Costa Rica backs away from leading oil and gas phaseout coalition
Costa Rica, a founding member of the Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance, won’t prioritize it at Cop27 climate talks after a change of government
Egypt clamps down on activism and undocumented workers ahead of Cop27
Campaigners are hoping to use the global spotlight on Egypt to secure the release of political prisoners – but fear a backlash
China, India set to snub Cop27 leaders’ climate summit
A weak turnout is expected from major emitters in Sharm el-Sheikh, shifting the geopolitical showdown to a G20 leaders’ summit in Bali
John Kerry: Carbon offsets can help wean developing countries off coal
The US special envoy wants the voluntary carbon market to finance energy transitions in emerging economies – but partner countries aren’t keen
Rich nations deflect GCF climate finance burden to private sector
The US wants to open the door for philanthropists and businesses to contribute to the Green Climate Fund, despite fund staff’s doubts
Brazil election: Lula victory raises hope for Amazon rainforest
Lula has vowed to halt deforestation but analysts warn that a right-wing dominated Congress and political inertia will make it challenging
Climate fund approves plan to speed up coal retirement in Indonesia
The Climate Investment Funds aims to mobilise $4 billion from public and private sources to start decarbonising Indonesia’s power sector
Cop27 host Egypt plans to push gas as ‘the perfect solution’
The presidency of upcoming climate talks is embracing fossil gas as a “transition” fuel, despite its polluting impact
European exodus from Energy Charter Treaty raises climate questions
France, Germany and Spain plan to leave the controversial investment pact, putting a whole system of dirty energy protections into play
Breakdown: Who is contributing what to South Africa’s clean energy shift
A leaked summary shows Germany and France are providing cheap loans while the UK is making the biggest contribution to mobilise private finance
Hurricane Ian could push insurers out of Florida
Facing huge claims and legal bills from climate-driven disasters, insurers may pull out of Florida or charge extremely high prices
Joe Biden’s abandoned climate migrant reforms leave hurricane victims stranded
The US president has not followed through with moves to resettle climate victims, leaving displaced people facing dangerous journeys
South Africa approves $8.5bn energy transition investment plan
Insiders say less than 3% of the money rich countries promised is earmarked as grants, raising concerns about fairness and South Africa’s debt burden
Small island states to propose ‘response fund’ for climate victims at Cop27
As rich countries resist creating a ‘funding facility’ to address damages caused by climate change, island states are refining their demands
Thanks to fossil fuel crisis, wind and solar payback time drops to one year
A new report shows investments in renewable energy are set to be higher than fossil fuels in 2022, due to soaring electricity prices.
Loggers can now restore cut-down forests for FSC green branding
Loggers can now gain the FSC green certification, as long as they restore the same amount of forests they have destroyed between 1994 and 2020
US, Germany back ‘fundamental reform’ of World Bank to scale climate finance
A group of 10 countries led by the US and Germany have presented the bank’s management with a plan to reform the institution this week
Funds for Pakistan flood relief come too little, too late
Nearly two months on from devastating floods, only $51 million of aid has been delivered, forcing humanitarian groups to make tough decisions
Turn down the heating: France unveils ‘ambitious’ energy saving plan
French people and businesses are encouraged to take shorter showers, turn down thermostats and car pool but none of the measures are binding
International air travel set for ‘aspirational’ 2050 net zero goal
The International Civil Aviation Organization has agreed a 2050 net zero emissions goal for aviation but its credibility is in doubt