Does the world need a global treaty on energy transition minerals?
As countries rush to secure supplies of the materials needed to ramp up clean energy, a push for stronger governance rules is gathering momentum
Energy
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Nigerian president’s solar panels stir debate over renewables for the rich
Solar systems are a solution to Nigeria’s frequent power cuts and inadequate grid coverage – but only for those who can afford them
Cobalt and nickel-free electric car batteries boom in “good news” for rainforests
Lithium iron phosphate batteries do not contain cobalt and nickel, which are mostly found in rainforest nations like the DR Congo and Indonesia
Europe’s lithium rush leaves mineral-rich communities in the dark
Local residents are seeking more information and want stronger guarantees that mining won’t harm the nature on which their incomes depend
Trump shifts US funds from shutting down foreign fossil fuels to expanding them
The US administration has pulled clean energy and just transition funding in South Africa and is pressuring EXIM and the World Bank to back fossil fuels
How to make electric vehicles that don’t trash forests through mining
Using battery technology that is less reliant on minerals can avert worsening environmental damage caused by the stampede to secure materials for EVs
Rising copper demand fuels concern over pollution and rights abuses
The UN has dubbed copper the “new strategic raw material” for the green digital economy – but will more mining come at a high cost to communities?
COP30 must heed the elephant in the room: fossil fuels
Oil, gas and coal cause three-quarters of global emissions. Why are they nowhere to be seen on the Belém climate summit’s agenda?
Is electrification a no-brainer in the race to net-zero?
Switching to electricity in homes and on the road is a relatively painless way to cut emissions, but few countries have a holistic approach to going electric
Asia’s fossil-free future demands real transformation – not a false transition
As it meets this week, the Asian Development Bank should stop supporting fossil gas as a “bridge” fuel and back renewable energy
At energy security talks, US pushes gas and derides renewables
The US envoy to the IEA’s energy security summit criticised renewables, arguing that they cause power cuts and increase reliance on China
Xi commits China to full climate plan but emissions-cutting ambition still unclear
The Chinese president told fellow global leaders that the country’s updated climate plan would cover all economic sectors and greenhouse gases
US and Europe set for clash on what “energy security” means
While European politicians seek to strengthen the link between clean energy and security, Trump officials are expected to push for more gas at a key summit in London
“It’s shameful”: Amazon Indigenous people call for oil drilling ban at COP30
Indigenous leaders representing dozens of Amazon ethnicities have signed a declaration calling for a COP30 roadmap to phase out fossil fuels
Shipping’s climate deal sets up battle over pollution calculations for gas and biofuels
The IMO will set emissions intensity levels for different fuels that decide how ship owners will be rewarded or penalised for using them in new green push
ExxonMobil helps Amazon nation Guyana build ‘petrostate’, while people stay poor
Guyana’s rapid ascent to major oil producer has come at a steep price: rising inequality, weakened environmental regulations and unchecked gas flaring
Ethiopia’s bold EV ambitions hit bumps in rural areas
After becoming the world’s first country to ban imports of fossil fuel vehicles last year, a patchy power grid and high EV purchase costs are slowing Ethiopia’s green transport revolution in the countryside
Power-hungry AI data centres seen driving demand for fossil fuels
Big Tech’s data centres are expected to use twice as much electricity by the end of the decade – mainly due to the global AI boom, the International Energy Agency says
Trump’s tariff tantrum won’t stop the global energy transition
The US’s share of the global cleantech trade is too marginal to dictate its terms – but the trade tariffs will harm American workers and developing countries
Trump follows the minerals trail – but for weapons not clean energy?
The US is racing to secure supplies of critical minerals, including from war-torn DRC – but their military uses seem to be a higher priority than advancing a green transition
Landmark deal to put shipping on course for net-zero is in sight
Next week, governments will try to agree on how to get the global shipping industry to meet its net-zero emissions goal, with a levy and green fuel standard under discussion
The Amazon rainforest emerges as the new global oil frontier
Half a century of oil drilling has left the world’s largest rainforest scarred by deforestation and pollution. Now it is bracing for a new wave of fossil fuel extraction
Finance for renewable energy in sub-Saharan Africa is defying the odds
Most countries in the region finally have operating wind or solar projects, despite huge political and economic challenges – perseverance is needed
Fossil fuel nations to see value of their economies shrink under new UN-agreed measure
Changes to how economies are measured will reflect the depletion of oil, gas and coal reserves, affecting big players like Saudi Arabia, Russia and Norway