Land
Biodiversity market takes off at COP16, in shadow of carbon credit chaos
Several new guidelines for biodiversity credits were launched at COP16 in Cali, Colombia, where activists warned on risks to nature conservation efforts
COP16 hands power to Indigenous people but fails to bridge nature finance gap
UN biodiversity summit produces mixed results, with gains for Indigenous people and disagreement on how to raise and manage funding for nature protection
Fossil fuel transition pledge left out of COP16 draft agreement
An earlier draft decision at the UN nature summit included a call to transition away from fossil fuels – but it has been cut from the latest version
At COP16, countries clash over future of global fund for nature protection
Some biodiverse developing nations want to replace it with a new fund that would give them a bigger say in how it’s run and easier access to its resources
COP16 confronts “huge” challenge of protecting 30% of world’s land and sea
Ahead of the UN biodiversity summit, countries are urged to come up with strong new plans and funding to meet global nature goals
Delay to EU deforestation law must not lead to dilution
The EU needs to stand firm against the countries and companies hellbent on weakening its pioneering regulation to stop commodities harming forests
Guyana’s carbon-credit deal to protect forests undermines its forest protectors
Guyana’s Indigenous communities are under siege from all sides – including an opaque carbon-offsetting scheme agreed by the government on our lands
Biodiversity finance grew ahead of COP16 but came mostly as loans, says OECD
Funding for efforts to protect and restore nature increased to $15.4 billion in 2022 – mostly driven by concessional loans from multilateral banks
Delaying the EU’s anti-deforestation law is not an option
The EU’s new deforestation law was seen as a breakthrough in the global battle against forest loss, but it’s provoking fractious debate among governments and producers
The UN can set a new course on “critical” transition minerals
A high-level panel is working to define principles for responsible mining, which will be presented to the UN General Assembly in September
FAO draft report backs growth of livestock industry despite emissions
Experts say the UN’s food agency has shied away from recommending less animal farming, though cutting methane emissions is a quick way to curb warming
Despite dilution, officials say new nature law can restore EU carbon sinks
To meet climate goals, the European Union needs to reverse the decline of its carbon-storing ecosystems like forests and peatlands
Right-wing pushback on EU’s green laws misjudges rural views
Populist and far-right parties are wooing rural voters in the EU elections by exploiting a backlash against green policies – but new research suggests it may not work
The great COP food systems illusion: UN climate talks deliver no real-world action
Negotiations on food and agriculture have moved too slowly, while special initiatives fail to hold countries accountable on their commitments
Can the rising cost of chocolate help cocoa producers go green?
Cocoa farmers have long faced difficult growing conditions and low pay. Recent record high prices have highlighted the need for change.
World Bank tiptoes into fiery debate over meat emissions
The bank has advised wealthy nations to cut subsidies for high-emissions foods but stopped far short of promoting veganism
Road row in protected forest exposes Kenya’s climate conundrum
The government wants to expand a road through the Aberdare National Park but conservationists argue it will harm the forest, wildlife and water supplies
Indigenous lands feel cruel bite of green energy transition
Mining companies have been offered a path to sustainability but few are taking it – Indigenous people need to be at the table demanding change
Spring Meetings can jump-start financial reform for food and climate
The World Bank and IMF have a big part to play in raising the $3 trillion needed to help countries meet global development goals and the Paris accord
Forest carbon accounting allows Guyana to stay net zero while pumping oil
Experts say UN rules around forests and oil are open to abuse, so that countries like Guyana can claim to be carbon-negative without cutting emissions