Finance

Fuel pumps

Dutch initiative must turn the tables on fossil fuel subsidy reform

We’ve had enough “transparency” and “dialogue” around fossil fuel subsidy reform. It’s time to change the defaults

Vietnam prime minister JETP Cop28. Vietnam coal path becomes uncertain as finance falls short

Vietnam charts uncertain coal path as finance falls short

Vietnam’s just energy transition partnership plan has no timeline for retiring coal, as backers offer mainly commercial loans, not grants

Four questions for Cop28 to settle about a global carbon market

Four questions for Cop28 to settle about a global carbon market

As carbon credits face intense scrutiny, negotiators will wrangle over how to ensure the integrity of a new global carbon market

forest liberia carbon credits uae. Italian fugitive is advising Emirati start-up Blue Carbon

Meet the Italian fugitive advising Emirati start-up Blue Carbon

Samuele Landi has been convicted for bankruptcy fraud in Italy. That was no problem for the UAE firm doing forest carbon credit deals across Africa.

Slow start for Indonesia's carbon market

Slow start for Indonesia’s much-hyped carbon market

Since President Widodo launched Indonesia’s exchange two months ago, there’s been barely any trading of carbon credits

OECD: Rich countries "likely" to hit $100bn climate finance goal

OECD: Rich countries ‘likely’ to hit $100bn climate finance goal in 2022

Data shows countries provided $89.6bn in 2021, but funding for adaptation declined.

France, Kenya to launch Cop28 coalition for global climate funding

France, Kenya set to launch Cop28 coalition for global taxes to fund climate action

The taskforce, set to be launched at Cop28, will consider the feasibility of levies on shipping, aviation, financial transactions and fossil fuels.

UK aid cuts leave Malawi vulnerable to droughts and cyclones

UK aid cuts leave Malawi vulnerable to droughts and cyclones

After the UK cut short a £52m climate adaptation scheme in Malawi, vulnerable communities saw their livelihoods destroyed by Cyclone Freddy

World Bank to initially host loss and damage fund under draft deal

World Bank to initially host loss and damage fund under draft deal

Developing countries made key concession to land a draft deal on funding for climate victims, subject to political signoff at Cop28

The OECD must take its chance to stop funding fossil fuels

The OECD must take its chance to stop funding oil and gas

Export credit agencies are still backing oil and gas projects – this week’s OECD meeting is a chance to change that

Finance

Green Climate Fund

Green Climate Fund pledges put its ambition at risk

Green Climate Fund ambition at risk after ‘disappointing’ pledges

The UN’s flagship climate finance initiative can barely sustain its existing portfolio after a lackluster fundraising conference on Thursday

An agriculture worker in Nicaragua's Caribbean region, where a GCF project is under a complaint. Funding Stagnation Puts Green Climate Fund Ambition at Risk

Green Climate Fund may have to curb ambition as funding stagnates

The UN’s flagship global climate fund looks likely to have to rein in its ambition, after France announced just a 4% boost in its contribution.

Trees and the Bosawas Reserve in Nicaragua. UN climate fund suspends project in the country over human rights concerns

UN climate fund suspends project in Nicaragua over human rights concerns

The Green Climate Fund suspended a $117 million forest conservation project in Nicaragua over escalating violence against indigenous people.

After "sleepless nights", governments strike deal on Green Climate Fund strategy

After “sleepless nights”, governments strike deal on Green Climate Fund strategy

Developed countries pushed for more focus on private money while developing governments wanted more public money from rich nations

Woman in field Green Climate Fund

Germany promises €2bn to global Green Climate Fund

The pledge sets the bar for other wealthy countries and puts the fund on track for what it calls a “mid” level of ambition

Green Climate Fund pledges put its ambition at risk

UN’s Green Climate Fund too scared of risk, finds official review

The UN’s flagship climate fund is struggling to clearly manage risks in its projects, an independent review has found, making it wary of taking on high-impact projects in developing countries

An agriculture worker in Nicaragua's Caribbean region, where a GCF project is under a complaint. Funding Stagnation Puts Green Climate Fund Ambition at Risk

Green Climate Fund credibility hangs over response to violence in Nicaragua project

Indigenous people in Nicaragua have accused a Green Climate Fund project of exacerbating violence with settlers invading their land

Mafalda Duarte

Mafalda Duarte named as next chief of UN climate fund

The CEO of the Climate Investment Funds has been picked to head the Green Climate Fund as its board faces its first complaint case

Green Climate Fund

Carbon markets

The EU is about to revive a failed climate solution

The EU is about to revive a failed climate solution

The EU once led the world in combatting flawed forest offset schemes. Now it’s looking to give them a new lease of life.

Exposed: carbon offsets linked to high forest loss still on sale

Exposed: carbon offsets linked to high forest loss still on sale

Project owners in Cambodia and Brazil are selling carbon offsets to Uber, Marathon and ArcelorMittal despite an uptick in deforestation

Romanian gas pipeline is being back by the EU's tax funds

EU uses pollution tax funds to back Romanian gas pipeline

The European Union is using taxes on pollution to fund a gas pipeline in Romania, claiming it will reduce emissions compared to coal

Africa Carbon Markets Initiative: A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing

A wolf in sheep’s clothing: why Africa should shun carbon markets

Turning Africa into a source of carbon credits will benefit polluters and middlemen, not most Africans and not the planet

The UAE is positioning as leader in UAE African carbon credits

UAE pitches itself as Africa’s carbon credits leader

An Emirati coalition has announced a $450 million commitment to buy carbon credits generated in Africa but critics called offsets a “risky diversion”

Revealed: Cookstove offsets produce millions of junk carbon credits

Cooking the books: cookstove offsets produce millions of fake emission cuts

Projects in India linked to Enking, the self-proclaimed world’s largest carbon credits producer, have vastly overestimated climate benefits

As Guyana shows, carbon offsets will not save the Amazon rainforest

As Guyana shows, carbon offsets will not save the Amazon rainforest

With all their flaws, carbon offsets are not the solution to deforestation of the Amazon rainforest – leaders should acknowledge that

Indonesia delays coal closure plans after financial dispute with wealthy nations

Carbon credits touted as saviour of coal-to-clean energy deals

The scheme aims to fund the coal-to-clean energy transition in emerging economies like Indonesia but experts warn the fine print is key

Carbon markets

Carbon bubble

Oil tanker investments at risk from climate action, report says

Oil tanker investments at risk from climate action, report says

Strong action on climate change would shrink demand for vessels by a third, impacting investment decisions being made now, analysts say

Asset managers worth $15 trillion make climate risk promise to Macron

Asset managers worth $15 trillion make climate risk promise to Macron

The French president gathered the world’s biggest investors this week to push them to back climate-friendly projects

Gas companies face Californian wipe-out, say S&P, Moody's

Gas companies face Californian wipe-out, say S&P, Moody’s

Ratings agencies say the state’s bid to go 100% renewable poses a ‘significant threat’ to gas generators’ credit stability

Australian bank sued over failure to disclose climate risks

Australian bank sued over failure to disclose climate risks

Shareholders are taking the Commonwealth Bank to court, alleging that it is misleading investors about its financial position

Planned gas investments will blow 1.5C climate target, say analysts

Planned gas investments will blow 1.5C climate target, say analysts

Report by Climate Action Tracker warns that overly bullish gas demand forecasts will lead to stranded assets or an unsafe future climate

Exxon shareholders win 'historic' climate vote against board's advice

Exxon shareholders win ‘historic’ climate vote against board’s advice

Shareholders in world’s largest private oil company won a victory that signals deep unease about climate change amongst major investors

Exxon shareholder rebellion gains momentum ahead of climate vote

Exxon shareholder rebellion gains momentum ahead of climate vote

Major investors BlackRock and Vanguard could tip the balance and force oil firm to publicly divulge risk clean technology and regulations pose to its business

UK is in no position to lecture Saudis on oil dependence

UK is in no position to lecture Saudis on oil dependence

PM Theresa May has offered to help wean Saudi Arabia off oil, but her government’s subsidies to North Sea producers are a poor model for the Middle East petrostate

Carbon bubble

Climate finance

African leaders skirt over fossil fuels in climate summit declaration

African leaders skirt over fossil fuels in climate summit declaration

A joint statement forming the basis of Africa’s negotiating position for Cop28 is silent on the role of oil and gas

Germany support new gas projects

Germany plans to keep funding new gas projects overseas despite pledge

Draft guidelines for its export credit agency signal support for some gas projects until 2025 – three years after the deadline set by the Glasgow pledge

Developing nations decry risk of UK breaking climate finance pledge

Developing nations decry risk of UK breaking climate finance pledge

The UK promised to deliver £11.6 billion in international climate finance by 2026. But a leaked memo suggests the target is being dropped.

Senegal shows African countries are not passive beneficiaries of climate finance

Senegal shows African countries are not passive beneficiaries of climate finance

While drawing up their renewables deal with wealthy countries, Senegalese government, civil society, business and researchers had their say

Public banks agree to check investments against countries' climate plans

Public banks agree to check investments against countries’ climate plans

Ten multilateral development banks have agreed on how to make sure their investments meet climate goals. But experts told Climate Home the rules do not go far enough.

Multilateral banks' investments in industrial livestock undermine their Paris climate commitments

Multilateral banks’ investments in industrial livestock undermine their Paris climate commitments

Public money should stop flowing towards the expansion of animal agriculture, which is responsible for a fifth of the world’s emissions

Cop28 boss slams rich nations "dismal" $100bn finance failure

Cop28 boss slams rich nations “dismal” $100bn finance failure

Developed nations should have met the climate finance commitment in 2020. But they are still not there.

US officials at World Bank spring meeting discuss climate finance reforms

World Bank steering committee and US urge for reforms on climate lending

At the World Bank’s spring meeting, US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen called for the adoption of a reform that would free up funds for climate lending.

Climate finance

Divestment

World Bank's private sector arm to stop supporting new coal  

World Bank’s private sector arm to stop supporting new coal  

The International Finance Corporation is closing a loophole that allowed its financial clients to continue funding new coal projects 

Climate fund considers India, South Africa to pilot $2bn coal transition scheme

Climate fund considers India, South Africa to pilot $2bn coal transition scheme

Climate Investment Funds CEO Mafalda Duarte has been tasked with mobilising private capital to help wean developing countries off coal and create cleaner jobs

Malaysian bank to phase out coal finance, in a victory for campaigners

Malaysian bank to phase out coal finance, in a victory for campaigners

CIMB has been hailed as the first major bank in an emerging market to publish a coal exit strategy, after investing $2.6 billion in the sector last decade

Coronavirus: investors and policymakers must shift to increase resilience

Coronavirus: investors and policymakers must shift to increase resilience

Incentives for long-term sustainability, an end to fossil fuel subsidies, more telework are all needed to make the global economy resilient to shocks like Covid-19

South Korea urged to exit coal by 2029 to stick to Paris climate agreement

South Korea urged to exit coal by 2029 to stick to Paris climate agreement

Climate Analytics research group calls on Seoul to phase out existing coal-fired power plants, stop new construction and halt funds for coal projects in other Asian nations

'Trundling over to Africa' - Climate Weekly

‘Trundling over to Africa’ – Climate Weekly

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Trump criticises 'prophets of doom' in Davos and touts fossil fuels

Trump criticises ‘prophets of doom’ in Davos and touts fossil fuels

Trump, Thunberg set out radically different visions for the economy and climate in the 21st century

Finally saying the F-words at UN climate talks 

Finally saying the F-words at UN climate talks 

International negotiations have always focused on carbon emissions, not the coal, oil and gas that create them. That’s changing

Divestment

Green bonds

Exclusive: Japan uses 'environmental' fund to finance Vietnamese coal plant

Exclusive: Japan uses ‘environmental’ fund to finance Vietnamese coal plant

The Japan Bank for International Cooperation approved a loan to the controversial Vung Ang 2 coal project from a facility intended for “environmental preservation”

European Central Bank should 'gradually eliminate' carbon assets: Lagarde

European Central Bank should ‘gradually eliminate’ carbon assets: Lagarde

Nominee to lead the bank told MEPs it could adopt new measures to prefer green investments if she is confirmed

Ex-UN climate chief calls for green bonds to hit $1 trillion by 2020

Ex-UN climate chief calls for green bonds to hit $1 trillion by 2020

Christiana Figueres is urging public authorities and corporates to scale up climate-friendly infrastructure investment by 2020, under the “green bond pledge”

India raises $400m green bond to fund renewables drive

India raises $400m green bond to fund renewables drive

Money raised by the Power Finance Corporation will support solar and wind projects, contributing to national renewables target of 175GW capacity by 2022

Fiji announces $50m 'climate bond' ahead of COP23 presidency

Fiji announces $50m ‘climate bond’ ahead of COP23 presidency

Prime minister Frank Bainimarama says money raised with help from the World Bank sets an example for innovative green finance to protect the vulnerable

China is taking the green bond market by storm

China is taking the green bond market by storm

Beijing’s sustainable finance push is bearing fruit, with a world-leading $36.9bn worth of green bonds issued last year

Risky business: G20 panel to order climate stress tests

Risky business: G20 panel to order climate stress tests

Donald Trump’s US election win may damage the Paris climate deal, but climate risk reporting rules for businesses could radically change the investment landscape

Poland green bond issue will not fund coal, says official

Poland green bond issue will not fund coal, says official

Investors are sceptical about Warsaw bid to finance renewables, given its coal-heavy energy policy

Green bonds