Joe Lo
Joe Lo is a reporter for Climate Home News. He has previously specialised in container shipping, UK politics and investigative stories about Scotland. His work has appeared in the Guardian, Al Jazeera and Deutsche Welle.
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
Malaysian bank to phase out coal finance, in a victory for campaigners
CIMB has been hailed as the first major bank in an emerging market to publish a coal exit strategy, after investing $2.6 billion in the sector last decade
China’s environment ministry floats ‘ban’ on coal power investment abroad
A Chinese government-commissioned report proposes stricter environmental standards for “belt and road” investments, but it needs buy-in from financial institutions
WMO: Siberian heatwave put 2020 among three hottest years on record
Temperatures reached 38C in Siberia, leading to wildfires and increased melting of the sea ice and putting 2020 on course for 1.2C warming globally
Saudis and Europeans reach compromise on climate as G20 projects unity
EU leaders endorsed Riyadh’s contentious “circular carbon economy” vision at the G20 summit, in exchange for a renewed commitment to phasing out fossil fuel subsidies
Hurricanes Iota, Eta devastate parts of Central America in record-breaking season
Experts are calling for relief and resilience funding for Nicaragua and Honduras, as warming seas fuel extraordinarily intense storms
Bolsonaro’s attack on the Amazon breaches Brazil’s constitution, climate lawyers argue
Brazilian campaigners are fighting in the Supreme Court to reinstate anti-deforestation policies and resources slashed by the Bolsonaro administration
Climate campaigners target critical US Senate runoffs in Georgia
Turning out black and Latino voters, who are hardest hit by climate change and pollution, is seen as key to Democrat chances of winning US Senate control in January
First named Cop26 sponsors are big investors in offshore wind – and a gas plant
SSE, Scottish Power and National Grid have been named as sponsors of next year’s UN climate summit in Glasgow, with SSE defending a “transition” investment in gas power
Asian development banks resist coal phase-out pledge at French summit
Despite net zero pledges from the governments of China, Japan and South Korea, the ADB and AIIB are reluctant to commit to reducing finance to fossil fuels