World

Nine of our best climate change stories from 2024

This year we investigated governments, corporations and NGOs in the climate space, and brought you on-the-ground reporting from Africa, Asia and the Middle East

After Cyclone Chido, France accused of neglecting climate threat to "fragile" Mayotte

After Cyclone Chido, France accused of neglecting climate threat to “fragile” Mayotte

Locals and experts say France should have done more to protect residents of its poor island territory from extreme weather

President Biden sets 2035 US emissions goal in Trump's shadow

President Biden sets US emissions goal for 2035 in the shadow of Trump

The outgoing administration said the target to cut emissions by 61-66% by 2035 can be reached even if Trump rolls back climate action

As Earth dries out, countries fail to reach drought agreement

Countries including the US successfully resisted Africa’s push for a legally binding drought protocol at the “land COP” in Riyadh

ICJ climate justice proceedings must recognise links between climate and nature

ICJ climate justice proceedings must recognise links between climate and nature

Climate change is destroying nature and must be stopped – but we should also ensure climate action helps, not hinders, nature

The world is getting smaller for pastoralists facing multiple threats

Africa’s herders are trying to maintain their way of life in the face of rising climate stress, conflict and competition for land

Sun rising in Tudela, Spain

EU should push for global deal to curb solar geoengineering, advisors say

Europe’s first scientific advice on the technology urges Brussels to prevent its deployment, leaving room for limited outdoor research

Indonesia's nickel industry

Nickel mining for electric vehicles is destroying lives in Indonesia

Indonesia’s abundant nickel reserves are crucial for a low carbon world. But extracting them is ruining local peoples’ lives and causing rampant deforestation

Biden uses only Africa visit to promote “game changer” railway for copper and cobalt

The US is placing its critical minerals hopes in the Lobito Corridor project, which it says will also bring growth and jobs to Africa

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

Green reforms to energy investment treaty pass key hurdle

The reforms will allow governments to end protection for investments in fossil fuels within their borders while keeping them for renewables

World

US

Global North countries must step up on protecting their own forests

The impacts of logging in the Global North are being felt in countries like Nigeria – a more equitable, coordinated approach is needed to tackle deforestation

US election: Climate experts react to Donald Trump’s victory

Trump is expected to cut spending on green energy and boost US production of fossil fuels, while pulling his country out of the Paris climate accord

Legal experts say Trump could quit Paris pact – but leaving UNFCCC much harder

As the US Senate approved the US joining the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, it’s unclear if a president could easily pull the country out

What Trump got wrong on China, coal and climate 

What Trump got wrong on China, coal and climate 

Republican candidate Donald Trump has cited China’s coal plants as a reason for the US to stick with fossil fuels – but he fails to acknowledge China’s massive clean energy industry

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

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

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

US

China

China sets up COP29 agenda fight with EU on trade measures

Emerging economies set up COP29 agenda fight over trade measures

The BASIC group led by China wants “unilateral restrictive trade measures” on the COP29 agenda

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

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

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

India

Indian coal giants pushed for lax pollution rules while ramping up production

Indian coal giants pushed for lax pollution rules while ramping up production

Even as India agreed to phase down coal power at UN climate talks, state-run firms were lobbying government to weaken pollution regulations and expand the sector

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

EU

Plans to turn Europe's biggest coal mine into a leisure lake prove divisive

Plans to turn Europe’s biggest coal mine into a leisure lake prove divisive

Transition experts say repurposing Poland’s Bełchatów mine and power plant for renewables not recreation could bring more jobs, revenue and electricity

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

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

EU

Africa

People wade through a flooded street caused by continuous rain brought by Typhoon Yagi, in San Miguel, Calumet, Bulacan, north of Manila, Philippines, on September 3, 2024.

Adaptation Fund head laments “puzzling” lack of pledges at COP29

Even as leaders highlight the urgency of protecting people from more extreme weather and rising seas, they have been reluctant to pay up at COP29 for the measures needed

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

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

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

Africa

South America

Why the international community should back Colombia’s post-fossil fuel plan  

At COP29 talks in Baku, rewarding Colombia’s leadership would build confidence in the transition to a greener, fairer world

Colombia to present proposal for new critical minerals pact at COP30

The aim is for minerals used in the clean energy transition to be mined and commercialised responsibly, respecting the environment and communities

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 

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

South America

Middle East

Rights group finds abusive conditions for migrants working on UAE renewables

Migrant workers in solar and wind project supply chains say they suffer exploitative recruitment fees, wage theft and illegally long hours in dangerous heat

UAE kicks off new global round of UN climate plans

UAE kicks off new global round of UN climate plans

COP28 host nation claims the plan is compatible with a 1.5C warming limit, but campaigners disagree, saying it does not commit to cutting oil and gas production

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

Middle East

Asia

Weak gender focus at COP29 risks leaving women behind in greener future

In India, social barriers make it tough for women to work in the solar sector, as experts call for more attention to green skills in global climate politics

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

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

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

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

Asia

Pacific

COP29 Bulletin Day 9: Developing nations deride “$200bn” finance rumour

Emerging economies reject an informal number being floated for government provision under the new goal and say they won’t join the donor pool

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

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