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Looking at ramifications of China’s shifting energy usage patterns on Central Asia
Renewables are up, fossil fuels down.
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Blair think-tank releases scathing criticism of UK climate policy
The arguments contrast sharply with those of the UK’s Labour government.
Iraq losing $1mn daily due to dust storms
Iraq is losing approximately $1mn per day due to dust and sandstorms that strike the country, according to a report by the Iraq Green Observatory, an environmental affairs monitoring body.
UK insect numbers plummet by two thirds in three years, Bugs Matter survey shows
The population of flying insects in the United Kingdom has fallen by two thirds in just three years, according to new findings from a nationwide “Bugs Matter” citizen survey, raising alarm among ecologists and conservation groups.
Bosnia secures €80mn World Bank loan to finance coal phase-out and energy transition
Funds to back project to repurpose post-mining lands in Banovići, Zenica and Kreka, and facilitate the closure of underground mining operations in Zenica.
EU swaps China for Russia in procurement of rare earth metals
The EU is increasingly turning to China to source hard-to-find rare earth metals and dropping previous import deals with Russia.
Australia holds the key to breaking China’s stranglehold over global critical minerals supplies
In the deepening trade conflict between Washington and Beijing, one exception has stood out: 31 critical minerals, including rare earth elements, were exempted from tariffs. The move was less a concession than an admission of depence on China.
Spanish blackout caused by extreme weather and a major renewables failure for the first time
A widespread blackout that plunged Spain, Portugal, Andorra and parts of southern France into darkness this week was caused by extreme weather events that saw the renewable power system collapse, as now the third disaster starts.
Iraq facing worst drought in history as water resources dwindle and climate crisis intensifies
Iraq is facing what officials are calling the "worst drought in its history," as water resources continue to dwindle and agricultural land deteriorates across the country, threatening both human security and economic stability.
Caspian Sea may become next Aral, but who is to blame?
Some forecasting even indicates the decline of the body of water could pose a threat to the shipping section of the rapidly expanding Middle Corridor transit route.
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Chipping point – the climate toll of AI chip-making in East Asia
The meteoric rise of AI is sparking a parallel and largely overlooked environmental challenge: the significant climate impact of chip manufacturing, particularly in East Asia, says a new report from Greenpeace.
China and EU step up climate leadership as Trump left out of pre-COP30 talks
Leaders of more than a dozen countries, including China’s President Xi Jinping and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, gathered virtually last week for high-level climate talks ahead of the Brazilian COP30.
BERTRAND: China now accounts for 64% of world’s renewable energy output
According to the latest report by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), an extraordinary 64% – nearly two-thirds – of all renewable energy capacity added globally in 2024 was installed in China.
Azerbaijan and China sign major renewable energy deals
Baku is accelerating its partnerships with major Chinese energy firms in developing large-scale renewable infrastructure, including offshore wind, floating solar and battery storage projects.
Incoming German government compromises on carbon offsets to boost flagging economy
Germany’s incoming government has conditionally endorsed the European Union’s proposed 2040 climate goal and backed the EC's recommended 90% emissions reduction target but only if international carbon offsets and carbon removals are permitted.
Pakistan's headline-making 22 GW of solar panel imports
This development occurred with limited state intervention. The government, however, played a crucial role in facilitating adoption by removing import tariffs, approving net metering policies and allowing market dynamics to lead the transition.
India moves to cut reliance on Chinese solar modules and PV cells
India has taken significant strides when it comes to reducing import dependency for solar modules and PV cells, which is a result of expanding domestic manufacturing capabilities.
Rising CO2 and temperatures make rice more toxic – The Lancet
Rice, the most widely consumed grain in the world, is likely to become increasingly toxic as global temperatures and carbon dioxide levels rise, according to new research published in The Lancet on April 17.
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Equinor mulling appeal or legal action over Trump administration’s halting of massive wind farm off New York
Norwegian oil super major Equinor was just starting to construct an 818-MW wind farm off New York when the Trump administration unexpectedly halted the fully permitted $5bn endeavour.
Croatia to enter wildfire season without full fleet of firefighting aircraft
Croatia is bracing for another potentially intense fire season, with military support playing an important role in suppressing blazes across the Adriatic coast and inland regions.