India mulls end to coal plant construction
If approved by the cabinet, India’s new electricity policy would end the construction of new coal-fired power plants after the planned 28 GW are built
India and China push “multiple energy pathways” not fossil end date in G20 talks
India and China are trying to stop the G20 setting an end-date for the use of fossil fuels, highlighting different national circumstances instead
Exxon scrambles to save investments before Colombia bans fracking
The company is looking at how to get some money back despite Gustavo Petro’s government looking to ban it from fracking in Colombia
US solar boom on hold as industry awaits subsidy rules
Solar installers are waiting to find out which solar panels are considered US-made and qualify for subsidies
German official sees ‘a chance’ Cop28 can agree to phase out fossil fuels
A bid to get Cop27 to phase out fossil fuels ended in failure last year, after Saudi Arabia, Iran and Russia blocked it
US bets big on carbon-sucking machines
The US has offered $3.5 billion in grants towards direct air capture, hoping to bring down the costs of removing carbon from the atmosphere
World Bank steering committee and US urge for reforms on climate lending
At the World Bank’s spring meeting, US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen called for the adoption of a reform that would free up funds for climate lending.
G7 may ignore climate warnings and call for new gas investments
A draft communique includes calls investments in gas production but that language is likely to prove controversial among the G7 climate ministers
Insurer quits climate alliance, citing legal fears
Munich Re has left the Net Zero Insurance Alliance, fearing legal action from politicians in the US Republican party.
At Luxor talks, splits remain but hopes high for loss and damage fund this year
Negotiators have added an extra meeting to try and get talks finished by Cop28 – but splits over who pays and who receives funds remain
Greens stop blocking Australia’s new fossil fuel projects
They folded after winning concessions from the government which will make producing coal and gas more expensive
Mexico launches global push for geoengineering restrictions
The Mexican government will push others to restrict attempts to lessen the effects of climate change by blocking the sun
Brazil evicts gold miners from Amazon rainforest
Brazil’s new government is clamping down on illegal gold mining in the Amazon rainforest, using satellite imagery to find and destroy mining camps
COP28 boss urges Big Oil to join fight against climate change
Cop28 president and oil and gas executive Sultan al-Jaber urged energy conference participants in Houston to do more faster to limit global warming
Greta Thunberg protests wind farm “violating human rights” in Norway
Thunberg said the wind farm violates the rights of indigenous Sami people to herd their reindeer, as the sight and sound of the turbines scares the animals
US offers $550m to tackle pollution in poor neighbourhoods
The money is part of a $3 billion environmental justice pot finally authorised by Congress after a long battle against Republicans and conservative Democrats
India set to push for green World Bank reforms at G20
India wants the World Bank to lend more money for climate finance, at cheaper rates, in developing countries and will use its G20 chair to push this agenda
World Bank proposes freeing up $4bn by loosening lending rules
The bank is under pressure to free up more money to tackle climate change but one expert said this measure does not go far enough
UAE’s Cop28 boss calls for “course correction” on climate change
Jaber, who also heads the state oil giant Adnoc, fueled activists’ worries about fossil fuels in the upcoming UN climate negotiations.
Europe proposes mass exit from energy treaty
After big European nations said they would leave the Energy Charter Treaty, the European Commission now says a joint EU exit is the best option