Women bear brunt of South Sudan’s heatwave made worse by climate change
A scientific study links record-breaking heat in the conflict-hit country to global warming and shows how women and girls are more exposed to health risks and school closures
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Countries fail again to decide timing of key IPCC climate science reports
China, Saudi Arabia and India pushed back against a proposal to align the IPCC flagship reports with the timeline of the global stocktake of climate action
Congo’s deadly rains predicted to occur every two years in a warming world
After floods devastate the DRC’s capital, scientists say climate change is making heavier rains more likely and call for better data to help prepare
In Trump’s shadow, IPCC set to make key decision on timing of climate science review
With the US not expected to show up at the IPCC meeting, countries have a final chance to agree whether assessment reports could inform the next UN scorecard of climate action
Arctic geoengineering experiment shuts down over environmental risks
US-based nonprofit Arctic Ice Project has cancelled tests in Alaska because of potential disruption to the food chain
LA fires show human cost of climate-driven ‘whiplash’ between wet and dry extremes
These cycles can worsen wildfires, like in California, where rapid vegetation growth is followed by drying – and also exacerbate flooding when unusually heavy rains hit baked ground
Record-hot 2024 shows world must adapt to extremes, says EU climate service
With global warming topping the key limit of 1.5C last year, adapting to worsening climate impacts has become a “necessity”, top scientist warns
Russia resists tougher climate targets in dash for Arctic gas
Russia has no plans to end its contribution to climate change before the end of the century and is aggressively expanding Arctic gas production for the Asian market
UK climate champion: Oil majors can join the ‘race to zero’ – if they align with 1.5C
With less than a year to the Cop26 climate talks in Glasgow, Nigel Topping sets out his plan to mobilise the private sector in a race to net zero emissions
Covid exposes Mexico City’s water access gap between rich and poor
The coronavirus pandemic lays bare the impact of Mexico City’s mounting water crisis on vulnerable households, while gated communities enjoy reliable supplies
African ministers call for investment in Great Green Wall to aid Covid-19 recovery
Plans for an 8,000km green belt across the Sahel region have stalled, with fresh funds needed to halt desertification and create sustainable livelihoods
Loopholes in Arctic heavy fuel oil ban defer action to the end of the decade
In concessions to Russia, the International Maritime Organisation has watered down draft rules to protect the Arctic from oil spills and black carbon pollution
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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
‘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”
Guterres confronts China over coal boom, urging a green recovery
China’s provinces have overseen a coal plant building spree in the first half of the year, in a bid to revive the Covid pandemic-hit economy
‘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
Coronavirus lockdown cut energy-related CO2 emissions 17%, study finds
Early estimates show deep cuts to emissions from air and road travel as a result of public health measures, but scientists warn these are only temporary
Watchdog: Germany must reach net zero emissions by 2038
An independent advisory body on environmental policy warned Germany risks exhausting its carbon budget by 2029 without robust climate action
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
Greenpeace takes Arctic oil lawsuit to Norway’s supreme court
After losing at two lower courts, campaigners are taking the fight to ban new oil exploration licences to the top, where it will be heard by all 19 justices
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
Coronavirus lockdown gives a boost to citizen science projects
From counting penguins to mapping solar panels, people staying at home during the pandemic can contribute to climate change research
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Coronavirus pandemic threatens climate monitoring, WMO warns
Data for weather forecasts and climate monitoring provided by in-flight sensors and manual observations have decreased significantly since the Covid-19 outbreak
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
Malawi’s farmers grow crops with ‘magic liquid’ fertiliser
‘Bionitrate’ made from urine is starting to help yields for farmers in Malawi who face high costs fertilising maize and other crops amid shifting weather patterns
Coronavirus: in Hawaii’s air, scientists seek signs of economic shock on CO2 levels
Ralph Keeling estimates that global fossil fuel use would have to decline by 10% for a full year to clearly impact CO2 concentrations in the atmosphere
Coronavirus: China’s economic slowdown curbs deadly air pollution
Premature deaths from air pollution in China could fall by 50,000-100,000 if economic downturn lasts a year, study estimates
Coronavirus: UN delays talks on global ocean biodiversity treaty
Observers say additional time could help countries agree on rules to create marine protected areas in parts of the ocean that lie beyond national jurisdiction
The Netherlands faces pressure as global ‘test case’ for deep emissions cuts in 2020
Dutch Supreme Court has ordered the government to cut emissions by 25% by 2020 but latest figures show only a 15% reduction from 1990 levels