International: All stories
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.
China eyes nationwide emission trading
7 Dec 2012
China hopes to extend its pilot carbon emission trading system to across the nation in its new five- year plan starting 2016, a member of the Chinese delegation to the Doha climate talks said yesterday.
Energy savings only way left, says economist
7 Dec 2012
Energy savings are one of the “few valuable options” left for humankind to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, says the chief economist of the International Energy Agency.
New phone app digs up the dirt on soil
7 Dec 2012
Australia’s national soil databases can now be accessed in real time online through a new iPad app called SoilMapp.
This year set to be one of warmest since 1850
30 Nov 2012
Temperatures this year are the ninth highest on record since 1850, says a United Nations report released this week.
Permafrost hosts massive danger, says UN
30 Nov 2012
Huge stores of carbon trapped under the northern hemisphere’s frozen expanses risk being unleashed and becoming a major factor in global warming, a new United Nations report warns.
UN wants private sector to stand up
30 Nov 2012
A new United Nations-led partnership aimed at showcasing innovative models for fighting climate change says it’s time the private sector became a significant investor.
Australian ETS links up with the world
30 Nov 2012
Legislation passed by Senate this week will enable Australia and Europe to begin linking their emissions trading systems.
New strategy aims to help primary producers
30 Nov 2012
A revised climate change strategy launched this week will help to build a sustainable, strong and viable future for Australia’s primary industries, a Government minister says.
The answer is a fish’s ear …
30 Nov 2012
Scientists believe that fish ear bones and their distinctive growth rings can offer clues to the likely impacts of climate change in aquatic environments.
Gas emissions levels up by 20%, says UN
23 Nov 2012
The world’s concentration of warming gases like carbon dioxide has increased by 20 per cent since 2000, a new United Nations report says.
California dips toe in carbon market
23 Nov 2012
California has kicked off its cap-and-trade programme to reduce carbon dioxide emissions amid speculation about whether it will nose-dive or become a national model.
Market leaders grab cheap credits
23 Nov 2012
Some of the companies that have complained loudest about the EU's environmental measures are using the zone’s Emissions Trading System to give money to rivals in other countries instead of cutting their own greenhouse gas emissions, it has emerged.
Australia happy trading scheme is working
23 Nov 2012
The Australian experience since the July launch of its emissions trading scheme had proved positive, a senior diplomat has told corporate leaders meeting in Brussels.
Europe decides when a bicycle isn’t a bicycle
23 Nov 2012
European lawmakers have decided what is a bicycle … and what isn’t.
New TVs cut hundreds from energy bill, say makers
23 Nov 2012
Two major television manufacturers claim their multi-star rated sets can save owners hundreds of dollars a year on their energy bills.
US leads energy race, says report
16 Nov 2012
The global energy map is changing in dramatic fashion, the International Energy Agency said as it launched the 2012 edition of the World Energy Outlook.
EU climate chief demands action
16 Nov 2012
European Union member states must reach agreement before the end of the year on a stop-gap measure to tackle the virtual collapse of the bloc’s main instrument for cutting carbon emissions, a senior EU official says.
Greenies threaten to sue Netherlands
16 Nov 2012
The Netherlands Government is facing legal action unless it takes swift action on climate change.
Storage problems solved, say inventors
16 Nov 2012
Queensland technology company RedFlow has launched an innovative renewable energy battery storage system - the M90 - at the University of Queensland..
Good on ya, Julia, says UN chief
16 Nov 2012
Australia has been publicly thanked by the United Nations for signing on for the second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol.
We must ramp up carbon cuts, says report
9 Nov 2012
The world will have to cut the rate of carbon emissions by an unprecedented rate to 2050 to stop global temperatures from rising more than 2 degrees Celsius this century, a new report says.
World trading system on way, says expert
9 Nov 2012
A global platform for carbon trading might be in place this decade, an official at one of the world's major environmental think tanks said.
World of waste ... and it's worsening
9 Nov 2012
Waste management issues are becoming increasingly crucial for the promotion of environmental sustainability, delegates at a United Nations conference have been told.
Billions use Internet ... but far too many can’t
9 Nov 2012
More than two billion people use the Internet, but greater efforts must be made to bridge the ongoing digital divide and ensure that everyone around the world can harness its benefits, says a top United Nations official.
US forces going green to fuel military machine
9 Nov 2012
The United States military is going green – for security reasons.
Google keeps an eye on the land
9 Nov 2012
Detailed satellite imagery about Australian landscapes will soon be only a button push away for land managers in community and non-profit sectors thanks to a partnership between scientists and Google.
$22m carbon farming plan on the move
9 Nov 2012
A grants programme to help indigenous land managers to establish carbon farming businesses has begun in Australia.
EU cans plans to limit ‘hot air’ credits
2 Nov 2012
EU environment ministers have abandoned plans to limit excess supply of Kyoto-era carbon credits on the world’s markets after seven eastern European states backed Poland’s opposition to the measure.
Food key to Australia’s role in Asia
2 Nov 2012
Primary producers, agricultural businesses and regional communities will be big winners as Australia positions itself as a leading food and fibre supplier to the growing Asian marketplace in the Asian century.
How Super Sandy sucked up warming sea surface
2 Nov 2012
Anthropogenic climate change has contributed to sea surface warming, influencing the intensity of storms like Hurricane Sandy, a leading climate scientist believes.
Millions back move to smarter energy use
2 Nov 2012
The Australian Government has announced new funding rounds for three energy efficiency grant programmes to drive smarter energy use in business, local government, households and communities.
Brussels wants to ban $500m in ERU credits
26 Oct 2012
The European Commission has proposed an Emissions Trading System ban on $US570 million of Kyoto-era carbon credits from non-EU countries such as Russia, which have not signed up to a second Kyoto commitment period.
Bioenergy process bad, says report
26 Oct 2012
Bioenergy production is often increasing greenhouse gas emissions in the short term even though the European Union counts it as a carbon neutral technology, according to an unreleased report obtained by agency EurActiv.
‘Foolish’ CSIRO job cuts will mean Australia unable to provide climate projections to global reports, scientists warn
Thu 21 May 2026
Job cuts at the national science agency mean Australia will no longer be able to submit climate projections to form part of global reports and will have significantly reduced ability to forecast future damage to the country, leading researchers have warned.
Trump distorts recent revisions of scientific projections of global warming
Thu 21 May 2026
President Donald Trump recently blasted the accuracy of global warming projections in a Truth Social post that itself painted a distorted view of the science, projections and how the international community discusses climate policy.
At least 21 killed as heavy rains drench southern, central China
Thu 21 May 2026
Torrential rain continued across southern and central China on Tuesday with at least 21 people killed in widespread flooding that also closed schools and businesses, and disrupted transport and power supplies, authorities said.
EU keeps carbon border tax unchanged despite fertiliser price crisis
Thu 21 May 2026
Fertiliser producers argue that the EU's carbon pricing rules at the border protect the European industry from cheaper imports produced under weaker environmental rules. But farmers fear they are indirectly paying the bill through higher fertiliser costs.
The UK faces growing climate threats – where is the response to match?
Tue 19 May 2026
COMMENT: UK voters’ dissatisfaction with business as usual must be harnessed to address public concerns and build a country that is resilient to climate change impacts.
Natural gas to play key role in strategy to double Canada’s electricity grid by 2050
Mon 18 May 2026
A new national strategy will double the capacity of the country’s electricity grid by 2050, Prime Minister Mark Carney said as he announced the plan last week.
While the world hesitates, India must continue leading on climate
14 May 2026
India’s updated climate targets must translate into systems that secure growth, resilience, and autonomy.
The nation holding back the sea
Fri 22 May 2026
A Pacific island nation on the front line of the climate change threat is building land to try to hold back rising sea levels. But as the majority of Tuvalu’s population applies to relocate to Australia, a haunting question is being confronted: what happens to a country if the people have to leave?
‘Triple whammy of climate chaos’: Why Antarctica's sea ice collapse is no longer a mystery
11 May 2026
Scientists have finally identified the ‘triple whammy’ behind Antarctica’s dramatic collapse, shedding new light on the chain reaction that has pushed its sea ice to record lows.
Africa secures major clean energy deals as France deepens investment push
15 May 2026
French and African leaders have announced more than $11 billion in renewable energy investments across Africa, underscoring the continent’s growing importance in the global push for cleaner energy and industrial development.
Amazon deforestation at eight-year low, report shows
Wed 20 May 2026
Despite a drop in the size of deforested areas, the number of wildfires in the region increased by more than 30 percent.
UN backs historic climate crisis ruling, despite US attempts to stop resolution
Fri 22 May 2026
The UN has voted 141-8 to adopt a resolution backing a world court opinion that countries have a legal obligation to address climate change, with the US – which is the world’s biggest historical emitter – among the small group opposing it.
