
The EU allocates €5.2 billion for net-zero projects. The European Commission plans to invest in net-zero technology, clean hydrogen, and industrial decarbonisation using funds from the EU Emissions Trading System, with initiatives aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

AT&T ends its diversity, equity, and inclusion policies. The telecommunications giant has pledged to cease DEI initiatives, including hiring quotas and training, following legal scrutiny in the US. The commitment was confirmed in a letter to the FCC.

Business Disability Forum has opened nominations for its 2026 Disability Smart Impact Awards. The rebranded awards, announced on 3 December, highlight organisations and individuals creating measurable change for disabled employees and consumers through inclusive practice and innovation.

Pantheon Regeneration secures investment from Microsoft’s Climate Innovation Fund. The funding will support the expansion of Pantheon’s ecological restoration projects, which aim to revive biodiversity and remove carbon from the atmosphere, enhancing their capacity to deliver landscape-scale climate solutions and carbon credits.

The FCA proposes new rules for ESG ratings providers. The Financial Conduct Authority aims to enhance transparency, governance, and conflict management in the ESG ratings sector, building on international recommendations to improve market trust and support the UK’s sustainable finance ambitions.

Three in four disabled UK shoppers face digital barriers. New AccessiWay research shows accessibility issues are driving customers away during key sales periods, with calls for stronger regulation and inclusion on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

Balancing work and life now causes more stress than money. New research by productivity provider Avilio finds UK workers are more anxious about managing work/life balance than their financial outlook, with 32% citing it as their leading source of stress — ahead of money, job security, and even the global economy.

Modern marketing failure isn’t about effort, but alignment. Julia Payne, Founder of CMO Fractional Services, explores how organisational silos between marketing, sales, and operations quietly erode growth. True success, she argues, comes from unified teams, shared metrics, and a RevOps mindset that places marketing at the business’s core.

EU Parliament votes to delay deforestation regulation by a year. Lawmakers aim to simplify the EU Deforestation Regulation and review its impact early next year. The delay would push implementation to 2026 for large firms and 2027 for smaller ones.

Bryt Energy’s new Birmingham office has earned SKA Silver certification. Located at Bruntwood SciTech’s Cornerblock, the workspace was designed with sustainability and employee wellbeing in mind — from recycled materials to energy-efficient systems — marking a key step in the company’s long-term environmental strategy.