World
Acts of God: why secular climate projects fail in the Pacific
For communities in many poorer countries, including in the Pacific Islands, the most influential messages engage with people’s spiritual beliefs and involve religious leaders
Ségolène Royal reveals new head for ‘Africa-led’ renewables scheme
Denying allegations of meddling in African clean energy initiative, French environment minister pre-empts board decision on next top official
Dutch university contracts gave Shell influence over curriculum, students
Report reveals Shell’s contracts with the Rotterdam School of Management that gave it power over the school’s core educational functions
The Indian coal plant getting paid $150m to sit idle
Consumers are footing the bill for Rattan India’s Amravati power station, a “shocking” example of a dysfunctional sector
India and China ‘on track to exceed Paris climate pledges’
Coal plant cancellations mean the world’s two largest countries are cutting emissions faster than predicted a year ago, outweighing the effect of US policy rollbacks
Bangladesh faces food supply crunch after flash floods
Unusually heavy pre-monsoon rains wiped out 2 million tonnes worth of rice crops, making farmers destitute and pushing up costs
Ocean acidification is global warming’s forgotten crisis
We have the tools to barricade ecosystems against some impacts of warmer, more acidic oceans. But do we have the political will to use them?
China’s Xi promises green ‘belt and road’ investment strategy
At summit with 29 government leaders in Beijing, China’s president Xi Jinping proposed an “international coalition for green development”
Pacific islands are on a collision course with the shipping industry
The shipping industry could undermine global climate efforts. But Pacific islands and EU nations are joining together to force them to change.
Brazilian indigenous leader appeals for solidarity against land grabs
Guarani-Kaiowá leader Ladio Veron is touring Europe to raise awareness of violence and environmental destruction by agribusiness
US endorses global action to curb greenhouse gases at Arctic summit
Secretary of state Rex Tillerson signed the Fairbanks Declaration, calling for climate action but holding judgement on the Paris Agreement
Tillerson to answer climate questions at Arctic Council
US secretary of state will fly to the world’s fastest warming region to join ministers in a statement that could sit uncomfortably with his president’s anti-climate agenda
India reaffirms Paris climate commitments
Piyush Goyal told a UN energy forum in Vienna India would pursue clean energy “irrespective of what others do”, in a nod to the US debate
Top US climate lawyer joins UN Foundation from state department
Susan Biniaz, who played a key role in drafting the US-China and Paris deals, will continue to work on international climate change issues
Africa clean energy row continues in Bonn
African leaders are no-one’s “puppet”, says head of the African group of climate negotiators, after $10bn scheme was said to have been hijacked by the EU
The US is no longer worthy of the Paris agreement
The Paris agreement is a club for countries who are part of a global effort to tackle dangerous climate change. The US no longer meets these admission criteria.
Worst land-related killings in decades expose Amazon’s lawless frontier
Nine men were brutally killed last month in a remote Brazilian settlement where deforestation, land grabbing and violence go unpunished
Climate advocates in Bonn stumped by Trump dilemma
Defenders of the Paris climate agreement are fudging the question of whether nations, namely the US, should be allowed to water down their commitments
Trump warned leaving Paris accord risks bad deals at G7, G20
Delegates at Bonn climate talks warn of wider diplomatic repercussions if the US withdraws from the Paris climate deal
Solar power brings light to dark corners of Indian train stations
A push to green India’s vast railway network with solar panels and LEDs also helps passengers and homeless migrants feel safe