French Riviera's ocean summit aims to prevent 'Wild West' lawlessness
The summit created momentum for the adoption of the first legally binding rules to better protect international waters.
Energy & Environment
International energy and environment policy largely focuses on a rapid transition towards renewable energy sources, with a major emphasis on solar and wind power, as governments invest in clean energy technologies and aim to significantly reduce carbon emissions, with the goal of limiting global warming. Key developments include increased trade policies around clean energy technologies, a decline in coal usage, and a growing push for a complete phaseout of fossil fuels.
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People, wildlife, planet pay cost of convenience for single-use plastics
A plastic layer in Earth’s geological record may become our legacy, marking a moment we turned into a single-use planet.
Trump orders U.S. to expedite permits for deep seabed mining
The order would allow exploratory mining of the ocean floor that is overseen by an organization the U.S. hasn't joined.
World's largest coral bleaching event affects over four-fifths of reefs
The bleaching event began at the start of 2023 and continues today, affecting 82 nations, territories and economies.
U.N.-brokered biodiversity financing deal keeps green diplomacy alive
Three days of talks in Rome ended with nations agreeing to support a $200 billion a year global plan to protect nature.
Three-quarters of Earth’s land is significantly drier since the 1990s
People living in drylands doubled to 2.3 billion, more than a quarter of the world population, in the past three decades.
Debate over plastic production limits scuttles global treaty talks
Nations for plastic production limits and oil-rich producers deadlocked in the hours before the talks were set to expire.
Nations head into final round of global talks to curb plastic pollution
Negotiators are meeting in Busan, South Korea to conclude the world's first legally binding plastic waste treaty.
U.N. biodiversity summit ends without financing deal in overtime
World leaders failed to reach agreement over who should pay what into which fund toward the global biodiversity goals.
More than 1-in-3 species of trees could disappear in 192 countries
Scientists say at least 16,425 tree species are at risk of extinction as agriculture expands and the climate changes.
Global talks on Earth's eco-crisis hinge on Indigenous communities
A report found a 73% drop in wildlife populations since 1970 and said nations must tackle the climate and nature crises.
Climate change now 'a global emergency beyond any doubt'
An international team of scientists finds a growing number of the planet’s key climate indicators have reached record levels.
Global water supplies stressed as rivers dry at highest rate in 30 years
The U.N. weather agency calls for urgent action to protect water supplies, the ‘canary in the coalmine of climate change.'
Nations urged to overhaul energy sector using COP28 goals for 2030
A new IEA report shows that tripling renewables and doubling energy efficiency can be achieved with 'enabling' conditions.
Earth's protective ozone layer seen as 'on track to long-term recovery'
The U.N. chief calls on all nations to adopt a newer measure for phasing out powerful climate-warming chemicals.
Experts advise equity is needed to ensure global energy transition
A U.N.-led group says the world won't be able to get to net-zero emissions without first cleaning up the mining business.