International: All stories
The coloured stripes that explain climate change
12 Dec 2023
In 2017, Ellie Highwood, then professor of climate physics at the University of Reading, posted a photograph on Twitter of a "global warming blanket" she had crocheted, in which rows of colour represented average global temperature changes across time.
Coral scientist predicts massive bleaching events in 2024
12 Dec 2023
Following what is expected to be the warmest year on record, next year could bring massive coral bleaching events that disrupt marine ecosystems.
Record drought hitting Panama Canal may ruin your kids’ Christmas
12 Dec 2023
The impact of a record-breaking drought in Panama has spread beyond energy supplies and is now affecting container shipping, a crucial sector of the global freight market.
Watts tells COP28 NZ is committed to "ambitious" NDC
11 Dec 2023
In his first major speech on climate change since becoming the minister, Simon Watts re-stated New Zealand’s commitment to meeting our “ambitious” Nationally Determined Contribution.
Kiwi nature-based solution at COP28
11 Dec 2023
A nature-based climate solution to strategically restore and enhance 2.1 million hectares of Indigenous forest across Aotearoa over the next decade took the stage at the UN’s global climate summit yesterday.
Observers see OPEC 'panicking' as COP28 climate talks focus on possible fossil fuel phase-out
11 Dec 2023
Veteran negotiators at the United Nations climate talks said that the push to wean the world from dirty fossil fuels had gained so much momentum that they had poked a powerful enemy: the oil industry.
COP28 chief pushes for fossil fuel deal as talks get bogged down
11 Dec 2023
The controversial oil executive presiding over global climate talks in Dubai is stepping up efforts to get a deal to curb all fossil fuels for the first time.
Green groups urge end to LNG expansion to stop 'climate chaos'
11 Dec 2023
Environmental groups urged countries gathered at the COP28 climate summit in Dubai to stop support for expansion of the global trade in liquefied natural gas (LNG), saying the industry was undermining efforts to contain global warming.
‘Magical’ tech innovations a distraction from real solutions, climate experts warn
11 Dec 2023
Overemphasis on innovation and carbon removal risks distracting from main goal of stopping use of fossil fuels, say scientists.
Fossil fuels: Can humanity really kick its addiction?
11 Dec 2023
In the next few years we will pass 'peak' fossil fuels - it may have already happened. It will mean the world has reached its maximum use of coal, oil and gas and demand will begin to decline.
Azerbaijan gets nod to host COP29 climate summit
11 Dec 2023
Next year’s COP29 climate summit is set to take place in oil-rich Azerbaijan after Eastern European countries resolved a political deadlock.
COP28 Update: Day 7
8 Dec 2023
COP28 has highlighted new policy areas such as health, agriculture and clean cooking, and according to media, there have been pledges totalling more than $83 billion.
$700m pledged to loss and damage fund at COP28 covers less than 0.2% needed
8 Dec 2023
Money offered so far falls far short of the estimated $400bn in losses developing countries face each year.
Top climatologists slam Sultan Al Jaber's "no science" claim on fossil fuel phaseout
8 Dec 2023
“There is no scenario to limit warming to 1.5°C that does not include the rapid phase out of fossil fuels.”
AI’s climate impact goes beyond its emissions
8 Dec 2023
To understand how AI is contributing to climate change, look at the way it’s being used.
Turning the tap off slowly – why Australia’s decision to end overseas fossil fuel finance matters
8 Dec 2023
At the COP28 climate negotiations, Australia announced it will sign the Glasgow Statement and will no longer finance international oil, gas and coal projects.
How deglobalization could ripple across the economy
8 Dec 2023
The shift away from hyper-globalisation poses huge questions for what lies ahead.
Reuters, New York Times top list of fossil fuel industry’s media enablers
7 Dec 2023
New report by DeSmog and Drilled reveals the extent of commercial partnerships between trusted outlets and Big Oil.
‘Low-carbon product’ promoted by COP28 president 3 times more damaging than ‘regular’ fuels
7 Dec 2023
COP28 president Sultan Al Jaber promotes blue ammonia as a decarbonisation solution. Various experts disagree.
It's Gender Day at COP28 - here's why women and girls must be at the heart of climate action
7 Dec 2023
COP28 is well underway, with world leaders gathering in Dubai to discuss their plans to deal with climate change.
2023 declared hottest year on record as UN slams climate inaction
7 Dec 2023
The temperature record was confirmed as a UN official condemned ‘posturing’ at COP28 climate summit.
Five climate change solutions under the spotlight at COP28
7 Dec 2023
The Earth's climate is changing rapidly and urgent action is needed to avoid the most damaging consequences for people and nature.
As fossil fuel phase-out gathers steam, resistance builds
7 Dec 2023
Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Turkey are among the most vocal opponents of a decision at Cop28 to phase out coal, oil and gas.
Growth of Chinese fossil CO2 emissions drives new global record in 2023
6 Dec 2023
Global carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels and cement have increased by 1.1% in 2023, hitting a new record high of 36.8bn tonnes of CO2 (GtCO2), according to the 2023 Global Carbon Budget report by the Global Carbon Project.
US envoy calls out Chevron as lagging on climate at COP28
6 Dec 2023
US climate envoy John Kerry criticized some US oil producers for not doing enough to combat global warming and singled out Chevron Corp. for particular scrutiny.
Controversial carbon credits flood COP28, yet still no rules
6 Dec 2023
The COP28 climate talks have been flooded with announcements hyping controversial carbon credits before rules for them have been hammered out, with environmental groups fearing "greenwashing" on a massive scale.
Global warming could cost poor countries trillions. They've urged the UN climate summit to help.
6 Dec 2023
A prominent developing-world leader on the issue of climate change said that global taxes on the financial services, oil and gas, and shipping industries could drum up hundreds of billions to poorer countries adapt to and cope with global warming.
Record number of fossil fuel delegates at climate talks
6 Dec 2023
The number of delegates at this year's UN climate talks who are also linked to fossil fuel producers has quadrupled since last year, campaigners say.
More than 100 countries at COP28 call for fossil fuel phaseout
6 Dec 2023
Climate activists and countries hard hit by climate disasters seek to break the fossil fuel industry’s stranglehold on global climate talks.
Govt under pressure to show 'coherent' climate policy after failing to sign renewables pledge
5 Dec 2023
New Zealand was one of only a few developed countries that didn’t sign a renewables pledge at the international climate summit in Dubai over the weekend. The country is now under “significant pressure” to show it has coherent climate policy consistent with its international obligations, an expert says.
IMF chief makes the case for carbon pricing as ‘writing on the wall’ for oil and gas
5 Dec 2023
The head of the International Monetary Fund on Sunday underlined the case for carbon pricing at the COP28 climate summit.
Carbon capture is no solution to oil and gas emissions
5 Dec 2023
OPINION: The oil and gas industry wants you to believe it can capture its emissions and keep drilling as usual. That’s no way to avert climate chaos.
Al Gore slams COP28 climate summit host UAE, says its emissions soared
5 Dec 2023
Climate advocate and former US Vice President Al Gore slammed the UAE - host of the COP28 climate summit - saying its position as overseer of international negotiations on global warming this year was an abuse of public trust.
Rishi Sunak hits back at criticism of fleeting COP28 visit
5 Dec 2023
UK prime minister rejects suggestion half-day stay shows lack of ‘seriousness.’ Rishi Sunak defended his decision to only attend COP28 for a half a day, saying it would be wrong to “measure our impact here by hours spent.”
What Brazil should have said at COP28 - but didn’t
5 Dec 2023
Brazil’s President Lula made important contributions to COP28 in demanding that the 1.5°C temperature increase limit be respected, in recognising the risk of Amazon forest collapse, and in promising to end Brazil’s Amazon deforestation by 2030.
What sea level rise will look like in cities that have hosted climate summits
5 Dec 2023
As global leaders and delegates gather in Dubai for the annual UN climate summit, a new analysis shows how the host cities of previous summits could be inundated — if not entirely submerged — by rising ocean waters.
New Zealand continues to punch above its weight in Fossil awards
4 Dec 2023
New Zealand has once again won itself the dubious honour of a Fossil of the Day Award at COP 28 in Dubai, the third time in as may years.
G7 countries agree to phase out coal by 2030, announces French President Emmanuel Macron
4 Dec 2023
Over $12 billion pledged for Green Climate Fund; 118 countries commit to tripling renewable and double energy efficiency by 2030.
Clashes over fossil fuels, Gaza war at COP28 climate summit
4 Dec 2023
Israel’s assault on Gaza resumes the day after the summit reaches an agreement over a long-sought rehabilitation fund.
US announces $3 billion pledge to green climate fund
4 Dec 2023
Vice President Kamala Harris announced COP28 that the US is pledging $3 billion to the Green Climate Fund — the world’s largest climate fund — created to help developing countries handle climate change.
COP28 president says there is ‘no science’ behind demands for phase-out of fossil fuels
4 Dec 2023
UAE’s Sultan Al Jaber says phase-out of coal, oil and gas would take world ‘back into caves’.
How the US, oil industry plans to drastically cut methane emissions at the forefront of COP28
4 Dec 2023
The US government and the oil industry have announced plans to drastically reduce emissions of methane, one of the most dangerous GHGs, due to its heightened ability to raise global temperatures.
Global hospitals may face imminent shutdowns due to extreme weather
4 Dec 2023
A report by XDI reveals that 1 in 12 hospitals worldwide could face shutdowns due to extreme weather events from climate change.
Climate aid fund established on first day of COP28 after 30-year controversy
1 Dec 2023
COP28 climate summit head Sultan Ahmed al-Jaber notched a win on the first official day of talks in Dubai, with the adoption of an agreement to set up a "loss and damage" fund to help developing nations.
Four questions for COP28 to settle about a global carbon market
1 Dec 2023
As carbon credits face intense scrutiny, negotiators will wrangle over how to ensure the integrity of a new global carbon market.
COP28: How seven policies could help save a billion lives by 2100
1 Dec 2023
In a recent review of more than 180 peer-reviewed articles — which I conducted with fellow researcher Richard Parncutt — we found that a scientific consensus has formed around the so-called 1,000-ton rule.
From tree planting to ‘sponge cities’: why nature-based solutions are crucial to fighting the climate crisis
1 Dec 2023
Nature could hold the key to protecting humanity as the planet heats, but scientists say it is still an underused option.
US expected to reach new record for fossil fuel production this year
1 Dec 2023
The year 2023 is already expected to be the hottest on record, following a record-hot summer. But despite this, the US is expected to reach record numbers in fossil fuel production for the year.
Climate change ambassador explains why Australia won't back Pacific's calls to urgently phase out fossil fuels
1 Dec 2023
Australia's climate change ambassador says the federal government cannot yet back the Pacific's call to rapidly phase out fossil fuels because it's grappling with "complex" and "difficult" issues thrown up by decarbonisation.
Big meat unveils battle plans for COP28
30 Nov 2023
Polluting livestock companies and lobby groups will target pavilions in a coordinated campaign at the UN climate summit, documents show.
Companies could have profits from breaking environment laws stripped under Australian reforms
23 Oct 2025
The Albanese government wants the power to strip companies of any financial gains made from breaking environment laws, as part of a package of landmark reforms to be put before parliament in the next two weeks.
Judge says Greenpeace must pay $345 million in pipeline lawsuit, cutting jury amount nearly in half
Fri 31 Oct 2025
A North Dakota judge has ordered Greenpeace to pay damages of $345 million, reducing an earlier jury award after it found the environmental group and related entities liable for defamation and other claims in connection with protests of an oil pipeline nearly a decade ago.
How ‘vehicle-to-grid’ technology could boost China’s electricity system
Fri 31 Oct 2025
China’s surging electric vehicles ownership – now exceeding 25.5m – is opening the door to a new technology that can help to enhance the flexibility of electricity supply.
Norway faces European Court climate ruling over oil licences
Wed 29 Oct 2025
The European Court of Human Rights will decide on Tuesday if Norway breached its climate obligations when it awarded Arctic oil exploration licenses in 2016.
UK Prime Minister will attend Brazil climate summit
21 Oct 2025
Keir Starmer will travel to the Amazon rainforest for the COP30 United Nations climate summit next month, Downing Street has confirmed, after weeks of speculation that he would not.
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.
Thousands evacuated in Vietnam after record rain triggers floods
Thu 30 Oct 2025
Thousands of people in Vietnam were evacuated from their homes after record rainfall of more than one metre in 24 hours submerged a central city.
Mystery heatwave warms Pacific Ocean to new record
21 Oct 2025
The waters of the north Pacific have had their warmest summer on record, according to BBC analysis of a mysterious marine heatwave that has confounded climate scientists.
Scientists discovered something alarming seeping out from beneath the ocean around Antarctica
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".
Nigerian billionaire plans expansion of Africa’s biggest oil refinery
Fri 31 Oct 2025
The billionaire owner of Africa’s largest refinery plans to expand its capacity to 1.4 million barrels per day to meet growing fuel needs in the continent and beyond.
Police raids in Brazil’s Rio kill 64 ahead of events related to COP30 climate summit
Thu 30 Oct 2025
At least 64 people died on Oct 28 in Rio de Janeiro’s most deadly police operation ever, which targeted a major gang days before the city hosts global events related to the United Nations climate summit known as COP30.
Most countries fail to submit new climate pledges ahead of summit
Wed 29 Oct 2025
Only 64 countries have submitted new plans to cut carbon, the UN says, despite all being required to do so ahead of next month's COP30 summit.
