Zero carbon electricity overtakes fossil fuels for first time in the U.K.
Britain is set to achieve a historic milestone this year, with more electricity generated from zero carbon sources than fossil fuels.
Oil, natural gas & divestment
This archive tracks meaningful progress on oil, natural gas, and divestment — from institutions pulling funds out of fossil fuels to policy shifts that reshape energy finance. Stories here document what’s actually changing, and who’s driving it.
Ecuador Amazon tribe win first victory against oil companies
Ecuador’s Waorani indigenous tribe won their first victory against big oil companies in a ruling that blocks entry onto ancestral lands for oil exploration.
Canada bans deep-sea mining, oil and gas drilling in marine protected areas
The decision, which also prevents waste dumping and bottom trawling, helps inch Canada closer to its international commitment to protect 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas by 2020.
China’s electric vehicle sales grow 118% year on year and fossil sales fall 13% in Q1 2019
The China passenger car association’s first quarter figures are in, and electric vehicle sales continue their rapid rise, up 118% year on year, to over 254,000.
Norway is starting the world’s biggest divestment in oil and gas
The Government Pension Fund Global, which was built off Norway’s oil revenues, will begin phasing out $8 billion held in 134 firms to reduce the fund’s risk from volatile oil prices.
Shell becomes first energy company to link executive pay to carbon emissions
Royal Dutch Shell caved in to growing investor pressure over climate change, setting out plans to introduce industry-leading carbon emissions targets linked to executive pay.
Denmark to ban sale of new fossil fuel cars in 11 years
The prime minister of Denmark announced that the country will be banning the sale of new gasoline and diesel-fueled cars in 2030 as a means of reducing their carbon footprint.
Royal Bank of Scotland to stop financing new coal plants, oil sands or arctic oil projects
RBS said it would no longer directly finance new coal-fired power stations or thermal coal mines, oil sands or Arctic oil projects and unsustainable vegetation or peatland clearance projects.
Premature birth rates drop in California after coal and oil plants shut down, study finds
Within a year of eight coal- and oil-fired power plant retirements, the rate of preterm births in mothers living close by dropped, finds new study on air pollution.
Costa Rica to ban fossil fuels and become world’s first decarbonised society
New president embraces ‘titanic and beautiful task’ of complete renewable energy transition.