Environment

The United States has revoked federal limits on climate pollution from power plants, removing restrictions on greenhouse gas emissions from the electricity sector. The move, reported by Human Rights Watch, is drawing attention as a significant rollback of US climate policy, with critics likely to raise concerns about its impact on emissions goals and air quality.

Forest fires in Indonesia are sending smoke and haze toward Singapore just as the city prepares to host its Formula One Grand Prix. Race organisers are drawing up contingency plans in case air quality deteriorates further, with the regional haze posing a threat to one of the country's biggest sporting events, according to Al Jazeera reporting from the region.

Palm Beach County, Florida — Donald Trump's home county — has placed a moratorium on new data center projects, citing worries about environmental impacts and rising electricity bills for residents. The decision comes as communities across the United States grapple with the rapid growth of energy-hungry data centers fuelled by the AI boom, with local officials weighing economic benefits against costs to ratepayers and natural resources.

Germany has for the first time formally committed to phasing out fossil fuels, setting a target date of 2045. The pledge, reported by the Guardian, marks a significant step in the country's climate policy and signals a planned end to reliance on coal, oil and gas. Reaction online has been largely focused on the ambition of the timeline and what it means for Europe's largest economy.

Supporters of ending the US roadless rule argue it would let land managers build roads that help fight forest fires and improve wildlife access to habitats. Critics have long warned that opening protected roadless areas to development could harm ecosystems, making the proposal a flashpoint in forest policy debates.

Singapore recorded its joint-highest daily maximum temperature for September after the Woodlands Avenue 9 climate station reached 35.8°C at 3.27pm on Saturday, 26 September. The reading ties the national September record and adds to growing concern over heat extremes affecting the island, with unusually hot late-September weather drawing wide attention.

Hurricane Nolo is bearing down on Hawaii, with forecasters warning of powerful winds and flash flooding as the storm approaches the islands. Residents are being told to prepare for dangerous conditions, including potential damage from high winds and rapid flooding in low-lying areas. The storm is drawing wide attention as Hawaii rarely faces direct hurricane threats.

Climate rallies are being organised across France following a summer of record-breaking heat. Demonstrators are expected to gather in multiple cities to demand stronger government action on climate change, after months in which temperature records were broken nationwide. The events highlight growing public pressure on French authorities over environmental policy and the country's response to increasingly extreme summer weather.

Global energy analysis shows wind and solar power capacity and generation continuing to expand rapidly, yet fossil fuel use is rising at the same time rather than being displaced. Commentators note that growing overall energy demand means renewables are adding to supply instead of replacing coal, oil and gas, keeping emissions concerns alive despite record clean-energy investment.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic held a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, after which Belgrade expressed hope that its gas supply agreement with Moscow will be extended. Serbia relies heavily on Russian gas, and the current arrangement faces pressure amid the war in Ukraine and EU sanctions that complicate energy ties with Russia.

A powerful storm system swept across parts of North America over the weekend, producing dangerous weather conditions and prompting photo coverage of the damage and dramatic skies. News outlets are sharing images showing the storm's impact on communities in the United States and Canada, as residents and officials assess the aftermath and responders deal with hazards left behind.

The 63rd Session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva is putting environmental issues on its agenda, with the Geneva Environment Network highlighting how the environment features in this round of discussions. The session continues the Council's growing focus on the right to a healthy environment and the links between human rights and climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution.

An environmental group is challenging air quality permits issued for a massive Amazon data center project in North Carolina, with Duke Energy also named in the challenge. The dispute centers on emissions linked to powering the facility. Data centers have drawn growing scrutiny over their electricity demands and pollution footprint.

Jamaica's government says an Environmental Protection Levy will be used to help finance the island's climate resilience efforts. The levy is positioned as a funding stream for measures protecting the country against climate-related threats such as hurricanes, flooding and coastal erosion. Details on rates, collection and specific programmes to be financed have not yet been widely reported, and public reaction is still limited.

Georgetown County is examining a proposed dredging project at Murrells Inlet that could deliver an economic boost to the coastal community, but officials want a fuller picture of the environmental cost before moving ahead. Dredging is often used to deepen channels for boat traffic and support the local waterfront economy, while raising concerns about impacts on marshes, water quality and marine habitats.

Residents of Bengaluru are calling for an environmental impact assessment of the proposed Hebbal tunnel project before it moves forward. The demand, reported by Deccan Herald, reflects concern that the large infrastructure work could affect the ecologically sensitive Hebbal lake area and surrounding neighbourhoods, and citizens want environmental safeguards studied ahead of construction.

The Sindh Conference 2026 was held in Geneva, where participants called on the international community to pay greater attention to human rights, environmental concerns and self-determination for the Sindh region of Pakistan. According to The Tribune, organisers used the Swiss venue to press their case before international bodies and diplomats, framing rights and environmental degradation in Sindh as matters requiring global response rather than purely domestic ones.

Pennsylvania's Department of Environmental Protection has issued Chapter 105 permits for Mid-Atlantic Interstate Transmission's Piney-Seward and Erie South Piney transmission line project, a roughly 150-mile line crossing eight counties. The permits clear a key regulatory hurdle for the high-voltage project. Details on conditions, opposition or construction timelines have not yet been widely reported.

An ozone pollution alert has been issued for North Texas for Sunday, according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Residents in the region are advised that ground-level ozone concentrations could reach unhealthy levels, particularly for children, older adults, and people with respiratory conditions such as asthma. Officials typically recommend limiting outdoor exertion during alert days. No further details about affected counties or expected severity were given.