Energy
Brazilian Amazon to ditch diesel for clean energy
Bids have been invited for a renewable power auction in May, to wean the Amazonas region off reliance on fuel imports
Unfinished business: Coal miners across South Africa walk away from clean up
Documents obtained by Climate Home reveal a growing crisis as big miners and government shift liability to small companies who cannot afford coal mine clean up
Coal power pipeline shrinks dramatically in boon for climate
A freeze on projects in China and India gives fresh hope of meeting tough global warming limits, according to a report by Coal Swarm, Greenpeace and Sierra Club
G20 report shows competing visions of a clean energy future
The IEA and IRENA issued separate press releases for their joint report, reflecting a gulf in expectations on the relative roles of renewables, nuclear and carbon capture
Carbon tangle: Norway must put oil ventures to a ‘climate test’
Norway has some of the most ambitious emissions policies in the world, but is opening oil fields that cannot pay back in a safe climate future, says SEI’s Peter Erickson
China kickstarting new coal boom in Pakistan
In a region of Pakistan besieged by drought, and blessed with solar potential, China is funding the expansion of huge new coal projects
Trump budget: US to stop funding UN climate process
“America First” budget would axe 20% of the UN’s climate body’s funding and $2bn to help developing countries deal with global warming
Watchdog suspends Azerbaijan, EU gas pipeline loans threatened
Billions in development loans at risk after international human rights watchdog strips Azeri membership for failure to increase transparency
Ancient tombs discovery stalls Polish coal mine development
Burial mounds from the 5,000-year-old Funnelbeaker culture stand in the way of the proposed Ościsłowo opencast lignite mine
Maldives president defends Saudi atoll deal, but reveals no detail
Maldives “should be afforded the ability to expand our economy” says president in response to criticism of a US$10bn development deal with Saudi Arabia
Saudis make Maldives land grab to secure oil routes to China
Proposed multi-billion dollar deal sparks protests in the tiny atoll nation, which has found itself at the centre of a great game over oil, power and religion
Weekly wrap: Will China turn its back on coal?
This week’s top climate politics and policy stories. Sign up to have our newsletter sent to your inbox
Lessons from London’s 1952 fog could save millions today
Air pollution is one of the world’s biggest killers. Peter Thorsheim looks back at the resistance, disinformation and solutions that emerged from the London fog
China coal use fell again in 2016, solar capacity rose 82%
Massive investments in clean energy and economic shifts continue to dampen demand for coal in the world’s largest carbon emitter
World is well placed to stay under 2C – if we have carbon capture
“We are broadly in the right starting position to keep warming below 2C,” but most models require carbon capture to meet the Paris goal, researchers say
Exxon Mobil shareholders renew call for 2C climate analysis
New York State and the Church of England lead investors worth US$4trn in campaign for US oil major to disclose climate risks
Court forces Turkish coal plant to suspend operations
Three years after it came online, Izdemir power station has been stripped of its environmental licence, in a win for campaigners
Mozambique expands coal port lapped by rising seas
Dignitaries celebrate the expansion of Maputo port, but experts warn fossil fuelled climate change threatens development gains
India subsidises electricity for the rich while millions lack access
While over 20% of India’s population has no access to electricity, the richest 40% of the population gets highly subsidised power
Campaigners claim legal win against Bosnian coal power push
Setback for Chinese-backed plant planned near Europe’s second most-polluted city, with a ruling it must comply with tougher pollution limits