World
African forest communities must be heard in the fight against climate change
The Congo rainforest is a hugely important carbon reservoir, yet the people who live there are often excluded from conversations about how to manage it
Trailblazing UK climate change act is a model for the world
Ten years after its creation, the landmark legislation has many lessons for other countries as they look for ways to turn the Paris deal into national action
Lead or sue? Pacific islands take twin tracks on climate change
Vanuatu becomes the first nation state to threaten oil majors with climate damages lawsuits, while the Marshall Islands submits updated climate plan to the UN
Polish government split over coal ahead of UN climate summit
The energy minister has published a statement in defence of coal, which was swiftly disavowed by the presidency of the upcoming Cop24 climate negotiations
Hungary wants end to coal power by 2030
‘Sky-rocketing’ EU carbon prices could mean Hungary is the first country in eastern Europe to set an exit date for the most polluting fossil fuel
Extinction Rebellion eyes global climate campaign of non-violence
Group wants to spark civil disobedience around the world, but US campaigner says it will have to lose white, middle class image
Ten countries back EU 2050 net-zero emissions goal
With the commission about to release its long term strategy, Poland is working to water down the target
Dutch government to appeal landmark climate ruling, again
Mark Rutte’s administration asks Supreme Court to review the Urgenda case, which requires the Netherlands to make deeper emissions cuts by 2020
Heavy rains and blocked drains: Nairobi’s recipe for floods
The authorities have bulldozed 2,000 buildings in a bid to prevent flooding, but garbage-choked rivers still overflow each rainy season, putting citizens at risk
Starmer: UK and EU green protections risk diverging under Brexit deal
Draft withdrawal agreement prompts calls for green watchdog to assume climate powers
Bolsonaro names climate denier as Brazil’s foreign minister
Ernesto Araújo, a relatively junior diplomat, accuses the left of using the environmental cause ‘to serve their political project of total domination’
Australia leads push to open UN shipping talks to media
Greater transparency would curb industry dominance in the International Maritime Organization, say campaigners, but key countries are opposed
UK called to explain no-deal Brexit impact on power prices
A House of Lords committee was unsatisfied by minister Claire Perry’s testimony last month
France aims to ban deforestation imports by 2030
New French strategy puts pressure on Brussels to set an EU-wide action plan to stop agricultural trade destroying forests
Carmakers slam Spanish climate law as ‘excessive and rushed’
Manufacturers say ban on diesel and petrol cars is against EU neutrality principles, setting up battle to clean up Europe’s second-largest auto-industry
Bolsonaro’s deforestation of the Amazon has already begun
Loss of forest cover jumped almost 50% during the election campaign, in anticipation of looser environmental regulations
Spain, Europe’s second largest carmaker, plans combustion engine ban
Proposal put forward for country’s first climate law takes swipe at auto-industry, scraps fossil fuel subsidies and sets 2050 goal for 100% renewable power
Can Teresa Ribera transform Spain into a green champion?
Highly experienced minister offers a contrast after years of slow-walking the environmental transition, but admits there is more to do
Island president beats no-confidence vote, days before leading climate summit
Marshall Islands Hilda Heine narrowly defeated the motion, just days before she is due to open a virtual summit of climate-vulnerable nations
German finance ministry rejects own party’s carbon price plan
Plan being developed by SPD environment minister would ‘increase the burden on citizens’ said finance ministry, which is controlled by the same party