China National Complete Engineering Corporation (CMEC) has halted construction works on the $499 million Kafulafuta Dam project because of lack of funding from the government.

A coalition of more than 200 leading scientists have warned that the planet may be tipped into “global systemic collapse” by overlapping environmental crises. Failure of climate change mitigation and adaptation, extreme weather events, major biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse, food crises, and water crises top a list of 30 global risks both in terms of likelihood and impact, according to scientists surveyed by international research group “Future Earth”.

Canada’s Federal Court of Appeal has dismissed challenges brought over the expansion of the Trans Mountain (TMX) oil pipeline system expansion project. The challenge, rejected in a 4 February unanimous ruling, was presented by four indigenous groups on the basis that they had not been properly informed or consulted regarding the extension of the pipeline.

The coalition of indigenous groups claim that the environmental review did not consider the effect of the project on the First Nations’ way of life and the environment in a meaningful way. Specifically, the proposed pipeline will run through a number of aquifers including the recharge zone for the Coldwater aquifer. The possibility of oil spills threatens the quality of drinking water for over 90 percent of the Coldwater First Nation reserve.

The chief of the Coldwater Indian Band, Lee Spahan, further argues that the threat to water goes beyond its quality, saying that the people have a connection to the water and that it is sacred. Spahan said the route through the First Nation’s territories is still to be determined and Canada has an ongoing duty to consult with it on the route and protection of its water.

The government of Laos has been challenged by neighbouring countries and NGOs about provision of data around environmental assessmnet of the Luang Prabang dam in the lower Mekong.

The governor of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil has dismissed the President of CEDAE, the State Water and Sewerage Company as the city’s weeks-long water supply and sanitation crisis shows little sign of abating.

South Africa will fast-track four continent-wide infrastructure projects in which it’s involved, including a R210.88 billion dam on the Congo River, President Cyril Ramaphosa said as the country assumed the chair of the African Union in Addis Ababa.

The military and civilian emergency services have joined forces to set up a system of blocks to keep debris from being washed into the Corin dam which feeds Canberra's water supply.

A major ocean current in the Arctic is faster and more turbulent as a result of rapid sea ice melt, a new study from NASA shows.

In a second incident within one week Mexican activists in the country's northern border region broke through defences and seized control of La Boquilla dam, Chihuahua Province 4 February in an attempt to stop water diversions to the United States that are required as "payment" under a 1944 bilateral water treaty between the countries.