UK
UK coal mine approval sparks global fury and hypocrisy claims
The decision to allow a new coking coal mine goes against official climate advice and the UK’s international rhetoric on fossil fuels
As Queen Elizabeth II dies, climate advocate King Charles III takes throne
King Charles III has campaigned on environmental issues for more than 50 years and was an early advocate for climate action
UK puts climate denier in charge of energy policy
The UK’s new prime minister Liz Truss has appointed Jacob Rees-Mogg as energy secretary, who has a record of dismissing climate science
We got fooled again: As big oil and gas cash in, Britons crippled by energy bills
Millions of Britons are paying an exorbitant price for successive governments’ short-termist decisions that prolonged our dependence on fossil fuel
In Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss, UK’s two PM contenders have poor climate records
Liz Truss has links to secretively funded climate sceptic groups while Rishi Sunak opposed climate spending as finance minister
UK government touts ‘guilt-free flying’ on country’s hottest day on record
The “jet zero” strategy relies on future technology breakthroughs and rejects options to curb demand
EU and UK will end investment protection for fossil fuels in 10 years
Under the reform, the EU will end protection for new fossil fuel infrastructure. But existing ones will remain protected for 10 years and some gas projects for even longer
UK floats ‘climate compatibility’ test for new oil and gas drilling
The UK government says new oil and gas licensing can fit with its climate commitments. Campaigners, citing the International Energy Agency, disagree
UK sets out economy-wide strategy to meet 2050 net zero goal
Analysts welcomed the plan days before the UK hosts the Cop26 summit but warned more public investments were needed to give it credibility
UK pledges to make scaling up adaptation finance a priority at G7 summit
At a ministerial meeting of donor and developing countries, the UK said it would aim to secure additional financial support for vulnerable nations by June
UK rules out public subsidy for East African oil pipeline
UK Export Finance will no longer back oil and gas projects overseas, shutting off a potential source of support for a major pipeline across Uganda and Tanzania
Five ways the UK is failing to walk the talk on a green recovery ahead of Cop26
While vocal on raising climate ambition on the global stage, recent domestic policy announcements undermine the UK host’s leadership credentials
Plans for UK coal mine suspended after criticism of net zero commitment
The UK Committee on Climate Change says the use of coking coal should be curbed by 2035, but the application says the mine will not be closed until the end of 2049
UK net zero commitment questioned, as government allows new coal mine
The UK government has been accused of “rank hypocrisy” for letting a new coal mine go ahead while seeking to lead on climate as hosts of Cop26 summit
UK Supreme Court lifts ban on Heathrow airport third runway
Heathrow still faces major obstacles to carry out its expansion plans, in light of the UK’s 2050 net zero target and uncertain future demand
‘Looking for positivity’: Parisversaire party to revive momentum on climate
After a year disrupted by coronavirus, national leaders are expected to announce climate commitments on Saturday, the fifth anniversary of the Paris Agreement
UK announces stronger 2030 emissions target, setting the bar for ambition summit
The UK will cut emissions 68% from 1990 to 2030, Boris Johnson announced, urging other leaders to bring new commitments to the 5th anniversary of the Paris Agreement
UK scrambles to decide first post-Brexit climate pledge to the Paris Agreement
The Cop26 host is on a tight timeline to set a 2030 carbon-cutting target separate from the EU’s, ahead of an ambition summit on the fifth anniversary of Paris
UK aid budget cuts undermine trust ahead of Cop26 summit, experts warn
As developing countries prepare to negotiate a scaling up of climate finance at next year’s Cop26, the UK host faces criticism for reneging on its aid commitment
Boris Johnson has further to go on climate to show true leadership
The UK prime minister’s plan for a “green industrial revolution” sends a strong political signal, but more is needed for a credible decarbonisation strategy ahead of Cop26