Japan net zero emissions pledge puts coal in the spotlight
Prime minister Yoshihide Suga has promised to “fundamentally shift” Japan’s coal policy to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050
World Bank branch indirectly backs coal megaproject despite green pledge
International Finance Corporation piloted its green equity policy with an Indonesian bank, which went on to fund a 2,000 MW coal complex
Peru and Switzerland sign ‘world first’ carbon offset deal under Paris Agreement
In an agreement that took two years to negotiate, Peru will get finance for sustainable development projects while Switzerland takes credit for the emissions cuts
Japan set to announce 2050 net zero emissions target – report
Prime minister Yoshihide Suga is expected to unveil plans to achieve carbon neutrality in a speech on Monday, following growing pressure on Tokyo to step up ambition
Poland’s largest utility announces pivot from coal to renewables
PGE has announced a strategy to go 100% renewable by 2050, but it depends on passing responsibility for coal mines to another Polish state-owned entity
Oxfam: Rich countries are not delivering on $100bn climate finance promise
Nearly 80% of climate finance is in the form of loans that must be repaid, adding to the debt burden of the poorest countries, anti-poverty campaigners found
China hits out at US climate record, in pointed message ahead of election
In an extraordinary diplomatic attack, Beijing suggested “troublemaker” US must answer to the international community for breaking the consensus on climate change
New Zealanders vote for climate ambition of Jacinda Ardern and Greens
Jacinda Ardern won a second term as New Zealand leader with a landslide majority, in an endorsement of her government’s net zero emissions goal
Ballooning debt cripples poor countries’ hopes of green recovery from Covid
Vulnerable countries are struggling to survive the economic impacts of the coronavirus pandemic, let alone build back better, as debts mount up
Ships to get free pass on emissions until 2030, under compromise proposal
Ship efficiency measures backed by a broad coalition of 14 countries will fail to reduce emissions in line with industry and Paris climate goals, campaigners warn
Brazilian spies intimidated government’s own delegates at climate talks
Bolsonaro sent four secret agents to the Cop25 climate summit in Madrid, where campaigners said Brazilian negotiators were afraid to talk to them
EU considers crackdown on methane leaks from imported oil and gas
An EU methane emissions standard would put pressure on suppliers like Russia and Algeria to stop polluting gas leaks and venting, but proposals lack detail
Campaigners confront IMF chief over green recovery contradictions
Analysis shows IMF advice to countries accessing Covid-19 emergency funds fails to systematically address climate risks and implicitly endorses fossil fuel subsidies
IEA outlines how world can reach net zero emissions by 2050
To reach carbon neutrality in 2050, half of all cars globally should be electric by the end of this decade, according to modelling by the International Energy Agency
UK Supreme Court hears climate case on Heathrow airport expansion
Heathrow Airport is challenging a ruling that quashed plans to build a third runway earlier this year, based on the UK commitment to the Paris Agreement
In this Indian fishing community, radio is saving lives and livelihoods
Broadcasts on everything from cyclone warnings to making jewelry from seashells help Pamban islanders stay resilient in the face of climate change impacts
Bangladesh urges countries to ramp up climate ambition by 2020 deadline
Bangladeshi prime minister Sheikh Hasina called on a club of vulnerable countries to set an example and submit updated climate plans by 31 December
EU Parliament votes in favour of cutting emissions 60% by 2030
Lawmakers are putting pressure on EU leaders to raise the bloc’s 2030 climate ambition beyond the Commission’s proposed 55% emissions reduction target
South Korea pursues Vietnamese coal plant, drawing international criticism
A decision by state-owned utility Kepco to invest in Vung Ang 2 coal power station goes against the government’s “green new deal” rhetoric
Nigeria, Jamaica bring closure to the Kyoto Protocol era, in last-minute dash
With hours to the deadline, Nigeria became the 144th country to ratify the Doha Amendment, ensuring it would come into force before it expires this year