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Shell, fresh from last year's bumper fossil fuel profits, on Thursday outlined fears about how increasing scrutiny of its oil and gas operations in regard to climate change could seriously damage its business.

The European Commission on Thursday set out plans to extend the relaxation of state aid rules and simplifying processes for member states to support key green sectors, aiming to rid the bloc of costly red tape in an increasingly heated global clean technology race. 

Germany's economy ministry (BMWK) will consider imposing Contracts for Difference (CfDs) to promote renewable energies, as part of a new industrial plan presented on Thursday.

The EU’s energy commissioner Kadri Simson announced Thursday that member states will be asked to prolong the current 15% voluntary gas demand reduction goal for another year amid ongoing supply concerns. 

The ICE exchange has announced more offset auctions as it attempts to drum up corporate demand to lay the groundwork for standardisation in the voluntary carbon market (VCM).

Climate crisis to deliver ‘ongoing systemic shocks’ to production as hot conditions become more frequent, researchers say

Climate conditions that reduce coffee yield have become more frequent over the past four decades, with rising temperatures from global heating likely to lead to “ongoing systemic shocks” to coffee production globally, new research suggests.

Researchers analysed the impacts of climate factors such as temperature, rainfall and humidity in the top 12 coffee-producing countries globally between 1980 and 2020.

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The UK's independent climate advisors recommended on Thursday that the government phase out controversial subsidies for unabated biomass by 2027, touching on an area that will form a key part of the country's soon-to-be updated net zero strategy.

Singapore has added ACR and ART TREES as its fourth and fifth global carbon offset standards to supply carbon credits that domestic companies can buy to count towards their carbon tax obligations.

European carbon prices reversed direction on Thursday morning after an early tilt at €100 as the daily auction garnered the lowest total demand of the year to date and triggered a sizeable sell-off, while energy prices drifted lower.

Exclusive: One-fifth of money given directly to fossil fuel industry was to support new extraction and mining

The UK government has given £20bn more in support to fossil fuel producers than those of renewables since 2015, the Guardian can reveal.

The research, commissioned by the Liberal Democrats, found that while renewable energy was given £60bn in support over that time, fossil fuel companies were given close to £80bn.

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The island province of Hainan has become the latest Chinese jurisdiction to release regulations for a so-called “inclusive” small-scale carbon offset scheme, reiterating the regional government's focus on the development of blue carbon and other nature-based projects.

A weekly summary of our biodiversity news plus bite-sized updates from around the world. All articles in this edition are free to read (no subscription required).

The Australian government has gained enough parliamentary votes to ensure its A$15 billion ($9.9 billion) National Reconstruction Fund (NRF) is passed thanks to support from the Greens in the Senate, while the issuance of Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) remains modest.

Japanese shipping company Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) and steel manufacturer Kobe Steel have offset CO2 emissions from the fuel used in the ocean transport of iron ore from Australia to Japan with the purchase of carbon credits for the Rimba Raya forestry project in Indonesia, the two companies announced on Thursday.

The sinking of oil tanker MT Princess Empress off the coast of Mindoro island in the Philippines has forced the area into a state of emergency, disrupting the marine environment, businesses and more than 15,000 fishers

Read more: What happens when a huge ship sinks? A step-by-step guide to averting disaster

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Government needs to introduce new ambitious energy policies before next general election, advisers say

Ministers must take control of the UK’s energy system, removing the barriers to planning permission and problems with the national electricity grid, to build the windfarms and other renewable power needed to meet net-zero goals, government advisers have warned.

Chris Stark, chief executive of the committee on climate change, the statutory adviser, said the task was too urgent to wait until after a general election, expected within the next 18 months. “It would be an enormous mistake to wait until the next general election to introduce new ambitious policy,” he said.

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Exclusive: Groups say chancellor needs to kickstart renewed drive to help cut bills and reduce emissions

A coalition of charities and campaigners have demanded the chancellor funnel more funds into making Britain’s leaky housing stock energy efficient at next week’s budget to help cut bills and protect the environment.

In a letter to Jeremy Hunt, more than 20 organisations asked the government to set aside at least £6bn a year over the next decade to support an acceleration in insulating home and installations of heat pumps.

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Feedback on the Australian government’s nature repair market draft legislation has highlighted the proposal’s current lack of detail, calling for greater clarity on key areas, while some are concerned about the potential for perverse outcomes, particularly in jurisdictions where conservation laws are lacking.

Macquarie Island isn’t just a windswept rock halfway to Antarctica. It’s a globally unique home to dozens of bird and marine mammal species, hence the government’s plans to give it greater protection. Ian Cresswell, Adjunct professor, UNSW Sydney Andrew John Constable, Leader, Southern Ocean Ecosystem Research, University of Tasmania Keith Reid, Honorary Research Associate Nic Bax, Director, NERP Marine Biodiversity Hub, CSIRO Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Ross Garnaut-led retailer announces plans to develop a big battery, after buying up a partly developed project near Gawler in South Australia.

The post Zen Energy unveils big battery plans, with a first project ready to go on its home turf appeared first on RenewEconomy.