SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - The former head of an EPA criminal probe into pipeline spills at a BP Plc oilfield in Alaska claims the U.S. Justice Department prematurely ended the investigation and settled with the oil company for less than the case may have warranted.

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The Arctic offers new energy and fishing resources as a result of global warming and new technology, the European Union said on Thursday.

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Southeast Asia and South Pacific island nations face a growing threat from malaria and dengue fever as climate change spreads mosquitoes that carry the diseases and climate-change refugees start to migrate.

BEIJING (Reuters) - Chinese policy makers may decide to increase a refined oil consumption tax rather than impose a new fuel tax, as some market participants are expecting, a source familiar with the issue told Reuters.

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Many of the world's biggest automakers on Wednesday detailed ambitious electric-car plans that promise zero emissions but will demand patience from consumers and subsidies from governments to succeed.

BRUSSELS/LONDON (Reuters) - As the financial crisis hit a climax in Belgium with the split-up of its largest bank Fortis in October, new clients were rushing to a small, "ecologically correct" bank.

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Impatient with the pace of national governments in fighting global climate change, 13 U.S. state governors joined counterparts from six other countries on Wednesday to pledge cooperation to curtail Earth-warming greenhouse gas emissions.

CHICAGO (Reuters) - Barack Obama said on Tuesday the United States would "engage vigorously" in climate change talks when he is president, and he pledged to work to reduce emissions sharply by 2020, despite the financial crisis.