Fossil Fuels
5 burning questions about China’s carbon neutrality pledge
It is the biggest climate policy milestone since the Paris Agreement in 2015, but the strength of China’s carbon neutrality pledge depends on these key details
‘Inverse Opec’: Kamala Harris plan to wind down oil production awaits its moment
The proposal to negotiate a managed decline of fossil fuels is politically and diplomatically sensitive but finds support among a handful of climate leaders
Kamala Harris is right to propose a managed decline of fossil fuel production
If Joe Biden is serious about tackling climate change, he should adopt his running mate’s plan to negotiate an international deal to leave oil in the ground
Asian multilateral bank promises to end coal-related financing
AIIB president says he will not finance ‘any projects that are functionally related to coal’, but has yet to reflect that in the Beijing-based bank’s written policies
Guterres tells India coal business ‘going up in smoke’ as investors back clean tech
UN chief urges Narendra Modi not to expand India’s coal sector, warning of harmful consequences for human health, the environment and the economy
Prospect of snap election reanimates Canada’s carbon tax battle
As prime minister Justin Trudeau calls for a green recovery from coronavirus, the Conservative opposition promises to fight a levy on polluters
Wind, solar generate 10% of world electricity, doubling share since 2015
Coal falls to 33% of electricity generation in the first half of 2020, hit by declines in US and EU as Covid-19 cuts world power demand
South Africa tightens restrictions for new coal power in ‘landmark’ ruling
A top tribunal scrapped water licences for the 600MW Khanyisa coal plant, saying the developer had failed to consider the impact of climate change
Bangladesh considers scrapping 90% of its coal power pipeline
The energy minister has signalled a major pivot away from Chinese-funded coal plants in Bangladesh, but this is not yet government policy
For all its green talk, the IEA still gives comfort to oil and gas producers
Under Fatih Birol, the International Energy Agency leads talk of a green recovery, yet dodges hard questions about phasing out dirty energy
Guterres confronts China over coal boom, urging a green recovery
China’s provinces have overseen a coal plant building spree in the first half of the year, in a bid to revive the Covid pandemic-hit economy
Renewables overtake fossil fuels in EU electricity generation
Wind and solar produced a record fifth of the European Union’s electricity during the first half of the year – a trend accelerated by the coronavirus pandemic
Seven countries back Africa’s biggest investment, a $20 billion gas project
US, Japan and the UK are among the backers of a scheme to exploit Mozambique’s gas reserves, despite climate, security and human rights concerns
No time for loopholes: Japan must immediately end all overseas coal finance
Environment minister Shinjiro Koizumi promised to scrap funds for dirty power plants abroad, but the government is making too many exceptions
Portugal ends coal burning two years ahead of schedule
Portugal is the third EU country this year to announce early closure of its last coal plants, as rising carbon costs and competition from gas and clean energy bite
Gas curse: Mozambique’s multi-billion dollar gamble on LNG
A vast gas discovery promises riches for the people of Mozambique, but it can only pay off in a dangerously overheated world
China prioritises employment over GDP growth in coronavirus recovery
Climate watchers are cautiously hopeful Beijing will not turn to polluting infrastructure to rebuild the economy, but specific assurances are lacking
Coal generator uses investment treaty to fight Netherlands coal phaseout
Uniper is using a controversial investor dispute system to claim up to €1 billion compensation for being forced to close a coal power station early
Coronavirus lockdown cut energy-related CO2 emissions 17%, study finds
Early estimates show deep cuts to emissions from air and road travel as a result of public health measures, but scientists warn these are only temporary
Spain unveils climate law to cut emissions to net zero by 2050
The government hopes the draft law, which would ban all new coal, oil and gas projects with immediate effect, will shape the recovery effort to Covid-19