Countries ramp up fossil fuel investments, dimming COP29 climate goals

World leaders head to Azerbaijan for COP29 as wealthy nations increase fossil fuel projects despite pledges to reduce emissions, casting doubt on the conference's effectiveness.

Chico Harlan reports for The Washington Post.

In short:

Despite climate commitments, countries including the U.S., Norway and Australia expanded fossil fuel production and permits over the past year.
These nations now face criticism for “oil and gas exploration sprees” amid global warnings about the shrinking carbon budget for keeping temperature increases below 1.5°C.
Fossil fuel expansion continues as renewables struggle to meet surging global energy demands, while the U.N. climate agenda prioritizes finance for vulnerable countries over direct fossil fuel reductions.

Key quote:

“When governments sign new oil and gas licenses, they are signing away our future.”

— António Guterres, U.N. secretary general

Why this matters:

The widening gap between climate pledges and fossil fuel expansion undercuts global efforts to cap warming at 1.5°C, as emissions from ongoing projects risk crossing this threshold within five years. Wealthy nations’ choices on fossil fuel development set a precedent for other countries and impact the planet's most vulnerable populations.

www.washingtonpost.com

Countries ramp up fossil fuel investments, dimming COP29 climate goals

New office at Stony Brook University links climate, community and health

Fragmented forests sequester less carbon

EU countries are bailing out fossil fuels instead of funding the green transition, Greenpeace warns

Experts: You have some power to reduce your AI environmental footprint

Indigenous cultural practices are a climate solution, report finds

Carbon captured

After a civil rights complaint, Chicago built an extensive air-monitoring network

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Pennsylvania health advocates say Trump’s first 100 days in office have caused “100 harms” to local communities

“They're terrorizing these scientists because they want to keep them silent.”

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.