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
Chinese court rules bitcoin mining harms the climate
A judge in Beijing quashed a bitcoin contract on the basis it was not in the public interest, citing incompatibility with China’s carbon neutrality goal
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
Germany promotes insurance-based ‘global shield’ for climate victims
The German initiative aims to fix the flaws in humanitarian aid, but with no new money behind it campaigners are sceptical
Pacific islands welcome Australia’s renewed climate ambition – and ask for more
At this week’s Pacific Island Forum the new Australian government got a warmer response from its smaller neighbours but was pressed to keep fossil fuels in the ground
China’s ambitious rooftop solar pilot helps drive ‘blistering’ capacity growth
Across China, hundreds of local authorities are partnering with solar developers to cover a percentage of buildings with PV by the end of 2023
EU lawmakers back stronger energy efficiency target in response to Russian war
The European Parliament’s four largest political groups are proposing a 14.5% efficiency goal by 2030, up from the 9% discussed last year
Soaring inflation hinders Egypt’s climate ambition in updated plan
The host of the next UN climate summit has strengthened its renewable energy targets but still expects to increase emissions this decade
Brazilian court world’s first to recognise Paris Agreement as human rights treaty
The Supreme Court ruling requires the Brazilian government to reactivate its climate fund and has implications for international law
EU set to use ‘green’ label for gas, nuclear investments after parliamentary vote
Climate campaigners accused EU lawmakers of “betrayal” and some member states are preparing legal challenges to the sustainable taxonomy
US proposes up to 11 new offshore oil leases, under industry pressure
The Biden administration is consulting on scaled-back oil development in federal waters, after a judge warned against a total ban
‘The world is getting tired of this’: Supreme Court deals blow to US climate credibility
The international climate community sees a ruling to curtail the EPA’s powers as further weakening Joe Biden’s ability to deliver on his climate goals