Transport
UN aviation body agrees to close carbon emissions loophole
Rules to avoid double-counting of emissions cuts are a step forward, say campaigners, but more assurances are needed to meet the sector’s climate promises
Switzerland puts geoengineering governance on UN environment agenda
No longer the preserve of science fiction, climate-hacking technologies may need international oversight, say backers of draft resolution
Swedish shipping industry prepares to go fossil-free by 2045
Shipowners’ Association is calling for government incentives to help in the transition to climate-friendly vessels, to meet national climate goals
EU set to tighten rules on palm oil for biofuels
Indonesia and Malaysia say the EU measure will unfairly disadvantage their crops, while environmentalists worry it won’t be tough enough on deforestation
Electric cars will not stop rising oil demand, says energy agency chief
Trucks, petrochemicals and air travel driving global oil use, Fatih Birol of the International Energy Agency says
Empty car shows and stalled solar as sanctions keep Iran dirty
Innovation flees after Trump reimposes sanctions, environmentalists and government say that puts the country on a dangerous path
Macron suspends fuel tax hike in face of ‘worst protests since 1968’
Diesel policy reversal will not stop disruption, said protest leaders, who “want the whole baguette”
EU should target carbon dioxide removal as part of net-zero emissions strategy
Only an ambitious policy, backed by technologies that remove carbon from the air, can bring the EU in line with the Paris Agreement temperature goals
Australia leads push to open UN shipping talks to media
Greater transparency would curb industry dominance in the International Maritime Organization, say campaigners, but key countries are opposed
Carmakers slam Spanish climate law as ‘excessive and rushed’
Manufacturers say ban on diesel and petrol cars is against EU neutrality principles, setting up battle to clean up Europe’s second-largest auto-industry
EU must not blindly sign up to a weak aviation carbon market
As countries negotiate rules for offsetting airline emissions in Montreal, Brussels should reserve its right to impose stronger regional policies
Spain, Europe’s second largest carmaker, plans combustion engine ban
Proposal put forward for country’s first climate law takes swipe at auto-industry, scraps fossil fuel subsidies and sets 2050 goal for 100% renewable power
Can Teresa Ribera transform Spain into a green champion?
Highly experienced minister offers a contrast after years of slow-walking the environmental transition, but admits there is more to do
Swiss researchers set out how to decarbonise cement
Cutting the carbon footprint of this common building material is tricky but achievable with existing technology, report finds
UN shipping body drags heels on carbon-cutting measures
The International Maritime Organization has set a target to halve shipping’s climate impact by 2050, but some countries are resisting early action
Brexit and Germany erode EU climate resolve
The departure of a heavyweight champion of tough climate measures comes as Germany wavers and Europe faces big decisions about future
Bill Gates throws new weight and cash into climate fight
In back-to-back events this week, the billionaire launched projects to slow global warming and limit the damage it causes
Marshall Islands commit to going carbon-neutral by 2050
First plan of its kind from an island nation says adopting new shipping technologies ‘could have ripple effects across the international sector’
UK offers green assurances for no-deal Brexit
London says it will carry over EU emissions rules for cars, coolants and industrial plants even if it crashes out in March with no negotiated deal
Elon Musk’s disaster capitalism
The entreprenuer has made a habit of intervening in crises, particularly climate-related ones, but it’s a high wire act