World

Parametric triggers: How small islands can escape the climate-poverty trap

The loss and damage fund should use parametric triggers to pay out when climate disaster strikes small island developing states

Despite oil and gas Cop26 pledge, rich countries invest billions. New study blows hole in gas backers' "transition fuel" claim. gas transition fuel

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

Mexico’s new president must reform national oil company Pemex

Investing even more in oil and gas would be a huge financial risk so Claudia Sheinbaum should order Pemex to diversify

Delay to EU deforestation law must not lead to dilution

Delay to EU deforestation law must not lead to dilution

The EU needs to stand firm against the countries and companies hellbent on weakening its pioneering regulation to stop commodities harming forests

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

UN just transition talks provoked frustration among developing countries as rich nations did not attend in person and refused to discuss thorny issues.

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”

Is Brazil's Lula a climate leader?

Is Brazil’s Lula a climate leader?

The Brazilian president has run up against similar challenges to his US counterpart Joe Biden – and it’s bad news for the planet 

Stronger climate targets are most likely to convince Beijing 

How to convince Beijing of the case for stronger climate targets

An ambitious NDC would boost China’s economy, win it recognition as a responsible global power – and keep its people safer from climate disasters

Relegating Africa to the world's green mine is costing us

Relegating Africa to the world’s green mine is costing us

We have the resources, talent and need to develop supply chains for the energy transition that bring sustainable economic benefits for Africans

UN climate chief calls for “exponential changes” to boost investment in Africa

Action on clean energy and adaptation can be the single greatest opportunity to lift up African people and economies, Simon Stiell says

World

US

US turns against plastic producers, boosting hopes for ambitious treaty

The shift sparked accusations of betrayal from the plastics industry and celebrations from environmental campaigners and a Pacific negotiator

US government backs the carbon credit industry's push to fix itself

US government backs the carbon credit industry’s push to fix itself

The Biden administration throws its weight behind the industry’s attempts to boost integrity in the beleaguered market

After climate talks, US sets tariffs on Chinese EVs and solar panels

Days after climate talks, US slaps tariffs on Chinese EVs and solar panels

The measures are designed to increase the cost of Chinese goods needed for the energy transition – and could therefore slow the US shift away from fossil fuels

Climate and energy ministers from G7 countries speaking after a summit in Turin. Photo: G7 Italy

G7 offers tepid response to appeal for “bolder” climate action

Climate and energy ministers from G7 nations agreed a coal exit deadline – with a caveat, but made little progress on other fossil fuels and finance

Louisiana communities suffer from Japan-funded LNG exports

Louisiana communities are suffering from Japan-funded LNG exports

When the Japanese and US leaders meet in Washington, they should back a renewable energy future that will end harm to our health and livelihoods from fossil gas

methane oil gas

Fossil fuel industry under pressure to cut record-high methane emissions

New regulations and monitoring advances could turn the tide on methane emissions from oil, gas and coal production this year

Bahrain gas flaring

US trade agency backs oil and gas drilling in Bahrain despite Biden pledge

Ex-Im’s financing would boost fossil fuel production in the Gulf state with the construction of over 450 new oil and gas wells

John Podesta replaces Kerry as top US climate diplomat

John Podesta replaces Kerry as top US climate diplomat

Podesta will lead US international climate diplomacy alongside his current job overseeing the rollout of domestic clean energy subsidies

US

China

Lessons from China's cleantech industry "overcapacity" tensions

Lessons from trade tensions targeting “overcapacity” in China’s cleantech industry

Clean technology is turning into the next global climate spat. The debate over China’s dominance is highly politicized, but there are ways forward

China's energy efficiency goal

China steps away from 2025 energy efficiency goal

The government aims to cut the amount of energy needed for its economic growth by 2.5% in 2024, putting it far off track for a key five-year climate target

Junk offset sellers push to enter new UN carbon market

Junk offset sellers push to enter new UN carbon market

Renewable energy schemes make up four-fifths of Kyoto-era projects hoping to keep selling offsets under Article 6, sparking concerns over the credibility of the new market.

Veteran US and Chinese climate envoys step down.US China renewables methane talks

Veteran US and Chinese climate envoys step down

Xie Zhenhua has stepped down and John Kerry has announced he will do the same in a few months time

China announces plans to manage electric vehicles power demand

The government will consider incentives to charge electric vehicles at off-peak hours and to let vehicles sell their electricity to the grid

workers install solar panels on a rooftop

China objects to UN fund warnings on solar’s forced labour risks

China opposed six Green Climate Fund projects because the proposals flagged the risk of forced labour in the manufacturing of solar panels.

China's clean energy program Belt and Road gets 'greet' reboot

China’s Belt and Road gets ‘green’ reboot and spending boost

Clean energy is a priority as China promises $100 billion of development funding – but don’t call it climate finance

China opposes ‘not realistic’ global fossil fuel phase-out

From Beijing, climate envoy Xie Zhenhua stood firm against stronger rhetoric against coal, oil and gas deployed at UN headquarters

China

India

Indian official calls EU carbon border tax unfair and unacceptable

Ajay Seth said the EU’s proposals on its carbon border adjustment mechanism were “not practical” for a developing country like India

India's farmers face big climate threats. How can we protect them?

What will it take to protect India’s angry farmers from climate threats?

Indebted farmers, facing falling yields and water scarcity, want legally guaranteed price support for more crops – but that may not fix their climate woes

Carbon capture technology can ease India's energy transition

Capturing coal’s carbon can ease pain of India’s energy transition

Nearly two fifths of India’s districts depend on the coal sector and a rapid phasedown would be devastating for millions of people

Sugar rush: how farmers spurred India's G20 biofuels alliance

Sugar rush: how farmers spurred India’s G20 biofuels alliance

Nineteen countries signed up to an India-led alliance this month to boost production of biofuels, but experts raise sustainability concerns

Why India is rebuffing a coal-to-clean deal with rich nations

Why India is rebuffing a coal-to-clean deal with rich nations

The country is not moving away from coal yet, doesn’t want to hand rich nations a win and thinks the JETP terms aren’t good enough

G20 leaders strike renewables deal, stall on fossil fuels

The world’s largest economies agreed to push for a tripling of renewable energy capacity by 2030, but made no progress on oil and gas phaseout

India mulls end to coal plant construction

If approved by the cabinet, India’s new electricity policy would end the construction of new coal-fired power plants after the planned 28 GW are built

India announces $4.3 billion investment in clean energy

India wants to become a leader in green hydrogen production and to develop huge solar projects in the Ladakh region of the Himalayas

India

EU

Delaying the EU's anti-deforestation law is not an option 

Delaying the EU’s anti-deforestation law is not an option 

The EU’s new deforestation law was seen as a breakthrough in the global battle against forest loss, but it’s provoking fractious debate among governments and producers

EU hit with lawsuit over green labelling of aviation and shipping investments

EU hit with lawsuit over green labelling of aviation and shipping investments

Environmental campaigners take the EU to court over the inclusion of fossil fuel-powered planes and ships in green taxonomy

Scottish oil-town plan for green jobs sparks climate campers' anger

Scottish oil-town plan for green jobs sparks climate campers’ anger over local park

The oil and gas industry aims to bring clean jobs to Aberdeen, but it involves paving over part of a much-loved park, igniting a debate on just transition

Climate diplomat Laurence Tubiana backed by some left parties as next French PM

Climate diplomat Laurence Tubiana backed by some left-wing parties as next French PM

But she is opposed by hard-left coalition partner La France insoumise, which fears she is too close to centrist President Macron

New EU Parliament must treat climate change as a systemic threat

New European Parliament must act on climate change as a systemic threat  

The recent European election sets a trajectory for policymakers to shy away from the climate agenda rather than giving it the urgent boost needed 

Despite dilution, nature law should restore EU's carbon sinks

Despite dilution, officials say new nature law can restore EU carbon sinks

To meet climate goals, the European Union needs to reverse the decline of its carbon-storing ecosystems like forests and peatlands

a mock sword with "Energy Charter Treaty" written on it hangs over the heads of protestors wearing masks of European leaders

Despite exit, EU seeks to save green reforms to energy investment treaty

EU ministers have agreed they are free to support reforms to end protection for fossil fuels at a conference in November

Germany pressures climate groups on Israel-Gaza with funding

Germany uses funding to pressure climate groups on Israel-Gaza war

Many Global South climate groups are funded by the German government, a political ally of Israel, and feel unable to criticise Israel’s military action in Gaza

EU

Africa

Displaced farmers bemoan "bad deal" on EACOP project

Where East African oil pipeline meets sea, displaced farmers bemoan “bad deal” on compensation

The oil export project has pushed up the price of land, so compensation is too low to maintain affected villagers’ standard of living

IRENA: Global goal of tripling renewables by 2030 still out of reach

Global goal of tripling renewables by 2030 still out of reach, says IRENA 

The renewable energy agency calls for more concrete policy action and finance, with Africa especially lagging on clean energy

New South African government fuels optimism for faster energy transition

Stuttering shift away from coal could pick up pace as new faces enter an unprecedented coalition government

Africa cannot afford to be complacent with solar radiation management

Africa cannot afford to be complacent about solar radiation management

As the solar geoengineering debate heats up, it is time for voices across the continent to work together and make themselves heard

South Africa voters head to the polls still waiting a "just energy transition"

As South Africa heads to the polls, voters await stalled “just energy transition”

Progress on the Just Energy Transition Partnership has been slow due to South Africa’s debt concerns and divisions over the role of gas

fter a cyclone ravaged a village in Malawi, the Red Cross worked with a suspected fraudster to aid rebuild — but those homes are unsafe

In Malawi, dubious cyclone aid highlights need for loss and damage fund

Malawi’s Red Cross built 45 homes funded by a suspected Nigerian fraudster, which residents of Mchenga village say are unsafe

Africa must reap the benefits of its energy transition minerals 

Africa must reap the benefits of its energy transition minerals 

In the rush to exploit minerals needed to fight climate change, African leaders should harness their natural wealth for the continent’s development 

Road row in protected forest exposes Kenya’s climate conundrum 

The government wants to expand a road through the Aberdare National Park but conservationists argue it will harm the forest, wildlife and water supplies

Africa

South America

Belém’s electric bus controversy: a cautionary tale for COP30

A plan for new buses in the Brazilian city hosting the 2025 UN climate summit was held up by a political row that suggests the road to COP30 could get rocky

Mexico's next president faces a growing conflict over one of Latin America’s largest wind hubs

A simmering conflict over one of Latin America’s biggest wind hubs confronts Mexico’s next president

Claudia Sheinbaum will have to deal with violent divisions over wind power projects on the Isthmus of Tehuantepec

As demand grows for transition minerals used in clean energy supply chains, new data suggests more protection is needed to stop abuses

Calls for responsible mining fail to stem rights abuses linked to transition minerals

As demand grows for critical minerals used in clean energy supply chains, new data suggests more protection is needed for communities affected by their extraction

Argentinian Far-right president has taken an axe to funding for education and scientific bodies, sparking protests among university students

Argentinian scientists condemn budget cuts ahead of university protest

Right-wing President Javier Milei has taken an axe to funding for education and scientific bodies, sparking fears for climate research 

As donors dither, Indigenous funds seek to decolonise green finance  

Tired of waiting for donor dollars for climate and nature protection to trickle down, Indigenous rights groups are creating new funds to do things differently

Forest carbon accounting keeps Guyana net zero while pumping oil

Forest carbon accounting allows Guyana to stay net zero while pumping oil

Experts say UN rules around forests and oil are open to abuse, so that countries like Guyana can claim to be carbon-negative without cutting emissions

Argentine Congress hinders Milei’s environmental cuts

Argentine resistance hinders Milei’s forest and glacier destruction

Ultra free-market president Javier Milei has not so far been able to get cuts to environmental regulations through Congress

Germany and US warn Brazil against using Amazon Fund for a road

Germany and US warn Brazil against using Amazon Fund to pave rainforest road

The Brazilian government wants to tap forest protection funds to pave a major highway. Western donors say that goes against the fund’s rules.

South America

Middle East

Saudi visa crackdown left heatwave-hit Hajj pilgrims scared to ask for help

Saudi visa crackdown left heatwave-hit Hajj pilgrims scared to ask for help

Pilgrims without the right type of visa were denied medical treatment, survivors say, during a 52C heatwave which killed hundreds

Saudi Arabia cancels plan to raise oil pumping cap

Analysts said Saudi Arabia’s government may be losing faith that the world wants to keep buying more of its oil

‘I hug you deep inside my heart’: In memory of Khalil Abu Yahia

Khalil was a researcher who drew attention to the impacts of climate change on the Gaza Strip before being killed by Israel’s bombs

Battle lines drawn in talks on new plastics treaty

US and Saudi Arabia want a bottom-up deal focused on recycling, while a “high ambition coalition” wants top-down curbs on plastic production

Deadly flash floods in UAE highlight need for resilience investment

The Middle East has not been used to planning for intense rainfall but the region must learn the lessons of recent flooding which killed Asian migrants, experts warn

Europe must set robust clean hydrogen standards to mobilise MENA investment

Europe needs low-carbon hydrogen and the Middle-East and North Africa can produce it

Saudi Arabia’s senior negotiator Ayman Shasly steps back from climate talks

Chair of the Arab group for a decade, Shasly is absent from interim climate talks in Bonn and is being replaced by Albara Tawfiq

German minister backs Middle East ‘peace through water’ plan

The proposals aim to harness solar power to bring drinking water to Palestinian territories but Israel’s support is needed

Middle East

Asia

How can national governments address loss and damage?

How can governments tackle loss and damage at the national level?

As host of the board of the new UN L&D fund, the Philippines can set an example with its pioneering climate accountability bill 

Nepal says China withholds "essential" info on bursting Himalayan glacial lakes

Nepal says China withholds “essential” info on bursting Himalayan glacial lakes

Beijing has not kept promises to provide data on its lakes, hampering efforts to prevent flood disasters, a senior Nepali official says

IEA calls for next national climate plans to target coal phase-down

Countries have agreed to reduce power generated from coal, but shutting down plants is an economic and social challenge, especially in emerging economies

On beaches of Gaza and Tel Aviv, two tales of one heatwave

On beaches of Gaza and Tel Aviv, two tales of one heatwave

While Palestinians in Gaza fear death from heat in makeshift tents, Israelis in Tel Aviv stay cool in air-conditioned homes – highlighting the unequal effects of extreme weather

Developing countries need support adapting to deadly heat

Developing countries need support adapting to deadly heat

Many vulnerable people in South Asia are already struggling to protect themselves from unbearably high temperatures – which are set to worsen

workers install solar panels on a rooftop

Why didn’t China and India sign Cop28 tripling renewables pledge?

China and India are on track to triple renewable capacity this decade, but were put off by anti-coal language and cost concerns

Fearing repression, non-binary people stay away from Cop28. A police officer in Abu Dhabi poses with his police car

Fearing repression in Dubai, non-binary people stay away from Cop28

Non-binary and trans people have been detained and deported at Dubai airport and being gay is effectively criminalised in the UAE

Slow start for Indonesia's carbon market

Slow start for Indonesia’s much-hyped carbon market

Since President Widodo launched Indonesia’s exchange two months ago, there’s been barely any trading of carbon credits

Asia

Pacific

Australia to accept migrants from climate-hit Tuvalu in security pact

Australia to accept migrants from climate-hit Tuvalu in security pact

Australia has offered visas and climate finance to Tuvalu in a security pact to counter China’s influence in the Pacific region

Australia's Cop31 proposal is welcome, but it needs actions

Australia’s bid to host climate talks is welcome but must be matched with action

The climate minister of Pacific Island Vanuatu says those choosing the Cop31 host should examine Australia’s gas expansion plans

Small islands struggle to get help from the Green Climate Fund

Small islands struggle to get help from UN’s flagship climate fund

While small islands still say the Green Climate Fund is better than the rest, they are facing problems getting money from it

UK sued over plan to import more polluting Australian beef

Campaigners are challenging the UK government over its assessment of environmental impacts of a trade deal with Australia

Greens stop blocking Australia’s new fossil fuel projects

They folded after winning concessions from the government which will make producing coal and gas more expensive

Nations fight to be called climate vulnerable in IPCC report

Being recognised as partiuclarly vulnerable can help countries access climate finance and plan adaptation strategies

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

Billionnaire activist forces Australia’s biggest polluter into climate-friendly U-turn

AGL had planned to split in two and keep burning coal for another two decades or more, before Mike Cannon-Brookes led a shareholder revolt

Pacific