Energy
Bonn climate talks raise tough questions about German coal
Chancellor Angela Merkel, with no concrete plans to curtail its huge coal industry, will be exposed as her country plays host to Fiji’s climate presidency
One in seven coal power plant owners are heading for the exit
North American and European utilities are phasing out old coal plants, Coal Swarm survey shows, as Asian companies dominate new development
EU bank to decide huge public loan to Europe’s biggest fossil fuel project
Experts refute EU claim that 3,500km gas pipeline from Azerbaijan is necessary for energy security, amid alarm over corruption and human rights issues
Puerto Rico hurricane shows islands must have renewable energy
As the world resumes climate talks in Bonn next month, island states will use the devastating hurricane season to fuel calls for expanded renewable energy investment
UK and Canada announce global alliance to end coal power
UK and Canada challenge other nations to join them in committing to end coal power generation, saying “we are doing our part”
US exports of tar sands waste are fuelling Delhi’s air pollution crisis
India has emerged as the world’s largest importer of petroleum coke, an oil byproduct that is now a major cause of pollution in the capital
Boost for German coal phaseout as election weakens Merkel
A ‘Jamaica coalition’ is the most likely outcome of a surprising election, putting the Greens in a position to pursue their goal of ending coal power
Kenya’s most polluting coal plant could poison coastline
A project that will double Kenya’s carbon emissions also threatens life on a fragile coastline, but the government’s planning process has been flawed
California bid for 100% clean energy stalls
Resistance from utilities and unions blamed after legislature fails to bring clean energy bill to a vote
Huge cash shortfall stopping electricity reaching world’s poor
Investment needs to double to bring power to every home by 2030, UN initiative finds, urging a greater focus on solar home systems for underserved rural areas
Norway election could be a turning point for Arctic oil
Could Norway lead the way in a global transition away from oil production? Truls Gulowsen is hopeful, as campaign to ban new Arctic exploration gains traction
California to pass law setting 100% renewable electricity goal
The world’s sixth largest economy is aiming for an entirely clean power grid by 2045, with legislation that pits technology start-ups against utilities
Coal to power India for ‘decades to come’, says government planning body
Coal will continue to produce roughly three-quarters of India’s electricity, says body charged with central planning, as it lays out plan to boost mining production
I was an Exxon-funded climate scientist
When big polluters come knocking with research money tainted by climate denial, what should academics do?
Photos reveal Iraq oil fires burning behind ISIS retreat
Satellite images show evidence of the Islamic State’s scorched earth tactics as militants lose territory to Western-backed Iraqi forces
Green Climate Fund to fund $1bn Egypt renewables drive
In its biggest project to date, the UN’s flagship climate finance scheme is putting $150m towards developing wind, hydro and solar power in Egypt
EU ‘increasingly likely’ to implement electric car quota, despite denials
Quota on the production of electric cars by 2030 would be mandatory, according to sources
Sri Lanka plans no new coal plants until at least 2037
Government electricity authority says coal’s impact on health and environment tipped balance in favour of a gas and renewable-focused future
Giant Tunisian desert solar project aims to power EU
Developer TuNur this week applied for authorisation to build a massive solar plant on the edge of the Tunisian Sahara, with undersea grid connections to Europe
Indian coal growth has slowed since 2015
After rising at an average of 6% over the preceding decade, India’s coal consumption has risen at 2.2% a year since 2015, analysis from Greenpeace Energydesk shows