‘A wrecking ball’: experts warn Trump’s win sets back global climate action
This month saw the re-election of Donald Trump, a notorious climate change denier who declared it a 'big hoax' during his recent campaign, and has already expressed plans to revoke a major bill passed by the Democrats that supports green energy. What does Trump's presidency mean for America's influential role in global climate action?
What is COP29 and how will Trump’s election affect the climate talks?
The latest annual UN climate meeting is currently ongoing in Baku, Azerbaijan. Each year representatives of countries united against climate change meet to negotiate the best approaches to tackling this issue. This year is focused on how to help fund developing countries to lower their emissions, and the necessity to act now – evidenced by record heatwaves and deadly storms. However, there are concerns surrounding the climate consciousness of Azerbaijan as the host country, and the effect of Trump’s incoming presidency.
UK confirms help for developing countries to tackle climate change and build greener future
On the 13th of November, one outcome of COP29 was released. The UK strives to be a bigger player in tackling climate change. To this end, the foreign secretary has stated that the UK is doubling down on its support to protect and restore forests, alongside the communities that depend on them. As well as increasing funding for developing countries vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.
World's largest renewable energy plant would be bigger than entire countries
A project in Western Australia could feature up to 3,000 wind turbines and 60 million solar panels as part of expanded 70 GW capacity. Developers are theorising it to generate over 200 TWh of renewable energy each year, on par with Australia’s current total power generation. Thus becoming a major contributor to meeting Australia’s goal of net zero gas emissions by 2050.
Can southern Brazil’s deadly floods spur the shift to green energy?
In the past year, Rio Grande do Sul in the south of Brazil faced an unprecedented series of floods, affecting more than 2 million people. Brazil is an outstanding model of adopting clean energy, with more than 80% of Brazil’s electricity already coming from renewables. However, Rio Grande do Sul is one of the few states still relying on coal; the state government sees the floods as an opportunity to expand green initiatives.
Santos figured out net zero roadmap ‘literally on the fly’, court hears in world-first greenwashing case
The world’s first greenwashing lawsuit began on October 28th, when the Australasian Centre for Corporate Responsibility (ACCR) called out Santos (a global energy company) for labelling itself as a “clean fuels company”, whilst burning natural gas that emitted 100 megatons of CO2 over one year. The case aims to protect public interest by ensuring that commitments regarding climate change are reasonably lead and not misleading. Santos’ closing arguments are expected on the 3rd of December.