It’s the shape of story across all ages and human cultures. You’re in a hole. Then you get out

Under the selected plan, the runway would be up to 3.5km long and require a new road tunnel under the airport.

Negotiations ran late last night, and as delegates begin to leave the outcome of the summit remains unclear Ahead of the final plenary, I checked in with our environment editor Fiona Harvey in Belem to ask what we might expect in the next couple of hours. The word on the ground is that we should expect a final plenary to begin in the next 90 minutes or so. But in truth, it is unclear. This is what she told me: It’s as clear as mud. They have called the plenary for 10am Belem time but we don’t know what is happening to the text or if they will try to gavel something through without that. It could be that there’s a plenary and then it adjourns quite quickly for people to finish the negotiations – or they just try to barrel it all through. We just do not know. The UK energy secretary Ed Miliband said a deal to create a roadmap away from fossil fuels needed to happen “one way or another” – even if it was a voluntary process. One representative from a country vulnerable to the climate crisis said: “Sometimes it’s like we are arguing with robots.” Observers claimed the Arab group of nations had warned any mention of phasing out fossil fuels in final negotiations would see the talks collapse. The architect of the Paris climate deal, Laurence Tubiana, said countries should not fear pursuing a deal on a roadmap. Turkey and Australia has agreed to the details on hosting next year’s Cop31 summit, that will be held in Turkey. Turkey will take on the Cop31 presidency and an Australian – energy minister Chris Bowen – will be appointed vice-president and “president of negotiations” Africa governments were still pushing for a tripling of the finance available from rich countries to help the poor world adapt to the impacts of the climate crisis. Continue reading...

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Extreme inequality is concentrating power in the hands of a few, poisoning democracy, stalling growth, and fuelling division. At the upcoming Budget, the Government can stop the rot if they choose to tax the super-rich, end the cuts and protect public services.

The Arsenal and England forward is backing new global campaign because talent and teamwork should decide the game – not the climate

Dodging the wintery showers and blustery winds, our go-ahead SWAMP team wrapped up warm, donned their gloves and wellingtons and hauled green bags filled with dried Crassula to the edge of Morston pon...