Matteo Civillini
Rich nations meet $100bn climate finance goal – two years late
Developed countries gave nearly $116 billion in climate finance in 2022, but experts and campaigners questioned how the target was met
US government backs the carbon credit industry’s push to fix itself
The Biden administration throws its weight behind the industry’s attempts to boost integrity in the beleaguered market
UN court: Countries must go beyond Paris Agreement to protect oceans
Small island states score “historic” victory as UN maritime tribunal says countries must take necessary measures to address emissions
Azerbaijan pursues clean energy to export more ‘god-given’ gas to Europe
Baku rolls out its first large-scale renewables, but a rise in clean energy does not mean leaving fossil fuels in the ground
In Nagorno-Karabakh, Azerbaijan’s net zero vision clashes with legacy of war
After Armenians fled the conflict-torn region, the COP29 host nation has launched a huge reconstruction effort to polish its green credentials
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