World
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
Despite Putin promises, Russia’s emissions keep rising
Russia’s climate targets are unambitious and Putin’s 24 years in power have seen no move away from fossil fuels, with upcoming elections set to bring little change
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
Germany uses funding to pressure climate groups on Israel-Gaza war
Many Global South climate groups are funded by the German government, a political ally of Israel, and feel unable to criticise Israel’s military action in Gaza
Nations fail to agree ban or research on solar geoengineering
At talks in Nairobi, governments could not find consensus on new global governance for SRM, including proposals for “non-use” and a UN expert panel
Clean, cheap or fair – which countries should pump the last oil and gas?
The world will need oil and gas for a few decades more – and the debate is heating up over who should get to produce and sell it
Revealed: UK civil servants’ secret doubts over climate techno-fixes
The government is relying on special cow food and green plane fuel to cut emissions – but officials warn some solutions may fall short
Despite Cop28 pledge, France keeps fossil fuel subsidies for farmers
France has abandoned plans to phase out tax breaks on agricultural diesel in efforts to appease its increasingly disgruntled farmers
Oil drilling while in the Energy Charter Treaty is economically reckless
The UK is opening itself up to repeated lawsuits from foreign oil and gas firms if it passes the Offshore Petroleum Licensing Bill
Problems mount for Sahara gas pipeline, leaving Nigerian taxpayers at risk
The Nigerian government is sinking billions into the long-delayed project but economic and security problems are mounting
Argentine resistance hinders Milei’s forest and glacier destruction
Ultra free-market president Javier Milei has not so far been able to get cuts to environmental regulations through Congress
Shell accused of trying to wash hands of Nigerian oil spill mess
Shell’s oil spills have ruined farms and fisheries and locals want compensation before it sells up
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
EU floats 90% emissions target but drops green farming measures
The European Commission has proposed a 90% cut to net emissions by 2040 but has dropped specific targets for farming
While Europe’s green backlash grows, Poland tells different story
As the backlash against laws protecting nature intensifies across Europe, public pressure has helped push forests centre stage in Poland
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
Saudi Arabia cancels plan to raise oil pumping cap
Analysts said Saudi Arabia’s government may be losing faith that the world wants to keep buying more of its oil
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.
Biden misses chance to tackle “huge” US landfill emissions
Food and plants dumped into US landfills are rotting and warming the planet but “weak” regulations have not been improved
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.