John Parnell

Republicans bid to stop Obama’s ‘War on Coal’

Legislation that would protect coal mines from closure and make Federal funding of renewables projects more difficult will be debated in Congress this week

Canada accused of issuing misleading update on UN carbon cutting progress

Canadian Environment Minister claimed country is halfway to reaching its 2020 targets but a closer inspection reveals it has moved the goalposts.

Romney and Obama quiz on climate change and energy highlights how close their policies really are

Presidential candidates say they have opposing views on climate change and energy policy but comments from a recent debate between the two suggest there’s less difference than some may hope.

Bangkok 2012: Talks offer first glimpses of what Kyoto Protocol MK2 might look like

Discussions on Kyoto progress with the potential for three new members, retributions for those who don’t sign and ongoing questions surrounding the scale of emission cuts country’s are promising.

Climate Live: Oxfam warns climate change effect on food prices is underestimated and UN climate talks conclude in Bangkok

The consequences of extreme weather have not been factored into estimates of global food prices properly warns Oxfam and the UNFCCC talks end today with news of progress on a second Kyoto period expected later.

Bangkok 2012 – Lead EU negotiator Runge-Metzger says a 30% emission reduction target is still possible

Other key countries must raise ambition too but timing of US elections means crucial decision in Washington unlikely in time for Doha talks.

Bangkok 2012 – Time to treat big emerging economies like developed nations, says former Bolivia negotiator

Pablo Solon says UN climate change negotiations should acknowledge that the goals of rich nations and big emerging economies pursuing “greenhouse gas intensive growth” are the same.

Obama reaffirms commitment to UN climate change talks in key election document

The 2012 Democratic National Platform pledges support for international emissions deal, clean energy and fossil fuel subsidy cuts.

Bangkok 2012 – Oil producers and emerging economies build powerful new alliance at UN climate change talks

Arab countries unite with coalition of vocal Latin American nations, China, India and emerging Asian economies to form new negotiating bloc called Like Minded Group (LMG).

Bangkok 2012 – NGOs warn of climate finance complacency

The Green Climate Fund board may have met for the first time but there remain far too many unanswered questions on raising and spending cash to combat climate change.

Bangkok 2012 – Poorest nations issue plea for support in climate battle while richest accused of watering down ambition

EU, Australia and New Zealand signal less ambition and more flexibility with pledges while least developed countries reiterate need for financial and logistical help to fight climate change at home.

Bangkok 2012 – Rich countries must not dump their responsibilities on the poor says NGO

Third World Network says developed economies must take responsibility for their historical emissions with ambitious targets to cut greenhouse gases.

Bangkok 2012 – Loose ends and few surprises at first day of UN climate change talks

Meeting in Bangkok kicks-off with familiar battle lines drawn on Kyoto Protocol and early salvos fired on new global deal.

Climate Live: Global geoengineering scheme would cost $5bn a year; Shell gets green light for Arctic drilling

The costs of a geoengineering scheme to deflect solar radiation has been estimated in a new scientific paper; UN Bangkok climate talks continue and Shell is told it can drill tests wells off the coast of Alaska but full scale drilling will have to wait till its spill response plan is approved.

COMMENT: Can one man alone drive the green revolution?

Tom Youngman, a young climate activist reflects on his meeting with green entrepreneur Dale Vince and asks how much can one person do to fight climate change on their own?

Vulnerable small island states call for Bangkok climate talks to “close the gaps”

Small Island States issue statement calling in rich nations to raise the their ambition and ensure gaps in funding and emission reductions are slammed shut.

Climate Live: UN climate change talks continue in Bangkok; Antarctica sitting on mass methane stores; Water stress could render Gaza strip “unliveable”

The UN talks look to lay the path for a new period of emission cuts for rich countries under the Kyoto protocol as issues of finance and formative discussions on the Durban Platform, a global deal on greenhouse gas reductions begin.