World
Researchers are excited by ‘tantalising’ prospect of open IEA energy data
The International Energy Agency is proposing to lift the paywall on its extensive energy database, in a potential boon for climate research
‘Extraordinary progress’ – Beijing meets air pollution goals after coal crackdown
Social media protests and US direct diplomacy pushed authorities in China’s capital to clean up heavy industry and home heating
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Drought-hit town hopes Chile’s new leader will take back water from Big Avocado
Leftist Gabriel Boric won a landslide to become Chile’s president and backs reform to improve water rights and access for communities like Petorca
EU climate package risks locking in gas use, campaigners warn
Under a proposed reform of the EU gas market, the industry gets to propose new gas and hydrogen infrastructure projects across the bloc
As EU seeks to rival China’s infrastructure offer, Africans are sceptical
Brussels is promising green infrastructure investment for African countries, but Beijing has a better reputation on the continent
Hackers throw Indonesian palm oil seminar into chaos, fuelling blame game
As experts debated a controversial proposal to classify palm oil plantations as forest, their event in Jakarta was disrupted by swearing and pornography
John Kerry: US supports a coal phaseout but cannot commit
During a trip to Brussels, the US presidential climate envoy told Euractiv in an interview it was unconstitutional to mandate a coal exit for states
Europe conflicted over push to fast-track mining code for the ocean floor
While some EU states are calling for a moratorium on deep seabed mining, others have interests in exploration – with Germany sending mixed messages
Campaigners seek to curb UK oil production through the high court
The UK’s oil and gas regulator does not take tax breaks or foreign ownership into account when deciding whether a license is in the national interest
African Union urged to bring political clout to Egypt climate talks
Frustrated by a lack of recognition of Africa’s special needs on climate, advisers are calling on national leaders to unite behind a common agenda in Sharm el-Sheikh
‘Huge blow’ – cuts to gas finance sparks West African backlash
Nigerian and Senegalese leaders have criticised western countries for pledging to stop funding gas projects internationally, calling for exceptions to be made
A rush to mine the deep ocean has environmentalists worried
Tiny Nauru is behind a push to fast-track talks on mining rules for the deep seabed, which could see fragile habitats opened to exploitation as early as 2023
China ‘trumps’ the west by pledging larger share of IMF relief to African nations
President Xi Jinping promised to share around a quarter of China’s pandemic recovery boost with Africa, more than European and American countries
‘Subversion and treason’: Australian minister attacks independent climate body
Tim Wilson, an elected official in Australia’s energy ministry, slammed a proposal for an expert climate commission
As Delhi chokes, India’s supreme court is grappling with the air pollution crisis
Millions of residents in India’s capital are suffering under the winter smog, prompting the country’s highest court to hold government to account
Australia to expand gas industry under Morrison infrastructure plan
Scott Morrison is doubling down on fossil fuel production with new gas basins and pipelines in a plan slammed by climate campaigners
Morocco accused of “greenwashing occupation” of Western Sahara
The Polisario Front has released an unofficial climate plan for the Sahrawi people, saying Morocco has built wind and solar farms on their land without consent
Germany to quit coal by 2030 under coalition agreement, aiming for 1.5C path
A “traffic light coalition” of centre-left, green and pro-business parties has agreed to strengthen climate policies in the next German government
India ‘cannot escape’ coal phasedown, top coal ministry official says
An estimated 13-20 million workers in India depend on coal assets for their livelihoods, raising the need for a transition plan and financial support