International: All stories
With the right support, green solutions can thrive and power a better world
12 Jun 2025
COMMENT: Clean-energy enterprises do far more than cut emissions; they create jobs, increase food security and farmers' incomes.
Explainer: How human-caused aerosols are ‘masking’ global warming
12 Jun 2025
Human-caused emissions of aerosols – tiny, light‑scattering particles produced mainly by burning fossil fuels – have long acted as an invisible brake on global warming.
New Zealand is failing to protect its vast ocean resources. We owe it to the world to act
11 Jun 2025
Less than 1% of our country’s seas are highly protected and the damaging practice of bottom-trawling must be restricted.
A credible UN carbon market needs rules that count – we’ve just set them
11 Jun 2025
COMMENT: The broad standards for a more ambitious market are now in place. But without a steady flow of investment, this progress will remain largely on paper.
US declares Biden fuel economy rules exceeded legal authority
11 Jun 2025
The agency last year said the rule for passenger cars and trucks would reduce gasoline consumption by 64 billion gallons.
Carbon capture projects promise a climate fix – and a fossil fuel lifeline
11 Jun 2025
Governments across Southeast Asia are looking at carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) as a way to meet climate targets.
Planet-warming emissions dropped when companies had to report them. EPA wants to end that
11 Jun 2025
The rule is now on the chopping block, one of many that President Donald Trump’s EPA argues is costly and burdensome for industry.
China's approvals of coal power plants grow after 2024 decline
11 Jun 2025
China approved 11.29 gigawatts of new coal power plants in the first three months of 2025, already exceeding the 10.34 GW approved in the first half of 2024.
Carbon capture ‘not going to happen,’ top fossil fuel advocate predicts
10 Jun 2025
In audio obtained by DeSmog, Bjorn Lomborg told a Fraser Institute event in Vancouver that the technology is way too expensive to be viable.
UN ocean summit opens in Nice with calls to boost marine protections
10 Jun 2025
A global summit on the dire state of the oceans opened Monday in France, with demands to ban bottom trawling and expand marine protections.
NASA scientists describe ‘absolute sh*tshow’ at agency as Trump budget seeks to dismantle top US climate lab
10 Jun 2025
NASA scientists are in a state of anxious limbo after the Trump administration proposed a budget that would eliminate one of the United States’ top climate labs – the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies, or GISS – as a standalone entity.
Ziploc faces class action lawsuit over microplastics shedding concerns
10 Jun 2025
A lawsuit alleges that Ziploc bags shed microplastics when microwaved or frozen.
Earth's atmosphere hasn't had this much CO2 in millions of years
10 Jun 2025
New data shows that CO2 levels have broken through 430 parts per million, an indication that human-caused global warming will continue to warp the environment.
How ‘feedback loops’ and ‘non-linear thinking’ can inform climate policy
10 Jun 2025
The global shift towards a clean-energy system is much more than just a technological switch – it is a profound transformation of markets, industries and societal behaviours.
BlackRock is off Texas’ blacklist. Where the ESG battle stands now
9 Jun 2025
The world’s largest asset manager can now do business with Texas—here’s where it stands in other states.
Brazil’s civil society pledges tested as COP30 climate summit approaches
9 Jun 2025
Hopes of real civil influence at November’s UN negotiations in Belém are being undermined by costs, bureaucracy and mixed messaging.
Greenpeace Denmark complaint accuses dairy giant of 'systemic greenwashing'
9 Jun 2025
"Greenwashing and false marketing will not be tolerated, no matter how big you are and where you are based," said one Greenpeace Denmark campaigner.
Oil giant funds computer game that promotes fossil fuels to schoolchildren
9 Jun 2025
Equinor, the company looking to develop the Rosebank oil field in the North Sea, has funded a computer game aimed at UK school children, promoting the idea that fossil fuels are part of a green energy mix.
Treaty to protect seas short on support ahead of UN ocean summit
9 Jun 2025
Once the High Seas Treaty enters into force, experts say it will boost the health of oceans and their role in tackling climate change.
Labor accused of ‘gaslighting’ Australians on climate crisis as fossil fuel projects keep getting approved
9 Jun 2025
‘They offer sympathy and then just go and approve massive fossil fuel projects anyway,’ one advocate says.
Global energy investment set to hit record $3.3 trillion in 2025, IEA says
6 Jun 2025
A surge in clean energy spending is expected to drive a record $3.3 trillion in global energy investment in 2025, despite economic uncertainty and geopolitical tensions, the International Energy Agency said on Thursday.
British farmers 'making a change' to cut carbon emissions
6 Jun 2025
It follows the UK experiencing the warmest spring on record and predictions of a hotter-than-normal summer, with an increased chance for heatwaves.
UK’s solar power surges 42% after sunniest spring on record
6 Jun 2025
The UK’s solar farms and rooftops generated more electricity than ever before in the first five months of 2025, as the country enjoyed its sunniest spring on record.
Top ocean experts sound the alarm over growing marine crisis due to climate change
6 Jun 2025
On the opening day of a global science conference, French fishery scientist Clea Abello presented research showing that marine protected areas could protect commercially valuable fisheries.
Australian farmers face 'new world' of extreme weather as scientists urge action on climate change
6 Jun 2025
Scientists and politicians are warning big policy shifts are needed to mitigate extreme weather impacts, following what farmers describe as unprecedented flooding in the New South Wales Hunter and Mid North Coast regions last month.
How the little-known ‘dark roof’ lobby may be making US cities hotter
6 Jun 2025
As cities heat up, reflective roofs could lower energy bills and help the climate. But dark-roofing manufacturers are waging a quiet campaign to block new rules.
Food giants’ climate plans lack credibility, new report finds
5 Jun 2025
Food firms are inflating their climate targets with carbon removals and weak deforestation claims, according to a report from the NewClimate Institute and Carbon Market Watch.
Environmentalists criticise Trump administration push for new oil and gas drilling in Alaska
5 Jun 2025
Top Trump administration officials — fresh off touring one of the country’s largest oil fields in the Alaska Arctic — headlined an energy conference led by the state’s Republican governor on Tuesday that environmentalists criticized as promoting new oil and gas drilling and turning away from the climate crisis.
China's ecology ministry to set up 100 new key labs in eight research fields by 2035
5 Jun 2025
The Ministry of Ecology and Environment of China plans to establish around 100 new key laboratories covering eight major research areas over the next ten years to enhance the country's environmental science and technology level.
India calls for more climate contributions ahead of key meeting
5 Jun 2025
India has put forth its expectations on the ideal “Baku To Belem Roadmap to 1.3T” ahead of the Bonn Climate Meeting which begins on June 16, stating that without sufficient climate finance, even proposed nationally determined contributions will not materialise, leave alone any ambitious future NDCs.
EU asks 44 oil and gas producers to provide new CO2 storage solutions
5 Jun 2025
The European Commission said on Thursday it had asked 44 oil and gas companies to contribute to the EU's collective target of storing at least 50 million tonnes of CO2 per year by 2030, as part of the bloc's aim to achieve climate neutrality.
From sovereignty to sustainability: United Nations Ocean Conference
5 Jun 2025
While ocean governance was once designed to protect the marine interests of states, nowadays it must also address the numerous climate and environmental challenges facing the oceans.
Vanuatu criticises Australia for extending gas project while making COP31 bid
4 Jun 2025
Vanuatu’s climate minister has expressed disappointment over Australia’s decision to extend one of the world’s biggest liquefied natural gas projects and said it raises questions over its bid to co-host the COP31 summit with Pacific nations.
EU science advisers slam Brussels’ weakened 2040 climate plans
4 Jun 2025
Using international carbon credits in place of domestic action undermines climate efforts, scientific advisory board says.
US: Clean energy project cancellations top $14 Billion so far in 2025
4 Jun 2025
Businesses have pulled the plug on big projects amid Trump’s retreat on climate action. But plenty remain in the pipeline, awaiting a Congressional decision on tax credits.
India, a major user of coal power, is making large gains in clean energy adoption
4 Jun 2025
One of the most carbon-polluting countries, India is also making huge efforts to harness the power of the sun, wind and other clean energy sources.
What is China’s ‘Shenzen model’ for low-carbon transition in cities?
4 Jun 2025
Wandering the streets of Shenzhen, a city which has earned the title of China’s “first city of ‘new-energy vehicles’” (NEVs), you will not miss the scene of numerous NEVs parking under slogans promoting “green and low carbon” lifestyles.
'This is classic climate change': Canada's Saskatchewan faces worst wildfire season in decades
4 Jun 2025
There have been 207 wildfires this year as of Friday – 40 more than in the same period last year.
EU climate chief lobbied Germany to back weakened 2040 goal
3 Jun 2025
The European Commission’s climate chief successfully lobbied Germany’s coalition government to endorse a controversial measure that weakens the EU’s next climate target.
Australia: Carbon tariff on the table for overseas businesses
3 Jun 2025
Labor has left the door open to a tax on cement and steel coming in from places not taking sufficient climate action.
Climate and weather scientists are joining the anti-Trump resistance in the most ‘scientist-iest’ way
3 Jun 2025
Forget marching in the streets with creative signs. For President Donald Trump’s second term, in the face of steep funding cuts for climate and weather research and forecasting, scientists have a new way of engaging the public: livestreamed presentations.
Death toll from Nigeria flash floods rises to 151
3 Jun 2025
At least 151 people in central Nigeria are now known to have died following flash floods that destroyed homes and displaced thousands of residents earlier this week.
After the LA fires, scientists study the toxic hazards left behind
3 Jun 2025
Researchers from Harvard and universities in California and Texas are studying the long-term effects of the Eaton and Palisades fires on air, water, soils and surfaces of properties that didn’t burn.
What happened to the hydrogen economy?
3 Jun 2025
The hydrogen car that was supposed to carry us into a cleaner future is still not in the driveway. In fact, outside of a few test markets, it’s not in anyone’s driveway.
Pacific Island nations support China's Taiwan claims at high-profile foreign ministers' meeting
30 May 2025
Pacific nations have backed China's claim over Taiwan during a high-profile meeting, but have shied away from directly endorsing Beijing's push to "reunify" the democratically ruled island with the mainland.
German court dismisses Peruvian farmer’s climate lawsuit
30 May 2025
The court rejected the argument that the man’s home is at risk from glacial flood. But the ruling is still being claimed as a milestone for climate litigation, as it sets a precedent that polluters may be held liable for the consequences of pollution.
World’s nations to gather in France to tackle what UN says is a global emergency in the oceans
30 May 2025
The world’s nations are gathering in France next month to tackle what the United Nations calls a global emergency facing the world’s oceans as they confront rising temperatures, plastic pollution choking marine life, and relentless overexploitation of fish and other resources.
Brussels to propose ‘pragmatic’ 90% climate target for 2040
30 May 2025
The European Commission will tell countries to cut 90 percent of their planet-warming emissions by 2040, but offer “flexibilities” to make the goal politically palatable, according to EU climate chief Teresa Ribera.
Hawaii to make sweeping tourism changes in bid to combat climate change
30 May 2025
Hawaii has enacted a law to increase taxes on hotel rooms and vacation rentals, with the goal of generating funds to combat climate change effects such as shoreline erosion and wildfires.
Glacier collapse buries most of Swiss village
30 May 2025
The Swiss village of Blatten has been partially destroyed after a huge chunk of glacier crashed down into the valley.
NSW to ban new coalmines in major shake-up for $23bn industry
Mon 23 Mar 2026
A major shake-up is on the way for one Australian state’s single biggest export, which powers homes here and abroad.
US to pay almost $1bn to French energy company to kill wind project plan
Tue 24 Mar 2026
As a fuel crisis triggered by the war in Iran drives up global fossil fuel prices, the Trump administration has announced it will pay French energy major TotalEnergies $1bn to kill plans to construct wind farms off the US east coast.
China tells oil refiners to suspend exports
Fri 20 Mar 2026
China has told its largest oil refiners to suspend exports of diesel and gasoline, Bloomberg News reported Thursday, citing unidentified sources, as the war in the Middle East risks an energy supply crunch.
Spain’s Sánchez attacks other EU leaders for exploiting energy prices to gut climate policies
Mon 23 Mar 2026
Spain’s prime minister Pedro Sánchez said his country was on “the right side of history” when it comes to how it has handled the economic and social costs of previous energy crises.
Analysis: CO2 from UK data centres could be ‘hundreds of times’ higher than thought
Tue 24 Mar 2026
Emissions from the new data centres set to drive the UK’s AI “revolution” could be hundreds of times higher than government estimates, according to analysis by Carbon Brief.
Mark Carney just picked his lane on climate change
17 Feb 2026
COMMENT: Mark Carney's time as prime minister has been defined in part by his decision to roll back Trudeau-era climate policies.
Asia pivots to coal as Middle East conflict chokes LNG supply
Thu 19 Mar 2026
Asian utilities are boosting coal-fired power generation to cut costs and safeguard energy supply, industry officials say, as the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran chokes liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments and soaring prices threaten to suppress LNG demand.
Pacific Nations fear fuel shortages as Middle East war sends oil prices soaring
Fri 20 Mar 2026
Leaders of Samoa and Tonga appealed for help this week as the import-reliant Pacific nations raised fears over possible fuel shortages and escalating costs caused by war in the Middle East.
Limiting warming to 2C is ‘crucial’ to protect pristine Antarctic Peninsula
24 Feb 2026
Keeping global warming to less than 2C above pre-industrial temperatures is “crucial” for limiting damage to the Antarctic Peninsula’s unique ecosystems, according to a new study.
'Blackwater' lakes and rivers in the Congo Basin are now emitting ancient carbon into the atmosphere
16 Mar 2026
Carbon that has been buried in the Congo Basin's peatlands for millennia is seeping into lakes and rivers. Why this is happening remains unclear, but researchers warn that tropical peatlands could be nearing a tipping point.
Surfing’s big break: how climate crisis insurance may save El Salvador’s waves
Thu 19 Mar 2026
Fearing that extreme weather threatened its epic breaks, Oriente Salvaje is piloting the first surf insurance policy to protect livelihoods and ecosystems.
Iran war should trigger faster exit from fossil fuel dependence, UN climate chief says
18 Mar 2026
The disruption to energy markets caused by the Iran war is a lesson on the risks of relying on fossil fuels which should drive governments to wean their economies off oil and gas faster, the U.N. climate secretary told Reuters on Monday.
