region:
Europe
Rising number of local governments set targets to cut emissions.
Twenty major local governments, representing 5% of global emissions, committed to targets to cut emissions Thursday. The announcement fits a growing trend, with 15% percent of the world's largest cities already committed to emissions cuts of at least 70 percent by 2050.
Northern hemisphere heatwave frequency increasing, says WMO
Record breaking temperatures, heatwaves, drought – all part of a usual Northern Hemisphere summer? The blistering heat affecting Europe and fueling wildfires across Canada, Southern China and the US are but a sign of what's the come according to the World Meteorological Association.
Germany drops ‘coal levy’ but will close most polluting plants
Germany has cast a shadow on its reputation as a climate leader by today deciding to abandon its ‘coal levy’ in favor of a less ambitious plan. The new plan, however, it represents the first time that the German government, utilities and trade unions have agreed to shut down brown coal power plants to reduce carbon emissions. Our Tree Alert breaks it down.
EU-China summit ends with climate pledge imminent
China and the European Union redoubled their commitment to a strong climate pact on Monday in a Brussels summit, as the Asian giant readied its widely-anticipated pledge for submission.
Thousands march and Churches divest in wake of Pope’s call for climate action
Pope Francis’ encyclical climate environment continues to drive momentum for climate action. Thousands of people of faith, civil society groups, and communities impacted by climate change marched in Rome on Sunday under the banner of “One Earth One Family” to thank the Pope for his moral leadership.
Pope Francis’s environmental message brings thousands on to streets in Rome.
Thousands of campaigners and religious leaders marched through Rome, backing Pope Francis’s uncompromising environmental message ahead of a Vatican conference on climate change, and urging world leaders to take action.
Half of Europe’s electricity set to be from renewables by 2030
A leaked paper from the European Commission predicts fast renewables growth to around double current levels if countries meet climate objectives.
Euroland: psyched and ready for climate charm offensive
With the specter of Copenhagen hanging heavy in the minds of officials working in the European Commission, the bloc is drawing on a network of 3,000 diplomats abroad to get the most out of this year's climate negotiations.