By John Parnell
– The day’s top climate change stories as chosen by RTCC
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– Updated from 0830-1700 BST (GMT+1)
Tuesday 15 January
US: President Obama is unlikely to make climate change a top priority in his next term without a major political shift in Washington, according to a soon to be released academic paper. Harvard-based Theda Skocpol says that NGOs failed to recognise the strength of opposition to climate action on the US political right. “The stark truth is that severe weather events alone will not cause global warming to pop to the top of the national agenda. Fresh strategies will be needed, based on new understandings of political obstacles and opportunities,” she said. (The Guardian)
UK: The British Government has dismissed calls for a ban on Arctic drilling as recommended by a committee of MPs and environmental groups. The oil and gas rich region presents a riskier drilling setting but the UK Foreign Office says improved spill prevention and protection of Arctic biodiversity will be more effective in protecting the region than a complete ban. (Reuters)
EU: Faltering plans to develop Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) facilities in the EU should be boosted by new emissions performance legislation and mandatory targets for CO2 capture. A number of demonstrations in Europe are floundering, unaided by a low carbon price leading, to calls for additional intervention. (EurActiv)
UAE: Ban Ki-moon’s target to double renewable energy resources by 2030 is achievable but greater action will be required, a conference of the International Renewable Energy Association (IRENA) heard in Abu Dhabi yesterday. Nation’s including the UK are looking to the Middle East for increased investment in clean energy. “This is an important agenda. Not just for the environment but for business. The opportunities for the global, low-carbon economy are huge and growing at an exponential rate,” said UK climate and energy Minister Greg Barker. (The National)