Court’s decision expected to be used in future litigation and to support political negotiations by vulnerable states A “clean, healthy and sustainable environment” is a human right, according to judges at the top court of the United Nations. The international court of justice (ICJ) delivered a landmark advisory opinion on Wednesday about countries’ obligations to tackle climate change, and the consequences they may face if they do not. Continue reading...

Labour is beyond repair. Time for a co-ordinated strategy to support progressive parties committed to electoral reform, says Guardian columnist George Monbiot

Government vetoes cross-party effort to protect threatened waterways from push to rip up environmental red tape

Making concerned people aware their views are far from alone could unlock the change so urgently needed * ‘Spiral of silence’: climate action is very popular, so why don’t people realise it? * The Guardian is joining forces with dozens of newsrooms around the world to launch the 89 Percent Project—and highlight the fact that the vast majority of the world’s population wants climate action. Read more A huge 89% majority of the world’s people want stronger action to fight the climate crisis but feel they are trapped in a self-fulfilling “spiral of silence” because they mistakenly believe they are in a minority, research suggests. Making people aware that their pro-climate view is, in fact, by far the majority could unlock a social tipping point and push leaders into the climate action so urgently needed, experts say. Continue reading...

The felling of a much-loved and centuries-old north London oak tree was initially reported to police.

A special KentOnline investigation has revealed how £20 million meant for public services has remained unspent for years.