Joe Lo
Fragile countries call for investment in rooftop solar to expand energy access
War-torn states struggle to attract funding for small-scale renewable projects, which leaders say are cheaper, cleaner and less vulnerable to conflict than fossil fuels
Hit by hurricanes and Covid, more Central Americans go hungry and plan to migrate
Nearly eight million people are hungry in El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Guatemala, according to the World Food Programme, with many planning to leave
Italy creates ecological transition ministry but campaigners warn against gas support
Physicist Roberto Cingolani, who comes from a defense and security firm to lead a new Italian green ministry, has previously praised gas as ‘the most sustainable resource’
EU member states divided over green reforms of energy investment treaty
France and Spain are calling for the EU to quit the Energy Charter Treaty unless it is overhauled to support climate goals; eastern member states want less radical reform
Climate leaders welcome reforming WTO chief, as carbon trade wars loom
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala brings an awareness of climate issues to the UN trade body, where member states are set to clash over carbon border taxes
China’s energy agency floats increase in 2030 renewables target
Analysts say the proposal would lead to China installing 300 GW more wind and solar capacity by 2030 than under existing targets
Study suggests China’s crackdown on illegal CFC gases is working
Levels of the banned CFC-11 in the atmosphere have fallen over east Asia after the Chinese government cracked down on illegal producers in the foam industry
Biden orders adviser to explore options for resettling climate migrants
Campaigners welcome “extraordinary” move by the White House to address displacement triggered by climate disasters
Why Grenada had to nationalise its electricity for $60m to pursue renewables
A one-sided privatisation deal and flawed World Bank advice landed Grenada with a hefty legal bill to reform its electricity sector and cut reliance on polluting diesel
Court condemns French government over climate inaction with symbolic €1 fine
Campaigners have hailed a ‘historic victory’ after an administrative court concluded the French government could be held responsible for breaching its 2015-18 carbon budget
Chinese inspectors slam energy authority over coal expansion spree
In a highly critical report, officials found the National Energy Administration was promoting coal power expansion without regard for Beijing’s environmental goals
New Zealand urged to accelerate emissions cuts in line with 2050 net zero goal
Independent advisors said New Zealand should cut emissions “much more than 35%” from 2005 levels by 2030 to align ambition with a 1.5C global warming limit
South African campaigners push for faster coal exit in presidential commission
As president Cyril Ramaphosa launches an initiative to deliver net zero emissions, campaigners prepare to confront trade unions over coal
Exclusive: Japan uses ‘environmental’ fund to finance Vietnamese coal plant
The Japan Bank for International Cooperation approved a loan to the controversial Vung Ang 2 coal project from a facility intended for “environmental preservation”
Inner Mongolia pursues coal-led recovery, defying Beijing’s climate goals
China’s biggest coal-producing province, Inner Mongolia, approved power plants and industrial installations in 2020 with an annual coal demand equivalent to Germany’s
‘Star Wars without Darth Vader’ – why the UN climate science story names no villains
As the next blockbuster science report on cutting emissions goes to governments for review, critics say it downplays the obstructive role of fossil fuel lobbying
Democrats win control of US Senate, boosting prospect of climate action
Grassroots organisers have been credited with turning out black voters in Georgia, US, to clinch two critical Senate seats that will help the Democrats deliver climate action
Pakistan signals coal power exit, in potential model for China’s belt and road
Imran Khan announced his government would not approve any more coal power plants and pivot to renewables, contrary to the grid operator’s forecast of a coal boom
As Taiwan models net zero scenarios, campaigners push for 2050 target
The island nation is a major manufacturer and campaigners hope it will follow Japan and South Korea in setting a 2050 net zero target next year
AS IT HAPPENED: World leaders upgrade climate commitments on Paris anniversary
Rolling updates on the climate ambition summit co-hosted by the UK, France and UN on the fifth anniversary of the Paris Agreement