UK sets out economy-wide strategy to meet 2050 net zero goal
Analysts welcomed the plan days before the UK hosts the Cop26 summit but warned more public investments were needed to give it credibility
‘Breakthrough’: IMF develops fund to help debt-laden nations address climate risks
The IMF trust fund could be worth up to $50 billion and meet vulnerable countries’ call for support to address the triple crisis of debt, Covid and climate change
Pioneer of attribution science Geert Jan van Oldenborgh dies, aged 59
The Dutch scientist led research linking climate change to individual extreme weather events in real time and is warmly remembered by his collaborators
UN boss calls for stronger aviation and shipping climate goals in line with 1.5C
Antonio Guterres said targets set at UN bodies for international transport were compatible with more than 3C of global warming and urged more action
Heat rises on donor countries to meet overdue $100bn climate finance promise
Nearly 150 green groups have told rich governments they must make up for missing their climate aid target by delivering $600bn in total 2020-25
Japan eyes international carbon offsets to deliver 2030 emission cuts
Campaigners accused Japan of failing to take responsibility for cutting its own emissions and relying on developing nations to do so
UN isolation fund launched to support Cop26 delegates who contract Covid-19
Delegates who test positive for Covid-19 must isolate for 10 days, with a solidarity fund to cover extra accommodation costs for developing countries
Xi Jinping announces biodiversity fund to help developing nations protect nature
The Chinese president called on other donor countries to contribute to the $230 million fund for biodiversity at Kunming talks
Countries failing to protect forests, 7 years after New York declaration
Of the 32 biggest forest nations, only India has set an ambitious tree planting target and others are falling far short, according to analysis of their latest climate pledges
Dispute grips Green Climate Fund over net zero condition for accessing finance
Board members from developing countries insisted that making a 2050 net zero goal a condition for accreditation to the fund breaches equity principles
UAE sets net zero by 2050 target, promises renewable investments
The oil-producing nation is planning to invest $163 billion in ‘clean and renewable’ energy over the next 30 years
Turkey ratifies the Paris Agreement after approving a 2053 net zero goal
Documents agreed by parliament included a declaration that Turkey would implement the climate treaty as a developing country, despite its developed nation status
UK’s 2035 zero-carbon electricity goal is a diplomatic trendsetter, analysts say
The ruling Conservative party confirmed the government plans to end generating electricity with unabated gas, putting pressure on other major economies to follow
India’s vulnerability to coal shocks exposed amid surging energy demand and prices
The country’s looming energy crisis raises serious questions over India’s coal expansion plan as private investors move away from the sector, analysts say
GCF considers renewed partnership with UNDP, amid corruption investigations
The Green Climate Fund board has been advised to re-accredit the UN development agency, despite unresolved corruption claims against projects in Samoa and Armenia
UK seeks alliance to end public finance for coal, oil and gas projects overseas
The Cop26 hosts are trying to build a coalition of countries to align public finance with a 1.5C global warming limit, the toughest goal of the Paris Agreement
With Ted Cruz blocking US ambassadors, climate diplomacy suffers
Joe Biden has been unable to appoint ambassadors to capitals including Beijing and Delhi due to the Texas senator’s anti-Nord Stream 2 crusade
China’s power crunch could fuel anti-climate backlash, analysts warn
Many media reports have linked the power cuts to environmental policies aimed at curbing energy intensity, when high coal prices are the real culprit
On expert advice, South Africa cuts its 2030 emissions cap by a third
Africa’s biggest polluter has significantly strengthened its climate targets for this decade, as renewables increasingly out-compete coal power
How Climate Week NYC became a fixture on the political calendar
From persuading business leaders climate is “not a hippy issue” to putting a spotlight on environmental justice, the conversation in New York is moving with the times