Further reading: Exclusive: Iraq could restore oil exports to pre-war level within a week if Hormuz reopens, Basra Oil chief says<\/a><\/p>\n
Featured ESG Tool of the Week: Utah enacts law shielding fossil fuel companies from most climate change lawsuits Utah has passed HB 222, a new law that protects fossil fuel companies from most climate change lawsuits. Governor Spencer Cox signed it, and this legislation makes it nearly impossible for residents to hold these companies legally responsible for environmental damages. The new rules require \u201cclear and convincing evidence that unavoidable and identifiable damage or injury has resulted or will result as a direct cause of the\u201d violation. Critics argue this language makes it practically impossible to sue polluters.<\/p>\n This is part of a bigger effort across the country to give big oil companies a \u201cliability shield\u201d like the one the gun industry got in 2005. Currently, four other states are considering similar laws, as 70 lawsuits have targeted energy companies across the country in recent years. Supporters say the law prevents \u201cfrivolous\u201d cases, while others warn it allows polluters to avoid the kind of $260 billion settlements once paid by the tobacco industry.<\/p>\n *** Related Articles<\/p>\n Here is a list of articles selected by our Editorial Board that have gained significant interest from the public:<\/p>\n China limits gas and diesel price increases to ease economic pressure China\u2019s National Development and Reform Commission stepped in to limit fuel price hikes amid the war in Iran, which is driving global oil prices higher. The government raised gasoline by 420 yuan ($61.18) and diesel by 400 yuan per metric ton, which is only about half of the increase originally scheduled. For a typical driver, this adds about $2.40 to the cost of filling a 50-liter tank.<\/p>\n While China has handled the oil shock better than its neighbors thanks to its large stockpiles and high use of electric cars, experts remain concerned. They warn that rising energy costs could lead to \u201cbad inflation\u201d for Chinese factories. This marks the second time since March 23 that officials have cut a price hike in half to protect the economy.<\/p>\n *** Australia considers $13m AI push for mining approvals amid environmental concerns The Minerals Council of Australia has asked for $13 million to try using AI to speed up environmental approvals for mining. While the industry thinks this will make things more efficient, experts from 11 universities warn it could lead to \u201crobodebt-style\u201d failures.<\/p>\n They\u2019re worried that letting computers handle these assessments could result in flawed, unclear decisions that put endangered species at risk. Critics point out that AI is only as good as the data it\u2019s given, yet one-third of Australia\u2019s threatened species aren\u2019t even being monitored. Professor Hugh Possingham noted that the past 20 years of approvals are \u201cclearly unsuitable material\u201d for training an AI because the current rules have \u201cdemonstrably failed to protect the environment.\u201d While the government is looking into how AI might simplify the application process, officials insist that humans will always make the final decisions.<\/p>\n ***
\nKlimado<\/a> \u2013 Navigating climate complexity just got easier. Klimado offers a user-friendly platform for tracking local and global environmental shifts, making it an essential tool for climate-aware individuals and organizations.<\/p>\n
\n![\"ESG](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/andrey-grinkevich-gNXdKOvyou8-unsplash-300x169.jpg\")
<\/a>A new law in Utah protects fossil fuel companies from most climate change lawsuits. Photo Credit: Andrey Grinkevich<\/a><\/p>\n
Further reading: \u2018A surrender to special interests\u2019: alarm as Utah shields fossil-fuel companies<\/a><\/p>\n
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<\/a>China limits fuel price hikes amid the war in Iran. Photo Credit: Iewek Gnos<\/a><\/p>\n
Further reading: China curbs domestic fuel price hike again to soften impact of surging oil prices<\/a><\/p>\n
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<\/a>Australia considers AI to speed up mining approvals amid environmental concerns. Photo Credit: Ethan Brooke<\/a><\/p>\n
Further reading: \u200b\u200b<\/a>Using AI to speed up Australia\u2019s environmental approvals risks \u2018robodebt-style\u2019 failures, scientists say<\/a><\/p>\n