U.N. pact may restrict plastic production. Big Oil aims to stop it 21/2/2022

United Nations member states are set to meet this month in Nairobi to draft the blueprint for a global plastics treaty, a deal that could see countries agree for the first time to reduce the amount of single-use plastics they produce and use. ...more

Covid shutdown linked to record rainfall in China 21/2/2022

Scientists say that a rapid drop in emissions because of Covid played a key role in record rainfall in China in 2020. ...more

UN aviation experts contemplate tougher emissions standards for aircraft 18/2/2022

UN aviation experts are again discussing toughening emissions standards for commercial aircraft, less than six years before a previously agreed clampdown takes effect. ...more

Biggest power plant in coal-reliant Australia to close early 18/2/2022

Australia's largest coal-fired power station will close seven years earlier than planned, as its operator says it is increasingly unable to compete with the "influx of renewables". ...more

U.S. utility unveils plan to supply Los Angeles with green hydrogen 18/2/2022

Southern California Gas Co, the largest U.S. gas utility, on Thursday unveiled a major proposal to deliver hydrogen produced by wind and solar energy to the Los Angeles area to help wean transportation, manufacturing and electricity sectors off of fossil fuels. ...more

France should start mining lithium at home, minister says 18/2/2022

France should start exploiting its own lithium resources to meet increased demand stemming from a shift away from fossil fuels, Barbara Pompili, the country's environment minister, said in a video interview published on Thursday by business daily Les Echos. ...more

Ford, Volvo join Redwood in EV battery recycling push in California 18/2/2022

Ford Motor and Geely Automobile’s Volvo Cars will join battery recycling startup Redwood Materials in developing processes, starting in California, to collect end-of-life batteries from electric and hybrid vehicles and recover the materials for use in new batteries, the companies said Thursday. ...more

Morocco to spend $1 bln to mitigate drought impact- palace 17/2/2022

Morocco will spend 10 billion dirhams ($ 1.07 bln) on a national plan to mitigate the impact of drought on farmers and the economy, the royal palace said on Wednesday. ...more

World spends $1.8tn a year on subsidies that harm environment, study finds 17/2/2022

The world is spending at least $1.8tn (£1.3tn) every year on subsidies driving the annihilation of wildlife and a rise in global heating, according to a new study, prompting warnings that humanity is financing its own extinction. ...more

India to waive transmission costs for green hydrogen manufacturers 17/2/2022

India will allow companies that manufacture green hydrogen to install renewable energy generating plants without transmission costs, the country's power minister said on Wednesday. ...more