Russia is ‘setting traps’ in Ukraine talks, EU foreign policy chief warns
Kaja Kallas says Moscow is trying to divert attention from its aggression by raising issue of European security The EU’s foreign policy chief has warned against “walking into the traps that Russia is setting” as she said
El Niño fuels climate disasters: The high price of inaction
2026 is set to be one of the hottest years on record, with El Niño worsening the impact of extreme weather events. With COP31 underway in Turkey, FRANCE 24 speaks with the UNDP's climate boss about the cost of waiting in
The Super El Niño has officially arrived - and already brought weather chaos with it
The climate pattern has already sent ocean temperatures soaring, brought deadly flooding and led to the deaths of thousands of seabirds
Turkey: Six-metre Trojan Horse spills plastic waste at COP31
A giant Trojan Horse overflowing with plastic waste has appeared in Antalya as Greenpeace International staged a striking environmental protest during the COP31 climate summit. Created with Danish artist Thomas Dambo, th
Turkey: Six-metre Trojan Horse spills plastic waste at COP31
A giant Trojan Horse overflowing with plastic waste has appeared in Antalya as Greenpeace International staged a striking environmental protest during the COP31 climate summit. Created with Danish artist Thomas Dambo, th
EU climate chief hints bloc may drop clean power push at COP31
A "certain degree of pragmatism" on electrification is "probably" needed, Wopke Hoekstra told reporters at COP31.
Kenyans brace for El Niño rains as flood survivors fear a repeat of 2024 devastation
The warning comes as Nairobi continues to grapple with urban planning challenges, encroachment on wetlands and construction in flood-prone areas, factors that increase the city's vulnerability to flooding.
‘10,000-tonne level talent’ biologist Zhao Yingming leaves Chicago for Hangzhou
In early November, a low-resolution photo of an internal meeting circulated on China’s social networks, accompanied by a caption with only one sentence: “It is said that he is a top-tier introduced talent at the 10,000-t
China to encourage investment in Turkish renewable energy with $15bn solar and wind deal
Türkiye wants to sharply expand solar and wind power by 2040 and is seeking foreign investment to fund the work.
How a new ‘green energy corridor’ from the Caspian Sea could help Eastern Europe kick fossil fuels
The partnership signed at the COP31 climate summit aims to transform Azerbaijan into an interregional electricity hub.
ExxonMobil sues EU over rules forcing oil giants to invest in carbon storage
US oil giant ExxonMobil is challenging EU rules requiring fossil fuel producers to help fund carbon storage infrastructure, in a legal battle that could undermine Brussels’ efforts to make the industry pay for the energy
As world gripped by climate emergency, COP31’s empty chairs signal low ambitions
It is the recurring theme of every speech at the COP summits: the urgent need to act in the face of increasingly frequent climate disasters. Yet this year’s conference in Turkey seems to have little ambition, as reflecte
Storm Charles causes floods and flight cancellations across southern Europe
Heavy rain and strong winds have also caused disruption across British Columbia, Canada, over the last week Storm Charles has brought destructive weather to the Iberian peninsula this week, particularly in Portugal and t
COP31 activists urge leaders to act on climate crisis
Speaking at a news conference on the sidelines of the talks, Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg warned that the world is heading towards more genocides, ecocides and the loss of basic rights.
El Nino, climate change supercharged Indonesia fires, study says
Indonesia's worst fire season in years cloaked local towns and neighboring countries such as Singapore and Malaysia in toxic smog.
What is green steel and why is everyone racing to make it?
Companies are racing to build Australia's first low-emissions steel mills as traditional steelmakers grapple with aging infrastructure, cheap imports and the enormous task of decarbonisation.
Climate-vulnerable nations urge immediate action at UN Cop31 summit
Urgent action is needed to help countries hardest-hit by the effects of climate change, small island leaders said on Thursday at the United Nations climate talks in Turkey, describing global warming as a life-or-death is
China rules out hosting Cop33 climate summit in 2028
Decision disappoints experts hoping for world’s biggest emitter to take global lead on climate crisis China has ruled out hosting the Cop33 UN climate summit in 2028 after months of deliberations, leaving the field open
Celebrity chef says tree chop in Adelaide parklands 'inexcusable'
Dozens of protesters gather in the Adelaide parklands where tree removal works for the MotoGP track begin as a group of Australian celebrities call for better environmental protection.
A Key Paris Agreement Goal Is Dead. What Now?
Leaders at COP31 are confronting a new reality as global warming enters the “unsafe zone.”
SA gives green light for gas to help power future data centres
The South Australian government says it is "absolutely fine" for gas to be used to help power data centres, despite its strategy focusing on renewable energy as the source.
Bowen pushes pragmatic climate deal amid pressure over fossil fuels
Chris Bowen says Australia's coal and gas exports have not damaged its standing in climate negotiations, as countries struggle to agree on how to move away from fossil fuels.
Climate science says 1.5C is dead. No one wants to bury it.
Leaders at COP31 want to keep the totemic goal alive, even after the U.N. declared it impossible to hit.
Ghana announces first-ever hydrocarbon discovery in carbonate reserve
Ghana's President John Dramani Mahama on Wednesday announced the country's first-ever hydrocarbon discovery in an offshore carbonate reserve. The well lies some 150 kilometers off Ghana's coast in water more than 2000 me
Uzbekistan calls for shared early warnings and climate finance across Central Asia at COP31
The proposed framework also covers restoring degraded land and tackling dust storms as the region faces growing water pressure.
France: Five men on trial for murder of anti-drug activist Amine Kessaci's brother
In France, the trial of five men accused of murdering the brother of anti-drug activist Amine Kessaci is under way. Amine Kessaci, originally known as an environmental activist, became a prominent figure in the fight aga
Can the fight against climate change be good for business?
Industries across the globe are seeking to reduce their carbon footprint and become more sustainable. To do so, many are turning to employees with specific credentials. According to LinkedIn's Global Green Skills Report
Billions for forest fund a ‘powerful signal’ over climate aid, says Ed Miliband
Exclusive: With a billion dollars from both Indonesia and Brazil – in addition to money from wealthy European donors – the ‘breadth of support’ for global forest protection scheme at Cop31 is hailed by foreign secretary
A warning from the Arctic? New study links melting sea ice to future summer droughts in Europe
A new study has found that reduced winter sea ice in the Barents and Kara seas could be linked to more summer drought across a wide area of Eurasia.
EU court rejects Poland’s bid to overturn 7 major climate laws
Lawsuits launched by the previous nationalist government were kept alive under pro-EU Prime Minister Donald Tusk.
COP31: Climate disruption puts farmers and global food supplies under pressure
As delegates gather in Turkey for the COP31 climate conference, discussions are focusing on emissions and climate targets. But humanitarian agencies are highlighting another urgent consequence of climate disruption: grow
COP31: Experts call for zero waste, as Africa grapples with mounting garbage
As the COP31 climate summit gets under way this week in Turkey, experts are calling for zero-waste solutions to tackle Africa's growing waste crisis. As governments search for ways to address the crisis, a new report war
Drones deliver food to chimpanzees stranded by flooding
Flooding at a chimpanzee sanctuary in Fort Pierce, Florida, has made it difficult for staff to reach some of the animals. Workers have turned to drones to deliver food, including bananas, while large parts of the propert
Merz urges EU to stand firm on carbon market reforms despite growing opposition
The German Chancellor has warned against weakening the EU's carbon market, insisting that businesses need predictable carbon prices despite mounting pressure from member states and his own economy minister.
Drought threatens Iraq's marshes, risking one of the oldest ways of life
The unique marshes of southern Iraq are beginning to revive after five years of devastating drought. But challenges remain for one of the world's oldest ways of life.
There's 'not much space for climate denial anymore', says climate expert
University College Cork professor Louise Firth believes 2026 was a "turning point" on global warming, as Europe suffered extreme weather conditions during summer and a fuel crisis.
Climate action must work for ‘people on all incomes,’ Burnham tells COP31
The U.K. PM used his summit speech to address cost-of-living worries at home.
Turkey ‘Hiding Weak Climate Record’ Behind Hosting of COP31
Environmental activist Koray Dogan Urbarli tells BIRN that Turkey’s hosting of the UN climate change summit contrasts with its continued dependence on coal – and lack of climate adaptation policies.
Burnham’s North Sea drilling dilemma risks U.K. climate leadership
Britain has spent years urging others to move away from fossil fuels but a spike in fuel prices has changed the political landscape.
Conflict must not distract from climate action, leaders warn COP31
COP31 host Turkey has been pushing for a goal to expand electrification at the center of a deal, even as critics say it may do little to curb warming.
Under higher scrutiny, will Singapore remain Chinese firms’ first overseas port of call?
With domestic profits narrowing and production capacity expanding, China’s firms are continuing to widen their overseas footprints in search of new, more lucrative markets. In this series, we examine China Inc.’s next ph
DR Congo's Tshisekedi paves way for constitutional change
In tonight's edition: A new law expanding the conditions for a constitutional referendum has ignited political tensions in DR Congo. Also, Kenya has officially declared the end of its latest Ebola outbreak. And at the CO
'Inland ocean' of Lake Eyre Basin to be harvested under flood plain proposal
Floodwater from rivers that feed iconic desert wetlands could be harvested for limited farming use under a draft proposal from the Queensland government.
‘The world we know is over’ without urgent climate action, leaders tell Cop31
Marshall Islands president warns of worsening floods as UN chief calls for a windfall tax on oil and gas firms Failure to provide an overwhelming response to the climate crisis means “the world we know is over”, the pres
Hungry chimpanzee fed by drone after flood waters cut him off from keepers
A chimpanzee was fed by drone after flooding in Florida cut him off from sanctuary staff.
World leaders face pressure to act at COP31 as climate warnings intensify
World leaders are gathering in Turkey for COP31, as pressure mounts for urgent action on climate change.
Napa Valley winery sued after worker allegedly started wildfire that destroyed harvests
The California winery denies the allegations, calling the lawsuit an attempt to exploit the industry's declining demand
‘Our neighbours are gone’: Gaza survivors recount horrors of deadly floods
A deadly sandbank collapse buried families alive in Deir el-Balah, as survivors describe desperate rescue attempts.
‘Climate crisis is outrunning us,’ UN chief Guterres says at COP31
Guterres says the world must fight harder, accuses the fossil fuel lobby of delaying climate action at critical talks.
Aneto, one of southern Europe's largest glaciers, is melting away
Within a decade, one of the largest glaciers in southern Europe will have disappeared. Aneto, the highest peak of the Spanish Pyrenees, is melting at a spectacular rate. Its demise is another sign of global warming and h
AI datacentres plan on-site power stations on huge scale despite climate risks, research reveals
181GW of gas-fired capacity proposed for sites in US and Europe because of delays in connecting to national grids, says report Developers of AI datacentres plan to build on-site climate-destroying gas power stations on a
Coal, cancer and Cop31: How Turkey’s drive to expand a major coal plant is polluting its climate push
Residents around the Afşin-Elbistan coal plant believe it has killed family members, leaving a ghost town as people have been forced away. As Turkey welcomes world leaders to Cop31, a reliance on fossil fuels – with litt
Japan, eight others get fossil award over leaders skipping climate talks
From the Group of Seven countries, British Prime Minister Andy Burnham is the only leader expected to attend the summit.
Storm Charles: State of alert issued as Portugal to be battered by heavy rain and 160kph winds
Schools and non essential services are closed across Portugal as Storm Charles is expected to bring high winds and potential flooding.