Azerbaijan’s climate charm offensive is backfiring – POLITICO

When Egypt hosted in 2022, activists used the event to highlight the government’s crackdown on political opponents. Last year saw widespread criticism when COP28 host the United Arab Emirates appointed the man tasked with expanding the country’s oil and gas output to lead the talks. Likewise, the incoming president of COP29 is a former Azerbaijani … Read more

Italy can do without Russian gas, says energy minister – POLITICO

This G7 will need to look for innovative models to accelerate investments, including private-public partnerships, Pichetto Fratin said. “We certainly need to revise the financial system, to find mechanisms that overcome the current voluntary system,” he said.   While Italy, which currently holds the rotating G7 presidency, is in a leadership position at this weekend’s … Read more

Oil and gas companies lash out at Labour’s new windfall tax plans – POLITICO

A Labour spokesperson said Friday evening that the party’s plans would “create good jobs in all parts of the country” and that the opposition represented the “party of business and stability for their investments” “We have been consistent that a proper windfall tax means raising the rate of the windfall tax to match the rate … Read more

China’s veteran climate envoy Xie Zhenhua steps down, as career diplomat Liu Zhenmin takes helm

Officials from both sides discussed areas of cooperation, including “energy transition, methane, circular economy, low-carbon provinces/states and cities”, the ministry said. Xie was appointed as China’s first special climate envoy in 2021, the same year Kerry was appointed as America’s special presidential envoy for climate. Asia at risk as Cop28 deal falls ‘far short’ of … Read more

UK Launches Europe’s First Next-Gen Nuclear Fuel Production Plan To End Russian Fuel Dominance

The UK is fueling new competition in the global energy market by investing in high-tech nuclear fuel development which will counter Putin’s dominance. On January 7, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero announced a £300 million investment to support domestic nuclear fuel generation which would be used to power next-generation nuclear reactors across … Read more

New oil and gas law risks UK’s green cred, says former climate chief – POLITICO

LONDON — A new law to introduce annual licensing rounds for North Sea oil and gas exploration is a “distraction” that risks undermining the U.K.’s green “credibility” on the world stage, the country’s former top climate diplomat has warned. MPs will vote on the government’s Offshore Petroleum Licensing Bill for the first time on Monday. But … Read more

2023: In pictures – POLITICO

As the curtains draw on a tumultuous year, 2023 leaves behind a tapestry of unraveled events, painting a world shrouded in uncertainty and grappling with an ominous glimpse of the future. In a kaleidoscope of occurrences that defy easy categorization, selecting defining images for an annual overview becomes a difficult task. To encapsulate the essence … Read more

‘Extinction Rebellion’ Climate Activists Block Part of Amsterdam Highway

AMSTERDAM —  Climate activists blocked part of the main highway around Amsterdam near the former headquarters of ING bank Saturday to protest its financing of fossil fuels. Amsterdam Municipality said in a message on X, formerly Twitter, that traffic authorities closed part of the road and diverted traffic “to prevent a life-threatening situation.” Hundreds of … Read more

The year in figures and charts – POLITICO

2023 was marked by crisis, transition and conflict. As the war in Ukraine dragged into its second year, the EU was confronted with yet another conflict on its doorstep: The Israel-Hamas war, which brought fresh instability to the Middle East and exacerbated divisions between EU countries. Europe now heads into a big election year and … Read more

Top 10 behind-the-paywall stories of 2023 – POLITICO

It’s been a busy year in EU policy land as lawmakers, leaders and officials raced to tie up loose ends before the European Parliament election next June, with some efforts more successful than others. The EU’s green ambitions became the center of a right-wing backlash as the real-life impact of proposed reforms started to bite. … Read more