Matteo Civillini
Loss and damage board speeds up work to allow countries direct access to funds
At its first meeting, the fund’s board decided to fast-track the selection of its host country so money can be disbursed as fast as possible to disaster-hit people
G7 offers tepid response to appeal for “bolder” climate action
Climate and energy ministers from G7 nations agreed a coal exit deadline – with a caveat, but made little progress on other fossil fuels and finance
Tensions rise over who will contribute to new climate finance goal
Germany wants all high-emitters, especially among G20 countries, to pitch in. But China and Saudi Arabia say the responsibility lies with developed nations
Peak COP? UN looks to shrink Baku and Belém climate summits
While 84,000 delegates attended COP28 in Dubai, just 40,000-50,000 are expected at COP29 in Baku and COP30 in Belém
World Bank climate funding greens African hotels while fishermen sink
Climate Home reveals that the World Bank Group has counted support for luxury hotels as climate finance, which experts say fails the most vulnerable
“Two steps forward, two steps back” – Governments off course for forest protection target
While Brazil and Colombia saw forest loss drop, their progress was offset by rises elsewhere
Climate leaders, oil bosses pitch alternate energy-transition realities
As climate officials prepare the next steps in a globally agreed shift away from fossil fuels, oil and gas executives return fire
UN’s climate body faces “severe financial challenges” which put work at risk
UNFCCC chief Simon Stiell has made an urgent plea to plug the body’s funding gap with government donations
In Somalia, Green Climate Fund tests new approach for left-out communities
GCF head Mafalda Duarte promises a more proactive plan to bring cash to the most vulnerable countries struggling with climate impacts
Fossil fuel industry under pressure to cut record-high methane emissions
New regulations and monitoring advances could turn the tide on methane emissions from oil, gas and coal production this year
UN climate fund axes Nicaragua forest project over human rights concerns
In its first such move, the Green Climate Fund has pulled out of a project after developers failed to address environmental and social compliance issues
China steps away from 2025 energy efficiency goal
The government aims to cut the amount of energy needed for its economic growth by 2.5% in 2024, putting it far off track for a key five-year climate target
Countries draw battle lines for talks on new climate finance goal
Developed and developing countries are gearing up for heated discussions over the size of the goal and who should provide money for it
Switzerland proposes first UN expert group on solar geoengineering
A draft resolution aimed at creating a space for discussion on sun dimming technologies will be debated at the summit of the UN’s environment body this month
US trade agency backs oil and gas drilling in Bahrain despite Biden pledge
Ex-Im’s financing would boost fossil fuel production in the Gulf state with the construction of over 450 new oil and gas wells
“Shameful”: Shell uses carbon credits under investigation to meet climate targets
The oil and gas giant offset part of its emissions with over a million credits from Chinese projects suspended because of integrity concerns
John Podesta replaces Kerry as top US climate diplomat
Podesta will lead US international climate diplomacy alongside his current job overseeing the rollout of domestic clean energy subsidies
Italy launches ‘ambiguous’ Africa plan fuelling fears over fossil fuels role
Giorgia Meloni has unveiled a long-awaited plan for African development named after Enrico Mattei, founder of oil and gas giant Eni.
US government pauses new gas export terminals in ‘historic win’ for climate
The Biden administration is freezing approvals of new LNG export permits as climate considerations take centre stage.
Cop29 host Azerbaijan launches green energy unit to sceptical response
Azerbaijan’s state oil and gas firm promises a green push but a lack of climate policies and plans to expand gas production are causing scepticism