Climate politics
Figueres issues update on COP18 Doha climate talks
UN climate change chief says LCA negotiation track will close in Doha and praises “concrete progress” made this year.
Ban Ki-moon accuses governments of being wilfully blind to dangers of climate change
UN Secretary-General joins Presidents of vulnerable island states in climate rallying call at UN General Assembly.
Climate change finance promises not being kept, says new DARA report
Climate Vulnerability Monitor says lack of adherenece to “new and additional funding” rule means overseas aid is being diverted jeopardising Millennium Development Goals
HFC phasedown can cut 100bn tonnes of greenhouse gases by 2050: DuPont
Chemical giant behind HFC replacement chemicals says progress through the Montreal Protocol could represent huge climate change action
Poland cannot block EU decision to increase climate ambition – WWF
European climate ambition has been held back by opposition from Poland but EU fails to present WWF with evidence to support validity of single nation vetoes
EU urged to act on climate destructive HFCs
Environmental Investigation Agency says new EU standards can raise ambition in developing world and cut effects of rapid rise in global air conditioning and refrigerant use
Science must guide climate change debate – Elizabeth May
Canada’s Green Party chief says facts are being ignored as arguments in Canadian Parliament over carbon tax and climate plans heat up
BASIC group make Kyoto II “essential” outcome for progress in Doha
China, India, Brazil and South Africa call on rich nations to sign up for second commitment period and declare ambitious, new emission reduction targets at COP18
All eyes on New York as climate change debate moves to the Big Apple
Week of events lined-up as 123 world leaders gather for the UN General Debate.
Comment: Why Russia’s climate change policy is like a cargo cult
Is the world’s fourth largest carbon emitter serious about a global climate deal, or are they simply taking us along for a ride? Moscow-based journalist Olga Dobrovidova has a theory.
Is Japan’s Nuclear U-turn good or bad news for climate change?
Let us know what you think about Japan’s decision to stick with its fleet of nuclear reactors
EU and China sign climate change deal
Governments announce they will work together on environmental, urbanisation and climate projects including the design of a Chinese carbon market.
Yvo De Boer: Climate change talks need greater clarity
Former head of the UN Climate talks says confusion over goals of international negotiations and meaning of last year’s Durban Platform agreement need to be urgently addressed
US Senate looks to pile pressure on EU aviation plans before election break
Bill to stop US airlines taking part in EU emissions trading to be rushed through before Senate goes to recess on Friday.
Podcast: UK youth group on daunting scale of UN climate process
In the latest podcast by the UK’s Youth Climate Coalition, three members of the group heading to Qatar talk about the size, complexity and challenges that the COP18 negotiations present.
China calls on Qatar to resolve LCA issues at UN climate talks
Vice-President Li Keqiang calls on COP18 hosts Qatar to take up the cause of developing nations at the forthcoming climate talks in Doha.
Kyoto Protocol: How is the UN’s flagship climate project faring ahead of COP18?
Second commitment period looks likely to take place but low ambition, carbon trading crises and doubts over environmental integrity could render it impotent.
Christiana Figueres calls on Africa to drive adaptation agenda at COP18
UN climate chief admits convention has not done enough on adaptation but says continent must now take control of debate
Montreal Protocol: What can UN climate negotiators learn from the ozone treaty?
In 1987 states around the world united to cut the emission of dangerous gases that threatened the planet. 25 years later it is proving impossible to repeat the trick. Why?
Francois Hollande: EU should adopt 40% emissions reduction target by 2030
New French President calls for EU increase in emission pledges, bans fracking on home soil and offers to host UN climate talks in 2015.