Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

09 DECEMBER 2025 – Equinor takes a new step in the power business with the launch of its first hybrid power complex that combines solar and wind resources.

Equinor and its Brazilian subsidiary Rio Energy have started commercial power production at the Serra da Babilônia Solar facility in Brazil. Strategically co-located with the existing Serra da Babilônia Wind, this represents the first hybrid asset in Equinor’s power portfolio, comprising 140 MW of solar and 223 MW of wind capacity.

“Hybrid projects that effectively integrate solar and wind technologies support a stable and reliable energy supply while enhancing value creation, in line with Equinor’s strategy. Such projects and the integration of technologies will be important for building a competitive power business,” says Helge Haugane, executive vice president for Power at Equinor.

Hybrid projects take advantage of the complementary nature of solar and wind resources, which generate power at different times of the day and throughout different seasons. This helps to reduce the intermittency associated with renewable power generation and enhance grid stability.

Further, Serra da Babilônia Solar leverages synergies from the operating wind facility by sharing existing infrastructure on site, and by achieving efficiencies during the operations and maintenance phase. This results in material cost savings for the hybrid complex compared to a standalone solar asset.

Accumulated annual production from Serra da Babilônia Solar is estimated at 236 GWh of power per year, which is equivalent to the consumption of 143,000 Brazilian households. The produced energy will be sold in the Brazilian power market by Equinor’s energy trading house, Danske Commodities.

“Brazil is a key area for Equinor’s long-term growth. Building on a solid portfolio of oil and natural gas, including Raia that will supply around 15% of Brazil’s total gas demand, we are advancing towards a more integrated and diverse energy offering in the country. With Serra da Babilônia Solar operational, we now have around 600 MW of solar and wind capacity in power production, which we can further optimize through our trading arm Danske Commodities based in São Paulo,” says Veronica Coelho, senior vice president and country manager for Equinor Brazil.

Serra da Babilônia Solar is the first project delivered by Rio Energy as a wholly owned subsidiary of Equinor. Acquired in 2023 with an operating onshore wind complex of 223 MW and a pipeline of projects, Rio Energy is Equinor’s platform for growth in onshore power production in Brazil, bringing more than 10 years of experience in the Brazilian market.

Equinor’s power portfolio in Brazil

The power portfolio in commercial operation totals around 600 MW in equity capacity:

The Serra da Babilônia 1 onshore wind complex (223 MW) and the Serra da Babilônia Solar complex (140 MW) in the state of Bahia are operated by Equinor’s subsidiary, Rio Energy, and are fully owned by Equinor.
Equinor is also a partner in the Apodi solar complex (162 MW) in the Ceará state and the Mendubim complex of solar plants (531 MW) in the Rio Grande do Norte state. The assets are operated by Scatec, with Equinor holding respective shares of 43.5% and 30%.

Additionally, there is a 1.5 GW pipeline of onshore wind and solar project opportunities being matured by Rio Energy.

Equinor’s wholly owned trading arm, Danske Commodities, through its trading office in São Paulo, supports Equinor’s market-driven approach to building a value creating power portfolio in Brazil.

Responding to reports of renewed armed clashes along the border of Cambodia and Thailand on Monday, Amnesty International’s Regional Research Director Montse Ferrer said:

“The resumption of hostilities around the Thailand/Cambodia border risks civilian lives, mass displacement and the destruction of essential civilian infrastructure.

“The Cambodian and Thai governments must take all the necessary steps to protect civilians in line with international humanitarian law and prevent any further risks to civilians.

“Amid concerning reports of civilian casualties on Monday, we urge the international community to pressure both governments to adhere to their obligations to minimize the impact of the conflict on civilians and civilian objects.”

Background

Thousands of people fled from towns and villages around Thailand and Cambodia's border on Monday 8 December as fierce fighting resumed between the two countries, who agreed to a ceasefire in July.

Cambodian officials said at least four Cambodian civilians had been killed as a result of Monday's fighting, while Thai officials said one Thai soldier had died.

Tensions between Thailand and Cambodia flared up in May 2025; since then more than 40 people are reported to have died as a result of the conflict.

Cambodia previously claimed that Thailand is using internationally prohibited cluster munitions in the conflict. Alarmingly, a Royal Thai Army press release and Thai military spokesperson clarified in July 2025 that the army resort to cluster munitions when necessary to target military objectives and when adhering to the legal principle of proportionality. Amnesty International supports the prohibition of cluster munitions because they can contaminate large areas with several unexploded ordinance posing a risk to civilians even long after the end of hostilities.

December 8 2025 – Global investors looking toward 2026 are beginning to see a set of structural forces that are grounded in observable economic reality rather than optimism alone, affirms the CEO of one of the world's largest independent financial advisory organizations.

The year ahead, says deVere Group's Nigel Green, is defined by three credible tailwinds.

“Markets reward evidence over enthusiasm,” Nigel Green says. “As 2026 approaches, investors are increasingly distinguishing between stories and substance.”

The first tailwind is the persistence of global economic growth that is broader than in recent years, even if it remains uneven.

“Current projections continue to point toward expansion rather than contraction, with resilience in the US, gradual improvement across Europe, and ongoing structural growth in parts of Asia.

“Large-scale fiscal spending linked to infrastructure, defence, supply-chain security and strategic industrial policy continues to filter through economies with long lags, providing a steady underpinning for activity,” explains the deVere CEO.

He stresses that this environment doesn't require rapid growth to support markets.

“Markets respond to durability,” he says. “When growth proves persistent rather than fragile, earnings expectations stabilize and capital becomes more willing to take risk. Broader participation across regions matters far more than headline growth rates.”

He adds that this backdrop historically supports equities, selective credit and globally exposed companies, while reducing the over-concentration risk seen when returns rely on one dominant region.

The second tailwind is the transition of AI and automation from hype to hard numbers.

“After an initial phase dominated by capital spending and valuation expansion, 2026 is shaping up as a period where scrutiny intensifies. Investors are increasingly focused on profit checks, cash flow contribution and operational delivery, rather than future promise alone.”

Nigel Green says this shift is critical.

“Markets are demanding proof,” he explains. “Companies talking about AI without showing returns will struggle. Those that can demonstrate margin improvement, cost reduction or revenue scalability will attract capital.”

He notes that AI adoption is no longer confined to a small group of technology leaders. Productivity gains are beginning to emerge across healthcare, logistics, manufacturing and financial services, where automation, data optimization and intelligent systems are improving efficiency and decision quality.

“This phase favours execution,” Nigel Green says. “Businesses that integrate tech into core operations, rather than showcasing it, are the ones that will stand out. Hype fades quickly when profit delivery is absent.”

He adds that even modest but widespread productivity gains can accumulate into meaningful economic support over time, strengthening profitability without relying on excessive pricing power or leverage.

The third tailwind is the return of diversification as a meaningful contributor to performance.

The deVere chief executive comments: “For much of the past decade, global returns have been dominated by a narrow segment of US assets, diminishing the effectiveness of diversified portfolios.

“This dynamic is beginning to change. Valuations across regions are less stretched, real yields in parts of fixed income are more compelling than in recent years, and commodities and other real assets are regaining relevance amid geopolitical tension and industrial re-shoring.

Nigel Green emphasises that diversification does not imply uniform gains.

“Dispersion is increasing,” he says. “Some assets will perform well, others will not. Investors who rely on broad exposure alone may be disappointed. Selectivity becomes critical.”

He also highlights the growing importance of currency movements in a less concentrated global environment.

“When growth becomes more distributed, currencies begin to matter again as a source of return and risk,” Nigel Green says.

“These tailwinds do not eliminate risk,” Nigel Green says. “They provide structure. Growth resilience, measurable innovation and renewed diversification are beginning to align.”

He concludes: “Investors who approach 2026 with realism, global awareness and disciplined analysis are better positioned than those chasing narratives.”

deVere Group is one of the world's largest independent advisors of specialist global financial solutions to international, local mass affluent, and high-net-worth clients.  It has a network of offices around the world, more than 80,000 clients, and $14bn under advisement.

Thousands of open cut mines lie abandoned worldwide, while more stringent mine site rehabilitation laws in Australia are paving the way for improved long-term restoration efforts.

Starting from the ground-up, Flinders University experts are analysing waste materials, or tailings, from multiple mines to develop innovative, sustainable systems that can address the major challenge of mine drainage, which can cause environmental damage if left unchecked.

Predicting and preventing acid and metalliferous drainage (AMD) is one of mining’s most persistent environmental challenges, says Professor Sarah Harmer, from the College of Science and Engineering at Flinders University.

“By combining geochemistry, mineralogy, and microbiology, our teams are uncovering how chemical and biological processes interact to accelerate, or in some cases, slow sulfide oxidation in mine waste,” says Professor Harmer, who recently published a new article in the journal of Environmental Geochemistry and Health with industry colleagues and scientists from the Flinders Accelerator for Microbiome Exploration.

“These studies are vital for mine closure and land reclamation, providing key insights to microbial interactions and adaption in both operating and legacy mine sites,” researchers say.

“One overlooked trigger for acid and metalliferous drainage is bacteria that grow in the mine waste,” says Flinders lead author Dr Nick Falk. “These literally eat away at the rock, releasing more acid and metals as by- products of their diet, and this can make the problem much worse over time.

“Like a sick patient, we are trying to diagnose this bacterial infection of the mine waste, and since it is hard to see these microorganisms, we are applying DNA-based surveys to find out which bugs are there and what they are doing in the waste.

“By analysing many different mine waste samples provided by our industry partners, we can begin to put together a bigger picture of the role that microorganisms play in enhancing acid and metalliferous drainage, and also offer remediation solutions centred around combatting or manipulating the microbiology.”

The five-year national Cooperative Research Centre for Transformations in Mining Economics (TiME) ‘Project 3.10’ at Flinders has so far conducted detailed leaching experiments of up to two tonnes of mine site samples sourced from 12 mine sites ranging from Australia’s Pilbara to the Arctic Circle and Gobi Desert of Mongolia.

“This has given us unprecedented insights into how AMD forms under real-world conditions,” adds Professor of Chemistry Sarah Harmer. “Early findings are already reshaping how researchers think about the relationship between microbial activity, mineralogy, and acid generation over time, paving the way for smarter, more sustainable mine closure and rehabilitation strategies.

“We now plan to trial new remediation strategies ahead of scaling up these experiments in field conditions to deal with mine waste.”

The research is led by Professor of Physics Sarah Harmer with Flinders colleague Professor Elizabeth Dinsdale, Professor Andrea Geron from Blue Minerals Consultancy, Professor Mansour Edraki, from University of Queensland, with support from CRC TiME program leaders, board members, and environmental professionals.

Progress was discussed recently with six major mining companies – Newmont, BHP, Rio Tinto, MMG, Teck and FMG – specialist environmental consultancies and government agencies, and colleagues from the University of Queensland at meetings in Brisbane.

The latest article from the research, ‘Metagenomics reveals water, biofilm, and sediment microbial communities exhibit distinct responses and functions in neutral and metalliferous drainage (NMD)’ 2025 by Nicholas W Falk, Haylee Smith, Bhavya Papudeshi, Belinda Martin, Gujie Qian, Andrea R Gerson, Aneil Prasad, Sarah L Harmer and Elizabeth A Dinsdale has been published in Environmental Geochemistry and Health

DOI: 10.1007/s10653-025-02840-y.

Published: 04 November 2025 https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10653-025-02840-y

Acknowledgements: This work is supported by CRC TiME, Flinders University, University of Queensland, University of Windsor, Blue Minerals Consultancy, Okane Consultants, the Commonwealth Government, SA Government, MRIWA and Australian Genome Research Facility.

Monthly indicator offers an early read on shifting labour-market conditions, underscoring case for the RBA’s cautious stance.

8 December 2025

Key points

• Wages rose 0.8% in the quarter and 3.2% annually to November 2025.

• An estimated 26,000 jobs added in November.

• WA leads wages growth at 4.2%; NT records the slowest at 2.3%.

• RBA implications: steady labour demand and slight wages pickup strengthen the case for staying on hold.

Australia’s labour market remains resilient, with wages ticking higher and job growth steady, according to Commonwealth Bank’s inaugural Wage & Labour Insights report.

The report draws on de-identified salary flows from around 400,000 CBA accounts to provide an early snapshot of wages and employment trends, offering a timely view of shifting conditions at potential policy turning points ahead of official ABS data.

Wages growth ticks higher in November

The CBA Wage Insights showed a 0.8 per cent rise over the quarter and 3.2 per cent over the year, up from 3.1 per cent in October but still below the late-2024 peak of 4.1 per cent.

CBA Head of Australian Economics Belinda Allen said the slight lift is notable in the current environment.

“The CBA Wage Insights series shows wage growth ticked a little higher in November after recent moderation. While wages growth has still eased over the past year, the slight tick up in November is worth watching, especially when combined with recent higher-than-expected inflation prints and Q3 25 GDP data showing the Australian economy has reached its speed limit. If wages continue to strengthen, the risk of rate hikes in 2026 will rise.”

Western Australia continues to record the fastest wages growth at 4.2%, while the Northern Territory sits at 2.3%.

CBA Wage Insights (annual % change)

Labour Insights show 26,000 jobs added in November

The CBA Labour Insights estimates around 26,000 jobs were added in November, a slight increase compared with September and October.

“November’s increase in jobs highlights a labour market that is neither overheating nor weakening. This balance is critical as we look ahead to how wage trends and inflation will shape policy decisions,” said Allen.

Allen noted that the RBA is paying close attention to labour-market dynamics.

“The RBA is closely watching dynamics in pricing and labour market activity. We expect the RBA to remain on hold from here but the data flow on inflation and the labour market will be critical.”

CBA Labour Insights (monthly, trend-adjusted)

Implications for the RBA

The mix of a modest pickup in wages, steady employment growth and recent upside inflation surprises supports a cautious on-hold stance from the RBA.

The early-read indicators in the new report will help detect turning points in labour-market momentum – whether signs of re-tightening that could add to inflation or softening that would support progress back to target.

“Labour market resilience is a key factor for the RBA. With jobs growth holding firm and wages edging higher, the case for keeping rates on hold remains strong while policymakers monitor inflation closely,” concluded Allen.

Read the full report here: https://www.commbankresearch.com.au/apex/researcharticleviewv2?id=a0NOa00000GmGVt

Future editions of the Wage and Labour Insights report will track emerging trends as Australia navigates a shifting economic landscape.

Geneva, Switzerland, Friday 5 December 2025

 In the lead-up to Human Rights Day, the IPU has published its latest data on human rights violations against parliamentarians.

The data is compiled by the IPU Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians, a unique international complaints mechanism with the specific mandate to defend the human rights of MPs.

In 2025, the Committee reviewed a record 1,027 individual cases of alleged human rights violations against parliamentarians from an unprecedented 58 countries, with all regions of the world affected.

Disproportionate increase in the number of persecuted women MPs

The data shows that the number of persecuted women MPs monitored by the IPU has increased sixfold in ten years – from 37 cases in 2015 to 226 in 2025. This compares with a three-fold increase in the numbers of male MPs over the same period (283 in 2015 to 801 in 2025).

Opposition parliamentarians targeted

In 2025, 83% of the cases involved opposition MPs, confirming a long-standing pattern which shows that they face significantly higher risks of abuse: especially suspension or loss of parliamentary mandate and violations of their right to freedom of expression.

Speaking out is risky

The IPU data also reveals structural patterns of political retaliation, selective prosecution or pressure on dissenting voices, with reported violations of freedom of expression disproportionately targeting vocal critics of governments. In contrast, MPs from the majority tend to be much less exposed to violations relating to free speech.

Success stories

Despite the overall increase in cases, the IPU was able to successfully close dozens of cases, in Colombia, Côte d’Ivoire, Malaysia, Senegal, Thailand and Zimbabwe, following satisfactory resolutions in 2025.

In Iraq, after more than a decade in detention, Mr. Ahmed Jamil Salman Al-Alwani, a former MP, was released in 2025. The release followed an IPU mission in August 2023, during which the IPU used diplomatic channels to urge political and religious leaders to prevent Mr. Al-Alwani’s wrongful execution.

Ongoing cases

However, the IPU Committee continues to monitor several high-profile cases including detained parliamentarians in Bangladesh, Eritrea, Eswatini, Myanmar, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Tunisia and Türkiye.

The caseload includes Mr. Marwan Barghouti, a former member of the Palestinian Legislative Council, who has been detained in Israel for 23 years, serving five life sentences and two 20-year prison terms after a trial reportedly marred by irregularities.

The IPU calls for his immediate release in the context of the international campaign Free Marwan.  

In Bangladesh, the IPU is concerned for the personal safety of, among others, its Honorary President, Mr. Saber Chowdhury, a former MP, who faces numerous charges including sedition, conspiracy and unlawful assembly, in allegedly politically motivated legal proceedings.

The IPU is also alarmed by the situation of Mr. Fazle Karim Chowdhury, former President of its Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians, who faces similar charges in Bangladesh and who is detained in allegedly harsh conditions. Despite his poor health, he has reportedly been denied adequate medical care, putting his life at imminent risk.

The IPU calls for international solidarity from IPU Member Parliaments, the international community and the competent national authorities to uphold the rights of MPs currently in detention in Bangladesh and around the world.

2026: A year for human rights at the IPU

In 2026, the IPU will prioritize the theme of respect for human rights, starting with the launch of a major global report on public harassment and intimidation of MPs both online and in person.

 The IPU is the global organization of national parliaments. It was founded in 1889 as the first multilateral political organization in the world, encouraging cooperation and dialogue between all nations. Today, the IPU comprises 183 national Member Parliaments and 15 regional parliamentary bodies. It promotes peace, democracy and sustainable development. It helps parliaments become stronger, younger, greener and more gender-balanced. It also defends the human rights of parliamentarians through a dedicated committee made up of MPs from around the world.

05 DECEMBER 2025 – Equinor has made two new discoveries of gas and condensate in the Sleipner area of the North Sea. These are Equinor’s largest discoveries so far this year and can be developed for the European market through existing infrastructure.

The two wells, Lofn and Langemann in production license 1140, are located between the Gudrun and Eirin fields. Preliminary estimates indicate that the reservoirs may contain between 5 and 18 million standard cubic meters of recoverable oil equivalents, corresponding to 30 to 110 million barrels.

“This demonstrates the importance of maintaining exploration activity on the Norwegian continental shelf. There are still significant energy resources on the shelf, and Europe needs stable oil and gas deliveries. Discoveries near existing fields can be developed quickly through subsea facilities, with limited environmental impact, very low CO2 emissions from production, and strong profitability. Equinor plans to accelerate such developments on the Norwegian continental shelf,” says Kjetil Hove, executive vice president for Exploration & Production Norway at Equinor.

The production license was awarded to Equinor in 2022 through the APA (Awards in Predefined Areas). The drilling targets were identified using Ocean Bottom Node (OBN) seismic technology, where sensors are placed on the seabed to provide more precise geological data than traditional surface seismic.

“The Sleipner area is an important hub for Norwegian gas exports to Europe. These discoveries strengthen our optimism for further exploration in the area. Together with our partners, we are committed to drill five additional exploration wells going forward. Adding new volumes is essential to maintain export capacity and value creation from the area,” Hove concludes.

The wells were drilled by the Deepsea Atlantic rig, which will move to the next exploration well in the area.

License holders are Equinor Energy AS (60%) and Aker BP ASA (40%).

Facts

• The two exploration wells were drilled in production license 1140, approximately 40 kilometers northwest of the Sleipner A field center.
• The wells encountered gas and condensate in the Hugin Formation, consisting of sandstones with good reservoir properties.
• The discoveries reduce uncertainty in several nearby prospects, which will now be further evaluated.
• Well 15/5-8 S (Lofn) was drilled to a depth of 4,636 meters, and 15/5-8 A (Langemann) to 4,932 meters. Both wells are HPHT (high-pressure, high temperature) wells.
• The Deepsea Atlantic rig will now continue to the Sissel prospect for Equinor and partner ORLEN Upstream Norway, near the Utgard field in the Sleipner area.
• License holders: Equinor Energy AS (60%) and Aker BP ASA (40%).

Facts about the Sleipner fields

• The Sleipner fields include the gas and condensate fields Sleipner Øst, Gungne, and Sleipner Vest. In addition, the Sleipner installations process hydrocarbons from the connected fields Sigyn, Utgard, Gudrun, and Gina Krog.
• Sleipner is a key transport and gas hub, delivering dry gas to Europe, while unstable oil is transported to Kårstø for further processing and export. Sleipner also serves as a hub for gas from Kollsnes and Nyhamna, which is transported onward to Draupner, Zeebrugge, and Easington.

Collaboration with OpenAI to help small businesses grow with AI.

5 December 2025 – Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CommBank) today announced a national technology skills initiative to help Australia’s small businesses build AI, cybersecurity and digital capabilities to lift productivity and drive growth.

CommBank is investing in practical learning and masterclasses designed to help business owners improve and protect their businesses, leveraging the latest technology – from AI-driven productivity to essential cybersecurity practices that can aid in safeguarding businesses and customers.

To support the initiative, CommBank will work with OpenAI to co-develop AI learning resources and masterclasses.

CBA CEO Matt Comyn said the initiative reflects the bank’s deep commitment to backing small businesses with the technology, tools and expertise to help them grow.

“Small businesses are the backbone of Australia’s economy, but many tell us they don’t have the time or resources to explore how technologies such as AI could help them,” Mr Comyn said.

According to the 2025 Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (COSBOA) Small Business Perspectives Report1, 48 per cent of Australian businesses are not currently using AI, and only 14 per cent have integrated it into their operations or services.

The initiative aims to help small businesses build the confidence and know-how to grow securely and sustainably in the digital economy. Whether it’s a café owner using AI to plan menus, a retailer automating daily customer insights, or a sole trader saving hours on proposals or invoicing, these opportunities are now within reach.

“We want every small business to feel confident using digital technologies such as AI, whether they’re starting, running, or growing their business. That also means helping them build strong cyber skills to protect their data, customers, and operations as they go digital,” Mr Comyn added.

As part of the initiative, CommBank will provide:

Business masterclasses covering AI, cybersecurity, and digital capability – equipping business owners to innovate whether they are starting, running, or growing their business.
AI learning resources and masterclasses jointly developed by CommBank and OpenAI covering AI fundamentals, productivity, automation and responsible use.

Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (COSBOA) Chair Matthew Addison welcomed the initiative and the support for small business.

“Small businesses are natural innovators and they want to use AI to save time, improve productivity and stay competitive. With the right practical support, the benefits for productivity, competitiveness and the broader economy are enormous,” Mr Addison said.

OpenAI Chief Strategy Officer Jason Kwon said the company is proud to work with CommBank to expand access to practical AI education.

“Thousands of Australian businesses already use ChatGPT to improve efficiency and customer service. AI will be as essential to small business as the internet or mobile banking.”

CommBank’s support for its 1 million small business customers follows its own rollout of ChatGPT Enterprise – one of the largest deployments of its kind in the global financial services sector.

1 The COSBOA 2025 Small Business Perspectives Report, released 28 October 2025, sponsored by the Commonwealth Bank of Australia.

Lions, tigers, wolves, leopards, and bears are some the world’s favourite sport symbols, but while they thrive on jerseys, many of these species are at risk of extinction in the wild.

A new international study, co-authored by Flinders University researchers, reveals that nearly 25% of professional sports teams worldwide use a wild animal in its name, logo, or fan identity, presenting a powerful and largely untapped opportunity to support biodiversity conservation.

The research, published in BioScience, examined 727 teams across 50 countries and 10 major sports, identifying at least 161 different wild animals featured in professional sport branding.

Mammals and birds lead the pack, but the diversity spans across many animal classes: every week, crabs, crocodiles, kangaroos, and eels face off against stoats, pelicans, and squid on football, rugby, and volleyball fields. An interactive global map of these teams is available at The Wild League Map.

“Sport organisations mobilise huge global audiences, and wildlife is at the heart of many of their identities,” says lead author Dr Ugo Arbieu from Paris-Saclay University, France.

“This emotional connection between fans and the animals that represent their teams could be harnessed to support conservation at scale.”

Biodiversity expert and co-author, Matthew Flinders Professor of Global Ecology Corey Bradshaw says this global phenomenon offers a unique chance to harness the passion of sport fans.

“Sport is a cultural powerhouse, and in Australia, it’s part of our national identity,” says Professor Bradshaw from the College of Science and Engineering.

“With so many teams using native wildlife like kangaroos and koalas, we have a great opportunity to turn sporting pride into conservation action.”

The study found that more than half of teams feature animals that are threatened with extinction, according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

“Lions and tigers embody values like strength and courage, but in the wild many of these species are declining,” notes co-author Dr Franck Courchamp.

“Teams have a unique opportunity — and perhaps a responsibility — to help protect the biodiversity behind these emblems.”

The researchers found wildlife branding across all sports (mens and womens teams alike) and patterns varied geographically: teams in Africa and Asia more often used local wildlife like Asian or African elephants, while organisations in Europe and the Americas were more likely to adopt species from abroad, such as lions or tigers.

“These cultural differences show how societies relate to wildlife,” explains Professor Melanie Sartore-Baldwin from East Carolina University (USA), another author of the study.

“Some species are used because they are national or regional symbols; others are chosen for the ties to local environments, or the values they help communicate like solidarity and cohesion.”

The researchers argue that sport organisations could actively support conservation through awareness campaigns, partnerships with NGOs, and funding for habitat protection.

“These symbols can be powerful, because they can speak to a broad audience that can be hard to reach through traditional channels used to promote environmental messages” says co-author Dr Diogo Veríssimo from Oxford University (UK).

“If even a fraction of sport organisations used their platform to support wildlife, the impact for conservation could be truly transformative.”

“Flagship species can open the door to protecting broad groups of species and entire ecosystems,” continues Veríssimo.  “Take the San Jose Sharks in the United States for example. The public is probably not aware that there are 70 species of sharks in the USA, 31 of which are threatened species. These sport emblems open the door to also protect habitats like coastal areas, freshwater systems or grasslands, as biodiversity depends on healthy ecosystems and trophic webs.”

Professor Bradshaw says this study shows that there is a missed opportunity for sport to champion wildlife and biodiversity.  

“Imagine the impact if every team with a kangaroo, koala, or other Australian wildlife emblem supported projects to protect those species and their habitats,” he says.

The research team hopes their analysis will encourage deeper collaborations between the conservation and sport sectors, two worlds that rarely interact despite the enormous potential. To that effect, they have created The Wild League (thewildleague.org), a global initiative that brings together sport stakeholders for biodiversity conservation.

The research – “Wildlife diversity in global team sport branding” by Ugo Arbieu (Université Paris-Saclay), Céline Bellard (Université Paris-Saclay), Corey Bradshaw (Flinders University), Ricardo Correia (University of Turku), Pierre Courtois (Université de Montpellier), Enrico Di Minin (University of Helsinki), Ivan Jarić (Université Paris-Saclay), Jessica Murfree (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill), Madeleine Orr (University of Toronto),  Samuel Roturier (Université Paris-Saclay), Melanie Sartore-Baldwin (East Carolina University), Diogo Veríssimo, (University of Oxford) and Franck Courchamp (AgroParisTech) – has been published by BioScience.

DOI: 10.1093/biosci/biaf181

Acknowledgements: RAC acknowledges personal funding from the Research Council of Finland (grant agreement #348352) and the KONE Foundation (grant agreement #202101976). FC, CB, IJ, PC, BL and SR are funded by their salary as French public servants. EDM acknowledges funding by the European Union (ERC, BIOBANG, 101171602) and the KONE Foundation (grant agreement #202309134).

Australian football has become a key battleground for alcoholic beverage brands across the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, with a high volume of small to mid-sized regional sponsorships driving strong overall deal value.