Global Scans · Decarbonization · Weekly Summary

• [New] The six-year USMCA/CUSMA review will reopen rules of origin, auto, agriculture, and procurement; the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism will shift from reporting to cost in 2026, pricing emissions into inputs; and the U.S.-China rivalry will continue to widen export controls and subsidies. Ivey Business School
• [New] For ResourceWise, 2026 represents a pivotal year in which trade dynamics, capacity rationalization, carbon-related value creation and capital discipline will continue to reshape the global pulp, paper and forest products industry. Paper Advance
• [New] Maryland has set a goal of 1.1 million zero emission vehicles by 2030 (25% of the estimated 4.4 million registered passenger cars and light trucks). Tesla Motors Club
• [New] The carbon intensity of the UK power grid rose last year, for the first time since 2021, highlighting the challenge that Britain faces in achieving its Clean Power 2030 goal. EconCurrent's Substack
• [New] If LESS or a similar standard gains broad acceptance in Europe - including among producers, buyers, and regulators - 2026 could mark the birth of credible lead markets for low-emission steel. EUROMETAL - The Voice of European Steel, Tubes and Meta
• [New] The US enters a period of uncertainty as the new administration signals a shift away from federal green-industry goals, creating a more fragmented landscape where state-level incentives and corporate demand - rather than national policy - will shape the trajectory of low-carbon steel. EUROMETAL - The Voice of European Steel, Tubes and Meta
• [New] Many of Europe's leading decarbonization investments hinge on the ETS' long-term price signal to predict future competitiveness. Clean Energy Wire
• [New] TotalEnergies announced a US$ 100 million contribution toward decarbonization technologies, including methane detection, carbon capture, and energy-efficiency solutions, signaling a shift in how the oil and gas sector envisions its future. Vidya
• [New] Power sourcing will persist as a central theme in 2026, with data center operators continuing to adopt a diverse array of power solutions, including natural gas turbines with carbon capture, HVO-fueled back-up generators, wind, solar, geothermal, and battery storage. DataCenterKnowledge
• [New] The ocean is the planet's largest carbon sink, the backbone of global trade, a critical source of food and energy, and the frontline of climate vulnerability. Countercurrents
• [New] The One Ocean Partnership, which launched at COP 30, aims to mobilize $20 billion for coastal resilience, blue-carbon ecosystems, and ocean protection; create 20 million blue jobs worldwide; and restore 20 million hectares of marine ecosystems by 2030. Countercurrents
• [New] Success in 2026 will depend on embracing a holistic view that moves decarbonization from conversations about carbon and climate to ones of adaptive organizations that build value and resiliency. Edie
• [New] Under President Joe Biden's 2050 net-zero goal, the US passed laws to invest in green infrastructure like electric vehicle charging and battery storage and offer tax rebates for clean technology like hydrogen production and carbon sequestration. New Scientist
• [New] A carrots with quick stick scenario, in which a carbon price is imposed in 2035, would phase out most fossil fuels, reducing energy system emissions by more than 80% by 2050. New Scientist
• [New] Pulp mills will prove out their carbon capture and storage plans in 2026, alongside expanded production of crude tall oil and biofuels, all of which will require ESG credentials. ResourceWise
• [New] Microplastics could be impacting the oceans' ability to absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) which is critical for regulating Earth's temperature. The Times Of India
• [New] The EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, for example, will be phased in starting in 2026, initially targeting high-carbon industries like cement, steel, and aluminum. Council Fire
• [New] Demand for voluntary carbon credits could grow by 15 times or more by 2030, potentially offsetting 1.5 to 2.0 gigatons of CO2 annually [17]. Council Fire
• [New] Both Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi aim to achieve low-carbon mobility by 2030, requiring all public buses to run on electricity or other clean energy sources. Reccessary
• [New] More than half plan to expand carbon credit use by 2030, signalling rising confidence, appetite and capacity to engage. SE Advisory Services
• [New] By 2030, transition risk from Scope 3 emissions could drive more than $500 billion in global annual liabilities from potential carbon pricing based on a sample of firms reporting Scope 3 emissions to EcoVadis. MHL News
• [New] By 2026, sustainability in 2026 will be defined by integrated strategies that address carbon, nature and risk together. Tunley Environmental
• [New] Sustainability predictions in 2026 show carbon moving from a reporting metric to a direct financial and operational risk. Tunley Environmental

Last updated: 11 January 2026