Modi, Macron, Xi and Biden among many leaders yet to request COP29 speech
Just over 100 world leaders have said they will speak at the upcoming UN climate summit, about a fifth down on last year’s figure
COP16 confronts “huge” challenge of protecting 30% of world’s land and sea
Ahead of the UN biodiversity summit, countries are urged to come up with strong new plans and funding to meet global nature goals
Australian renewables pioneer Adelaide bids to host COP31 climate summit
South Australia has one of the world’s cleanest electricity grids, which it wants to showcase at the COP31 conference in 2026
Despite solar surge, world off track for COP28 renewable energy target
Current plans will only deliver half of the growth needed to hit a global target of tripling renewables by 2030, IRENA warns
UN approves carbon market safeguards to protect environment and human rights
Developers of carbon credit projects will have to carry out a risk assessment and minimise any social or environmental impacts
Progress on structure for new global climate finance goal but trickier divides persist
Negotiators cite “convergence” on the shape of the post-2025 finance goal but gaps remain on contributors and amounts
New study blows hole in “transition fuel” claim of fossil gas backers
The study found that, for Europe and China, importing US-produced LNG is worse for the climate than using local coal
Japan backs fossil fuels in Southeast Asian “zero emission” initiative
Japan’s Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) supported 56 projects using fossil fuel technologies in Southeast Asia — including LNG and carbon capture
Civil servants warn fossil fuel exploration could harm New Zealand’s climate reputation
Advice to politicians says revoking a ban on oil and gas drilling could damage relations with Pacific neighbours and risk lawsuits
Greenpeace Africa in disarray as restructuring meets resistance
The environmental NGO’s campaigners and bosses have fought over job losses, a shift towards richer nations and LGBT+ policy
Colombia adds nature to the mix with its $40-billion energy transition plan
The investment plan mirrors the model of Just Energy Transition Partnerships (JETPs) – and includes $8.5 billion to conserve and restore nature
Amazon state that will host COP30 strikes “largest carbon credit sale in history”
A coalition of governments and multinational corporations promises to pay Pará state $180m to save its rainforest
UN climate chief warns of “two-speed” global energy transition
Simon Stiell tells investors in NYC that rich countries are benefiting most from clean energy growth while poorer nations are deprived of finance for cheaper renewables
Senegalese banker Ibrahima Cheikh Diong picked to lead new loss and damage fund
Diong has experience in development banking, government and insurance against climate disasters in Africa
COP29 aims to boost battery storage and grids for renewables, as pledges proliferate
Governments are being asked to sign up to a goal to boost energy storage six-fold and renew or add 80 million km of electric grids, among other initiatives
Biodiversity finance grew ahead of COP16 but came mostly as loans, says OECD
Funding for efforts to protect and restore nature increased to $15.4 billion in 2022 – mostly driven by concessional loans from multilateral banks
UK calls for “ambition” on COP29 climate finance goal but won’t talk numbers
The UK’s new foreign minister, David Lammy, says Global North rhetoric on climate action must be matched by funding but stays silent on the size of a new global finance goal
Developing countries denounce rich nations’ disregard for just transition talks
One negotiator said it was “very unfortunate” that no developed-country officials travelled to Ghana for UN climate talks on “response measures”
Slow progress in Baku risks derailing talks on new climate finance goal at COP29
Azerbaijan’s COP29 president calls for determination and leadership from all countries to bridge the gaps on finance
Human rights must be “at the core” of mining for transition minerals, UN panel says
The UN Panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals launches principles to guide responsible, fair extraction of minerals for green value chains