Climate and Environment

COP29 and COP30 High-Level Champions meet for first time in Bonn

The second day of the annual June Climate Meetings in Bonn focused on preparations for the upcoming COP30 conference.

A wave of Investment: CAF pledges additional $2.5 billion for ocean health

The Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF) announced Saturday a significant boost to its commitment to ocean health, pledging an additional $2.5 billion in investments aimed at protecting marine ecosystems and fostering sustainable blue economic activities.

Cities are sinking: A global crisis beneath our feet

While the world's attention is often captured by rising sea levels, another critical environmental crisis is unfolding beneath our feet: land subsidence.

Environmental crisis in the South Caucasus: Armenia's mining pollution endangers regional water resources and health

Armenia's unchecked mining pollution poses a severe environmental crisis, imperilling water resources and health across the South Caucasus, including Azerbaijan. Heavy metal contamination in shared rivers threatens ecosystems and human well-being, demanding urgent international action.

Sea-level rise will threaten coastlines even if 1.5C climate target is met, scientists warn

Even if global warming is limited to 1.5°C — the goal set by nearly 200 countries — rising seas will still pose a major threat to coastal communities for centuries, scientists say.

10 killed, 10 missing after flash flood and landslide in Indonesia’s West Papua

At least 10 people have died and another 10 remain missing following a flash flood and landslide in Indonesia’s West Papua province.

Drought over large parts of Europe raises concern

Latest data show dwindling river flows and worsening drought: these conditions are triggered by warmer-than-average weather and lower precipitation across much of the continent since the beginning of the year, according to the Drought in Europe – April 2025 report, published by the JRC.

World goes dark in commemoration of 'Earth hour'

The Sydney opera house, and other iconic national monuments round the world turned off their lights at 8:30pm local time to commemorate earth hour.

Cities face 'whiplash' of floods, droughts as temperatures rise, study warns

A WaterAid study finds major cities swinging between droughts and floods as climate change disrupts water cycles. Asia faces more floods, while Europe and the Middle East dry out. Cities like Hangzhou and Jakarta suffer extreme shifts, urging urgent infrastructure adaptation.

UK reaffirms commitment to climate goals amid US Paris exit

Despite the US exit from the Paris Agreement, UK climate envoy Rachel Kyte reaffirms Britain’s commitment to climate goals, stressing the importance of global action and green energy investments.

23 trapped after avalanche in Indian mountain state

Twenty three people remain trapped under snow in an avalanche in India's mountain state of Uttarakhand after heavy snowfall.

One dead, two missing as cyclone Garance hits French island of La Reunion

One person has died and two others are missing after cyclone Garance made landfall in French overseas territory, La Reunion with top speeds of 96 mph.

Almond trees bloom early in Spain due to unseasonal warmth and climate change

Almond trees in northeastern Spain started to bloom in late January, nearly three weeks earlier than usual.

Most Countries Miss UN Deadline for New Climate Targets

Many countries have missed a United Nations deadline to submit updated climate targets, as efforts to address global warming face challenges following the election of U.S. President Donald Trump.

Global temperatures exceed 1.5°C above pre-Industrial levels for the first time

The European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) has confirmed 2024 as the first full year in which global temperatures exceeded 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. The milestone, driven by human-caused climate change, signals a significant shift in global temperature trends.

2024 Set to Exceed Climate Threshold, Experts Warn of Accelerating Crisis

Rising global temperatures are set to make 2024 the warmest year on record, exceeding the critical 1.5°C threshold above pre-industrial levels. With no cooling La Niña event, experts warn that this acceleration in warming underscores the urgent need for global action on emissions.

Fierce debate over curbs on plastic output as treaty deadline looms

Super Typhoon Man-Yi Weakens as It Sweeps Through the Philippines

Super Typhoon Man-Yi hit Luzon, forcing over a million evacuations and causing damage. The storm is weakening as it moves through the region.

The White House's mixed signals on climate and oil

World reportedly set to miss Paris climate targets due to nitrous oxide increase

A new global report highlights the urgent need to reduce nitrous oxide emissions, as failing to do so threatens the Paris climate agreement's goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

Guterres Calls for Urgent Action to Combat Plastic Pollution Crisis

UN Secretary-General António Guterres urges negotiators in Cali, Colombia, to create an “ambitious, credible, and just” treaty to combat plastic pollution, emphasizing the need for urgent action and recognition of waste-pickers' vital role in recycling efforts.