World
COP29 Bulletin Day 9: Developing nations draw “super red line” on climate finance goal
Big emerging economies reject an informal proposal being floated for government provision under the new goal and say they won’t join the donor pool
Why the international community should back Colombia’s post-fossil fuel plan
At COP29 talks in Baku, rewarding Colombia’s leadership would build confidence in the transition to a greener, fairer world
Adaptation Fund head laments “puzzling” lack of pledges at COP29
Even as leaders highlight the urgency of protecting people from more extreme weather and rising seas, they have been reluctant to pay up at COP29 for the measures needed
UAE kicks off new global round of UN climate plans
COP28 host nation claims the plan is compatible with a 1.5C warming limit, but campaigners disagree, saying it does not commit to cutting oil and gas production
US election: Climate experts react to Donald Trump’s victory
Trump is expected to cut spending on green energy and boost US production of fossil fuels, while pulling his country out of the Paris climate accord
Emerging economies set up COP29 agenda fight over trade measures
The BASIC group led by China wants “unilateral restrictive trade measures” on the COP29 agenda
Legal experts say Trump could quit Paris pact – but leaving UNFCCC much harder
As the US Senate approved the US joining the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, it’s unclear if a president could easily pull the country out
What Trump got wrong on China, coal and climate
Republican candidate Donald Trump has cited China’s coal plants as a reason for the US to stick with fossil fuels – but he fails to acknowledge China’s massive clean energy industry
Plans to turn Europe’s biggest coal mine into a leisure lake prove divisive
Transition experts say repurposing Poland’s Bełchatów mine and power plant for renewables not recreation could bring more jobs, revenue and electricity
Colombia to present proposal for new critical minerals pact at COP30
The aim is for minerals used in the clean energy transition to be mined and commercialised responsibly, respecting the environment and communities
Indian coal giants pushed for lax pollution rules while ramping up production
Even as India agreed to phase down coal power at UN climate talks, state-run firms were lobbying government to weaken pollution regulations and expand the sector
G20 waters down experts’ climate finance report, despite UN pressure to act
A report by top economists on finance for climate action was weakened after feedback from G20 nations, even as the UN says they must all slash emissions
European Central Bank holds back plan to boost climate finance for Africa, Latam
The African and Inter-American Development Banks want assets channelled through them so they can get more from the money
Parametric triggers: How small islands can escape the climate-poverty trap
The loss and damage fund should use parametric triggers to pay out when climate disaster strikes small island developing states
New study blows hole in “transition fuel” claim of fossil gas backers
The study found that, for Europe and China, importing US-produced LNG is worse for the climate than using local coal
Mexico’s new president must reform national oil company Pemex
Investing even more in oil and gas would be a huge financial risk so Claudia Sheinbaum should order Pemex to diversify
Delay to EU deforestation law must not lead to dilution
The EU needs to stand firm against the countries and companies hellbent on weakening its pioneering regulation to stop commodities harming forests
Greenpeace Africa in disarray as restructuring meets resistance
The environmental NGO’s campaigners and bosses have fought over job losses, a shift towards richer nations and LGBT+ policy
Developing countries denounce rich nations’ disregard for just transition talks
One negotiator said it was “very unfortunate” that no developed-country officials travelled to Ghana for UN climate talks on “response measures”
Is Brazil’s Lula a climate leader?
The Brazilian president has run up against similar challenges to his US counterpart Joe Biden – and it’s bad news for the planet