Energy
World Bank spent $1bn exploring for new fossil fuels in 2013
NEWS: Spending on fossil fuel exploration by development bank increased in 2013, according to new analysis
Austria should decide on use of shale gas resources – IEA
NEWS: Austria should consider energy dependency when deciding whether to harness shale gas, says International Energy Agency
Solar accounts for a fifth of new US power capacity in 2013 – EIA
NEWS: Solar comes second only to natural gas in new US power, while wind slumps to fourth place behind coal
Efficiency measures pay off as UK energy use falls
ANALYSIS: New data show UK energy consumption has fallen, while US rises, showing benefits of efficiency schemes
UK wind power must play bigger part in balancing National Grid
NEWS: Growing National Grid reliance on wind power reflects increasing maturity of renewable energy technologies
Renewables grow, even as investment drops – UNEP report
NEWS: Renewable energy grew to produce 8.5% of total electricity in 2013, including 44% of new installations
Oil industry can be ‘solution’ to climate change says Figueres
NEWS: Top UN climate official calls on fossil fuel executives to lead transition to cleaner forms of energy
Exxon Mobil dismisses climate change risks to future growth
NEWS: Fossil fuel giant says ‘stranded assets’ are not a risk to the company, as the world needs all its oil
White House launches drive to cut methane emissions
NEWS: New strategy could reduce US greenhouse gas emissions by 1% by 2020, says White House
Wind energy could boost Ireland’s economy by €500m a year – report
Wind energy in Ireland good for security, economy jobs – and potentially the UK’s own targets, says new report
Netherlands to stop funding overseas coal power plants
NEWS: Dutch PM announces Netherlands will join US in starving international funding for coal projects during Obama’s trip to Europe
Growth in China’s carbon emissions has halved
ANALYSIS: new data indicates country’s coal pollution could be on a long-term, downward trajectory
Exxon agrees to disclose ‘unburnable carbon’ reserves
Oil giant will explore how tougher climate change laws could affect its long term strategy
Biofuel carbon emissions ‘higher than expected’ – study
Green credentials of biofuels face further scrutiny after study shows indirect emissions more than previous estimates
“Maximum coal burn” to continue in Europe, says BofAML report
Falling coal prices could force up emissions, as coal replaces gas on the grid, says bank report
LED costs to halve as efficiency doubles by 2020 – US Dept of Energy
Cheaper, more efficient lighting could help countries meet greenhouse gas reduction targets
BP urges progress on global carbon price
Chief Executive Bob Dudley says “technological innovation” and policy leadership from governments key to climate challenge
Analysis: efficiency can be at the heart of EU energy policy
High energy prices, flagging economy and Ukraine crisis should prompt European leaders to push for more effective efficiency targets
Rwanda open for clean energy business says minister
Small African country has huge solar, geothermal and hydro potential, but needs financial support
Crimea crisis forces EU to re-evaluate energy policies
It sounds an easy solution, but ditching Russian gas and replacing it with renewables is fraught with difficulties