Africa / bneGREEN

Global biofuel production up sevenfold in the last two decades - OWID

bne IntelliNews May 11, 2026

In the late 20th century, a handful of countries — led by Brazil and the United States — turned to liquid biofuels to reduce their dependence on foreign oil markets, producing transport fuels from cheap crops instead.

Solar-plus-storage fall below those of fossil fuels - IRENA

Ben Aris in Berlin May 8, 2026

wRenewable power paired with battery storage is becoming cost-competitive with fossil fuels for around-the-clock electricity supply, according to a new report from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).

Super El Niño threat could add to Iran war inflation shock

Ben Aris in Berlin May 7, 2026

A growing risk of a “Super El Niño” later this year is fuelling concerns among economists and commodity traders that it will only add to the inflation shock already on the way as a result of spiking energy prices due to the Iran war.

Coal mines are leaking vast amounts of methane into the atmosphere and almost no one is measuring it - Ember

Ben Aris in Berlin May 4, 2026

Almost five years after 159 countries signed the Global Methane Pledge committing to cut anthropogenic methane emissions by 30% by 2030, coal mines are releasing roughly the same amount of the potent greenhouse gases.

Renewables met 100% of global electricity demand growth in 2025 that will speed America's decline

Ben Aris in Berlin May 1, 2026

For the first time in history, renewables covered all new global electricity demand in 2025, and the oil shock of the Iran war will only accelerate the move away from the reliance on fossil fuels, according to a report by Ember.

A super El Niño due this year and the world is not ready

Ben Aris in Berlin April 27, 2026

The numbers released last week by an international consortium of climate scientists are remarkable in their uniformity. Every single key indicator of the state of the Earth's climate system set a new record in 2025. And not in a good way.

Renewables overtake coal in global electricity mix – Statista

Tristan Gaudiaut for Statista April 23, 2026

Ten years after the Paris Agreement was opened for signature by member states at the UN Headquarters in New York on April 22, 2016, the global energy transition is beginning to reshape the electricity mix, Statista reports.

Germany grants new $234mn climate loan to South Africa amid grid strain

bne IntelliNews April 14, 2026

Germany has extended a €200mn concessional loan to South Africa to support grid expansion & renewable energy, reinforcing European backing for the country’s just energy transition as transmission constraints continue to limit new power capacity.

Battery costs have declined by 99% in the last three decades, making electrified transport a reality – OWID

bne IntelliNews April 10, 2026

Over 20mn electric cars were sold globally in 2025 — some for as little as $10,000. Even just two decades ago, that would have been impossible. The reason it's possible now? Batteries have gotten much cheaper.

Falling electrotech costs create a fast catch up path for Global South

Ben Aris in Berlin April 8, 2026

A new energy pathway is emerging for developing economies, one that challenges the assumption that fossil fuels are a prerequisite for growth, according to a new report by Ember.

The world could run out of chocolate by 2050

bne IntelliNews April 7, 2026

The world could face a severe shortage of chocolate by 2050 as climate change disrupts cocoa production in key growing regions, according to scientific estimates and industry data.

Extreme heat will kill more people in poor countries than the rich

Ben Aris in Berlin March 26, 2026

Poorer countries are projected to suffer sharply higher mortality from the increasing frequency of extreme heatwaves than wealthier nations, with death rates potentially rising by as much as tenfold.

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