Finance

Carbon taxes are key to stop deforestation

Carbon taxes are key to stop deforestation

In Colombia and Costa Rica, where governments have imposed carbon taxes, deforestation rates are down, while revenues to fund forest restoration efforts are up

EU Parliament urges ECB to put climate at heart of strategy review

EU Parliament urges ECB to put climate at heart of strategy review

European lawmakers have endorsed a parliamentary resolution calling on the ECB to assess how the bank can contribute to the continent’s climate policies

Democratic contenders in Iowa caucus aim to rejoin Paris accord in green goals

Democratic contenders in Iowa caucus aim to rejoin Paris accord in green goals

Candidates pledged to boost climate finance for developing nations and break US dependence on fossil fuels

UN ruling on climate refugees could be gamechanger for climate action

UN ruling on climate refugees could be gamechanger for climate action

The latest UN ruling is a step towards improving the lives of those most vulnerable and affected by climate change

'Trundling over to Africa' - Climate Weekly

‘Trundling over to Africa’ – Climate Weekly

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Trump criticises 'prophets of doom' in Davos and touts fossil fuels

Trump criticises ‘prophets of doom’ in Davos and touts fossil fuels

Trump, Thunberg set out radically different visions for the economy and climate in the 21st century

UK to stop funding coal abroad but will help Africa with oil, gas

UK to stop funding coal abroad but will help Africa with oil, gas

The UK largely stopped financing new coal mines overseas in the early 2000s but spent billions of public funds supporting oil and gas projects abroad since then

Climate change tops risks for world in 2020 - Davos report

Climate change tops risks for world in 2020 – Davos report

Extreme weather, climate action failure, natural disasters, biodiversity loss and human-made environmental disasters top most likely risks to the global economy

Green Climate Fund

How to make the Green Climate Fund a better force for change

How to make the Green Climate Fund a better force for change

Vastly more of the fund’s money should go to projects that adapt to the impacts of climate change

Green Climate Fund replenishment fails to fill hole left by Trump's US

Green Climate Fund replenishment fails to fill hole left by Trump’s US

After the US, Russia, and Australia did not contribute, other developed countries fell $500m short of the fund’s starting capital

As rich countries slow walk green finance, Putin offers Africa an alternative

As rich countries slow walk green finance, Putin offers Africa an alternative

Two summits in one week presented a choice for African leaders: stalled promises of climate finance in Paris or business deals in Sochi

Poor countries will hold the rich to account on climate finance

Poor countries will hold the rich to account on climate finance

The major UN climate fund is running short of money, will rich countries live up to the promises they have given?

France and UK double pledges to UN green fund to $3.5bn

France and UK double pledges to UN green fund to $3.5bn

Announcements at the G7 meeting mean the countries join Germany and Norway with promises to double their initial contributions in the next funding round

UN fund removes veto power over climate projects

UN fund removes veto power over climate projects

The Green Climate Fund changed its rules so no single country can block finance, as recently happened when the US intervened in a Chinese bid

Australia stops payments to Green Climate Fund

Australia stops payments to Green Climate Fund

Australian budget offers nothing to flagship UN scheme as its board seeks replenishment, while climate shapes as divisive election issue

Developing world split on climate finance at UN flagship fund

Developing world split on climate finance at UN flagship fund

Vulnerable countries are backing governance reform at the Green Climate Fund, while emerging economies resist efforts to impose conditions on finance

Green Climate Fund

Carbon markets

Cop25: What was achieved and where to next?

Cop25: What was achieved and where to next?

After two weeks of talks, many issues remain unresolved. Here we break down the major fights and minor breakthroughs of the UN conference in Madrid

Australia and Brazil carbon credits will put 1.5C out of reach, 31 countries say

Australia and Brazil carbon credits will put 1.5C out of reach, 31 countries say

Group led by Costa Rica publishes ‘minimum’ standards for carbon markets that rule out double counting and use of Kyoto-era credits

Push for carbon loopholes sends climate talks into overtime

Push for carbon loopholes sends climate talks into overtime

Australia, US and Brazil threatening ‘spirit’ of the Paris Agreement, says Costa Rican minister, as fractious talks could drag into the weekend

Carbon markets will not help stop climate change

Carbon markets will not help stop climate change

Trading carbon is widely said to make emissions cuts cheaper. But for whom? And why is it dominating climate diplomacy in Madrid?

Australia, Brazil and Saudi Arabia blocking climate talks, says Green MEP

Australia, Brazil and Saudi Arabia blocking climate talks, says Green MEP

Efforts to bring together different strands of the financing of climate action are being hampered at Cop25, says Bas Eickhout, while elsewhere steps forward are being made

Carbon offsets have patchy human rights record. Now UN talks erode safeguards

Carbon offsets have patchy human rights record. Now UN talks erode safeguards

A new global carbon market could unleash finance for projects around the world. But protections for local communities were weakened in draft rules at Cop25

What is Article 6? The issue climate negotiators cannot agree

What is Article 6? The issue climate negotiators cannot agree

It has proven the hardest part of the Paris Agreement to create rules for, with warnings a weak decision could undermine the accord. Now it will dominate UN talks in Madrid

IEA World Energy Outlook outlines 1.5C scenario

IEA World Energy Outlook outlines 1.5C scenario

Observers warn the IEA’s projection is inconsistent with the world’s long-term sustainable development needs

Carbon bubble

Oil tanker investments at risk from climate action, report says

Oil tanker investments at risk from climate action, report says

Strong action on climate change would shrink demand for vessels by a third, impacting investment decisions being made now, analysts say

Asset managers worth $15 trillion make climate risk promise to Macron

Asset managers worth $15 trillion make climate risk promise to Macron

The French president gathered the world’s biggest investors this week to push them to back climate-friendly projects

Gas companies face Californian wipe-out, say S&P, Moody's

Gas companies face Californian wipe-out, say S&P, Moody’s

Ratings agencies say the state’s bid to go 100% renewable poses a ‘significant threat’ to gas generators’ credit stability

Australian bank sued over failure to disclose climate risks

Australian bank sued over failure to disclose climate risks

Shareholders are taking the Commonwealth Bank to court, alleging that it is misleading investors about its financial position

Planned gas investments will blow 1.5C climate target, say analysts

Planned gas investments will blow 1.5C climate target, say analysts

Report by Climate Action Tracker warns that overly bullish gas demand forecasts will lead to stranded assets or an unsafe future climate

Exxon shareholders win 'historic' climate vote against board's advice

Exxon shareholders win ‘historic’ climate vote against board’s advice

Shareholders in world’s largest private oil company won a victory that signals deep unease about climate change amongst major investors

Exxon shareholder rebellion gains momentum ahead of climate vote

Exxon shareholder rebellion gains momentum ahead of climate vote

Major investors BlackRock and Vanguard could tip the balance and force oil firm to publicly divulge risk clean technology and regulations pose to its business

UK is in no position to lecture Saudis on oil dependence

UK is in no position to lecture Saudis on oil dependence

PM Theresa May has offered to help wean Saudi Arabia off oil, but her government’s subsidies to North Sea producers are a poor model for the Middle East petrostate

Climate finance

In depth: The EU's plan to become the first climate-neutral continent

In depth: The EU’s plan to become the first climate-neutral continent

CHN’s media partner EURACTIV takes a look at the ‘king of policies’ that will define Europe’s future, just as the EU finally looks ready to adopt it

Banking on the future - Climate Weekly

Banking on the future – Climate Weekly

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European Investment Bank ends lending to fossil fuel projects

European Investment Bank ends lending to fossil fuel projects

EU finance ministers agreed to phase out EIB lending to unabated oil and gas projects, overcoming opposition from some member states in marathon board meeting

GCF partners with Chilean private equity firm as unrest continues

GCF partners with Chilean private equity firm as unrest continues

Board members call for reform to accreditation process after civil society warns of due diligence shortfalls

‘New Bretton Woods’ needed to fix global system and climate: outgoing UN official

‘New Bretton Woods’ needed to fix global system and climate: outgoing UN official

As she steps down from leading UN sustainable energy push, Rachel Kyte said global institutions must be rebuilt and aligned with action on climate change

China and India demand cash for climate action on eve of UN summit

China and India demand cash for climate action on eve of UN summit

World’s largest and fourth largest emitters said the onus remained on the countries historically responsible for climate change to move money

Only one-fifth of climate finance going to adaptation, finds OECD

Only one-fifth of climate finance going to adaptation, finds OECD

Donors overwhelmingly favour supporting projects that cut emissions rather than cope with the impacts of climate change, despite calls for parity

Preparations for the climate crisis will save trillions, commission finds

Preparations for the climate crisis will save trillions, commission finds

Every $1 spent on climate adaptation could see between $2 and $10 of net economic benefit, but current investments are lagging way behind

Climate finance

Divestment

Finally saying the F-words at UN climate talks

Finally saying the F-words at UN climate talks

International negotiations have always focused on carbon emissions, not the coal, oil and gas that create them. That’s changing

European Central Bank should 'gradually eliminate' carbon assets: Lagarde

European Central Bank should ‘gradually eliminate’ carbon assets: Lagarde

Nominee to lead the bank told MEPs it could adopt new measures to prefer green investments if she is confirmed

European Investment Bank moots fossil fuel lending ban

European Investment Bank moots fossil fuel lending ban

The world’s largest development bank proposed a pivot to clean energy, in a draft plan for consideration by EU finance ministers in September

Children made climate an election issue. Now we'll target banks that fuel fossils

Children made climate an election issue. Now we’ll target banks that fuel fossils

The EU election showed voters have heard the school strikers’ call for action. But will the public institutions that finance coal, oil and gas projects also listen?

Climate Weekly: Norway divests (a bit)

Climate Weekly: Norway divests (a bit)

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Norway calls for $1 trillion fund to sell some oil and gas stocks

Norway calls for $1 trillion fund to sell some oil and gas stocks

The government proposes to divest a reported $7.5 billion worth of shares in oil production, without banning mixed oil majors like Shell and Exxon Mobil

EU subsidies to a massive gas pipeline clash with climate goals

EU subsidies to a massive gas pipeline clash with climate goals

The European Investment Bank approved a €1.5 billion loan to the Trans Adriatic Pipeline last week. This is why it matters

Insurers urged to stop underwriting coal projects, following Axa move

Insurers urged to stop underwriting coal projects, following Axa move

#UnfriendCoal campaign targets the insurance sector to end support for climate-polluting fossil fuels

Green bonds

Ex-UN climate chief calls for green bonds to hit $1 trillion by 2020

Ex-UN climate chief calls for green bonds to hit $1 trillion by 2020

Christiana Figueres is urging public authorities and corporates to scale up climate-friendly infrastructure investment by 2020, under the “green bond pledge”

India raises $400m green bond to fund renewables drive

India raises $400m green bond to fund renewables drive

Money raised by the Power Finance Corporation will support solar and wind projects, contributing to national renewables target of 175GW capacity by 2022

Fiji announces $50m 'climate bond' ahead of COP23 presidency

Fiji announces $50m ‘climate bond’ ahead of COP23 presidency

Prime minister Frank Bainimarama says money raised with help from the World Bank sets an example for innovative green finance to protect the vulnerable

China is taking the green bond market by storm

China is taking the green bond market by storm

Beijing’s sustainable finance push is bearing fruit, with a world-leading $36.9bn worth of green bonds issued last year

Risky business: G20 panel to order climate stress tests

Risky business: G20 panel to order climate stress tests

Donald Trump’s US election win may damage the Paris climate deal, but climate risk reporting rules for businesses could radically change the investment landscape

Poland green bond issue will not fund coal, says official

Poland green bond issue will not fund coal, says official

Investors are sceptical about Warsaw bid to finance renewables, given its coal-heavy energy policy

UK pitches China for climate-friendly finance trillions

UK pitches China for climate-friendly finance trillions

London’s expertise places it in pole position to channel private finance to China, as superpower seeks to invest around $4 trillion a year in infratsructure

Green bonds must keep the green promise

Green bonds must keep the green promise

Robust standards are urgently needed to channel capital debt markets into climate-friendly projects, says WWF France chief Pascal Canfin