Climate politics
Cross-border climate risks can’t be solved in isolation
Focusing solely on how to adapt to issues or deal with disasters inside country borders can cause problems elsewhere, triggering calls for a broader view perspective
In numbers: The state of the climate in 2024
At the start of COP29, new reports warn that 2024 is set to be the hottest year on record as global warming temporarily tops 1.5C and climate disasters surge
COP29 Bulletin Day 1: Carbon market rules adopted, US reassures on emissions
UN climate summit kicks off in Baku, with governments approving carbon market rules and US climate envoy saying emissions to keep falling
Frontline countries must not be stuck with the climate bill at COP29
Someone will have to pay for the rising costs of the climate crisis – will it be those causing the damage, or those that suffer it?
Rich nations “on track” to double adaptation finance but huge gap persists
While adaptation funding jumped by about a quarter in 2022, a large share came as loans rather than grants, adding to developing-nations’ debt burdens
COP29: We need to adapt to climate chaos now
Adaptation policy has grown to be of central importance in our collective response to the climate crisis – but more funding is urgently needed
UAE kicks off new global round of UN climate plans
COP28 host nation claims the plan is compatible with a 1.5C warming limit, but campaigners disagree, saying it does not commit to cutting oil and gas production
Emerging economies set up COP29 agenda fight over trade measures
The BASIC group led by China wants “unilateral restrictive trade measures” on the COP29 agenda
COP29 must deliver on the world’s energy transition promises
COP28 agreed a transition away from fossil fuels – and COP29 must follow up on this, as well as agreeing an ambitious goal for climate finance for developing countries
Legal experts say Trump could quit Paris pact – but leaving UNFCCC much harder
As the US Senate approved the US joining the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, it’s unclear if a president could easily pull the country out
How Azerbaijan locked up climate and social justice advocate ahead of COP29
Azeri economist Farid Mehralizada has argued that his country’s reliance on fossil fuels is unsustainable and dangerous – he is now in prison ahead of the climate summit in Baku
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
Colombia to present proposal for new critical minerals pact at COP30
The aim is for minerals used in the clean energy transition to be mined and commercialised responsibly, respecting the environment and communities
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
Indian coal giants pushed for lax pollution rules while ramping up production
Even as India agreed to phase down coal power at UN climate talks, state-run firms were lobbying government to weaken pollution regulations and expand the sector
In a warring world, Azerbaijan’s COP29 truce appeal draws fire as “PR exercise”
Baku wants all countries to lay down arms for the UN climate summit – but doubts grow as warring states sign up and conflicts intensify
Modi, Macron, Xi and Biden among many leaders yet to request COP29 speech
Just over 100 world leaders have said they will speak at the upcoming UN climate summit, about a fifth down on last year’s figure
It’s time to end the UN’s artificial divide between biodiversity and climate
The biodiversity and climate crises are interlinked – and failing to coordinate our response leaves critical ecosystems like forests and peatlands at risk
Why we need new laws to end coal, oil and gas – now
Introducing strong policies to accelerate the rollout of renewables, coupled with a rapid, legally implemented phase-out of fossil fuels, may be our best hope for curbing global warming
The Global South is surging ahead in the renewables revolution
Many developing countries are rich in renewable resources and growing them fast – with more investment, they can tip the balance towards green industrialisation