climate change

Donald Trump said he has approved new fuel economy standards that roll back rules put in place during Joe Biden's administration. The change relaxes efficiency requirements for cars and light trucks, a longstanding goal of Trump's deregulation agenda that automakers and environmental groups have been contesting. Reaction has focused on what the rollback means for gasoline prices, vehicle choices and US climate targets.

Small island nations facing existential threats from rising seas and climate change are pressing the international community for stronger action, declaring 'we're not giving up.' The widely syndicated AP story frames these states as the moral voice of global climate negotiations, highlighting their activism despite limited power. The coverage is being picked up by outlets across the United States.

Island nations facing rising seas and intensifying storms say they will not abandon their fight against climate change, despite mounting setbacks. Leaders and residents of low-lying states are pressing for stronger global action on emissions and climate finance as their homelands face existential threats from warming oceans and coastal erosion.

The 63rd session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva includes a focus on environmental issues, with the Geneva Environment Network highlighting environment-related discussions on the session's agenda. Observers are watching how the council addresses the link between human rights and environmental protection, including climate change, pollution and the right to a healthy environment.

The European Union's new anti-greenwashing rules come into force on Sunday, changing how companies in the bloc can market environmental claims. Under the updated rules, businesses will face stricter requirements before labelling products as green, climate-friendly or sustainable, aiming to protect consumers from vague or unsubstantiated claims. The measures are part of the EU's broader push to strengthen consumer protection and corporate accountability on climate issues.

Some television meteorologists are increasingly working climate change into their weather forecasts, linking daily conditions to longer-term warming trends. The effort, reported by CBC, has met resistance from parts of the audience who would rather forecasters stick to short-term weather. The debate highlights tensions over how broadcasters should communicate climate science to the public.

Climate rallies are being planned across France following a record-breaking summer. Organisers and supporters are mobilising demonstrations in multiple cities to press for stronger climate action, with the extreme heat and weather of recent months expected to feature prominently in the movement's demands.

Bangladesh's ambassador took part in a panel discussion on sustainability diplomacy in Athens, adding the country's perspective to international climate talks. Bangladesh, one of the nations most exposed to climate change impacts such as flooding and sea-level rise, frequently voices its case in global environmental forums. Details of the other panelists and outcomes of the discussion were not immediately available.

The City of Boulder's landmark climate liability case is heading to the United States Supreme Court. The city has sought to hold major fossil fuel companies accountable for costs related to climate change, and the Supreme Court's decision on whether to hear the case could shape the future of similar climate lawsuits brought by cities and states across the country. Observers are weighing what is at stake for municipal climate litigation nationwide.

Kenyan President William Ruto has called for a sweeping overhaul of the global financial architecture, arguing that current lending structures block climate finance from reaching developing nations. He says reform is needed to unlock green capital pipelines for countries on the front line of climate change. The demand adds Kenya's voice to growing pressure from African leaders ahead of international climate finance negotiations.

Singapore recorded its joint-highest daily maximum temperature for September after the Woodlands Avenue 9 climate station reached 35.8°C at 3.27pm on Saturday, 26 September. The reading ties the national September record and adds to growing concern over heat extremes affecting the island, with unusually hot late-September weather drawing wide attention.

New analysis from the London School of Economics shows that attitudes to climate change in the United States vary not only between racial and ethnic groups but also within them, with party affiliation the strongest dividing line. The findings suggest political identity, rather than race alone, shapes how Americans perceive climate risks and support for climate policy.

Hannah Covington reports for High Country News on a Colorado cold laboratory where scientists are racing to better understand hail as the climate warms. Hail already causes billions of dollars in damage each year in the United States, and researchers warn that changing atmospheric conditions could make storms more severe, making improved forecasting and physical understanding increasingly urgent.

amNewYork published an op-ed arguing that rebuilding the Metro-North Hudson Line is only one piece of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's wider effort to protect New York's transit network from climate change. The piece frames the repair work as part of a larger strategy of hardening infrastructure against flooding and extreme weather, and it invites readers to weigh how the MTA should prioritize climate adaptation across the system.

President Donald Trump has approved new fuel economy standards that eliminate existing electric vehicle mandates in the United States. The move rolls back requirements pushing automakers toward EV production, a long-standing pledge of his campaign. The decision is drawing attention from the auto industry and environmental groups, with automakers likely reassessing production plans and regulators preparing responses.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a speech at the International Conference on "The Future of Environment and Climate Dynamics", laying out India's position on environmental protection and climate change. The address has drawn significant public attention and is being widely discussed among viewers following India's climate policy and its role in global environmental debates.

Scientists say fall foliage across the United States is shifting, with peak colors arriving later and displays becoming less vibrant in many regions. Warmer temperatures, shifting rainfall patterns and stress from drought and disease are altering when and how leaves change. The changes are drawing attention as autumn tourism and beloved seasonal traditions could be affected in popular foliage destinations.

Attention is turning to whether Europe's and other regions' river cruise sector can survive the long-term effects of climate change. Recurring droughts and low water levels have already disrupted sailings on major rivers, raising questions about whether operators can rely on traditional routes and seasons in the decades ahead. Industry watchers are debating how companies will adapt their itineraries and vessels.

Hail causes billions of dollars in damage each year, and scientists warn the problem could intensify as the climate changes. Warmer air can hold more moisture, fuelling more severe storms capable of producing destructive hail, threatening crops, homes and insurers in hail-prone regions.

London's royal parks are set for a major redesign as officials draw up plans to prepare them for climate change. The scheme reportedly involves changing planting and landscapes so the historic green spaces can withstand hotter, drier conditions. Details of the proposals are reported by The Times, which describes it as a 'changing of the garden' for the parks.

Food Tank argues that data and artificial intelligence technologies can accelerate responses to climate change, but should complement rather than substitute for direct climate action. The piece, published by the food systems think tank, contributes to ongoing debate about the role of AI in environmental policy and sustainability efforts.

Italy's parliament has approved a law allowing the country to restart nuclear energy production, nearly four decades after a referendum banned it following the 1987 vote. The move marks a major shift in Italy's energy policy and opens the way for new nuclear projects. Reaction has focused on what it means for the country's energy supply and climate goals.

A weekly roundup of energy and climate deal activity for the week of September 21 lists the latest investment and transaction news across the clean energy and climate technology sectors. The item offers a snapshot of where funding and dealmaking are flowing, of interest to startups, investors and policy watchers tracking the sector's momentum.