Italy’s climate envoy resigns, leaving diplomacy in doubt
Alessandro Modiano resigned three months into a new far-right government and it is unclear if he will be replaced as climate envoy or if the position will be scrapped
World Bank adaptation funds slept through Pakistan’s record flooding
A $100 million project was meant to protect Karachi slumdwellers from flooding, but instead made many homeless before work stalled
Thunberg joins protest against German coal mine expansion
The German government agreed that utility RWE could expand the Luetzerath coal mine in exchange for a faster national coal phase-out
In Davos, activists warn against climate inaction and greenwashing
As the world’s political and corporate leaders gather in Switzerland, activists and analysts are downbeat about the possibility of climate action
UAE puts oil company boss in charge of Cop28 climate talks
Campaigners called on Sultan Al Jaber to step down from the UAE’s state-owned oil company to avoid a conflict of interest
Sinking town exposes perils of Himalayan hydropower
The government ignored warnings that building large hydropower projects in the Himalayas was unsafe. Now Josimath town is falling apart
Brazil bids to bring Cop30 climate talks to Amazon’s Belem
The city is at the mouth of the Amazon river and is the second-biggest city in the Amazon region after Manaus
Eskom poisoning raises fears for South Africa’s energy transition
Outgoing chief Andre De Ruyter survived an attempt on his life last month, as coal-friendly minister Gwede Mantashe took control of Eskom
Hurricanes and floods bring $120bn in insurance losses in 2022
Hurricane Ian in Florida caused a big chunk of the financial losses while floods in Pakistan, Nigeria and South Africa killed the most people
Donors pledge over $8bn to rebuild Pakistan after floods – official
At a Geneva summit, multilateral development banks committed the vast majority of funds, with smaller contributions from governments
World Bank moots stronger strategic focus on climate action
A draft document suggests the bank will broaden its “twin goals” of boosting prosperity and ending extreme poverty to encompass climate action
German CO2 cuts stall as coal, oil use cancel out renewable gains
In a pivot away from Russian gas, Germany cut energy consumption to its lowest level since the Berlin Wall fell – but increased coal burning
Lula revives $1 billion Amazon Fund and environmental protections
On his first day in office as Brazil’s president, Lula da Silva signed a package of seven executive orders to protect the environment
Cost of a KitKat: Big brands leave sugar farmers at the mercy of climate extremes
Nestlé, Coca Cola and Pepsi are among the buyers from Nanglamal Sugar Complex, which smallholders say gives no help with climate resilience
Momentum grows towards 2050 zero carbon shipping target
Nigeria, Chile and Vietnam are among countries now backing a stronger climate goal for international shipping, but cost concerns remain
‘Kunming-Montreal’ deal sets up new fund for biodiversity by 2023
Countries committed to mobilise $200 billion “from all sources” to protect 30% of the world’s land and water ecosystems by 2030
India’s female cane cutters face child marriage and hysterectomy
Women and girls in India’s sugar fields are exposed to sexual harassment, backbreaking work and inadequate healthcare
Cop15 global nature deal passes despite DR Congo’s objection
The Chinese presidency gavelled through a biodiversity pact in Montreal, overriding the funding concerns of some African delegates
Mexico’s new climate plan is worse than its old one, analysts say
Mexico, a country of 130 million, is one of only two G20 countries not to have set net zero emission targets
Migrant labourers suffer exploitation in India’s sugar fields
Millions of people migrate each year to work in India’s sugar fields under extreme heat, harsh conditions and debt bondage