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A damning new U.N. report warning of certain devastation from climate change has been dubbed humanity’s “final wake-up call” by environmental experts.

Speaking to CNBC Tuesday, environmentalists outlined the role companies, countries and individuals can play in stemming the crisis. They also shared their hopes for the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties, known as COP26, in November.

The U.N.’s IPCC climate panel released a highly anticipated report on Monday, warning that efforts to limit global warming to close to 1.5 degrees Celsius, or even 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, “will be beyond reach” in the next two decades without immediate, rapid and large-scale reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.

Implementing ‘ambitious action now’

Meeting policymakers’ 2050 temperature targets will be difficult but achievable, said Emily Kreps, global director of capital markets at CDP, a non-profit which helps companies manage their climate impact.

However, it would require “ambitious action now” from companies, governments and capital markets, she told “Squawk Box Asia” on Tuesday.

This should be viewed as our final wake-up call.
Emily Kreps
global director of capital markets, CDP

The 1.5 degrees Celsius threshold outlined in the report is a crucial global target because beyond this level, so-called tipping points become more likely. Tipping points refer to an irreversible change in the climate system, locking in further global heating.

“This should be viewed as our final wake-up call,” said Kreps, who encouraged companies to set “concrete and specific targets.”

Ulka Kelkar, director of climate at the World Resources Institute India, agreed that the pace of change needs to “accelerate rapidly.”

The phasing out of fossil fuels and implementation of renewable energies needs to happen at five-times their current pace, for instance. Meantime, the development of new, more sustainable technologies needs to ramp up, she said.

That is especially pressing in developing countries like India, that have an opportunity to bypass environmentally damaging practices.

“Over here we need to start thinking one step forward, we need to leapfrog,” she told “Street Signs Asia.”

“(That means) more renewable energy used to produce hydrogen at (a) large scale, which can be used in all of our industries” — from fertilizers and chemicals to steel production, she added.

Expectations for COP26

The report comes as a series of extreme weather events have wreaked havoc globally.

In the past few weeks alone, floods have battered Europe, China and India. Wildfires have also devastated the U.S.CanadaGreece and Turkey.

The UN report makes it “unequivocal that these events are connected to climate change and human influence on climate,” Mans Nilsson, executive director of the Stockholm Environment Institute, told “Squawk Box Europe.”

Developed countries (need to) seal the deal on a long-overdue climate finance package.
Ulka Kelkar
director, World Resources Institute India

World leaders are set to discuss the issue further when they meet at COP26 in Glasgow, Scotland in November.

Kreps said she hopes the conference will produce nationally determined contributions and “science-based targets.”

Meantime, Kelkar’s expectations were three-fold.

“Developed countries (need to) seal the deal on a long overdue climate finance package,” particularly for adapting to extreme events seen lately, said Kelkar.

“The second big area is clean technology partnerships: something like green hydrogen, something like the circular economy that is using materials more efficiently. The third is the rules of carbon trading, which is a market-based instrument which allows all this mitigation to happen,” she added.

— CNBC’s Sam Meredith contributed to this report.

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Hyundai’s new IONIQ 6 already looks like a major upgrade on the road [Video]

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Hyundai's new IONIQ 6 already looks like a major upgrade on the road [Video]

Hyundai’s electric fastback is getting a fresh new look. Just a week after unveiling the redesigned IONIQ 6, we are already getting our first look at it out in the real world. Hyundai’s new IONIQ 6 was spotted driving in Korea, and from the looks of it, this could be a major upgrade.

Hyundai’s new IONIQ 6 looks sleek on the road

Launched in 2022, Hyundai’s “Electrified Streamliner” was expected to challenge the Tesla Model 3 as one of the few electric sedans on the market.

Prices start at under $38,000, and with up to 342 miles of driving range (EPA-est), the IONIQ 6 arrived as one of the most efficient EV options. A Boston Consulting Group report last year even found it to be the only EV that met buyers’ price, range, and charging expectations.

Despite the impressive specs and unique new design, Hyundai’s electric car has failed to live up to expectations. Will a redesign spark some life into the EV?

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Hyundai unveiled the new IONIQ 6 at the Seoul Mobility Show last week, with a few noticeable design changes. With a new ducktail spoiler, the profile is smoother and more natural-looking, which was one of the biggest complaints.

The front and rear are redesigned with slim LED DRLs and main headlamps. Hyundai claims it “enhanced every line and detail to make the IONIQ 6 simpler and more progressive.”

After the new model was spotted driving for the first time in Korea, we are already getting a sneak peek at Hyundai’s refreshed IONIQ 6 on the road.

Hyundai’s new IONIQ 6 spotted driving in Korea for the first time (Source: HealerTV)

The new video from HealerTV gives us a good look at the changes from all angles. The rear spoiler has been upgraded to have a sportier overall look. The new, slim DRLs are a good touch, adding to its aggressive face.

Hyundai also updated the interior with a redesigned steering wheel and better materials on the door trim for “a more premium feel.” Other improvements include a more functional center console and a larger climate control display.

A new IONIQ 6 N will finally join the lineup. Hyundai teased the sporty new N model with an even more aggressive design based on the RN22e Rolling Lab concept.

Although more details will be revealed closer to its launch, we expect other improvements pulled from the 2025 IONIQ 5, like an added NACS port and potentially even more driving range.

What do you think of the new IONIQ 6? Do you like the redesign, or is it still not enough? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

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The 2025 Dodge Charger Daytona EV now has a $6,500 rebate

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The 2025 Dodge Charger Daytona EV now has a ,500 rebate

The 2025 Dodge Charger Daytona EV came in hot – and expensive – when it launched at the end of 2024 with no official rebate. But that’s just changed.

The 2025 Dodge Charger Daytona EV starts at $66,990 including the destination fee. But the actual cost of this luxury muscle car is $78,680 including all the required packages.

And as of April 1, it now comes with a $6,500 National Retail Consumer Cash rebate.

Stellantis Financing continues to offer a special financing rate of 1.9% APR for 72 months, but unfortunately, that can’t be combined with the $6,500 rebate, so you have to choose one or the other.

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If you’re interested in leasing a Charger Daytona EV, then you can get $7,500 in lease cash from Stellantis Financial. Stellantis also offers Chrysler employee pricing to the public, but it can’t be stacked with rebates. How employee pricing works is, dealer pricing is 5% below the dealer invoice and a $200 program fee, plus you can’t haggle over pricing.

CarsDirect notes that the 2024 model still has the best deals on a Dodge Charger Daytona EV, with four options on the table:

  • 0% APR financing for 72 months plus $3,000 in bonus cash
  • $7,500 National Retail Consumer Cash in addition to $3,000 in bonus cash
  • $2,000 Conquest Bonus Cash deal in select regions like the West Coast
  • $7,500 in lease cash plus $6,000 in bonus cash for those who want to lease

Click here to find a local dealer that may have the 2024 & 2025 Dodge Charger Daytona EV in stock.–trusted affiliate link


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Check out the Kia EV2: This small electric SUV has a big personality

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Check out the Kia EV2: This small electric SUV has a big personality

Although the EV2 is Kia’s smallest EV, it won’t feel so small when sitting in it. Kia designed the open interior to give you an escape from the city. After sharing new details at Milan Design Week on Thursday, Kia gave us a closer look at the EV2 inside and out. The new interior design could see its way into future Kia EV models.

Kia EV2 interior is small but flexible

At Milan Design Week 2025, Kia held an exclusive exhibition for its upcoming EV models. The Concept EV2 was showcased alongside Kia’s first electric van, the PV5, and a rugged PV5 WKNDR concept.

Kia revealed new details about the EV2’s interior and what we can expect to see when it arrives. Inspired by a “picnic in the city,” the cabin is designed to feel as open and flexible as possible.

Like a balcony or porch, which offers a relaxing retreat from busy city life, Kia wants the EV2 to have a similar feel. Thanks to its flat-floor layout, the interior can open up with flexible seating. The second-row seats can fold up while the front seats slide up to provide an open space—you know, where you might want to have a picnic.

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Kia-EV2-interior
Kia Concept EV2 interior (Source: Kia)

Kia added a few extras like integrated speakers in the headrest, portable door speakers, detachable seat cushions, extendable seats, and pop-up luggage dividers for your next adventure.

Even with the fun features, Kia focused on sustainability. The interior introduces environmentally conscious materials like Simplifyber Fybron™, AmpliTex, and biodegradable mycelium components.

Kia said the new design elements showcase its vision for future EV interiors. More details will be shared closer to the launch, but the EV2 is expected to include Kia’s new ccNC infotainment system.

As shown in the concept, the system features a curved display with dual 12.3″ driver and infotainment screens. Despite being an entry-level model, the EV2 will have advanced features like vehicle-to-load (VTL) to power up electronics or home appliances. It will also get smarter and more advanced over time with OTA updates.

Last month, we got our first look at Kia’s entry-level electric SUV on the road in Korea with a Soul-like design. Kia will launch the EV2 in Europe and other global markets next year.

Like other Kia electric models based on Hyundai’s E-GMP platform, the EV2 is expected to arrive with a WLTP range of at least 300 miles (605 km). Although prices will be revealed closer to launch, the EV2 is expected to start at around 30,000 euros ($33,000), but that could change in another year or so.

How do you feel about the Kia EV2? Would you buy one for around 30,000 euros ($33,000)? Let us know in the comments. We should learn more soon. We’ll keep you updated with the latest.

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