The UN special rapporteur on environmental defenders Michel Forst has said the UK’s crackdown on climate protesters is chilling, regressive and a restriction on fundamental freedoms.
A new analysis finds that key oil export ports in Saudi Arabia, the U.S. and other nations could be severely damaged by rising sea levels, which experts warn is a consequence of the continued burning of fossil fuels.
Thirteen major oil ports, including Ras Tanura and Yanbu in Saudi Arabia and Houston in the U.S., face critical risks from a 1-meter sea level rise.
Researchers warn that accelerated ice melt could trigger this rise as early as 2070, threatening global energy infrastructure.
Critics argue that continued reliance on fossil fuels increases the risk of supply disruptions due to damaged port infrastructure.
Key quote:
“It’s ironic these oil tanker ports are below 1 metre of sea level rise and need to have their eyes on these potentially higher rates of sea level rise, which themselves come from continued fossil fuel use.”
— Pam Pearson, International Cryosphere Climate Initiative director
Why this matters:
Global energy hubs are highly vulnerable to rising seas, putting a fifth of the world’s oil exports at risk. Transitioning to renewable energy could mitigate damage and ensure long-term energy stability amid a changing climate.
New House Speaker Mike Johnson has pledged to bolster U.S. energy production by fast-tracking oil and gas permits, opposing electric vehicle incentives and making it easier for federal lands to be transferred to states.
Mike Johnson, sworn in as House Speaker, emphasized expanding fossil fuel production and ending support for the Green New Deal and EV subsidies.
House Republicans passed a measure making it easier to transfer federal lands to state and local governments without considering lost federal revenues.
Environmental groups warn that such policies could lead to privatization of public lands, restricting public access and increasing resource extraction.
Key quote:
“If those lands get sold off, given to states, you’re going to see large privatization. You’re going to see loss of access and large-scale development.”
— Michael Carroll, Wilderness Society public lands campaign director
Why this matters:
Federal lands contribute to conservation, recreation, and government revenue from resource leases. Loosening protections could increase environmental degradation and privatization, while critics argue that public land sales prioritize short-term gains over long-term public benefit.
House Republicans are consolidating their legislative efforts into one expansive bill, aiming to address energy, tax and border policies while sidestepping procedural hurdles.
Republicans plan to streamline permitting reform and energy policy into a single reconciliation bill, focusing on revenue-generating projects like oil and gas leases and repealing clean energy tax breaks.
House Speaker Mike Johnson set an aggressive timeline to deliver the bill to President-elect Donald Trump by April, prioritizing energy independence, tax cuts and border security.
GOP leaders are strategizing to use reconciliation rules to bypass Senate opposition, emphasizing revenue-driven initiatives, despite challenges balancing conservation spending and climate-related guardrails.
Key quote:
“I don’t think there’s any question that energy is going to be where we’re going to get a big pay-for.”
— Rep. Kevin Hern, Republican Policy Committee chair
Why this matters:
Tax cuts and drilling revenue might look good on paper, but slashing clean energy incentives risks derailing the country’s already fragile progress on climate-warming emissions reductions. As the clock ticks, expect battles over climate safeguards, conservation funding and what “energy independence” really means in an era of escalating climate risks.
House Speaker Mike Johnson’s ambiguous stance on climate change raises concerns among moderate and climate-focused Republicans as the GOP grapples with energy and environmental policy.
Since taking the gavel, Johnson has avoided clear statements on human-driven climate change, leaving his position uncertain.
Moderates and the Conservative Climate Caucus seek stronger commitments to climate solutions, while some hardline Republicans prioritize energy dominance and fossil fuel support.
Johnson's record suggests a focus on deregulation and skepticism toward international climate agreements, reflecting priorities shaped by his Louisiana district’s economic ties to oil and gas.
Key quote:
"Republicans engage on climate differently than Democrats do."
— Heather Reams, president of Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions
Why this matters:
As Speaker, Johnson’s decisions will shape whether Republicans support or weaken clean energy incentives and climate policies. His approach could affect U.S. emissions goals and future bipartisan environmental legislation.
The U.S. Treasury Department has released its final rules for hydrogen tax credits, aiming to boost clean hydrogen production while addressing industry concerns and climate safeguards.
Companies making clean hydrogen can claim tax credits, with looser annual electricity matching rules in place until 2030.
Nuclear reactors set for retirement may qualify for credits if hydrogen production helps them remain operational.
The guidance also clarifies conditions for using landfill, farm or coal mine methane to produce hydrogen if it reduces emissions.
Key quote:
“Clean hydrogen can play a critical role decarbonizing multiple sectors across our economy, from industry to transportation, from energy storage to much more.”
— David Turk, deputy U.S. secretary of energy
Why this matters:
While hydrogen could play a significant role in decarbonizing sectors like steelmaking and transportation, the cost gap between clean hydrogen and fossil fuel-based alternatives remains wide. These final rules aim to foster investment while addressing concerns about grid emissions. Yet, economic and political uncertainties may impact the industry's growth.
New York's revived congestion pricing plan is set to take effect despite lawsuits and bipartisan pushback, with federal approval secured just weeks before Donald Trump’s inauguration.
Gov. Kathy Hochul reinstated the toll plan after initially delaying it due to political concerns, lowering the fee from $15 to $9 to soften commuter opposition.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, New York teachers' unions and Manhattan residents filed lawsuits opposing the tolls, citing financial burdens and design flaws.
Supporters argue the tolls will raise $15 billion to improve mass transit and reduce congestion, but some warn of political fallout for Hochul and Democrats in swing districts.
Key quote:
“This reflects the kind of erratic and chaotic governance one would expect from a Trump presidency.”
— Democratic Rep. Ritchie Torres
Why this matters:
The toll plan aims to combat traffic and pollution while funding mass transit, but it has become a flashpoint in regional and national politics. With Trump's return looming, opponents hope to reverse federal approval, and its economic impact on commuters remains a contentious issue.
Vermont's lawsuit against Exxon Mobil, Shell and Sunoco, accusing them of misleading consumers about fossil fuel-related climate risks, has survived an effort to dismiss it, though the case may stretch on for years.
Vermont’s lawsuit claims oil companies misled consumers about the climate impacts of fossil fuels.
A judge rejected arguments from the companies about jurisdiction, free speech and time limits.
Vermont also passed a law requiring oil companies to pay for local climate damage, prompting a separate legal challenge.
Key quote:
"They express that value in the purchases they make, and in this instance, they were deprived of knowing the truth about fossil fuel companies because the fossil fuel companies actively deprived them of the truth. And that’s what this case is about."
— Charity Clark, Vermont attorney general
Why this matters:
As extreme weather becomes more frequent, legal action against oil giants could shift accountability and funding for climate-related damages. Vermont has been a leader in such actions: Recent passage of the state's Climate Superfund Act, which is separate from the consumer protection lawsuit, sets a national precedent, drawing both support and legal challenges that could impact environmental policy nationwide.
Legal and industry experts say there are uncertainties about the future of hydrogen hubs, a cornerstone of the Biden administration’s clean energy push.
