News

Fossil fuel industry gets subsidies of $11m a minute, IMF finds
The fossil fuel industry benefits from subsidies of $11m every minute, according to analysis by the International Monetary Fund. The IMF found the production and burning of coal, oil and gas was subsidised by $5.9tn in 2020, with not a single country pricing all its fuels sufficiently to reflect their full supply and environmental costs.

Britain’s confused approach to carbon pricing
A reluctance to raise the cost of natural gas is understandable, given that poorer households spend more of their income on heating their homes. But it only further underscores the importance of joined-up, coherent thinking about how Britain can hit its net zero emissions target by 2050.

Green recovery: Spur small business climate action for stable economies, says international small business leader
In a world that is dominated increasingly by the effects of climate change, small businesses need more support than ever to keep economies running and citizens happy and healthy. Small businesses, governments and industry leaders alike can work together to build a resilient ecosystem by raising awareness, emphasizing proactivity over reactivity and cultivating accountability.

It cannot be any recovery: it must be sustainable and it must be digital
How European insurance industry partnerships can support the EU’s drive toward a climate-neutral continent and economic recovery.

Austria announces carbon tax, offset by reduction in other taxes
Austria announced the introduction of a new “eco-social” reform of the tax system. Everyone in the governing coalition gets something: but does the environment?

Australian states and territories revolt over federal government’s coal power subsidy plan
The federal government is facing a revolt from states and territories over its plan to allow subsidies for coal and gas-fired power stations as part of reforms to shore up reliability of the electricity grid.

Pandemic can accelerate electric mobility in Latin America
Changes in transport use due to the Covid-19 pandemic and national recovery plans are an opportunity for governments and businesses in Latin America and the Caribbean to accelerate the transition to electric mobility, according to a recent report by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).Â

Figuring out China’s coal goal
Xi Jinping’s vow to end China’s international coal is puzzling China watchers with details on how far the promise goes still unclear.

African environment ministers renew support for green recovery
Environment ministers from the African continent last Thursday pledged mobilization of additional resources to accelerate a post-pandemic recovery that is green and inclusive.