greenhouse gas emissionslatest news & developments
Emissions are still climbing. In 2024, global greenhouse gas emissions increased by 2.3%, reaching 57.7 gigatons of CO₂ equivalent — a faster rate of growth than in 2023 and more than four times the annual average of the 2010s.

Off target: Unep warns that the world is still falling short of the Paris climate goals

A decade after the Paris Agreement united countries behind the goal of limiting global warming to well below 2°C, the latest Emissions Gap report from the United Nations Environment Programme (Unep) delivers a sobering message: global efforts remain off target.  Despite new pledges and some policy progress, the world is still heading toward dangerous levels […]

  • Sheree Bega
7 min read
South Africa, the world’s seventh-largest coal producer, faces a climate challenge that has largely flown under the radar: methane emissions from coal mines. (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)

Governments’ fossil fuel production plans threaten Paris climate goals, new report warns

It finds that the fossil fuel output will exceed 1.5°C limit by 120% by 2030

  • Sheree Bega
6 min read
Up in smoke: Civil society organisations have called the environment department’s proposed emissions targets insufficient, especially as South Africa is the world’s 13th-largest emitter. Photo: Delwyn Verasamy

Civil society calls for stronger targets in South Africa’s draft climate plan

Groups say the environment department’s proposed emissions targets are inadequate

  • Sheree Bega
8 min read
Sea levels are rising as a result of global warming. Photo: File

ICJ: Every country obligated by climate and other international laws to stop global warming

This obligation arises from human rights, maritime and the customary international law, as well as the Paris Agreement and other climate change treaties and laws

6 min read
The effect of the retail industry on the environment has again made headlines in recent weeks, with France’s senate approving a Bill that directly addresses the environmental impact of the fast fashion industry.

Beyond fast fashion: Journey to net zero for retailers

South African retailers in all sectors should take note because the Climate Change Act’s provisions pave the way for sectoral greenhouse gas emission targets

  • Eyaaz
5 min read
The clear signs of human-induced climate change reached unprecedented levels in 2024, with some consequences expected to be irreversible for centuries

World Meteorological Organisation warns of irreversible climate deterioration

Rising sea levels, ocean heat and the highest atmospheric carbon levels in 800 000 years point to a climate crisis that’s escalating rapidly

  • Sheree Bega
8 min read
Concern: The exceptionally hot conditions are great if you have water in which to frolic. But most provinces have seen livestock dying and farmers having to delay planting crops. Photo: Alon Skuy/The Times/Gallo Images/Getty

It’s hot and records have been broken

The increase in temperature has been above the 1°C pre-industrial level for the past 12 months

  • Aarti Bhana
4 min read
Unrooted: New research shows that Africa is losing trees at an unprecedented rate. Areas of particular concern are the DRC, Madagascar, Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire. (Brent Stirton/Getty Images)

Africa’s kleptocrats enable illegal forestry

The destruction of indigenous forests, which act as carbon sinks, is also driven by foreign demand

7 min read
Minister of Electricity and Energy Kgosientsho Ramokgopa at the Windaba Conference in Cape Town. (Photo: X)

Ramokgopa outlines plans to ‘de-risk’ energy generation

The minister said that accelerating renewable energy is the country’s path to energy sovereignty and fighting climate change

  • Sheree Bega
7 min read
Burpathon: Cattle that graze emit more methane than feedlot-fed animals, and tend to be owned by poorer farmers. But the scale of feedlot production makes these the emissions winner. Photo: Universal Images Group/Getty Images

The beef with climate change

Beef cattle emit a large amount of methane, especially those grazed extensively, but the total from poor cattle owners is lower than that of top earners

  • Sheree Bega
6 min read
The main sectors on the CBAM list include iron, steel, cement, fertiliser, aluminium, electricity and hydrogen

EU, UK tax on imports will be a blow for African countries

The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism stands to negatively affect the continent

  • Eyaaz
5 min read
Scientists at the University of Cape Town’s Climate Risk Lab led the study, which analysed data from more than 21 000 species. (Photo by Emmanuele Contini/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Climate change drives marine species to new habitats despite emission reductions

Harmful effects associated with unsafe temperatures are largely in the tropics, rising rapidly after 2050. In the temperate and polar areas, changes are likely to arise from opportunities in the near-term

  • Sheree Bega
4 min read
Energy demand: Tanzania’s transition minerals include an estimated 70-million tonnes of graphite ore (above), commonly used in electrodes for batteries and fuel cells. Photo supplied

Clean energy minerals: Tanzania’s dark side to ‘a new dawn’

Tanzania is banking on its natural resources during the global transition to clean energy, but analysts warn there are dangers ahead

  • Eyaaz
11 min read
(Paul Botes/M&G)

The climate change bill must be signed into law as a matter of urgency

South Africa is a country with serious climate risks, and the bill would be a crucial step in response to these

  • Des Erasmus
5 min read
Photo: Getty Images

We are nowhere where we need to be in fighting climate change

As the 28th UN climate change conference of parties, COP28, looms, there is much more work to do

  • Umamah Bakharia
5 min read