This week in sustainability, we are covering the story that almost no mainstream business outlet is connecting properly: the carbon removal market just lost 96% of its demand overnight, a global energy war is reshaping every supply chain assumption we had, and some of the biggest corporate climate commitments are quietly being walked back.

I cover ten stories ranked by impact, including: the Microsoft carbon removal pause, Delta Air Lines downgrading its net-zero goal from a target to an "aspiration", China's accelerating dominance in renewable energy, why EU Deforestation Regulation compliance is still failing one in three businesses, and the EV surge driven not by policy — but by war.

If your organisation has net-zero commitments, a sustainability reporting obligation, or any exposure to energy costs or supply chains — this week matters.

Find out more about how 51toCarbonZero supports large organisations with carbon strategy and reporting: https://www.51tocarbonzero.com

Interested in our referral programme for sustainability consultants and advisors? https://www.51tocarbonzero.com/referral/

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I'm Will Richardson, Head of Ecosystems at 51toCarbonZero and a sustainability advisor with 25 years in the field. I founded Green Element in 2004 and spent two decades building it into one of Europe's most respected sustainability consultancies before it merged with 51toCarbonZero in November 2025. Climate action is both an obligation and an opportunity, and that's the thread running through everything I write here. I co-created Compare Your Footprint, carbon accounting software recognised as a key player in the Global Carbon Accounting Software Market, and I'm a Fellow of IEMA and a Chartered Environmentalist. Each week, I break down what's actually happening in sustainability: the data, the regulation, the greenwash worth calling out, and the practical steps businesses can take right now. No jargon, no doom-mongering, just clear thinking for people who need to make real decisions. I also host the Sustainability Solved podcast with Charlie Luxton, 200+ episodes and counting, where we talk to the people building the solutions. Based in Scotland. Writing for business leaders who want sustainability to make commercial sense, not just moral sense.

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UPCOMING WEBINAR: The Scope 3 Blind Spot: What Your Supplier Data Isn't Telling You

Scope 3 emissions are often the biggest contributor to an organisation’s carbon footprint, yet many businesses are making decisions based on incomplete, outdated or estimated supplier data. In this webinar, we’ll explore the biggest blind spots in supplier emissions data, why they matter for reporting and decarbonisation, and how leading organisations are moving beyond spreadsheets and assumptions to build a more accurate, scalable approach to Scope 3. LIVE ATTENDANCE BONUS: complimentary gap audit of your top 10 suppliers. Wednesday 16 September | 1pm BST https://www.51tocarbonzero.com/webinar-supply-chain/

September Webinar