Energy

South Africa tightens restrictions for new coal power in ‘landmark’ ruling

A top tribunal scrapped water licences for the 600MW Khanyisa coal plant, saying the developer had failed to consider the impact of climate change

India’s solar boom is threatened by anti-China trade tariffs

The Indian government is doubling down on import taxes for solar modules from China, but domestic manufacturing is not ready to fill the gap

‘Worst-case’ global warming scenario still best guide until 2050, study says

UN panel’s RCP8.5 scenario of sharply rising emissions matches trends since 2005, PNAS study says, rejecting criticisms it’s “alarmist”

Bangladesh considers scrapping 90% of its coal power pipeline

The energy minister has signalled a major pivot away from Chinese-funded coal plants in Bangladesh, but this is not yet government policy

For all its green talk, the IEA still gives comfort to oil and gas producers

Under Fatih Birol, the International Energy Agency leads talk of a green recovery, yet dodges hard questions about phasing out dirty energy

Guterres confronts China over coal boom, urging a green recovery

China’s provinces have overseen a coal plant building spree in the first half of the year, in a bid to revive the Covid pandemic-hit economy

Renewables overtake fossil fuels in EU electricity generation

Wind and solar produced a record fifth of the European Union’s electricity during the first half of the year – a trend accelerated by the coronavirus pandemic

Poland bails out coal, yet wins access to EU climate funds

Warsaw can get EU money allocated for greening the economy, despite having no plan to exit coal or commitment to the bloc’s 2050 net zero emissions goal

Energy

Renewable Energy

Not all biomass is carbon neutral, industry admits as EU reviews policy

The EU is working on stricter sustainability criteria for bioenergy, posing a challenge for the industry and several member states

Ireland to set annual emissions goals to reach 2050 carbon neutrality

The formation of a historic coalition government has put climate action at the top of Ireland’s priorities, with a plan to halve emissions in the next decade

Clean energy is vital to the Covid-19 response in the world’s poorest countries

Renewable mini-grids can power health facilities and irrigation systems, making communities more resilient to future pandemics and climate shocks

China prioritises employment over GDP growth in coronavirus recovery

Climate watchers are cautiously hopeful Beijing will not turn to polluting infrastructure to rebuild the economy, but specific assurances are lacking

Denmark proposes two huge ‘energy islands’ to meet 2030 climate target

With a total capacity of 4GW, offshore wind power hubs in the North and Baltic Seas are to help the country cut emissions by 70% in the next decade

Spain unveils climate law to cut emissions to net zero by 2050

The government hopes the draft law, which would ban all new coal, oil and gas projects with immediate effect, will shape the recovery effort to Covid-19

Coronavirus lockdown speeds India’s shift from coal to solar power

Renewable energy sources are proving resilient in the Covid-19 crisis, while analysts say coal power capacity could peak this decade

Renewables most resilient to Covid-19 lockdown measures, says IEA

While demand for all sources of energy has been hit by the response to coronavirus, solar and wind generators are best placed to weather the crisis

Renewable energy

Fossil Fuels

Seven countries back Africa’s biggest investment, a $20 billion gas project

US, Japan and the UK are among the backers of a scheme to exploit Mozambique’s gas reserves, despite climate, security and human rights concerns

No time for loopholes: Japan must immediately end all overseas coal finance

Environment minister Shinjiro Koizumi promised to scrap funds for dirty power plants abroad, but the government is making too many exceptions

Portugal ends coal burning two years ahead of schedule

Portugal is the third EU country this year to announce early closure of its last coal plants, as rising carbon costs and competition from gas and clean energy bite

Gas curse: Mozambique’s multi-billion dollar gamble on LNG

A vast gas discovery promises riches for the people of Mozambique, but it can only pay off in a dangerously overheated world

Coal generator uses investment treaty to fight Netherlands coal phaseout

Uniper is using a controversial investor dispute system to claim up to €1 billion compensation for being forced to close a coal power station early

Coronavirus lockdown cut energy-related CO2 emissions 17%, study finds

Early estimates show deep cuts to emissions from air and road travel as a result of public health measures, but scientists warn these are only temporary

This oil crash is not like the others

The coronavirus lockdown has dealt a savage blow to Big Oil, at a time fears of climate breakdown call the whole basis of our energy system into question

Covid-19 outbreak in Polish coal mines heaps further pain on struggling sector

The health crisis could lead to mine closures and further weaken Poland’s coal industry, which has lobbied against tough EU climate targets

Fossil Fuels

Nuclear energy

UN development chief calls for green shift away from ‘irrational’ oil dependence

Governments, at a fork in the road because of the Covid-19 pandemic, should ‘insert the DNA’ of a low-carbon future into stimulus packages, says Achim Steiner

Japan’s woeful climate plan amounts to science denial

Japan reiterates past pledges for 2030 rather than mapping out a radical overhaul needed by the world’s fifth largest greenhouse gas emitter

Campaigners urge African Union to stop fossil fuel proliferation on continent

In a communique, African civil society called on leaders meeting in Ethiopia to ‘rapidly initiate a transition to clean and safe renewable sources of energy’ for all

In depth: The EU’s plan to become the first climate-neutral continent

CHN’s media partner EURACTIV takes a look at the ‘king of policies’ that will define Europe’s future, just as the EU finally looks ready to adopt it

As rich countries slow walk green finance, Putin offers Africa an alternative

Two summits in one week presented a choice for African leaders: stalled promises of climate finance in Paris or business deals in Sochi

Hungary wants end to coal power by 2030

‘Sky-rocketing’ EU carbon prices could mean Hungary is the first country in eastern Europe to set an exit date for the most polluting fossil fuel

Brexit: Avoiding the nuclear fallout

UK government report card on replacing the EU’s atomic energy community shows progress, but no deal on March 29 still threatens power and medical supply

UK offers green assurances for no-deal Brexit

London says it will carry over EU emissions rules for cars, coolants and industrial plants even if it crashes out in March with no negotiated deal

Nuclear Energy

Efficiency

No silver lining to coronavirus, but a golden opportunity