Carbon emissions fell by record amount in 2020 due to pandemic – study
Global carbon emissions from using fossil fuels fell by a record amount in 2020 as a result of Covid-19 lockdowns around the world, researchers have said.
Climate Change
New homes could require emissions-free heating systems
New homes will have to be built with heating systems that produce no carbon emissions from 2024 under Scottish Government plans.
UK should cut emissions by 78% by 2035, Government climate advisers say
The UK should cut greenhouse gas emissions by nearly four-fifths by 2035, climate advisers have said, signalling major changes to home heating, cars and diets.
Boiler phase-out, more offshore wind and EVs: changes required for climate goals
The Government’s advisory Committee on Climate Change has called for the UK to cut its emissions by 78% by 2035 on the way to ending climate pollution by 2050.
How can we turn our homes green to meet the climate challenge?
Sales of gas boilers for homes should be phased out by 2033 as part of efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions from heating, climate advisers have said.
Space projects share £850,000 funding
Three innovative space projects in Scotland are sharing in £850,000 of UK Government funding.
Snow on ground could disappear for most by end of century, Met Office suggests
Snowball fights and sledging could be at risk because snow that settles on the ground in winter may disappear for much of the UK by the end of the century due to climate change, a Met Office analysis has suggested.
Heatwave deaths rise as climate increasingly hits health, report warns
Deaths from heat among older people have more than doubled in the UK since the early 2000s, as the effects of climate change on health worsen, a report has warned.
Ending the ‘war on nature’ must be top priority, UN chief urges
Human activities are driving a “descent towards chaos”, the head of the United Nations warned as he called for action to combat the climate and nature crises.
2020 among the world’s hottest years as climate crisis continues
This year is set to be one of the hottest on record globally amid the ongoing climate crisis and extreme weather conditions, the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) has said.
Great Barrier Reef ‘critical’ as climate change hits natural heritage: report
Climate change poses the greatest threat to the world’s natural heritage, with the Great Barrier Reef now in a “critical” situation, a report has warned.
Ofsted: Teaching climate change without science could become ‘morality tale’
Teaching about climate change without a grounding in science risks becoming a “morality tale” or “quasi-religious”, the Ofsted chief inspector has warned.
Climate action pledges could curb global warming to 2.1C, analysis shows
Action to tackle climate emissions announced by countries in recent months could help limit global warming to 2.1C, analysis suggests.
Readers’ Letters: Fuel purge will prove pointless
Research commissioned by Honda, Aston Martin, Bosch and McLaren has shown that the manufacture of electric vehicles generates 63% more carbon dioxide than petrol or diesel models.
Court orders 33 European nations to respond to climate change complaint
The European Court of Human Rights is requiring a prompt response from 33 countries, including the UK, to an ambitious climate change case brought by six young Portuguese people, a move that activists said gave heart to their cause.
Charles urges viewers to leave ‘lasting legacy’ through Countryfile campaign
The Prince of Wales has thrown his support behind a Countryfile campaign to plant 750,000 trees in an effort to tackle climate change.
Competitions launched to conserve world-famous Highgate Cemetery
A search is being launched for designers and architects to help conserve the world-famous Highgate Cemetery in London in the face of climate change.
Levels of carbon dioxide at record highs despite lockdown, experts warn
Lockdowns around the world to tackle the pandemic have not curbed record high levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, experts have warned.
Scotland’s climate plan is ‘good, but could do better’
The Scottish government has been told their response to climate change is “good, but could still do better” by a climate emergency group.
G20: PM urges leaders to boost efforts on coronavirus and climate crisis
Boris Johnson has urged world leaders to do more to tackle the climate crisis and defeat the coronavirus pandemic in a message to the G20 summit.
More than 2,500 ‘excess deaths’ as summer heatwaves take toll
More than 2,500 people died in England as a result of three heatwaves this summer, figures suggest.
UN climate chief: Pledges by big polluters boost Paris hopes
The UN’s climate chief says deadlines set by some of the world’s top polluters to end greenhouse gas emissions have boosted hopes of meeting the Paris Agreement’s goals
Greens’ attempt to declare nature emergency at Holyrood fails
An attempt by the Scottish Greens to declare a “nature emergency” at Holyrood has failed after MSPs instead backed an amendment to deal with “climate change and biodiversity loss on a twin-crises basis”.
North East may see bumper green investment under Boris Johnson’s climate plan
Boris Johnson has unveiled a multibillion-pound green industrial plan that could see an emissions-busting project near Peterhead receive a huge cash injection.
Ban on sales of new petrol and diesel cars and vans brought forward to 2030
Sales of new petrol and diesel cars and vans will be phased out by 2030, Boris Johnson has confirmed as he set out his 10-point plan for a “green industrial revolution”.
Readers’ Letters: Democracy fast disappearing
Those who want to be free of the union always use such derogative language which I’m sure we’ve all got used to hearing from the SNP over past several years.
EV drivers welcome reports of ‘petrol and diesel ban by 2030’
An organisation representing electric vehicle drivers has welcomed reports that the ban on sales of new petrol and diesel cars will be accelerated to 2030.
Concern over climate change continues in face of pandemic – official poll
Concern over climate change has remained high and even grown slightly even as the UK has been gripped by the coronavirus pandemic, a survey shows.
Plans unveiled to deliver water supplies with net zero emissions by 2030
Water supplies could be delivered with net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 under sector-wide plans to tackle climate change.
Extinction Rebellion Cenotaph protest ‘profoundly disrespectful’ – PM spokesman
An Extinction Rebellion climate protest at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Day was “profoundly disrespectful”, the Prime Minister’s spokesman said.