EU can help Africa become the ‘greenest continent’: German minister
Minister argues EU should priorities the transition to clean energy in a treaty to be negotiated with the African Union
UN fund pays Indonesia for forest protection as deforestation rises
Campaigners accuse the Green Climate Fund of letting governments game the UN’s Redd+ forest protection scheme, as Indonesia is awarded $103 million
Big oil need not apply: UK raises the bar for UN climate summit sponsorship
Fossil fuel money is not welcome to help run next year’s Cop26 climate talks in Glasgow, as UK government seeks sponsors with net zero emissions plans
Forest destruction spiked in Indonesia during coronavirus lockdown
Travel restrictions allowed illegal deforestation to flourish in Indonesia – and government plans to cut environmental protections raise fears for the future
Angola ratifies Paris Agreement promising more ambitious climate plan
The government is working to develop its climate plan in time for a UN deadline at the end of the year – leaving just seven countries to formally endorse the 2015 deal
Most of UN climate science report likely to be delayed beyond 2021 Glasgow summit
Only the first section of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report, about the science of global warming, is set to be ready before the postponed Glasgow summit
Green shift urged to revive Brazil’s economy and shield Amazon forests
President Bolsonaro could rebuild the economy faster after Covid-19 by making low-carbon growth a pillar of recovery, international study says
Wind, solar generate 10% of world electricity, doubling share since 2015
Coal falls to 33% of electricity generation in the first half of 2020, hit by declines in US and EU as Covid-19 cuts world power demand
Kamala Harris might help ‘night and day’ shift for US on global climate diplomacy
If they defeat Trump, Biden and Harris will have to prove they can cut emissions at home to rebuild US global leadership on climate change.
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
Editor Karl Mathiesen is leaving Climate Home News
A message to readers from outgoing editor-in-chief Karl Mathiesen, as he moves on to a new opportunity
Major ship emissions study flags a bigger role for governments
Some 30% of ship emissions come from domestic voyages, researchers find, urging governments to tackle the sector in national climate plans
‘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”
Ireland forced to strengthen climate plan, in supreme court win for campaigners
Judges ruled the government’s national mitigation plan fell “well short” of what was needed to meet Ireland’s climate commitments, ordering a more ambitious strategy
Air travel to bounce back faster in domestic markets, industry forecasts
A projected recovery in domestic air travel to pre-pandemic levels by 2022 puts the spotlight on emissions from major markets like the US and China
Covid-hit hajj guts Saudi plans to reduce reliance on oil revenues
Only a few thousand Muslims are attending this year’s pilgrimage, not the millions Riyadh needs for its ‘Vision 2030’ economic diversification plan
Russia warns EU against carbon border tax plan, citing WTO rules
As Brussels gets serious about imposing levies on imports from polluting countries, Moscow argues such measures create unfair barriers to trade
European battery gigafactories boom despite Covid slowdown
The region is on schedule to meet rising demand for electric vehicles, with five major battery factories in operation and at least 11 more expected by 2030
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