International: All stories
Turnbull should go back to his old climate self
21 Sep 2015
No more “stop the boats” or “axe the tax”. In announcing his challenge to Tony Abbott, Malcolm Turnbull promised to take Australian politics away from the mantrafication of policy by three-word chant.
Let’s take the market out of conservation
21 Sep 2015
For years, scientists and environmentalists have debated the best ways to conserve and protect natural resources from pollution and over-exploitation.
What in the world's going on ...
21 Sep 2015
* Australian homes among first to get Tesla's Powerwall solar-energy battery * Ministers unite on mandate for Paris climate talks * Canada having a green energy boom — with or without PM Harper * Pakistan ordered to enforce climate law by Lahore court * Migrant crisis: 'If we don't stop climate change, what we see now is just the beginning' * Cameron gives top environment policy job to oil man ahead of major climate talks * Volkswagen just re-released everyone’s favourite hippie-van …...
Australian climate turns up heat on tennis stars
21 Sep 2015
Study of Melbourne weather records shows that temperatures have been steadily rising – especially during the Australian Open tennis championship.
Climate change efforts are hurting Africa’s rural poor
21 Sep 2015
In recent years there has been significant movement toward land acquisition in developing countries to establish forestry plantations for offsetting carbon pollution elsewhere in the. This is often referred to as land grabbing.
Canberra climate boss quits over 'hostile' minister
14 Sep 2015
The chairman of Australia's Climate Change Authority, Bernie Fraser, has quit – apparently after a long period of bad relations with Environment Minister Greg Hunt.
... so, where does the authority go from here
14 Sep 2015
Bernie Fraser’s resignation as chairman of Australia’s Climate Change Authority has left many wondering what is left of it and what its future might be.
Copenhagen chair fears Paris talks outcome
14 Sep 2015
At the world’s last blockbuster climate summit, in Copenhagen in 2009, the person in the president’s chair was former EU climate commissioner and Danish environment minister Connie Hedegaard.
We need cities to make the most of urban ecosystems
14 Sep 2015
Back in 1839, public health expert J. F. Murray published his article The Lungs of London, in Blackwood’s Edinburgh Magazine. Even then, city dwellers appreciated the advantages of open, green spaces.
What in the world's happening ...
14 Sep 2015
* Australian solar farms given $350m push * Civil aviation falling short of climate commitments * Southern Ocean showing revival in carbon absorption ability * Israel's 300 days of sun no help as offshore gas eclipses solar * Low-carbon cities are a $17 trillion opportunity * Russia orders all fuel stations to have charging stations * Small countries lead way on green land use pledges * Mostly female anti-poaching unit wins environmental prize
Australia’s new cap a trading scheme in all but name
7 Sep 2015
The Australian Government has released its final draft for a cap on greenhouse gas emissions. The “safeguard mechanism” will form part of the government’s central climate policy, and will fine large businesses for exceeding emissions baselines.
Clean water musn't send climate targets down the gurgler
7 Sep 2015
Much of the world still lacks clean, safe water. Progress on sanitation is falling far short of the United Nations' Millennium Development Goals.
Top musicians release love song to Earth
7 Sep 2015
Internationally renowned artists have released a song urging world leaders to reach a global agreement during the Paris climate conference in December to limit the impacts of climate change.
What in the world's happening ...
7 Sep 2015
* Shell to axe thousands of jobs amid $7 billion in spending cuts * What do chief executives really think about climate change? * Climate action will reduce risk of heart disease, say experts * Energy storage business is growing fast * Bill Gates calls for more funds to help world's poorest farmers * Three face charges in alleged green energy Ponzi scheme
Hurricane Katrina: what have we learned?
31 Aug 2015
Two academic papers inspired a media firestorm, polarising popular opinion and scientists, on whether global warming was in some way responsible for Hurricane Katrina.
Scientists rate Australia even worse than NZ
31 Aug 2015
Australia has got an even worse review from an international coalition of climate scientists for its post-2020 emissions reduction target than New Zealand got.
What in the world's going on ...
31 Aug 2015
* What does China’s Black Monday mean for the climate? * Total brings down the curtain on coal operations * You can fight climate change and grow the economy, says Lord Stern * Government accused of failing to protect waterways from farm pollution * In just three years all Dutch trains will run on windpower * US Navy invests in world’s largest solar farm
Islamic climate experts urge 1.5° limit on warming
24 Aug 2015
A far-reaching call to avoid runaway climate change and to build a more just and sustainable global society has been launched by Islamic leaders.
Sydney sets energy sights on saving $600 million
24 Aug 2015
A new energy efficiency plan is set to save Sydney more than $600 million in power bills by 2030.
What in the world's going on ...
24 Aug 2015
* Feeling the heat: Earth in July was hottest month on record * Norwegian fund divests from four Asian companies over palm oil * How coal giant Adani charmed Australia's political elite * 1000 square miles of England to be opened up for fracking * Artificial leaf could one day power the world with clean energy * Groundwater pumping in California drought causes land to sink faster * How Carbon Tracker changed the climate debate * Philippines plans huge bet on coal
The quest to find sanitation solutions for Africa
24 Aug 2015
In a bid to get closer to the Millennium Development Goal of halving the 2.5 billion people without sanitation access, innovative solutions are being tested across the globe.
Australia's 'weak' emissions targets don't add up
17 Aug 2015
Australia has a huge gap between its projected and target 2030 emissions, an analyst is warning.
Frustrated Sydney gets climate act together
17 Aug 2015
Sydney is acting to protect itself against heat waves, floods, storms and energy shortages as a result of climate change.
Why promoting green ways in Africa might be bad
17 Aug 2015
Inadequate infrastructure is widely recognised to be holding back Africa’s development and lowering the quality of life of its citizens.
What in the world's going on ...
17 Aug 2015
* IPCC chair election: 5 candidates, 8 weeks to go * Fifteen states seek to block Obama power plan * UK to trial under-road wireless charging for EVs * How Japan pushes coal on the world * Reporting your company's carbon footprint can save millions * The lowly lightbulb outshines solar and wind * Scottish motorists get millions to buy e-cars
Obama plan opens door to real action in Paris
10 Aug 2015
President Obama’s determination to reduce US carbon emissions by 32% below 2005 levels by 2030 sends a message to the rest of the world’s leaders that the UN climate talks in Paris could succeed in saving the planet from overheating.
A carbon tax for South Africa: why a pragmatic approach makes sense
10 Aug 2015
The furore over the carbon tax in South Africa that is playing itself out both in public and behind closed doors is leading to an impasse.
What in the world's going on ...
10 Aug 2015
* Mafia and multinationals milk Italy's green energy boom * Labour hopeful demands solar panels on every rooftop * Shell to leave US anti-carbon lobbying group * Eleven events that will shape the Paris climate deal * Abbott warns against sabotaging Carmichael coalmine * Wind-powered kites could signal step-change for renewable energy * Wind-powered kites could signal step-change for renewable energy * Tiny grains of rice hold big promise for gas reductions * Tech tells you how much...
Australia's worst emitters look like dodging the bullet
3 Aug 2015
None of Australia’s 20 largest emitting facilities is expected to be accountable for emissions, despite almost all being forecast to grow emissions over the next 10 years.
Clinton stakes out safe political ground with energy and climate plan
3 Aug 2015
US presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton has begun to unveil components of her policy agenda on energy and climate change.
Half of climate safety level has gone, say scientists
3 Aug 2015
Global temperatures have risen by 1°C in the past 150 years, and scientists say doubling that level could unleash catastrophic sea level rise this century.
Sustainable oil from algae: the technology is ready, but what about the politics?
3 Aug 2015
Ultimately, all of the oil we use to power our modern lives comes from living creatures such as algae – albeit ones that lived 3.5 billion years ago, before gradually morphing into fossil fuel.
Message in a bottle: wine industry gives farmers a taste of what's to come
3 Aug 2015
Wine seems to be a handy way to galvanise concerns about the future ill-effects of climate change.
WORLD WEEK: Coal hard facts
3 Aug 2015
* World Bank rejects notion that coal can cure poverty * Green groups express concern over Tory policies in letter to PM * France targets carbon tax in energy transition law * Drought might stunt forests’ ability to capture carbon * Polaris introduces electric motorcycle, beating Harley to market * Figures confirm wind delivers lion's share of UK clean energy * Iran’s thirst for energy draws in wind developers * Leak shows US spying on Japan over climate change
One year on from the carbon price experiment, the rebound in emissions is clear
27 Jul 2015
Just over a year ago, Australia concluded a unique public policy experiment. For the preceding two years and two weeks, it had put a price on a range of greenhouse gas emitting activities, most significantly power generation.
Why economic changes are needed to tackle climate crisis
27 Jul 2015
The president of Ireland, Michael D Higgins, says the world needs a whole new economic framework to tackle the consequences of the warming caused by emissions of greenhouse gases.
WORLD WEEK
27 Jul 2015
* Australia's dirtiest power station considers clean energy biomass burning option * Fresh negotiating text promises strong foundation for Paris Climate Summit * Startup bets e-scooters can give urban power grids a makeover * UK suspends ban on pesticides linked to serious harm in bees * Small island states set example for large polluters ahead of Paris talks * Kenya vows to cut emissions 30 per cent by 2030 * Who’s who in the world of climate change diplomacy
Australia hit its Kyoto target, but it was more a three-inch putt than a hole in one
20 Jul 2015
In the saga of mendacity that is the climate policy debate, no claim has been more audacious than the one now being told by the federal government about Australia’s “success” in meeting its Kyoto emissions target.
Eco-friendly golf means not worrying if the grass is greener on the other course
20 Jul 2015
The Open Championship has returned to St Andrews, one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious golf courses and one that has been recognised for its commitment to sustainability.
Climate threat as grave a risk as nuclear war, say scientists
20 Jul 2015
The risks of climate change are comparable to those posed by nuclear conflict, says a new report.
Record torrential rainfall linked to warming climate
20 Jul 2015
If you think you’re getting an unusually hard soaking more often when you go out in the rain, you’re probably right.
Bioenergy: making money and clean energy
20 Jul 2015
The Australian government’s draft direction to the Clean Energy Finance Corporation to invest in “emerging” clean energy over mature sources such as wind and rooftop solar has added yet more uncertainty to the renewable sector in the country.
WORLD WEEK: For Tony Abbott, it's full steam ahead on coal, 'the foundation of prosperity'
20 Jul 2015
* Japan to deliver 26% emissions reduction plan * The trillion-dollar question: How do we create sustainable development? * Chinese zero-emissions electric bus prepares for service in London * Muslim scholars name climate change as dire threat * Beware permitting fracking, says farmer who allowed coal methane borehole
Heat goes on to find out what’s happening at the poles
20 Jul 2015
Nations have agreed to an international action plan to improve predictions of weather, climate and ice conditions in polar regions, the United Nations says.
Why climate change could knock seafood off the menu
13 Jul 2015
Pink salmon – the smallest and most abundant of the Pacific salmon species, and a supper table mainstay in many parts of the world – may be swimming toward trouble.
WORLD TODAY: Europe clears way for reform of carbon market
13 Jul 2015
* France may extend coal subsidies to save jobs * Britain scraps zero carbon homes target * Fossil fuel industry must 'implode' to avoid climate disaster, says top scientist * Abbott government extends renewable energy investment ban to solar power * Small farmers can be major actors in reducing agriculture's carbon footprint, says UN
Carbon players look to world market
6 Jul 2015
Carbon market players will gather in Sydney on Friday to talk about how to create an international carbon market.
Australia’s ‘climate roundtable’ could unite old foes and end the carbon deadlock
6 Jul 2015
Climate policy is in the Australian media yet again, but this time it might be different. The set of policy principles released by the Australian Climate Roundtable are extraordinary for two reasons.
Greenhouse gas-guzzlers might spurn extra carbon dioxide
6 Jul 2015
Diatoms – tiny ocean-dwelling photosynthesisers that produce a fifth of the planet’s oxygen each year – may not gulp down more carbon dioxide more enthusiastically as greenhouse gas levels in the atmosphere continue to rise.
WORLD TODAY: New coal plants most urgent threat to the planet, warns OECD head
6 Jul 2015
* Greenhouse gas blamed for climate expulsion driving temperature rises across Pacific nations * China climate pledge inadequate on efficiency, say analysts * UN tells oil giants to stop lobbying against climate deal * UK unveils help for bees with £900m stewardship scheme * Time for pollution pricing to work for the climate * New renewable energy hub launched to boost Scottish firms in Japan
Battery subsidy scheme set for 'urgent' overhaul as costs run out of control
16 Dec 2025
Australian Energy Minister Chris Bowen has announced big changes to the government's battery subsidy scheme amid claims most of its $2.3 billion budget has been spent in just six months.
EPA erases references to human-caused climate change from websites
19 Dec 2025
EPA has scrubbed references to people’s contribution to rising temperatures from some of its climate change webpages.
Verra cancels four tree planting projects in China. And starts reviews of 45 more projects
16 Dec 2025
“Multiple carbon projects in China are facing serious allegations regarding the authenticity of government approval documents."
France updates its 2050 carbon neutrality roadmap
17 Dec 2025
To mark the 10th anniversary of the Paris Agreement, France released a revamped climate plan promising to phase out oil and gas and sharply increase electricity use.
Net-zero scenario is ‘cheapest option’ for UK, says energy system operator
15 Dec 2025
A scenario that meets the “net-zero by 2050” goal would be the “cheapest” option for the UK, according to modelling by the National Energy System Operator (NESO).
The ecological havens flourishing beneath power lines
19 Dec 2025
Initiatives to foster native wildflowers, grasses and shrubs are turning utility corridors into wildlife corridors.
‘Not normal’: Climate crisis supercharged deadly monsoon floods in Asia
12 Dec 2025
Cyclones like those in Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Malaysia that killed 1,750 are ‘alarming new reality’.
Pacific fisheries summit gives a boost to albacore and seabirds
19 Dec 2025
Much of the world’s albacore tuna catch, which usually ends up in a can, comes from the southwestern Pacific Ocean, where fishery managers just passed a new set of conservation rules.
Arctic endured year of record heat as climate scientists warn of ‘winter being redefined’
18 Dec 2025
Region known as ‘world’s refrigerator’ is heating up as much as four times as quickly as global average, Noaa experts say.
Are rainforests now a cause of, rather than the answer to, climate change?
15 Dec 2025
A new study finds that Africa’s forests, responsible for one-fifth of global carbon removal, are beginning to generate carbon as the result of human activity.
Thousands of climate disasters are not included in official reports from Amazonian countries
12 Dec 2025
More than 12,500 extreme weather events impacted the Amazon and its population in 10 years, but countries have not generated enough information about it, according to a new scientific study.
UN environment report 'hijacked' by US and others over fossil fuels, top scientist says
11 Dec 2025
A key UN report on the state of the global environment has been "hijacked" by the United States and other countries who were unwilling to go along with the scientific findings, the co-chair has told the BBC.
