
Matteo Civillini
Reporter
Matteo Civillini has been a reporter at Climate Home News since February 2023. He specialises in accountability journalism on climate finance and carbon markets, while also covering UN climate diplomacy and the nexus between plastics and fossil fuels.He previously worked at BBC World News and at Irpimedia, a non-profit investigative journalism outlet in Italy. He has reported on everything from mafia money laundering to songbird smuggling for publications including National Geographic, the Observer and OCCRP. His investigations have been shortlisted for several international awards - with the occasional win, including the Amnesty International Media Award in 2021.When he is not working, he can most likely be found in nature. He especially enjoys orienteering, climbing and skiing. He is also known for his risottos and for buying Parmesan by the kilogram.
Feb 10, 2025
After US cuts cash, Green Climate Fund head urges others to step up
Mafalda Duarte stresses the strategic and economic importance of keeping money flowing to developing countries after Trump cancelled $4bn pledge to the fund
Feb 5, 2025
“No future”: Climate projects face existential threat after Trump’s aid shutdown
The Trump administration’s attack on USAID puts at risk close to $500 million a year in grant-based climate funding for developing countries
Jan 31, 2025
Shell dodges paying compensation for sham carbon credits in China
The energy giant exited the failed projects after Verra asked for redress, but a legal expert says Shell should be held responsible
Jan 23, 2025
After Trump’s pullback, Bloomberg promises to fill US funding gap to UN climate body
The announcement comes after Trump said the US should “immediately cease or revoke” any financial commitment made under the UNFCCC
Jan 21, 2025
Brazil appoints veteran climate diplomat André Corrêa do Lago as COP30 president
Ambassador Corrêa do Lago’s appointment was widely welcomed by Brazilian climate campaigners, who praised his “deep knowledge” of climate talks
Jan 15, 2025
What Trump’s second term means for climate action in the US and beyond
The new president is expected to exit the Paris Agreement, slash climate finance and wage war on science – but clean energy may get an easier ride
Dec 19, 2024
How Shell greenwashed gas with sham Chinese carbon credits
Exclusive: Shell used rice-farming offsets for “carbon neutral” LNG campaign – but farmers and local authorities said no project activities took place
Dec 19, 2024
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
Dec 13, 2024
Experts quit carbon market watchdog in row over quality label for forest credits
Two ICVCM expert advisors have resigned from their positions over what they called a “problematic precedent” set with the REDD+ decision
Dec 6, 2024
World Bank raises $100 billion for poor nations in boost for climate finance
Countries increased their contributions to the International Development Association in its largest replenishment yet, but experts warn rising inflation means a real-term cut
Dec 2, 2024
Failure of Busan talks exposes fossil fuel barrier to UN plastics pact
Countries told they can’t afford to miss the opportunity to tackle plastic pollution next year – but can they resolve a row over cutting oil-heavy production?
Dec 1, 2024
Talks to produce global plastics pact end without agreement
Countries failed to break a stalemate over core issues for a new treaty, with a push to manufacture less plastic meeting resistance from oil-rich states
Nov 29, 2024
New plastics pact text reflects stark divide on production cuts
Diplomats from high-ambition countries urge petrostates to compromise as latest draft text for a global treaty to end plastic pollution leaves all to play for
Nov 28, 2024
Fossil fuel lobby secures “record” access to crunch talks on new plastics pact
Representatives of ExxonMobil, Dow, BASF and Sabic are among the oil and petrochemical firms with participants at the INC-5 negotiations in South Korea
Nov 27, 2024
Global plastics pact “hangs in balance” as petrostates block talks
Major fossil fuel-producing countries are blamed at negotiations in Busan for opposing curbs on plastic manufacturing, a key market for oil and gas
Nov 25, 2024
“Moment of truth” for plastic pollution as treaty talks get underway
Delegates from 175 countries are set to finalise a new treaty aimed at tackling plastic pollution, with opposition from fossil fuel-producing countries
Nov 15, 2024
COP29 host Azerbaijan shelves fossil-fuelled climate fund
Baku postponed the planned launch of a voluntary fund with contributions from fossil fuel producers after getting “tangled up” with official UN negotiations
Nov 12, 2024
Is COP29 “breakthrough” on UN carbon market all it seems?
Azerbaijan presidency claims Article 6 could help countries save $250 billion a year – but experts warn UN carbon trading is still some way off
Nov 11, 2024
COP29 Bulletin Day 1: Carbon market rules adopted, US reassures on emissions
UN climate summit kicks off in Baku, with governments approving carbon market rules and US climate envoy saying emissions to keep falling
Nov 7, 2024
From cyclone to drought, Zimbabwe’s climate victims struggle to adapt
Five years after Cyclone Idai devastated eastern Zimbabwe, relocated communities face a new threat – water shortages – with authorities saying they lack money to build a dam
Oct 29, 2024
Businesses may be investing more in climate adaptation than we think
Private investments in adaptation are likely to be significantly underestimated as a result of the huge challenge in tracking them, experts say – though barriers remain
Oct 23, 2024
In a warring world, Azerbaijan’s COP29 truce appeal draws fire as “PR exercise”
Baku wants all countries to lay down arms for the UN climate summit – but doubts grow as warring states sign up and conflicts intensify