Climate News

Grenada's Simon Stiell set to be appointed UN climate chief

Grenada’s Simon Stiell set to be appointed UN climate chief

Stiell is a veteran advocate for climate ambition from a small vulnerable, Caribbean island, with a background in engineering and business

China-US climate "oasis" turns to desert - Climate Weekly

China-US climate “oasis” turns to desert – Climate Weekly

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Pakistan struggles to rebuild after deadly flash floods

Pakistan struggles to rebuild after deadly flash floods

At least 550 people died as the wettest month in three decades washed away mud houses in rural Balochistan – and international aid is not forthcoming

petro colombia debt

Colombia’s new president calls for debt swap to protect the Amazon

“We can turn the entire population of the Colombian Amazon into a population that cares for the forest, but we need the world’s funds to do it,” says Gustavo Petro

'We are not ready': Divisions deepen over rush to finalise deep sea mining rules

‘We are not ready’: Divisions deepen over rush to finalise deep sea mining rules

A growing number of countries are backing calls for a moratorium on mining the oceans’ floor but the UN body responsible is pushing to greenlight the industry in 2023

US-China climate working group cancelled after Pelosi's Taiwan visit

US-China climate working group cancelled after Pelosi’s Taiwan visit

Talks on topics like methane cuts, forests, clean power and action in cities have been cancelled after a diplomatic spat over Taiwan

Chinese companies seek global carbon market for green hydrogen

Chinese companies seek global carbon market for green hydrogen

A project that supplied green hydrogen for buses at the Winter Olympics could be the first of its kind to sell carbon credits through the Clean Development Mechanism

US-funded trees 'not likely to survive' in Haiti when project ends

US-funded trees ‘not likely to survive’ in Haiti when project ends

A report commissioned by USAID found that the environmental and social benefits of a $39m five-year programme were unlikely to continue beyond this month

Africa's finance dilemma - Climate Weekly

Africa’s finance dilemma – Climate Weekly

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Egypt pitches for climate funding in list of African projects to be showcased at Cop27

Egypt pitches for climate funding in list of African projects to be showcased at Cop27

The Cop27 host is pitching for $11.4bn in investment as part of a push with the UN to match bankable climate projects with private funders

Politics

African climate diplomats reject African Union's pro-gas stance for Cop27

African climate diplomats reject African Union’s pro-gas stance for Cop27

Negotiators quashed a proposal to endorse gas for energy access at the next UN climate summit, arguing the controversy would distract from other priorities

India approves climate plan with increased ambition, clarifying energy goals

India approves climate plan with increased ambition, clarifying energy goals

The cabinet has cemented a verbal pledge by prime minister Narendra Modi to aim for net zero emissions by 2070 and improve carbon efficiency this decade

Rich countries fall $17bn short of 2020 climate finance goal

Rich countries fall $17bn short of 2020 climate finance goal

2020 was the deadline for delivering the $100bn climate finance promise

Indian tribes fight to save forest homes from coal mining

Indian tribes fight to save forest homes from coal mining

In Hasdeo Aranya, indigenous people have been resisting coal mines for a decade and allege their consent for new projects has been forged

US Democrats pull back from the brink - Climate Weekly

US Democrats pull back from the brink – Climate Weekly

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UK leadership wilts in the heat - Climate Weekly

UK leadership wilts in the heat – Climate Weekly

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What do you think of Climate Home News?

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In Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss, UK's two PM contenders have poor climate records

In Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss, UK’s two PM contenders have poor climate records

Liz Truss has links to secretively funded climate sceptic groups while Rishi Sunak opposed climate spending as finance minister

Finance

Make polluters pay for climate adaptation, voluntary carbon market body proposes

Make polluters pay for climate adaptation, voluntary carbon market body proposes

An adaptation levy on carbon credits could raise up to $2.5bn a year by 2030, providing more predictable support for climate vulnerable countries

UK freezes international aid to keep within self-imposed limit

UK freezes international aid to keep within self-imposed limit

Climate and food programmes are expected to suffer from a pause on aid spending at a time of rising hunger

Massachusetts set to enable citizens to give climate finance to vulnerable nations

Massachusetts set to enable citizens to give climate finance to vulnerable nations

In a world first, the American state is expected to adopt a bill that would let people contribute to the Least Developed Countries Fund when filing their tax return

Germany promotes insurance-based 'global shield' for climate victims

Germany promotes insurance-based ‘global shield’ for climate victims

The German initiative aims to fix the flaws in humanitarian aid, but with no new money behind it campaigners are sceptical

Germany, Japan must not water down G7 commitment to end fossil fuel finance

Germany, Japan must not water down G7 commitment to end fossil fuel finance

There are worrying signs from Berlin and Tokyo of backsliding on a pledge to end public finance for fossil fuel projects overseas by the end of the year

Data exclusive: The 'junk' carbon offsets revived by the Glasgow Pact

Data exclusive: The ‘junk’ carbon offsets revived by the Glasgow Pact

Analysis for Climate Home identifies hundreds of problematic projects that could be used to greenwash national and corporate climate plans

Patricia Espinosa: Some rich nations felt demands on finance were 'too strong'

Patricia Espinosa: Some rich nations felt demands on finance were ‘too strong’

Outgoing UN climate change head says finance from rich to poorer nations is what makes the international action possible – and failure to deliver is stalling progress

Frustration turns to anger - Climate Weekly

Frustration turns to anger – Climate Weekly

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Justice

Hali Hewa episode 3: The indigenous experience

Hali Hewa episode 3: The indigenous experience

Cindy Kobei talks about growing up as an indigenous person in Kenya’s Mau Forest and what has changed with land rights issues and the climate crisis

Chinese court rules bitcoin mining harms the climate

Chinese court rules bitcoin mining harms the climate

A judge in Beijing quashed a bitcoin contract on the basis it was not in the public interest, citing incompatibility with China’s carbon neutrality goal

Brazilian court world's first to recognise Paris Agreement as human rights treaty

Brazilian court world’s first to recognise Paris Agreement as human rights treaty

The Supreme Court ruling requires the Brazilian government to reactivate its climate fund and has implications for international law

An uncertain climate partner - Climate Weekly

An uncertain climate partner – Climate Weekly

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The Arctic community that chose conservation over Big Oil

The Arctic community that chose conservation over Big Oil

In the Northwest Territories, Canada’s first indigenous protected reserve is bringing together scientific methods and traditional knowledge

My people have lived in the Amazon for 6,000 years: You need to listen to us

My people have lived in the Amazon for 6,000 years: You need to listen to us

As the planet warms and biodiversity collapses, those encouraging and profiting from the destruction of the Earth must be charged with ecocide

Japanese and Korean industry push gas on Vietnam amid campaigner crackdown

Japanese and Korean industry push gas on Vietnam amid campaigner crackdown

An InfluenceMap report spells out foreign pro-gas lobbying in Vietnam as environmental activists face mounting threats for speaking out against the government

It's time to put Indigenous Peoples first at the UN biodiversity talks

It’s time to put Indigenous Peoples first at the UN biodiversity talks

As talks on a global deal to protect nature begin in Nairobi, Kenya, countries need to create a new conservation designation for Indigenous Peoples’ land

Energy

UN, IMF disagree on who should foot the bill of the energy crisis

UN, IMF disagree on who should foot the bill of the energy crisis

António Guterres is backing windfall taxes on “immoral” oil and gas profits, while the IMF argues costs should be passed to consumers

US set to fine oil and gas companies for methane leaks

US set to fine oil and gas companies for methane leaks

The fee is thought to be the first in the world and is likely to at least halve the oil and gas sector’s methane leakage rate

Sri Lanka can't afford fossil fuels but can't afford to get off them either

Sri Lanka can’t afford fossil fuels but can’t afford to get off them either

Reliance on imported fossil fuels has helped bankrupt Sri Lanka and now it doesn’t have the money to transition to renewables

EU energy ministers agree to cut gas use in the face of Russian supply disruptions

EU energy ministers agree to cut gas use in the face of Russian supply disruptions

Despite a backlash against moves to impose rationing, every member state except Hungary united behind the plan to boost energy security this winter

Between a wolf and its food: as one deep sea miner flops, others eye the prize

Between a wolf and its food: as one deep sea miner flops, others eye the prize

The Metals Company is running out of money, but the regulator is still fast-tracking rules to mine the ocean while other prospectors wait in the wings

China's ambitious rooftop solar pilot helps drive 'blistering' capacity growth

China’s ambitious rooftop solar pilot helps drive ‘blistering’ capacity growth

Across China, hundreds of local authorities are partnering with solar developers to cover a percentage of buildings with PV by the end of 2023

Over the rainbow: The role of hydrogen in a clean energy system, explained

Over the rainbow: The role of hydrogen in a clean energy system, explained

In the first of a four-part series on the future of energy, we explore the case for – and limitations of – hydrogen as a clean fuel

EU lawmakers back stronger energy efficiency target in response to Russian war

EU lawmakers back stronger energy efficiency target in response to Russian war

The European Parliament’s four largest political groups are proposing a 14.5% efficiency goal by 2030, up from the 9% discussed last year

Land

Campaigners call on António Guterres to rescue 'imperilled' biodiversity deal

Campaigners call on António Guterres to rescue ‘imperilled’ biodiversity deal

With five months to the critical summit, a “Paris Agreement for nature” is floundering as finance and political leadership fall short

Tanzanian authorities seen opening fire on Maasai people in game reserve dispute

Tanzanian authorities seen opening fire on Maasai people in game reserve dispute

Rights NGO Survival International has accused the government of “shocking violence” and evicting Maasai people from their land to make way for trophy hunting

Slow progress on Great Green Wall prompts soul-searching at UN desertification summit

Slow progress on Great Green Wall prompts soul-searching at UN desertification summit

African leaders expressed frustration at UN talks in Abidjan over funding barriers as climate impacts in the Sahel outpace action to address them

DR Congo approves auction of oil blocks in one of the world's largest carbon sinks

DR Congo approves auction of oil blocks in one of the world’s largest carbon sinks

At least three of 16 oil blocks earmarked for drilling overlap with the world’s largest tropical peatland complex, posing a double threat to the climate

As 1.5C overshoot looms, a high-level commission will ask: what next?

As 1.5C overshoot looms, a high-level commission will ask: what next?

Fifteen former leaders and ministers are set to address sensitive questions on the role of CO2 removal and geoengineering in climate action

War in Ukraine is triggering a food crisis - and climate change has more in store

War in Ukraine is triggering a food crisis – and climate change has more in store

Governments must fund humanitarian relief and prioritise cropland for feeding people, not livestock or cars, to guard against future shocks

Pakistan's tree-planting ambition in doubt after Imran Khan's exit

Pakistan’s tree-planting ambition in doubt after Imran Khan’s exit

Climate experts are urging Shehbaz Sharif’s government to continue Khan’s flagship forest restoration initiative

DR Congo audit exposes 'lawless' logging sector, implicating six former ministers

DR Congo audit exposes ‘lawless’ logging sector, implicating six former ministers

As Norway, UK and Germany commit millions to protect the Congo rainforest, a damning report shows governance in chaos

Transport

UK government touts 'guilt-free flying' on country's hottest day on record

UK government touts ‘guilt-free flying’ on country’s hottest day on record

The “jet zero” strategy relies on future technology breakthroughs and rejects options to curb demand

Dutch government issues world-first cap on flights from European hub

Dutch government issues world-first cap on flights from European hub

Schiphol airport, the third busiest in Europe, will be required to limit traffic to below its pre-pandemic peak, to reduce pollution

UN body makes 'breakthrough' on carbon price proposal for shipping

UN body makes ‘breakthrough’ on carbon price proposal for shipping

After a decade of talks, there is consensus at the International Maritime Organization to put a price on shipping emissions – the next question is how high

Nigerian airlines win jet fuel subsidy after shutdown threat

Nigerian airlines win jet fuel subsidy after shutdown threat

After domestic airlines threatened to ground their planes, the government agreed to cover some of their rising fuel costs

Turkey opens laboratory to grow algae for jet fuel, in EU-backed clean aviation push

Turkey opens laboratory to grow algae for jet fuel, in EU-backed clean aviation push

Ministers hope Turkish Airlines will make its first biofuelled flight by the end of 2022, but experts are sceptical algae can make much of a dent in aviation emissions

A race for lithium is sparking fears of water shortages in northern Argentina

A race for lithium is sparking fears of water shortages in northern Argentina

The salt flats of Catamarca hold rich resources for a green revolution, but the impact of mining on water sources has nearby communities worried

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

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

Science

Heat and humidity gets dangerous to health sooner than most people realise

Heat and humidity gets dangerous to health sooner than most people realise

Lab tests show that the human body’s core temperature starts to rise at lower wet bulb temperatures than the theoretical safety limit

Hali Hewa episode 2: Climate science

Hali Hewa episode 2: Climate science

Youba Sokona, a distinguished climate scientist from Mali, talks about his journey and what the science says about Africa’s needs

Nature restoration and carbon removal are not the same. Here's why it matters

Nature restoration and carbon removal are not the same. Here’s why it matters

Planting trees is a key pillar in the fight against climate change but it’s no substitute for permanently removing carbon dioxide from the air

German minister backs Middle East 'peace through water' plan

German minister backs Middle East ‘peace through water’ plan

The proposals aim to harness solar power to bring drinking water to Palestinian territories but Israel’s support is needed

Former presidents of Mexico, Niger, Kiribati join commission to tackle overshoot risks

Former presidents of Mexico, Niger, Kiribati join commission to tackle overshoot risks

The Climate Overshoot Commission will explore controversial options to cope with global heating in excess of the 2C Paris limit

The heat in Delhi is unbearable. This is what the climate crisis feels like

The heat in Delhi is unbearable. This is what the climate crisis feels like

A short walk in the afternoon is exhausting. Heatwaves will keep getting worse until we stop burning fossil fuels

Leading scientists pitch for annual IPCC reports to keep climate on the agenda

Leading scientists pitch for annual IPCC reports to keep climate on the agenda

Corinne Le Quéré is among a group of authors proposing the IPCC publish updates on key climate indicators every year amid an “explosion” of scientific literature

Global hub launched to help countries slash methane emissions

Global hub launched to help countries slash methane emissions

Chilean ex-minister Marcelo Mena will lead the hub, urging governments to tackle methane from fossil fuel, waste and farming sectors in updated national plans