Climate politics
President Biden sets US emissions goal for 2035 in the shadow of Trump
The outgoing administration said the target to cut emissions by 61-66% by 2035 can be reached even if Trump rolls back climate action
After Baku setback, activists call for ‘just transition’ to be front and centre at COP30
Developing states and labour activists say a fair global shift away from fossil fuels requires a firm UN plan for international support
Here’s how we take back control of COP from the world’s biggest polluters
From scrutinising delegates at UN climate summits to tightening rules on which countries host them and the deals they do, COPs can be cleaned up
Canada ignores official advice in setting much-criticised 2035 emissions target
While the Net Zero Advisory Body recommended a 50-55% cut in emissions, the government settled for a weaker 45-50% range
New loss and damage fund boss urged to keep costs down
Spending on consultants, business-class plane tickets and a deputy executive director was questioned at the fund’s latest board meeting
Why rich countries are “reluctant” on additional JETP coal-to-clean deals
UK and German officials have said there will likely be no more Just Energy Transition Partnerships, as the focus shifts to “country platforms” instead
New plastics pact text reflects stark divide on production cuts
Diplomats from high-ambition countries urge petrostates to compromise as latest draft text for a global treaty to end plastic pollution leaves all to play for
COP29: Five most dramatic moments from the UN climate summit in Baku
The COP29 climate talks saw tearful speeches, hollow laughs, diplomatic spats and walk-outs before ending with a finance deal pushed through in controversial circumstances
Fossil fuel lobby secures “record” access to crunch talks on new plastics pact
Representatives of ExxonMobil, Dow, BASF and Sabic are among the oil and petrochemical firms with participants at the INC-5 negotiations in South Korea
Global plastics pact “hangs in balance” as petrostates block talks
Major fossil fuel-producing countries are blamed at negotiations in Busan for opposing curbs on plastic manufacturing, a key market for oil and gas
What was decided at the COP29 climate summit in Baku?
From a controversial $300bn-a-year climate finance deal to stranded emissions-cutting talks and a new global carbon market, here are the main outcomes
India fires warning shot with rejection of finance deal at COP29
India gave a fiery speech after UN talks approved a new climate finance goal, suggesting rich nations are failing in their duty to help the Global South
“Moment of truth” for plastic pollution as treaty talks get underway
Delegates from 175 countries are set to finalise a new treaty aimed at tackling plastic pollution, with opposition from fossil fuel-producing countries
Fractious COP29 lands $300bn climate finance goal, dashing hopes of the poorest
After fiery talks, a new post-2025 goal was adopted but some developing nations dismissed it as too small to meet their needs amid growing climate stress
COP29 Bulletin Day 12: Carbon market rules adopted after walkout delays finance talks
COP29 approved a long-awaited rulebook for carbon markets as vulnerable countries pushed for a bigger slice of a new finance goal, disrupting talks
Namibia uses COP29 climate summit to push for oil and gas investments
While Namibia says it can succeed where others have failed in using oil and gas to help its people, experts and campaigners are sceptical
COP29 Bulletin Day 11: Global South slams proposal for $250bn climate finance goal
The latest text suggests a rich government-led finance goal of $250 billion a year by 2035, which the African Group called “totally unacceptable”
Weak gender focus at COP29 risks leaving women behind in greener future
In India, social barriers make it tough for women to work in the solar sector, as experts call for more attention to green skills in global climate politics
COP29 Bulletin Day 10: Draft finance text missing numbers, more effort sought on emissions-cutting
The draft text outlines two very different options on the post-2025 goal for finance for developing nations, leaving out amounts
India, donor countries give up on Just Energy Transition Partnership – German official
Germany officials confirmed India and donor countries dropped a deal to accelerate the phase-out of fossil fuels in the South Asian country