Climate politics
Bangkok 2012 – Confusion reigns at UN climate talks as negotiators prove inflexible over flexibility but agree to disagree
What is everyone talking about at the UN climate talks in Bangkok? Chris Wright from Adopt a Negotiator is a veteran of UNFCCC meetings – but the current discussions have left him scratching his head.
Bangkok 2012 – Kaleidoscope of visions for Durban Platform make path forward unclear
RTCC takes a brief look at discussions on the Durban Platform during the UN climate talks in Bangkok
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 – USA accused of backtracking on legally binding UN climate treaty
State Department negotiator Jonathan Pershing calls for new climate treaty to value flexibility and dynamism over legal nature
Mitt Romney’s plan for climate change? Dial 211
Republican Presidential candidate needs to have a Plan B if his belief that climate change is a hoax proves to be misplaced
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 – EU signals it will not adopt 30% emissions target
Reports from UN climate talks in Bangkok suggest EU is now unlikely to enforce tougher emission targets, with one official describing further cuts as ‘wishful thinking’
Bangkok 2012 – Future of climate finance and adaptation trigger debate as LCA talks heat up
The Long Term Cooperative Action negotiations are top of the agenda in Bangkok as countries disagree over its future and the developing vs developed nations rift widens.
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.
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.
Obama tells crowd: “Denying climate change won’t make it stop”
Speaking to a crowd at Iowa State University, Obama calls of student to choose an energy future good for both the economy and the planet.
Bangkok 2012 – Forests: The make or break for New Zealand and Kyoto II
Forestry is likely to be a key point of interest for New Zealand heading into the Bangkok talks as the country’s ability to meet their Kyoto targets is dependent on the sector.
Australia joins EU carbon trading scheme boosting its credentials as a climate change tool
Expanding emissions market sends positive signals for future international carbon cuts but analysts warn it is no quick fix for troubled system.
UNFCCC parties hope Bangkok’s summer sun can thaw deep divisions sown in Bonn
Nine months on from what was billed as an ‘historic’ Durban Platform agreement, the UN climate change talks look in danger of sliding backwards again.
Green Climate Fund continues to make slow but steady progress
October meeting set for South Korea with selection of host top of the agenda for climate change fighting fund.
South Africa and Australia elected to chair board of $100bn climate fund
The Green Climate Fund has selected its co-chairs as discussions over transparency continue.
2°C warming target “out the window” says top UK scientist
Professor Bob Watson, one of the UK Government’s top scientific advisors, warns the world could be heading to a 3°C or even 5°C world as a result of climate change.
UN agencies call for global response to drought
With climate change expected to increase the frequency and intensity of droughts, UN agencies call on countries to adopt urgent policies to deal with water shortages