International: All stories
Greening of global trade vital, says UN
10 May 2013
The expanding market for low-carbon and environmentally friendly products will create huge new opportunities in an increasingly interconnected world, says the United Nations.
Europe embraces green infrastructure
10 May 2013
A strategy aimed at promoting green infrastructure and putting natural processes at the heart of its spatial planning has been adopted by the European Union.
Carbon trading tax cut put on hold
10 May 2013
A 2015 tax cut in Australia associated with the carbon trading scheme will not go ahead because of the drop in the carbon price in Europe.
Draft treaty threatens fracking bans
10 May 2013
European bans on fracking for shale gas could face lawsuits under a far-reaching investment clause in a draft Canada-EU Trade Agreement (CETA) treaty.
Signs worrisome, says world weather watchdog
10 May 2013
The World Meteorological Organisation says there are now “clear” and “worrisome” signs that climate change is taking place.
Charles takes royal crack at corporates and sceptics
10 May 2013
Prince Charles has attacked corporate lobbyists and climate change sceptics for turning the Earth into a "dying patient", making his most outspoken criticism yet of the world's failure to tackle global warming.
Gas emissions about to hit critical level
3 May 2013
For the first time in human history, concentrations of carbon dioxide this month could rise above 400 parts per million and remain there for sustained lengths of time.
Why coal looks like a bad investment
3 May 2013
Coal investors could suffer heavy losses in the future as carbon assets are frozen by regulators to achieve global warming targets, a new research report has found.
Asia’s resource use unsustainable, UN warns
3 May 2013
The Asia-Pacific region must boost its resource efficiency or risk losing ground in lifestyle, economic growth and environmental sustainability, says a new UN report.
States miss renewable energy targets
3 May 2013
Twenty-two out of 29 states in India have failed to meet their renewable energy targets, says a new report.
Move over sci-fi ... here comes cli-fi, the hot new fiction
3 May 2013
Climate change has been cited as the cause behind a raft of recent phenomena, from increasing turbulence on planes to rising rates of malaria, dengue, and even domestic abuse.
How climate change could be giving Europe the runs
3 May 2013
Heavier rainfall and bigger storms could be responsible for more unsettled stomachs in parts of Europe, scientists believe.
Here come the new supereconomies
26 Apr 2013
More than 40 southern countries experienced significantly greater human development than specialists would have predicted 20 years ago, but global temperature shifts could yet undermine their progress, says a United Nations report.
Backloading might go to second vote
26 Apr 2013
A European Union plan to “backload” or withhold 900 million carbon allowances to see-saw their falling price, rejected by the European Parliament in a plenary session last week, could return for a second-round vote in June.
On yer bike … it could be the best way to go
26 Apr 2013
The bicycle could come into its own as a major part of city transport systems if an international forum meeting in Bali has its way.
Europe rejects ETS reform proposal
19 Apr 2013
The European Union’s flagship scheme for cutting carbon emissions suffered one of the most serious setbacks in its chequered history this week when members (MEPs) voted against a proposal to shore up the price of carbon in the Emissions Trading System.
Australia cuts emissions … slightly
19 Apr 2013
The Australian Government is facing calls to strengthen its carbon tax, as new figures show the country’s emissions fell only slightly last year.
Pacific refugees not urgent problem, says PM
19 Apr 2013
Decisions about whether New Zealand should take climate change refugees from the Pacific will be up to a government “some way in the future”, the Prime Minister says.
Private sector looms as key funder of forests
19 Apr 2013
The private sector is emerging as a key source of financing the sustainable management of forests that, if tapped properly, could result in benefits for the environment and for businesses.
Russians and Shell sign Arctic deal
12 Apr 2013
Russia’s export monopoly Gazprom and energy giant Royal Dutch Shell have signed a tentative deal to develop hydrocarbons in the Russian Arctic.
Shanghai second city to trade carbon
12 Apr 2013
Just days after Shenzhen became the first Chinese city to set a launch date for its city-wide carbon trading scheme, Shanghai has followed suit with confirmation its own carbon market will be in place before the end of June.
We’re losing good land, says report
12 Apr 2013
The international community is losing vast amounts of agricultural production due to the effects of continuing land degradation such as desertification, says a new study.
US gives pass mark to climate change ... but UK says no
12 Apr 2013
The American school system is incorporating climate change into its science curriculum.
Australia's weather bad and getting worse
5 Apr 2013
The heatwaves, flooding and bush fires striking Australia have already been intensified by climate change and are set to get worse, says a new report.
Stern: It could be worse than we thought
5 Apr 2013
The world could be headed toward warming even more catastrophic than expected, says the author of an influential 2006 study on climate change.
Pioneer activist quits job … to get busy
5 Apr 2013
One of the United States’ most prominent voices on climate change, NASA scientist James Hansen, is retiring so he can get busier with activism.
Farmers get $30m to help them to adapt
5 Apr 2013
The Australian Government has pumped $30 million into a project that will look at how farm practices can be adapted to reduce carbon emissions and earn farmers a second income stream by generating and selling carbon credits.
China outlines carbon trading road map
28 Mar 2013
China has laid out an ambitious road map to reduce emissions by 40-45 per cent by 2020, including the world’s largest national carbon trading scheme.
Don’t be like Obama, expert tells Europe
28 Mar 2013
Europe’s environmental goals will become meaningless unless countries learn from US President Barack Obama's mistakes, says a top climate analyst..
Climate change could make us a better wine producer
28 Mar 2013
New Zealand is one of a handful of countries that could benefit as the Earth's warming phase drives a wave of change through the world of wine, according to climate change experts.
Combet becomes minister of everything
28 Mar 2013
It’s one of the great political job titles … Minister of Industry, Innovation, Climate Change, Science, Research and Tertiary Education.
Kyoto call kills off tar sands project
22 Mar 2013
Canada’s withdrawal from the Kyoto Protocol has led to one of the world’s most prestigious research institute pulling out of a $25 million tar sands project.
Makers use bag of tricks to make cars look good
22 Mar 2013
Drivers of European cars who find that the fuel efficiency in their new car doesn't match up to the claims made by the manufacturer, now know it is not their driving to blame.
Clean energy advocates join forces
22 Mar 2013
Australian and United States clean energy organisations have joined forces to advance the use of research and energy information.
Energy storage solutions win backing
22 Mar 2013
Cost-effective battery storage for residential and commercial renewable energy systems is a step closer following an Australian Government investment of $480,000 to test a world-leading battery technology.
Money worries stall Europe's e-car plans
15 Mar 2013
Plans to kick-start Europe’s low-carbon vehicles industry with a huge infrastructure package have run into early roadblocks.
Japan might re-open carbon discussion
15 Mar 2013
Japan might revive discussions regarding a carbon market to effectively reduce pollution levels after elections for the Upper House of parliament in July.
Australia cuts new car emissions
15 Mar 2013
Australia’s average new car emissions have reduced by 21 per cent in 11 years, according to new figures.
Climate the enemy, says top Navy man
15 Mar 2013
Climate change is the biggest long-term security threat in the Pacific, says the US Navy’s top man in the area.
UN experts eye ways to fight drought
15 Mar 2013
Countries need to work together to use their experiences, science and technologies to create formal national preventive policies against droughts, say United Nations officials.
Europe eyes ambitious restructure
8 Mar 2013
Five weeks after voting down the ‘backloading’ (or withholding) of allowances to raise carbon prices, the European Parliament’s industry committee is proposing two far-more ambitious structural measures.
Australia backs clean food production
8 Mar 2013
A $20 million centre to boost clean, green food production has been opened in Sydney by Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard.
Nations make stand on illegal timber
8 Mar 2013
European rules to combat the trade of illegal timber have come into force, but critics doubt the readiness of EU countries to carry out the legislation.
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.
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.
