Seafood companies and retailers threaten to boycott north-east Atlantic catch after two-decade failure to agree sustainable quotasA coalition of British seafood companies and retailers, including Young's, Tesco, Sainsbury's, Aldi and Waitrose, has condemned the collective failure" of the UK, Norway and other states to reach agreement on the sustainable fishing of mackerel in the north-east Atlantic.Lack of political agreement over a decade has led to an overfishing disaster of potentially epic proportions", conservationists say, leading to 44% more fish being caught than is sustainable. Continue reading...
As officials prepare to gather in Nairobi, Kenya, for the third stage of talks on a UN plastic pollution treaty, new photos show the scale of the waste problem less than 8 miles from the UN Environment Programme building where the talks will take place. Nairobi's Dandora dump site is one of the largest in Africa Continue reading...
Move would cost less than $5bn and cut toll of deaths from power outages and lack of supply, Cop28 delegates will hearAll healthcare facilities in poorer countries could be electrified using solar energy within five years for less than $5bn, putting an end to the risk of life from power outages, experts will argue at Cop28 this month.I would like the international community to commit to a deadline and funding to electrify all healthcare facilities," said Salvatore Vinci, an adviser on sustainable energy at the World Health Organization and a member of its Cop28 delegation. We have solutions now that were not available 10 years ago - there is no reason why babies should be dying today because there is not electricity to power their incubators. Continue reading...
The Neretva, in Bosnia and Herzegovina, is one of the most biodiverse rivers on the continent - supporting bears, wolves, lynx and many rare species - but more than 50 planned dams could permanently transform the ecosystemAt the bottom of a ravine, near the mountain town of Ulog, in Bosnia and Herzegovina, lie the sparkling turquoise waters of the Ljuta, a tributary of the Neretva. In its upper stretches, the Neretva is one of Europe's most unspoiled rivers, and it appears to be a scene of pristine wilderness.But lethal landmines left behind from the country's two-decades-old conflict litter its forested slopes, and wild dogs roam the trails. Poring over a map from the country's mine action centre, ecologist Gabriel Singer, a professor at the Institute of Ecology at the University of Innsbruck, assesses the safest route. Red and black lines indicating where mines lie mark both sides of the Neretva where it meets the Ljuta, leaving just one perilously steep slope navigable. Continue reading...
Improvement targets for horticulture and poultry reduced after lobbying from National Farmers' UnionThe UK government has weakened energy efficiency targets for farmers after lobbying from the National Farmers' Union.The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) had proposed a 40.9% energy efficiency improvement target for horticulture and a 12% target for poultry in order to cut the carbon footprint of the farming sector and reduce the reliance on fossil fuels to heat greenhouses and sheds. Continue reading...
There is an unprecedented global swing towards solar and wind power under wayIf you're searching for some hope on the climate crisis before the Cop28 UN meeting in Dubai this month, try this: China may be changing direction on pollution earlier than expected.Lauri Myllyvirta, a longtime China analyst now with the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air, calculated that CO emissions from the world's biggest national polluter are likely to fall next year and could then go into structural decline". Continue reading...
Labour leader aims to set up British jobs bonus fund' to challenge oil firms to accelerate shift to clean energyKeir Starmer has challenged the oil industry to dramatically speed up its shift to clean energy by offering up to 2.5bn to subsidise new jobs in renewables for North Sea workers.The Labour leader has told executives from firms including Shell and BP that the UK is in a global race to move away from oil and gas, with competitor countries such as the US investing billions in climate-friendly technologies. Continue reading...
Annual funding promise made in 2009 to help poor countries deal with climate crisis had original 2020 targetThe totemic promise by rich countries to provide $100bn (80bn) a year to the poor world in climate finance has finally been met, two years after the deadline, data published on Thursday shows.About $89.6bn was provided to developing countries in 2021, according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, and that sum was likely to have exceeded $100bn in 2022, based on OECD preliminary data. Continue reading...
Nine women used hammers and chisels to shatter building's windows in April 2021 as part of Extinction Rebellion protestNine climate protesters have been cleared by a jury of causing 500,000 worth of criminal damage to the windows at the headquarters of HSBC bank in London.The women, who were all taking action as members of Extinction Rebellion, sang and chanted as they shattered the custom-made glass windows with hammers and chisels at about 7am on 22 April 2021. Continue reading...
Superb singers, pollen showers and some jambalaya on the bayou. The winners of the sixth annual BirdLife Australia Bird Photography awards have been announced
Researcher says data suggests permit conditions breached on up to 70 days, but United Utilities disputes findingsSuspected illegal dumping of raw sewage into Windermere took place on up to 70 days in 2022, a year in which campaigners said the lake had its worst summer of harmful algal blooms, according to analysis of data released under environmental information rules.Prof Peter Hammond, whose research first identified the scale of illegal raw sewage discharges from English water companies, has analysed detailed data on spills and treatment by United Utilities, which was released by the Environment Agency. Continue reading...
Government and Ofgem aim to prevent delays to projects such as Tata's 4bn electric battery factoryThe UK energy secretary could be handed powers to fast-track connecting electricity-hungry projects, such as Jaguar Land Rover's owner Tata's planned electric battery factory, to the grid, under plans being discussed between government and regulators.Amid concerns about delays of up to 15 years in hooking up large schemes, the Guardian understands the move would allow Claire Coutinho to request that energy network companies accelerate upgrades to substations and power lines to connect specific new developments. Continue reading...
Scientists in eastern China find 24 out of 28 water samples have plastic particles commonly seen in synthetic fibers and packagingAir, water, soil, food and even blood - microplastics have found their way virtually everywhere on Earth, and now that list includes clouds.Bits of plastic particles were recently discovered above eastern China, with new research showing that these microplastics could influence cloud formation and the weather. Continue reading...
Species populations falling, with some decreasing due to loss of habitat and less food availabilityMore than half the seabird species breeding on British and Irish coasts have declined over the last 20 years, according to the most comprehensive census to date.Eleven of 21 nesting seabirds species have fallen, five species have remained stable and five have increased, some because of targeted conservation work, according to the Seabirds Count survey. Continue reading...
Former chair of climate change committee says UK's decision has encouraged other countries to keep exploiting fossil fuelsThe UK's decision to open a new coalmine in Cumbria was a disaster" that encouraged other countries to press ahead with fossil fuels, and the continued expansion of North Sea oil and gas is likely to continue the harm, a former chief adviser to the government has said.Other countries are using the UK as an excuse for pressing ahead with fossil fuel projects despite their climate commitments, according to Adair Turner, the first chair of the Committee on Climate Change and a former head of the CBI. Continue reading...
Concerns rose when no wind projects were put forward for government's recent clean energy auctionThe government will offer significantly higher subsidies for new offshore windfarms after crisis talks with developers that are battling cost inflation across global energy supply chains.Ministers have agreed to raise the starting price of the government's next auction for offshore wind subsidies by around two-thirds to 73 per megawatt hour to help more offshore windfarm projects to move ahead despite higher costs. Continue reading...
by Tamsin Rose NSW state correspondent on (#6GDE0)
State wants to encourage more homeowners to have insurance amid fires and floods with emergency services to instead be funded by new contribution'The New South Wales emergency services levy will be cut from home insurance premiums as part of a reform plan announced by the premier, Chris Minns, to fix the unsustainable" scheme.The change would lower the cost of insurance premiums which the government hopes would encourage more people to insure their homes in the face of greater fire and flood threats.Sign up for Guardian Australia's free morning and afternoon email newsletters for your daily news roundup Continue reading...
by Jillian Ambrose Energy correspondent on (#6GCV2)
Utility company to increase spending by 14% because of sharp rise in costs of building windfarms and electricity gridsThe boss of SSE has called on the government to take bold action to support the renewable energy industry as rising inflation across the global supply chains threaten to slow the rollout of new clean energy projects.The SSE chief executive, Alistair Phillips-Davies, told investors that the FTSE 100 utility would increase its spending by 14% to 20.5bn for its current budget in part because of a sharp rise in the costs of building windfarms and electricity grids. Continue reading...
The breakthrough has been welcomed by experts - but it lacks specific emissions cuts or a commitment to phase out fossil fuelsThe US and China's decision to rekindle a joint effort to tackle the climate crisis has provided sorely needed momentum ahead of crucial UN climate talks later this month, while still leaving some key questions unresolved around calling an end to the fossil fuel era.The difficult relationship between the world's two largest carbon emitters has somewhat thawed over the issue of global heating, with both sides indicating they see it as a shared menace set aside from other tensions around trade or the status of Taiwan. The US and China are alarmed" by the state of one of the greatest challenges of our time" and will work to resolve it despite other differences, as the countries' joint statement on Tuesday put it. Continue reading...
Analysis deems technology promoted by Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber dangerous red herring'Climate-wrecking emissions produced by the oil company of the Cop28 president, Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, would take hundreds of years to remove using the carbon capture technology he has been promoting.With just weeks to go until the crucial Cop28 climate summit, Al Jaber, who is the boss of United Arab Emirate oil company Adnoc, has been backing carbon capture as one solution to the climate crisis. Continue reading...
record increase in water-related violence shows how urgently we need to reduce these tensions between countriesIn recent months, the world has been bombarded with reports of attacks on major dams and civilian water systems in Ukraine, water being used as a weapon during the violence in Gaza and the West Bank, unrest and riots in India and Iran over water scarcity and drought, and conflicts between farmers and herders in Africa over land and water sources. Our limited and precious freshwater resources have become triggers, weapons and casualties of war and conflict.Water is vital for everything we want to do: it allows us to grow food, run industries and businesses, cook and clean our homes, and manage our wastes. Although there is plenty of water on Earth, it is unevenly distributed in space and time, with humid and arid regions as well as wet and dry seasons. These disparities lead to competition and disputes over water access and control. As populations and economies grow, the pressure on limited water supplies and the delicate ecosystems that depend on them is intensifying. And now, human-caused climate disruptions are affecting the planet's hydrologic cycle, worsening extreme weather events such as floods and droughts, altering rainfall patterns, melting glaciers and snowpacks, and leading to higher temperatures and increased water demands.Peter Gleick is co-founder and Senior Fellow of the Pacific Institute, Oakland, California, and author of the new book, The Three Ages of Water (PublicAffairs/Hachette 2023) Continue reading...
by Amy Hawkins Senior China correspondent on (#6GCKS)
Announcement fuels hope rivals can use Apec summit as a chance to reduce tensionsChina and the US have pledged to work together more closely to fight global heating, declaring the climate crisis one of the greatest challenges of our time", hours before a key meeting in San Francisco between Joe Biden and Xi Jinping.The announcement further fuels hopes that the two nations can mend relations after years of turmoil over issues including trade, human rights and the future of Taiwan. Continue reading...
Floods force evacuation of homes, schools and town halls in Calais region and in the AlpsWidespread flooding in northern and eastern France has led to thousands of people having to evacuate their waterlogged homes, the collapse of roads and the closure of schools and public buildings.Record rainfall has caused rivers to break their banks, forcing the government to declare an official state of emergency in hundreds of towns and villages. Continue reading...
Recharge Industries served with statutory demand from former employee that could lead to bankruptcy proceedings, FT reportsThe Australian owner of the failed car battery firm Britishvolt is reportedly facing legal action from a former employee over unpaid wages, in a move that could result in the company being wound up.Recharge Industries, which bought the business and assets of Britishvolt after it collapsed into administration this year, has been served with a statutory demand to pay the outstanding wages, according to the Financial Times. Continue reading...
by Damian Carrington Environment editor on (#6GCPE)
State oil company's huge expansion plans make its CEO's role as president of UN climate summit ridiculous', say researchersThe state oil company of the United Arab Emirates, whose CEO will preside over imminent UN climate negotiations, has the largest net-zero-busting expansion plans of any company in the world, according to new data.Sultan Al Jaber is the chief executive of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc) and president of the Cop28 summit, which begins on 30 November. The researchers behind the new data said Adnoc's huge planned expansion of oil and gas production was a clear conflict of interest and they said his position was ridiculous".$170bn has been spent by the industry on exploration for new oil and gas reserves since 2021.96% of the 700 companies that explore or develop new oil and gas fields are continuing to do so.More than 1,000 companies are planning new gas pipelines, gas-fired power plants or liquified natural gas (LNG) export terminals. Continue reading...
Quarter of new flood defence projects will also not go ahead, NAO finds, as Environment Agency blames cuts on inflationThe number of properties that will be better protected from flooding by 2027 has been cut by 40%, and 500 of 2,000 new flood defence projects have been abandoned, according to the National Audit Office (NAO).The number of homes forecast to be under enhanced flood protection by 2027 has been slashed from 336,000 to 200,000. This means 136,000 more homes will be at risk of flooding since plans were drawn up in 2020, figures from an NAO report show. Continue reading...
Annual competition inundated with a record number of votes after comedian took the Australasian crested grebe under his wingNew Zealand has crowned a bird that grunts, pukes and has a highly unusual repertoire of mating rituals as its bird of the century.The threatened Australasian crested grebe, or pteketeke, was thrown into the global spotlight by a powerful backer, British-American comedian and talkshow host John Oliver. Continue reading...
Here are some of the standout images from the 2023 Nature Conservancy photography contest. Entries from more than 80,000 photographers in 191 countries and territories were judged across 12 categories Continue reading...
It has a complicated face, like an intricate chest of drawers, or a jewellery box: press on this part and it opens to reveal a mouth, on that, and an eye pops outThis is a recipe for moeche, the green, soft-shelled crabs that live in Venetian lagoons: mix a batter of flour, eggs, salt and parmesan cheese in a bucket. Drop live crabs into the batter, which must be cold so that the crabs will feel at home. For 30 minutes, the last of their lives, let the moeche scuttle around in the batter, eating it. Then drop them into a pot of boiling hot oil: self-stuffing crabs.The moeche are crabs - true crabs" - that have moulted: they have soft shells for just a few hours, before their exoskeletons turn hard. To climb out of their too-small skins, they fill themselves up with water, so that the carapace splits. Then, they pull every part of themselves from their own skins - from the tips of their legs to their eyeballs.The first thing the intellect does with an object is to class it with something else. But any object that is infinitely important to us and awakens our devotion feels to us as if it must have been sui generis and unique. Probably a crab would be filled with a sense of personal outrage if it could hear us class it without ado or apology as a crustacean, and thus dispose of it. I am no such thing,' it would say, I am MYSELF, MYSELF alone.' Continue reading...
Killing critically endangered sturgeon to extract their eggs is not only unethical but unnecessary, say advocates of a more sustainable methodThe turning point for polar and marine scientist Angela Kohler came in 2005, when she attended a demonstration on caviar production in the Caspian Sea. Bringing out a two-metre female sturgeon in front of 150 conference guests, the caviar master beat the fish on the head to death before cutting its belly open. The masters suddenly became extremely nervous," she recalls. They went on to say that the eggs were too close to spawning and so they couldn't use them as caviar. They discarded the entire fish and began the process again with a new one."The brutality of the moment is something Kohler still remembers. As an expert in environmental toxicology, she was at the conference to study the damage to sturgeon populations and the Caspian Sea caused by chemical pollution. But the experience set her on a new mission: to find a way to produce no-kill" caviar. Continue reading...
by Jillian Ambrose Energy correspondent on (#6GC0V)
World's biggest wind power firm reported heavy losses after cancelling two US projectsThe world's biggest offshore wind developer, Denmark's Orsted, has lost two of its most senior executives after it abandoned a pair of windfarm projects off the US coast at a cost of more than 3bn.Orsted told investors that its chief financial officer, Daniel Lerup, and chief operating officer, Richard Hunter, had agreed to step down from their roles with immediate effect because the company needed new and different capabilities". Continue reading...
Government assessment says extreme weather events mean country suffers a disaster every three weeks, costing at least $1bnThe US is warming faster than the global average and its people are suffering far-reaching and worsening" consequences from the climate crisis, with worse to come, according to an authoritative report issued by the US government.An array of increasingly harmful impacts" is hitting every corner of the vast country, from extreme heat and sea level rise in Florida to depleted fish stocks and increased food insecurity in Alaska, the new National Climate Assessment has found. Continue reading...
Research shows global heating creates whiplash effect' of erratic extremes - often in poorest countriesExtreme drought in northern Italy has doubled over the past two decades, creating a climate that increasingly mirrors that of Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa, research shows.Analysis of satellite imagery and data by scientists reveals how global heating is creating a whiplash effect", creating erratic extremes. The analysis of climate data released by WaterAid and Cardiff and Bristol universities finds that under extreme climate pressures, areas that used to experience frequent droughts are now more prone to frequent flooding, while other regions historically prone to flooding now endure more frequent droughts. Continue reading...
Experts warn UK's regulations now lag behind those of the EU and that Britons will be exposed to more toxic chemicals as a resultThe government is to loosen EU-derived laws on chemicals in a move experts say will increase the likelihood of toxic substances entering the environment.Under new plans the government will reduce the hazard" information that chemical companies must provide to register substances in the UK. The safety information provided about chemicals will be reduced to an irreducible minimum", which campaigners say will leave the UK lagging far behind the EU". Continue reading...
Coal must be phased out seven times faster and deforestation reduced four times faster to avoid worst impacts of climate breakdown, says reportCoal must be phased out seven times faster than is now happening, deforestation must be reduced four times faster, and public transport around the world built out six times faster than at present, if the world is to avoid the worst impacts of climate breakdown, new research has found.Countries are falling behind on almost every policy required to cut greenhouse gas emissions, despite progress on renewable energy and the uptake of electric vehicles.Retire about 240 average-sized coal-fired power plants a year, every year between now and 2030.Construct the equivalent of three New Yorks' worth of public transport systems in cities around the world each year this decade.Halt deforestation, which is happening to an area the size of 15 football pitches every minute, this decade.Increase the rate of growth of solar and wind power from its current high of 14% a year to 24% a year.Cut meat consumption from ruminants such as cows and sheep to about two servings a week in the US, Europe and other high-consuming countries by 2030. Continue reading...
Onlookers in Bingil Bay were stunned when an adolescent cassowary emerged from the ocean and shook itself off late last month. Mandubarra traditional owner and Bingil Bay Campground host Nikita McDowell sent video of the unexpected arrival to the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service after a guest told her it was swimming about 200 metres offshore. The endangered bird 'will take to the water to cross from one side of a river to the other, or if they feel threatened by domestic dogs or another cassowary through a territorial dispute', QPWS officer Stephen Clough says. McDowell was advised that it would move on when it was ready. 'I went to make a coffee and when I returned, it was gone,' she says
Former PM takes seat in Lords after return as foreign secretary; James Cleverly replaces Suella Braverman; Esther McVey to reportedly tackle wokery'ITV's Paul Brand says he has had a text with the word Rejoice" from a Tory MP celebrating the sacking of Suella Braverman.James Cleverly, the foreign secretary, has been seen going into No 10, PA Media reports. Continue reading...