Canada: Hundreds of people protested against Port Metro Vancouver’s proposed expansion of coal exports through the Fraser Surrey Docks. Following the rally Surrey Council voted unanimously to oppose the port expansion. (CBC, CBC) India: The Gujarat High Court has ordered the Gujarat Pollution Control Board to shut down coal-based gasifiers used in over 200 ceramic and 15 silicate plants near the city of Morbi unless they convert to liquid natural gas. The court was a responding to public interest case brought over the pollution impacts of the plants. (Times of India) Indonesia: 449 coal exploration concessions covering over 39,000 square kilometres have been granted in central Kalimantan. The largest concession, covering 350,000 hectares, is the IndoMet Coal Project, owned by a joint venture of BHP Billiton (75%) and Adaro Energy (25%). At risk are large swathes of forests and local communities.(Guardian) United States: The US Treasury guidelines restricting US support for coal projects at the multilateral development banks have been cautiously welcomed, although concern has been expressed about loopholes. The guidelines will affect how the US votes at the World Bank Group (WBG), Asian Development Bank (ADB), African Development Bank (AfDB), and European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). (Reuters, Huffington Post) |