EU
Dutch PM calls for more ambitious 2030 EU climate target
Mark Rutte said Europe had a responsibility to align its targets with the Paris climate deal, joining the Swedes and French in pushing for sharper cuts
EU foreign ministers say China must sign up to universal climate rules
In a statement laying out their priorities for the year, EU ministers set themselves on a collision course with China and other emerging economies
Documents reveal UK push to water down EU biomass regulations
Brexit-bound UK won big concessions for power stations that burn wood, while new research claims the technology will undermine carbon cuts for half a century
International Solar Alliance to launch 121 projects at New Delhi summit
India and France are leading a push to roll out solar power, with an event next month to focus on water pumps, affordable finance and mini-grids
Ibiza, Mallorca launch 100% renewable power plan, defying Madrid
The Balearic Islands government is setting out to prove the holiday destination can run on cheap, clean electricity with a proposed climate law
EU subsidies to a massive gas pipeline clash with climate goals
The European Investment Bank approved a €1.5 billion loan to the Trans Adriatic Pipeline last week. This is why it matters
Germany to set end date for coal power in 2019
A commission will decide the timeline for phasing out coal, under a coalition deal agreed between the social democrats and Angela Merkel’s conservatives
Greenpeace appeals Norway Arctic oil drilling case
Campaigners plan to take their bid to block Arctic oil exploration licences to Norway’s supreme court, after a district court dismissed their case
EU says no new trade deals with countries not in Paris Agreement
European Commission backs French call for the Paris deal to be a prerequisite for access to the world’s second largest economy
France to Trump: ‘No Paris Agreement, no EU trade agreement’
French foreign minister says the US “should know what to expect” if it leaves international climate pact and seeks a trade deal with Europe
Poland to put ‘common sense’ over climate ambition as host of critical UN talks
In exclusive interviews, Poland’s climate chief said “calls for ambition bring nothing” while the environment ministry refused to back science on cause of climate change
Germany announces carbon emission rise for second year in a row
Germany’s total emissions rose in 2016 for the second year in a row with the head of the environment agency calling for rapid reduction in coal power
Macron’s climate charm offensive continues with Davos Trump jibe
The French president said he was thankful no-one “sceptical” had been invited to the World Economic Forum, while touting climate action as a “pillar” of his strategy
Forest watchdog calls for protection of Estonia’s pagan heritage
A board member of Estonias Forest Stewardship Council is threatening to strip “sustainable” certification from timber felled near sacred sites
UK climate strategy has ‘significant gaps’, advisers warn
The government must increase ambition for electric vehicles and invest more in carbon capture and storage, an independent panel has advised
Logging surge threatens a quarter of Estonia’s forest, warn conservationists
Baltic state lobbied for flexibilities in EU rules to enable a dramatic increase in forestry, turning its thriving woodland into a net emitter of carbon by 2030
Macron urges Chinese people to “make our planet great again” – in Mandarin
French president did not announce any new climate initiatives with Xi Jinping on China visit, but his efforts to learn the language went viral
Climate portfolio back in UK cabinet after May’s reshuffle
If she keeps climate portfolio, Claire Perry will return the issue to cabinet for the first time since the department of energy and climate change was scrapped
Germany set to abandon 2020 climate target: reports
Angela Merkel’s party and the Social Democrats agree the 40% emissions cut will not be achieved until the early 2020s, coalition negotiators told newswires
UK government details coal power phase-out strategy
With a few caveats, Britain is set to end coal power generation by 2025, the government confirmed in a consultation response on Friday