Category: 3. Business

  • China Mobile Guangdong and Huawei Unveil China’s First All-Scenario AN Showroom, Advancing Digital and Intelligent Network Evolution

    China Mobile Guangdong and Huawei Unveil China’s First All-Scenario AN Showroom, Advancing Digital and Intelligent Network Evolution

    [Guangzhou, China, October 15, 2025] At the China Mobile Global Partner Conference, China Mobile Guangdong and Huawei unveiled their all-scenario autonomous network (AN) showroom. This showroom establishes a prime example for innovation and practices in high-value scenarios and the evolution of advanced ANs. It also highlights China Mobile Guangdong’s dedication to advancing the national strategy of self-reliance and self-improvement in science and technology and progressing the seamless integration of the innovation and industry chains.

    Within the digital transformation framework, China Mobile Guangdong follows five guiding principles for AN construction. This approach has significantly enhanced its digital and intelligent capabilities, strengthened data and process governance, and advanced L4 technology R&D in high-value scenarios. It also drives network capabilities toward productization and servitization, establishing a solid foundation for nationwide AN deployment.

    China Mobile Guangdong’s AN Showroom

    After four years of exploration and practice, China Mobile Guangdong has achieved remarkable results in advancing L4 ANs. Leveraging Huawei’s telecom foundation model, China Mobile Guangdong has enhanced high-value scenarios such as SPN troubleshooting, stable and efficient core network O&M, home broadband experience assurance, and wireless network optimization through role-specific copilots and scenario-based closed-loop agents. This makes network operations more precise and efficient. Commercial benefits have become evident in three key areas. Quality has enhanced, with broadband service experience remarkably improved and average user downtime slashed to mere seconds. Efficiency has improved, with 5G private network provisioning time shortened to just hours. Expenditure has lowered, with over 200,000 person-days of labor cut and more than 400 million kWh of electricity conserved for wireless networks.

    Li Huidi, Deputy General Manager of China Mobile, highly praised the showroom during the October 10 inspection and expressed his expectations for China Mobile Guangdong to spearhead innovative AN practices. China Mobile Guangdong will collaborate with Huawei to further elevate the AN showroom to the peak of innovation, a benchmark for creating business value, and a platform for realizing talent potential.

    China Mobile Guangdong will deepen its strategic partnership with Huawei in AN to expedite large-scale application and ongoing innovation in high-value scenarios. Together, they aim to steadily achieve AN L4 objectives, fueling robust growth in the digital economy.

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  • Escalating US-China rare earth tensions signal determination to decouple

    Escalating US-China rare earth tensions signal determination to decouple




    An intensification of United States-China trade frictions, marked by a 9 October expansion of Chinese export controls on rare earth elements (REEs), and President Donald Trump’s subsequent threat of an additional 100% tariff on US imports from China, underscores the deepening mistrust between the world’s two largest economies. Markets have reacted sharply, erasing over $1.5 trillion in value in only two days. The dispute even threatens a planned 31 October Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit meeting between Trump and Chinese premier Xi Jinping.

    China controls 85% to 90% of global REE processing capacity, crucial for supply chains including batteries, semiconductors and precision-guided munitions. It has massively upgraded controls announced in April, which covered raw exports of seven rare earths. Five more (holmium, erbium, thulium, europium and ytterbium) have now been added, while restrictions have also been extended to refining technologies, equipment and products containing as little as 0.1% Chinese-processed REEs. Furthermore, planned foreign military or dual-use applications of REEs will now be blocked automatically.

    The controls also incorporate elements such as a ‘Chinese persons’ rule that prohibits Chinese nationals from engaging in overseas REE activities without approval, similar to US restrictions on sensitive technologies. Given the difficulties in operationalising such a rule, China might introduce an ‘entity list’ to monitor end-users of REEs globally, again mimicking the US. This would further amplify the global impact of China’s export controls.

    The sectors and activities potentially most affected by the Chinese measures include US defence programmes, including up to 30% of Pentagon initiatives, such as F-35 avionics, which face potential delays from REE shortages. Boeing could encounter assembly issues because of constraints on components. In semiconductors, Nvidia, Intel and Apple will certainly see costs rising and, potentially, delays. Producers of electric vehicles in the US (including Tesla) risk production cuts.

    In Europe, companies including Airbus, Volkswagen and electric vehicle producers will be hit hard. Finally, Taiwan’s chipmaker, TSMC, could be significantly affected because it needs rare earths for the production of AI semiconductors.

    The provocative timing of the Chinese move, just before the APEC summit, appears tied to recent US actions and, potentially, Taiwan-related developments. On 29 September, the US Commerce Department implemented the ‘affiliates rule’, extending entity-list restrictions to companies 50% or more owned by listed parties, limiting Chinese evasion tactics. On the same day, the US Senate voted to prohibit US biotech from sourcing from designated Chinese firms, and, via the provocatively named FIGHT China Act, to block outbound investments in the Chinese semiconductor, AI and quantum sectors. These steps reflect a bipartisan push for economic security.

    In relation to Taiwan, US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick proposed on 30 September a 50-50 split in production of chips destined for the US, to enhance US domestic output and Taiwan’s security. Taiwan’s president rejected this on 1 October, citing risks to its ‘silicon shield’ – the belief that Taiwan’s predominance in semiconductors protects it from Chinese interference – and noting TSMC’s plans to locate only 20% of its advanced production in Arizona by 2030.

    Nevertheless, China likely worries that Taiwan might transfer its technology and advanced chip capabilities to the US. Furthermore, the extraterritorial aspects of China’s new export controls could potentially hit TSMC’s chip sales to US firms by requiring Beijing’s approval for essential materials. The potential inclusion of TSMC on a Chinese entity list would further complicate the US AI supply chain.

    Calls from Trump and in the Chinese media for renewed negotiations to defuse tensions, have not stopped continued escalation from both sides. China announced on 10 October an antitrust probe into Qualcomm over AI chip practices, following an investigation into NVIDIA in September and inspections of both companies’ operations in China. China also ratcheted up fees on US-linked vessels. Meanwhile, US Treasury Secretary Bessent has threatened countermeasures on Chinese students in the US.

    Even if a truce is reached, saving the Trump-Xi in-person meeting at the APEC summit, the increasing mistrust and the potentially major consequences of China’s announced export controls, coupled with the additional 100% tariffs on the US side, will lead to an even faster decoupling of supply chains. As the US suffers from REE shortages – or the threat thereof – the US will invest more in sourcing/refining REEs elsewhere. China will continue to reduce its dependence on US technology and the US market, accelerating self-reliance. Global companies, especially in semiconductors, electric vehicles and defence, will face higher costs as they adjust to parallel systems.

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  • Two years after launch, Indonesia’s carbon market struggles to find momentum

    Two years after launch, Indonesia’s carbon market struggles to find momentum

    September 2025 marked two years since the launch of Indonesia’s carbon exchange, IDX Carbon. After a strong start, the market has slowed, with trading activity now lagging far behind comparable schemes internationally.

    IDX Carbon was envisioned as a cornerstone of Indonesia’s climate strategy. Its launch on 26 September 2023 signaled the country’s commitment to join the global shift toward market-based mechanisms for reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and attracting investment.

    Globally, carbon markets are booming. According to the World Bank, carbon transactions – including taxes and emission trading systems (ETSs) – generated over USD100 billion in revenue in 2024. In contrast, Indonesia’s contribution remains modest, with total transactions of only IDR78 billion (USD4.9 million) since IDX Carbon became operational. To date, just eight projects have been listed, and only 132 participants are registered to trade.

    The performance of IDX Carbon has not met expectations, particularly given its promising start in 2023. In the final three months of that year alone, the market recorded transaction values of IDR31 billion (USD2 million) and a trading volume of 494,254 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2e). Following that early momentum, however, the market has shown a steady downward trend.

    The average carbon price dropped from IDR62,533 (USD4.1) per tonne in 2023 to IDR55,985 (USD3.9) per tonne in December 2024, with no transactions recorded in February 2024. The trade value fell to just IDR20 billion, with a reduced trade volume of 413,764 tCO2e and only three projects listed. A brief surge occurred in October 2024, coinciding with the inauguration of President Prabowo Subianto’s administration and following the government’s plan to establish a Climate Change Management and Carbon Trading Agency (BP3I-TNK), when trade reached a peak of IDR13 billion (USD0.9 million). However, this proved short-lived, as activity declined again in the final months of the year. In other words, while new markets initially tend to grow after establishment, the Indonesian carbon market has shrunk.

    At the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) climate summit in Baku, Indonesia played a prominent role in advancing discussions on carbon trading, aiming to generate additional revenue and attract foreign investment through the sale of carbon credits. Before the summit, Indonesia and Norway had also made significant progress in strengthening international climate cooperation under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. A notable development at COP29 was the signing of a Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) by Indonesia and Japan for bilateral carbon credit trading — the first of its kind under Article 6.2 of the Paris Agreement.

    Following COP29, Indonesia opened IDX Carbon to international buyers in January 2025, signaling a strategic shift toward global integration. The move sparked renewed market activity, reflecting heightened investor interest. However, despite initial increases corresponding to the announcement, overall activity has been minimal and covers only a small portion of Indonesia’s emissions. From March to September 2025, the total transaction value fell to just IDR1 billion (USD72,621), with a modest trade volume of 27,613 tCO2e. As of September, the average carbon price was IDR67,047 per tonne (approximately USD4), with eight projects listed and 132 registered participants. The cumulative volume of the retired carbons reached 600,768 tCO2e.

    By comparison, Japan’s GX-ETS started in 2024 as a voluntary scheme and already has over 700 participants, covering nearly 50% of national emissions. Participation is likely to increase as it becomes mandatory in 2026. The European Union’s Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) is the world’s most robust carbon market, with over 11,000 participants and an average carbon price of USD70. It covers more than 40% of the EU’s total emissions.

    Why is Indonesia’s carbon market stagnant?

    The stagnation in Indonesia’s carbon market can be traced to several underlying factors. Fundamentally, the system is a hybrid carbon pricing strategy that blends a cap-and-trade mechanism with a fallback carbon tax. Under the cap-and-trade mechanism, emitters are assigned sectoral caps (PTBAE-PU). Those operating below their cap earn emissions reduction certificates (SPE-GRK), while those exceeding it must either purchase these credits or pay a carbon tax if credits are unavailable.

    In theory, this structure offers both flexibility and fiscal discipline. However, in practice, it has been constrained by design flaws and political caution.

    Currently, the carbon market is limited to coal-fired power plants (CFPPs), with 245 registered participants and a combined installed capacity of 54 gigawatts. The sectoral caps are defined in Ministerial Decree No. 14.K/TL.04/MEM.L/2023, which establishes differentiated emission thresholds based on plant type and capacity. For CFPPs with capacities between 25 and 100 megawatts (MW), the cap is 1.297 tCO2e per megawatt-hour (MWh). Mine-mouth CFPPs of 100MW or above face a lower cap of 1.089 tCO2e/MWh. Non-mine-mouth CFPPs between 100MW and 400MW must comply with a cap of 1.011 tCO2e/MWh, while the most stringent cap, 0.911 tCO2e/MWh, applies to non-mine-mouth CFPPs above 400MW.

    Despite this structure, the emission thresholds are set so high that only a small fraction of facilities exceed them, resulting in minimal demand for credits or tax payments. This weakens incentives for emission reduction and trade participation.

    Exacerbating the issue, the carbon tax (outlined in the 2021 Tax Harmonization Law and Presidential Regulation 98/2021 [PR 98/2021]) remains undefined and unenforced. Although an initial rate of IDR30,000/tCO2e (approximately USD2/tCO2e) has been proposed, implementation has been delayed due to challenges in measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV), as well as political resistance and industry pushback. 

    Beyond technical design, the development of Indonesia’s carbon market is also restricted by unclear trading and certification procedures. While PR 98/2021 provides the legal basis for carbon pricing, implementation is hindered by overlapping mandates across ministries and a lack of efficient licensing and certification processes.

    To address these challenges, the government issued Presidential Regulation No. 110/2025 (PR 110/2025), which aims to introduce a transparent governance framework and foster cross-ministerial collaboration. PR 110/2025 builds upon PR 98/2021 and outlines a more comprehensive structure for Indonesia’s carbon governance, aligned with international climate commitments and domestic green economy goals.

    There are several key additions in PR 110/2025:

    • Introduction of carbon allocations
      These carbon allocations serve as a strategic planning tool aligned with national low-carbon development and green economy goals. The allocation process involves coordination across multiple ministries, including forestry, environment, energy, industry, agriculture, finance, and national planning, and forms the basis for preparing and determining Indonesia’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
    • Introduction of ministerial authorization and corresponding adjustment
      Entities will be allowed to use carbon units to fulfill other countries’ NDCs, meet international mitigation obligations, or serve other global interests. PR 110/2025 incorporates the concept of corresponding adjustment, in line with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) guidelines, to ensure transparency and avoid miscounting.
    • Refined carbon trading framework
      The updated carbon trading framework distinguishes between domestic and international trading. International transactions are categorized based on whether they require authorization and corresponding adjustment, particularly those linked to NDCs and Paris Agreement compliance, or are voluntary and not tied to international obligations.
    • Strengthened transparency mechanisms 
      The updated framework expands on the previous one and clearly outlines steps for obtaining SPE-GRK certification, which can serve as a basis for accessing green and sustainable financing instruments.
    • Formation of a cross-ministerial dedicated committee
      Notably, the new regulation proposes a dedicated committee, led by the Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs, with representatives from relevant ministries. This shift aims to foster a more integrated and strategic approach to developing the carbon market.

    Overall, PR 110/2025 provides a more integrated, accountable, and internationally aligned framework. However, its effectiveness will depend on timely implementation, continuous monitoring, and rigorous evaluation to ensure it delivers the necessary support and institutional clarity for a robust carbon market. Simultaneously, strategic reforms will also be essential.

    Strategic reforms to unlock Indonesia’s carbon market potential

    Carbon pricing offers a powerful tool that helps countries reduce emissions, while mobilizing revenue, boosting innovation, and attracting global investment. For Indonesia, the opportunity is especially significant. The country holds substantial potential to lead global climate action through nature-based solutions and renewable energy.

    Home to the world’s third-largest tropical rainforests (125.9 million hectares), Indonesia can theoretically absorb up to 25.18 billion tonnes of CO2. Its mangrove forests, spanning 3.31 million hectares, store around 33 billion tonnes of carbon, while its 7.5 million hectares of peatlands hold an estimated 55 billion tonnes. Collectively, Indonesia’s ecosystems have the capacity to absorb over 113 billion tonnes of CO2, positioning the country as a key player in the global carbon market.

    Beyond nature-based assets, Indonesia’s renewable energy advantages are equally noteworthy, potentially translating to an annual emission reduction of up to 27.5 billion tonnes of CO2e. However, carbon prices currently remain below USD20 per tCO2e, far short of the USD50–USD100/tCO2e needed by 2030 to meet climate goals. A carbon market established to monetize assets rather than reduce emissions could undermine the rationale for carbon prices.

    Several strategic reforms are needed to enable Indonesia to actively benefit from the carbon market: 

    • Robust caps and tax rates
      Effective carbon caps with clearly defined downward limits should be implemented and supported by more robust taxes. The current caps on carbon emissions need to be lowered and gradually tightened over time to reflect the urgency of climate goals, as can be seen in the EU ETS’s Fit for 55 climate package. One key change needed is a faster reduction in the emissions cap, which limits the total amount of carbon allowances available to industries. To reinforce these limits, carbon taxes on emissions that exceed the caps must be substantial enough to influence industry behavior.
    • Transparent regulations
      Indonesia should establish comprehensive regulations and standards to ensure transparency and accountability. Although IDX Carbon is open to international buyers and offers a relatively low price, the projects available still lack international certification, making them less attractive to global investors. The recent announcement that Indonesia has signed an MRA with Verra, one of the world’s leading standard setters for climate action and sustainable development, marks a pivotal step forward. However, building trust among buyers and investors in Indonesia’s carbon credits, particularly regarding transparency, remains a persistent challenge.
    • Market reforms
      Any carbon tax should be implemented in combination with market reforms. The impact of a carbon tax would be most significant for the energy and industrial sectors, which remain heavily reliant on CFPPs. Given the potential impact on energy prices and industrial competitiveness, the government must engage stakeholders across sectors to design a socially and economically viable approach.
    • Low-carbon transition pathway
      Along with caps and taxes, there needs to be a viable path to access decarbonized energy and incentives to invest in lower-carbon industrial processes. The insignificant supply of renewable energy certificates available illustrates the challenges facing a zero-carbon transition. Currently, access to clean energy is under the control of the national electric utility, PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN). If PLN is unable to invest in clean energy supplies quickly and cost-effectively, the government should create pathways for the private sector to develop renewable energy. Introducing regulations to enable open access to the transmission grid, as previously highlighted by the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA), would significantly advance this objective.
    • Certification and monitoring
      Robust certification guidelines and monitoring systems are essential. The government’s plan to establish a dedicated agency for carbon market governance is an opportune innovation and should be fast-tracked. A centralized body could streamline the MRV process (especially certification procedures), improve enforcement, and enhance investor confidence. However, success will depend on strong inter-ministerial coordination, particularly among the Ministries of Forestry, Environment, Energy and Mineral Resources, and Finance. 

      Measurement standards should be established to facilitate robust and credible data collection. For the power and industrial sectors, consideration might be given to requiring automated emissions monitoring, supported by auditable reporting.

    • Institutional strengthening
      Reinforcing the institutional capacity of IDX Carbon is essential. Carbon markets are inherently vulnerable to fraud due to the intangible nature of the assets traded. Weak oversight, poor credit integrity, and a lack of transparency have led to controversy in other countries. The government should strengthen IDX Carbon by enforcing rigorous standards for credit issuance, verification, and trading.

    Towards a net-zero future 

    With President Prabowo emphasizing a clear vision for net-zero emissions by 2060 or earlier, the urgency to build a credible and functional carbon market has never been greater. A gradually declining emissions cap, aligned with climate goals, would send strong price signals, incentivize low-carbon investments, and accelerate sectoral transformation.

    By balancing domestic priorities with phased international integration, Indonesia can unlock climate finance, enhance energy security, and position itself as a regional leader in carbon governance. If implemented effectively, the country’s hybrid model could serve as a blueprint for emerging economies seeking to reconcile development goals with climate ambitions.

    Read the summary in Bahasa here: Dua Tahun Berjalan, Pasar Karbon Indonesia Stagnan dan Sepi Peminat

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  • Central banks should consider climate risks, former Fed official says

    Central banks should consider climate risks, former Fed official says

    Central banks are within their mandate to consider physical and transition risks from climate change and the impact on bank losses, Kevin Stiroh, former chair of the US Federal Reserve’s supervision climate committee, told Green Central Banking.

    If climate change has a material impact on banks, “then that’s a risk that banks should be expected to manage”, he said.

    “If the discussion is about the impact of climate change on the real economy or on the financial sector, that seems relevant for all central banks, for all supervisory authorities … a shock is a shock. Anything that can impact the real economy should be understood and should be part of the risk monitoring and assessment process.”

    Stiroh, who recently joined economic thinktank Resources for the Future as a senior fellow, has co-authored a report with several Fed economists which sets out a framework to help central banks better understand if adjustments are needed to regulatory frameworks to better account for climate change risks.

    Central banks regulate how much capital banks need to hold in case of losses, and this amount varies based on several factors. The Basel Committee sets international standards for large, systemically important banks but central banks can vary the rules.

    US banks have long pushed for lower capital requirements which were raised in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis. Those requirements are expected to fall under President Donald Trump who has taken a deregulatory approach and moved away from the green policies of the previous administration.

    While climate risk mitigation and the transition to a green economy is seen as falling under the mandate of some central banks like the European Central Bank and Bank of England, it is not a clear mandate for others. And central banks need to act within their mandates, said Stiroh.

    But understanding potential risks does fall under the supervision of central banks, he said.

    Stiroh and his co-authors – Michael Holscher and David Ignell from the Federal Reserve of New York and Federal Reserve Board manager Morgan Lewis – contend that climate change could impact the reserve capital needs of financial institutions.

    “While climate change could potentially impact the regulatory capital regime in several ways, an internally coherent approach requires a strong link between specific assumptions about how financial risks may manifest as bank losses and what objectives regulators are pursuing,” the paper states.

    The paper presents a framework to help supervisors understand how to think about climate change and its potential effects on the real economy, and how they might respond through regulatory capital requirements.

    Bank capital is used to absorb both expected and unexpected losses. While banks usually expect a certain degree of losses, the inherent uncertainty of climate change makes those losses not only unexpected but harder to predict.

    “A fundamental challenge is that the impact of climate change on the economy and financial sector is subject to enormous uncertainty and policymakers will not know with certainty how or if the loss-generating process is evolving,” the paper states. “This creates challenges for prudential policymakers interested in expected and unexpected losses.”

    This page was last updated October 15, 2025

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  • Simplify EU Tech Rules To Unlock Innovation, New Campaign Urges Commission

    Simplify EU Tech Rules To Unlock Innovation, New Campaign Urges Commission

    Brussels, BELGIUM – Today, the Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA Europe) launched a novel campaign calling on the European Commission to raise both the ambition level and scope of its upcoming Digital Omnibus Simplification Package. 

    Europe has always been a continent of trailblazers: from Gutenberg’s printing press to Lovelace’s pioneering algorithms. Yet today’s digital innovators face something far less inspiring: a maze of complex and overlapping EU tech rules that slow progress. 

    The new ‘Simplify EU Tech Rules. Unlock Innovation.’ campaign urges the Commission to adopt bolder, more impactful measures in its soon-to-be-published package. Early reports suggest the current plans may not go far enough to remove unnecessary regulatory hurdles. 

    The timing is critical. The European Commission’s public consultation on these simplification plans closed yesterday, and officials will now review stakeholder input before agreeing the precise scope and ambition level of the final digital package, expected next month. 

    CCIA Europe calls on the Commission to simplify the path for Europe’s next generation of digital pioneers. Explore www.unlock-innovation.eu to learn more about how Europe’s historic innovators might fare under today’s EU digital rules. 

    The campaign’s messages, featuring these historic innovators, are also being showcased on digital billboards at key locations in Brussels’ European quarter, including metro stations. 

    The following can be attributed to CCIA Europe’s Senior Vice President & Head of Office, Daniel Friedlaender: 

    “Europe does not need more rules, it just needs better ones. Rules that are clear, consistent, and innovation-friendly. Slowly the EU’s simplification efforts are moving in the right direction, but things are not going fast enough. Now is the time for real ambition and decisive action.” 

    “CCIA Europe urges the European Commission to be bolder in its simplification agenda. This means making hard but necessary choices for a stronger and smarter digital future. We need ambitious positive reform to honour the legacy of Europe’s great inventors.”

    About CCIA Europe

    CCIA is an international, not-for-profit trade association representing a broad cross section of communications and technology firms. As an advocate for a thriving European digital economy, CCIA Europe has been actively contributing to EU policy making since 2009. CCIA’s Brussels-based team seeks to improve understanding of the industry and share the tech sector’s collective expertise, with a view to fostering balanced and well-informed policy making in Europe. For more information, visit: ccianet.eu, x.com/CCIAeurope, or linkedin.com/showcase/cciaeurope to learn more.

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  • Total flags higher sales, rising refining margins in third-quarter trading update – Reuters

    1. Total flags higher sales, rising refining margins in third-quarter trading update  Reuters
    2. TotalEnergies Expects Boost From Rising Production But Warns of Maintenance Hit to LNG Results  The Wall Street Journal
    3. TotalEnergies: Third Quarter 2025: Main Indicators  Business Wire
    4. Total flags lower LNG sales, rising refining margins in third-quarter trading update  TradingView
    5. TotalEnergies Reports Strong Q3 2025 Growth Amidst Lower Oil Prices  TipRanks

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  • Vets should be made to publish prices, competition watchdog says

    Vets should be made to publish prices, competition watchdog says

    Michael Sheils McNameeBusiness reporter and

    Jim ConnollyBBC News Investigations

    Getty Images A stock image shows a female vet, wearing blue scrubs, whose face is not in shot, tying a bow around the neck of a cat which is sitting on a raised surface and wearing a neck cone Getty Images

    Vets should be forced to publish price lists so pet owners can see costs up front and shop around for the best deal, the competition watchdog has said.

    Owners are often unaware of prices or not given estimates for treatments that can run into thousands of pounds, its investigation into soaring vet costs found.

    Vet prices have risen at nearly twice the rate of inflation, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) also found.

    Its proposals included making vets reveal if they are part of a large group, capping prescription fees and banning bonuses on offering specific treatments.

    ‘£12,000 in vet bills’

    Steve Fildes / BBC A woman with blonde hair wearining a patterned cardigan and jeans is crouched down on the grass next to a black dog. The dog has its tongue sticking out and has a white patch of fur on its neck.Steve Fildes / BBC

    Nicole put her wedding plans on hold after paying £12,000 for Ernie’s vet bills

    Nicole Hawley, 26, got in touch via Your Voice, Your BBC News after receiving an unexpected £12,000 bill to treat her dog Ernie, after he inhaled a grass seed while out on a walk and it became infected.

    “We were given two choices by the emergency vet, either put him down or pay an extortionate bill for surgery,” she told the BBC.

    Ms Hawley was in the process of finding a different pet insurance provider for Ernie when he fell ill, meaning she didn’t have financial support.

    She and her partner ended up taking out a loan to pay for the procedure, and used money they had been saving for their wedding.

    “We didn’t have the money. But it took us five minutes to decide that we would find it from somewhere,” Ms Hawley said.

    Kept in the dark

    Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, the CMA’s Martin Coleman said veterinary prices had increased by 63% over a seven year period, which was nearly twice the rate of inflation.

    “Many people were paying twice what they needed to for vet medicines,” Mr Coleman said.

    “It’s not right to keep pet owners in the dark about key matters that affect them and their pets and their pockets.

    “We’re often not being told up-front basic information such as who owns the practice, the price of commonly used services, and we’re not often given estimates of the likely price of treatment costing hundreds, even thousands of pounds.”

    The CMA also found practices owned by large vet groups charge 16.6% more on average than independent vets.

    Mr Coleman said the regulatory system was set up in 1966, “when the world of veterinary services was very different to the world that we have today.”

    “There is regulation of individual vets, but there is no regulation of the businesses that own the majority of the practices in the country,” Mr Coleman said.

    Wednesday’s findings into the £6.3bn sector are provisional, with interested parties now having until next month to make submissions before a final decision is published next year.

    After the decision, changes will be implemented through a legally binding CMA order, which is expected to come before the end of 2026. Smaller vet businesses given additional time to implement it.

    The CMA’s recommendations include:

    • Making it easier for pet owners to access cheaper medicines online, including by requiring vets to tell pet owners about savings they make by buying medicines online
    • Where a medicine is likely to be needed frequently, automatically providing a written prescription to enable the pet owner to purchase the medicine elsewhere
    • Capping the price of providing prescriptions at £16
    • Requiring vets to give pet owners clear price information when they are choosing a treatment, with prices in writing for treatments over £500 and itemised bills
    • Making the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons to improve its ‘Find a Vet’ website to include pricing data
    • Making vets give clear price information to pet owners arranging a cremation and pet care plans

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  • Royal Mail fined £21m by Ofcom for missing delivery targets | Royal Mail

    Royal Mail fined £21m by Ofcom for missing delivery targets | Royal Mail

    Royal Mail has been fined £21m for missing its annual first- and second-class mail delivery targets, leading to millions of letters arriving late across the UK, the regulator Ofcom has said.

    This represents the third-largest fine ever imposed by the UK communications watchdog.

    Royal Mail delivered 77% of first class-mail and 92.5% of second-class mail on time during the 2024-25 financial year, Ofcom found. This was short of its respective 93% and 98.5% targets.

    Ian Strawhorne, the director of enforcement at Ofcom, said: “Millions of important letters are arriving late, and people aren’t getting what they pay for when they buy a stamp.

    “These persistent failures are unacceptable, and customers expect and deserve better. Royal Mail must rebuild consumers’ confidence as a matter of urgency. And that means making actual significant improvements, not more empty promises.”

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    In April this year the price of a first-class stamp rose again, up 5p to £1.70, while the cost of the second-class service rose by 2p to 87p.

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  • FUJIFILM Biotechnologies’ Manufacturing Site in Denmark Now Covered By 100 Percent Solar-Powered Electricity

    FUJIFILM Biotechnologies’ Manufacturing Site in Denmark Now Covered By 100 Percent Solar-Powered Electricity

    HILLERØD, Denmark, October 15, 2025 – FUJIFILM Biotechnologies, a world-leading contract development and manufacturing organization for biologics, vaccines, and advanced therapies, today announced that 100 percent of its existing electricity needs at the Hillerød, Denmark, commercial-scale biologics manufacturing site are now covered by solar-power through Power Purchase Agreements (PPA).

    The solar-powered electricity consumption is facilitated through a previously announced 10-year PPA to offtake 40 GWh of renewable energy annually from a nearby solar park. The solar park announced new ownership by the energy group Andel in 2025.

    The solar park is expected to have an annual production capacity of 110 GWh equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of 28,000 Danish households. In addition to offsetting the energy consumption of the Hillerød site, the solar park will increase the amount of renewable energy in the Danish power grid.

    The Hillerød site currently has 12 x 20,000 liters (L) mammalian cell culture bioreactors to support biopharma manufacturing. As part of a previously announced investment to create the largest end-to-end CDMO in Europe, the site will add 8 x 20,000 L bioreactors and two downstream processing streams — increasing to a total footprint of approximately 51,500 m². As part of the target to substitute fossil fuels with renewable energy in production, this further expansion will be fully electrified, as FUJIFILM Biotechnologies is installing electric steam boilers instead of natural gas fired boilers.

    “I’m proud of the significant milestone in utilizing solar-powered electricity. This achievement reflects our strong commitment to sustainability and our Partners for the Planet plan,” said Christian Houborg, senior vice president, and Hillerød site head, FUJIFILM Biotechnologies. “As a leader in biopharma manufacturing, we aim to set high standards in sustainable operations within biopharma manufacturing.”

    The PPA and other renewable energy initiatives at the Denmark site are part of FUJIFILM Biotechnologies’ Partners for the Planet plan to convert operations to renewable electricity and achieve a 50 percent reduction in (Scope 1 & 2) GHG emissions by Fiscal Year 2030 (compared to baseline in Fiscal Year 2019), and to focus on GHG emissions reduction throughout the supply chain.

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  • Justine Phillips Featured in The Recorder Article on California’s Escalating Privacy Enforcement | Newsroom

    Justine Phillips Featured in The Recorder Article on California’s Escalating Privacy Enforcement | Newsroom


    Justine Phillips, California partner in Baker McKenzie’s Data & Cybersecurity practice, was featured in The Recorder discussing the California Privacy Protection Agency’s (CPPA) record USD 1.35 million fine against Tractor Supply Company for violations of the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA).

    In the article, Justine emphasizes the unique focus California places on employee and applicant data, noting that the CPPA enforcement signals a shift toward more customized and transparent privacy disclosures for employees and applicants. She also highlighted the need for harmonized governance across people, process, and technology to mitigate data-driven risk. As enforcement ramps up, Justine’s insights underscore the urgency for businesses operating in California to reassess their privacy compliance strategies.

    Read the full article in The Recorder: California Privacy Watchdog’s Record Fine Against Tractor Supply Company Signals ‘Escalating’ Enforcement Trend | Law.com

     

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