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Environment
Why do French farmers drive their tractors to Paris?
French farmers brought tractors into central Paris and closed roads throughout the country in order to call for government action on a number of grievances. Here are a few of the issues which have sparked the protest movement, and the initial responses from the government and European Union. Why are farmers protesting? Farmers in France, EU's largest agricultural producer, struggle to make a profitable due to high costs, excessive red tape, and unfair competition by countries inside and outside of the EU who do not have the same strict standards for production. MERCOSUR Farmers in France and Europe are dissatisfied
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Crude Oil
Euro defence stocks reach record highs, dollar gains due to geopolitics
The European defence stocks rose to a "record high" on Thursday as oil prices and dollar gained ground. Geopolitical tensions rumbled from Venezuela to Greenland, keeping traders guessing. seizure Two Venezuelan-linked oil tanks in the Atlantic were reported alongside the news that U.S. Secretary Marco Rubio will?attend Meet?Denmark leaders Next week we will be discussing Greenland, and there are also some mixed economic statistics. STOXX, Europe's aerospace and defence stock index, has risen nearly 2% in the first hour of a fifth consecutive day of gains. They have already risen 13% so far this year and over 260% since Russia
Natural Gas
Natural Gas
Edison CEO: Group accelerates green investments; EDF eyes minority stake sale
Edison's green investment will increase the Italian utility’s borrowings, said its CEO. EDF, the parent company, plans to sell a majority stake in the unit, to avoid an increase in its debt. The Italian utility announced earlier on Thursday that it will begin working on renewable projects in Italy with a combined power of more than 500 megawatts. Edison CEO Nicola Monti said in an interview that "EDF had many investments to be made in France, particularly in the nuclear sector. The intention to open (our) capital – only for a minor stake – is to allow Edison implement its...
Fossil Fuels
Turkey extends Russia gas contracts for an additional year in order to attract U.S. investment
Turkey has finalised an extension of one year to its gas import contracts that expire with Russia, totalling 22 bcm. It is also considering investing in U.S. production, according to the energy minister. Both import contracts with Gazprom expire by the end of the year. Turkey's share of Russian gas has steadily decreased, and is now below 40%. Turkey, Russia's final major gas market in Europe has signed deals to buy long-duration LNG, a large part of which is from the U.S. This takes advantage of the expected global abundance of LNG over the next couple of years. Bayraktar, the...
Oil & Gas Equipment
As part of an organisational review, UK-based Harbour Energy is expecting to cut 100 jobs offshore
Harbour Energy, an offshore producer with a focus on the North Sea, announced Monday that it would be cutting 100 jobs in its UK operations as part of a review of their UK organisation. Low commodity prices and a tax regime that is not competitive have put pressure on the UK oil-and-gas sector. This has led to Harbour's offshore restructuring, according to Scott Barr, Harbour's UK managing director. After a consultation phase, which is expected to end in the first quarter 2026, job cuts are planned. By 2023, 600 new jobs will be created. On top of this, the job...
Energy Markets
How much will the price of ROI-LNG drop by 2026? Russell
The market for liquefied gas is preparing itself for an increase in supply, mostly from the top exporter, the United States. However, it is not clear how low the spot price will need to fall to clear these additional volumes. According to commodity analysts Kpler, the global supply of super-chilled gasoline is forecast to reach 475 million metric tonnes in 2026. This represents a 10.2% increase over the 431 millions tons predicted for 2025. This figure is comparable to South Korea's total annual demand, which is the third largest LNG importer in the world behind China and Japan. Go Katayama,...
Oil & Gas Refining
Lukoil attracts buyers for its foreign assets
The foreign assets of Russian oil giant Lukoil, which are located in Egypt and Kazakhstan, are attracting bidders. Time is running out for the deals to be completed before U.S. sanctions can be enforced. As part of their efforts to get the Kremlin into peace talks on Ukraine, the U.S. has imposed sanctions on Lukoil. They have already blocked Lukoil’s attempts to sell foreign assets before the deadline of November 21, sanctions. Lukoil has also been affected by the sanctions in Iraq, Finland at pump stations and Bulgaria in a refinery. Governments and partners want to buy its foreign assets...
Natural Gas
Kimmeridge says the 2021 merger is a failure and calls for a complete overhaul of Coterra
Kimmeridge, an activist investor, called on Tuesday for a change in leadership and strategy within Coterra Energy. He said that the merger of Cabot Energy & Oil and Cimarex Energy into the new company by 2021 has failed to provide value and the stock is trading at a lower price than its peers. The private investment firm, in an open letter to the board, urged it to appoint a non-executive, independent chair, and to refocus its operations on the oil-rich Delaware Basin, claiming that the current mix of oil properties and gas properties had created inefficiency and reduced returns. In...
Natural Gas
Greece selects Chevron and Helleniq Energy as preferred bidders for offshore gas exploration
The Greek energy ministry announced on Friday that a consortium consisting of U.S. major oil company Chevron, and Helleniq Energy - the largest oil refiner in the country - was the preferred bidder to explore gas offshore in the southern blocks. The move follows a joint bid Chevron/Helleniq made in an Greek tender last year for the exploration of gas in four deep sea blocks near the Peloponnese Peninsula and Crete. Greece, which has very little oil production and relies heavily on gas imports to power its domestic consumption and generate electricity, is keen to explore and enhance its role...
Carbon Emissions
Indonesia resumes international carbon trading after four years
According to a copy seen on Wednesday, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has issued a decree to resume international carbon trading after a hiatus of four years. In 2021, the Southeast Asian country published carbon market regulations that focused more on compliance than voluntary markets. The regulation effectively ended all trading of carbon credits across borders, even those generated by large projects such as the Katingan Mentaya Conservation Project. Indonesia claimed that the moratorium allows the country to prioritise meeting its own greenhouse-gas reduction targets instead of selling the reductions abroad. The suspension was also a result of concerns that carbon...
Fossil Fuels
Venture Global shares slide after BP wins arbitration case over LNG cargoes
Venture Global's shares fell 17% on Friday in premarket trade after BP won an arbitration case against it over its failure in delivering liquefied gas as part of a long-term contract that was supposed to begin in late 2022. Venture Global reported on Thursday that the International Chamber of Commerce International Court of Arbitration had found it in breach of its obligations to declare that commercial operations at the Calcasieu Pass Plant had started promptly and to act as "a reasonable and prudent operator." BP, Shell Edison and Galp filed arbitration claims accusing U.S. firm of profiteering, by selling LNG...
Energy Markets
Serbia will sign a gas import agreement with Russia in October
The head of Serbia's state gas company, RTS, told the public broadcaster on Tuesday that Serbia will sign a deal for a three-year supply of gas with Russia. Dusan Bajatovic, Srbijagas, said that Serbia already has daily gas supplies of 2.5 millions cubic metres from Azerbaijan. It also receives 9.5 million cubic meters daily from Russia. Bajatovic said that Serbia has a single gas storage facility which holds 780 millions cubic metres of gas. If needed, an additional 200,000,000 cubic metres can be obtained from a storage in Hungary. Serbia is one of the few European countries that still buys...
Oil & Gas Equipment
Green Party's political influence increases as it pushes for the phase-out of Norway oil
The idea of closing oil and gas fields in Norway is unsettling. But the Green Party, a small party, is pushing for it as the global shift away from fossil fuels is looming. After the election on Monday, the Greens' seats more than doubled to seven. The ruling Labour Party needs their support to maintain a two seat majority. Arild Hermstad, leader of the Green Party, said: "We will prioritise the climate issue." "We need to make a transition away from fossil fuels and into the renewable energy sector." Norway lacks this today. The party wants to stop all exploration...
Natural Gas
Azule Energy invests $5 billion in Angola over the next five years
Guido Brusco, Eni's Chief operating officer, said on Wednesday that Azule Energy, a joint venture between Italian oil and natural gas explorer Eni, and BP, will invest an additional $5 billion in Angola within the next 4 to 5 years. This latest investment will equal the amount invested in oil and natural gas projects in Sub-Saharan Africa’s No. 2 oil producer since the joint venture was launched three years ago. Angola's regulatory system has been overhauled to attract new investment as it aims to maintain oil production at 1 million barrels per day. Brusco, speaking at an oil and natural...
Environment
Authorities warn of a 'catastrophic Friday' in Australia's southeast as bushfires rage.
On Thursday, uncontrolled bushfires ravaged Victoria's state forcing residents to evacuate. Authorities warned of a "catastrophic fire danger" rating for Friday. Two bushfires larger than 3,000 acres were burning near the towns Longwood and Walwa, as temperatures in some parts of the state are expected to reach 40 degrees Celsius. They have destroyed two structures, and they are expected to continue spreading on Friday due to the heat and wind. Authorities said that Friday's fire danger rating would be "catastrophic", which is the highest possible level. Both fires present a "real risk" of property and life loss. Jason Heffernan, Chief...
India arrests anti-fossil energy activist
Indian officials announced on Wednesday that a global environmental activist who was working to coordinate an international treaty to phase-out fossil fuels had been detained by Indian authorities and then released as part of their investigation into the use?of foreign?funds in order to 'undermine Indian energy policy. India's Enforcement Directorate conducted a search of the home of Harjeet and Jyoti Singh, who are the founders of the environmental NGO Satat Sampada. The raid was part of an investigation into the "suspicious" foreign remittances received by the organisation to promote the so-called Fossil fuel Non-Proliferation treaty in India. Vanuatu proposed the?treaty...
Document shows that France is attempting to exempt fertilizers from the EU border carbon tax.
By Kate Abnett BRUSSELS - France wants other governments to support its push to exempt fertilizers from the European Union’s?carbon border levy. It argues that this is necessary to protect the struggling?European Farmers, a draft of a document seen by revealed. The EU's "carbon" border levy came into effect on January 1. It imposes fees for CO2 emissions on the importation of steel, fertilizers and other goods. This is to prevent unfair advantages over products made in Europe where producers are already required to pay their "CO2 emissions". The draft statement circulated by France to the other EU governments calls...
Pollution
Pollution
Nestle recalls infant formula in Africa, Americas and Asia
Nestle has expanded its recall of certain batches of infant nutrition products beyond Europe. It now includes Africa, Americas, and Asia. Nestle recalled batches of SMA formula, BEBA formula, NAN formula, and Alfamino formulation because they may have been contaminated with cereulide. This toxin can cause nausea and vomiting. Health warnings have been issued in 37 countries including the majority of European states, Australia, Brazil and China. The recall puts more pressure on KitKat, Nescafe and its new CEO Philipp Navratil who is trying to restore growth with a portfolio review following management changes. Nestle shares are down 5.7% this...
Pollution
Nestle recalls infant formula in China and Brazil
Nestle has expanded its recall of certain batches of infant nutritional products beyond Europe, to include the Americas, Asia, China, and Brazil. This is according to statements from the company and the national health ministries. Nestle has recalled batches of SMA formula, BEBA formula, NAN formula, and Alfamino due to possible contamination by cereulide. This toxin can cause nausea and vomiting. At least 37 countries have issued health warnings about the possibility of contamination in infant formulas. This includes?most European States, Australia, Brazil and China. Nestle and its new CEO Philipp Navratil are under more pressure after the recall. Nestle...
Carbon Emissions
Weather service: UK to record hottest year and most sunny ever in 2025
The National Weather Service announced on Friday that Britain had its sunniest and hottest year ever in 2025. This was a record-breaking high, exceeding the previous one set in '2022. The?Met Office reported that the average annual temperature in 2018 was 10.09 degrees Celsius. This is higher than the previous average of 10.03 C. It's only the second time since 1884, when detailed records were first kept, that the annual average temperature has exceeded 10 C. Met Office first announced the possibility of setting a new record last month. The reading placed four of the five most recent years among...
Mining
China commits to controlling steel production during the 2026-2030 period
China said on Friday that it would continue to regulate crude-steel output and prohibit the addition of illegally new capacity between?2026 and 2030. As part of its plan to reduce carbon emissions, the world’s largest steel producer and consumer will stop increasing crude steel production in 2021. A protracted downturn in the property market had also affected domestic steel consumption, leaving the industry with an overcapacity. China's crude output of steel fell by 4% in the first 11 month of?2025 compared to the same period a year ago, keeping the annual total on course to drop below 1?billion tonnes for...
Pollution
Mercedes Benz settles with US States for $149,6 Million over diesel emissions
Mercedes Benz reached a settlement of $149.6 Million with U.S. States to resolve a long-running probe into allegations?of cheating on diesel emissions?by the 'German automaker New Letitia James, York Attorney General, said on Monday. The settlement reached with Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia and 48 U.S. States includes the following: Mercedes will pay $149.6 millions and make $2,000 payments to owners and lessees of vehicles that require emissions repairs. Mercedes also 'agreed' to take a number of steps to prevent further misconduct and comply with the oversight requirements. The States?said Mercedes Benz has agreed to pay $2.2billion in 2020...
Pollution
Swiss court admits Indonesian Islanders climate case against Holcim
A Swiss court said Monday that it would accept a lawsuit against Holcim, a Swiss cement manufacturer. The complaint alleged the company was doing too little in order to reduce carbon emissions. Four residents from the low-lying Indonesian Island of Pari who have been repeatedly flooded by warmer temperatures?pushing up sea levels?, filed a legal complaint to the cantonal Court in?Zug in Switzerland in January 2023. The court admitted the case, but said that it could be reversed in a subsequent appeal if it found that the procedural requirements were not met. Holcim has announced that it will appeal the...
Climate Change
Swiss court admits Indonesian islanders climate claim against Holcim
Parties to the case announced on Monday that a court in Switzerland had decided to accept a legal complaint against Swiss cement manufacturer Holcim, which alleged the company was doing too little to reduce carbon emissions. Four residents from the low-lying Indonesian Island of Pari, whose sea level has been rising due to warmer temperatures, filed a complaint with the cantonal court in Zug, Switzerland, on January 20, 2023. Swiss Church Aid, a non-profit organization that is supporting the Pari 'case, announced the court had accepted the complaint. Holcim acknowledged in a press release that the court had accepted the...
Climate Change
Trump Administration dissolves key climate research agency
The Trump administration announced on Tuesday night that it would dissolve a federally funded?climate research center located in Colorado. This is the latest attempt to?defund this research. Ross Vought of the White House Office of Management and Budget said that the administration would break up the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder (NCAR), which conducts scientific research on earth systems. The facility, he added, "is one of America's largest sources of climate alarmism." Vought posted on X Tuesday night that "a?comprehensive' review was underway & vital activities like weather research would be relocated to?another location or entity." This is...
Pollution
Europe's electric vehicle leaders and laggards
Sales of EVs on the continent have been uneven. They are skewed towards the northern?and _western countries while the nations to the south and east tend to lag. The EU has now eased its emissions targets for the year 2035, despite strong opposition from the industry. It claims that EV demand is?slower than expected? and the transition to EVs will take more time. In Norway, where government subsidies and investments in charging infrastructure have been made to encourage the use of electric vehicles, the data shows that EV sales reached 94% of the 'total car sales' in the first 7...
Pollution
US and Mexico sign new agreement regarding Tijuana river sewage crisis.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released a statement Monday announcing that the United States and Mexico have signed a new agreement to address 'the ongoing Tijuana river sewage crisis. Mexico and the U.S. have been at odds for decades over the issue of Mexican sewage flowing across the border into the Tijuana River and then into the Pacific Ocean. The EPA stated that the 'new agreement' saw the U.S. - and Mexican Sections - of the International Boundary and Water Commission, agree on infrastructure projects, research and enhanced monitoring. "And planning for the operation and maintenance" of critical systems and sites,...
Pollution
Canada's farmers produce record crops despite droughts, floods and other natural disasters
After a year of flooding and a long dry spell, Simon Ellis expected "catastrophic" failure when he first drove his combine through this crop. Instead of shriveled seeds, plump grains of wheat, oats, and soybeans were poured into the combine. Ellis, 38, who is a fourth generation farmer in Wawanesa (Manitoba), credits the investment made into expensive systems, such as minimum- and zero-till agriculture, for helping to protect soil. Tile drainage is an underground system that prevents flooding. It also contains pellets of fertilizer with a slower release rate, which are more efficient. A professional agronomist can provide advice on...
Pollution
EU member states agree to reduce emissions by 90% from 1990 levels by 2040
The European Union reached a legally-binding climate agreement to "reduce greenhouse gas emission by 90% by 2040 compared to 1990 levels", involving the purchase foreign carbon credits?to cover?5% of these cuts, said the European Parliament on Wednesday. The agreement requires EU industries to reduce emissions by 85%. From 2036, EU countries will pay non-member nations to cut their emissions in their place to make up for the "remainder". It is a matter of formality to have the European Parliament and EU member states approve a target before it becomes law. The agreement is more ambitious than most other major economies'...
Wind Farms
Japan’s KEPCO Buys Majority Stake in Ireland’s Simply Blue Energy
Japan’s Kansai Electric Power Co. (KEPCO) has signed a share subscription agreement with Ireland’s Simply Blue Group’s offshore wind development arm, Simply Blue Energy OSW (SBE OSW).The strategic investment marks KEPCO’s first investment involving management participation in an offshore wind developer.KEPCO will acquire a majority stake in SBE OSW through its wholly owned subsidiary, KPIC Netherlands BV.Simply Blue Energy OSW is actively engaged in multiple offshore wind projects across Europe and elsewhere and possesses extensive experience and expertise in offshore wind development from the early stages of project formation.With KEPCO’s investment, SBE OSW aims to accelerate the expansion of its...
L&T Joins Hitachi Energy to Support TenneT’s 2GW Offshore Wind Grid Scheme
India’s EPC contractor Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has been hired to deliver High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) converters in support of the Dutch-German transmission system operator (TSO) TenneT’s 2GW offshore wind grid program in the North Sea.Collaborating with Hitachi Energy, a global technology leader in electrification, L&T has been nominated by TenneT to deliver HVDC converter stations, as part of the initiative that aims to accelerate the integration of large-scale renewable energy into the European power grid, particularly across the German and Dutch sectors of the North Sea.The collaboration brings together complementary strengths in advanced technology, engineering excellence, and end-to-end...
FLOWRA, ClassNK to Collaborate on Floating Offshore Wind Technology Development
The Floating Offshore Wind Power Technology Research Association (FLOWRA) of Japan and Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to explore technology development cooperation in the field of floating offshore wind. FLOWRA is a technical research association that works with overseas organizations to research and develop common basic technologies for floating offshore wind to reduce costs and risks.ClassNK is an independent, non-profit international classification society, ensuring maritime safety and environmental protection through comprehensive inspection and certification services across a global network....