World
John Kerry: US supports a coal phaseout but cannot commit
During a trip to Brussels, the US presidential climate envoy told Euractiv in an interview it was unconstitutional to mandate a coal exit for states
Europe conflicted over push to fast-track mining code for the ocean floor
While some EU states are calling for a moratorium on deep seabed mining, others have interests in exploration – with Germany sending mixed messages
Campaigners seek to curb UK oil production through the high court
The UK’s oil and gas regulator does not take tax breaks or foreign ownership into account when deciding whether a license is in the national interest
African Union urged to bring political clout to Egypt climate talks
Frustrated by a lack of recognition of Africa’s special needs on climate, advisers are calling on national leaders to unite behind a common agenda in Sharm el-Sheikh
‘Huge blow’ – cuts to gas finance sparks West African backlash
Nigerian and Senegalese leaders have criticised western countries for pledging to stop funding gas projects internationally, calling for exceptions to be made
A rush to mine the deep ocean has environmentalists worried
Tiny Nauru is behind a push to fast-track talks on mining rules for the deep seabed, which could see fragile habitats opened to exploitation as early as 2023
China ‘trumps’ the west by pledging larger share of IMF relief to African nations
President Xi Jinping promised to share around a quarter of China’s pandemic recovery boost with Africa, more than European and American countries
‘Subversion and treason’: Australian minister attacks independent climate body
Tim Wilson, an elected official in Australia’s energy ministry, slammed a proposal for an expert climate commission
As Delhi chokes, India’s supreme court is grappling with the air pollution crisis
Millions of residents in India’s capital are suffering under the winter smog, prompting the country’s highest court to hold government to account
Australia to expand gas industry under Morrison infrastructure plan
Scott Morrison is doubling down on fossil fuel production with new gas basins and pipelines in a plan slammed by climate campaigners
Morocco accused of “greenwashing occupation” of Western Sahara
The Polisario Front has released an unofficial climate plan for the Sahrawi people, saying Morocco has built wind and solar farms on their land without consent
Germany to quit coal by 2030 under coalition agreement, aiming for 1.5C path
A “traffic light coalition” of centre-left, green and pro-business parties has agreed to strengthen climate policies in the next German government
India ‘cannot escape’ coal phasedown, top coal ministry official says
An estimated 13-20 million workers in India depend on coal assets for their livelihoods, raising the need for a transition plan and financial support
Why I am calling on EU lawmakers to put climate at the heart of agricultural policy
The proposed reform to the EU’s farming subsidy programme continues a business-as-usual approach to farming that we cannot afford in a climate emergency
Nigeria commits to annual carbon budgets to reach net zero under climate law
After announcing a 2060 net zero goal at Cop26, the oil producing nation will set up a national council to oversee the implementation of its climate plan
African nations settled for ‘moral pact’ with US on adaptation finance at Cop26
With the US refusing to budge on the text of the Glasgow agreement, African nations reluctantly accepted a promise of stronger voluntary support
China-US announce deal at Cop26 to accelerate climate action this decade
In a surprise joint statement, the world’s two top emitters agreed to work together in a range of areas to keep the goals of the Paris Agreement “within reach”
Canada, US, Italy among 20 countries to stop financing fossil fuels internationally
Major backers of coal, oil and gas projects will stop supporting them from 2023, instead backing clean energy in other countries
South Africa $8.5bn finance package offers a model for ending reliance on coal
The package was hailed as “groundbreaking” for being country-led and addressing a need to reskill and support coal miners
Caught between EU pressure and soaring demand, AIIB weighs end to gas finance
Many Asian countries see gas as a “transition fuel” away from coal, while Brussels is urging the region to go straight to renewables