International: Europe
Heat deaths in Europe may triple by end of the century, study finds
26 Aug 2024
Countries in south most at risk, with rise likely to outstrip fall in cold-related deaths if global heating hits 3C or 4C.
Von der Leyen threads the climate needle to keep her job
23 Jul 2024
The German politician has secured a second term as European Commission president with a political program carefully designed to woo both conservatives and environmentalists.
Greece shuts Acropolis, two firefighters killed in Italy as southern Europe swelters in a heat wave
19 Jul 2024
A heat wave across southern Europe forced authorities in Greece to close the Acropolis for several hours and two firefighters died while putting out a fire in the Basilicata region in southern Italy.
The story of a heat death
18 Jul 2024
David went to work in his new job on a French building site. By the end of the day he was dead. What can David Azevedo’s story tell us about the threat increasingly extreme weather poses to human health?
How Denmark plans to tax agriculture emissions to meet climate goals
12 Jul 2024
Denmark is on its way to introducing a world-first tax on greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture in 2030.
Ireland's greenhouse emissions lowest in 30 years
12 Jul 2024
Greenhouse gas emissions in the Republic of Ireland are at their lowest level in 30 years, according to the latest figures.
Using Toyota's hydrogen car as the Paris Olympics official vehicle 'will damage reputation of 2024 Games'
12 Jul 2024
More than 120 scientists, academics and engineers call for switch to battery electric vehicles, arguing that fuel-cell cars are ‘not a viable net zero solution’.
New EU Parliament less supportive of green agenda, documents show
11 Jul 2024
The next European Commission will no longer be able to rely on a broad consensus among lawmakers in support of ambitious climate change policies, draft documents showed.
French election sparks relief for scientists, hope on climate change reform
10 Jul 2024
Following a second round of voting in a snap election, France's left-wing New Popular Front has secured a leading plurality of seats in parliament.
How Europe’s conspiracy influencers went from COVID-19 to the climate
8 Jul 2024
Conspiratorial narratives about climate action have entered the mainstream all over Europe.
Wildfire emergencies declared in Russia’s Far East
4 Jul 2024
Authorities in Russia’s Siberian and Far East republics of Tyva and Sakha (Yakutia) have declared states of emergency due to summer wildfires raging across the regions.
To keep clean drinking water flowing to Paris, farmers are going organic
27 Jun 2024
Rather than relying on expensive water treatment plants, the French capital is protecting its water supply at the source.
Denmark will be the first country to impose a carbon tax on farms
26 Jun 2024
Denmark, a major pork and dairy exporter, will introduce a tax on livestock carbon dioxide emissions from 2030, making it the first country to do so and hoping to inspire others to follow.
Denmark’s radical plan for a plant-based future
25 Jun 2024
The Nordic country is working toward ambitious goals to make its food systems more sustainable — and other nations are following in its path.
Stonehenge covered in powder paint by Just Stop Oil
21 Jun 2024
Part of Stonehenge has been covered in orange powder paint by protesters, the day before celebrations begin for the Summer Solstice at the 5,000-year-old landmark.
How climate change is hitting Europe: three graphics reveal health impacts
19 Jun 2024
A growing body of research reveals the deaths and diseases linked to rising temperatures across the continent.
This city just made it illegal to advertise SUVs. Here’s why.
17 Jun 2024
Edinburgh became the latest European capital city to ban ads for aviation, SUVs and more.
EU hits Chinese EVs with tariffs, drawing rebuke from Beijing
14 Jun 2024
The European Commission said it will impose extra duties of up to 38.1% on imported Chinese electric cars from July, risking retaliation from Beijing.
Swiss parliament spurns European climate ruling
13 Jun 2024
The Swiss parliament voted to snub a ruling by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) that accused the country of being ineffective in fighting climate change.
What do the European elections mean for EU climate action?
13 Jun 2024
This week’s European parliamentary election results saw parties on the populist right making big gains in France and Germany, while the historic “green wave” of 2019 receded.
EU climate policies could be slowed in future after rightward shift in election
12 Jun 2024
A more rightward-leaning European Parliament will make it harder to pass ambitious EU climate policies, but the majority of current world-leading green policies are likely to stay put, analysts said.
EU regulator calls for SMEs to be required to report on positive sustainability impacts
7 Jun 2024
EU markets regulator the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has issued recommendations to adjust proposed sustainability reporting requirements.
Inside the European Commission president's secret climate crusade
6 Jun 2024
The European Commission president fought hard in her first term to get her Green Deal reforms past skeptical colleagues — but then backtracked ahead of the election.
Right-wing pushback on EU’s green laws misjudges rural views
6 Jun 2024
Populist and far-right parties are wooing rural voters in the EU elections by exploiting a backlash against green policies – but new research suggests it may not work.
The warring conmen at the heart of a €5bn carbon trading scam
5 Jun 2024
Emissions trading was supposed to save the planet. But fraudsters quickly learned how to rip the system off, making themselves spectacularly rich.
Germany likely to miss 2030 climate goal, advisors calls for new policy
5 Jun 2024
Germany is likely to miss its 2030 greenhouse gas targets, government climate advisors said, contradicting the climate minister's prediction in March.
‘Unchartered territory’: What Europe’s wetter climate means for hydropower
31 May 2024
Despite increased potential in some countries, hydroelectric plants are having to contend with more extreme conditions.
Herd of bison could help store CO2 equivalent of 43,000 cars, researchers say
17 May 2024
Free-roaming animals reintroduced in Romania’s Țarcu mountains are stimulating plant growth and securing carbon stored in the soil while grazing.
EU countries approve law to slash CO2 emissions from trucks
16 May 2024
EU countries gave their final approval to a law to cut carbon dioxide emissions from trucks, which will require most new heavy-duty vehicles sold from 2040 to be emissions-free.
‘Climate change is here and it kills’: Heat-related deaths rise by 30% in Europe
16 May 2024
Researchers tracking the link between climate change and health say the adverse impacts are far-reaching.
EU proposes first sanctions on Russia’s LNG sector
8 May 2024
Until now, the EU hasn’t targeted Moscow’s lucrative gas sector, newly proposed sanctions would hit about a quarter of Russia’s LNG revenues.
Airlines lobby against EU plan to monitor non-CO₂ emissions
7 May 2024
Global carriers ask Brussels to weaken landmark plans to require monitoring and disclosure of all emissions.
EU investigates ‘greenwashing’ at 20 airlines
2 May 2024
Environmental claims come under scrutiny, including the benefits of offsetting emissions from flying.
EU votes to leave energy treaty as green rules pushed through
29 Apr 2024
EU lawmakers voted overwhelmingly for the bloc to exit a controversial international treaty that is seen by campaigners as protecting fossil fuel investments, in a series of positive votes on green legislation.
EU Policy: Rapid militarisation jeopardising climate, claim NGOs
26 Apr 2024
Impact of conflict-related carbon emissions should be accounted for and more data from military operations is needed, according to NGOs and lawmakers.
European carbon trading catching less than quarter of airline emissions, data finds
23 Apr 2024
Less than a quarter of airline emissions were caught by Europe’s carbon trading schemes last year, according to new data that illustrates the limitations of one of the key tools to fight pollution from aviation.
Finnish startup making food ‘from air and solar power’
22 Apr 2024
The company's founders hope solein, a protein grown with CO2 and electricity, will cut the environmental impacts of farming.
EU considers bringing emissions removal credits into carbon market
19 Apr 2024
The European Union is looking into whether to bring emissions removal credits into its carbon market, a move that could reopen the market to carbon credits in future years.
EU parliament adopts proposals for power market reform
16 Apr 2024
The European parliament voted for proposals to make electricity prices less dependent on fossil fuel prices, in a bid to boost renewable energy and shield consumers from price spikes.
Russia and Kazakhstan battle record floods as rivers rise further
15 Apr 2024
The city of Orenburg battled rising water levels after major rivers across Russia and Kazakhstan burst their banks in the worst flooding seen in the areas in nearly a century.
The EU’s secret to slashing emissions
12 Apr 2024
Europe proves that putting a price on carbon can dramatically transform fossil fuel–based economies.
Climate protection is now a human right — and lawsuits will follow
11 Apr 2024
Governments be warned: You must protect your citizens from climate change — it’s their human right.
Sweden's new steel mill will reduce the country's total emissions by 7%
11 Apr 2024
Swedish steelmaker SSAB, will invest 4.5 billion euros (NZ$8 bln) in building a fossil-free mini-mill, more than previously expected as inflation and higher contingencies added to costs.
European court rules human rights violated by climate inaction
10 Apr 2024
A group of older Swiss women have won the first ever climate case victory in the European Court of Human Rights.
Help us build wind farms to beat Russian bombs, Ukraine tells EU
9 Apr 2024
Ukraine’s largest private energy firm told POLITICO it wants to build a disparate energy network to better survive Russian attacks — but can’t get capital.
GHGs thousands of times more damaging than CO2 are being smuggled into Europe
9 Apr 2024
The impact of hydrofluorocarbons on global warming can be up to thousands of times greater than that of carbon dioxide.
Germany's national postal carrier stops using domestic flights to send letters
4 Apr 2024
Deutsche Post says it will no longer use domestic flights to transport letters, in a bid to improve its climate footprint.
A Spanish energy is suing another energy company for alleged greenwashing
27 Mar 2024
Spanish utility Iberdrola has filed a lawsuit against energy company Repsol for alleged greenwashing and unfair competition practices.
Dutch court finds KLM ads were misleading in 'greenwashing' case
22 Mar 2024
A Dutch court ruled that KLM had misled customers with an advertising campaign aimed at improving the company's environmental image, in a case of so-called "greenwashing"
Europe must do more against ‘catastrophic’ climate risks
12 Mar 2024
Europe could suffer “catastrophic” consequences from climate change if it fails to take urgent and decisive action to adapt to risks, a new EU analysis warned.
Battery subsidy scheme set for 'urgent' overhaul as costs run out of control
Tue 16 Dec 2025
Australian Energy Minister Chris Bowen has announced big changes to the government's battery subsidy scheme amid claims most of its $2.3 billion budget has been spent in just six months.
US demands EU exempt its gas from methane emissions law, document shows
Today 11:15am
The US has demanded that the European Union exempt its oil and gas from obligations under the bloc's methane emissions law on fuel imports until 2035, a US government document seen by Reuters showed.
Verra cancels four tree planting projects in China. And starts reviews of 45 more projects
Tue 16 Dec 2025
“Multiple carbon projects in China are facing serious allegations regarding the authenticity of government approval documents."
Net-zero scenario is ‘cheapest option’ for UK, says energy system operator
Mon 15 Dec 2025
A scenario that meets the “net-zero by 2050” goal would be the “cheapest” option for the UK, according to modelling by the National Energy System Operator (NESO).
Top climate adviser resigns, says Canada doing worse 'than almost any other country'
Thu 11 Dec 2025
Catherine Abreu explains why she was one of two founding members to resign from Canada's Net-Zero Advisory Body last week, saying she 'could no longer, in conscience, sit on this government-appointed body' after policy rollbacks and oil subsidies in the Alberta energy MOU.
‘Not normal’: Climate crisis supercharged deadly monsoon floods in Asia
Fri 12 Dec 2025
Cyclones like those in Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Malaysia that killed 1,750 are ‘alarming new reality’.
Storms in the Southern Ocean are producing more rain – and the consequences could be global
8 Dec 2025
Storms in the Southern Ocean influence weather patterns across Australia, New Zealand and the globe.
Changes to polar bear DNA could help them adapt to global heating, study finds
Mon 15 Dec 2025
Scientists say bears in southern Greenland differ genetically to those in the north, suggesting they could adjust.
Are rainforests now a cause of, rather than the answer to, climate change?
Mon 15 Dec 2025
A new study finds that Africa’s forests, responsible for one-fifth of global carbon removal, are beginning to generate carbon as the result of human activity.
Thousands of climate disasters are not included in official reports from Amazonian countries
Fri 12 Dec 2025
More than 12,500 extreme weather events impacted the Amazon and its population in 10 years, but countries have not generated enough information about it, according to a new scientific study.
UN environment report 'hijacked' by US and others over fossil fuels, top scientist says
Thu 11 Dec 2025
A key UN report on the state of the global environment has been "hijacked" by the United States and other countries who were unwilling to go along with the scientific findings, the co-chair has told the BBC.
