International efforts to tackle climate change suffered a major setback when Donald Trump pulled the United States out of the Paris agreement aimed at curbing rising temperatures. Can the European Union, which has restated its commitment to the pact, play a global leadership role to effect change?
Climate change
Tackling global warming
EU plans stricter climate goals to ‘raise ambition’
By 2030, the European Union has pledged to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 40 per cent, compared to the 1990 levels.
Worldwide record high temperatures
Diagram showing worldwide climate development (average temperature increase)
The need to ditch our addiction to plastic
Yet even back in Europe there remain hurdles to overcome when it comes to reducing the mountains of waste.
EU’s cleanest waters in Austria, Cyprus, Greece, Luxembourg and Malta
A report released ahead of the European summer holiday season showed that the top five countries recorded "excellent" ratings for at least 95 per cent of their bathing waters.
EU seeks to raise billions from financial sector for climate goals
The European Commission aims to increase EU funds to fight the climate challenges.
EU chokes on own air quality standards
Air pollution causes hundreds of thousands of deaths each year in Europe. AFP survey examines how the European Union is trying to enforce air pollution standards across the 28-member bloc.