Trade war would harm the environment, warns UN green chief
Donald Trump’s punitive tariffs and the reaction could undermine global cooperation and slow the transition to a sustainable world, says Erik Solheim
Airlines eye massive carbon handout
Brazil and China behind push to allow billions of tonnes of old carbon credits to be used to offset future growth in pollution
Netherlands proposes 95% emissions cut by 2050 in draft climate law
Under proposals backed by seven political parties across the spectrum, the Netherlands could set one of the most ambitious carbon targets in the world
Warming of 2C ‘substantially’ more harmful than 1.5C – draft UN report
Latest version of major UN science report concludes the upper temperature goal of the Paris Agreement does not represent a climate safe zone
Colombia tree loss spikes as peace deal leads to land grabs
The area of forest cleared in Colombia jumped 46% last year, data compiled by the World Resources Institute show, in an “alarming” trend
Australia PM: coal to play a role in energy mix “possibly forever”
Malcolm Turnbull supports most polluting fuel amid wrangling over energy policy, despite Australia lagging its emission reduction target
Half of member states back stronger EU climate action
The “green growth group” is calling for an increased climate commitment by 2020 in line with the tougher 1.5C warming limit in the Paris Agreement
Gas is not the answer to shipping’s climate impact, study warns
The EU is investing heavily in LNG as a cleaner fuel for shipping, but it will not go far enough to cut emissions by 2050, according to consultancy UMAS
Mysterious emissions of banned greenhouse gas traced to Chinese factories
Illegal production of CFC-11 in China has a climate impact equivalent to 16-20 coal power plants, the Environmental Investigation Agency estimates
Climate Weekly: Cogs turn for ambition
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Eight EU countries signal openness to increased Paris climate pledge
UK among signatories of call for greater ambition, one day after the EU climate chief said the bloc could raise its Paris commitment. Poland was notably absent
Eastern Europe turns to private sector as EU clean energy budget cut
Czech officials warn the loss of EU structural funds and carbon market revenues leave a funding gap for renewable and energy efficiency projects
UK government refuses to commit to EU clean energy targets after Brexit
The UK helped craft a deal on EU renewable and energy efficiency ambition but its participation after it leaves the union is uncertain
EU can increase 2030 pledge to Paris Agreement, says climate chief
The EU should raise its Paris deal pledge to a 45% emissions cut by 2030, commissioner Miguel Arias Cañete tells ministers in Brussels
EU decides on non-binding 2030 energy efficiency target
Deal between lawmakers and ministers will cut energy waste 32.5% and reduce reliance on fossil fuel imports, but didn’t go far enough for green groups
Merkel: Auto and coal workers need to know what their next jobs are
At a meeting of climate ministers in Berlin, the German chancellor stressed the importance of re-training to help people take part in a greener economy
EU climate efforts not living up to Paris promises, says NGO
Report ranking national efforts finds many European nations are working against efforts to increase ambition to act on climate change
Climate action must protect economy and society, say Germany and Poland
As officials meet for talks in Berlin, Europe’s biggest coal states call for a ‘just transition’ from fossil fuels
Pakistani senator calls for climate cooperation with India amid water crisis
As drought bites, senate opposition leader Sherry Rehman says climate action is a security priority for South Asia
Canada and Argentina to peer review each other’s fossil fuel subsidies
G7 and G20 hosts commit to a process they hope will help them phase out taxpayer support for coal, oil and gas