International: All stories
Durban delegates hail breakthrough
16 Dec 2011
Countries at the Durban climate conference delivered what they believe is a breakthrough on the future of the international community’s response to climate change.
New phone app gives you carbon clues
16 Dec 2011
A new United Nations mobile telephone application lets users calculate their carbon footprint, visualise its equivalent in a particular ecosystem, and learn new ways in which they can reduce their emissions.
Scientists get excited about biochar
16 Dec 2011
Biochar could help to improve agricultural productivity and assist farmers and landholders to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, says a new Australian report.
The longer we wait, the worse it gets
9 Dec 2011
Delaying any decisions on future climate action until 2015 or 2020 will bring a rapidly increasing risk in costs and threatens the likelihood of the world being able to keep global warming to below 2 degrees C, the Climate Action Tracker warned this week.
Business must take over, says green leader
9 Dec 2011
Business must step into the breach on climate change because government negotiators at the Durban climate conference are procrastinating, says one of Africa’s leading environmentalists.
Experts hand out warning to Pacific Islands
9 Dec 2011
Islands across the Pacific can expect rising sea levels, more very hot and wet days, and more damage to coral reefs, says a new report.
Italian firm joins UN in helping poor
9 Dec 2011
An Italian company has joined forces with a United Nations agency in a scheme to combat hunger and malnutrition and to reduce carbon emissions.
Black carbon moves could save millions
2 Dec 2011
More than two million lives can be saved each year by implementing measures to reduce black carbon, methane and ozone emissions, says a new report.
Millions marked for look at biochar
2 Dec 2011
Australia is putting $2 million up for grabs for biochar research.
Health experts voice climate fears
2 Dec 2011
Australian health professionals say they have serious concerns about the impact of climate change on the nation’s health.
Farmers sign up to $99m green fund
2 Dec 2011
The first round of the $99 million Action on the Ground programme to help farmers to cash in on Australia’s clean energy future is under way.
Greenhouse gas levels reach worst-ever levels
25 Nov 2011
The presence of greenhouse gases in the Earth’s atmosphere last year reached its highest levels since pre-industrial times, says a new report.
Coal mining to come under scientific scrutiny
25 Nov 2011
The Australian Government has moved to ensure that all future decisions about coal seam gas projects and large coal mining developments are based on rigorous scientific evidence.
China to set up climate change think tank
25 Nov 2011
China will establish its first national-level think tank on climate change issues, to focus on strategic research and international cooperation, said a senior government official.
UN pleads for ‘global conversation’
25 Nov 2011
The United Nations has launched a campaign ahead of its major conference on sustainable development (Rio+20) in June next year, inviting governments, non-governmental organisations and people everywhere to engage in a global conversation about the communities they want to see in the future.
Scientists issue warnings over Durban
18 Nov 2011
Scientists are warning world leaders against getting bogged down in the “holy grail” of a successor to the Kyoto Protocol at climate change negotiations in Durban this month.
Business getting serious about green investment
18 Nov 2011
Businesses and governments are accelerating investment in the green sectors of the economy, a just-released United Nations report shows.
New rules cut ship emissions, says report
18 Nov 2011
The implementation of United Nations-mandated energy-efficiency measures will lead to a significant reduction in carbon emissions from ships, says a new report.
Australia joins drive to change food system
18 Nov 2011
A major transformation in the global food system is needed to address future threats to food security, according to experts from some of the world’s leading science organisations.
Minister sets date for new carbon rules
18 Nov 2011
Australia’s new administrative body for the carbon pricing mechanism, the Clean Energy Regulator, will begin operation from next April 2.
Gillard warns businesses to behave
11 Nov 2011
Australian businesses have been warned against trying to profiteer from the carbon tax passed into law on Tuesday.
UN expects firm decisions in Durban
11 Nov 2011
The Durban conference on climate change this month should produce agreement on limiting emissions of greenhouse gases, and launch the green climate fund for mitigation and adaptation in developing countries, says the head of the United Nations.
Coal plant rules flawed, says study
11 Nov 2011
A study identifies deep systematic flaws in the crediting rules of coal plants under the Clean Development Mechanism, the lobby group CDM Watch says.
No plain sailing for marine life
11 Nov 2011
Direct effects of climate warming on biodiversity pose a serious conservation challenge for marine life, according to new research published today in Science.
Pew Centre morphs into C2ES
11 Nov 2011
The Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES), a new non-profit organisation promoting strong policy and action to address the twin challenges of energy and climate change, was launched this week in Washington with strong business backing.
Key carbon tax vote next week
4 Nov 2011
The Australian government's carbon tax is likely to pass the parliament early next week after an agreement between Labor and the Greens.
Environment needs urgent action, says report
4 Nov 2011
Concerted and rapid action is urgently needed to curb resource depletion and ensure human activities do not destroy the environment that supports economies and sustains life, warns a new report.
California scheme opens investment doors
4 Nov 2011
California’s newly approved cap-and-trade system will open up new possibilities for investments in clean technology, giving a boost to the sluggish market, says a UK carbon credits portal.
Ban names high-level team to push energy
4 Nov 2011
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has announced the members of a high-level group tasked with mobilising action among governments, the private sector and civil society to provide clean and affordable energy for everyone.
China expecting huge growth in wind power
28 Oct 2011
China will be generating more than 11 gigawatts of electricity from offshore wind turbines by 2020, a new report says.
Solar seen as saviour of Great Barrier Reef
28 Oct 2011
The people charged with protecting Australia’s Great Barrier Reef are putting their money where their mouths are and going solar.
Investment giants call for urgent climate action
21 Oct 2011
The world’s largest investors have urged governments and international policy makers to take new and meaningful steps in the fight against climate change.
Leaders must make changes, says report
21 Oct 2011
In light of recent extreme weather events, as well as long-term disruptions related to climate change, a major new report calls for different approaches to decision making by national leaders.
Study sheds new light on cattle emissions
21 Oct 2011
New CSIRO research indicates that the amount of methane emitted from cattle fed on tropical grasses in northern Australia is up to 30 per cent less than figures currently used to calculate the northern cattle industry’s contribution to Australia’s greenhouse gas accounts.
Young people put ideas for green economy
21 Oct 2011
Young environmental leaders from 18 developing countries are meeting in Germany this week to showcase their own, innovative solutions for sustainable development, ranging from eco-tourism to eco-friendly cooking fuel.
Historic moment as carbon tax gets a yes
14 Oct 2011
In what the Gillard Government is calling "a historic moment”, the Australian House of Representatives has passed clean energy legislation which will give the country a price on carbon.
Clean energy corporation has $10b bank
14 Oct 2011
The Gillard Government has given details of how it will set up a $10 billion Clean Energy Finance Corporation, which will provide a new source of finance to renewable energy, energy efficiency and low emissions technologies.
Changing climate could lead to chocolate meltdown
14 Oct 2011
Climate change could transform the cherished chocolate bar into a luxury few can afford, according to a new study.
Islands need help to beat droughts
14 Oct 2011
Drought conditions in some Pacific islands have prompted calls for comprehensive risk reduction steps to be put in place to protect vulnerable populations living in delicate ecosystems.
Green industries essential, says UN
14 Oct 2011
Industries should take into account green measures for every aspect of what they do to be able to ensure their sustainable future, says the United Nations.
Homeless could reach 200 million, says UN
7 Oct 2011
Climate-related events could force up to 200 million people worldwide to flee their homes by 2050, warns the United Nations.
Agency to aid world of seven billion
7 Oct 2011
The United Nations Environment Programme has joined the 7 Billion Actions campaign, an initiative to encourage individuals, governments, businesses and organisations to take positive actions toward creating a more sustainable world with 7 billion inhabitants.
Global CO2 emissions show steep rise
30 Sep 2011
Global emissions of carbon dioxide - the main cause of global warming - increased by 45 per cent between 1990 and 2010, and reached an all-time high of 33 billion tonnes in 2010, says a European agency.
How ecotourism can help save forests
30 Sep 2011
The increasing demand for ecotourism can play a vital role in saving endangered forests, a United Nations-backed partnership believes.
UN to probe green impact of infotech
30 Sep 2011
Agreement has been reached on a globally recognised way of assessing the environmental impact of information and communications technologies (ICTs), and on the use of minerals from conflict areas.
Minister rates ties with Chile
30 Sep 2011
Growing partnerships between New Zealand and Chile on environmental issues will provide long-term benefits, Environment and Climate Change Minister Nick Smith says.
Cheap, clean energy critical, says UN
23 Sep 2011
A lack of access to affordable and clean energy is hampering the fight against poverty and disease, says the United Nations.
Carbon price good news, says study
23 Sep 2011
The Gillard Government has released updated modelling of the impact of a carbon price which confirms Australia's economy will continue to grow strongly at the same time as pollution is cut.
Why Asia-Pacific needs green revolution
23 Sep 2011
Countries in Asia and the Pacific have been urged to embark on a green industrial revolution that takes advantage of improvements in resource efficiency.
Scientists spring speed checks on wind
23 Sep 2011
Scientists in Australia are taking the first steps to improve estimates of long-term wind speed changes for the fast-growing wind energy sector.
Aus Climate Minister urged to justify spending $200m on climate summit
Today 12:30pm
Australian Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen has been urged to justify the government's massive expenditure related to the COP31 summit after he set up an “office of the presidency” in his department.
How the environmental movement lost its power – and how to get back
Today 12:30pm
COMMENT: How did the movement lose its vibrancy? More screen time, less wild habitat available to visit, and a shift to urban living have made Americans less viscerally connected to the splendor of planet Earth.
China widens its clean energy lead
Mon 18 May 2026
Chinese companies account for more than half of global investments in clean energy manufacturing since 2019, while new U.S. investments declined last year.
Inequality causing 100,000 extra deaths a year from heat and cold in Europe
12 May 2026
Economic inequality adds more than 100,000 deaths to the vast toll from heat and cold in Europe each year, research has found.
The UK faces growing climate threats – where is the response to match?
Today 12:30pm
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
Thu 14 May 2026
India’s updated climate targets must translate into systems that secure growth, resilience, and autonomy.
Vanuatu’s legal battle against climate superpowers heads to the UN
Mon 18 May 2026
COMMENT: The United Nations General Assembly upcoming vote responding to the International Court of Justice’s landmark 2025 advisory opinion on climate change could help move climate responsibility from political promise to legal accountability.
‘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
Fri 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.
The country where lethal hantavirus cases are on the rise. Experts blame climate change
Wed 13 May 2026
Experts believe environmental degradation caused by climate change and human activity is contributing to its spread by allowing the rodents that transmit the virus to thrive in new areas.
UN members prepare for pivotal vote on landmark ICJ climate justice ruling
Fri 15 May 2026
If the resolution is passed, governments will recognise their legal responsibility to cut greenhouse gas emissions.
