Earth Day Is an Opportunity for Communities to Show the Way on Climate Action
Earth Day 2026 is framed as a rallying point for grassroots climate action as the United States deepens federal rollbacks, including withdrawal from the Paris Agreement and repeal of the EPA’s greenhouse‑gas endangerment finding. The article highlights record‑high temperatures in 2025 and increasing disaster frequency, underscoring the urgency for local solutions. It showcases community‑driven projects—from Texas protests to clean‑school‑bus advocacy in California and renewable‑energy initiatives in Zimbabwe and Ghana—demonstrating tangible impact despite national policy setbacks. Ilka Vega of United Women in Faith urges continued mobilization to bridge the gap left by federal inaction.
Fossil Fuel Crisis Offers Chance to Speed up Energy Transition, Ministers Say
The Iran‑triggered fossil fuel crisis has highlighted the volatility of oil and gas, prompting energy and climate ministers at the Petersberg Climate Dialogue to call for an accelerated shift to clean power. Over 30 nations, backed by the UN, are...
To Avoid COP Mistakes, Santa Marta Conference Must Be Shielded From Fossil Fuel Influence
The Santa Marta conference in Colombia will convene dozens of governments to design a comprehensive phase‑out of fossil fuels, marking the first multilateral summit dedicated solely to this goal. Organizers emphasize shielding the talks from fossil‑fuel lobby influence, a criticism...
US Pressure Puts World Bank’s Climate Plan at Risk
The World Bank’s Climate Change Action Plan (CCAP), which earmarks 45% of its budget for climate‑beneficial projects, is set to expire in June. The Trump administration, through Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, is pressuring the bank to drop its climate targets...
Türkiye Sets COP31 Dates and Appoints Australian Cattle Farmer as Youth Champion
Turkey’s environment ministry announced that the COP31 World Leaders’ Summit will be held in Antalya on November 11‑12, 2026, shifting the venue from Istanbul to the coastal resort. Pre‑COP sessions will take place in Fiji and Tuvalu from October 5‑8, reflecting...
How a Global Roadmap Can Meet the Promise to Halt Deforestation
Brazil’s COP30 opened a global consultation on a Roadmap for Halting Deforestation, drawing more than 100 submissions from governments, NGOs, and businesses. The process highlighted urgent demand for a concrete implementation plan, yet the summit failed to secure a binding...
Italy Pushes Coal Exit Back After Gas Prices Rise
Italy’s government has postponed the permanent shutdown of its four remaining coal‑fired power plants to 2038, citing a sharp rise in gas prices triggered by the Middle East conflict. The amendment was attached to a broader energy‑crisis bill and passed...
India Withdraws Bid to Host COP33 Climate Talks
India quietly withdrew its offer to host the 2028 COP33 climate summit, a bid first announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at COP28 in Dubai. The decision was communicated to the UN climate group on April 2, 2026, without public explanation....
Carbon Accounting Can Help Tackle the Hidden Emissions of War
Researchers estimate the US‑Israeli conflict with Iran has already emitted more than 5 million tonnes of CO₂e in just the first two weeks. Using spend‑based accounting, the $11.3 billion U.S. expenditure in the first six days translates to roughly 3.4 million tonnes of...
Ugandan Farmers Use British Court to Try to Stop Oil Pipeline
Ugandan farmers, represented by UK law firm Leigh Day, have filed a letter before action in a British court seeking to halt the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP). They allege the $5.6 billion project, now 80% complete, violates Uganda’s constitution...
India Sets Achievable Green Electricity and Emissions Intensity Targets
India has officially approved its next climate NDC, setting a 47% reduction in greenhouse‑gas emissions intensity by 2035 relative to 2005 levels. The plan also targets non‑fossil electricity capacity of 60% and a carbon‑sink increase of up to 4 billion tonnes...
Iran War Could Boost Fossil Fuel Phase-Out Push, Says Colombian Minister
The Iran‑Israel war has disrupted roughly a fifth of global gas flowing through the Strait of Hormuz, driving oil and gas prices higher and reviving calls for renewable investment. Colombian Environment Minister Irene Vélez Torres says the crisis creates a...
Can New CEO Steer Global Center on Adaptation Back on Course?
The Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) has appointed former Madagascar finance minister Rindra Rabarinirinarison as its new chief executive, tasking her with repairing a damaged reputation and securing urgent funding. The centre is confronting a serious financial shortfall after the...
UK Cuts Support for Climate Action Abroad to Fund Military Instead
The UK government announced it will reduce overseas climate finance by more than 10%, cutting the annual allocation to about £2 billion for the next three years. The savings are being redirected to fund the largest peacetime defence budget increase since...
Will the EU Finally Make Waste Pay for Its Growing Carbon Footprint?
The European Commission must decide by the end of July whether to bring municipal waste incineration into the EU Emissions Trading System. Emissions from waste‑to‑energy plants have roughly doubled since 1990, releasing tens of millions of tonnes of CO₂ each...