Climate politics
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
Australian renewables pioneer Adelaide bids to host COP31 climate summit
South Australia has one of the world’s cleanest electricity grids, which it wants to showcase at the COP31 conference in 2026
How the world can set itself up for success at COP29
A new climate finance goal is the top priority for the Baku summit – and there are signs of convergence on critical issues
Progress on structure for new global climate finance goal but trickier divides persist
Negotiators cite “convergence” on the shape of the post-2025 finance goal but gaps remain on contributors and amounts
Why we need to keep climate COPs inclusive
Frustration at slow progress towards the Paris Agreement goals is prompting calls to streamline the COP process – but restricting participation is the wrong response
Japan backs fossil fuels in Southeast Asian “zero emission” initiative
Japan’s Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) supported 56 projects using fossil fuel technologies in Southeast Asia — including LNG and carbon capture
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
Civil servants warn fossil fuel exploration could harm New Zealand’s climate reputation
Advice to politicians says revoking a ban on oil and gas drilling could damage relations with Pacific neighbours and risk lawsuits
As COP Troika dithers on 1.5C-aligned climate plans, experts set the bar high
UAE, Azerbaijan and Brazil have promised NDCs compatible with the safest warming limit in the Paris Agreement – but it’s not clear what they mean
New global climate commitments critical – but strong national laws must follow
International emissions-cutting targets need to be translated into national laws to guarantee delivery and protect the rights of future generations