International: All stories
COP negotiations chief on how Iran war oil shock paves road to climate talks in Turkey
28 Apr 2026
As countries meet at key climate crisis meetings, Australia’s Chris Bowen says war underlines need to move away from fossil fuels.
China’s leadership calls for ‘strict control’ of fossil fuels
28 Apr 2026
Chinese government leaders published a policy document on 22 April – Earth Day – calling for stricter controls on fossil-fuel consumption and greater oversight of heavy emitters.
US official: No hope for global carbon tax
28 Apr 2026
A U.S. negotiator warned other countries in a closed-door meeting that efforts to rein in climate pollution from ships has "no prospect" of success.
The Iran war has the world buying more clean energy. China stands to benefit the most
28 Apr 2026
The war in Iran has sent oil-starved countries scrambling for fuel. Many are opting for energy alternatives — and turning to the renewables king of the planet: China.
Here’s what to expect from the first conference on transitioning away from fossil fuels
24 Apr 2026
Delegates from more than 50 countries are gathering in Santa Marta, Colombia, from April 24 to 29 at the first-ever Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels.
Prospects for global green shipping deal boosted by US tariff ruling, analysts say
24 Apr 2026
While divisions remain over the international shipping’s Net Zero Framework, the US’s main threat may now have been partly neutered
Scientists forecast wildfire risk for species survival under climate change
24 Apr 2026
A new study warns climate change could increase the global area susceptible to wildfires in the future, putting many more species at risk than today.
Republican lawmakers attempt to shield big oil from climate lawsuits in ‘alarming’ bills
24 Apr 2026
Climate experts and advocates warn House and Senate bills will protect polluters at the cost of the climate.
New gas-powered data centers could emit more greenhouse gases than entire nations
24 Apr 2026
New gas projects linked to just 11 data center campuses around the US have the potential to create more greenhouse gases than the country of Morocco emitted in 2024.
The 10 countries doing the most to fight climate change
24 Apr 2026
‘No country is doing enough to prevent dangerous climate change,’ but these countries are making progress, experts say.
Environmental groups sue Trump administration over approval of new ultra deep-water drilling project
23 Apr 2026
Environmental groups sued the Trump administration on Monday over its approval last month of oil company BP’s ultra deep-water drilling project in the Gulf of Mexico.
Heatwaves, floods and wildfires pose rising threat to democracy, report finds
23 Apr 2026
Research shows natural hazards linked to climate crisis disrupted 23 elections in 18 countries in 2024.
Extreme heat threatens global food systems, UN agencies warn
23 Apr 2026
Extreme heat is pushing global agrifood systems to the brink, threatening the livelihoods and health of more than a billion people, according to a new report by the U.N.'s food and weather agencies.
The 'dumb machine' promising a clean energy breakthrough
23 Apr 2026
"I remember a few people said that the place where Proxima is today was impossible," says Francesco Sciortino, the co-founder and CEO of Proxima Fusion.
EU aims to ease energy blow from Iran war with tax cuts, gas coordination
23 Apr 2026
The European Commission set out plans on Wednesday to cut electricity taxes and coordinate the summer refill of countries' gas storage, as it seeks to cushion the energy fallout from the Iran war.
It’s time for an EU climate diplomacy reset
23 Apr 2026
The geopolitical context for climate diplomacy keeps evolving, with the war in the Middle East the latest example of a more fragmented and uncertain global environment.
Clean energy pushes fossil-fuel power into reverse for ‘first time ever’
22 Apr 2026
Renewable energy has overtaken coal to become the world’s largest source of electricity in 2025, according to thinktank Ember.
Record 165 GW of wind power capacity added in 2025, led by China, report says
22 Apr 2026
The global wind industry installed a record 165 gigawatts of new capacity last year, up 40% from 2024 and mostly driven by China, a report by the Global Wind Energy Council said, adding this still lagged the pace needed to hit a key climate goal.
Powerful states are trying to sabotage decarbonisation of shipping
22 Apr 2026
By Ralph Regenvanu | COMMENT: The global fallout of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz may create the impression that the world cannot function without fossil fuels. Nothing could be further from the truth. Every single industry can and must decarbonise.
China warns strong El Nino this year may worsen global fossil fuel crisis
22 Apr 2026
This year’s El Nino could increase the global demand for fossil fuels and worsen the price rises caused by the Iran crisis, Chinese government scientists have said.
Electric car sales soar 51% in mainland Europe as Iran war drives up fuel prices
22 Apr 2026
Buyers’ interest in electric cars has risen across Europe since the start of the war in Iran in late February, as the rising cost of petrol highlights the cheaper power available from a plug.
‘We are not going back’: Iran war forces global energy shift
21 Apr 2026
This week’s gathering of financial heavyweights at the International Monetary Fund and World Bank spring meetings in Washington made one thing clear: The Iran war is setting the world on a new energy path.
Burning wood for power worse for climate than gas equivalent, report finds
21 Apr 2026
Research casts doubt on plans by the UK government to offer subsidies for carbon capture attached to the power source.
Tehran will never cede control of Strait of Hormuz, senior Iranian politician tells BBC
21 Apr 2026
"Never." That's when a senior Iranian lawmaker says they'll be ready to give up their control of the Strait of Hormuz.
What Magyar’s defeat of Orbán in Hungary means for climate and energy
21 Apr 2026
Hungary has played a disproportionate role in EU climate and energy policy in recent years, by repeatedly vetoing climate action and by delaying the phaseout of Russian fossil-fuel imports.
How 50 days of the Iran war led to the loss of $50 billion worth of oil
21 Apr 2026
The world has lost over $50 billion worth of crude oil that has not been produced since the Iran war began nearly 50 days ago and the aftershock of the crisis will be felt for months and even years to come.
Europe has 'maybe six weeks of jet fuel left', energy boss warns
20 Apr 2026
Stocks would reach a tipping point in June if Europe was unable to replace at least half of its imports from the Middle East, the organisation said in a report this week.
Judge dismisses Trump administration’s bid to block Hawaii climate lawsuit
20 Apr 2026
It was the second defeat for the Trump administration’s unusual litigation to stop states from acting on climate change.
IMF warns EU not to offset the energy price spike too much
20 Apr 2026
European governments should not excessively shield businesses and consumers from more expensive energy because that distorts the price signal to cut consumption and could be fiscally very expensive, the International Monetary Fund said.
Thousands protest in Germany urging faster shift to renewable energy, amid Iran war
20 Apr 2026
Thousands of people demonstrated across Germany on April 18, urging a faster shift to renewable energy and accusing conservative Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s coalition of putting the brakes on the transition.
‘A disturbing lack of integrity’: Columbia students file complaint against energy thinktank taking big oil money
20 Apr 2026
thinktank at Columbia University is engaging in deceptive trade practices by hiding the extent of its financial ties to the fossil fuel industry, according to a first-of-its-kind administrative complaint filed by student activists and shared with the Guardian.
Monarch Tractor CEO: ‘We should have pivoted harder and faster’
20 Apr 2026
Electric tractor pioneer cofounder Praveen Penmetsa says the company's collapse reflects the limits of an ambitious full-stack hardware model in a changing economic climate—not a failure of the underlying technology.
Critical Atlantic current significantly more likely to collapse than thought
17 Apr 2026
The critical Atlantic current system appears significantly more likely to collapse than previously thought after new research found that climate models predicting the biggest slowdown are the most realistic
EU working on jet fuel plan as Iran crisis threatens air travel
17 Apr 2026
The European Union is drafting plans to tackle a looming jet fuel supply crunch and maximise refinery output, officials said.
Middle East war damage to energy assets may cost up to $58 billion, research firm Rystad says
17 Apr 2026
The Middle East conflict could saddle the region with as much as $58 billion in repair costs for energy-linked infrastructure, with oil and gas facilities alone accounting for up to $50 billion, according to a report by Rystad Energy.
Why cheap power could matter more than clean power in the push for net zero
17 Apr 2026
The issue has taken on new urgency as conflict in the Middle East pushes up oil and gas prices, raising fears that high energy costs could persist.
As energy costs rise, some states back off ambitious climate goals
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.
The environmental cost of war
17 Apr 2026
War is not often described in environmental terms, but it should be. Modern conflict is carbon-intensive at nearly every stage.
Oil refinery fire at key Victoria facility
16 Apr 2026
Explosions and towering flames were reported as a significant fire broke out at one of Australia’s major oil refineries.
India walked away from its bid to host COP33 – here's why
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.
Sixteen experts urge IEA to accelerate the clean energy transition
16 Apr 2026
Sixteen specialists have written to IEA executive director Fatih Birol, urging the agency to move beyond emergency measures and guide governments on accelerating clean technologies amid the global energy crisis.
Tuvalu to host world leaders before COP31 summit
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.
Meeting climate targets requires humanity to reorient its relationship with nature, new study says
16 Apr 2026
A team including scientists, Indigenous people and conservationists point to the ecosystem connecting Yellowstone and the Yukon as an example of a region where humans and nature are flourishing together.
War spurs EU plan for electricity tax cuts, faster shift from fossil fuels, draft shows
16 Apr 2026
The European Union plans to reduce electricity taxes and expand clean technologies faster to cut consumers' exposure to soaring oil and gas prices, as part of its plan to offset the Iran war's energy impact, a draft document showed.
Don’t mention the climate: Trump creates ‘beyond absurd’ situation at global finance talks
15 Apr 2026
Governments desperate for cash to protect their citizens from the growing impacts of the climate crisis are being put in a “beyond absurd” situation this week at global finance talks: they are being urged not to mention the climate, even as they address the current oil crisis.
IMF, World Bank, IEA urge countries to stop hoarding energy supplies, imposing export controls
15 Apr 2026
The International Monetary Fund, World Bank and International Energy Agency on Monday urged countries to avoid hoarding energy supplies and imposing export controls that could worsen what they called the biggest shock ever to the global energy market.
China's climate envoy warns of energy security risks, urges renewables shift
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.
ETS divisions sharpen as EU carbon market review nears
15 Apr 2026
The EU’s carbon market is heading towards a pivotal review, with tensions mounting between Member States over how the system shapes energy prices, industrial competitiveness and the pace of decarbonisation.
Gun manufacturers won the ultimate legal shield. Big Oil wants that, too
15 Apr 2026
Backed by the Trump administration, the industry is seeking to block all climate lawsuits that seek compensation from fossil fuel producers for damages.
AI surge gives carbon capture a new push
15 Apr 2026
Technology that captures carbon emissions from power plants may finally get a breakthrough as deep-pocketed tech companies try to meet climate goals while powering the AI race.
‘Foolish’ CSIRO job cuts will mean Australia unable to provide climate projections to global reports, scientists warn
Today 11:30am
Job cuts at the national science agency mean Australia will no longer be able to submit climate projections to form part of global reports and will have significantly reduced ability to forecast future damage to the country, leading researchers have warned.
Trump distorts recent revisions of scientific projections of global warming
Today 11:30am
President Donald Trump recently blasted the accuracy of global warming projections in a Truth Social post that itself painted a distorted view of the science, projections and how the international community discusses climate policy.
At least 21 killed as heavy rains drench southern, central China
Today 11:30am
Torrential rain continued across southern and central China on Tuesday with at least 21 people killed in widespread flooding that also closed schools and businesses, and disrupted transport and power supplies, authorities said.
EU keeps carbon border tax unchanged despite fertiliser price crisis
Today 11:30am
Fertiliser producers argue that the EU's carbon pricing rules at the border protect the European industry from cheaper imports produced under weaker environmental rules. But farmers fear they are indirectly paying the bill through higher fertiliser costs.
The UK faces growing climate threats – where is the response to match?
Tue 19 May 2026
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
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.
Amazon deforestation at eight-year low, report shows
Wed 20 May 2026
Despite a drop in the size of deforested areas, the number of wildfires in the region increased by more than 30 percent.
UN members reinforce nations' climate change obligations
Today 11:30am
The United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday adopted a resolution reinforcing states' obligations to combat climate change, a long-awaited move toned down under pressure from major greenhouse gas emitters.
