Environment | The Guardian

Renewables should be developed ‘where regional communities want them’, ministers have said

Exclusive: Scottish ministers accused of giving in to lobbying as launch expected to be put back to 2023The launch of the UK’s first bottle and can deposit scheme is expected to be delayed again, with Scottish ministers accused of giving in to lobbying from retailers and industry.The scheme, in which shops in Scotland will be required to install recycling machines and charge a 20p deposit on every can and bottle, was due to be launched in July next year – three years after it was originally unveiled. Continue reading...

Increasingly intense and frequent spells of humidity linked to global heating may exacerbate mental health conditions, with women and young people worst affectedMore frequent spells of intense humidity caused by the climate crisis are more likely than heatwaves to be linked to increased rates of suicide, according to new research.The study found that women and young people were particularly affected by levels of humidity, the intensity and frequency of which are increasing because of global heating. Continue reading...

Thanks to climate change, armadillos, native to southern America, are making their way up north. And there’s no sign of them stopping their relentless marchIn the pitch dark, Jason Bullard adroitly shoulders his rifle and levels it at the object. “That looks like one!” he mutters. It turns out to be a fuse box. Another candidate, again aimed at with the gun, reveals itself as a rock.In this town besieged by armadillos, anything with a passing similarity to the armored nemesis is under suspicion. Continue reading...

Barnaby Joyce says Coalition has done a ‘great job’ on climate policy; Changes to South Australia quarantine and border restrictions; fully vaccinated travellers can apply for Qld border passes from 5pm; Victoria records 860 new local Covid cases and five deaths; NSW records 165 cases and one death.This blog is now closed

Growing rush for land is destroying ecosystems and disrupting lives to satisfy global demand for goods, study warnsBusinesses and governments must stop the growing rush of commodities-driven land grabbing, which is “trashing” the environment and displacing people, says new research.Palm oil and cobalt were extreme risks for land grabs according to an analysis of 170 commodities by research firm Verisk Maplecroft published last week. It also warned that, alongside cobalt, other minerals used for “clean” technology, including silicon, zinc, copper, were high risk and undermined the sector’s label. Continue reading...

New report says burning and draining of peatland by grouse moor estates and others adding to climate disasterJust 124 landowners own the majority of England’s deep peat – its single largest carbon store – new analysis has found.From the low-lying wetlands of the Fens, to the bogs of the North York Moors, 450,000 hectares (1m acres) of peat soils store 584m tonnes of carbon, according to Natural England, equivalent to the annual emissions from 540 coal-fired power stations in the US. Continue reading...

Ella Daish to hand Procter & Gamble giant Tampax applicator, made from 1,200 discarded contributionsA British environmental activist is stepping up her campaign against single-use plastics in period products by calling on the world’s bestselling manufacturer of tampons to make greener alternatives.Ella Daish, the founder of the #EndPeriodPlastic campaign, will go to the European headquarters of Tampax-maker Procter & Gamble in Geneva on Monday to present executives with a giant tampon applicator, made of 1,200 discarded Tampax applicators found littering British waterways, rivers and beaches. Continue reading...

Last-minute hitch on coal almost reduced Alok Sharma to tears as Glasgow climate pact made imperfect progressAs weary delegates trudged into the Scottish Event Campus on the banks of the Clyde on Saturday, few realised what a mountain they still had to climb. The Cop26 climate talks were long past their official deadline of 6pm on Friday, but there were strong hopes that the big issues had been settled. A deal was tantalisingly close.The “package” on offer was imperfect – before countries even turned up in Glasgow they were meant to have submitted plans that would cut global carbon output by nearly half by 2030, to limit global heating to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels. Although most countries submitted plans, they were not strong enough and analysis found they would lead to a disastrous 2.4C of heating. Continue reading...

SES responds to 320 calls for help after wild weather causes havoc in Sydney, Blue Mountains and Wagga, with major flood warnings in place for NSW central west

Doors were slammed shut on Indigenous people in Glasgow, literally and figuratively. Now it’s time not just to open them, but to tear them downCop26 is officially over, and my time in Glasgow almost at an end. I was at the forum to represent my community and to stand up for First Nations people who are leading global movements for climate justice. I was cautiously optimistic about what could be achieved.

Cop26 president says nations will have to ‘explain to climate-vulnerable countries why they did what they did’India and China will “have to explain themselves to poor nations” after watering down the Glasgow climate pact, warned the Cop26 president, Alok Sharma, adding that their actions had left him “deeply frustrated”.He told the Guardian: “We are on the way to consigning coal to history. This is an agreement we can build on. But in the case of China and India, they will have to explain to climate-vulnerable countries why they did what they did.” Continue reading...

PM says ‘not much difference’ between ‘phasing down’ and ‘phasing out’ of the fossil fuelBoris Johnson has said it was disappointing that China and India had watered down the Cop26 climate agreement, but claimed there was little difference between “phasing out” and “phasing down” coal usage.The prime minister declared the summit in Glasgow a historic success, rating it “more than 6/10”, but acknowledged his “delight at this progress is tinged with disappointment”. Continue reading...

Agreement arrived at on Saturday night made progress in some important areas but poor countries say it is not nearly enough

Experts say country’s watering down of fossil fuel pledge reflected its lack of choicesIt was a dramatic 11th-hour decision, portrayed as a devastating blow to the success of Cop26.After pressure exerted by India and China, the wording of the final deal was watered down to a pledge to “phase down” rather than “phase out” coal. Alok Sharma, the president of Cop26, was on the brink of tears as he explained what had happened and the last-minute alteration brought sharp words of rebuke from the US and other nations. Continue reading...

Lincoln Children’s Zoo says deaths of Ranney, Everest and Makalu are ‘truly heartbreaking’, as two tigers recoverThree snow leopards have died at the Lincoln children’s zoo in Nebraska of complications from Covid-19.The zoo made the announcement in a Facebook post on Friday, describing the deaths of the three leopards – named Ranney, Everest, and Makalu – as “truly heartbreaking”. Continue reading...

Analysis: Cop26 delegates made progress on emissions cuts and climate adaptation but fell short on coalThe Cop26 climate conference finally came to an end on Saturday night, having overrun by a day. Here are the main points in the text agreed to by delegates. Continue reading...

Influx of delegates has brought excitement and new connections – as well as a little inconvenience – for residents“I can’t believe how early it gets dark here,” says environmental lawyer Patsy Contardo, who has spent the last two weeks experiencing Scottish culture, from Tunnock’s teacakes and shortbread to the great British weather.Contardo, a Cop26 delegate from Chile, was staying with Glaswegian hosts Fiona and Matt Hooker, who opened up their home to her as part of the Cop26 Homestay Network aimed at helping foreign delegates faced with sky-high accommodation costs in the city; rates rose to more than £1,000 a night in some hotels. Continue reading...

US climate envoy says many countries have very aggressively increased their ambition

Minister welcomes Cop26 summit outcome but sidesteps questions on target arguing ‘we’ll continue to update our projections’

Queensland passes 70% double-dose vaccination; Cop26 agreement made in Glasgow aims for ‘phasing down’ of coal. This blog is now closed

Watered-down coal pledge and climate financing shortcomings temper optimism over Glasgow dealWorld leaders and environmental experts have broadly welcomed a UN climate deal that for the first time targeted fossil fuels as the key driver of global warming, while some criticised the agreement for not going far enough.While the agreement won applause for keeping alive the hope of capping global warming at 1.5C, many of the nearly 200 national delegations wished they had come away with more. Continue reading...

Other countries say that although they disagree with elements of the text, they are reluctantly willing to support it

Indigenous leaders say renaming public spaces suggests ‘we are moving forward as a society and repairing relationships’

Invasive species that wreaks havoc on land found on vessel after trip from Indian Key to Marco IslandA python sneaked aboard a sailboat in the Florida Keys and lurked undetected until the boat finished a near-100-mile voyage, police said.The crew found the 7ft snake in the boat’s shower after docking on Friday at Marco Island, on the south-west Florida Gulf coast, after a trip from Indian Key, a distance of about 95 miles around the southern tip of the state. Continue reading...

Critically endangered North Atlantic right whales are dying in alarming numbers after getting caught in lobster trap ropesA fierce fight is being waged in the Gulf of Maine between lobster fishers desperate to maintain their way of life and conservationists who argue that the waters are a vital haven for the threatened North Atlantic right whale.Last month, a federal judge in Maine rejected a federal ban on lobstering in a section of the Gulf of Maine that is meant to protect the whales. Continue reading...

Clearwater Marine Aquarium mourns dolphin whose recovery after losing tail was chronicled in the film Dolphin TaleFlorida’s most famous dolphin, Winter, beloved by fans around the world and star of the movie Dolphin Tale, died of twisted intestines, according to necropsy results released by an aquarium on Saturday.The dolphin’s intestines were in an area impossible to reach through surgery. Continue reading...

Countries who take this crisis seriously must seize the initiative, and make the rest pariahsWhere now? Governments have agreed a weak climate deal which gets us a smidgen closer to holding temperatures to a rise of 1.5C. But as regards all the most important pledges to phase out coal, reduce subsidies and protect forests, Glasgow failed.The fossil fuel lobby, led by India, held its line, dramatically succeeding in watering down – at the last minute and without due, transparent process – the move to ‘phase out’ coal power, pledging instead to ‘phase down’. The poor came away with next to nothing, there was little urgency and we are still heading for catastrophe. Any chance of halving fast-rising emissions by 2030 – the declared aim of the talks – is now negligible. Continue reading...

Has the goal of 1.5C gone up in flames?• You can order your own copy of this cartoon Continue reading...

Demonstrators say Cop26 talks failed and call on City banks to stop funding fossil fuel projectsPolice arrested Extinction Rebellion protesters who blocked the lord mayor’s show in central London on Saturday.Footage shared on social media showed officers dragging demonstrators out of the road after they disrupted the procession. Environmental activists could be seen blocking the route in the City of London, while forcing riders on horseback and the new lord mayor’s golden state coach to stop. Continue reading...

Analysis: Fossil fuel phaseout stays in but promise of funds for climate change damage may not be enough to sway poorer nationsThe new Cop26 draft text released on Saturday morning has relatively few changes, showing that the global climate summit is narrowing down on the most contested issues that will make or break a strong agreement.The call for the phaseout of coal and fossil fuel subsidies remains, which is positive as many observers thought fossil fuel-rich nations would get it deleted.Decides that the Santiago network will be provided with funds to support technical assistance for the implementation of relevant approaches to avert, minimise and address loss and damageDecides to establish the [NAME] dialogue between parties, relevant organisations and stakeholders to discuss the arrangements for the funding of activities to avert, minimise and address loss and damage associated with the adverse impacts of climate change to take place at the first sessional period of the SBI, concluding at its 60th session Continue reading...

Latest version of text, which asks nations to return next year with stronger emissions targets, will now be scrutinised by delegatesA third draft of the outcome of the Cop26 climate summit retained key resolutions to pursue greenhouse gas emissions cuts in line with holding global temperature rises to 1.5C.Nations will be asked to return next year to strengthen their targets on emissions cuts, which are so far inadequate, and to accelerate the phase-out of coal power and fossil fuel subsidies. The text was not substantially weakened overnight, but there is a long process still to go through on Saturday, and perhaps Sunday, in which some countries are likely to attack some of the key provisions. Continue reading...

A trip down London’s famous waterway reveals many signs of life – but is this another false dawn?The Thames shark hunt begins on a swirling golden brown river, where high above Battersea power station soars a speck that may be another awesome predator: a peregrine falcon.“I haven’t seen a shark but I’ve seen porpoises up the Thames and there were a couple of whales last year,” says Alfie Gardner, captain of one of the Thames Clipper Uber Boats that whisk commuters and tourists up and downriver. “We see a lot of seals. Near enough every day.” Continue reading...

Thousands march in Melbourne CBD as Victoria reports 1,221 new Covid-19 cases, NSW 250 and the ACT 11. This blog is now closed

Deadlock stretched climate summit past its scheduled end with hopes leaders will reach agreement by Saturday

Humans have encroached on the animals’ habitat – now villagers face daily raids as the elephants break into their homes in search of foodIt was around midnight when Kittichai Boodchan heard two loud crashes coming from in front of his home. He knew immediately what was happening. An elephant was outside, and it wanted the family’s stash of bananas.Boonchuay, a local bull from the nearby Kaeng Krachan national park notorious for his habit of raiding the village in search of snacks, had come to call. Kittichai had earlier bought 200kg of bananas to sell and, although stored inside, the sweet scent had undoubtedly piqued Boonchuay’s interest. Continue reading...

The modelling was delayed until the final Friday of COP26 to avoid embarrassment. But it’s even worse than expected

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Royal Society Open Science research finds bees release ‘rallying call for collective defence’ that is ‘quite harsh and noisy’A study has revealed a new defense mechanism used by bees when attacked by giant “murder” hornets: screaming.When left unchecked, the giant Asian hornets can destroy a honeybee hive in hours, feeding on larvae and decapitating bees in what scientists call a “slaughter phase”. The hornets then feed severed body parts to their young. Continue reading...

Deadline passes for global deal to tackle climate change but negotiations to continue

Birds Chile and Greater, painstakingly restored by taxidermists, will be on display at SA Museum as part of Feast festivalAustralia’s last flamingos will go on display this weekend after taxidermists restored the magnificent pink birds.The last flamingo in Australia (named Chile) died in 2018, the second last (Greater) in 2014 – but they have been resurrected as gay emblems for South Australia’s Feast festival. Continue reading...

Environmental campaigners celebrate as state government announces plan to extend conservation area to cover unique rock formation and ecosystemsConservationists have hailed the extension of protection of the Gardens of Stone, a region of dramatic rock formations and rare wildlife in the Blue Mountains that has long been threatened by coalmines.The New South Wales government is set to announce on Saturday a $50m plan to transfer about 31,500ha of state forest and other crown land west of Sydney into a state conservation area. Continue reading...

Climate Action Network give unwanted prize of worst country at the talks to Australia for its ‘breathtaking ineptitude’Australia has been named the “colossal fossil” of the Glasgow climate talks for its “appalling performance” at the summit, with activists castigating the country for its ongoing embrace of fossil fuels.At a mock ceremony held at the Cop26 summit, activists at the Climate Action Network gave the unwanted first prize of the worst country at the talks to Australia, which had previously been named “fossil of the day” five times during the two-week UN conference. Continue reading...

Ofgem tells Orbit, Simply Your Energy, Delta, Social Energy Supply and Whoop they could lose licencesThe energy regulator has threatened to strip five suppliers of their licences after they failed to hand over more than £500,000 collected from customers’ bills to help pay for a renewable energy support scheme.Ofgem warned Orbit Energy, Simply Your Energy, Delta Gas and Power, Social Energy Supply and Whoop Energy to pay a total of £575,000 into the pot used to support small-scale renewable energy projects such as rooftop solar panels “immediately” or face enforcement action. Continue reading...

Indigenous people, representatives of farmers and environmental NGOs carry red ribbons as they exit convention centre

World’s largest shipping company Maersk plans to power new container ships on carbon-neutral methanol but very little of it is produced todayIn August, Maersk, the world’s largest shipping company, announced that it would add eight new container ships to its fleet that would be unlike any merchant vessels operating on the high seas today. Instead of running on “bunker” fuel – the gunky, tar-like substance left behind after oil is refined – Maersk plans to power these ships on carbon-neutral methanol, a colorless liquid made from biomass such as agricultural waste or by combining renewably generated hydrogen with carbon dioxide.Globally, very little of this “green” methanol is produced today and compared with the oil industry waste product most ships run on, the cost is high. Maersk hasn’t yet announced a fuel supply for its new fleet but the company hopes that standing up the world’s first green methanol-powered fleet will spur the energy sector to significantly ramp up production of clean fuels. Continue reading...

Attendees on day 11 of UN summit in Glasgow included London mayor Sadiq Khan and a Tyrannosaurus rexCop26 climate summit: day 11 – as it happened Continue reading...

The best of this week’s wildlife pictures, including a swinging gibbon, a cheeky macaque and a preying crocodile Continue reading...

British designer’s tote bag to go on sale at Sainsbury’s and Waitrose in new bid to tackle single-use plasticWith the exception of a new must-have brand of oat milk and an aesthetically pleasing tin of chopped tomatoes, the supermarket experience is not an especially chic one – unless Anya Hindmarch is along for the ride.Having sent shoppers wild in the aisles of Sainsbury’s with the I Am Not a Plastic Bag bag that opened a debate on single-use plastic in 2007, the accessory designer is returning to the checkouts this winter with a bag she hopes will revolutionise the way we carry our shopping. Continue reading...

The measure could curb the wind-driven wildfires in the region, but critics want a deeper assessment“That tree is dead. That tree is dead – we are too late for them,” Greg Thomson, the forester for Los Padres national forest says, as he traipses through a dense patch of conifers clustered on a peak overlooking Ventura county. Pine needles and yellowed grass crunch beneath his boots as he points to giant spiny tree skeletons with thick trunks.These trees, he says, were victims of the drought, beetle infestations and a changing climate on an overgrown landscape that has not seen a good fire in too long – and it’s his job to do something about that. Continue reading...