In brief | 21 October ‘26
UN: New UNEP report lays out emission cuts needed for return to 1.5°C
‘Lowest possible’ 1.5°C overshoot scenario limits peak warming around mid-century to 1.7-1.8°C. If current policies continue, warming could reach 2.8°C within this century and increase thereafter.
Carbon Brief: Opportunity has ‘been lost’ to meet 1.5C warming limit without ‘overshoot’ – UNEP
A temporary breach of the 1.5C global-warming limit is now “inevitable” following “decades of insufficient climate action”, says the UN Environment Programme (UNEP).
Climate Home: Paris Agreement committee names three countries snubbing it over NDCs
More than 30 countries have failed to submit an NDC, but only three have repeatedly ignored the committee’s efforts to engage with them.
EU Commission: EU sets out a new Strategy for the Arctic
The strategy has four priorities: strengthening security and resilience, responding to climate change in the Arctic, prosperity, and opportunities for people and communities in the Arctic.
Reuters: EU still committed to keeping oil, coal and gas in ground in Arctic, new strategy says
However, it does not repeat a pledge from the previous strategy, issued in 2021, to work towards "a multilateral legal obligation not to allow any further hydrocarbon reserve development in the Arctic or contiguous regions” or buy any product from these developments.
Politico: Europe’s conservatives have two new targets in their campaign to weaken EU climate laws
The EPP is taking aim at a new carbon price on driving and heating, and rules on methane emissions.
Bloomberg: Europe’s power demand is rising again after years-long slump
A new age of power demand growth is emerging as consumers and businesses tap the grid to run electric vehicles, air conditioners, and data centres.
Reuters: As France erupts, Europe's far right gains from fuel-price anger ahead of elections
As soaring fuel prices squeeze household budgets and businesses across Europe, cost-of-living pressures are driving unrest and giving fresh momentum to far-right parties ahead of elections next year in countries including France, Italy and Poland.
EU Commission: Vision 2040 for fisheries and aquaculture
Until 2030, the main goal of the Vision is improving energy and resource efficiency, but from 2030 onwards, efforts will shift towards scaling up low and zero-emission technologies, supported by financing, infrastructure and fleet modernisation.
The Guardian: UK approves Jackdaw gasfield in North Sea
Decision was widely expected after lobbying by Shell but will dismay environmental campaigners.
T&E: Rapid transition to electric company cars could generate 344,000 EU jobs by 2030 – report
Setting targets on companies to go electric and limiting financial support only for company cars that are electric and Made-in-EU would see economic gains of 20 billion euros and boost investments by 18 billion euros.
Reuters: Giant ‘heat storms’ are scorching the Earth
A Reuters data-driven examination of global temperatures reveals the emergence of what Reuters calls ‘heat storms’ which now swarm the planet, upending life around the world from Texas to Ivory Coast to Poland.