Energy
French climate bill set for rocky ride after citizens’ assembly slams weak ambition
After the citizens’ assembly complained they had not been fully listened to, lawmakers submitted over 4,000 amendments to Macron’s landmark climate bill
Japan, US exposed as UN chief urges G7 to commit to 2030 coal exit
At a summit on “powering past coal”, António Guterres called on rich countries to lead, putting pressure on Japan and the US to produce exit plans
China’s dirty Covid-19 recovery leaves heavy lifting on climate to its five-year plan
Official government figures show energy, steel and cement consumption rose in 2020, pushing emissions up as Beijing is expected to reveal 2025 targets
Bangladesh scraps nine coal power plants as overseas finance dries up
The rising costs of coal imports and Bangladesh’s role as chair of the Climate Vulnerable Forum contributed to the decision to axe power projects, analysts say
Fragile countries call for investment in rooftop solar to expand energy access
War-torn states struggle to attract funding for small-scale renewable projects, which leaders say are cheaper, cleaner and less vulnerable to conflict than fossil fuels
EU spent €440 million on failed gas projects since 2013, study finds
Seven EU-backed methane gas pipelines and import terminals have been shelved or cancelled in the past decade, a study by Global Witness found
EU member states divided over green reforms of energy investment treaty
France and Spain are calling for the EU to quit the Energy Charter Treaty unless it is overhauled to support climate goals; eastern member states want less radical reform
Angola’s oil dependency thwarts its exit from the group of poorest nations
Graduation from the UN group of least developed countries is usually seen as a win, but Angola deferred the move after oil exports plummeted during the pandemic
It’s time to end subsidies for burning wood from forests
Trees are worth much more to humanity alive than dead, say 500 scientists in an open letter to leaders in the EU, US and East Asia
Plans for UK coal mine suspended after criticism of net zero commitment
The UK Committee on Climate Change says the use of coking coal should be curbed by 2035, but the application says the mine will not be closed until the end of 2049
Why Grenada had to nationalise its electricity for $60m to pursue renewables
A one-sided privatisation deal and flawed World Bank advice landed Grenada with a hefty legal bill to reform its electricity sector and cut reliance on polluting diesel
Cop26 dream team: The people setting the climate agenda on seven key issues
From Denmark’s Dan Jørgensen to Malawi’s Nancy Tembo, here are the leaders to watch ahead of UN climate talks in Glasgow, UK
Chinese inspectors slam energy authority over coal expansion spree
In a highly critical report, officials found the National Energy Administration was promoting coal power expansion without regard for Beijing’s environmental goals
US plans to end fossil fuel finance overseas, threatens billions in support for oil and gas
Joe Biden has pledged to work to end public funding of ‘carbon-intensive’ fossil fuel projects – a wording campaigners fear leaves the door open to methane gas
South African campaigners push for faster coal exit in presidential commission
As president Cyril Ramaphosa launches an initiative to deliver net zero emissions, campaigners prepare to confront trade unions over coal
EU foreign ministers call for end to financing fossil fuels abroad
EU countries are seeking to align trade and foreign investment policies with the bloc’s climate goals, promoting a global phaseout of fossil fuels
‘Gas is over’: EU bank chief signals phaseout of fossil fuel finance
The European Investment Bank provides limited support for gas under its current policy and intends to end all funding for fossil fuels before the end of the year
Germany’s conservative CDU picks coal industry supporter Armin Laschet as leader
The premier of Germany’s coal mining heartland could be chosen as the country’s conservative alliance candidate for chancellor in a general election in September
Keystone XL cancellation: ‘Wake-up call’ for Canada to address oil and gas blind spot
Joe Biden is set to revoke permits for the controversial Canada-US oil pipeline expansion, putting Justin Trudeau in an awkward position
Inner Mongolia pursues coal-led recovery, defying Beijing’s climate goals
China’s biggest coal-producing province, Inner Mongolia, approved power plants and industrial installations in 2020 with an annual coal demand equivalent to Germany’s