World
France to Trump: ‘No Paris Agreement, no EU trade agreement’
French foreign minister says the US “should know what to expect” if it leaves international climate pact and seeks a trade deal with Europe
Poland to put ‘common sense’ over climate ambition as host of critical UN talks
In exclusive interviews, Poland’s climate chief said “calls for ambition bring nothing” while the environment ministry refused to back science on cause of climate change
Chile declares start of coal power phase-out
President Michelle Bachelet says the country will not build new coal plants without carbon capture and begin talks to replace existing capacity with cleaner sources
Climate change affecting stability across West Africa and Sahel: UN security council
In a statement, the council president expanded concerns over the links between climate and violence in Africa to two regions that cover 26 countries
Peru ends era of ‘roadless wilderness’ in its Amazon rainforests
Roads spread destruction and deforestation in the Amazon, now Peru, driven by neoliberal imperatives, plans a highway for one of the regions most sensitive forests
Why climate pariah Trump is welcome at the World Economic Forum
Far from being shunned, US president Donald Trump has been warmly welcomed at the Davos ski resort by business chiefs who benefit from his policies
The Brazilian state letting illegal Amazon loggers keep logging
In Mato Grosso, logging permits are issued that allow export to European markets, even to those charged with crimes by federal authorities
Indian mogul Mahindra pledges to align with Paris climate agreement
The chair of a $19bn Indian conglomerate committed to science-based targets, saying all efforts to cut carbon ‘have given us a return’
Germany announces carbon emission rise for second year in a row
Germany’s total emissions rose in 2016 for the second year in a row with the head of the environment agency calling for rapid reduction in coal power
Macron’s climate charm offensive continues with Davos Trump jibe
The French president said he was thankful no-one “sceptical” had been invited to the World Economic Forum, while touting climate action as a “pillar” of his strategy
Trump solar tariff ‘will cause disruption’, says UN renewable chief
Energy leaders in Davos were critical of trade intervention the US solar industry said could cause 23,000 job losses
Forest watchdog calls for protection of Estonia’s pagan heritage
A board member of Estonias Forest Stewardship Council is threatening to strip “sustainable” certification from timber felled near sacred sites
Los Angeles lawmakers propose “climate emergency” department
In the wake of the devastating Thomas wildfire in southern California, city council members are calling for emergency funds to ramp up climate action
UK climate strategy has ‘significant gaps’, advisers warn
The government must increase ambition for electric vehicles and invest more in carbon capture and storage, an independent panel has advised
Logging surge threatens a quarter of Estonia’s forest, warn conservationists
Baltic state lobbied for flexibilities in EU rules to enable a dramatic increase in forestry, turning its thriving woodland into a net emitter of carbon by 2030
The Chinese coal city that electrified its entire taxi fleet
Taiyuan, the capital of Shanxi province, replaced 8,000 petrol-powered taxis with electric vehicles in a single year. What did we learn?
Climate change is driving migration from Vietnam’s Mekong delta
Saltwater intrusion and drought are destroying crops in one of the most fertile places on earth, prompting an exodus of farmers
Macron urges Chinese people to “make our planet great again” – in Mandarin
French president did not announce any new climate initiatives with Xi Jinping on China visit, but his efforts to learn the language went viral
Climate portfolio back in UK cabinet after May’s reshuffle
If she keeps climate portfolio, Claire Perry will return the issue to cabinet for the first time since the department of energy and climate change was scrapped
Germany set to abandon 2020 climate target: reports
Angela Merkel’s party and the Social Democrats agree the 40% emissions cut will not be achieved until the early 2020s, coalition negotiators told newswires