Germany backs gas as “transition” fuel in EU green finance guidelines
In a letter, Berlin stressed its opposition to nuclear while calling on the European Commission to ease restrictions on gas in the transition to clean energy
Saudi energy minister touts pink hydrogen made by “emancipated young ladies”
Saudi Arabia wants to become a leading exporter of hydrogen from both clean and dirty sources as part of an economic diversification plan
Judge rejects campaigners’ bid to curb UK oil production
The high court ruling dismissed as “nonsensical” the argument that oil companies are “paid to pollute” under the UK tax regime
Egypt names foreign minister Sameh Shoukry to lead Cop27 climate talks
Cairo gave a junior role to environment minister Yasmine Fouad and the top job to a career diplomat with no significant climate experience
Haven of African elephants at risk, say park rangers decrying poor pay and conditions
Forest guards in Gabon say their salaries are often paid several months late and are threatening to go on strike
Germany ‘must triple pace of emissions cuts’ to meet 2030 target
Germany missed its climate targets in 2021 and the incoming “traffic light” coalition is promising a major policy package to turn things around
Typhoon Rai’s trail of destruction in the Philippines reignites loss and damage calls
More than 400 people were killed and seven million lost homes or livelihoods to the category 5 storm that hit the Philippines in December
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
EU lawmaker calls for carbon border tax revenues to boost climate finance
Support to clean up industries in least developing countries is necessary for the propose levy to comply with WTO rules, Mohammed Chahim argues
‘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
Brussels sets out new green aid rules, with ‘pragmatic exceptions’ for gas
The new guidelines include a special clause for natural gas, allowing member states with the lowest GDP to transition from coal to gas
UK floats ‘climate compatibility’ test for new oil and gas drilling
The UK government says new oil and gas licensing can fit with its climate commitments. Campaigners, citing the International Energy Agency, disagree
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
Five WWF Pakistan staff monitoring forest protection die in car crash
WWF Pakistan described the victims whose car plunged into a ravine in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as “young and passionate environmentalists”
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
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
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