energy policy
Transitioning away from fossil fuels in an unstable world: how can Santa Marta deliver?
As global leaders and climate experts gather in the coastal city of Santa Marta, Colombia, the challenge of navigating a just energy transition has reached a critical juncture. Against a backdrop of escalating geopolitical tensions, fluctuating energy markets, and a shortfall in international climate finance, the "Santa Marta Dialogue" aims to establish a blueprint for […]
Carbon accounting can help tackle the hidden emissions of war
The Immediate Impact: The Destruction of Shahid Beheshti University On the morning of April 4, 2026, a targeted missile strike leveled a significant portion of the Shahid Beheshti University campus, specifically focusing on the research facilities dedicated to high-energy physics. The laboratory, a cornerstone of Iran’s scientific community, was involved in advanced research regarding plasma […]
Fuel shortages and rising costs drive a surge in Bangladesh electric vehicle market despite infrastructure gaps
The bustling streets of Dhaka, long defined by the rhythmic clatter of internal combustion engines and the persistent haze of exhaust fumes, are witnessing a quiet but significant transformation. As of April 2026, a growing number of commuters and commercial operators in Bangladesh are abandoning traditional petrol-powered vehicles in favor of electric alternatives. This shift […]
Italy Extends Coal-Fired Power Plant Operations to 2038 Amid Middle East Conflict and Energy Security Concerns
The Italian government has officially sanctioned a significant delay in its national coal phase-out timeline, pushing the permanent closure of the country’s remaining four coal-fired power plants to 2038. This legislative shift comes as a direct response to heightened volatility in global energy markets, catalyzed by escalating conflict in the Middle East, which has triggered […]
Global Energy Crisis and Geopolitical Instability Catalyze International Coalition for Fossil Fuel Phase-Out Ahead of Santa Marta Summit
The global energy shock triggered by the conflict involving Iran has presented a unique opportunity for nations to forge a new geopolitical balance through a coalition dedicated to the systematic elimination of fossil fuels, according to Colombian Environment Minister Irene Vélez Torres. This strategic shift comes as the international community prepares for a landmark gathering […]
Dutch startup’s rust-powered batteries could help crack Europe’s energy storage gap
The European energy sector reached a significant milestone this week as Ore Energy, a Dutch-based clean technology startup, unveiled its latest pilot installation of iron-air battery technology at the EDF Lab Renardières in Écuelles, France. This deployment marks a pivotal shift in the continent’s strategy to achieve a carbon-neutral power grid while simultaneously addressing the […]
Barbados charts practical path for small islands to harness abundant renewables and strengthen energy security
As the escalation of conflict in the Middle East sends shockwaves through global energy markets in the spring of 2026, the Caribbean nation of Barbados has emerged as a global case study for energy independence. For Small Island Developing States (SIDS), which have historically been tethered to the volatile pricing of imported heavy fuel oil, […]
Ugandan farmers use British court to try to stop oil pipeline
In a legal challenge that could redefine corporate accountability for transnational infrastructure projects, a coalition of Ugandan farmers and human rights attorneys has filed a suit against a United Kingdom-based entity inextricably linked to the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP). The plaintiffs contend that the entity, which provides critical financial or administrative oversight for […]
India’s 2035 climate goals draw mixed reactions as analysts question level of ambition
The Government of India has formally submitted its updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) for the 2035 horizon to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), outlining a roadmap that seeks to balance aggressive industrial growth with the global imperative of decarbonization. While the new targets have been characterized by government officials as a […]
Africa’s mineral wealth can make it an architect of a more just energy transition
The urgency of this shift is underscored by the reality on the ground in mining hubs like Kaduna State, Nigeria. In areas such as Dangoma, the "lithium rush" has attracted thousands of artisanal miners, many of whom are teenagers. These young workers, often lacking protective equipment and formal contracts, labor in precarious conditions to supply […]
