Month: March 2026

Office EU promises to protect European companies from US data sovereignty threat

Stuart Mitchell

In 2025, the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague decided to move its internal software system away from US tech giant Microsoft and onto an independent European open-source alternative provider.  This was in response to ongoing data sovereignty threats from the United States government, which uses its powerful Clarifying Lawful Overseas Use of Data (CLOUD) Act to compel US tech companies to share data to aid criminal investigations – even if that data is held by foreign organisations. The US has also recently imposed sanctions on high-profile ICC judges,…

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New Report Finds Leaders and Laggards in EU Renewable Energy Innovation Planning

Stuart Mitchell

Europe’s energy transition is gaining momentum, but progress in planning for innovative renewable energy technologies remains uneven across the bloc. A new report published by Future Cleantech Architects (FCA) highlights gaps in Europe’s preparedness for the next phase of decarbonization.   Released ahead of the European Commission’s upcoming review of the Energy Union and Climate Action, the report calls for clearer EU guidance to ensure that national energy planning fully supports the scale-up of next-generation clean energy solutions.  The report “The 5% Opportunity: Unlocking Europe’s Innovative Renewables” reviews the National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs) of ten EU countries: Bulgaria, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Slovenia,…

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Europe has spoken – it’s time to End the Cage Age

Stuart Mitchell

The European Commission’s own consultation reveals overwhelming public support to end the use of cages – NGO calls for legislation without delay More than 190,000 people responded to the European Commission’s public consultation on modernising animal welfare laws last year, and the results show the vast majority of respondents want to phase out cages from animal farming. The key findings include: 99% of respondents, including 54% of businesses, think phasing out cages for laying hens is important or very important 99% of respondents, including 46% of businesses, think phasing out…

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Global youth environmental prize reopens to find the rising young voices in global conservation

Stuart Mitchell

The Iris Prize, a global award supporting young environmental leaders with funding, expert mentorship and bespoke skills-building opportunities, has opened its applications for 2026. Now in its fifth year, the Prize (a key pillar of The Iris Project) exists to move resources, trust and visibility towards young people leading ambitious work in their communities around the world to protect and restore nature, and the rights of those working to defend it.  Most youth-led climate work continues without adequate funding, legitimacy, or protection. Young leaders, particularly in the Global South, receive…

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CAP – ADHD References in Ads

Stuart Mitchell

The ASA/CAP have released a post called: Tread carefully:- ADHD References in Ads, but please have a look at the ASA/CAP site as there are lots of things of interest to anyone with an interest in Ethical Marketing. Increased demand and pressure on the NHS means that people concerned about ADHD might be looking elsewhere for diagnosis, help or even treatment. The ASA has very high standards for evidence for proving claims related to health, but even if you hold rigorous evidence, the Code limits what you can say around…

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