A daily roundup of the most important energy, environment, and climate news from around the world.

ENERGY POLICY

Germany seeks greater power to transform its energy sector, cut renewable subsidies (via Reuters)

Japan to set energy policy but “no stance” on nuclear power (via Reuters)

CLIMATE

US courts controversy with support for “flexible” climate deal at Bangkok UN climate talks (via BusinessGreen)

Siberian permafrost thaw unlocks ice-age carbon vault (via The Australian)

RENEWABLES

Clean tech industry confidence defies global economic gloom (via BusinessGreen)

Germany adds 543MW of PV solar in July as FIT effect is felt (via Recharge)

Brazilian renewable energy revenue in 2011 exceeds $104 billion (via CleanTechnica)

South Korean researchers create clean biodiesel from sewage sludge (via Inhabitat)

Will energy storage be required for renewable energy projects? (via Sustainable Business)

Two years after NJ Gov. Christie’s call for green era, little has changed (via Philadelphia Inquirer)

OIL

2012 US oil production will be highest in 14 years as oil boom grows (via Facts of the Day)

New BLM oil shale research leases in Colorado could spur commercial development (via Greenwire)

TAR SANDS

Kuwait closes in on $4 billion Canadian tar sands deal (via The Globe and Mail)

TRANSPORTATION

Puerto Rico offers excise tax breaks on hybrids, electric vehicles (via Autoblog Green)

COAL

Coal’s road to nowhere: the Coalfields Expressway (via Climate Progress)

POLITICS

Democrats back global climate deal in convention platform (via The Hill)

What’s an electric car champion doing in Romney’s inner circle? (via InsideClimate News)

Duke Energy and DNC an uneasy mix (via Politico)

OPINION

Why we need to stop talking about climate change (via GreenBiz)

An additional listing of clean energy and climate news is posted at Climate Progress