A global citizens’ assembly on the climate and ecological crisis
15 Feb 2023
In 2021, a diverse group of actors—from scientists to social activists, practitioners to academics—organized a global citizens’ assembly for that year’s UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow.
The Global Assembly was an attempt to redress some of the failings of the COP process of climate summits, which have been running for almost thirty years. This initiative was not only the world’s first global citizens’ assembly; it was also an effort to provide the blueprint for a new piece of global governance infrastructure, owned and led by a representative group of the world’s citizens, over whom no one could have undue influence. But did the Global Assembly run successfully and have an impact? And can it help engage global citizens in climate change decisions on a long-term basis?
... login or subscribe for full story
EU climate chief lobbied Germany to back weakened 2040 goal
Today 12:00pm
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.
Australia: Carbon tariff on the table for overseas businesses
Today 12:00pm
Labor has left the door open to a tax on cement and steel coming in from places not taking sufficient climate action.
Climate and weather scientists are joining the anti-Trump resistance in the most ‘scientist-iest’ way
Today 12:00pm
Forget marching in the streets with creative signs. For President Donald Trump’s second term, in the face of steep funding cuts for climate and weather research and forecasting, scientists have a new way of engaging the public: livestreamed presentations.
Death toll from Nigeria flash floods rises to 151
Today 12:00pm
At least 151 people in central Nigeria are now known to have died following flash floods that destroyed homes and displaced thousands of residents earlier this week.
After the LA fires, scientists study the toxic hazards left behind
Today 12:00pm
Researchers from Harvard and universities in California and Texas are studying the long-term effects of the Eaton and Palisades fires on air, water, soils and surfaces of properties that didn’t burn.
What happened to the hydrogen economy?
Today 12:00pm
The hydrogen car that was supposed to carry us into a cleaner future is still not in the driveway. In fact, outside of a few test markets, it’s not in anyone’s driveway.
Pacific Island nations support China's Taiwan claims at high-profile foreign ministers' meeting
Fri 30 May 2025
Pacific nations have backed China's claim over Taiwan during a high-profile meeting, but have shied away from directly endorsing Beijing's push to "reunify" the democratically ruled island with the mainland.
German court dismisses Peruvian farmer’s climate lawsuit
Fri 30 May 2025
The court rejected the argument that the man’s home is at risk from glacial flood. But the ruling is still being claimed as a milestone for climate litigation, as it sets a precedent that polluters may be held liable for the consequences of pollution.
World’s nations to gather in France to tackle what UN says is a global emergency in the oceans
Fri 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
Fri 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.
