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As the world inches closer to COP30 global efforts to align financial systems with climate goals took center stage at the June Climate Meetings in Bonn, Germany. The Sharm el-Sheikh Dialogue established at COP27 convened its first workshop of 2025, zeroing in on Article 2.1(c) of the Paris Agreement, which urges nations to make finance flows consistent with low-emission, climate-resilient development. The discussions offered a sharp focus on three intertwined issues: financial sector capacity-building, equitable transition planning, and pathways to meet the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) on climate finance. Held from June 16 to 26, the Dialogue drew participation from global experts, central banks, multilateral agencies, and policymakers from both developed and developing countri...

Continuous torrential rainfall has battered Himachal Pradesh, severely impacting both religious pilgrimage and essential transport infrastructure across the hill state. The revered Kinnar Kailash Yatra, which draws thousands of devotees annually, has been suspended as flash floods, cloudbursts, and landslides have disrupted mobility and triggered widespread damage. By Friday, over 250 roads, including key highways like the Manali-Leh route, remained blocked. The districts of Mandi, Kullu, and Sirmaur have emerged as some of the worst-hit, with multiple reports of road collapses and overflowing rivers sweeping away vehicles and footbridges. The monsoon havoc has so far caused 112 fatalities, with another 35 persons missing and nearly 200 reported injured. The damage to infrastructure and...

A new global report by climate risk analytics firm XDI has sounded alarm bells for the future of the digital economy, revealing that thousands of data centres worldwide are increasingly vulnerable to climate-related disasters. From rising flood risks to intensifying wildfires, the backbone of the world’s information infrastructure is under growing threat. Titled The 2025 Global Data Centre Physical Climate Risk and Adaptation Report the study analysed climate threats to more than 8,600 data centres globally. It found that 6.25% of these vital facilities are currently at ‘high’ risk, with projections indicating that this number could rise to 7.13% by 2050. An additional 19.6% could fall under the 'moderately high' risk category by mid-century, up from 15.79% today. The report also war...

  The upcoming FIFA Men World Cup 2026 is set to become the most polluting edition in the tournament’s 95-year history, according to a new study that raises red flags over its staggering carbon footprint and exposure to extreme climate risks. As the tournament expands across three countries Canada, Mexico, and the United States with 104 matches and 48 teams, researchers warn of over nine million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂e) emissions, almost double the average from previous editions held between 2010 and 2022. The findings released by Scientists for Global Responsibility (SGR), Environmental Defence Fund and Cool Down, indicate that the majority of emissions will be driven by intercontinental air travel, energy-intensive stadium operations, and the vast scale of th...

Continuous torrential rainfall has battered Himachal Pradesh, severely impacting both religious pilgrimage and essential transport infrastructure across the hill state. The revered Kinnar Kailash Yatra, which draws thousands of devotees annually, has been suspended as flash floods, cloudbursts, and landslides have disrupted mobility and triggered widespread damage. By Friday, over 250 roads, including key highways like the Manali-Leh route, remained blocked. The districts of Mandi, Kullu, and Sirmaur have emerged as some of the worst-hit, with multiple reports of road collapses and overflowing rivers sweeping away vehicles and footbridges. The monsoon havoc has so far caused 112 fatalities, with another 35 persons missing and nearly 200 reported injured. The damage to infrastructure and...

In a significant leap for climate science in South Asia Indian researchers have, for the first time tracked continuous high-resolution measurements of greenhouse gases from a high-altitude Himalayan station, uncovering how both nature and human activity shape regional air chemistry. The findings, released by the Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES), provide a critical dataset that can help fine-tune climate policy and emissions strategies for one of the world most ecologically sensitive regions. From 2014 to 2018, the ARIES team collected data on carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), and carbon monoxide (CO) from their atmospheric monitoring station in Nainital, Uttarakhand a vantage point that captures emissions from both the relatively pristine Himalayan envi...

As severe thunderstorms lashed Bihar over a 24-hour period, lightning strikes killed at least 19 people across multiple districts, prompting fresh concerns over the impact of extreme weather. The most affected district, Nalanda, reported five deaths, followed by Vaishali with four. Banka and Patna saw two fatalities each, while Sheikhpura, Nawada, Jehanabad, Aurangabad, Jamui, and Samastipur reported one death each, respectively. The Bihar government confirmed the toll on Thursday evening, describing the event as a tragic reminder of the region’s vulnerability during monsoon months. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar expressed deep grief over the loss of lives and announced an ex gratia of ₹4 lakh for the families of the deceased. He also directed district administrations to ensure quick disbu...

In a dramatic environmental move China has torn down 300 dams and decommissioned 342 hydropower stations along the Chishui He, or Red River, a major tributary of the upper Yangtze River. The sweeping action, first launched in 2020, is part of a national effort to reverse the damage wrought by decades of unchecked hydropower development and restore aquatic ecosystems in one of China most ecologically vital river systems. The Red River, stretching over 400 kilometers through Yunnan, Guizhou, and Sichuan provinces, was once considered a sanctuary for endemic and endangered fish species. But as China raced to power its economic rise, dam construction surgedfragmenting habitats, choking migration routes, and leaving stretches of the river parched. The destruction of these natural lifelines e...

In a bid to tackle climate disinformation and strengthen global climate action, the Global Initiative for Information Integrity on Climate Change has launched a powerful call to action ahead of COP30. The initiative, jointly spearheaded by the United Nations, UNESCO, UNFCCC, and ten partner countries including Brazil, Chile, France, and the UK was formally introduced during the G20 Leaders' Summit and is now moving toward its first major showcase at COP30 in Belém, Brazil, this November. At its core, the initiative seeks to unite public institutions, civil society, private companies, and academic bodies under one mission: to combat the spread of climate denialism and misinformation that threatens to derail international efforts to curb the climate crisis. Framed under the COP30 Presiden...

The ancient Parijat tree also known as Kalpavriksh is facing a high risk of extinction, warn scientists from the Botanical Survey of India (BSI) and Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences (BSIP). These rare trees, growing in places like Kintoor (Barabanki), Jhusi (Prayagraj), and Sultanpur, are under threat from overexploitation, climate change, and declining rainfall. Some specimens in Barabanki and Jhusi are estimated to be over 800 years old. Parijat trees are being unsustainably harvested for their bark, leaves, fruits, and seeds. Their leaves are used as fodder, vegetables, and flavoring agents, while the bark is valued for rope-making. Their widespread use in culinary products and beverages due to high nutritional value has only increased the pressure on this ancient species. ...