The European Commission has opened a call for evidence to shape an EU-wide Action Plan on digitalisation in the water sector, responding to projections that water demand could exceed available supply by around 40%. The initiative is expected to prioritise smart metering, real-time network monitoring and digital twins for treatment plants and distribution systems to cut leakage and optimise asset operation. Civil and water engineers should anticipate future requirements for interoperable data standards, sensor-ready infrastructure and integration of hydraulic models with EU-level digital platforms.

Quad partners United States, Japan, Australia and India have launched a Quad Critical Minerals Initiative to mobilise US$20 billion in public and private finance across mining, processing and recycling to reduce reliance on China-centred supply chains. Projects must show a “Quad nexus” by being located in, operated from, or supplying Quad markets, with support channelled via export credit agencies, development finance institutions, guarantees, loans, equity and offtake agreements. The partners will coordinate on permitting practices, geological mapping, resource assessment and e-waste recovery to tighten technical and regulatory alignment across the supply chain.

Lynas Rare Earths chief executive and managing director Amanda Lacaze has been appointed chair of the Minerals Council of Australia, placing a rare earths producer at the centre of the country’s peak mining lobby. Her appointment comes as the MCA pushes for streamlined project approvals, stable royalty and tax settings, and large-scale investment in processing capacity for critical minerals such as neodymium–praseodymium. For geotechnical and mining engineers, this signals continued policy pressure to accelerate new pit developments and brownfield expansions in hard-rock rare earth and base metal deposits.