This past week was filled with interesting sustainability and climate news, we’ve summarised the top stories below.
A study by Clarity AI reveals that over 95% of funds labelled as 'sustainable' would need to be renamed or restructured to comply with sustainability disclosure and label regulations in the US, UK, and EU. Limited alignment between the regions' requirements highlights differing interpretations of concepts like ESG and sustainability.
The UK's Advertising Standards Authority plans to tighten enforcement on terms such as "carbon neutral" and "net zero" due to concerns over the reliability of carbon offsetting programs. Claims based on offsetting will be banned unless companies can provide evidence of their effectiveness.
A new study reveals that climate change raised temperatures by at least 2°C in many parts of Asia during a severe heatwave in April. The research also indicates that climate change made the heatwave 30 times more likely, resulting in record temperatures, fatalities, damaged infrastructure, and hospitalizations in countries such as India, Bangladesh, Thailand, and Laos.
A global study reveals that more than half of the world's large lakes and reservoirs have experienced shrinking due to the climate crisis and human water consumption. This poses concerns for water supply in agriculture, hydropower, and human needs.
A study led by UCL researchers predicts that climate change may lead to abrupt species loss as rising temperatures exceed their tolerable limits. By analysing data from thousands of species, the study highlights the potential exposure to dangerous temperatures across various geographic ranges. The findings suggest a significant risk of habitat loss due to climate change.
New research establishes a link between human-caused greenhouse gas emissions and the frequency and intensity of El Niño and La Niña events. The study finds evidence of the human fingerprint on Earth's climate, showing that these climate phenomena are occurring more frequently due to human activities and their impact on the oceans and atmosphere.
Recent floods, landslides, and extreme weather events in Italy signal the arrival of the climate crisis in Europe. Italy's vulnerability stems from its geography and increasing carbon dioxide concentrations, resulting in more frequent and severe weather incidents across the continent.
South Australia swiftly enacts anti-protest laws following a rally outside an oil and gas conference. The move has raised debates about limiting dissent and freedom of expression.
Flash flooding in Beledweyne, Somalia, drives a quarter of a million people from their homes, exacerbating the impact of an ongoing severe drought. The situation highlights the disproportionate effect of the climate crisis on vulnerable communities.
