Climate change
Analysis of the science, politics and economics of the climate
Latest stories
What happens if the Inflation Reduction Act goes away?
Evaluating the effects of scrapping green subsidies in Washington
Britain is now the biggest funder of solar-geoengineering research
It is supporting experiments to thicken sea ice and make clouds more reflective
Aberdeen shows why the UK’s clean-energy transition will be messy
The jobs in renewables can’t come fast enough to replace those related to oil and gas
Europe wants Sweden’s minerals. That’s more bad news for the Sami
Weak legal protections are pushing reindeer-herders to the brink
AI models are helping dirty industries go green
Mining companies and steelmakers are feeling the benefits
AI models can help generate cleaner power
Energy companies are using them to increase efficiency and spot problems
Politics
Negotiators must prepare for a chaotic COP in Brazil
The climate meeting will be hot, humid and uncomfortable. That might help
The great Iberian power cut need not spell disaster for renewables
But there are lessons to be learned
Why don’t more countries import their electricity?
The economics make sense, but the geopolitics are nerve-racking
To make electricity cheaper and greener, connect the world’s grids
Less than 3% of the world’s power is internationally traded—a huge wasted opportunity
Business and finance
The green promises of Colombia’s president ring ever more hollow
Costly imported gas? Sure! Big gas discovery? Great!
Carbon emissions from tourism are rising disproportionately fast
The industry is failing to make itself greener
The energy transition will be much cheaper than you think
Most analysts overestimate energy demand and underestimate technological advances
King coal is dirty, dangerous—and far from dead
Rumours of its rapid demise have been greatly exaggerated
Science and data
How AI could help the climate
The technology could help decarbonise the industries that have proved the hardest to clean up
Climate change may make it harder to spot submarines
The sound of their engines will not travel as far
Global warming is speeding up. Another reason to think about geoengineering
Reducing sulphur emissions saves lives. But it could also be hastening planetary warming
Earth is warming faster. Scientists are closing in on why
Paradoxically, cleaner emissions from ships and power plants are playing a role
Latest coverage
Science & technology
Britain is now the biggest funder of solar-geoengineering research
It is supporting experiments to thicken sea ice and make clouds more reflective
Science & technology
Scientists are getting to grips with ice
Climate change is making water freeze in unexpected ways
The Americas
Negotiators must prepare for a chaotic COP in Brazil
The climate meeting will be hot, humid and uncomfortable. That might help
China
China could greatly reduce its reliance on coal. It probably will not
Even though solar and wind power are growing at a blistering pace
Middle East & Africa
The sea is swallowing an African island
In Sierra Leone, adjusting to a warmer climate is getting harder
Britain
The rise of the Net-Zero Dad
Middle-aged men care less about the problem. But they love the solution
Finance & economics
The Arctic: climate change’s great economic opportunity
An enormous prize is on offer. When might it be grasped?
Graphic detail
Which parts of the world are becoming more prone to wildfires?
Two maps explain why fire seasons are lasting longer and becoming more dangerous
Leaders
Much of the damage from the LA fires could have been averted
The lesson of the tragedy is that better incentives will keep people safe
United States
How will calamity change Los Angeles?
Short-sighted policies amplified the destruction. Will LA–and California–learn from their mistakes?
Graphic detail
How to make sense of 2024’s wild temperatures
Our climate team highlight four charts and two maps
United States
Los Angeles against the flames
Always vulnerable, the city is increasingly susceptible to fire