International: All stories
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.
Stand by for the golden age of gas
1 Jun 2012
Exploiting the world’s vast resources of unconventional natural gas holds the key to a golden age of gas, says the International Energy Agency.
Australia eyes new energy standards
1 Jun 2012
The Australian Government has introduced the Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards legislation to Parliament.
Scientist champions seagrass carbon sinks
25 May 2012
Seagrasses could be the oceans’ best-kept secret, and a multibillion-dollar marketplace, for mitigating global climate change, according to a new study.
UN chiefs demand progress in Rio
25 May 2012
United Nations top officials have stressed the need to achieve concrete commitments ahead of the Sustainable Development Conference (Rio+20) in Brazil next month.
State leaders ignore tribes’ forest plan
25 May 2012
A delegation of native Penan from Borneo’s interior have presented a unique community-based conservation initiative at the State Assembly in Kuching, the capital of the Malaysian state of Sarawak.
New website pushes sustainability
25 May 2012
An online database has been launched to strengthen partnerships between sustainable development projects in developing countries and enable communities to better manage their natural resources and local environment.
Australia declares El Nino set to be strongest in decades
Wed 17 Jun 2026
Australia's weather bureau warned on Tuesday that an El Nino weather pattern has formed in the tropical Pacific and could intensify in the second half of 2026 to become one of the strongest in seven decades.
Trump wants to put a $75m coal terminal in this liberal California city. Residents aren’t having it
Wed 17 Jun 2026
Residents of West Oakland, which suffers from toxic waste and high pollution rates, is rallying against a coal export facility.
China's fossil-fuelled power extends rise in May on weak wind output
Thu 18 Jun 2026
China's fossil-fuelled power generation, mostly from coal but with a small amount from natural gas, rose 2.1% in May from a year earlier, statistics bureau data showed on Tuesday, as lower wind speeds curbed renewable energy growth.
Steel and chemicals giants demand freeze to EU’s flagship climate policy
Wed 17 Jun 2026
The attack on the Emissions Trading System is among industry's most direct calls yet for the EU to change course on climate.
UK rivers face rising risk of climate 'whiplash'
Thu 18 Jun 2026
Climate change could push UK rivers to dangerous extremes and bring more frequent rapid swings between wet and dry conditions – a phenomenon known as hydroclimatic whiplash – according to research.
Canada signs landmark LNG energy deal with Germany
29 May 2026
Canada has announced a landmark energy agreement with Germany that will see the first-ever long-term shipments of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Canada to Europe in the coming years.
Solar overtakes gas power in Asia for first time ever
Mon 15 Jun 2026
Solar has overtaken gas power in Asia to become the continent’s third-largest source of electricity, according to new analysis by Carbon Brief.
The Pacific made history in the courts – now we must do it in the negotiations
12 Jun 2026
Legal clarity alone will not lead to reduced emissions, more finance or stronger national climate plans – political will is key to meeting states’ obligations.
Antarctica’s west coast missing an area of sea ice the size of France as temperatures peak 20C above average
Tue 16 Jun 2026
A vast area of the Bellingshausen Sea should be covered by sea ice by now, with one expert calling the loss of ice ‘depressing’.
Aid cuts and climate change drive deadly malaria surge in Zimbabwe
29 May 2026
A surge in malaria cases in Zimbabwe is exposing fragile health systems and growing treatment shortages in rural areas.
Colombia’s climate crossroads: Trumpism casts shadow over presidential battle
26 May 2026
Colombia is a global leader in climate activism. Could US influence drag country to a future of mining and fracking?
Science ‘under attack’ from fossil fuel interests at UN climate talks
Thu 18 Jun 2026
Dozens of countries have called out growing “coordinated attacks” by fossil fuel interests aimed at undermining the role of climate science in the UN negotiations at the mid-year talks in Bonn.
