Archive for 2021
Why Grenada had to nationalise its electricity for $60m to pursue renewables
A one-sided privatisation deal and flawed World Bank advice landed Grenada with a hefty legal bill to reform its electricity sector and cut reliance on polluting diesel
UV-C lighting is proving its public health value in the fight against coronavirus
Sponsored content: Signify argues that UV-C lighting should feature in European recovery plans to control seasonal viruses and prepare for future pandemics
Guess who’s back, back again – Climate Weekly
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US campaigners call on Joe Biden to commit $8bn to the Green Climate Fund
A letter signed by 46 climate and green groups urges the White House to fulfill its $2bn outstanding pledge to the UN-backed fund and double its initial contribution
Climate veteran Xie Zhenhua returns as China’s special envoy
Xie Zhenhua’s return to climate diplomacy is seen as a ‘bright spot’ for US-China cooperation, given his strong relationship with US special climate envoy John Kerry
Indian farmers head for showdown with government over agricultural reform
Already bearing heavy costs from climate change, Indian farmers fear the government’s market reforms will drive them deeper into debt
Cop26 dream team: The people setting the climate agenda on seven key issues
From Denmark’s Dan Jørgensen to Malawi’s Nancy Tembo, here are the leaders to watch ahead of UN climate talks in Glasgow, UK
Court condemns French government over climate inaction with symbolic €1 fine
Campaigners have hailed a ‘historic victory’ after an administrative court concluded the French government could be held responsible for breaching its 2015-18 carbon budget
Surprisingly, climate is presenting an early test of Biden’s China doctrine
John Kerry’s attempt to isolate US climate cooperation with China from more contentious issues like trade, finance and human rights is a non-starter
Chinese inspectors slam energy authority over coal expansion spree
In a highly critical report, officials found the National Energy Administration was promoting coal power expansion without regard for Beijing’s environmental goals
New Zealand urged to accelerate emissions cuts in line with 2050 net zero goal
Independent advisors said New Zealand should cut emissions “much more than 35%” from 2005 levels by 2030 to align ambition with a 1.5C global warming limit
Blocked migrant caravan leaves thousands trapped in hurricane-hit Honduras
Around 8,000 Hondurans were dispersed before they could reach the US, highlighting a lack of support for people fleeing climate disaster zones
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Covid-19 normalised social protection. Now apply it to the climate crisis
Almost every country rolled out measures such as cash transfers, food and sick pay to cope with coronavirus. Victims of climate shocks need the same support
US plans to end fossil fuel finance overseas, threatens billions in support for oil and gas
Joe Biden has pledged to work to end public funding of ‘carbon-intensive’ fossil fuel projects – a wording campaigners fear leaves the door open to methane gas
Cyclone Eloise shatters Mozambique’s progress to recover from 2019 storms
Eloise hit poor communities in central Mozambique that had barely recovered from cyclone Idai in 2019, which killed more than 1,000 people
Carney’s carbon offset taskforce ducks environmental integrity questions
As the UN special envoy for climate action and finance unveils plans to scale up the voluntary carbon market, campaigners warn big gaps remain on quality standards
South African campaigners push for faster coal exit in presidential commission
As president Cyril Ramaphosa launches an initiative to deliver net zero emissions, campaigners prepare to confront trade unions over coal
John Kerry promises ‘significantly’ more climate finance at adaptation summit
Presidential climate envoy John Kerry said the US would work to protect the vulnerable and make amends for a four-year absence from international climate action
EU foreign ministers call for end to financing fossil fuels abroad
EU countries are seeking to align trade and foreign investment policies with the bloc’s climate goals, promoting a global phaseout of fossil fuels