Latest climate change news
‘Inverse Opec’: Kamala Harris plan to wind down oil production awaits its moment
The proposal to negotiate a managed decline of fossil fuels is politically and diplomatically sensitive but finds support among a handful of climate leaders
Kamala Harris is right to propose a managed decline of fossil fuel production
If Joe Biden is serious about tackling climate change, he should adopt his running mate’s plan to negotiate an international deal to leave oil in the ground
IMF endorses EU plan to put a carbon price on imports
If major emitters do not agree to a minimum carbon price, IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva said the EU was right to impose tariffs on imports at the border
South Africa aims to reach net zero emissions in 2050 – while still burning coal
In a low emissions strategy, South Africa flagged an aspiration to become a net zero economy by 2050, but its energy plan foresees a continued role for coal
‘China is willing to contribute more’: Beijing signals carbon neutrality intent
After a virtual summit with the EU, China trailed plans to go carbon neutral by mid century, in a move welcomed by climate advocates
EU faces internal battle as it prepares to increase 2030 climate target
The EU Commission will propose cutting emissions 55% by 2030 but progressive leaders face a steep climb to bring coal-dependent Poland onside
Energy companies keep right to sue states in private courts, as treaty reforms blocked
Fossil fuel investors can continue to sue governments secretly when climate policies hurt their profits, as EU lacks support for Energy Charter Treaty overhaul
Vietnam brings cement sector into new climate submission to the UN
The southeast Asian nation has made slight improvements to its 2030 climate plan but still expects emissions to increase rapidly over the next decade
Why we no longer use the phrase ‘brown finance’
We realised “brown finance” to describe investment in harmful fossil fuels is offensive to people with brown skin, so we switched to “dirty finance”
Encouraged by Bolsonaro, land grabbers advance on Amazon indigenous territory
Illegal settlements are springing up on indigenous territories in the Brazilian Amazon, driving deforestation
Fight for the ‘right to regulate’ – Climate Weekly
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Asian multilateral bank promises to end coal-related financing
AIIB president says he will not finance ‘any projects that are functionally related to coal’, but has yet to reflect that in the Beijing-based bank’s written policies
France seeks German collaboration on hydrogen in EU green recovery
The EU’s biggest economies are investing billions of euros in building clean hydrogen fuel capacity to decarbonise heavy industry and transport
UK Climate Assembly calls for frequent flyer levy, private jet ban
A group of 108 citizens tasked with finding fair and socially acceptable ways to decarbonise the British economy by 2050 proposed curbs on jetsetting
Fracking company sues Slovenia over ‘unreasonable’ environmental protections
A British oil and gas company is using a controversial energy treaty to sue Slovenia, after being required to carry out an environmental impact assessment
World misses 2020 biodiversity goals: leaked UN draft report
Global Biodiversity Outlook draft finds funding shortfalls and failure to account for the role of women held back progress on restoring ecosystems
Japan blocks green reform of major energy investment treaty
The European Union is seeking to amend the Energy Charter Treaty to align with climate goals, but Japan is resisting change as negotiations resume
African ministers call for investment in Great Green Wall to aid Covid-19 recovery
Plans for an 8,000km green belt across the Sahel region have stalled, with fresh funds needed to halt desertification and create sustainable livelihoods
Europe faces human rights test case – Climate Weekly
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There will be no ‘green recovery’ for poor countries without loss and damage finance
A loss and damage fund linked to rich countries’ mitigation efforts could levy new funds to address ‘perfect storm’ of flooding, Covid-19 and economic hardship