Patrick Greenfield
@pgreenfielduk.bsky.social
Reporter @guardian covering biodiversity and the environment. patrick.greenfield@guardian.co.uk | Former @CNN
Reposted by Patrick Greenfield
Good piece by @pgreenfielduk.bsky.social on the current state of the carbon markets.
Almost 3 years on from our investigation, the market is reforming, but has the Trump White House killed corporate interest in protecting forests?
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Almost 3 years on from our investigation, the market is reforming, but has the Trump White House killed corporate interest in protecting forests?
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
‘There is no money’: As carbon markets collapse, what happens to the forests they promised to protect?
After it was found most offsets did not represent real carbon reductions, the money dried up. But successful schemes such as Kasigau in Kenya now face a stark future
www.theguardian.com
November 6, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Good piece by @pgreenfielduk.bsky.social on the current state of the carbon markets.
Almost 3 years on from our investigation, the market is reforming, but has the Trump White House killed corporate interest in protecting forests?
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Almost 3 years on from our investigation, the market is reforming, but has the Trump White House killed corporate interest in protecting forests?
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Patrick Greenfield
NEW: Just 28% of nations have released plans for reversing nature loss a year after UN deadline
🐝8/17 megadiverse yet to produce their plans, called "NBSAPs"
🪲Includes Brazil, most biodiverse nation and COP30 host
🐜All G7 nations now have a plan, except for US
www.carbonbrief.org/analysis-jus...
🐝8/17 megadiverse yet to produce their plans, called "NBSAPs"
🪲Includes Brazil, most biodiverse nation and COP30 host
🐜All G7 nations now have a plan, except for US
www.carbonbrief.org/analysis-jus...
October 22, 2025 at 9:18 AM
NEW: Just 28% of nations have released plans for reversing nature loss a year after UN deadline
🐝8/17 megadiverse yet to produce their plans, called "NBSAPs"
🪲Includes Brazil, most biodiverse nation and COP30 host
🐜All G7 nations now have a plan, except for US
www.carbonbrief.org/analysis-jus...
🐝8/17 megadiverse yet to produce their plans, called "NBSAPs"
🪲Includes Brazil, most biodiverse nation and COP30 host
🐜All G7 nations now have a plan, except for US
www.carbonbrief.org/analysis-jus...
O Brasil seria um dos primeiros a reclamar se outro país estivesse fazendo isso...
#COP30 hotel fiasco - 129 countries have still not booked due to insane prices in Belem, most are developing countries
- "we cannot host a COP under conditions that exclude participation" says Panama's delegate
via @climatechangenews.com
www.climatechangenews.com/2025/08/22/c...
- "we cannot host a COP under conditions that exclude participation" says Panama's delegate
via @climatechangenews.com
www.climatechangenews.com/2025/08/22/c...
COP bureau meeting ends in stalemate as Brazil insists Belém logistics can work
A UN survey showed a majority of nations had not yet booked hotels in Belém due to high costs, raising concerns about lower participation
www.climatechangenews.com
August 26, 2025 at 4:00 PM
O Brasil seria um dos primeiros a reclamar se outro país estivesse fazendo isso...
Reposted by Patrick Greenfield
A study predicted economic damages from climate change 3x higher than previous assessments. But it was flawed -- all thanks to the data from just one country.
I dug into this strange study and the researchers calling it out:
www.washingtonpost.com/climate-envi...
I dug into this strange study and the researchers calling it out:
www.washingtonpost.com/climate-envi...
A study predicted huge climate damages. But it had a fatal flaw: Uzbekistan.
Uzbekistan’s erroneous data dramatically changed the results of a study on global climate damages.
www.washingtonpost.com
August 6, 2025 at 3:03 PM
A study predicted economic damages from climate change 3x higher than previous assessments. But it was flawed -- all thanks to the data from just one country.
I dug into this strange study and the researchers calling it out:
www.washingtonpost.com/climate-envi...
I dug into this strange study and the researchers calling it out:
www.washingtonpost.com/climate-envi...
Reposted by Patrick Greenfield
I’m glad this extraordinary tale by @kenzabryan.ft.com is finally out. The carbon credit business is a LOT more interesting than I thought… on.ft.com/4lqMZMV
The extraordinary life and mysterious death of a carbon credits broker
How an Italian fugitive used diplomatic immunity to work with Dubai royalty and Liberia’s fallen hero
on.ft.com
June 29, 2025 at 9:16 AM
I’m glad this extraordinary tale by @kenzabryan.ft.com is finally out. The carbon credit business is a LOT more interesting than I thought… on.ft.com/4lqMZMV
Reposted by Patrick Greenfield
I’ll says this once:
We’re spending a lot more on mitigation (e.g., renewables) than on CDR research. A lot more.
It could simultaneously be true that CDR research acts as mitigation deterrence and we need to do CDR research.
Trees will not be enough to reduce atmospheric CO₂.
We’re spending a lot more on mitigation (e.g., renewables) than on CDR research. A lot more.
It could simultaneously be true that CDR research acts as mitigation deterrence and we need to do CDR research.
Trees will not be enough to reduce atmospheric CO₂.
May 21, 2025 at 1:18 PM
I’ll says this once:
We’re spending a lot more on mitigation (e.g., renewables) than on CDR research. A lot more.
It could simultaneously be true that CDR research acts as mitigation deterrence and we need to do CDR research.
Trees will not be enough to reduce atmospheric CO₂.
We’re spending a lot more on mitigation (e.g., renewables) than on CDR research. A lot more.
It could simultaneously be true that CDR research acts as mitigation deterrence and we need to do CDR research.
Trees will not be enough to reduce atmospheric CO₂.
Reposted by Patrick Greenfield
I categorically disagree with claims that CO₂ removal (CDR) is a scam. The field is full of smart people dedicated to figuring out what, if anything, works, because we’ll need CDR in the future for legacy and residual emissions. Funding via market mechanisms isn’t ideal, but doesn’t make it a scam.
May 20, 2025 at 3:20 PM
I categorically disagree with claims that CO₂ removal (CDR) is a scam. The field is full of smart people dedicated to figuring out what, if anything, works, because we’ll need CDR in the future for legacy and residual emissions. Funding via market mechanisms isn’t ideal, but doesn’t make it a scam.
Reposted by Patrick Greenfield
Fires drove record loss of world’s forests last year, ‘frightening’ data shows
Burning, worsened by the #climatecrisis, overtook farming and logging as biggest cause of destruction of tropical forests
Story by @pgreenfielduk.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Burning, worsened by the #climatecrisis, overtook farming and logging as biggest cause of destruction of tropical forests
Story by @pgreenfielduk.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Fires drove record loss of world’s forests last year, ‘frightening’ data shows
Burning, worsened by global heating, overtook farming and logging as biggest cause of destruction of tropical forests
www.theguardian.com
May 21, 2025 at 8:07 AM
Fires drove record loss of world’s forests last year, ‘frightening’ data shows
Burning, worsened by the #climatecrisis, overtook farming and logging as biggest cause of destruction of tropical forests
Story by @pgreenfielduk.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Burning, worsened by the #climatecrisis, overtook farming and logging as biggest cause of destruction of tropical forests
Story by @pgreenfielduk.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Patrick Greenfield
Russia has returned the body of Ukrainian journalist Viktoria Roshchyna.
Her body showed clear signs of torture: broken ribs, bruises, injuries from electric shocks. Some of her internal organs, including her eyeballs, brain and trachea, had been removed.
Viktoria was 27 years old.
Her body showed clear signs of torture: broken ribs, bruises, injuries from electric shocks. Some of her internal organs, including her eyeballs, brain and trachea, had been removed.
Viktoria was 27 years old.
She tried to expose Russia’s brutal detention system — and ended up dead
A consortium of international journalists continued the work of Viktoriia Roshchyna, who was investigating reports of torture and detention of Ukrainian civilians in occupied Ukraine.
www.washingtonpost.com
April 29, 2025 at 2:51 PM
Russia has returned the body of Ukrainian journalist Viktoria Roshchyna.
Her body showed clear signs of torture: broken ribs, bruises, injuries from electric shocks. Some of her internal organs, including her eyeballs, brain and trachea, had been removed.
Viktoria was 27 years old.
Her body showed clear signs of torture: broken ribs, bruises, injuries from electric shocks. Some of her internal organs, including her eyeballs, brain and trachea, had been removed.
Viktoria was 27 years old.
Reposted by Patrick Greenfield
I've put together a webpage with country-level charts that @glenpeters.bsky.social and I produce. Currently 89 countries, not all with same charts. More to come, including data downloads.
Explore for yourself here:
robbieandrew.github.io/country/
Explore for yourself here:
robbieandrew.github.io/country/
April 23, 2025 at 7:52 AM
I've put together a webpage with country-level charts that @glenpeters.bsky.social and I produce. Currently 89 countries, not all with same charts. More to come, including data downloads.
Explore for yourself here:
robbieandrew.github.io/country/
Explore for yourself here:
robbieandrew.github.io/country/
Reposted by Patrick Greenfield
"A proposal for such a levy, which has the support of scores of developing countries, the EU and the UK, is under discussion at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in London, in talks that started last month and resume next week before finishing on 11 April.”
March 27, 2025 at 7:23 PM
"A proposal for such a levy, which has the support of scores of developing countries, the EU and the UK, is under discussion at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in London, in talks that started last month and resume next week before finishing on 11 April.”
Fearing toxic waste, Greenland ended uranium mining. Now, they could be forced to restart - or pay $11bn
My reporting from Narsaq - with Phoebe Weston 👇
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
My reporting from Narsaq - with Phoebe Weston 👇
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Fearing toxic waste, Greenland ended uranium mining. Now, they could be forced to restart - or pay $11bn
The island is being sued by a mining company over its decision, and faces paying nine times its annual budget in damages if it loses
www.theguardian.com
March 5, 2025 at 9:22 AM
Fearing toxic waste, Greenland ended uranium mining. Now, they could be forced to restart - or pay $11bn
My reporting from Narsaq - with Phoebe Weston 👇
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
My reporting from Narsaq - with Phoebe Weston 👇
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Governments reached a deal at #Cop16 in Rome last night. But it is clear that this decade's biodiversity agreement is already on life support.
Phoebe Weston reports from the Italian capital
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Phoebe Weston reports from the Italian capital
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Cop16 nature summit agrees deal at 11th hour but critics say it is not enough
UN biodiversity conference in Rome ends with fragile accord but questions remain over whether funding will emerge
www.theguardian.com
February 28, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Governments reached a deal at #Cop16 in Rome last night. But it is clear that this decade's biodiversity agreement is already on life support.
Phoebe Weston reports from the Italian capital
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Phoebe Weston reports from the Italian capital
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Patrick Greenfield
Nations have finalised a document for planning, monitoring, reporting, and review (PMRR) in plenary at #COP16
There was just one outstanding issue – in classic COP fashion – with a footnote, which has been resolved
Formal adoption of documents won't happen until later tonight, final plenary at 9pm
There was just one outstanding issue – in classic COP fashion – with a footnote, which has been resolved
Formal adoption of documents won't happen until later tonight, final plenary at 9pm
February 27, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Nations have finalised a document for planning, monitoring, reporting, and review (PMRR) in plenary at #COP16
There was just one outstanding issue – in classic COP fashion – with a footnote, which has been resolved
Formal adoption of documents won't happen until later tonight, final plenary at 9pm
There was just one outstanding issue – in classic COP fashion – with a footnote, which has been resolved
Formal adoption of documents won't happen until later tonight, final plenary at 9pm
Reposted by Patrick Greenfield
Under 3 years ago, countries set a big global pledge to protect 30% of Earth for nature by 2030
But our new investigation shows more than half of nations aren't willing to back 30 by 30 within their borders
We found this out by digging through 100s of UN docs
www.carbonbrief.org/revealed-mor...
But our new investigation shows more than half of nations aren't willing to back 30 by 30 within their borders
We found this out by digging through 100s of UN docs
www.carbonbrief.org/revealed-mor...
February 24, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Under 3 years ago, countries set a big global pledge to protect 30% of Earth for nature by 2030
But our new investigation shows more than half of nations aren't willing to back 30 by 30 within their borders
We found this out by digging through 100s of UN docs
www.carbonbrief.org/revealed-mor...
But our new investigation shows more than half of nations aren't willing to back 30 by 30 within their borders
We found this out by digging through 100s of UN docs
www.carbonbrief.org/revealed-mor...
Crucial UN nature talks are about to reopen in Rome – but will enough countries turn up?
Phoebe Weston previews #Cop16 in Rome
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Phoebe Weston previews #Cop16 in Rome
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Crucial UN nature talks are about to reopen in Rome – but will enough countries turn up?
After last year’s Cop16 biodiversity talks in Cali left key issues unresolved, the extra summit will attempt to seek consensus, especially over funding
www.theguardian.com
February 25, 2025 at 10:46 AM
Crucial UN nature talks are about to reopen in Rome – but will enough countries turn up?
Phoebe Weston previews #Cop16 in Rome
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Phoebe Weston previews #Cop16 in Rome
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Get submitting
🥁 It's that time of year again... We know you've all been waiting for it... Submissions are OPEN for the 2025 Covering Climate Now Journalism Awards! 🎉
The Covering Climate Now Journalism Awards — Covering Climate Now
Entry submissions are OPEN for the 2025 Covering Climate Now Journalism Awards. This is the fifth year for our annual awards program, and every year we’re amazed by the quality and variety of work ent...
coveringclimatenow.org
February 24, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Get submitting
Reposted by Patrick Greenfield
🥁 It's that time of year again... We know you've all been waiting for it... Submissions are OPEN for the 2025 Covering Climate Now Journalism Awards! 🎉
The Covering Climate Now Journalism Awards — Covering Climate Now
Entry submissions are OPEN for the 2025 Covering Climate Now Journalism Awards. This is the fifth year for our annual awards program, and every year we’re amazed by the quality and variety of work ent...
coveringclimatenow.org
February 13, 2025 at 4:22 PM
🥁 It's that time of year again... We know you've all been waiting for it... Submissions are OPEN for the 2025 Covering Climate Now Journalism Awards! 🎉
In late 2022, the world agreed to protect 30% of the planet for nature.
Now, more than half the world’s countries have no plans to deliver on the target, according to analysis by Carbon Brief & The Guardian.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Now, more than half the world’s countries have no plans to deliver on the target, according to analysis by Carbon Brief & The Guardian.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
More than half of countries are ignoring biodiversity pledges – analysis
Many of the nations gathering in Rome for Cop16 have offered no plans to honour their agreement to protect 30% of land and sea for nature
www.theguardian.com
February 24, 2025 at 10:28 AM
In late 2022, the world agreed to protect 30% of the planet for nature.
Now, more than half the world’s countries have no plans to deliver on the target, according to analysis by Carbon Brief & The Guardian.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Now, more than half the world’s countries have no plans to deliver on the target, according to analysis by Carbon Brief & The Guardian.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
If you are a researcher who has been affected by this kind of thing, get in contact: patrick.greenfield@theguardian.com .
We got a message from the university to remove any use of the "DEI", "diversity", "equity", or "inclusion" from all public-facing documents. They said that even "biodiversity" is being flagged by the federal government. We live in the dumbest timeline.
February 11, 2025 at 11:22 PM
If you are a researcher who has been affected by this kind of thing, get in contact: patrick.greenfield@theguardian.com .
Reposted by Patrick Greenfield
as we finish up 2024, here are a few favourite pieces published by the age of extinction (nature @ the guardian). I take freelance pitches too, so will add some notes on pitching to this thread & hope it's a generally a useful rundown of work we do and how we approach it. in no specific order:
December 20, 2024 at 4:27 PM
as we finish up 2024, here are a few favourite pieces published by the age of extinction (nature @ the guardian). I take freelance pitches too, so will add some notes on pitching to this thread & hope it's a generally a useful rundown of work we do and how we approach it. in no specific order:
Reposted by Patrick Greenfield
An All-Star roster of climate scientists cleared their throats recently and it was something to behold.
Their message to Net-Zero experts in every sector?
You're Doing It Wrong 🧪
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Their message to Net-Zero experts in every sector?
You're Doing It Wrong 🧪
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Scientists Behind ‘Net Zero’ Concept Say Nations Are Getting It Wrong
In a new study, high-profile climate scientists say countries are using flawed carbon accounting by relying too heavily on trees and oceans to absorb new carbon emissions.
www.bloomberg.com
December 5, 2024 at 5:24 PM
An All-Star roster of climate scientists cleared their throats recently and it was something to behold.
Their message to Net-Zero experts in every sector?
You're Doing It Wrong 🧪
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Their message to Net-Zero experts in every sector?
You're Doing It Wrong 🧪
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
A significant issue with the #COP29 text on climate finance is how it deals with inflation (it doesn't).
Money decreases in value over time.
$250bn now is not the same as $250bn in 2035... The text allows inflation to make the target easier to meet.
1/3
Money decreases in value over time.
$250bn now is not the same as $250bn in 2035... The text allows inflation to make the target easier to meet.
1/3
November 22, 2024 at 3:25 PM
A significant issue with the #COP29 text on climate finance is how it deals with inflation (it doesn't).
Money decreases in value over time.
$250bn now is not the same as $250bn in 2035... The text allows inflation to make the target easier to meet.
1/3
Money decreases in value over time.
$250bn now is not the same as $250bn in 2035... The text allows inflation to make the target easier to meet.
1/3
At #Cop29, it looks like we still have a long wait for a serious negotiating text
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Cop29 climate finance deal hits fresh setback as deadline looms
Outcry after draft text contains only an ‘X’ instead of setting $1tn funding goal to support developing countries
www.theguardian.com
November 21, 2024 at 4:33 PM
At #Cop29, it looks like we still have a long wait for a serious negotiating text
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...