Energy

UN climate chief warns of “two-speed” global energy transition

Simon Stiell tells investors in NYC that rich countries are benefiting most from clean energy growth while poorer nations are deprived of finance for cheaper renewables

Global push to triple renewables requires responsible mining of minerals

As leaders at the UN debate how to meet renewable energy goals, they must also ensure supply chains are sustainable

The demise of coal, as it turns out, is a lot of gas

The global pipeline of coal projects shrank dramatically in recent years – but now coal is making a comeback in Asia, threatening climate goals

Pacific Islanders, need climate action - not greenwashing - from Azerbaijan

As Pacific Islanders, we need climate action – not greenwashing – from Azerbaijan

As host of the COP29 summit, Baku must stop fossil fuel expansion, cut its emissions further, and work to deliver an ambitious climate finance goal

Activists calling for an end to fossil fuels at COP28 in Dubai. Photo by IISD/ENB | Mike Muzurakis.

Fossil fuel transition back in draft pact for UN Summit of the Future after outcry

The new text of a UN pact for the high-level event brings back a mention of the headline COP28 agreement

After cutting fossil fuel finance we must unlock clean energy for all

Leaders are cutting fossil fuel finance – next comes unlocking clean energy for all

While international public finance for coal, oil and gas has fallen by two-thirds, little of that money has gone to boost green energy in poorer countries

Argentina lithium indigenous protest. A UN panel is working to define principles and recommendations for responsible mining of "critical" transition minerals

The UN can set a new course on “critical” transition minerals  

A high-level panel is working to define principles for responsible mining, which will be presented to the UN General Assembly in September

How better buildings can help von der Leyen maintain her green legacy   

How better buildings can help von der Leyen maintain her green legacy   

The EU president must implement plans to boost energy efficiency in the sector, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and exposure to geopolitical shocks

Renewable-energy carbon credits rejected by high-integrity scheme

The Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market decided existing renewables methodologies don’t do enough to prove their emissions reductions are additional

Pollution clampdown on Delhi kilns threatens brick workers’ future

Emissions controls are causing brick kilns to close, raising fears that migrant labourers – who lack social safety nets – will struggle to earn a living 

Energy

Renewable Energy

Scottish oil-town plan for green jobs sparks climate campers' anger

Scottish oil-town plan for green jobs sparks climate campers’ anger over local park

The oil and gas industry aims to bring clean jobs to Aberdeen, but it involves paving over part of a much-loved park, igniting a debate on just transition

IRENA: Global goal of tripling renewables by 2030 still out of reach

Global goal of tripling renewables by 2030 still out of reach, says IRENA 

The renewable energy agency calls for more concrete policy action and finance, with Africa especially lagging on clean energy

Mexico's next president faces a growing conflict over one of Latin America’s largest wind hubs

A simmering conflict over one of Latin America’s biggest wind hubs confronts Mexico’s next president

Claudia Sheinbaum will have to deal with violent divisions over wind power projects on the Isthmus of Tehuantepec

G7 countries must deliver on COP28 promise to cut fossil fuels

G7 countries must deliver on COP28 promise to cut fossil fuels

For Pacific Island nations like mine, the transition to clean and renewable energy is not just a goal but a necessity for survival

No shortage of public money to pay for a just energy transition

No shortage of public money to pay for a just energy transition

With negotiations underway to establish a new global climate finance goal, wealthy countries are once again trying to shirk their responsibilities

Garadag solar power Azerbaijan. The country is pursuing clean energy to export more 'god-given' gas

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

As demand grows for transition minerals used in clean energy supply chains, new data suggests more protection is needed to stop abuses

Calls for responsible mining fail to stem rights abuses linked to transition minerals

As demand grows for critical minerals used in clean energy supply chains, new data suggests more protection is needed for communities affected by their extraction

China's energy efficiency goal

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

Renewable energy

Fossil Fuels

Canada’s Olympics kit provider hit with greenwashing complaint in France

Lululemon is accused by environmental group of using “misleading” sustainability claims despite growing emissions

UAE’s ALTÉRRA invests in fund backing fossil gas despite “climate solutions” pledge

Four months after partnering with the new “landmark” climate vehicle at COP28, a BlackRock fund put money into a US gas pipeline

Displaced farmers bemoan "bad deal" on EACOP project

Where East African oil pipeline meets sea, displaced farmers bemoan “bad deal” on compensation

The oil export project has pushed up the price of land, so compensation is too low to maintain affected villagers’ standard of living

New South African government fuels optimism for faster energy transition

Stuttering shift away from coal could pick up pace as new faces enter an unprecedented coalition government

India coal mining coal india

EU “green” funds invest millions in expanding coal giants in China, India

Climate Home found leading asset managers hold shares in coal firms within funds touting sustainable credentials

IEA calls for next national climate plans to target coal phase-down

Countries have agreed to reduce power generated from coal, but shutting down plants is an economic and social challenge, especially in emerging economies

Gas flaring back on the rise, fuelling calls for stronger regulation 

Gas flaring from oil production increased in 2023, with pledges and new rules aimed at curbing methane emissions yet to make a difference

Bonn Fossil fuel transition talks june 11

Bonn bulletin: Fossil fuel transition left homeless

Countries clash over where to negotiate the shift away from dirty energy agreed at COP28, while talks on a new climate finance goal make little progress

Fossil Fuels

Nuclear energy

Nuclear fusion: Why Silicon Valley is betting on man-made star power

Students at MIT have found a way to make nuclear fusion reactors smaller and cheaper, but the tech is a long way from commercial operation

Clean energy jobs overtake fossil fuel sector but wages lag behind

Employment is booming in electric vehicle production, building insulation and renewable power sectors, the International Energy Agency reports

EU set to use ‘green’ label for gas, nuclear investments after parliamentary vote

Climate campaigners accused EU lawmakers of “betrayal” and some member states are preparing legal challenges to the sustainable taxonomy

Macron promises to abandon gas, oil and coal, but will he deliver?

The re-elected French president performed poorly on climate in his first term and is relying too heavily on nuclear, experts say

Saudi energy minister touts pink hydrogen made by “emancipated young ladies”

Saudi Arabia wants to become a leading exporter of hydrogen from both clean and dirty sources as part of an economic diversification plan

Pakistan signals coal power exit, in potential model for China’s belt and road

Imran Khan announced his government would not approve any more coal power plants and pivot to renewables, contrary to the grid operator’s forecast of a coal boom

UN development chief calls for green shift away from ‘irrational’ oil dependence

Governments, at a fork in the road because of the Covid-19 pandemic, should ‘insert the DNA’ of a low-carbon future into stimulus packages, says Achim Steiner

Japan’s woeful climate plan amounts to science denial

Japan reiterates past pledges for 2030 rather than mapping out a radical overhaul needed by the world’s fifth largest greenhouse gas emitter

Nuclear Energy

Efficiency

Revealed: Cookstove offsets produce millions of junk carbon credits

Cooking the books: cookstove offsets produce millions of fake emission cuts

Projects in India linked to Enking, the self-proclaimed world’s largest carbon credits producer, have vastly overestimated climate benefits

A French flag glies

Turn down the heating: France unveils ‘ambitious’ energy saving plan

French people and businesses are encouraged to take shorter showers, turn down thermostats and car pool but none of the measures are binding

Demand response: A win-win solution to climate and energy price crises

By shifting electricity demand away from peaks, customers can get cheaper bills and cleaner electricity can be prioritised

EU lawmakers back stronger energy efficiency target in response to Russian war

The European Parliament’s four largest political groups are proposing a 14.5% efficiency goal by 2030, up from the 9% discussed last year

Tar sands companies aim for ‘net zero’ by 2050 – with no plan to extract less oil

The alliance of Canadian oil producers makes no mention of winding down oil production, which modelling shows is necessary to achieve global climate goals

Ships to get free pass on emissions until 2030, under compromise proposal

Ship efficiency measures backed by a broad coalition of 14 countries will fail to reduce emissions in line with industry and Paris climate goals, campaigners warn

Countries promise green recovery at Japanese virtual summit, keep quiet on fossil bailouts

Ministers from China, EU and other major economies outlined plans to build back better after the coronavirus pandemic at a meeting convened by Japan

For all its green talk, the IEA still gives comfort to oil and gas producers

Under Fatih Birol, the International Energy Agency leads talk of a green recovery, yet dodges hard questions about phasing out dirty energy

Efficiency