Daily Update — August 18, 2025
Climate Study Challenged; The Latest in IT; and Understanding Global Tensions
Today is Monday, August 18, 2025, and here’s your curated selection of Essential Intelligence on global markets from S&P Global. Subscribe to be notified of each new Daily Update.
Energy Transition & Sustainability
Environmental groups challenge climate study used to justify endangerment finding repeal
The US Energy Department violated federal advisory committee laws when it created a climate report to justify repealing the US Environmental Protection Agency's endangerment finding, environmental groups said in a lawsuit.
The suit said the Energy Department study, which claimed the impacts of greenhouse gas emissions on the nation's climate are probably not as severe as many scientists believe, violated the Federal Advisory Committee Act by relying on an "unaccountable" and "secret" climate working group to make such claims. The Nixon-era statute requires government committees to have balanced viewpoints and hold public meetings. The Environmental Defense Fund and the Union of Concerned Scientists are the plaintiffs in the suit.
Artificial Intelligence
IT Insider July: A roundup for IT decision-makers
In today's rapidly evolving technological landscape, organizations are recalibrating their priorities to address economic uncertainties while focusing on critical technologies such as security, cloud computing and AI. Despite a general decline in tech spending intent, these areas show resilience, underscoring their significance in meeting operational requirements and achieving short-term objectives.
As AI and enterprise technology become increasingly pivotal in shaping future business opportunities and challenges, staying informed on key trends is essential.
Global Trade
Listen: Look Forward | Episode 4: Understanding Global Tensions: Geopolitics, Trade, and the Energy Transition
Join us on the “Look Forward Podcast” as host Andy Critchlow interviews S&P Global Commodity Insights Senior Vice President for Global Geopolitics and International Affairs Carlos Pascual about a geopolitical landscape marked by increasing protectionism and the implications of recent tariff policies on global trade.
Carlos highlights the role of emerging economies in a shifting world order and examines the challenges of the energy transition amid rising tensions. Discover how these factors affect energy security, inflation and international relations.
In case you missed it
- US coal market prices stayed flat again in July, despite supportive summer load and natural gas prices. Production and shipments remain elevated year over year, with gains slowing amid sufficient inventories.
- North American insurance deal activity was relatively flat in the second quarter of 2025 compared with the previous three months, even as one large broker acquisition pushed the number for overall deal value up significantly.
- Chinese demand for Niger's heavy sweet Meleck crude has dried up this year amid fraying ties with the West African country's military junta, instability and high freight costs.
Upcoming events
- After IEEPA-August: The road ahead for tariffs, the economy and corporate decision-making | August 19 (Webinar)
- Banking Infrastructure Modernization: Building for Instant Payments | August 20 (Webinar)
- Unlocking Trusted Data in Gen AI: Building Agentic Workflows with Kensho | August 27 (Webinar)