Archive for 2021
Big business must not be allowed to set the carbon trading agenda at Cop26
Delicate negotiations on carbon market rules in Glasgow could be thrown off course by the big banks’ push to “scale up” voluntary carbon trading
South Africa $8.5bn finance package offers a model for ending reliance on coal
The package was hailed as “groundbreaking” for being country-led and addressing a need to reskill and support coal miners
Caught between EU pressure and soaring demand, AIIB weighs end to gas finance
Many Asian countries see gas as a “transition fuel” away from coal, while Brussels is urging the region to go straight to renewables
Thunberg v Carney: tensions flare over net zero and carbon offsets at Cop26
Activists escalated protests against “greenwash” and the carbon market “scam” as UN envoy Mark Carney touted a private finance climate pledge
Scotland breaks loss and damage “taboo”, raising hopes others will follow
Vulnerable countries welcomed Scotland’s leadership in helping victims of climate disaster, saying rich countries need to institutionalise support at Cop26
Donor nations commit $1.7bn to help indigenous people protect forests
The funding from US, UK, Germany, Norway and the Netherlands confronts the weakening of indigenous land rights in countries like Brazil
Over 100 countries join methane pledge but China, India, Australia and Russia stay out
The US and EU got more than a hundred countries on board with a commitment to cut methane emissions 30% by 2030, putting oil and gas sector leakage in the spotlight
Frustrations mount at Covid barriers to participation in Cop26 negotiations
After expensive and difficult journeys to Glasgow, many delegates are excluded from negotiating rooms and can only watch an unreliable webcast
Ending energy poverty need not come at the expense of a safe climate future
The Rockefeller Foundation, IKEA Foundation and the Bezos Earth Fund are launching an alliance to empower a billion people with renewable energy
India strengthens climate targets, aiming for net zero by 2070
Narendra Modi upped India’s climate ambition while calling for more climate finance from developed countries
How we as European climate envoys are backing action on adaptation finance
The Netherlands, Denmark and others are committed to supporting vulnerable countries in adapting to climate change impacts
Dispute over coal exit set to dominate G20 leaders’ summit
The Italian presidency is seeking to secure an agreement to phase out coal power but there is resistance from members including China, India and Australia
Cop26’s three peaks challenge – Climate Weekly
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Treating Russia as a climate change spoiler undermines global action
Despite its status as a major oil and gas producer, there are signs of climate action on many levels in Russia that deserve to be taken seriously
China reaffirms existing climate targets in submission to UN ahead of Cop26
Analysts say a severe power crunch facing the country and the incremental rise in ambition from other large emitters like the US deterred Beijing from raising ambition
To close 1.5C gap, countries face call for another round of climate pledges by 2023
The Cop26 presidency is considering a proposal to strengthen ambition beyond the Glasgow summit, but it faces resistance from emerging economies
Changing fire activity seen through the lens of orbital satellites
Sponsored content: The European Space Agency is using satellite imagery to understand the changing behaviour and impact of fires at a regional and global scale
How EU green and digital recovery plans can inspire the world
Sponsored content: Smart lighting can be a key component of the Covid recovery, saving energy, creating jobs and boosting productivity
‘Chess game’ as negotiators seek elusive carbon market deal at Cop26
Agreeing on rules for a global carbon market has become a high-level political focus of the Glasgow summit but experts warn getting it wrong will undermine 1.5C ambition
Australia is relying on offsets and future technology to meet 2050 net zero target
Scott Morrison has made a net zero pledge but with little detail on how to get there and no commitment to stronger emissions cuts this decade