Climate politics
Heat rises on donor countries to meet overdue $100bn climate finance promise
Nearly 150 green groups have told rich governments they must make up for missing their climate aid target by delivering $600bn in total 2020-25
Japan eyes international carbon offsets to deliver 2030 emission cuts
Campaigners accused Japan of failing to take responsibility for cutting its own emissions and relying on developing nations to do so
UN isolation fund launched to support Cop26 delegates who contract Covid-19
Delegates who test positive for Covid-19 must isolate for 10 days, with a solidarity fund to cover extra accommodation costs for developing countries
Xi Jinping announces biodiversity fund to help developing nations protect nature
The Chinese president called on other donor countries to contribute to the $230 million fund for biodiversity at Kunming talks
Countries failing to protect forests, 7 years after New York declaration
Of the 32 biggest forest nations, only India has set an ambitious tree planting target and others are falling far short, according to analysis of their latest climate pledges
Edging to net zero – Climate Weekly
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UAE sets net zero by 2050 target, promises renewable investments
The oil-producing nation is planning to invest $163 billion in ‘clean and renewable’ energy over the next 30 years
Turkey ratifies the Paris Agreement after approving a 2053 net zero goal
Documents agreed by parliament included a declaration that Turkey would implement the climate treaty as a developing country, despite its developed nation status
UK’s 2035 zero-carbon electricity goal is a diplomatic trendsetter, analysts say
The ruling Conservative party confirmed the government plans to end generating electricity with unabated gas, putting pressure on other major economies to follow
Cop26 must urgently get specific on carbon removal in net-zero pathways
The last IPCC report overlooked the technical, financial, and political limitations of carbon removal techniques and risks informing poor policy choices
Defunding dirty energy – Climate Weekly
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UK seeks alliance to end public finance for coal, oil and gas projects overseas
The Cop26 hosts are trying to build a coalition of countries to align public finance with a 1.5C global warming limit, the toughest goal of the Paris Agreement
US, China clear low bar on UNGA climate action – Climate Weekly
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How Climate Week NYC became a fixture on the political calendar
From persuading business leaders climate is “not a hippy issue” to putting a spotlight on environmental justice, the conversation in New York is moving with the times
Seven countries join US and EU in methane reduction pledge
UK, Indonesia and Mexico are among the first signatories to a pact to cut methane emissions, which can rapidly curb global warming
Turning 10 – Climate Weekly
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Oil and SUVs: Why Canada’s emissions have risen since Trudeau took office
Justin Trudeau’s climate compromise allowed the oil sector to grow, driving emissions up before his carbon price could bite
EU commits €4 billion more to climate vulnerables, calls on the US to step up
Ursula Von der Leyen called out the US for failing to deliver its fair share of climate cash – an issue poor nations say is critical to success at Cop26
Leftwing victory in Norway election puts oil exit at the heart of coalition talks
A leftist party calling for a ban on new oil licences could be the kingmaker in negotiations to form a government, calling into question the industry’s future
Barbados pursues ‘Norwegian model’: going green at home and drilling for oil
The Caribbean nation wants its vehicles and electricity to be almost completely renewable by 2030 but supports oil and gas development for export