Latest climate change news
COP29 Bulletin Day 2: Aliyev defends fossil fuels, G77 unites on finance goal
Azerbaijan’s president repeats his claim that oil and gas are a “gift from the god” before the UN chief says “doubling down on fossil fuels is absurd”
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
From cyclone to drought, Zimbabwe’s climate victims struggle to adapt
Five years after Cyclone Idai devastated eastern Zimbabwe, relocated communities face a new threat – water shortages – with authorities saying they lack money to build a dam
Biodiversity market takes off at COP16, in shadow of carbon credit chaos
Several new guidelines for biodiversity credits were launched at COP16 in Cali, Colombia, where activists warned on risks to nature conservation efforts
US election: Climate experts react to Donald Trump’s victory
Trump is expected to cut spending on green energy and boost US production of fossil fuels, while pulling his country out of the Paris climate accord
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
What Trump got wrong on China, coal and climate
Republican candidate Donald Trump has cited China’s coal plants as a reason for the US to stick with fossil fuels – but he fails to acknowledge China’s massive clean energy industry
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
Plans to turn Europe’s biggest coal mine into a leisure lake prove divisive
Transition experts say repurposing Poland’s Bełchatów mine and power plant for renewables not recreation could bring more jobs, revenue and electricity
Verra’s plan to review carbon credits faster with fewer staff raises integrity concerns
Verra’s new CEO said that “faster does not equal to compromise on integrity” – but independent carbon market experts are sceptical
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