World
John Kerry: investment in coal is “simply destructive”
NEWS: Top US diplomat says subsidies for coal should be slashed, calls for action at G20 and APEC ahead of Paris climate talks
US denies U-turn after EPA chief calls for ‘legally binding’ Paris deal
NEWS: State Department swiftly quashes suggestion Washington could support a binding UN climate treaty later this year
Modi pledges climate alliance with small island states
NEWS: India PM says India and climate vulnerable countries share same ambitions for UN pact in Paris
Florida governor Scott denies banning phrase ‘climate change’
NEWS: Rick Scott says claims climate was censored are “not true” but declines to expand on his views on causes of global warming
African ministers back 1.5C warming goal for Paris summit
NEWS: Climate vulnerable nations call for ambitious carbon cuts and more emphasis on adaptation in proposed 2015 deal
Doubts raised over Europe’s ability to meet 2030 climate target
NEWS: Europe has made progress in cutting greenhouse gas emissions, but long-term reduction aims look unachievable, says report
Under the Dome: Is this China’s version of Silent Spring?
COMMENT: Chai Jing’s film about Chinese pollution could have a long lasting impact, despite government efforts to delete it from the internet
Himalayas count cost of damage from soot, methane and HFCs
NEWS: Impact of short lived pollutants likely to be felt across Indian subcontinent as Himalayan melt accelerates
EU commits to cut emissions “at least” 40% by 2030 in UN pledge
NEWS: Ministers in Brussels approve target for 2015 Paris climate deal, making bloc second after Switzerland to publish official submission
Li Keqiang announces new energy target to wean China off coal
NEWS: Beijing government pledges to strictly enforce environmental regulations and “crack down” on illegal emissions
UN: African Robin Hood tax could fund climate adaptation efforts
NEWS: Tax on finance, trade and tourism could net estimated $13 billion a year to help countries face expected extreme weather impacts
EU vows to preserve climate ambition in use of forests
NEWS: Climate Commissioner Canete tells RTCC there will be “no backsliding” from current climate commitments
Global warming raises California’s drought vulnerability
NEWS: US researchers say climate change, not random chance, is likely to be causing California’s long drought, one of the worst on record
China set to tighten coal and carbon caps in next five year plan
NEWS: Air pollution concerns driving Beijing lawmakers to get tough on polluting power plants and heavy industry
Modi budget sends mixed messages on India’s climate commitment
NEWS: Green groups condemn lack of funding for forests, but higher tax on coal offers hope that India can accelerate decarbonisation
Decline in China coal demand to continue, says Beijing expert
NEWS: Emissions could peak earlier than government target of 2030 as tide starts to turn against coal, world’s dirtiest form of energy
Zhang Yong favourite to replace Xie as China climate envoy in Paris
NEWS: Veteran Communist Party official set to take control of Beijing’s negotiating team as talks enter critical phase
Todd Stern: Don’t rush to judge Paris climate change deal
NEWS: Chief US negotiator says December 2015 summit will be first step in series of deals up to and beyond 2020
China’s coal use fell 2.9% in 2014
NEWS: New government statistics indicate significant drop in coal use, with 0.7% drop in 2014 emissions projected by analysts
UK warns Brussels against “watering down” EU climate targets
NEWS: Secretary of State Ed Davey writes to Commission, says credibility of Brussels leadership on climate change is at stake