Ocean acidification threat to sea life By absorbing CO2 the ocean is becoming more acidic, and this is happening at a faster rate than during any other period in the past 300 million years. Read more
Editorial: UN must increase its climate ambition The globally averaged concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere reached the symbolic milestone of 400 parts per million for the first time in 2015 and surged again to new records in 2016. Read more
Threats to coral reefs The greenhouse effect, global warming, local pollution and implications for coral reefs described in a regional overview. Read more
Tighter emission limits for EU power plants Large combustion plants will have to meet new mandatory standards for the release of toxic air pollutants under the EU’s Industrial Emissions Directive from 2021. Read more
We need to talk about nitrogen Nitrogen in the air is one of the greatest threats to our wild plants, lichens and fungi, yet few people have even heard about it. Read more
Ammonia increasing over agricultural areas The first global, long-term satellite study of airborne ammonia gas has revealed increasing levels of the pollutant over four of the world’s most productive agricultural regions. Read more
CAP delivers meagre climate action Climate action is one of three overarching objectives of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), though only a small fraction of the funding goes to climate measures on the ground. Read more
Global free-fall in coal plant development Work has frozen at over 100 projects in China and India, in addition there is a 62 per cent decline in global construction starts and a 48 per cent drop in pre-construction activity. Read more
CCS – from power plants to industrial plants As the change from fossil fuels to renewable energy is gradually gaining wider acceptance, CCS is now seen more and more as a method mainly applicable to industrial processes. Read more
Air pollution health impacts shifted by global trade International trade has moved more than 750,000 air pollution-related deaths from regions that import goods to those that produce them. Read more
Renewables to be subsidy free Almost 90 per cent of new power in Europe came from renewable sources in 2016. For the first time windfarms accounted for more than half of the capacity installed. Read more
Need to monitor and measure soil carbon Soil has become a vulnerable resource. A new FAO report shows which areas have the best carbon storage potential and suggests improvements in monitoring and measurement. Read more
Ruling against Bulgaria opens door for air pollution action The recent decision from the EU Court of Justice opens the door for the Commission to take more robust action in relation to air quality infringements and will facilitate legal actions before national courts by individuals and NGOs. Read more
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