Coal Mining

Portrait for @ash
by @ash
2020-12-12T05:30:02+00:00
Regional News • Europe • European Union
EU leaders agree on 55% climate target by the end of 2030
EU leaders agree on 55% climate target by the end of 2030
Credit: unsplash/Markus Spiske

European leaders agreed to increase the bloc's emission-reduction target to 55 percent by 203 following night-long discussions at their two-day summit in Brussels. The coal-reliant countries Hungary, Poland and the Czech Republic are finally supporting the goal after member states agreed that the new target should be delivered collectively.

Portrait for @violette
by @violette
2020-09-10T19:30:02+00:00
Regional News • Africa
Zimbabwe: Coal mining banned in national parks
Elephants at a water hole in the Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe
Elephants at a water hole in the Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe Credit: JackyR / Wikimedia Commons

Zimbabwe banned coal mining in all national parks. Previously the country allowed two Chinese firms to explore for coal in the country's biggest national park Hwange. The decision came after campaigners, in an effort to prevent "ecological degradation" in parks, took the government to court.

Numerous species live in the national parks, including 40,000 elephants and the endangered black rhino.

"Steps are being undertaken to immediately cancel all mining titles held in national parks," Information Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said as she announced the ban. The ban is effective with immediate effect.