Fossil Fuels
Crackdown on coal mine ‘self-bonds’ stalls under Trump
Regulators have almost wiped out risky practice since 2015-16 wave of bankruptcies, but some coal companies still insure themselves
Obama official: Trump cuts will leave coal clean-up agency unable to function
The number of mine site inspections is falling and proposed budget cuts at the federal regulator will further erode oversight, a former top official warns
Why and how we investigated the coal industry’s clean-up funds
The Reclaiming Coal investigation involved six months of crunching data from state and federal agencies, coupled with travel across the country
Reclaiming coal: US mines’ clean-up cash – all our data
All of our data on the US coal industry’s reclamation bonds, compiled nationally and published here for the first time
US coal hasn’t set aside enough money to clean up its mines
Schemes that favour coal companies in Appalachia have left a national shortfall experts said was ‘one of the biggest public failures that has gone under the radar’
China has long been captivated by the promise of coal
For centuries, notions of abundant coal have fed China’s sense of its place among the great nations of the world. Now it is being asked to give it up
Coal India report finds renewables will ‘substantially decrease’ coal demand
The falling cost of solar power and batteries is having a “significant impact” on the coal sector, says national mining company in Coal Vision 2030 consultation
Documents reveal UK push to water down EU biomass regulations
Brexit-bound UK won big concessions for power stations that burn wood, while new research claims the technology will undermine carbon cuts for half a century
Standard Chartered ‘breaching climate policy’ with Vietnam coal plant investment
The London-based bank plans to co-finance Nghi Son 2 power plant, which NGOs say uses dirty old technology, against company and OECD guidelines
As China counts its emissions, has growth shaken free of carbon?
As the economy surged in 2017, experts are divided over whether emissions stayed flat. It could mean pollution has peaked more than a decade earlier than expected
EU subsidies to a massive gas pipeline clash with climate goals
The European Investment Bank approved a €1.5 billion loan to the Trans Adriatic Pipeline last week. This is why it matters
Another blow for giant Australian coal mine as rail company steps back
Freight company Aurizon has withdrawn its application for a federal loan to build a rail line to link proposed coal mines with ports on the coast
Oil majors to face London, New York hearings over Philippines climate impact
Philippines human rights commissioner says taking hearings overseas will afford the 47 companies the best chance to confront the impacts of their businesses
Greenpeace appeals Norway Arctic oil drilling case
Campaigners plan to take their bid to block Arctic oil exploration licences to Norway’s supreme court, after a district court dismissed their case
Chile declares start of coal power phase-out
President Michelle Bachelet says the country will not build new coal plants without carbon capture and begin talks to replace existing capacity with cleaner sources
UK government details coal power phase-out strategy
With a few caveats, Britain is set to end coal power generation by 2025, the government confirmed in a consultation response on Friday
Norwegian campaigners lose court case against Arctic oil drilling
Oslo district court told Greenpeace and co-plaintiffs exploration for new reserves did not violate citizens’ constitutional right to a healthy environment
Libya burns dirty oil for electricity as Islamic State disrupts gas plans
Amid conflict since Muammar Gaddafi was deposed in 2011, gas pipelines have been shelved, leaving two new power plants reliant on burning crude
Trump seeks pro-coal alliance as global push against fuel grows
While leaders gather in Paris to celebrate the second anniversary of global climate pact, Trump official says US wants to form group of countries to promote “clean” coal
To phase out coal, world leaders should learn from tobacco action
A few countries are set to join the coal phase-out club at the One Planet Summit in Paris on Tuesday, but more levers will be needed to bring major coal users in line