Alister Doyle
China among nations likely to miss 2020 deadline for climate plans – UN’s Espinosa
UN climate chief expects only 80 updated national climate plans this year, as preparations are delayed by coronavirus pandemic and US political uncertainty
Most of UN climate science report likely to be delayed beyond 2021 Glasgow summit
Only the first section of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report, about the science of global warming, is set to be ready before the postponed Glasgow summit
Green shift urged to revive Brazil’s economy and shield Amazon forests
President Bolsonaro could rebuild the economy faster after Covid-19 by making low-carbon growth a pillar of recovery, international study says
Which countries have not ratified the Paris climate agreement?
More than five years after the Paris Agreement was adopted, seven of 197 signatories have not formally backed the deal. Angola, Kyrgyzstan and Lebanon ratified in 2020
Kamala Harris might help ‘night and day’ shift for US on global climate diplomacy
If they defeat Trump, Biden and Harris will have to prove they can cut emissions at home to rebuild US global leadership on climate change.
South Africa tightens restrictions for new coal power in ‘landmark’ ruling
A top tribunal scrapped water licences for the 600MW Khanyisa coal plant, saying the developer had failed to consider the impact of climate change
‘Worst-case’ global warming scenario still best guide until 2050, study says
UN panel’s RCP8.5 scenario of sharply rising emissions matches trends since 2005, PNAS study says, rejecting criticisms it’s “alarmist”
‘Nature doesn’t trust us any more’: Arctic heatwave stokes permafrost thaw
Record permafrost temperatures are transforming the Arctic, especially for indigenous peoples, whose hunting livelihoods are at risk as ground melts
Big nations aid fossil fuels more than clean energies amid pandemic, researchers find
US, Russia are among many G20 nations helping coal, oil and gas more than clean energy as part of recovery packages, a major study will show
Jamaica becomes first Caribbean nation to submit tougher climate plan to UN
Jamaica adds forestry and land use to updated climate plan and toughens goals for energy. UK, due to host UN talks, hails “greater climate ambition”
Norway sets electric car record as battery autos least dented by Covid-19 crisis
Electric car sales worldwide are suffering less from the Covid-19 crisis than petrol and diesel rivals, in sign of hope for a shift to cleaner transport
UN development chief calls for green shift away from ‘irrational’ oil dependence
Governments, at a fork in the road because of the Covid-19 pandemic, should ‘insert the DNA’ of a low-carbon future into stimulus packages, says Achim Steiner
Next UN climate science report to consider lessons from coronavirus
UN climate science reports due in 2021 will examine the links between pandemics and human pressures on the natural world to guide policymakers
Four more EU nations back a green post-coronavirus recovery
Ireland, Slovakia, Slovenia and Malta join call by 13 other nations to put the European Green Deal at the heart of the economic response to Covid-19
East Asia’s green test – Climate Weekly
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Renewable energies under threat in 2020 from coronavirus, oil price slump
Rooftop solar power installations are especially hard hit by social distancing and disruptions to Chinese supplies, as coronavirus ravages the world economy
Chile steps up – Climate Weekly
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Coronavirus: plane-free skies spur research into warming impact of aviation
As the Covid-19 pandemic response hits air traffic, scientists seize the opportunity to study how planes’ contrails trap heat in the atmosphere
Cop26 climate talks postponed to 2021 amid coronavirus pandemic
Postponement will help clarify US climate policy – Trump is pulling out of the Paris Agreement but Biden or Sanders would rejoin if elected in November
Japan sticks to 2030 climate goals, accused of a ‘disappointing’ lack of ambition
Japan has reaffirmed its 2015 goal to cuts emissions by 26% by 2030 despite UN plea for far tougher action this year to tackle the climate crisis