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A global agreement in 1987 to ban chemicals harming the ozone layer is working, scientists say.

Scientists describe as ‘very alarming’ research that shows severe weather events were made more likely by climate change

Relentless drought in California, extreme rainfall in the UK, record heat in China – some of the most severe weather events that have occurred around the world in the past few years were made far more likely due to the climate crisis, new research has found.

The analysis of extreme events in 2021 and 2022 found that many of these extremes were worsened by global heating, and in some cases would have been almost impossible in terms of their severity if humans had not altered the climate through the burning of fossil fuels.

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Despite a month-long sell-off on European gas prices, it is not likely that there will be a quick return to EUA buying for industrials that have suspended operations amid extreme energy costs, nor a sustained ramping up of coal-to-gas fuel switching, analysts have told Carbon Pulse.

The EU Presidency under Sweden will aim to bring the remaining Fit for 55 climate bill to a close over its six month term through to July, the nation's deputy ambassador to Brussels said on Monday.

Thérèse Coffey’s weak plans will have minimal impact on one of the biggest problems threatening our environment

Two years after the government banned plastic straws, cotton buds and microbeads in some beauty products in England, Thérèse Coffey is set to ban single-use plastic plates, cutlery and polystyrene cups. That means possibly 1.1bn plates and 4.25bn items of cutlery in England will no longer be made each year.

That sounds impressive, as if the environment secretary is getting on top of the plastics that are used only once but last for centuries, breaking down into innumerable tiny pieces and polluting rivers and seas in the process. But the new ban barely scratches the surface of a problem that has been known about for decades and is now out of control.

John Vidal is a former Guardian environment editor

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Most of atmospheric layer that protects planet from ultraviolet radiation likely to be fully recovered for most of world by 2040

The hole in the Earth’s ozone layer, once the most feared environmental peril facing humanity, is set to be completely healed over most of the world within two decades following decisive action by governments to phase out ozone-depleting substances, a new UN assessment has found.

The loss of the ozone layer, which risked exposing people to harmful ultraviolet rays from the sun, is on track to be completely recovered by 2040 across the world, aside from the polar regions, according to the report. The poles will take a little longer – the ozone layer will fully bounce back by 2045 over the Arctic and by 2066 over the Antarctic.

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EUAs rose strongly on Monday as the market appeared to absorb the first auction of the year with ease, despite energy fundamentals which continue to suggest demand from generators should be weak and the prospect of additional auction volumes when the EU signs off on the REPowerEU initiative.

Arena backs UoW study that aims to cut grid connection costs for renewables, while also addressing integration challenges of new grid scale supply.

The post Cheaper, smoother grid connections for renewables the focus of Arena-backed study appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Mytilineos has reached financial close on a second portfolio of projects in Australia, two solar farms in Queensland and one in New South Wales.

The post Greek developer reaches financial close on another 230MW of Australian solar projects appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Some 96% of companies in the UK-based FTSE 350 share index increased expenditure on the voluntary carbon market over the past 24 months of which more than 50% did so dramatically, while around half said they plan to substantially raise spending over the next 24 months, according to research published on Monday.

Hazelnut and walnut trees among cultivars becoming commercially viable

Nuts are being grown more than ever by English farmers as the climate heats, making the products more economically viable, growers have said.

Nut trees are also helpful for biodiversity on farms, improving soil health as their roots improve the ability and capacity of soil to absorb water, reducing the risk of wind erosion.

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Insect declines mean reduced yields of healthy foods like fruit and vegetables and increased disease in people

The global loss of pollinators is already causing about 500,000 early deaths a year by reducing the supply of healthy foods, a study has estimated.

Three-quarters of crops require pollination but the populations of many insects are in sharp decline. The inadequate pollination that results has caused a 3%-5% loss of fruit, vegetable and nut production, the research found. The lower consumption of these foods means about 1% of all deaths can now be attributed to pollinator loss, the scientists said.

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China’s energy regulator has issued a draft strategy with policy objectives for the country's power sector over the coming decades, signalling the government's increased emphasis on market-based means to build towards a renewable-based new power system.

The ILSC is seeking a proactive Senior Carbon Coordinator to join our Northern Strategic Projects team to lead the development of the ILSC’s carbon strategy.

Reputex is looking for an analyst to join our Australian carbon market and advisory team. Based in Melbourne, the role will work to develop and implement our forecast models for Australian carbon market fundamentals, and carbon offset prices.

This role will require both sourcing regenerative carbon projects in Australia as well as help develop them for project registration.

South Korea’s environment ministry on Monday launched a call for proposals from ETS participants to apply for a total 138.8 billion won ($111.6 million) in government support for projects that will cut CO2 at their facilities.

The first orbital space launch from the UK is set to take off from Cornwall.

A modified jumbo jet will fly out of Cornwall on a mission to send nine satellites to orbit.

Australian market players and observers have welcomed the Chubb review’s recommendations to overhaul the governance structure of the scheme, but some have argued the panel failed to address fundamental issues with the methodologies that will continue to undermine its credibility.