Energy
Time for accountability – Climate Weekly
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Next EU energy chief backs gas as part of climate transition
Former Estonian minister Kadri Simson told MEPs a 2050 carbon neutral target was ‘wise’ and said gas ‘might be the most cost-efficient option’ to get off coal
Growing anti-coal alliance could become non-proliferation treaty for fossil fuel
With the addition of coal-dependent Germany and Slovakia, the powering past coal alliance may start a new, normative era of climate governance
‘New Bretton Woods’ needed to fix global system and climate: outgoing UN official
As she steps down from leading UN sustainable energy push, Rachel Kyte said global institutions must be rebuilt and aligned with action on climate change
Australian emissions rise as LNG production soars
Emissions from gas extraction cause carbon pollution to continue to rise, while agency issues warning about health of Great Barrier Reef
Indonesian government under pressure to stamp out toxic haze
Rampant forest fires are causing polluting smog to travel to neighbouring Malaysia and Singapore, sending air quality plummeting in Southeast Asia
Court blocks Polish coal plant, in win for climate campaigners
Client Earth successfully challenged the Ostrołęka C project on behalf of shareholders, arguing it was a bad financial bet as renewables become competitive
European Investment Bank moots fossil fuel lending ban
The world’s largest development bank proposed a pivot to clean energy, in a draft plan for consideration by EU finance ministers in September
Zimbabweans work at night to beat hydropower shortage as drought bites
Low water levels at Kariba Dam mean power cuts lasting 16 hours a day in capital Harare, making it difficult for businesses to survive
UN warned corporate courts could thwart climate efforts
Campaigners are urging reform of an obscure system that allows coal, oil and gas companies to sue governments if climate policies hit their profits
Oil tanker investments at risk from climate action, report says
Strong action on climate change would shrink demand for vessels by a third, impacting investment decisions being made now, analysts say
Why we need a non-proliferation treaty for fossil fuels
Most reserves of coal, oil and gas are unburnable if we are to prevent climate crisis. The international approach to nuclear weapons offers a model for action
AIIB must stop backing gas in climate-hit Bangladesh
The Beijing-headquartered development bank is skewed towards fossil fuels, when it should be helping poorer countries access clean renewable power
China scrubs its coal projects from ‘world heritage in danger’ decision
Three coal plants that threaten the Sundarbans tiger habitat were removed from a draft text, while Unesco members declined to list the site as ‘in danger’
EU ‘climate leaders’ plans found lacking
Finland, Sweden, Portugal, France and Germany praised for ambitious targets, but NGO analysis raises questions over details
Countries must address this major Paris Agreement blind spot
As countries meet in Abu Dhabi to discuss their climate pledges, they must draw up plans to end the production of fossil fuels, not just their consumption
Four countries have declared climate emergencies, yet give billions to fossil fuels
The UK, France, Canada and Ireland have all formally recognised a climate crisis. But analysis shows they give $27.5bn annually in support for coal, oil and gas
IEA develops pathway to ambitious 1.5C climate goal
Under pressure, the International Energy Agency has started work on a scenario in line with the toughest target of the Paris Agreement for its influential outlook
Europe’s largest solar plant unveiled amid Spanish renewable rebirth
€300 million investment plan comes amid buoyant optimism for Spain’s long suffering solar sector
Australia’s coal communities, ignored by Labor, deliver brutal election defeat
In a stunning upset, voters returned the pro-coal government, prompting soul-searching among Australia’s left wing parties