Orhan Solak, deputy director of Türkiye's Directorate of Climate Change, emphasizes the need to repurpose agricultural subsidies to support a just rural transition and achieve climate goals. There is a call for stronger consensus and rapid implementation of sustainable practices in agriculture to address current challenges, aligning agricultural transformation with environmental integrity and social equity. The importance of supporting sustainable and climate-resilient agricultural systems through targeted investments, capacity-building, and innovation is highlighted, with a focus on inclusive rural development and intergenerational equity. Countries are recognizing the need for climate action to not come at the cost of food security, livelihoods, and equality, with examples of redirecting farm subsidies towards more climate-positive practices for long-term resilience. The Bonn Climate Conference is set to discuss a Just Transition Mechanism for a fair transition to a climate-neutral economy, placing agrifood systems and rural communities at the heart of the climate agenda, with COP31 Presidency priorities in Turkey expected to prioritize climate equity and inclusive action for climate justice.
Author: Climatechangenews
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UN General Assembly backs “climate obligations” set by world’s top court
The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution urging countries to comply with their climate obligations based on an advisory opinion from the ICJ, which deemed harming the climate through increased fossil fuel production as an "international wrongful act". The resolution calls for measures to cut carbon emissions, triple renewable energy capacity, transition away from fossil fuels, and phase out inefficient fossil fuel subsidies. The General Assembly rejected attempts to weaken the resolution and requested the UN Secretary-General to draft a report on advancing compliance with the ICJ's findings by September 2027. This resolution is seen as a crucial step in addressing climate change through international law, raising pressure on states to uphold their obligations and accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels to protect vulnerable communities and advance climate justice.
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Electric car sales race ahead in SE Asia and Latin America amid oil supply crisis
Global electric car sales are expected to reach 23 million this year, accounting for 28% of total car sales, with nearly 30% of cars sold being electric. The war in Iran has led to soaring petrol and diesel prices, prompting drivers to turn to electric vehicles as a cheaper alternative. Sales of battery electric cars and plug-in hybrids have seen significant growth in Asian countries outside of China, Latin America, and Europe. In Europe, one in three cars sold this year is projected to be electric, while in China, monthly sales have grown to over 60% of total car sales. Sales are also expected to rise by more than 50% in Asian countries and 45% in Latin America this year. The energy crisis caused by the Middle East war has highlighted the benefits of driving an electric car, leading to potential growth in EV sales. The road transport sector is the largest consumer of oil, and governments' response to soaring oil prices could shape the global car market. Electric vehicles are now seen as an alternative to oil dependence for transport, with a quarter of all new cars sold in 2025 being electric. Southeast Asia, heavily dependent on fuel imports, has seen spectacular growth in electric car sales in response to the energy crisis. Countries in the region are expanding EV tax incentives and implementing supportive policies to boost EV sales. In 2025, Chinese carmakers dominated the electric vehicle market, with technological advances and cheaper prices driving EV deployment in China. Nearly 40% of new car sales in Vietnam were electric, surpassing levels seen in most European countries. The cost of owning an electric truck in China is now competitive with owning a diesel one, leading to a doubling of the electric truck market in just two years. Cheaper EVs from China have led to a doubling of car exports in 2025, with Chinese automakers manufacturing 60% of electric cars sold worldwide. Intense competition domestically in China is pushing electric car manufacturers to seek export opportunities overseas.
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Health risks from climate change spur stronger public support for action, research finds
A study found that informing people about health risks linked to climate change is more effective in spurring public support for government-led climate action than messages focused on economic or environmental impacts. Over 80% of participants in a survey across Brazil, India, Japan, and South Africa expressed concern about climate change impacts and backed government measures to prevent public health impacts. The World Health Organization stated that humanitarian emergencies are increasing worldwide due to human-caused rising temperatures, with over a third of the global population exposed to climate threats. Communicating these risks to the public can inspire climate action, as health is a universal concern. Despite pledges to strengthen policies to cut carbon emissions and improve health sector resilience to climate impacts, health has not been a top priority at key climate meetings. Different countries had varying reactions to climate change messaging, with South Africans concerned about children's health and food/water insecurity, Brazilians focused on mental health impacts, and Japanese prioritizing extreme heat. In India, air pollution and access to healthcare were top concerns. Respondents across countries supported government action to address health impacts of climate change, with measures like building solar capacity and investing in air-conditioned public buildings being popular. Experts emphasized the urgency of implementing climate action to protect human health, calling for declaring climate change a global health emergency and scaling up climate-health investment. The article section discusses the importance of climate action as a high-return investment for a more just and resilient society. The Wellcome Trust's survey shows that the public supports stronger action on climate change, with a focus on health being an effective way to engage new audiences. The health angle is seen as a fresh approach to climate dialogue, as it is personal, relevant, and depolarizing. While economic messages still have a purpose, health messaging could be a "missing piece" in climate communications, providing a new way to talk about climate change that feels very relevant to people.
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Signify: “We believe resilience is becoming more important to businesses right now”
Signify, a global lighting company, has launched a new sustainability program called "Brighter Lives, Better World 2030" aimed at reducing environmental impact by improving energy efficiency, cutting greenhouse gas emissions, and promoting the circular economy. The program focuses on increasing revenue from solutions that support benefits beyond illumination, such as efficient food production and solar lighting, while saving electricity for customers, reducing CO2 emissions intensity, and growing its circular product business. The company is committed to reaching its sustainability targets despite challenges in the political landscape, with a focus on resilience in businesses, decarbonization, circular solutions, and coping with changing market circumstances. Signify's program is informed by the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, with a goal of saving 60 TWh of electricity for customers and expanding commitments to achieve a decoupling of economic growth from natural resource use through the circular economy.
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Santa Marta was a learning moment for how to shape inclusive just transitions
The Global Conference on Transitioning away from Fossil Fuels in Santa Marta emphasized the need for science-based evidence and practical action to address the impacts of fossil fuel dependence. Recommendations included stronger collaborative governance, support for local actors, and redesigning regulatory frameworks to prioritize social and justice programs. The event highlighted the importance of transitioning to renewable energy while ensuring financial resources are directed where they are most needed. The section also emphasized the importance of including local communities, social dialogue, and public participation in Just Transition strategies, with a focus on concrete action, binding commitments, and finance prioritizing people and the planet to achieve socially just and locally relevant transition strategies.
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ICJ follow-up resolution is a test of climate leadership at the UN
The resolution before the UN General Assembly seeks to operationalize the International Court of Justice's Advisory Opinion on states' obligations in preventing and repairing climate harm, emphasizing a just transition away from fossil fuels and full reparation for climate-related harm. Resistance from polluters aims to weaken its authority and evade accountability, but passing the resolution would signal governments' commitment to the rule of law and collective action to protect the climate. The draft resolution aims to improve accountability and coordination in existing climate processes, addressing the lack of ambition in phasing out fossil fuels and tackling loss and damage. Consensus on the resolution would send a strong message of commitment to climate action and the rule of law, with global majority support being decisive in the face of resistance from powerful states.
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The energy transition has a rare earth problem: These startups are solving it
The Advanced Electric Machines (AEM) plant in northeastern England and Silicon Valley startup Conifer are leading the way in developing rare earth-free electric motors for electric vehicles (EVs) to reduce supply chain risks and environmental harm associated with rare earth mining. Niron Magnetics is also working on iron-based magnets to decrease manufacturing costs and dependency on Chinese rare earth supplies, with support from major automotive companies and Western governments. The US, Canada, and the European Union are investing in subsidies and research to mine and produce rare earth materials, while also exploring recycling and alternative materials to create a circular supply chain that reduces costs and environmental impact in the production of motors and other technologies.
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Türkiye’s COP31 presidency and IEA join forces on clean energy push
Türkiye's COP31 presidency, in partnership with the International Energy Agency, is working to accelerate the global clean energy transition in response to the energy crisis triggered by the Iran war. The focus is on areas such as energy supply, electrification, and green industrialization, with an emphasis on expanding clean cooking solutions in developing countries and promoting waste recycling to reduce emissions. The IEA is organizing a summit in July to improve clean cooking access for Africans. Meanwhile, COP31 aims to address the lack of funding for decarbonizing hard-to-abate industries and supporting clean energy development outside of China, Europe, and the US. The presidency is prioritizing cutting emissions from garbage and developing a new mechanism to match climate projects with financing to ease access to funding for climate solutions.
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What fossil fuels really cost us in a world at war
Anne Jellema of 350.org discusses the devastating impact of the war on Iran and Lebanon on global economy and households, with potential costs exceeding $1 trillion in adverse scenarios. The fossil fuel crisis is draining households and economies worldwide, with $158-$166 billion already extracted due to soaring prices, highlighting the urgent need for a global shift towards affordable clean energy solutions to address energy poverty and reduce dependence on costly and unsustainable fossil fuels. Governments should implement windfall taxes on fossil fuel companies, shift subsidies towards renewable solutions, and accelerate the rollout of clean energy technologies like solar and wind to create a more stable, fair, and resilient energy system.
https://www.climatechangenews.com/2026/04/30/what-fossil-fuels-really-cost-us-in-a-world-at-war/