At ecoKallos, we continue our monthly roundup of eco-related headlines. From PFAS reform to plastics-treaty drama and green building momentum, October has been a busy month for environmental policy and innovation. These developments shape how we live, what products we use, and how we build a sustainable future.
Some stories are encouraging, others frustratingly slow. And while headlines move fast, the environmental consequences unfold over decades. Here’s what stood out this month:
Why PFAS Reform Still Faces Hurdles
PFAS (“forever chemicals”) are once again in the spotlight, with new regulations and heated industry debates.
- European Commission restricts use of PFAS in firefighting foams: The EC announced that PFAS would be restricted in firefighting foams, marking a concrete step in the EU’s broader chemical strategy. Reuters
- Regulatory momentum, but also delays and complexity: The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has flagged a sweeping restriction proposal for PFAS under REACH, with large-scale implications for manufacturing, imports and consumer goods. Linklaters
Why it matters: PFAS are persistent, bioaccumulative, and harmful to human and environmental health. Every regulatory step is a battle between environmental urgency and industrial inertia.
Plastics Treaty: Signs of Movement, But No Breakthrough Yet
- Chair of the global plastics treaty process steps down: The chair of the negotiations under United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) preparing the global plastics treaty announced his resignation amid reports of internal pressure and criticisms of the process. The Guardian
- Global plastics treaty talks remain in crisis: According to Nature and other outlets, the hopes of finalising a legally binding treaty have dimmed after another round of talks faltered. Nature
Why it matters: The treaty could be the single most important global agreement since the Paris Accord for reducing plastic pollution — but negotiations remain tense and the governance issues serious.
New Green Building Momentum: Timber & Carbon-Smart Construction
- Mass timber construction on the rise in the U.S.: A report dated October 20, 2025 highlights how mass-timber buildings are growing in both the U.S. and Europe, positioning timber as a low-carbon building material of growing importance. Midland Paper
- Charting clean energy momentum in California: On October 14, 2025, California announced it has added 30,800 megawatts of new clean energy and storage capacity since 2019, and approved $136 million in new clean energy technology investment. California Energy Commission
Why it matters: Mass timber and clean construction technologies can significantly reduce construction emissions compared with steel and concrete — when sourced sustainably — and clean energy growth is foundational to decarbonization of the built environment and infrastructure.
Climate Policy Snapshots
- Federal rollback of climate-related funding in the U.S.: The Donald Trump administration cancelled nearly $8 billion in climate-related funding targeted to 16 states, announced October 1, 2025. Reuters
- California pushes ahead with clean transportation program: The California Energy Commission scheduled a public meeting for October 27, 2025 to review the 2025-26 Investment Plan for its Clean Transportation Program, including incentives for zero emission vehicles and infrastructure. California Energy Commission
Why It Matters
October’s developments highlight a familiar pattern: real momentum, tempered by competing interests. From PFAS to plastics to green building and climate policy, progress is being made — but implementation remains complex. The sustainability story is not just about breakthroughs — it’s about persistenc