Middle East
Saudi Arabia eyes Ethiopian hydropower link to cut reliance on oil and gas
The Gulf Cooperation Council’s grid operator is studying the feasibility of a cable to Ethiopia, which would run through currently war-torn Yemen
UN issues warning of climate instability across Arab region
Development agency says dry countries face ‘famine and food insecurity, loss of livelihoods and life, and the displacement of millions’
EU energy chief flies to Tehran to talk gas supply, as US sanctions loom
As companies withdraw from deals involving Iran, fearing US sanctions, the EU scrambles to preserve growing energy cooperation
Palestinian requests to global green fund ignored since 2016
Letters and emails show the Global Environment Facility stonewalled while US pressure built on international bodies that recognise Palestine
US ‘will not speculate’ on climate treaty after leaving Unesco over Palestine
The body that oversees the Paris treaty also recognises Palestine, raising the prospect that Thursday’s decision to leave Unesco sets a precedent
Climate change threatens survival of the River Jordan
New research finds worsening droughts will sap the biblical waterway, which is already under pressure from agriculture and a growing population
Photos reveal Iraq oil fires burning behind ISIS retreat
Satellite images show evidence of the Islamic State’s scorched earth tactics as militants lose territory to Western-backed Iraqi forces
Conflict-hit Syrian hospital goes solar to save lives
Medical charity UOSSM plans to roll out solar power to five more facilities, reducing reliance on diesel generators to keep incubators and other equipment running
UK is in no position to lecture Saudis on oil dependence
PM Theresa May has offered to help wean Saudi Arabia off oil, but her government’s subsidies to North Sea producers are a poor model for the Middle East petrostate
Maldives president defends Saudi atoll deal, but reveals no detail
Maldives “should be afforded the ability to expand our economy” says president in response to criticism of a US$10bn development deal with Saudi Arabia
Saudis make Maldives land grab to secure oil routes to China
Proposed multi-billion dollar deal sparks protests in the tiny atoll nation, which has found itself at the centre of a great game over oil, power and religion
Court forces Turkish coal plant to suspend operations
Three years after it came online, Izdemir power station has been stripped of its environmental licence, in a win for campaigners
Saudi oil chief hails Trump’s ‘realistic’ energy plans
Khalid Al-Falih welcomes new president’s pro-fossil fuel approach, rejects suggestion US will quit Paris climate agreement
Saudi Aramco planning $5 billion clean energy binge
As low oil prices eat into country’s $600 billion sovereign wealth fund, state energy giant starts work on radical transition towards renewables
Into the abyss: oil states face turmoil as climate policies bite
A transition to green energy sources threatens the stability of oil-rich states like Venezuela, Russia and Saudi Arabia
Can Saudi Arabia’s regime survive in a greener world?
The race is on for Saudi Arabia to find new sources of income before the oil age peters out
Saudi Arabia working on plan to boost climate target
World’s top petroleum exporter not deterred by incoming Trump presidency; says it will explore new ways to cut carbon emissions
Israeli presence at climate talks causes anger in Morocco
“Morocco remains and will always remain the prime defender of the Palestinian cause,” said Moroccan foreign minister and COP22 president
Paris climate deal will not kill fossil fuels, says ex-Saudi oil chief
Influential former oil and climate envoy says solar is the future but predicts strong growth prospects for oil and gas sector, despite climate policies
Saudi Arabia to ratify Paris climate deal before Marrakech talks
Petropower will join historic pact ahead of further climate negotiations next week, says minister Khalid Al-Falih