International: All stories
Overheated Aussies get a taste of climate change
3 Feb 2009
A heatwave scorching southern Australia could be a glimpse of the future as the world’s climate changes, the government says.
Big UK polluters abusing EU carbon trading scheme
30 Jan 2009
Britain’s biggest polluting companies are abusing a European emissions trading scheme designed to tackle global warming by cashing in their carbon credits in order to bolster ailing balance sheets.
EU puts plan for global carbon trading system
30 Jan 2009
The European Union is calling on developed countries - particularly the US - to sign on to a global system for trading carbon credits to curb greenhouse gas emissions.
Gore urges action on US green agenda
30 Jan 2009
Former US vice-president Al Gore yesterday, laid out a road map for President Barack Obama to push through his ambitious green agenda and re-assert American leadership on global climate change negotiations.
Climate change largely irreversible, new study shows
30 Jan 2009
A new scientific study reaches a powerful conclusion about the climate change caused by future increases of carbon dioxide: to a large extent, there’s no going back.
Asian cities team up to prepare for climate change
30 Jan 2009
Asian cities will form a network to prevent disasters and prepare for the impacts of climate change with initial backing of around $50 million from the US-based Rockefeller Foundation.
Europe woos US for transatlantic carbon market
27 Jan 2009
The European Commission is preparing to call on the United States to create a transatlantic system of carbon trading to limit greenhouse gas emissions and to press for the establishment of similar markets spanning the developed world.
Leading investors call for US 'green recovery'
27 Jan 2009
A group of 44 US and international investors managing more than $1.7 trillion in assets has called on Congressional leaders to include significant funding for energy efficiency, clean energy and clean transportation in the economic stimulus bill being debated this week in Congress.
Clinton names key US climate change envoy
27 Jan 2009
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton today appointed a special envoy for climate change, vowing that the Obama administration would restore America's credentials and leadership in shaping environmental policy.
Rudd minister rubbishes Opposition’s ETS scheme
27 Jan 2009
Australian Climate Change Minister Penny Wong has scoffed at Opposition claims that the Rudd Government has done nothing on developing clean energy sources, insisting it has already allocated $1 billion for development of renewable technologies and clean coal.
Japan satellite to measure carbon gases from space
27 Jan 2009
Japan has launched the first satellite to monitor greenhouse gases worldwide, a tool to help scientists better judge where global warming emissions are coming from, and how much is being absorbed by the oceans and forests.
US domestic airline offers offset as you go
27 Jan 2009
Passengers flying with Virgin America can offset the environmental impact of their journey while they are travelling.
Obama vows to pioneer renewable energy revolution
23 Jan 2009
President Barack Obama has promised the American people the country will pioneer a green revolution in renewable energy.
‘Optimistic’ UN chief greets new US president
23 Jan 2009
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has, “with great optimism,” congratulated Barack Obama on his inauguration as President of the United States, stressing that America and the UN share a number of common goals.
UN hails green stimulus plans by Japan and Korea
23 Jan 2009
The decisions of Japan and the Republic of Korea to invest billions of dollars in environmentally smart projects to create jobs and spur economic growth has been applauded by the United Nations.
Europe votes to ban toxic chemicals in pesticides
23 Jan 2009
The European Parliament has voted to ban the use of several toxic chemicals in pesticides and has put in place new rules to protect the public and the environment from other pesticides.
UK names date for second emissions trading auction
23 Jan 2009
The British Government intends to hold its second auction in Phase II of the European Union's Emissions Trading System on March 24.
New firm eyes Africa’s carbon trading potential
23 Jan 2009
A new advisory firm will focus on increasing carbon emissions trading in sub-Saharan Africa.
Scientists find out how fish poo fights climate change
23 Jan 2009
Scientists have discovered that fish play a major role in the marine carbon cycle, making them unexpected allies against climate change.
Some Australian units hit the carbon market
20 Jan 2009
Australia put its toe in the water yesterday with a small trade in Australian Emissions Units (AEUs).
Obama has four years to save Earth, says climate expert
20 Jan 2009
Barack Obama has only four years to save the world. That is the stark assessment of NASA scientist and leading climate expert Jim Hansen who has warned only urgent action by the new US president can halt the devastating climate change that threatens Earth.
Major US companies put plan to cut carbon emissions
20 Jan 2009
A group of major American companies has unveiled a plan to cut carbon emissions by 80 per cent to below 2005 levels by 2050.
US power company plans $2b coal-fired plant
20 Jan 2009
A United States company has formally filed an application with state regulators to build a $2 billion coal-fired power plant in Mississippi.
PwC buys international environment advisory firm
20 Jan 2009
PricewaterhouseCoopers has announced the acquisition of the US operations of Sustainable Finance Limited, an international advisory firm with operations based in America, Britain and Holland.
It could be a good move to hang on to that old Corolla
20 Jan 2009
It can be more eco-friendly to drive an older, well-maintained car that gets about 25 miles a gallon than to buy a new car that gets about 35 miles a gallon.
World carbon market could be worth $150 billion this year
16 Jan 2009
Despite the slumping economy, the value of the worldwide carbon market soared 84 per cent in 2008 to reach $118 billion, and could reach $150 billion this year.
Day one will reveal Obama’s climate change track
16 Jan 2009
New United States president Barack Obama's dedication to addressing climate change will be tested on his first day in the White House, where a few strokes of the pen could radically change Bush Administration policies.
UN carbon trading scheme suspends reluctant Russia
16 Jan 2009
The immaturity of one of the United Nation’s flagship carbon trading schemes has been underlined after Russia was suspended from registering carbon credits on the international transaction log (ITL) as a result of unpaid fees.
Lawyers to launch association for climate change officers
16 Jan 2009
A professional association of senior executives responsible for climate change and energy will launch in the United States within the next six to 18 months.
Emissions trading will increase Aussie grazing costs
16 Jan 2009
Emissions trading could increase the production costs for livestock by 18 per cent by 2030 if farmers have to offset methane emissions from their cattle and sheep, according to the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics (ABARE).
Peru planting 40 million trees to fight climate change
16 Jan 2009
Peru has embarked an ambitious project to plant 40 million trees in three months to help to deter the effects of climate change.
Emerging economies more concerned, but optimistic about solving climate change
16 Jan 2009
Consumers in emerging economies are more concerned and willing to take actions against climate change than those in developed countries, according to global research by Accenture.
Climate could be changing the sound of music
16 Jan 2009
Scientists are not ruling out the possibility that climate change may have affected the sound of wooden musical instruments.
Learn the lingo with buzzwords for greenspeak
16 Jan 2009
If you want to impress friends with your green know-how, make sure to brush up on the top green buzzwords of the year.
EU slashes emission caps on utilities, factories
19 Dec 2008
The European Union approved tighter emission caps on energy and manufacturing companies as of 2013, bolstering the world’s biggest greenhouse-gas market in a bid to spur the US and China to help to fight climate change.
Australian plan not enough, says influential minister
19 Dec 2008
South Africa, emerging as one of the most influential developing nations in climate change negotiations, has rejected the Australian Government's emissions package as an inadequate "opening bid", and warns that unless it is strengthened developing countries will refuse to sign a global climate package.
Rudd backs renewables and home power generation
19 Dec 2008
The Rudd Government has released details of two energy conservation schemes which it says will boost renewables and provide powerful incentives for Australians to install home micro-generation units.
Obama: Chu appointment shows we’re serious
19 Dec 2008
The appointment of 60-year-old scientist Steven Chu as US energy secretary will send a signal that the next administration will value science, President-elect Barack Obama says.
2008 among 10 warmest years on record, UN experts say
19 Dec 2008
The year 2008 is likely to rank as the 10th warmest year on record since the beginning of the instrumental climate records in 1850, although the global average temperature was slightly lower than previous years of the 21st century, according to United Nations weather experts.
IBM tops climate change governance league table
19 Dec 2008
IBM, Tesco and Dell have taken the gold, silver and bronze positions in a league table assessing firms' response to climate change, released last week by the Ceres coalition of investment firms.
Charles urges international climate cooperation
19 Dec 2008
Prince Charles has urged greater international co-operation to tackle climate change as he drew parallels between the environmental crisis and the credit crunch.
Japan’s voluntary emissions scheme attracts 500 firms
19 Dec 2008
More than 500 businesses have now joined Japan’s two-months-old voluntary emissions trading scheme, the government has announced.
Australia sets minimum target of 5% emissions cut
16 Dec 2008
The Rudd Government has set Australia a minimum target to cut emissions by 5 per cent by 2020, based on year 2000 levels.
Poznan positives: At least some progress is being made
16 Dec 2008
If one message has emerged from the long and often tortuous hours of climate negotiations in recent years, it is this: In the end, progress is being made.
Focus on climate, not O.J. or Paris Hilton, urges Gore
16 Dec 2008
Climate change campaigner Al Gore urged the world to fight on against global warming at the conclusion of UN climate talks at Poznan instead of focusing on celebrity news like the legal woes of O.J. Simpson and Paris Hilton’s latest shopping escapade.
Poznan delegates (happily) say bye-bye to Bush
16 Dec 2008
US President George W. Bush's last hurrah in the global climate arena has met with a welling of disdain contrasting with the outsized expectations for his successor Barack Obama.
Environment groups slam EU deal on climate, economy
16 Dec 2008
European leaders have papered over deep divisions on solving the interlocking crises of recession and climate change and are hailing breakthrough agreements on both fronts.
Nobel winner likely to head Obama’s climate team
16 Dec 2008
President-elect Barack Obama today is expected to name Nobel physics laureate Steven Chu as his energy secretary when he announces his team to lead the fight against climate change.
Chinese hybrid car is charging into weak market
16 Dec 2008
With the Big Three US automakers tottering and China's once go-go car market in reverse, this might seem a bad time for a relative unknown to be launching a new vehicle.
We're losing coral reefs at an alarming rate, says report
16 Dec 2008
The world has already lost nearly one-fifth of its coral reefs and many of the remaining reefs could be denuded of life over the next 20 to 40 years as a result of climate change and other threats, the Global Reef Monitoring Network says.
Researchers compare the footprint of meat vs. plant-based dog foods. The differences were staggering.
Mon 13 Oct 2025
Global pet food emissions rival those of a small country. A new UK study reveals that switching dogs to plant-based foods could slash emissions tenfold—without sacrificing nutrition.
Why Trump is not a death knell for global climate action
Tue 14 Oct 2025
In his rambling speech to the United Nations last month, United States President Donald Trump described climate change as “the greatest con job ever perpetrated on the world”.
China carbon prices hit two-year low as market faces oversupply pressures
Tue 14 Oct 2025
Carbon credit prices in China have fallen to their lowest point since mid-2023, pressured by an excess of supply and tepid demand amid ongoing adjustments to the national emissions trading system.
'Not up for discussion': Brussels rejects Washington's pressure on climate rules
Mon 13 Oct 2025
In response to US demands to roll back the EU's environmental legislation, the European Commission defended its autonomous power to adopt laws.
Government told to prepare for 2C warming by 2050
Today 10:45am
The UK should be prepared to cope with weather extremes as a result of at least 2C of global warming by 2050, independent climate advisers have said.
Renewables are a global economic engine, not a culture war threat
2 Oct 2025
Energy companies are learning this lesson faster than Alberta Premier Danielle Smith.
India calls on COP30 to focus on lack of funds for developing nations
Today 10:45am
India has said the United Nations climate conference in Belm, Brazil, should focus on tackling the critical shortage of resources that developing countries need to adapt to climate change and curb greenhouse gas emissions.
Familiar tensions emerge at the Pacific Islands Forum
26 Sep 2025
With China-Taiwan rivalry, China-Western competition, and big carbon emitters at odds with the islands on climate policy, there is plenty of tension to go around.
Scientists discovered something alarming seeping out from beneath the ocean around Antarctica
Mon 13 Oct 2025
Planet-heating methane is escaping from cracks in the Antarctic seabed as the region warms, with new seeps being discovered at an “astonishing rate".
Angola lowers climate ambition in blow to spirit of Paris Agreement
Tue 14 Oct 2025
Angola has scaled back its targets for reducing emissions in its new national climate plan, saying it chose “realism and implementability” over the Paris Agreement's calls for governments to set progressively more ambitious goals.
Four Brazilians to watch at COP30
Wed 15 Oct 2025
Influential Brazilians, from government figures to Indigenous activists, will take center stage during UN climate talks in the Amazon next month.
Climate critics try to discredit IPCC author for linking disasters to global warming
Mon 13 Oct 2025
Roger Pielke Jr. and oil industry supporters are attacking climate scientist Friederike Otto, whose work has been used in lawsuits against polluters.
