International: All stories
Why naming and shaming cities is a terrible idea
30 Jun 2016
New data on urban air quality from the World Health Organisation recently led Onitsha, Nigeria, to be given the title of “most polluted city” in the world.
Moody's will use Paris to assess corporate risk
30 Jun 2016
Moody's Investors Service will use national climate action commitments put forward as part of the Paris Agreement in its analysis of the credit implications of carbon transition risk.
UK to approve world-leading emissions target
30 Jun 2016
UK ministers will this week approve a world-leading carbon emissions reduction target for the early 2030s.
Sydney sets sights on zero carbon by 2050
29 Jun 2016
Sydney says it will have net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, and that half its electricity will come from renewable sources by 2030.
New York facing thousands of heat deaths
29 Jun 2016
The number of "hot days" in New York City will triple, which is likely to bring about thousands of heat-related deaths by the year 2080, says a new report.
US, Mexico, Canada pledge 50% clean power
29 Jun 2016
The US and Mexico will commit to joining Canada in boosting their use of wind, solar and other carbon-free sources of electricity, helping North America meet an ambitious goal of generating at least 50 percent of its energy from clean sources by 2025.
Paris climate deal approval on course
29 Jun 2016
The Paris climate deal is edging ever closer to coming into force say analysts, despite the UK’s Brexit vote last week plunging EU plans to ratify the deal into chaos.
Clean-energy tax investment eyes record
28 Jun 2016
Tax-equity investment in U.S. clean-energy projects is on track to exceed last year’s record $13.1 billion despite a tepid start this year.
China decarbonises for greener growth
28 Jun 2016
The Chinese economy is decarbonising fast as it has made building a clean, low carbon energy system a priority for the upcoming five years.
Drought kills 66 million trees
28 Jun 2016
Since 2010, 66 million trees have died due to high temperatures and drought in California.
UK commitment to Paris agreement in doubt
27 Jun 2016
With the vote to leave the EU, the UK’s future participation in the landmark Paris Agreement is now in doubt.
California trees have billion-dollar street value
27 Jun 2016
Researchers calculate the huge environmental and economic benefits to taxpayers of the trees that line many streets in California’s cities and suburbs.
Bulk-buy promises Australians cheaper solar
27 Jun 2016
Australia’s first bulk-buy programme for solar battery storage has launched, with more than 1000 people in Newcastle expressing interest and more than 500 attending a sign-up event to buy home battery systems.
Mayors launch global coalition of cities
24 Jun 2016
The world’s two primary city-led climate change and energy initiatives, the EU Covenant of Mayors and the Compact of Mayors, have announced the formation of a new, first-of-its-kind global initiative of cities and local governments leading in the fight against climate change.
Oslo city votes to ban cars by 2019
24 Jun 2016
Oslo city council will ban cars from its city centre by 2019 as it seeks to meet a new goal of wiping out practically all of its greenhouse gas emissions.
Dutch device brings Pacific clean-up closer
24 Jun 2016
A bid to clear the Pacific of its plastic debris has moved a step closer with the launch of the biggest prototype clean-up boom yet by the Dutch environment minister.
Islands plead for migration with dignity
24 Jun 2016
Migration with dignity must be part of a climate change adaptation strategy, rather than relocation of people as climate refugees, says a Pacific leader.
Australians spend billions on rooftop solar
24 Jun 2016
Australian households and small businesses have invested more than $1bn a year in rooftop solar over the past five years, spending a total of almost $8bn since 2007, new calculations show.
Are the Greens the climate radicals Australia needs?
23 Jun 2016
If you despair of Australia’s lacklustre climate policies, you might take heart from the Greens’ stated goal of limiting global warming to 1.5degC. But are the party’s own policies up to the job?
Carbon market history, chapter five
23 Jun 2016
The role of carbon funds in the growth of the carbon market is the subject of the fifth chapter of IETA’s oral history of the carbon market, From Kyoto to Paris.
Rugged climate puts the squeeze on cuddly koalas
23 Jun 2016
More frequent extremes of heat and drought predicted for Australia could have a devastating impact on the habitat of the marsupial found nowhere else on Earth.
Catholic church thinking big on fossil fuel divestment
22 Jun 2016
The decision by four Australian Catholic orders to divest fully from fossil fuels can be interpreted as a direct response to the encyclical on the environment, issued by Pope Francis almost exactly a year ago.
GREEN DREAM: Petrol to drive car market in 2030
22 Jun 2016
Petrol-powered vehicles are predicted to dominate the Australian car market in the year 2030 despite the growing concern of carbon emissions and its impact on the environment, a new study has found.
China plans to cut meat consumption by 50%
22 Jun 2016
The Chinese government has outlined a plan to reduce its citizens’ meat consumption by 50 per cent, in a move that climate campaigners hope will provide major heft in the effort to avoid runaway global warming.
Irish group advises raising cost of carbon credits
22 Jun 2016
The expert group which advises the Irish Government on climate change has come out in favour of a minimum price for carbon under the EU Emissions Trading Scheme.
Obama slams lip service in climate change battle
21 Jun 2016
US President Barack Obama has attacked those who pay lip service to natural beauty while blocking efforts to tackle climate change.
Netherlands eyes firmer carbon market
21 Jun 2016
The Dutch presidency of the European Union is seeking political support from member states to enshrine in a carbon market reform a flexibility provision that would enable strengthening the world’s biggest cap-and-trade programme.
Oil bust leaves states with massive well clean-up
21 Jun 2016
The worst oil bust since the 1980s is putting Texas and other oil producing states on the hook for thousands of newly abandoned drilling sites at a time when they have little money to plug wells and seal off environmental hazards.
Record year for murdering environmental activists
21 Jun 2016
More than three people were killed a week defending their land from mining or logging interests last year.
Big players' threats might force NZ to sign early
20 Jun 2016
Climate Change Minister Paula Bennett says New Zealand might have to ratify the Paris Agreement on climate change this year, as large countries threaten to lock us out of the process to set the crucial rules for the operation of international carbon markets and accounting.
Records show climate change is an emergency
20 Jun 2016
May was the 13th month in a row to break temperature records in a string of incredible climate milestones which scientists have described as a bombshell and an emergency.
Climate warming raises global economic threats
20 Jun 2016
Research shows that the effects of extreme heat and weather events on production of raw materials has far-reaching and costly financial implications.
More want climate action now than before carbon tax
20 Jun 2016
By DEBORAH COTTON | In April 2011, not long after Julia Gillard was returned to power in the 2010 federal election, I asked a representative sample of Australians about their attitudes to climate policy.
How to design cities for a car-light future
20 Jun 2016
Thinking of building more parking or widening your roads? Think again. Rapid innovation in the mobility sector could drastically reduce driving, the need for parking and expanded roadways.
UN says ratify; Government says not yet
17 Jun 2016
The Government has still not decided when it will ratify the Paris Agreement on climate change, Parliament heard yesterday.
IT'S OFFICIAL: Our world just changed
17 Jun 2016
We’re officially living in a new world. The last station on Earth without a 400 parts per million CO2 reading has reached that mark.
Blow to carbon markets if Britain leaves Europe
17 Jun 2016
A “yes” Brexit vote would leave a large pro-market void in Brussels and will hold back the development of international carbon markets, the International Emissions Trading Association is warning.
Could ‘nitrogen trading’ help the Great Barrier Reef?
17 Jun 2016
Among the increasing sums of money being pledged to help save the Great Barrier Reef is a federal government pledge to spend $A40 million on improving water quality. The Queensland government has promised another $33.5 million for the same purpose.
Chapter 4 out now
17 Jun 2016
It’s time for the fourth chapter of the International Emissions Trading Association’s series on the development of carbon markets – and this time it’s about the Clean Development Mechanism.
Scientists urge Obama to halt Arctic oil leasing
17 Jun 2016
Nearly 400 scientists from more than a dozen countries are urging President Obama to stop future oil and gas drilling in the Arctic Ocean because of significant environmental and climate risks.
Eco homeowners offered cheaper mortgages
17 Jun 2016
Homeowners will qualify for reduced repayment on their mortgages if they undertake energy efficiency renovations, and lower interest rates on loans to pay for them, under “pioneering” plans being drawn up by lenders for consideration by EU and global regulators.
Big banks still fund polluting industries
16 Jun 2016
The world’s biggest private-sector banks are still funding the industries that drive climate change to the tune of hundreds of billions of dollars.
Record CO2 levels signal sizzling summers
16 Jun 2016
As carbon dioxide in the atmosphere reaches a historic high point that could continue for a lifetime, summer temperatures are also heading toward record levels
Norway pledges to be climate neutral by 2030
16 Jun 2016
Norway’s parliament has approved a radical goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2030, two decades earlier than planned.
Hollande ratifies Paris climate deal for France
16 Jun 2016
Francois Hollande has become the first leader of an industrialised nation to ratify the Paris Agreement.
Climate change opens Siberian 'gateway to the underworld'
16 Jun 2016
In the heart of Siberia’s boreal forest gapes a monstrous chasm local Yakutians call a “gateway to the underworld,” connecting this life to the next.
May marks one more record hot month for the world
15 Jun 2016
May was record warm for the globe, according to NASA. It’s now even more likely that 2016 will be the hottest year ever recorded.
How low oil prices could weaken Paris pact
15 Jun 2016
Low oil prices could effectively cancel the impact of emissions reduction pledges made under the Paris Agreement, a new study warns.
Paris agreement needs carbon prices to be coordinated
15 Jun 2016
The Paris climate agreement was an important success for climate diplomacy as nation states showed a strong will to cooperate on climate action.
Scotland exceeds targets - six years early
15 Jun 2016
Scotland has exceeded a target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 42 per cent - six years early.
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.
