Chloé Farand
Japan set to announce 2050 net zero emissions target – report
Prime minister Yoshihide Suga is expected to unveil plans to achieve carbon neutrality in a speech on Monday, following growing pressure on Tokyo to step up ambition
China hits out at US climate record, in pointed message ahead of election
In an extraordinary diplomatic attack, Beijing suggested “troublemaker” US must answer to the international community for breaking the consensus on climate change
Ballooning debt cripples poor countries’ hopes of green recovery from Covid
Vulnerable countries are struggling to survive the economic impacts of the coronavirus pandemic, let alone build back better, as debts mount up
Campaigners confront IMF chief over green recovery contradictions
Analysis shows IMF advice to countries accessing Covid-19 emergency funds fails to systematically address climate risks and implicitly endorses fossil fuel subsidies
A Biden victory could spur global climate action, but the US has much to prove
If elected US president, Biden must balance domestic and international pressures to set a 2030 emissions target on a tight deadline, with a view to inspiring others
Nigeria, Jamaica bring closure to the Kyoto Protocol era, in last-minute dash
With hours to the deadline, Nigeria became the 144th country to ratify the Doha Amendment, ensuring it would come into force before it expires this year
Fate of UN-led carbon market to be decided behind closed doors
The executive board is considering an extension of the Clean Development Mechanism beyond 2020, under industry pressure but with no political mandate
UN summit highlights $700bn funding gap to restore nature
A pledging conference to halt the decline of biodiversity worldwide yielded only a handful of vague financial commitments from European governments
Poland agrees coal mining phase out with unions by 2049
Agreeing an end date for coal mining is a big step for Polish trade unions, but climate experts say 2049 is too late and Brussels won’t agree to state aid plans
Trudeau promises green jobs for Canada as his leadership hangs in the balance
Justin Trudeau promised to make climate action a “cornerstone” of Canada’s coronavirus recovery plan, but has yet to win the backing he needs in parliament
UK, UN bill Paris Agreement anniversary as key moment for raising climate ambition
An online summit on 12 December offers a last chance for leaders to show off increased climate ambition by the end of 2020, the UN deadline
UK plans to boost climate ambition face delays amid rising Covid-19 cases
The UK host of critical Cop26 climate talks was tipped to set out its vision to world leaders during the UN general assembly, but the timeline has slipped
Xi Jinping: China will aim for carbon neutrality by 2060
China, the world’s biggest emitter, officially spoke of ending its contribution to global heating in a video message from President Xi to the UN
EU faces internal battle as it prepares to increase 2030 climate target
The EU Commission will propose cutting emissions 55% by 2030 but progressive leaders face a steep climb to bring coal-dependent Poland onside
Vietnam brings cement sector into new climate submission to the UN
The southeast Asian nation has made slight improvements to its 2030 climate plan but still expects emissions to increase rapidly over the next decade
Asian multilateral bank promises to end coal-related financing
AIIB president says he will not finance ‘any projects that are functionally related to coal’, but has yet to reflect that in the Beijing-based bank’s written policies
World misses 2020 biodiversity goals: leaked UN draft report
Global Biodiversity Outlook draft finds funding shortfalls and failure to account for the role of women held back progress on restoring ecosystems
African ministers call for investment in Great Green Wall to aid Covid-19 recovery
Plans for an 8,000km green belt across the Sahel region have stalled, with fresh funds needed to halt desertification and create sustainable livelihoods
Countries promise green recovery at Japanese virtual summit, keep quiet on fossil bailouts
Ministers from China, EU and other major economies outlined plans to build back better after the coronavirus pandemic at a meeting convened by Japan
Six Portuguese youth file ‘unprecedented’ climate lawsuit against 33 countries
In the first climate case to be filed with the European Court of Human Rights, six Portuguese youth argue inadequate emissions cuts violate their human rights