Earth news

15 October 2026

1. 1

   UN report finds global biodiversity targets off track ahead of COP17 in Yerevan

   A new UN report launched in Yerevan by Secretary-General António Guterres finds that fewer than half of national biodiversity targets are on track under the 2022 Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. If current commitments are met, only 26 per cent of land and 12 per cent of the ocean would be protected by 2030, short of the 30 per cent goal. Guterres said the war on nature has not yet ended. Nearly 90 per cent of parties have set national targets and over 70 per cent have reported results, but the report warns of a serious gap between ambition and action. COP17 runs from October 19 to 30 in Yerevan and will review collective progress.

   Key facts

   • Fewer than half of national biodiversity targets are on track, according to the UN report.
   • If current commitments are met, 26 per cent of land and 12 per cent of ocean would be protected by 2030.
   • The framework's goal is protecting at least 30 per cent of land and sea by 2030.
   • Nearly 90 per cent of the 196 CBD parties have set national biodiversity targets.
   • COP17 is scheduled for October 19 to 30 in Yerevan, Armenia.

   Commentary

   The headline outcome is predictable; the telling part is that the gap is in delivery, not pledges, with finance, subsidy reform and policy coordination all lagging. Guterres's warning that nature will not thrive on good intentions suggests the burden now falls on governments to redirect spending. Developing countries, which the report says need far more money and expertise, are likely to be the test of whether COP17 produces action.

   Sources: UN News, chinadailyhk, UNEP - UN Environment Programme, NewsCord, Responsible Investor

2. 2

   Study finds global warming contributed more than El Niño to Hurricane Polo's intensification

   A joint study by World Weather Attribution and Climate Central found that climate change contributed more than El Niño to the rapid intensification of Hurricane Polo. Both factors made the storm stronger than it would otherwise have been, with unusually warm ocean water fuelling it. The study has not yet been peer-reviewed. Polo weakened considerably before it hit a sparsely populated part of Mexico. Outside scientists Jeff Masters, Michael Mann and Carl Schreck said the study underestimates climate change's role. Study co-author Daniel Gilford acknowledged the impact could be underestimated a bit, but said the work was conservative.

   Key facts

   • Climate change made the conditions that fuelled Polo 23 times more likely; El Niño made them 14 times more likely.
   • Global warming added about 6 mph (nearly 10 kph) to Polo's strength; El Niño added about 5 mph (8 kph).
   • Polo set a Pacific record for time spent at Category 5, at two and a half days.
   • Ocean waters were 88°F (31.2°C), as much as 3.6°F (2°C) warmer than normal.
   • Polo strengthened from a tropical storm to Category 5 in about 24 hours.

   Commentary

   The telling part is the mechanism: El Niño works here by weakening the winds that normally cut storms down, while warm seas supply the fuel, so the dispute is over how much fuel to credit to climate change. Until peer review, the critics' view that the study runs low remains unresolved.

   Sources: Orlando Sentinel, Euronews.com, East Bay Times, Daily Freeman

3. 3

   Supreme Court justices appear wary of state climate suits against oil producers

   Supreme Court justices sounded wary on Monday of state-by-state lawsuits seeking huge damages from energy producers for the impact of global climate change. Justices Brett Kavanaugh and Elena Kagan said such pollution is a federal matter, and Chief Justice John Roberts questioned how dozens of separate cities could handle the claims. The case asks whether cities and states may sue oil and gas producers in local courts. California and nearly three dozen states and municipalities have filed such claims, but none have gone to trial. The Trump administration backs the oil industry's appeal, which argues federal law does not allow these claims. Judges nationally remain divided, and a 4-4 split would let the suits proceed for now, since Justice Samuel Alito is sitting out the case.

   Key facts

   • Justices sounded wary of state-by-state climate damage lawsuits against energy producers
   • Justices Kavanaugh and Kagan suggested the claims may be blocked by federal law
   • California and nearly three dozen states and municipalities have filed such claims
   • No climate damage claim has gone to trial yet
   • Justice Samuel Alito is sitting out the case, reportedly due to oil stock ownership

   Commentary

   The justices' skepticism points toward federal control of emissions litigation, which would end the state suits the industry wants stopped. The real uncertainty lies in the 4-4 scenario, which would leave dozens of claims alive without any ruling on their merits.

   Sources: Arizona Daily Sun, RTO Insider

4. 4

   Oracle proposes emissions cut for Project Jupiter fuel cell plant amid New Mexico permit review

   Oracle and Yucca Growth Infrastructure have proposed a refined design for the Bloom Energy fuel cell plant powering Project Jupiter, a Southern New Mexico data center, saying it lowers permitted emissions, including greenhouse gases. The change follows technical questions from the New Mexico Environment Department and public comment. Department emails released in the administrative record show newer modeling produced higher pollutant concentrations than the original submission, though staff said results still appeared below certain national standards. An attorney questioned whether the original assumptions were defensible and said developers may be amenable to extending the decision deadline. New Energy Economy has asked for the permit application to be dismissed without prejudice.

   Key facts

   • Oracle says the proposed refinement cuts permitted emissions by about 35%, including greenhouse gases.
   • Projected greenhouse gas emissions would fall from about 8.8 million to 5.7 million tons per year.
   • Environment Department emails say newer modeling doubled predicted pollutant concentrations.
   • A proposed enforceable cap would limit fuel cell megawatt output while data center IT capacity stays unchanged.
   • The Air Quality Bureau's permit decision deadline is November 23.

   Commentary

   The headline cut is measured against the developers' own baseline, and the state's emails show that baseline is what regulators are now disputing. Oracle's emphasis on reductions sidesteps the department's finding that modeled concentrations rose, so the November deadline may hinge on whether developers answer the agency's questions rather than on the announced cut.

   Sources: Searchlight New Mexico, Oracle

5. 5

   France and Germany agree to ease EU car emissions rules in new deal

   France and Germany have backed a further scaling back of EU car emission rules as part of a long-negotiated automotive industry deal struck Thursday, diplomatic sources confirmed to AFP. Paris and Berlin had long disagreed over how Europe should revive its struggling auto industry. According to a draft document, Germany won its push for less stringent carbon targets, while France kept the "made in Europe" public procurement scheme within EU nations. Britain was also included in the definition of vehicles counting as made in Europe. The deal remains provisional until Berlin gives final sign-off, diplomats said.

   Key facts

   • The European Commission had proposed replacing the 2035 petrol and diesel sales ban with a 90 percent exhaust cut.
   • The deal drops the requirement to compensate the remaining 10 percent of emissions through credits.
   • Renewable-fuel cars could count as zero-emission under the deal.
   • The "made in Europe" car rules would cover the EU's 27 countries, with opt-in for Britain and Norway under conditions.
   • The office of Prime Minister Andy Burnham called the move good news if confirmed.

   Commentary

   Berlin's carmakers gain most from the emissions terms, while France's real win is keeping procurement rules inside EU hands, which suggests climate ambition was the price paid. Because the deal is still provisional, the emissions terms and Britain's opt-in could yet shift.

   Sources: France 24