Climate politics
UK will lose influence at UNFCCC if it fails to be honest over ambition
If British politicians treat their own climate targets like a joke, what hopes are there for an effective global binding emissions deal?
VIDEO: Expert explains why renewables sector needs policy certainty
Professor Peter Newell outlines importance of binding emissions deal for business community at 2012 Low Carbon Energy for Development Network (LCEDN) meeting in Brighton
Russia rules out taking part in “useless” Kyoto Protocol
Foreign Ministry releases statement explaining that extension will be ineffective and calls for a ‘single document’ of climate obligations
Competition: Win a day at MTV by rapping on climate change
We’re looking for the Jay-Z of climate change to wax lyrical about the issues affecting your local community. Trips to Doha, New York and London await the winner.
Barroso calls on EU to take lead in combating climate change
EU Commission President says EU has responsibility to lead efforts to work on effective global solution to climate change.
UN climate talks: EU negotiator calls for urgent ambition to avoid 2 degrees
UK and EU senior climate negotiator Pete Betts says political conditions need to improve if world is to hit key climate change temperature goal
Greg Barker: COP18 climate talks can boost Saudi green ambitions
UK energy and climate change minister says UN climate talks in Qatar offer a unique opportunity to encourage major oil and gas producing states to embrace green agenda
Obama: “Climate change is not a joke”
US President provides hope to climate activists around the world with strong defence of green policies during main speech at the Democrat Convention
Analysis: Was enough achieved at UN climate talks in Bangkok?
Edward Cameron and Yamide Dagnet from the World Resources Institute argue that the latest UNFCCC negotiations should be seen as a qualified success – but warn there is much work yet to do.
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.
World’s most vulnerable countries call for greater ambition in Doha to guarantee integrity of Kyoto Protocol
As the Bangkok talks come to a close, the LDCs and AOSIS come together to call on more developed countries to submit legally binding targets for the second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol ahead of COP18 in Doha.
Russia considers signing up to Kyoto Protocol extension
Russian Deputy Prime Minister says “such a decision has not been taken” on twitter as local reports say the country will sign up to a second commitment.
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.
Bangkok 2012: Civil society react to latest round of UN climate talks
Reaction to UNFCCC negotiations from Greenpeace, WWF, Christian Aid, Practical Action, Third World Network, Union of Concerned Scientists & Environmental Defense Fund
Bangkok 2012: UN climate talks close with ‘unofficial’ draft on Kyoto Protocol 2nd period
Progress on several issues builds momentum ahead of Doha summit but questions remain on climate finance, the ambition of emission pledges and the tricky LCA track of negotiations.
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 – LDC chief confident Australia will sign up to Kyoto Protocol extension
Julia Gillard’s government is close to signing up to the second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol (KP2), a leading negotiator at the UN climate talks in Bangkok has told RTCC.