such as the IMO and regional maritime authorities incentivizes the deployment of autonomous solutions that can comply with stricter pollution standards while reducing operational costs and human exposure risks. Verified Market Reports
• The next five years will be pivotal in transforming marine drones from experimental prototypes into essential components of global ocean stewardship, with significant implications for environmental policy, corporate sustainability strategies, and technological innovation ecosystems. Verified Market Reports
• Breakthrough Opportunity Pockets Underserved geographies such as Southeast Asia and Africa, where marine pollution is acute but autonomous solutions are nascent. Verified Market Reports

Last updated: 16 May 2026