Climate politics
UN: World set to blow through 1.5C carbon budget in 10 years
The world will soon have pumped out enough greenhouse gas to take the temperature more than 1.5C above pre-industrial levels.
German official sees ‘a chance’ Cop28 can agree to phase out fossil fuels
A bid to get Cop27 to phase out fossil fuels ended in failure last year, after Saudi Arabia, Iran and Russia blocked it
China and Brazil to cooperate in stopping illegal trade fueling deforestation
Brazil’s president, Lula da Silva, met with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping in China and announced new collaborations to control illegal deforestation.
World Bank steering committee and US urge for reforms on climate lending
At the World Bank’s spring meeting, US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen called for the adoption of a reform that would free up funds for climate lending.
Moves to crystallise right to a healthy environment spark tension at UN
Incremental resolutions at the UN are starting to make the right to healthy environment tangible, but are running into pushback from states like the US.
Cyclone Freddy prompts pleas for urgency on loss and damage finance
The first talks on how to set up a loss and damage fund were held this week. In the meantime, disaster-torn countries like Malawi appeal for urgent support.
European court hears landmark lawsuits that could shape climate policy
The European Court of Human Rights has heard its first two lawsuits on climate change, brought against the governments of Switzerland and France.
Cop28 host UAE tried to weaken global shipping’s climate ambition
Campaigners said the UAE’s opposition to zero emissions by 2050 was “alarming” given the country will host Cop28 climate talks in December
Science meets politics – Climate Weekly
Sign up to get our weekly newsletter straight to your inbox, plus breaking news, investigations and extra bulletins from key events
Brazil evicts gold miners from Amazon rainforest
Brazil’s new government is clamping down on illegal gold mining in the Amazon rainforest, using satellite imagery to find and destroy mining camps
Nations fight to be called climate vulnerable in IPCC report
Being recognised as partiuclarly vulnerable can help countries access climate finance and plan adaptation strategies
Nations seek compromise on fossil fuel phase-out ahead of Cop28
Governments will hold consultations on whether to call for a phase out of fossil fuels at the Cop28 climate talks in November
IPCC highlights rich nations’ failure to help developing world adapt to climate change
Scientists say funding needs to increase ‘many-fold’ in order to reach climate goals and protect communities disproportionately affected by global warming
IMF approves first batch of climate resilience loans
Five countries had loan packages approved under the IMF’s first sustainability fund, but concerns remain about whether it will boost resilience for the most vulnerable nations
Vietnam’s energy transition deal is a ‘black box’, partner warns
A Vietnam government partner suggested that even Hanoi is unaware of the details of the energy transition package
It’s high time for the high seas – Climate Weekly
Sign up to get our weekly newsletter straight to your inbox, plus breaking news, investigations and extra bulletins from key events
EU agrees diplomatic push for fossil fuel phase out ahead of Cop28
The bloc has made achieving a global phase out of coal, oil and gas “well ahead of 2050” a priority of its climate diplomacy
High Seas Treaty exempts deep-sea mining from stricter environmental rules
Despite the setback campaigners hope countries will be emboldened to protect marine ecosystems as they negotiate seabed mining rules
IMF warns against ‘protectionism’ in rich world’s green subsidies
The US will subsidise North American-made electric vehicles, sparking responses from other rich countries – but there are concerns on the effects on the developing world.
UAE minister calls for “phase out” of oil and gas
Attempts to get governments to agree to “phase out” fossil fuels were unsuccesful at Cop26 and Cop27 and that battle is likely to be re-fought at Cop28