World
Congress tells NASA to prioritise Mars exploration over climate change
US lawmakers back plans for deep space exploration but slash investment in agency’s climate research programmes
Records set to be smashed as Germany’s solar output soars
Germany will continue to break records for solar output despite a struggling manufacturing sector, confirm analysts
Poorly planned hydropower plants linked to North India floods
Floods in Uttarakhand that killed over 1000 and left many more homeless could have been exacerbated by inappropriate hydropower plants
China coal pollution blamed for falling life expectancy
Morning summary: Air pollution is shortening the lives of people in northern China by around 5 years
Smart air conditioning could save business $100k a year
Office sensors could save business millions if deployed across USA, scientists at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory report
What does a Republican-friendly carbon tax look like?
Obama’s climate plans avoid confrontation with Republicans but giving them what they want good be the key to an effective carbon tax
Desertec’s collapse unlikely to affect EU energy plans
Collapse of €400 billion plan will not affect Brussels energy strategy, but it does highlight the growing cost effectiveness of solar photo voltaic panels
Analysis: where is all the money for energy efficiency?
From the EU to individual homeowners, sourcing the cash for supposed no-brainer projects is proving harder than anticipated
China’s carbon emissions ‘could peak’ in 2025
Experts from government affiliated Energy Resources Institute say 2 degrees warming target is still realistic if China curbs pollution
European Parliament passes carbon market reforms
So-called backloading proposals to fix flagging carbon market passed after months of debate
Desertec in trouble as founders quit €400 billion solar project
Morning Briefing: ambition to power Europe using solar panels in North African deserts thrown into disarray after split between leading planners
Skinny cows and climate change could cost farmers billions
A study predicts wild and domestic cattle will drastically reduce in weight as the climate warms − compromising food security and slashing farmer’s profits
Obama launches $7bn African energy plan
Scheme will support US companies to enter market with goal of doubling energy access in sub-Saharan Africa
China leads nuclear energy expansion in Asia
Morning Briefing: China at centre of Asia nuclear energy expansion
Climate change to make India monsoons worse
Indian communities need to take matters into their own hands to put an end to disasters like the flooding in Uttarakhand
EU carbon market to ‘cancel out’ 700m tonnes of CO2 cuts
Excess credits after 2020 will allow extra emissions to undo GHG savings from other EU policies, warns campaign group Sandbag
Kerry invites India to join US-China HFC agreement
Secretary of State John Kerry tells audience in New Delhi that action on climate change can boost the country’s development
Warnings over China HFC ‘climate bomb’
Morning summary: A “climate bomb” of potent greenhouse gases 15,000 times more damaging to the climate than carbon dioxide could be released In China
US – India climate pact hinges on technology and finance
With John Kerry in India to discuss future cooperation, analysts say USA must offer Delhi government aid to move away from coal-based economy
Climate adaptation planning ‘could have prevented’ Uttarakhand deaths
Local expert tells RTCC lives could have been saved if government had enforced rules banning construction of buildings on flood plans