Environment & Climate
The European Green Deal, energy transition, oceans and the climate policy behind the headlines.
Conservation wins: tigers, tuna, and turtles show recovery is possible
The Living Planet Index shows a 73% average decline in monitored vertebrate populations since 1970. Yet targeted conservation has boosted ti
Chinstrap penguins vanish from remote volcanic island as seas warm
Scientists recorded a 63% decline in chinstrap penguin nests on Zavodovski Island between 2011 and 2025. Warming waters have pushed krill so
Italy and Czechia urge EU to ease carbon rules as energy crisis strains industry
Italy and the Czech Republic have jointly urged Brussels to ease green rules to protect industry from the energy crisis. Their proposals inc
Finland halts Google data centre work pending environmental review
Finland has ordered Google to halt preparatory work on two data centre sites in Muhos and Kajaani until mandatory environmental assessments
EU to frame COP31 push around energy security and green transition
The EU will use energy security as a core argument for accelerating the green transition at COP31 in Turkey. Brussels sees clean energy as a
Pampas grass invasion in Portugal extends allergy season
Pampas grass has spread to at least 208 Portuguese municipalities, outcompeting native plants and altering ecosystems. Its pollen extends gr
Caspian Sea's retreat exposes new islands along Kazakhstan's coast
New islands are emerging in the northern Caspian as water levels drop by about 8-9 cm per year. Scientists warn that parts of the region cou
How Europe and beyond are adapting to water scarcity
Roughly half the world faces severe water scarcity at least part of the year. The UAE relies on desalination and recycling, while Uzbekistan
COP31 in Antalya: Electrification push, fossil fuel impasse, and climate finance gaps
COP31 opens in Antalya on 9 November with a focus on voluntary electrification targets. Fossil fuel phaseout remains stalled, while climate
Climate damage is locked in, but 10 insights show action still matters
Past emissions have already locked in future warming, but the scale of damage depends on today's choices. A new report outlines 10 insights
Romania's president signs law to cull 859 brown bears
Romania's president signed a law permitting the culling of 859 brown bears this year. The measure responds to a sharp rise in bear attacks a
Google's €13bn Finnish data centre plan splits rural Muhos
Google is investing €13bn in Finnish data centres, transforming the rural town of Muhos. Locals welcome the economic boost, but environmenta