UN makes open call for ideas on fighting climate change
A new portal poses three pressing climate questions, with governments to take part in open talks with those who present answers in May
France, Germany, US among 166 countries late on UN climate dues
Four out of five countries missed the agreed date for contributions to UN Climate Change, including some who claim to be leaders on climate change
The Brazilian state letting illegal Amazon loggers keep logging
In Mato Grosso, logging permits are issued that allow export to European markets, even to those charged with crimes by federal authorities
Indian mogul Mahindra pledges to align with Paris climate agreement
The chair of a $19bn Indian conglomerate committed to science-based targets, saying all efforts to cut carbon ‘have given us a return’
Germany announces carbon emission rise for second year in a row
Germany’s total emissions rose in 2016 for the second year in a row with the head of the environment agency calling for rapid reduction in coal power
‘We have to change capitalism’ to beat climate change, says Blackrock vice-chair
Top brass at the world’s largest asset manager says the rules governing investments are evolving to factor in environmental risks
Macron’s climate charm offensive continues with Davos Trump jibe
The French president said he was thankful no-one “sceptical” had been invited to the World Economic Forum, while touting climate action as a “pillar” of his strategy
Trump solar tariff ‘will cause disruption’, says UN renewable chief
Energy leaders in Davos were critical of trade intervention the US solar industry said could cause 23,000 job losses
Forest watchdog calls for protection of Estonia’s pagan heritage
A board member of Estonias Forest Stewardship Council is threatening to strip “sustainable” certification from timber felled near sacred sites
Polish police set to restrict protest and gather personal data at UN climate talks
Draft law worries civil society groups, who say they are already being excluded from the international climate process
Rising CO2 levels threaten aquatic life, studies show
Both marine and freshwater species are affected by acidifying water in ways that disrupt the entire food web, scientists warn
Los Angeles lawmakers propose “climate emergency” department
In the wake of the devastating Thomas wildfire in southern California, city council members are calling for emergency funds to ramp up climate action
UK climate strategy has ‘significant gaps’, advisers warn
The government must increase ambition for electric vehicles and invest more in carbon capture and storage, an independent panel has advised
Logging surge threatens a quarter of Estonia’s forest, warn conservationists
Baltic state lobbied for flexibilities in EU rules to enable a dramatic increase in forestry, turning its thriving woodland into a net emitter of carbon by 2030
International dismay at Germany’s 2020 climate target lapse
Reports Berlin will abandon its ambitious carbon-cutting goal with two years to go are “disheartening” and “problematic”, say observers
Macron urges Chinese people to “make our planet great again” – in Mandarin
French president did not announce any new climate initiatives with Xi Jinping on China visit, but his efforts to learn the language went viral
Climate portfolio back in UK cabinet after May’s reshuffle
If she keeps climate portfolio, Claire Perry will return the issue to cabinet for the first time since the department of energy and climate change was scrapped
Germany set to abandon 2020 climate target: reports
Angela Merkel’s party and the Social Democrats agree the 40% emissions cut will not be achieved until the early 2020s, coalition negotiators told newswires
UK government details coal power phase-out strategy
With a few caveats, Britain is set to end coal power generation by 2025, the government confirmed in a consultation response on Friday
Norwegian campaigners lose court case against Arctic oil drilling
Oslo district court told Greenpeace and co-plaintiffs exploration for new reserves did not violate citizens’ constitutional right to a healthy environment