Africa
Italy launches ‘ambiguous’ Africa plan fuelling fears over fossil fuels role
Giorgia Meloni has unveiled a long-awaited plan for African development named after Enrico Mattei, founder of oil and gas giant Eni.
Witness bribing minister’s family own Congolese carbon credit company
The minister Jean-Pierre Bemba bribed witnesses in his war crimes trial and holds power over the environment minister Eve Bazaiba
South African ministry uses opaque modelling to argue for weakening climate ambition
Gwede Mantashe’s ministry argues for cutting ambition on renewables and investing more in gas. also plugging so-called “clean coal”
Leaks reveal how McKinsey drives African climate agenda
Whistleblowers raise alarm over American consultancy’s growing influence in pushing carbon markets and developing energy transition plans
Ghana’s flood victims blame government for overflowing dam destruction
Last month, a government-owned electricity company deliberately spilled water from its dam, displacing tens of thousands
Total is disrespecting graves in East Africa as it pursues pipeline
To build the East African Crude Oil Pipeline, Total is moving over 2,000 graves in Uganda and Tanzania, with no respect for local customs
Shades of green hydrogen: EU demand set to transform Namibia
Backed by the EU, Namibia has a $20 billion plan to export green hydrogen. A secretive tender process raises concerns for nature and citizens.
DRC hands gas rights to Canadian start-up that failed criteria
The technically complex contract was won by Alfajiri, which is based in a residential property in Canada and has only existed a few months
Following coup, Gabon climate officials face corruption allegations
Gabon’s former environment minister Lee White and three officials have been placed under house arrest after a complaint from a forestry union
African leaders skirt over fossil fuels in climate summit declaration
A joint statement forming the basis of Africa’s negotiating position for Cop28 is silent on the role of oil and gas
UAE pitches itself as Africa’s carbon credits leader
An Emirati coalition has announced a $450 million commitment to buy carbon credits generated in Africa but critics called offsets a “risky diversion”
What climate funders must learn from Kenya’s wind power troubles
Conflict over land can slow down climate projects, so developers must work with local communities from the outset
Kenyan president William Ruto courts logging controversy
Known internationally as one of Africa’s climate champions, President Ruto faces a legal challenge over plans to restart commercial forestry
Ghana’s gas curse – Climate Weekly
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Gas lock-in: Debt-laden Ghana gambles on LNG imports
The West African nation is preparing to import LNG under a long-term agreement with Shell which critics say Ghana doesn’t need and can’t afford.
Threat of EU carbon tax prompts dubious “green aluminium” claims in Mozambique
Mozambique’s biggest industry claims its aluminium is green, which would help it avoid European taxes – but those claims have been questioned
Senegal shows African countries are not passive beneficiaries of climate finance
While drawing up their renewables deal with wealthy countries, Senegalese government, civil society, business and researchers had their say
Rich nations pledge $2.7 billion for Senegal’s renewable rollout
European nations and Canada have promised to contribute $2.7 billion to Senegal – although details of this support remain unclear
Drought victims let down – Climate Weekly
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Governments fall short in UN’s East Africa drought appeal
Donor countries promised only a third of the $7bn the UN was appealing for to provide humanitarian aid to drought-stricken Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia.