Energy
South Africa tightens restrictions for new coal power in ‘landmark’ ruling
A top tribunal scrapped water licences for the 600MW Khanyisa coal plant, saying the developer had failed to consider the impact of climate change
India’s solar boom is threatened by anti-China trade tariffs
The Indian government is doubling down on import taxes for solar modules from China, but domestic manufacturing is not ready to fill the gap
‘Worst-case’ global warming scenario still best guide until 2050, study says
UN panel’s RCP8.5 scenario of sharply rising emissions matches trends since 2005, PNAS study says, rejecting criticisms it’s “alarmist”
Bangladesh considers scrapping 90% of its coal power pipeline
The energy minister has signalled a major pivot away from Chinese-funded coal plants in Bangladesh, but this is not yet government policy
For all its green talk, the IEA still gives comfort to oil and gas producers
Under Fatih Birol, the International Energy Agency leads talk of a green recovery, yet dodges hard questions about phasing out dirty energy
Guterres confronts China over coal boom, urging a green recovery
China’s provinces have overseen a coal plant building spree in the first half of the year, in a bid to revive the Covid pandemic-hit economy
Renewables overtake fossil fuels in EU electricity generation
Wind and solar produced a record fifth of the European Union’s electricity during the first half of the year – a trend accelerated by the coronavirus pandemic
Poland bails out coal, yet wins access to EU climate funds
Warsaw can get EU money allocated for greening the economy, despite having no plan to exit coal or commitment to the bloc’s 2050 net zero emissions goal
Seven countries back Africa’s biggest investment, a $20 billion gas project
US, Japan and the UK are among the backers of a scheme to exploit Mozambique’s gas reserves, despite climate, security and human rights concerns
No time for loopholes: Japan must immediately end all overseas coal finance
Environment minister Shinjiro Koizumi promised to scrap funds for dirty power plants abroad, but the government is making too many exceptions
Portugal ends coal burning two years ahead of schedule
Portugal is the third EU country this year to announce early closure of its last coal plants, as rising carbon costs and competition from gas and clean energy bite
Not all biomass is carbon neutral, industry admits as EU reviews policy
The EU is working on stricter sustainability criteria for bioenergy, posing a challenge for the industry and several member states
LEDs: a bright idea for decoupling economic growth and carbon emissions
Sponsored content: As we recover from the coronavirus pandemic, we must increase energy efficiency to truly build back greener
Gas curse: Mozambique’s multi-billion dollar gamble on LNG
A vast gas discovery promises riches for the people of Mozambique, but it can only pay off in a dangerously overheated world
Big nations aid fossil fuels more than clean energies amid pandemic, researchers find
US, Russia are among many G20 nations helping coal, oil and gas more than clean energy as part of recovery packages, a major study will show
Ireland to set annual emissions goals to reach 2050 carbon neutrality
The formation of a historic coalition government has put climate action at the top of Ireland’s priorities, with a plan to halve emissions in the next decade
India eyes private investment to open 41 new coal mines
Prime Minister Modi says private coal mining will boost India’s energy security, despite expert warnings of stranded assets and indigenous rights violations
EU to make big push for hydrogen, despite green concerns and infrastructure gaps
Hydrogen is a clean fuel when burned, making it attractive for heavy industry, but most is derived from fossil fuels not renewable energy
Clean energy is vital to the Covid-19 response in the world’s poorest countries
Renewable mini-grids can power health facilities and irrigation systems, making communities more resilient to future pandemics and climate shocks
China prioritises employment over GDP growth in coronavirus recovery
Climate watchers are cautiously hopeful Beijing will not turn to polluting infrastructure to rebuild the economy, but specific assurances are lacking