International: Europe
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.
‘No future in oil’: Greta Thunberg and 200 activists block Norway oil refinery
Wed 20 Aug 2025
Some 200 climate activists including Greta Thunberg of Sweden blocked Norway's largest oil refinery on Monday in a protest demanding an end to the country's oil industry.
EU wants to pay poor countries to cut emissions. It never studied the plan’s impacts.
Tue 19 Aug 2025
The European Commission released a controversial plan to offshore millions of tons of greenhouse gas cuts, but admitted it did not analyse the policy’s impact.
Can the EU be a climate leader and boost its economic competitiveness?
Mon 18 Aug 2025
A recent proposal by the European Commission to set an emission reduction target of 90% by 2040 compared to 1990 level is being criticised by European lawmakers, member states and environmentalists alike.
Wildfires fanned by heatwave and strong winds rage across Europe
15 Aug 2025
Wildfires caused by arsonists or thunderstorms and fanned by a heatwave and strong winds wreaked destruction across southern Europe on Wednesday, burning homes and forcing thousands of residents and tourists to flee.
Climate change made Nordic heat wave 2 degrees warmer
15 Aug 2025
The chances of reaching dangerous temperatures are only growing as the planet keeps warming up because of climate change, scientists warn.
German minister flags risks to tenders as offshore auctions draw no bids
11 Aug 2025
Germany's Economy Minister Katharina Reiche warned that flawed site selection and shifting market dynamics were undermining offshore wind tenders, as the country's latest offshore auctions received no bids.
France wildfire is 'catastrophe on an unprecedented scale', says PM
8 Aug 2025
French Prime Minister François Bayrou says a huge, deadly wildfire sweeping through the south of France is a "catastrophe on an unprecedented scale".
Vatican strikes solar farm deal to become the world’s first carbon-neutral state
5 Aug 2025
Italy has agreed to a Vatican plan to turn a 430-hectare field north of Rome into a vast solar farm that the Holy See hopes will generate enough electricity to meet its needs and turn Vatican City into the world’s first carbon-neutral state.
EU climate goals at risk as ailing forests absorb less CO2, scientists say
5 Aug 2025
Damage to European forests from increased logging, wildfires, drought and pests is reducing their ability to absorb carbon dioxide, putting European Union emissions targets at risk, scientists warn.
European Central Bank to consider 'climate factor' when lending to banks
31 Jul 2025
The European Central Bank will add climate change considerations to its lending operations from late 2026, raising pressure on banks to channel financing towards greener sectors as the euro zone seeks to reduce its carbon footprint.
The EU’s ‘fantasy’ $750B energy promise to Trump
31 Jul 2025
The EU has narrowly avoided a full-blown trade war with Donald Trump by pledging to buy $750 billion of U.S. oil and gas by the end of his term. But achieving that will be almost impossible.
Tax on AI and crypto could fund climate action, says former Paris accords envoy
30 Jul 2025
Laurence Tubiana urges governments to consider levies on energy-hungry technology.
Wildfires rage in Greece and Turkey as extreme heat persists
29 Jul 2025
Greece continued to battle major wildfires across the country amid a severe heatwave, but firefighters have brought many outbreaks under control.
Greenpeace hails Italy court ruling allowing climate lawsuit against energy company to go ahead
25 Jul 2025
Italy’s highest court has ruled that a lawsuit brought by climate activists against Italian energy company ENI and its government shareholders can go ahead.
Germany's wind power expansion picks up, but targets still missed, says lobby
18 Jul 2025
Germany's onshore wind power sector recorded its strongest half-year since 2017, but the expansion still falls short of the legally mandated targets, the BWE wind power lobby said on Tuesday.
How heatwaves and soaring temperatures are changing tourism across Europe
15 Jul 2025
With unbearable heat and a worsening climate crisis becoming the norm, could the yearly summer holiday be a thing of the past?
1500 deaths in the recent European heatwave were due to climate change
14 Jul 2025
We now have the ability to rapidly assess the death toll of climate change after extreme heat – a first-of-its-kind analysis has shown that it nearly tripled the death toll from the most recent European heatwave
EU countries seek more cuts to deforestation rules
9 Jul 2025
From December, the world-first deforestation law will require operators placing goods including soy, beef and palm oil, onto the EU market to provide proof their products did not cause deforestation.
Experts question business case for nature credits as European Union publishes plan
9 Jul 2025
To protect and restore nature, the world needs to spend $700bn a year, says the Global Biodiversity Framework. The European Commission on Monday published a plan for how nature credits can play their role in boosting biodiversity funds.
Climate target deal in time for COP30 will be ‘difficult’, Denmark warns
7 Jul 2025
Denmark warns EU climate deal for COP30 risks slipping amid tight deadline and deep divisions.
EU Commission proposes allowing carbon offsets to help meet 2040 climate goal
4 Jul 2025
Campaigners accuse the European Commission of adding “loopholes” and “distractions” to the 90% emissions reduction target.
Record-breaking sea temperatures in the Mediterranean spark fresh warnings from scientists
4 Jul 2025
Intense marine heat can have devastating consequences for ecosystems with its ripple effects also extending onto land.
Brussels to stand its ground on 90% emissions cut by 2040
2 Jul 2025
The European Commission is set to propose a target to slash greenhouse gas emissions to a mere tenth of the levels seen back in 1990 – but a leaked summary confirms it will offer significant leeway as a sweetener for reluctant EU members.
Next EU climate target to allow carbon offsets from 2036, draft shows
1 Jul 2025
The European Commission will permit countries to outsource a portion of their climate efforts to poorer countries from 2036, according to a draft proposal.
Fires break out in France as southern Europe heatwave intensifies
1 Jul 2025
In France, wildfires broke out in the Corbières area in the southwest, where temperatures topped 40°C, forcing the evacuation of a campsite and abbey as a precaution.
Europe on alert as first major heatwave of 2025 pushes temperatures to 42C
30 Jun 2025
Authorities across Europe are on alert as the first heatwave of the summer pushes temperatures up to 42C (107.6F), as the fastest-warming continent continues to suffer the effects of the climate emergency.
Protesters flood Venice’s streets during Amazon founder Bezos’s wedding
30 Jun 2025
Protesters denounced the Amazon billionaire’s multimillion-dollar wedding in Venice as the city deals with environmental concerns.
EU countries abandon anti-greenwashing talks after Italy pulls out
25 Jun 2025
The proposed law preventing companies from making misleading environmental claims now looks unlikely to be enacted.
In London and Paris, we’ve experienced vicious backlash to climate action. But we’re not backing down
24 Jun 2025
COMMENT: Around the world, well-funded, organised climate deniers are spreading lies about the crisis. We call on governments and tech companies to step up.
Macron visits Greenland to show European support for the strategic Arctic island coveted by Trump
17 Jun 2025
French President Emmanuel Macron warned that Greenland is “not to be sold” nor “to be taken” in a key visit Sunday to the strategic Arctic territory coveted by U.S. President Donald Trump, saying he’s conveying a message of French and European solidarity.
Decarbonising Europe’s heavy industry, it’s not ‘Mission Impossible’
17 Jun 2025
Balancing climate ambitions with competitiveness is a challenge for every industrial sector. Heavy industry faces an even tougher time, but a new report says net-zero is possible.
Why the EU is about to cripple its next climate target
16 Jun 2025
The European Commission is about to release a controversial new climate milestone, setting the bloc’s economic course for the next 15 years. Most EU governments, however, would prefer Brussels drop the issue.
Ocean current ‘collapse’ could trigger ‘profound cooling’ in northern Europe – even with global warming
13 Jun 2025
A “collapse” of key Atlantic ocean currents would cause winter temperatures to plunge across northern Europe, overriding the warming driven by human activity.
Greenpeace Denmark complaint accuses dairy giant of 'systemic greenwashing'
9 Jun 2025
"Greenwashing and false marketing will not be tolerated, no matter how big you are and where you are based," said one Greenpeace Denmark campaigner.
EU asks 44 oil and gas producers to provide new CO2 storage solutions
5 Jun 2025
The European Commission said on Thursday it had asked 44 oil and gas companies to contribute to the EU's collective target of storing at least 50 million tonnes of CO2 per year by 2030, as part of the bloc's aim to achieve climate neutrality.
EU science advisers slam Brussels’ weakened 2040 climate plans
4 Jun 2025
Using international carbon credits in place of domestic action undermines climate efforts, scientific advisory board says.
EU climate chief lobbied Germany to back weakened 2040 goal
3 Jun 2025
The European Commission’s climate chief successfully lobbied Germany’s coalition government to endorse a controversial measure that weakens the EU’s next climate target.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Greenland dangles rare earths partnership with EU as Trump looms
20 May 2025
Greenland’s foreign minister has suggested the European Union could develop its coveted mineral resources amid threats by U.S. President Donald Trump to seize the island.
Help sustainable aviation fuels take off or delay targets, airlines warn EU
20 May 2025
Earmarked funding, risk-reduction tools, and simplified imports top Airlines for Europe’s wish list for the EU’s upcoming Sustainable Transport Investment Plan.
Germany on track for 2030 climate goal but future targets at risk, advisers say
19 May 2025
Germany is on track to meet its 2021-2030 climate goal but risks missing post-2030 targets, independent government advisers warned on Thursday, urging a clear long-term climate strategy for Europe's largest economy.
European firms ramping up lobbying for climate action, report finds
19 May 2025
Research shows companies ‘aligned’ with strategies to meet climate goals have risen from 3% in 2019 to 23% in 2025.
What Pope Leo means for global climate action and colonialism
16 May 2025
Pope Francis made a strong moral case for addressing climate change and respecting Indigenous rights. Will Leo do the same?
Germany’s €100 billion green gamble: Inside the nation’s bold climate investment
13 May 2025
In the race for a net-zero future —Germany’s latest €100 billion climate investment package is so large it has been dubbed a "green bombshell."
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.
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.
