Climate politics
Denmark outpaces UK in race to zero – Climate Weekly
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UK announces stronger 2030 emissions target, setting the bar for ambition summit
The UK will cut emissions 68% from 1990 to 2030, Boris Johnson announced, urging other leaders to bring new commitments to the 5th anniversary of the Paris Agreement
Coal, oil and gas production to blow climate targets despite pandemic dip, report warns
UN-backed Production Gap report projects a 2% annual rise in global fossil fuel output this decade, when 6% cuts are needed in line with a 1.5C warming limit
Guterres: UN will build global coalition for carbon neutrality in 2021
UN chief Antonio Guterres warned “the planet is broken”, calling for a “quantum leap” on getting to net zero emissions in 2021
UK scrambles to decide first post-Brexit climate pledge to the Paris Agreement
The Cop26 host is on a tight timeline to set a 2030 carbon-cutting target separate from the EU’s, ahead of an ambition summit on the fifth anniversary of Paris
The damage of four lost years – Climate Weekly
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Youth activists demand damages for climate victims at virtual ‘mock Cop26’
Making polluters pay for losses suffered by communities on the frontline of climate impacts is a priority for young activists, as they prepare to engage with UN negotiations
UK aid budget cuts undermine trust ahead of Cop26 summit, experts warn
As developing countries prepare to negotiate a scaling up of climate finance at next year’s Cop26, the UK host faces criticism for reneging on its aid commitment
Joe Biden picks John Kerry as the US’ presidential envoy on climate change
Veteran diplomat John Kerry said the next US administration would treat the climate crisis as “the urgent national security threat it is”
Saudis and Europeans reach compromise on climate as G20 projects unity
EU leaders endorsed Riyadh’s contentious “circular carbon economy” vision at the G20 summit, in exchange for a renewed commitment to phasing out fossil fuel subsidies
Johnson bids for climate glory – Climate Weekly
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Canada sets out to enshrine 2050 net zero emissions goal in law
Justin Trudeau presented a bill to the Canadian parliament to set five-yearly carbon targets from 2030 to 2050, but was criticised for a lack of immediate action
China is set to meet UN climate deadline, experts say, but coal pathway is uncertain
To align near-term policy with its 2060 carbon neutrality goal, China needs to stop building new coal-fired power plants after 2020, researchers say
Boris Johnson has further to go on climate to show true leadership
The UK prime minister’s plan for a “green industrial revolution” sends a strong political signal, but more is needed for a credible decarbonisation strategy ahead of Cop26
Boris Johnson sets out 10-point plan to get UK on track for net zero
The UK premier majored on hydrogen, nuclear and carbon capture in a package aiming to set the bar for hosting Cop26 climate talks next year
Climate campaigners target critical US Senate runoffs in Georgia
Turning out black and Latino voters, who are hardest hit by climate change and pollution, is seen as key to Democrat chances of winning US Senate control in January
Russia resists tougher climate targets in dash for Arctic gas
Russia has no plans to end its contribution to climate change before the end of the century and is aggressively expanding Arctic gas production for the Asian market
First named Cop26 sponsors are big investors in offshore wind – and a gas plant
SSE, Scottish Power and National Grid have been named as sponsors of next year’s UN climate summit in Glasgow, with SSE defending a “transition” investment in gas power
Defunding coal – Climate Weekly
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UK looks to Cop26 climate summit to fix awkward relationship with Biden
US president-elect Biden sees Johnson as a “clone” of Trump and disagrees with him on Brexit, but both leaders want to make next year’s Glasgow climate talks a success