Energy
Colombia accuses Drummond coal mining exec of funding paramilitary group
The current Colombia head of an American coal miner will face trial, accused of giving money to right-wing paramilitaries in the late nineties
“Green” finance bankrolls forest destruction in Indonesia
Green funds have been spent cutting down trees for biomass to make electricity, decimating the traditional food sources of indigenous people
Restrictions on energy firm’s borrowing complicates South Africa’s energy transition
The South African government has told cash-strapped power company Eskom it can’t invest in new electricity generation
Rich nations “understanding” of South African delay to coal plant closures
Despite a multi-billion dollars clean energy transition deal, South Africa expects to keep coal plants running for longer while it battles electricity blackouts.
Study: Fossil fuel firms owe $209bn a year for climate damage
A multi-billion dollar reparations scheme has been proposed for fossil fuel companies to atone for the damage caused by their greenhouse gas emissions
Regulator blocks Brazilian oil drilling, sparking conflict within government
While President Lula’s environment minister Marina Silva supported the decision, Lula ally Randolfe Rodrigues vowed to oppose it
France proposes tax credits for green technology
France will spend €500m a year on tax credits for wind and solar power, heat pumps and batteries funded by a tax rise on carbon-intensive fuels
Local business group tries to keep South Africa’s coal plants alive
A business coalition in South Africa’s energy heartland is fighting against plans to shut down coal plants.
Cop28 moots oil and gas initiative despite greenwash accusations
Critics say a focus on just the emissions from producing oil and gas not consuming it is a distraction and that similar initatives have not worked
Nations split over fossil fuels and carbon capture
An agenda-setting gathering of climate ministers saw continuing disagreement over the need for fossil fuels phase-out and the role of technology
Europe’s push for global renewables target gains support
The UAE has backed the EU’s call to set a global target for the renewable roll-out at the Cop28 climate talks
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
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
Japan, US and EU block G7 from setting coal phase out date
Canada and the UK pushed for the inclusion of a 2030 deadline to end domestic coal-fired electricity. But their plan failed following strong opposition.
Saudi Arabia, Russia push for more World Bank money into carbon capture
At a meeting discussing the World Bank’s stronger focus on climate, Russia has also urged the lender to extend its support for gas projects.
Green hydrogen rush risks energy ‘cannibalisation’ in Africa, analysts say
The EU signed green hydrogen agreements with Egypt, Kazakhstan, Morocco and Namibia to supply the bloc with the gas ahead of its 2030 goals.
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
World Bank’s private sector arm to stop supporting new coal
The International Finance Corporation is closing a loophole that allowed its financial clients to continue funding new coal projects
Migrant workers face risks building Europe’s new gas supplies in the UAE
Climate Home spoke with migrant workers in the UAE, who face harsh conditions and a lack of transparency when risk turns deadly.