To Save Nature, Countries Should Eliminate Subsidies That Harm Forests

cleantechnica.com Oct 13, 2026

To Save Nature, Countries Should Eliminate Subsidies That Harm Forests

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Oct 13, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

A new NRDC report reveals that EU and UK governments allocated €16 billion in 2024 to bioenergy and other sectors that drive forest loss, including commercial logging, agriculture, transport, and housing. Bioenergy subsidies alone total €3.9 billion, with additional tax breaks of €3.7 billion, despite the sector’s misclassification as carbon‑neutral. Across 15 European nations, €18 billion in forest‑harmful subsidies were disbursed from 2023‑2025, unchanged each year. The findings will inform discussions at the upcoming Convention on Biological Diversity, where Target 18 calls for a €500 billion annual reduction in harmful incentives.

💡 Why It Matters

· The data expose a systemic policy failure that fuels deforestation and undermines climate goals, showing that billions earmarked for “green” projects are actually eroding ecosystems.
· This evidence could pressure governments to realign subsidies, directly influencing global biodiversity and carbon‑budget outcomes.

Capsules Policies

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Reinforcing the ETS SMAP to Guarantee Long-term Shipping Decarbonisation

The European Union’s Emissions Trading System (ETS) introduces the Sustainable Maritime Action Plan (SMAP) to support the maritime sector’s shift to clean fuels and propulsion technologies. The plan allocates an estimated €15 billion between 2028 and 2040, aiming to stimulate production and use of green e‑fuels, which could reach 4.6 million tonnes in less than a decade under the FuelEU targets. Critics argue SMAP’s current design may not sufficiently incentivize long‑term e‑fuel projects, urging stronger long‑term offtake agreements and prioritisation of e‑fuels over short‑term alternatives.

💡 By earmarking billions for e‑fuel development, the EU seeks to lock in maritime decarbonisation pathways and secure a competitive edge in green shipping technology. The debate over SMAP’s adequacy underscores the urgency of aligning policy incentives with the capital‑intensive realities of e‑fuel production.

cleantechnica.com · Oct 13

Trump’s Dirty Energy Double Whammy: Pay More for Fuel & Power—and Use…

The Trump administration’s energy policies have driven gasoline prices up nearly 50% nationwide since February 28, 2026, costing households an average of $540 in added fuel expenses over seven months. The administration’s repeal of clean‑vehicle standards and attacks on clean‑energy projects have increased electricity rates by 15.1% and projected a 40% rise in gasoline consumption. These moves benefit oil and gas billionaires while raising consumer costs, health expenses, and threatening future clean‑energy jobs.

💡 By dismantling fuel‑efficiency rules, the administration has directly inflated consumer fuel costs and entrenched fossil‑fuel dependence, undermining long‑term climate goals and economic resilience.

cleantechnica.com · Oct 12

EU Passenger Package: A Golden Opportunity to Maximise Green Travel

The EU Passenger Package, aimed at enhancing passenger rights and modernising rail ticketing, falls short of EU climate goals and its rail policy agenda. It restricts the hosting obligation to neighbouring countries, limiting the modal shift from air to rail. The proposal would require major booking platforms to sell tickets for longer routes, but the current geographic scope is too narrow to make long‑distance rail competitive with flights. Expanding the scope to include capital cities within 1500 km could boost rail’s attractiveness and support the High‑Speed Rail Plan.

💡 By tightening cross‑border ticketing, the EU could accelerate a shift from high‑emission air travel to greener rail, directly addressing the transport sector’s growing carbon footprint.

techcrunch.com · Oct 12

Microsoft president says UK is best placed to drive AI regulation

Microsoft President Brad Smith urged immediate global AI regulation on a BBC podcast, arguing that everyday consumer goods receive more oversight than AI developers. He described AI as both “a weapon and a tool” that threatens cybersecurity and said the “moment has arrived” for safety rules. Smith claimed the United Kingdom, not the United States or the EU, is best positioned to lead, citing the AI Security Institute’s access to frontier models and its rapid rise as a testing hub. He warned that voluntary self‑regulation only captures “good companies,” leaving irresponsible actors unchecked. Smith outlined proposals such as mandatory breach alerts, external evaluator approval before deployment, and kill‑switch mechanisms to halt out‑of‑control systems.

💡 The UK’s emerging authority could set the benchmark for enforceable AI safeguards, forcing risky developers worldwide to meet a higher compliance bar.

universitytimes.ie · Oct 12

The Social Media Ban: A Necessary Measure or an Unfair Transgression?

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced a EU‑wide ban on social‑media access for children under 13 and limited use for 13‑ to 15‑year‑olds during her State of the Union speech on September 16. The proposal, part of the EU Kids Act, would require platforms to offer “mini‑accounts” supervised by parents, restrict daily use to one hour for the 13‑15 age group, and allow unrestricted accounts only for those 15 and older. Companies would be obliged to prove their services are “safe by design” or face fines up to 6 % of global annual revenue. The draft now heads to negotiations with the European Parliament and Council, sparking debate over child safety versus regulatory overreach and will shape digital policy across Europe.

💡 It forces tech firms to redesign core features for minors, setting a precedent for enforceable child‑protection standards worldwide.

btin.co.in · Oct 11

Starlink India Launch: What Must Happen Before You Can Buy It?

Starlink, operated by SpaceX, has secured initial authorisations to offer satellite broadband in India but cannot launch commercial services until it receives spectrum allocation and final security clearances. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has granted a Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite (GMPCS) licence and the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN‑SPACe) has approved the project, yet radio frequency assignment remains pending. Elon Musk has urged an affordable pricing strategy, but no Indian subscription rate has been announced. The delay underscores India’s regulatory framework, which separates licensing from frequency use and security approval.

💡 The hold‑up highlights the strict separation between telecom licensing and spectrum allocation in India, a hurdle that could set a precedent for future satellite broadband entrants.