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Climate change solutions

Greenhouse gas emissions from burning fossil fuels, agriculture and deforestation are causing the world's climate to change, threatening people, plants and animals. But humanity has solutions to stop planetary heating.

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Reporter wading in ice-cold water with a power plant in the background

Reporter wading in ice-cold water with a power plant in the background

Could large heat pumps revolutionize how we warm our homes?

The German city of Mannheim is heating thousands of homes with ice-cold water. How does it work?

Aerial view of the solar panels providing electricity to the little village of Abaay Dhaxan

Aerial view of the solar panels providing electricity to the little village of Abaay Dhaxan

Improving energy access in Somalia with solar power

A solar power minigrid has changed lives in an island community in Somalia’s Lower Shabelle region.

A wide band of blue solar panels stretches across a field along a road in the Rhein-Sieg district in north-western Germany

A wide band of blue solar panels stretches across a field along a road in the Rhein-Sieg district in north-western Germany

How a German town wants to reinvent clean energy sharing

In Germany, citizen prosumers can't distribute their green electricity via the grid. Does this violate EU regulations?

DW Sendung | Planet A | solar cells, solar power

DW Sendung | Planet A | solar cells, solar power

Are perovskite cells a game-changer for solar energy?

Where are tandem solar cells in their development? And could they truly represent the future of solar panels?

DW-Magazin Global Us

DW-Magazin Global Us

China's contradictory energy policy

China is a global pioneer of renewable energy yet continues to invest in coal. How come?

DW Sendung | Planet A | Silicon

DW Sendung | Planet A | Silicon

Why Silicon Valley needs a new name

We can thank silicon for everything from computers to solar panels, but it's reaching its limits.

A collage of greyscale, smog-filled cityscapes: Cars, chimneys, trash bags, high-rises, smoke. In the foreground, a hand in a yellow rubber cleaning glove is wiping over the scene with a green cloth. In the trail of the cleaning cloth, a different city collage is revealed: Blue skies over green trees and an idyllic canal, with colorful houses surrounding it.

A collage of greyscale, smog-filled cityscapes: Cars, chimneys, trash bags, high-rises, smoke. In the foreground, a hand in a yellow rubber cleaning glove is wiping over the scene with a green cloth. In the trail of the cleaning cloth, a different city collage is revealed: Blue skies over green trees and an idyllic canal, with colorful houses surrounding it.

How megacities are tackling air pollution

Many of the world's biggest cities are slowly improving their air quality. Here's how.

A woman drinking from a but behind a bright torchlight

A woman drinking from a but behind a bright torchlight

Kenya: A renewable energy hub with frequent blackouts

Nationwide power outages are placing a damper on Kenya's vision for reliable and sustainable energy.

A worker at a factory making solar photovoltaic modules in China

A worker at a factory making solar photovoltaic modules in China

China's solar sector steams ahead of EU, US

The US and Europe can't compete with China in producing solar modules. That's the stark message from a new report.

DW Eco Africa (Sendungslogo mit Partnerlogos englisch)

DW Eco Africa (Sendungslogo mit Partnerlogos englisch)

Eco Africa — The Environment Magazine

Ivory Coast’s solar push and a Maasai photographer protecting wildlife with his camera.

A car charging at charging station on a sunny day

A car charging at charging station on a sunny day

Solar, batteries and heat pumps led the green charge in 2023

Positive energy trends in 2023 included more solar power, batteries for e-mobility, and heat pumps for heating.

A flame is seen burning in a dark substance, with H2 molecules illustrations overlaid on the image

A flame is seen burning in a dark substance, with H2 molecules illustrations overlaid on the image

'White' hydrogen — climate savior?

"White" hydrogen still lies untapped underground. But it could solve energy problems.

A young girl holds up a sign saying "everyone can change the world" at a climate rally

A young girl holds up a sign saying "everyone can change the world" at a climate rally

5 reasons for hope about the climate

Cheap renewables, electric cars and litigation success are some of the trends giving grounds for climate optimism.

Children play outside in a schoolyard next to a building outfitted with solar panels on the roof

Children play outside in a schoolyard next to a building outfitted with solar panels on the roof

Moldovan school fights for survival with EU help

Many Moldovans are leaving the country, where poverty and corruption are rife. But one woman is fighting for her school.

Living Planet 210318 Podcast Picture Teaser

Living Planet 210318 Podcast Picture Teaser

What kind of world is possible?

Which climate trends are heading in the right direction? A chat with Dr Hannah Ritchie & a look at renewables in Europe.

COP28 President Sultan al-Jaber, left, and COP28 Director-General Ambassador Majid Al Suwaidi talk at the climate summit in Dubai

COP28 President Sultan al-Jaber, left, and COP28 Director-General Ambassador Majid Al Suwaidi talk at the climate summit in Dubai

Dubai climate talks: What did they achieve?

After a year of record-high temperatures, COP28 brought two weeks of tense talks. What did it ultimately deliver?

Wind turbines and solar panels on canal

Wind turbines and solar panels on canal

Hope for climate but too little progress on renewables

Green energy is booming but progress is too slow to see the emissions cut needed by 2030, according to new analysis.

A row of shiny new red, green, yellow and blue tuk-tuks line the inside of a warehouse

A row of shiny new red, green, yellow and blue tuk-tuks line the inside of a warehouse

Kenya positions itself as Africa's climate champion

President William Ruto is promoting Kenya as a green energy champion, but the country has a way to go.

Steam rises from four nuclear plant cool towers

Steam rises from four nuclear plant cool towers

Is nuclear energy the way to achieve climate goals?

A declaration to triple capacity at UN climate talks suggests a nuclear revival. Not everyone agrees.

Niger Symbolbild Stromausfall in Niamey

Niger Symbolbild Stromausfall in Niamey

AfricaLink on Air — 6 December 2023

Electricity access in Africa +++ Cameroon's power blackouts +++ Sudan crisis +++ Anthrax in Malawi +++ Burna Boy

Solar panels are seen against smoking chimneys in the distance.

Solar panels are seen against smoking chimneys in the distance.

China leads in both pollution and renewable energy

China is still “addicted to coal”, but it’s also a major force in making clean energy more affordable.

Firefighters try to extinguish a wildfire burning at the Dadia National Park in the region of Evros

Firefighters try to extinguish a wildfire burning at the Dadia National Park in the region of Evros

Climate: What is the global stocktake?

At key climate talks in Dubai, the world's first global climate progress report will set the agenda.

Chinese flags flutter in front of chimneys from a coal-fired power station

Chinese flags flutter in front of chimneys from a coal-fired power station

Is China a climate hero or a fossil fuel baddie?

Is China revolutionizing the energy transition, or are its fossil ambitions unstoppable?

A man walks with a camel carrying his goods in an area 30 kilometers from the city of Gode, Ethiopia

A man walks with a camel carrying his goods in an area 30 kilometers from the city of Gode, Ethiopia

Greenhouse gases continue to rise as warming hits record

As countries meet in Dubai for climate talks to negotiate emissions reductions, the world is warming faster than ever.

Solar panels and a wind turbine in a field

Solar panels and a wind turbine in a field

Net zero by 2050: 9 charts showing the world's progress

The pressure is on for leaders at the 28th climate conference to prevent global warming from accelerating further.

DW Made in Germany | Future Trucks

DW Made in Germany | Future Trucks

Quiet trucks: with battery or hydrogen?

Trucks are supposed to get cleaner. But what's better: battery-power or hydrogen?

In this Feb. 26, 1997 file photo, Khaled al-Otaiby, an official of the Saudi oil company Aramco, watches progress at a rig at the al-Howta oil field near Howta, Saudi Arabia.

In this Feb. 26, 1997 file photo, Khaled al-Otaiby, an official of the Saudi oil company Aramco, watches progress at a rig at the al-Howta oil field near Howta, Saudi Arabia.

How the Gulf region is planning for a life after oil

The Gulf countries are marching ahead with an ambitious domestic transition to renewable energy.

Clouds billowing from chimneys

Clouds billowing from chimneys

Emissions Gap Report: World off track to meet climate goals

CO2 emissions are still catastrophically high, according to the new UN Emissions Gap Report.

Dam with waterfall

Dam with waterfall

How to solve our big dam problem?

Hydro is the largest source of renewable energy – with a terrible social and environmental record. Can we clean it up?

DW "Global Us" Sendungslogo Composite

DW "Global Us" Sendungslogo Composite

Water: How we treat our most precious resource

The Aral Sea has become a salt desert. Lake Victoria is full of plastic. How green is hydropower?

A foreman looks on as a bulldozer works on the slippery road

A foreman looks on as a bulldozer works on the slippery road

Lithium mining in Africa reveals dark side of green energy

The new rush for lithium in Africa risks fueling corruption and harming the environment, investigations have shown.

DW Eco India (Sendungslogo)

DW Eco India (Sendungslogo)

Eco India - Changing cities

Solar power, flood protection, rooftop farms: How cities are adapting to climate change.

A sculpture made of plastic waste. Plastic rubbish flows out of a giant tap suspended in the air.

A sculpture made of plastic waste. Plastic rubbish flows out of a giant tap suspended in the air.

Waves of waste: The harsh truth about ocean plastic

Some of the world's most motivated janitors are trying to clean up vast fields of plastic waste. But is it worth it?

An electric car plugged into an electric vehicle charging point

An electric car plugged into an electric vehicle charging point

Fossil fuel demand 'far too high,' IEA says

The IEA said the clean energy transition is 'unstoppable,' but warned against high fossil fuel demand.

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Harvesting energy with locally produced solar panels

A women-run company produces local, lower-cost solar panels to give South Africans better access to green electricity.

DW Eco Africa (Sendungslogo mit Partnerlogos englisch)

DW Eco Africa (Sendungslogo mit Partnerlogos englisch)

Eco Africa - The Environment Magazine

Microturbines on trees can harness wind power even in the city. Plus: a woman in Uganda risks her life to stop wildlife

Man-sized letters reading 'EU loves Itaborai' in the Brazilian city of Itaborai

Man-sized letters reading 'EU loves Itaborai' in the Brazilian city of Itaborai

Brazil's energy strategy in Itaborai raises climate concerns

Investments in Brazil's oil hub Itaborai are unwelcome, climate activists say. Others see a second chance for the city.

A truck hauling coal out of a huge open-pit mine

A truck hauling coal out of a huge open-pit mine

Taking stock: Global coal phaseout

Some nations are making progress with plans to phase out coal, while others are struggling to achieve their targets.

Two men installing solar panels on a building in India

Two men installing solar panels on a building in India

How DRE technology could help rural India

India's decentralized renewable energy sector has massive potential, but is it being tapped?

Living Planet 210318 Podcast Picture Teaser

Living Planet 210318 Podcast Picture Teaser

Introducing: The Big Switch on Europe's energy crisis

How did the European Union, a leader in climate action, become so dependent on Russian oil and gas in the first place?

DW Eco India (Sendungslogo Composite)

DW Eco India (Sendungslogo Composite)

Ensuring India's 'just transition'

India plans to meet 50% of its energy needs from non-fossil fuels by 2030. How can it ensure a just transition?

Laborers carry vegetable sacks as they wade through flooded water after heavy monsoon rain in Lahore, Pakistan

Laborers carry vegetable sacks as they wade through flooded water after heavy monsoon rain in Lahore, Pakistan

How's the weather? The question businesses want answered

As weather becomes more extreme, forecasting is helping businesses avoid damage and increase profits.

One of the first agro-solar power plants in Croatia being built

One of the first agro-solar power plants in Croatia being built

Climate change: 1.5 C goal still 'open,' but needs more cash

The International Energy Agency said the route toward limiting global warming requires more cash and less politics.

A man behind a solar array

A man behind a solar array

Croatia's solar energy gets a citizen-led boost

Croatians battle old socialist stereotypes and government red tape to bring solar energy to their country.

Climate activists on bikes protest against environmental pollution from aviation at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport

Climate activists on bikes protest against environmental pollution from aviation at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport

What would it take to make aviation green in the EU?

The EU hopes green jet fuel will be the answer to aviation emissions, but not everyone is sold.

DW Sendung Made in Germany 12.09.2023 l Goethermie

DW Sendung Made in Germany 12.09.2023 l Goethermie

Heat from down deep

Geothermal energy has the potential to solve Germany's energy crisis.

New trends in renewable energy

From the depths of the Earth or the sea, new technologies are being developed to generate green energy.

Scholz (left), Habeck (center) and Finance Minister Christian Lindner in the Bundestag

Scholz (left), Habeck (center) and Finance Minister Christian Lindner in the Bundestag

German lawmakers pass heating law that divided government

The controversial bill on phasing out oil and gas heating systems passed after months of political tensions.

African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson, Moussa Faki Mahamat, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, President of the Republic of the Congo Denis Sassou Nguesso, Rwanda's President Paul Kagame and Senegal's President Macky Sall attend the Africa Climate Summit

African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson, Moussa Faki Mahamat, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, President of the Republic of the Congo Denis Sassou Nguesso, Rwanda's President Paul Kagame and Senegal's President Macky Sall attend the Africa Climate Summit

African leaders call for fairer climate financing

At Africa's first climate summit, leaders are calling for fairer ways to finance the world's response to climate change.

Made Grid

Made Grid

A new grid for green energy

How does electricity from wind parks and solar farms get to where it's needed, when it's needed?