Fossil Fuels
EU reaches coal subsidy phase-out deal – with caveat for Poland
In late-night talks, negotiators agreed to end backdoor subsidies to coal generators, with some leeway for the most coal-dependent member state
On their patron saint’s day, Polish miners pray for a decent future
Twenty kilometres from Cop24 climate talks in Katowice, mining trade unionists look to St Barbara, not Warsaw, Brussels or the UN, for answers to their struggles
Greenpeace threatens to sue coal utility in Poland
Activists are calling on PGE to phase out coal by 2030 and switch to clean energy, or face legal action
Polish government split over coal ahead of UN climate summit
The energy minister has published a statement in defence of coal, which was swiftly disavowed by the presidency of the upcoming Cop24 climate negotiations
Hungary wants end to coal power by 2030
‘Sky-rocketing’ EU carbon prices could mean Hungary is the first country in eastern Europe to set an exit date for the most polluting fossil fuel
Spain, Europe’s second largest carmaker, plans combustion engine ban
Proposal put forward for country’s first climate law takes swipe at auto-industry, scraps fossil fuel subsidies and sets 2050 goal for 100% renewable power
Colorado governor-elect has US’ most ambitious renewable goal
Jared Polis’ promise to phase out fossil fuel electricity by 2040 would be the fastest target in any state, as the midterms returned mixed results on climate policy
Macron takes on motorists over diesel tax hike
The French president has defended increasing the tax on diesel to tackle air pollution, as drivers prepare to block the roads in protest
Gas companies face Californian wipe-out, say S&P, Moody’s
Ratings agencies say the state’s bid to go 100% renewable poses a ‘significant threat’ to gas generators’ credit stability
Christiana Figueres: ‘Coal is a public health emergency’
At the World Health Organization’s first global conference on air pollution, the former UN climate chief launches a campaign to tackle toxic emissions at source
Polish utility sued over financial risk of €1.2bn coal plant
Client Earth argues the Ostrołęka C power plant investment is a bad bet, putting the spotlight on Poland’s support for coal as it gears up to host UN climate talks
Asian Development Bank signals end to ‘dirty’ coal finance
Falling renewable energy costs and a shadow carbon price are making coal power investments unviable, according to bank energy chief Yongping Zhai
Kosovo turns to US after World Bank dumps coal plant
Prime minister Haradinaj met with US officials to discuss backing for project the World Bank recently said was uncompetitive with renewables
UK court frees fracking protestors from ‘excessive’ prison sentences
Three protesters were sentenced to jail for 2017 blockade, but court of appeal found that a community work order would have been appropriate
Fracking ‘part of a low carbon future’, says UK minister, as drilling restarts
Claire Perry requested a net-zero emissions probe on Monday but defended fracking, saying gas was ‘absolutely part of our future’
Brexit: What it means for UK-EU energy trade
The UK says it wants to keep ties with the EU energy market – but it’s complicated
World Bank dumps Kosovo plant, ending support for coal worldwide
The Kosovo e Re lignite plant could not compete with renewables on price, said bank president Jim Yong Kim
World Bank branch to prefer private banks that exit coal
International Finance Corporation will require partners to publish their support for coal and seek those with plans to divest
South Korean province joins international coal phase-out club
South Chungcheong becomes the biggest coal user and first Asian region in the Powering Past Coal Alliance, reflecting local opposition to polluting plants
UK anti-fracking protestors jailed over blockade
The men ‘deserve our gratitude, not a prison term’, Greenpeace’s executive director said, after judge handed them 15-16 month sentences