Daily Summary of Climate & Energy · Final editionWednesday 28 October 2026 · UTC
Climate & Energy News: 28 October 2026
US moves to scrap methane rule as adaptation and trade disputes loom over COP31
The Trump administration is seeking to undo a Biden-era rule that would cut methane emissions from the oil and gas industry. Ahead of the COP31 climate summit in Antalya, African negotiators asked for formal talks on adaptation finance and trade, and China signalled it will push back against tariffs on clean technology.
In clean energy deals, Fortescue signed its first outside customer for its Western Australian Green Grid and DTE Energy started running a 132 MW solar park in Michigan.
African Group asks for adaptation finance and trade talks on COP31 agenda
Ghana, which chairs the African Group of Negotiators this year, has written to UN climate chief Simon Stiell asking for three more agenda items at COP31: tripling adaptation finance, trade and climate change, and the financing arrangements of the Green Climate Fund. The request could set up a fight over the agenda when the summit opens in Antalya on 9 November.
Last year at COP30, governments agreed to at least triple adaptation finance for developing countries by 2035, but the deal did not set a baseline year, a headline amount, who should pay or how the money would be delivered.
China puts free flow of green technology at the top of its COP31 priorities
Tariffs and penalties on clean technology and emissions-intensive goods look likely to be a difficult issue at next month's UN climate talks in Türkiye, after China said COP31 should focus on the free flow of green technologies. China's vice-minister of ecology and environment, Li Gao, said the summit should discuss trade unilateralism and protectionism, and warned that Beijing would respond firmly to attacks.
China dominates global clean tech manufacturing and has condemned US and EU measures that restrict imports of its green technologies.
Trump administration seeks to undo Biden-era methane rule for oil and gas
The Trump administration wants to undo a Biden-era rule that would reduce methane emissions from the oil and gas industry, NPR reported on 28 October. Methane is a powerful planet-heating gas, so the rule was a central part of US efforts to cut emissions from fossil fuel production.
Fortescue signs PLS as first outside customer for its Western Australian Green Grid
Fortescue has signed a 20-year agreement to supply at least 325 GWh of renewable electricity a year to lithium producer PLS Group from 2029. PLS is the first external customer of Fortescue's Green Grid in Western Australia. Fortescue will build about 25 kilometres of 220 kV transmission line to connect PLS's Pilgangoora operation, and PLS expects to spend about A$150 million on connection and related infrastructure between FY2027 and FY2029.
DTE Energy starts commercial operation of 132 MW Fish Creek Solar Park in Michigan
US utility DTE Energy has begun commercial operation of its 132 MW Fish Creek Solar Park near Sheridan in Montcalm County, Michigan. The company announced the milestone on 28 October. The project cost about $268 million and is expected to produce enough electricity each year for about 30,000 households.
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