International: All stories
World’s nations to gather in France to tackle what UN says is a global emergency in the oceans
30 May 2025
The world’s nations are gathering in France next month to tackle what the United Nations calls a global emergency facing the world’s oceans as they confront rising temperatures, plastic pollution choking marine life, and relentless overexploitation of fish and other resources.
Brussels to propose ‘pragmatic’ 90% climate target for 2040
30 May 2025
The European Commission will tell countries to cut 90 percent of their planet-warming emissions by 2040, but offer “flexibilities” to make the goal politically palatable, according to EU climate chief Teresa Ribera.
Hawaii to make sweeping tourism changes in bid to combat climate change
30 May 2025
Hawaii has enacted a law to increase taxes on hotel rooms and vacation rentals, with the goal of generating funds to combat climate change effects such as shoreline erosion and wildfires.
Glacier collapse buries most of Swiss village
30 May 2025
The Swiss village of Blatten has been partially destroyed after a huge chunk of glacier crashed down into the valley.
Global temperatures could break heat record in next five years
29 May 2025
Data also shows small but ‘shocking’ likelihood of year 2C hotter than preindustrial era before 2030.
Australia lets biggest LNG plant run to 2070 in climate blow
29 May 2025
Australia gave preliminary approval to extend the life of its biggest and oldest liquefied natural gas plant for decades, potentially creating billions of dollars in new drilling opportunities but raising questions about the nation’s climate agenda.
For the first time, China invests more in wind and solar than coal overseas
29 May 2025
China’s Belt and Road Initiative, long derided for its heavy carbon footprint, was dominated by wind and solar power projects for the first time from 2022 to 2023, according to a new analysis. But coal plants financed in earlier years are still coming online.
Indonesia backtracks on coal phase-out in new 2034 power supply plan
29 May 2025
Indonesia plans to add 69.5 gigawatts (GW) of power capacity by the end of 2034, much of it from renewable sources, but it still expects to add new coal-fired power plants.
India's monsoon rains arrive eight days early, earliest in 16 years
29 May 2025
Monsoon rains hit the coast of India's southernmost state of Kerala on Saturday, eight days earlier than usual, marking the earliest arrival in 16 years and providing the promise of a bumper harvest and relief from a gruelling heatwave.
TotalEnergies abandons its carbon plantations in the Republic of Congo
29 May 2025
TotalEnergies has quietly abandoned the Batéké Carbon Sink project in the Republic of Congo, with only 12.5% of the proposed trees planted.
Europe’s next climate target may already have been agreed in Berlin
28 May 2025
Germany’s new coalition has adopted a climate stance shaped by talks with the EU’s top climate official, signalling where the bloc may land on a likely upcoming 2040 emissions target.
Why expensive gas – not net-zero – is keeping UK electricity prices so high
28 May 2025
The UK’s high electricity prices have become intensely political, with competing claims over the cause of rocketing bills and how best to get them down.
South America sets historic benchmark: Zero new coal plants planned
28 May 2025
South America just achieved a remarkable energy milestone, quietly setting a global benchmark: for the first time in history, the entire continent now has zero new coal-fired power plants planned.
EU countries agree to exempt most firms from carbon border tariff
28 May 2025
European Union countries backed plans on Tuesday to scale back the bloc's carbon border levy to cover just 10% of the companies currently covered by the scheme, on the grounds that these firms account for nearly all of the emissions involved.
Greenwashing is rife in Australia, but could its days be numbered?
28 May 2025
COMMENT: Have you ever ticked the box to “fly carbon neutral”, had something delivered via “carbon-neutral shipping” or chosen to pay a bit extra to buy “carbon-neutral gas” from your energy retailer?
Trump signs executive orders to boost nuclear energy, reduce oversight
28 May 2025
The orders emphasize streamlining nuclear energy for defense and AI projects, and call for a “substantial” overhaul of the agency that ensures the industry doesn’t harm public health and safety.
Trump tries to make sure states don’t fight climate change either
27 May 2025
The Trump administration wants to block states from trying to limit the “astounding” costs and impacts of climate change.
We bear the brunt of the climate crisis. A Pacific COP could help shape the global response
27 May 2025
COMMENT: By hosting next year’s climate conference together with the Pacific, Australia would have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to both catalyse its own clean transition to a decarbonised economy and to elevate its relationship with the Pacific.
In Panama, an Indigenous-led project rewrites the rules of reforestation
27 May 2025
Scientists from the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute are collaborating with local communities in the Ngäbe-Buglé Comarca, a protected Indigenous territory, to foster a ground-up reforestation strategy using native trees and carbon payments.
Australia: land of drought and flooding rains
27 May 2025
As towns flood on one end of Australia, large areas further south are experiencing their worst drought on record. The people in these regions are preparing for life in a future climate.
A fungus that can ‘eat you from the inside out’ could spread as the world heats up
27 May 2025
Infection-causing fungi responsible for millions of deaths a year will spread significantly to new regions as the planet heats up, new research predicts — and the world is not prepared.
US states can take meaningful climate action, even without federal support: study
27 May 2025
State action to reduce carbon emissions and address climate change can make a big difference, even in the absence of a strong federal climate strategy, according to a new study led by researchers from North Carolina State University.
Brazil seeks early deals on two stalled issues at Bonn climate talks
26 May 2025
Moving forward work on just transition and implementing recommendations from the Global Stocktake of climate progress are key priorities for upcoming UN negotiations.
A restricted climate super pollutant is pumped out at far higher levels than countries admit
26 May 2025
HFC-23 emissions from chemical plants in eastern China and elsewhere likely violate an international climate agreement despite readily available pollution controls. Advocates are pressing for action.
More than 1 in 4 cars sold globally in 2025 expected to be EV: IEA report
26 May 2025
According to the Global EV Outlook 2025 report from the International Energy Agency (IEA), 2025 is set to be big for EV sales. The report predicts that about one in four cars sold worldwide this year will be electric, despite overall market uncertainties.
Despite backlash, more US states are considering laws to make Big Oil pay for climate change
26 May 2025
After Vermont and New York passed "climate Superfund" legislation, 11 states have introduced similar bills this year.
Engineer explains why Alberta’s hydrogen strategy is money-losing climate failure
26 May 2025
Desperation, bad advice and lobbying likely underpinning the province’s plan to blend hydrogen with natural gas for home heating.
Albanese government must redirect Australia’s near $600 per person annual fossil fuel giveaway
26 May 2025
COMMENT: Every Australian unwittingly contributes about $563 each year to subsidise fossil fuels – a staggering number given the urgency of climate action.
Tropical forest loss hit new heights in 2024; fire a major driver in Latin America
23 May 2025
Tropical forest loss skyrocketed in 2024, with vast swaths of primary forest consumed by fire, according to new satellite data.
Now there’s proof that the fossil fuel industry uses cultural sponsorships to block climate action
23 May 2025
BP, Chevron, Shell, and other oil majors back arts and community groups to protect their business models, subpoenaed documents show.
World’s biggest polluters least impacted by conflict and environmental damage: Study
23 May 2025
The world’s biggest polluters are also the most protected from the environmental harm they helped create, according to a study by researchers from University of Notre Dame and University of Wyoming.
Watchdog urges Scotland to take action after repeatedly missing climate targets
23 May 2025
Climate Change Committee says original goal of a 75% emissions cut by 2030 will now be delayed by up to six years.
Are sailing ships the future of sustainable shipping?
23 May 2025
Around the world, the wind-powered vessels of yesteryear are making a comeback as a carbon-neutral alternative to polluting cargo ships.
‘I will not eat the bugs’: a narrative about scarcity and insect consumption
23 May 2025
European politicians across the right-wing political spectrum have amplified a conspiracy theory that elite forces are conspiring to make the public eat insects under the guise of the European Green Deal, the bloc’s plan to eliminate greenhouse gases by 2050.
Energy Australia apologises to 400,000 customers and settles greenwashing legal action
22 May 2025
Energy retailer says carbon offsetting ‘not the most effective way’ to reduce emissions.
Climate change could drive surge in foreclosures and lender losses, new study finds
22 May 2025
Extreme weather linked to climate change could spell financial ruin for many American homeowners and lead to billions in losses for lenders, a new study finds.
Nigeria's Trans Niger oil pipeline bursts, spills crude, rights group says
22 May 2025
Nigeria's Trans Niger Pipeline, a major oil artery transporting crude from onshore oilfields to the Bonny export terminal, burst and spilled oil into the local B-Dere community in Ogoniland.
The climate costs of occupation
22 May 2025
As Israel expands its settlements in the West Bank, it has destroyed forests and boosted CO2 emissions.
Strong climate policies are an ‘antidote’ to economic uncertainty
22 May 2025
Clear and strong climate policies can be an ‘antidote’ to global economic uncertainty, and help to ‘get trade flowing and economies growing’.
US dairy farmers consider return on climate-smart milk
22 May 2025
The approach is just one of many dairy practices now considered “climate-smart” because they could cut production of climate-warming gases.
EU, UK to work on linking carbon markets
21 May 2025
The European Commission and the government of the UK announced today an agreement to work towards linking their carbon markets through establishing a link between their emissions trading systems (ETS), which have been developing separately since Brexit.
Surfer, first lady and former PM among Brazil’s COP30 envoys
21 May 2025
Brazil has appointed 30 envoys including the first lady Janja Lula da Silva and New Zealand’s Jacinda Ardern to liaise with “priority” sectors and regions.
Dutch environmental group launches new climate case against Shell to stop all investment in new oil and gas fields
21 May 2025
The NGO previously sued Shell to reduce its carbon emissions. The oil major has 700 extraction assets that have yet to be developed with potential CO2 emissions of 36 times those of the Netherlands’ annually.
India’s steel expansion threatens climate goals and global efforts to clean up industry: report
21 May 2025
India’s plans to double steel production by the end of the decade could jeopardise its national climate goals and a key global target to reduce planet-heating gas emissions from the steel industry.
Global oil supply to rise faster than expected after OPEC+ hike, IEA says
21 May 2025
The IEA expects global supply to rise by 1.6 million barrels per day this year, up 380,000 bpd from the previous forecast.
Governors lead the fight against climate change and deforestation, filling a void left by presidents
21 May 2025
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Chinese President Xi Jinping and the likely absence of – or potential stonewalling by – a U.S. delegation will take up much of the oxygen in the negotiating hall.
More than 70% of adaptation plans for European cities are ‘inconsistent’
20 May 2025
More than 70% of European cities are not adapting to climate change in a consistent and coherent way.
US farm agency restores some climate-related webpages after farmer lawsuit
20 May 2025
The U.S. Department of Agriculture restored on Tuesday some climate change-related webpages that the agency had deleted since President Donald Trump's inauguration, after being sued by farm and environmental groups, one of the groups said.
Indigenous land disputes cloud Kenya’s carbon market ambitions
20 May 2025
Two of Kenya’s biggest carbon credit projects are mired in controversy, clouding the country’s hopes of raising climate finance from the offset market.
Australia is unlikely to hit its renewable energy goal, Wood Mackenzie says
20 May 2025
Australia is set to fall far short of its target of 82% renewable generation by 2030 due to state-level rollbacks, grid connection delays and inadequate investment, consultancy Wood Mackenzie said on Thursday.
Sydney records most rain since weather station opened in 1858
Wed 20 Aug 2025
Sydney's wettest August in 27 years has tipped the city's recent climate into uncharted territory.
A call to merge the climate and immigration movements
Fri 22 Aug 2025
On Hurricane Katrina's 20th anniversary, a Louisiana native makes the case for solidarity.
Record solar growth keeps China’s CO2 falling in first half of 2025
Fri 22 Aug 2025
Clean-energy growth helped China’s carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions fall by 1% year-on-year in the first half of 2025, extending a declining trend that started in March 2024.
Spain battles one of its most destructive fire seasons even as its heat wave eases
Thu 21 Aug 2025
Spain tackled several major wildfires on Tuesday in one of the country’s most destructive fire seasons in recent decades, despite temperatures dropping across the Iberian Peninsula.
What happens to net zero if the trees don’t survive?
Wed 20 Aug 2025
When climate change undermines the climate plan.
Challenges persist in bid to mine the deep sea, even after boost from Trump
29 Jul 2025
After years of delay, the deep-sea mining plans of Canadian firm The Metals Company (TMC) now appear to be progressing as it pursues a controversial new path to securing a license to mine in international waters under U.S. jurisdiction.
Death toll from northern Pakistan monsoon floods rises to almost 400
Thu 21 Aug 2025
Torrential rains across the country's north have caused flooding and landslides that have swept away entire villages.
Rise in dengue fever outbreaks across the Pacific driven by the climate crisis, experts say
13 Aug 2025
Samoa, Fiji and Tonga among the worst affected amid warning the disease and others will become ‘more common and more serious’ as the planet warms.
Iconic Antarctic species at risk amid 'regime shift', with 'rapid and self-perpetuating changes'
Fri 22 Aug 2025
Scientists say there is emerging evidence of abrupt and potentially unstoppable changes in the Antarctic environment.
Africa’s top climate change challenges: a fairer deal on phasing out fossil fuels and mobilising funds
Fri 22 Aug 2025
African countries have made binding commitments to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. To do this, they will need to shift to renewable energy and stop mining and using fossil fuels like oil and coal.
Bolivia will choose a new president but environmental activists see little hope of progress
Fri 22 Aug 2025
Many Indigenous and environmental leaders doubt the election will bring progress in stopping deforestation, wildfires or pollution in the Amazon.
Brazil issues last-ditch plea for countries to submit climate plans ahead of COP30
Wed 20 Aug 2025
Only 28 countries have submitted carbon-cutting proposals to the UN, with some of the biggest emitters yet to produce plans.
