Energy
Polish government split over coal ahead of UN climate summit
The energy minister has published a statement in defence of coal, which was swiftly disavowed by the presidency of the upcoming Cop24 climate negotiations
Hungary wants end to coal power by 2030
‘Sky-rocketing’ EU carbon prices could mean Hungary is the first country in eastern Europe to set an exit date for the most polluting fossil fuel
Starmer: UK and EU green protections risk diverging under Brexit deal
Draft withdrawal agreement prompts calls for green watchdog to assume climate powers
UK called to explain no-deal Brexit impact on power prices
A House of Lords committee was unsatisfied by minister Claire Perry’s testimony last month
Spain, Europe’s second largest carmaker, plans combustion engine ban
Proposal put forward for country’s first climate law takes swipe at auto-industry, scraps fossil fuel subsidies and sets 2050 goal for 100% renewable power
Can Teresa Ribera transform Spain into a green champion?
Highly experienced minister offers a contrast after years of slow-walking the environmental transition, but admits there is more to do
Colorado governor-elect has US’ most ambitious renewable goal
Jared Polis’ promise to phase out fossil fuel electricity by 2040 would be the fastest target in any state, as the midterms returned mixed results on climate policy
Macron takes on motorists over diesel tax hike
The French president has defended increasing the tax on diesel to tackle air pollution, as drivers prepare to block the roads in protest
Gas companies face Californian wipe-out, say S&P, Moody’s
Ratings agencies say the state’s bid to go 100% renewable poses a ‘significant threat’ to gas generators’ credit stability
Christiana Figueres: ‘Coal is a public health emergency’
At the World Health Organization’s first global conference on air pollution, the former UN climate chief launches a campaign to tackle toxic emissions at source
Polish utility sued over financial risk of €1.2bn coal plant
Client Earth argues the Ostrołęka C power plant investment is a bad bet, putting the spotlight on Poland’s support for coal as it gears up to host UN climate talks
Asian Development Bank signals end to ‘dirty’ coal finance
Falling renewable energy costs and a shadow carbon price are making coal power investments unviable, according to bank energy chief Yongping Zhai
Kosovo turns to US after World Bank dumps coal plant
Prime minister Haradinaj met with US officials to discuss backing for project the World Bank recently said was uncompetitive with renewables
EU has ‘strong’ interest in safeguarding post-Brexit energy supply – UK minister
Preparing for a no-deal break with the EU’s energy market is tricky because it depends on other countries, Claire Perry said
Bill Gates throws new weight and cash into climate fight
In back-to-back events this week, the billionaire launched projects to slow global warming and limit the damage it causes
UK court frees fracking protestors from ‘excessive’ prison sentences
Three protesters were sentenced to jail for 2017 blockade, but court of appeal found that a community work order would have been appropriate
Fracking ‘part of a low carbon future’, says UK minister, as drilling restarts
Claire Perry requested a net-zero emissions probe on Monday but defended fracking, saying gas was ‘absolutely part of our future’
Brexit: Avoiding the nuclear fallout
UK government report card on replacing the EU’s atomic energy community shows progress, but no deal on March 29 still threatens power and medical supply
Modern bioenergy is critical to meeting global climate change goals
It is controversial and often overlooked, but bioenergy is the only renewable energy today that can supply all sectors, say Kimmo Tiilikainen and Fatih Birol
Brexit: What it means for UK-EU energy trade
The UK says it wants to keep ties with the EU energy market – but it’s complicated