COP30 Bulletin Day 1: Host nation Brazil averts agenda row at opening
In a compromise solution, the COP30 presidency will hold consultations on four contentious issues – climate finance, trade measures, 1.5C ambition and transparency of national data
World leaders get behind climate action at first COP in the Amazon
Government heads urged political unity on efforts to tackle climate change while criticising President Trump and others who are undermining that push
Morocco sets date for coal phase-out for the first time in climate plan
The 2040 deadline is dependent on external support, but the phase-out will still be achieved unconditionally in the 2040s, according to the country’s updated NDC
Global South campaigners question inclusivity of COP30 as some stay home
Civil society groups hoped to send large numbers to the UN climate talks in Brazil, but developing-country activists say it’s too expensive and they have received limited badges
Paris Agreement helping to avert dozens of hot days each year, scientists say
Emissions cuts under the 2015 climate accord are stemming the number of hot days globally, highlighting the treaty’s role in tackling global warming, according to new study
Angola lowers climate ambition in blow to “spirit” of Paris Agreement
The country’s latest climate plan slashes its emissions-cutting target, a move the government says is realistic given Angola’s economic challenges and lack of international support
After building huge new dam, Ethiopia warns of hydropower’s drought risk
Ethiopia wants to reduce heavy reliance on hydropower to diversify to solar and wind in the face of climate-induced droughts
Nigeria gives fossil gas a bigger role as “transition fuel” in climate plan
Officials say the country needs time and money to ramp up renewables, but critics say betting on gas is a risky strategy that could prolong the “oil curse”
Can COP30 turn adaptation talks into real-world investments?
Brazil’s COP30 presidency team wants adaptation high on the agenda in Belem, to move from technical negotiations to action on the ground
Addis summit trumpets African climate solutions, while quietly backing gas
African nations sent a strong message on driving green growth with homegrown resources, but were criticised for their softer stance on fossil fuels
Ethiopia’s preparedness puts it ahead of Nigeria in bid to host COP32, campaigners say
Ethiopia’s logistics, infrastructure and climate diplomacy make it seem better placed to host the 2027 UN climate talks than its West African rival – for now
To meet Africa’s clean energy goals, investors urged to tolerate higher risk
A risk-averse approach is holding back investment in African renewables projects, which need to be well-structured and supported by blended finance and guarantees, energy funders say
At climate summit, African leaders call for a bigger role in energy transition
African government heads appeal for climate investments, as the continent grapples with slow progress towards its vision of becoming a clean energy hub
Second Africa Climate Summit seeks to jump hurdles to green industrialisation
A report on progress since the first summit in 2023 says financial, infrastructure and trade obstacles are hampering “climate-positive growth” on the continent
UN experts accuse top oil firms of rights violations over Nigerian asset sales
Divestments were made without paying hefty clean-up bills or compensating communities in the pollution-scarred Niger Delta, UN working group says
Boom in solar panel imports boosts hopes for clean energy take-off in Africa
Africa’s solar imports from China jumped 60% in the 12 months to June 2025, reaching an all-time high
Employers need plans to protect workers from rising heat stress, UN says
As temperatures rise, the UN’s health and weather agencies release guidelines to reduce risks for workers facing extreme heat
“Epic” effort needed to hit 2050 nuclear power target, experts say
Nuclear energy is back in favour as a low-emissions alternative to fossil fuels, but high costs and long build times make a goal to triple capacity by 2050 seem a tall order
EU advises DR Congo against oil drilling in “Green Corridor”
The DRC has opened bids for drilling rights in oil blocks cutting across half of the country and most of the EU-backed green corridor, raising fears of forest destruction
Bad timing for change of leader at Nigeria’s climate council, campaigners say
Three months before COP30 and weeks from a deadline to submit an updated national climate plan, Nigeria’s NCCC has got its third director-general since 2022
Amid logistics crunch, UN committee pressures Brazil for urgent COP30 solutions
Anger is mounting about sky-high hotel prices and a lack of rooms in Belém, sparking calls for the summit to be moved from the Amazon to a bigger Brazilian city
Global goal for clean cooking by 2030 out of Africa’s reach, IEA says
A shortage of funding and infrastructure means sub-Saharan Africa will have to delay the deadline to 2040, the International Energy Agency estimates
Rich nations accused of delaying loss and damage fund with slow payments
Wealthy countries have handed over less than half of what they promised to the loss and damage fund for victims of climate change
Nigeria’s push to cash in on lithium rush gets off to a rocky start
The West African nation wants to supply refined lithium to the EV battery industry to diversify its economy away from oil – but early processing efforts are facing challenges