International: All stories
EU wants to see cut of 40% in gas emissions
24 Jan 2014
A reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 40 per cent below the 1990 level, an EU-wide binding target for renewable energy of at least 27 per cent, renewed ambitions for energy efficiency policies, a new governance system and a set of new indicators to ensure a competitive and secure energy system.
Time to dump high-carbon investments, says UN
24 Jan 2014
Investors have been urged to accelerate the greening of their portfolios as a crucial step toward a low-carbon economy.
Study shows how to double renewable energy
24 Jan 2014
The global renewable energy share can reach and exceed 30 per cent by 2030 at no extra cost, says a new report.
Fiji to move villages out of climate danger zones
24 Jan 2014
More than 40 communities might have to be relocated in the next five to 10 years to avoid climate change damage, says Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama.
WORLD WEB ... news from the world of carbon
24 Jan 2014
* China's fair share to halt global warming won't come cheap, Beijing report says * Climate change: 2013 ranked fourth-warmest year * Climate change: don't get scared, get ready * China starts televising the sunrise on giant TV screens because Beijing is so clouded in smog * 23% of Americans do not believe global warming is happening * Plastic made from carbon in the air hits market * Climate change TV series uses stars, Republicans
New carbon trading idea challenges deforestation
20 Dec 2013
A new approach to carbon trading seeks to change the economic and ecological determinants of deforestation.
Sydney aims for 100% renewable energy
20 Dec 2013
Sydney could be powered by 100 per cent renewable energy by 2030.
Draft pollution law seeks to tackle lethal European air
20 Dec 2013
The European Commission has unveiled a draft law to tackle air pollution, which every year is linked to 400,000 premature deaths in Europe and costs of tens of billions of euros.
WORLD WEB ... news from the world of carbon
20 Dec 2013
* Abbott signals he could wind back or scrap targets * EU reaches deal to cap super-warming F-gases * The banana's days may be numbered * Change in Pacific nitrogen content tied to climate change * Millions more to face water shortages this century * Pakistan secures $3.8 million to combat climate change * A look at the growing genre of climate fiction
UK proposes double-counting on biofuels
13 Dec 2013
Britain has proposed a way to lower the European Union's 2020 target for renewable energy by counting the contribution from biofuels twice, avoiding the need for billions of euros in investment, a document shows.
Leave fossil fuels in the ground, urges report
13 Dec 2013
Australia's climate council is calling for fossil fuels to remain in the ground.
We need climate-smart agriculture, says UN
13 Dec 2013
Agroforestry, diversification of crops with legumes and other practical measures must be scaled up to end hunger, says United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
Power-wise women make huge savings in their homes
13 Dec 2013
Ten Sydney women have joined forces to make savings on their energy bills that would be enough to power four average family homes for a week.
WORLD WEB ... news from the world of carbon
13 Dec 2013
* China says poorly prepared to fight impact of climate change * Newly discovered greenhouse gas '7000 times more powerful than CO2' * Extreme heat risk on rise - Climate Council * Bloomberg launches new "carbon bubble" risk analysis service * European cities hesitant to adapt to climate change * Climate change leading to scarcity of farmland, investors say * World’s poorest nations 100 years behind richest on climate change
Analysts fear big Australian polluters might win
6 Dec 2013
The Australian Government's proposed $2.55 billion Emissions Reduction Fund could be exposed to serious budget risk, according to carbon analytics firm RepuTex.
China’s path to green economy fraught with challenges
6 Dec 2013
China is facing significant environmental and social challenges that must be addressed if it is to achieve its sustainable development goals, the United Nations says.
WORLD WEB ... news from the world of carbon
6 Dec 2013
* UN's 2C target will fail to avoid a climate disaster, scientists warn * Chinese province's emissions trading move leaves Australia behind * Public-private partners at UN pledge to seek sustainable energy funding * EU gradually turning green in food security debate * New study on climate change raises stakes for US. military * Time to sign up for the climate change war
Window opens for CPM repeal next year
29 Nov 2013
The Australian Coalition Government has announced its 2014 parliamentary calendar, with a rare mid-winter sitting for the new Senate as it seeks to fast track its repeal of the Carbon Pricing Mechanism.
Warsaw wobbles … and now we're off to Paris
29 Nov 2013
Almost 200 countries have signed a deal on climate change in Warsaw, marking the start of a journey toward a binding international agreement at the 2015 UN climate talks in Paris.
Climate change will have economic impact on Pacific, says bank study
29 Nov 2013
The economic loss suffered by the Pacific region could range from 2.9 per cent to as high as 12.7 per cent of annual GDP by 2100, according to a new study from the Asian Development Bank.
WORLD WEB ... news from the world of carbon
29 Nov 2013
* Top polluter China expands emissions trading * Markets have ‘deep roots’ in UN climate process * Coalition carbon policy not popular * Business beats the politicians in tackling climate change * Sabah to be first Malaysian state to deal in carbon trading
COP delegates scrap over who will pay the bills
22 Nov 2013
The UN COP19 climate conference is approaching the critical stage and could be scuttled over who pays for damage from events like Typhoon Haiyan, says Green MP Dr Kennedy Graham.
California approves first forest carbon offsets
22 Nov 2013
The first California forest carbon credits issued under the cap-and-trade offset protocols have been issued by the Air Resources Board.
Australia going back to coal, says report
22 Nov 2013
Higher gas prices, and the impending repeal of the Australian carbon price mechanism are set to resume the emphasis on coal-fired generation in the Australian National Electricity Market (NEM).
Coal industry must radically diversify, says UN
22 Nov 2013
The coal industry must radically transform and diversify to avoid the worst impacts of climate change, a senior United Nations official said in Warsaw, stressing that companies must assess the risks of doing business as usual.
WORLD WEB ... news from the world of carbon
22 Nov 2013
* China to launch Beijing, Shanghai carbon markets * Why banks in London are exiting the carbon trade * Just 90 companies caused two-thirds of man-made global warming emissions * Tony Abbott rejects Commonwealth climate change risk fund * $150m to break lease for defunct Climate Change department * Canadians losing faith in government on climate change * World's most climate vulnerable nation turns to coal power
What's going on in world carbon markets
22 Nov 2013
The Carbon Reduction Fund in Australia, backloading in Europe, markets linking in North America and the first carbon auction in China ... Westpac's carbon desk reviews the international carbon markets:
Europe wants to see some action out of Warsaw
22 Nov 2013
The European Union says it is seeking a balanced package of decisions out of Warsaw to advance international climate action.
2013 shapes up as one of the hottest on record
15 Nov 2013
This year is on course to be among the top 10 warmest since modern records began in 1850, according to the World Meteorological Organization.
Well done, Mr Abbott, says Canada
15 Nov 2013
Canada has officially applauded the decision by Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott to repeal the country’s carbon tax.
WORLD WEB ... news from the world of carbon
15 Nov 2013
* Tony Abbott stifling Australia's climate change ambitions * Indonesia to launch voluntary carbon market * Formula E championship to generate €142 million EV sales by 2040 * Climate change and government inaction conspired against Philippines * Brussels looks to cut plastic bag use
Here we go again ... still talking
15 Nov 2013
United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification executive secretary MONIQUE BARBUT warns of imminent social chaos if we continue to ignore the impacts of climate change:
WORLD WEB ... news from the world of carbon
8 Nov 2013
* China may start more carbon trading markets * China says funding key in climate change talks * House of Lords votes to bring old coal power stations under new regulations * UK government's quarrels are hitting climate change investment * Elderly investors warned over £24m carbon credit scam * From eBay to Wrangler, companies address climate change * A flexible battery made with carbon nanotubes * UN-backed awards recognise innovative green enterprises
California finds friends to fight climate change
1 Nov 2013
British Columbia, California, Oregon and Washington have signed the Pacific Coast Action Plan on Climate and Energy, committing their governments to a comprehensive alignment to combat climate change and promote clean energy.
Savers demand climate action from pension funds
1 Nov 2013
Savers across the UK are calling for their pension funds to be used for curbing emissions.
WORLD WEB ... news from the world of carbon
1 Nov 2013
* 31% of global economic output forecast to face ‘high’ or ‘extreme’ climate change risks. * EU presidency proposes new weakening of car emissions rules. * How Greenland can turn climate change into cash. * Climate change destroyed the Bible's ancient kingdoms, study finds. * Climate change blamed for high muttonbird death toll. * Pacific Ocean may be ‘hiding’ global warming – scientists.
Abbott wants ideas for emissions scheme
25 Oct 2013
Australia’s new Government is calling for submissions on how to design a scheme to replace the carbon tax and emissions trading scheme.
Climate-fight funds falling short of mark
25 Oct 2013
The most comprehensive inventory of climate finance to date shows investment is far short of the need, and falling further behind each year
China shows way to wind power expansion
25 Oct 2013
Wind power could generate up to 18 per cent of world’s electricity by 2050, compared with 2.6% today, says a new report.
Why Australian bushfires will get worse .. and worse
25 Oct 2013
The risk of bushfires in Australia will increase as the climate is influenced by both the frequency and intensity of extreme hot days, as well as prolonged periods of low rainfall, says Climate Council chief Professor Tim Flannery.
Australia sees $580 boost to petroleum exploration
25 Oct 2013
More than $580 million will be invested in new offshore petroleum exploration over the next three years, the Australian Government says.
UN launches energy hub … with a plea
25 Oct 2013
The world is at a “tipping point,” and how it produces, distributes and uses energy will determine if sustainable development succeeds, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon believes.
WEB WIRE ... news from the world of carbon
25 Oct 2013
US cuts emissions, India fights air charge, EU conservation threat, California joins Chinese, wine worries, ocean gliders.
Why Branson believes businesses must act on climate change
18 Oct 2013
The key to tackling climate change is to see it as an opportunity rather than an obstacle, says billionaire Virgin group founder Sir Richard Branson.
WORLD WEB ... news from the world of carbon
18 Oct 2013
Polluters eye $4b, airlines emissions charges, China carbon pricing, climate all at sea, worms are heroes, bye-bye Oracle, Quakers talk tough.
UN wants to see greater financial effort
18 Oct 2013
The international community must step up its financial investment in technologies, policies and practices that can help to combat climate change, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon said this week.
Carbon pricing the cornerstone, says OECD
11 Oct 2013
Credible and consistent carbon pricing must be the cornerstone of government actions to tackle climate change, according to a new OECD report.
Properly handled, waste can be a gold mine
11 Oct 2013
Recycling and proper treatment of waste material can be a literal and metaphorical gold mine, says a new report.
Aussies rush to back Flannery’s climate body
11 Oct 2013
The minute climate change champion Tim Flannery opened the doors of his independent Climate Council, Australians opened their wallets.
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.
