International: All stories
Forest fires: North America’s boreal forests are burning a lot, but less than 150 years ago
12 May 2023
Unseasonably hot and dry weather conditions in early May 2023 led to dozens of forest fires in western Canada.
Satellite finds alarming methane emissions in Turkmenistan
12 May 2023
Methane emissions from two major fossil fuel fields in Turkmenistan last year are contributing more to global warming than the total carbon emissions of the UK, satellite data from Kayrros has shown.
EU Parliament advances methane reduction with Fit for 55 legislation
12 May 2023
The new initiative is designed to help the EU achieve its climate goals and improve air quality.
COP28 president-designate urges oil industry to phase out methane emissions by 2030
12 May 2023
COP28 President Designate Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber called upon the oil and gas industry to phase out methane emissions by 2030 and align in favour of comprehensive net-zero emission plans by or before 2050.
USA needs an area the size of Texas for wind and solar.
12 May 2023
Imagine that all 462 billion watts of electricity consumed in the United States last year were supplied by a single source of power, rather than a mixture of different technologies.
Sweden to pave world’s first permanent e-road for EV charging while driving
12 May 2023
As countries across Europe scale up efforts towards fossil fuel-free mobility, Sweden is working on the world’s first permanent electric road — allowing electric cars and trucks to charge while driving.
The Arctic is burning — and turning up the heat on the planet
11 May 2023
The Far North (Arctic) is both a massive carbon sink and a potent environmental time bomb. The region stores a huge amount of CO2 in boreal forests and underlying soils.
World not ready to ‘switch off’ fossil fuels: UAE
11 May 2023
Countries should agree to phase out fuel emissions – not the production of oil, gas and coal – at UN climate talks this year, the United Arab Emirates says.
Climate change raising heat risks for workers: experts
11 May 2023
Rising global temperatures are increasing the risk of workers dying or becoming disabled from labouring in extreme heat, an international conference has been told.
New tech to turn hydrogen and CO2 into lower-carbon aviation fuel announced
11 May 2023
Honeywell International Inc (HON.O) has announced announced a new technology to produce lower-carbon aviation fuel from green hydrogen and carbon dioxide captured from industry, which can help cut greenhouse gas emissions from aviation, one of the hardest sectors to electrify and decarbonise.
Greenpeace sues Italian energy company ENI over climate change
11 May 2023
Greenpeace and an environmental coalition including 12 Italian citizens are suing Italian energy company ENI, accusing it of knowingly contributing to climate change.
Indonesia allows foreign entities to buy carbon credits from Jakarta
10 May 2023
The Indonesian government has decided to allow foreign entities to purchase credits in the Indonesian carbon market, paving the way for multinational companies and institutions to tap into the country’s large carbon trading potential.
India amends power policy draft to halt new coal-fired capacity
10 May 2023
India plans to stop building new coal-fired power plants, apart from those already in the pipeline, by removing a key clause from the final draft of its National Electricity Policy (NEP), in a major boost to fight climate change, sources said.
World’s tallest wind power testing mast hopes to herald new generation of turbines
10 May 2023
With the inauguration of a new onshore wind power testing mast with a height of 300 metres, project developers in Germany hope it will pave the way for a new generation of wind turbines.
Solar-powered airships could help climate-friendly air travel get off the ground
10 May 2023
In a new study, researchers calculate airship travel would have a mere 1/20th the climate impact of conventional aviation.
Can a city store as much carbon as a forest?
10 May 2023
A team of researchers at Aalto University has developed a new tool to help urban planners keep urban developments in line with climate goals. The tool provides a metric that planners can use to improve carbon-neutral planning of urban growth, which is essential for meeting carbon emission targets.
German climate envoy urges China to look beyond coal for energy-secure future
9 May 2023
China needs to seek alternative solutions to ensure its energy security, rather than relying on building new coal-fired power plants, according to Germany’s climate envoy.
US, UAE announced climate farming fund has grown to $13 bn
9 May 2023
Funding for a global initiative aimed at creating more environmentally friendly and climate-resilient farming has grown to $13 billion, co-leaders the United States and the United Arab Emirates said Monday.
New Indonesian fund promotes Indigenous role in climate change fight
9 May 2023
Indonesian civil groups launched on Monday a multimillion-dollar fund aimed at empowering Indigenous and local communities across the Southeast Asian country in the fight against climate change.
Sweden lowers fossil fuel reduction targets, risks 2030 climate goals
9 May 2023
Sweden’s ruling coalition decided on Sunday to lower the minimum fossil fuel emission reduction targets, a move criticised by the opposition as Sweden risks its 2030 climate goals, while the influential right-wing populist Sweden Democrats claim “victory”.
Dairy farmer uses multi-species, legumes and charcoal to combat climate change
9 May 2023
Summer arrives sooner and the hot, dry winds linger longer than when David Vonhoff was a child helping his parents on the farm.
El Paso voters soundly reject Proposition K Climate Charter
9 May 2023
El Paso voters on Saturday shot down the controversial Proposition K measure that sought to install policies designed to address climate change into the city’s charter. The Climate Charter was rejected by almost 82% of voters.
Germany’s top Green slams radical climate protesters
8 May 2023
Germany's most senior Green politician, Robert Habeck, has slammed radical activists who glue themselves to the ground to highlight the climate emergency, saying such protests are "unhelpful" and "downright wrong."
Vietnam records highest-ever temperature of 44.1C
8 May 2023
Vietnam has recorded its highest ever temperature, just over 44 degrees - with experts predicting it would soon be surpassed because of climate change.
April heat in western Med 'almost impossible without climate change'
8 May 2023
The extreme heat that engulfed the Iberian peninsula and parts of North Africa last week would have been "almost impossible without climate change", an international scientific study found on Friday.
In coastal Bangladesh, climate change devastates women’s reproductive health
8 May 2023
On a cloudy Friday morning, Asma Akhter took a break from fishing for minnows. Her clothes still wet, she sat outside her two-room home, gazing out at the waters that are both her salvation and her doom.
Australian government's new ‘net zero’ body gets green light from key union and Climate Council
8 May 2023
The Albanese government’s new ‘National Net Zero Authority’ – a body that will help workers in fossil fuel industries to transition into other employment – has won high praise from two key bodies that savaged past governments over their climate change policies.
World’s largest carbon capture facility will store 9M tonnes of CO2 yearly
8 May 2023
The NextGen CDR Facility, a collaboration between the Swiss carbon finance consultant South Pole and the Japanese conglomerate Mitsubishi Corporation, has announced the purchase of 193,125 tonnes of carbon dioxide removals (CDRs) from three projects, producing the world's largest portfolio of CDRs.
El Nino expected to increase global temperatures
5 May 2023
Global temperatures are likely to reach new highs this year with the predicted onset of El Nino, a natural occurring phenomenon typically associated with the warming of the planet.
Cities at greatest risk of global warming
5 May 2023
Cities are at the highest level of risk from global warming. A big city can be subject to twice as much temperature increase as other areas. Are public administrations doing enough to keep cities cool and the heat at bay?
How the US Supreme Court could undermine the climate fight
5 May 2023
The US Supreme Court could once again hinder the ability of the executive branch to address climate change when it reconsiders the precedent, set almost 40 years ago, upon which many of its efforts rest.
Turkmenistan could turn to be Cop 28's big methane win
5 May 2023
Turkmenistan is under mounting pressure to act to curb methane emissions from its oil and gas production, and if it heeds those calls in time for the UN Cop 28 climate talks in Dubai, it could be a win for the climate and for a Cop presidency eager to turn pledges into concrete actions.
Shipping lobby group advises caution on climate targets
5 May 2023
An influential shipping industry group has quietly warned shippers to think carefully before they sign up for a new plan to reduce pollution and eventually eliminate their contribution to climate change.
Time for a frequent flyer climate tax
5 May 2023
How many times did you fly in 2019? If you took more than six flights, or three roundtrips, you flew more than 98% of the world population. Consequently, you also contributed much more carbon than all other humans on the planet.
Taiwan diary: Semiconductor manufacture drives emissions
4 May 2023
By Jeremy Rose | Taiwan is a superpower in two things, I confidently declared in my pitch for an Asia New Zealand Foundation Travel grant, bicycles and semi-conductors and both are crucial on the fight against climate change
Inside big beef’s climate messaging machine: confuse, defend and downplay
4 May 2023
The US beef industry is creating an army of influencers and citizen activists to help amplify a message that will be key to its future success: that you shouldn’t be too worried about the growing attention around the environmental impacts of its production.
Ireland commits €169 million for climate transition in peat-dependent "midlands"
4 May 2023
Ireland is committing €169 million to help the country’s so-called ‘midlands’ to transition away from the carbon-intensive fossil energy industry.
Where climate harms fisheries, piracy prospers: study
4 May 2023
A new study suggests that climate change is a key factor driving trends in maritime piracy off the coast of East Africa and the South China Sea. Rising sea surface temperatures affect regional fisheries differently, leading to changes in the timing and success of pirate attacks.
Wealthy nations could meet $100 billion climate finance target in 2023
4 May 2023
As climate change continues to wreak havoc with drought in one part of the world and deadly wildfires in the other, wealthy nations could be on track to meet the $100 billion climate finance pledge in 2023. The fund is to be given to underdeveloped countries to boost resilience against climate change.
Santos strikes deals to bury carbon dioxide under the Timor Sea
4 May 2023
Australian energy giant Santos has signed non-binding deals with four other gas producers to take their emissions and stash them in depleted gas reservoirs beneath the Timor Sea at its proposed Bayu-Undan carbon capture and storage project.
Cop28 head backs fossil phase-out with carbon capture caveat
3 May 2023
The head of the Cop28 climate talks has called for “phasing out fossil fuel emissions”, teeing up a debate between governments over the role of carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology in the fight against climate change.
Climate group hails 'productive' meeting with minister
3 May 2023
Climate activists from the Last Generation group say a meeting with German Transport Minister Volker Wissing was productive. However, there appears to be no end in sight to protests that have blocked Berlin's roads.
The surprising science of climate protests
3 May 2023
As an expected one billion people take part in Earth Day, the BBC's Jocelyn Timperley and Martha Henriques delve into the evidence behind protest as a force for change.
Oliver Stone makes the case nuclear power is the solution to climate change
3 May 2023
Oliver Stone’s new movie, “Nuclear Now,” makes an impassioned case that nuclear energy is a necessary and obvious solution to climate change.
Wind turbine recycling breakthrough delivers promise in a test tube
3 May 2023
Wind energy uptake is soaring,. But the wind sector has an oversized problem on its hands: its massive blades, made up of carbon or glass fibre-reinforced epoxy plastic composites, have until now proven almost impossible to recycle.
Irish SUV sales 'cancelling out' emissions benefits of EVs
3 May 2023
Increased sales of electric vehicles (EVs) have “not made a dent” in transport emissions, a leading expert has said, as he called for SUVs “to be phased out of the market”.
Eight hour battery trumps pumped hydro in NSW long duration storage tender
2 May 2023
A proposed big battery with eight hours storage has emerged as a surprise winner in the NSW state government’s first long duration storage tender, beating out pumped hydro projects that had been expected by some to emerge as a dominant force.
Torres Strait islanders forcing action on climate change
2 May 2023
Incorporating Indigenous knowledge systems and science is an effective way of addressing the impacts of climate change, and it's urgent in the Torres Strait.
Germany hopes to help climate with discount travel card
2 May 2023
Germany launches on Monday a new flat-rate public transport ticket valid across the country, but the €49 (NZ$87) price point has raised doubts about the pass's potential impact.
Climate change endangering Australian wine
1 May 2023
In 2008, the Brown family watched on helplessly as destructive bushfires ripped through the Victoria countryside. For them, it was a wakeup call.
Security group warns Australia’s democracy is being threatened by ‘anti-climate-action propaganda’
Wed 25 Mar 2026
Australia’s democracy and sovereignty is being threatened by a propaganda machine aiding climate change deniers, a security group has warned.
California sues Trump energy department over revival of controversial oil pipeline
Wed 25 Mar 2026
California’s attorney general, Rob Bonta, said he has sued the US energy department to stop it from using a cold-war-era law to restart the long-disputed Sable Offshore pipeline system linking the Santa Ynez offshore platform to California refineries.
China tells oil refiners to suspend exports
Fri 20 Mar 2026
China has told its largest oil refiners to suspend exports of diesel and gasoline, Bloomberg News reported Thursday, citing unidentified sources, as the war in the Middle East risks an energy supply crunch.
Spain’s Sánchez attacks other EU leaders for exploiting energy prices to gut climate policies
Mon 23 Mar 2026
Spain’s prime minister Pedro Sánchez said his country was on “the right side of history” when it comes to how it has handled the economic and social costs of previous energy crises.
Heat pumps for all new homes and plug-in solar in England green tech drive
Wed 25 Mar 2026
Developers will be required to install solar panels and heat pumps in all new homes in England as part of updated planning requirements published by the government.
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.
Philippines declares national emergency over high fuel prices
Wed 25 Mar 2026
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. of the Philippines declared a national energy emergency on Tuesday, saying that high oil prices caused by the war in the Middle East were threatening the country’s energy security.
Pacific Nations fear fuel shortages as Middle East war sends oil prices soaring
Fri 20 Mar 2026
Leaders of Samoa and Tonga appealed for help this week as the import-reliant Pacific nations raised fears over possible fuel shortages and escalating costs caused by war in the Middle East.
Limiting warming to 2C is ‘crucial’ to protect pristine Antarctic Peninsula
24 Feb 2026
Keeping global warming to less than 2C above pre-industrial temperatures is “crucial” for limiting damage to the Antarctic Peninsula’s unique ecosystems, according to a new study.
'Blackwater' lakes and rivers in the Congo Basin are now emitting ancient carbon into the atmosphere
16 Mar 2026
Carbon that has been buried in the Congo Basin's peatlands for millennia is seeping into lakes and rivers. Why this is happening remains unclear, but researchers warn that tropical peatlands could be nearing a tipping point.
Surfing’s big break: how climate crisis insurance may save El Salvador’s waves
19 Mar 2026
Fearing that extreme weather threatened its epic breaks, Oriente Salvaje is piloting the first surf insurance policy to protect livelihoods and ecosystems.
Iran war should trigger faster exit from fossil fuel dependence, UN climate chief says
18 Mar 2026
The disruption to energy markets caused by the Iran war is a lesson on the risks of relying on fossil fuels which should drive governments to wean their economies off oil and gas faster, the U.N. climate secretary told Reuters on Monday.
