Carbon Brief

The European Commission proposed extending free carbon allowances for companies under the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) until 2031, aiming to balance climate goals with business interests. Critics argue this could weaken the system, while the proposal includes a new target for electricity to account for 46% of energy consumption by 2040, potentially reducing fossil fuel imports by €260bn annually.

Wildfires and heatwaves, termed a 'firewave', impacted Europe and North America, with the UK experiencing 25 days of 30C+ temperatures. The Met Office noted climate events becoming the 'new normal', while the EU aims to increase electricity's energy share to 46% by 2040. New UK PM Andy Burnham plans North Sea drilling, and Trump-era policies delayed $83bn in clean energy projects.

Recent studies estimate thousands of heat-related deaths in Europe during May and June 2023, with France, Germany, and the Netherlands reporting significant excess deaths. Research links 42% of UK heatwave deaths to human-caused climate change, while methods like 'excess deaths' and 'statistical modeling' are used to quantify the impact.

Uganda faces a severe drought causing at least 16 deaths and crop losses, with El Niño potentially intensifying regional weather extremes. The Trump administration revised endangered species protections to allow habitat development, and the UK reduced rainforest conservation funding.

The article presents 28 quotes from Andy Burnham, the UK's incoming prime minister, highlighting his past support for phasing out fossil fuels and advancing net-zero goals. Despite recent ambiguity on reversing Labour's drilling policy, historical statements emphasize climate action and green job creation.

COP31 president-designate Murat Kurum announced a target for 35% of global final energy to be electricity by 2035, citing IEA and IRENA analyses to align with the 1.5C climate goal. He emphasized the urgency of electrification due to the Hormuz crisis and highlighted support from the EU, UK, Canada, and the presidencies of COP30 and COP32.

Western Europe experienced its hottest June on record, causing over 2,700 excess deaths in France and wildfires in France and Spain. The European Commission plans to unveil a 2040 electrification target to reduce oil and gas use, while China released an emission peaking plan for 2030. The Trump administration appointed a climate critic to lead the US national climate assessment, and Ugandan farmers sued the East African oil pipeline in London.

The article discusses the debate over air conditioning (AC) in Europe amid rising heatwaves, highlighting lower AC adoption compared to the US and the political tensions around climate action. It notes that historical climate conditions and older infrastructure in Europe reduced the need for AC, but recent extreme heat has increased its relevance. The text clarifies that climate change has intensified heat events, challenging claims of 'European hostility' to AC.

Severe floods in Guangxi province caused by Typhoon Maysak killed 39 and left nine missing, with aging infrastructure exacerbating the crisis. China's 15th five-year 'Beautiful China' plan outlines climate targets, including reducing carbon emissions and controlling coal use. Extreme weather events, including tornadoes and 50°C heatwaves, highlight increasing climate risks as China warms faster than the global average.

A record-breaking June 2026 heatwave in France caused over 2,700 heat-related deaths, with temperatures exceeding climate model projections. The extreme temperatures, averaging 36.9°C, surpassed previous records and aligned more with 2070s projections, highlighting challenges in predicting future heatwave impacts.

The US faced record-breaking heat disrupting Independence Day plans, with temperatures exceeding 100F in New York and Boston. Extreme heat caused over 2,000 excess deaths in Spain and France, while global ocean temperatures reached record levels, raising climate crisis concerns. The World Bank abandoned a climate-related lending goal, and China announced a 20tn yuan energy investment plan.

The World Bank has abandoned a 45% climate finance target for funding to developing countries under pressure from the Trump administration, but retained its climate action plan. The bank remains the largest global provider of climate finance, distributing $39.2bn in 2025, with significant investments in clean energy and emerging economies like India and Nigeria.

The article discusses the nominations for the next UN secretary general, highlighting the candidates' positions on climate change and reviewing past secretaries' efforts, including Ban Ki-moon's role in the Paris Agreement and António Guterres's advocacy.

A record-breaking heatwave severely impacted European agriculture, causing livestock deaths and wildfires, while the UK launched a 2050 farming roadmap and anti-deforestation measures. The High Seas Treaty's future remains uncertain as the UK delays funding for tropical forest conservation.

Clean power was the largest source of new energy in 2025, with wind and solar combined contributing more than any individual fossil fuel. Fossil fuels met 86.2% of global energy supply but faced record-low shares, while electricity demand grew 3% with all new power from low-carbon sources. China generated more power than the US, EU, and India combined.

A study published in the Cryosphere finds that climate change has caused approximately 4km (one-fifth) of the retreat of the Pine Island glacier in West Antarctica since pre-industrial times. The glacier, alongside the Thwaites glacier, contributes significantly to global sea level rise through melting ice sheets.

Europe broke multiple heat records in June 2026, with the UK, France, Spain, and Switzerland reporting unprecedented temperatures linked to climate change. At London climate action week, UN chief António Guterres urged methane reduction and AI companies to use renewable energy by 2030, while governments committed to accelerating global electrification.

Colombia, under Gustavo Petro, became a leader in advocating for a fossil-fuel transition, halting new expansion and hosting the Santa Marta process. A recent election defeat for Petro's ally shifted power to Abelardo de la Espriella, who supports increasing oil production and fracking. This outcome raises questions about Colombia's future fossil-fuel policies and international climate efforts, including COP31.

Western and central Europe experienced a record-breaking June heatwave, with France, the UK, Spain, and Switzerland setting new temperature records. A rapid-response study attributed the extreme heat to climate change, stating such temperatures would have been 'virtually impossible' 50 years ago. The event coincided with the 50th anniversary of the 1976 UK heatwave, prompting comparisons.

China has released its 15th five-year plan for a new-type energy system, aiming for 30% clean energy in power generation by 2030, with wind and solar as the mainstay. The Group of Seven (G7) has urged diversification of rare earth supply chains to reduce reliance on China, prompting responses about strengthening domestic critical mineral strategies. China also emphasized climate governance and green development in its approved five-year plans.