COP 26 was hailed as a success by many, but the most important global climate change conference to have taken place to date drew to a close with the world still on course to see dangerous levels of global warming.

The world is careering towards a number of critical tipping points in confronting the climate challenge. We should not turn away from the institutionalised hypocrisy of political leaders around the world and acknowledge the true nature of our betrayal of young people today.

New Zealand’s long love affair with cars seems to be on the decline – and it’s part of a global trend. Fewer cars are being manufactured, people are driving less, working from home is gaining popularity and even the number of trucks on our road may have reached a peak. Could this be a turning point for New Zealand’s carbon emissions?

Machine learning is being used to turn forecasting into ‘nowcasting’ that could boost the efficiency and appeal of solar energy here and around the world. A UK start-up that Google has helped fund explains how it works and the benefits.  

Whether the world meets emissions targets depends largely on China. It burns half the coal used across the world to generate electricity, is outstripping all countries in building wind and solar generation, makes more than half the world’s EVs and is struggling to keep up with the demand for electricity. Each month, we’ll keep you up to date with what’s happening because what happens in China matters to us all.