Researchers are excited by ‘tantalising’ prospect of open IEA energy data
The International Energy Agency is proposing to lift the paywall on its extensive energy database, in a potential boon for climate research
EU lawmaker calls for carbon border tax revenues to boost climate finance
Support to clean up industries in least developing countries is necessary for the propose levy to comply with WTO rules, Mohammed Chahim argues
‘Extraordinary progress’ – Beijing meets air pollution goals after coal crackdown
Social media protests and US direct diplomacy pushed authorities in China’s capital to clean up heavy industry and home heating
Brussels sets out new green aid rules, with ‘pragmatic exceptions’ for gas
The new guidelines include a special clause for natural gas, allowing member states with the lowest GDP to transition from coal to gas
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
Drought-hit town hopes Chile’s new leader will take back water from Big Avocado
Leftist Gabriel Boric won a landslide to become Chile’s president and backs reform to improve water rights and access for communities like Petorca
Five WWF Pakistan staff monitoring forest protection die in car crash
WWF Pakistan described the victims whose car plunged into a ravine in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as “young and passionate environmentalists”
EU climate package risks locking in gas use, campaigners warn
Under a proposed reform of the EU gas market, the industry gets to propose new gas and hydrogen infrastructure projects across the bloc
Hackers throw Indonesian palm oil seminar into chaos, fuelling blame game
As experts debated a controversial proposal to classify palm oil plantations as forest, their event in Jakarta was disrupted by swearing and pornography
Europe conflicted over push to fast-track mining code for the ocean floor
While some EU states are calling for a moratorium on deep seabed mining, others have interests in exploration – with Germany sending mixed messages
Campaigners seek to curb UK oil production through the high court
The UK’s oil and gas regulator does not take tax breaks or foreign ownership into account when deciding whether a license is in the national interest
African Union urged to bring political clout to Egypt climate talks
Frustrated by a lack of recognition of Africa’s special needs on climate, advisers are calling on national leaders to unite behind a common agenda in Sharm el-Sheikh
‘Huge blow’ – cuts to gas finance sparks West African backlash
Nigerian and Senegalese leaders have criticised western countries for pledging to stop funding gas projects internationally, calling for exceptions to be made
US spending on airport expansion flies under the radar for climate activists
Public funding of $25 billion to airports generated little controversy despite flying’s outsized climate impact, in contrast to the European discourse
A rush to mine the deep ocean has environmentalists worried
Tiny Nauru is behind a push to fast-track talks on mining rules for the deep seabed, which could see fragile habitats opened to exploitation as early as 2023
UK needs to deliver on climate, not set higher 2030 target, say advisers
The Glasgow pact calls on countries to improve their 2030 plans next year but the Cop26 host’s goal is already in line with 1.5C, the Climate Change Committee says
China ‘trumps’ the west by pledging larger share of IMF relief to African nations
President Xi Jinping promised to share around a quarter of China’s pandemic recovery boost with Africa, more than European and American countries
‘Subversion and treason’: Australian minister attacks independent climate body
Tim Wilson, an elected official in Australia’s energy ministry, slammed a proposal for an expert climate commission
As Delhi chokes, India’s supreme court is grappling with the air pollution crisis
Millions of residents in India’s capital are suffering under the winter smog, prompting the country’s highest court to hold government to account
UN shipping body agrees voluntary measures to cut black carbon in the Arctic
At the International Maritime Organization (IMO) meeting, countries urged ship operators to switch to cleaner fuels in Arctic waters