Last month’s average temperatures across the world were the fourth warmest for April since records began in 1950. The Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) found temperatures were above average over south-west Europe last month, with Spain and Portugal recording their highest April temperatures. The C3S, which is part of the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts and […]
It is a measure of how technology has advanced that a modern smartphone is now more powerful than the vast computer Nasa used to manage the 1969 Apollo 11 mission, which culminated in Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin walking on the Moon. This extraordinary progress in computing power is set to continue and even accelerate, because the […]
The Cop28 summit in the UAE could produce a new global battle plan to curb the worst effects of climate change, diplomats have said. A new “road map” could set out a way forward on switching to clean energy and helping vulnerable countries prepare for disasters. The idea was discussed at talks in Berlin this week jointly hosted by Germany and […]
Getting global climate goals back on track means the Cop28 summit in the UAE must rise to meet high expectations and overcome low levels of trust, especially in the countries hardest hit by change, said Dr Sultan Al Jaber, the meeting’s president-designate. Pointing to the latest report that the world was “off-track” to meet the […]
The leaders of Britain and Germany have been challenged to throw their weight behind a shake-up of global finance to pay for climate action in developing countries. The call comes as Germany hosts the three-day Petersberg Climate Dialogue, a summit laying the groundwork for Cop28 in the UAE. The developing world is lobbying for funds to deal with climate-related disasters that are […]
The UK government has been criticised for scrapping its most senior climate diplomat post, previously held by Nick Bridge. Prof Sir David King, the former special representative for climate change from 2013-2017, called the decision “extremely disappointing” and a “very backward step”. He urged the government to reconsider and appoint a strong person for the role. Prof King highlighted […]
Economic woes now trump environmental concerns around the world, according to a recent study by market research company Ipsos. While sustainability still ranks within the top five issues in many countries, there is also a growing feeling of despondence among people as to how much impact they can make on an individual level. This is compounded by […]
The UK government is set to announce new plans that will impose tougher fines on water companies to tackle pollution. Environment secretary Therese Coffey is expected to unveil the measures next week. The government aims to “make polluters pay” and establish a “water restoration fund” where fines levied on water companies will be placed. Under the proposed plans, water companies […]
A banking crisis in the US and Switzerland and the pivot to higher interest rates to fight inflation have increased risks to financial stability, but there are “green shoots” appearing, especially in China, that are positive for the world economy, the International Monetary Fund‘s managing director has said. “Policymakers have acted decisively in response to financial stability risks, and advanced economy central […]
All countries must work together to achieve the objective of limiting global temperature rises to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, a leading climate change champion has said. Dan Jorgensen, Denmark’s Minister for Development Co-operation and Global Climate Policy, said important progress had been made in talks between more than 40 nations at the two-day Copenhagen Climate Ministerial summit. […]
