British MPs Call for an End to Oil Aid:

May 1, 2007By Andy RowellBlog Post

British Member of Parliament, Michael Meacher, has introduced an “early day motion” that calls on the British aid agency, the Department for International Development, to stop subsidizing oil companies through development agencies like the World Bank. Other Members of Parliament are invited to endorse the motion, which will stay open until November. A similar motion … Read More

Heating up for Wolfowitz at the Bank

May 1, 2007By Andy RowellBlog Post

The Government Accountability Project (GAP) is accusing beleaguered World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz of trying to weaken references to climate change in the World Bank’s Clean Energy and Investment Framework. GAP has released an internal summary of a February 2006 World Bank meeting on the Framework. The summary includes the following passage: “Feedback from the … Read More

Kurds To Oppose Draft Oil Law

May 1, 2007By Andy RowellBlog Post 1 Comment

In a surprise move, Kurdish lawmakers have announced that they plan to oppose Iraq’s controversial US-backed oil law. Back in February, the Kurds had agreed to support the draft law, which has been heavily criticised as giving too much control to foreign oil companies. Oil Minister Hussain al-Shahristani had predicted the draft law would be … Read More

Oil Security Discussed in Saudi

May 1, 2007By Andy RowellBlog Post

Meanwhile at another meeting this week in Saudi Arabia, the security of oil supplies will be the central theme when Middle East and Asian oil ministers meet. The meeting comes days after Riyadh said it had foiled a militant plot against its oil facilities. Asian importers – who buy 55 percent of their oil from … Read More

Scientists Outline Steps to Tackle Climate Change

May 1, 2007By Andy RowellBlog Post

Hundreds of scientists are meeting in Bangkok this week on practical steps to combat climate change. By the of the week, delegates from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change are expected to come up with technological options to curb rising levels of carbon dioxide, methane and other heat-trapping gases.