International: All stories
EU climate chief lobbied Germany to back weakened 2040 goal
3 Jun 2025
The European Commission’s climate chief successfully lobbied Germany’s coalition government to endorse a controversial measure that weakens the EU’s next climate target.
Australia: Carbon tariff on the table for overseas businesses
3 Jun 2025
Labor has left the door open to a tax on cement and steel coming in from places not taking sufficient climate action.
Climate and weather scientists are joining the anti-Trump resistance in the most ‘scientist-iest’ way
3 Jun 2025
Forget marching in the streets with creative signs. For President Donald Trump’s second term, in the face of steep funding cuts for climate and weather research and forecasting, scientists have a new way of engaging the public: livestreamed presentations.
Death toll from Nigeria flash floods rises to 151
3 Jun 2025
At least 151 people in central Nigeria are now known to have died following flash floods that destroyed homes and displaced thousands of residents earlier this week.
After the LA fires, scientists study the toxic hazards left behind
3 Jun 2025
Researchers from Harvard and universities in California and Texas are studying the long-term effects of the Eaton and Palisades fires on air, water, soils and surfaces of properties that didn’t burn.
What happened to the hydrogen economy?
3 Jun 2025
The hydrogen car that was supposed to carry us into a cleaner future is still not in the driveway. In fact, outside of a few test markets, it’s not in anyone’s driveway.
Pacific Island nations support China's Taiwan claims at high-profile foreign ministers' meeting
30 May 2025
Pacific nations have backed China's claim over Taiwan during a high-profile meeting, but have shied away from directly endorsing Beijing's push to "reunify" the democratically ruled island with the mainland.
German court dismisses Peruvian farmer’s climate lawsuit
30 May 2025
The court rejected the argument that the man’s home is at risk from glacial flood. But the ruling is still being claimed as a milestone for climate litigation, as it sets a precedent that polluters may be held liable for the consequences of pollution.
World’s nations to gather in France to tackle what UN says is a global emergency in the oceans
30 May 2025
The world’s nations are gathering in France next month to tackle what the United Nations calls a global emergency facing the world’s oceans as they confront rising temperatures, plastic pollution choking marine life, and relentless overexploitation of fish and other resources.
Brussels to propose ‘pragmatic’ 90% climate target for 2040
30 May 2025
The European Commission will tell countries to cut 90 percent of their planet-warming emissions by 2040, but offer “flexibilities” to make the goal politically palatable, according to EU climate chief Teresa Ribera.
Hawaii to make sweeping tourism changes in bid to combat climate change
30 May 2025
Hawaii has enacted a law to increase taxes on hotel rooms and vacation rentals, with the goal of generating funds to combat climate change effects such as shoreline erosion and wildfires.
Glacier collapse buries most of Swiss village
30 May 2025
The Swiss village of Blatten has been partially destroyed after a huge chunk of glacier crashed down into the valley.
Global temperatures could break heat record in next five years
29 May 2025
Data also shows small but ‘shocking’ likelihood of year 2C hotter than preindustrial era before 2030.
Australia lets biggest LNG plant run to 2070 in climate blow
29 May 2025
Australia gave preliminary approval to extend the life of its biggest and oldest liquefied natural gas plant for decades, potentially creating billions of dollars in new drilling opportunities but raising questions about the nation’s climate agenda.
For the first time, China invests more in wind and solar than coal overseas
29 May 2025
China’s Belt and Road Initiative, long derided for its heavy carbon footprint, was dominated by wind and solar power projects for the first time from 2022 to 2023, according to a new analysis. But coal plants financed in earlier years are still coming online.
Indonesia backtracks on coal phase-out in new 2034 power supply plan
29 May 2025
Indonesia plans to add 69.5 gigawatts (GW) of power capacity by the end of 2034, much of it from renewable sources, but it still expects to add new coal-fired power plants.
India's monsoon rains arrive eight days early, earliest in 16 years
29 May 2025
Monsoon rains hit the coast of India's southernmost state of Kerala on Saturday, eight days earlier than usual, marking the earliest arrival in 16 years and providing the promise of a bumper harvest and relief from a gruelling heatwave.
TotalEnergies abandons its carbon plantations in the Republic of Congo
29 May 2025
TotalEnergies has quietly abandoned the Batéké Carbon Sink project in the Republic of Congo, with only 12.5% of the proposed trees planted.
Europe’s next climate target may already have been agreed in Berlin
28 May 2025
Germany’s new coalition has adopted a climate stance shaped by talks with the EU’s top climate official, signalling where the bloc may land on a likely upcoming 2040 emissions target.
Why expensive gas – not net-zero – is keeping UK electricity prices so high
28 May 2025
The UK’s high electricity prices have become intensely political, with competing claims over the cause of rocketing bills and how best to get them down.
South America sets historic benchmark: Zero new coal plants planned
28 May 2025
South America just achieved a remarkable energy milestone, quietly setting a global benchmark: for the first time in history, the entire continent now has zero new coal-fired power plants planned.
EU countries agree to exempt most firms from carbon border tariff
28 May 2025
European Union countries backed plans on Tuesday to scale back the bloc's carbon border levy to cover just 10% of the companies currently covered by the scheme, on the grounds that these firms account for nearly all of the emissions involved.
Greenwashing is rife in Australia, but could its days be numbered?
28 May 2025
COMMENT: Have you ever ticked the box to “fly carbon neutral”, had something delivered via “carbon-neutral shipping” or chosen to pay a bit extra to buy “carbon-neutral gas” from your energy retailer?
Trump signs executive orders to boost nuclear energy, reduce oversight
28 May 2025
The orders emphasize streamlining nuclear energy for defense and AI projects, and call for a “substantial” overhaul of the agency that ensures the industry doesn’t harm public health and safety.
Trump tries to make sure states don’t fight climate change either
27 May 2025
The Trump administration wants to block states from trying to limit the “astounding” costs and impacts of climate change.
We bear the brunt of the climate crisis. A Pacific COP could help shape the global response
27 May 2025
COMMENT: By hosting next year’s climate conference together with the Pacific, Australia would have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to both catalyse its own clean transition to a decarbonised economy and to elevate its relationship with the Pacific.
In Panama, an Indigenous-led project rewrites the rules of reforestation
27 May 2025
Scientists from the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute are collaborating with local communities in the Ngäbe-Buglé Comarca, a protected Indigenous territory, to foster a ground-up reforestation strategy using native trees and carbon payments.
Australia: land of drought and flooding rains
27 May 2025
As towns flood on one end of Australia, large areas further south are experiencing their worst drought on record. The people in these regions are preparing for life in a future climate.
A fungus that can ‘eat you from the inside out’ could spread as the world heats up
27 May 2025
Infection-causing fungi responsible for millions of deaths a year will spread significantly to new regions as the planet heats up, new research predicts — and the world is not prepared.
US states can take meaningful climate action, even without federal support: study
27 May 2025
State action to reduce carbon emissions and address climate change can make a big difference, even in the absence of a strong federal climate strategy, according to a new study led by researchers from North Carolina State University.
Brazil seeks early deals on two stalled issues at Bonn climate talks
26 May 2025
Moving forward work on just transition and implementing recommendations from the Global Stocktake of climate progress are key priorities for upcoming UN negotiations.
A restricted climate super pollutant is pumped out at far higher levels than countries admit
26 May 2025
HFC-23 emissions from chemical plants in eastern China and elsewhere likely violate an international climate agreement despite readily available pollution controls. Advocates are pressing for action.
More than 1 in 4 cars sold globally in 2025 expected to be EV: IEA report
26 May 2025
According to the Global EV Outlook 2025 report from the International Energy Agency (IEA), 2025 is set to be big for EV sales. The report predicts that about one in four cars sold worldwide this year will be electric, despite overall market uncertainties.
Despite backlash, more US states are considering laws to make Big Oil pay for climate change
26 May 2025
After Vermont and New York passed "climate Superfund" legislation, 11 states have introduced similar bills this year.
Engineer explains why Alberta’s hydrogen strategy is money-losing climate failure
26 May 2025
Desperation, bad advice and lobbying likely underpinning the province’s plan to blend hydrogen with natural gas for home heating.
Albanese government must redirect Australia’s near $600 per person annual fossil fuel giveaway
26 May 2025
COMMENT: Every Australian unwittingly contributes about $563 each year to subsidise fossil fuels – a staggering number given the urgency of climate action.
Tropical forest loss hit new heights in 2024; fire a major driver in Latin America
23 May 2025
Tropical forest loss skyrocketed in 2024, with vast swaths of primary forest consumed by fire, according to new satellite data.
Now there’s proof that the fossil fuel industry uses cultural sponsorships to block climate action
23 May 2025
BP, Chevron, Shell, and other oil majors back arts and community groups to protect their business models, subpoenaed documents show.
World’s biggest polluters least impacted by conflict and environmental damage: Study
23 May 2025
The world’s biggest polluters are also the most protected from the environmental harm they helped create, according to a study by researchers from University of Notre Dame and University of Wyoming.
Watchdog urges Scotland to take action after repeatedly missing climate targets
23 May 2025
Climate Change Committee says original goal of a 75% emissions cut by 2030 will now be delayed by up to six years.
Are sailing ships the future of sustainable shipping?
23 May 2025
Around the world, the wind-powered vessels of yesteryear are making a comeback as a carbon-neutral alternative to polluting cargo ships.
‘I will not eat the bugs’: a narrative about scarcity and insect consumption
23 May 2025
European politicians across the right-wing political spectrum have amplified a conspiracy theory that elite forces are conspiring to make the public eat insects under the guise of the European Green Deal, the bloc’s plan to eliminate greenhouse gases by 2050.
Energy Australia apologises to 400,000 customers and settles greenwashing legal action
22 May 2025
Energy retailer says carbon offsetting ‘not the most effective way’ to reduce emissions.
Climate change could drive surge in foreclosures and lender losses, new study finds
22 May 2025
Extreme weather linked to climate change could spell financial ruin for many American homeowners and lead to billions in losses for lenders, a new study finds.
Nigeria's Trans Niger oil pipeline bursts, spills crude, rights group says
22 May 2025
Nigeria's Trans Niger Pipeline, a major oil artery transporting crude from onshore oilfields to the Bonny export terminal, burst and spilled oil into the local B-Dere community in Ogoniland.
The climate costs of occupation
22 May 2025
As Israel expands its settlements in the West Bank, it has destroyed forests and boosted CO2 emissions.
Strong climate policies are an ‘antidote’ to economic uncertainty
22 May 2025
Clear and strong climate policies can be an ‘antidote’ to global economic uncertainty, and help to ‘get trade flowing and economies growing’.
US dairy farmers consider return on climate-smart milk
22 May 2025
The approach is just one of many dairy practices now considered “climate-smart” because they could cut production of climate-warming gases.
EU, UK to work on linking carbon markets
21 May 2025
The European Commission and the government of the UK announced today an agreement to work towards linking their carbon markets through establishing a link between their emissions trading systems (ETS), which have been developing separately since Brexit.
Surfer, first lady and former PM among Brazil’s COP30 envoys
21 May 2025
Brazil has appointed 30 envoys including the first lady Janja Lula da Silva and New Zealand’s Jacinda Ardern to liaise with “priority” sectors and regions.
Australian Nationals formally abandon commitment to reach net zero emissions by 2050
Mon 3 Nov 2025
Nationals leader David Littleproud said the party would shift its focus to climate adaptation instead of being "focused solely" on reducing emissions, noting Australia's small share of the global effort.
Exxon funded thinktanks to spread climate denial in Latin America, documents reveal
Tue 4 Nov 2025
Texas-based fossil fuel company financed Atlas Network in attempt to derail UN-led climate treaty process.
Why climate change now threatens China’s future
Tue 4 Nov 2025
Extreme weather is hurting its economy and worrying its leaders.
Norway faces European Court climate ruling over oil licences
29 Oct 2025
The European Court of Human Rights will decide on Tuesday if Norway breached its climate obligations when it awarded Arctic oil exploration licenses in 2016.
Bank of England must better address climate risk to tackle inflation
Tue 4 Nov 2025
The central bank is being urged to take a series of actions to better respond to environmental risks.
Renewables are a global economic engine, not a culture war threat
2 Oct 2025
Energy companies are learning this lesson faster than Alberta Premier Danielle Smith.
For Indian women workers, a just transition means surviving climate impacts with dignity
Tue 4 Nov 2025
Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) members call for just transition talks at COP30 to help them become more resilient to climate shocks by building social protection systems that secure their livelihoods.
Mystery heatwave warms Pacific Ocean to new record
21 Oct 2025
The waters of the north Pacific have had their warmest summer on record, according to BBC analysis of a mysterious marine heatwave that has confounded climate scientists.
Scientists discovered something alarming seeping out from beneath the ocean around Antarctica
13 Oct 2025
Planet-heating methane is escaping from cracks in the Antarctic seabed as the region warms, with new seeps being discovered at an “astonishing rate".
Nigerian billionaire plans expansion of Africa’s biggest oil refinery
Fri 31 Oct 2025
The billionaire owner of Africa’s largest refinery plans to expand its capacity to 1.4 million barrels per day to meet growing fuel needs in the continent and beyond.
Police raids in Brazil’s Rio kill 64 ahead of events related to COP30 climate summit
Thu 30 Oct 2025
At least 64 people died on Oct 28 in Rio de Janeiro’s most deadly police operation ever, which targeted a major gang days before the city hosts global events related to the United Nations climate summit known as COP30.
Brazil opens three weeks of COP30-linked climate events
Tue 4 Nov 2025
Brazil on Monday opens three weeks of events linked to the COP30 climate summit, hoping to showcase a world still determined to tackle global warming
