DRC refuses to withdraw oil auction to protect forests
The Democratic Republic of Congo’s government has rejected a request by US climate envoy John Kerry to withdraw 30 oil and gas blocks that were put up for auction in July this year. Kerry requested the withdrawal at Pre-COP talks in Kinshasa at the beginning of this month, in order to protect forests. Deputy Prime […]
US Climate Targets Might Open the Door for a Global Climate Club
The United States may be able to avoid the European Union’s planned border carbon tariff, because of its similar climate targets. This may in turn open the door for a climate club which will have implications for global trade.
G20 Fails to Adopt a Joint Communique at Climate Talks, Raising Concerns of Backsliding
This year’s G20 meeting was heavily influenced by global tensions arising from the war in Ukraine and the global energy crisis. Climate and Environmental Ministers were unable to agree to an official communique as a result of objections over language used on climate targets. This has raised concerns of potential backsliding amongst countries.
EU Demand for Oil and Gas is High but Support for African Projects is Uneven
The European Investment Bank has reiterated its position that it will not fund any gas projects. The decision comes on the back of a European Parliament resolution expressing a lack of support for the proposed East African Crude Oil Pipeline. African countries have decried the EU’s position as inconsistent and contradictory.
South African Just Energy Transition Partnerships: New and Transformative Finance Lacking
Details around the finance provided under South Africa’s $8.5 billion Just Energy Transition Partnership have been vague and unclear, with worrying signs that the terms of finance will make it unfit for purpose.
The EU Plans to Raise its Climate Target
According to a report by Reuters, the European Union plans to raise its NDC target. It is thought that this revision is unlikely to happen in time for this year’s COP27 in Egypt in November. It also comes too late after the 23 September 2022 deadline for countries to increase their ambition in their NDCs, […]
US Pledges $5 million to Address Methane Emissions in Africa
The United States government has announced a $5 million grant that it will provide support to the African Development Bank (AfDB) to tackle methane emissions in Africa.
Angola approves National Strategy on Climate Change
Angolan President Joao Lourenco has approved the National Strategy on Climate Change (ENAC 2022-2035). The Strategy will pave the way for the development of a National Emissions Plan (PNE) and a National Adaptation Plan for Climate Change.
Gabon and Ghana implicated as being part of four countries to blame for 80% of historic deforestation
A new paper suggests that Brazil, Indonesia, Ghana, and Suriname are responsible for 80% of deforestation between 2000 – 2019. The majority was for agriculture but industrial mining was also identified as a driving cause. Indonesia took the lead, with 58.2 percent of direct deforestation, Brazil was responsible for 10 percent, followed by Ghana with […]
Egypt seeks to raise ambition with no “backsliding or backtracking” on commitments
Egypt, the host of COP27 in Sharm el Sheik in November this year, wants to ensure there’s no backtracking on past commitments. Egyptian Foreign Affairs Minister Sameh Shoukry, who is also the conference’s president has recognised the difficult geopolitical situation could impact on negotiations and the level of ambition this year. He confirmed that the main focus of […]
