This briefing reveals that over the last 10 years, the Norwegian government awarded as many exploration licenses (700) as in the 47 years prior, making Norway Europe’s most aggressive explorer for new oil and gas. Norway claims to be a climate leader, but its actions suggest otherwise.
Oil and gas
New research: E3F countries need to shift their EUR 20 billion in export finance for fossil fuels to renewables
A policy brief released today by OCI and ODI shows that despite their commitment to align financial flows with climate goals under the Paris Agreement adopted in 2015, the E3F countries still provided €20 billion in export finance for fossil fuel projects abroad between 2018 and 2020.
France joins commitment to end international oil, gas, and coal finance by 2022
Today’s announcement comes after the Netherlands, Germany and Spain confirmed their participation in the initiative earlier this week and alongside confirmations from Belgium and Sri Lanka today. The French development bank — AFD — had already signed up to the statement, but not the French government as a whole.
New report exposes five wealthy countries whose fossil fuel production threatens chance at 1.5ºC
The new report finds that wealthy nations — the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Norway, and Australia — planning to approve and subsidize new fossil fuel projects which undermines their recent claims of leadership in addressing the climate crisis.
The Fossil Fuelled Five: Comparing Rhetoric with Reality on Fossil Fuels and Climate Change
The new report finds that wealthy nations — the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Norway, and Australia — planning to approve and subsidize new fossil fuel projects which undermines their recent claims of leadership in addressing the climate crisis.
Spain joins commitment to end international oil, gas, and coal finance, bringing total for potential finance shifted to USD 23.6 billion per year
This increases the number of signatories to 30 and the annual average of potential public finance shifted out of fossil fuels and into clean energy to at least USD 23.6 billion per year. This equals 37% of annual public finance for fossil fuels provided by G20 countries and the Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) between 2018 and 2020.
New OECD coal financing restrictions represent weak progress
Today the OECD Export Credit Group announced new restrictions on its support for overseas coal projects. The restrictions do not address export finance for coal mines and related infrastructure, nor oil and gas financing even if the latest IEA report shows that investments in new fossil fuel production need to end this year to limit warming to 1.5°C.
IEA’s first 1.5°C-aligned scenario bolsters call for no new fossil fuel extraction
The IEA’s new 1.5°C-aligned scenario finds “no need for investment in new fossil fuel supply.” This represents a break from past IEA reports that boosted new oil and gas development by focusing on scenarios that steered the world towards catastrophic levels of warming. This is a big step in the right direction.
Only 6 months left till COP26. What must the UK do to make it a success?
With only six months left till COP26, the UK host has work to do. Ending public finance for fossil fuel projects overseas shows potential, but the UK’s lack of action on fossil fuels domestically risks undermining its credibility.
Is this even legal? Governments propping up fossil fuel production with public money.
Despite the need to rapidly wind-down fossil fuels to avert the worst of the climate crisis, governments worldwide continue to prop up fossil fuel production with huge sums of public money. They may be breaking international law.