US, UK and Norway launch $1bn initiative to protect tropical forests
The Leaf Coalition aims to mobilise $1 billion of public and private finance this year to cut emissions from deforestation and forest degradation
US pledges to double international climate finance at Earth Day summit
Joe Biden made a start on restoring US climate credibility after four lost years, with finance and emissions pledges, but campaigners say more is needed
As it happened: US, Japan, Canada pledged deeper emissions cuts at Biden summit
President Joe Biden sought to restore US credibility on climate action and mobilise higher ambition from major emitters with a virtual event on Earth Day
EU reaches hard-fought deal on climate law ahead of US leaders’ summit
European lawmakers and member states clinched a deal after all-night talks on enshrining the union’s 2030 and 2050 goals into law
Poland seeks to nationalise coal plants so firms can finance green investments
Warsaw’s energy transition proposals will require state aid approval from the European Commission, which is expected to insist on a coal exit date
Pakistan explores debt-for-nature scheme to accelerate its 10 billion tree tsunami
Creditors could grant Pakistan debt relief in exchange for meeting nature restoration targets, under a proposed first-of-its-kind bond
Interim UN climate talks move online to address negotiation backlog
Climate diplomats agreed to hold an informal and extended virtual meeting in June, despite connectivity concerns, to make progress on sticky issues
In Amazon protection talks, US demands action from Bolsonaro
Joe Biden promised to mobilise $20 billion to protect the Amazon rainforest, but negotiations with Jair Bolsonaro’s government are fraught
Climate watchers pay tribute to Nicaraguan envoy Paul Oquist, who died on Monday
The outspoken diplomat, who famously described the Paris Agreement as a “path to failure”, will be remembered as a complex figure who fought for justice
Joe Biden’s $1.2bn budget for Green Climate Fund falls short of campaigner demands
The proposed US contribution to the UN’s flagship climate fund this year is not enough to catch up with other donors
Total signs deal to build East African oil pipeline, despite lack of finance
Uganda and Tanzania have given political backing to the 1,445km East African Crude Oil Pipeline, but climate campaigners are deterring investment
Emerging economies share ‘grave concern’ over EU plans for a carbon border tax
Brazil, South Africa, India and China say EU plans for a carbon levy on imported products like steel and cement will unfairly penalise their economies
Cyclone Seroja kills 160 people, exposes Indonesia’s climate vulnerability
Campaigners say a government rollback of environmental regulations increases Indonesia’s vulnerability to flash floods and landslides
Japan set to raise ambition of 2030 climate goal
The Japanese government is proposing to cut emissions 45% from 2013 levels by 2030, while campaigners push for deeper reductions
Climate vulnerability should be factored into debt relief, says IMF head
Kristalina Georgieva said the IMF was considering proposals to ensure climate vulnerable middle-income nations receive support to build back better from Covid-19
South Africa sets out to tighten 2030 emissions target
South Africa’s economy is shifting from heavy industry to service sectors, allowing for deeper carbon cuts, but coal lingers in the energy mix
UK pledges to make scaling up adaptation finance a priority at G7 summit
At a ministerial meeting of donor and developing countries, the UK said it would aim to secure additional financial support for vulnerable nations by June
India calls out rich nations for setting net zero goals over robust short-term targets
Minister Raj Kumar Singh insisted developing nations should not be asked to set net zero goals as they seek to grow their economies
Saudi Arabia aims for 50% renewable energy by 2030, backs huge tree planting initiative
The target will require huge investments in solar technologies, experts warn, as less than 1% of the oil producing nation’s energy comes from renewables
EU member states and lawmakers at loggerheads over 2030 climate target
The fifth round of negotiations between the EU Council and members of parliament achieved little progress on agreeing a climate law