Analysis: Record UK wildfires have burned an area twice the size of Glasgow in 2025
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Wildfires have scorched more than 40,000 hectares of land so far this year across the UK – an area more than twice the size of the Scottish city of Glasgow. This is already a record amount of land burned in a single year, far exceeding the previous high, Global Wildfire Information System (GWIS) data shows. […]
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Of Warming and Warzones: The Legal Status of Military Emissions in the ICJ’s Climate Opinion
Military activities and armed conflicts are a growing climate liability. Along with thousands of deaths, twelve months of war in Ukraine resulted in around 120 million tons of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions – matching Belgium’s emissions over the same period. The climate footprint of the first fifteen months of Israel’s war on Gaza exceeds the […]
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Ultrasound system can remove BPA from water more effectively
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Researchers have found a new way to remove a common pollutant from water using controlled waves of ultrasound, without the use of additional chemicals. The system, developed by chemists from the University of Glasgow, can scrub up to 94% of the traces of Bisphenol A (BPA) from samples of contaminated water by using ultrasound to […]
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Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal: A Primer
The climate crisis has necessitated a wave of bold innovation. As new climate mitigation strategies have been developed, the law has often failed to keep up. This is especially clear in the ocean, where marine carbon dioxide removal (mCDR) projects – techniques that use the ocean to remove and store carbon dioxide from the atmosphere […]
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State Responsibility and the ICJ’s Advisory Opinion on Climate Change: One Step at a Time
After the International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued its advisory opinion on Obligations of States in Respect of Climate Change, many observers were quick to conclude that it “[opens] the door to a cascade of lawsuits” (Politico). The opinion is indeed an important confirmation that the rules of State responsibility apply in the climate change […]
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China Briefing 7 August 2025: Deadly floods; ‘Industrial Cthulhu’; Higher solar forecast
Welcome to Carbon Brief’s China Briefing. China Briefing handpicks and explains the most important climate and energy stories from China over the past fortnight. Subscribe for free here. Key developments Floods killed 60 people after ‘year of rain in a week’ HUMAN TOLL: Heavy rainfall in late July killed at least 60 people across northern China, […]
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Trump administration proposal likely to boost innovation in drone technology
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A new set of federal regulations has been proposed by the US Trump administration that could provide a major stimulus to the development and sales of drone technology. On 6 August, Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy unveiled a new proposed regulation known as “Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS)”, stating that it “will unleash American […]
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Guest post: What an ‘ambitious’ 2035 electricity target looks like for China
China’s power sector is both the world’s largest emitter and the largest source of clean-energy growth, making it essential to global climate efforts. This means it will be a key part of China’s next nationally determined contribution (NDC) – its climate pledge under the Paris Agreement for 2035 – which all countries are expected to publish by […]
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Explainer: What is ‘climate anxiety’?
As temperature records are shattered, ice rapidly melts and extreme weather events worsen, many people around the world say they are feeling more worried about climate change. Researchers call this growing phenomenon “climate anxiety”. A new analysis examines 94 studies focused on climate anxiety, involving 170,000 people across 27 countries, to explore who it is […]
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Majority of UK energy networks are “underutilised”, says analysis using AI and digital line rating tools
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Up to three-quarters of the UK and Ireland’s electricity distribution networks may be operating below capacity, according to new analysis, raising questions about whether existing infrastructure could be used to ease the growing queue of renewable projects waiting to connect to the grid. The study, based on digital modelling and physics-enabled AI, found that three […]
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Eco-driving measures could significantly reduce vehicle emissions
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Any motorist who has ever waited through multiple cycles for a traffic light to turn green knows how annoying signalized intersections can be. But sitting at intersections isn’t just a drag on drivers’ patience — unproductive vehicle idling could contribute as much as 15 percent of the carbon dioxide emissions from U.S. land transportation. A […]
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Eco-Friendly Whole House Water Filtration: Protecting Our Health and the Planet
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Clean drinking water is one of the most basic human needs. Yet in many parts of the world water quality is under constant attack from pollutants, industrial waste, agricultural runoff and old infrastructure. According to the World Health Organization 2 billion people globally drink water with feces in it and millions more are exposed to […]
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School of Architecture and Planning welcomes new faculty for 2025
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Four new faculty members join the School of Architecture and Planning (SA+P) this fall, offering the MIT community creativity, knowledge, and scholarship in multidisciplinary roles. “These individuals add considerable strength and depth to our faculty,” says Hashim Sarkis, dean of the School of Architecture and Planning. “We are excited for the academic vigor they bring […]
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Revealed: ‘Cali Fund’ for nature still empty as emails show industry hesitation
A major fund for biodiversity remains starved of resources more than five months after its launch – with no money yet put forward by the large companies who could contribute. The “landmark” Cali Fund – which could generate billions of pounds each year – was created under the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) at […]
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The Struggle against Fossil Sovereignty: The International Court of Justice in the Climate Crisis
Private actors are still expanding fossil fuel exploration and production while states continue to enable and even encourage such activities by granting subsidies, licences, and legal protection. This happens even though most fossil fuels must clearly stay in the ground if the Paris target of limiting global warming to 1.5˚C is to stay within reach […]
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Award recognizes leadership in sustainable water management
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This article contains paid for content produced in collaboration with SDS Infrastructure. Water technology firm SDS Infrastructure recently marked its first ever entry in the New Civil Engineer Awards with a prize in the category of “Impact in Water and Environment – Contractor”. The award recognized leadership in delivering innovative, sustainable water management solutions that address […]
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UK’s first commercial-scale BECCS project gets green light
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The Ince Biomass plant is located at the Protos energy and resource hub in Ince, Cheshire. Marking it out as a credible front-runner in supporting the UK’s efforts to get BECCS (Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage) up and running, low-carbon energy-from-waste wood company Evero has been selected to enter negotiations to potentially transform its […]
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Flood resilient garden showcases possibilities that combine adaptation and aesthetics
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In what seems an appealing example of practical climate adaptation, flood insurance specialist Flood Re has unveiled a permanent flood resilient garden at Howbery Park in Oxfordshire — a living demonstration of how thoughtful outdoor design can mitigate flood risk while enhancing biodiversity and aesthetic appeal. The permanent, free public access, flood resilient garden has […]