EU urged to speed up permits for critical mineral projects 1/2/2023

The European Union must use upcoming legislation to speed up permitting and encourage investment in projects such as rare earths needed to meet targets for cutting carbon emissions, the head of an EU-linked critical materials agency said on Monday. ...more

Less than half of global cost of climate disasters insured, broker Gallagher Re says 1/2/2023

Weather events intensified by climate change resulted in a direct economic cost of $360 billion in 2022, with only around 40% covered by insurance providers, reinsurance broker Gallagher Re said on Monday. ...more

Germany pledges funds to help Brazil defend Amazon rainforest 1/2/2023

Germany on Monday pledged 200 million euros ($217 million) to help Brazil defend the Amazon rainforest, a global ecosystem devastated during years of rule under former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro. ...more

Namibia rhino poaching surged 93% in 2022 1/2/2023

The number of endangered rhinos poached in Namibia reached an all-time high last year after 87 animals were killed compared to 45 in 2021, official government data showed on Monday. ...more

Carrier Emirates test flies Boeing 777 on sustainable fuel 31/1/2023

Long-haul carrier Emirates successfully flew a Boeing 777 on a test flight Monday with one engine entirely powered by so-called sustainable aviation fuel. This comes as carriers worldwide try to lessen their carbon footprint. ...more

Global carbon emissions forecast cut due to Ukraine war and Biden, says BP 31/1/2023

Global carbon emissions are expected to fall quicker than previously expected as a result of the war in Ukraine and Joe Biden’s efforts to encourage green investment, BP has said. ...more

Dutch climate expenditure audit reveals inconsistencies 31/1/2023

The Dutch government does not provide a "clear and complete" overview about the state's climate expenditure, while certain fossil fuel subsidies are "at odds" with domestic climate goals, according to a report by the Dutch court of audit. ...more

Israel drops plastic tax despite environmental gains 31/1/2023

Israel's new hard-right government said on Sunday it had dropped a year-old tax that had significantly reduced the consumption of single-use plastic plates and utensils. ...more

Steel corrosion is a major contributor to climate change 31/1/2023

Each year, the United States spends almost a trillion dollars attempting to combat metallic corrosion, an electrochemical reaction which occurs when metals oxidize and begin to rust. Now, a team of researchers led by the Ohio State University (OSU) has estimated how much corrosion is gradually worsening global carbon emissions.  ...more

Scholz to announce fresh investment in the Amazon Fund, says Brazil diplomat 30/1/2023

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will announce a fresh investment of 31 million euros ($33.7 million) in the multilateral Amazon Fund, a Brazilian diplomat said on Friday, ahead of the European leader's official visit to Brasilia on Monday. ...more