George Lee

Environment Correspondent

Mary Robinson has accused the Vatican, Russia and Saudi Arabia of blocking progress on a gender-related climate plan (file image)

Robinson critical of Azerbaijan as choice for COP host

The Chair of the Elders, Mary Robinson, has said the Vatican, Russia and Saudi Arabia have been blocking progress on a gender-related climate action plan at the COP29 talks in Azerbaijan.

Climate Change • 21 Nov 24

Ireland is now considered among the medium climate action performers worldwide for the first time according to the report (file image)

Ireland achieves best ranking yet globally on emissions

The international ranking of Ireland's climate performance has improved substantially over the past 12 months according to a new report published at the COP29 climate conference.

Environment • 20 Nov 24

Eamon Ryan said Ireland wants access to reliable finance to be ensured

COP29 needs to deliver deal on climate finance - Ryan

Bringing climate action and supporting the least developed countries is at the heart of Ireland's position on climate finance, according to Minister for Climate Eamon Ryan.

Climate Change • 19 Nov 24

There are 197 parties, plus the European Union at the Climate talks

COP structure cannot deliver change at exponential speed

Keeping the rise in global temperatures below 1.5C is becoming increasingly difficult to achieve. There is a rising sense of panic among the most senior, and most influential, United Nations advisers about it.

Climate Change • 18 Nov 24

Activists demand climate change loss and damage financing from rich countries at the UNFCCC COP29 Climate Conference in Baku

COP29 climate talks grapple with trillion-dollar task

Countries at the COP29 summit tried to make progress on how to raise up to $1 trillion in climate finance for the world's most vulnerable, as political tensions overshadowed the talks.

COP29 • 14 Nov 24

It might be cheaper for a government to pay for the development or protection of a carbon sink, like forestry, in a developing country

Standards for Carbon Credits at COP29 and what they mean

Governments at COP29 approved new standards for international carbon markets, in a key step towards allowing countries trade credits to meet climate targets, however there is a lot more work to be done, writes Environment Correspondent George Lee.

Analysis and Comment • 13 Nov 24

COP29: What is expected as Azerbaijan awaits delegates?

Tens of thousands of people will attend the COP29 climate talks in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, which start tomorrow and run for the next two weeks. A total of 85,000 attended the equivalent event, COP28, in Dubai last year so what is being expected in the Caucasus region this time round?

Analysis and Comment • 11 Nov 24

Scenes like those in Valencia are becoming more and more common and closer to home

Valencia destruction shows we're in a climate emergency

The destruction we have all seen in Valencia is telling us something important. We are clearly in the grip of an incredibly dangerous climate emergency.

World • 04 Nov 24

Clawinch Island is a haven for water birds and an importand migratory stopping point

State to buy Lough Ree island to protect wading birds

The State is to buy Clawinch Island, a 50-acre hotspot for wading birds located about 500 metres from the north shore of Lough Ree.

Environment • 01 Nov 24

Cars piled up following deadly floods in Sedavi, south of Valencia, eastern Spain

Rainfall may become heavier as climate warms - experts

The heavy rainfall that hit southern Spain in recent days was about 12% heavier and twice as likely compared to the 1.3°C cooler pre industrial climate, a rapid analysis by World Weather Attribution climate scientists has found.

World • 31 Oct 24