New deep coal mine development wins planning approval
Plans to develop a deep coal mine, creating hundreds of new jobs, have sparked controversy.
environment
MSP fails in bid to prevent beavers becoming protected species
Beavers will be given legal protection in Scotland after an attempt by a Conservative MSP to prevent the move was voted down.
Mozambique death toll from Cyclone Idai could exceed 1,000, president says
More than 1,000 people are feared dead in Mozambique four days after a cyclone slammed into the country, submerging entire villages and leaving bodies floating in the floodwaters, the president has said.
Dead whale found with 40 kilograms of plastic in its stomach
A dead whale with 40 kilograms of plastic in its stomach has been discovered off the coast of the Philippines.
Woodland wonders: From curry-scented mushrooms to ‘Mr Whippy’ spiders
A mushroom that smells of curry powder and a spider whose egg sack looks like a whippy ice cream are among the hidden wonders lurking in woodlands, experts have said.
Blue Planet spin-off part of new genre, says host Chris Packham
Chris Packham has said he is pleased shows like his Blue Planet spin-off have formed a new genre celebrating the environment while also warning of the problems it is facing.
In Pictures: Children take to the streets to voice climate change concerns
Students have joined school strikes around the world demanding that politicians take urgent action on climate change.
Toot your horn! Goats hold up traffic after leaving hills for town centre
A herd of goats has turned up in a town centre after bad weather drove the animals from their hilly home.
Earth becoming increasingly unhealthy place for people, UN report warns
Earth is sick, with multiple and worsening environmental problems killing millions of people every year, according to a United Nations report.
Air pollution kills more people than smoking, scientists say
Air pollution is a bigger global killer than smoking, research has shown.
Litter picking gets trending with #trashtag
A challenge of a new kind has been trending online, encouraging users to pick up rubbish and share the before and after pictures on social media.
Heathrow expansion would have ‘severe’ consequences for Londoners
Controversial plans to expand Heathrow would effectively create a “new airport” and have “severe” consequences for Londoners, the High Court has heard.
Legal battle over Heathrow expansion to start at High Court
Controversial plans to expand Heathrow Airport will come under the scrutiny of leading judges as a legal challenge gets under way at the High Court.
Talking about the weather ‘most typical British trait’
Discussing the weather beats other national pastimes such as drinking tea, queuing and apologising unnecessarily to be the most “typical” British trait, a poll suggests.
Chimpanzees losing traits in areas of high human impact, study claims
Chimpanzees are losing their distinctive behaviours in areas of high human activity, new research suggests.
Ineos injunction creates ‘severe chilling effect’ on protests, court hears
An injunction granted to energy giant Ineos has created an “impermissible severe chilling effect” on campaigners’ right to protest against fracking, the Court of Appeal has heard.
Harry Potter star Bonnie Wright joins river plastic pollution survey launch
Film star Bonnie Wright is joining scientists and campaigners to launch a nationwide survey of plastic pollution in UK rivers.
Angus councillor causes outrage by suggesting his residents should use Dundee dumps
Dundee residents have reacted with outrage after an Angus councillor suggested his residents could use the city’s dumps after losing their own.
Glastonbury to stop selling single-use plastic bottles
Single-use plastic drinks bottles will be barred from sale at Glastonbury Festival for the first time this year.
Nature kicks off spring in response to warm weather
The unseasonably warm weather has prompted birds to try nesting, butterflies to emerge and hedgehogs to come out of hibernation early, experts said.