Grenada’s Simon Stiell set to be appointed UN climate chief
Stiell is a veteran advocate for climate ambition from a small vulnerable, Caribbean island, with a background in engineering and business
Pakistan struggles to rebuild after deadly flash floods
At least 550 people died as the wettest month in three decades washed away mud houses in rural Balochistan – and international aid is not forthcoming
Colombia’s new president calls for debt swap to protect the Amazon
“We can turn the entire population of the Colombian Amazon into a population that cares for the forest, but we need the world’s funds to do it,” says Gustavo Petro
‘We are not ready’: Divisions deepen over rush to finalise deep sea mining rules
A growing number of countries are backing calls for a moratorium on mining the oceans’ floor but the UN body responsible is pushing to greenlight the industry in 2023
US-China climate working group cancelled after Pelosi’s Taiwan visit
Talks on topics like methane cuts, forests, clean power and action in cities have been cancelled after a diplomatic spat over Taiwan
Chinese companies seek global carbon market for green hydrogen
A project that supplied green hydrogen for buses at the Winter Olympics could be the first of its kind to sell carbon credits through the Clean Development Mechanism
US-funded trees ‘not likely to survive’ in Haiti when project ends
A report commissioned by USAID found that the environmental and social benefits of a $39m five-year programme were unlikely to continue beyond this month
Egypt pitches for climate funding in list of African projects to be showcased at Cop27
The Cop27 host is pitching for $11.4bn in investment as part of a push with the UN to match bankable climate projects with private funders
UN, IMF disagree on who should foot the bill of the energy crisis
António Guterres is backing windfall taxes on “immoral” oil and gas profits, while the IMF argues costs should be passed to consumers
African climate diplomats reject African Union’s pro-gas stance for Cop27
Negotiators quashed a proposal to endorse gas for energy access at the next UN climate summit, arguing the controversy would distract from other priorities
India approves climate plan with increased ambition, clarifying energy goals
The cabinet has cemented a verbal pledge by prime minister Narendra Modi to aim for net zero emissions by 2070 and improve carbon efficiency this decade
Rich countries fall $17bn short of 2020 climate finance goal
2020 was the deadline for delivering the $100bn climate finance promise
US set to fine oil and gas companies for methane leaks
The fee is thought to be the first in the world and is likely to at least halve the oil and gas sector’s methane leakage rate
Sri Lanka can’t afford fossil fuels but can’t afford to get off them either
Reliance on imported fossil fuels has helped bankrupt Sri Lanka and now it doesn’t have the money to transition to renewables
US set to pass $369bn of climate spending after Manchin U-turn
Democrats called it the “single biggest climate investment in US history so far” and claimed it would do 80% of the work of meeting the US’s 2030 climate target
EU energy ministers agree to cut gas use in the face of Russian supply disruptions
Despite a backlash against moves to impose rationing, every member state except Hungary united behind the plan to boost energy security this winter
Make polluters pay for climate adaptation, voluntary carbon market body proposes
An adaptation levy on carbon credits could raise up to $2.5bn a year by 2030, providing more predictable support for climate vulnerable countries
South Africa turns to renewables, gas and batteries to end power cuts
President Cyril Ramaphosa promised to tackle the country’s frequent electricity outages by mobilising private sector investment and international support
UK freezes international aid to keep within self-imposed limit
Climate and food programmes are expected to suffer from a pause on aid spending at a time of rising hunger
Massachusetts set to enable citizens to give climate finance to vulnerable nations
In a world first, the American state is expected to adopt a bill that would let people contribute to the Least Developed Countries Fund when filing their tax return