Archive for 2021
John Kerry: US supports a coal phaseout but cannot commit
During a trip to Brussels, the US presidential climate envoy told Euractiv in an interview it was unconstitutional to mandate a coal exit for states
Europe conflicted over push to fast-track mining code for the ocean floor
While some EU states are calling for a moratorium on deep seabed mining, others have interests in exploration – with Germany sending mixed messages
Campaigners seek to curb UK oil production through the high court
The UK’s oil and gas regulator does not take tax breaks or foreign ownership into account when deciding whether a license is in the national interest
African Union urged to bring political clout to Egypt climate talks
Frustrated by a lack of recognition of Africa’s special needs on climate, advisers are calling on national leaders to unite behind a common agenda in Sharm el-Sheikh
‘Huge blow’ – cuts to gas finance sparks West African backlash
Nigerian and Senegalese leaders have criticised western countries for pledging to stop funding gas projects internationally, calling for exceptions to be made
Five ways satellite observations can help deliver on the Glasgow Climate Pact
Sponsored content: Monitoring from space can guide action to tackle deforestation, carbon dioxide and methane emissions, and show the impact of adaptation measures
US spending on airport expansion flies under the radar for climate activists
Public funding of $25 billion to airports generated little controversy despite flying’s outsized climate impact, in contrast to the European discourse
A rush to mine the deep ocean has environmentalists worried
Tiny Nauru is behind a push to fast-track talks on mining rules for the deep seabed, which could see fragile habitats opened to exploitation as early as 2023
Aussie minister runs scared of climate experts – Climate Weekly
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UK needs to deliver on climate, not set higher 2030 target, say advisers
The Glasgow pact calls on countries to improve their 2030 plans next year but the Cop26 host’s goal is already in line with 1.5C, the Climate Change Committee says
China ‘trumps’ the west by pledging larger share of IMF relief to African nations
President Xi Jinping promised to share around a quarter of China’s pandemic recovery boost with Africa, more than European and American countries
‘Subversion and treason’: Australian minister attacks independent climate body
Tim Wilson, an elected official in Australia’s energy ministry, slammed a proposal for an expert climate commission
As Delhi chokes, India’s supreme court is grappling with the air pollution crisis
Millions of residents in India’s capital are suffering under the winter smog, prompting the country’s highest court to hold government to account
UN shipping body agrees voluntary measures to cut black carbon in the Arctic
At the International Maritime Organization (IMO) meeting, countries urged ship operators to switch to cleaner fuels in Arctic waters
Australia to expand gas industry under Morrison infrastructure plan
Scott Morrison is doubling down on fossil fuel production with new gas basins and pipelines in a plan slammed by climate campaigners
Kenyan forest communities sidelined as government misses two billion tree target
Community groups say they are willing to restore forests but have been ignored by government and rely on international non-profits for funding
Who pays for the inescapable coal phasedown? – Climate Weekly
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Morocco accused of “greenwashing occupation” of Western Sahara
The Polisario Front has released an unofficial climate plan for the Sahrawi people, saying Morocco has built wind and solar farms on their land without consent
Germany to quit coal by 2030 under coalition agreement, aiming for 1.5C path
A “traffic light coalition” of centre-left, green and pro-business parties has agreed to strengthen climate policies in the next German government
India ‘cannot escape’ coal phasedown, top coal ministry official says
An estimated 13-20 million workers in India depend on coal assets for their livelihoods, raising the need for a transition plan and financial support