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A breakthrough in the remote Gobi desert sands could finally catapult thorium to the front of the race to find the fuel of the future that weans the world off gas and coal dependency.

Colombia-based voluntary carbon standard Cercarbono is set to introduce a new methodology for vehicle end-of-life and is developing another for blue carbon, while simultaneously aligning its programmes with Article 6 of the Paris Agreement and the Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market (ICVCM) policies.

Commercial banks in Africa and Latin America are trailing behind their Asian counterparts in action to address nature loss, WWF said on Wednesday.

I support the Climate Paradox report from the Tony Blair Institute, but his foreword risks compromising what must be achieved

• David King was chief scientific adviser to the UK government under Tony Blair, and is founder and chair of the global Climate Crisis Advisory Group

I have always been proud of the progress the UK made between 2003 and 2007 in formulating a credible response to the climate change. Under Tony Blair’s leadership, the UK placed climate at the heart of global diplomacy. At the time, our understanding was based largely on scientific projections and models. Today, the crisis is in full view – faster and more devastating than many imagined. The world is now experiencing the daily impacts of climate breakdown, and our responses must reflect this escalating emergency. We need measured, strategic, sustained and, above all, urgent interventions to ensure a manageable future for humanity.

That is why I support much of the thrust of The Climate Paradox report from the Tony Blair Institute. It rightly recognised that the era of endless summits and slogans must give way to one of delivery and impact. But the comments I gave were prior to seeing the foreword, and while there has been some clear misinterpretation from elements of the media, I do believe it has removed the balance of the report in ways that risk undermining what still can – and must – be achieved.

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The Kenyan government has set a goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 35% by 2035, compared to a business-as-usual scenario, according to its updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to the Paris Agreement.

A carbon insurer is the first to be approved by Lloyd's to underwrite carbon projects at the earliest stages of their development, claiming to be the only insurer able to cover projects before activity starts.

Most countries have no fossil fuel reserves, but no country in the world is without renewable energy resources. For a country such as Iceland, the world leader in renewables, this statement is clear to see. The island nation has made good use of its volcanoes and glaciers, which help provide 100% of its electricity and almost all its heat energy. But what about other countries that don't have Iceland's unique geology to rely on. Josh Toussaint-Strauss finds out how the world has managed to reach the impressive milestone of more than 40% of global electricity demand coming from clean power sources, and how other countries such as the UK are making this energy transition happen, despite a distinct lack of volcanoes

• Clean energy powered 40% of global electricity in 2024, report finds

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EUA prices rose for a second day in very light trading as many continental participants were absent for a public holiday, with buyers much more in evidence, while natural gas prices slipped back towards a long-term low amid slack demand.

Exclusive: Britain is key financial hub for destructive fossil fuel mega-projects, according to research

Banks in the City of London have poured more than $100bn (£75bn) into companies developing “carbon bombs” – huge oil, gas and coal projects that would drive the climate past internationally agreed temperature limits with catastrophic global consequences – according to a study.

Nine London-based banks, including HSBC, NatWest, Barclays and Lloyds are involved in financing companies responsible for at least 117 carbon bomb projects in 28 countries between 2016 – the year after the landmark Paris agreement was signed – and 2023, according to the study.

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France's TotalEnergies and Oman's OQ Exploration and Production have broke ground on a new liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant in Oman, which they claim will be among the lowest-emitting in the world thanks to an accompanying solar energy farm. 

The cost of capturing CO2 directly from the air or oceans is set to drop to less than $100 per tonne in 10 years – and may even go as low as $50, according to two Dutch startups involved in developing the technology.

The US must pursue biomass-based CO2 removal (CDR) to effectively decarbonise and meet 2050 climate targets, instead of using it as an energy source or producing crop-based biofuels, according to research published by a think tank on Thursday.

Biodiversity credits in the EU will be used for offsetting rather than for nature-positive benefits, as a way of enabling developer impacts, an MEP has predicted.

Researchers have found a way to reduce carbon emissions from cement production by 80% by getting to the core of its production rather than worrying at expensive but less effective energy switch-outs.

Construction of Europe's first CO2 carrier ship is now complete, marking a step forward in the creation of a carbon capture, transport, and storage network, the project developers announced on Thursday.

Police and military personnel were seen helping people evacuate the highway connecting Jerusalem to Tel Aviv as wildfires raged. Israel's prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, declared the situation a national emergency as the fire threatened to reach the city. Israel’s Magen David Adom (MDA) rescue agency said they treated about 23 people, 13 of whom were taken to hospital

• Israel facing ‘national emergency’ as it battles worst fires in a decade, says Netanyahu

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Government to press ahead with net zero plans as Keir Starmer rejects Tony Blair’s criticisms of climate policy

Almost all new homes in England will be fitted with solar panels during construction within two years, the government will announce after Keir Starmer rejected Tony Blair’s criticism of net zero policies.

Housebuilders will be legally required to install solar panels on the roofs of new properties by 2027 under the plans.

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Queensland has unveiled strict new wind and solar rules that requires developers to obtain "binding agreements" with local councils for new projects.

The post Queensland unveils strict new wind and solar rules: No development application without council deal appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Airlines should secure their CORSIA eligible carbon credits now, before prices rise and potential penalties kick in, industry experts told a webinar that discussed eligibility bottlenecks and market risks surrounding the international aviation offsetting scheme.

The government-endorsed association that runs Japan's blue carbon market is seeking to share its unique experiences with the rest of the world, with its lessons learned applicable to other natural capital markets elsewhere.