International: United Nations
Kiwi inspired solar silk road gets boost at COP26
3 Nov 2021
A green electricity initiative that would see renewable energy shared between countries and even continents – originally proposed by a Kiwi – is being backed by more than 80 countries including the US, India and Britain.
Glasgow Conversations: Day 3
3 Nov 2021
As Day 3 of COP26 draws to a close, Alastair Thompson reflects on a day which saw Tuvalu PM Kausea Natano declare it was too late to save his homeland from disaster, Boris Johnson torturing a football metaphor, and possibly a drone or four shot down by snipers.
Many IPCC authors expect world to warm by more than 3 degrees
3 Nov 2021
Nearly two thirds of those who responded to a Nature survey of IPCC authors said that they expect the world will warm by at least 3 degrees by the end of the century.
India targets net-zero carbon emissions by 2070
3 Nov 2021
India’s economy will become carbon neutral by the year 2070, the country’s prime minster has announced at the COP26 climate crisis summit in Glasgow.
U.S. announces new rules to curtail methane at climate summit
3 Nov 2021
EPA’s long-awaited rules cracking down on oil and gas methane will debut today in Glasgow, Scotland, forming the centerpiece of a U.S. offensive against the second-most important greenhouse gas.
Trudeau takes carbon pricing debate to COP26
3 Nov 2021
Prime minister of Canada Justin Trudeau is pushing the world to impose a global price on carbon by 2030 that would cover 60 per cent of the planet's greenhouse gas emissions.
Why COP26 agreement will struggle to reverse global forest loss by 2030
3 Nov 2021
More than 100 world leaders meeting at COP26 – the UN climate summit in Glasgow – have committed to halt and reverse deforestation by 2030.
Climate change in 11 charts
3 Nov 2021
With COP26 underway, the climate crisis is in the spotlight. Here are the most important facts relating to how our planet has been changing.
If nothing is done the world will have 200 million climate refugees by 2050
3 Nov 2021
Negotiators at COP26 are unlikely to deal with the challenges posed by climate migration, a failure that some experts say shows “a lack of political will.”
‘Oppose This Climate Slavery’: A Manifesto
3 Nov 2021
Wealthy western nations must live up to their responsibilities and pay billions of dollars in compensation to the poorest countries being hit hardest by climate change, so they can invest in sustainable measures to face the future. So says Kaossara Sani, a Togolese climate activist who has written a manifesto to the world as leaders meet at the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow.
Glasgow Conversations: Day 2
2 Nov 2021
On day two of COP26, journalist Alastair Thompson attends the Leaders' Summit and hears a rambling speech by UK PM Boris Johnson and a powerful plea from Barbados PM Mia Mottley.
‘Digging our graves’: Guterres demands action at climate summit
2 Nov 2021
United Nations chief Antonio Guterres demanded world leaders act to “save humanity” as they met for the historic COP26 climate summit with code-red warnings from scientists ringing in their ears.
‘Thin’ Pacific Island teams at COP26 spark fears of inequity
2 Nov 2021
Only four Pacific Islands will be represented by their leaders at upcoming U.N. climate talks in Glasgow because of COVID-19 travel restrictions, with most island nations forced to send smaller teams.
How climate change traps poor countries between poverty and disaster
2 Nov 2021
As world leaders meet at COP26 to confront climate change, low-income nations have a dilemma: How can they develop without raising carbon emissions?
Glasgow Conversations: Day 1
1 Nov 2021
Journalist Alastair Thompson chats to Carbon News editor Jeremy Rose about the opening day of COP26 and the stand out performance of a young New Zealand delegate: India Logan-Riley.
Who’s going to the COP26 climate summit? Meet the key players at the UN talks
1 Nov 2021
The COP26 climate summit begins on Sunday, with world leaders from more than 100 countries set to take part in what is regarded as humanity’s last and best chance to secure a livable future amid dramatic climate change.
Reasons to be hopeful: the climate solutions available now
1 Nov 2021
The climate emergency is the biggest threat to civilisation we have ever faced. But there is good news: we already have every tool we need to beat it. The challenge is not identifying the solutions, but rolling them out with great speed.
Introducing the Glasgow Conversations
29 Oct 2021
Alastair Thompson is one of just two New Zealand journalists covering the COP26 summit from Glasgow. For the duration of the summit he will be having a daily chat with Carbon News editor Jeremy Rose.
India rejects target for net zero emissions ahead of COP26 climate conference
29 Oct 2021
India has rejected calls to announce a net zero carbon emissions target and says it is more important for the world to lay out a pathway to reduce such emissions and avert a dangerous rise in global temperatures.
National pushing for bilateral carbon market agreements
28 Oct 2021
The National Party is calling on the government to establish bilateral carbon market agreements regardless of the outcome of Article 6 negotiations at the upcoming COP26 Summit in Glasgow.
Health and wellbeing must be heart of climate response: healthcare professionals
28 Oct 2021
Groups representing the majority of New Zealand's healthcare professionals have penned an open letter calling on prime minister Jacinda Ardern to place health and wellbeing at the heart of the country's climate response.
There’s still time to fix climate — about 11 years: Scientific American
28 Oct 2021
ON October 31 world leaders will descend on Glasgow, Scotland, for the United Nations Climate Change Conference, or COP26, in a last-ditch effort to defuse the climate emergency by limiting global warming to less than 1.5 degrees Celsius. Reaching that level would still bring violent storms, deep flooding, gripping droughts and problematic sea-level rise, but it would avert even more severe consequences. Global temperature has risen by nearly 1.1 degrees C since the industrial revolution.
On forestry, COP26 must avoid double counting of carbon removals: scientist
28 Oct 2021
Global leaders must not allow the double counting of emissions removals from forestry during negotiations at the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow, says Professor Jean-Pascal van Ypersele.
New Zealand might not announce its NDC until after COP26: Shaw
26 Oct 2021
Climate change minister James Shaw told an online forum last week that he wasn’t sure whether he would be announcing a renewed Nationally Determined Contribution before or even at next month’s COP26 Conference in Glasgow.
Why 25 previous conferences have failed to stop climate change
26 Oct 2021
THERE have been 25conferences under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change since the body first met in 1995. Over that period, some 894 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide, about 37% of all greenhouse pollution in human history, has been emitted.
Greenpeace chief warns of ‘greenwashing’ at UN climate talks
22 Oct 2021
The head of environmental group Greenpeace on Thursday warned against efforts by countries and corporations at the forthcoming U.N. climate talks in Glasgow to “greenwash” their ongoing pollution of the planet.
The broken $100-billion promise of climate finance — and how to fix it
21 Oct 2021
Twelve years ago, at a United Nations climate summit in Copenhagen, rich nations made a significant pledge. They promised to channel US$100 billion a year to less wealthy nations by 2020, to help them adapt to climate change and mitigate further rises in temperature.
Carbon emissions ‘will drop just 40% by 2050 with countries’ current pledges’
14 Oct 2021
Current plans to cut global carbon emissions will fall 60% short of their 2050 net zero target, the International Energy Agency has said, as it urged leaders to use the upcoming Cop26 climate conference to send an “unmistakable signal” with concrete policy plans.
Russia aiming for carbon neutrality by 2060: Putin
14 Oct 2021
President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday that Russia — one of the world's biggest producers of oil and gas — is aiming for carbon neutrality by 2060.
Over 20 more countries vow to slash methane emissions
12 Oct 2021
U.S. special climate envoy John Kerry announced Monday that 24 additional countries agreed to a voluntary pledge to cut emissions of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, by one-third by 2030.
NDCs, climate finance and 1.5C: your Cop26 jargon buster
12 Oct 2021
In the run up to COP26, the Guardian has compiled this useful summary of the key terminology that will be in play.
“The fight is on” to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees: climate change ambassador
8 Oct 2021
New Zealand’s climate change ambassador Kay Harrison told a webinar this morning that “the fight is on” to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees at the upcoming COP26 in Glasgow.
Global citizens’ assembly to be chosen for UN climate talks
6 Oct 2021
One hundred people from around the world are to take part in a citizens’ assembly to discuss the climate crisis over the next month, before presenting their findings at the UN Cop26 climate summit.
Pope, faith leaders sign joint climate appeal before summit
5 Oct 2021
Pope Francis and dozens of religious leaders on Monday signed a joint appeal to governments to commit to ambitious targets at the upcoming U.N. climate conference, while promising to do their own part to lead their faithful into more sustainable behavior.
NZ should commit to regenerative agriculture at COP26: Greenpeace
1 Oct 2021
The National and ACT parties weren't the only ones, last week, criticising climate minister James Shaw's decision to travel to COP26 in November. Former Green Party co-leader, and current Greenpeace executive director, Russel Norman took to Twitter saying New Zealand had nothing to offer at the talks.
Climate change: Money on the agenda at Milan talks
1 Oct 2021
With the jeers of Greta Thunberg ringing in their ears, climate ministers are holding final talks before a key UN conference in Glasgow.
An international carbon market key to COP26 success: ACT
30 Sep 2021
The ACT Party says New Zealand should push for an international carbon trading market, which includes the largest emitters the EU, USA, Russian, India and China, at November’s COP26 talks.
NZ should champion split-gas approach in Glasgow: National
27 Sep 2021
Last week both the National and ACT parties made it clear they didn’t think climate change minister James Shaw should be going to the COP26 meeting in Glasgow in November. But whether Shaw is there in person, or via Zoom, what are the policies the opposition parties would like to see New Zealand champion at the most important climate change gathering of the year?
NZ working with UK and Australia to help Pacific Island delegates attend COP26
9 Sep 2021
The New Zealand, Australian and UK governments are working together to ensure Pacific Island delegations can attend the COP26 meetings in Glasgow in November.
Green groups call for COP26 postponement
8 Sep 2021
Green groups say that the COP26 climate conference due to be held in Glasgow in November should be postponed.
What to expect from China at COP26
8 Sep 2021
China, the world’s largest carbon emitter, has made commitments to climate change and set ambitious targets to reach carbon neutrality by 2060. But, so far, details on how to get there have been scarce.
Mother of all climate science reports
10 Aug 2021
It’s here, it’s intensifying, and if the world doesn’t act now, we’re fucked. That in a nutshell is the message of the most comprehensive scientific report on climate change in years.
Worst polluting countries must make drastic carbon cuts: Cop26 chief
10 Aug 2021
The world’s biggest emitters of greenhouse gases must produce clear plans to cut their carbon output drastically, the president of vital UN climate talks has urged, after scientists warned there was only a small chance of escaping the worst ravages of climate breakdown.
An insider's view on why tonight's IPCC report is a big deal
9 Aug 2021
An extremely important report on the physical science of climate change will be released to the world tonight (8pm NZ time). CSIRO chief research scientist David Karoly explains why it's such a big deal.
Time running out to stop catastrophe - Alok Sharma
9 Aug 2021
The world is "dangerously close" to running out of time to stop a climate change catastrophe, the UK government's climate chief Alok Sharma has said.
COP26: Warnings that climate summit may not happen
6 Aug 2021
Boris Johnson says there'll be no downgrading of ambitions ahead of this year's COP26 climate conference. But with less than 90 days to go - and uncertainty still surrounding the event due to Covid - there are questions over whether it will fly or flop.
Climate scientists meet as fires, floods and heatwaves batter Earth
27 Jul 2021
More than 200 of the world's leading climate scientists will begin meeting this week to finalise a landmark report summarising how Earth's climate has already changed, and what humans can expect for the rest of the century.
Will COP26 be delayed, again?
1 Apr 2021
Just as President Joe Biden unveils his $2 trillion infrastructure and climate plan and momentum surges on Wall Street for finance solutions, comes word that COP26 this November in Glasgow might be postponed because of covid.
UK calls for net--zero by 2050
19 Mar 2021
Alok Sharma sets out UK’s aims as host of climate talks, including new emissions targets for 2030.
Vaccine hold-up threatens representation at climate talks
17 Mar 2021
Climate diplomats in developing countries and civil society groups say slow vaccine rollouts in poorer nations threaten the inclusivity of negotiations at the Cop26 summit in November.
“It’s by stealth, isn’t it?” The multi-million dollar effort by Australian fossil fuel companies to get into schools
Thu 16 Jul 2026
Australian oil, gas and coal companies want to get into school to shape what kids learn about their industry and climate change. One group has been trying to map the scale of the problem.
Over 1,600 energy department webpages on utility bill savings removed as US temperatures soar
Fri 17 Jul 2026
As millions of Americans prepare for another brutal heatwave, it’s now harder to find information about ways to stay cool while saving energy and keeping utility costs down.
China warming faster than global average as extreme weather intensifies, report says
6 Jul 2026
China is warming faster than the global average, while extreme heat, heavy rainfall and other severe weather events are becoming more frequent and intense as climate change accelerates worldwide.
1,000 evacuated from Fontainebleau fires near Paris; Spanish authorities identify some fire victims
Thu 16 Jul 2026
Bigger fires have been ravaging areas of southern France, but the Fontainebleau fire is exceptionally close to the densely populated region surrounding the French capital.
UK withdraws millions in funding from world’s second-largest rainforest in Congo
Fri 17 Jul 2026
The UK has abandoned projects worth tens of millions of pounds that were meant to help protect Congo rainforests and support local people.
Canadian wildfire smoke chokes Toronto, threatens US cities
Fri 17 Jul 2026
Toronto's air quality ranked the worst among major cities globally on Wednesday as wildfire smoke from northwestern Ontario blackened skies and spread into the northeastern United States, prompting health warnings and calls for residents to limit outdoor activities.
India is adding biofuels to petrol – but many drivers are unhappy
Thu 16 Jul 2026
India's decision to increase the share of biofuels blended with petrol is facing ire from motorists who question its viability in a market where a majority of vehicles are not yet designed for it.
‘Those blocking climate science are not our friends': Pacific leaders warn at Bonn talks
23 Jun 2026
Pacific nations and civil society groups have united at UN climate talks, pushing back against efforts to weaken agreed language on global temperature limits as negotiations continue behind closed doors.
Antarctica’s west coast missing an area of sea ice the size of France as temperatures peak 20C above average
16 Jun 2026
A vast area of the Bellingshausen Sea should be covered by sea ice by now, with one expert calling the loss of ice ‘depressing’.
Africa secures $900 million in new clean cooking commitments
Mon 13 Jul 2026
African countries have secured $900 million in new financial commitments to expand access to clean cooking technologies, which replace polluting fuels with cleaner alternatives, said the International Energy Agency.
Under Lula, Amazon deforestation falls to lowest level in a decade
Tue 14 Jul 2026
Deforestation in Brazil’s Amazon rainforest has fallen to its lowest level in a decade during the first half of 2026, according to official government figures.
