OECD: Rich countries ‘likely’ to hit $100bn climate finance goal in 2022
Data shows countries provided $89.6bn in 2021, but funding for adaptation declined.
EU law pushes foreign oil and gas producers to cut methane
The EU has introduced a methane import standard, pressuring any company which exports oil and gas to the EU to cut its emissions
France, Kenya set to launch Cop28 coalition for global taxes to fund climate action
The taskforce, set to be launched at Cop28, will consider the feasibility of levies on shipping, aviation, financial transactions and fossil fuels.
US and China promise cooperation on renewables and methane
After talks in Sunnyland, California, the US and China agreed to revive a bilateral working group on climate change
Shades of green hydrogen: EU demand set to transform Namibia
Backed by the EU, Namibia has a $20 billion plan to export green hydrogen. A secretive tender process raises concerns for nature and citizens.
UK aid cuts leave Malawi vulnerable to droughts and cyclones
After the UK cut short a £52m climate adaptation scheme in Malawi, vulnerable communities saw their livelihoods destroyed by Cyclone Freddy
Australia to accept migrants from climate-hit Tuvalu in security pact
Australia has offered visas and climate finance to Tuvalu in a security pact to counter China’s influence in the Pacific region
China sets out methane plan, but no reduction target
Experts said that China didn’t want to shut down coal mines and was likely under-counting its coal mine methane emissions
Colombia’s big green plans run into headwinds
Tricky politics have hampered renewable growth and plans to stop oil and gas exploration have sparked economic fears
World Bank to initially host loss and damage fund under draft deal
Developing countries made key concession to land a draft deal on funding for climate victims, subject to political signoff at Cop28
Argentine rewilding debate descends into legal threats
A nature conservation foundation has accused Argentine scientists of slander after criticism of their rewilding methods
Indonesia delays coal closure plans after finance row with rich nations
After its pleas for grants not loans fell mostly on deaf ears, Indonesia has watered down its plans to shut coal power plants early
DRC hands gas rights to Canadian start-up that failed criteria
The technically complex contract was won by Alfajiri, which is based in a residential property in Canada and has only existed a few months
Rooftop solar panels offer fragile lifeline to besieged Gazans
As Israel cuts off electricity to the Gaza Strip, rooftop solar panels help residents to survive frequent bombardment
Movement mourns ‘driving force for climate justice’ Saleemul Huq
Bangladeshi scientist and campaigner Saleemul Huq attended every UN climate summit and championed the cause of developing countries
Rich nations offer loans not grants for Vietnam’s coal transition
The G7 has offered to mobilise $15.5 billion to get Vietnam from coal to clean energy but just 2% of this is grants
China objects to UN fund warnings on solar’s forced labour risks
China opposed six Green Climate Fund projects because the proposals flagged the risk of forced labour in the manufacturing of solar panels.
Climate diplomats pay tribute to Pete Betts, EU negotiator who helped land Paris Agreement
Betts was the EU’s chief negotiator when the Paris Agreement was signed. He has died a year after being diagnosed with cancer.
Small islands struggle to get help from UN’s flagship climate fund
While small islands still say the Green Climate Fund is better than the rest, they are facing problems getting money from it
World Bank controversy sends loss and damage talks into overtime
Developing countries are outraged by a proposal to host a climate loss and damage fund at the World Bank, painting it as a US power grab