World
China’s energy agency floats increase in 2030 renewables target
Analysts say the proposal would lead to China installing 300 GW more wind and solar capacity by 2030 than under existing targets
It’s time to end subsidies for burning wood from forests
Trees are worth much more to humanity alive than dead, say 500 scientists in an open letter to leaders in the EU, US and East Asia
Study suggests China’s crackdown on illegal CFC gases is working
Levels of the banned CFC-11 in the atmosphere have fallen over east Asia after the Chinese government cracked down on illegal producers in the foam industry
Egypt expresses an interest in hosting Cop27 climate talks in 2022
The Egyptian government could discuss its interest in presiding over the 2022 UN climate summit with Cop26 president Alok Sharma, who is visiting the country
Fatal Himalayan glacial lake outburst highlights destabilising effect of warming
More than 200 people are dead or missing after floods gushed through mountain gorges in Uttarakhand, India, in a disaster linked to climate change
Biden orders adviser to explore options for resettling climate migrants
Campaigners welcome “extraordinary” move by the White House to address displacement triggered by climate disasters
António Guterres calls for preparatory UN climate negotiations to be held online
In a surprising intervention, the UN chief called for climate talks to be held online, with regional “hubs” for negotiators to access reliable internet
Why Grenada had to nationalise its electricity for $60m to pursue renewables
A one-sided privatisation deal and flawed World Bank advice landed Grenada with a hefty legal bill to reform its electricity sector and cut reliance on polluting diesel
US campaigners call on Joe Biden to commit $8bn to the Green Climate Fund
A letter signed by 46 climate and green groups urges the White House to fulfill its $2bn outstanding pledge to the UN-backed fund and double its initial contribution
Climate veteran Xie Zhenhua returns as China’s special envoy
Xie Zhenhua’s return to climate diplomacy is seen as a ‘bright spot’ for US-China cooperation, given his strong relationship with US special climate envoy John Kerry
Indian farmers head for showdown with government over agricultural reform
Already bearing heavy costs from climate change, Indian farmers fear the government’s market reforms will drive them deeper into debt
Cop26 dream team: The people setting the climate agenda on seven key issues
From Denmark’s Dan Jørgensen to Malawi’s Nancy Tembo, here are the leaders to watch ahead of UN climate talks in Glasgow, UK
Chinese inspectors slam energy authority over coal expansion spree
In a highly critical report, officials found the National Energy Administration was promoting coal power expansion without regard for Beijing’s environmental goals
Cyclone Eloise shatters Mozambique’s progress to recover from 2019 storms
Eloise hit poor communities in central Mozambique that had barely recovered from cyclone Idai in 2019, which killed more than 1,000 people
South African campaigners push for faster coal exit in presidential commission
As president Cyril Ramaphosa launches an initiative to deliver net zero emissions, campaigners prepare to confront trade unions over coal
John Kerry promises ‘significantly’ more climate finance at adaptation summit
Presidential climate envoy John Kerry said the US would work to protect the vulnerable and make amends for a four-year absence from international climate action
EU foreign ministers call for end to financing fossil fuels abroad
EU countries are seeking to align trade and foreign investment policies with the bloc’s climate goals, promoting a global phaseout of fossil fuels
As US renews climate relations with EU and China, carbon pricing raises tensions
An EU plan to tax carbon-intensive imports could spur a race to the top between the world’s three biggest polluters – or become politically toxic
‘Gas is over’: EU bank chief signals phaseout of fossil fuel finance
The European Investment Bank provides limited support for gas under its current policy and intends to end all funding for fossil fuels before the end of the year
Joe Biden is sworn in as US president, promising climate action
“We will pass along a new and better world for our children,” says Joe Biden as he enters the White House with the biggest climate team of any president