Africa
Cape Town ‘Day Zero’ drought odds tripled by climate change
Such a dry spell would once have only occurred only once every 300 years. Now it is a once-a-century event and will get even more frequent with further global warming
South Africa draft climate law would set emissions targets for every sector
The bill calls on every part of government to coordinate in climate action, but South Africa’s heavy use of coal remains its biggest challenge
Global funds back desert solar to bring power to 250 million Africans
Desert to Power project aims to expand solar power across the Sahel region, where electricity access remains critically low
Norway at loggerheads with DR Congo over forest protection payments
International donors have frozen funding to conserve the world’s second largest rainforest, with the DRC environment minister said to have gone “rogue”
London’s ‘light touch’ regulatory hub for African oil ventures exposed
DeSmog UK investigation finds secretive companies using UK’s Alternative Investment Market to raise finance for new oil and gas projects
Africa holds EU climate agenda ransom
As a tough year of talks begins, the EU is searching for allies in a fight with China over the rules of the Paris Agreement, but Africa’s help will come at a cost
UN Security Council makes ‘historic’ warning on climate threat to Somalia
Drought, desertification, land degradation and food insecurity are driving conflict in the Horn of African country, says security council
Climate change affecting stability across West Africa and Sahel: UN security council
In a statement, the council president expanded concerns over the links between climate and violence in Africa to two regions that cover 26 countries
Libya burns dirty oil for electricity as Islamic State disrupts gas plans
Amid conflict since Muammar Gaddafi was deposed in 2011, gas pipelines have been shelved, leaving two new power plants reliant on burning crude
African youth go digital to keep climate-smart farming alive
Mobile applications and online forums help young Africans make a living from farming amid changing weather, delegates hear on the sidelines of climate talks in Bonn
America’s pledge is about more than pollution
US mayors and governors want to show the world they stand by US commitments, but to their African counterparts solidarity means cash
Rich countries not talking climate finance seriously, say African officials
‘We feel that as a region we have done everything we could,’ said the head of the Africa group of negotiators, whereas rich countries were failing on fundamental promises
African campaigners call for US to be kicked out of climate talks
The Pan African Climate Justice Alliance will petition negotiators to eject Donald Trump’s delegation, in light of the president’s hostility to the Paris agreement
UN talks lose climate champion El Haite after Moroccan royal censure
Influential diplomat will not take up her role mobilising private sector and regional action at summit beginning in Germany next week
Poor countries spending climate cash on rich world consultants
Lack of expertise means money for climate protection is spent on consultancy fees, which African officials say end up back in wealthy countries
Kenya’s most polluting coal plant could poison coastline
A project that will double Kenya’s carbon emissions also threatens life on a fragile coastline, but the government’s planning process has been flawed
Green Climate Fund to fund $1bn Egypt renewables drive
In its biggest project to date, the UN’s flagship climate finance scheme is putting $150m towards developing wind, hydro and solar power in Egypt
Giant Tunisian desert solar project aims to power EU
Developer TuNur this week applied for authorisation to build a massive solar plant on the edge of the Tunisian Sahara, with undersea grid connections to Europe
Dying gods: Mt Kenya’s disappearing glaciers spread violence below
Those who rely on Mount Kenya’s glaciers for water have turned against one another as the rivers fed by the mountain dry up
African countries urged to prepare for rise in extreme El Niño events
Early warning systems and early action funds are needed to prevent repeats of the 2015/16 famine, experts warn in response to latest science