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The sustainability movement is 50. Why are world leaders ignoring it?

Sustainability is now a household term, but it wasn’t always so. Fifty years ago, the United Nations held its Conference on the Human Environment in Stockholm. This landmark event gave the concept of sustainable development its first international recognition. Sweden and the UN are marking the o ...

The planet is in peril. We’re building Congress’s strongest-ever climate bill

The latest International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report is clear and foreboding. If the United States, China and the rest of the world do not act extremely aggressively to cut carbon emissions, the planet will face enormous and irreversible damage. The world that we will be leaving our ch ...

The long-anticipated Environment Bill leaves room for improvement

The long-anticipated publication of England’s Environment Bill is a welcome landmark for environmental policy. Keen to enshrine in law the green credentials set out by Theresa May’s premiership, the current government hailed their bill as ‘groundbreaking’ legislation.

The conversion of forests to agricultural land is happening at a mind-boggling speed. Between 2015 and 2020, the rate of deforestation was estimated at around 10 million hectares every year.

At the start of the Budget Session, President Ram Nath Kovind, in his address, on Monday said India has emerged as a responsible global voice on climate change, with the Union government having pledged to reduce carbon emissions by 1 billion tonnes by 2030.

The challenge for G7 leaders: vaccinate the world and be bolder on climate

As G7 leaders meet, the costs of not acting on public health, climate and biodiversity loss are now becoming far higher than the costs of acting.

The cat is back: Wild Amur tigers rebound in China, thanks to govt policies

There was a time when tiger expert Dale Miquelle wasn’t sure if there’d ever be a substantial population of Amur tigers (Panthera tigris altaica) in China again. In the 1990s, Miquelle and his colleagues estimated there to only be about eight of these big cats, also commonly referred to as Siber ...

The US wants to be carbon neutral by 2050. These 3 policies can make it possible

The United States intends to do its part. Its climate plan pledges US carbon neutrality by 2050, with a 2030 emissions target to be announced shortly.

The US helped craft the most important international treaty to protect nature — but won’t join it

As President Joe Biden moves quickly to reinstate the full slate of environmental policies weakened by former President Donald Trump, including the landmark Migratory Bird Treaty Act, he’s signaling that climate change and biodiversity loss are now major priorities for the US.

The Private Sector Takes a Stand for Oceans During Climate Week

Climate Week in New York City started out with a clear message: The time for talking has passed; put your words into action. Climate action comes in many forms — policy change, investments in ecosystem restoration, clean technology innovation and much more. Oceans, increasingly under threat from ...

The Place of Biodiversity in EU Policy

Biodiversity is an essential component of life on Earth and of human society, and is now a primary focus area of the European Union with the EU’s Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 launched in 2020 as part of the European Green Deal.

The Governments of Canada and Manitoba work together to protect nature at Canadian Forces Base Shilo

Nature is an important part of Canadian identity, and we all need to do more to protect our natural areas for our children and grandchildren. That's why the Government of Canada is doubling the amount of nature protected in Canada's lands and oceans.

The Elites Can’t Stop Climate Change, but Democratic Cities Can

There is little doubt that very few expected anything meaningful and productive to come out of the COP26. Even before the beginning of the summit, climate scientists such as Peter Kalmus, author of Being the Change: Live Well and Spark a Climate Revolution, warned[2] that one of the summit’s mai ...

The EPA needs to retool its fight against climate pollution. Here’s how.

The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that the EPA did not have the authority under the Clean Air Act to decide which energy sources would be prioritized. Essentially, this means that EPA cannot curb carbon emission through “generation shifting.”

The 1977 White House climate memo that should have changed the world

In 1977 Star Wars hit movie theaters, New York City had a blackout that lasted 25 hours, and the Apple II personal computer went up for sale. It was also the year that a remarkable one-page memo was circulated at the very highest levels of US government.

Thaw and redraw: melting glacier moves Italian-Swiss border

Way up in the snowy Alps, the border between Switzerland and Italy has shifted due to a melting glacier, putting the location of an Italian mountain lodge in dispute.

Thailand Releases Draft Biodiversity Act

Thailand is one of the most biodiversity-rich countries in the world due to its large variety of ecosystems, landscapes, and habitats. This array of natural resources has played a large role in supporting local livelihoods for millennia, and since industrialization has contributed significantly ...

Tension and trade-offs between protecting biodiversity and avoiding climate change

Land just upstream of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in Minnesota was leased for copper mining — until the plan was recently scrapped.

Tanzania: Govt Prepares National Climate Change Strategy Draft

IN efforts to tackle impacts of climate change in the country, the government is preparing the National Climate Change Strategy 2021-2016 draft, researchers have been informed.

Tackling environmental problems requires integrated approach

Last November, the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment took place in Durban, South Africa. It brought together African governments, policymakers, development partners and civil society organisations to deliberate on pressing environmental challenges such as biodiversity loss, clima ...

T&T’s biodiversity must be protected from extinction

The blazing crimson of the scarlet ibis. The vibrant yellows of the poui tree. The intriguing spots of the ocelot. All examples of the rich biodiversity of Trinidad and Tobago. But without protection from exploitation and degradation, they could all be lost to this generation and future generations.

Swiss to vote on setting climate goals in constitution

Swiss environmental activists collected enough signatures to force a referendum on setting specific goals for combating climate change in the country's constitution, authorities said Thursday.

Supreme court case could restrict Biden’s effort to tackle climate crisis

Joe Biden’s faltering effort to tackle the climate crisis faces a further, potentially devastating, blow on Monday in a supreme court case that experts warn could severely restrict any future US government attempt to limit planet-heating emissions.

Strict environmental laws 'push' firms to pollute elsewhere

Multinational companies headquartered in countries with tougher environmental policies tend to locate their polluting factories in countries with more lax regulations, a new study finds.

Stop overfishing or we’ll buy elsewhere, top UK fish firm warns European states

The UK’s largest seafood processor is threatening to stop sourcing fish from the north-east Atlantic unless coastal states, including the UK and countries in the EU, reach a suitable agreement on managing populations this month.

Stockholm+50: Legacies of 1972 Conference and Challenges Ahead

As the world community prepares to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment (Stockholm+50), which lay the foundation for modern environmental diplomacy, a triple planetary crisis of climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, and pollution is puttin ...

State of the EU 2021: What are the key takeaways from von der Leyen's annual speech?

The fights against COVID-19 and climate change will be the main priorities for the European Union in the coming year, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced on Wednesday during her annual State of the European Union address.

State aid: Commission invites comments on proposed revision of EU State aid rules for agriculture, forestry and fishery sectors

The European Commission is inviting all interested parties to comment on proposed revised State aid rules for the agricultural, forestry and fishery sectors. The purpose of the proposed revision is to align the current rules with the current EU strategic priorities, in particular the Common Agri ...

Stakes 'never been higher' in climate fight: IPCC head

The stakes in the fight against global warming are higher than ever, the UN's climate science chief said Monday as nearly 200 nations met to finalise what is sure to be a harrowing report on climate impacts.

Spring Statement: Chancellor unveils biodiversity plans and low-carbon homes requirements

Chancellor Philip Hammond has today (13 March) pledged to implement legislation requiring developers to deliver biodiversity net-gain through all projects in his 2019 Spring Statement, which also includes a review into the economic benefits of environmental conservation.

Species recovery targets in England damaging and illogical, scientists warn

The government has set damaging and illogical targets for species recovery in England that could mean there is eight years of decline before any improvement, despite already being at “rock bottom”, scientists have warned the prime minister.

Spain cracks down on food waste with supermarket fines and ‘doggy bags’ required at restaurants

Spain is the latest European country to pass new legislation aimed at reducing its high levels of food waste. Supermarkets will be fined for discarding unsold food, and restaurants must be able to provide 'doggy bags' for leftovers.

South Africa: President - Tackling Climate Change a National Priority

President Cyril Ramaphosa says transitioning to a low emissions economy offers new opportunities for development. "We must acknowledge that the transition to a low emissions economy and climate resilient society offers opportunities for new development, investment and job creation.

South Africa: Minister Barbara Creecy Participates in July Ministerial Climate Change Meeting in London, UK

Minister Barbara Creecy, Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment participated in a July Ministerial Climate Change meeting hosted by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) COP 26 President-Designate, Mr. Alok Sharma, on 25 and 26 July 2021 in London, UK.

South Africa: Minister Barbara Creecy Delivers Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Budget Speech 2020/21 to National Assembly

Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Minister Barbara Creecy today delivered the Department's budget for 2021/22 to the National Assembly highlighting the need to protect natural resources while growing a post-Covid-19 economy.

South Africa to introduce new climate change law

South Africa commits to helping fight climate change

South Africa’s president has told the G7 summit that his country is determined to contribute its fair share towards the global effort to address climate change challenges.

Solving the Climate and Biodiversity Crises Needs as Much Science as Nature

Planting trees, greening cities, and restoring wetlands are some of the solutions to the global climate and biodiversity crises that have gained traction in the wake of the COP26 climate talks.

Six guiding principles for EU agricultural policy to halt biodiversity loss

Over 300 scientists make recommendations on how to improve the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy

Sisi urges supporting Africa to face climate change as he chairs roundtable in Brussels

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi highlighted the need to support the African continent in facing climate change through providing concessional climate funding.

Should rivers have the same rights as people?

The Magpie River winds majestically through the forests of Quebec for nearly 200 miles. Its thundering ribbon of blue is cherished by kayakers, white-water rafters and the indigenous Innu people of Ekuanitshit. Earlier this year, in a first for Canada, the river was granted legal personhood by l ...

Sewage dumps into English rivers widespread, criminal inquiry suspects

A criminal investigation into water companies in England has uncovered suspected widespread illegal sewage discharges from treatment plants, the Environment Agency has revealed.

Seeing the forest for the trees: Cambodia commits to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050

Cambodia begins the new year as the first nation in Southeast Asia to publish a plan to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. The roadmap, known officially as a "Long-term strategy for Carbon Neutrality (LTS4CN)", was submitted to the United Nations Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) on the 30th ...

Scotland's beaver population doubles to 1000 in three years

The number of beavers in Scotland have more than doubled in the last three years, new figures reveal. Natural environment agency NatureScot says there are now about 1,000 of the animals. Legislation was introduced in 2019 to make beavers a protected species, meaning it's illegal to kill or distu ...

Scientific advisers strive to be ‘honest brokers’ in times of crisis

How can scientists best inform public policymakers at a time when policy decisions are often complex and the science is uncertain? With the spread of coronavirus now challenging both scientists and policymakers across Europe, this was the timely theme of a recent workshop in the Royal Irish Acad ...

Science-based policy-making: New recommendations for forest pests and diseases management

Over the last century, emerging diseases have progressively been recognized by the scientific community as the main threat to forest ecosystems. With increasing international trade and globalization, the introduction of non-native species into new environments has exacerbated the problems of eme ...

Science towards policy: New approaches towards improving forest resistance to invasive alien species

Invasive alien pests and pathogens are a challenge posed in front of forest managers in Europe and around the world. Invasions have a profound impact on forest ecosystems and nature’s contributions to people.

Saving Mangroves

Bio-diversity, a contraction of biological diversity, refers to the large variety of living species on earth that include plants, animals, bacteria, and fungi. Communities of plants and animals, called ecosystems, thrive on bio-diversity. Human life depends on these ecosystems.

Sato seeks passage of ecological protection bills: 'No price tag on environmental sustainability'

Sato, who is now serving as a United Nations Development Program’s (UNDP) Global Legislative Champion for Biodiversity and Environment, has pledged to continue to ensure the protection of the province’s ecology as she vowed solid support for programs and advocacies that would protect and conserv ...

Satellites improve national reporting of greenhouse gases

With the climate crisis continuing to tighten its grip, nations around the world are making efforts to reduce emissions of climate warming gases. To track action, countries report their greenhouse gas emissions to the UNFCCC—the body responsible for driving global action to combat climate change.

Safeguarding the 2030 Agenda by harmonizing climate action plans with green recovery

The world is still grappling with the profound economic, social, and environmental impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. These impacts offer a glimpse of what the land use and agriculture sectors will endure if a systemic transformation towards climate resilience is not achieved by 2030.