Environment
— High-street banks’ green claims are under increasing scrutiny. Here’s how customers can find out where their money is going.
Climate Change
Climate change is the result of long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. While some of these shifts may occur naturally, human activities have been the primary driver of climate change since the 1800s. The burning of fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and gas, releases heat-trapping gases into the atmosphere, exacerbating the problem.
COP29
— COP29, dubbed the “finance COP,” sees 198 nations convene in Azerbaijan to negotiate new climate finance goals. Controversy surrounds fossil-fuel dependency and private banks’ limited contributions to combating climate change.
What The Experts Say
— Donald Trump’s re-election signals potential setbacks for global climate ambitions, yet some experts believe the momentum towards renewables and the green economy will persist, challenging Trump’s fossil fuel focus.
Plastic Pollution
— Samoa struggles to manage escalating plastic waste due to limited resources, warns rights expert Marcos Orellana. Despite restrictions, cheap plastic imports persist, highlighting the need for equitable international solutions.
Climate Change
— Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch’s scepticism toward net zero targets signals a shift, emphasising pragmatism and economic caution. Her ambivalence on climate policy suggests potential divisive strategies targeting Reform voters.
Conservative Leadership Contest
— Kemi Badenoch’s scepticism over the UK’s 2050 Net Zero target has sparked debate in the Conservative Party. She questions its feasibility, suggesting an adaptation-focused approach, potentially reshaping Tory climate policy.
Conservative Leadership Contest
— Tory leadership candidate Robert Jenrick has pledged to repeal the UK’s Climate Change Act, drawing support from a group of climate science deniers who claim “there is no greenhouse effect”. This move threatens mainstream political relevance amid public demand for climate action.
Conspiracy Theories
— Hurricane Milton’s impact on Florida spurred weather manipulation conspiracies, revealing a pattern: natural disasters can drive conspiracy theories. These theories hinder climate action, creating a self-perpetuating cycle of environmental denial.
National Security
— The UK COVID-19 inquiry reveals the previous Conservative government underestimated non-malicious threats like pandemics and climate change. Experts urge placing climate change at the heart of national security plans.
Environment
— The UK government’s £22 billion investment in carbon capture could hinder net zero goals by 2050, risking fossil fuel dependency and undercutting renewable energy alternatives.
Environment
— In cold climate countries like the UK, the uptake of sustainable heating remains low due to cost concerns, lack of public awareness, and resistance to government enforcement. Public campaigns and landlord incentives are crucial for an effective transition.
Climate Change
— Extreme weather is becoming more frequent as the climate warms due to fossil fuels. Rapid climate change means past weather records are outdated, and modern extremes are hard to predict.
Climate Change
— Despite being major polluters, global meat and dairy companies invest minimally in emission reduction, spending more on marketing and lobbying. Their climate targets are often misleading, failing to meet UN guidelines.
Climate Change
— A climate science denial group has appeared on GB News over 35 times since October 2023, downplaying climate issues and opposing net zero policies.
Climate Change
— A controversial right-wing conference in Brussels, sponsored by a Hungarian think tank funded by fossil fuels, faced shutdown by police due to safety concerns. The event included prominent climate change sceptics and right-wing politicians, including Nigel Farage and Suella Braverman.
Climate Change
— The European Court of Human Rights ruled that Switzerland violated human rights by not sufficiently tackling climate change, setting a legal precedent for future climate litigation and potentially impacting national policies across Europe.
