Climate politics
UAE’s Cop28 president plans “brutally honest” climate summit
“We must be brutally honest about the gaps that need to be filled, the root causes and how we got to this place here today” said Sultan Al-Jaber
EU to push for fossil fuel phaseout ‘well ahead of 2050’ at Cop28
At Cop28 the EU wants governments to agree on more renewables and a faster phase out of fossil fuels with a “residual” role for carbon capture technologies
The EU lacks ambition on Cop28 renewable targets
The EU’s interpretation of a global renewables target is less ambitious than the Cop28 presidency’s and incompatible with the Paris agreement
Shipping catches up – Climate Weekly
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UAE’s al Jaber says Cop28 will fast-track phase down of fossil fuels
The Cop28 chief has also urged the oil and gas industry to “step up its game” and scale up renewables investment
The UK’s retreat from climate leadership is not in its national interest
The UK won friends and influence as Cop president, its not in its interest to throw that all away by abandoning its climate ambition
Public banks agree to check investments against countries’ climate plans
Ten multilateral development banks have agreed on how to make sure their investments meet climate goals. But experts told Climate Home the rules do not go far enough.
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.
UN’s climate work at risk, after EU limits budget increase
The UN didn’t get all the money it wanted for its climate programmes, leaving it reliant on the whims of wealthy donor nations
South Africa’s coal lobby is resisting a green transition
Coal lobbyists have defended industry interests, met with politicians and delayed climate legislation in South Africa.
Last-minute compromise avoids break down on adaptation goals
In fraught nations, developing countries wanted to focus on specific targets, while developed nations only wanted to talk about structure
UN head Guterres contradicts Cop28 host on fossil fuel phaseout
The UAE say “fossil fuel emissions” should be phased out but Guterres said “fossil fuels” themselves must go, in a split on the role of carbon capture
Small islands “disappointed” as talking about emissions cuts proves too controversial for climate negotiators
A group of developing countries wouldn’t talk about emissions cuts without talking about finance – but developed countries refused to accept that
Bonn climate talks at risk of collapse, after 7-day agenda debate
With governments unable to agree on agenda, all the negotiations so far in Bonn could go to waste
Bonn’s battles – Climate Weekly
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Bitter conflicts stop Eastern Europe from choosing next year’s Cop host
Divisions over wars between Russia and Ukraine and Azerbaijan and Armenia are delaying the choice of the host of next year’s climate talks
Turkiye joins Australia in race to host Cop31 climate talks
Turkiye and Australia will vie for the support of Western Europe, North America and New Zealand in their bids to host the 2026 climate talks
Fake social media profiles wage “organised” propaganda campaign on Cop28
Over a hundred Twitter profiles are suspected of a coordinated effort to influence opinion online. The Cop28 team says these activities are “unacceptable”.
Bonn talks offer opportunity to bridge the adaptation gap
With climate devastation growing, we can’t keep sidelining climate adaptation at governments’ climate talks
Climate movement must switch on to UAE threat
The UAE’s authoritarian rulers needs oil and gas revenues to placate their people and keep themselves in power