Climate politics

Climate Weekly: The ripple effect

Climate Weekly: The ripple effect

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EU stumble weakens global drive for climate ambition

EU stumble weakens global drive for climate ambition

As the EU struggles to agree a net zero climate target, observers raised concerns over the ‘global ramifications’ of its domestic disagreement

EU climate deal fails amid four-nation revolt

EU climate deal fails amid four-nation revolt

Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary and Poland blocked an agreement on a net zero carbon target for 2050

UK forms citizens' assembly on climate change

UK forms citizens’ assembly on climate change

A cross-section of society will be invited to debate how to share the costs and rewards of meeting the government’s net zero emissions target

Brazil and EU face off over future of carbon trading

Brazil and EU face off over future of carbon trading

The next generation of carbon markets could make or break the Paris Agreement, say negotiators as talks resume in Bonn

'Gentlemen's agreement' could leave 1.5C science report out of formal UN talks

‘Gentlemen’s agreement’ could leave 1.5C science report out of formal UN talks

Unless objections from Saudi Arabia can be overcome by next week, a major scientific study may be sidelined in discussions on the Paris Agreement

Merkel, fallen climate chancellor, has a chance to save her legacy

Merkel, fallen climate chancellor, has a chance to save her legacy

This week’s European Council meeting is Germany’s moment to clean up a tarnished reputation, writes a former UN climate chief

UK expected to host 2020 UN climate talks in deal with Italy

UK expected to host 2020 UN climate talks in deal with Italy

Joint proposal would send the pivotal talks to Britain, overcoming European uncertainty about Brexit

Latest climate politics

Brexit

London bids to host 2020 UN climate talks to show UK remains ‘open’

London bids to host 2020 UN climate talks to show UK remains ‘open’

Mayor Sadiq Khan writes to UK prime minster urging every effort to win the presidency of Cop26 in the face of a competing bid from Italy

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

Brexit

UN Climate Talks

Five things to watch at UN climate talks in Bonn

Five things to watch at UN climate talks in Bonn

From contentious rules on carbon trading, through efforts to raise ambition to who will host next year’s summit, negotiators have a full agenda this fortnight

EU aims for long term climate deal by 'early 2020'

EU aims for long term climate deal by ‘early 2020’

Draft conclusions for a meeting of EU leaders indicate the bloc will not set its 2050 climate target this year, despite pressure from the UN secretary general

EU should not raise 2030 climate target, says Juncker

EU should not raise 2030 climate target, says Juncker

Ahead of a meeting of European leaders, the European Commission president says raising the bloc’s Paris Agreement target ‘does not make sense’

UN Environment official attacks agency’s own carbon offsetting policy

UN Environment official attacks agency’s own carbon offsetting policy

Confusion reigns as UN Environment publishes, then retracts, an article criticising the use of carbon credits to make up for polluting activities

EU plans first satellite fleet to monitor CO2 in every country

EU plans first satellite fleet to monitor CO2 in every country

Three orbiters will give first complete view of earth’s surface, transforming the way carbon emissions are monitored and reported

Brazil reverses decision to cancel Latin American climate week

Brazil reverses decision to cancel Latin American climate week

Government backtracks under pressure from mayor of host city, who is a political friend of president Jair Bolsonaro

Merkel pledges to make Germany carbon neutral by 2050

Merkel pledges to make Germany carbon neutral by 2050

The chancellor said her “climate cabinet” would consider how to get to net-zero emissions, aligning Germany with states calling for higher EU-wide ambition

Brazil cancels Latin American climate summit

Brazil cancels Latin American climate summit

After backing out of hosting the 2019 UN climate summit, the Bolsonaro administration has changed its plan to hold a week-long event in Salvador

UN climate talks

Paris Agreement

Which countries have a net zero carbon goal?

Which countries have a net zero carbon goal?

A growing number of governments are setting targets to end their contribution to global warming. Bookmark this page to stay up to date

Australia's emissions rise again, putting Paris climate promise in doubt

Australia’s emissions rise again, putting Paris climate promise in doubt

Data showing increase was released late, in defiance of a senate order, but leaked to a major newspaper, leading to accusations of contempt of parliament

UK government mulls emissions fudge, against official advice

UK government mulls emissions fudge, against official advice

The Financial Times reports the government will ignore guidance and use surplus from outperforming one carbon budget to meet the next goal

How can the biodiversity and climate crises be tackled together?

How can the biodiversity and climate crises be tackled together?

The protection of nature is a major weapon against the climate crisis, but it remains on the periphery of diplomacy and finance. That might be changing

House passes bill opposing Trump Paris Agreement withdrawal

House passes bill opposing Trump Paris Agreement withdrawal

The symbolic legislation seeks to compel the administration to adhere to its climate pledges and cut off funding for the US withdrawal from Paris

The Paris Agreement always needed Extinction Rebellion and Greta Thunberg

The Paris Agreement always needed Extinction Rebellion and Greta Thunberg

Even as governments agreed the ambitious goals of the 2015 global pact, it was clear citizens would have to mobilise to hold them to their promises

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

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

Paris Agreement