UN climate talks
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.
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 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
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
Spread too thin – Climate Weekly
Sign up to get our weekly newsletter straight to your inbox, plus breaking news, investigations and extra bulletins from key events
Missed deadline raises risk of delays to loss and damage fund
Fewer than half the seats on a loss and damage transitional committee have been filled, holding up work to channel funds to climate victims
Circuses have evolved and so must UN climate summits
As formal negotiations get into the finer details, Cop28 should bring more focus – and accountability – to action in the real economy
Portugal agrees to swap Cape Verde’s debt for environmental investment
Cape Verde owes around $150m to the Portugese state – but Portugal says it will write off the debt if the African island nation spends the money on environmental measures
World Bank adaptation funds slept through Pakistan’s record flooding
A $100 million project was meant to protect Karachi slumdwellers from flooding, but instead made many homeless before work stalled
UAE puts oil company boss in charge of Cop28 climate talks
Campaigners called on Sultan Al Jaber to step down from the UAE’s state-owned oil company to avoid a conflict of interest