International: All stories
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.
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.
Oil refinery fire at key Victoria facility
16 Apr 2026
Explosions and towering flames were reported as a significant fire broke out at one of Australia’s major oil refineries.
Trump takes a ‘wrecking ball’ to independent scientific advisory board
Thu 30 Apr 2026
Without the impartial oversight of its board, the National Science Foundation is now “fully at the behest of the White House,” experts warn.
China’s leadership calls for ‘strict control’ of fossil fuels
Tue 28 Apr 2026
Chinese government leaders published a policy document on 22 April – Earth Day – calling for stricter controls on fossil-fuel consumption and greater oversight of heavy emitters.
EU faces ‘China shock’ as EV imports drive Beijing’s record surplus with bloc
Fri 1 May 2026
The EU is experiencing a prolonged “China shock” as a flood of Chinese EVs into Europe helped push Beijing to a record surplus with the bloc.
UK scientists to fire salt water into the sky in bid to tackle climate crisis
Fri 1 May 2026
Government supporting new geoengineering techniques as race against unregulated companies seeking to capitalise on need for climate cooling tech heats up.
Canada, Alberta close in on carbon price agreement, sources say
Wed 29 Apr 2026
Canada and Alberta are expected to strike a deal in the next two weeks that will increase the price on carbon for the province's industrial emitters, but a broader agreement to tackle oil sands greenhouse gases and green-light a new crude oil export pipeline remains elusive.
India submits new climate action pledges to UN body, flags condition to fulfil promise
Wed 29 Apr 2026
India has formally submitted its pledge to the UN climate body, underline importing conditions noting the developing countries' committments cannot be fulfilled without adequate support in terms of finance and technology transfer.
Tuvalu to host world leaders before COP31 summit
16 Apr 2026
Tuvalu, the Pacific nation at the forefront of the global climate crisis, will host a special meeting of world leaders before this year’s Cop31 summit, as the conference president expresses “complete faith” in Chris Bowen to lead tough negotiations.
Drowned chicks and food scarcity: Emperor penguin and Antarctic fur seal now endangered
13 Apr 2026
The primary drivers are shrinking sea ice and warming oceans driven by climate change.
Rationing power and diluting petrol – how African countries are coping with effects of Iran war
30 Mar 2026
Countries across Africa have taken measures such as diluting petrol and restricting electricity consumption to cope with the fuel crisis triggered by the US and Israel's war in Iran.
Beef production drives 40% of agriculture-linked forest destruction, Brazil leads
26 Mar 2026
Beef production is the leading driver of agriculture-linked deforestation, accounting for 40% of all forest clearing done to open space for food production, according to details of a study released on Tuesday.
Extreme heat threatens global food systems, UN agencies warn
23 Apr 2026
Extreme heat is pushing global agrifood systems to the brink, threatening the livelihoods and health of more than a billion people, according to a new report by the U.N.'s food and weather agencies.
