The past week has witnessed significant environmental events around the globe. In the Philippines, Palawan island has imposed a 50-year moratorium on mining, challenging the government's mineral ambitions and underscoring the battle between conservation and mineral demand. The area, known as the 'last ecological frontier', is vital for biodiversity and faces increasing pressure from the demand for nickel. Another vital story is the EPA's approval of an 'unprecedented' cleanup plan for a battery plant in Monterey County, months after a toxic fire. This development highlights the critical importance of managing the environmental impact of battery production and storage facilities, especially with the increasing need for renewable energy components like lithium-ion batteries. Additionally, an analysis has revealed that China's exports of clean-energy technologies, including solar panels, batteries, and electric vehicles, are set to cut overseas CO2 by 1% in 2024 alone, signifying the global impact of such trade. However, there are also concerns about China's overuse of coal, as it is causing negative power prices and hampering the growth of renewable energy sources. Lastly, a new environmental licensing law in Brazil has raised warnings of increased deforestation in the Amazon, casting a shadow over the country's environmental policies as it prepares for COP30.