Climate politics

Extinction Rebellion proposal inspired by Irish climate, abortion wins

Extinction Rebellion proposal inspired by Irish climate, abortion wins

The protest group wants a citizens assembly in the UK; across the Irish sea that laid the groundwork for new political settlements on previously divisive issues

As climate fight enters new phase, local responses are starved of funding

As climate fight enters new phase, local responses are starved of funding

Global, one-size-fits-all solutions work for cutting emissions, but adapting to warming requires an altogether different approach

World Bank criticised for coal, oil and gas funding

World Bank criticised for coal, oil and gas funding

While the influential development bank has scaled up clean energy finance, fossil fuels are still getting a larger share of support, campaigners found

Climate Weekly: Eyes on new World Bank chief

Climate Weekly: Eyes on new World Bank chief

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Chile reveals venue, climate champion for Cop25 summit

Chile reveals venue, climate champion for Cop25 summit

The UN climate negotiations in December will be held in purpose-built structures at Cerrillos Bicentennial Park, Santiago, the presidency revealed on Thursday

India elects: Congress takes on Modi with green promises

India elects: Congress takes on Modi with green promises

The main opposition party will treat air pollution as a national emergency and tackle climate change impacts if elected, it promises as India goes to the polls

EU split over gas infrastructure's role in energy transition

EU split over gas infrastructure’s role in energy transition

Eleven member states and the European Commission refused to sign a declaration they said did not match the bloc’s climate commitments

Climate Weekly: EU-China climate progress stalls

Climate Weekly: EU-China climate progress stalls

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Latest climate politics

Brexit

UK and Italy bid for 2020 climate talks, amid political uncertainty for both

UK and Italy bid for 2020 climate talks, amid political uncertainty for both

Both countries face potential general elections and economic problems before the crucial Cop26 meeting and the UK may still be in a Brexit imbroglio

Belfast's bid to join UK environment law raises post-Brexit border issues

Belfast’s bid to join UK environment law raises post-Brexit border issues

Adding Northern Ireland to the environment law adds pressure on London to keep its regulations in step with the EU’s

New UK green watchdog to be based on EU system, says Gove

New UK green watchdog to be based on EU system, says Gove

‘Whatever else are the defects of the EU – that is a good working model,’ the environment secretary told MPs

UK bill would weaken environmental law after Brexit, legal experts tell MPs

UK bill would weaken environmental law after Brexit, legal experts tell MPs

The bill creates ‘get-out-of-jail-free cards’ for ministers and exposes the environment watchdog to government influence, they said

Ireland needs new oil and gas fields to ease reliance on Brexit UK, say drillers

Ireland needs new oil and gas fields to ease reliance on Brexit UK, say drillers

Oil and gas explorers are gearing up to drill offshore Ireland in a bid to boost its energy independence from Britain

Irish energy industry calls for new links to Europe amid Brexit fears

Irish energy industry calls for new links to Europe amid Brexit fears

Grid operator boss calls on Brussels to approve funding for a new electricity connection to France to avoid isolation from continent

In Ireland, Brexit proofing must mean climate proofing

In Ireland, Brexit proofing must mean climate proofing

Brexit has led to delays in climate action just at the moment when bold plans could soften the impact of the UK divorce, writes MEP Lynn Boylan

No deal Brexit to leave UK without green watchdog for two years - report

No deal Brexit to leave UK without green watchdog for two years – report

Changes to UK environment oversight and the Irish power market will not be set by 29 March, the Institute for Government said, and a crash out will leave no time to do so

Brexit

UN Climate Talks

'Laggard' Ireland takes step toward net-zero carbon goal

‘Laggard’ Ireland takes step toward net-zero carbon goal

A cross-party parliamentary group wants carbon budgets, a higher tax and green agriculture support to reverse the country’s lax policies

NGO ignored warnings about bullying boss, before and after tragedy

NGO ignored warnings about bullying boss, before and after tragedy

In a movement for a fairer, safer world, young women were told their story was not as important as the cause they believed in

UN climate body bids for 26% core budget increase

UN climate body bids for 26% core budget increase

Despite pressure from the likes of US and Brazil to rein in costs, the UN is seeking extra government funding to put the Paris Agreement into practice

After 25 years of failure, we should abandon the UNFCCC

After 25 years of failure, we should abandon the UNFCCC

Emissions are at record levels and the international treaty designed to rein them in cannot drive action, it is time for new ideas to be explored

Leaders told to bring plans, not speeches to UN climate summit

Leaders told to bring plans, not speeches to UN climate summit

A landmark conference hosted by Antonio Guterres in September aims to jolt flagging international action on climate change, in line with the latest science

Climate Weekly: Putin and Paris

Climate Weekly: Putin and Paris

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UK Conservative politicians back 'inspirational' school climate strikers

UK Conservative politicians back ‘inspirational’ school climate strikers

Public opinion and government ministers back young people skipping school to protest climate inaction, in contrast to the prime minister’s early scepticism

US and Saudi Arabia block geoengineering governance push

US and Saudi Arabia block geoengineering governance push

Countries failed to agree on a Swiss resolution to consider regulating technologies that aim to cool the planet, at the UN Environment Assembly in Nairobi

UN climate talks

Paris Agreement

Russia floats first law to regulate CO2 emissions

Russia floats first law to regulate CO2 emissions

Draft bill would give government powers to regulate CO2 and create carbon markets, but faces stiff opposition inside and outside Moscow administration

Costa Rica targets electric cars and forest growth in 2050 climate strategy

Costa Rica targets electric cars and forest growth in 2050 climate strategy

President Carlos Alvarado Quesada has launched an economy-wide plan to slash his country’s greenhouse gas emissions by mid-century

Stalemate in Poland revealed central tension of Paris Agreement

Stalemate in Poland revealed central tension of Paris Agreement

Centralised governance is a thing of the past; a new era of climate diplomacy must find ways to accommodate national difference

Russia reviews ratification of Paris Agreement

Russia reviews ratification of Paris Agreement

A report on formally joining the climate deal is due for completion by the end of the month, while a key industry lobby has reversed its opposition

BP backs shareholder call to align its strategy with Paris climate goals

BP backs shareholder call to align its strategy with Paris climate goals

The oil and gas major will have to set out how its strategy and investments fit with targets to limit global temperature rise, under new resolution

World leaders face test of climate commitment in 2019

World leaders face test of climate commitment in 2019

After a technically successful but politically lacklustre climate summit last year, it is time to see which countries will heed scientific warnings and crank up ambition

As it happened: Final scramble for deal at climate talks in Poland

As it happened: Final scramble for deal at climate talks in Poland

Reaction, news and analysis from the CHN team on the ground in Poland as negotiators reach the end of two weeks of talks

China open to 'uniform' climate rules, sidestepping old allies

China open to ‘uniform’ climate rules, sidestepping old allies

Shift comes as EU and China hastily draft proposals to break an impasse on the toughest issues at UN climate talks in Poland

Paris Agreement