Climate News

A rush to mine the deep ocean has environmentalists worried

A rush to mine the deep ocean has environmentalists worried

Tiny Nauru is behind a push to fast-track talks on mining rules for the deep seabed, which could see fragile habitats opened to exploitation as early as 2023

US spending on airport expansion flies under the radar for climate activists

US spending on airport expansion flies under the radar for climate activists

Public funding of $25 billion to airports generated little controversy despite flying’s outsized climate impact, in contrast to the European discourse

Aussie minister runs scared of climate experts - Climate Weekly

Aussie minister runs scared of climate experts – Climate Weekly

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UK needs to deliver on climate, not set higher 2030 target, say advisers

UK needs to deliver on climate, not set higher 2030 target, say advisers

The Glasgow pact calls on countries to improve their 2030 plans next year but the Cop26 host’s goal is already in line with 1.5C, the Climate Change Committee says

China 'trumps' the west by pledging larger share of IMF relief to African nations

China ‘trumps’ the west by pledging larger share of IMF relief to African nations

President Xi Jinping promised to share around a quarter of China’s pandemic recovery boost with Africa, more than European and American countries

'Subversion and treason': Australian minister attacks independent climate body

‘Subversion and treason’: Australian minister attacks independent climate body

Tim Wilson, an elected official in Australia’s energy ministry, slammed a proposal for an expert climate commission

As Delhi chokes, India's supreme court is grappling with the air pollution crisis

As Delhi chokes, India’s supreme court is grappling with the air pollution crisis

Millions of residents in India’s capital are suffering under the winter smog, prompting the country’s highest court to hold government to account

UN shipping body agrees voluntary measures to cut black carbon in the Arctic

UN shipping body agrees voluntary measures to cut black carbon in the Arctic

At the International Maritime Organization (IMO) meeting, countries urged ship operators to switch to cleaner fuels in Arctic waters

Australia to expand gas industry under Morrison infrastructure plan

Australia to expand gas industry under Morrison infrastructure plan

Scott Morrison is doubling down on fossil fuel production with new gas basins and pipelines in a plan slammed by climate campaigners

Kenyan forest communities sidelined as government misses two billion tree target

Kenyan forest communities sidelined as government misses two billion tree target

Community groups say they are willing to restore forests but have been ignored by government and rely on international non-profits for funding

Politics

Who pays for the inescapable coal phasedown? - Climate Weekly

Who pays for the inescapable coal phasedown? – Climate Weekly

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Germany to quit coal by 2030 under coalition agreement, aiming for 1.5C path

Germany to quit coal by 2030 under coalition agreement, aiming for 1.5C path

A “traffic light coalition” of centre-left, green and pro-business parties has agreed to strengthen climate policies in the next German government

India 'cannot escape' coal phasedown, top coal ministry official says

India ‘cannot escape’ coal phasedown, top coal ministry official says

An estimated 13-20 million workers in India depend on coal assets for their livelihoods, raising the need for a transition plan and financial support

Why I am calling on EU lawmakers to put climate at the heart of agricultural policy

Why I am calling on EU lawmakers to put climate at the heart of agricultural policy

The proposed reform to the EU’s farming subsidy programme continues a business-as-usual approach to farming that we cannot afford in a climate emergency

Unpacking the Glasgow outcome - Climate Weekly

Unpacking the Glasgow outcome – Climate Weekly

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African nations settled for 'moral pact' with US on adaptation finance at Cop26

African nations settled for ‘moral pact’ with US on adaptation finance at Cop26

With the US refusing to budge on the text of the Glasgow agreement, African nations reluctantly accepted a promise of stronger voluntary support

"It's going to get bumpy!" - Papua New Guinea sparked final day panic at Cop26

“It’s going to get bumpy!” – Papua New Guinea sparked final day panic at Cop26

The rainforest nation was threatening to block a deal in Glasgow over the status of Redd+ forestry projects in a UN carbon market

Mia Mottley: the 'fearless' leader pushing a global settlement for the climate frontlines

Mia Mottley: the ‘fearless’ leader pushing a global settlement for the climate frontlines

The first female prime minister of Barbados is elevating wonky discussions on the future of global finance to the highest political level

Finance

Climate reparations become a crunch issue as Cop26 goes into overtime

Climate reparations become a crunch issue as Cop26 goes into overtime

The US and EU have resisted calls for finance to the victims of climate disaster, but developing countries say it is a red line

Cop26 deal brings support for victims of climate disaster a step closer

Cop26 deal brings support for victims of climate disaster a step closer

The Santiago Network could be up and running in a year, but thorny issues of how to fund it and channel aid to frontline communities have yet to be decided

Developing countries put a number on post-2025 climate finance ask: $1.3trn a year

Developing countries put a number on post-2025 climate finance ask: $1.3trn a year

African nations and a group of 24 “like-minded” countries that includes China and India accuse donor countries of ducking substantive talks on finance

Support for vulnerable nations could 'make or break' Cop26 talks

Support for vulnerable nations could ‘make or break’ Cop26 talks

As ministers arrive in Glasgow to broker a political deal, a lack of aid for those on the front lines of climate impacts is a sore point

Canada, US, Italy among 20 countries to stop financing fossil fuels internationally

Canada, US, Italy among 20 countries to stop financing fossil fuels internationally

Major backers of coal, oil and gas projects will stop supporting them from 2023, instead backing clean energy in other countries

Big business must not be allowed to set the carbon trading agenda at Cop26

Big business must not be allowed to set the carbon trading agenda at Cop26

Delicate negotiations on carbon market rules in Glasgow could be thrown off course by the big banks’ push to “scale up” voluntary carbon trading

South Africa $8.5bn finance package offers a model for ending reliance on coal

South Africa $8.5bn finance package offers a model for ending reliance on coal

The package was hailed as “groundbreaking” for being country-led and addressing a need to reskill and support coal miners

Caught between EU pressure and soaring demand, AIIB weighs end to gas finance

Caught between EU pressure and soaring demand, AIIB weighs end to gas finance

Many Asian countries see gas as a “transition fuel” away from coal, while Brussels is urging the region to go straight to renewables

Justice

'Nature-based solutions' prove divisive at Glasgow climate talks

‘Nature-based solutions’ prove divisive at Glasgow climate talks

While advocates want to link the climate and biodiversity agendas, critics say nature should not be commodified and human rights safeguards are needed

Donor nations commit $1.7bn to help indigenous people protect forests

Donor nations commit $1.7bn to help indigenous people protect forests

The funding from US, UK, Germany, Norway and the Netherlands confronts the weakening of indigenous land rights in countries like Brazil

UK and EU must not abet the theft of indigenous territory in Brazil

UK and EU must not abet the theft of indigenous territory in Brazil

Brazil’s indigenous people are anxiously awaiting a supreme court judgement on our land rights. Proposed new laws in the EU and UK will profoundly affect us too

Street vendors and garbage pickers need protection from climate extremes

Street vendors and garbage pickers need protection from climate extremes

Two billion people globally do informal work that exposes them to unsafe conditions like extreme heat, air pollution and flooding

Why I refuse to collude with polluters in the carbon offsetting lie

Why I refuse to collude with polluters in the carbon offsetting lie

The industry-led Taskforce on Scaling Voluntary Carbon Markets is pitching carbon offsets as a win for the Global South. This is greenwashing at its most patronising

Conservationists back indigenous peoples' call to protect 80% of the Amazon by 2025

Conservationists back indigenous peoples’ call to protect 80% of the Amazon by 2025

Members of the IUCN Congress overwhelmingly backed the motion but Brazilian experts warn the verdict will likely be ignored by Bolsonaro’s government

On a mission: Evangelicals flock to the Amazon home of isolated tribes

On a mission: Evangelicals flock to the Amazon home of isolated tribes

On Brazil’s border with Peru, evangelical churches are multiplying, in a threat to uncontacted indigenous groups

Conservation summit opens amid debate over role of indigenous people

Conservation summit opens amid debate over role of indigenous people

A group of human rights NGOs has organised a counter-summit, claiming mainstream conservation measures aren’t respecting indigenous peoples’ rights

Energy

Oil and gas avoided censure in Glasgow for the 26th time. Let's not make it 27

Oil and gas avoided censure in Glasgow for the 26th time. Let’s not make it 27

Investor and state-owned oil companies in the G20 find common cause in watering down climate ambition; we need to confront their influence

China-US announce deal at Cop26 to accelerate climate action this decade

China-US announce deal at Cop26 to accelerate climate action this decade

In a surprise joint statement, the world’s two top emitters agreed to work together in a range of areas to keep the goals of the Paris Agreement “within reach”

Over 100 countries join methane pledge but China, India, Australia and Russia stay out

Over 100 countries join methane pledge but China, India, Australia and Russia stay out

The US and EU got more than a hundred countries on board with a commitment to cut methane emissions 30% by 2030, putting oil and gas sector leakage in the spotlight

Dispute over coal exit set to dominate G20 leaders' summit

Dispute over coal exit set to dominate G20 leaders’ summit

The Italian presidency is seeking to secure an agreement to phase out coal power but there is resistance from members including China, India and Australia

Treating Russia as a climate change spoiler undermines global action

Treating Russia as a climate change spoiler undermines global action

Despite its status as a major oil and gas producer, there are signs of climate action on many levels in Russia that deserve to be taken seriously

Revealed: Cop26 sponsor National Grid spewing methane across England

Revealed: Cop26 sponsor National Grid spewing methane across England

A campaigner with an infrared camera and methane monitor found significant leaks at National Grid compressor stations in eastern England

The IEA is embracing 1.5C ambition, leaving no excuse for new fossil fuel investment

The IEA is embracing 1.5C ambition, leaving no excuse for new fossil fuel investment

In a fundamental shift in mainstream thinking, the world’s most influential energy body has for the first time put a net zero scenario at the heart of its forecasting

UK's 2035 zero-carbon electricity goal is a diplomatic trendsetter, analysts say

UK’s 2035 zero-carbon electricity goal is a diplomatic trendsetter, analysts say

The ruling Conservative party confirmed the government plans to end generating electricity with unabated gas, putting pressure on other major economies to follow

Land

EU's reformed agricultural policy fails its climate goals, say green groups

EU’s reformed agricultural policy fails its climate goals, say green groups

Lawmakers have approved a reform to the Common Agricultural Policy, which critics say fails to deliver on the bloc’s Green Deal and climate goals

Modi's 'gamechanger' palm oil push raises concerns for Indian forests and women

Modi’s ‘gamechanger’ palm oil push raises concerns for Indian forests and women

Prime minister Narendra Modi has big plans for palm oil cultivation. But the experience of farmers in Mizoram does not bode well

On the edge of the Amazon, Manoki people grow soy and fight for land rights

On the edge of the Amazon, Manoki people grow soy and fight for land rights

In Mato Grosso, an indigenous group that was almost wiped out by white settlers is balancing tradition and modern agriculture to survive

Indonesia ends forest protection deal with Norway, raising deforestation fears

Indonesia ends forest protection deal with Norway, raising deforestation fears

The announcement took the Norwegian government and campaigners by surprise and came days before a moratorium on new palm oil concessions lifted

Conservationists set out 'nature positive' vision for global biodiversity deal

Conservationists set out ‘nature positive’ vision for global biodiversity deal

The IUCN Congress has come up with a blueprint for a “transformative” deal to protect plants and wildlife, which members hope governments will embrace in Kunming

A week of wildfires has left thousands homeless in southern Turkey

A week of wildfires has left thousands homeless in southern Turkey

Experts say forest management and firefighting equipment is needed to prevent future disasters, as climate change brings hotter and drier conditions

Ethiopia to shift from beef to chicken production under updated climate plan

Ethiopia to shift from beef to chicken production under updated climate plan

The government is promoting smaller livestock to limit the rise of methane emissions, in a plan that is 80% dependent on international finance

After 20 years, talks on scrapping fishing subsidies enter final stretch

After 20 years, talks on scrapping fishing subsidies enter final stretch

The World Trade Organization is nearing a deal to end harmful fishing subsidies, but exemptions for developing countries could give China a pass

Transport

UN shipping body considers zero emissions goal, defers decision to 2023

UN shipping body considers zero emissions goal, defers decision to 2023

While the US, Japan and Panama backed setting a zero carbon shipping goal for 2050, emerging economies said rich countries needed to go first and provide finance

After Cop26, countries must turn climate promises into action on global shipping

After Cop26, countries must turn climate promises into action on global shipping

A meeting of the IMO this week is the first test of translating promises made in Glasgow into bold action. The world must turn its gaze to shipping

As Cop26 car pledge underwhelms, delegates ask: where are the bikes?

As Cop26 car pledge underwhelms, delegates ask: where are the bikes?

At transport day in Glasgow EVs were given centre stage, in what campaigners said was a missed opportunity to promote public transport and active travel

UN boss calls for stronger aviation and shipping climate goals in line with 1.5C

UN boss calls for stronger aviation and shipping climate goals in line with 1.5C

Antonio Guterres said targets set at UN bodies for international transport were compatible with more than 3C of global warming and urged more action

Pacific islands call for zero carbon shipping by 2050, citing IPCC report

Pacific islands call for zero carbon shipping by 2050, citing IPCC report

Three Pacific nations want to reopen talks on the long term climate target at the International Maritime Organization, urging higher ambition

Pacific islands make lonely case for carbon price on shipping

Pacific islands make lonely case for carbon price on shipping

The Marshall Islands and Solomon Islands called for a price on shipping pollution at the UN body, but got only tepid support from European nations

With Indonesia's answer to Elon Musk in jail, electric vehicles are going nowhere

With Indonesia’s answer to Elon Musk in jail, electric vehicles are going nowhere

Electric vehicle pioneer Dasep Ahmadi was imprisoned over a failed experiment, with a chilling effect on innovation

It took the Suez Canal crisis to highlight the scale of the polluting shipping sector

It took the Suez Canal crisis to highlight the scale of the polluting shipping sector

The growing global shipping fleet is increasing the sector’s climate and environmental impacts. To rein it in, we need a global carbon price for shipping

Science

Pioneer of attribution science Geert Jan van Oldenborgh dies, aged 59

Pioneer of attribution science Geert Jan van Oldenborgh dies, aged 59

The Dutch scientist led research linking climate change to individual extreme weather events in real time and is warmly remembered by his collaborators

Xi Jinping announces biodiversity fund to help developing nations protect nature

Xi Jinping announces biodiversity fund to help developing nations protect nature

The Chinese president called on other donor countries to contribute to the $230 million fund for biodiversity at Kunming talks

Cop26 must urgently get specific on carbon removal in net-zero pathways

Cop26 must urgently get specific on carbon removal in net-zero pathways

The last IPCC report overlooked the technical, financial, and political limitations of carbon removal techniques and risks informing poor policy choices

What is Cop26 and why does it matter? Your guide to the Glasgow climate summit

What is Cop26 and why does it matter? Your guide to the Glasgow climate summit

Following a two-year gap, countries are due to meet in the UK for UN climate talks in November. Here’s what is at stake

New York floods show subway systems must be prepared for climate change

New York floods show subway systems must be prepared for climate change

After hurricane Ida swamped the city, experts set out how to increase the resilience of public transport infrastructure as flash-flooding events become more frequent

Leaked IPCC draft: Lifestyle change can cut double the emissions of Brazil by 2030

Leaked IPCC draft: Lifestyle change can cut double the emissions of Brazil by 2030

Meat, air con, flying and SUVs are driving emissions up, the latest science shows – and cleaner lifestyle choices can make a difference

Afghanistan at risk of hunger amid drought and Taliban takeover

Afghanistan at risk of hunger amid drought and Taliban takeover

As the Taliban seizes control of Afghanistan, experts warn severe drought could worsen the humanitarian crisis triggered by an exodus of western forces

The lesson from German floods: prepare for the unimaginable

The lesson from German floods: prepare for the unimaginable

A month after fatal floods swept through western Germany, survivors are still in shock and experts warn such disasters are becoming more common