Environment

AMSTERDAM (Reuters) – The century-old Amsterdam canal boat Gerarda Johanna looks like a classic with wood paneling, but beneath its floorboards lies a high-tech underbelly: rows of lithium ion batteries, 66 in all, with an electric drive train powering its propeller. The boat is part of a push by Amsterdam’s new Green Party mayor to

LONDON (Reuters) – Insurers are expected to pay policyholders an estimated 363 million pounds ($471.79 million) for flood and wind damage from two storms in Britain last month, the Association of British Insurers said on Saturday. A total of 82,000 claims have been received, the ABI said. The anticipated payout compares with 110 million pounds

TREBINJE, Bosnia (Reuters) – An EU energy official urged Western Balkan countries seeking European Union membership to consider their own carbon taxes to shelter their coal-reliant power sectors from the sudden shock likely once they have to abide by tougher climate rules. FILE PHOTO: Smoke billows out of the towers of the coal-powered Kosovo Power

BRUSSELS (Reuters) – The European Commission unveiled a “climate law” on Wednesday to make the EU’s 2050 net zero emissions target legally binding, but Swedish activist Greta Thunberg and NGOs said more urgent action was needed to beat the climate crisis. Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen and European

(Reuters) – At least nine people were killed by a powerful tornado that struck Nashville, Tennessee in the early hours of Tuesday morning, flattening buildings, damaging an airport and leaving tens of thousands of people without power. The fatalities included four people in Putnam County, two in the state capital Nashville, two in Wilson County

LONDON (Reuters) – Jupiter Asset Management (JUP.L), a top-25 investor in Barclays (BARC.L), plans to support a shareholder resolution aimed at cutting the bank’s lending to the fossil fuel industry. FILE PHOTO: The Barclays logo is seen at their offices at Canary Wharf financial district in London,Britain, March 3, 2016. REUTERS/Reinhard Krause/File Photo Banks are

SYDNEY (Reuters) – Australia will require government departments to use more recycled products, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Monday, as Canberra looks to repair ties with Pacific island nations despite a refusal to step up efforts on global warming. FILE PHOTO: Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison speaks during a joint press conference held with

SYDNEY (Reuters) – Australian summers are now effectively twice as long as its winters as climate change has increased temperatures since the middle of the last century, research released in the wake of the nation’s unprecedented fire season showed on Monday. FILE PHOTO: A swimmer throws a ball in the Pacific Ocean off Sydney’s beachside

(Reuters) – California’s utilities regulator has proposed an increased $2.14 billion fine on PG&E Corp for its role in causing the devastating 2017 and 2018 wildfires in Northern California. FILE PHOTO: PG&E works on power lines to repair damage caused by the Camp Fire in Paradise, California, U.S. November 21, 2018. REUTERS/Elijah Nouvelage The decision

(Reuters) – Hundreds of Apache tribe members and supporters marched for four days to a sacred campground in southeastern Arizona earlier this month, hoping to protect the land from copper mining while bringing awareness to injustices against Native Americans. FILE PHOTO: A view of people camping in the Oak Flat campground outside of Globe, Arizona,

BUCHAREST (Reuters) – An unusually mild winter has exacerbated Bucharest’s chronic pollution problem, prompting residents in the Romanian capital to take matters into their own hands. Claudia Florescu poses for a portrait in Kiseleff park, close to a playground, in Bucharest, Romania, February 27, 2020. Picture taken February 27, 2020. Inquam Photos/Octav Ganea via REUTERS

FRANKFURT/ZURICH (Reuters) – Hyundai’s hydrogen-powered 18-tonne trucks are set to hit the roads in Switzerland next month as the South Korean automaker looks to establish a case for its zero-emissions technology in a low carbon world. Hyundai’s H2 Xcient Fuel-Cell truck is pictured in this undated handout image. The trucks are set to hit the

BRASILIA (Reuters) – Brazil’s Agriculture Ministry will allow for agrochemicals awaiting regulatory approval to receive licenses automatically, potentially allowing new pesticides to reach market faster, according to new rules published on Thursday. If the ministry fails to review applications for new chemicals to be licensed within 60 days, the products will automatically be approved, according

AMSTERDAM (Reuters) – Oil and gas company Royal Dutch Shell and Dutch gas company Gasunie [GSUNI.UL] plan to build a massive green hydrogen plant in the northern Netherlands in the next decade, the companies said on Thursday, to cut emissions. Fueled by a large new wind farm off the coast of Groningen province, the plant

LONDON (Reuters) – The top shareholder of carmaker Aston Martin is on a mission to turn investments from theme parks to high-end furniture brands “carbon positive” by the end of 2020, as buyout funds battle to woo investors increasingly focused on tackling global warming. FILE PHOTO: Italian businessman Andrea Bonomi speaks during a press briefing

(Reuters) – British singer Duffy on Tuesday explained a long absence from the music scene by saying she had been “raped and drugged and held captive,” but gave no details about where or when the incident took place. Duffy, 35, who had big hits with single “Mercy” in 2008 and her debut album “Rockferry,” wrote