In South Asia, a region facing rapid economic growth, immense population pressure, and high climate vulnerability, the circular economy (CE) has become a critical imperative for sustainable development. This study provides a comparative overview of the CE landscape across eight South Asian countries: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. The analysis reveals the CE transition is nascent region-wide, though India has advanced its policy landscape through a comprehensive suite of rules and missions and Pakistan is developing a national policy. The primary focus remains on waste management, evidenced by programs like Bhutan’s ‘Zero Waste by 2030’ vision, the Maldives’ Single-Use Plastic Phase-Out Plan, and Sri Lanka’s Clean Sri Lanka Programme. While Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is emerging for plastics and e-waste in India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan, a significant “policy-practice gap” persists, undermined by weak enforcement and governance fragmented across priority sectors like plastics, food systems, and textiles. Most major CE initiatives are catalyzed by international development partners, with regional programs playing a key role in funding innovation. Finally, while the informal sector is the backbone of material recovery, ensuring a just transition that improves working conditions and secures livelihoods remains a critical challenge. The absence of a cohesive regional framework limits collaboration. Scaling the circular economy in South Asia requires integrated national strategies, prioritizing a just transition for the informal sector, and establishing a regional platform for policy harmonization to create self-sustaining system through multi-sectoral involvement, including the business sector.
Booking for the EIG 2026 Conference in Liverpool is now open: https://www.eigconferences.com/ There will be the usual plenary opening session, including an introduction to the geology of North West England by Professor Peter Burgess, University of Liverpool, and the Ansel Dunham Memorial Lecture by Fiona McEvoy of NWS. This will be followed by parallel sessions, from a variety of geotechnical and quarry design case studies and overviews of professional practice to prospecting, geomorphological quarry restoration, low carbon resources and the water environment. Conference programme can be downloaded here: https://www.eigconferences.com/s/EIG-2026-Liverpool-Programme-May6th.pdf Delegate booking, trade stands and sponsorship opportunities are here: https://www.eigconferences.com/2026-conference NB Delegate Early Bird deadline 30th June 2026.
As Australia prepares to take on a leadership role in COP31, including as President of Negotiations, there are opportunities to get involved. COP is the world's leading climate summit. It brings together governments, businesses, communities and civil society to drive climate action. COP31 is a significant opportunity for Australia as we partner with Türkiye and the Pacific to deliver this event. COP31 will taking place in Antalya, Türkiye, from 9 to 20 November 2026. As President of Negotiations, Australia will play a key role in guiding negotiations and driving ambition. We will also help shape practical outcomes that drive implementation of the Paris Agreement. This is an opportunity for Australia to share our leadership, innovation and clean energy progress with the world. Check out the following opportunities to learn how you can contribute. COP31 Australian Pavilion event proposals Each year, Australia hosts a pavilion at COP. This year will include a special focus on the clean energy transition, including electrification and its benefits for households. As well as our unique partnership with the Pacific. You can help shape how we showcase Australian climate action to the world at the COP31 Australian Pavilion. Submit a proposal for an event, discussion or content to feature in the program: Submissions close Friday 31 July. Each event proposal needs its own form submission. We encourage organisations to coordinate through one key contact person. Details are on our Engagement Hub(external link). COP31 Climate Conference Travel Support Program The COP31 Climate Conference Travel Support Program is now open. We welcome people from across Australia to apply. We want to reflect the diverse people, sectors and activities that contribute to Australian climate action. This includes applications from First Nations Australians and young people aged 18 to 35, as well as people from regional communities and other groups who are often less well represented in the COP process. Submissions close Monday 27 July. Grant is listed on GrantConnect(external link). Application details, including eligibility and assessment criteria to be addressed by applicant organisations, are outlined in the Grant Opportunity Guidelines(external link). If you have any questions, contact business.gov.au(external link) or call 13 28 46. Read more COP31 Australia-Pacific website COP Engagement Hub(external link)
130 projects encompassing 364 threatened species to receive funding of £60 million from Natural England’s Species Recovery Programme
Australia has welcomed the latest draft decision on the Great Barrier Reef from the UNESCO World Heritage Centre. The draft decision will be considered at the 48th session of the World Heritage Committee to be held in Busan, Republic of Korea, 19 to 29 July 2026. The decision recognises Australia’s work to protect and manage the Great Barrier Reef. It highlights the strong steps Australia is taking to build the Reef’s resilience. This includes action to mitigate climate change impacts, improve water quality, support sustainable fishing, and control crown-of-thorns starfish outbreaks. This recognition follows more than 10 years of close work between the Australian and Queensland governments. Since 2014, more than $5.3 billion has been invested by the Australian and Queensland governments to protect and restore the Reef. Read more Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area Australia welcomes UNESCO's draft decision recognising strong Great Barrier Reef protection | Ministers(external link)
An Indigenous Protected Area (IPA) dedication ceremony has been held to celebrate the Ngurra Kayanta IPA in Western Australia's Great Sandy Desert. The Ngurra Kayanta IPA adds more than 1.9 million hectares to Australia's National Reserve System. It will support Traditional Owners to continue caring for their Country across a large area of northeastern Western Australia. The landscape is home to several threatened species, including: greater bilby night parrot princess parrot red goshawk. Management activities will focus on protecting biodiversity through: invasive animal and weed control surveying and monitoring programs. The Ngurra Kayanta Aboriginal Corporation will continue to work closely with Traditional Owners and partners to manage the IPA and deliver positive outcomes for Country. Read more Indigenous Protected Areas
Release Date: July 7, 2026 BATON ROUGE – A Disaster Recovery Center has opened in Avoyelles Parish to help Louisianians continue their recovery from Tropical Storms Arthur that occurred June 17-18. Residents and business owners in Avoyelles, St. Landry, St. Tammany and Terrebonne parishes can visit the center in Mansura to get in-person help applying for federal assistance, learn about available resources and get their questions answered. Recovery specialists from the state of Louisiana, FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration will be available to meet with visitors – no appointment is needed. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is offering low-interest disaster loans to Louisiana businesses, private nonprofit (PNP) organizations, homeowners and renters. To apply online, visit sba.gov/disaster. For more information, call 800-659-2955. The center will be open Monday, July 6 through Friday, July 10 at: LSU AgCenter 8592 Highway 1, Mansura, LA 71350 Hours: Monday 1 p.m. – 4 p.m., Tuesday – Friday 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Centers are equipped with assistive technology. If you need a reasonable accommodation or sign language interpreter, please call 833-285-7448 (press 2 for Spanish). You do not have to visit a center to apply for FEMA disaster assistance. The quickest way to apply is by going online at disasterassistance.gov/. If you need more information or additional help: Download the FEMA App to complete your application and find other resources. Call the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362 between 6 a.m. and 1 a.m. Central time for assistance in multiple languages. Visit a Disaster Recovery Center. To find one in your area, click here. If you use a relay service, such as video relay (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA your number for that service. To view an accessible video about how to apply visit: Three Ways to Register for FEMA Disaster Assistance - YouTube. For more information, visit fema.gov/disaster/4927. Follow FEMA Region 6 on social media at x.com/FEMARegion6 and at facebook.com/FEMARegion6/. Download Press Release PDF Accessible TXT Tags: Region 6 Louisiana 4927 Individual Assistance News & Media Newsroom Articles