Climate politics
Figueres: China setting pace in climate change challenge
UN climate chief Christiana Figueres says the low carbon leadership of China’s government should be used an example worldwide
No plans for Marshall Islands climate evacuation says minister
Vice President Tony de Brum tells RTCC he’s confident islands will remain in existence, and says September climate summit in Majuro will be critical for ambition
Gina McCarthy says EPA aims to spark US economic growth
New EPA chief speaks of the challenges and opportunities of uniting the environment and the economy at her inaugural lecture at Harvard Law School
Is 1.5C warming target still within reach?
Climate Action Network and Climate Analytics study says rapid investment in biomass, energy efficiency and carbon capture technologies required
UK government unlikely to rethink “complacent” Arctic policies
The Foreign Office maintains its views on Arctic drilling, in spite of Environmental Audit Committee’s criticisms that it is “needlessly risky”
Marshall Islands demand “climate leadership” from Australia
Vice President says ‘big brothers’ Australia and New Zealand have vital role to play in taking political leadership on climate change
Small island states dismiss doubts over 2015 UN climate deal
Nauru Ambassador Marlene Moses says a global emissions agreement by 2015 is possible and an obligation
UN takes steps to boost demand for carbon market credits
New Grenada office will help Carribbean countries identify projects for the Clean Development Mechanism
Comment: UN needs to work out a Plan B for climate change
Joy Hyvarinen from FIELD argues that Ban Ki Moon’s high-level political forum on sustainable development must tackle rising emissions as a priority
UN climate change deal “may not be feasible” by 2015
The world’s leading economies have indicated 2015 may be too early for countries to agree on mitigation targets under a international treaty
UN climate science body IPCC condemns AR5 report leak
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change dismisses reports in Economist that climate change will be less severe than once thought
New EPA chief Gina McCarthy faces tough challenges
Barack Obama’s nominee as Environment Protection Agency chief starts work today – and her inbox is likely to be full of tough choices
China finance minister backs carbon tax
Support for a carbon tax within China appears to be growing after reports Lou Jiwei said this could take place “in some time”
Comment: the World Bank’s coal ban is just a start
Writing for RTCC, WWF’s Global Climate & Energy Initiative Samantha Smith says financial institutions need to cut their backing for coal, oil and gas
Fossil fuels tax to fund climate efforts proposed at UN talks
Climate mitigation and adaptation funds worth US$ 600 billion could be raised by targeting monies paid to the coal, oil and gas sectors
“Get off the fence” on coal ash, scientist tells US EPA
Leading US scientist says coal ash, toxic substances and power plan emissions should be priority for the next leader of the US Environmental Protection Agency
Pacific Island summit ends with call for climate compensation
Pacific Island states agree to redouble efforts to secure agreement for a loss and damage scheme at UN climate talks
Why did David Cameron promise to lead the ‘greenest government ever’?
The Prime Minister promised to put green issues at the top of his agenda, but the delivery has been disappointing
Chris Huhne: Treasury undermining key UK energy efficiency scheme
Former climate and energy chief says flagship efficiency programme will not be a success until it receives more support from the top of government
John Ashton Q&A: ‘The USA is still a climate follower, not a leader’
Former UK climate envoy answers RTCC readers’ questions on Obama, China, David Cameron, loss and damage and World Bank funding for coal plants