Five Canadian banks risk being forced to leave UN net-zero banking club

The Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ), formed ahead of last year's UN climate conference in Scotland, is part of a larger network called Race to Zero that seeks to rally companies, cities, financial institutions and other civil society groups to steer the world to a climate-safe future. To be a member of GFANZ … Continue reading Five Canadian banks risk being forced to leave UN net-zero banking club

The world’s most influential banks need to substantially accelerate climate efforts

Many of the world's biggest banks are falling far short of aligning their practices with the Paris Agreement goal of limiting the Earth's warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, a new report from the IIGCC warns. The report is discussed in an Associated Press news item on The Independent website.   Banks far … Continue reading The world’s most influential banks need to substantially accelerate climate efforts

We have a lot of work cut out for us to get the energy efficiency improvements we need

Minimum energy performance standards for buildings coupled with generous tax rebates for renovations – 110% in Italy – could unlock the energy service company market in Europe. Sonja van Renssen discusses the main issues with Jessica Stromback in an article on the Energy Monitor website.   Expect a “seismic shift” on energy efficiency – Jessica … Continue reading We have a lot of work cut out for us to get the energy efficiency improvements we need

New IISD report on how Glasgow Statement signatories can meet their commitment to shift international public finance out of fossil fuels and into clean energy by the end of 2022

The International Institute for Sustainable Development has recently published Turning Pledges Into Action. Glasgow Statement signatories made a commitment to end new international public finance for fossil fuels by the end of 2022 and fully shift their focus toward financing clean energy. Now, it's time to turn those pledges into action. This report analyses the … Continue reading New IISD report on how Glasgow Statement signatories can meet their commitment to shift international public finance out of fossil fuels and into clean energy by the end of 2022

New report from EIB on what drives firms’ investment in climate change

The European Investment Bank has recently published its most recent EIB investment survey. From extreme heatwaves and wildfires to in North America to the deadly flooding in Western Europe and Asia in 2021, the dramatic rise in catastrophic weather events has repercussions for firms. At the same time, cutting emissions sufficiently to limit global warming … Continue reading New report from EIB on what drives firms’ investment in climate change

How important is it to keep the Energy Charter Treaty?

In an article on The Conversation website, Chamu Kuppuswamy, Senior Lecturer, School of Law, at the University of Hertfordshire argues that, while withdrawing from the energy charter treaty is possible for any country to do, losing the benefits of membership – such as fewer duties and taxes on imports of oil and gas – will … Continue reading How important is it to keep the Energy Charter Treaty?

Modernisation of Energy Charter Treaty seen as “a real threat” to the landmark Paris climate agreement

The members of the Energy Charter Treaty on Friday struck a deal to “modernise” the energy charter treaty. The 1994 agreement allows investors to sue governments for changes in energy policy that harm their profits. The compromise agreement, which was largely designed by the EU, reduces the protection afforded to companies that have invested in … Continue reading Modernisation of Energy Charter Treaty seen as “a real threat” to the landmark Paris climate agreement

Clean energy funding to surge 12% in 2022, remains insufficient

Global energy investment is set to increase by 8% this year, the energy forum has estimated. Dimitris Mavrokefalidis discusses the IEA report on the Energy Live News website. The report is available here.   IEA: “Capital spending is insufficient to tackle the energy and climate crises” The current level of global capital spending is still … Continue reading Clean energy funding to surge 12% in 2022, remains insufficient

The world’s most climate vulnerable countries want rich, high-emission nations to pay for climate damages

The UN climate change conference now underway in Bonn, Germany has been a war of words in terms of who pays for climate disasters. This follows similar concerns raised at COP26 in Glasgow last year. Stuart Braun discusses latest developments in an article on the Deutsche Welle website.   Climate vulnerable nations demand compensation for … Continue reading The world’s most climate vulnerable countries want rich, high-emission nations to pay for climate damages

A new twist to ESG investing

When making a quick judgement on a company or other investment proposition, don’t take any assertions of ethical behaviour at face value, writes Hamish McRae in an article on The Independent website.   Ethical investing is harder than it looks – here’s why It is a tough one. Do investors have to choose between ethics … Continue reading A new twist to ESG investing