Dutch join Germany, Austria, in reverting to coal

The Netherlands said it would lift all restrictions on power stations fired by the fossil fuel, which were previously limited to just over a third of output. Berlin and…Continue readingDutch join Germany, Austria, in reverting to coal

Global coal consumption: Spotlight on China’s consumption for power generation

“China’s influence on coal markets is difficult to overstate”, says the International Energy Agency’s Coal 2021 report, which was published in mid-December China’s overall coal use (i.e, power plus…Continue readingGlobal coal consumption: Spotlight on China’s consumption for power generation

How does the distant past determine today’s global rate of energy consumption?

Global economic production – the world gross domestic product (GDP) – has been rising steadily relative to global primary energy demands, lending hope that technological advances can drive a…Continue readingHow does the distant past determine today’s global rate of energy consumption?

QatarEnergy signs deal with TotalEnergies for North Field East

QatarEnergy signed a partnership deal with TotalEnergies for the North Field East expansion of the world’s largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) project, and said more partners would be announced…Continue readingQatarEnergy signs deal with TotalEnergies for North Field East

Tanzania signs natural gas deal with Equinor and Shell

Tanzania has signed a framework agreement with Norway’s Equinor and Britain’s Shell that will bring them closer to starting construction on a $30 billion project to export liquefied natural…Continue readingTanzania signs natural gas deal with Equinor and Shell

Canada’s oil sands: why some of the world’s dirtiest fuel is now in hot demand

Alberta’s producers — forced to contend with sub-zero oil prices just a couple of years ago — are using the windfall from $100 a barrel crude to repair their…Continue readingCanada’s oil sands: why some of the world’s dirtiest fuel is now in hot demand

Oil and gas back in vogue for retail investors

Oil and gas is back in fashion — at least on the stock market. Soaring fossil fuel prices, pushed higher by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, have helped the shares…Continue readingOil and gas back in vogue for retail investors

Carbon dioxide peak for 2022 more than 50% higher than pre-industrial levels

Carbon dioxide measured at NOAA’s Mauna Loa Atmospheric Baseline Observatory peaked for 2022 at 421 parts per million in May, pushing the atmosphere further into territory not seen for…Continue readingCarbon dioxide peak for 2022 more than 50% higher than pre-industrial levels

Old King Coal: price reaches highest level in more than 200 years, on track for $500

Coal prices are soaring, hitting $462 per tonne today, up from $186 on the 23rd of February and likely to pass $500 this year. Russia is Europe’s largest supplier of thermal…Continue readingOld King Coal: price reaches highest level in more than 200 years, on track for $500

Four climate change records broken in 2021: WMO State of the Climate Report

Four key climate change indicators—greenhouse gas concentrations, sea level rise, ocean heat and ocean acidification—set new records in 2021. “It is just a matter of time before we see…Continue readingFour climate change records broken in 2021: WMO State of the Climate Report

Russia to cut gas supplies to Finland on Saturday: Gasum

The Finnish company said the move by Russia would not cause disruptions in supplies. “It is highly regrettable that natural gas supplies under our supply contract will now be…Continue readingRussia to cut gas supplies to Finland on Saturday: Gasum

Germany, Qatar sign energy partnership agreement

Qatar and Germany have signed a declaration to deepen their energy partnership, with a focus on trade in hydrogen and liquefied natural gas (LNG), as Europe’s biggest economy looks…Continue readingGermany, Qatar sign energy partnership agreement

Australia’s oil and gas regulator criticised after chief hands out environmental ‘excellence’ awards at industry dinner

The outgoing head of Australia’s offshore oil and gas regulator has helped hand out awards to fossil fuel companies, including Santos, Inpex and Beach Energy, prompting criticism the body…Continue readingAustralia’s oil and gas regulator criticised after chief hands out environmental ‘excellence’ awards at industry dinner

Coal, oil price surges on Ukraine war make Asia’s richest richer

Gautam Adani and Mukesh Ambani are profiting from a surge in global commodity prices triggered by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, burnishing their fossil-fuel credentials even as Asia’s richest men…Continue readingCoal, oil price surges on Ukraine war make Asia’s richest richer

EU accepts it will burn more coal in move away from Russian gas

Brussels has given the green light for the EU to burn more coal over the next decade as it tries to end the use of Russian gas and oil.…Continue readingEU accepts it will burn more coal in move away from Russian gas

Record carbon dioxide levels alarm scientists

A new record for the highest daily level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has been set this week, ringing alarm bells about the pace of global warming. The…Continue readingRecord carbon dioxide levels alarm scientists

The Tories are going all out to shut down protest. Just Stop Oil activists like me will not be deterred

If your house was burning down and the emergency services were not answering your call, what would you do? Would you try to put out the fire yourself? This…Continue readingThe Tories are going all out to shut down protest. Just Stop Oil activists like me will not be deterred

India relaxes environment rules for coal mines, citing heatwave

India has relaxed environmental compliance rules for coal mines seeking to ramp up production as power outages exacerbate a sweltering heatwave, a government notice showed. Coal makes up more…Continue readingIndia relaxes environment rules for coal mines, citing heatwave

Saudi Aramco overtakes Apple as the world’s most valuable company

Saudi Aramco has overtaken Apple as the world’s most valuable company after higher oil prices pushed shares of the world’s biggest crude exporter to record levels, while a broader…Continue readingSaudi Aramco overtakes Apple as the world’s most valuable company

Pertamina gets planning approval for $2.4 billion Rokan block development

Indonesian state-owned oil and natural gas company Pertamina has reportedly received approval for the $2.41 billion investment plan to expand the Rokan oil block. Pertamina has received the approval…Continue readingPertamina gets planning approval for $2.4 billion Rokan block development

Petrobras begins production from FPSO Guanabara in Mero field

The Guanabara floating production storage and offloading unit (FPSO) has been designed to process up to 180,000 barrels of oil per day and 12 million cubic metres of gas…Continue readingPetrobras begins production from FPSO Guanabara in Mero field

Heat wave sparks blackouts, questions on India’s coal usage

An unusually early and brutal heat wave is scorching parts of India, with acute power shortages affecting millions as demand for electricity surges to record levels. Supplies of coal…Continue readingHeat wave sparks blackouts, questions on India’s coal usage

Investors at top US banks refuse to back climate proposals

Investors refused to back resolutions demanding stricter fossil fuel financing policies at three major US banks. Proposals filed at Wells Fargo, Bank of America and Citi called on the…Continue readingInvestors at top US banks refuse to back climate proposals

Boom and Bust Coal 2022

The world has more than 2,400 coal-fired power plants, for a total capacity of nearly 2,100 gigawatts (GW). An additional 176GW of coal capacity is under construction at more…Continue readingBoom and Bust Coal 2022

With coal surge, China puts energy security and growth before climate

Chinese leaders pledged ahead of climate negotiations in Glasgow, Scotland, last November to peak national emissions before 2030 and stop building coal power plants abroad. A study published Friday…Continue readingWith coal surge, China puts energy security and growth before climate

China doubles down on coal

China is in the throes of a building boom to jump start its economy. The government of President Xi Jinping has “scrambled in recent months to try to reverse…Continue readingChina doubles down on coal

Biden Plans to Open More Public Land to Drilling

The Biden administration announced on Friday that it would resume selling leases for new oil and gas drilling on public lands. The Interior Department said in a statement that…Continue readingBiden Plans to Open More Public Land to Drilling

The oil giants drilling among the giraffes in Uganda

As one of the world’s most famous game reserves, Murchison Falls National Park is home to some of the largest populations of elephants, giraffes, lions and leopards anywhere on…Continue readingThe oil giants drilling among the giraffes in Uganda

Canada approves controversial Bay du Nord offshore oil project

Canada’s environment minister approved Wednesday a controversial offshore oil project expected to see 300 million barrels of oil extracted over 30 years This is equivalent to about 3 days…Continue readingCanada approves controversial Bay du Nord offshore oil project

The world is ‘perilously close’ to irreversible climate change

Amazon rainforest becomes a savanna The 2.5 million square mile rainforest is so vast it creates its own rainfall and is home to 10% of the world’s species. But…Continue readingThe world is ‘perilously close’ to irreversible climate change

Increase in atmospheric methane set another record during 2021. Carbon dioxide levels also record a big jump

For the second year in a row, NOAA scientists observed a record annual increase in atmospheric levels of methane, a powerful, heat-trapping greenhouse gas that’s the second biggest contributor…Continue readingIncrease in atmospheric methane set another record during 2021. Carbon dioxide levels also record a big jump

Narrabri coal mine expansion gets final approval from NSW planning commission

A $400 million coal mine expansion that would result in almost half a billion tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions has been conditionally approved by New South Wales planning authorities.…Continue readingNarrabri coal mine expansion gets final approval from NSW planning commission

A striking growth of CO2 emissions from the global cement industry driven by new facilities in emerging countries

Global industrialization and urbanization processes enabled a diverse cement production boom over the past three decades, as cement is the most important building construction material. Consequently, the cement industry…Continue readingA striking growth of CO2 emissions from the global cement industry driven by new facilities in emerging countries

Medium- and long-term contracts signed by Chinese coal suppliers shall account for over 80% of their resources: economic planner

China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), the country’s top economic planner, will launch special investigation into the implementation of medium- and long-term contracts signed by coal suppliers in…Continue readingMedium- and long-term contracts signed by Chinese coal suppliers shall account for over 80% of their resources: economic planner

Global carbon dioxide emissions rebounded to their highest level in history in 2021

Global energy-related carbon dioxide emissions rose by 6% in 2021 to 36.3 billion tons, their highest ever level, as the world economy rebounded strongly from the COVID-19 crisis and…Continue readingGlobal carbon dioxide emissions rebounded to their highest level in history in 2021

Deforestation emissions far higher than previously thought

Carbon emissions from tropical deforestation this century are far higher than previously thought, doubling in just two decades and continuing to accelerate, according to a study. The world’s forests…Continue readingDeforestation emissions far higher than previously thought

World’s top banks show minimal clear commitments to shift financing away from fossil fuels

The top 10 banks—ranked as the largest funders of fossil fuel organizations—are talking more about climate change in general. However, in an analysis of annual reports, these banks were…Continue readingWorld’s top banks show minimal clear commitments to shift financing away from fossil fuels

Each Antarctic tourist effectively melts 83 metric tons of snow

The remote continent is becoming increasingly accessible—during the 2019-20 season, the number of sightseeing visitors reached 74,000, with the vast majority travelling by ship. All activity in Antarctica—be it…Continue readingEach Antarctic tourist effectively melts 83 metric tons of snow

Saudi Aramco closed a deal to sell a stake in its natural-gas pipelines for $15.5 billion

An investor group, led by BlackRock, acquired a 49% stake in Aramco Gas Pipelines Co. in a lease and leaseback deal in December, according to a statement. The consortium…Continue readingSaudi Aramco closed a deal to sell a stake in its natural-gas pipelines for $15.5 billion

Chinese government to help run coal power plants at full capacity

China will help its coal-fired power plants run at full capacity, the government has announced, raising further alarm about the fate of Beijing’s climate pledges. It was decided in…Continue readingChinese government to help run coal power plants at full capacity

World spends $US1.8 trillion a year on subsidies that harm environment

Research prompts warnings humanity is ‘financing its own extinction’ through subsidies damaging to the climate and wildlife. From tax breaks for beef production in the Amazon to financial support…Continue readingWorld spends $US1.8 trillion a year on subsidies that harm environment

The great climate backslide: How governments are regressing worldwide

From the U.S. to China, in Europe, India and Japan, fossil fuels are staging a comeback, clean energy stocks are taking a hammering, and the prospects for speeding the…Continue readingThe great climate backslide: How governments are regressing worldwide

The World Has Been Using A Lot More Oil Than We Thought

For the past 15 years the world has been using more oil than the primary monitoring agency thought. The changes aren’t small. At 2.9 billion barrels, the additional demand they’ve…Continue readingThe World Has Been Using A Lot More Oil Than We Thought

Europe’s biggest banks provide £24 billion to oil and gas firms despite net zero pledges

25 European banks have provided $US33 billion (£24 billion) in loans and other financing to 50 companies with large oil and gas expansion plans, less than a year since…Continue readingEurope’s biggest banks provide £24 billion to oil and gas firms despite net zero pledges

EU includes gas and nuclear in guidebook for ‘green’ investments

The European Commission has been accused of undermining its climate goals after it defied critics by pushing ahead with plans to include gas and nuclear in an EU guidebook…Continue readingEU includes gas and nuclear in guidebook for ‘green’ investments

IEA: Electricity CO₂ emissions reach record high and set to remain constant to 2024

After small drop in 2020, global electricity demand grew by 6% in 2021. It was the largest ever annual increase in absolute terms (over 1,500 TWh). Around half took place…Continue readingIEA: Electricity CO₂ emissions reach record high and set to remain constant to 2024

Study – Rapid glacier retreat rates observed in West Antarctica

The Pope, Smith and Kohler glaciers, in the Amundsen Sea Embayment of West Antarctica, have experienced enhanced ocean-induced ice-shelf melt, glacier acceleration, ice thinning and grounding-line retreat in the…Continue readingStudy – Rapid glacier retreat rates observed in West Antarctica

Accumulated heat in the upper ocean is at record levels again

The world’s oceans are hotter than ever before, continuing their record-breaking temperature streak for the sixth straight year. For the last year, the researchers found that the upper 2,000…Continue readingAccumulated heat in the upper ocean is at record levels again

Could Or Should Wood Be A Climate Solution?

When the EU adopted its 2009 Renewable Energy Directive — a plan to reach 20% renewable energy by 2020 to help the bloc adhere to the world’s first climate…Continue readingCould Or Should Wood Be A Climate Solution?

China’s coal production hit record levels in 2021

China’s coal production reached record levels last year as the state encouraged miners to ramp up their fossil fuel output to safeguard the country’s energy supplies through the winter…Continue readingChina’s coal production hit record levels in 2021

UK government: 4°C warming by 2100: “can’t be ruled out”

As required by the UK Climate Change Act 2008, the government has today submitted the Third Climate Change Risk Assessment (CCRA3) to Parliament. Professor Richard Betts MBE, who led…Continue readingUK government: 4°C warming by 2100: “can’t be ruled out”

China fires up giant coal power plant in face of calls for cuts

China, under fire for approving new coal power stations as other countries try to curb greenhouse gases, has completed the first 1,000-megawatt unit of the Shanghaimiao plant, the biggest…Continue readingChina fires up giant coal power plant in face of calls for cuts

Coal power’s sharp rebound is taking it to a new record in 2021, threatening net zero goals

After falling in 2019 and 2020, global power generation from coal is expected to jump by 9% in 2021 to an all-time high. Depending on weather patterns and economic…Continue readingCoal power’s sharp rebound is taking it to a new record in 2021, threatening net zero goals

Study – The Expanding Coal Power Fleet in Southeast Asia

Coal combustion for power generation made up 30% of global CO2 emissions in 2018. To achieve the goal of the Paris Agreement to keep global average temperatures below 2°C,…Continue readingStudy – The Expanding Coal Power Fleet in Southeast Asia

The world is burning the most coal ever to keep the lights on

The world likely will generate more electricity from the dirtiest source this year than ever before, indicating just how far the energy transition still needs to run in the…Continue readingThe world is burning the most coal ever to keep the lights on

As climate ‘net-zero’ plans grow, so do concerns from scientists

Scientists and monitoring groups are growing increasingly alarmed at the slew of vague net-zero pledges that appear to privilege offsets and future technological breakthroughs over short-term emissions cuts. “They’re…Continue readingAs climate ‘net-zero’ plans grow, so do concerns from scientists

Human greenhouse gas emissions kill seabirds

The warming of the planet is taking a deadly toll on seabirds that are suffering population declines from starvation, inability to reproduce, heat waves and extreme weather. One estimate…Continue readingHuman greenhouse gas emissions kill seabirds

Human emissions causing increasing rates of albatross break-ups

Climate change and warming waters are pushing black-browed albatross break-up rates higher. Typically after choosing a partner, only 1-3% would separate in search of greener romantic pastures. But in…Continue readingHuman emissions causing increasing rates of albatross break-ups

The East African Pipeline

TotalEnergies & China’s CNOOC will drill more than 431 wells in Uganda and pump the crude in a pipeline heated to 50˚C 1,450km (900 miles) to a port in…Continue readingThe East African Pipeline

UN: Greenhouse gas concentrations hit a new record in 2020

The World Meteorological Organization reported Monday that greenhouse gas concentrations hit a new record high last year and increased at a faster rate than the annual average for the…Continue readingUN: Greenhouse gas concentrations hit a new record in 2020