Ireland threatens to block Mercosur trade deal unless Brazil protects Amazon
Leo Varadkar said Ireland could vote against the free trade deal between South American countries and the EU over deforestation and wildfires concerns
Record 72,000 forest fires detected in Brazil this year
Brazil’s space research center INPE reported 9,507 new forest fires across the country, mostly in the Amazon basin, since last Thursday
China invites the US back to the table at Chile climate talks
Ahead of the UN climate talks in December, China pledges to support host Chile and insists on common ground with the US
Indigenous leaders call for Arctic cooperation against wildfires
As high temperatures and dry thunderstorms turn the Arctic Circle into a tinderbox, the Arctic Council has been urged to step up firefighting capacity
China and allies challenge UN chief’s climate vision
‘Basic’ environment ministers stress the responsibility of rich countries, in draft declaration that ignores António Guterres’ call for more ambitious national plans
Offshoot of Extinction Rebellion calls for vegan revolution
Drawing on the latest UN climate science report, UK activists under the banner Animal Rebellion plan civil disobedience to promote plant-based farming and diets
Australia seeks to water down climate declaration at Pacific summit
An annotated draft Pacific Islands Forum statement shows the Morrison administration trying to quash references to 1.5C, carbon neutrality and coal development
Bolsonaro shrugs off German aid cuts, as deforestation surges
Brazil “doesn’t need” €35 million of international funds earmarked to protect the Amazon rainforest, the president insists
Glasgow named to host 2020 UN climate summit
If the UK is approved to preside over Cop26, it will hold negotiations in Scotland’s largest city, the government announced
IPCC: Urgent action needed to tackle hunger alongside climate crisis
In a special report, the UN’s climate science panel warned use of land to store carbon or grow fuel crops risked worsening food insecurity if poorly managed
Niger shrinks major biodiversity reserve to allow Chinese oil exploration
One of the last havens for Saharan wildlife, including the endangered addax or white antelope, is being cut in half as CNPC plans to expand drilling
Indonesian government under pressure to stamp out toxic haze
Rampant forest fires are causing polluting smog to travel to neighbouring Malaysia and Singapore, sending air quality plummeting in Southeast Asia
Stinky seaweed chokes American coast due to hotter oceans and deforestation
Sargassum is a natural occurrence on beaches in the Caribbean but warmer waters and the use of fertilisers has seen it proliferate dramatically in recent years
Bolsonaro under fire for deforestation denial, after sacking space agency chief
The Brazilian president forced a top science official out of his job, in a move experts warned could harm the credibility of agricultural exporters
July breaks global heat record, on scorching European weather
Human-caused climate change drove heatwaves in Europe and the Arctic, with above-average temperatures also seen across Africa and Australia
Trudeau announces protected marine area in Canada’s Arctic
The designation is part of a government push for better environmental protection and reconciliation with indigenous populations
Court blocks Polish coal plant, in win for climate campaigners
Client Earth successfully challenged the Ostrołęka C project on behalf of shareholders, arguing it was a bad financial bet as renewables become competitive
Ethiopia bids to plant four billion trees in green push
The African country claims to have broken a world record by planting 350 million trees in a day, as part of a collective effort to restore lost forests
Pacific islands criticise Australia’s carbon accounting dodge
Island leaders called out the banking of old carbon credits to meet future climate goals, a trick Australia is relying on in the absence of carbon-cutting policies
Marseille airport expansion stalled on climate grounds
France’s environment authority asked the developers to show how increased flights can fit with the country’s 2050 net zero emissions target