<p>An independent committee warned the United Kingdom last week that plans for a surge in new gas investment would violate the Climate Change Act, reigniting a fight about the nation's energy future. David Cameron's strong backing of gas-fired power plants may damage the UK's ability to meet its climate change targets, as the government fights over whether to favor gas over renewable energy.

<p>A Brazilian court upheld a ruling banning Transocean from operating in the country after a 3,600 barrel oil spill in November 2011. Regulator ANP tried to prevent the ban, which prosecutors sought in order to ensure payment of the $20 billion in damages assessed against Transocean, but the Superior Court of Justice upheld the ruling. The ban is the latest setback for state oil giant Petrobras, which has cited a lack of rigs as the reason it has failed to meet targets over the last decade.

<p>The president of France, Francois Hollande, called for greater cuts in carbon dioxide in the European Union beyond the 20 percent by 2020 targets. Hollande recommended a 40 percent reduction by 2030 and 60 percent reduction by 2040 as he sought to put the environment back at the top of the international agenda. "<span>We have an ambitious strategy," said Hollande, adding that he planned on defending the targets to the EU.