UK and EU Climate News
- A new report from the Climate Change Committee, warns that the UK is increasingly vulnerable to climate impacts and is not adequately prepared for worsening heat, flooding and drought. It identifies extreme heat as the most immediate threat to public health and recommends introducing a maximum working temperature to protect workers. The report calls for widespread investment in cooling for buildings, particularly hospitals, care homes and schools, alongside stronger flood defences and water management. Overall, it estimates around 11 billion GBP per year is needed to improve national resilience and protect lives, infrastructure and the economy from escalating climate risks.
- The UK has reduced its contribution to the UN Green Climate Fund from 1.6 billion to 815 million pounds for the 2024 to 2027 period, reflecting a shift in spending priorities from development aid to defence. This cut raises concerns that other countries may follow, particularly as European governments reconsider aid budgets and the US has already withdrawn its pledges. Critics warn the decision undermines commitments by wealthy nations to support developing countries in tackling climate change. The Green Climate Fund, which manages around 20 billion USD for climate projects, is now assessing how the reduced UK funding will affect planned initiatives over the coming years.
- BP is reportedly planning to sell stakes in two major UK carbon capture and storage projects in northern England. The company intends to offload part of its equity in the Net Zero Teesside Power project and the Northern Endurance Partnership. The move comes amid signs that BP is scaling back its green ambitions. These projects were strongly backed by former CEO Bernard Looney, who saw them as both environmentally vital and commercially promising. Since his departure, BP has undergone leadership changes and has gradually shifted away from its climate focused strategy.
- Sir David Attenborough reaching his 100th birthday prompted widespread tributes celebrating his transformative role in broadcasting and environmental advocacy. Widely seen as a defining voice on nature, he has raised global awareness of climate change and conservation, inspiring generations.
Global Climate News
- A report by a WHO convened pan European commission has urged that climate change be declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, the highest level of global health alert. It argues that climate change poses a severe and growing threat to human health worldwide, comparable to crises such as Covid 19. While such a declaration would not directly halt climate change, it could trigger stronger international coordination and urgency in response efforts. The recommendation was presented to European ministers ahead of the World Health Assembly, highlighting the need for a more unified global approach to climate related health risks.
- A report by the Global Preparedness Monitoring Board warns that disease outbreaks are becoming more frequent and severe due to the combined effects of climate change and armed conflict. It highlights that pandemic risks are increasing faster than global investment in preparedness, leaving countries vulnerable. Recent events, such as a hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship and an Ebola emergency in the Democratic Republic of Congo, underscore these concerns. The findings suggest growing global health instability, while related research indicates that emphasising health impacts of climate change is more effective in building public support for climate action than focusing on economic or environmental arguments.
- Scientists are warning that heat safety plans for the 2026 World Cup are inadequate and could put players at risk. In an open letter, 20 experts said the FIFA guidelines are outdated and fail to reflect current climate science. They warned that temperatures at most host stadiums could exceed dangerous levels, increasing the likelihood of heat stress. The group is urging stronger protections, including longer cooling breaks and clearer rules for delaying matches. Analysis suggests players and fans will face significantly higher heat and humidity risks than at the 1994 World Cup, highlighting growing concerns about climate impacts on major sporting events.
- A new International Renewable Energy Agency report finds that solar and wind combined with battery storage can now deliver reliable, consistent electricity at a lower cost than fossil fuels in many regions. Hybrid systems are proving particularly effective in areas with strong renewable resources, offering continuous power at competitive prices. The analysis shows firm electricity costs for solar projects range from about 54 to 82 USD per megawatt hour, undercutting new coal and gas generation. The findings suggest that advances in storage technology are making renewables both dependable and economically attractive, challenging long standing concerns about intermittency.
- The UN General Assembly has overwhelmingly adopted a resolution supporting a 2025 International Court of Justice opinion that countries have a legal duty to address climate change, despite opposition from a small group of countries, including the United States. The resolution passed with 141 votes in favour, reinforcing responsibility of governments to protect citizens from escalating climate risks. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said the vote highlights growing global recognition of accountability in tackling climate change.
- Nearly 60 countries have agreed to support voluntary plans to reduce reliance on coal, oil and gas at climate talks in Colombia, raising hopes for a global fossil fuel phaseout. The meeting, organised by Colombia and the Netherlands, focused on practical measures such as cutting demand, increasing transparency around subsidies and exploring financial reforms. Participants also launched new initiatives to help countries transition away from fossil fuels, with another summit planned for next year. While some major nations were absent, attendees described the talks as unusually constructive, with a strong emphasis on science led solutions and growing optimism about international climate cooperation.
Iran War Brings Inadvertent Progress in the Energy Transition
The Iran war has triggered a surge in energy insecurity and fossil fuel prices, but it is also inadvertently accelerating the global shift toward renewable energy. Disruptions to oil and gas supply have exposed the vulnerability of fossil fuel dependence, prompting countries, investors and households to prioritise energy security. UN climate chief Simon Stiell described this as an immense irony, noting that rising prices and unreliable supply are effectively supercharging the transition by making alternatives such as solar power and electric vehicles more attractive.
Early evidence shows this shift is already underway across multiple regions. European households are installing rooftop solar at increasing rates, while countries such as Pakistan are expanding solar adoption and electric mobility. Across Africa, fuel shortages and rising costs have driven investment in renewable energy and electrification, with countries including Ethiopia, Egypt and South Africa scaling up electric vehicle imports and solar capacity. At the same time, global investors are directing billions into clean energy, motivated not only by climate goals but by the need for stable, domestically generated energy.
These developments align with the New Energy Outlook, which highlights how recent energy shocks, including the Iran war, are reinforcing structural changes in the global energy system. Rising electricity demand from population growth, higher incomes, data centres and electric vehicles is expected to accelerate electrification worldwide. Under its Economic Transition Scenario, solar power is projected to become the largest global source of electricity by 2032, with wind following shortly after, both displacing coal as dominant energy sources.
Successive geopolitical and market shocks are increasing momentum behind clean energy deployment, as countries seek to decouple from imported fossil fuels and strengthen resilience. However, the report also warns that, despite rapid growth in renewables, current trajectories remain insufficient to meet climate targets, with global temperatures projected to rise around 2.4 degrees centigrade by 2050 in this scenario.
Experts Sound Alarm Over Mounting Climate Threats for Rest of 2026
Scientists are increasingly warning that the remainder of 2026 could be marked by escalating climate risks, driven by a combination of record temperatures, geopolitical instability and continued fossil fuel reliance. Many fear that extreme weather events, already intensifying in frequency and severity, could worsen in the coming months, pushing vulnerable regions closer to crisis. Concerns include prolonged heatwaves, droughts affecting food production, and more destructive storms linked to warming oceans.
Forecasts also point to a likely strong El Nino event, with an estimated 82 percent chance of developing between May and July 2026. If realised, it could be among the most intense on record, further amplifying global weather extremes. El Nino conditions typically increase the likelihood of floods and droughts, putting additional pressure on agriculture and heightening the risk of food insecurity, especially when combined with existing geopolitical tensions and climate stresses.
There is also growing anxiety about gaps in international cooperation, as political tensions and uneven participation in climate efforts hinder coordinated action. For many experts, 2026 represents a critical test as to whether governments can translate scientific warnings into rapid, large scale changes. Without stronger commitments and faster implementation, scientists warn the world risks locking in more severe and irreversible climate impacts.
New Research
- Airborne microplastics may be contributing to global warming by absorbing sunlight and trapping heat, according to new research. The study finds that tiny plastic particles, carried by winds across the planet, can amplify temperature rise and intensify climate impacts. While some lighter particles reflect sunlight and have a slight cooling effect, the overall impact of microplastics is warming. Researchers say this adds a new dimension to the environmental risks posed by plastic pollution and suggest that current climate models may need updating to account for the role of these particles in influencing the energy balance of the earth.
- Scientists are warning that Antarctic sea ice has fallen to unprecedented lows due to a combination of climate change driven factors. New research shows that a long period of increasing sea ice ended abruptly around 2015, as stronger winds, intensified by global warming, began pulling warmer, saltier water toward the surface. This heat was then mixed into upper layers, accelerating ice melt. Since 2018, the system has entered a self reinforcing cycle, where reduced ice leaves warmer, saltier surface waters that prevent recovery. Researchers say this shift highlights the growing and potentially irreversible impacts of climate change in polar regions.
- A recent study finds that climate change is not only raising average sea levels but also intensifying seasonal fluctuations, an overlooked risk for coastal ecosystems. Researchers show that even small increases in these seasonal swings can significantly alter flooding patterns in intertidal areas such as mudflats and salt marshes. Habitats may remain submerged or exposed for much longer than species can tolerate, disrupting fine ecological balances. This could affect biodiversity, productivity and ecosystem resilience, particularly in regions with low tidal ranges, highlighting the need to account for seasonal variability in climate impact assessments.
- However, a recent study shows that sensors attached to sharks can significantly improve seasonal climate forecasting by filling gaps in ocean data. Sharks naturally travel through dynamic and hard to measure regions, collecting temperature and depth information that traditional tools often miss. By incorporating this data into climate models, researchers were able to reduce forecasting errors, by up to around 40 percent in some areas, particularly in the Northwest Atlantic. The study demonstrates, for the first time, that animal borne sensors can measurably enhance model accuracy, suggesting they could complement existing observing systems and help improve predictions of ocean conditions and wider climate patterns.
