This week’s big environmental story, December 8-14 On 30 November, China published its third air pollution control plan, aiming to further cut airborne pollutants and to transition toward clean industry. The plan emphasises reducing emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), setting emission caps for both pollutants. The plan mentions methods including using fewer materials containing high VOCs in products
Local herders bear the brunt of salt sandstorms and waning pastures on the lower reaches of the Wulagai River in Inner Mongolia By Yuan Ye, December 14, 2023In early April, a strong gale built up near Daoleed Sharina’s home. She rushed her sheep into a pen and ran home. By the time she got inside, her eyes were in excruciating pain.Livestock are Sharina’s family’s livelihood. They manage over 400 hectares of pasture and are responsible
The renewables target is achievable but other elements would be much more difficult, say Chinese experts. By Lin Zi, December 13, 2023China supplies 80% of solar panels globally (Image: Alamy)On day three of the COP28 UN climate negotiations in Dubai, applause greeted the news that Mexico had signed up to a global commitment to triple renewable power capacity and double energy efficiency by 2030. It brought the number of countries
The two-week climate conference in Dubai closed with a landmark deal to transition away from fossil fuels, but loopholes could hamper delivery of the commitments. By Fermín Koop, Joydeep Gupta, Cui Qiwen, December 13, 2023Sultan Al Jaber, COP28 president, speaks at the closing meeting of the COP28 climate talks in Dubai (Image: Anthony Fleyhan / UN Climate Change, CC BY-NC-SA)For the first time, countries have agreed
