EDITORIAL Dear Readers,
After 180+ monthly editorials, I would like to use this one to answer
some of the questions I was asked in recent times by a number of peers, clients and business contacts. The first question regards the technical areas tackled by EPN Consulting in its professional journey. |
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WEBSITE OF THE MONTH The "Website of the Month" is a spotlight
feature in our email newsletter, where we showcase a standout website, recognising its exceptional tools, valuable resources or content. |
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| ISWA - International
Solid Waste AssociationISWA’s vision is an Earth where no waste exists. Waste should be reused and reduced to a minimum, then collected, recycled and treated properly. Residual matter should be disposed of in a safely engineered way, ensuring a clean and
healthy environment. All people on Earth should have the right to enjoy an environment with clean air, water, seas and soils. |
CATL sodium-ion battery debuts in first mass-production vehicle
Chinese battery technology OEM CATL and CHANGAN Automobile have unveiled the world’s first mass-production passenger vehicle powered by a sodium-ion battery. The new vehicle is set to reach the market in mid-2026. CATL will supply its Naxtra sodium-ion batteries, which in September were the first to pass China's national standard certification (GB 38031-2025), for
use across CHANGAN’s full brand portfolio. CATL began R&D for the technology a decade ago, and in 2021 revealed its first-generation sodium-ion battery able to achieve 80% state of charge in 15 minutes at room temperature.
UK councils prioritise connectivity but lack impact data Digital connectivity has become a frontline political issue for UK councils but most still cannot prove what it is worth. FarrPoint’s latest
UK Local Government Connectivity Survey 2026 finds that four out of five councils now view
digital connectivity as a top local priority, with a strong shift toward digital inclusion and practical issues affecting residents, including reliable 4G, digital skills, affordability and device access. However, the survey also finds there remains a limited understanding of the economic benefits of these measures.
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Effective Carbon Rates 2025 (by
OECD)
Countries balance diverse and interconnected policy objectives when deciding how to tax energy use or price carbon emissions. These policy
objectives include raising public revenue, ensuring affordable energy, safeguarding competitiveness and reducing emissions. Effective Carbon Rates 2025 provides comparable data and insights into how 79 countries, accounting for 82% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, use carbon taxes, emissions trading systems (ETSs), and fuel excise taxes. Uber invests in EV infrastructure for its drivers Uber Technologies has announced major plans and investments to support charging for EVs across several regions. According to a Bloomberg report, the
ride-hailing service platform has secured deals with charge point operators (CPOs) in the US, Europe and the UK to help make charging more accessible to its drivers. Operators will build more public charging points in areas where Uber drivers live and frequent, in return for utilisation guarantees; Uber will pay fines to operators that don’t achieve a minimum usage threshold at chargers built under the arrangement. |
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