EU countries block supply chain audit law at last hour 1/3/2024

European Union countries blocked at a late stage on Wednesday new rules requiring large companies to check if their supply chains use forced labour or cause environmental damage, following vocal German opposition. ...more

Spring came early: February likely warmest on record amid climate change 1/3/2024

The world likely notched its warmest February on record, as spring-like conditions caused flowers to bloom early from Japan to Mexico, left ski slopes bald of snow in Europe and pushed temperatures to 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 C) in Texas. ...more

UK’s net zero economy grew 9% in 2023, report finds 1/3/2024

The UK’s net zero economy grew by 9% in 2023, a report has revealed, in stark contrast to the 0.1% growth seen in the economy overall. Nevertheless, the report pointed out that strong future growth from green businesses was being put at risk by government policy reversals, lack of investment and competition from the EU and US. ...more

Carbon emissions from aluminium sector dip despite output growth - report 1/3/2024

Greenhouse gas emissions from the aluminium sector have been slipping in recent years even as output grows as the industry uses less carbon-intensive technology and recycling ramps up, the International Aluminium Institute (IAI) said on Wednesday. ...more

Rich countries use six times more resources, generate 10 times the climate impacts than low-income ones, far exceeding human needs and nature’s capacity 1/3/2024

Extraction of the Earth’s natural resources tripled in the past five decades, related to the massive build-up of infrastructure in many parts of the world and the high levels of material consumption, especially in upper-middle and high-income countries. Material extraction is expected to rise by 60 per cent by 2060 and could derail efforts to achieve not only global climate, biodiversity, and pollution targets but also economic prosperity and human well-being, according to a report published today by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP)-hosted International Resource Panel.   ...more

Record year for wind farms raises hope for EU green energy goals 29/2/2024

A record year for building new wind farms and a rebound in investments in the sector have raised hopes that the EU may achieve its clean energy targets, industry group WindEurope said on Wednesday. ...more

Svalbard’s doomsday vault gets record batch of global crop seeds 29/2/2024

A frozen Arctic vault built to preserve global agricultural crops from extinction received seeds on Tuesday from the largest number of new contributors yet, a custodian of the remote facility said. ...more

London is most exposed city in world to air pollution from aviation, study finds 29/2/2024

The planes taking off and landing at London’s six airports expose the city’s inhabitants to the equivalent of 3.23m cars’ worth of harmful nitrogen oxides and particulate matter emissions every year. In Tokyo and Dubai, residents are exposed to 2.78m cars’ worth of emissions from air traffic. ...more

'Ice bumps' reveal history of Antarctic melting 29/2/2024

Scientists say they now have a better idea of exactly where and when the margin of Antarctica started melting.Scientists say they now have a better idea of exactly where and when the margin of Antarctica started melting. ...more

Microplastics found in every human placenta tested in study 29/2/2024

Microplastics have been found in every human placenta tested in a study, leaving the researchers worried about the potential health impacts on developing foetuses. ...more