Environment & Climate
The European Green Deal, energy transition, oceans and the climate policy behind the headlines.
Irish Teen Wins Earth Prize for Biodegradable Plastic That Eats Microplastics
Ayra Satheesh, an 18-year-old student from Ireland, has been named the European winner of the 2026 Earth Prize for her invention Eco Purge.
Amsterdam Bans Meat and Fossil Fuel Ads, Not to Appease Muslims
Amsterdam has become the first capital to ban public adverts for meat and fossil fuel products, aiming to reduce carbon emissions. Far-right
Hungary's Drought Deepens as the Great Plain Turns Dusty and Rivers Dry Up
Hungary's Great Plain has a 120-millimetre moisture deficit, with topsoil critically dry nationwide. Lake Velence water levels have dropped
Antarctic Sea Ice Collapse Driven by Ocean Heat, Winds, and Feedback Loop
Scientists identify a three-stage collapse of Antarctic sea ice driven by deep-ocean heat, strong winds, and a self-reinforcing feedback loo
Portugal Hosts Major EU Wildfire Drill with 700 Personnel from Six Nations
Portugal led a European civil protection exercise simulating a large rural fire, involving 700 operatives from Cyprus, Spain, France, Poland
Large Forest Fire in Chernobyl Exclusion Zone After Drone Crash, Kyiv Reports
A forest fire in the Chernobyl exclusion zone, sparked by a drone crash, has spread to 1,100 hectares. Ukrainian authorities report radiatio
Europe's Battery Storage Race: Germany Leads Now, Turkey Dominates Future Plans
Germany leads Europe in operational battery capacity at 2.8 GW, followed by Italy at 2 GW. Turkey's project pipeline of 32.8 GW is more than
Sir David Attenborough at 100: A Life in Pictures and Conservation
Sir David Attenborough turns 100 today, marking a century of groundbreaking natural history broadcasting. From the BBC's early days to globa
David Attenborough at 100: A Century of Planetary Change Through His Eyes
Sir David Attenborough turns 100 on 8 May, marking seven decades of documenting Earth's ecosystems. The planet has seen a 73% decline in wil
Tap Water Safety Across Europe: Finland and Iceland Lead, Luxembourg and Belgium Lag
Finland, Iceland, the Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, and the UK achieve perfect scores for drinking water safety. Luxembourg, Belgium, an
Renewables with Battery Storage Now Rival Fossil Fuels on Cost, IRENA Finds
Solar and wind power paired with battery storage can now deliver round-the-clock electricity at costs comparable to new coal and gas plants.
Near-Record April Sea Temperatures Raise Fears of Super El Niño and Extreme Weather
April 2026 recorded the second-highest sea surface temperatures ever for extra-polar oceans. Scientists fear a super El Niño later this year