International: All stories
Abolition of DECC major setback for Britain
18 Jul 2016
The abolition of the Department of Energy and Climate Change has been condemned by former ministers as a major setback to British efforts to combat global warming.
Can Nauru bounce back from mining boom and bust?
18 Jul 2016
When most of us hear of Nauru we tend to think of immigration detention, or perhaps of the environmentally ruinous legacy of the island nation’s ill-fated phosphate mining boom.
Warm oceans eating into Antarctica
18 Jul 2016
Scientists say it is actually warm ocean waters, not rising air temperatures, that are eating away at the ice along part of the Antarctic's western side.
PACIFIC PLEA: NZ should join island nations' fight
15 Jul 2016
New Zealand should join forces with its island neighbours preparing to take bold action against fossil fuel producers, says Labour’s Pacific climate change spokesman.
This time, can Turnbull do climate and energy?
15 Jul 2016
Australia’s re-elected Coalition government has the opportunity to revamp its policies on climate change.
Sustainable cities must beat the pain points
15 Jul 2016
Integrating energy, water, transport, security and waste will make cities more sustainable, an international forum has heard.
UK merges climate and business departments
15 Jul 2016
New British PM Theresa May has merged the climate and business departments in a move critics say will threaten investor confidence in the green sector.
Brexit will force EU to make deeper cuts
15 Jul 2016
Brexit will force the European Union’s remaining 27 countries to spend billions of euros on cutting carbon emissions more deeply to compensate for the UK leaving, according to experts.
France stops supermarkets from throwing away food
15 Jul 2016
France has banned supermarkets from throwing away unwanted food, and the ruling could lead to wider action on food waste across Europe.
Climate emerges as critical Clinton election weapon
15 Jul 2016
Belief in global warming and policies to tackle greenhouse gas emissions are becoming a key dividing line ahead of the US election.
Biodiversity below safe levels across half the world
15 Jul 2016
The variety of animals and plants has fallen to dangerous levels across more than half of the world’s landmass due to humanity destroying habitats to use as farmland, scientists have estimated.
TTIP proposal casts doubt on G20 climate pledge
14 Jul 2016
Trade negotiators in Brussels are proposing new loopholes on a G20 pledge to phase out fossil fuel subsidies within a decade, according to the latest leaked TTIP proposals.
Global warming is shifting Earth's clouds
14 Jul 2016
The reaction of clouds to a warming atmosphere has been one of the major sources of uncertainty in estimating exactly how much the world will heat up from the accumulation of greenhouse gases, as some changes would enhance warming, while others would counteract it.
On climate change, it’s Trump v The World
14 Jul 2016
Should he win November’s US presidential election, Donald Trump will be the only elected world leader to deny the science of climate change.
French task force recommends CO2 tax on coal
13 Jul 2016
A French task force on carbon pricing has released its final report with recommendations in three key areas — a domestic measure to deter coal-fired power generation, a price corridor for the EU emissions trading scheme, and the growth of carbon pricing schemes.
New PM learns of climate threats to Britain
13 Jul 2016
When Theresa May takes over as prime minister of Britain tomorrow, climate change might not be top of her agenda.
GRIM GOLD: Precious metals leave hidden climate footprint
13 Jul 2016
The collapse of the Soviet Union left Bulgaria achieving in the 1990s what the rest of the world is working hard to manage in the 2020s, a reduction in its carbon dioxide emissions of more than 45 per cent.
Climate bonds market grows following Paris
13 Jul 2016
The global climate bonds market has shown a significant growth since the Paris Agreement in December and reached US$694 billion last year.
Leaked TTIP proposal could 'sabotage' EU climate policy
13 Jul 2016
The latest draft version of the TTIP agreement could sabotage European efforts to save energy and switch to clean power, according to MEPs.
Singapore takes the heat off people
12 Jul 2016
Singapore has unveiled its latest plan to tackle climate change and meet its targets under the Paris climate change agreement, with measures including a heat stress information system to help the public to better plan outdoor activities.
Democrats adopt climate action
12 Jul 2016
Democratic leaders over the weekend adopted a draft platform that commits the party to bold action on climate change, including support for a carbon pricing scheme.
Arctic sea ice crashes to record low for June
12 Jul 2016
The summer sea ice cover over the Arctic raced toward oblivion in June, crashing through previous records to reach a new all-time low.
El Niño/La Niña shock could affect millions
12 Jul 2016
The number of people affected by the combined impact of the El Niño and La Niña weather patterns could exceed 100 million by the end of the year, according to the United Nations.
Fishing approaches sustainable limit, UN warns
12 Jul 2016
Global fish production is approaching its sustainable limit, with around 90 per cent of the world’s stocks now fully or overfished and a 17 per cent increase in production forecast by 2025, according to the UN.
Climate change killed Europeans in 2003 heat
11 Jul 2016
British researchers say climate change was responsible for the deaths of more than 60 people in London in 2003, and over 500 in Paris.
Drying lands increase peat bog fire hazard
11 Jul 2016
Scientists in Canada have confirmed once again an unexpected hazard in the world of climate change: the subterranean fire.
Renewable jet fuel could be growing on gum trees
11 Jul 2016
Australia’s economy might have ridden on the sheep’s back, but the colonies’ first export was actually eucalyptus oil.
Figueres joins race for UN top job
8 Jul 2016
Christiana Figueres, one of the chief architects of the global accord on climate change signed last year in Paris, has been nominated for the post of secretary-general of the United Nations.
Solar panel recycler finds business is booming
8 Jul 2016
Australia's only solar panel recycling company is looking to scale up production as the number of broken and end-of-life systems mounts.
Can kelp save the Pacific?
8 Jul 2016
When it comes to ocean acidification, the Pacific Northwest is set to be ground zero for some of the most dire impacts — so it makes sense that scientists in Washington state would be on the forefront of research aimed at finding solutions.
Africans angry as EU opposes ban on ivory trade
8 Jul 2016
Wildlife officials in nearly 30 African states say they are appalled by an EU decision to oppose a comprehensive global ban on the ivory trade.
Living shorelines in fast lane to control sea levels
8 Jul 2016
As sea levels rise along US coasts, it might soon get easier to build what are known as “living shorelines,” natural or nature-based structures designed to protect communities and infrastructure from extreme storms and flooding even as they protect habitat.
Nature and wildlife need their own seats at the UN
7 Jul 2016
Whether we consider wild weather, unprecedented Arctic melting and global temperatures, or the Great Barrier Reef, the global environment is generating alarming news.
History of emissions trading winds up
7 Jul 2016
The final chapter of International Emissions Trading Association’s oral history of the carbon market is out.
Hanson brings climate denial to Senate
6 Jul 2016
Fringe Australian political groups such as One Nation, Family First and the Liberal Democrats still reject the evidence that humans are causing climate change.
Why UK’s latest carbon budget isn’t ambitious enough
6 Jul 2016
A major new climate policy was announced by the UK government on June 30, almost unnoticed in the Brexit aftermath.
Banks trim lending to renewables projects
5 Jul 2016
Australia’s big four banks’ lending for Australian renewable energy projects has tumbled in the first half of 2016, despite all of them spruiking their continuing support for the sector.
Tuvalu gets millions for coastal work
5 Jul 2016
Tuvalu, under threat from rising seas, will get $US36 million from the Green Climate Fund for a coastal adaptation project.
Pacific Islands adopt new climate strategy
5 Jul 2016
A new climate change strategy has been adopted by small island states to ensure their concerns are addressed as part of the regional policy agenda.
US, Canada, Mexico agree climate partnership
5 Jul 2016
North America will get half its electricity from low carbon sources by 2025, under an agreement struck by the “three amigos.”
Asian fires emitted most carbon since 1997
5 Jul 2016
Forest fires that blanketed Southeast Asia in thick haze last year released the greatest amount of climate-changing carbon since record blazes in 1997, producing emissions higher than in the whole of the European Union.
Europe bans deep-sea trawling
5 Jul 2016
Two and a half years after the European Parliament’s surprise refusal, the European institutions have finally agreed to ban trawler fishing at depths of more than 800 metres.
Earth's biggest body of warm water is getting bigger
4 Jul 2016
When it comes to fundamental drivers of climate and weather across the Earth, it is hard to think of a region more important than the Indo-Pacific Warm Pool, an enormous area stretching across the Pacific and Indian oceans on both sides of the equator.
Green business leaders bullish despite Brexit
4 Jul 2016
Crashing prices of solar power and rising levels of global interest in cost-effective ways to tackle climate change point to a positive future, despite Britain leaving the EU.
Paris pledges fall short on emissions
4 Jul 2016
National promises made late last year to contain carbon dioxide emissions will not be nearly enough to meet the global warming target agreed last December by 195 nations, according to a new assessment.
Green Climate Fund to target high-risk investments
4 Jul 2016
The UN’s $10 billion flagship green fund has signalled it is ready to support clean energy and climate resilience projects other major banks find too risky.
Amber Rudd: UK will be a climate leader post-Brexit
1 Jul 2016
Addressing clean energy investors in London, Britain’s climate and energy chief Amber Rudd struck a bullish tone after last week’s vote to leave the European Union.
Paris targets aren’t enough, but we can close the gap
1 Jul 2016
The Paris climate agreement saw countries pledge to limit global warming to well below 2degC, and to aim to keep it within 1.5deg. The problem is that countries' current emissions targets are not enough to meet these goals.
MEPs try to stop emissions bill falling into Polish hands
1 Jul 2016
MEPs are trying to stop the stewardship of EU emissions trading legislation falling into the hands of a coal-supporting Polish member of the European Parliament.
It's all bad news for penguins
1 Jul 2016
About a third of Adelie penguin colonies in Antarctica could disappear in the next four decades due to human caused global warming, a figure that could balloon to more than half by the end of the century.
500 Australian businesses back 75% climate target
Today 10:46am
Atlassian, Canva and Fortescue are among a coalition of more than 500 businesses operating in Australia that are backing a 75% emissions reduction target for 2030, which modelling from Deloitte found was technically achievable.
Ørsted shares at all-time low after Trump halts work on US windfarm
Today 10:46am
Shares drop by 17% after stop-work order on $1.5bn project off Rhode Island, which was 80% complete.
China's carbon market to introduce absolute emissions caps from 2027
Today 10:46am
China will tighten its carbon trading market by introducing absolute emissions caps in some industries for the first time starting by 2027.
EU wildfires hit new record as flames scorch area larger than Cyprus
Mon 25 Aug 2025
The area burned this year has exceeded the 1 million hectare mark for the first time since records started in 2006.
What happens to net zero if the trees don’t survive?
20 Aug 2025
When climate change undermines the climate plan.
Challenges persist in bid to mine the deep sea, even after boost from Trump
29 Jul 2025
After years of delay, the deep-sea mining plans of Canadian firm The Metals Company (TMC) now appear to be progressing as it pursues a controversial new path to securing a license to mine in international waters under U.S. jurisdiction.
India needs $467 billion climate finance by 2030 to decarbonise 4 key sectors
Mon 25 Aug 2025
India will need to mobilise USD $467 billion in climate finance by 2030 to put four of its most carbon-intensive sectors – power, steel, cement and transport – on a low-carbon pathway.
Rise in dengue fever outbreaks across the Pacific driven by the climate crisis, experts say
13 Aug 2025
Samoa, Fiji and Tonga among the worst affected amid warning the disease and others will become ‘more common and more serious’ as the planet warms.
Iconic Antarctic species at risk amid 'regime shift', with 'rapid and self-perpetuating changes'
Fri 22 Aug 2025
Scientists say there is emerging evidence of abrupt and potentially unstoppable changes in the Antarctic environment.
Africa’s top climate change challenges: a fairer deal on phasing out fossil fuels and mobilising funds
Fri 22 Aug 2025
African countries have made binding commitments to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. To do this, they will need to shift to renewable energy and stop mining and using fossil fuels like oil and coal.
Amazon nations pledge support for Brazil's COP30 rainforest fund
Today 10:46am
The fund will be backed by an initial, one-time $25-billion contribution from donor nations, along with $100 billion in private funds.
Brazil issues last-ditch plea for countries to submit climate plans ahead of COP30
20 Aug 2025
Only 28 countries have submitted carbon-cutting proposals to the UN, with some of the biggest emitters yet to produce plans.
