Cities
Devastating Beijing floods test China’s ‘sponge cities’
Despite Beijing’s sponge city project, the capital was overwhelmed by recent floods with dozens dying and a new “sponge airport” shut down
Cooling towers, fake snow: What the Beijing Winter Olympics says about climate change
The spectacle of fake snow and an old steel mill’s cooling towers has sparked climate debate among Olympics-watchers
Covid exposes Mexico City’s water access gap between rich and poor
The coronavirus pandemic lays bare the impact of Mexico City’s mounting water crisis on vulnerable households, while gated communities enjoy reliable supplies
It will take more than a few cycle lanes to make green, pandemic-proof cities
The coronavirus lockdown gave a glimpse of what cleaner cities can look like, but as people turn to private cars for safety from infection, pollution could soar
Electric buses offer Latin American and Caribbean transport a green and profitable future
Sponsored content: The Inter-American Development Bank is mobilising different divisions within the bank while working with public and private actors to drive the transition towards electric public transport
Addis Ababa riverside project gives priority to development over residents
Ethiopia wants $900 million riverside project to be a model of green development – yet one resident says shelters were demolished ‘without warning’
Car boom brings gridlock misery to ‘green and happy’ Bhutan
Bhutan’s growing economy brings growing gridlock – and a potential threat to the country’s vaunted carbon-negative status
Two million in Zimbabwe’s capital have no water as city turns off taps
‘The situation is bad, period’, says spokesman for Harare council, as suburbs go weeks without water and cases of typhoid are reported
Trains deliver emergency water to drought-hit Chennai
Millions of people are experiencing water shortages as Chennai’s reservoirs are running dry and other sources of water are dwindling
EU ‘climate leaders’ plans found lacking
Finland, Sweden, Portugal, France and Germany praised for ambitious targets, but NGO analysis raises questions over details
New York City bans inefficient glass skyscrapers, WA state to end coal
New York mayor announces sweeping climate change programme, while Washington’s power will be carbon-neutral by 2030
Life adapts to Louisiana’s disappearing coast
South Louisiana is experiencing the effects of coastal erosion faster than almost anywhere in the world, but life adapts through the buildings and architecture
7 surprising things about the carbon footprint of your food
From sandwiches to ‘bleeding’ veggie burgers, we’ve rounded up some of the latest research and innovations for a low-carb(on) diet
‘We have brought swallows into Milan’, says father of the vertical forest
Stefano Boeri dreamed up the idea of a living building from a childhood story, now he is exporting them around the world
No heating at -6C: Poor bear brunt of Beijing’s air cleanup
Urban demands for cleaner air have left residents of surrounding towns without heating and cooking as coal systems are ripped out and gas supply falters
New York City aims to be carbon neutral by 2050
Donald Trump’s home city aligns its strategy with tough 1.5C global warming limit, in defiance of the president’s hostility to climate action
US exports of tar sands waste are fuelling Delhi’s air pollution crisis
India has emerged as the world’s largest importer of petroleum coke, an oil byproduct that is now a major cause of pollution in the capital
Sydney and Vancouver are fulfilling climate promises made in Paris
As national governments delay, cities around the world are committing to climate action
Lobbying data reveals carmakers’ influence in Berlin
As a dieselgate-charged election approaches, data reveals German officials met with auto lobbyists more than once every two days to discuss the scandal
Developing disasters: How cities are making hurricanes more destructive
Scientists warn of expanding “bull’s-eyes” as the US builds in parts of the country at ever-greater risk because of climate change and severe weather