Energy

Why a global pact on plastic pollution needs production curbs?

Production curbs needed for strong global pact on plastic pollution, campaigners say

Rather than just reusing and recycling ever-growing mountains of plastic waste, it’s essential to tackle the problem at the source

Rights group finds abusive conditions for migrants working on UAE renewables

Migrant workers in solar and wind project supply chains say they suffer exploitative recruitment fees, wage theft and illegally long hours in dangerous heat

“Moment of truth” for plastic pollution as treaty talks get underway

Delegates from 175 countries are set to finalise a new treaty aimed at tackling plastic pollution, with opposition from fossil fuel-producing countries

Biden could score a $41 billion Trump-proof win for climate action

How Biden can score a $41-billion Trump-proof win for climate action

The US government must support a landmark OECD agreement to end international oil and gas export finance

Dirty subsidies targeted by the World Bank to fund climate action

Coalition against fossil fuel subsidies expands but misses initial targets

The UK, Colombia and New Zealand have joined an alliance of governments planning to scrap their fossil fuel subsidies

COP29 president Mukhtar Babayev at a plenary as talks enter the second week in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Fossil fuel transition talks rescued from brink of collapse at COP29

Countries now have a second chance in Baku to build consensus on how to cut emissions and transition away from fossil fuels

Why the international community should back Colombia’s post-fossil fuel plan  

At COP29 talks in Baku, rewarding Colombia’s leadership would build confidence in the transition to a greener, fairer world

What Trump got wrong on China, coal and climate 

What Trump got wrong on China, coal and climate 

Republican candidate Donald Trump has cited China’s coal plants as a reason for the US to stick with fossil fuels – but he fails to acknowledge China’s massive clean energy industry

Plans to turn Europe's biggest coal mine into a leisure lake prove divisive

Plans to turn Europe’s biggest coal mine into a leisure lake prove divisive

Transition experts say repurposing Poland’s Bełchatów mine and power plant for renewables not recreation could bring more jobs, revenue and electricity

Colombia to present proposal for new critical minerals pact at COP30

The aim is for minerals used in the clean energy transition to be mined and commercialised responsibly, respecting the environment and communities

Energy

Renewable Energy

The Global South is surging ahead in the renewables revolution 

The Global South is surging ahead in the renewables revolution 

Many developing countries are rich in renewable resources and growing them fast – with more investment, they can tip the balance towards green industrialisation

To capture renewable energy gains, Africa must invest in battery storage

To capture renewable energy gains, Africa must invest in battery storage

With rich raw materials and rising interest in manufacturing capacity, the continent can become a global leader in the battery storage value chain – but it needs international capital

Despite solar surge, world off track for COP28 renewable energy target

Despite solar surge, world off track for COP28 renewable energy target

Current plans will only deliver half of the growth needed to hit a global target of tripling renewables by 2030, IRENA warns

UN climate chief warns of “two-speed” global energy transition

Simon Stiell tells investors in NYC that rich countries are benefiting most from clean energy growth while poorer nations are deprived of finance for cheaper renewables

Global push to triple renewables requires responsible mining of minerals

As leaders at the UN debate how to meet renewable energy goals, they must also ensure supply chains are sustainable

The demise of coal, as it turns out, is a lot of gas

The global pipeline of coal projects shrank dramatically in recent years – but now coal is making a comeback in Asia, threatening climate goals

Renewable-energy carbon credits rejected by high-integrity scheme

The Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market decided existing renewables methodologies don’t do enough to prove their emissions reductions are additional

Scottish oil-town plan for green jobs sparks climate campers' anger

Scottish oil-town plan for green jobs sparks climate campers’ anger over local park

The oil and gas industry aims to bring clean jobs to Aberdeen, but it involves paving over part of a much-loved park, igniting a debate on just transition

Renewable energy

Fossil Fuels

Fossil fuel transition pledge left out of COP16 draft agreement

Fossil fuel transition pledge left out of COP16 draft agreement

An earlier draft decision at the UN nature summit included a call to transition away from fossil fuels – but it has been cut from the latest version

Indian coal giants pushed for lax pollution rules while ramping up production

Indian coal giants pushed for lax pollution rules while ramping up production

Even as India agreed to phase down coal power at UN climate talks, state-run firms were lobbying government to weaken pollution regulations and expand the sector

US, China, UK left off UN Climate Action Summit guestlist. UN chief calls on governments to ban fossil fuel ads. G20 waters down experts' climate finance report, despite UN pressure to act

G20 waters down experts’ climate finance report, despite UN pressure to act

A report by top economists on finance for climate action was weakened after feedback from G20 nations, even as the UN says they must all slash emissions

Why we need new laws to end coal, oil and gas - now  

Why we need new laws to end coal, oil and gas – now  

Introducing strong policies to accelerate the rollout of renewables, coupled with a rapid, legally implemented phase-out of fossil fuels, may be our best hope for curbing global warming

Despite oil and gas Cop26 pledge, rich countries invest billions. New study blows hole in gas backers' "transition fuel" claim. gas transition fuel

New study blows hole in “transition fuel” claim of fossil gas backers

The study found that, for Europe and China, importing US-produced LNG is worse for the climate than using local coal

Mexico’s new president must reform national oil company Pemex

Investing even more in oil and gas would be a huge financial risk so Claudia Sheinbaum should order Pemex to diversify

Civil servants warn fossil fuel exploration could harm New Zealand's climate reputation

Civil servants warn fossil fuel exploration could harm New Zealand’s climate reputation

Advice to politicians says revoking a ban on oil and gas drilling could damage relations with Pacific neighbours and risk lawsuits

Pacific Islanders, need climate action - not greenwashing - from Azerbaijan

As Pacific Islanders, we need climate action – not greenwashing – from Azerbaijan

As host of the COP29 summit, Baku must stop fossil fuel expansion, cut its emissions further, and work to deliver an ambitious climate finance goal

Fossil Fuels

Nuclear energy

Nuclear fusion: Why Silicon Valley is betting on man-made star power

Students at MIT have found a way to make nuclear fusion reactors smaller and cheaper, but the tech is a long way from commercial operation

Clean energy jobs overtake fossil fuel sector but wages lag behind

Employment is booming in electric vehicle production, building insulation and renewable power sectors, the International Energy Agency reports

EU set to use ‘green’ label for gas, nuclear investments after parliamentary vote

Climate campaigners accused EU lawmakers of “betrayal” and some member states are preparing legal challenges to the sustainable taxonomy

Macron promises to abandon gas, oil and coal, but will he deliver?

The re-elected French president performed poorly on climate in his first term and is relying too heavily on nuclear, experts say

Saudi energy minister touts pink hydrogen made by “emancipated young ladies”

Saudi Arabia wants to become a leading exporter of hydrogen from both clean and dirty sources as part of an economic diversification plan

Pakistan signals coal power exit, in potential model for China’s belt and road

Imran Khan announced his government would not approve any more coal power plants and pivot to renewables, contrary to the grid operator’s forecast of a coal boom

UN development chief calls for green shift away from ‘irrational’ oil dependence

Governments, at a fork in the road because of the Covid-19 pandemic, should ‘insert the DNA’ of a low-carbon future into stimulus packages, says Achim Steiner

Japan’s woeful climate plan amounts to science denial

Japan reiterates past pledges for 2030 rather than mapping out a radical overhaul needed by the world’s fifth largest greenhouse gas emitter

Nuclear Energy

Efficiency

How better buildings can help von der Leyen maintain her green legacy   

How better buildings can help von der Leyen maintain her green legacy   

The EU president must implement plans to boost energy efficiency in the sector, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and exposure to geopolitical shocks

Revealed: Cookstove offsets produce millions of junk carbon credits

Cooking the books: cookstove offsets produce millions of fake emission cuts

Projects in India linked to Enking, the self-proclaimed world’s largest carbon credits producer, have vastly overestimated climate benefits

A French flag glies

Turn down the heating: France unveils ‘ambitious’ energy saving plan

French people and businesses are encouraged to take shorter showers, turn down thermostats and car pool but none of the measures are binding

Demand response: A win-win solution to climate and energy price crises

By shifting electricity demand away from peaks, customers can get cheaper bills and cleaner electricity can be prioritised

EU lawmakers back stronger energy efficiency target in response to Russian war

The European Parliament’s four largest political groups are proposing a 14.5% efficiency goal by 2030, up from the 9% discussed last year

Tar sands companies aim for ‘net zero’ by 2050 – with no plan to extract less oil

The alliance of Canadian oil producers makes no mention of winding down oil production, which modelling shows is necessary to achieve global climate goals

Ships to get free pass on emissions until 2030, under compromise proposal

Ship efficiency measures backed by a broad coalition of 14 countries will fail to reduce emissions in line with industry and Paris climate goals, campaigners warn

Countries promise green recovery at Japanese virtual summit, keep quiet on fossil bailouts

Ministers from China, EU and other major economies outlined plans to build back better after the coronavirus pandemic at a meeting convened by Japan

Efficiency