Group of nations take on plastic in oceans
The U.N. General Assembly launched a new group dedicated to tackling marine plastic pollution by building support for a new global agreement.
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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Plastic contaminating the ocean is added to treaty on hazardous waste
A legally-binding global mechanism for managing plastic waste sends a political signal to markets and consumers.
Qatar quits OPEC to boost its liquefied natural gas production
Qatar joined OPEC in 1961 and has been its 11th biggest producer, putting out 600,000 barrels of crude oil a day.
U.N. environment chief resigns after audit finds excessive plane flights
The image of a jet-setting executive at an agency that sets environmental and climate agendas made for poor optics.
Scientists find Earth's ozone hole is on the mend due to treaty efforts
A new scientific assessment shows damage to the ozone layer from aerosol sprays and coolants started recovering.
An 'alphabet soup' of high seas rules stands in way of sustainability
Ocean areas and deep seabeds beyond national jurisdictions fall within a patchwork of rules for the global commons.