Energy
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
Researchers are excited by ‘tantalising’ prospect of open IEA energy data
The International Energy Agency is proposing to lift the paywall on its extensive energy database, in a potential boon for climate research
‘Extraordinary progress’ – Beijing meets air pollution goals after coal crackdown
Social media protests and US direct diplomacy pushed authorities in China’s capital to clean up heavy industry and home heating
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
Solar power has changed Syrian refugees’ lives in Jordan – and they want more
Za’atari is the biggest solar-powered refugee camp in the world, lighting the way for others
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
As EU seeks to rival China’s infrastructure offer, Africans are sceptical
Brussels is promising green infrastructure investment for African countries, but Beijing has a better reputation on the continent
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
A rush to mine the deep ocean has environmentalists worried
Tiny Nauru is behind a push to fast-track talks on mining rules for the deep seabed, which could see fragile habitats opened to exploitation as early as 2023
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
Caught between EU pressure and soaring demand, AIIB weighs end to gas finance
Many Asian countries see gas as a “transition fuel” away from coal, while Brussels is urging the region to go straight to renewables
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
Dispute over coal exit set to dominate G20 leaders’ summit
The Italian presidency is seeking to secure an agreement to phase out coal power but there is resistance from members including China, India and Australia
Treating Russia as a climate change spoiler undermines global action
Despite its status as a major oil and gas producer, there are signs of climate action on many levels in Russia that deserve to be taken seriously