Two sea lions on a rocky shore

Proposal to recognize Antarctica as a legal entity could change climate negotiations

A new draft declaration seeks to recognize Antarctica as an autonomous legal entity with rights to participate in climate discussions that impact its future and the planet.

Katie Surma reports for Inside Climate News.


In short:

  • The Antarctic Rights group proposes a declaration to recognize Antarctica as a legal entity, granting it a voice in international climate decisions.
  • Advocates argue the continent’s unique role in Earth’s stability justifies legal protection, allowing representation at events like UN climate talks.
  • The declaration aligns with the rights of nature movement, aiming to shift global governance beyond national interests and address ecological degradation.

Key quote:

“Antarctica is massively impacted by the climate policies of the European Union. But in Brussels, you’re hard pressed to find any regulation which really addresses Antarctica.”

— Carola Rackete, European Parliament member

Why this matters:

Antarctica’s ice sheet and surrounding ocean regulate global temperatures, ocean currents and sea levels. If recognized as a legal entity, Antarctica could gain protection in climate policy, helping prevent catastrophic sea level rise and biodiversity loss that would affect populations worldwide.

smokestacks
Credit: Kanenori/Pixabay

Global carbon emissions inch higher

Global carbon emissions from fossil fuel use rose 0.8% this year, driven largely by China and India, while the United States and Europe reported modest reductions, scientists say.

Seth Borenstein reports for The Associated Press.

Keep reading...Show less
Senator Whitehouse & climate change

Senator Whitehouse puts climate change on budget committee’s agenda

For more than a decade, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse gave daily warnings about the mounting threat of climate change. Now he has a powerful new perch.
Exxon sign

Exxon CEO urges Trump team to avoid radical climate policy shifts

Exxon CEO Darren Woods advised the incoming Trump administration to maintain stable climate policies and cautioned against carbon border tariffs, which he described as ineffective and burdensome.

Zack Colman reports for POLITICO.

Keep reading...Show less
Argentina ditches COP29 climate summit

Argentina’s retreat from climate talks raises questions about stability of Paris Agreement

Argentinian negotiators were abruptly pulled from the COP29 summit in Baku by the administration of climate-skeptic president Javier Milei, leaving many concerned about the Paris Agreement’s stability as the U.S. also contemplates an exit under Donald Trump.

Patrick Greenfield reports for The Guardian.

Keep reading...Show less
Skyscrapers and blue sky as seen from below
Credit: Samson/Unsplash

Global finance obstacles shape COP29 climate goals

As COP29 discussions unfold in Baku, rich countries face pressure to commit $1 trillion a year to help low-income nations combat climate change, a task now more difficult following Donald Trump's election and his stance on climate funding.

Somini Sengupta and Lydia DePillis report for The New York Times.

Keep reading...Show less
Smokestacks emit pollution on the side of a highway

U.S. imposes first-ever methane fee on oil companies as Trump pledges repeal

The Environmental Protection Agency has implemented a historic fee on methane emissions from oil and gas companies, even as President-elect Donald Trump plans to dismantle the rule upon taking office.

Maxine Joselow reports for The Washington Post.

Keep reading...Show less
U.S. Department of Homeland Security insignia on blue background

Trump nominates Kristi Noem for Homeland Security role, raising climate concerns

South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, nominated by President-elect Donald Trump to lead the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has consistently rejected federal climate aid programs and cast doubt on the human role in climate change.

Thomas Frank and Avery Ellfeldt report for E&E News.

Keep reading...Show less
Trump's return expected to open doors for fossil fuel growth

Trump's return expected to open doors for fossil fuel growth

Former President Trump's election victory has spurred hope in the oil, gas and mining sectors for a rollback of environmental regulations and increased domestic energy production.

Zack Budryk reports for The Hill.

Keep reading...Show less
From our Newsroom
unions and labor movement

LISTEN: Pradnya Garud on the role of unions in climate justice

“They’ve been able to combine forces and really come forward to bring social and environmental change.”

People advocating against the US hydrogen hub build out

Hydrogen hubs test new federal environmental justice rules

A massive push for hydrogen energy is one of the first test cases of new federal environmental justice initiatives. Communities and advocates so far give the feds a failing grade.

photos of people protesting the hydrogen hub buildout

What’s hampering federal environmental justice efforts in the hydrogen hub build-out?

“Organizational change in large bureaucracies takes time.”

photos of people protesting the hydrogen hub buildout

Los obstáculos para garantizar la justicia ambiental en los centros de hidrógeno federales

“El cambio organizacional en las grandes burocracias lleva tiempo”.

People advocating against the US hydrogen hub build out

Los centros de hidrógeno ponen a prueba las nuevas normas federales de justicia ambiental

El impulso masivo a la energía del hidrógeno es la primera prueba de fuego de las nuevas iniciativas federales de justicia medioambiental. Hasta ahora, comunidades y activistas le dan una pésima calificación al gobierno federal.

Donald Trump

Donald Trump wins US presidency. What that could mean for the environment.

His first term and recent campaigns signal massive deregulation and a reshaping of agencies.

Stay informed: sign up for The Daily Climate newsletter
Top news on climate impacts, solutions, politics, drivers. Delivered to your inbox week days.