Global Climate News

Taiwan's Executive Yuan passed amendments to the Electricity Act to promote energy transition and a healthy green energy market. The amendments aim to facilitate the transition to cleaner energy sources and establish a robust market for green electricity.

UK-based Llanmoor Development Co. Limited was fined £4,000 and ordered to pay £6,280.79 in costs and a £190 victim surcharge for polluting a tributary of the River Ogmore with silt and mud between August 2021 and March 2022. The pollution, originating from their Parc Tondu construction site, harmed water quality and ecology. Natural Resources Wales (NRW) prosecuted the case, with assistance from the Ogmore Angling Association.

Oregon is experiencing warming temperatures, increased drought, and reduced snowfall due to climate change. The Oregon Climate Assessment highlights adaptation efforts by businesses, including Oregon's high number of B Corporations. The assessment also notes potential economic losses from wildfires, increased health impacts from smoke, the role of reforestation in carbon storage, challenges and benefits of offshore wind energy, and the impact of climate change on the legal system.

The article discusses seven key climate and nature moments that could significantly impact climate action in 2025. It highlights potential developments and includes quotes from Joana Setzer on the increase in climate lawsuits. The article references a court case where Fossielvrij won against KLM.

Vermont has passed the Climate Superfund Act, requiring large fossil fuel companies to pay for climate change cleanup costs. The American Petroleum Institute and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce filed a lawsuit challenging the law. New York also enacted a similar climate superfund law.

The U.S. Forest Service approved the Stibnite Gold Project in Idaho, despite concerns about water quality and public health. The open-pit mine will double the size of existing disturbance to 3,265 acres, creating 280 million tons of waste rock and a massive tailings facility. Perpetua received $75 million in federal funding, but the project prioritizes gold mining over antimony extraction.

The UN is focusing on several climate-related issues in 2025, including keeping global temperature rise below 1.5 degrees Celsius, protecting nature, securing climate finance, strengthening climate law, and tackling plastic pollution. At COP29, an agreement was reached to triple climate finance for developing countries to $300 billion annually by 2035, although this is less than the $1.3 trillion needed. The International Court of Justice will issue an advisory opinion on States’ legal obligations regarding climate change, which is expected to guide future international climate law.

New York has enacted the Climate Change Superfund Act, making it the second US state to do so after Vermont. The act aims to address the financial burden on New Yorkers from fossil fuel companies and will fund infrastructure improvements such as safeguarding coastal communities from flooding and creating systems to protect people from extreme heat. The funds will also improve responses to environmental and public health threats.

New York City has launched a congestion pricing program, charging vehicles entering Manhattan's Central Business District below 60th Street. The program is projected to reduce traffic congestion and air pollution while generating funds for public transit improvements, including subway upgrades, new buses, and rail car replacements. Funds will also support accessibility improvements and address traffic bottlenecks, saving businesses billions annually and potentially benefiting New Jersey transit systems if legal challenges are resolved.

India's CAQM Sub-Committee on GRAP revoked Stage-IV of the revised GRAP in the entire NCR due to significant improvement in Delhi's AQI. The AQI improved from 478 at 3 PM to 361 at 6 PM on December 24, 2024. Stages III, II, and I remain in effect.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) concluded landmark hearings from December 2-13, 2024, addressing States’ obligations under international law to combat climate change. Small island nations, such as Vanuatu, called for justice, highlighting the catastrophic impacts of rising seas and extreme weather, while high-emitting states like Brazil and China presented differing perspectives on responsibilities and existing legal frameworks. The US acknowledged the climate crisis but argued against the legal binding nature of treaties, contrasting the EU's emphasis on cooperation.

The Sabin Center for Climate Change Law published its December 2024 updates to the Climate Case Charts, summarizing developments in climate-related litigation in the US and globally. The update includes various cases concerning climate disclosure laws, NEPA reviews, water rights, offshore wind projects, and challenges to fossil fuel companies. Several cases resulted in settlements, with defendants agreeing to conduct new assessments, pay attorneys' fees, and implement interim measures to protect species.

US House Judiciary Committee's interim staff report details a climate cartel's alleged collusion to influence ExxonMobil's board and impose net-zero goals. The cartel, including major asset managers and public pensions, coordinated pressure campaigns, including replacing board members, resulting in ExxonMobil's adoption of net-zero commitments. At least 70 investors have since withdrawn from Climate Action 100+.

UK's Environment Agency and Derbyshire Police have successfully prosecuted three individuals for illegal waste disposal at Great Low Farm, Buxton. Joseph Kidd, Anthony Melland, and Adam Swindells were fined a total of £13,970 for depositing shredded waste without environmental permits and failing to maintain waste transfer notes. The case involved illegal dumping and burning of shredded waste and tires, posing significant environmental and health risks.

Indonesia: A lawsuit was filed against three pulpwood companies—Bumi Mekar Hijau, Bumi Andalas Permai, and Sebangun Bumi Andalas Wood Industries—by eleven residents of South Sumatra for damages caused by smoke haze and environmental destruction. The plaintiffs seek material damages between IDR 200,000 to IDR 200,000,000 (USD 12 – 12,000) and immaterial damages of IDR 10b per plaintiff (USD 626,000). Greenpeace Indonesia intervened in the lawsuit, highlighting the companies’ contribution to the climate crisis through deforestation and peatland draining.

The Delaware Court of Chancery has denied a motion to revise its earlier decision to rescind a $55.8 billion compensation package for the CEO of a sustainable energy and electric vehicle company (Tesla). The court rejected attempts to ratify the package through a subsequent stockholder vote, maintaining its January 2024 ruling that found the compensation package was not entirely fair to stockholders.

US District Court for the Middle District of Florida has denied Target Corporation's motion to dismiss a securities fraud lawsuit related to ESG disclosures. The lawsuit alleges that Target made false and misleading statements about risks and oversight of its ESG initiatives in annual reports and proxy statements, particularly regarding potential customer backlash to its Pride campaign, which allegedly led to significant sales and stock price decline.

The US Justice Department urged the Supreme Court to deny requests to halt state and local lawsuits against Big Oil companies for their alleged climate deception. The lawsuits, filed by various states and local governments, aim to hold these companies accountable for misleading the public about the climate impacts of their products. The DOJ argued that state courts have the authority to hear these claims.

The European Union has implemented a revised Ambient Air Quality Directive, cutting the annual limit value for fine particulate matter (PM2.5) by more than half and setting stricter standards for twelve air pollutants. Member states have two years to adopt the necessary provisions, and the European Commission will provide further support. The directive aims to achieve zero pollution for air by 2050 and includes provisions for compensating those suffering health damages due to air pollution.

UK-based Anglian Water has been fined £300,000 for illegally discharging untreated sewage into Spring Dyke, which feeds into the Broads Special Area of Conservation in Norfolk. The incident in November 2018 caused significant environmental damage, killing thousands of fish and contaminating a public water supply area. The company was found negligent as the pumping station had no emergency overflow permit despite previous discharge incidents.