Latest climate change news
Poland, Hungary threaten to derail EU plans to raise 2030 climate ambition
Efforts to strengthen the EU climate target risk being sidelined as leaders head for a showdown over democratic values
Malaysian bank to phase out coal finance, in a victory for campaigners
CIMB has been hailed as the first major bank in an emerging market to publish a coal exit strategy, after investing $2.6 billion in the sector last decade
‘Looking for positivity’: Parisversaire party to revive momentum on climate
After a year disrupted by coronavirus, national leaders are expected to announce climate commitments on Saturday, the fifth anniversary of the Paris Agreement
Czech commission calls for coal phase-out by 2038
Environmental groups, which urged the commission to endorse a 2033 end date, slammed the decision as ‘absurdly late’, while studies show a 2030 exit is feasible
Denmark outpaces UK in race to zero – Climate Weekly
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Denmark to phase out oil and gas production by 2050 in “watershed” decision
The EU’s largest oil producer has agreed to cancel new oil and gas licences and wind down production, in a bid for climate leadership
UK announces stronger 2030 emissions target, setting the bar for ambition summit
The UK will cut emissions 68% from 1990 to 2030, Boris Johnson announced, urging other leaders to bring new commitments to the 5th anniversary of the Paris Agreement
China’s environment ministry floats ‘ban’ on coal power investment abroad
A Chinese government-commissioned report proposes stricter environmental standards for “belt and road” investments, but it needs buy-in from financial institutions
Coal, oil and gas production to blow climate targets despite pandemic dip, report warns
UN-backed Production Gap report projects a 2% annual rise in global fossil fuel output this decade, when 6% cuts are needed in line with a 1.5C warming limit
Guterres: UN will build global coalition for carbon neutrality in 2021
UN chief Antonio Guterres warned “the planet is broken”, calling for a “quantum leap” on getting to net zero emissions in 2021
WMO: Siberian heatwave put 2020 among three hottest years on record
Temperatures reached 38C in Siberia, leading to wildfires and increased melting of the sea ice and putting 2020 on course for 1.2C warming globally
Brazil must reverse deforestation trends before EU finalises Mercosur trade deal
Imazon study finds indigenous people’s territories at greatest risk from forest clearance as a result of growing agricultural activity under the agreement
UK scrambles to decide first post-Brexit climate pledge to the Paris Agreement
The Cop26 host is on a tight timeline to set a 2030 carbon-cutting target separate from the EU’s, ahead of an ambition summit on the fifth anniversary of Paris
Rich countries, remember your $100bn climate commitment to the world’s poor
As finance ministers finalise national budgets for 2021, they must meet their promises to protect the vulnerable from climate change impacts
The damage of four lost years – Climate Weekly
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Youth activists demand damages for climate victims at virtual ‘mock Cop26’
Making polluters pay for losses suffered by communities on the frontline of climate impacts is a priority for young activists, as they prepare to engage with UN negotiations
EU urged to address aviation’s full climate impact, including non-CO2 emissions
Air travel is heating the climate at approximately three times the rate of the sector’s carbon dioxide emissions alone, report finds, with major policy implications
As UN action on ship emissions falls short, attention turns to regions
The International Maritime Organization set minimal curbs on shipping’s 1Gt carbon footprint this decade. Here’s how the EU, US and China could decarbonise the sector
UK aid budget cuts undermine trust ahead of Cop26 summit, experts warn
As developing countries prepare to negotiate a scaling up of climate finance at next year’s Cop26, the UK host faces criticism for reneging on its aid commitment
Joe Biden picks John Kerry as the US’ presidential envoy on climate change
Veteran diplomat John Kerry said the next US administration would treat the climate crisis as “the urgent national security threat it is”