Fossil Fuels
Swap Russian gas for renewables, EU tells member states
Green spending could be funded by taxes on energy firms’ windfall profits, Brussels proposes, to cut the bloc’s Russian gas use by two thirds this year
Ukrainian official calls for Russian fossil fuel boycott at UN Environment Assembly
“They’re using this money to kill people,” Roman Shakhmatenko told the Nairobi-based meeting from a basement bomb shelter
World Bank and IMF are courting big oil in debt-laden Suriname
Instead of supporting a “just transition” away from fossil fuels, international financiers are offering Suriname $1 billion to enable massive oil investments
Experts sound the alarm on oil sector’s blue hydrogen push
EU green investment rules facilitate the rollout of blue hydrogen, a fuel that could be more polluting than the fossil gas it is set to replace
Total pushes ahead with Uganda oil project, stays silent on financial backers
The French oil giant has struggled to attract finance for the East African Crude Oil Pipeline and opponents say it does not have funding in place
Named: The oil companies gambling on climate failure
The Kuwait Petroleum Corporation, Shell and ExxonMobil are among those pursuing high cost oil projects that won’t pay off in a 1.8C world
UK, Switzerland accused of undermining EU green treaty reforms
Campaigners say the UK and Switzerland are defending fossil fuel interests in Energy Charter Treaty modernisation talks to tempt firms to relocate their HQs
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
Judge rejects campaigners’ bid to curb UK oil production
The high court ruling dismissed as “nonsensical” the argument that oil companies are “paid to pollute” under the UK tax regime
Why Shell is becoming a softer target for climate campaigners
The oil major has pulled out of a British project and paused South African exploration, as its climate targets require production to fall
2021 in coal: China’s dirty recovery mars international finance crackdown
Global coal power generation reached an all time high in 2021, just as countries reached an elusive consensus to phase down the fossil fuel
UK floats ‘climate compatibility’ test for new oil and gas drilling
The UK government says new oil and gas licensing can fit with its climate commitments. Campaigners, citing the International Energy Agency, disagree
EU climate package risks locking in gas use, campaigners warn
Under a proposed reform of the EU gas market, the industry gets to propose new gas and hydrogen infrastructure projects across the bloc
Campaigners seek to curb UK oil production through the high court
The UK’s oil and gas regulator does not take tax breaks or foreign ownership into account when deciding whether a license is in the national interest
‘Huge blow’ – cuts to gas finance sparks West African backlash
Nigerian and Senegalese leaders have criticised western countries for pledging to stop funding gas projects internationally, calling for exceptions to be made
India ‘cannot escape’ coal phasedown, top coal ministry official says
An estimated 13-20 million workers in India depend on coal assets for their livelihoods, raising the need for a transition plan and financial support
Oil and gas avoided censure in Glasgow for the 26th time. Let’s not make it 27
Investor and state-owned oil companies in the G20 find common cause in watering down climate ambition; we need to confront their influence
China-US announce deal at Cop26 to accelerate climate action this decade
In a surprise joint statement, the world’s two top emitters agreed to work together in a range of areas to keep the goals of the Paris Agreement “within reach”
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
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