International: All stories
BMW ready to market hybrid with heft
21 Aug 2009
German car maker BMW will introduce the world’s most powerful hybrid automobile at the Frankfurt Motor Show next month and begin selling it in the United States later this year.
Australia better off with carbon tax, says oil giant
21 Aug 2009
Exxon Mobil, the world’s biggest publicly traded oil company, says a tax on carbon in Australia would be a better method to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions blamed for global warming.
Scientists and intellectuals key, says UN chief
21 Aug 2009
Scientific and intellectual leadership is the key to creating the new green economy of the 21st century, United Nations chief Ban Ki-moon has told an academic forum in Seoul.
Cash for clunkers scheme doesn’t pay its way
21 Aug 2009
Whatever its success in getting new cars off the lots and quickly injecting several billion dollars into the economy, some academics say that the US “cash for clunkers” programme is an expensive way to help the environment.
California faces quandary over travel offsets
21 Aug 2009
Al Gore buys them. So do the Grateful Dead, Hollywood celebrities and, increasingly, many climate-conscious executives and consumers.
EXCLUSIVE: Smith firm on ETS despite Rudd's defeat
14 Aug 2009
The Rudd Government's big climate package was defeated in the Australian Senate yesterday, but the New Zealand Government is pushing ahead anyway.
How green Denmark got ahead of the pack
14 Aug 2009
In December, all eyes will be on Copenhagen as world leaders gather to negotiate a new international climate change agreement. But how green are the Danes themselves.
Emissions pledges fall short of what’s needed
14 Aug 2009
A climate deal due in December will be a flop unless industrialised nations sharply increase promised cuts in greenhouse gas emissions for 2020, says the chair of a key United Nations group.
Bonn talks making headway, says UN official
14 Aug 2009
Governments are making headway in negotiations aimed at reaching an ambitious and effective global greenhouse gas reduction treaty, the top United Nations climate change official said in Bonn.
US readies military for climate change crises
14 Aug 2009
Climate change will pose profound challenges to the United States in the coming decades, raising the prospect of military intervention to deal with its effects, warn military and intelligence analysts.
Carbon-tracking business gets ready to boom
14 Aug 2009
A growing list of companies, from tiny start-ups to some of the world's biggest corporations, is investing in products that will help them to cash in on a mad dash for businesses to track their carbon footprints.
Australia’s ag-carbon could be bigger than coal
14 Aug 2009
Australia could develop a trade in agricultural carbon offsets to the United States worth more than the nation's current global coal exports - but not if agriculture is covered by an emissions trading scheme, says an international carbon trading expert.
Aboriginal knowhow could curb carbon emissions
14 Aug 2009
Aboriginal fire management practices could help to reduce Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions, scientists believe.
North American leaders promise a low-carbon future
14 Aug 2009
The leaders of the United States, Canada and Mexico have vowed to forge a "low-carbon North America.”
Aussie farmers call for carbon trading exemption
7 Aug 2009
Australia's peak farm body has urged the Rudd Government to follow the lead of all developed nations and permanently rule out including agriculture in its carbon trading scheme.
Household impact of US bill only modest, says study
7 Aug 2009
The United States climate change and energy bill passed by the House in June will bring somewhat higher energy prices for businesses and households and slow economic growth slightly by 2020.
You’re not alone – UN climate chief comforts Australia
7 Aug 2009
Australia is not at risk of going it alone on climate change by committing to emissions reduction targets before a global summit later this year, UN climate change chief Yvo de Boer says.
We can do it in Copenhagen, says China
7 Aug 2009
China’s envoy to global negotiations on climate change has expressed optimism that a new agreement to reduce greenhouse gases will be reached this year, and says that his nation’s efforts to curb carbon pollution already had produced results that he called “second to none.”
UK taxpayer may foot bill for missed emission targets
7 Aug 2009
Britain might have to purchase carbon credits from private companies in a new carbon trading scheme set to begin in 2010 to help them to meet their national greenhouse gas emissions targets.
Double nuclear energy output, Britain told
7 Aug 2009
Britain needs to more than double the amount of electricity generated by nuclear power in addition to boosting renewables, energy efficiency and gas storage to guarantee energy security, says an independent report commissioned by Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
Forum calls for 80% cut by 2020, not 2050
7 Aug 2009
Greenhouse gases must be cut 80 per cent by 2020, not by 2050 as UN countries propose, to preserve life as we know it, says the head of a global conference.
Buffett pockets quick billion on China hybrid maker
7 Aug 2009
American investment guru Warren Buffett has earned a $1 billion paper profit from an investment he agreed to make in Chinese hybrid carmaker BYD less than a year ago.
One carbon choice: Don’t have that child
7 Aug 2009
People who are serious about wanting to reduce their carbon footprint have one choice available to them that may yield a large long-term benefit - have one fewer child.
Psychological barriers hobble climate action
7 Aug 2009
Psychological barriers like uncertainty, mistrust and denial keep most Americans from acting to fight climate change, says a task force of the American Psychological Association.
Asia Pacific refugees could top 75 million, says report
31 Jul 2009
Climate change could produce more than 75 million refugees in the Asia Pacific region in the next 40 years, says a new report released on the eve of a Pacific leaders' meeting in Australia.
US, China upbeat on Copenhagen treaty
31 Jul 2009
The United States’ chief spokesman on climate change has voiced optimism at reaching a new global treaty this year, saying that top polluters China and the US were both serious about taking action.
France faces internal fight over carbon tax
31 Jul 2009
France should aim to introduce a tax on carbon dioxide emissions by 2010 to help to fight global climate change, says a panel advising the government.
How US can halve emissions from transport
31 Jul 2009
The United States can cut greenhouse gas emissions from transportation in half by 2050 with strategies ranging from cutting speed limits to imposing road pricing, according to a new report.
UN chief to visit Arctic ice rim to see for himself
31 Jul 2009
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will head to the Arctic polar ice rim next month as part of his efforts to push for action ahead of a major climate change conference to be held in December in Copenhagen.
India says no to legally binding emissions
31 Jul 2009
India will not succumb to any international pressure on committing to a legally binding agreement on cutting greenhouse emissions but will deal with climate change issues according to its own plans, a state minister says.
Opposition split over Australia's climate plan
24 Jul 2009
Australia’s opposition has split over whether to support government legislation to tackle climate change, with one lawmaker calling leader Malcolm Turnbull “arrogant” for ignoring the wishes of party members.
Wal-Mart to demand eco-labels on all products
24 Jul 2009
United States supermarket giant Wal-Mart has rolled out an ambitious plan to require manufacturers to put eco-labels on all items to show consumers the full environmental cost of production - from raw materials to disposal.
Maritime chiefs act to cut emissions from ships
24 Jul 2009
The International Maritime Organisation will issue a package of energy efficiency measures for new and existing ships to help to cut the industry’s rising greenhouse gas emissions.
IPCC to elevate plight of poorest countries
24 Jul 2009
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change will use its next assessment due in 2014 to look at how the impact of global warming is falling unequally on the poorest developing countries.
Ban to talk climate change on trip to China
24 Jul 2009
Climate change will feature prominently on United Nations chief Ban Ki-moon’s visits to China and Mongolia which begin today.
Nike says no more leather from Amazon
24 Jul 2009
Sports shoes manufacturer Nike has announced that it will no longer use leather that comes from farms near the Amazon rainforest.
Tiny Tuvalu: If we can do it, so can you
24 Jul 2009
The Pacific island nation of Tuvalu, already under threat from rising seas caused by global warming, has vowed to do its part for climate change by fueling its economy entirely from renewable sources by 2020.
Groser: Something will come from Copenhagen
17 Jul 2009
The Copenhagen climate change negotiations are unlikely to come up with a ratifiable agreement but will produce some sort of agreement, says Associate Climate Change Minister Tim Groser.
UK aims for 40% low carbon energy by 2020
17 Jul 2009
Britain intends to produce 40 per cent of its electricity from low carbon energy by 2020 to help meet legally binding targets to cut emissions and tackle climate change, the government said yesterday.
Low carbon: How Britain plans to do it
17 Jul 2009
In its low carbon transition white paper, the British government sets out how it intends to meet its binding carbon budget across all sectors.
High-speed rail part of UK carbon strategy
17 Jul 2009
High-speed rail, incentives for low-emission transport and investment in offshore wind and marine energy are at the heart of the British government plans announced yesterday to bring down the country’s carbon emissions.
Exxon to invest millions in fuel from algae
17 Jul 2009
Oil giant Exxon Mobil, whose chief executive once mocked alternative energy by referring to ethanol as “moonshine,” is about to venture into biofuels.
Dutch act on tax fraud in carbon market
17 Jul 2009
"Clear indications" of fraudulent activity in the Dutch carbon emissions market has forced the Ministry of Finance to take steps to prevent value-added tax fraud.
Carbon scheme ripe for fraud, says Aussie expert
17 Jul 2009
Australia’s proposed carbon trading scheme is ripe for fraud and companies are set to be hit with class actions by activist groups because they are not adequately protected by proposed laws, a climate change expert has warned.
US ready to lead on climate change, Chu tells China
17 Jul 2009
US Energy Secretary Steven Chu has told an audience in China that the United States is now ready to lead in the fight against climate change.
Japan opposition eyes bolder emissions cuts
17 Jul 2009
Japan's main opposition party will adopt bolder greenhouse gas cuts than the government by using the global emissions market and increasing green jobs if it wins an upcoming election, the party's head of green policy said.
Power bills up £200 a year in UK energy move
14 Jul 2009
Household energy bills in Britain will rise by more than £200 a year under the Government’s low-carbon strategy being announced this week.
Indonesia issues first forest-carbon revenue rules
14 Jul 2009
Indonesia's forestry ministry has released what are believed to be the world's first set of revenue sharing rules governing forest carbon projects, a ministry official said.
Get on with it, Gore tells Australians
14 Jul 2009
Former US vice-president Al Gore has waded into the Australian carbon trading debate, suggesting passing even an imperfect bill this year could help to secure a new treaty to cut greenhouse gas emissions.
US officials to prod China on climate change
14 Jul 2009
US Energy Secretary Steven Chu and Commerce Secretary Gary Locke visit their ancestral homeland this week to press China to join with the US in stepped-up efforts to fight global warming.
Oil refinery fire at key Victoria facility
Thu 16 Apr 2026
Explosions and towering flames were reported as a significant fire broke out at one of Australia’s major oil refineries.
As energy costs rise, some states back off ambitious climate goals
Fri 17 Apr 2026
Seven years ago, New York lawmakers set ambitious goals for slashing greenhouse gas emissions with clarion calls about saving the future. Now, with slow progress made and political realities shifting, Gov. Kathy Hochul is seeking a delay, saying she wants to save consumers money.
China's climate envoy warns of energy security risks, urges renewables shift
Wed 15 Apr 2026
The ongoing global energy crisis has highlighted the risks of heavy dependence on fossil fuel imports, prompting an urgent need for countries to rethink their energy security strategies and accelerate the transition to renewable energy, Liu Zhenmin, China's climate envoy for climate change, has said recently.
EU working on jet fuel plan as Iran crisis threatens air travel
Fri 17 Apr 2026
The European Union is drafting plans to tackle a looming jet fuel supply crunch and maximise refinery output, officials said.
UK ‘green’ jet fuel imports linked to illegal Amazon deforestation
Tue 14 Apr 2026
A major supplier of ‘green’ airline fuel to the UK has sourced beef fat linked to illegal Amazon deforestation, court documents and shipping data show.
Mark Carney just picked his lane on climate change
17 Feb 2026
COMMENT: Mark Carney's time as prime minister has been defined in part by his decision to roll back Trudeau-era climate policies.
Ocean protections clash with mining pressure in Indonesia’s most diverse marine ecosystem
Mon 13 Apr 2026
Long regarded as a global model for ocean conservation, Raja Ampat ecosystems are now under pressure, as concerns grow over the expansion of nickel mining alongside a surge of international tourism.
Tuvalu to host world leaders before COP31 summit
Thu 16 Apr 2026
Tuvalu, the Pacific nation at the forefront of the global climate crisis, will host a special meeting of world leaders before this year’s Cop31 summit, as the conference president expresses “complete faith” in Chris Bowen to lead tough negotiations.
Drowned chicks and food scarcity: Emperor penguin and Antarctic fur seal now endangered
Mon 13 Apr 2026
The primary drivers are shrinking sea ice and warming oceans driven by climate change.
Rationing power and diluting petrol – how African countries are coping with effects of Iran war
30 Mar 2026
Countries across Africa have taken measures such as diluting petrol and restricting electricity consumption to cope with the fuel crisis triggered by the US and Israel's war in Iran.
Beef production drives 40% of agriculture-linked forest destruction, Brazil leads
26 Mar 2026
Beef production is the leading driver of agriculture-linked deforestation, accounting for 40% of all forest clearing done to open space for food production, according to details of a study released on Tuesday.
India walked away from its bid to host COP33 – here's why
Thu 16 Apr 2026
India has quietly abandoned its bid to host the UN's top-tier climate conference COP33, marking a shift from PM Narendra Modi's pledge in 2023. Experts and analysts explore what's behind the decision.
