International: All stories
Act now on Cancun pact, urges climate chief
10 Jun 2011
Amid new warnings about the rise in greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere, the top UN climate change official has called on governments to make progress in the fight against global warming.
Parties battle over carbon farming plans
10 Jun 2011
The Gillard Government has called on the Opposition to stop political game-playing which could delay Australian farmers and rural communities from securing significant benefits under the Carbon Farming Initiative.
If only they’d bought more green cars …
10 Jun 2011
Carbon emissions from cars and light commercial vehicles could have been cut by more than a third in 2010, if Australians had made greener purchasing decisions, a new report says.
Carbon moves could do good, says Garnaut
3 Jun 2011
The introduction of a price on carbon will not disrupt the development of the Australian economy, and could even lead to a wave of innovation.
Carbon emissions reach record high
3 Jun 2011
Energy-related carbon-dioxide emissions in 2010 were the highest in history, according to the latest estimates by the International Energy Agency.
Jet fuel industry viable, say scientists
3 Jun 2011
Establishing an Australian and New Zealand aviation biofuels industry is a viable proposition, according to scientists and the region’s major industry players.
French get ready to market green coal
3 Jun 2011
A French engineering company says it has started construction of three industrial plants producing biocoal - also known as green coal.
Go natural, UN tells fashion designers
3 Jun 2011
Fashion designers have been asked by the United Nations to make more use of natural and recycled clothing and fabrics.
Australia signs energy pact with Germany
3 Jun 2011
Australia and Germany have committed to increased cooperation in the resource and energy sectors from greater investment through to closer collaboration in research and development.
Legal eagles look at help for island nations
3 Jun 2011
Legal experts from around the world, joined by UN Ambassadors, have ended a groundbreaking meeting to look for answers to long-term risks for island nations posed by climate impacts.
Metal recycling ‘discouragingly low,’ says UN
27 May 2011
Metal recycling rates worldwide are discouragingly low, according to a new report by the United Nations Environment Programme.
… and mountains of e-waste grow world-wide
27 May 2011
With the mountains of hazardous waste from electronic products growing daily, the United Nations has called for new recycling technologies and regulations to safeguard both public health and the environment.
Europe keeps emissions under control
27 May 2011
Europe’s greenhouse gas emissions grew last year on the back of an economic recovery, but were still below cap.
Watchdog slams new gas calculation rules
27 May 2011
New rules for calculating emission reductions from industrial gas projects undermine the Montreal Protocol and risk carbon leakage, CDM Watch says.
UK carbon budget sets course for cuts
20 May 2011
While the New Zealand Government is grappling with its 2011 financial budget, the British Government is setting its fourth carbon budget.
Why world economies must go green
20 May 2011
The world must radically alter the way it produces and consumes materials if genuinely sustainable development is going to take root, the head of the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation said yesterday.
UN hands out six green star awards
20 May 2011
An organisation tackling health-threatening pollution in developing countries and a renowned academic working to make houses safer during earthquakes are among the recipients of UN awards announced yesterday.
Budget lines up carbon price programmes
13 May 2011
The Gillard Government says this week’s budget alters some climate change programmes to better align with its carbon price objective as Australia moves to a clean energy future.
Biofuels project wins $5m funding
13 May 2011
A government grant of $5 million is a further step toward establishing a Biofuels Research Institute in Australia.
Renewable energy can do the job, say experts
13 May 2011
Renewable energy sources such as solar power, wind, biomass and hydropower could meet nearly 80 per cent of the world’s energy supplies by 2050, a United Nations-backed report says.
They are the Champions … of the Earth
13 May 2011
Mexico’s President Felipe Calderon, singer Angélique Kidjo and adventurer Louis Palmer are among this year’s five winners of a United Nations award that honours contributions to the global effort to protect the environment.
Billion tonnes of food thrown away, says report
13 May 2011
About a third of all the food produced for human consumption each year – roughly 1.3 billion tonnes – is lost or wasted, according to a new study.
UN energy report falls short, says WFC
13 May 2011
The new IPCC report on renewable energy provides a litmus test for all policy makers, proving renewable energy is the world's number-one energy source in the future, but it falls short on concrete policy recommendations, the World Future Council says.
EU adopts new way to protect biodiversity
13 May 2011
The European Commission has a new strategy to protect and improve the state of Europe's biodiversity over the next decade.
EC outlines future system of free credits
6 May 2011
The European Commission has announced how free carbon credits will be given to industry after 2013.
UN aims for world ban on pesticide
6 May 2011
The insecticide endosulfan has been added to the list of persistent organic pollutants to be eliminated worldwide.
Clark urges businesses to go low carbon
29 Apr 2011
Former New Zealand prime minister Helen Clark has made an international appeal for businesses to transform their enterprises into low-carbon operations that are environmentally sound and benefit communities.
Royal wedding a lot of hot ... emissions
29 Apr 2011
A New Zealand carbon-footprinting organisation says that today’s royal wedding could generate nearly 7000 tonnes of greenhouse gases.
NZ drags chain in drive for green growth
21 Apr 2011
All over the world, writes British High Commission first secretary TONY CLEMSON in a personal view, countries are going low-carbon and getting ready to reap the financial rewards. But not New Zealand.
Carbon pollution climbs in Australia
21 Apr 2011
Carbon pollution is continuing to rise in Australia, according to latest figures from the Department of Climate Change.
Climate-fight billions can be raised, says EU
21 Apr 2011
The European Union says that it is possible to raise the huge amounts of money needed to address climate change in developing countries.
Canberra okays $104m solar energy project
15 Apr 2011
One of the world’s biggest solar thermal projects has been given the green light by the Australian Government.
Consumer watchdog takes green firm to court
15 Apr 2011
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has issued proceedings against Global Green Plan Ltd alleging contempt of court.
UN spotlight goes on rainforest threats
15 Apr 2011
Officials from more than 35 nations will gather at a United Nations-backed conference next month to discuss the common challenges faced by the world’s three major rainforest regions.
Design a green app and win $10,000
15 Apr 2011
The United Nations has launched a contest that will reward the winner with $10,000 for devising the most innovative “app,” or mobile telephone application, that tackles the subject of climate change.
ARW wraps up biodiesel deal
8 Apr 2011
Australian listed company Australian Renewable Fuels (ARW) says it has finalised acquisition of its largest competitor, Biodiesel Producers.
Green Africa envy of the world, says UN
8 Apr 2011
Africa is well poised to take advantage of a host of opportunities on the continent for building a green economy, says a senior United Nations official.
India orders first floating solar plant
8 Apr 2011
Australian solar power company Sunengy has entered into a partnership with India’s largest integrated private power utility, Tata Power, to build a pilot for its first floating solar-power plant, using patented Liquid Solar Array (LSA) technology.
Scientists compile best-ever weather facts
8 Apr 2011
Australian scientists have begun the process of delivering the most detailed national climate change projections yet.
Ministers reveal more carbon details
25 Mar 2011
The Australian Government has released more details about its plans to put a price on carbon.
Workers take climate petition to Canberra
25 Mar 2011
Australian miners, nurses and metalworkers are joining forces to call for urgent and decisive action on climate change.
Aussies eye product stewardship
25 Mar 2011
Legislation making it mandatory for the importers and manufacturers of televisions, computers and computer products to fund recycle schemes is being debated in Australia.
Quake cripples Nissan’s e-car production line
25 Mar 2011
By JEFF SIEGEL, Energy & Capital. Last year, 13,000 drivers ponied up deposits to reserve a LEAF, Nissan's first all-electric vehicle.
Scientists seek concrete answers
25 Mar 2011
Understanding how climate change could impact on the deterioration of concrete is crucial to ensuring major assets such as roads, ports and buildings continue to perform up to expectations, according to Australian scientists.
How Australia helps China to repair the damage
18 Mar 2011
Austrade’s DAVID DUKES examines the opportunities for Australian remediation firms in light of China’s resources boom:
Data predicts corn peril if temperatures rise
18 Mar 2011
A hidden trove of historical crop yield data from Africa shows that corn – long believed to tolerate hot temperatures – is a likely victim of global warming.
World gets another chance at Rio 2012
11 Mar 2011
Talks in Rio de Janeiro next year will be an chance for countries to strengthen their commitment to making the transition to a green economy, says a senior UN official.
Emissions fall as coal goes out of fashion
4 Mar 2011
Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions are falling as the country turns away from using coal to generate electricity.
Climate chief urges action on Cancún accords
4 Mar 2011
The United Nations climate change chief has called on governments to quickly transform the agreements reached in the Mexican city of Cancún last year into tangible action on the ground.
Australia sets date for carbon scheme
25 Feb 2011
Australia will have a price on carbon by July next year.
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.
