International: All stories
Russia loses billions from carbon trading delays
29 May 2009
Russia has lost out on billions of dollars in investment and carbon trading payments due to government delays in considering environmental project applications, the head of an environmental investment group said.
Report card: How the tech-execs rate
29 May 2009
Being perceived as environmentally friendly is a big issue for tech leaders.
Motor vehicle batteries spark new gold rush
29 May 2009
The Obama administration has set off a gold rush to power new environmentally friendly cars.
EU stands alone as world ponders carbon schemes
29 May 2009
Only the 27-member European Union has a legislated and operating emissions trading scheme to achieve the carbon pollution reduction targets it will sign up to at the United Nations climate change negotiations in Copenhagen in December, the Australian points out.
UN chief challenges business to create cleaner, greener economy
26 May 2009
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has issued a challenge to business leaders to lead efforts to transform the global economy into one that is “cleaner, greener and more sustainable.”
Business leaders vow to set price on carbon
26 May 2009
World business leaders meeting in Copenhagen are vowing to help world governments set a price on carbon, establishing a market that governments can use to cut greenhouse gases.
Greens and Nationals aim to defeat Aussie emissions scheme
26 May 2009
The Australian Greens want the federal government's emission trading scheme legislation put to a vote as soon as possible - so they can defeat it once and for all.
US climate change bill clears key hurdle
26 May 2009
The United States’ first federal climate change legislation has cleared a key hurdle by making it out of the House Energy and Commerce Committee on a 33-25 vote.
Obama’s new green guru under fire for climate U-turn
26 May 2009
US Energy Secretary Steven Chu will fly to Europe this week to begin talks that will be crucial in the global battle against climate change.
Get from A2B on the world’s fastest e-bike
26 May 2009
The world's fastest electric bike, already hugely popular in China, is now turning heads in Britain.
US-China climate change deal near, says report
22 May 2009
A US-China deal on climate change could be reached in autumn this year after secret back-channel meetings in the closing months of the Bush administration, according to the Guardian.
UPDATE: US cap and trade bill clears House committee
22 May 2009
Historic environmental law including a cap and trade scheme has advanced in the US.
House panel set to clear US climate change bill
22 May 2009
The nearly week-long US House of Representatives debate on historic legislation to cap and reduce greenhouse gas emissions has moved into the final stages, with the panel expected to pass the measure today.
Applause greets Obama car emissions plan
22 May 2009
Environmental groups are applauding US President Barack Obama's new nationwide rules for car emissions and mileage standards, announced this week.
Dumped Wall Streeters race to join carbon trading
22 May 2009
Jobless American stock traders and other Wall Street refugees are looking to carbon trading shops for work.
Banks who kept the faith look for carbon payday
22 May 2009
For the handful of investments banks that resiliently kept their carbon-trading desks during the financial crisis, a potential payday may come a step closer this week as the US debates its emissions future.
European investors call for carbon trading revamp
22 May 2009
As fresh details emerge confirming that US legislators plan to water down proposed cap-and-trade legislation, a group of European investors have called on world leaders to move in the opposite direction and undertake urgent reforms designed to tighten up emerging carbon markets.
Analysts see carbon windfall profits for EU industry
22 May 2009
European Union moves to exempt industries such as steel, refining and cement from the cost of buying carbon permits risk handing them windfall profits and could blunt EU green investment, analysts say.
UN posts Copenhagen talks text online
22 May 2009
Progress towards achieving an ambitious new treaty on the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions is gathering pace, the top United Nations climate change official said yesterday.
US lawmakers formally unveil climate change bill
19 May 2009
Democrats in the US House of Representatives have formally unveiled sweeping legislation to fight climate change and said the 932-page bill enjoyed broad national support.
Big business lobbyists queue up on Capitol Hill
19 May 2009
President Barack Obama’s push for a climate-change law this year has set off a lobbying boom on Capitol Hill, where companies are registering to weigh in at a rate of about one every business day.
Turnbull puts biochar at centre of emissions deal
19 May 2009
Australian Opposition leader Malcolm Turnbull has confirmed that incentives to encourage the use of biochar in the fight against climate change will be central to his negotiations with the Rudd Government over its emissions trading scheme.
Anxious car makers speed toward global pacts
19 May 2009
The breakdown of two of Detroit's Big Three is bringing a new urgency to the scramble among the world's car makers to forge alliances with former rivals, carve inroads into new markets and shop for well-known brands.
Scientists list dangers to US Pacific ocean
19 May 2009
Climate change, fishing and commercial shipping top the list of threats to the ocean off the West Coast of the United States.
UN chief urges action on risk of natural disasters
19 May 2009
United Nations secretary-general Ban Ki-moon has called for decisive action to reduce the growing impact of climate change as he launched a global assessment of ways to minimise the risks from natural disasters.
Millions of British homes to have smart meters
19 May 2009
All homes in Britain are to have "smart meters" installed by 2020 to record energy use, under plans announced by the government.
Thinktanks seek funds for green tech in poor countries
19 May 2009
New financial mechanisms to ensure the transfer of low-carbon technology to emerging economies will help to achieve a meaningful breakthrough at the Copenhagen climate change conference in December, according to a report by an alliance of some of the world's leading thinktanks.
Australia votes $4.3b for energy-efficient homes
15 May 2009
More than three million Australian households are set to benefit from the largest energy efficiency rollout Australia has seen.
US climate bill targets 15% renewables by 2020
15 May 2009
House of Representatives Democrats crafting legislation to fight climate change will seek to get 15 per cent of United States energy from renewable sources by 2020.
Car makers could get billions from carbon pact
15 May 2009
United States House of Representatives Democrats say the carbon pact agreement they have reached could provide the struggling auto industry with billions of dollars in funding for advanced green vehicles as part of a proposed plan to limit carbon emissions.
Renewables growth transforms global energy picture
15 May 2009
In 2008, for the first time, more renewable energy than conventional power capacity was added in both the European Union and United States, showing a "fundamental transition" of the world's energy markets towards renewable energy, finds a report released yesterday.
Climate change dire health threat, say doctors
15 May 2009
Climate change will present the greatest threat to health this century, amplifying the risk of disease, malnutrition and homelessness through floods, drought and rising sea levels, a medical panel said yesterday.
Climate change threatens millions who live off sea
15 May 2009
Around 100 million people risk losing their homes and livelihoods unless drastic steps are taken to protect Southeast Asia's coral reefs, which could be wiped out in coming decades because of climate change, a new report says.
Australian carbon market does a disappearing act
12 May 2009
The delay in the Australian Government's proposed emissions trading scheme had an immediate, but virtually unreported, effect on financial markets, says the Australian.
Ethanol test for Obama backing science over politics
12 May 2009
President Barack Obama's commitment to take on climate change and put science over politics is about to be tested as his administration faces a politically sensitive question about the widespread use of ethanol: Does it help or hurt the fight against global warming?
US climate bill unlikely to pass this year, say experts
12 May 2009
United States climate change legislation is unlikely to pass this year due to concerns about the recession and contention over the implementation of the programme, according to energy and carbon market experts.
Indonesia urges world to act now on climate issues
12 May 2009
Indonesia has urged the world to take action on ecosystem management and climate change that threatens oceans.
Japanese ask world: What should we do?
12 May 2009
The nonprofit group Japan for Sustainability is asking people around the world for their comments about the country's greenhouse gas emission reduction targets.
Ford to transform SUV plant for electric Focus
12 May 2009
Ford will invest $US550 million to transform its Michigan SUV assembly plant to build a new battery-electric version of its Focus car for the North American market.
China looks ready for post-Kyoto climate deal
8 May 2009
China is ready to abandon its resistance to limits on its carbon emissions and wants to reach an international deal to fight global warming, the Guardian newspaper says.
US puts first case for new UN climate treaty
8 May 2009
The United States has said it would be committed to joining the world on a climate treaty with "robust targets and ambitious actions" against heat-trapping greenhouse gases.
UN must send strong signal, says climate minister
8 May 2009
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon must ensure that a high-level summit slated for September sends a “very clear and strong signal” to negotiators aiming to reach a new climate change deal in Copenhagen this December, a top Danish official said yesterday.
Carbon rules make it hard, says airline industry
8 May 2009
Carbon trading and increased regulation could hinder efforts to reduce aircraft greenhouse gas emissions through innovation and increased use of biofuels, airline industry leaders said this week.
Maldives joins NZ in climate neutral pact
8 May 2009
The Republic of Maldives, one of the countries most affected by climate change, has joined New Zealand and five other countries as a member of the Climate Neutral Network led by the United Nations Environment Programme.
Britain first electric car goes on sale
8 May 2009
Britain’s first family sized electric car has been launched in London.
Rudd delays emissions trading till 2011
5 May 2009
Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd yesterday announced that his government would delay by one year the introduction of its emissions trading scheme.
Climate could turn dangerous in 50 years, says report
5 May 2009
A state of dangerous climate change might be reached as soon as the year 2059, according to a new study in the journal Nature.
China looking at carbon tax proposals
5 May 2009
Chinese researchers will soon issue preliminary proposals for a carbon tax that may one day become part of the government's efforts to tame growing greenhouse gas emissions.
Giant solar power tower begins generating
5 May 2009
The world's largest solar power tower has started generating near Seville, Spain.
One cup of coffee =140 litres of water
5 May 2009
Dutch scientist Arjen Hoekstra is one of the few people who know that as much as 140 litres of water are involved in making a cup of coffee.
Australia’s biggest gas project greenlit to 2070 with ‘partial’ protection for Indigenous rock art
Mon 15 Sep 2025
Approval met with fury from conservation groups and the Greens, who called it a ‘betrayal’ of Australians who want climate action.
Trump sends fracking CEO to Europe to sell climate denial—and gas
Mon 15 Sep 2025
Debunking some of Chris Wright's most egregious lies.
China on course to peak fossil fuel power as soon as this year, reports say
Thu 11 Sep 2025
The Asian nation’s energy transition is entering a new phase, with soaring renewables reducing demand for fossil fuels, analysis shows.
EU considers faster Russian oil and gas exit after US pressure
Mon 15 Sep 2025
The European Union is considering a faster phase-out of Russian fossil fuels as part of new sanctions.
Ex-actor Zack Polanski's unusual path to become UK Green Party's new leader
9 Sep 2025
Zack Polanski has stormed to victory in the Green Party leadership election on a platform promising bold communication and "eco-populism".
Carney government noncommittal about Canada meeting 2030 climate goals
9 Sep 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney would not say Monday whether Canada will meet its climate goals under the Paris agreement by 2030, as his government faces criticism over his emission-reduction plans.
Tax rebalancing in Indian energy sector: Renewables cheaper, coal costlier
Fri 12 Sep 2025
Industry experts and developers have hail GST cuts on clean energy equipment, saying it will be a major enabler for India’s ambitious climate goals.
Australian PM says Vanuatu security, climate agreement delayed
Thu 11 Sep 2025
PM Anthony Albanese says he won’t sign Nakamal Agreement in Vanuatu, despite recent high-level talks on the pact.
Iconic Antarctic species at risk amid 'regime shift', with 'rapid and self-perpetuating changes'
22 Aug 2025
Scientists say there is emerging evidence of abrupt and potentially unstoppable changes in the Antarctic environment.
Second Africa Climate Summit seeks to jump hurdles to green industrialisation
Wed 10 Sep 2025
A report on progress since the first summit in 2023 says financial, infrastructure and trade obstacles are hampering “climate-positive growth” on the continent.
Brazil implores businesses to attend COP30 climate summit, despite 'second thoughts' amid Trump backlash
5 Sep 2025
November's COP30 summit comes at a precarious time for climate action, as companies back away from environmental initiatives, and attacks on green energy by President Trump.
UN pushes countries for new climate targets this month
9 Sep 2025
The United Nations urged countries on Wednesday to set more ambitious climate plans during this month, seeking to pressure major economies including the EU and China ahead of this year's U.N. climate summit.
