Let’s use early milestones to stay focused on climate action
To make sure we meet a 2030 goal to triple outflows from UN climate funds agreed at COP29, work needs to start now
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Without debt relief, climate action will fail
Many Global South countries spend five times more on repaying debt than tackling climate change – governments meeting in Seville next month can stop this downward spiral
Trump shifts US funds from shutting down foreign fossil fuels to expanding them
The US administration has pulled clean energy and just transition funding in South Africa and is pressuring EXIM and the World Bank to back fossil fuels
Climate shocks and volatile currencies hike debt burden for poor countries
Least-developed countries and island nations are struggling with crippling debt levels made worse by global currency fluctuations and climate disasters hitting their economies
Climate non-profits anticipate fight with Trump over tax status
US-based climate change campaign groups fear that President Donald Trump will try to use the US tax authority to damage them financially
As Trump upends aid and markets, who will pay for green development in Global South?
Ahead of key donor meetings, experts say a combination of debt relief, private investment and innovative sources of finance could help fill the gap
Loss and damage fund to hand out $250 million in initial phase
The fund’s board has agreed a plan for the start-up phase of the UN mechanism to help developing nations tackle the consequences of climate disasters
Ban Ki-moon: Sustainable energy for all is achievable
UN Secretary-General says energy choices key to security, development and environmental challenges.
Comment: Why wind is not the answer
Jean-Pierre Huguet of the European Platform Against Wind tells us why wind is not the future for energy security in Europe.
Maria McCaffery: 2012 the year for wind to fly
All the pieces are in place for wind power to establish itself as the key technology for clean energy writes Maria McCaffery, Chief Executive of RenewableUK.
Philips chief: Have courage and follow our lead in fighting climate change
Business needs to have courage and take unilateral steps to lower emissions, according to Harry Verhaar, head of Energy and Climate Change at Philips Lighting.
Erica Robb: UK government need to be taught solar lesson in court
In a column for RTCC, the Solar Spirit director who took on David Cameron says best outcome is for the government to lose FiTs battle and for retrospective changes to be ruled unlawful.
LED lighting could replace 88 billion litres of kerosene a year
Paraffin and kerosene are currently used for lighting by millions in the developing world – but a new UN-led LED scheme could save money and cut emissions.
Figueres: Action not words will fight climate change
What is the Momentum for Change project and why does it matter? RTCC asked the UNFCCC Executive Secretary Christiana Figueres to explain why this campaign is important.
Solar expert aims to build 100 power stations in two weeks
Mark Kragh travels to Kenya in February aiming to teach 15 villagers how to build mini-solar devices from scrap materials to power mobile phones.
Climate change: The new big bang?
Addressing the effects of climate change is a major opportunity for the planet. This week we’re highlighting some cool innovations and technologies for a green economy.
Margaret Thatcher: The Green Lady?
As the Margaret Thatcher biopic movie The Iron Lady is released, RTCC takes a look at Maggie’s pioneering environmental views that remain more advanced than those of many modern-day leaders.
2011 disasters make it costliest year on record
2011 was one of the costliest years on record in terms of natural catastrophe, 90% of which were weather related.
Earthquakes lead to calls for US fracking shutdown
Ohio Governor closes five shale gas drill sites after magnitude 4.0 earthquake strikes.
Storm tests UK resilience to extreme weather
Gusts of 90mph batter country’s infrastructure and test current climate adaptation measures.
US Election 2012: Republican Presidential candidates on climate change
The first in a round of polls to find the Republican Presidential nomination kicks-off in Iowa today. RTCC examines the candidates’ track records on climate change.
Climate Curate: Tuesday 3 January 2012
The latest environmental and green news gathered every day by the Climate Curate.
UK court rules solar cuts ‘legally flawed’
The UK High Court has ruled that government decisions to slash feed-in-tarrifs for solar panels on homes were ‘legally flawed’.
European carbon price soars 18.8% following EU vote
Decision to withhold additional carbon allowances in 2013 buoys market.
European court throws out US objections to EU aviation carbon fees
All flights landing or taking off from EU airports to be included in emissions trading scheme from January 2012.
New research: Canada would have made money if it had stayed in Kyoto
Government’s claims that pledges would have cost it $14bn rubbished by Cambridge University and Tyndall Centre study.
Arnie tells Republicans not to be “narrow minded” over Solyndra
Panel including Governator, Sir Richard Branson and IPPC chief Pachauri meets standing Californian Governor Jerry Brown to debate climate change.
A global deal: If not 2009, why 2015?
Hannah Ryder, senior economist with the UK’s Department for International Development and a former climate negotiator examines why a combination of science and economics could push a global deal on climate change over the line.
Facebook signs clean energy pact with Greenpeace
Web giant will pursue renewable power sources for data centres and ramp up research into energy efficiency.
US: Canada’s Kyoto pull-out will have no effect on new global deal
Lead American negotiator Todd Stern says Kyoto was key to Durban Platform but is “more the past than the future”.
Speaking out on Durban: COP17 in quotes
Long after the talks were scheduled to conclude, the Durban Platform was finally agreed. RTCC looks at the results in the words of the delegates themselves.