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.

Download full report This report provides documentation of AGTAM, the ABARES Global Trade and Agriculture Model. ABARES Global Trade and Agriculture Model (AGTAM) v1.0 - Model Documentation Download PDF - 2.5 MB Download Word - 3.2 MB If you have difficulty accessing these files, contact us for help. Overview Uncertainty, geopolitics, risk, and trade disruption have increased demand for understanding first, second and further order (i.e. direct and indirect) impacts of trade policy changes and supply shocks. With 70% of Australian agriculture exported, understanding these global influences is essential to understanding outcomes for the sector. ABARES developed the ABARES Global Trade and Agriculture Model (AGTAM) as these issues were coming to the fore. This paper documents the details of the model to inform public audiences and decision makers and provide transparency of the modelling techniques used by ABARES for relevant evidence-based analysis. AGTAM is a global, whole-of-economy model, with results reflecting direct and indirect effects. Key features of the model include an agriculture and food focus (with an enhanced disaggregation for cattle, sheep, beef and sheep meat), global bilateral trade flows at a commodity level, global investment flows, multiple time-periods (‘recursive dynamic’, with an option of variable time steps), options for sticky wage adjustment and unemployment, as well as for idle (i.e. unused) capital stock. AGTAM also hosts a suite of technical characteristics that provide it with quick turnaround time for running a large number of simulations needed in developing probability distributions of results, thereby allowing analysis of changes in risk-based outcomes.

A multi-component nutritional supplement has been found to improve markers of vascular health, in a randomised controlled trial led by the University of Surrey. The formulation combined ingredients (vitamins/minerals, amino acids and plant-derived bio actives) selected for their relevance to several biological processes associated with ageing. After six months, participants receiving the supplement, known as NOVOS Core, showed improvements in endothelial function, arterial stiffness and systolic blood pressure compared to those who did not receive the supplement. Blood vessel function improved within one hour of the first dose. During the study, Surrey scientists explored whether targeting multiple ageing-related processes simultaneously with a nutritional supplement could influence cardiovascular health biomarkers. These measures capture complementary aspects of vascular health and are associated with cardiovascular risk, although they are not clinical outcomes. Professor Christian Heiss, Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine at the University of Surrey, said: “Biological ageing is not driven by one pathway, but by a number of interacting molecular and cellular processes. The idea behind this study was to ask whether addressing several of these processes at the same time via a nutritional supplement could produce measurable effects on cardiovascular health biomarkers. “As a first step, we looked at established biomarkers of vascular health, such as blood pressure and cholesterol levels, rather than clinical outcomes. We found favourable changes in endothelial function, arterial stiffness and systolic blood pressure after six months. These findings are encouraging. We now need larger studies to understand the mechanisms involved and, importantly, whether these changes translate into longer-term health benefits.” Diogo Barardo, PhD, Director of R&D at NOVOS and a geroscientist, a scientist specialized in the biology of aging, said: “When we began developing NOVOS Core in 2019, our hypothesis was that simultaneously targeting all the hallmarks of aging, the fundamental biological processes underlying aging and age-related diseases, could produce measurable improvements in the organs and systems affected by aging. "The STAMINA results provide encouraging clinical evidence consistent with that hypothesis, demonstrating improvements across three measures of cardiovascular function, particularly meaningful given that cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death worldwide.” To learn more, 61 participants were recruited, 33 of whom received the supplement and 28 a placebo (control group). Participants were asked to consume the supplement or a placebo once daily for six months. Researchers found that flow-mediated dilation, a measure of endothelial function (regulation of blood vessel tone and blood clotting), improved in participants receiving the supplement compared with the control group. An improvement was also observed one hour after the first dose, while values remained largely unchanged in the control group. At six months, the adjusted between-group difference in systolic blood pressure was 6.1 mmHg, again favouring the supplement group. A difference was also observed one hour after the first dose. To put this effect size in context, previous large studies have found that a 5mmHg reduction in systolic blood pressure is associated with an approximately 10 percent reduction in major cardiovascular events when sustained over time. The present study was not designed to assess clinical outcomes. Pulse wave velocity, a measure of arterial stiffness, was also lower (indicating softer arteries), with an adjusted between-group difference of 1.18 m/s after six months. In addition, blood tests showed no significant changes in cholesterol or other blood lipids, suggesting that the observed changes in vascular markers were not explained by lipid lowering. Scientists also found that the estimated 10-year cardiovascular risk decreased modestly, largely reflecting the difference in systolic blood pressure. Professor Juliet Wright, Founding Dean of the School of Medicine at the University of Surrey, said: “This study is a good example of how ideas emerging from the biology of ageing can be tested rigorously in people. The findings provide an interesting proof of concept, but the important next step is to understand the underlying biology and establish whether changes in cardiovascular biomarkers translate into meaningful longer-term health benefits.” This study was published in the European Heart Journal Open (Link will go live when embargo lifts) Notes to editors The investigator-initiated study was supported by NOVOS Labs through provision of the study supplement known as NOVOS Core and matching control and an unrestricted contribution towards research costs. NOVOS Labs had no role in study design, collection or primary interpretation of the data, or the decision to publish. The University of Surrey researchers retained control of the study data. More about the trial: https://novoslabs.com/study/ For more information and to bid for an interview with Professor Heiss please contact mediarelations@surrey.ac.uk Paper title: 'Acute and 6-Month Vascular Effects of a Multi-Component Nutritional Supplement: Preliminary Findings from a Randomised Controlled Trial' DOI 10.1093/ehjopen/oeag157 Journal European Heart Journal Open DOI 10.1093/ehjopen/oeag157 Article Title Acute and 6-Month Vascular Effects of a Multi-Component Nutritional Supplement: Preliminary Findings from a Randomised Controlled Trial Article Publication Date 4-Nov-2026

From 12 June to 12 July 2026, the Ministry sought feedback on options to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from organic waste, as part of the Government’s second emissions reduction plan. This report provides a summary of the feedback received during the engagement period. Read the Sector Feedback Document PDF download,options to reduce emissions from organic waste summary of submissions, 1.2 MB DOCX download,options to reduce emissions from organic waste summary of submissions, 1.9 MB From 12 June to 12 July 2026, the Ministry sought feedback on options to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from organic waste, as part of the Government’s second emissions reduction plan. This report provides a summary of the feedback received during the engagement period. Read the Sector Feedback Document

Ministers, police, Mayors and local authorities join forces to target organised waste crime

The UK’s International Climate Finance is helping Bangladesh sustain clean, affordable electricity for millions of people in rural and off-grid communities.

Attend EGU27 with no registration fee by participating in our Accessibility and Inclusivity Advisory Group Some features of our web site require JavaScript to function properly. Please enable JavaScript in your browser. 4 November 2026 Over the last few years EGU has been working hard to make strides to improve accessibility and inclusion for our diverse cohort of members when attending the General Assembly. This has included examining the way we provide presentation spaces, facilitating engagement in presentations of various styles, providing all-gender bathrooms, quiet spaces, prayer and religious rooms in the conference center, scheduling regular breaks, improving the function of the meeting for parents and guardians of children, and more. However, our ability to identify inflexibilities in EGU’s conference design is often limited by our own experiences, so now we’d like to hear from you! EGU is giving out 10 on-site registration fee waivers and 5 virtual registration fee waivers to individuals who experience one of a diverse range of barriers to conference participation, in order to learn more about their experience during the General Assembly in 2027, EGU27. EGU27 will take place 4–9 April, 2027 in Vienna, Austria and online. In exchange for receiving a full registration fee waiver, we ask that the 15 recipients document and identify barriers or issues that they come across during the meeting – in the style of a ‘secret shopper’. This will comprise of completing forms before, during, and after the meeting, as well as having access to a contact person within the EGU staff for spontaneous reporting during the week. We hope that this initiative will reveal barriers that we were unaware of previously, allowing us to take steps to improve the accessibility of the meeting for the full diversity of scientists who are part of our community. To apply for this waiver and contribute to this group, please fill out this form by midnight CET 25 January 2027. We are particularly interested in members who have physical or mental disabilities or who are chronically ill, especially if you are someone who has faced barriers attending in-person meetings in the past. We also welcome applications from people with specific religious or gender-identity requirements, parents and/or carers, and people from under-represented groups at EGU, for instance due to race or sexuality. You are not required to disclose the nature of your circumstances, although that would be helpful in assisting us to make sure different types of experiences are represented by this group. The final selection of members of the Advisory Group will be made by staff from the EGU Executive Office with support from the EDI Committee. Any further questions, please contact Jane Roussak (general-assembly@egu.eu) More information The European Geosciences Union (EGU) is Europe’s premier geosciences union, dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in the Earth, planetary, and space sciences for the benefit of humanity, worldwide. It is a non-profit interdisciplinary learned association of scientists founded in 2002 with headquarters in Munich, Germany. The EGU publishes a number of diverse scientific journals that use an innovative open access format and organises topical meetings plus education and outreach activities. Its annual General Assembly is the largest and most prominent European geosciences event, attracting more than 21,000 scientists from all over the world. The meeting’s sessions cover a wide range of topics, including volcanology, planetary exploration, the Earth’s internal structure and atmosphere, climate, energy, and resources. Contact Jane Roussak EGU Events Manager Emailgeneral-assembly@egu.eu Links EDI Committee EGU27 General Assembly Share this Share on LinkedIn Share on Facebook Pin it Submit to Reddit Send email 4 November 2026 Over the last few years EGU has been working hard to make strides to improve accessibility and inclusion for our diverse cohort of members when attending the General Assembly. This has included examining the way we provide presentation spaces, facilitating engagement in presentations of various styles, providing all-gender bathrooms, quiet spaces, prayer and religious rooms in the conference center, scheduling regular breaks, improving the function of the meeting for parents and guardians of children, and more. However, our ability to identify inflexibilities in EGU’s conference design is often limited by our own experiences, so now we’d like to hear from you! EGU is giving out 10 on-site registration fee waivers and 5 virtual registration fee waivers to individuals who experience one of a diverse range of barriers to conference participation, in order to learn more about their experience during the General Assembly in 2027, EGU27. EGU27 will take place 4–9 April, 2027 in Vienna, Austria and online. In exchange for receiving a full registration fee waiver, we ask that the 15 recipients document and identify barriers or issues that they come across during the meeting – in the style of a ‘secret shopper’. This will comprise of completing forms before, during, and after the meeting, as well as having access to a contact person within the EGU staff for spontaneous reporting during the week. We hope that this initiative will reveal barriers that we were unaware of previously, allowing us to take steps to improve the accessibility of the meeting for the full diversity of scientists who are part of our community. To apply for this waiver and contribute to this group, please fill out this form by midnight CET 25 January 2027. We are particularly interested in members who have physical or mental disabilities or who are chronically ill, especially if you are someone who has faced barriers attending in-person meetings in the past. We also welcome applications from people with specific religious or gender-identity requirements, parents and/or carers, and people from under-represented groups at EGU, for instance due to race or sexuality. You are not required to disclose the nature of your circumstances, although that would be helpful in assisting us to make sure different types of experiences are represented by this group. The final selection of members of the Advisory Group will be made by staff from the EGU Executive Office with support from the EDI Committee. Any further questions, please contact Jane Roussak (general-assembly@egu.eu) More information The European Geosciences Union (EGU) is Europe’s premier geosciences union, dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in the Earth, planetary, and space sciences for the benefit of humanity, worldwide. It is a non-profit interdisciplinary learned association of scientists founded in 2002 with headquarters in Munich, Germany. The EGU publishes a number of diverse scientific journals that use an innovative open access format and organises topical meetings plus education and outreach activities. Its annual General Assembly is the largest and most prominent European geosciences event, attracting more than 21,000 scientists from all over the world. The meeting’s sessions cover a wide range of topics, including volcanology, planetary exploration, the Earth’s internal structure and atmosphere, climate, energy, and resources.