Textile waste rules in Estonia: Estonia has submitted a draft Waste Act amendment to cut food waste and push textile recycling via a producer responsibility system by 2028, requiring first-time importers of textiles, footwear and related products (including EU e-commerce sellers) to fund collection and recycling networks. Oceans at record heat: The EU’s Copernicus monitoring says June sea surface temperatures hit a new high, boosting energy for storms and marine heatwaves while stressing ecosystems and fisheries—especially as El Niño may extend the warming. Water + climate cooperation: The Mekong River Commission and India signed a new five-year MoU focused on water security, climate resilience, disaster risk management, clean energy tech and sustainable river basin development. Environmental rights push in Africa: ERA is launching 20-country case studies to assess how environmental rights are implemented, including access to information, participation, and justice for communities and defenders. Climate finance backlash: Reports say major banks have increased fossil-fuel and petrochemical financing even as they weakened climate commitments, raising pressure on lenders’ role in the transition. Heatwave reality check: A Paris heatwave piece shows how daily life is disrupted without reliable cooling, with schools closed and transport affected. Renewables permitting milestone: Lithuania approved an environmental assessment for the Curonian Nord 700 MW offshore wind project, clearing the way for next permitting steps. Local conservation vs access: Daegu’s wetland walkway plan is still divisive, with concerns that assessments underestimated protected species.