ACADEMY PUBLIC POLICIES

As of early 2026, small businesses remain the backbone of national and local economies, driving innovation, employment, and community resilience. Yet they continue to face a landscape shaped by rapid technological change, inflationary pressures, supply‑chain volatility, and uneven digital adoption. Governments seeking to strengthen economic competitiveness must therefore adopt targeted, future‑oriented policies that reduce administrative burdens, expand access to capital, and accelerate digital transformation.

The following ten public policies-updated to reflect the economic and regulatory environment as of 31 January 2026-outline a comprehensive framework for supporting small business development in the years ahead.

Foundational Support Policies

1. Modernized “One‑In, Two‑Out” Regulatory Framework

By 2026, many governments are reassessing regulatory complexity. A strengthened “One‑In, Two‑Out” rule ensures that for every new regulation introduced, two outdated or redundant rules are eliminated. This approach actively reduces bureaucratic overhead and helps small enterprises navigate compliance more efficiently.

2. Expanded Digital Tax Filing and Pre‑Filled Returns

Building on the success of digital governance leaders such as Estonia, 2026 policy proposals emphasize simplified, pre‑filled tax returns for small businesses below a defined revenue threshold. These systems reduce compliance time, minimize errors, and free entrepreneurs to focus on growth rather than paperwork.

3. Regional Co‑Investment Funds for Early‑Stage Capital

Access to early‑stage funding remains uneven, particularly in rural regions and emerging sectors like green technology and circular‑economy ventures. Updated 2026 frameworks call for publicly seeded, privately managed Co‑Investment Funds that match angel investments and catalyze local innovation ecosystems.

4. Procurement Reform with Small‑Business Set‑Asides

Governments continue to expand procurement access for small firms. A 2026 benchmark recommends that at least 25% of non‑strategic public procurement be allocated to verified small and local businesses. This provides stable revenue streams and encourages diversified supplier networks.

Technology and Skills Integration

5. National Digital Adoption Voucher Programs

The digital divide persists, especially among micro‑enterprises. In 2026, Digital Adoption Voucher Programs help small businesses acquire essential tools—cybersecurity services, cloud accounting, e‑commerce platforms—through subsidized consultancy or software credits. These programs accelerate digital readiness and reduce vulnerability to cyber threats.

6. Strengthened STTR and R&D Commercialization Pathways

Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs are being expanded in 2026 to increase matching grant percentages and streamline collaboration between small firms, universities, and federal laboratories. The goal is to convert foundational research into commercially viable products more rapidly.

7. Refundable Tax Credits for Apprenticeship Creation

To address ongoing skilled‑labor shortages, 2026 policy proposals include refundable tax credits for small businesses that establish certified apprenticeship programs in high‑demand technical fields. Modeled on successful European vocational systems, these credits subsidize trainee wages and build long‑term workforce capacity.

Market Access and Resilience

8. Small‑Exporter Trade Facilitation Agreements

Global trade conditions remain fluid in 2026, with emerging markets in Asia and Africa offering new opportunities. Simplified customs procedures, reduced documentation requirements, and subsidized participation in trade missions help small exporters expand internationally despite resource constraints.

9. Federally Backed Small Business Disaster Insurance Pools

Climate‑related disruptions continue to intensify. Updated 2026 proposals call for mandatory, federally backed insurance pools that provide affordable disaster coverage for micro and small enterprises. These pooled‑risk structures ensure that businesses excluded from commercial insurance markets can still access essential protection.

10. Localized Small Business Innovation Hubs

Innovation Hubs-co‑located with universities, technical institutes, or regional development centers-remain a cornerstone of 2026 small‑business policy. These hubs offer subsidized workspace, mentorship networks, prototyping equipment, and access to advanced testing facilities. They serve as incubators for high‑potential ventures and anchor local innovation ecosystems.

Conclusion

As of 31 January 2026, these ten policies collectively form a robust, forward‑looking architecture for supporting small business development. They move beyond broad, generalized assistance toward targeted interventions that address regulatory friction, capital access, digital transformation, workforce development, and market expansion.

By adopting these strategies, governments can ensure that small enterprises-long the engines of economic dynamism-are equipped not only to withstand ongoing global uncertainties but to lead the next wave of innovation, employment, and sustainable growth.

Bibliography

1. European Commission. SME Performance Review 2025-2026: Digitalisation and Competitiveness in the Single Market. Brussels: EC Publications, 2026.
2. OECD. Financing SMEs and Entrepreneurs 2026: An OECD Scoreboard. Paris: OECD Publishing, 2026.
3. World Bank. Global Economic Prospects: Innovation, Productivity, and Small Enterprise Growth. Washington, DC: World Bank Group, 2025.
4. U.S. Small Business Administration. Small Business Procurement Scorecard 2025. Washington, DC: SBA, 2025.
5. International Labour Organization. Skills for the Future: Apprenticeships and Workforce Development 2026. Geneva: ILO, 2026.
6. United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. Trade Facilitation and SME Export Capacity in Emerging Markets. Geneva: UNCTAD, 2025.
7. National Institute of Standards and Technology. Technology Transfer and Commercialization Report 2025. Washington, DC: NIST, 2025.
8. Global Entrepreneurship Monitor. GEM Global Report 2025/2026. London: GEM Consortium, 2026.
9. Insurance Development Forum. Climate Risk and SME Resilience: Insurance Solutions for 2026. London: IDF, 2026.
10. McKinsey & Company. The State of Small Business Digital Transformation 2026. New York: McKinsey Global Institute, 2026.

Climate change mitigation, the effort to reduce or prevent the emission of greenhouse gases, remains the paramount global challenge as we approach the mid-2020s. By 2026, the urgency for decisive governmental action will necessitate the robust implementation and expansion of proven policy mechanisms across energy, industry, transportation, and land use. Effective climate action requires a portfolio approach, combining regulatory mandates, market incentives, and direct public investment. The following outlines ten essential public policies that will likely form the backbone of successful national and international climate mitigation strategies in the near future.

Core Mitigation Policy Mechanisms

The first essential policy area centers on carbon pricing. Policy One is the expansion and tightening of national or regional Carbon Taxes. These taxes directly place a cost on emissions, encouraging immediate shifts in industrial behavior, as successfully seen in jurisdictions like British Columbia. Policy Two involves strengthening Cap and Trade Systems, ensuring that the allocated allowances decrease annually to meet stringent emission reduction targets, thereby creating a predictable price signal for long-term investment, much like the European Union Emissions Trading System.

Addressing the energy sector, Policy Three is the aggressive phase-out schedule for unabated coal-fired power plants, backed by enforceable deadlines and financial mechanisms to support worker transition. This must be coupled with Policy Four: enhanced Feed-in Tariffs (FITs) or streamlined permitting processes specifically designed to accelerate the deployment of utility-scale renewable energy projects, such as solar and offshore wind farms, to quickly replace retiring fossil fuel capacity.

In the realm of transportation, Policy Five is the mandated phase-in timeline for zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) sales, supported by substantial public investment in nationwide charging infrastructure. This strategy mirrors the direction set by nations like Norway, which have successfully driven rapid consumer adoption. Policy Six involves setting stringent efficiency standards for heavy-duty transport and maritime shipping, often requiring the development and adoption of alternative low-carbon fuels like green hydrogen or sustainable biofuels.

Industrial and Land Use Interventions

Mitigation efforts must also target hard-to-abate sectors. Policy Seven involves implementing performance-based standards or mandates for industrial decarbonization, particularly in cement, steel, and chemical production. This often requires governmental procurement mandates favoring low-carbon materials to create initial market demand, a strategy being explored within the United States infrastructure legislation.

Land use offers significant natural climate solutions. Policy Eight is the nationwide adoption of sustainable agricultural practices through subsidies and technical assistance, focusing on soil carbon sequestration, reduced methane emissions from livestock, and optimized fertilizer use. This shifts farming from a source of emissions to a carbon sink.

Supporting and Enabling Policies

To ensure equity and effectiveness, several enabling policies are critical. Policy Nine focuses on significant, targeted public investment in research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) for nascent climate technologies, such as direct air capture (DAC) and long-duration energy storage. Government backing de-risks these expensive technologies, enabling private sector scaling later.

Finally, Policy Ten is the establishment of legally binding, transparent National Climate Adaptation and Resilience Plans that integrate mitigation efforts across all government departments. This ensures that climate policy is not siloed but embedded in fiscal planning, infrastructure development, and regional zoning decisions, providing the regulatory stability needed for long-term corporate commitment. These ten policies, working in concert, provide the necessary regulatory push, financial incentive, and technological scaffolding required to achieve significant climate mitigation gains by 2026 and beyond.

Conclusion

The transition to a low-carbon economy by 2026 will not occur passively. It requires a deliberate, well-designed set of ten integrated public policies spanning carbon pricing, aggressive renewable energy deployment, industrial transformation, sustainable land management, and critical technological support. While the specific legislative forms will vary by nation, the underlying principles—making pollution expensive, incentivizing clean alternatives, and investing strategically in future solutions—remain universally effective tools for steering societies away from climate catastrophe and toward a resilient future.

Bibliography

• United Nations Environment Programme. Global Climate Policy Outlook 2026. UNEP, 2026.
• European Commission. Fit for 55 Package: Legislative Updates and Climate Targets. Brussels, 2026.
• U.S. Department of Energy. Industrial Decarbonization Roadmap. DOE, 2026.
• International Energy Agency. World Energy Outlook 2026. IEA, 2026.
• ClimateWorks Foundation. Carbon Pricing and Market Mechanisms: Global Trends. ClimateWorks, 2026.
• Norwegian Ministry of Transport. Zero-Emission Vehicle Strategy 2026. Oslo, 2026.
• Food and Agriculture Organization. Sustainable Agriculture and Climate Resilience. FAO, 2026.
• Global CCS Institute. Direct Air Capture and Emerging Technologies. GCCSI, 2026.
• World Resources Institute. National Climate Adaptation Plans: Integration and Impact. WRI, 2026.
• Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. AR6 Synthesis Report: Mitigation Pathways. IPCC, 2026.

Sugar, once a symbol of luxury and scarcity, has become an omnipresent ingredient in the modern diet. In 2025, its consumption remains one of the greatest public health concerns, not only because of excess calories but also due to the systemic impact it provokes. Refined sugar, present in soft drinks, processed products, and even in foods labeled as “healthy,” reveals a troubling reality: its addictive power, the physiological harm it causes, and the difficult but possible path to dietary freedom. Understanding this triad of addiction, harm, and recovery is essential to face the challenges of today’s food environment.

The Neurological Hook: Sugar as an Addictive Substance

The attraction to sweetness is rooted in human biology, an evolutionary signal for energy-rich foods. However, in 2025, the food industry continues to exploit this natural predisposition, overloading products with sucrose, fructose, and concentrated syrups. Recent studies confirm that repeated consumption activates the brain’s reward circuits, releasing dopamine and creating a reinforcement cycle similar to that of addictive drugs.

Over time, tolerance sets in, requiring more consumption to achieve the same pleasure. Withdrawal symptoms such as irritability, headaches, and fatigue are now recognized as real signs of dependence. Sugar has ceased to be merely a pleasant taste and has become an agent of compulsion, capable of altering behavior and hindering conscious food choices.

Physiological Consequences of Excess

The damage caused by excessive sugar consumption goes far beyond weight gain. In 2025, scientific evidence reinforces that:

• The liver, overloaded, transforms excess glucose into fat, increasing cases of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), common among adolescents.
• Insulin resistance remains one of the greatest risk factors for type 2 diabetes, which continues to rise globally.
• Sugar fuels silent inflammatory processes that affect the heart, brain, and immune system.
• Recent studies associate chronic sugar consumption with accelerated cognitive decline, greater risk of dementia, and negative impacts on mental health.

The body suffers systemically, confirming that sugar is not merely an empty calorie but a pathogenic agent when consumed in excess.

The Path to Freedom

Breaking free from sugar addiction requires a multifaceted approach. In 2025, specialists recommend:

• Food awareness: identifying hidden sources of sugar in processed foods and beverages.
• Nutritional education: learning to interpret labels and recognize the different names of added sugars.
• Gradual substitution: choosing fresh fruits and whole foods, rich in fiber, which satisfy without causing glycemic spikes.
• Progressive reduction: instead of cutting abruptly, decreasing consumption step by step helps the brain readjust its dopamine receptors.
• Palate reeducation: over time, satiety signals normalize and the craving for intense sweets diminishes.

Food freedom becomes a sustainable reality when discipline, patience, and awareness are combined.

Conclusion

Thus, in December 2025, sugar is recognized as one of the greatest global public health challenges. Transformed by industry into an addictive and harmful product, it demands vigilance and changes in habits. Recognizing its neurological and physiological impact is the first step. Liberation requires conscious choices, gradual reduction, and dietary reeducation. By regaining control over the palate and reducing exposure, it is possible to restore metabolic health and break the cycle of dependence imposed by the modern food system.

Bibliography

World Health Organization (WHO). Guidelines on Sugar Intake for Adults and Children. Geneva, 2025.

Portuguese Nutrition Society. Report on Sugar Consumption in Portugal. Lisbon, 2025.

Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Sugar and Health: Updated Evidence. Boston, 2025.

National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge. Impact of Sugary Drink Consumption on Adolescent Health. Lisbon, 2025.

American Diabetes Association. Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes. Chicago, 2025.

References:

Just a moment.... onlinelibrary.wiley.com. Retrieved from https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/brb3.70338

Karolina Wydra & Kacper Witek & Małgorzata Filip (2022). A High-Sugar Diet Consumption, Metabolism and Health Impacts with a Focus on the Development of Substance Use Disorder: A Narrative Review | MDPI. www.mdpi.com. Retrieved from https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/14/14/2940

Miyola Cia & Deema Waleed & Praveen S. (2025). Frontiers | Effectiveness of sugar taxation policies in Asia and Africa: a systematic review. www.frontiersin.org. Retrieved from https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/oral-health/articles/10.3389/froh.2025.1520861/full

Norashikin Yusof & Mohd Yusmiaidil Putera Mohd Yusof & Syathirah Hanim Azhar Hilmy & Tuan Yuswana Tuan Soh & Norhasnida Nordin (2024). Components in downstream health promotions to reduce sugar intake among adults: a systematic review - PMC. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Retrieved from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10792802/

Carrie R Ferrario & Julie E Finnell (2023). Applying behavioral economics-based approaches to examine the effects of liquid sucrose consumption on motivation - PMC. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Retrieved from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10575208/

Stanton A. Glantz & Cristin E. Kearns & Laura A. Schmidt (2015). Sugar Industry Influence on the Scientific Agenda of the National Institute of Dental Research’s 1971 National Caries Program: A Historical Analysis of Internal Documents | PLOS Medicine. journals.plos.org. Retrieved from https://journals.plos.org/plosmedicine/article?id=10.1371/journal.pmed.1001798

 (2025). Just a moment.... www.sciencedirect.com. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0149763418308613

Rina Ruolin Yan & Jimmy Chun Yu Louie (2023). Sugar guidelines should be evidence-based and contain simple and easily actionable messages - PMC. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Retrieved from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10464488/

 VISIT, SUPPORT AND SHARE UNICEF

 VISIT, SHARE AND FOLLOW WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION

WITH OUR ONLINE HEALTH PREVENTION WE SAVED IN LAST YEARS THOUSANDS OF LIFES

We provide free information and opinions as humanitarian aid

We don't raise funds

We don't accept donations

Copyrights protection are secured

WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION - NEWS AND TOP STORIES

Worldwide 59.5 million people are displaced –22 million more than a decade ago

Cancer is a large group of diseases that can start in almost any organ or tissue of the body when abnormal cells grow uncontrollably, go beyond their usual boundaries to invade adjoining parts of the body, and/or spread to other organs. The latter process is called metastasizing and is a major cause of death from cancer. A neoplasm and malignant tumour are other common names for cancer.

 Cancer is the second leading cause of death globally, accounting for an estimated 9.6 million deaths, or one in six deaths, in 2018. Lung, prostate, colorectal, stomach, and liver cancer are the most common types of cancer in men, while breast, colorectal, lung, cervical, and thyroid cancer are the most common among women.

The cancer burden continues to grow globally, exerting tremendous physical, emotional, and financial strain on individuals, families, communities, and health systems. Many health systems in low- and middle-income countries are least prepared to manage this burden, and large numbers of cancer patients globally do not have access to timely quality diagnosis and treatment. In countries where health systems are strong, survival rates of many types of cancers are improving thanks to accessible early detection, quality treatment, and survivorship care.

• Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for nearly 10 million deaths in 2020, or nearly one in six deaths.
• The most common cancers are breast, lung, colon and rectum and prostate cancers.
• Around one-third of deaths from cancer are due to tobacco use, high body mass index, alcohol consumption, low fruit and vegetable intake, and lack of physical activity.
• Cancer-causing infections, such as human papillomavirus (HPV) and hepatitis, are responsible for approximately 30% of cancer cases in low- and lower-middle-income countries.
• Many cancers can be cured if detected early and treated effectively.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death globally, taking an estimated 17.9 million lives each year. CVDs are a group of disorders of the heart and blood vessels and include coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, rheumatic heart disease and other conditions. More than four out of five CVD deaths are due to heart attacks and strokes, and one third of these deaths occur prematurely in people under 70 years of age.

The most important behavioural risk factors of heart disease and stroke are unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, tobacco use and harmful use of alcohol. The effects of behavioural risk factors may show up in individuals as raised blood pressure, raised blood glucose, raised blood lipids, and overweight and obesity. These “intermediate risks factors” can be measured in primary care facilities and indicate an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, heart failure and other complications.

Cessation of tobacco use, reduction of salt in the diet, eating more fruit and vegetables, regular physical activity and avoiding harmful use of alcohol have been shown to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Health policies that create conducive environments for making healthy choices affordable and available are essential for motivating people to adopt and sustain healthy behaviours.

Identifying those at the highest risk of CVDs and ensuring they receive appropriate treatment can prevent premature deaths. Access to noncommunicable disease medicines and basic health technologies in all primary health care facilities is essential to ensure that those in need receive treatment and counselling.

• Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death globally.
• An estimated 17.9 million people died from CVDs in 2019, representing 32% of all global deaths. Of these deaths, 85% were due to heart attack and stroke.
• Over three-quarters of CVD deaths take place in low- and middle-income countries.
• Out of the 17 million premature deaths (under the age of 70) due to noncommunicable diseases in 2019, 38% were caused by CVDs.
• Most cardiovascular diseases can be prevented by addressing behavioural risk factors such as tobacco use, unhealthy diet and obesity, physical inactivity, and harmful use of alcohol.
• It is important to detect the cardiovascular disease as early as possible so that management with counselling and medicines can begin.

  Scientific American Mind

Scientific American

THE LANCET

THE LANCET DIABETES & ENDOCRINOLOGY

THE LANCET INFECTIOUS DISEASES

THE LANCET GLOBAL HEALTH

THE LANCET SCIENCE DIRECT

ELSEVIER

THE LANCET ONCOLOGY

NATURE