International: All stories
Expense puts farmers off, says expert
8 Mar 2013
Many current livestock emission reduction technologies would not be adopted by farmers at the current price for carbon without a significant reduction in their cost, an Australian conference has been told.
Europe gives airlines a break
1 Mar 2013
European Union lawmakers have backed a Commission plan to suspend for a year a law that would make all airlines using EU airports pay for their carbon emissions.
Water huge issue for food producers, says Nestle chief
1 Mar 2013
The food industry has been warned by one of its biggest players that water scarcity is among the greatest threats it faces.
Brussels abuzz as carbon vote falters
1 Mar 2013
A planned European Parliament vote on fast-tracking negotiations with EU states over carbon market reform was inexplicably cancelled as rumours and counter-rumours swirled around Brussels
California credits surpass reserve price
1 Mar 2013
All of the nearly 13 million 2013 carbon credits sold at auction in California this week at above-reserve prices.
Brazilian beauty stands with Al Gore in energy push
1 Mar 2013
Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bündchen is joining campaigner Al Gore to urge support for the United Nations initiative to achieve universal access to modern energy services by 2030.
European Parliament votes for backloading
22 Feb 2013
Lawmakers on the European Parliament’s environment committee voted by 38-25 in favour of an amendment in support of the EU’s ‘backloading’ plans for the Emissions Trading System, throwing a lifeline to the crisis-hit carbon market.
Land laps up third of Aussie fuel emissions
22 Feb 2013
The Australian landscape soaked up one third of the carbon emitted by fossil fuels in Australia over the past 20 years, according to a new CSIRO study.
UN boosts 30 countries into green economies
22 Feb 2013
United Nations agencies will support 30 countries over the next seven years to build green economy strategies that will generate jobs, promote clean technologies and reduce environmental risk.
Solar can save millions for poor countries
22 Feb 2013
Countries that switch from lamps, candles, flashlights and other traditional lighting systems to solar power can recover the costs in less than one year, says the United Nations.
Obama vows to take tough line
15 Feb 2013
United States President Barack Obama wants a carbon market.
US stand puts Abbot on the spot
15 Feb 2013
The Australian Labor Party is using US President Barack Obama’s tough new line on climate change to launch an offensive against Opposition Leader Tony Abbot.
Ban slams leaders who ignore climate change
15 Feb 2013
Too many world leaders seem content to keep climate change at arm’s length and in its policy silo, says UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
Solar sponge soaks up gas emissions
15 Feb 2013
Australian scientists have created a 'solar sponge' which captures and then releases carbon dioxide using the power of natural sunlight.
Cuts will delay low-carbon Europe
15 Feb 2013
Cuts to the energy infrastructure package in the EU's new budget will increase costs and delays to the European Commission’s plans for a low carbon economy by 2050, says the EU’s top energy civil servant.
Australia helps embattled Kiribati
15 Feb 2013
Australia will pay $15 million to rehabilitate 40 kilometres of main road on Tarawa, Kiribati, which has been undermined by rising sea levels and coastal erosion.
Kenya eyes millions from carbon trade
15 Feb 2013
Kenya is eyeing millions of dollars from carbon trade derived from its government forests.
Power plants cut gas emissions
8 Feb 2013
Greenhouse gases emitted by United States power plants fell 4.6 per cent in 2011 from the previous year as the industry burned less coal, says a new report.
Ice yields secrets of a warmer world
8 Feb 2013
Ice cores drilled in the Greenland ice sheet, recounting the history of the last great warming period more than 120,000 years ago, are giving scientists their clearest insight to a world that was warmer than today.
Asia seeks ways to reduce air pollution
8 Feb 2013
Officials from 19 Asian countries have began a series of discussions on how to reduce the impact of air pollutants in the Asia-Pacific region.
Dirty vans might be running out of road
8 Feb 2013
A coalition of three small business associations has issued a call for tougher fuel economy standards to be imposed on Europe’s fume-chugging light commercial vehicles.
Manufacturers get help to cut emissions
8 Feb 2013
Three Sydney manufacturers have been cited as good examples of how businesses can reduce their carbon emissions while at the same time increasing their overall competiveness and sustainability.
Germans to build solar plant in Australia
8 Feb 2013
A leading German solar energy company has received planning permission to build a solar power plant in Australia.
Green port sends message to children
8 Feb 2013
The Port of Los Angeles is taking the story of its environmental stewardship to the children of America.
EU credits could be junk, says power chief
1 Feb 2013
Europe is staring at a ‘lost decade’ that will make decarbonisation impossible and reduce carbon credits to the value of ‘junk bonds’ unless politicians back a carbon market reform package, says the head of Europe’s electricity industry association.
Why you should give up red meat, not flying
1 Feb 2013
People who want to have an effect on climate change would be better to give up red meat and changing lightbulbs than to stop taking flights, says a new study.
Our oil sands are fine, insists Canada
1 Feb 2013
A Canadian bid to persuade European Union policymakers to soften proposed fuel quality laws has come unstuck.
Green cooking stoves make Helen's headlines
1 Feb 2013
The story of an indigenous family in central Brazil which now uses clean, economical and green cook stoves provided through a United project is among 12 winners of an annual storytelling competition.
Market reels as European carbon plummets
25 Jan 2013
International traders are dismayed at a spectacular price crash today that left the world’s biggest carbon market in disarray.
At last, it's climate-change time for Obama
25 Jan 2013
By PETER GRIFFIN in Washington. Emboldened by a decisive defeat of his rival in November’s US election, President Barack Obama has outlined a progressive agenda for his second and final term, including rekindling efforts to combat climate change.
Mega-projects threaten us all, says report
25 Jan 2013
Government hypocrisy on major energy projects is fueling climate change and placing populations at risk, Greenpeace said as it released a report revealing the alarming threat posed by a planned massive global increase in emissions from coal, oil and gas projects.
Airlines use ETS costs to pocket millions
25 Jan 2013
Airlines profited up to 1.36 billion euros last year by passing “imaginary” costs from the European Union Emissions Trading System on to consumers, says a new study.
Big industry claims policies unfair
25 Jan 2013
Heavy industries claim to be unfairly hit by rising energy prices caused by the EU's climate policies.
EU begins work on Australian link
25 Jan 2013
The European Commission has begun negotiations on linking the EU emissions trading system with Australia's domestic trading system.
UN eyes sustainable development goals
25 Jan 2013
The United Nations has established a working group that will focus on the design of a set of sustainable development goals to promote global prosperity, reduce poverty and advance social equity and environmental protection.
After 13 billion years, the Universe is getting cooler
25 Jan 2013
Astronomers using a radio telescope have taken the Universe's temperature, and have found that it has cooled down just the way the Big Bang theory predicts.
China could lead world in carbon trading
18 Jan 2013
Pilot schemes to be launched in China this year could be the start of a world-class system - if the country can solve its data-gathering problems.
So, what exactly is going on in Europe?
18 Jan 2013
Despite its green credentials, Europe has ramped up its consumption of coal.
Black carbon looms as much bigger problem
18 Jan 2013
Black carbon, the soot produced by burning fossil fuels and biomass, is a more potent atmospheric pollutant than previously thought, according to a four-year international study just released.
Britain backs off hard line on Arctic drilling
18 Jan 2013
The British government is seeking to water down planned European Union regulations on deep-sea oil drilling, even while insisting to MPs that it wants "robust environmental protection" for oil drilling in the Arctic.
Countries in trouble over green buildings
18 Jan 2013
More than 70 per cent of European Union states could face court action over defiance of building efficiency measures which are slated to account for up to a quarter of the EU’s planned energy savings by 2020.
Camels win reprieve from Aussie guns
18 Jan 2013
The Australian Government has rejected a plan to give carbon credits for slaughtering camels to curb emissions coming from their flatulence.
Poor countries the big climate winners
14 Dec 2012
Poor countries have won historic recognition of the plight they face from the ravages of climate change, wringing a pledge from rich nations that they will receive funds to repair the "loss and damage" incurred.
UN happy with progress made in Doha
14 Dec 2012
The outcome of the United Nations climate conference in Doha paves the way for a comprehensive, legally binding agreement by 2015, says Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
Organisers hail success of green Olympics
14 Dec 2012
The London Olympics generated 28 per cent less carbon dioxide than was forecast as energy use at venues was cut, the organisers say.
Australia acts to protect biodiversity
14 Dec 2012
The Australian Government has released a prospectus that sets out the framework for its investment in biodiversity conservation.
Tassie bright sparks show the way
14 Dec 2012
Tasmania’s reputation as Australia’s clean energy state has been confirmed with a clever project from local small business that can help families and businesses to save energy and reduce power costs
Industry leads electricity transformation
14 Dec 2012
More than 35 industry partners will work together to explore the future of Australia’s electricity system.
This is a crisis, Ban tells Doha
7 Dec 2012
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has urged countries at the United Nations talks in Doha to act decisively to tackle the growing crisis of climate change.
De Boer wants carbon price of 150 euros
7 Dec 2012
Urgent action is needed to boost carbon prices to €150 a tonne - 2250 per cent higher than current levels - if the EU is to meet its decarbonisation goals by 2050, says a former United Nations climate chief.
No room for the timid: setting Australia’s 2035 emissions target is a daring tightrope act
Today 11:00am
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
Today 11:00am
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?
Wed 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
Wed 20 Aug 2025
Only 28 countries have submitted carbon-cutting proposals to the UN, with some of the biggest emitters yet to produce plans.
