Energy
‘Historic milestone’: Ecuador nears vote to keep Amazon oil in the ground
Experts consulted by Climate Home News suggested the vote will define Ecuador’s economic model for the future.
Threat of EU carbon tax prompts dubious “green aluminium” claims in Mozambique
Mozambique’s biggest industry claims its aluminium is green, which would help it avoid European taxes – but those claims have been questioned
Norway approves oil and gas fields despite Cop fossil phase-out push
Despite pushing for a phase out of unabated fossil fuels, Norway claims its oil and gas are “essential to Europe’s energy security”
Unfinished paperwork is kneecapping solar’s potential in China
Heaps of new renewable energy are going up in China, but there’s more to an energy transition than hardware
What does “unabated” fossil fuels mean?
The word “unabated” qualifies commitments to phase out fossil fuels. But setting a clear definition is the subject of fierce debates.
Ahead of elections, Argentina’s leaders wrap fossil fuels in the flag
Argentina’s political class is promoting fossil fuels as a patriotic national endeavour and demonising any environmentalists who oppose them
Colombia accuses Drummond coal mining exec of funding paramilitary group
The current Colombia head of an American coal miner will face trial, accused of giving money to right-wing paramilitaries in the late nineties
“Green” finance bankrolls forest destruction in Indonesia
Green funds have been spent cutting down trees for biomass to make electricity, decimating the traditional food sources of indigenous people
Restrictions on energy firm’s borrowing complicates South Africa’s energy transition
The South African government has told cash-strapped power company Eskom it can’t invest in new electricity generation
Rich nations “understanding” of South African delay to coal plant closures
Despite a multi-billion dollars clean energy transition deal, South Africa expects to keep coal plants running for longer while it battles electricity blackouts.
Study: Fossil fuel firms owe $209bn a year for climate damage
A multi-billion dollar reparations scheme has been proposed for fossil fuel companies to atone for the damage caused by their greenhouse gas emissions
Regulator blocks Brazilian oil drilling, sparking conflict within government
While President Lula’s environment minister Marina Silva supported the decision, Lula ally Randolfe Rodrigues vowed to oppose it
France proposes tax credits for green technology
France will spend €500m a year on tax credits for wind and solar power, heat pumps and batteries funded by a tax rise on carbon-intensive fuels
Local business group tries to keep South Africa’s coal plants alive
A business coalition in South Africa’s energy heartland is fighting against plans to shut down coal plants.
Cop28 moots oil and gas initiative despite greenwash accusations
Critics say a focus on just the emissions from producing oil and gas not consuming it is a distraction and that similar initatives have not worked
Nations split over fossil fuels and carbon capture
An agenda-setting gathering of climate ministers saw continuing disagreement over the need for fossil fuels phase-out and the role of technology
Europe’s push for global renewables target gains support
The UAE has backed the EU’s call to set a global target for the renewable roll-out at the Cop28 climate talks
India mulls end to coal plant construction
If approved by the cabinet, India’s new electricity policy would end the construction of new coal-fired power plants after the planned 28 GW are built
Exxon scrambles to save investments before Colombia bans fracking
The company is looking at how to get some money back despite Gustavo Petro’s government looking to ban it from fracking in Colombia
US solar boom on hold as industry awaits subsidy rules
Solar installers are waiting to find out which solar panels are considered US-made and qualify for subsidies