Pacific
Weekly wrap: Will China turn its back on coal?
This week’s top climate politics and policy stories. Sign up to have our newsletter sent to your inbox
Climate change made NSW’s hottest summer 50 times more likely
Researchers find strong climate signal behind the heatwaves and record average temperatures that beset Australia’s eastern states this summer
Marshall Islands become first nation to ratify global HFC treaty
President hails Kigali deal as “good for our people, the planet, and the profits of those that follow in our footsteps”
100+ species face extinction as warming hits Australia’s southern waters
Scientists tell senate committee that marine animals and plants at Australia’s southern-most point have “nowhere to go” and will disappear this century
Australian Labor will not back 2030 renewable energy target
After political attacks, Labor says it will not legislate a renewable energy target, despite a policy promising to deliver a 50% share by 2030
Australia: Fires, floods, flying foxes and political farce
On a weekend rural communities suffered dangerous weather events, the government doubled down on coal
Philippines ready to ratify UN climate deal, says senator
Loren Legarda says Manila’s much-delayed ratification saga is edging to a conclusion – with formal approval of Paris deal imminent
Australian climate sceptics may form new party
A right wing government backbencher with ties to mining magnate Gina Rinehart has registered a website for a new political brand, Australian Majority
BP looking to sell off Great Australian Bight interests
Correspondence with the federal regulator reveals oil major is in discussions with others to offload drilling rights in environmentally sensitive region
Exxon, Chevron face Philippines climate change probe
Hearings by the country’s Human Rights Commission will target some of Donald Trump’s allies in the oil sector
Full circle: 33 hours in Australian climate policy
It took just over a day for the suggestion of a carbon price to be stamped out by right-wing MPs who hold the prime minister in their thrall
Fiji appoints beauty queen as climate ambassador
Anne Dunn takes on diplomatic role for next hosts of UN climate talks shortly after winning Miss Pacific Islands competition
Fire bombs: Hobart lies in the path of climate disaster
Around the world, communities are living obliviously close to climate-driven fire disaster. In the first in a series of reports, Karl Mathiesen visits Hobart, Tasmania
Fiji invites Trump to visit climate-hit Pacific islands
On the final day of climate talks in Marrakech, next year’s host appealed to the US president-elect for solidarity
Australia is withholding carbon emissions data, says UN
UNEP chief scientist says major report was unable to assess Australia’s progress towards its emissions targets because of a lack of information
New Zealand uses pine forests, creative accounting to dodge carbon cuts
Proposed forestry accounting changes would allow New Zealand to claim credits without cutting emissions, NGO claims
Carbon majors respond to climate and human rights inquiry
Fossil fuel companies including Rio Tinto, Glencore and BHP Billiton defend their records from Philippines probe
Why the Marrakech summit must deliver on climate finance
Vulnerable countries urgently need predictable support, funding that will offer countless health, economic and development co-benefits of cleaner energy sources
What top US writers get wrong about climate politics
David Roberts and Bill McKibben are two of the most influential writers about climate change, but they miss a trick by ignoring vulnerable countries, writes Michael Dobson
New Zealand ratifies climate deal amid accounting fraud claims
Climate change minister claims historic gesture puts New Zealand at the top climate table. But questions remain over use of carbon credits