At their summit in Rio, the eleven BRICS countries are demanding more commitment, money and structural reforms from the Global North when it comes to climate policy. However, the major emerging economies show little ambition in their own climate assessments.
By Bernhard Pötter
Trump's draft budget provides for drastic cuts to climate science at NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Earth observation via satellites would also be severely affected. While climate scientists are complaining, the European space community is preparing for more autonomy.
By Nico Beckert
Many cities and municipalities want to be more climate-neutral than the federal government. A survey shows that 72% have a climate action concept and 87% have full-time climate action officers. However, the Association of Cities and Towns is calling for more money from the federal and state governments.
By Kai Schöneberg
Nature credits are intended to incentivize private financing for measures to restore biodiversity and natural habitats. The EU Commission has now presented a timetable for the development of the market design.
By Alex Veit
The Inter-American Court of Human Rights says: States must protect the climate and nature – and this duty takes precedence over other legal requirements. Experts welcome the opinion. They expect other courts to take up its arguments.
By Alexandra Endres
Because CO₂ storage under the North Sea is reaching its limits, there are renewed calls for CCS to be permitted on land. But that would also be an expensive and far too risky mistake. Instead, we need the courage for a real transformation - towards a future in which CO₂ is not produced in the first place.
By Karsten Smid
New satellite data show worrying changes in the salinity of the Southern Ocean. However, reports of a reversal of a central ocean current were based on an erroneous press release.
By Malte Kreutzfeldt
After a weak 2024, new EV registrations in Germany picked up noticeably in the first six months of 2025. BYD has seen particularly strong growth. The Chinese manufacturer is currently offering high discounts.
By Carsten Hübner, Lukas Bayer
Agriculture has major potential to contribute to EU climate neutrality – by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, storing carbon and providing alternatives to fossil raw materials. To mobilize this potential, the sector must finally become an integral part of the EU’s climate agenda.
By Christine Chemnitz, Harald Grethe
At a conference in Exeter, UK, scientists discuss the risk that the Atlantic overturning circulation, for example, could soon tip over. The UK government is developing a warning system. Technical developments offer hope.
By Toralf Staud
