Analysis finds that China's coal plant permits will be at a four-year low by 2025.
A new Greenpeace report showed that China's coal plant permits will fall to their lowest level in four years. This is due to the growing demand for renewable energy sources. Greenpeace has found that China allowed 41.8 gigawatts to be added to coal plant capacity during the first quarter of 2025. If the current pace is maintained, the 2025 permits will be the lowest since 2021. Greenpeace estimates that the approvals for 2025 will represent between 171.5 billion and 181.5 billion dollars in new coal investments. 85% of these investments are owned by state-owned companies.
Norway loses an appeal over oilfield development
The Norwegian Court of Appeal ruled against the government and in favor of environmentalists on Friday, confirming the lower court's ruling that the approval by the Energy Ministry of three offshore oil-and-gas fields was invalid. The court said that production from the oilfields affected would not stop, but the government could correct any deficiencies in the original approvals. Greenpeace Norway, Young Friends of the Earth Norway, and other environmental groups will file a lawsuit in 2023 regarding the approval of Equinor’s Breidablikk field and Aker BP’s Tyrving and Yggdrasil.
IEA Predicts World Oil, Gas Demand Could Grow Until 2050
Global oil and gas demand could grow until 2050, the International Energy Agency said on Wednesday, departing from previous expectations of a speedy transition to cleaner fuels following U.S. criticism about its climate focus.The Paris-based energy security watchdog also predicted in its annual outlook that the world will likely fail to meet its goal to cap the rise in temperatures to as close as possible to 1.5 degrees (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial times to avoid the most devastating effects of climate change.The IEA has been under pressure from the U.S.
The European Court of Human Rights rejects the climate case against Norway Oil
The European Court of Human Rights ruled on Tuesday in favor of the Norwegian Government in a case brought by young activists for climate change who claimed that the country's Arctic oil exploration policy had put their future in danger. Norway, the largest oil and natural gas producer in western Europe, produces four million barrels equivalent of oil per day. It plans to continue producing hydrocarbons into the future, while supporting efforts worldwide to reduce carbon dioxide emission. The 2022 lawsuit, filed…
Analysts say that China has set a renewable energy goal which it can easily exceed.
The climate goals that China made public on Tuesday promise to continue expanding renewable energy. It has done so at an accelerated pace. However, there is no commitment from China to increase its share of power generation or reduce coal. In announcing China's first goals for carbon reduction, President Xi Jinping stated that China's wind and solar energy capacity would be increased six-fold from the levels of 2020 to 3,600 gigawatts in 2035. Analysts say that China's tendency to set goals they know it can achieve is evident in its achievement of the 1,200 GW target six years earlier than scheduled.
Nickel demand in the Philippines is a major concern
The Philippines is ramping up its operations to meet the global demand for metals, minerals and other materials to support the green transition. "When you mine for nickel, you must remove topsoil, forest vegetation and wildlife, causing deforestation and displacement of wildlife," said Grizelda mayo-Anda. She is the director of Environmental Legal Assistance Center, a legal organization that promotes environmental rights. In response, Palawan Gov. Dennis Socrates has signed a moratorium of 50 years on all mining agreements and exploration permit applications in the province.
UK Issues Environmental Guidance on New North Sea Oil and Gas Drilling
The UK published long-awaited guidance on environmental issues that will impact future developments of two North Sea oil and natural gas fields, including Shell and Equinor. The guidelines explain how future government decisions on extraction should treat greenhouse gas emissions from oil and gas, also known as downstream emissions or Scope 3. The government ordered the document after a Supreme Court decision last year that said planning authorities had to consider the impact of greenhouse gas emissions when approving a well near Gatwick Airport.
Exxon, Chevron acquires blocks in Brazil's environmentally-sensitive Foz do Amazonas basin
Exxon Mobil and Chevron on Tuesday took their first steps toward eventually exploring oil in Brazil's Foz do Amazonas basin, scooping up offshore blocks auctioned by the country in the promising but environmentally-sensitive area. This is the first time that a company other than Brazil's Petrobras has ventured into the biodiverse ecological area. The move has sparked a backlash among environmentalists, who claim it will increase the risks of contamination to water sources and ecosystems on which Brazilians and wildlife depend.
China's fossil fuel power generation increases in May
Official data released on Monday showed that thermal power generation, fueled primarily by coal, increased 1.2% in May compared to the same month last year. Hydropower production was also affected by a drought in some parts of China. Data suggest that China will continue to reduce its fossil-fuel consumption this year. However, fluctuations in the generation of non-fossil energy create uncertainty. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, thermal power generation in China was 461.5 billions kWh while hydropower, China’s second largest power source, dropped 14.3% to 91.7 milliards kWh.
Greenpeace removes a wax statue of Macron due to French trade with Russia
Greenpeace activists moved a wax sculpture of French President Emmanuel Macron, which was displayed at the Grevin Museum of Paris, to the Russian embassy on Monday in protest of French business ties and the lack of climate action. The French presidency did not respond to a request for comment immediately. Greenpeace's spokesperson confirmed that the activists entered the museum as regular visitors on Monday and proceeded to the room with Macron's wax figure. The activists quickly removed the statue from the building and departed, where they were met by other activists with a vehicle.
China announces major renewable energy projects to combat climate change
China announced on Wednesday that it will develop a series of major climate projects in order to combat the effects of global warming. The country wants to reach a carbon neutrality by 2060 and a carbon dioxide peak before 2030. In an official report released on Wednesday, the National Development and Reform Commission (the country's economic planner) said that the world's biggest producer of greenhouse gases, which are responsible for climate change, will develop new offshore windfarms and accelerate construction of "new energie bases" throughout its vast desert regions.
China's carbon power will rise in 2024, surpassing expectations that coal would peak
Official data released on Friday showed that China's thermal power generation, which is mainly coal-powered, increased by 1.5% between 2024 and 2025. This was contrary to expectations, as coal generation had been expected to peak. However, growth has slowed down, reaching its lowest level in nine years, excluding years during the COVID-19 epidemic. The data revealed the difficulties in eliminating coal-fired energy while still meeting China's growing demand for electricity to power its energy-hungry industry and electrify its economy.
Norway awards 53 stakes to the latest offshore oil and gas exploration round
Norway's Energy Minister said that in the annual licensing round held on Tuesday, 20 companies received stakes in 53 offshore exploration licenses for oil and gas. The number of licences awarded annually has decreased from 62 in 2023, while the number oil and gas companies receiving permits has declined from 24 one year earlier. Norway's plan to extend oil and gas production in the coming decades is based on the annual predefined area (APA) rounds. This policy, however, is strongly opposed by environmentalist groups.
Philippines communities challenge dash for fossil gas
The government claims that LNG is an alternative to coal, and the capacity to generate it is required to meet the energy demands of Luzon Island, which is also home to Manila, the capital city, located 110 km (68 mi) north. Many people in Santa Clara, an area adjacent to the port's terminal, claim that respiratory illness has increased dramatically, even among children as young five years old. They attribute this to the LNG plants. Welita Abanil is a 69-year-old Santa Clara healthcare worker. Gas plants in the area have also reduced our fishing income. We have nowhere to go. "It's as if we're waiting to die," she said.
Shell and Equinor face off against UK North Sea oil, gas projects
Shell and Equinor urged on Tuesday an Scottish court to support Britain's approval of the development two vast North Sea gas and oil fields as environmental activists attempted to block these projects. Shell is fighting Greenpeace's legal challenge at the Court of Session of Edinburgh regarding Britain's approval of the Jackdaw Gas Field in 2022. Equinor, a Norwegian oil company, and Ithaca Energy, its partner in the case are opposing the decision of 2023 to approve the planned Rosebank Oilfield. The first day began with Shell winning an appeal against a landmark Dutch ruling which required it to speed up its carbon reduction efforts.
Norway court rejects environmental order against oil and gas field
The Norwegian Court of Appeal ruled on Monday in favor of the Government in an appeal brought by environmentalists who wanted to stop the development of three gas and oil fields. Greenpeace, among others, sued the Norwegian Government to stop the development of new oil and natural gas resources. This is the latest dispute related to climate change. In January, a lower court found that Norway's Energy Ministry failed to assess fully the climate impact of future oil and gas use in the fields, also known as scope three emissions. This ruling was made in response to a lawsuit filed by Greenpeace and Nature and Youth.
The UK has committed up to $28.5 billion for carbon capture projects
The government announced on Friday that it will invest up to 21.7 billion pounds (up to $28.5 billion) in 25 years for the development of carbon capture and storage technology to reduce emissions from energy, industry, and hydrogen production. Britain has set a target of achieving net zero emissions in 2050. CCS is needed to reduce emissions from industries that are energy-intensive and to create jobs. In a press release, Chancellor of Exchequer Rachel Reeves stated that "this game-changing technology" will bring 4,000 jobs to communities in Merseyside & Teesside as well as billions of dollars of private investment.
Spain, a leading olive oil producer, uses olive stones as fuel
David Jimenez Zamora, a farmer in Spain, barely batted an eyelid when the price of gas and electricity soared due to the energy crisis. The Spanish man kept the heated pool and hot water flowing for up to 26 guests in his 18th century farmhouse. What is his secret? Olive stones. The 48-year old said, "We use the olive pits that we have on our trees to heat up the pool and the underfloor heating systems. He said that the store, which held 5,000 kilos, was located in Granada in southern Andalusia. Two agricultural cooperatives that he is a member of also use olive stones to power machines that produce Spain's famed liquid gold olive oil.
Aker BP begins production at Tyrving Oilfield amid legal battle between the government and Aker BP over approval
Aker BP, a Norwegian oil company, has begun production at its Tyrving off-shore oilfield. The Norwegian government is trying to overturn the court's ruling that the project approval was invalid due to the failure to evaluate the climate impact. The Oslo District Court in January ruled that the Norwegian energy ministry failed to assess fully the climate impact of the production and use of oil and natural gas when it approved three offshore projects including Tyrving and that the permits were invalid. The government has appealed that ruling, and an hearing for a portion of the case will begin on Wednesday.
Best estimate of the new Swiss nuclear dawn is decades away
Energy experts and politicians warned that bringing new nuclear power plants online in Switzerland would take decades because of the many political and financial obstacles. This comes after the Swiss government announced its plans to lift an existing ban on new nuclear plants. The Federal Council reversed its decision from 2017 to abandon nuclear power in order to achieve climate goals, and to respond to geopolitical uncertainty, such as the Ukraine War, which has fueled fears of outages. Le Temps, a Swiss newspaper…