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

CLIMATE

Global investors call on governments to take action on climate change (via Reuters)

Report says climate change evident across Europe (via BBC News)

China details policies to address climate change (via China Daily)

Some coastal cities find small steps key to storm protection (via Reuters)

COAL

The war on coal is being won in the US, but the real battle is overseas (via Time)

As coal use drops in US, China and India burn even more (via Forbes)

The big climate question: will the world build 1,200 new coal plants? (via Washington Post)

RENEWABLES

Australian renewable energy market nears a pivot (via AOL Energy)

India witnesses moderate green power growth in first half 2012 (via Panchabuta)

China’s United Power installs a 6MW offshore wind turbine (via Recharge)

Solar leaders pull away from the pack (via Forbes)

Oil-friendly Texas also gives a howdy to renewables (via Houston Chronicle)

Solar becomes battleground for Georgia electricity regulation (via Macon Telegraph)

Georgia PSC approves Georgia Power’s solar initiative (via Bloomberg/PR Newswire)

TAR SANDS/KEYSTONE XL

Studies find oil sands-derived crude oil no more corrosive in pipelines than other crudes (via Green Car Congress)

Second US tar sands mine approved in Utah (via DeSmogBlog)

Passions boil over during Texas pipeline protests (via EnergyWire)

EMISSIONS

Outcome of UN climate talks ‘lies in hands of rich nations’ (via The Guardian)

Emissions cuts too slow to fight climate change, warns UN report (via The Guardian)

Oil nations asked to consider carbon tax on exports (via The Guardian)

UK says CCS could be cost-competitive with nuclear by 2020s (via BusinessGreen)

California’s CO2 now has a price, but a low one (via New York Times)

BNEF lowers California carbon price forecasts after first sale (via Bloomberg)

GRID

French power grid spending could rise to $19 billion by 2020 (via Bloomberg)

Proposed Clean Line transmission projects moving forward in SPP grid region (via Renew Grid)

How microgrids helped weather Hurricane Sandy (via Greentech Media)

NATURAL GAS

Natural gas trading to become more like coal, not oil (via Reuters)

Rig count in Utica Shale doubles from year ago (via US EIA)

New York fracking regulations decision delayed into 2013 (via Huffington Post/AP)

Methane is popping up all over Boston (via New York Times)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Efficiency project cuts annual energy costs at University of Kentucky by $2.4 million (via Lexington Herald-Leader)

Arizona bank lets sun shine through skylights, saves $74,000 in electricity (via Energy Manager Today)

GREEN BUSINESS

Harvard students vote to ditch fossil fuel investments (via BusinessGreen)

Inhabitat 2012 green holiday gift guide (via Inhabitat)

TRANSPORTATION

Average EV driver is a well-educated, affluent white male (via Mother Nature Network)

California Energy Commission to award up to $28.59 for hydrogen refueling stations in 25 areas (via Green Car Congress)

OPINION

Why greenhouse gases hit record high in 2011 (via Christian Science Monitor)

Why President Obama is wrong to separate the economy and climate (via Climate Progress)

Federalism is proving renewable energy’s greatest strength (via Facts of the Day)

Would a carbon tax cut emissions drastically? Not on its own. (via Washington Post)

Five ways wind power can survive without tax credit extension (via Christian Science Monitor)

This Thanksgiving, have a conversation about climate change (via Good)

OTHER NEWS

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