Transport
As UN action on ship emissions falls short, attention turns to regions
The International Maritime Organization set minimal curbs on shipping’s 1Gt carbon footprint this decade. Here’s how the EU, US and China could decarbonise the sector
UN shipping body approves Arctic heavy fuel oil ‘ban’, delayed for a decade
Campaigners describe ban as “meaningless”, as concessions to Russia allow most ships to continue using heavy fuel oil in the sensitive polar region until 2029
Anger as UN body approves deal that allows ship emissions to rise to 2030
A package of fuel efficiency measures agreed at the International Maritime Organization is expected to shave just 1% off shipping emissions this decade
Ships to get free pass on emissions until 2030, under compromise proposal
Ship efficiency measures backed by a broad coalition of 14 countries will fail to reduce emissions in line with industry and Paris climate goals, campaigners warn
UK Supreme Court hears climate case on Heathrow airport expansion
Heathrow Airport is challenging a ruling that quashed plans to build a third runway earlier this year, based on the UK commitment to the Paris Agreement
UK Climate Assembly calls for frequent flyer levy, private jet ban
A group of 108 citizens tasked with finding fair and socially acceptable ways to decarbonise the British economy by 2050 proposed curbs on jetsetting
Loopholes in Arctic heavy fuel oil ban defer action to the end of the decade
In concessions to Russia, the International Maritime Organisation has watered down draft rules to protect the Arctic from oil spills and black carbon pollution
Mauritius oil spill compensation could be limited by maritime law technicality
Experts warn payouts for an oil spill that has devastated Mauritius’ fishing and tourism industries may not match the scale of the damage
Major ship emissions study flags a bigger role for governments
Some 30% of ship emissions come from domestic voyages, researchers find, urging governments to tackle the sector in national climate plans
Air travel to bounce back faster in domestic markets, industry forecasts
A projected recovery in domestic air travel to pre-pandemic levels by 2022 puts the spotlight on emissions from major markets like the US and China
European battery gigafactories boom despite Covid slowdown
The region is on schedule to meet rising demand for electric vehicles, with five major battery factories in operation and at least 11 more expected by 2030
Biden support for US cleantech innovation ‘will raise the bar’ internationally
The US presidential contender has pledged to invest in research and development to tackle the climate crisis if elected, in a plan welcomed by experts
Norway sets electric car record as battery autos least dented by Covid-19 crisis
Electric car sales worldwide are suffering less from the Covid-19 crisis than petrol and diesel rivals, in sign of hope for a shift to cleaner transport
Airlines’ climate obligations postponed as UN body endorses industry proposal
A handful of countries on the council of the International Civil Aviation Organization agreed to change the rules to reduce the sector’s carbon costs
Smart street lighting will help future-proof our cities
Sponsored content: There are environmental, economic, and social benefits in moving towards city-wide integrated LED lighting systems
It will take more than a few cycle lanes to make green, pandemic-proof cities
The coronavirus lockdown gave a glimpse of what cleaner cities can look like, but as people turn to private cars for safety from infection, pollution could soar
‘Final blow’ to aviation climate plan as EU agrees to weaken rules
EU member states will back an industry proposal to reduce airlines’ climate obligations in response to the coronavirus pandemic, at the UN aviation forum
Airlines could get free pass on climate for five years under industry proposal
The industry is lobbying to rewrite the rules of a UN aviation pact, in a move researchers say would remove pressure to invest in clean flying technology
Five ways for governments to green airline bailouts
The pandemic has exposed the vulnerability of airlines to disruption, forcing a reboot of the sector. This is what a green recovery for aviation would look like
German environment minister defends airline bailout, promises green recovery
The immediate priority is to protect workers, argued Svenja Schulze, resisting calls to impose green conditions on a €10 billion support package for Lufthansa