International: All stories
Meet the fossil fuel firms paying for Paris
15 Dec 2015
In their recent book Climate Change, Capitalism, and Corporations: Processes of Creative Self-Destruction, Christopher Wright and Daniel Nyberg argue that “the reputation risk that flows from an association with greenhouse gas pollution has become increasingly relevant for corporations amid growing public awareness of climate change”.
Climate and international laws trap islanders
7 Dec 2015
People on low-lying islands threatened by climate-related disasters are barred from seeking sanctuary because international laws say they are classed as economic migrants.
Most Kiribati households are mulling migration
7 Dec 2015
The Paris climate summit came too late for Ioane Teitiota from the Pacific island nation of Kiribati, who made history when his case for asylum in New Zealand was rejected in September.
Hansen: Why global ‘carbon fee’ system will work
7 Dec 2015
Former NASA climate scientist James Hansen has called for a global “carbon fee” in which fossil fuels are taxed when they are produced or imported, rather than when they are consumed.
What in the world's going on ...
7 Dec 2015
* Bloomberg to head global taskforce on climate change * Carney: Businesses should aim for net zero emissions * Four cities lead world on climate action * New York aims for vast e-car fleet * More than $3.4 trillion in assets vow to divest * Germany backs island nations’ bid for 1.5deg
UN report counts human cost of changing climate
30 Nov 2015
A new study informs delegates to the Paris summit that extreme weather in the past two decades has claimed well over half a million lives and cost trillions of dollars.
What in the world's going on ...
30 Nov 2015
* Christiana Figueres: the woman whose job it is to save the world * Gates to launch clean energy project in Paris * Unilever vows to go 'carbon positive' by 2030 * Malaysia targets cut in last-minute pledge * Key dates in fight to save world from climate change
Wind, solar, coal and gas will reach similar costs by 2030
30 Nov 2015
Renewable energy sources such as solar and wind by 2030 will cost a similar amount to fossils fuels such as coal and gas, thanks to falling technology costs, according to new forecasts.
Reporters risk lives on environment front line
30 Nov 2015
As the Paris climate talks begin, Reporters Without Borders has released a report called Hostile Climate for Environmental Journalists that examines the often tragic difficulties for reporters covering environmental issues.
Brazilian drought adds to impact of dam collapse
23 Nov 2015
Reduced river flows in Brazil, as global warming intensifies the drought there, mean more damage from a burst dam, scientists say.
Russia will use forests as a Paris bargaining chip
23 Nov 2015
Russia has a reputation as one of the more difficult states involved in international climate negotiations – and don’t expect things to change at the latest UN conference in Paris.
Bushfires overlap strains fire-fighting resources
23 Nov 2015
Australia’s bushfire preparedness is under threat from climate change as bushfire seasons there and in the Northern Hemisphere increasingly overlap, putting new demands on critical shared fire-fighting aircraft, a new report shows.
How this agreement deals another blow to coal
23 Nov 2015
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries have agreed to limit subsidies for the export of inefficient coal-fired power plant technologies.
The Big Apple puts bite on all corporations
23 Nov 2015
In a move that is potentially transformative, the New York attorney general is investigating Exxon for financial fraud.
How to ensure nations stick to Paris commitments
23 Nov 2015
New Zealand is proposing in Paris a climate agreement that is not legally binding. PETER NEWELL, Professor of International Relations at the University of Sussex, explains why legally binding agreements don't work.
What will be top of mind for Africa at climate talks?
23 Nov 2015
Several regions have been meeting in the run-up to the Paris climate talks to deliberate on pressing climate issues. Africa is no exception.
Australia eyes carry-over credits, says expert
23 Nov 2015
Australia is likely to use carry-over credits from KP1 to cover an emissions blow-out, a commentator is predicting.
What in the world's going on...
23 Nov 2015
* Pacific temperature data shows El Niño gathering record strength * Super-rich Qatar delivers target-free UN climate pledge * Britain calls for closing of coal-fired power plants by 2025 * Egypt to go nuclear using Russian money * Senators move to block Paris deal * Geely aims for 90% of sales to be green by 2020 * Kia wants range of 11 green cars by 2020 * Methane becomes electricity becomes Toyota cars
What in the world's going on ...
16 Nov 2015
* Paris is safe, France assures climate talks visitors * EU scientists advise higher safety limits on glyphosate * Science Museum ends sponsorship deal with Shell * World’s largest ocean clean-up operation one step closer * Impact on oceans needs urgent attention at talks * Animal poo fuels a French zoo's biogas unit
Auction time again, but it's not really working
16 Nov 2015
Australia goes to its second auction, but policies still seem unlikely to curb emissions, says market analyst Reputex.
Business picking up the pace ahead of Paris summit
16 Nov 2015
Twelve Australian companies last week committed to strong measures to tackle climate change at the Australian Climate Leadership Summit in Sydney.
Cash is key to success at Paris climate talks
9 Nov 2015
A former key figure in UN climate change policy-making says economists now see that development without destroying the environment is the only way forward.
As drought looms, the Murray-Darling is healthier
9 Nov 2015
Water markets have made it easier for irrigators and other water users to operate in Australia's Murray -Darling Basin.
What in the world's going on ...
9 Nov 2015
* Pacific Islands make last-ditch plea before Paris * Obama rejects Keystone XL pipeline * Canada gets first climate change minister * IMF to factor climate risk into forecasts * Renewable energy to double in major economies by 2030 * Clean energy investment fell by 31% under Tony Abbott * Goldman bets $150b on being green * Tesla buoyed by third-quarter results * State now produces all electricity from renewables
Life in the pedestrian fast lane is no life at all
9 Nov 2015
Everyone has experienced it. Striding along in a purposeful hurry, your progress is thwarted by a slow-moving pedestrian, dawdling along the pavement. Perhaps they’re talking into their mobile phone, looking lost or just plain taking their time. It can drive you mad.
Big Aussies signal quit-carbon commitments
2 Nov 2015
Companies representing a significant chunk of the Australian stock exchange will this week announce new commitments to fighting climate change.
How to build a city fit for 50deg heatwaves
2 Nov 2015
The Persian Gulf is already one of the hottest parts of the world, but by the end of the century increasing heat combined with intense humidity will make the region too hot for habitation, according to research published in Nature Climate Change.
Plantation boom broken, so let’s go carbon farming
2 Nov 2015
In the rolling hills of Victoria’s Strzelecki Ranges, among paddocks of pasture and potatoes, stands a simple steel monument to the world’s tallest tree.
What in the world's going on ...
2 Nov 2015
* MEPs vote to cap some agricultural emissions, but not cow burps * World's climate pledges not yet enough to avoid dangerous warming * VW's ‘dieselgate’ puts spotlight on electric cars in Germany * Low oil prices take a toll on Royal Dutch Shell * India invites 110 nations to join solar alliance * Texas, California lead US in carbon emissions
Is holding back on climate change a political liability?
27 Oct 2015
Climate reformers woke up last Tuesday with a reason to smile. North of the 49th parallel, Canadian voters turfed out the decade-old government of Stephen Harper.
Humanity at climate crossroads, warns Stern
27 Oct 2015
Lord Stern, an expert on the economic impacts of climate change, says the stakes have never been higher for radical action to be agreed at the Paris summit.
Hurricanes wreak economic havoc as world warms
27 Oct 2015
Analysis of insurance data convinces environmental economists that climate change is pushing up the cost of dealing with the disastrous effects of extreme weather events.
What in the world's going on ...
27 Oct 2015
* One month to Paris, nations cannot agree on meaning of decarbonisation * Paris climate deal unlikely to need Senate approval, says US envoy * Europe entering the era of ‘precision agriculture’ * Norway’s oil-rich capital first to divest from fossil fuels * Sanders calls for investigation of ‘potential corporate fraud’ by Exxon * Who’d buy a coal mine? Two very different bids
Red-hot summer means blue-green algae
27 Oct 2015
Australia is in for a hot, dry summer as the El Niño takes hold. Those conditions are ideal for blue-green algae to bloom in lakes, ponds and reservoirs.
Wages set to fall unless warming is tackled
27 Oct 2015
Researchers say the economic costs of failing to take action on climate change will be much greater than previously thought – with average global incomes cut by almost a quarter.
Climate cash flow to poorer nations still too slow
19 Oct 2015
Rich countries are failing to fulfil pledges to make billions of dollars available to help the developing world to tackle climate change.
Why some companies are becoming green activists
19 Oct 2015
Clothing brand Patagonia gives 1 per cent of its sales “to support environmental organisations around the world”.
Europe faces a big chill, warn climate scientists
19 Oct 2015
Double jeopardy as the slowing of ocean currents threatens to combine with global warming to create scenes resembling those in the movie The Day After Tomorrow.
What in the world's going on ...
19 Oct 2015
* Antarctic ice sheets face catastrophic collapse * Bonn set for fireworks as UN climate talks resume * Toyota aims to nearly eliminate gasoline cars by 2050 * Norwegian PM demands global carbon price * Even coal-mining giants want climate deal * Rising numbers of Americans believe climate science
Early action could see voluntary carbon market
12 Oct 2015
A voluntary carbon market could emerge in Australia as early as 2017, an analyst says.
Is Turnbull the man to clean up the climate mess?
12 Oct 2015
Australia’s climate policy is messier than a teenager’s bedroom, but is new Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, who visits New Zealand this week, the man to tidy it up?
It's time for the hard work to begin
12 Oct 2015
Recent trips by President Obama highlight the costs of adapting – or responding – to climate change that we are paying today and will pay tomorrow.
Climate change ups danger for urban heat islands
12 Oct 2015
Scientists warn that densely packed cities face even greater health hazards as greenhouse gases continue to push up temperatures.
Solar tops renewables in Australia
12 Oct 2015
Solar photovoltaic became Australia’s largest source of renewable energy in 2014, a new report shows.
What in the world's going on ...
12 Oct 2015
* World's oceans facing biggest coral die-off in history * UN releases 20-page negotiating text for climate deal * Cars, aviation, steel ... the stranded assets risk spreads * California governor signs 50% renewables pledge into law * Vulnerable nations unite to step up calls for climate finance * Southeast Asia coal use to triple – IEA * UN climate change panel elects new leader * EU heating strategy draft favours renewables
Auction 2 could see contracts total worth $1b
5 Oct 2015
The second round of Australia’s Emissions Reduction Fund auction may see up to $1 billion worth of contracts entered into for the delivery of emissions reductions from land-use and high-emitting companies.
Climate change threatens financial crash, says banker
5 Oct 2015
The world’s most influential banker says an orderly switch from fossil fuels to renewables is needed to avoid turmoil on world stock markets.
Islands play vital climate change role, says UN chief
5 Oct 2015
Pacific island nations have a crucial role to play in efforts to advance a sustainable future, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told the region’s leaders as they met at United Nations Headquarters.
A 21st century government must care for nature
5 Oct 2015
Australia’s new prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull, has announced what he calls a “21st century government”. This article is part of The Conversation’s series focusing on what such a government should look like. John Woinarski and Stephen Garnett report:
Australian states threaten to go back to the future
5 Oct 2015
China has added itself to the list of countries prepared to price carbon. Of course, Australia knows more about putting a national price on carbon than almost any other country. And it also knows about dismantling such a price.
No room for the timid: setting Australia’s 2035 emissions target is a daring tightrope act
Tue 26 Aug 2025
Any week now, Australia will set its 2035 emissions target. It must signal the nation’s strong ambition on climate action, to drive policy and investment. And it must avoid being seen as either unrealistic or too costly.
California is backsliding on climate progress. It’s (mostly) Gavin Newsom’s fault
Tue 26 Aug 2025
The California Supreme Court just gave state officials a golden opportunity to revitalize the rooftop solar industry, helping millions of homes and businesses lower their electric bills and fight the climate crisis.
Is historically arid Beijing ready for a wetter future?
Mon 25 Aug 2025
Beijing's mountainous northern Huairou district and neighbouring Miyun district received a year's worth of rain in a single week, triggering flash floods that devastated entire villages and killed 44 people in the deadliest flood since 2012.
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.
Bolivia will choose a new president but environmental activists see little hope of progress
Fri 22 Aug 2025
Many Indigenous and environmental leaders doubt the election will bring progress in stopping deforestation, wildfires or pollution in the Amazon.
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.
