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Jennifer McDermott and Sibi Arasu, The Associated Press
The Associated Press reports that the nations have preserved a plan to adopt the first global “carbon fee” on shipping. It adds that at the conclusion of the International Maritime Organization’s meeting in London last week, nations agreed to keep working on the framework, but also agreed to discuss alternative proposals. Climate Home News reports that nations decided to hold three weeks of talks later this year to “get clean shipping measures over the line”. The Financial Times states that “US rearguard action against a world-first decarbonisation framework for shipping has left the initiative in limbo”, ahead of a final decision on the framework later this year.
Attracta Mooney, Financial Times
The Financial Times reports that more than double the volume of gas that has been cut off due to the blockade of the strait of Hormuz is being wasted each year by countries that have failed to deal with methane leaks and unnecessary flaring. BusinessGreen adds that the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) annual stocktake suggests that there was no sign that energy-related methane emissions fell in 2025. It continues that the IEA noted that 70% of methane emissions from fossil fuels could be abated using existing technologies. The Guardian reports that the report shows that methane emissions from Australia’s coal mines are more than double official government estimates.
Kate Abnett, Reuters
Reuters reports that the European Commission has drafted plans to give more free emissions permits to industries over the next few years, according to an internal EU document seen by the newswire. It adds that the EU’s carbon market has been under growing political pressure from member states who are “worried about Europe's faltering economic competitiveness”. The article says that the document seen by Reuters showed that the commission plans to start including companies' indirect emissions in calculations it uses to determine how many free carbon permits industries receive between 2026 and 2030. Bloomberg notes that the commission is expected to propose €4bn ($4.7bn) more in free emissions permits.
In other EU news, the Financial Times reports that the European Commission has blocked public funding for Chinese providers of a key solar power technology, citing security concerns. It adds that the commission has said that imported inverters, which are used to control solar-panel installations and other energy technologies, represented one of “the most pressing threats” to the EU’s critical infrastructure. Le Monde reports that the policy will apply to inverters from China, including from notable firms such as Huawei and Sungrow, but also from Russia, Iran and North Korea. Euractiv also has the story.
MORE ON EU
The Financial Times covers criticisms by the IMF of EU governments for failing to target fuel-duty cuts and other energy price support at only the most vulnerable. The Financial Times reports that the sales of heat pumps have jumped in major European countries over the first quarter of 2026. BBC News reports that Amsterdam has become the “world's first capital city to ban public advertisements for both meat and fossil-fuel products”. Reuters reports that the EU has removed leather from its anti-deforestation law, following pressure from industry. The Financial Times reports that Shell is lobbying the EU over rules on “how green its green hydrogen must be”. The Financial Times reports that the European Commission’s spending on energy consultants has increased by 433% to €127m since 2014.
Martha Muir, Financial Times
In a story featured on its frontpage, the Financial Times reports that US president Donald Trump’s administration has brought onshore wind development in the nation to a halt, citing national security concerns. It adds that this represents a major escalation in Trump's “crusade against renewable energy”. The article notes that approvals for around 165 onshore wind projects on private lands are now being stalled by the Department of Defense. The Daily Telegraph adds that in March, it was reported that 30 US windfarms were on hold, as the Trump administration refused to sign off on military approvals. The New York Times adds that companies have said the delays have “worsened significantly in recent weeks”, marking the “latest escalation in President Trump’s efforts to stop wind power, a technology he detests”.
Relatedly, the Associated Press reports that California is investigating the Trump administration’s deal to end an offshore wind project. It adds that the California Energy Commission (CEC) has issued an administrative subpoena to the Golden State Wind project to seek information about its recent agreement to accept a payout in exchange for voluntarily abandoning its lease. Reuters quotes CEC chair David Hochschild, who said in a statement: "Californians deserve immediate answers about the nature of this payout. Taxpayer dollars should be used to build a sustainable energy future, not to pay to make projects disappear."
MORE ON US
Inside Climate News reports that the Trump administration is pushing “peace pipelines” to boost LNG exports to Europe. Relatedly, Reuters reports that US LNG exports to Asia have “surged”. Politico covers threats made by Trump on social media to raise tariffs on EU automotive imports by 25%. The Guardian reports that solar is “booming” in the midwest amid the energy crisis. Bloomberg reports that the US is now the “oil supplier of last resort” as the disruption caused by the Iran war worsens. The New York Times reports that the Trump administration is suing Minnesota in an effort to block a lawsuit filed against major fossil-fuel companies over their role in climate change. Reuters reports that the California Department of Insurance has said insurance company State Farm mishandled claims relating to the January 2025 Los Angeles wildfires.
Al Jazeera
Al Jazeera reports that at least 18 people have died in flooding and landslides caused by heavy rain in Kenya. It adds that landslides have now been reported in Tharaka Nithi, Elgeyo-Marakwet and Kiambu counties. The article notes that “experts have long warned that human-induced climate change is exacerbating weather conditions in Kenya and other East African countries”. The Associated Press adds that more than 54,000 households have been affected by the flooding, including 6,000 in the capital, Nairobi.
MORE ON AFRICA
The Financial Times covers comments by Eskom chief executive Dan Marokane, saying that South Africa now has surplus power. The Financial Times reports that Liberia is facing the loss of “vital development bank support unless it approves the sale of carbon credits, as rainforest nations come under pressure to sell the credits to airlines”.
Dinesh Nair and Mitchell Ferman, Bloomberg
Bloomberg reports that oil and gas giant BP is considering exiting part or all of its operations in the North Sea, as the giant “works to strip assets and pay down debt”. It adds that “BP’s review is ongoing and there’s no certainty that the company will decide to pursue any divestment in the North Sea”. The article notes that BP is one of the last remaining oil majors operating in the UK North Sea and has been shrinking its presence in the region over the last decade. The Daily Telegraph adds that Meg O’Neill, who took over as chief executive in April, is “reportedly mulling a sale of all or part of its offshore operations that would fetch up to £2bn and could pave the way for a move to the US stock market”. Reuters and the Daily Mail also have the story. The Times asks whether “oil giants [could] face another tax on ‘morally wrong’ profits” following criticism by UK energy secretary Ed Miliband.
MORE ON UK ENERGY
The Daily Telegraph reports that “Britain is creating a mountain of nuclear waste it doesn’t know what to do with”. The Guardian covers a warning from trade body RenewableUK, that if the Reform UK party is elected, it could “cause Truss-style chaos”. The Daily Telegraph reports that new nuclear plant Hinkley Point C is facing fresh delays after Natural England calls for additional protection for nature at the site. The
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