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Fire breaks out at UN climate talks, forcing delay at critical phase
A fire broke out inside the UN climate summit venue in Brazil on Thursday, burning through the roof and causing a panicked evacuation and the suspension of talks entering a crucial phase.
UN chief calls for 'ambitious compromise' at climate talks
With UN climate talks nearing a close in Belem, the world body's chief on Thursday urged nations to reach an "ambitious compromise" that keeps alive the goal of limiting long-term planetary warming to the critical 1.5C threshold.
Greenpeace says clothes sold by Shein break EU chemicals rules
Clothing items sold by Asian e-commerce giant Shein contain dangerous chemicals at levels well in excess of EU rules, Greenpeace charged in a report published on Thursday.
EU moves to bar 'green' labels for fossil fuel investments
The European Commission said Thursday it wants to exclude companies involved in fossil fuels from financial products marketed as "sustainable" in the EU, a step long demanded by environmental groups and experts.
Giant spider web found in Greek-Albanian border cave: study
Scientists have discovered a giant spider web spanning about half the size of a tennis court and with some 111,000 spiders in a cave on the border between Greece and Albania.
COP30 dragged into clash over gender language
A row over the definition of gender risks complicating the outcome of COP30 climate talks in Brazil, after six governments moved to attach their own interpretations as footnotes to a key text.
EU states back new delay to anti-deforestation rules
EU member states Wednesday backed a new one-year delay to landmark anti-deforestation rules that have hit a wall of opposition from businesses and trading partners, diplomats told AFP.
White rhino born at Spain zoo in conservation success
A southern white rhino calf has been born at a zoo in eastern Spain, in a success for a European programme aimed at preserving the threatened species.
Lula lands in Amazon to press for climate deal
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva arrived in Belem on Wednesday to press negotiators to reach an early deal at UN climate talks as nations remain far apart on contentious issues.
Without US satellites, 'we go dark', climate monitor tells AFP
US budget cuts risk creating blind spots in Earth monitoring systems that would imperil weather forecasting and climate research for years to come, the deputy chair of a key UN-backed climate monitoring body warned in an AFP interview.
Ireland's data centres power digital age, drain the grid
Ireland hosts one of the world's fast-growing clusters of data centres, but is running headlong into the difficult consequences.
Lula to return to COP30 as nations under pressure to land deal
COP30 host Brazil pushed Tuesday for an early breakthrough at UN climate talks, with nations weighing a proposed deal that seeks to bridge major differences on fossil fuels, finance and trade barriers.
Lula says Germany's Merz should have 'gone dancing', after Belem criticism
Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said Tuesday that German Chancellor Friedrich Merz should have gone out dancing and enjoyed Belem more, in response to his criticism of the COP30 host city.
Lula to return to COP30 as first draft climate deal lands
COP30 host Brazil on Tuesday unveiled a first draft deal after UN climate talks stretched late into the night, seeking a compromise with nations at odds as the summit clock ticks down.
Study finds 41% of EV drivers would avoid Tesla over politics
More than 40 percent of electric car drivers worldwide would avoid owning a Tesla, the brand run by controversial billionaire Elon Musk, for political reasons, according to a recent survey.
COP-and-trade? Tariffs, carbon tax weigh on climate talks
In Belem, the Brazilian city hosting COP30, it's hard to miss the BYD Dolphin Mini -- the Chinese hatchback that's dominating the local electric vehicle market, even as the company races to catch up in Europe and is absent in North America.
First draft of climate pact lands at COP30 in Brazil
COP30 hosts Brazil on Tuesday produced a first draft of an agreement between nations at the UN climate talks after negotiations on the sticking points stretched late into the night.
Climate talks run into night as COP30 hosts seek breakthrough
COP30 hosts Brazil on Monday extended negotiations into the night at the UN climate talks as they pushed for a rapid compromise among countries very much at deep odds.
'In it to win it': Australia doubles down on climate hosting bid
Australia's Climate Minister Chris Bowen launched a last-ditch blitz Monday to host next year's UN climate summit, saying his country was "fighting hard" to beat a rival bid from Turkey.
New research measures how much plastic is lethal for marine life
Marine animals inevitably eat what we toss in the ocean, including pervasive plastics -- but how much is too much?
EU defends carbon tax as ministers take over COP30 negotiations
Ministers took over UN climate negotiations in Brazil Monday as COP30 entered its final stretch, with nations split on key issues and the EU defending a carbon tax criticized by China and others.
'Stranded, stressed' giraffes in Kenya relocated as habitats encroached
Coaxed and tugged by rangers, a blindfolded giraffe totters into the specialised vehicle that will transport it away from an increasingly hostile environment to a new home in Kenya's eastern Rift Valley.
Greenpeace says French uranium being sent to Russia
The Greenpeace environment group said Sunday that France was sending reprocessed uranium to Russia for treatment so it can be reused, despite the Kremlin's war in Ukraine.
Turkey seeks to host next COP as co-presidency plans falter
Turkey wants to host next year's UN climate change talks and is prepared to do so independently if consensus on co-presidency cannot be reached, a Turkish diplomatic source told AFP Sunday.
Spain rescues hundreds of exotic animals from unlicensed shelter
Spanish police announced on Saturday they had raided a unlicensed animal sanctuary and rescued hundreds of exotic creatures including leopard tortoises, iguanas and geckos.
UN regulator says shipping still wants to decarbonize -- despite US threats
Threats, intimidation, harassment -- the tactics deployed by US negotiators to stall a global deal on shipping pollution last month sent chills through climate diplomats ahead of the COP30 summit.
Indigenous protest blocks entrance to UN climate summit
Dozens of Indigenous protesters, some holding babies, peacefully blocked the entrance to the UN climate summit in Brazil on Friday to demand a meeting with President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and discuss their plight in the Amazon.
Italian fruit detective racing to save forgotten varieties
Isabella Dalla Ragione hunts in abandoned gardens and orchards for forgotten fruits, preserving Italy's agricultural heritage and saving varieties which could help farmers withstand the vagaries of a changing climate.
Fight over fossil fuels drawdown looms at UN climate summit
Two years after nations agreed to transition away from fossil fuels, dozens are pushing to go even further at the COP30 climate summit, setting up a showdown with oil powers.
We need to talk about our fossil fuel addiction: UNEP chief
"Off Target," "Broken Record," "Closing Window": the UN Environment Programme's flagship reports have been warning for years that emissions must fall faster to avoid dangerous climate impacts -- but is the world listening?
Battle brews over Australia or Turkey hosting next COP
Diplomats chasing a good coffee at the COP30 climate summit in Brazil essentially have two choices: the Australians pouring flat whites, or the Turkish offering strong brews right next door.
Mushroom material takes on plastic packaging at Belgian start-up
On a gleaming new production line in Brussels, Julien Jacquet shows off a row of milky-white soap bar wrappers -- made by what is billed as Europe's first factory for mushroom-based packaging.