World
Emerging economies share ‘grave concern’ over EU plans for a carbon border tax
Brazil, South Africa, India and China say EU plans for a carbon levy on imported products like steel and cement will unfairly penalise their economies
Cyclone Seroja kills 160 people, exposes Indonesia’s climate vulnerability
Campaigners say a government rollback of environmental regulations increases Indonesia’s vulnerability to flash floods and landslides
Japan set to raise ambition of 2030 climate goal
The Japanese government is proposing to cut emissions 45% from 2013 levels by 2030, while campaigners push for deeper reductions
Climate vulnerability should be factored into debt relief, says IMF head
Kristalina Georgieva said the IMF was considering proposals to ensure climate vulnerable middle-income nations receive support to build back better from Covid-19
Health must be put at the heart of national climate plans
After the World Health Organization called for a green and healthy Covid recovery, health must be a priority in countries’ climate plans
South Africa sets out to tighten 2030 emissions target
South Africa’s economy is shifting from heavy industry to service sectors, allowing for deeper carbon cuts, but coal lingers in the energy mix
UK pledges to make scaling up adaptation finance a priority at G7 summit
At a ministerial meeting of donor and developing countries, the UK said it would aim to secure additional financial support for vulnerable nations by June
It took the Suez Canal crisis to highlight the scale of the polluting shipping sector
The growing global shipping fleet is increasing the sector’s climate and environmental impacts. To rein it in, we need a global carbon price for shipping
India calls out rich nations for setting net zero goals over robust short-term targets
Minister Raj Kumar Singh insisted developing nations should not be asked to set net zero goals as they seek to grow their economies
Saudi Arabia aims for 50% renewable energy by 2030, backs huge tree planting initiative
The target will require huge investments in solar technologies, experts warn, as less than 1% of the oil producing nation’s energy comes from renewables
EU member states and lawmakers at loggerheads over 2030 climate target
The fifth round of negotiations between the EU Council and members of parliament achieved little progress on agreeing a climate law
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
UK rules out public subsidy for East African oil pipeline
UK Export Finance will no longer back oil and gas projects overseas, shutting off a potential source of support for a major pipeline across Uganda and Tanzania
Ireland’s government agrees on climate bill to set 2050 net zero goal in law
The bill would commit Ireland to cut emissions 51% between 2018 and 2030, raising tough questions about the future of cattle farming
Stuck in the middle: Ukraine aims for net zero but struggles to access finance
Ukraine lacks the resources of the EU but is not eligible for support from the Green Climate Fund to decarbonise its economy
EU ministers demand response to Trump Admin critique of green farming reforms
The EU Commission has been ordered to assess the impact of its green “farm to fork” strategy after the Trump Administration claimed it would harm global food security
Total’s play for Ugandan oil tests the climate commitment of international banks
A final investment decision on the East African Crude Oil Pipeline is expected at the end of March, as campaigners urge financial institutions to avoid fossil fuels
Indian lawmaker submits private bill to achieve net zero emissions by 2050
A lawmaker from India’s ruling party has proposed a bill to “start a discussion” on net zero emissions – while defending coal mining in his district
Scientists push to add “huge” fish trawling emissions to national inventories
Bottom-trawling for fish releases more carbon dioxide each year than Germany, a study has revealed, yet this is not included in national carbon accounts