Latest climate change news
“First step”: Reformers react to World Bank plan to free up climate spending
The bank plans to relax its lending rules to channel more money into projects tackling climate change – but officials pushing the reform say it is too timid
UAE minister calls for “phase out” of oil and gas
Attempts to get governments to agree to “phase out” fossil fuels were unsuccesful at Cop26 and Cop27 and that battle is likely to be re-fought at Cop28
Corporations push “insetting” as new offsetting but report claims it is even worse
More companies claim that supply-chain carbon removal is the way forward. But a new report raises concern over the credibility and transparency of insetting.
ECT boss accuses EU of protecting fossil fuels by blocking reforms
Lentz accused the European Union of helping protect fossil fuel investments but climate campaigners accused him of a “desperate attempt” to keep the EU in the treaty
Another sceptic bites the dust – Climate Weekly
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World Bank proposes freeing up $4bn by loosening lending rules
The bank is under pressure to free up more money to tackle climate change but one expert said this measure does not go far enough
World Bank chief to step down early after climate controversy
Last year, the World Bank’s president David Malpass refused to accept the scientific consensus on global warming, leading to calls for the US government to push him out
Study: IPCC asks emerging countries to drop coal faster than rich nations did
A new study has found that most energy transition models ask nations like China, India and South Africa to cut coal use twice as fast as developed countries ever did.
UAE’s Cop28 boss calls for “course correction” on climate change
Jaber, who also heads the state oil giant Adnoc, fueled activists’ worries about fossil fuels in the upcoming UN climate negotiations.
Biden promises to “work with Congress” to fund Amazon protection
With Jair Bolsonaro out of power, one obstacle to US funding for Amazon rainforest protection has gone – but Republicans in Congress could still block funding.
Spread too thin – Climate Weekly
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Missed deadline raises risk of delays to loss and damage fund
Fewer than half the seats on a loss and damage transitional committee have been filled, holding up work to channel funds to climate victims
Switzerland won’t follow EU out of controversial energy treaty: official
Experts fear that fossil fuel companies will restructure their operations through Switzerland to keep suing governments over climate action
UN budget cuts hindered response to Pakistan’s extreme floods
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs had only seven staff in Islamabad to assess the needs, down from 35 five years earlier
Europe proposes mass exit from energy treaty
After big European nations said they would leave the Energy Charter Treaty, the European Commission now says a joint EU exit is the best option
Denmark to put CO2 in seabed in step towards carbon negativity
Denmark wants to suck more carbon dioxide out of the air than it emits by 2050 and store it in old North Sea oil and gas fields
China warns of more floods and heatwaves in 2023
Last year was marked by a record-breaking heatwave and China’s weather agency has warned of more this year, as the climate crisis escalates
Circuses have evolved and so must UN climate summits
As formal negotiations get into the finer details, Cop28 should bring more focus – and accountability – to action in the real economy
Cables become cool – Climate Weekly
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Colombia gets $70m from new global renewable integration fund
Colombia will get the first pay-out of a $300m Climate Investment Funds pot for transmission lines, batteries, EV chargers and green hydrogen