COP28

Ten multilateral development banks have approved global financing of $19.6bn for water-related projects in 2024, mainly aimed at low- and middle-income countries, according to a recent joint report.
Global CO₂ emissions reach a record level in 2024, while Europe reports a local decrease but significantly outsources its pollution to emerging economies, revealing a pronounced gap between stated ambitions and economic realities.

French CO₂ emissions: confirmed slowdown and sectoral contrasts in 2024

Citepa confirms limited drop in French emissions in 2024 at -1.8%, a pace significantly slower than previous years, reflecting highly contrasting performances across economic sectors.
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The International Energy Agency warns of persistently high methane emissions, despite improved satellite-based monitoring and detection tools.
Swedish prosecutors have sought six-year prison sentences for five executives and partners of Think Pink, accused of unlawfully dumping 200,000 tonnes of toxic waste between 2015 and 2020.

Energy methane emissions reach 120 million tonnes in 2024

Methane released by the oil, gas and coal sectors remained at near-record levels, according to the International Energy Agency, which flagged the scale of massive leaks detected.
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Russian authorities are demanding €903 million from the owners of two tankers that ran aground in the Black Sea following an oil spill linked to unauthorised winter navigation.
Over 100 international organisations are urging a halt to offshore oil and gas exploration ahead of the United Nations Ocean Conference scheduled in June in Nice.

Leak on Petronas gas pipeline in Malaysia: over 100 injured and 50 homes damaged

A massive fire broke out following a leak on a gas pipeline operated by Petronas in Selangor state, injuring over 100 people and causing significant damage in a residential area.
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Former US Vice President Al Gore stated in Paris that Donald Trump’s decisions will not durably hinder the global rise of renewable energies, driven by falling solar production costs.
Dutch organisation Milieudefensie is suing ING for its alleged role in financing fossil fuel projects, demanding the bank halve its CO2 emissions by 2030.

Environmental Groups Sue Trump Administration Over Offshore Oil and Gas Production

Environmental groups have announced legal action against the Trump administration over measures aimed at boosting offshore oil and gas production, reigniting the legal battle from his first term in office.
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The lawsuit filed by three NGOs and eight plaintiffs accusing TotalEnergies of involuntary manslaughter and harm to biodiversity has been dismissed by the French judiciary, citing insufficient evidence of infractions.
An analysis from the Interdisciplinary Environmental Clinic at Washington University highlights the immediate and long-term health risks posed by coal ash waste from MidAmerican Energy's plants in Iowa, as energy companies push to weaken regulations.

Storm Eowyn Leaves 577,000 Households Without Power in the UK and Ireland

After Storm Eowyn, described as the most powerful in a decade, 577,000 households remained without electricity on Sunday evening in Ireland and the UK. Repairs are ongoing, but further disruptions are expected.
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A report by France Stratégie warns of a potential 100% increase in water consumption in France by 2050, with agriculture, energy, and usage conflicts emerging as major challenges.
According to the British Meteorological Office (Met Office), carbon dioxide (CO2) has risen faster than ever, exceeding all projections and raising new questions about the global capacity to contain global warming.

Global Road Transport: CO2 Emissions Expected to Peak in 2025

CO2 emissions from global road transport could peak as early as 2025 thanks to the rise of electric vehicles and carbon regulations, according to an ICCT report.
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Russia faces a major oil spill in the Kerch Strait. With 30,000 tons of soil already collected, criticisms are growing regarding the management and measures taken to mitigate the impacts.
The sinking of two oil tankers in the Kerch Strait has caused an oil spill, threatening 200,000 tons of soil and severely impacting local coasts and ecosystems.
Carbon dioxide is well-known, but other greenhouse gases like methane, nitrous oxide, and fluorinated gases also play a crucial role in climate warming. This article explores their impact and the measures taken to control them.
Duke Energy Foundation is committing $1 million to support recovery efforts in southeastern U.S. states following Hurricane Helene, further reinforcing its previous contributions to disaster preparedness and response initiatives.

India Struggles to Manage Its Waste Despite Local Recycling Initiatives

Waste management in India remains a major environmental challenge, with only 20% of the 65 million tons generated each year being processed, despite local initiatives involving people with disabilities in recycling programs.
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California is suing ExxonMobil for allegedly misleading the public about the effectiveness of its advanced recycling technologies, accusing the company of contributing to the global plastic pollution crisis.
Global methane emissions, which are rising steadily, require an immediate political and industrial response to stabilize the climate and control the associated economic costs.

Philippines recover 96% of fuel oil after tanker sinks

Philippine authorities have recovered 96% of the fuel oil from a tanker sunk in Manila Bay. The successful operation prevented a major oil spill, with minimal economic impact.
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Francine, now a tropical storm, is approaching the Gulf of Mexico and threatening vital energy infrastructure, including refineries and offshore platforms.
The expansion of coal mines in China could compromise its climate targets and increase methane emissions, warns a study by Global Energy Monitor (GEM).

Methane emissions soar, jeopardizing climate targets

Despite international reduction commitments, methane emissions are rising at a record pace, posing major risks for global climate and energy policies.
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The Think Pink trial opens in Sweden. The company and its executives are accused of serious violations of toxic waste management standards, impacting the waste management industry.
Ofgem imposes a £25 million penalty on Drax for inaccurate information on the sustainability of the biomass used in its power plants.

Trinidad and Tobago: Armed intrusion around the wreck of the Gulfstream tanker

The wreck of the oil tanker *Gulfstream* in Trinidad and Tobago, refloated after a major oil spill, is at the heart of security tensions, with attempted intrusions leading to exchanges of fire.
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Ecuador is embarking on a delicate transition to stop extracting oil from Block 43, in response to the 2023 referendum, in the face of major economic and logistical challenges.
South Africa's Advertising Regulatory Board (ARB) has sanctioned TotalEnergies for misleading claims in an advertising campaign highlighting its environmental commitment.

Oil spill in Venezuela: The El Palito refinery is once again to blame

A significant oil spill is paralyzing fishing and tourism on Venezuela's northwest coast, exacerbating the challenges already facing the country's energy sector.
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Lithium mining in Argentina, a key driver of the global energy transition, generates economic opportunities while posing serious environmental and social challenges for local communities.
NGOs are stepping up their campaign against Citigroup, denouncing its continued financing of fossil fuel projects in the midst of a climate emergency.

Increased risk of “mega-earthquake” in Japan after magnitude 7.1 quake

The magnitude 7.1 earthquake in southern Japan prompted the immediate mobilization of the authorities and the suspension of a diplomatic trip by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, in view of the risk of a "mega-earthquake".
Kazakh authorities impose a fine of 26.6 million euros on Caspiy Neft for environmental violations, marking a rare severity in this sector.
The Kurdish authorities are closing 138 illegal refineries and imposing strict standards on the others to combat pollution in Erbil.