climate change
New summit in Colombia seeks to revive stalled UN talks on fossil fuel transition
The decision to convene a specialized forum dedicated exclusively to the phase-out of hydrocarbons follows the historic momentum generated during COP30 in Belém, Brazil. At that summit, a coalition of more than 80 nations—comprising climate-vulnerable island states, the European Union, and several progressive Latin American governments—formed a unified bloc demanding a clear, time-bound roadmap for […]
Global Plastic Treaty Chair Proposes 2026 Informal Talks to Resuscitate Stalled Negotiations Following Geneva Collapse
The Chair of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) tasked with developing an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution has officially proposed a series of intensive informal consultations throughout 2026. This strategic pivot comes in the wake of a catastrophic breakdown in formal negotiations during the resumed fifth session (INC-5.2) held in Geneva last year, […]
Landmark deal to share Chile’s lithium windfall fractures Indigenous communities
The Genesis of the Codelco-SQM Partnership The roots of the current division lie in the National Lithium Strategy unveiled by President Gabriel Boric’s administration in early 2023. The strategy sought to increase state control over lithium—a critical component for electric vehicle (EV) batteries—while honoring environmental standards and Indigenous rights. At the heart of this strategy […]
A decade after Paris Agreement established the mechanism, its first set of credits has been approved – but concerns over legacy projects persist
In a landmark development for international climate finance, the United Nations supervisory body tasked with overseeing the global carbon market has officially approved the first issuance of carbon credits under the Article 6.4 mechanism. This move comes more than ten years after the Paris Agreement was signed in 2015, marking the operationalization of a centralized, […]
There is hope for Venezuela’s future – and it isn’t based on oil
The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela stands at a critical historical juncture, possessing the world’s largest proven oil reserves while simultaneously facing a systemic energy crisis that has paralyzed its industrial base and impoverished its population. For over a century, the Venezuelan economy has been defined by its adherence to a mono-export model centered on hydrocarbons. […]
As Trump’s attacks on science escalate, Big Oil moves to avoid legal accountability
This legal confrontation, which has been brewing for nearly a decade, represents a pivotal moment in the intersection of corporate accountability, environmental science, and constitutional law. As the highest court in the United States prepares to address whether climate-related lawsuits should be adjudicated in state or federal venues, the implications extend far beyond simple jurisdictional […]
Pacific island nations to host critical climate preparatory meetings ahead of COP31 summit
In a significant shift of the global climate diplomacy axis toward the front lines of the environmental crisis, Fiji, Tuvalu, and Palau have been confirmed as the hosts for a series of high-level preparatory meetings throughout 2026. These "Pre-COP" sessions are designed to forge a consensus among international ministers and negotiators before the 31st United […]
Curbing methane is the fastest way to slow warming – but we’re off the pace
Methane is a short-lived but highly aggressive climate pollutant, possessing over 80 times the warming potential of carbon dioxide over a 20-year period. Because it remains in the atmosphere for a much shorter duration than CO2, reducing methane emissions is widely regarded as the "emergency brake" for global warming. Scientists argue that a rapid reduction […]
Transport officials in Brussels and the UK seek to reassure the sustainable aviation fuel industry that blending mandates at airports are here to stay
Speaking at the annual Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Investor conference in London this week, high-level representatives from the European Commission and the United Kingdom’s Department for Transport issued a unified message to investors, airlines, and fuel producers: the transition to low-carbon flight is non-negotiable. The reassurance comes at a critical juncture for the aviation sector, […]
Gulf Disruptions Drive Oil and Gas Prices Higher as Simon Stiell Calls for Accelerated Transition to Renewables
The global energy market has been plunged into a state of heightened volatility as significant disruptions in the Gulf region have sent oil and gas prices to their highest levels in years, prompting a stern intervention from the United Nations’ climate chief. Simon Stiell, the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate […]
