Food systems are the missing ingredient from the COP30 menu
Despite making the Amazon the stage for this year’s UN climate summit, Brazil has stayed silent on the food system crisis, the top driver of its deforestation
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UN biodiversity talks agree finance roadmap, postponing decision on a new fund
Conservation experts call for an urgent boost in funding for nature protection as countries at COP16 say they’ll work out later how best to deliver the money
2025 is the year to invest in forests – and the people who depend on them
With COP30 in the Amazon, governments, businesses and funders must step up restoration finance and put forests at the centre of climate action
COP16 host Colombia reports 35% surge in deforestation
Despite the uptick in deforestation, Colombian environment minister Susana Muhamad said 2024 still had the second-lowest deforestation figure in two decades
How COP16 2.0 can unlock business investment to properly fund nature
Biodiversity COP16 ended with vague targets and limited accountability — but its resumed session in Rome provides an opportunity for businesses to step up
Lula’s government pushes for new oil drilling in the Amazon – where it will host COP30
Pressure mounts on Brazil’s environmental agency as the government seeks expedited approval of a controversial oil drilling project
Valentine’s Day a costlier affair as rising heat hits West Africa cocoa production
Extreme temperatures dent cocoa supplies as vulnerable farmers struggle to adapt to climate impacts
‘Carbon bomb’ in Argentina gets push from local government
Argentina’s southern city of Sierra Grande started public hearings for a shipping terminal to export from Vaca Muerta, the world’s second largest shale gas reserve
Kenyan president William Ruto courts logging controversy
Known internationally as one of Africa’s climate champions, President Ruto faces a legal challenge over plans to restart commercial forestry
Nature fund launched but financing questions remain
The new fund aims to be the primary tool to implement the Kunming-Montreal deal and deliver $200 billion a year to nature protection initiatives
Soy, beef and gold gangsters: Why Bolivia and Venezuela won’t protect the Amazon
Bolivia wants to chop down trees to grow soy, beef and palm oil while Venezuela is unwilling or unable to restrain illegal gold mining
Dis-united States of the Amazon – Climate Weekly
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Amazon nations decry EU deforestation rules in thinly-veiled joint condemnation
The Belem Declaration echoes growing discontent with a new law prohibiting firms from importing goods linked to deforestation
Indonesia falls short on peatland restoration, risking destructive fire season
Data from the Indonesian government suggests efforts to restore peatlands, a key part of the country’s climate strategy, do not match government claims.
Amazon nations fail to agree on deforestation goal at summit
Eight South American nations agreed on a list of joint actions to protect the Amazon rainforest, but failed to mention a long-awaited target to halt deforestation.
UN deep-sea mining talks deadlocked over agenda clash
A dozen countries want to officially debate for the first time in history the possibility to halt deep-sea mining, but have faced opposition from China and the island-nation of Nauru.
Pressure grows on governments and banks to stop supporting Amazon oil and gas
An upcoming summit on protecting the Amazon has become the focus of a Indigenous and civil society-led campaign to set up an exclusion zone for fossil fuels
‘Historic milestone’: Ecuador nears vote to keep Amazon oil in the ground
Experts consulted by Climate Home News suggested the vote will define Ecuador’s economic model for the future.
Multilateral banks’ investments in industrial livestock undermine their Paris climate commitments
Public money should stop flowing towards the expansion of animal agriculture, which is responsible for a fifth of the world’s emissions
“Green” funds destroy Indonesia’s forests – Climate Weekly
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FSC’s rehab scheme for forest destroyers under fire after fresh allegations
Indonesian pulp and paper giants are trying to rehabilitate themselves with the FSC despite continued accusations of deforestation in their supply chains
World Bank body delays vote on controversial loan to Brazilian dairy firm
Campaigners say the $32m loan to dairy firm Alvoar Lacteos could damage forests in Brazil
China and Brazil to cooperate in stopping illegal trade fueling deforestation
Brazil’s president, Lula da Silva, met with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping in China and announced new collaborations to control illegal deforestation.
Revealed: How Shell cashed in on dubious carbon offsets from Chinese rice paddies
Shell’s rice farming offset projects are under review. Climate Home found them riddled with accounting loopholes and questionable integrity claims.
Biden promises to “work with Congress” to fund Amazon protection
With Jair Bolsonaro out of power, one obstacle to US funding for Amazon rainforest protection has gone – but Republicans in Congress could still block funding.
France seeks EU loophole for French Guiana to power space sector with biofuels
Campaigners have warned the exemption risks setting an incentive for increased logging in Europe’s corner of the Amazon forest.
Brazil launches first raids against Amazon tree-cutters under Lula’s new government
Brazil’s new government is already having an impact on deforestation in the Amazon rainforest, an environmental enforcement agent claimed
Lula revives $1 billion Amazon Fund and environmental protections
On his first day in office as Brazil’s president, Lula da Silva signed a package of seven executive orders to protect the environment
Breakthrough for nature protection – Climate Weekly
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Cost of a KitKat: Big brands leave sugar farmers at the mercy of climate extremes
Nestlé, Coca Cola and Pepsi are among the buyers from Nanglamal Sugar Complex, which smallholders say gives no help with climate resilience
India’s female cane cutters face child marriage and hysterectomy
Women and girls in India’s sugar fields are exposed to sexual harassment, backbreaking work and inadequate healthcare