International: All stories
UN calls for integrated climate policies
24 Aug 2012
More efforts are needed to combat the threat of climate change and counter its ripple effects on global food security, the United Nations says
Pacific needs climate aid, says report
24 Aug 2012
A major report on climate change finance will be launched at the Pacific Islands Forum next week in Rarotonga.
Beer drinkers say cheers to reducing methane
24 Aug 2012
Australian beer drinkers don’t know it but they are helping cattle farmers to reduce methane produced by cows.
Green rules at huge housing tract
24 Aug 2012
Australia is going green with a new 1000ha housing development
Study warns South Pacific of storm shocks
17 Aug 2012
South Pacific countries will experience more extreme floods and droughts, in response to increasing greenhouse gas emissions, according to a new study.
Singapore aims to be green growth hub
17 Aug 2012
Singapore sees itself becoming a “green growth hub” that delivers green solutions both at the national and global levels.
Spy in the sky shows Arctic ice loss worse than thought
17 Aug 2012
Sea ice in the Arctic is disappearing at a far greater rate than previously expected, according to data from the first satellite launched to study the thickness of the Earth's polar caps.
Europe limits dumping of e-waste
17 Aug 2012
At least 85 per cent of electrical and electronic waste generated in the European Union will have to be recycled by 2020 under new rules that took effect this week.
Europe slams US for backing off
10 Aug 2012
The European Union and small island states have criticised the United States for backing away from a United Nations goal of limiting global warming to below 2 degrees Celsius
Shipping lines join clean port plan
10 Aug 2012
Six shipping carriers have become the inaugural participants in the Port of Los Angeles Environmental Ship Index, an international clean air programme that rewards ocean carriers for bringing their newest and cleanest vessels to the port.
Right food vital, say UN experts
10 Aug 2012
Countries must take immediate action to promote sustainable diets and food biodiversity to improve the health of their citizens, says the United Nations food agency in a new book.
Festival wins inspiration award
10 Aug 2012
A Queensland festival group has received an international award for inspiring environmental action.
Scientists challenge biofuels claim
3 Aug 2012
German researchers have unveiled evidence suggesting European Commission claims that locally produced rapeseed biodiesel cut back at least 38 per cent of greenhouse gases compared with fossil fuels, are unfounded.
London wins praise for green Olympics
3 Aug 2012
The measures taken to ensure that the London Olympic Games are environmentally sustainable have been praised by the United Nations.
Study finds carbon pathways to the deep
3 Aug 2012
A team of British and Australian scientists has discovered an important method of how carbon is drawn down from the surface of the Southern Ocean to the deep waters beneath.
Great White Fleet becoming Great Green Fleet
27 Jul 2012
The US Navy aims to build a Great Green Fleet that will be as well known world-wide as its Great White Fleet.
Europe to try twin-track fix for market
27 Jul 2012
The European Commission has announced a twin-track approach to fixing Europe’s depressed carbon market with a short-term ‘backloading’ of carbon allowances, to be followed by proposals for long-term structural change before the end of the year.
Korea waters down carbon trading plan
27 Jul 2012
The South Korean government has unveiled a detailed plan for its emissions trading scheme, apparently seeking a smooth start of the programme in light of persistent fears from industries about increased environmental costs.
Australia discovers sea power
27 Jul 2012
Australia’s oceans hold a bounty of energy and could produce 24-hour power, either from the tides, currents or waves, scientists say.
Don’t turn back on Tuvalu, pleads UN
27 Jul 2012
A United Nations independent expert has called on the international community to not turn its back on Tuvalu, where communities are being seriously affected by climate change.
China on the ball, says UN chief
20 Jul 2012
China’s efforts to implement initiatives that will lead to sustainable development have been publicly praised by the head of the United Nations.
Rare-earths monopoly worries US
20 Jul 2012
China's near-monopoly on key raw materials vital for green technologies is "very troubling" and could hamper advances in alternative energy and telecoms products, according to a senior Washington policymaker.
Send it by bike ... freight idea gets wheels
20 Jul 2012
More than 30 companies from across Europe have launched a European Cycle Logistics Federation (ECLF) aimed at improving urban bike deliveries and lobbying for cycle-based delivery policies.
EU eyes new emissions rules for cars
13 Jul 2012
New cars and vans in the European Union will produce one-third less carbon dioxide within eight years, under proposed new rules set out this week in Brussels.
Cool year, but temperatures higher
13 Jul 2012
Worldwide, 2011 was the coolest year on record since 2008, yet temperatures remained above the 30-year average, according to the 2011 State of the Climate report just released by the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Australian figures show heat is on
13 Jul 2012
Australia's land and oceans have continued to warm in response to rising CO2 emissions from the burning of fossil fuels.
UN reminds business of green economy role
6 Jul 2012
A United Nations expert body has expressed concern that the outcome document agreed at the Rio+20 sustainability conference failed to explicitly mention that businesses must respect human rights.
No more cloudy days for solar, say scientists
6 Jul 2012
Australian scientists say they have lifted some of the clouds around the problems of solar energy.
More Americans go cool on global warming
6 Jul 2012
Americans' support for government action on global warming remains high but has dropped during the past two years, according to a new survey by Stanford University.
Rio pledges pass $500 billion mark
29 Jun 2012
More than $513 billion in funding has been committed by governments, the private sector, civil society and other groups to achieve a sustainable future.
Right, says Ban, now get on with it
29 Jun 2012
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has urged world leaders to build on the commitments they made during the Rio+20 conference to achieve economic, environmental and social prosperity for people all over the world.
Rio shows how to have a conference with little paper
29 Jun 2012
Reducing the use of paper, providing vehicles powered by biodiesel and electricity, and using recyclable materials are some of the practices that were pursued during Rio+20 to minimise the forum’s environmental impact.
Australia takes aim at shipping
29 Jun 2012
Legislation has been introduced into the Australian Parliament aimed at reducing pollution from ships and protecting the marine environment.
UN sews sustainability ‘golden thread’
22 Jun 2012
More than 100 commitments and actions have been mobilised as the “golden thread” in support of the United Nations global sustainable energy initiative, Secretary General Ban Ki-moon says.
Banks vow to invest $175b in transport
22 Jun 2012
The eight largest multilateral development banks will invest $175 billion in sustainable transportation systems over the coming decade.
Experts show cities can be sustainable
22 Jun 2012
The United Nations and its partners has unveiled a new initiative to achieve sustainable urban development by promoting the efficient use of energy, water and other resources, lowering pollution levels and reducing infrastructure costs in cities.
Gang behind carbon racket gets jail
22 Jun 2012
The gang behind a $60m scam in the European Union emissions market has been jailed for a total of 35 years by a judge in London.
Supercomputer to lead climate research
22 Jun 2012
The Australian National University is set to house a new supercomputer that it says will put the country at the forefront of climate change, earth science and water management research.
Rio countries now in final talks
15 Jun 2012
Countries have started the last round of talks to come to an agreement on the draft outcome document on environmental, economic and social issues at the heart of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development.
Figures paint sad picture of the world
15 Jun 2012
A snapshot of our world paints a sorry picture on the eve of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, Rio+20, in Rio de Janeiro.
Farmers eye new deal on cow gases
15 Jun 2012
Australian dairy producers could soon earn carbon credits through the Federal Government’s Carbon Farming Initiative by capturing and destroying harmful greenhouse gases released by cow manure.
Best green cars in a rapidly changing world
15 Jun 2012
The car industry is in the early stages of radical change, says an American eco magazine in its guide to the best green cars.
How corporates play the climate game
8 Jun 2012
Many companies are casting unwarranted doubt on the science of climate change, adding confusion to policy discussion and holding back or slowing down action on solutions, says a new report.
Australia nuclear by 2030, says expert
8 Jun 2012
Australia will become a user of the world's most advanced nuclear power technology if the country is serious about cutting carbon emissions, says an Adelaide scientist.
EU-China carbon talks get serious
8 Jun 2012
Meetings between EU and Chinese officials aimed at helping Beijing to draft plans for its own carbon emissions market are “increasing in intensity,” says the union’s chief climate negotiator, Artur Runge-Metzger.
Now’s the time to change our thinking
8 Jun 2012
The need for a change in thinking and approach to ensure the sustainability of the Earth’s resources as the world population grows has been highlighted as part of World Environment Day this week.
Global emissions reach record high
1 Jun 2012
Global carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel combustion reached a record high of 31.6 gigatonnes in 2011, according to preliminary estimates from the International Energy Agency.
Price floor key to Australian market
1 Jun 2012
Australia’s price floor will decide the price of Australian Allowances during the first three years of Australia’s emissions trading scheme, an international carbon analyst is predicting.
Growing market meets carbon challenges
1 Jun 2012
The total value of the carbon market grew by 11 per cent in 2011, to $176 billion, and transaction volumes reached a new high of 10.3 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, says a new World Bank report.
Money system flawed, says euro pioneer
1 Jun 2012
One of the men who designed the monetary scheme that led to the euro says that flaws in the current monetary system are causing climate change, over-consumption and repeated financial crises.
Oil refinery fire at key Victoria facility
Thu 16 Apr 2026
Explosions and towering flames were reported as a significant fire broke out at one of Australia’s major oil refineries.
As energy costs rise, some states back off ambitious climate goals
Fri 17 Apr 2026
Seven years ago, New York lawmakers set ambitious goals for slashing greenhouse gas emissions with clarion calls about saving the future. Now, with slow progress made and political realities shifting, Gov. Kathy Hochul is seeking a delay, saying she wants to save consumers money.
China's climate envoy warns of energy security risks, urges renewables shift
Wed 15 Apr 2026
The ongoing global energy crisis has highlighted the risks of heavy dependence on fossil fuel imports, prompting an urgent need for countries to rethink their energy security strategies and accelerate the transition to renewable energy, Liu Zhenmin, China's climate envoy for climate change, has said recently.
EU working on jet fuel plan as Iran crisis threatens air travel
Fri 17 Apr 2026
The European Union is drafting plans to tackle a looming jet fuel supply crunch and maximise refinery output, officials said.
UK ‘green’ jet fuel imports linked to illegal Amazon deforestation
Tue 14 Apr 2026
A major supplier of ‘green’ airline fuel to the UK has sourced beef fat linked to illegal Amazon deforestation, court documents and shipping data show.
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.
Ocean protections clash with mining pressure in Indonesia’s most diverse marine ecosystem
Mon 13 Apr 2026
Long regarded as a global model for ocean conservation, Raja Ampat ecosystems are now under pressure, as concerns grow over the expansion of nickel mining alongside a surge of international tourism.
Tuvalu to host world leaders before COP31 summit
Thu 16 Apr 2026
Tuvalu, the Pacific nation at the forefront of the global climate crisis, will host a special meeting of world leaders before this year’s Cop31 summit, as the conference president expresses “complete faith” in Chris Bowen to lead tough negotiations.
Drowned chicks and food scarcity: Emperor penguin and Antarctic fur seal now endangered
Mon 13 Apr 2026
The primary drivers are shrinking sea ice and warming oceans driven by climate change.
Rationing power and diluting petrol – how African countries are coping with effects of Iran war
30 Mar 2026
Countries across Africa have taken measures such as diluting petrol and restricting electricity consumption to cope with the fuel crisis triggered by the US and Israel's war in Iran.
Beef production drives 40% of agriculture-linked forest destruction, Brazil leads
26 Mar 2026
Beef production is the leading driver of agriculture-linked deforestation, accounting for 40% of all forest clearing done to open space for food production, according to details of a study released on Tuesday.
India walked away from its bid to host COP33 – here's why
Thu 16 Apr 2026
India has quietly abandoned its bid to host the UN's top-tier climate conference COP33, marking a shift from PM Narendra Modi's pledge in 2023. Experts and analysts explore what's behind the decision.
