Energy
Green reforms to energy investment treaty pass key hurdle
The reforms will allow governments to end protection for investments in fossil fuels within their borders while keeping them for renewables
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?
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
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
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
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
Production curbs needed for strong global pact on plastic pollution, campaigners say
Rather than just reusing and recycling ever-growing mountains of plastic waste, it’s essential to tackle the problem at the source
Rights group finds abusive conditions for migrants working on UAE renewables
Migrant workers in solar and wind project supply chains say they suffer exploitative recruitment fees, wage theft and illegally long hours in dangerous heat
“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
How Biden can score a $41-billion Trump-proof win for climate action
The US government must support a landmark OECD agreement to end international oil and gas export finance
Coalition against fossil fuel subsidies expands but misses initial targets
The UK, Colombia and New Zealand have joined an alliance of governments planning to scrap their fossil fuel subsidies
Fossil fuel transition talks rescued from brink of collapse at COP29
Countries now have a second chance in Baku to build consensus on how to cut emissions and transition away from fossil fuels
Why the international community should back Colombia’s post-fossil fuel plan
At COP29 talks in Baku, rewarding Colombia’s leadership would build confidence in the transition to a greener, fairer world
What Trump got wrong on China, coal and climate
Republican candidate Donald Trump has cited China’s coal plants as a reason for the US to stick with fossil fuels – but he fails to acknowledge China’s massive clean energy industry
Plans to turn Europe’s biggest coal mine into a leisure lake prove divisive
Transition experts say repurposing Poland’s Bełchatów mine and power plant for renewables not recreation could bring more jobs, revenue and electricity
Colombia to present proposal for new critical minerals pact at COP30
The aim is for minerals used in the clean energy transition to be mined and commercialised responsibly, respecting the environment and communities
Fossil fuel transition pledge left out of COP16 draft agreement
An earlier draft decision at the UN nature summit included a call to transition away from fossil fuels – but it has been cut from the latest version
Indian coal giants pushed for lax pollution rules while ramping up production
Even as India agreed to phase down coal power at UN climate talks, state-run firms were lobbying government to weaken pollution regulations and expand the sector
G20 waters down experts’ climate finance report, despite UN pressure to act
A report by top economists on finance for climate action was weakened after feedback from G20 nations, even as the UN says they must all slash emissions
Why we need new laws to end coal, oil and gas – now
Introducing strong policies to accelerate the rollout of renewables, coupled with a rapid, legally implemented phase-out of fossil fuels, may be our best hope for curbing global warming