International: All stories
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.
Europe on track to meet Kyoto targets
26 Oct 2012
Emissions of greenhouse gases in the European Union fell on average by 2.5 per cent from 2010 to 2011, although several countries increased emissions.
Korea becomes home of climate fund
26 Oct 2012
South Korea has beaten off five challenges to become host country for a United Nations fund meant to manage billions of dollars to help developing nations to combat climate change.
Traders fight over-supply in Europe
26 Oct 2012
International carbon traders are continuing to push for action on over-supply in Europe.
Traders call for intervention in Europe
19 Oct 2012
International carbon traders are calling for market intervention in Europe – including cancelling next year’s market auction of credits.
Europe’s biofuel makers threaten revolt
19 Oct 2012
Representatives of Europe’s biofuels industry have threatened to sue the European Commission if it proceeds with plans to limit crop-based biofuels because of their indirect effect on greenhouse gas emissions.
Scientists see big changes in Antarctic
19 Oct 2012
Rapid changes taking place across Antarctica will have significant impact on global climate, says a leading scientist.
World Cup cuts South Africa's carbon footprint
19 Oct 2012
South Africa’s carbon footprint for 2010, the year it hosted the football World Cup, was lower than previously expected, says a new United Nations report.
Why China is no longer the scapegoat
12 Oct 2012
China has long been perceived as a laggard on climate action, and used as scapegoat by other countries to delay action, says a new report.
Greens praise Aussie ETS changes
12 Oct 2012
The Australian Greens have been quick to praise the passage of a package of bills linking the country’s emissions trading scheme to the price in Europe.
Scientists urge Obama, Romney to act
12 Oct 2012
More than 100 scientists and government officials in Florida are calling on America’s presidential candidates to address the danger of sea level rise at the third and final presidential debate.
Pioneer sees Singapore as trading centre
12 Oct 2012
Singapore might not have a carbon tax regime yet but being a financial hub, it might be poised to be a centre for water and carbon trading.
Forget that new laptop …upgrade the old one
12 Oct 2012
Upgrading old laptops is more energy-efficient than purchasing newer, greener models, according to German scientists.
Brussels to monitor shipping emissions
5 Oct 2012
The European Commission will introduce an emissions monitoring system in early 2013, in a bid to curb the environmental footprint left by the shipping industry.
Plan B perhaps, but there’s no Planet B …
5 Oct 2012
A top United Nations official has emphasized the impact that climate change has on food security, peace and stability, and has called on countries to cooperate to address the phenomenon.
Farmers target of climate investment help
5 Oct 2012
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) has released the Filling the Research Gap: Research Strategy
Why Romney in the White House scares Europe
28 Sep 2012
European Union officials are privately alarmed at the chilling effect that a Mitt Romney win in the US presidential election could have on global climate talks, says the EurActiv agency.
UN chief urges Pacific leaders to act
28 Sep 2012
The United Nations is counting on the leadership and active engagement of Pacific nations in tackling some of today’s pressing challenges, including sustainable development, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said yesterday.
Minister takes seat in the powerhouse
21 Sep 2012
Climate Change Minister Tim Groser will discuss climate change with the world’s economic powerhouses next week.
Coal plans devastating, says protest group
21 Sep 2012
Australian industry leaders have been quick to question the accuracy of a claim that a coal basin near the Great Barrier Reef will rank among the world's worst producers of carbon pollution if fully mined.
Australia goes looking for geothermal energy
21 Sep 2012
A grant of more than $1 million will help Australia to get a better fix on its geothermal energy potential.
There's two sides to the green car story, say critics
21 Sep 2012
Critics of electric cars have pointed out that the vehicles are only as green as the electricity they use.
Spaniards to build Canberra solar farm
21 Sep 2012
Australia’s largest photovoltaic solar farm will be built in Canberra by Spanish renewable energy company Fotowatio Renewable Ventures.
Scientists urge new way of thinking
21 Sep 2012
A landmark study has found that climate change is likely to have a major impact on Australia’s plants, animals and ecosystems that will present significant challenges to the conservation of the country’s biodiversity.
Experts urge action to save carbon market
14 Sep 2012
A high-level panel established to take stock of the Kyoto Protocol’s Clean Development Mechanism has released its recommendations by urging nations to intervene forcefully to address the crisis in the carbon market.
More firms see climate change as threat
14 Sep 2012
Major companies are increasingly concerned that they are at risk from climate change in the face of recent extreme weather events such as drought and floods, according to a report published this week.
Europe eyes limit on crop biofuels
14 Sep 2012
The European Union plans to impose a limit on the use of crop-based biofuels over fears they are less climate-friendly than initially thought and compete with food production, according to draft legislation.
“It’s by stealth, isn’t it?” The multi-million dollar effort by Australian fossil fuel companies to get into schools
Thu 16 Jul 2026
Australian oil, gas and coal companies want to get into school to shape what kids learn about their industry and climate change. One group has been trying to map the scale of the problem.
Over 1,600 energy department webpages on utility bill savings removed as US temperatures soar
Fri 17 Jul 2026
As millions of Americans prepare for another brutal heatwave, it’s now harder to find information about ways to stay cool while saving energy and keeping utility costs down.
China warming faster than global average as extreme weather intensifies, report says
6 Jul 2026
China is warming faster than the global average, while extreme heat, heavy rainfall and other severe weather events are becoming more frequent and intense as climate change accelerates worldwide.
1,000 evacuated from Fontainebleau fires near Paris; Spanish authorities identify some fire victims
Thu 16 Jul 2026
Bigger fires have been ravaging areas of southern France, but the Fontainebleau fire is exceptionally close to the densely populated region surrounding the French capital.
UK withdraws millions in funding from world’s second-largest rainforest in Congo
Fri 17 Jul 2026
The UK has abandoned projects worth tens of millions of pounds that were meant to help protect Congo rainforests and support local people.
Canadian wildfire smoke chokes Toronto, threatens US cities
Fri 17 Jul 2026
Toronto's air quality ranked the worst among major cities globally on Wednesday as wildfire smoke from northwestern Ontario blackened skies and spread into the northeastern United States, prompting health warnings and calls for residents to limit outdoor activities.
India is adding biofuels to petrol – but many drivers are unhappy
Thu 16 Jul 2026
India's decision to increase the share of biofuels blended with petrol is facing ire from motorists who question its viability in a market where a majority of vehicles are not yet designed for it.
‘Those blocking climate science are not our friends': Pacific leaders warn at Bonn talks
23 Jun 2026
Pacific nations and civil society groups have united at UN climate talks, pushing back against efforts to weaken agreed language on global temperature limits as negotiations continue behind closed doors.
Antarctica’s west coast missing an area of sea ice the size of France as temperatures peak 20C above average
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’.
Africa secures $900 million in new clean cooking commitments
Mon 13 Jul 2026
African countries have secured $900 million in new financial commitments to expand access to clean cooking technologies, which replace polluting fuels with cleaner alternatives, said the International Energy Agency.
Under Lula, Amazon deforestation falls to lowest level in a decade
Tue 14 Jul 2026
Deforestation in Brazil’s Amazon rainforest has fallen to its lowest level in a decade during the first half of 2026, according to official government figures.
COP31 president says electrification is ‘surest way to protect citizens’
Tue 14 Jul 2026
Last month, COP31 president-designate Murat Kurum launched a target for 35% of the world’s final energy to come from electricity by 2035. In an interview with Carbon Brief, Kurum says that the target was not a political choice, but instead reflects the latest evidence on “what is needed to keep 1.5C within reach”.
