South America
Brazil senate approves Paris climate deal
Olympic hosts take major step towards formal support of new UN climate deal, with announcement likely in September
Amazon megadam denied licence over environmental, indigenous concerns
The 8GW Sao Luiz do Tapajos hydropower project is expected to get the thumbs down from Brazilian regulators, in move cautiously welcomed by activists
Can Brazil green its energy without mega dams?
Human rights violations, drought risk and now corruption are undermining the case for hydropower. Environment minister José Sarney Filho is making the case for change
Habitat III: we need a new urban climate agenda
Current progress to make our cities a better place is held back by the lack of political will: but that shouldn’t be inevitable
Amazon Basin drought stunts planet’s ‘green lungs’
Serious tree loss and stunted growth caused by repeated droughts in the Amazon Basin have damaged the rainforest’s vital ability to store atmospheric carbon
Green Climate Fund asked for indigenous people’s rights policy
UN’s flagship climate bank must recognise positive benefits traditional communities offer forests and ecosystems, says civil society group
Brazil takes a step towards ratifying Paris climate deal
Hopes Paris climate deal could enter into force by the end of the year raised with news Brazil lower house supports ratification
Global gold lust driving rise in mining emissions
Lure of mining for precious metals in South America and Europe is creating new carbon emissions not controlled by international agreement
Christiana Figueres places ‘hope’ at centre of UN pitch
Buoyed from the success of the Paris climate agreement, Costa Rican diplomat aims for New York top job
Christiana Figueres launches UN secretary general bid
Costa Rican says she will keep vow to protect world’s most vulnerable if she is appointed to New York post later this year
Why the climate v development finance fight must stop
Tacking global warming and ensuring millions gain access to clean water, food and energy should not be tackled separately – they’re both sides of the same coin
Record number of environmental activists murdered in 2015
More than three people were killed a week defending their land from mining or logging interests, reports Global Witness
Small islands lead charge on Paris Agreement approval
Concerted drive to ratify Paris deal could be last chance for vulnerable nations to ensure warming is kept at safe levels
After Rousseff, Brazil prepares to roll back green laws
Amidst the turmoil of the presidential impeachment process, members of Brazil’s Congress are set to dismantle environmental protection laws
Brazil must review its climate pledge on new data
Emissions from farming and forestry were 28% higher than previously thought in 2005, the baseline year for Brazilian climate targets
Patricia Espinosa: Who is the UN’s incoming climate change chief?
Mexican diplomat is a team builder with a ruthless streak, say ministers who have worked with her
Venezuela orders two-day week to tackle energy crisis
El Nino has dried up hydropower supplies, as South American petroeconomy battered by low oil price
BRICS bank hands $811m in green energy loans
New Development Bank issues first tranche of renewable energy loans in emerging economies, but 2016 outlook for renewables industry downgraded on Q1 results
Panama to deliver climate plan at Paris signing ceremony
Central American state will deliver belated plan at UN signing ceremony diplomat says, leaving six holdouts remaining
Latin America regional bank to scale up climate investments
NEWS: Inter-American Development Group aims to double spending on green projects to US$4bn a year by 2020