Sebastián Rodríguez
@sebastianrodvar.bsky.social
Investigations & Special Projects Editor at Climate Home News
China has announced a new emissions target of 7-10% cuts by 2035 from "peak levels". While it was deemed "insufficient" compared to the 30% cuts needed to align with 1.5C, it's much better than its previous targets (which it met 6 years early)
www.climatechangenews.com/2025/09/24/c...
www.climatechangenews.com/2025/09/24/c...
China unveils underwhelming emissions-cutting target for 2035
Experts say China's new 2035 goal to cut emissions by 7-10% from "peak levels" does not fully reflect its expansion of clean energy on the ground
www.climatechangenews.com
September 24, 2025 at 8:21 PM
China has announced a new emissions target of 7-10% cuts by 2035 from "peak levels". While it was deemed "insufficient" compared to the 30% cuts needed to align with 1.5C, it's much better than its previous targets (which it met 6 years early)
www.climatechangenews.com/2025/09/24/c...
www.climatechangenews.com/2025/09/24/c...
The US president’s outspoken speech was littered with a string of misleading or false statements – many about efforts to fight climate change. @climatechangenews.com team is here with a fact check:
www.climatechangenews.com/2025/09/24/f...
www.climatechangenews.com/2025/09/24/f...
Fact-checked: Trump's UN tirade against climate action
The US president's outspoken speech was littered with a string of misleading or false statements - many about efforts to fight climate change
www.climatechangenews.com
September 24, 2025 at 6:17 PM
The US president’s outspoken speech was littered with a string of misleading or false statements – many about efforts to fight climate change. @climatechangenews.com team is here with a fact check:
www.climatechangenews.com/2025/09/24/f...
www.climatechangenews.com/2025/09/24/f...
Brazil has pledged $1bn to the TFFF - a proposed new fund to protect the world’s rainforests. It’s been called “innovative”, “promising” and “the right answer” to close the forest finance gap.
But how does it work? Here’s our breakdown of the TFFF: www.climatechangenews.com/2025/09/23/e...
But how does it work? Here’s our breakdown of the TFFF: www.climatechangenews.com/2025/09/23/e...
Explainer: what is the TFFF, Brazil's COP30 rainforest fund?
The Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF), a rainforest fund proposed by Brazil, is expected to be launched at COP30.
www.climatechangenews.com
September 24, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Brazil has pledged $1bn to the TFFF - a proposed new fund to protect the world’s rainforests. It’s been called “innovative”, “promising” and “the right answer” to close the forest finance gap.
But how does it work? Here’s our breakdown of the TFFF: www.climatechangenews.com/2025/09/23/e...
But how does it work? Here’s our breakdown of the TFFF: www.climatechangenews.com/2025/09/23/e...
Reposted by Sebastián Rodríguez
As countries were tasked with negotiating a treaty to end plastic pollution, the divide between 100 ambitious countries and oil- and gas- producing nations was too wide to bridge, writes Swiss lead negotiator Felix Wertli.
Read below his full acount of why the talks failed:
Read below his full acount of why the talks failed:
Why we couldn’t agree on a plastics treaty in Geneva - and what might happen next
Switzerland's lead negotiator at INC-5.2 reflects on why the talks didn't succeed - and the options now for getting an effective agreement
buff.ly
August 21, 2025 at 4:07 PM
As countries were tasked with negotiating a treaty to end plastic pollution, the divide between 100 ambitious countries and oil- and gas- producing nations was too wide to bridge, writes Swiss lead negotiator Felix Wertli.
Read below his full acount of why the talks failed:
Read below his full acount of why the talks failed:
What is going on with COP30? Brazil insists in holding the UN climate talks in the Amazon city of Belém. More than 120 countries have not yet booked hotels due to sky-high prices.
@mcivillini.bsky.social and @meganrowling.bsky.social bring the full story: www.climatechangenews.com/2025/08/22/c...
@mcivillini.bsky.social and @meganrowling.bsky.social bring the full story: www.climatechangenews.com/2025/08/22/c...
COP bureau meeting ends in stalemate as Brazil insists Belém logistics can work
A UN survey showed a majority of nations had not yet booked hotels in Belém due to high costs, raising concerns about lower participation
www.climatechangenews.com
August 22, 2025 at 9:51 PM
What is going on with COP30? Brazil insists in holding the UN climate talks in the Amazon city of Belém. More than 120 countries have not yet booked hotels due to sky-high prices.
@mcivillini.bsky.social and @meganrowling.bsky.social bring the full story: www.climatechangenews.com/2025/08/22/c...
@mcivillini.bsky.social and @meganrowling.bsky.social bring the full story: www.climatechangenews.com/2025/08/22/c...
Brazil’s environment minister told @mcivillini.bsky.social she has advocated for a roadmap to end fossil fuels to be agreed at COP30:
“The worst possible thing would be for us to not plan for this transition.”
“The worst possible thing would be for us to not plan for this transition.”
Brazil's environment minister suggests roadmap to end fossil fuels at COP30
Brazil's environment minister Marina Silva suggests this year's COP30 climate summit could result in a roadmap to guide a "planned and just transition"
www.climatechangenews.com
June 27, 2025 at 5:19 AM
Brazil’s environment minister told @mcivillini.bsky.social she has advocated for a roadmap to end fossil fuels to be agreed at COP30:
“The worst possible thing would be for us to not plan for this transition.”
“The worst possible thing would be for us to not plan for this transition.”
While it is easy to feel despair over Brazil’s auction of oil and gas blocks in the Amazon (19 blocks sold), it’s encouraging to see so many different sectors willing to put up a fight (prosecutors, activists, unions). It will be very hard for any drilling to happen soon
Brazilian activists vow to fight Amazon oil auction in court
Months before hosting COP30, Brazil auctioned 47 oil and gas blocks in the Amazon. Activitsts have vowed to challenge the process in court.
www.climatechangenews.com
June 25, 2025 at 1:46 AM
While it is easy to feel despair over Brazil’s auction of oil and gas blocks in the Amazon (19 blocks sold), it’s encouraging to see so many different sectors willing to put up a fight (prosecutors, activists, unions). It will be very hard for any drilling to happen soon
New investigation out: Has aviation's green dream hit turbulence?
Our team mapped the supply chain of sustainable aviation fuel coming into Europe. We found an industry plagued by fraud risks, an opaque supply and a limited capacity for traceability.
Our team mapped the supply chain of sustainable aviation fuel coming into Europe. We found an industry plagued by fraud risks, an opaque supply and a limited capacity for traceability.
Is the world’s big idea for greener air travel a flight of fancy?
Suspicions of fraud, ‘ridiculous’ data and a dearth of supplies - our investigation exposes the flaws in the airline industry’s big green hope: sustainable aviation fuel Our investigation exposes the ...
www.climatechangenews.com
June 19, 2025 at 10:41 PM
New investigation out: Has aviation's green dream hit turbulence?
Our team mapped the supply chain of sustainable aviation fuel coming into Europe. We found an industry plagued by fraud risks, an opaque supply and a limited capacity for traceability.
Our team mapped the supply chain of sustainable aviation fuel coming into Europe. We found an industry plagued by fraud risks, an opaque supply and a limited capacity for traceability.
Reposted by Sebastián Rodríguez
Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) made used cooking oil is key for world's green aviation plans. A team of journalists from three continents reveals high fraud risks to it: Virgin palm oil – not permitted under EU law because of its links to rainforest loss – is being passed off as UCO. t.ly/Zd9-W
June 19, 2025 at 11:18 AM
Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) made used cooking oil is key for world's green aviation plans. A team of journalists from three continents reveals high fraud risks to it: Virgin palm oil – not permitted under EU law because of its links to rainforest loss – is being passed off as UCO. t.ly/Zd9-W
-Colombia is drumming up support for a legally binding minerals agreement
-An alliance of NGOs wants to get the issue onto the agenda of this year’s COP30 climate talks
-experts are calling for a new materials data hub
-An alliance of NGOs wants to get the issue onto the agenda of this year’s COP30 climate talks
-experts are calling for a new materials data hub
Does the world need a global treaty on energy transition minerals?
As governments rush to secure supplies of the transition minerals needed, activists want a treaty with stronger governance rules
www.climatechangenews.com
May 27, 2025 at 3:13 PM
-Colombia is drumming up support for a legally binding minerals agreement
-An alliance of NGOs wants to get the issue onto the agenda of this year’s COP30 climate talks
-experts are calling for a new materials data hub
-An alliance of NGOs wants to get the issue onto the agenda of this year’s COP30 climate talks
-experts are calling for a new materials data hub
First signs from Brazil's COP30 presidency at Climate Week in Panama: they want an "early harvest" on just transition talks and might take on the fossil fuel fight early on. www.climatechangenews.com/2025/05/23/b...
Brazil seeks early deals on contentious issues at Bonn climate talks
Brazil is seeking advances on the Just Transition Work Programme (JTWP) and recommendations from the 2023 GST during the Bonn climate talks
www.climatechangenews.com
May 23, 2025 at 4:21 PM
First signs from Brazil's COP30 presidency at Climate Week in Panama: they want an "early harvest" on just transition talks and might take on the fossil fuel fight early on. www.climatechangenews.com/2025/05/23/b...
New from our Clean Energy Frontier series:
Chinese solar companies turned Thailand into a solar module assembly hub. Now thousands of Thai workers are caught in a trade war between Washington and Beijing
Chinese solar companies turned Thailand into a solar module assembly hub. Now thousands of Thai workers are caught in a trade war between Washington and Beijing
US tariffs threaten solar panel production and jobs in Thailand
Chinese firms turned Thailand into a solar module assembly hub. Now thousands of workers are caught in a trade war between the US and China
www.climatechangenews.com
May 6, 2025 at 11:59 PM
New from our Clean Energy Frontier series:
Chinese solar companies turned Thailand into a solar module assembly hub. Now thousands of Thai workers are caught in a trade war between Washington and Beijing
Chinese solar companies turned Thailand into a solar module assembly hub. Now thousands of Thai workers are caught in a trade war between Washington and Beijing
Reposted by Sebastián Rodríguez
Exclusive: The U.S. is seeking to weaken a global deal aimed at helping developing countries struggling with the impacts of climate change and other issues, an internal UN document showed👇
Story with Simon Jessop on the UN development finance negotiations #FfD4
www.reuters.com/sustainabili...
Story with Simon Jessop on the UN development finance negotiations #FfD4
www.reuters.com/sustainabili...
Exclusive: US seeks to weaken global development finance efforts, UN document shows
The United States is seeking to weaken a global deal aimed at helping developing countries struggling with the impacts of climate change and other issues, an internal United Nations document seen by Reuters showed.
www.reuters.com
May 5, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Exclusive: The U.S. is seeking to weaken a global deal aimed at helping developing countries struggling with the impacts of climate change and other issues, an internal UN document showed👇
Story with Simon Jessop on the UN development finance negotiations #FfD4
www.reuters.com/sustainabili...
Story with Simon Jessop on the UN development finance negotiations #FfD4
www.reuters.com/sustainabili...
100 days of Trump: we compiled a few examples of how the US has made climate action more difficult at the global stage www.climatechangenews.com/2025/04/29/t...
Trump's first 100 days: US walks away from global climate action
Trump's climate action decisions have pulled the plug on the UN climate process and its financial contributions, while backing fossil fuels
www.climatechangenews.com
April 30, 2025 at 5:01 AM
100 days of Trump: we compiled a few examples of how the US has made climate action more difficult at the global stage www.climatechangenews.com/2025/04/29/t...
It's difficult to overstate how important this is, especially in the context of the US going rogue
Major good news!
Xi Jinping of China 🇨🇳 confirms in closed door virtual meeting that #China will put forward a new #climate target covering all economic sectors and all greenhouse gases this year.
This was confirmed by #Guterres after the meeting.
👉 webtv.un.org/en/asset/k17...
Xi Jinping of China 🇨🇳 confirms in closed door virtual meeting that #China will put forward a new #climate target covering all economic sectors and all greenhouse gases this year.
This was confirmed by #Guterres after the meeting.
👉 webtv.un.org/en/asset/k17...
April 23, 2025 at 4:49 PM
It's difficult to overstate how important this is, especially in the context of the US going rogue
“When this company started extracting gas in our territory and I started negotiating for them to stop, they offered me apartments, cars, houses. But my people would remain suffering, so I refused,” said indigenous leader Jonas Mura. “That’s why they wanted to kill me.”
Amazon indigenous people call for oil drilling ban at COP30
Dozens of indigenous nations from different countries are calling for an oil drilling ban in the world's largest rainforest at COP30
www.climatechangenews.com
April 23, 2025 at 12:21 PM
“When this company started extracting gas in our territory and I started negotiating for them to stop, they offered me apartments, cars, houses. But my people would remain suffering, so I refused,” said indigenous leader Jonas Mura. “That’s why they wanted to kill me.”
Reposted by Sebastián Rodríguez
1/3
#Trump has such a passion for tariffs he even imposed them on Antarctic islands – home only to #penguins 🐧, who presumably pose a grave threat to American industry.
✍️ In this oped for @climatechangenews.com I detail why other than penguins, the #energytransition is safe from Trump’s #tariffs.
#Trump has such a passion for tariffs he even imposed them on Antarctic islands – home only to #penguins 🐧, who presumably pose a grave threat to American industry.
✍️ In this oped for @climatechangenews.com I detail why other than penguins, the #energytransition is safe from Trump’s #tariffs.
Trump's tariff tantrum won't stop the global energy transition
The US's share of the cleantech trade is too small to dictate the terms of the energy transition, but Trump's tariff decisions will do harm
www.climatechangenews.com
April 8, 2025 at 2:22 PM
1/3
#Trump has such a passion for tariffs he even imposed them on Antarctic islands – home only to #penguins 🐧, who presumably pose a grave threat to American industry.
✍️ In this oped for @climatechangenews.com I detail why other than penguins, the #energytransition is safe from Trump’s #tariffs.
#Trump has such a passion for tariffs he even imposed them on Antarctic islands – home only to #penguins 🐧, who presumably pose a grave threat to American industry.
✍️ In this oped for @climatechangenews.com I detail why other than penguins, the #energytransition is safe from Trump’s #tariffs.
While it contains many good news, one of the most unsettling facts in the new @iea.org report is that climate change is itself making the energy transition more difficult.
If weather in 2024 would’ve been slightly less extreme, emissions rise would’ve been cut in half
If weather in 2024 would’ve been slightly less extreme, emissions rise would’ve been cut in half
March 26, 2025 at 1:07 AM
While it contains many good news, one of the most unsettling facts in the new @iea.org report is that climate change is itself making the energy transition more difficult.
If weather in 2024 would’ve been slightly less extreme, emissions rise would’ve been cut in half
If weather in 2024 would’ve been slightly less extreme, emissions rise would’ve been cut in half
Reposted by Sebastián Rodríguez
NEW: Carbon credit auditors suspended for failures in sham rice-farming offsets
Verra has taken unprecedented action against four certification bodies that failed to spot integrity issues with the projects. But worthless credits still need to be compensated.
Verra has taken unprecedented action against four certification bodies that failed to spot integrity issues with the projects. But worthless credits still need to be compensated.
Carbon credit auditors suspended in sham rice-farming offsets
Verra suspended four carbon credit certification bodies that failed to spot integrity issues with rice-farming offset projects
www.climatechangenews.com
March 25, 2025 at 6:36 PM
NEW: Carbon credit auditors suspended for failures in sham rice-farming offsets
Verra has taken unprecedented action against four certification bodies that failed to spot integrity issues with the projects. But worthless credits still need to be compensated.
Verra has taken unprecedented action against four certification bodies that failed to spot integrity issues with the projects. But worthless credits still need to be compensated.
Reposted by Sebastián Rodríguez
In a break from routine at the UN’s annual climate conference, Brazilian organizers for COP30 are scheduling key world leaders’ speeches — normally headline events — for the days prior to the conference’s official kick-off. By @sebastianrodvar.bsky.social for @climatechangenews.com…
Global leaders will speak before COP30, easing logistics crunch
Authorities say that the global leaders talking before the COP30 summit will enable climate negotiators to reflect on their speeches
buff.ly
March 25, 2025 at 12:31 PM
In a break from routine at the UN’s annual climate conference, Brazilian organizers for COP30 are scheduling key world leaders’ speeches — normally headline events — for the days prior to the conference’s official kick-off. By @sebastianrodvar.bsky.social for @climatechangenews.com…
Reposted by Sebastián Rodríguez
🌎 Ayer fue el 1er webinario en español de @coveringclimatenow.org
Junto a Ana Bueno, @sebastianrodvar.bsky.social y Elena González conversamos sobre cómo cubrir el cambio climático desde América Latina y para audiencias hispanohablantes
Pueden ver la charla grabada aquí:
youtu.be/jKvkgFBsmog?...
Junto a Ana Bueno, @sebastianrodvar.bsky.social y Elena González conversamos sobre cómo cubrir el cambio climático desde América Latina y para audiencias hispanohablantes
Pueden ver la charla grabada aquí:
youtu.be/jKvkgFBsmog?...
Charla CCNow: Cómo cubrir el cambio climático en América Latina y para audiencias hispanohablantes
YouTube video by Covering Climate Now
youtu.be
March 21, 2025 at 5:40 PM
🌎 Ayer fue el 1er webinario en español de @coveringclimatenow.org
Junto a Ana Bueno, @sebastianrodvar.bsky.social y Elena González conversamos sobre cómo cubrir el cambio climático desde América Latina y para audiencias hispanohablantes
Pueden ver la charla grabada aquí:
youtu.be/jKvkgFBsmog?...
Junto a Ana Bueno, @sebastianrodvar.bsky.social y Elena González conversamos sobre cómo cubrir el cambio climático desde América Latina y para audiencias hispanohablantes
Pueden ver la charla grabada aquí:
youtu.be/jKvkgFBsmog?...
Reposted by Sebastián Rodríguez
Argentina is considering leaving the Paris Agreement, following the US exit in January. President Milei, a climate skeptic, says he doesn’t “adhere to the environmentalist agenda”—but analysts warn withdrawal could harm trade and climate finance.
Risk of financial fallout may deter Argentina from leaving Paris Agreement
Mile has expressed his will to take Argentina out of the Paris Agreement, but key trade partners and foreign aid may stand in the way
www.climatechangenews.com
March 3, 2025 at 8:24 PM
Argentina is considering leaving the Paris Agreement, following the US exit in January. President Milei, a climate skeptic, says he doesn’t “adhere to the environmentalist agenda”—but analysts warn withdrawal could harm trade and climate finance.
Despite corporate promises to control methane emissions, Mexico’s state oil company Pemex has increased gas flaring and venting in the past decade, which could threaten the country’s net zero by 2050 goal and impact local communities
New @climatehome.bsky.social investigation in Mexico
New @climatehome.bsky.social investigation in Mexico
Oil giant Pemex emissions threaten Mexico's net zero goal
Pemex, Mexico's state oil company, has failed to control its methane emissions despite corporate promises - threatening the country's goals
www.climatechangenews.com
March 3, 2025 at 5:53 PM
Despite corporate promises to control methane emissions, Mexico’s state oil company Pemex has increased gas flaring and venting in the past decade, which could threaten the country’s net zero by 2050 goal and impact local communities
New @climatehome.bsky.social investigation in Mexico
New @climatehome.bsky.social investigation in Mexico
Negotiators at biodiversity COP16.2 agreed on a 5-year finance roadmap, at a time when consensus seemed difficult. Still, as one Bolivian delegate said, "biodiversity cannot wait for a bureaucratic process that lasts forever".
Check out @climatehome.bsky.social wrap up of the meeting in Rome
Check out @climatehome.bsky.social wrap up of the meeting in Rome
What was agreed at biodiversity COP16.2 in Rome?
The resumed session of the COP16.2 UN biodiversity talks ended in Rome with an agreement on finance, a critical issue for nature.
www.climatechangenews.com
February 28, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Negotiators at biodiversity COP16.2 agreed on a 5-year finance roadmap, at a time when consensus seemed difficult. Still, as one Bolivian delegate said, "biodiversity cannot wait for a bureaucratic process that lasts forever".
Check out @climatehome.bsky.social wrap up of the meeting in Rome
Check out @climatehome.bsky.social wrap up of the meeting in Rome
At COP16 plenary, the Argentinian delegate asks to eliminate references to the SDGs from the finance text, in line with Milei's attack on the 2030 goals.
COP presidency reminds them most of the text was already agreed after discussions in Cali. Asks to focus on finance for "best use of our time"
COP presidency reminds them most of the text was already agreed after discussions in Cali. Asks to focus on finance for "best use of our time"
February 26, 2025 at 6:29 PM
At COP16 plenary, the Argentinian delegate asks to eliminate references to the SDGs from the finance text, in line with Milei's attack on the 2030 goals.
COP presidency reminds them most of the text was already agreed after discussions in Cali. Asks to focus on finance for "best use of our time"
COP presidency reminds them most of the text was already agreed after discussions in Cali. Asks to focus on finance for "best use of our time"