Sustainability briefing: IPCC review opens, El Niño strengthens, Danish aviation tax debate
Today's briefing tracks a widening gap between climate science and climate policy: the IPCC has opened expert review of its next impacts report while NOAA records the strongest El Niño since 1950, and in Denmark the Climate Council is pressing for steeper flight taxes than the government currently plans—developments that sit alongside a quieter effort to formalise web sustainability standards relevant to small studios' hosting choices.
IPCC opens expert review of first draft of its climate impacts and adaptation report
The IPCC has opened registration for experts to review the first draft of the Working Group II contribution to its Seventh Assessment Report, which covers impacts, adaptation and vulnerability. The review runs from 9 October to 4 December 2026, and experts should register by 20 November. The IPCC's 65th Session is scheduled for 12–16 October in Addis Ababa.
Danish Climate Council recommends higher passenger taxes on flights
Denmark's Klimarådet says flight numbers kept rising in the first half of 2026 and recommends raising the air passenger tax above the 50 kroner planned for intra-EU flights once fully phased in by 2030. It estimates a much higher charge, DKK 680–2,420, would be needed to nearly eliminate aviation's climate impact. DR reports that a political spokesperson quoted in the piece does not want higher taxes, and that the current government platform has no such plan.
NOAA raises odds that El Niño will be the strongest since 1950
NOAA's September reading puts central Pacific sea temperatures 2.1°C above normal, and it now gives an 83% chance of the strongest El Niño since 1950, up from 75% a month earlier. The WMO says the event is firmly established and strengthening quickly. The UN's World Food Programme estimates it could push at least 49 million more people into acute hunger by the end of 2027.
W3C-linked Web Sustainability Guidelines remain in draft, with an official Note planned for 2026
Sustainable Web Design says the guidelines, created by the W3C's Sustainable Web Interest Group, are in draft and under wide review. After review they are due to be published as an official W3C Note in 2026. The hosting guideline asks teams to track hosting metrics such as PUE, WUE and CUE and to prefer low-carbon electricity, which is relevant to freelancers who choose hosting for client sites.