Climate finance
South Africa proposes global goal for adaptation at pre-Cop26 ministerial
Environment minister Barbara Creecy called for quantifiable improvements in resilience to climate impacts, to give the adaptation agenda the same weight as emissions cuts
Developing nations put numbers on the table for the next climate finance goal
Nearly 100 developing countries have come together to define what success means at Cop26, raising the stakes for donor countries to step up their finance pledges
Argentina pitches green debt swap, with the Pope’s blessing
Pope Francis is the unlikely champion of a pioneering green debt relief plan for Argentina, but it is a politically sensitive issue in his home country
Row erupts at Green Climate Fund over who defines climate adaptation
Two adaptation projects didn’t make it pass the UN’s flagship fund’s technical panel, while board members decide to partner with a fossil fuel backing Japanese bank
Norway pays Gabon $17m for forest protection despite deforestation spike
While proponents say results-based payments can support forest protection in the long term, critics say the Gabonese government has done little to earn the money
G7 offers ‘peanuts’ to developing world, putting climate ambition in doubt
While Canada and Germany set out new climate finance pledges, rich countries are still falling short of a target they promised to meet in 2020
G7 leaders told solidarity with poorer nations is critical to Cop26 success
The UK is hoping to broker agreements on climate finance and vaccine support to developing countries when G7 leaders meet in Cornwall next week
The EIB won’t become a climate bank until it fully stops supporting fossil fuels
The bank has committed to end fossil fuel financing by the end of the year but has handed out billions in support for companies wedded to the industry
US, UK and Norway launch $1bn initiative to protect tropical forests
The Leaf Coalition aims to mobilise $1 billion of public and private finance this year to cut emissions from deforestation and forest degradation
US pledges to double international climate finance at Earth Day summit
Joe Biden made a start on restoring US climate credibility after four lost years, with finance and emissions pledges, but campaigners say more is needed
Pakistan explores debt-for-nature scheme to accelerate its 10 billion tree tsunami
Creditors could grant Pakistan debt relief in exchange for meeting nature restoration targets, under a proposed first-of-its-kind bond
Under fire over aid cuts, UK hosts summit to help vulnerable nations fund climate action
Research to enhance climate action in developing countries is being threatened with aid cuts at a time when the UK is seeking ‘practical steps’ to boost climate investment
Rare IMF relief offers a hope of green recovery to debt-laden nations
As the IMF prepares a $650 billion injection of funds into the global economy, there are calls to target support to climate vulnerable nations
South Sudan plans to raise climate ambition amid ‘dire’ humanitarian crisis
The world’s newest country is seeking to expand renewable energy, tree planting and climate smart agriculture, but UK aid cuts threaten progress
Angola’s oil dependency thwarts its exit from the group of poorest nations
Graduation from the UN group of least developed countries is usually seen as a win, but Angola deferred the move after oil exports plummeted during the pandemic
Three ways the EU, China and US should deepen cooperation on climate in 2021
Building coalitions on green finance and carbon pricing and putting climate at the heart of diplomacy will allow the big three emitters to deliver on net zero goals
US campaigners call on Joe Biden to commit $8bn to the Green Climate Fund
A letter signed by 46 climate and green groups urges the White House to fulfill its $2bn outstanding pledge to the UN-backed fund and double its initial contribution
Covid-19 normalised social protection. Now apply it to the climate crisis
Almost every country rolled out measures such as cash transfers, food and sick pay to cope with coronavirus. Victims of climate shocks need the same support
John Kerry promises ‘significantly’ more climate finance at adaptation summit
Presidential climate envoy John Kerry said the US would work to protect the vulnerable and make amends for a four-year absence from international climate action
UK plans climate donor summit to address ‘dismal’ support for poorer nations
The presidency of next year’s Cop26 climate talks will bring vulnerable countries and donors together to address climate and development challenges