Hungary sets 2050 climate neutrality goal in law, issues green bond
Headline target aligns with EU goals but short term action does not measure up, experts say, with green funds earmarked to keep trains running
Coronavirus delays work to protect the world’s poor from climate shocks
Travel restrictions and patchy internet access are slowing down efforts to improve resilience to weather extremes like cyclones Amphan and Nisarga
Japan to launch ‘green recovery’ platform and ministerial meeting
Environment minister Shinjirō Koizumi is seeking to boost international cooperation on climate change through the response to the coronavirus pandemic
Covid-hit UK begins 18-month preparations for UN climate summit
The stakes of the next climate talks have been raised as countries make decisions to reboot the economy that could impact climate action for years to come
EU €750 billion Covid recovery fund comes with green conditions
A quarter of spending has been earmarked for climate action and a ‘do no harm’ clause rules out environmentally damaging investments
Next UN climate summit to be delayed to November 2021, UK hosts propose
The Cop26 negotiations in Glasgow, UK, are likely to be held a full year later than planned, to allow time to bring the coronavirus pandemic under control
Airlines could get free pass on climate for five years under industry proposal
The industry is lobbying to rewrite the rules of a UN aviation pact, in a move researchers say would remove pressure to invest in clean flying technology
China prioritises employment over GDP growth in coronavirus recovery
Climate watchers are cautiously hopeful Beijing will not turn to polluting infrastructure to rebuild the economy, but specific assurances are lacking
Rwanda submits tougher emission-cutting plan to the UN
The Kigali government is the first in Africa to strengthen its commitment to emissions cuts by 2030 and ramp up its adaptation plan
Coal generator uses investment treaty to fight Netherlands coal phaseout
Uniper is using a controversial investor dispute system to claim up to €1 billion compensation for being forced to close a coal power station early
Denmark proposes two huge ‘energy islands’ to meet 2030 climate target
With a total capacity of 4GW, offshore wind power hubs in the North and Baltic Seas are to help the country cut emissions by 70% in the next decade
EU plans to protect 30% of land and seas by 2030 for biodiversity
The European Commission set out a strategy to overhaul farming and strictly protect carbon-rich forests and wetlands, to benefit wildlife
Coronavirus lockdown cut energy-related CO2 emissions 17%, study finds
Early estimates show deep cuts to emissions from air and road travel as a result of public health measures, but scientists warn these are only temporary
Spain unveils climate law to cut emissions to net zero by 2050
The government hopes the draft law, which would ban all new coal, oil and gas projects with immediate effect, will shape the recovery effort to Covid-19
Watchdog: Germany must reach net zero emissions by 2038
An independent advisory body on environmental policy warned Germany risks exhausting its carbon budget by 2029 without robust climate action
Shorter supply chains needed to end hunger after pandemic: UN envoy
The coronavirus crisis has heightened inequities of food availability and nutrition. A 2021 Food System Summit aims to boost resilience and sustainability
Covid-19 outbreak in Polish coal mines heaps further pain on struggling sector
The health crisis could lead to mine closures and further weaken Poland’s coal industry, which has lobbied against tough EU climate targets
Coronavirus lockdown speeds India’s shift from coal to solar power
Renewable energy sources are proving resilient in the Covid-19 crisis, while analysts say coal power capacity could peak this decade
South Korean government backs $2 billion bailout to coal company, despite green finance pledge
Campaigners ask government to explain relief for coal plant manufacturer Doosan Heavy Industries, contrary to its promise to end coal financing
Amazon faces ‘perfect storm’ of forest clearance, coronavirus and wildfire
President Jair Bolsonaro’s opening up of the Brazilian rainforest to logging and mining makes its people vulnerable to the Covid-19 pandemic, experts warn