Global leaders confront financial aid, methane regulation and US climate stance at COP29

World leaders and climate advocates gather in Baku for COP29, focusing on setting climate finance goals, energy transitions and countering the effects of the U.S.'s shifting commitments under Trump.

Jake Bittle reports for Grist.

In short:

COP29's top priority is determining new financial aid targets from wealthy countries to support climate adaptation in developing nations, though debates over adequate contributions persist.
U.S. leadership in global climate action is in doubt as Trump’s reelection looms, putting pressure on other major economies, especially China and the EU, to fill the gap.
Regulators will push for stronger methane emission rules, including agriculture for the first time, and revisit debates over nuclear energy and carbon capture.

Key quote:

“It is about whether the finance actually reaches the ones who need it the most.”

— Emilie Beauchamp, International Institute for Sustainable Development.

Why this matters:

Developing countries, often least responsible for climate change, need funds to address worsening climate impacts, yet they struggle to secure reliable aid. As the U.S. retreats, other nations must decide whether to expand their commitments to meet global climate goals.

grist.org

A semi truck hauling a large gas container

Credit: Vladdon/Big Stock Photo

Industrial gas giants quietly outpace tech and oil companies in power use and emissions

Companies producing everyday gases like nitrogen and oxygen are among the world’s largest electricity consumers, responsible for 2% of carbon emissions in China and the U.S. Despite their massive climate footprint, firms such as Linde, Air Liquide, and Air Products have largely escaped public scrutiny.

Read the Full Article on

www.latimes.com

man wearing black t-shirt close-up photography raising his hand in a college classroom

Credit: Felicia Buitenwerf/Unsplash

Climate change ‘is the new liberal arts’: Colleges build environmental lessons into degrees

The University of California, San Diego, is among a growing number of colleges requiring all undergraduates to take courses on climate change, reflecting a shift in higher education toward preparing students in every field to understand and respond to the global climate crisis.

Read the Full Article on

hechingerreport.org

Global leaders confront financial aid, methane regulation and US climate stance at COP29

Industrial gas giants quietly outpace tech and oil companies in power use and emissions

How Carney’s first budget impacts the environment

$10 trillion in green investments counter Trump’s climate backlash

Climate change ‘is the new liberal arts’: Colleges build environmental lessons into degrees

Ethanol plant spills harmful wastewater into Philippine marine reserve

Typhoon Kalmaegi leaves dozens dead in central Philippines

The global race to slash emissions — in nine charts

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.