Global Climate News

India's coal imports decreased by 3.1% to 149.39 million tonnes during April-October 2024, compared to 154.17 million tonnes in the same period of the previous year. Coal production saw a positive growth of 6.04%, rising to 537.57 million tonnes. The government aims to reduce dependence on coal imports and enhance energy security.

Kjetil Olsen, Nordea's chief economist, discussed current economic challenges, including high inflation and the need to curb economic growth through interest rate hikes. He also highlighted three key challenges shaping the world economy: the green transition requiring massive investments in renewable energy, the decline of globalization potentially impacting product pricing, and demographic shifts leading to potential labor shortages.

The United States' eighth liquefied natural gas (LNG) export terminal, Plaquemines LNG, shipped its first cargo on December 26, 2024. This facility, developed by Venture Global LNG, uses mid-scale liquefaction technology and has a nominal capacity of 1.3 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d), expandable to 2.6 Bcf/d upon completion of both phases. Another facility, Corpus Christi Stage 3, also began LNG production in December 2024.

India has organized India Energy Week 2025 (IEW’25) from February 11-14 in New Delhi, focusing on decarbonization, energy equity, and low-carbon economies. The event featured 70+ CEOs from major energy companies, 20+ foreign energy ministers, and discussions on clean power pathways, grid-scale energy storage, and methane mitigation. IEW’25 also highlighted India’s advancements in renewable energy and technologies like green ammonia and hydrogen production.

The UK's Ofgem is reviewing the gas disconnections framework to ensure it supports the transition to net zero and protects consumers. The review considers the costs of disconnections, the disconnection process, and how to make it easier for consumers to switch to electric heating.

The Tracker Group, home to Carbon Tracker and Planet Tracker, appointed Christine Chow as its inaugural CEO. Chow has 27 years of finance experience and a focus on sustainable and impact investing. The appointment aims to accelerate the group's work in transforming global financial activities to achieve a net-zero and nature-positive future.

The Union Minister of Coal & Mines of India will attend the Future Minerals Forum 2025 in Saudi Arabia from January 14-16, 2025. The forum will focus on mineral supply chains and energy transition.

The Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP), opposed to military aid to Ukraine and sceptical about the eurozone entry, joined a governing coalition with GERB and There Is Such a People. The coalition aims to prioritize quality of life, review the revenue system, and focus on healthcare, education, and labour market development. BSP's stance against closing coal-fired power plants contradicts the Green Deal commitments.

Germany's Remscheid city and its Technical Services have announced a tender for the supply of electricity and natural gas for their buildings from 2026-2028. The estimated annual contract value is €3.1 million for each lot. The contract includes a focus on green electricity and aims for a reduction in environmental impact through climate change mitigation and pollution prevention.

Germany's renewable energy generation reached 275.2 TWh in 2024, a 4.4% increase from 2023. Solar power contributed 14% (72.2 TWh) of total electricity output, wind power remained the largest source (136.4 TWh), and coal-fired power plants declined sharply. Battery storage capacity also saw substantial growth.

Taiwan has adjusted its gasoline and diesel prices, raising them by NT$0.5 and NT$0.6 per liter, respectively, due to increased international oil prices. The increase was partially offset by government subsidies and a reduction in fuel taxes, with Taiwan Oil Corporation absorbing NT$1.6 and NT$1.7 per liter for gasoline and diesel, respectively.

Taiwan's CPC Corporation has adjusted gasoline and diesel prices, raising them by NT$0.5 and NT$0.6 per liter, respectively, due to increased international oil prices and the implementation of a price stabilization mechanism. The company absorbed NT$1.6 and NT$1.7 per liter for gasoline and diesel, respectively, and a further reduction in fuel taxes also contributed to the price adjustments.

Greenpeace conducted various climate activism campaigns globally, including a petition with over 1,640,108 signatures submitted to the UK Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs to ban bee-killing pesticides; a protest against Woodside’s drilling project in Australia impacting endangered species; and highlighting the impact of climate change on residents of Bilangbilangan and Batasan Islands in the Philippines, where solar panels and charging stations were installed.

The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection suspended Bluestone Coal Corporation’s Poca surface mine permit due to numerous violations, including failures in reclamation, sediment and runoff control, and unlawful dumping. The mine, operated by the family of Senator Jim Justice, had received 13 notices of violation and 16 cessation orders in the past year. The suspension follows a federal directive to revoke the permit.

NASA confirmed 2024 as the warmest year on record, exceeding the 2023 record by 2.30 degrees Fahrenheit (1.28 degrees Celsius) above the 1951-1980 baseline. The annual average may have exceeded 1.5 degrees Celsius above the baseline for the first time. This warming trend is attributed to heat-trapping greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane.

Germany's Gesundheitseinrichtungen des Bezirks Oberfranken awarded contracts for electricity and natural gas supply to Stadtwerke Kulmbach for 2025. The contracts, LOT-0001 for electricity (approx. 3.89 million kWh) and LOT-0002 for natural gas (approx. 23.5 million kWh), were awarded through a negotiated procedure without prior call for competition.

Finland-based Tampereen Seudun Keskuspuhdistamo Oy awarded a contract worth €800,000 to Suomalainen Energiaosuuskunta for the supply of light fuel oil. The contract was awarded on January 8, 2025.

North Macedonia's JP Ohridski Komunalec Ohrid issued a tender for the supply of oil derivates, with an estimated value of 12,877,000.00 MKD. The open tender procedure, identified as 3325a0a1-776b-445a-9428-50a36daa4588, covers petroleum products, fuel, electricity, and other energy sources. The deadline for tender submission is February 4, 2025.

The US Environmental Protection Agency’s finalized power plant greenhouse gas standards will deliver significantly more emissions reductions by 2040 than predicted, at relatively small costs to industry. The standards ensure coal use continues to decline and cut carbon dioxide emissions by an additional 68-390 million tons annually in 2040.

\"Six of the largest US banks (JP Morgan, Morgan Stanley, Bank of America, Citigroup, Wells Fargo, and Goldman Sachs) have withdrawn from the UN-backed Net Zero Banking Alliance (NZBA). The withdrawal, following years of speculation, may be linked to the incoming Trump administration's anti-ESG stance. These banks cited a focus on the NZBA's partner organization, GFANZ, and maintained their individual net-zero commitments by 2050. Three smaller US banks remain in the NZBA.\"