World
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
Trump solar tariff ‘will cause disruption’, says UN renewable chief
Energy leaders in Davos were critical of trade intervention the US solar industry said could cause 23,000 job losses
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
Los Angeles lawmakers propose “climate emergency” department
In the wake of the devastating Thomas wildfire in southern California, city council members are calling for emergency funds to ramp up climate action
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
The Chinese coal city that electrified its entire taxi fleet
Taiyuan, the capital of Shanxi province, replaced 8,000 petrol-powered taxis with electric vehicles in a single year. What did we learn?
Climate change is driving migration from Vietnam’s Mekong delta
Saltwater intrusion and drought are destroying crops in one of the most fertile places on earth, prompting an exodus of farmers
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
Norwegian campaigners lose court case against Arctic oil drilling
Oslo district court told Greenpeace and co-plaintiffs exploration for new reserves did not violate citizens’ constitutional right to a healthy environment
Libya burns dirty oil for electricity as Islamic State disrupts gas plans
Amid conflict since Muammar Gaddafi was deposed in 2011, gas pipelines have been shelved, leaving two new power plants reliant on burning crude
China to launch nationwide carbon market next week: officials
The emissions trading scheme will initially cover only the power sector, not heavy industry as planned, but will nonetheless become the biggest in the world
US ‘no position’ on how much humans are changing climate, says Trump envoy
George David Banks speaks with Arthur Neslen about keeping the US in the Paris deal, morale in the state department and why he said he didn’t know what 2C means
Trump seeks pro-coal alliance as global push against fuel grows
While leaders gather in Paris to celebrate the second anniversary of global climate pact, Trump official says US wants to form group of countries to promote “clean” coal
Belt and road countries could emit triple China’s carbon, warns official
Top green finance official Ma Jun tells a conference in Paris that China wants international support to clean up its investments abroad
China reverses coal ban after gas shortage leaves residents freezing
After an anti-air pollution drive left many without heat, China’s government has relaxed a ban on coal across 28 northern cities
Will these hand-painted signs be enough to stop a dam in the Amazon?
With indigenous land demarcations frozen across Brazil, illegal mining and hydro dams threaten the Amazon. Communities are taking matters into their own hands