South America
Brazil forest clearance is rising in a recession – that’s worrying
Latest data shows forest protection schemes are not enough to protect the Amazon rainforest, writes Natalie Unterstell
Rapid glacier melt threatens Bolivia water supplies, homes
Area of the Bolivian Andes covered by ice has shrunk 43% in a generation, study finds, with alarming implications
Brazilian senate approves new coal funding
Support to “modernise” coal power plants was smuggled into a bill about electricity sector privatisation, prompting calls for a presidential veto
Indigenous land rights fundamental to climate safety – Lord Stern
Forests and grasslands would store more carbon if communities’ rights were protected, according to research from the leading climate economist
After ratification, cities can deliver the Paris climate deal
Writing in Climate Home, the mayors of Paris, Mexico City and Rio de Janeiro say they are ready and willing to implement the UN’s new climate deal
Habitat III: what to expect from the UN’s urban summit
It only takes place every 20 years and does not bind participating governments to anything, but Habitat III can help shape greener, cleaner cities
Brazil shifts funds from coal to solar power
Major development bank is prioritising clean energy as economic crisis limits resources
Can the right be good for the climate in Latin America?
As centre right parties assume power across the continent it’s easy to say this will mean a cull of environmental laws, but it’s not that straightforward
Latin America sees surge in carbon pricing interest
Grupa Televisa, Petrobras and Banco Santander Brasil are among the major South American companies waking up to carbon risk, survey shows
Obama appeals for climate investment in valedictory UN speech
US president sets out vision for global cooperation in New York, as double threshold for bring the Paris Agreement into force edges closer
Film spotlights resource conflict in the Peruvian Amazon
The makers of When Two Worlds Collide talk indigenous rights, economic development and the bloodiest political struggle of Peru’s recent history
Brazil to ratify Paris climate deal amid forest fire surge
President Michel Temer is expected to formalise climate commitments next week, as critics warn of failure to tackle deforestation
WWF names Manuel Pulgar-Vidal as new climate chief
Chair of COP20 Lima climate summit joins top conservation charity to spearhead work on implementing Paris Agreement
Mexico, Ontario, Quebec pledge carbon market cooperation
Advocates say emissions trading agreement will help to cut the cost of meeting climate goals
Brazil to ratify Paris climate deal on 29 August – reports
Interim president Michel Temer keen to beat US and China in race to formally back Paris climate agreement
Deforestation impacts felt for decades – scientists
Halting tree-felling and land clearance is not enough to save tropical rainforests without programmes of forest restoration in degraded areas, scientists say
Brazil senate approves Paris climate deal
Olympic hosts take major step towards formal support of new UN climate deal, with announcement likely in September
Amazon megadam denied licence over environmental, indigenous concerns
The 8GW Sao Luiz do Tapajos hydropower project is expected to get the thumbs down from Brazilian regulators, in move cautiously welcomed by activists
Can Brazil green its energy without mega dams?
Human rights violations, drought risk and now corruption are undermining the case for hydropower. Environment minister José Sarney Filho is making the case for change
Habitat III: we need a new urban climate agenda
Current progress to make our cities a better place is held back by the lack of political will: but that shouldn’t be inevitable