Guest post: Why the recent slowdown in Arctic sea ice loss is only temporary
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The retreat of sea ice in the Arctic has long been a prominent symbol of climate change. Observations reveal that Arctic sea ice extent at the end of summer has halved, since satellite records began in the late 1970s. Yet, since the late 2000s, the pace of Arctic sea ice loss has slowed markedly, with […]
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£695k boost for greener public buildings in Greater Manchester
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Public buildings across Greater Manchester will be upgraded with solar panels, battery storage, and EV chargers with the help of new funding from Great British Energy. The £695,000 funding boost will enable a wide range of clean energy upgrades at key public and community sites across Greater Manchester, from libraries and leisure centres to emergency […]
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A new model predicts how molecules will dissolve in different solvents
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Using machine learning, MIT chemical engineers have created a computational model that can predict how well any given molecule will dissolve in an organic solvent — a key step in the synthesis of nearly any pharmaceutical. This type of prediction could make it much easier to develop new ways to produce drugs and other useful […]
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Plastics pollution talks conclude in deadlock again, but progress is still possible
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The latest round of UN negotiations on a global treaty to end plastic pollution came to a gruelling close on 15 August, without reaching an agreement. Yet the process is far from finished, as many observers have been keen to point out. The Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution met for the sixth time (since […]
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To Build a Beautiful World, You First Have to Imagine It
I’ve been thinking a lot about futurism these past few weeks. And wondering what it is that makes dreaming without bounds so dang difficult. I participated in a strategic planning session for an org that I love recently. We were invited to imagine the organization 20 years in the future and folks struggled to actually […]
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Researchers glimpse the inner workings of protein language models
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Within the past few years, models that can predict the structure or function of proteins have been widely used for a variety of biological applications, such as identifying drug targets and designing new therapeutic antibodies. These models, which are based on large language models (LLMs), can make very accurate predictions of a protein’s suitability for […]
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Spending Review 2025: A catalyst for sustainable, integrated infrastructure?
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Construction site near Brighton, East Sussex: Transport infrastructure can be delivered with robust environmental safeguards, and that ambition needs to be embedded in every major project funded under this review. Ann Gordon, UK & Ireland Transport Lead, Ramboll reflects on the significance of the government’s Spending Review in June, and why she believes it to […]
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Study outlines digital roadmap for net zero steel
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A recent study has developed a strategic digital roadmap that purports to offer a means to fast-track the UK steel sector’s transition to net zero. Developed by a team of academics from the University of Warwick, the research identifies the most pressing barriers to adopting Industrial Digital Technologies (IDTs) and provides actionable guidance on how […]
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When Custom Binds All States: Reflections on Customary International Law in the ICJ Climate Advisory Opinion
In the triptych of inspiring advisory opinions by international courts and tribunals (see here, here, and here), the third iteration by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) did not disappoint. Its unanimous advisory opinion on climate change constitutes a landmark decision that will be with us for many years. This blog reflects on the ICJ’s […]
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DeBriefed 15 August 2025: Raging wildfires; Xi’s priorities; Factchecking the Trump climate report
Welcome to Carbon Brief’s DeBriefed. An essential guide to the week’s key developments relating to climate change. This week Blazing heat hits Europe FANNING THE FLAMES: Wildfires “fanned by a heatwave and strong winds” caused havoc across southern Europe, Reuters reported. It added: “Fire has affected nearly 440,000 hectares (1,700 square miles) in the eurozone so […]
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Glasgow air pollution drops by a third following LEZ enforcement, reports city council
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Air pollution in Glasgow city centre has dropped by a third since enforcement of the Low Emission Zone, according to an announcement from the city council on 12 August. New data for 2024 appears to show a 34% reduction in levels of nitrogen dioxide within the LEZ area compared to 2022 – the last full […]
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Establishing the tray-to-tray recycling market: technology, scale and challenges
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PET trays often feature complex designs and composition which complicate sorting and decontamination. Tray-to-tray recycling is becoming a recognised approach for advancing circularity in plastic packaging – especially for food-grade applications. Valerio Sama, Business Development Manager – Packaging at TOMRA Recycling, examines the latest developments in tray-to-tray recycling, detailing the challenges, technologies and market trends […]
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How AI could speed the development of RNA vaccines and other RNA therapies
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Using artificial intelligence, MIT researchers have come up with a new way to design nanoparticles that can more efficiently deliver RNA vaccines and other types of RNA therapies. After training a machine-learning model to analyze thousands of existing delivery particles, the researchers used it to predict new materials that would work even better. The model […]
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Factcheck: Trump’s climate report includes more than 100 false or misleading claims
A “critical assessment” report commissioned by the Trump administration to justify a rollback of US climate regulations contains at least 100 false or misleading statements, according to a Carbon Brief factcheck involving dozens of leading climate scientists. The report – “A critical review of impacts of greenhouse gas emissions on the US climate” – was […]
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Using generative AI, researchers design compounds that can kill drug-resistant bacteria
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With help from artificial intelligence, MIT researchers have designed novel antibiotics that can combat two hard-to-treat infections: drug-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae and multi-drug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Using generative AI algorithms, the research team designed more than 36 million possible compounds and computationally screened them for antimicrobial properties. The top candidates they discovered are structurally distinct from any […]
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A new way to test how well AI systems classify text
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Is this movie review a rave or a pan? Is this news story about business or technology? Is this online chatbot conversation veering off into giving financial advice? Is this online medical information site giving out misinformation? These kinds of automated conversations, whether they involve seeking a movie or restaurant review or getting information about […]
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MIT gears up to transform manufacturing
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“Manufacturing is the engine of society, and it is the backbone of robust, resilient economies,” says John Hart, head of MIT’s Department of Mechanical Engineering (MechE) and faculty co-director of the MIT Initiative for New Manufacturing (INM). “With manufacturing a lively topic in today’s news, there’s a renewed appreciation and understanding of the importance of […]
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A Panoply of Consequences? Remedies and Reparations in the ICJ’s Climate Opinion
The International Court of Justice (ICJ)’s recent advisory opinion on climate change represents a pivotal moment in the evolution of international climate law. By affirming that States can incur legal responsibility for failing to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, the ICJ brought long-standing principles of State responsibility into sharper focus within the climate context. Among […]