Fossil Fuels
China cuts pollution at home, grows coal abroad
China cuts coal at home but state owned companies and banks drive new coal expansion overseas, despite promises of green growth for developing countries
IEA: oil, gas investments fell 25% in 2015
Energy experts say global investment patterns show a spectacular shift, with renewables on the rise and support for fossil fuels in sharp decline
Existing coal, oil and gas fields will blow carbon budget – study
Expansion of fossil fuel extraction amounts to “climate denial”, says think tank Oil Change International, but observers argue some additional oil and gas could be safe
US and China release fossil fuel subsidy peer reviews
With public assessment of each others’ $15.42bn and $8.2bn in subsidies, China and the US take a big step on transparency, but inch forward on reform
Renewable investment beats rising demand for first time
There have been huge falls in renewable energy costs. But investment is still not enough to avoid dangerous climate change, says intergovernmental agency
Renewables cheaper than half-idle fossil fuel plants – analysis
As coal and gas-fired power stations run less, they are becoming less competitive on cost, finds Carbon Tracker
Saudi Arabia warns UN over 1.5C climate study
Riyadh says IPCC must retain independence from political process, and will not be able to offer full picture of climate challenges for governments
Legal wins, coal price up but Adani’s Australian mine still “unbankable”
Despite consistent legal victories, Adani cannot change a coal price that languishes far below the level necessary to make the huge Carmichael mine viable
Coal mine judgment shows Australia’s environment laws are flawed
The Australian Federal Court dismissed climate arguments against Adani’s massive Carmichael coal mine, which threatens the health of the Great Barrier Reef
EU-sized coal fleet shelved since Paris climate deal
China and India are cracking down on excess projects, but remaining pipeline will still blow the 2C carbon budget, say analysts
Poland to back UN climate deal – if it can burn more coal
Warsaw’s demand for financial guarantees for new coal plants could delay EU ratification of the Paris Agreement
Named and shamed: the top funds blocking climate action
Some of the world’s biggest funds are not living up to their responsible investment rhetoric, AODP analysis of ExxonMobil investors reveals
G20 cut ‘n’ paste mocks urgency of fossil fuel subsidy cuts
Failure to agree end to oil, gas and coal subsidies in 2017 will lock yet another generation into a lifetime of dependency on centuries-old energy systems
India shelves coal mining target on weak demand
Delhi is backtracking on a goal to produce one billion tonnes of coal by 2020, as power consumption growth falters
Insurers worth $1.2tn tell G20 to stop funding fossil fuels by 2020
Climate change is the “mother of all risks” says Aviva CEO, and hundreds of billions in annual government assistance to oil, gas and coal is “simply unsustainable”
US gas now a bigger carbon polluter than coal
Coal has entered a structural decline, say experts, leaving gas as the second largest source of carbon behind petroleum
China doesn’t need any more coal plants
China’s current coal power capacity can meet electricity demands up to 2030, two of Beijing’s top climate and energy experts tell China Dialogue
Oil majors summoned to Philippines human rights inquiry
ExxonMobil, Chevron and BP are among 47 companies invited to answer for their part in causing climate change impacts
Does Glencore’s business model work in a 2C world?
Coal producers face an uncertain future. Demand will grow in some parts of the world, in others it will fall. Business needs to be ready for both eventualities
Fracking will blow UK carbon goals without stricter rules
Government advisers also say more action would be needed to cut emissions in other areas to cope with full-scale fracking, reports the Guardian