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Lethal virus hits last rare blue macaws in Brazil wild

The only wild specimens of a rare blue parrot which had only recently been returned to its natural habitat in Brazil have been diagnosed with a lethal, incurable virus, the government said in a statement sent to AFP Thursday.

Survey raises estimate of African forest elephant numbers

DNA pulled from the dung of African forest elephants has given experts a more accurate -- and higher -- population estimate for the elusive animal, but the species remains critically endangered, a study showed Thursday.

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Without US satellites, 'we go dark', climate monitor tells AFP

US budget cuts risk creating blind spots in Earth monitoring systems that would imperil weather forecasting and climate research for years to come, the deputy chair of a key UN-backed climate monitoring body warned in an AFP interview.

Ireland's data centres power digital age, drain the grid

Ireland hosts one of the world's fast-growing clusters of data centres, but is running headlong into the difficult consequences.

Lula to return to COP30 as nations under pressure to land deal

COP30 host Brazil pushed Tuesday for an early breakthrough at UN climate talks, with nations weighing a proposed deal that seeks to bridge major differences on fossil fuels, finance and trade barriers.

Lula says Germany's Merz should have 'gone dancing', after Belem criticism

Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said Tuesday that German Chancellor Friedrich Merz should have gone out dancing and enjoyed Belem more, in response to his criticism of the COP30 host city.

Lula to return to COP30 as first draft climate deal lands

COP30 host Brazil on Tuesday unveiled a first draft deal after UN climate talks stretched late into the night, seeking a compromise with nations at odds as the summit clock ticks down.

Study finds 41% of EV drivers would avoid Tesla over politics

More than 40 percent of electric car drivers worldwide would avoid owning a Tesla, the brand run by controversial billionaire Elon Musk, for political reasons, according to a recent survey.

COP-and-trade? Tariffs, carbon tax weigh on climate talks

In Belem, the Brazilian city hosting COP30, it's hard to miss the BYD Dolphin Mini -- the Chinese hatchback that's dominating the local electric vehicle market, even as the company races to catch up in Europe and is absent in North America.

First draft of climate pact lands at COP30 in Brazil

COP30 hosts Brazil on Tuesday produced a first draft of an agreement between nations at the UN climate talks after negotiations on the sticking points stretched late into the night.

Climate talks run into night as COP30 hosts seek breakthrough

COP30 hosts Brazil on Monday extended negotiations into the night at the UN climate talks as they pushed for a rapid compromise among countries very much at deep odds.

'In it to win it': Australia doubles down on climate hosting bid

Australia's Climate Minister Chris Bowen launched a last-ditch blitz Monday to host next year's UN climate summit, saying his country was "fighting hard" to beat a rival bid from Turkey.

New research measures how much plastic is lethal for marine life

Marine animals inevitably eat what we toss in the ocean, including pervasive plastics -- but how much is too much?

EU defends carbon tax as ministers take over COP30 negotiations

Ministers took over UN climate negotiations in Brazil Monday as COP30 entered its final stretch, with nations split on key issues and the EU defending a carbon tax criticized by China and others.

'Stranded, stressed' giraffes in Kenya relocated as habitats encroached

Coaxed and tugged by rangers, a blindfolded giraffe totters into the specialised vehicle that will transport it away from an increasingly hostile environment to a new home in Kenya's eastern Rift Valley.

Greenpeace says French uranium being sent to Russia

The Greenpeace environment group said Sunday that France was sending reprocessed uranium to Russia for treatment so it can be reused, despite the Kremlin's war in Ukraine.

Turkey seeks to host next COP as co-presidency plans falter

Turkey wants to host next year's UN climate change talks and is prepared to do so independently if consensus on co-presidency cannot be reached, a Turkish diplomatic source told AFP Sunday.

Spain rescues hundreds of exotic animals from unlicensed shelter

Spanish police announced on Saturday they had raided a unlicensed animal sanctuary and rescued hundreds of exotic creatures including leopard tortoises, iguanas and geckos.

UN regulator says shipping still wants to decarbonize -- despite US threats

Threats, intimidation, harassment -- the tactics deployed by US negotiators to stall a global deal on shipping pollution last month sent chills through climate diplomats ahead of the COP30 summit.

Indigenous protest blocks entrance to UN climate summit

Dozens of Indigenous protesters, some holding babies, peacefully blocked the entrance to the UN climate summit in Brazil on Friday to demand a meeting with President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and discuss their plight in the Amazon.

Italian fruit detective racing to save forgotten varieties

Isabella Dalla Ragione hunts in abandoned gardens and orchards for forgotten fruits, preserving Italy's agricultural heritage and saving varieties which could help farmers withstand the vagaries of a changing climate.

Fight over fossil fuels drawdown looms at UN climate summit

Two years after nations agreed to transition away from fossil fuels, dozens are pushing to go even further at the COP30 climate summit, setting up a showdown with oil powers.

We need to talk about our fossil fuel addiction: UNEP chief

"Off Target," "Broken Record," "Closing Window": the UN Environment Programme's flagship reports have been warning for years that emissions must fall faster to avoid dangerous climate impacts -- but is the world listening?

Battle brews over Australia or Turkey hosting next COP

Diplomats chasing a good coffee at the COP30 climate summit in Brazil essentially have two choices: the Australians pouring flat whites, or the Turkish offering strong brews right next door.

Mushroom material takes on plastic packaging at Belgian start-up

On a gleaming new production line in Brussels, Julien Jacquet shows off a row of milky-white soap bar wrappers -- made by what is billed as Europe's first factory for mushroom-based packaging.

World's fossil fuel emissions to hit new record in 2025: study

Global fossil fuel emissions are set to hit a new high in 2025, according to research published Thursday that also warns curbing warming under 1.5C would now be essentially "impossible".

China hopes US will 'some day' return to climate fold, official tells AFP

China believes the United States eventually will return to climate talks, the head of Beijing's delegation told AFP Wednesday at the COP30 climate summit, adding the world must show that the green transition "cannot be reversed."

Jane Goodall honored in Washington by conservationists including DiCaprio

Environmental conservationists, including actor Leonardo DiCaprio and representatives of Indigenous communities, gathered in the US capital Wednesday to pay a heartfelt tribute to the celebrated primatologist Jane Goodall.

UK holidaymakers told to shout, not get in a flap over seagulls

Aggressive seagulls have long terrorised British holidaymakers trying to enjoy fish and chips or an ice cream on a day at the seaside.

Renewables outpace fossil fuels despite US policy shift: IEA

Renewable energy is still expanding faster than fossil fuels around the world despite policy changes in the United States, with oil demand possibly peaking "around 2030", the International Energy Agency said Wednesday.

Demand for air con set to triple by 2050, warns UN

Global demand for air conditioning could more than triple by 2050, the United Nations warned on Tuesday, calling for more sustainable cooling solutions.

Indigenous protesters clash with security at COP30 summit in Brazil

Dozens of Indigenous protesters clashed with security guards Tuesday at the COP30 summit in Brazil, causing minor injuries in a rare incident of violence at the UN climate talks.

Brazil tries to avoid climate bust up at COP30 summit

COP30 hosts Brazil will seek to land a compromise on Wednesday as some nations seek to put ambitious climate action and financial obligations on the summit agenda -- flashpoints that have stalled past negotiations.

Ethiopia set to host UN's 2027 climate summit, 2026 undecided

Uncertainty still surrounds which country will host next year's UN cliamte conference: Australia or Turkey. But for 2027, there's little mystery: it will almost certainly be Ethiopia, an African diplomatic powerhouse.

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