July 3, 2025 – Ottawa, Ontario – Global Affairs Canada
The Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced the following diplomatic appointments:
Alexandre Bilodeau will become Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Tunisia. Mr. Bilodeau will replace Lorraine Diguer.
Anderson Blanc will become High Commissioner in the Republic of Mozambique. Mr. Blanc will replace Sara Nicholls.
Natalie Britton will become Consul General in Istanbul (Republic of Türkiye). Ms. Britton will replace Tara Scheurwater.
Sandra Choufani will become Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire. Ms. Choufani will replace Anderson Blanc.
Christian DesRoches will become Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Kingdom of Cambodia. Mr. DesRoches will replace Ping Kitnikone.
Ambra Dickie will become Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, in Jakarta. Ms. Dickie will replace Vicky Singmin.
Stephen Doust will become Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Mongolia. Mr. Doust will replace Sandra Choufani.
Gregory Galligan will become Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Lebanese Republic. Mr. Galligan will replace Stefanie McCollum.
Alison Grant will become Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Austria and Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the International Organizations in Vienna. Ms. Grant will replace Troy Lulashnyk.
Marie-Claude Harvey will become High Commissioner in the Republic of Cameroon. Ms. Harvey will replace Lorraine Anderson.
Patrick Hébert will become Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Finland. Mr. Hébert will replace Jeanette Stovel.
Jean-Dominique Ieraci will become Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Peru. Mr. Ieraci will replace Louis Marcotte.
Tarik Khan will become High Commissioner in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Mr. Khan will replace Leslie Scanlon.
Craig Kowalik will become Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Ecuador. Mr. Kowalik will replace Stephen Potter.
Philippe Lafortune will become Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Korea. Mr. Lafortune will replace Tamara Mawhinney.
Jean-Paul Lemieux will become Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Swiss Confederation. Mr. Lemieux will replace Patrick Wittmann.
Isabelle Martin will become High Commissioner in the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. Ms. Martin will replace Eric Walsh.
Karim Morcos will become Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the State of Qatar. Mr. Morcos will replace Isabelle Martin.
James Nickel will become Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. Mr. Nickel will replace Shawn Steil.
Tara Scheurwater will become Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the State of Kuwait. Ms. Scheurwater will replace Aliya Mawani.
Nicolas Simard will become Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. Mr. Simard will replace Joshua Tabah.
Joshua Tabah will become High Commissioner in the Republic of Kenya and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Human Settlements Programme and to the United Nations Environment Programme. Mr. Tabah will replace Christopher Thornley.
Kent Vachon will become Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. Mr. Vachon will replace Ping Kitnikone.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Speech
Environment Secretary Steve Reed: Groundswell Show speech
Speech by Environment Secretary Steve Reed at the 2025 Groundswell Show.
It’s fantastic to be with you all here today. I’m delighted to have this opportunity to speak to so many people.
It’s exciting to be here at Groundswell with the pioneers and innovators who are shaping the future of British farming.
I’ve really been looking forward to coming to Groundswell because I know this is where the big ideas are taking shape.
You’re confronting the challenges of the future by drawing on the power of the past, looking at how we can use regenerative agriculture to shape the future of farming, and inspiring others to get involved in those approaches.
You’ve been the ones to break the mould, championing the vital role of nature in sustainable food production from the start – the pioneers of an agricultural transition that must be just and must recognise the importance of community and tradition as we shape that future.
Protecting British food security has never been more important. We’ve just had our warmest spring on record. Flooding is on the rise. Geopolitical events are threatening global food supply chains.
Food security is national security. And you, more than anyone, know it’s only by restoring nature that we can make our food secure.
Restoring nature is central to the Government’s approach.
In the Spending Review, we committed to spend £2.7 billion a year on sustainable farming and nature’s recovery over the next three years.
Funding for farmers through the Environmental Land Management schemes will increase by 150 per cent to £2 billion by 2029. And a further £400 million will be available from other nature schemes, including projects for tree planting and peatland restoration.
This is the biggest financial investment in nature-friendly farming in our country’s history.
Take a moment to compare this to 2017, when Groundswell first started. Back then, £350 million was invested into ELMs’ predecessor.
Thanks to your efforts, nature-friendly farming has come a very long way in the past nine years.
There are now over 39,000 SFI agreements producing fantastic results for nature. That’s something to celebrate.
[Political line removed]
We’ve got the money out the door into farmers’ bank accounts, and I’m proud of that. But once you’ve spent a budget, you can’t keep spending it or you damage the economy, and we’re not doing that.
Those farmers who missed out at the time the scheme closed to new applicants will be able to make claims once it reopens. But budgets can’t be unlimited, so we need to make sure we focus that public money where it’s going to make the biggest impact.
Farms are businesses, and all businesses need to be profitable to survive. I see it as central to my job to help make farming profitable.
I firmly believe the Sustainable Farming Incentive and ELMs are the best tools to support farmers’ transition to sustainable food production and to profitability.
Later this summer, I will provide more details of our reformed SFI offer. We are working with farmers to shape the scheme, which will start accepting applications in the new year.
We need to return firmly to the principle of public money for public goods.
Our reformed SFI will maximise benefits for the environment, particularly around water quality and biodiversity, so we can clean up our polluted rivers, welcome wildlife back to farms, and strengthen the natural foundations that are vital to sustainable food production.
We will simplify the SFI and support farmers to take on packages of actions which, when done together, achieve more for nature. And I know we need to upgrade the IT system so it’s easier for farmers to submit applications.
That is part of my broader plan to rewire and reset Defra, to remove the bureaucracy and barriers that stand in the way of people getting the support they need.
More environmental benefits, a simpler offer, supporting farmers through the transition, a focus on profitability, and visibility of the overall budget so we get it out the door and you know when it’s going to be fully allocated.
This will be the shape of our reformed SFI.
We’re also reopening our Capital Grants offer today – with £150 million in the latest round to invest in nature-friendly farming.
That includes funding to plant hedgerows, buy equipment that will help clean up our rivers, or restore habitats that support biodiversity.
Farmers and land managers can apply for a total of 78 items under the latest round, including four new items on woodland condition, wildlife management, stone walls and educational visits.
We’ve taken time to assess and improve our offer. Putting funding limits on certain actions will ensure we manage budgets fairly so we can open the grants over a longer period of time.
The SFI and Capital Grants form part of a much wider reset for farming.
We want to support farmers to run profitable and financially resilient businesses that produce nutritious, high-quality food and other produce, and help to restore nature at the same time.
Our 25-Year Farming Roadmap will outline our shared vision for the sector and set the direction for how we get there. It will give farmers clarity, stability and transparency.
This will be a transition led by farm businesses, drawing on your experiences and your expertise.
With government as the enabler, but farmers as the leaders.
We’ve seen how effective farm clusters can be in supporting nature over a wider area – an initiative led by the sector which the Government can support.
I’ve asked Baroness Minette Batters, former NFU President, to lead a review into how we can boost farm profitability – and she has written to the sector to get your ideas to inform the review.
And we’re continuing to work with the Farm Tenancy Forum to ensure tenant farmers can access our reformed farming schemes.
The farming sector is also leading the way on innovation.
Agri-tech is one of our highest growth sectors, with 40 times the number of UK agri-tech businesses than we had ten years ago.
Our ADOPT programme puts farmers in the driving seat, giving them the chance to test new technologies on their farm – such as solar panels on soft polytunnels or cultivation equipment to improve soil health in potato production.
Under the Government’s Industrial Strategy, we are taking this further. We’re investing over £200 million in the Farming Innovation Programme between now and 2030, as well as launching an Agri-Tech Export Accelerator Programme to help agri-tech businesses identify the best international markets.
It’s been an interesting year, and certainly far from always straightforward.
But we are now at a point where we can make things work better for farmers, food production and nature. I strongly believe in nature-positive farming. It is the way we can help farming to become more sustainable and successful both environmentally and financially.
You are the pioneers. I’m here to learn. Together we can give farming the bright and exciting future it, and our countryside, needs and deserves.
Nairobi, Kenya, 26 June — Greenpeace Africa acknowledges President William Ruto’s decision to decline assenting to the Finance Bill 2024 in response to the widespread outcry from Kenyans.
We extend our deepest condolences to the families and communities who mourn their loved ones. The protection of human life and the right to peaceful protest are paramount.
Greenpeace Africa strongly advocates for an alternative approach to future Finance Bills, based on the principles of fair taxation. Instead of imposing burdensome taxes on the struggling populace, we propose a tax policy targeting polluters’ profits. Corporations, oil and gas industries that contribute significantly to environmental degradation, biodiversity loss and climate crisis should bear financial responsibility for their actions.
Taxing the super-rich and polluters rather than the poor aligns with the principles of environmental justice and ensures that those responsible for environmental damage, losses and damages contributing to the rising costs of climate adaptation, mitigation and resilience bear the greatest responsibility. We welcome the president’s call to engage the youth and encourage the government to work closely with all stakeholders to develop progressive socio-economic policies that promote environmental sustainability, social equity, economic resilience, and prioritize the well-being of the people.
Greenpeace Africa remains committed to advocating for a just, equitable, and sustainable society. We support constructive dialogue between the government, the youth, and all concerned parties in Kenya.
UConn is deepening its commitment to a sustainable future through a student-focused innovation challenge designed to reduce carbon emissions and promote clean energy solutions. In partnership with Eversource Energy, UConn has launched its third annual summer competition aimed at engaging students in the design of the future energy landscape.
The competition has attracted an impressive group of participants, with five finalist teams comprising 11 students – five undergraduates and six graduates. These talented individuals represent eight diverse departments and schools: the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, and School of Computing in the College of Engineering; the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics in the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources (CAHNR); the School of Business; and the Department of Chemistry and the Department of Mathematics in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
This multidisciplinary representation brings together diverse perspectives and technical expertise to address the complex challenges of decarbonization and the energy transition across UConn campuses and Connecticut municipalities.
Each team will receive summer funding and be paired with mentors from UConn faculty and Eversource Energy. The mentorship will support students in refining their proposals and addressing the practical dimensions of their clean energy solutions. This hands-on guidance is designed to help participants explore real-world applications of their research and ideas.
The culmination of the teams’ work will be presented at the 2025 Sustainable Clean Energy Summit on Monday, Oct. 27, 2025. The event will take place alongside the 2025 North American Power Symposium, offering students a valuable platform to present their innovations to an audience of industry professionals, researchers, utility leaders and state officials.
Following the Summit, the winning team will receive additional funding to continue their work throughout the academic year. This extended support aims to help transform early-stage ideas into actionable and impactful clean energy solutions.
The continued collaboration between UConn and Eversource Energy underscores a shared commitment to environmental responsibility, climate resilience, and technological advancement. Through this initiative, students are empowered to take an active role in building a cleaner and more sustainable energy future.
The projects and student teams selected for the 2025 Clean Energy & Sustainability Innovation Program are:
Project 1:Fuel Cell as a Catalyst for Local Economic and Environmental Development
Students: Songyang Zhou (Master’s Student, Data Science), Jane Torrence ’27 (BUS)
Project 2:UConn’s Wastewater to Bioenergy: Integrated Chlorella Cultivation and Pyrolysis
Students: Azeem Sarwar (Ph.D. Student, Chemical Engineering), Maham Liaqat (Ph.D. Candidate, Chemistry), Muhammad Hassan (Ph.D. Student, Chemical Engineering).
Project 3:Dual Characterization of Innovative Hydropower Systems for Sustainable Energy Storage and Generation
Students: Jonathan Hylton ’26 (ENG), Safiya Crockett ’26 (CAHNR).
Project 4:Harnessing Tidal Energy for Shoreside Electrification: A Tool for Sustainable Power in Coastal Connecticut Marine Terminals
Draft plan to tackle nature loss, climate change and pollution
Members of the public are being asked to have their say on proposals aimed at boosting the health, prosperity and wellbeing of communities by improving Scotland’s environment.
The draft Environment Strategy sets out the opportunities for strengthening Scotland’s economy and improving people’s lives as a result of restoring and regenerating biodiversity, cutting levels of pollution and waste, supporting national net zero targets and improving Scotland’s environmental impact on countries across the world.
It includes key government actions which aim to support green jobs and industries, tackle poverty and promote social justice including:
the transition to a circular economy through the reuse and repurposing of materials
increasing renewable energy generation in Scotland and supporting industrial decarbonisation with independent scenarios from Ernst and Young (EY), showing that with the right support, Scotland’s low carbon and renewable energy sector could support nearly 80,000 jobs by 2050
projects to restore nature – including those supported through the Nature Restoration Fund – which are also improving people’s physical and mental wellbeing by providing greater access to nature
Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy Gillian Martin said: “This draft Environment Strategy sets out ways in which Government action will help tackle the nature crisis, as well as reduce pollution and support our net zero targets.
“These issues are interlinked, and by tackling them together we can protect our planet in ways that improve people’s health and wellbeing, reduce inequalities, and create new opportunities for business and investment.
“We have already made significant progress in improving Scotland’s environment. We have cut pollution levels by banning a number of the most problematic single-use plastic products and introduced Low Emission Zones.
“Scotland’s energy grid is also greener, thanks to the increase in the amount of renewable energy we now generate, we are more than halfway to reaching net zero by 2045, and our forthcoming Natural Environment Bill will introduce new statutory targets for restoring nature.
“However there is still much more we can do – and it is vital we tackle these global crises in ways that create wider benefits for Scotland – supporting green jobs and industries, improving people’s health, tackling poverty and promoting social justice.
“I urge everyone with an interest to have their say on the proposals.”
Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic Kate Forbes said: “This draft Strategy shows how we can achieve both our environmental and our economic ambitions for Scotland, highlighting the business and investment opportunities that will flow as we move to a net zero, nature positive future.”
Background
The draft Environment Strategy will be open for public consultation until 25 September 2025
The draft Strategy fulfils Ministers’ obligation under section 47 of the UK Withdrawal from the EU (Continuity) (Scotland) Act 2021 to prepare, consult on and publish an environmental policy strategy. Section 47 of the Continuity Act also requires Scottish Ministers to have due regard to the strategy when making policies, including proposals for legislation.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Press release
Change of His Majesty’s Ambassador to Latvia: Kathy Leach
Ms Kathy Leach has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Republic of Latvia in succession to Mr Paul Brummell CMG, who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment. Ms Leach will take up her appointment during August 2025.
Ms Kathy Leach
Curriculum vitae
Full name: Kathy Leach
Date
Role
2021 to present
Astana, His Majesty’s Ambassador
2019 to 2020
FCDO, Deputy Director, Constitution and Devolution, Europe Directorate
2015 to 2018
FCO, Head then Deputy Director, Policy Unit, Strategy Directorate
2012 to 2015
Yerevan, Her Majesty’s Ambassador
2007 to 2011
Tokyo, Head, Energy and Environment Team
2005
FCO, Deputy Head, Passport and Documentary Services, Consular
2001 to 2004
Moscow, First Secretary Security Policy, then Internal Political
2000 to 2001
FCO, Desk Officer, EU Trade and Development Policy, Europe Directorate
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Press release
£150m Capital Grants offer returns to help farmers boost profits
The government is making a substantial investment in the future of farming, supporting cleaner rivers, healthier soils, and more resilient landscapes.
Thousands of farmers will benefit from £150 million in new funding as the government opens a new round of its flagship Capital Grants offer, supporting sustainable food production and environmental improvement.
The offer funds a wide range of on-farm projects – from tree planting and flood prevention to improved slurry storage and water filtration – helping farmers boost profitability while protecting the environment.
Last year alone, Capital Grants helped plant over 4,000 miles of hedgerows and upgrade slurry systems to keep our rivers clean – real, tangible improvements for farming and the environment.
Environment Secretary Steve Reed said:
British farmers work tirelessly to feed the nation and look after our countryside. This major investment will give them the tools to cut pollution, restore nature, and grow their businesses.
It forms part of the record £11.8 billion we’ve committed to sustainable farming during this Parliament – boosting food security, supporting rural growth, and protecting the environment.
The announcement is the latest in a series of steps taken by the government to support the farming industry. These include slashing costs for food producers by cutting red tape on exports to the EU, appointing former NFU president Baroness Minette Batters to recommend reforms to boost farmers’ profits, and ensuring farmers get a bigger share of food contracts across our schools, hospitals, and prisons.
Farmers and land managers are now able to apply for a total of 78 items, ranging from supporting natural flood management projects to improving water quality on farms under this new round of the Capital Grants offer. Four new items have been added including assessing woodland condition, creating wildfire management plans, repairing drystone walls and hosting educational visits.
Changes are also being introduced to ensure that more farm businesses can access these grants – making it fairer for farmers by setting funding limits that maximise the number of farms benefiting, while enabling Defra to manage budgets more effectively. This includes funding limits to four of the six groups of capital items in this Capital Grants offer. An application can include items from each of the six groups. The funding limit for four of the groups is:
£25,000 maximum for each of the following three groups: water quality, air quality, and natural flood management
£35,000 maximum for the group covering boundaries, trees, and orchards
Defra will also listen to feedback from farmers and use it to improve the offer ahead of the next round, which we plan to open in 2026.
This comes as the Environment Secretary and Farming Minister head to the Groundswell Show to discuss the new Capital Grants launch. More details about the reformed SFI scheme will be published this Summer.
This is part of the government’s wider Plan for Change to grow the rural economy, support our farmers and boost Britain’s food security.
W Cape completes housing market studies for seven municipalities
The Western Cape Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, in collaboration with the Department of Infrastructure, has completed the second round of housing market studies across seven municipalities.
The Western Cape MEC for Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, Anton Bredell, said this initiative is part of the provincial government’s ongoing efforts to better understand the dynamics of the local housing market.
According to Bredell, the goal is to promote well-located, affordable housing opportunities and to support the development of municipal inclusionary housing policies, where appropriate.
The municipalities included in this latest phase are Swartland, Saldanha Bay, Overstrand, Breede Valley, Bitou, Knysna, and Oudtshoorn.
The studies provide critical insight into how local housing markets function, highlighting trends in supply and demand, affordability challenges, and opportunities for both private and public sector investment.
The housing market studies also build on the first round of research completed for Drakenstein, Stellenbosch, George, and Mossel Bay.
Based on recent findings, Stellenbosch Municipality has developed and begun implementing its Inclusionary Zoning Policy in targeted areas, aiming to increase the supply of affordable and well-located housing opportunities.
The second round of the study has identified several common challenges faced by municipalities, emphasising the need for targeted, evidence-based interventions to improve housing affordability and the overall functionality of the market.
The study has revealed that widespread affordability constraints are restricting access to formal housing, particularly for lower-income households.
In these segments, the demand for housing significantly exceeds the supply, mainly due to affordability challenges.
In addition, there is a substantial undersupply of entry-level housing (priced up to R300 000) and affordable housing (priced between R300 000 and R600 000).
”There is limited formal housing available for households that can afford or qualify within this price range,” Bredell said.
Meanwhile, the conventional housing market segment (priced between R600 000 and R900 000) is also experiencing significant shortages, with the number of potential buyers or households vastly exceeding the available housing stock.
In contrast, the high-end housing market (priced between R900 000 and R1.2 million) and the luxury market (priced above R1.2 million) are generally well supplied, featuring a higher share of both existing stock and new market-driven development activities.
“The imbalance in the housing market, characterised by a shortage of affordable options in the lower and middle segments and an oversupply in the upper-end market, is leading to a rise in informal housing and backyard dwellings. As households struggle to access formal housing, they are compelled to seek alternative shelter solutions.
“It is also worth noting that the studies primarily reflect trends within the formal housing market,” said Bredell.
As such, the study found that informal settlements, backyard dwellings, and subsidised units without title deeds are underrepresented.
“This suggests that the true scale of housing need, especially among the lowest income groups, is likely even greater than reflected in the data.”
The Western Cape MEC for Infrastructure, Tertuis Simmers, emphasised that these studies are pivotal in giving us the intelligence to invest smarter, plan better, and partner more effectively to deliver affordable housing where it’s needed most.
”The housing crisis is not just about quantity, it’s about access, location, and dignity, and this data helps us respond in ways that are practical, targeted, and inclusive,” Simmers said.
In addition, Bredell believes that the insights from the housing market studies will assist municipalities in developing appropriate responses to housing affordability challenges.
“This may include developing an Inclusionary Housing Policy, Affordable Housing Strategy, refining the Municipal Spatial Development Framework, Integrated Development Plan, and Human Settlements Plan, while also exploring innovative approaches beyond traditional state-subsidised housing delivery that enable the delivery of affordable housing,” Bredell added.
The provincial government said the final phase of the project, scheduled for 2025/26, will revisit and update the original four municipal studies that were undertaken in the first round.
“It will also include a knowledge-sharing workshop and the publication of a consolidated comparative report. This report will identify key trends, highlight regional differences, and outline strategic interventions to enhance housing market performance across the province.” – SAnews.gov.za
The global ecosystem of climate finance is complex, constantly changing and sometimes hard to understand. But understanding it is critical to demanding a green transition that’s just and fair. That’s why The Conversation has collaborated with climate finance experts to create this user-friendly guide, in partnership with Vogue Business. With definitions and short videos, we’ll add to this glossary as new terms emerge.
Blue bonds
Blue bonds are debt instruments designed to finance ocean-related conservation, like protecting coral reefs or sustainable fishing. They’re modelled after green bonds but focus specifically on the health of marine ecosystems – this is a key pillar of climate stability.
By investing in blue bonds, governments and private investors can fund marine projects that deliver both environmental benefits and long-term financial returns. Seychelles issued the first blue bond in 2018. Now, more are emerging as ocean conservation becomes a greater priority for global sustainability efforts.
By Narmin Nahidi, assistant professor in finance at the University of Exeter
Carbon border adjustment mechanism
Did you know that imported steel could soon face a carbon tax at the EU border? That’s because the carbon border adjustment mechanism is about to shake up the way we trade, produce and price carbon.
The carbon border adjustment mechanism is a proposed EU policy to put a carbon price on imports like iron, cement, fertiliser, aluminium and electricity. If a product is made in a country with weaker climate policies, the importer must pay the difference between that country’s carbon price and the EU’s. The goal is to avoid “carbon leakage” – when companies relocate to avoid emissions rules and to ensure fair competition on climate action.
But this mechanism is more than just a tariff tool. It’s a bold attempt to reshape global trade. Countries exporting to the EU may be pushed to adopt greener manufacturing or face higher tariffs.
The carbon border adjustment mechanism is controversial: some call it climate protectionism, others argue it could incentivise low-carbon innovation worldwide and be vital for achieving climate justice. Many developing nations worry it could penalise them unfairly unless there’s climate finance to support greener transitions.
Carbon border adjustment mechanism is still evolving, but it’s already forcing companies, investors and governments to rethink emissions accounting, supply chains and competitiveness. It’s a carbon price with global consequences.
By Narmin Nahidi, assistant professor in finance at the University of Exeter
Carbon budget
The Paris agreement aims to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels by 2030. The carbon budget is the maximum amount of CO₂ emissions allowed, if we want a 67% chance of staying within this limit. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) estimates that the remaining carbon budgets amount to 400 billion tonnes of CO₂ from 2020 onwards.
Think of the carbon budget as a climate allowance. Once it has been spent, the risk of extreme weather or sea level rise increases sharply. If emissions continue unchecked, the budget will be exhausted within years, risking severe climate consequences. The IPCC sets the global carbon budget based on climate science, and governments use this framework to set national emission targets, climate policies and pathways to net zero emissions.
By Dongna Zhang, assistant professor in economics and finance, Northumbria University
Carbon credits
Carbon credits are like a permit that allow companies to release a certain amount of carbon into the air. One credit usually equals one tonne of CO₂. These credits are issued by the local government or another authorised body and can be bought and sold. Think of it like a budget allowance for pollution. It encourages cuts in carbon emissions each year to stay within those global climate targets.
The aim is to put a price on carbon to encourage cuts in emissions. If a company reduces its emissions and has leftover credits, it can sell them to another company that is going over its limit. But there are issues. Some argue that carbon credit schemes allow polluters to pay their way out of real change, and not all credits are from trustworthy projects. Although carbon credits can play a role in addressing the climate crisis, they are not a solution on their own.
By Sankar Sivarajah, professor of circular economy, Kingston University London
Carbon credits explained.
Carbon offsetting
Carbon offsetting is a way for people or organisations to make up for the carbon emissions they are responsible for. For example, if you contribute to emissions by flying, driving or making goods, you can help balance that out by supporting projects that reduce emissions elsewhere. This might include planting trees (which absorb carbon dioxide) or building wind farms to produce renewable energy.
The idea is that your support helps cancel out the damage you are doing. For example, if your flight creates one tonne of carbon dioxide, you pay to support a project that removes the same amount.
While this sounds like a win-win, carbon offsetting is not perfect. Some argue that it lets people feel better without really changing their behaviour, a phenomenon sometimes referred to as greenwashing.
Not all projects are effective or well managed. For instance, some tree planting initiatives might have taken place anyway, even without the offset funding, deeming your contribution inconsequential. Others might plant the non-native trees in areas where they are unlikely to reach their potential in terms of absorbing carbon emissions.
So, offsetting can help, but it is no magic fix. It works best alongside real efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and encourage low-carbon lifestyles or supply chains.
By Sankar Sivarajah, professor of circular economy, Kingston University London
Carbon offsetting explained.
Carbon tax
A carbon tax is designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by placing a direct price on CO₂ and other greenhouse gases.
A carbon tax is grounded in the concept of the social cost of carbon. This is an estimate of the economic damage caused by emitting one tonne of CO₂, including climate-related health, infrastructure and ecosystem impacts.
A carbon tax is typically levied per tonne of CO₂ emitted. The tax can be applied either upstream (on fossil fuel producers) or downstream (on consumers or power generators). This makes carbon-intensive activities more expensive, it incentivises nations, businesses and people to reduce their emissions, while untaxed renewable energy becomes more competitively priced and appealing.
Carbon tax was first introduced by Finland in 1990. Since then, more than 39 jurisdictions have implemented similar schemes. According to the World Bank, carbon pricing mechanisms (that’s both carbon taxes and emissions trading systems) now cover about 24% of global emissions. The remaining 76% are not priced, mainly due to limited coverage in both sectors and geographical areas, plus persistent fossil fuel subsidies. Expanding coverage would require extending carbon pricing to sectors like agriculture and transport, phasing out fossil fuel subsidies and strengthening international governance.
What is carbon tax?
Sweden has one of the world’s highest carbon tax rates and has cut emissions by 33% since 1990 while maintaining economic growth. The policy worked because Sweden started early, applied the tax across many industries and maintained clear, consistent communication that kept the public on board.
Canada introduced a national carbon tax in 2019. In Canada, most of the revenue from carbon taxes is returned directly to households through annual rebates, making the scheme revenue-neutral for most families. However, despite its economic logic, inflation and rising fuel prices led to public discontent – especially as many citizens were unaware they were receiving rebates.
Carbon taxes face challenges including political resistance, fairness concerns and low public awareness. Their success depends on clear communication and visible reinvestment of revenues into climate or social goals. A 2025 study that surveyed 40,000 people in 20 countries found that support for carbon taxes increases significantly when revenues are used for environmental infrastructure, rather than returned through tax rebates.
By Meilan Yan, associate professor and senior lecturer in financial economics, Loughborough University
Climate resilience
Floods, wildfires, heatwaves and rising seas are pushing our cities, towns and neighbourhoods to their limits. But there’s a powerful idea that’s helping cities fight back: climate resilience.
Resilience refers to the ability of a system, such as a city, a community or even an ecosystem – to anticipate, prepare for, respond to and recover from climate-related shocks and stresses.
Sometimes people say resilience is about bouncing back. But it’s not just about surviving the next storm. It’s about adapting, evolving and thriving in a changing world.
Resilience means building smarter and better. It means designing homes that stay cool during heatwaves. Roads that don’t wash away in floods. Power grids that don’t fail when the weather turns extreme.
It’s also about people. A truly resilient city protects its most vulnerable. It ensures that everyone – regardless of income, age or background – can weather the storm.
And resilience isn’t just reactive. It’s about using science, local knowledge and innovation to reduce a risk before disaster strikes. From restoring wetlands to cool cities and absorb floods, to creating early warning systems for heatwaves, climate resilience is about weaving strength into the very fabric of our cities.
By Paul O’Hare, senior lecturer in geography and development, Manchester Metropolitan University
The meaning of climate resilience.
Climate risk disclosure
Climate risk disclosure refers to how companies report the risks they face from climate change, such as flood damage, supply chain disruptions or regulatory costs. It includes both physical risks (like storms) and transition risks (like changing laws or consumer preferences).
Mandatory disclosures, such as those proposed by the UK and EU, aim to make climate-related risks transparent to investors. Done well, these reports can shape capital flows toward more sustainable business models. Done poorly, they become greenwashing tools.
By Narmin Nahidi, assistant professor in finance at the University of Exeter
Emissions trading scheme
An emissions trading scheme is the primary market-based approach for regulating greenhouse gas emissions in many countries, including Australia, Canada, China and Mexico.
Part of a government’s job is to decide how much of the economy’s carbon emissions it wants to avoid in order to fight climate change. It must put a cap on carbon emissions that economic production is not allowed to surpass. Preferably, the polluters (that’s the manufacturers, fossil fuel companies) should be the ones paying for the cost of climate mitigation.
Regulators could simply tell all the firms how much they are allowed to emit over the next ten years or so. But giving every firm the same allowance across the board is not cost efficient, because avoiding carbon emissions is much harder for some firms (such as steel producers) than others (such as tax consultants). Since governments cannot know each firm’s specific cost profile either, it can’t customise the allowances. Also, monitoring whether polluters actually abide by their assigned limits is extremely costly.
An emissions trading scheme cleverly solves this dilemma using the cap-and-trade mechanism. Instead of assigning each polluter a fixed quota and risking inefficiencies, the government issues a large number of tradable permits – each worth, say, a tonne of CO₂-equivalent (CO₂e) – that sum up to the cap. Firms that can cut greenhouse gas emissions relatively cheaply can then trade their surplus permits to those who find it harder – at a price that makes both better off.
By Mathias Weidinger, environmental economist, University of Oxford
Emissions trading schemes, explained by climate finance expert Mathias Weidinger.
Environmental, social and governance (ESG) investing
ESG investing stands for environmental, social and governance investing. In simple terms, these are a set of standards that investors use to screen a company’s potential investments.
ESG means choosing to invest in companies that are not only profitable but also responsible. Investors use ESG metrics to assess risks (such as climate liability, labour practices) and align portfolios with sustainability goals by looking at how a company affects our planet and treats its people and communities. While there isn’t one single global body governing ESG, various organisations, ratings agencies and governments all contribute to setting and evolving these metrics.
For example, investing in a company committed to renewable energy and fair labour practices might be considered “ESG aligned”. Supporters believe ESG helps identify risks and create long-term value. Critics argue it can be vague or used for greenwashing, where companies appear sustainable without real action. ESG works best when paired with transparency and clear data. A barrier is that standards vary, and it’s not always clear what counts as ESG.
Why do financial companies and institutions care? Issues like climate change and nature loss pose significant risks, affecting company values and the global economy.
However, gathering reliable ESG information can be difficult. Companies often self-report, and the data isn’t always standardised or up to date. Researchers – including my team at the University of Oxford – are using geospatial data, like satellite imagery and artificial intelligence, to develop global databases for high-impact industries, across all major sectors and geographies, and independently assess environmental and social risks and impacts.
For instance, we can analyse satellite images of a facility over time to monitor its emissions effect on nature and biodiversity, or assess deforestation linked to a company’s supply chain. This allows us to map supply chains, identify high-impact assets, and detect hidden risks and opportunities in key industries, providing an objective, real-time look at their environmental footprint.
The goal is for this to improve ESG ratings and provide clearer, more consistent insights for investors. This approach could help us overcome current data limitations to build a more sustainable financial future.
By Amani Maalouf, senior researcher in spatial finance, University of Oxford
Environmental, social and governance investing explained.
Financed emissions
Financed emissions are the greenhouse gas emissions linked to a bank’s or investor’s lending and investment portfolio, rather than their own operations. For example, a bank that funds a coal mine or invests in fossil fuels is indirectly responsible for the carbon those activities produce.
Measuring financed emissions helps reveal the real climate impact of financial institutions not just their office energy use. It’s a cornerstone of climate accountability in finance and is becoming essential under net zero pledges.
By Narmin Nahidi, assistant professor in finance at the University of Exeter
Green bonds
Green bonds are loans issued to fund environmentally beneficial projects, such as energy-efficient buildings or clean transportation. Investors choose them to support climate solutions while earning returns.
Green bonds are a major tool to finance the shift to a low-carbon economy by directing finance toward climate solutions. As climate costs rise, green bonds could help close the funding gap while ensuring transparency and accountability.
Green bonds are required to ensure funds are spent as promised. For instance, imagine a city wants to upgrade its public transportation by adding electric buses to reduce pollution. Instead of raising taxes or slashing other budgets, the city can issue green bonds to raise the necessary capital. Investors buy the bonds, the city gets the funding, and the environment benefits from cleaner air and fewer emissions.
The growing participation of government issuers has improved the transparency and reliability of these investments. The green bond market has grown rapidly in recent years. According to the Bank for International Settlements, the green bond market reached US$2.9 trillion (£2.1 trillion) in 2024 – nearly six times larger than in 2018. At the same time, annual issuance (the total value of green bonds issued in a year) hit US$700 billion, highlighting the increasing role of green finance in tackling climate change.
By Dongna Zhang, assistant professor in economics and finance, Northumbria University
Just transition
Just transition is the process of moving to a low-carbon society that is environmentally sustainable and socially inclusive. In a broad sense, a just transition means focusing on creating a more fair and equal society.
Just transition has existed as a concept since the 1970s. It was originally applied to the green energy transition, protecting workers in the fossil fuel industry as we move towards more sustainable alternatives.
These days, it has so many overlapping issues of justice hidden within it, so the concept is hard to define. Even at the level of UN climate negotiations, global leaders struggle to agree on what a just transition means.
The big battle is between developed countries, who want a very restrictive definition around jobs and skills, and developing countries, who are looking for a much more holistic approach that considers wider system change and includes considerations around human rights, Indigenous people and creating an overall fairer global society.
A just transition is essentially about imagining a future where we have moved beyond fossil fuels and society works better for everyone – but that can look very different in a European city compared to a rural setting in south-east Asia.
For example, in a British city it might mean fewer cars and better public transport. In a rural setting, it might mean new ways of growing crops that are more sustainable, and building homes that are heatwave resistant.
By Alix Dietzel, climate justice and climate policy expert, University of Bristol
The meaning of just transition.
Loss and damage
A global loss and damage fund was agreed by nations at the UN climate summit (Cop27) in 2022. This means that the rich countries of the world put money into a fund that the least developed countries can then call upon when they have a climate emergency.
At the moment, the loss and damage fund is made up of relatively small pots of money. Much more will be needed to provide relief to those who need it most now and in the future.
By Mark Maslin, professor of earth system science, UCL
Mark Maslin explains loss and damage.
Mitigation v adaptation
Mitigation means cutting greenhouse gas emissions to slow climate change. Adaptation means adjusting to its effects, like building sea walls or growing heat-resistant crops. Both are essential: mitigation tackles the cause, while adaptation tackles the symptoms.
Globally, most funding goes to mitigation, but vulnerable communities often need adaptation support most. Balancing the two is a major challenge in climate policy, especially for developing countries facing immediate climate threats.
By Narmin Nahidi, assistant professor in finance at the University of Exeter
Nationally determined contributions
Nationally determined contributions (NDCs) are at the heart of the Paris agreement, the global effort to collectively combat climate change. NDCs are individual climate action plans created by each country. These targets and strategies outline how a country will reduce its greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate change.
Each nation sets its own goals based on its own circumstances and capabilities – there’s no standard NDC. These plans should be updated every five years and countries are encouraged to gradually increase their climate ambitions over time.
The aim is for NDCs to drive real action by guiding policies, attracting investment and inspiring innovation in clean technologies. But current NDCs fall short of the Paris agreement goals and many countries struggle to turn their plans into a reality. NDCs also vary widely in scope and detail so it’s hard to compare efforts across the board. Stronger international collaboration and greater accountability will be crucial.
By Doug Specht, reader in cultural geography and communication, University of Westminster
Fashion depends on water, soil and biodiversity – all natural capital. And forward-thinking designers are now asking: how do we create rather than deplete, how do we restore rather than extract?
Natural capital is the value assigned to the stock of forests, soils, oceans and even minerals such as lithium. It sustains every part of our economy. It’s the bees that pollinate our crops. It’s the wetlands that filter our water and it’s the trees that store carbon and cool our cities.
If we fail to value nature properly, we risk losing it. But if we succeed, we unlock a future that is not only sustainable but also truly regenerative.
My team at the University of Oxford is developing tools to integrate nature into national balance sheets, advising governments on biodiversity, and we’re helping industries from fashion to finance embed nature into their decision making.
Natural capital, explained by a climate finance expert.
By Mette Morsing, professor of business sustainability and director of the Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment, University of Oxford
Net zero
Reaching net zero means reducing the amount of additional greenhouse gas emissions that accumulate in the atmosphere to zero. This concept was popularised by the Paris agreement, a landmark deal that was agreed at the UN climate summit (Cop21) in 2015 to limit the impact of greenhouse gas emissions.
There are some emissions, from farming and aviation for example, that will be very difficult, if not impossible, to reach absolute zero. Hence, the “net”. This allows people, businesses and countries to find ways to suck greenhouse gas emissions out of the atmosphere, effectively cancelling out emissions while trying to reduce them. This can include reforestation, rewilding, direct air capture and carbon capture and storage. The goal is to reach net zero: the point at which no extra greenhouse gases accumulate in Earth’s atmosphere.
By Mark Maslin, professor of earth system science, UCL
Mark Maslin explains net zero.
For more expert explainer videos, visit The Conversation’s quick climate dictionary playlist here on YouTube.
Mark Maslin is Pro-Vice Provost of the UCL Climate Crisis Grand Challenge and Founding Director of the UCL Centre for Sustainable Aviation. He was co-director of the London NERC Doctoral Training Partnership and is a member of the Climate Crisis Advisory Group. He is an advisor to Sheep Included Ltd, Lansons, NetZeroNow and has advised the UK Parliament. He has received grant funding from the NERC, EPSRC, ESRC, DFG, Royal Society, DIFD, BEIS, DECC, FCO, Innovate UK, Carbon Trust, UK Space Agency, European Space Agency, Research England, Wellcome Trust, Leverhulme Trust, CIFF, Sprint2020, and British Council. He has received funding from the BBC, Lancet, Laithwaites, Seventh Generation, Channel 4, JLT Re, WWF, Hermes, CAFOD, HP and Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors.
Amani Maalouf receives funding from IKEA Foundation and UK Research and Innovation (NE/V017756/1).
Narmin Nahidi is affiliated with several academic associations, including the Financial Management Association (FMA), British Accounting and Finance Association (BAFA), American Finance Association (AFA), and the Chartered Association of Business Schools (CMBE). These affiliations do not influence the content of this article.
Paul O’Hare receives funding from the UK’s Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). Award reference NE/V010174/1.
Alix Dietzel, Dongna Zhang, Doug Specht, Mathias Weidinger, Meilan Yan, and Sankar Sivarajah do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Ice loss in Antarctica and its impact on the planet – sea level rise, changes to ocean currents and disturbance of wildlife and food webs – has been in the news a lot lately. All of these threats were likely on the minds of the delegates to the annual Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting, which finishes up today in Milan, Italy.
This meeting is where decisions are made about the continent’s future. These decisions rely on evidence from scientific research. Moreover, only countries that produce significant Antarctic research – as well as being parties to the treaty – get to have a final say in these decisions.
Our new report – published as a preprint through the University of the Arctic – shows the rate of research on the Antarctic and Southern Ocean is falling at exactly the time when it should be increasing. Moreover, research leadership is changing, with China taking the lead for the first time.
This points to a dangerous disinvestment in Antarctic research just when it is needed, alongside a changing of the guard in national influence. Antarctica and the research done there are key to everyone’s future, so it’s vital to understand what this change might lead to.
Why is Antarctic research so important?
With the Antarctic region rapidly warming, its ice shelves destabilising and sea ice shrinking, understanding the South Polar environment is more crucial than ever.
Research to understand these impacts is vital. First, knowing the impact of our actions – particularly carbon emissions – gives us an increased drive to make changes and lobby governments to do so.
Second, even when changes are already locked in, to prepare ourselves we need to know what these changes will look like.
And third, we need to understand the threats to the Antarctic and Southern Ocean environment to govern it properly. This is where the treaty comes in.
Fifty-eight countries are parties to the treaty, but only 29 of them – called consultative parties – can make binding decisions about the region. They comprise the 12 original signatories from 1959, along with 17 more recent signatory nations that produce substantial scientific research relating to Antarctica.
This makes research a key part of a nation’s influence over what happens in Antarctica.
For most of its history, the Antarctic Treaty System has functioned remarkably well. It maintained peace in the region during the Cold War, facilitated scientific cooperation, and put arguments about territorial claims on indefinite hold. It indefinitely forbade mining, and managed fisheries.
Because decisions are made by consensus, any country can effectively block progress. Russia and China – both long-term actors in the system – have been at the centre of the impasse.
Tracking the amount of Antarctic research being done tells us whether nations as a whole are investing enough in understanding the region and its global impact.
It also tells us which nations are investing the most and are therefore likely to have substantial influence.
Our new report examined the number of papers published on Antarctic and Southern Ocean topics from 2016 to 2024, using the Scopus database. We also looked at other factors, such as the countries affiliated with each paper.
The results show five significant changes are happening in the world of Antarctic research.
The number of Antarctic and Southern Ocean publications peaked in 2021 and then fell slightly yearly through to 2024.
While the United States has for decades been the leader in Antarctic research, China overtook them in 2022.
If we look only at the high-quality publications (those published in the best 25% of journals) China still took over the US, in 2024.
Of the top six countries in overall publications (China, the US, the United Kingdom, Australia, Germany and Russia) all except China have declined in publication numbers since 2016.
Although collaboration in publications is higher for Antarctic research than in non-Antarctic fields, Russia, India and China have anomalously low rates of co-authorship compared with many other signatory countries.
Why is this research decline a problem?
A recent parliamentary inquiry in Australia emphasised the need for funding certainty. In the UK, a House of Commons committee report considered it “imperative for the UK to significantly expand its research efforts in Antarctica”, in particular in relation to sea level rise.
US commentators have pointed to the inadequacy of the country’s icebreaker infrastructure. The Trump administration’s recent cuts to Antarctic funding are only likely to exacerbate the situation. Meanwhile China has built a fifth station in Antarctica and announced plans for a sixth.
Given the nation’s population and global influence, China’s leadership in Antarctic research is not surprising. If China were to take a lead in Antarctic environmental protection that matched its scientific heft, its move to lead position in the research ranks could be positive. Stronger multi-country collaboration in research could also strengthen overall cooperation.
But the overall drop in global Antarctic research investment is a problem however you look at it. We ignore it at our peril.
Elizabeth Leane receives funding from the Australian Research Council, the Dutch Research Council, the Council on Australian and Latin American Relations DFAT and HX (Hurtigruten Expeditions). She has received in-kind support from Hurtigruten Expeditions in the recent past. The University of Tasmania is a member of the UArctic, which has provided support for this project.
Keith Larson is affiliated with the UArctic and European Polar Board. The UArctic paid for the development and publication of this report. The UArctic Thematic Network on Research Analytics and Bibliometrics conducted the analysis and developed the report. The Arctic Centre at Umeå University provided in-kind support for staff time on the report.
The global ecosystem of climate finance is complex, constantly changing and sometimes hard to understand. But understanding it is critical to demanding a green transition that’s just and fair. That’s why The Conversation has collaborated with climate finance experts to create this user-friendly guide, in partnership with Vogue Business. With definitions and short videos, we’ll add to this glossary as new terms emerge.
Blue bonds
Blue bonds are debt instruments designed to finance ocean-related conservation, like protecting coral reefs or sustainable fishing. They’re modelled after green bonds but focus specifically on the health of marine ecosystems – this is a key pillar of climate stability.
By investing in blue bonds, governments and private investors can fund marine projects that deliver both environmental benefits and long-term financial returns. Seychelles issued the first blue bond in 2018. Now, more are emerging as ocean conservation becomes a greater priority for global sustainability efforts.
By Narmin Nahidi, assistant professor in finance at the University of Exeter
Carbon border adjustment mechanism
Did you know that imported steel could soon face a carbon tax at the EU border? That’s because the carbon border adjustment mechanism is about to shake up the way we trade, produce and price carbon.
The carbon border adjustment mechanism is a proposed EU policy to put a carbon price on imports like iron, cement, fertiliser, aluminium and electricity. If a product is made in a country with weaker climate policies, the importer must pay the difference between that country’s carbon price and the EU’s. The goal is to avoid “carbon leakage” – when companies relocate to avoid emissions rules and to ensure fair competition on climate action.
But this mechanism is more than just a tariff tool. It’s a bold attempt to reshape global trade. Countries exporting to the EU may be pushed to adopt greener manufacturing or face higher tariffs.
The carbon border adjustment mechanism is controversial: some call it climate protectionism, others argue it could incentivise low-carbon innovation worldwide and be vital for achieving climate justice. Many developing nations worry it could penalise them unfairly unless there’s climate finance to support greener transitions.
Carbon border adjustment mechanism is still evolving, but it’s already forcing companies, investors and governments to rethink emissions accounting, supply chains and competitiveness. It’s a carbon price with global consequences.
By Narmin Nahidi, assistant professor in finance at the University of Exeter
Carbon budget
The Paris agreement aims to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels by 2030. The carbon budget is the maximum amount of CO₂ emissions allowed, if we want a 67% chance of staying within this limit. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) estimates that the remaining carbon budgets amount to 400 billion tonnes of CO₂ from 2020 onwards.
Think of the carbon budget as a climate allowance. Once it has been spent, the risk of extreme weather or sea level rise increases sharply. If emissions continue unchecked, the budget will be exhausted within years, risking severe climate consequences. The IPCC sets the global carbon budget based on climate science, and governments use this framework to set national emission targets, climate policies and pathways to net zero emissions.
By Dongna Zhang, assistant professor in economics and finance, Northumbria University
Carbon credits
Carbon credits are like a permit that allow companies to release a certain amount of carbon into the air. One credit usually equals one tonne of CO₂. These credits are issued by the local government or another authorised body and can be bought and sold. Think of it like a budget allowance for pollution. It encourages cuts in carbon emissions each year to stay within those global climate targets.
The aim is to put a price on carbon to encourage cuts in emissions. If a company reduces its emissions and has leftover credits, it can sell them to another company that is going over its limit. But there are issues. Some argue that carbon credit schemes allow polluters to pay their way out of real change, and not all credits are from trustworthy projects. Although carbon credits can play a role in addressing the climate crisis, they are not a solution on their own.
By Sankar Sivarajah, professor of circular economy, Kingston University London
Carbon credits explained.
Carbon offsetting
Carbon offsetting is a way for people or organisations to make up for the carbon emissions they are responsible for. For example, if you contribute to emissions by flying, driving or making goods, you can help balance that out by supporting projects that reduce emissions elsewhere. This might include planting trees (which absorb carbon dioxide) or building wind farms to produce renewable energy.
The idea is that your support helps cancel out the damage you are doing. For example, if your flight creates one tonne of carbon dioxide, you pay to support a project that removes the same amount.
While this sounds like a win-win, carbon offsetting is not perfect. Some argue that it lets people feel better without really changing their behaviour, a phenomenon sometimes referred to as greenwashing.
Not all projects are effective or well managed. For instance, some tree planting initiatives might have taken place anyway, even without the offset funding, deeming your contribution inconsequential. Others might plant the non-native trees in areas where they are unlikely to reach their potential in terms of absorbing carbon emissions.
So, offsetting can help, but it is no magic fix. It works best alongside real efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and encourage low-carbon lifestyles or supply chains.
By Sankar Sivarajah, professor of circular economy, Kingston University London
Carbon offsetting explained.
Carbon tax
A carbon tax is designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by placing a direct price on CO₂ and other greenhouse gases.
A carbon tax is grounded in the concept of the social cost of carbon. This is an estimate of the economic damage caused by emitting one tonne of CO₂, including climate-related health, infrastructure and ecosystem impacts.
A carbon tax is typically levied per tonne of CO₂ emitted. The tax can be applied either upstream (on fossil fuel producers) or downstream (on consumers or power generators). This makes carbon-intensive activities more expensive, it incentivises nations, businesses and people to reduce their emissions, while untaxed renewable energy becomes more competitively priced and appealing.
Carbon tax was first introduced by Finland in 1990. Since then, more than 39 jurisdictions have implemented similar schemes. According to the World Bank, carbon pricing mechanisms (that’s both carbon taxes and emissions trading systems) now cover about 24% of global emissions. The remaining 76% are not priced, mainly due to limited coverage in both sectors and geographical areas, plus persistent fossil fuel subsidies. Expanding coverage would require extending carbon pricing to sectors like agriculture and transport, phasing out fossil fuel subsidies and strengthening international governance.
What is carbon tax?
Sweden has one of the world’s highest carbon tax rates and has cut emissions by 33% since 1990 while maintaining economic growth. The policy worked because Sweden started early, applied the tax across many industries and maintained clear, consistent communication that kept the public on board.
Canada introduced a national carbon tax in 2019. In Canada, most of the revenue from carbon taxes is returned directly to households through annual rebates, making the scheme revenue-neutral for most families. However, despite its economic logic, inflation and rising fuel prices led to public discontent – especially as many citizens were unaware they were receiving rebates.
Carbon taxes face challenges including political resistance, fairness concerns and low public awareness. Their success depends on clear communication and visible reinvestment of revenues into climate or social goals. A 2025 study that surveyed 40,000 people in 20 countries found that support for carbon taxes increases significantly when revenues are used for environmental infrastructure, rather than returned through tax rebates.
By Meilan Yan, associate professor and senior lecturer in financial economics, Loughborough University
Climate resilience
Floods, wildfires, heatwaves and rising seas are pushing our cities, towns and neighbourhoods to their limits. But there’s a powerful idea that’s helping cities fight back: climate resilience.
Resilience refers to the ability of a system, such as a city, a community or even an ecosystem – to anticipate, prepare for, respond to and recover from climate-related shocks and stresses.
Sometimes people say resilience is about bouncing back. But it’s not just about surviving the next storm. It’s about adapting, evolving and thriving in a changing world.
Resilience means building smarter and better. It means designing homes that stay cool during heatwaves. Roads that don’t wash away in floods. Power grids that don’t fail when the weather turns extreme.
It’s also about people. A truly resilient city protects its most vulnerable. It ensures that everyone – regardless of income, age or background – can weather the storm.
And resilience isn’t just reactive. It’s about using science, local knowledge and innovation to reduce a risk before disaster strikes. From restoring wetlands to cool cities and absorb floods, to creating early warning systems for heatwaves, climate resilience is about weaving strength into the very fabric of our cities.
By Paul O’Hare, senior lecturer in geography and development, Manchester Metropolitan University
The meaning of climate resilience.
Climate risk disclosure
Climate risk disclosure refers to how companies report the risks they face from climate change, such as flood damage, supply chain disruptions or regulatory costs. It includes both physical risks (like storms) and transition risks (like changing laws or consumer preferences).
Mandatory disclosures, such as those proposed by the UK and EU, aim to make climate-related risks transparent to investors. Done well, these reports can shape capital flows toward more sustainable business models. Done poorly, they become greenwashing tools.
By Narmin Nahidi, assistant professor in finance at the University of Exeter
Emissions trading scheme
An emissions trading scheme is the primary market-based approach for regulating greenhouse gas emissions in many countries, including Australia, Canada, China and Mexico.
Part of a government’s job is to decide how much of the economy’s carbon emissions it wants to avoid in order to fight climate change. It must put a cap on carbon emissions that economic production is not allowed to surpass. Preferably, the polluters (that’s the manufacturers, fossil fuel companies) should be the ones paying for the cost of climate mitigation.
Regulators could simply tell all the firms how much they are allowed to emit over the next ten years or so. But giving every firm the same allowance across the board is not cost efficient, because avoiding carbon emissions is much harder for some firms (such as steel producers) than others (such as tax consultants). Since governments cannot know each firm’s specific cost profile either, it can’t customise the allowances. Also, monitoring whether polluters actually abide by their assigned limits is extremely costly.
An emissions trading scheme cleverly solves this dilemma using the cap-and-trade mechanism. Instead of assigning each polluter a fixed quota and risking inefficiencies, the government issues a large number of tradable permits – each worth, say, a tonne of CO₂-equivalent (CO₂e) – that sum up to the cap. Firms that can cut greenhouse gas emissions relatively cheaply can then trade their surplus permits to those who find it harder – at a price that makes both better off.
By Mathias Weidinger, environmental economist, University of Oxford
Emissions trading schemes, explained by climate finance expert Mathias Weidinger.
Environmental, social and governance (ESG) investing
ESG investing stands for environmental, social and governance investing. In simple terms, these are a set of standards that investors use to screen a company’s potential investments.
ESG means choosing to invest in companies that are not only profitable but also responsible. Investors use ESG metrics to assess risks (such as climate liability, labour practices) and align portfolios with sustainability goals by looking at how a company affects our planet and treats its people and communities. While there isn’t one single global body governing ESG, various organisations, ratings agencies and governments all contribute to setting and evolving these metrics.
For example, investing in a company committed to renewable energy and fair labour practices might be considered “ESG aligned”. Supporters believe ESG helps identify risks and create long-term value. Critics argue it can be vague or used for greenwashing, where companies appear sustainable without real action. ESG works best when paired with transparency and clear data. A barrier is that standards vary, and it’s not always clear what counts as ESG.
Why do financial companies and institutions care? Issues like climate change and nature loss pose significant risks, affecting company values and the global economy.
However, gathering reliable ESG information can be difficult. Companies often self-report, and the data isn’t always standardised or up to date. Researchers – including my team at the University of Oxford – are using geospatial data, like satellite imagery and artificial intelligence, to develop global databases for high-impact industries, across all major sectors and geographies, and independently assess environmental and social risks and impacts.
For instance, we can analyse satellite images of a facility over time to monitor its emissions effect on nature and biodiversity, or assess deforestation linked to a company’s supply chain. This allows us to map supply chains, identify high-impact assets, and detect hidden risks and opportunities in key industries, providing an objective, real-time look at their environmental footprint.
The goal is for this to improve ESG ratings and provide clearer, more consistent insights for investors. This approach could help us overcome current data limitations to build a more sustainable financial future.
By Amani Maalouf, senior researcher in spatial finance, University of Oxford
Environmental, social and governance investing explained.
Financed emissions
Financed emissions are the greenhouse gas emissions linked to a bank’s or investor’s lending and investment portfolio, rather than their own operations. For example, a bank that funds a coal mine or invests in fossil fuels is indirectly responsible for the carbon those activities produce.
Measuring financed emissions helps reveal the real climate impact of financial institutions not just their office energy use. It’s a cornerstone of climate accountability in finance and is becoming essential under net zero pledges.
By Narmin Nahidi, assistant professor in finance at the University of Exeter
Green bonds
Green bonds are loans issued to fund environmentally beneficial projects, such as energy-efficient buildings or clean transportation. Investors choose them to support climate solutions while earning returns.
Green bonds are a major tool to finance the shift to a low-carbon economy by directing finance toward climate solutions. As climate costs rise, green bonds could help close the funding gap while ensuring transparency and accountability.
Green bonds are required to ensure funds are spent as promised. For instance, imagine a city wants to upgrade its public transportation by adding electric buses to reduce pollution. Instead of raising taxes or slashing other budgets, the city can issue green bonds to raise the necessary capital. Investors buy the bonds, the city gets the funding, and the environment benefits from cleaner air and fewer emissions.
The growing participation of government issuers has improved the transparency and reliability of these investments. The green bond market has grown rapidly in recent years. According to the Bank for International Settlements, the green bond market reached US$2.9 trillion (£2.1 trillion) in 2024 – nearly six times larger than in 2018. At the same time, annual issuance (the total value of green bonds issued in a year) hit US$700 billion, highlighting the increasing role of green finance in tackling climate change.
By Dongna Zhang, assistant professor in economics and finance, Northumbria University
Just transition
Just transition is the process of moving to a low-carbon society that is environmentally sustainable and socially inclusive. In a broad sense, a just transition means focusing on creating a more fair and equal society.
Just transition has existed as a concept since the 1970s. It was originally applied to the green energy transition, protecting workers in the fossil fuel industry as we move towards more sustainable alternatives.
These days, it has so many overlapping issues of justice hidden within it, so the concept is hard to define. Even at the level of UN climate negotiations, global leaders struggle to agree on what a just transition means.
The big battle is between developed countries, who want a very restrictive definition around jobs and skills, and developing countries, who are looking for a much more holistic approach that considers wider system change and includes considerations around human rights, Indigenous people and creating an overall fairer global society.
A just transition is essentially about imagining a future where we have moved beyond fossil fuels and society works better for everyone – but that can look very different in a European city compared to a rural setting in south-east Asia.
For example, in a British city it might mean fewer cars and better public transport. In a rural setting, it might mean new ways of growing crops that are more sustainable, and building homes that are heatwave resistant.
By Alix Dietzel, climate justice and climate policy expert, University of Bristol
The meaning of just transition.
Loss and damage
A global loss and damage fund was agreed by nations at the UN climate summit (Cop27) in 2022. This means that the rich countries of the world put money into a fund that the least developed countries can then call upon when they have a climate emergency.
At the moment, the loss and damage fund is made up of relatively small pots of money. Much more will be needed to provide relief to those who need it most now and in the future.
By Mark Maslin, professor of earth system science, UCL
Mark Maslin explains loss and damage.
Mitigation v adaptation
Mitigation means cutting greenhouse gas emissions to slow climate change. Adaptation means adjusting to its effects, like building sea walls or growing heat-resistant crops. Both are essential: mitigation tackles the cause, while adaptation tackles the symptoms.
Globally, most funding goes to mitigation, but vulnerable communities often need adaptation support most. Balancing the two is a major challenge in climate policy, especially for developing countries facing immediate climate threats.
By Narmin Nahidi, assistant professor in finance at the University of Exeter
Nationally determined contributions
Nationally determined contributions (NDCs) are at the heart of the Paris agreement, the global effort to collectively combat climate change. NDCs are individual climate action plans created by each country. These targets and strategies outline how a country will reduce its greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate change.
Each nation sets its own goals based on its own circumstances and capabilities – there’s no standard NDC. These plans should be updated every five years and countries are encouraged to gradually increase their climate ambitions over time.
The aim is for NDCs to drive real action by guiding policies, attracting investment and inspiring innovation in clean technologies. But current NDCs fall short of the Paris agreement goals and many countries struggle to turn their plans into a reality. NDCs also vary widely in scope and detail so it’s hard to compare efforts across the board. Stronger international collaboration and greater accountability will be crucial.
By Doug Specht, reader in cultural geography and communication, University of Westminster
Fashion depends on water, soil and biodiversity – all natural capital. And forward-thinking designers are now asking: how do we create rather than deplete, how do we restore rather than extract?
Natural capital is the value assigned to the stock of forests, soils, oceans and even minerals such as lithium. It sustains every part of our economy. It’s the bees that pollinate our crops. It’s the wetlands that filter our water and it’s the trees that store carbon and cool our cities.
If we fail to value nature properly, we risk losing it. But if we succeed, we unlock a future that is not only sustainable but also truly regenerative.
My team at the University of Oxford is developing tools to integrate nature into national balance sheets, advising governments on biodiversity, and we’re helping industries from fashion to finance embed nature into their decision making.
Natural capital, explained by a climate finance expert.
By Mette Morsing, professor of business sustainability and director of the Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment, University of Oxford
Net zero
Reaching net zero means reducing the amount of additional greenhouse gas emissions that accumulate in the atmosphere to zero. This concept was popularised by the Paris agreement, a landmark deal that was agreed at the UN climate summit (Cop21) in 2015 to limit the impact of greenhouse gas emissions.
There are some emissions, from farming and aviation for example, that will be very difficult, if not impossible, to reach absolute zero. Hence, the “net”. This allows people, businesses and countries to find ways to suck greenhouse gas emissions out of the atmosphere, effectively cancelling out emissions while trying to reduce them. This can include reforestation, rewilding, direct air capture and carbon capture and storage. The goal is to reach net zero: the point at which no extra greenhouse gases accumulate in Earth’s atmosphere.
By Mark Maslin, professor of earth system science, UCL
Mark Maslin explains net zero.
For more expert explainer videos, visit The Conversation’s quick climate dictionary playlist here on YouTube.
Mark Maslin is Pro-Vice Provost of the UCL Climate Crisis Grand Challenge and Founding Director of the UCL Centre for Sustainable Aviation. He was co-director of the London NERC Doctoral Training Partnership and is a member of the Climate Crisis Advisory Group. He is an advisor to Sheep Included Ltd, Lansons, NetZeroNow and has advised the UK Parliament. He has received grant funding from the NERC, EPSRC, ESRC, DFG, Royal Society, DIFD, BEIS, DECC, FCO, Innovate UK, Carbon Trust, UK Space Agency, European Space Agency, Research England, Wellcome Trust, Leverhulme Trust, CIFF, Sprint2020, and British Council. He has received funding from the BBC, Lancet, Laithwaites, Seventh Generation, Channel 4, JLT Re, WWF, Hermes, CAFOD, HP and Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors.
Amani Maalouf receives funding from IKEA Foundation and UK Research and Innovation (NE/V017756/1).
Narmin Nahidi is affiliated with several academic associations, including the Financial Management Association (FMA), British Accounting and Finance Association (BAFA), American Finance Association (AFA), and the Chartered Association of Business Schools (CMBE). These affiliations do not influence the content of this article.
Paul O’Hare receives funding from the UK’s Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). Award reference NE/V010174/1.
Alix Dietzel, Dongna Zhang, Doug Specht, Mathias Weidinger, Meilan Yan, and Sankar Sivarajah do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Faisal Shennib, Environmental Specialist, 24-25 Concordia Public Scholar, PhD Candidate in Individualized Program, Concordia University
And compared to national waste tracking, localized waste tracking could also provide more timely and relevant insights on the effectiveness of policies, infrastructure investments and education.
Measuring waste
The units for measuring waste are fairly standard across the world. Quantity of waste is measured by weight (tonnes) and waste performance is the per cent of total waste not sent for landfill and incineration.
However, waste terminology varies across both academia and industry. In some settings, “recycling” may mean that the material was collected for recycling, but not necessarily recycled. A term like “municipal waste” can include waste from offices and businesses — or not. This confusion makes global waste tracking challenging.
Regular global reporting on waste is sorely lacking. The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) call for global action on waste management, but there have been no figures for global recycling in recent UN SDG reports. This is likely due to the lack of available, reliable data.
Reports on global waste are compiled from sources using a wide variety of formats; a source may represent annual or daily waste, and total waste or waste per capita. Data is often from different years, making it useful for trend analysis but not strict comparisons.
Estimations and incomplete data are common; only 39 per cent of populations in developing countries are served by waste collection services. Double-counting is another risk when data comes from varied sources like waste collectors, processors and local governments.
With all these challenges, global waste reports require years to compile, leading to multiyear gaps in published reports.
Insufficient data
Even nations with consistent reporting are not immune to methodological gaps. The European Union and Canada both require annual reporting on waste, but allow for a wide variety of methods in data sourcing, including estimation.
In the United States, annual waste data is reported by states to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on a voluntary basis. No new nationwide reports have been published since 2018.
Reliable waste characterization requires the waste to be audited: sampled, weighed, separated into categories, and then weighed again. It’s a labour-intensive and cost-prohibitive process, which might explain why American states haven’t provided updated waste characterizations to the EPA since 2018.
Estimating recycling stats
The oft-cited fact that nine per cent of global plastics are recycled comes from a 2022 report. It was calculated in several steps, each with significant uncertainties, including how much plastic was produced globally, how long it was used for, and how much was collected and likely to have been recycled.
The nine per cent figure is very much an estimate, representing global plastic waste in 2019. And now, it is an outdated figure.
In South Korea, for example, a country renowned for its waste policies and programs, reports a 73 per cent recycling rate for plastics, while Greenpeace estimates that the rate is 26 per cent because much of what is collected is not recycled.
In Canada, plastic recycling tracking suffers from the same lack of standardization and transparency as recycling in general.
A much-needed global consensus
Material consumption and management is a global problem requiring international collaboration, commitments and adequate tracking.
Faisal Shennib does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
About 600 miles off the west coast of Africa, large clusters of thunderstorms begin organizing into tropical storms every hurricane season. They aren’t yet in range of Hurricane Hunter flights, so forecasters at the National Hurricane Center rely on weather satellites to peer down on these storms and beam back information about their location, structure and intensity.
The satellite data helps meteorologists create weather forecasts that keep planes and ships safe and prepare countries for a potential hurricane landfall.
Now, meteorologists are about to lose access to three of those satellites.
On June 25, 2025, the Trump administration issued a service change notice announcing that the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program, DMSP, and the Navy’s Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center would terminate data collection, processing and distribution of all DMSP data no later than June 30. The data termination was postponed until July 31 following a request from the head of NASA’s Earth Science Division.
How hurricanes form. NOAA
I am a meteorologist who studies lightning in hurricanes and helps train other meteorologists to monitor and forecast tropical cyclones. Here is how meteorologists use the DMSP data and why they are concerned about it going dark.
Looking inside the clouds
At its most basic, a weather satellite is a high-resolution digital camera in space that takes pictures of clouds in the atmosphere.
These are the satellite images you see on most TV weather broadcasts. They let meteorologists see the location and some details of a hurricane’s structure, but only during daylight hours.
Hurricane Flossie spins off the Mexican coast on July 1, 2025. Images show the top of the hurricane from space as day turns to night. NOAA GOES
Meteorologists can use infrared satellite data, similar to a thermal imaging camera, at all hours of the day to find the coldest cloud-top temperatures, highlighting areas where the highest wind speeds and rainfall rates are found.
But while visible and infrared satellite imagery are valuable tools for hurricane forecasters, they provide only a basic picture of the storm. It’s like a doctor diagnosing a patient after a visual exam and checking their temperature.
Infrared bands show more detail of Hurricane Flossie’s structure on July 1, 2025. NOAA GOES
For more accurate diagnoses, meteorologists rely on the DMSP satellites.
The three satellites orbit Earth 14 times per day with special sensor microwave imager/sounder instruments, or SSMIS. These let meteorologists look inside the clouds, similar to how an MRI in a hospital looks inside a human body. With these instruments, meteorologists can pinpoint the storm’s low-pressure center and identify signs of intensification.
Precisely locating the center of a hurricane improves forecasts of the storm’s future track. This lets meteorologists produce more accurate hurricane watches, warnings and evacuations.
About 80% of major hurricanes – those with wind speeds of at least 111 mph (179 kilometers per hour) – rapidly intensify at some point, ramping up the risks they pose to people and property on land. Finding out when storms are about to undergo intensification allows meteorologists to warn the public about these dangerous hurricanes.
Where are the defense satellites going?
NOAA’s Office of Satellite and Product Operations described the reason for turning off the flow of data as a need to mitigate “a significant cybersecurity risk.”
The three satellites have already operated for longer than planned.
The DMSP satellites were launched between 1999 and 2009 and were designed to last for five years. They have now been operating for more than 15 years. The United States Space Force recently concluded that the DMSP satellites would reach the end of their lives between 2023 and 2026, so the data would likely have gone dark soon.
The advanced technology microwave sounder, or ATMS, can provide data similar to the special sensor microwave imager/sounder, or SSMIS, but at a lower resolution. It provides a more washed-out view that is less useful than the SSMIS for pinpointing a storm’s location or estimating its intensity.
Images of Hurricane Erick off the coast of Mexico, viewed from NOAA-20’s ATMS (left) and DMPS SSMIS (right) on June 18 show the difference in resolution and the higher detail provided by the SSMIS data. U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, via Michael Lowry
ML-1A is a microwave satellite that will help replace some of the DMSP satellites’ capabilities. However, the government hasn’t announced whether the ML-1A data will be available to forecasters, including those at the National Hurricane Center.
Why are satellite replacements last minute?
Satellite programs are planned over many years, even decades, and are very expensive. The current geostationary satellite program launched its first satellite in 2016 with plans to operate until 2038. Development of the planned successor for GOES-R began in 2019.
Scientists prepare a GOES-R satellite for packing aboard a rocket in 2016. NASA/Charles Babir
Delays in developing the satellite instruments and funding cuts caused the National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System and Defense Weather Satellite System to be canceled in 2010 and 2012 before any of their satellites could be launched.
The 2026 NOAA budget request includes an increase in funding for the next-generation geostationary satellite program, so it can be restructured to reuse spare parts from existing geostationary satellites. The budget also terminates contracts for ocean color, atmospheric composition and advanced lightning mapper instruments.
Hurricane forecasters will continue to use all available tools, including satellite, radar, weather balloon and dropsonde data, to monitor the tropics and issue hurricane forecasts. But the loss of satellite data, along with other cuts to data, funding and staffing, could ultimately put more lives at risk.
Chris Vagasky is a member of the American Meteorological Society and the National Weather Association.
Source: The Conversation – France – By Jérémy Lemarié, Maître de conférences à l’Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne (URCA)
Invented in Hawaii, surfing gained popularity in the United States and Australia in the 1950s before becoming a global phenomenon. Now practiced in more than 150 countries, its spread has been driven by media and tourism. Surf tourism involves travelling to destinations to catch waves, either with a surfboard or through activities such as body surfing or bodyboarding. Tourists range from seasoned surfers to beginners eager to learn.
The allure of California
For many, surf tourism evokes exotic imagery shaped by California production companies. Columbia Pictures in 1959 and Paramount Pictures in 1961 introduced surfing to the middle class, showcasing the sport as a gateway to summer adventure and escape. However, it was the 1966 movie The Endless Summer, directed and produced by Bruce Brown, that became a box office success. The film follows two Californians travelling the globe in search of the perfect wave, which they ultimately find in South Africa. Beneath the seemingly lighthearted portrayal of a “surf safari”, it carries undertones of colonial ambition.
In the film, the Californians tell people in Africa that waves are untapped resources ready to be named and conquered. This sense of Western cultural dominance over populations in poorer countries has permeated surf tourism. Since the 1970s, French surfers have flocked to Morocco for its long-breaking waves, Australians have flocked to Indonesia and Californians to Mexico. The expansion of surfing to Africa, Asia and Latin America was enabled by easier international travel and economic disparities between visitors and hosts.
Surfing’s impact on local communities
Indonesia, for instance, became a surfing hotspot after Australian surfers started to explore the waves of Bali and the Mentawai Islands in the 1970s. Once remote regions with modest living standards, these areas saw tourism infrastructure mushroom to meet demand. Today, destinations such as Uluwatu in Bali and Padang Padang in Sumatra attract surfers of all skill levels.
Similarly, Morocco has experienced a surge in surf tourism, with spots such as Taghazout drawing European visitors in search of affordable waves and sunshine. While this has boosted local economies, it has also raised concerns about environmental degradation and the strain of tourism on previously untouched areas.
The challenges of overtourism in coastal areas
Although surfing is often seen as an activity in harmony with nature, mass tourism has created tensions between local surfers and visitors. Overtourism refers to the negative impact of excessive tourist numbers on natural environments and local communities.
One response to overtourism is localism – where local surfers assert ownership of waves, sometimes discouraging or even intimidating outsiders. This has been particularly pronounced in economically dependent surf destinations. For example, in Hawaii during the 1970s and 1980s, local surfers protested against the influx of professional Australian surfers and international competitions. Today, localism persists globally, from Maroubra in Sydney to Boucau-Tarnos in France’s Nouvelle-Aquitaine region. These places are not systematically off-limits to beginners, but major conflicts can arise during peak tourist seasons.
Surf schools, while crucial for teaching newcomers, also exacerbate crowding. During high seasons, beaches such as Côte des Basques in Biarritz become overcrowded, straining relations between experienced surfers, instructors and novices. Beginners, often unaware of surf etiquette and safety rules, contribute to frustrations among seasoned surfers.
A weekly e-mail in English featuring expertise from scholars and researchers. It provides an introduction to the diversity of research coming out of the continent and considers some of the key issues facing European countries. Get the newsletter!
The role of public authorities
In response to these challenges, public initiatives have emerged to promote sustainable surf tourism. For instance, the Costa Rican government has established marine protected areas and regulated tourism activities to preserve a part of the coastal environment. Local authorities have also begun capping the number of surf schools and making access to the practice more difficult.
In southwestern France, municipalities use public service delegations (DSP), temporary occupation authorisations (AOT) and other tools to regulate surf schools operating on public beaches. Environmental awareness programmes have been launched to educate tourists on responsible behaviour toward beaches and oceans.
Gaps in regulation
Despite these measures, many coastal regions face insufficient action to address the environmental and social challenges posed by surf tourism. In Fiji, a 2010 decree deregulated the surf tourism industry, eliminating traditional indigenous rights to coastal and reef areas. This allowed unregulated development of tourism infrastructure, often ignoring long-term ecological impacts.
Similar issues are seen in Morocco, where lax regulations allow foreign investors to exploit coastal land for hotel development, often providing little benefit to local communities.
Yet, there are success stories. In Santa Cruz, California, the initiative Save Our Shores mobilises citizens and tourists to protect beaches through anti-pollution campaigns and regular cleanups.
Surf tourism has brought significant economic benefits to many coastal regions. However, it has also introduced social and environmental challenges, including localism, overcrowding and ecological strain. Managing these issues requires a collaborative approach, with governments, local stakeholders and tourists working together to preserve the sport’s connection to nature.
This article was published as part of the 2024 Fête de la Science, of which The Conversation France was a partner. The year’s theme, “Oceans of Knowledge,” explored the wonders of the marine world.
Jérémy Lemarié is a member of the Fulbright network, as the recipient of the “Chercheuses et Chercheurs” grant from the Franco-American Commission in 2022-2023.
Source: The Conversation – France – By Jérémy Lemarié, Maître de conférences à l’Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne (URCA)
Invented in Hawaii, surfing gained popularity in the United States and Australia in the 1950s before becoming a global phenomenon. Now practiced in more than 150 countries, its spread has been driven by media and tourism. Surf tourism involves travelling to destinations to catch waves, either with a surfboard or through activities such as body surfing or bodyboarding. Tourists range from seasoned surfers to beginners eager to learn.
The allure of California
For many, surf tourism evokes exotic imagery shaped by California production companies. Columbia Pictures in 1959 and Paramount Pictures in 1961 introduced surfing to the middle class, showcasing the sport as a gateway to summer adventure and escape. However, it was the 1966 movie The Endless Summer, directed and produced by Bruce Brown, that became a box office success. The film follows two Californians travelling the globe in search of the perfect wave, which they ultimately find in South Africa. Beneath the seemingly lighthearted portrayal of a “surf safari”, it carries undertones of colonial ambition.
In the film, the Californians tell people in Africa that waves are untapped resources ready to be named and conquered. This sense of Western cultural dominance over populations in poorer countries has permeated surf tourism. Since the 1970s, French surfers have flocked to Morocco for its long-breaking waves, Australians have flocked to Indonesia and Californians to Mexico. The expansion of surfing to Africa, Asia and Latin America was enabled by easier international travel and economic disparities between visitors and hosts.
Surfing’s impact on local communities
Indonesia, for instance, became a surfing hotspot after Australian surfers started to explore the waves of Bali and the Mentawai Islands in the 1970s. Once remote regions with modest living standards, these areas saw tourism infrastructure mushroom to meet demand. Today, destinations such as Uluwatu in Bali and Padang Padang in Sumatra attract surfers of all skill levels.
Similarly, Morocco has experienced a surge in surf tourism, with spots such as Taghazout drawing European visitors in search of affordable waves and sunshine. While this has boosted local economies, it has also raised concerns about environmental degradation and the strain of tourism on previously untouched areas.
The challenges of overtourism in coastal areas
Although surfing is often seen as an activity in harmony with nature, mass tourism has created tensions between local surfers and visitors. Overtourism refers to the negative impact of excessive tourist numbers on natural environments and local communities.
One response to overtourism is localism – where local surfers assert ownership of waves, sometimes discouraging or even intimidating outsiders. This has been particularly pronounced in economically dependent surf destinations. For example, in Hawaii during the 1970s and 1980s, local surfers protested against the influx of professional Australian surfers and international competitions. Today, localism persists globally, from Maroubra in Sydney to Boucau-Tarnos in France’s Nouvelle-Aquitaine region. These places are not systematically off-limits to beginners, but major conflicts can arise during peak tourist seasons.
Surf schools, while crucial for teaching newcomers, also exacerbate crowding. During high seasons, beaches such as Côte des Basques in Biarritz become overcrowded, straining relations between experienced surfers, instructors and novices. Beginners, often unaware of surf etiquette and safety rules, contribute to frustrations among seasoned surfers.
A weekly e-mail in English featuring expertise from scholars and researchers. It provides an introduction to the diversity of research coming out of the continent and considers some of the key issues facing European countries. Get the newsletter!
The role of public authorities
In response to these challenges, public initiatives have emerged to promote sustainable surf tourism. For instance, the Costa Rican government has established marine protected areas and regulated tourism activities to preserve a part of the coastal environment. Local authorities have also begun capping the number of surf schools and making access to the practice more difficult.
In southwestern France, municipalities use public service delegations (DSP), temporary occupation authorisations (AOT) and other tools to regulate surf schools operating on public beaches. Environmental awareness programmes have been launched to educate tourists on responsible behaviour toward beaches and oceans.
Gaps in regulation
Despite these measures, many coastal regions face insufficient action to address the environmental and social challenges posed by surf tourism. In Fiji, a 2010 decree deregulated the surf tourism industry, eliminating traditional indigenous rights to coastal and reef areas. This allowed unregulated development of tourism infrastructure, often ignoring long-term ecological impacts.
Similar issues are seen in Morocco, where lax regulations allow foreign investors to exploit coastal land for hotel development, often providing little benefit to local communities.
Yet, there are success stories. In Santa Cruz, California, the initiative Save Our Shores mobilises citizens and tourists to protect beaches through anti-pollution campaigns and regular cleanups.
Surf tourism has brought significant economic benefits to many coastal regions. However, it has also introduced social and environmental challenges, including localism, overcrowding and ecological strain. Managing these issues requires a collaborative approach, with governments, local stakeholders and tourists working together to preserve the sport’s connection to nature.
This article was published as part of the 2024 Fête de la Science, of which The Conversation France was a partner. The year’s theme, “Oceans of Knowledge,” explored the wonders of the marine world.
Jérémy Lemarié is a member of the Fulbright network, as the recipient of the “Chercheuses et Chercheurs” grant from the Franco-American Commission in 2022-2023.
Source: The Conversation – France – By Jérémy Lemarié, Maître de conférences à l’Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne (URCA)
Invented in Hawaii, surfing gained popularity in the United States and Australia in the 1950s before becoming a global phenomenon. Now practiced in more than 150 countries, its spread has been driven by media and tourism. Surf tourism involves travelling to destinations to catch waves, either with a surfboard or through activities such as body surfing or bodyboarding. Tourists range from seasoned surfers to beginners eager to learn.
The allure of California
For many, surf tourism evokes exotic imagery shaped by California production companies. Columbia Pictures in 1959 and Paramount Pictures in 1961 introduced surfing to the middle class, showcasing the sport as a gateway to summer adventure and escape. However, it was the 1966 movie The Endless Summer, directed and produced by Bruce Brown, that became a box office success. The film follows two Californians travelling the globe in search of the perfect wave, which they ultimately find in South Africa. Beneath the seemingly lighthearted portrayal of a “surf safari”, it carries undertones of colonial ambition.
In the film, the Californians tell people in Africa that waves are untapped resources ready to be named and conquered. This sense of Western cultural dominance over populations in poorer countries has permeated surf tourism. Since the 1970s, French surfers have flocked to Morocco for its long-breaking waves, Australians have flocked to Indonesia and Californians to Mexico. The expansion of surfing to Africa, Asia and Latin America was enabled by easier international travel and economic disparities between visitors and hosts.
Surfing’s impact on local communities
Indonesia, for instance, became a surfing hotspot after Australian surfers started to explore the waves of Bali and the Mentawai Islands in the 1970s. Once remote regions with modest living standards, these areas saw tourism infrastructure mushroom to meet demand. Today, destinations such as Uluwatu in Bali and Padang Padang in Sumatra attract surfers of all skill levels.
Similarly, Morocco has experienced a surge in surf tourism, with spots such as Taghazout drawing European visitors in search of affordable waves and sunshine. While this has boosted local economies, it has also raised concerns about environmental degradation and the strain of tourism on previously untouched areas.
The challenges of overtourism in coastal areas
Although surfing is often seen as an activity in harmony with nature, mass tourism has created tensions between local surfers and visitors. Overtourism refers to the negative impact of excessive tourist numbers on natural environments and local communities.
One response to overtourism is localism – where local surfers assert ownership of waves, sometimes discouraging or even intimidating outsiders. This has been particularly pronounced in economically dependent surf destinations. For example, in Hawaii during the 1970s and 1980s, local surfers protested against the influx of professional Australian surfers and international competitions. Today, localism persists globally, from Maroubra in Sydney to Boucau-Tarnos in France’s Nouvelle-Aquitaine region. These places are not systematically off-limits to beginners, but major conflicts can arise during peak tourist seasons.
Surf schools, while crucial for teaching newcomers, also exacerbate crowding. During high seasons, beaches such as Côte des Basques in Biarritz become overcrowded, straining relations between experienced surfers, instructors and novices. Beginners, often unaware of surf etiquette and safety rules, contribute to frustrations among seasoned surfers.
A weekly e-mail in English featuring expertise from scholars and researchers. It provides an introduction to the diversity of research coming out of the continent and considers some of the key issues facing European countries. Get the newsletter!
The role of public authorities
In response to these challenges, public initiatives have emerged to promote sustainable surf tourism. For instance, the Costa Rican government has established marine protected areas and regulated tourism activities to preserve a part of the coastal environment. Local authorities have also begun capping the number of surf schools and making access to the practice more difficult.
In southwestern France, municipalities use public service delegations (DSP), temporary occupation authorisations (AOT) and other tools to regulate surf schools operating on public beaches. Environmental awareness programmes have been launched to educate tourists on responsible behaviour toward beaches and oceans.
Gaps in regulation
Despite these measures, many coastal regions face insufficient action to address the environmental and social challenges posed by surf tourism. In Fiji, a 2010 decree deregulated the surf tourism industry, eliminating traditional indigenous rights to coastal and reef areas. This allowed unregulated development of tourism infrastructure, often ignoring long-term ecological impacts.
Similar issues are seen in Morocco, where lax regulations allow foreign investors to exploit coastal land for hotel development, often providing little benefit to local communities.
Yet, there are success stories. In Santa Cruz, California, the initiative Save Our Shores mobilises citizens and tourists to protect beaches through anti-pollution campaigns and regular cleanups.
Surf tourism has brought significant economic benefits to many coastal regions. However, it has also introduced social and environmental challenges, including localism, overcrowding and ecological strain. Managing these issues requires a collaborative approach, with governments, local stakeholders and tourists working together to preserve the sport’s connection to nature.
This article was published as part of the 2024 Fête de la Science, of which The Conversation France was a partner. The year’s theme, “Oceans of Knowledge,” explored the wonders of the marine world.
Jérémy Lemarié is a member of the Fulbright network, as the recipient of the “Chercheuses et Chercheurs” grant from the Franco-American Commission in 2022-2023.
Source: The Conversation – France – By Jérémy Lemarié, Maître de conférences à l’Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne (URCA)
Invented in Hawaii, surfing gained popularity in the United States and Australia in the 1950s before becoming a global phenomenon. Now practiced in more than 150 countries, its spread has been driven by media and tourism. Surf tourism involves travelling to destinations to catch waves, either with a surfboard or through activities such as body surfing or bodyboarding. Tourists range from seasoned surfers to beginners eager to learn.
The allure of California
For many, surf tourism evokes exotic imagery shaped by California production companies. Columbia Pictures in 1959 and Paramount Pictures in 1961 introduced surfing to the middle class, showcasing the sport as a gateway to summer adventure and escape. However, it was the 1966 movie The Endless Summer, directed and produced by Bruce Brown, that became a box office success. The film follows two Californians travelling the globe in search of the perfect wave, which they ultimately find in South Africa. Beneath the seemingly lighthearted portrayal of a “surf safari”, it carries undertones of colonial ambition.
In the film, the Californians tell people in Africa that waves are untapped resources ready to be named and conquered. This sense of Western cultural dominance over populations in poorer countries has permeated surf tourism. Since the 1970s, French surfers have flocked to Morocco for its long-breaking waves, Australians have flocked to Indonesia and Californians to Mexico. The expansion of surfing to Africa, Asia and Latin America was enabled by easier international travel and economic disparities between visitors and hosts.
Surfing’s impact on local communities
Indonesia, for instance, became a surfing hotspot after Australian surfers started to explore the waves of Bali and the Mentawai Islands in the 1970s. Once remote regions with modest living standards, these areas saw tourism infrastructure mushroom to meet demand. Today, destinations such as Uluwatu in Bali and Padang Padang in Sumatra attract surfers of all skill levels.
Similarly, Morocco has experienced a surge in surf tourism, with spots such as Taghazout drawing European visitors in search of affordable waves and sunshine. While this has boosted local economies, it has also raised concerns about environmental degradation and the strain of tourism on previously untouched areas.
The challenges of overtourism in coastal areas
Although surfing is often seen as an activity in harmony with nature, mass tourism has created tensions between local surfers and visitors. Overtourism refers to the negative impact of excessive tourist numbers on natural environments and local communities.
One response to overtourism is localism – where local surfers assert ownership of waves, sometimes discouraging or even intimidating outsiders. This has been particularly pronounced in economically dependent surf destinations. For example, in Hawaii during the 1970s and 1980s, local surfers protested against the influx of professional Australian surfers and international competitions. Today, localism persists globally, from Maroubra in Sydney to Boucau-Tarnos in France’s Nouvelle-Aquitaine region. These places are not systematically off-limits to beginners, but major conflicts can arise during peak tourist seasons.
Surf schools, while crucial for teaching newcomers, also exacerbate crowding. During high seasons, beaches such as Côte des Basques in Biarritz become overcrowded, straining relations between experienced surfers, instructors and novices. Beginners, often unaware of surf etiquette and safety rules, contribute to frustrations among seasoned surfers.
A weekly e-mail in English featuring expertise from scholars and researchers. It provides an introduction to the diversity of research coming out of the continent and considers some of the key issues facing European countries. Get the newsletter!
The role of public authorities
In response to these challenges, public initiatives have emerged to promote sustainable surf tourism. For instance, the Costa Rican government has established marine protected areas and regulated tourism activities to preserve a part of the coastal environment. Local authorities have also begun capping the number of surf schools and making access to the practice more difficult.
In southwestern France, municipalities use public service delegations (DSP), temporary occupation authorisations (AOT) and other tools to regulate surf schools operating on public beaches. Environmental awareness programmes have been launched to educate tourists on responsible behaviour toward beaches and oceans.
Gaps in regulation
Despite these measures, many coastal regions face insufficient action to address the environmental and social challenges posed by surf tourism. In Fiji, a 2010 decree deregulated the surf tourism industry, eliminating traditional indigenous rights to coastal and reef areas. This allowed unregulated development of tourism infrastructure, often ignoring long-term ecological impacts.
Similar issues are seen in Morocco, where lax regulations allow foreign investors to exploit coastal land for hotel development, often providing little benefit to local communities.
Yet, there are success stories. In Santa Cruz, California, the initiative Save Our Shores mobilises citizens and tourists to protect beaches through anti-pollution campaigns and regular cleanups.
Surf tourism has brought significant economic benefits to many coastal regions. However, it has also introduced social and environmental challenges, including localism, overcrowding and ecological strain. Managing these issues requires a collaborative approach, with governments, local stakeholders and tourists working together to preserve the sport’s connection to nature.
This article was published as part of the 2024 Fête de la Science, of which The Conversation France was a partner. The year’s theme, “Oceans of Knowledge,” explored the wonders of the marine world.
Jérémy Lemarié is a member of the Fulbright network, as the recipient of the “Chercheuses et Chercheurs” grant from the Franco-American Commission in 2022-2023.
Civil society groups concerned about politicised policing launch nationwide billboard campaign to stand up for right to protest
New research by Greenpeace indicates that the Metropolitan Police have regularly arrested protesters when there is an extremely low chance of them ever being charged. Officers made more than 600 arrests in London over the last six years for conspiracy to cause public nuisance but only 18 of them (2.8%) resulted in charges. The research also showed an almost tenfold rise in the number of arrests in the capital since 2019, when environmental protests became widespread.
These numbers support the belief, widespread amongst activists and protesters, that the police are abusing this offence and other anti-protest laws to remove and intimidate peaceful protesters.
Greenpeace used Freedom of Information requests to find out how many people were arrested between 2012 and March 2025 on suspicion of conspiracy to cause a public nuisance – an offence under the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 that is frequently used by the police to clear protesters from the streets.
Areeba Hamid, co-executive director of Greenpeace UK said: “The fact that police are routinely dragging protesters off the streets for a crime they almost always fail to charge them with amounts to an abuse of their powers and an assault on the right to protest. Arresting law-abiding people because they’re politically inconvenient is a frightening development in any democracy, and is a direct result of the government’s instinct to shut down free speech and prevent people standing up for issues they care deeply about.”
The findings come as four leading environmental and human rights groups – Amnesty International UK, Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace and Liberty – launch a nationwide advertising campaign to stand up for the right to protest. The campaign features videos of real protesters on a range of issues holding placards that say ‘I’m protesting in here to avoid arrest out there’.
The protesters appear on digital billboards clustered in popular shopping areas in London, Birmingham and Manchester, given free to the campaign as the prize in Ocean Outdoor’s annual Digital Creative Competition. Digital special effects by creative agency ‘elvis’ make the protesters appear to be present on the street, like a virtual protest march. They each represent a different cause including disability rights, Gaza, climate change, anti-black racism, plastic pollution and the campaign to keep the NHS public.
Khalid Abdallah, an actor and protester for Palestinian rights from London who appears in the campaign, said: “I think a lot of people don’t realise that the crackdown on protest isn’t just about tougher laws on disruptive civil disobedience, it’s about creating a climate of intimidation. The right to speak out against the actions of the government is an important test of whether you live in a free, democratic country. I have lived in countries where rights we hold dear in Britain do not exist, and my family has paid the price for speaking out. So I did not expect Britain to be the country where I would first be investigated by police for my participation at a public protest. For six months I lived under the threat of being charged, until it was confirmed the police would not take further action. Clearly, these statistics show I’m not an isolated case.”
Ocean Outdoor / elvis
Researchers at Greenpeace asked the Metropolitan Police to provide data on arrests and charges for public nuisance offences between 2012 and March 2025. They found there had been 67 arrests and 8 charges for conspiring to cause a public nuisance between 2012 and the end of 2018, compared with 638 arrests and 18 charges since 2019, equating to an almost tenfold increase in arrests. The rate of arrests resulting in charges also dropped from around 12% to below 3%.
The sharp increase in 2019 happened around the same time that Extinction Rebellion and Fridays for Future brought thousands of people onto the streets of London to protest against the lack of action to tackle climate change. Since then, successive governments have passed additional anti-protest laws giving police officers a wider range of offences to choose from, many carrying lengthy custodial sentences, resulting in hundreds of protesters being arrested and some being handed record prison sentences of up to five years.
Greenpeace and the other groups are calling on the Home Secretary to restore people’s right to make their voices heard on issues they care about by reversing anti-protest measures in two key pieces of legislation passed since 2022. They are also asking ministers to strike out protest clauses in the Crime and Policing Bill currently making its way through parliament.
The full dataset on arrests and charges is available here
“Conspiracy to commit public nuisance is a serious offence under UK law that involves a group of people agreeing to cause harm, disruption, or obstruction to the public. Whether it’s blocking roads, interfering with emergency services, or creating safety risks, this offence can lead to severe legal consequences, even if the nuisance doesn’t actually happen.” https://www.moeenco.com/conspiracy-to-commit-public-nuisance
The campaign
The six protestors featured in the advertising campaign are:
Khalid Abdallah, an actor and protester for Palestinian rights from London
Dr Helen Salisbury, GP and protestor for Keep Our NHS Public from Oxfordshire
Andy Greene, a disability rights activist with Disabled People Against the Cuts from London
Andrew McParland, climate activist and Greenpeace UK board member from Birmingham
Jen Reid, author of ‘A Hero Like Me’ and Black Lives Matter activist from Bristol
Sahanika Ratnayake, an academic who protests on environmental issues from Manchester
The advertising campaign was awarded the Gold prize in the non-profit category of Ocean Outdoor’s annual Digital Creative Competition which seeks bold, original work that pushes the boundaries of ‘Digital Out of Home’ advertising. It launches on 3rd July across Ocean’s city centre Loop networks in Birmingham and Manchester, and in a high footfall area of Westfield Stratford City in London on billboards in close proximity to each other to replicate a real protest. The campaign was created and shot by elvis.
About elvis
elvis is an award-winning B-Corp certified creative agency that works with some of the world’s most ambitious brands. The agency’s mission is to use unexpected & unforgettable creativity to help people and brands grow in a better way. Not only is this based on the fundamental role that impact and salience play in the most powerful creative work, but also reflects the agency’s B Corp status. elvis won the non-profit category in the 2024 Ocean Outdoor Competition with their ‘Can’t arrest this billboard’ idea, in partnership with Greenpeace. elvislondon.com
About Ocean Outdoor
A partner company of Atairos, the independent strategic investment company, Ocean Outdoor is the leading operator of Digital Out of Home (DOOH) advertising across the UK and Europe. The Group’s network of 4,000+ screens covers seven countries, with its technological capabilities delivering impactful and measurable DOOH brand and advertising experiences. Ocean’s portfolio covers iconic locations including the Piccadilly Lights and the BFI IMAX, and the company works closely with high-profile landlords, as well as major city councils, on the development of its network. Since 2018, Ocean has expanded into the Netherlands and the Nordics. Ocean Germany launched in 2024.
The campaign organisations
Liberty challenges injustice, defends freedom and campaigns for everyone in the UK to be treated fairly, with dignity and respect. Since 1934 we’ve inspired and empowered people to defend their rights, and the rights of their family, friends and communities. Join us. Stand up to power.
Amnesty International is the world’s largest human rights organisation with over 10 million supporters, working to protect people wherever justice, freedom, truth and dignity are denied. Amnesty International is a recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize.
Friends of the Earth England, Wales and Northern Ireland (EWNI) is the UK’s largest grassroots network. We’re part of a global environmental justice community dedicated to the protection of the natural world and the wellbeing of everyone in it. We bring together more than two million people in 70 countries, combining people power all over the world to transform local actions into global impact.
Greenpeace is a movement of people who are passionate about defending the natural world from destruction. Our vision is a greener, healthier and more peaceful planet, one that can sustain life for generations to come.
Civil society groups concerned about politicised policing launch nationwide billboard campaign to stand up for right to protest
New research by Greenpeace indicates that the Metropolitan Police have regularly arrested protesters when there is an extremely low chance of them ever being charged. Officers made more than 600 arrests in London over the last six years for conspiracy to cause public nuisance but only 18 of them (2.8%) resulted in charges. The research also showed an almost tenfold rise in the number of arrests in the capital since 2019, when environmental protests became widespread.
These numbers support the belief, widespread amongst activists and protesters, that the police are abusing this offence and other anti-protest laws to remove and intimidate peaceful protesters.
Greenpeace used Freedom of Information requests to find out how many people were arrested between 2012 and March 2025 on suspicion of conspiracy to cause a public nuisance – an offence under the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 that is frequently used by the police to clear protesters from the streets.
Areeba Hamid, co-executive director of Greenpeace UK said: “The fact that police are routinely dragging protesters off the streets for a crime they almost always fail to charge them with amounts to an abuse of their powers and an assault on the right to protest. Arresting law-abiding people because they’re politically inconvenient is a frightening development in any democracy, and is a direct result of the government’s instinct to shut down free speech and prevent people standing up for issues they care deeply about.”
The findings come as four leading environmental and human rights groups – Amnesty International UK, Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace and Liberty – launch a nationwide advertising campaign to stand up for the right to protest. The campaign features videos of real protesters on a range of issues holding placards that say ‘I’m protesting in here to avoid arrest out there’.
The protesters appear on digital billboards clustered in popular shopping areas in London, Birmingham and Manchester, given free to the campaign as the prize in Ocean Outdoor’s annual Digital Creative Competition. Digital special effects by creative agency ‘elvis’ make the protesters appear to be present on the street, like a virtual protest march. They each represent a different cause including disability rights, Gaza, climate change, anti-black racism, plastic pollution and the campaign to keep the NHS public.
Khalid Abdallah, an actor and protester for Palestinian rights from London who appears in the campaign, said: “I think a lot of people don’t realise that the crackdown on protest isn’t just about tougher laws on disruptive civil disobedience, it’s about creating a climate of intimidation. The right to speak out against the actions of the government is an important test of whether you live in a free, democratic country. I have lived in countries where rights we hold dear in Britain do not exist, and my family has paid the price for speaking out. So I did not expect Britain to be the country where I would first be investigated by police for my participation at a public protest. For six months I lived under the threat of being charged, until it was confirmed the police would not take further action. Clearly, these statistics show I’m not an isolated case.”
Ocean Outdoor / elvis
Researchers at Greenpeace asked the Metropolitan Police to provide data on arrests and charges for public nuisance offences between 2012 and March 2025. They found there had been 67 arrests and 8 charges for conspiring to cause a public nuisance between 2012 and the end of 2018, compared with 638 arrests and 18 charges since 2019, equating to an almost tenfold increase in arrests. The rate of arrests resulting in charges also dropped from around 12% to below 3%.
The sharp increase in 2019 happened around the same time that Extinction Rebellion and Fridays for Future brought thousands of people onto the streets of London to protest against the lack of action to tackle climate change. Since then, successive governments have passed additional anti-protest laws giving police officers a wider range of offences to choose from, many carrying lengthy custodial sentences, resulting in hundreds of protesters being arrested and some being handed record prison sentences of up to five years.
Greenpeace and the other groups are calling on the Home Secretary to restore people’s right to make their voices heard on issues they care about by reversing anti-protest measures in two key pieces of legislation passed since 2022. They are also asking ministers to strike out protest clauses in the Crime and Policing Bill currently making its way through parliament.
The full dataset on arrests and charges is available here
“Conspiracy to commit public nuisance is a serious offence under UK law that involves a group of people agreeing to cause harm, disruption, or obstruction to the public. Whether it’s blocking roads, interfering with emergency services, or creating safety risks, this offence can lead to severe legal consequences, even if the nuisance doesn’t actually happen.” https://www.moeenco.com/conspiracy-to-commit-public-nuisance
The campaign
The six protestors featured in the advertising campaign are:
Khalid Abdallah, an actor and protester for Palestinian rights from London
Dr Helen Salisbury, GP and protestor for Keep Our NHS Public from Oxfordshire
Andy Greene, a disability rights activist with Disabled People Against the Cuts from London
Andrew McParland, climate activist and Greenpeace UK board member from Birmingham
Jen Reid, author of ‘A Hero Like Me’ and Black Lives Matter activist from Bristol
Sahanika Ratnayake, an academic who protests on environmental issues from Manchester
The advertising campaign was awarded the Gold prize in the non-profit category of Ocean Outdoor’s annual Digital Creative Competition which seeks bold, original work that pushes the boundaries of ‘Digital Out of Home’ advertising. It launches on 3rd July across Ocean’s city centre Loop networks in Birmingham and Manchester, and in a high footfall area of Westfield Stratford City in London on billboards in close proximity to each other to replicate a real protest. The campaign was created and shot by elvis.
About elvis
elvis is an award-winning B-Corp certified creative agency that works with some of the world’s most ambitious brands. The agency’s mission is to use unexpected & unforgettable creativity to help people and brands grow in a better way. Not only is this based on the fundamental role that impact and salience play in the most powerful creative work, but also reflects the agency’s B Corp status. elvis won the non-profit category in the 2024 Ocean Outdoor Competition with their ‘Can’t arrest this billboard’ idea, in partnership with Greenpeace. elvislondon.com
About Ocean Outdoor
A partner company of Atairos, the independent strategic investment company, Ocean Outdoor is the leading operator of Digital Out of Home (DOOH) advertising across the UK and Europe. The Group’s network of 4,000+ screens covers seven countries, with its technological capabilities delivering impactful and measurable DOOH brand and advertising experiences. Ocean’s portfolio covers iconic locations including the Piccadilly Lights and the BFI IMAX, and the company works closely with high-profile landlords, as well as major city councils, on the development of its network. Since 2018, Ocean has expanded into the Netherlands and the Nordics. Ocean Germany launched in 2024.
The campaign organisations
Liberty challenges injustice, defends freedom and campaigns for everyone in the UK to be treated fairly, with dignity and respect. Since 1934 we’ve inspired and empowered people to defend their rights, and the rights of their family, friends and communities. Join us. Stand up to power.
Amnesty International is the world’s largest human rights organisation with over 10 million supporters, working to protect people wherever justice, freedom, truth and dignity are denied. Amnesty International is a recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize.
Friends of the Earth England, Wales and Northern Ireland (EWNI) is the UK’s largest grassroots network. We’re part of a global environmental justice community dedicated to the protection of the natural world and the wellbeing of everyone in it. We bring together more than two million people in 70 countries, combining people power all over the world to transform local actions into global impact.
Greenpeace is a movement of people who are passionate about defending the natural world from destruction. Our vision is a greener, healthier and more peaceful planet, one that can sustain life for generations to come.
Civil society groups concerned about politicised policing launch nationwide billboard campaign to stand up for right to protest
New research by Greenpeace indicates that the Metropolitan Police have regularly arrested protesters when there is an extremely low chance of them ever being charged. Officers made more than 600 arrests in London over the last six years for conspiracy to cause public nuisance but only 18 of them (2.8%) resulted in charges. The research also showed an almost tenfold rise in the number of arrests in the capital since 2019, when environmental protests became widespread.
These numbers support the belief, widespread amongst activists and protesters, that the police are abusing this offence and other anti-protest laws to remove and intimidate peaceful protesters.
Greenpeace used Freedom of Information requests to find out how many people were arrested between 2012 and March 2025 on suspicion of conspiracy to cause a public nuisance – an offence under the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 that is frequently used by the police to clear protesters from the streets.
Areeba Hamid, co-executive director of Greenpeace UK said: “The fact that police are routinely dragging protesters off the streets for a crime they almost always fail to charge them with amounts to an abuse of their powers and an assault on the right to protest. Arresting law-abiding people because they’re politically inconvenient is a frightening development in any democracy, and is a direct result of the government’s instinct to shut down free speech and prevent people standing up for issues they care deeply about.”
The findings come as four leading environmental and human rights groups – Amnesty International UK, Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace and Liberty – launch a nationwide advertising campaign to stand up for the right to protest. The campaign features videos of real protesters on a range of issues holding placards that say ‘I’m protesting in here to avoid arrest out there’.
The protesters appear on digital billboards clustered in popular shopping areas in London, Birmingham and Manchester, given free to the campaign as the prize in Ocean Outdoor’s annual Digital Creative Competition. Digital special effects by creative agency ‘elvis’ make the protesters appear to be present on the street, like a virtual protest march. They each represent a different cause including disability rights, Gaza, climate change, anti-black racism, plastic pollution and the campaign to keep the NHS public.
Khalid Abdallah, an actor and protester for Palestinian rights from London who appears in the campaign, said: “I think a lot of people don’t realise that the crackdown on protest isn’t just about tougher laws on disruptive civil disobedience, it’s about creating a climate of intimidation. The right to speak out against the actions of the government is an important test of whether you live in a free, democratic country. I have lived in countries where rights we hold dear in Britain do not exist, and my family has paid the price for speaking out. So I did not expect Britain to be the country where I would first be investigated by police for my participation at a public protest. For six months I lived under the threat of being charged, until it was confirmed the police would not take further action. Clearly, these statistics show I’m not an isolated case.”
Ocean Outdoor / elvis
Researchers at Greenpeace asked the Metropolitan Police to provide data on arrests and charges for public nuisance offences between 2012 and March 2025. They found there had been 67 arrests and 8 charges for conspiring to cause a public nuisance between 2012 and the end of 2018, compared with 638 arrests and 18 charges since 2019, equating to an almost tenfold increase in arrests. The rate of arrests resulting in charges also dropped from around 12% to below 3%.
The sharp increase in 2019 happened around the same time that Extinction Rebellion and Fridays for Future brought thousands of people onto the streets of London to protest against the lack of action to tackle climate change. Since then, successive governments have passed additional anti-protest laws giving police officers a wider range of offences to choose from, many carrying lengthy custodial sentences, resulting in hundreds of protesters being arrested and some being handed record prison sentences of up to five years.
Greenpeace and the other groups are calling on the Home Secretary to restore people’s right to make their voices heard on issues they care about by reversing anti-protest measures in two key pieces of legislation passed since 2022. They are also asking ministers to strike out protest clauses in the Crime and Policing Bill currently making its way through parliament.
The full dataset on arrests and charges is available here
“Conspiracy to commit public nuisance is a serious offence under UK law that involves a group of people agreeing to cause harm, disruption, or obstruction to the public. Whether it’s blocking roads, interfering with emergency services, or creating safety risks, this offence can lead to severe legal consequences, even if the nuisance doesn’t actually happen.” https://www.moeenco.com/conspiracy-to-commit-public-nuisance
The campaign
The six protestors featured in the advertising campaign are:
Khalid Abdallah, an actor and protester for Palestinian rights from London
Dr Helen Salisbury, GP and protestor for Keep Our NHS Public from Oxfordshire
Andy Greene, a disability rights activist with Disabled People Against the Cuts from London
Andrew McParland, climate activist and Greenpeace UK board member from Birmingham
Jen Reid, author of ‘A Hero Like Me’ and Black Lives Matter activist from Bristol
Sahanika Ratnayake, an academic who protests on environmental issues from Manchester
The advertising campaign was awarded the Gold prize in the non-profit category of Ocean Outdoor’s annual Digital Creative Competition which seeks bold, original work that pushes the boundaries of ‘Digital Out of Home’ advertising. It launches on 3rd July across Ocean’s city centre Loop networks in Birmingham and Manchester, and in a high footfall area of Westfield Stratford City in London on billboards in close proximity to each other to replicate a real protest. The campaign was created and shot by elvis.
About elvis
elvis is an award-winning B-Corp certified creative agency that works with some of the world’s most ambitious brands. The agency’s mission is to use unexpected & unforgettable creativity to help people and brands grow in a better way. Not only is this based on the fundamental role that impact and salience play in the most powerful creative work, but also reflects the agency’s B Corp status. elvis won the non-profit category in the 2024 Ocean Outdoor Competition with their ‘Can’t arrest this billboard’ idea, in partnership with Greenpeace. elvislondon.com
About Ocean Outdoor
A partner company of Atairos, the independent strategic investment company, Ocean Outdoor is the leading operator of Digital Out of Home (DOOH) advertising across the UK and Europe. The Group’s network of 4,000+ screens covers seven countries, with its technological capabilities delivering impactful and measurable DOOH brand and advertising experiences. Ocean’s portfolio covers iconic locations including the Piccadilly Lights and the BFI IMAX, and the company works closely with high-profile landlords, as well as major city councils, on the development of its network. Since 2018, Ocean has expanded into the Netherlands and the Nordics. Ocean Germany launched in 2024.
The campaign organisations
Liberty challenges injustice, defends freedom and campaigns for everyone in the UK to be treated fairly, with dignity and respect. Since 1934 we’ve inspired and empowered people to defend their rights, and the rights of their family, friends and communities. Join us. Stand up to power.
Amnesty International is the world’s largest human rights organisation with over 10 million supporters, working to protect people wherever justice, freedom, truth and dignity are denied. Amnesty International is a recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize.
Friends of the Earth England, Wales and Northern Ireland (EWNI) is the UK’s largest grassroots network. We’re part of a global environmental justice community dedicated to the protection of the natural world and the wellbeing of everyone in it. We bring together more than two million people in 70 countries, combining people power all over the world to transform local actions into global impact.
Greenpeace is a movement of people who are passionate about defending the natural world from destruction. Our vision is a greener, healthier and more peaceful planet, one that can sustain life for generations to come.
Civil society groups concerned about politicised policing launch nationwide billboard campaign to stand up for right to protest
New research by Greenpeace indicates that the Metropolitan Police have regularly arrested protesters when there is an extremely low chance of them ever being charged. Officers made more than 600 arrests in London over the last six years for conspiracy to cause public nuisance but only 18 of them (2.8%) resulted in charges. The research also showed an almost tenfold rise in the number of arrests in the capital since 2019, when environmental protests became widespread.
These numbers support the belief, widespread amongst activists and protesters, that the police are abusing this offence and other anti-protest laws to remove and intimidate peaceful protesters.
Greenpeace used Freedom of Information requests to find out how many people were arrested between 2012 and March 2025 on suspicion of conspiracy to cause a public nuisance – an offence under the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 that is frequently used by the police to clear protesters from the streets.
Areeba Hamid, co-executive director of Greenpeace UK said: “The fact that police are routinely dragging protesters off the streets for a crime they almost always fail to charge them with amounts to an abuse of their powers and an assault on the right to protest. Arresting law-abiding people because they’re politically inconvenient is a frightening development in any democracy, and is a direct result of the government’s instinct to shut down free speech and prevent people standing up for issues they care deeply about.”
The findings come as four leading environmental and human rights groups – Amnesty International UK, Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace and Liberty – launch a nationwide advertising campaign to stand up for the right to protest. The campaign features videos of real protesters on a range of issues holding placards that say ‘I’m protesting in here to avoid arrest out there’.
The protesters appear on digital billboards clustered in popular shopping areas in London, Birmingham and Manchester, given free to the campaign as the prize in Ocean Outdoor’s annual Digital Creative Competition. Digital special effects by creative agency ‘elvis’ make the protesters appear to be present on the street, like a virtual protest march. They each represent a different cause including disability rights, Gaza, climate change, anti-black racism, plastic pollution and the campaign to keep the NHS public.
Khalid Abdallah, an actor and protester for Palestinian rights from London who appears in the campaign, said: “I think a lot of people don’t realise that the crackdown on protest isn’t just about tougher laws on disruptive civil disobedience, it’s about creating a climate of intimidation. The right to speak out against the actions of the government is an important test of whether you live in a free, democratic country. I have lived in countries where rights we hold dear in Britain do not exist, and my family has paid the price for speaking out. So I did not expect Britain to be the country where I would first be investigated by police for my participation at a public protest. For six months I lived under the threat of being charged, until it was confirmed the police would not take further action. Clearly, these statistics show I’m not an isolated case.”
Ocean Outdoor / elvis
Researchers at Greenpeace asked the Metropolitan Police to provide data on arrests and charges for public nuisance offences between 2012 and March 2025. They found there had been 67 arrests and 8 charges for conspiring to cause a public nuisance between 2012 and the end of 2018, compared with 638 arrests and 18 charges since 2019, equating to an almost tenfold increase in arrests. The rate of arrests resulting in charges also dropped from around 12% to below 3%.
The sharp increase in 2019 happened around the same time that Extinction Rebellion and Fridays for Future brought thousands of people onto the streets of London to protest against the lack of action to tackle climate change. Since then, successive governments have passed additional anti-protest laws giving police officers a wider range of offences to choose from, many carrying lengthy custodial sentences, resulting in hundreds of protesters being arrested and some being handed record prison sentences of up to five years.
Greenpeace and the other groups are calling on the Home Secretary to restore people’s right to make their voices heard on issues they care about by reversing anti-protest measures in two key pieces of legislation passed since 2022. They are also asking ministers to strike out protest clauses in the Crime and Policing Bill currently making its way through parliament.
The full dataset on arrests and charges is available here
“Conspiracy to commit public nuisance is a serious offence under UK law that involves a group of people agreeing to cause harm, disruption, or obstruction to the public. Whether it’s blocking roads, interfering with emergency services, or creating safety risks, this offence can lead to severe legal consequences, even if the nuisance doesn’t actually happen.” https://www.moeenco.com/conspiracy-to-commit-public-nuisance
The campaign
The six protestors featured in the advertising campaign are:
Khalid Abdallah, an actor and protester for Palestinian rights from London
Dr Helen Salisbury, GP and protestor for Keep Our NHS Public from Oxfordshire
Andy Greene, a disability rights activist with Disabled People Against the Cuts from London
Andrew McParland, climate activist and Greenpeace UK board member from Birmingham
Jen Reid, author of ‘A Hero Like Me’ and Black Lives Matter activist from Bristol
Sahanika Ratnayake, an academic who protests on environmental issues from Manchester
The advertising campaign was awarded the Gold prize in the non-profit category of Ocean Outdoor’s annual Digital Creative Competition which seeks bold, original work that pushes the boundaries of ‘Digital Out of Home’ advertising. It launches on 3rd July across Ocean’s city centre Loop networks in Birmingham and Manchester, and in a high footfall area of Westfield Stratford City in London on billboards in close proximity to each other to replicate a real protest. The campaign was created and shot by elvis.
About elvis
elvis is an award-winning B-Corp certified creative agency that works with some of the world’s most ambitious brands. The agency’s mission is to use unexpected & unforgettable creativity to help people and brands grow in a better way. Not only is this based on the fundamental role that impact and salience play in the most powerful creative work, but also reflects the agency’s B Corp status. elvis won the non-profit category in the 2024 Ocean Outdoor Competition with their ‘Can’t arrest this billboard’ idea, in partnership with Greenpeace. elvislondon.com
About Ocean Outdoor
A partner company of Atairos, the independent strategic investment company, Ocean Outdoor is the leading operator of Digital Out of Home (DOOH) advertising across the UK and Europe. The Group’s network of 4,000+ screens covers seven countries, with its technological capabilities delivering impactful and measurable DOOH brand and advertising experiences. Ocean’s portfolio covers iconic locations including the Piccadilly Lights and the BFI IMAX, and the company works closely with high-profile landlords, as well as major city councils, on the development of its network. Since 2018, Ocean has expanded into the Netherlands and the Nordics. Ocean Germany launched in 2024.
The campaign organisations
Liberty challenges injustice, defends freedom and campaigns for everyone in the UK to be treated fairly, with dignity and respect. Since 1934 we’ve inspired and empowered people to defend their rights, and the rights of their family, friends and communities. Join us. Stand up to power.
Amnesty International is the world’s largest human rights organisation with over 10 million supporters, working to protect people wherever justice, freedom, truth and dignity are denied. Amnesty International is a recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize.
Friends of the Earth England, Wales and Northern Ireland (EWNI) is the UK’s largest grassroots network. We’re part of a global environmental justice community dedicated to the protection of the natural world and the wellbeing of everyone in it. We bring together more than two million people in 70 countries, combining people power all over the world to transform local actions into global impact.
Greenpeace is a movement of people who are passionate about defending the natural world from destruction. Our vision is a greener, healthier and more peaceful planet, one that can sustain life for generations to come.
Civil society groups concerned about politicised policing launch nationwide billboard campaign to stand up for right to protest
New research by Greenpeace indicates that the Metropolitan Police have regularly arrested protesters when there is an extremely low chance of them ever being charged. Officers made more than 600 arrests in London over the last six years for conspiracy to cause public nuisance but only 18 of them (2.8%) resulted in charges. The research also showed an almost tenfold rise in the number of arrests in the capital since 2019, when environmental protests became widespread.
These numbers support the belief, widespread amongst activists and protesters, that the police are abusing this offence and other anti-protest laws to remove and intimidate peaceful protesters.
Greenpeace used Freedom of Information requests to find out how many people were arrested between 2012 and March 2025 on suspicion of conspiracy to cause a public nuisance – an offence under the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 that is frequently used by the police to clear protesters from the streets.
Areeba Hamid, co-executive director of Greenpeace UK said: “The fact that police are routinely dragging protesters off the streets for a crime they almost always fail to charge them with amounts to an abuse of their powers and an assault on the right to protest. Arresting law-abiding people because they’re politically inconvenient is a frightening development in any democracy, and is a direct result of the government’s instinct to shut down free speech and prevent people standing up for issues they care deeply about.”
The findings come as four leading environmental and human rights groups – Amnesty International UK, Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace and Liberty – launch a nationwide advertising campaign to stand up for the right to protest. The campaign features videos of real protesters on a range of issues holding placards that say ‘I’m protesting in here to avoid arrest out there’.
The protesters appear on digital billboards clustered in popular shopping areas in London, Birmingham and Manchester, given free to the campaign as the prize in Ocean Outdoor’s annual Digital Creative Competition. Digital special effects by creative agency ‘elvis’ make the protesters appear to be present on the street, like a virtual protest march. They each represent a different cause including disability rights, Gaza, climate change, anti-black racism, plastic pollution and the campaign to keep the NHS public.
Khalid Abdallah, an actor and protester for Palestinian rights from London who appears in the campaign, said: “I think a lot of people don’t realise that the crackdown on protest isn’t just about tougher laws on disruptive civil disobedience, it’s about creating a climate of intimidation. The right to speak out against the actions of the government is an important test of whether you live in a free, democratic country. I have lived in countries where rights we hold dear in Britain do not exist, and my family has paid the price for speaking out. So I did not expect Britain to be the country where I would first be investigated by police for my participation at a public protest. For six months I lived under the threat of being charged, until it was confirmed the police would not take further action. Clearly, these statistics show I’m not an isolated case.”
Ocean Outdoor / elvis
Researchers at Greenpeace asked the Metropolitan Police to provide data on arrests and charges for public nuisance offences between 2012 and March 2025. They found there had been 67 arrests and 8 charges for conspiring to cause a public nuisance between 2012 and the end of 2018, compared with 638 arrests and 18 charges since 2019, equating to an almost tenfold increase in arrests. The rate of arrests resulting in charges also dropped from around 12% to below 3%.
The sharp increase in 2019 happened around the same time that Extinction Rebellion and Fridays for Future brought thousands of people onto the streets of London to protest against the lack of action to tackle climate change. Since then, successive governments have passed additional anti-protest laws giving police officers a wider range of offences to choose from, many carrying lengthy custodial sentences, resulting in hundreds of protesters being arrested and some being handed record prison sentences of up to five years.
Greenpeace and the other groups are calling on the Home Secretary to restore people’s right to make their voices heard on issues they care about by reversing anti-protest measures in two key pieces of legislation passed since 2022. They are also asking ministers to strike out protest clauses in the Crime and Policing Bill currently making its way through parliament.
The full dataset on arrests and charges is available here
“Conspiracy to commit public nuisance is a serious offence under UK law that involves a group of people agreeing to cause harm, disruption, or obstruction to the public. Whether it’s blocking roads, interfering with emergency services, or creating safety risks, this offence can lead to severe legal consequences, even if the nuisance doesn’t actually happen.” https://www.moeenco.com/conspiracy-to-commit-public-nuisance
The campaign
The six protestors featured in the advertising campaign are:
Khalid Abdallah, an actor and protester for Palestinian rights from London
Dr Helen Salisbury, GP and protestor for Keep Our NHS Public from Oxfordshire
Andy Greene, a disability rights activist with Disabled People Against the Cuts from London
Andrew McParland, climate activist and Greenpeace UK board member from Birmingham
Jen Reid, author of ‘A Hero Like Me’ and Black Lives Matter activist from Bristol
Sahanika Ratnayake, an academic who protests on environmental issues from Manchester
The advertising campaign was awarded the Gold prize in the non-profit category of Ocean Outdoor’s annual Digital Creative Competition which seeks bold, original work that pushes the boundaries of ‘Digital Out of Home’ advertising. It launches on 3rd July across Ocean’s city centre Loop networks in Birmingham and Manchester, and in a high footfall area of Westfield Stratford City in London on billboards in close proximity to each other to replicate a real protest. The campaign was created and shot by elvis.
About elvis
elvis is an award-winning B-Corp certified creative agency that works with some of the world’s most ambitious brands. The agency’s mission is to use unexpected & unforgettable creativity to help people and brands grow in a better way. Not only is this based on the fundamental role that impact and salience play in the most powerful creative work, but also reflects the agency’s B Corp status. elvis won the non-profit category in the 2024 Ocean Outdoor Competition with their ‘Can’t arrest this billboard’ idea, in partnership with Greenpeace. elvislondon.com
About Ocean Outdoor
A partner company of Atairos, the independent strategic investment company, Ocean Outdoor is the leading operator of Digital Out of Home (DOOH) advertising across the UK and Europe. The Group’s network of 4,000+ screens covers seven countries, with its technological capabilities delivering impactful and measurable DOOH brand and advertising experiences. Ocean’s portfolio covers iconic locations including the Piccadilly Lights and the BFI IMAX, and the company works closely with high-profile landlords, as well as major city councils, on the development of its network. Since 2018, Ocean has expanded into the Netherlands and the Nordics. Ocean Germany launched in 2024.
The campaign organisations
Liberty challenges injustice, defends freedom and campaigns for everyone in the UK to be treated fairly, with dignity and respect. Since 1934 we’ve inspired and empowered people to defend their rights, and the rights of their family, friends and communities. Join us. Stand up to power.
Amnesty International is the world’s largest human rights organisation with over 10 million supporters, working to protect people wherever justice, freedom, truth and dignity are denied. Amnesty International is a recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize.
Friends of the Earth England, Wales and Northern Ireland (EWNI) is the UK’s largest grassroots network. We’re part of a global environmental justice community dedicated to the protection of the natural world and the wellbeing of everyone in it. We bring together more than two million people in 70 countries, combining people power all over the world to transform local actions into global impact.
Greenpeace is a movement of people who are passionate about defending the natural world from destruction. Our vision is a greener, healthier and more peaceful planet, one that can sustain life for generations to come.
“These reports highlight, yet again, the dangers of deep sea mining for marine life and the health of the ocean. The CSIRO reports show that there would be substantial impacts on the seafloor and that animals, like sharks, could be harmed by mining plans like those of The Metals Company. Deep sea mining poses issues far beyond what can be captured in the scope of environmental frameworks; there is no framework to measure cultural heritage or Pacific people’s cultural connection to the ocean. Deep sea mining could not only irreversibly harm the ocean and marine life in the Pacific, but deeply impact Pacific cultures and ways of life.
“The research was paid for by The Metals Company, which has a track record of using Pacific nations as platforms, not partners. With the International Seabed Authority due to meet this week, we are urging the council not to rush through the mining code, but to listen to indigenous and Pacific voices who are increasingly standing against deep sea mining.”
37 countries are against deep sea mining, either asking for a precautionary pause or a global moratorium, including the eight Pacific Island nations of Palau, Fiji, Samoa, Federated States of Micronesia, Vanuatu, Tuvalu, Marshall Islands and the Solomon Islands. New Zealand has also backed a moratorium, but Australia has not.
—ENDS—
Notes:
– The CSIRO agreed to work with The Metals Company in 2022, tasked to develop a deep sea mining environmental management plan in the Clarion Clipperton Zone (CCZ), where The Metals Company is pushing to mine for polymetallic nodules.
– Last week, a scientific survey of two areas targeted for deep sea mining in the Pacific Ocean by The Metals Company found the presence of whales and dolphins, including vulnerable sperm whales.
“These reports highlight, yet again, the dangers of deep sea mining for marine life and the health of the ocean. The CSIRO reports show that there would be substantial impacts on the seafloor and that animals, like sharks, could be harmed by mining plans like those of The Metals Company. Deep sea mining poses issues far beyond what can be captured in the scope of environmental frameworks; there is no framework to measure cultural heritage or Pacific people’s cultural connection to the ocean. Deep sea mining could not only irreversibly harm the ocean and marine life in the Pacific, but deeply impact Pacific cultures and ways of life.
“The research was paid for by The Metals Company, which has a track record of using Pacific nations as platforms, not partners. With the International Seabed Authority due to meet this week, we are urging the council not to rush through the mining code, but to listen to indigenous and Pacific voices who are increasingly standing against deep sea mining.”
37 countries are against deep sea mining, either asking for a precautionary pause or a global moratorium, including the eight Pacific Island nations of Palau, Fiji, Samoa, Federated States of Micronesia, Vanuatu, Tuvalu, Marshall Islands and the Solomon Islands. New Zealand has also backed a moratorium, but Australia has not.
—ENDS—
Notes:
– The CSIRO agreed to work with The Metals Company in 2022, tasked to develop a deep sea mining environmental management plan in the Clarion Clipperton Zone (CCZ), where The Metals Company is pushing to mine for polymetallic nodules.
– Last week, a scientific survey of two areas targeted for deep sea mining in the Pacific Ocean by The Metals Company found the presence of whales and dolphins, including vulnerable sperm whales.
“These reports highlight, yet again, the dangers of deep sea mining for marine life and the health of the ocean. The CSIRO reports show that there would be substantial impacts on the seafloor and that animals, like sharks, could be harmed by mining plans like those of The Metals Company. Deep sea mining poses issues far beyond what can be captured in the scope of environmental frameworks; there is no framework to measure cultural heritage or Pacific people’s cultural connection to the ocean. Deep sea mining could not only irreversibly harm the ocean and marine life in the Pacific, but deeply impact Pacific cultures and ways of life.
“The research was paid for by The Metals Company, which has a track record of using Pacific nations as platforms, not partners. With the International Seabed Authority due to meet this week, we are urging the council not to rush through the mining code, but to listen to indigenous and Pacific voices who are increasingly standing against deep sea mining.”
37 countries are against deep sea mining, either asking for a precautionary pause or a global moratorium, including the eight Pacific Island nations of Palau, Fiji, Samoa, Federated States of Micronesia, Vanuatu, Tuvalu, Marshall Islands and the Solomon Islands. New Zealand has also backed a moratorium, but Australia has not.
—ENDS—
Notes:
– The CSIRO agreed to work with The Metals Company in 2022, tasked to develop a deep sea mining environmental management plan in the Clarion Clipperton Zone (CCZ), where The Metals Company is pushing to mine for polymetallic nodules.
– Last week, a scientific survey of two areas targeted for deep sea mining in the Pacific Ocean by The Metals Company found the presence of whales and dolphins, including vulnerable sperm whales.
“These reports highlight, yet again, the dangers of deep sea mining for marine life and the health of the ocean. The CSIRO reports show that there would be substantial impacts on the seafloor and that animals, like sharks, could be harmed by mining plans like those of The Metals Company. Deep sea mining poses issues far beyond what can be captured in the scope of environmental frameworks; there is no framework to measure cultural heritage or Pacific people’s cultural connection to the ocean. Deep sea mining could not only irreversibly harm the ocean and marine life in the Pacific, but deeply impact Pacific cultures and ways of life.
“The research was paid for by The Metals Company, which has a track record of using Pacific nations as platforms, not partners. With the International Seabed Authority due to meet this week, we are urging the council not to rush through the mining code, but to listen to indigenous and Pacific voices who are increasingly standing against deep sea mining.”
37 countries are against deep sea mining, either asking for a precautionary pause or a global moratorium, including the eight Pacific Island nations of Palau, Fiji, Samoa, Federated States of Micronesia, Vanuatu, Tuvalu, Marshall Islands and the Solomon Islands. New Zealand has also backed a moratorium, but Australia has not.
—ENDS—
Notes:
– The CSIRO agreed to work with The Metals Company in 2022, tasked to develop a deep sea mining environmental management plan in the Clarion Clipperton Zone (CCZ), where The Metals Company is pushing to mine for polymetallic nodules.
– Last week, a scientific survey of two areas targeted for deep sea mining in the Pacific Ocean by The Metals Company found the presence of whales and dolphins, including vulnerable sperm whales.
“These reports highlight, yet again, the dangers of deep sea mining for marine life and the health of the ocean. The CSIRO reports show that there would be substantial impacts on the seafloor and that animals, like sharks, could be harmed by mining plans like those of The Metals Company. Deep sea mining poses issues far beyond what can be captured in the scope of environmental frameworks; there is no framework to measure cultural heritage or Pacific people’s cultural connection to the ocean. Deep sea mining could not only irreversibly harm the ocean and marine life in the Pacific, but deeply impact Pacific cultures and ways of life.
“The research was paid for by The Metals Company, which has a track record of using Pacific nations as platforms, not partners. With the International Seabed Authority due to meet this week, we are urging the council not to rush through the mining code, but to listen to indigenous and Pacific voices who are increasingly standing against deep sea mining.”
37 countries are against deep sea mining, either asking for a precautionary pause or a global moratorium, including the eight Pacific Island nations of Palau, Fiji, Samoa, Federated States of Micronesia, Vanuatu, Tuvalu, Marshall Islands and the Solomon Islands. New Zealand has also backed a moratorium, but Australia has not.
—ENDS—
Notes:
– The CSIRO agreed to work with The Metals Company in 2022, tasked to develop a deep sea mining environmental management plan in the Clarion Clipperton Zone (CCZ), where The Metals Company is pushing to mine for polymetallic nodules.
– Last week, a scientific survey of two areas targeted for deep sea mining in the Pacific Ocean by The Metals Company found the presence of whales and dolphins, including vulnerable sperm whales.
Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Bernice Swarts will launch the One Million Trees campaign next week.
The campaign, part of the Presidential Ten Million Trees Flagship Project currently in its fourth year, aims to mobilise South Africans from all walks of life, three spheres of government, private sector, interfaith formations, business, diplomatic corps, traditional leaders, NGOs, youth, to pledge and donate trees.
At the launch, the Deputy Minister will outline the ambitious plan to plant one million trees in one day.
The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) is the custodian of the forestry function in the country.
One of the key activities and functions in this regard is the implementation of the National Greening Programme, aimed at planting at least two million trees per annum for a period of five years to realise the Presidential Ten Million Trees Flagship Project.
The One Million Trees campaign serves as one of the platforms of revamping the National Greening Programme to ensure that the set target of planting ten million trees over a period of five years is achieved.
This will be done through creating awareness on the importance of planting of trees, encouraging stakeholders to take ownership and responsibility of their environment through pledging and planting of trees and facilitating that one million trees are planted in one day.
As part of the launch, Deputy Minister Swarts will showcase the Information Technology Pledge Form System and the South African National Biodiversity Institute’s (SANBI) Tree Bank where the donated trees will be stored.
The donated trees will be stored at the 11 National Botanical Gardens across the country and DFFE nurseries.
The launch will take place under the theme: “My Tree, My Oxygen. Plant Yours Today” on Monday, 07 July 2025, at the Pretoria National Botanical Gardens. – SAnews.gov.za
Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Dion George has welcomed the Green Climate Fund’s (GCF) approval of the South African National Biodiversity Institute’s (SANBI) Eco Disaster Risk Reduction (Eco DRR) project.
The project was approved during its 42nd board meeting, currently being held in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.
The project, funded by a grant of just over US$40 million, reflects South Africa’s commitment to harnessing ecosystem-based approaches to tackle climate-induced disasters.
Over the next eight years, the Eco DRR initiative will benefit more than five million South Africans, particularly in vulnerable communities, by embedding ecosystem-based approaches into disaster risk planning.
This will bolster infrastructure resilience, safeguard livelihoods, and enhance adaptive capacity against climate change impacts.
“This is a monumental achievement for South Africa and a testament to SANBI’s expertise as a Direct Access Entity to the GCF. The Eco DRR project will empower millions of our citizens, ensuring that we build a resilient future where nature and communities thrive together,” said George.
As a Direct Access Entity, SANBI has showcased leadership in securing this substantial funding, marking a proud milestone for both the institute and the nation.
The approval underscores South Africa’s dedication to sustainable development and climate resilience, positioning its institutions as key players in global climate action.
“By leveraging the power of ecosystems, this project not only mitigates disaster risks but also fosters inclusive growth and environmental stewardship. It is a beacon of hope for a greener, stronger South Africa,” said the Minister.
The Eco DRR project aligns with South Africa’s National Climate Change Adaptation Strategy and its vision of fostering a climate-resilient society.
The initiative will deliver long-term benefits by integrating ecosystem-based approaches into national planning frameworks.
The Minister extended his congratulations to SANBI and all stakeholders involved, reaffirming the department’s commitment to supporting the project’s successful implementation.
“We will work tirelessly to ensure that the benefits of this initiative reach our most vulnerable communities, paving the way for a sustainable future,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za
New York City, NY, July 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Tribal loans online provide financial aid to those who need urgent cash to fulfill their emergent needs. Now there is no need to beg your relatives and friends for cash when you need finance for those emergencies. Upper Lake Lending is pleased to launch its tribal loan matching service designed for such needs. The majority of people are not willing to go for any loan due to their poor credit records. Such people think that no one will ever provide a loan to them. But now the time has changed. With the competition in the market, tribal lenders with guaranteed approval from Upper Lake Lending are coming up with newer and newer ways of borrowing money. No credit check tribal cash advance is a right choice for them. These advances can be utilized to clear off numerous expenses such as vehicle repair expenses, home renovation expenses, power bills, medical bills, schooling fees, and holiday tours.
Benefits Of No Credit Check Tribal Loans From Direct Lenders
No credit check tribal loans, as the name suggests, are small instant cash loans which are approved without any credit verification. These are very quick to borrow money loans. As a borrower you may get the cash loan approved via the internet too. It is the fastest and the most suitable way to borrow money. Here you have to just fill in an application form available on the Upper Lake Lending website with all your details and once the form is filled, the remaining process will not take much of your time to get completed.
These tribal payday loans are offered in both secured as well as unsecured ways. In the first case, you may get the cash approved without any collateral. On the other hand, there is no such need in unsecured loans but they are generally offered at slightly higher rates of interest. This is because of the risk the direct tribal lender is bearing in granting you a loan without any security.
But seeing all other features of these tribal installment loans, this limitation may be ignored. You may also go for market research and can select the best direct tribal lender for the personal loan without any hassle. These all features give such loans an edge over other types of loans.
Below, we explore the various benefits associated with no credit check tribal loans.
Accessibility for All Borrowers
One of the primary advantages of bad credit tribal loans is their accessibility. Traditional lenders often rely heavily on credit scores to determine eligibility. In contrast, no credit check tribal lenders cater to a broader audience, including:
Individuals with Low Credit Scores: Those who have faced financial difficulties in the past may find it challenging to obtain loans through conventional means.
Borrowers with Limited Credit History: Young adults or newcomers to the credit system may not have enough credit history to qualify for standard loans.
This inclusivity of tribal loans allows more people to access the funds they need, regardless of their credit background.
Quick Approval Process
Another significant benefit of guaranteed tribal loans is the expedited approval process. Since tribal lenders do not conduct a thorough review of credit histories, borrowers can often receive approval within a short timeframe. This rapid response is particularly advantageous for those facing urgent financial needs, such as:
Medical Emergencies: Unexpected medical expenses can arise, and quick access to funds can alleviate stress.
Car Repairs: A sudden vehicle breakdown may require immediate financial attention.
Tribal loans with no credit check is the perfect solution for such urgent needs.
Minimal Impact on Credit Score
Applying for a traditional loan typically involves a hard credit inquiry, which can temporarily lower a borrower’s credit score. No credit check tribal payday loans, however, do not require such inquiries, allowing individuals to apply without the fear of damaging their credit further. This aspect is particularly appealing for those who are actively working to improve their credit scores.
Flexibility in Loan Amounts
Bad credit tribal loans with no credit check often provide flexibility in terms of loan amounts. Borrowers can typically choose from a range of options that suit their specific financial needs. This flexibility can be beneficial for various situations, such as:
Small Personal Expenses: Individuals may need a small amount for personal projects or emergencies.
Business Ventures: Entrepreneurs seeking to fund a new business idea can also benefit from these loans.
Fast Funding
Many no credit check loans offer quick funding, sometimes within one to two business days. This speed is crucial for borrowers who require immediate financial assistance. The ability to access funds quickly can make a significant difference in managing unexpected expenses. Same day tribal loans from Upper Lake Lending is the best option for such situations.
Requirements For Bad Credit Tribal Loans With Instant Approval
Currently such tribal loans for bad credit are presented only to the persons living in the US. The borrower must have attained an age of 18 years if he or she wants to get a loan approved. He or she should also be working somewhere drawing a regular salary each month. He or she should also have a valid bank account in any bank in the US.
Common Requirements for Bad Credit Tribal Payday Loans
While requirements can vary by tribal lender, several common criteria are typically observed:
Minimum Credit Score: Most tribal lenders require a minimum credit score, often around 580. Some may accept scores as low as 550.
Proof of Income: Borrowers must demonstrate a stable source of income, which reassures tribal lenders of their ability to repay the loan.
Employment Verification: Tribal lenders may require proof of employment or a steady income stream, which can include pay stubs or bank statements.
Debt-to-Income Ratio: A lower debt-to-income ratio is favorable. Tribal lenders often look for a ratio below 40% to ensure that borrowers can manage additional debt.
Identification and Residency: Valid identification and proof of residency are standard requirements to verify the borrower’s identity and address.
The best part of these easiest tribal loans to get is that a borrower does not need to undergo the strict and formal condition structure to get the loan approved. A person may at any time before his/her payday may apply for the loan. He/she may also get the loan via the internet. It is the cheapest and most reliable way to get money. Here a borrower may also check and compare the rates and other charges of different tribal lenders available at the Upper Lake Lending platform.
How Guaranteed Tribal Installment Loans For Bad Credit Work
Before applying for these loans you need to choose the tribal lender that provides you these loans at an affordable interest rate. After selecting the best tribal lender you need to visit the lender’s website and fill up an application form with some personal details such as name, sex, age, account number, monthly income, repayment period etc. prescribed in it. After that you will receive cash in your hands in just a couple of hours, usually on the same business day.
The process of obtaining a guaranteed tribal loan for bad credit generally involves several straightforward steps:
Application: Borrowers fill out an application form, providing necessary personal and financial information.
Approval: The lender reviews the application and, if approved, determines the loan amount and interest rate.
Disbursement: Once approved, the funds are disbursed to the borrower, often through direct deposit.
The best way to apply for such easy tribal loans is via an online method. It prevents you from many irritations. You have to just fill in a request form available on the Upper Lake Lending website and once the form is filled, the remaining job is completed by the direct tribal lender himself. You may get the cash loans approved the same day without going anywhere.
Risks Associated With Tribal Installment Loans
While guaranteed tribal loans can be beneficial, they also come with certain risks:
High Costs: The interest rates on these loans can be significantly higher than those of traditional loans, leading to substantial repayment amounts.
Debt Cycle: Borrowers may find themselves in a cycle of debt if they are unable to repay the loan on time, potentially leading to the need for additional borrowing.
Regulatory Environment: The legal framework governing tribal loans can be complex, and borrowers should be aware of their rights and obligations.
Considerations About Tribal Loans
Having a bad credit history has become very common amongst people nowadays. Due to this, many people find it very difficult to apply for fiscal assistance, as traditional lenders are not assured that the borrower will pay the amount back. Tribal lenders offering bad credit loans come to the rescue in such a situation. $500 tribal installment loans are finances which cater to the urgent needs of bad creditors. Upper Lake Lending provides access to the wide network of trusted direct tribal lenders only who provide $500 dollar loans for bad credit borrowers.
Tribal loans also have the option to submit an application without teletrack. As the name says no teletrack tribal payday loans are free from the time consuming procedure of credit checks. Almost everyone is approved for these tribal loans online. You can ask for money even if you are running on bad credit scores like arrears, defaults, bankruptcy, etc. There is no verification of credit history either. The tribal lender offering tribal loans with guaranteed approval is not concerned about your credit past.
No need to worry any longer about how to deal with the urgent financial needs if you are a person with a bad credit record. Bad credit tribal payday loans can help you to resolve your financial problems till the next payday. The tribal lending companies are providing these loans without any credit check so there will be no problem in the approval of the loan even if you are having a bad credit record. You can save a lot of time for yourself while applying for these loans online with Upper Lake Lending because Upper Lake Lending connects borrowers with bad credit ratings with direct tribal lenders who provide tribal loans online guaranteed approval no matter what.
Due to their short term nature and no verification of your past details, this finance carries a relatively high rate of interest. You can make an application for this facility through the online method on the Upper Lake Lending website. For that, all you have to do is fill up the application form. The form is provided to you free of cost. The best tribal lenders deposit the amount into your bank checking account after it is approved.
