Middle East
Mediterranean could be in driest spell for 900 years
NEWS: Drought in east spanning Cyprus to Syria the worst in at least half a millennium and may be nearly twice as long, scientists say
Drought, air pollution rise up agenda in Iran election
NEWS: Environmental issues seen forcing candidates’ hand ahead of parliamentary poll
Saudi minister warns oilmen: ignore divestment at your peril
NEWS: Fossil fuel industry must show it is ‘force for good’ says Al-Naimi in face of campaign to blacklist polluting assets
Palestine to submit UN climate pledge mid-year
NEWS: As disputed territory gets increasing international recognition, lead envoy says it is ready to contribute to global warming efforts
Pandemics, killer robots and climate change ‘urgent’ security fears
NEWS: Mass migration and resource wars billed as potential consequences if governments ignore potential of Paris deal and Earth keeps warming
UAE opens $10bn green credit line in Gulf first
NEWS: Developing countries will be the target of National Bank of Abu Dhabi’s 10-year pledge to tackle “significant” energy funding gap
A bridge to where? Gulf states in denial over climate goals
ANALYSIS: Saudi Arabia plans to ramp up clean energy investment and Qatar touts gas as a transition fuel, but officials struggle to see the fossil-free endgame
Swapping oil for rays pays for Gulf petropowers
NEWS: Gulf region would spare scarce water and reserve lucrative hydrocarbons for export if it meets renewables targets in ‘Global Sunbelt’
Shift beyond oil ‘unstoppable’ post Paris, says UN climate chief
INTERVIEW: With Middle Eastern governments accepting hydrocarbons’ days are numbered, Christiana Figueres says progress on decarbonising economy is inevitable
Sheikh Mohammed eyes oil-free future for UAE
NEWS: Emir of Dubai to hold ministerial retreat on diversifying economy away from hydrocarbons, citing sustainability concerns
Beyond oil: Petropower Saudi Arabia signals end of era
ANALYSIS: Squeezed by falling oil prices and costly subsidies, Riyadh is finally getting serious about economic reform
Oil giant Saudi Aramco considers selling shares
NEWS: Public offering would make world’s largest oil producer more transparent, says Saudi Arabia deputy crown prince
Palestine toasts full membership of UN climate body
NEWS: State wins seat at negotiating table after six years on periphery, bringing number of parties to 197
Changing climate swells tide of migrants
NEWS: Report coinciding with the UN’s International Migrants Day says that climate change is one of several factors increasing the flow of refugees worldwide
In Morocco, ‘innovation’ will drive 2016 climate summit
NEWS: Minister urges governments to maintain drive and momentum through next year and ensure decisions taken in Paris are implemented
Paris climate talks: What do the last 3 days have in store?
ANALYSIS: Oil producers, forest nations, high-tech trading centres, low lying and desert countries all have distinct interests to protect. This is where it gets serious.
Saudi Arabia, India quash UN study warning of 2C dangers
NEWS: Island nations left distraught as major carbon polluters block report that suggested limiting temperature rises to well below 2C would be safer for millions
COP21: Saudi Arabia defends target-free climate plan
NEWS: World’s biggest oil exporter has an ‘action-based approach’ to going green, says Khalid Abuleif on the sidelines of COP21 in Paris
Saudi Arabia is decarbonising, says oil minister
VIDEO: Ali Al-Naimi points to kingdom’s capturing of carbon dioxide as evidence of its commitment to tackling climate change at Paris summit
COP21: What do countries want from a Paris climate deal?
ANALYSIS: China, the EU, US, small island states and the least developed countries outline what they want to see in a proposed global agreement