World
Energy efficiency key to China’s economic growth
China needs to radically improve its energy efficiency levels if it is to maintain current levels of growth, a leading expert on Chinese climate policy tells RTCC.
Fighting for the survival of the Sundarbans
Bangladesh’s government is planning to build a coal power station in an area rich in biodiversity. RTCC has an exclusive report from the Sundarbans on what is proving a bitter fight for local activists.
Russia could ban airlines from carbon trading in protest at EU scheme
Bill passing through parliament now as “coalition of the unwilling” meet in Moscow.
Campaign Group: UK must vote to ban tar sands
As the EU commission gets set to vote on the Quality Fuel Directive, student group People and Planet urge the UK to vote for the directive and banning tar sands imports from the continent.
Photo of the week #5
This week’s Rio Conventions Calendar photo features renewable energy in China.
Satellite Photo: Destruction of the Mangrove Forest of the Sundarbans
Produced as part of UNESCO’s ‘Satellites and World Heritage Sites, Partners to Understand Climate Change’ exhibition, this satellite image shows the destruction of Mangroves in the Bay of Bengal.
Audio: Why the US finds a global climate treaty so hard
Former UNFCCC boss Michael Zammit Cutajar explains why it is so difficult for the USA to fully engage in climate talks – and outlines the role he sees they could play in the lead up to 2015.
Audio: What role will USA + China play in climate talks?
Former UNFCCC chief Michael Zammit Cutajar explores the relationship between the USA and China and asks how this will impact on any future climate treaty.
Comment: Durban Platform at stake in airline levy row
If the EU cannot enforce an emissions-trading system for airlines in its own backyard, what hope does the Durban Platform really have?
2011: EU installs record high of renewable power
New report from the European Wind Energy Association found that renewable power installation account for 71.3% of new energy capacity in 2011.
Comment: Why climate equity matters in India
India says the Rio+20 goals are designed to trap developing nations into binding emission cuts. But why is the world’s 4th largest economy so worried?
India: Rio+20 goals are “a backdoor for caps on emissions”
Government wary that Sustainable Development Goals would sidestep rich/poor firewall set out by UNFCCC, according to newspaper reports.
Analysis: Drought-hit Middle East ripe for conflict
What role could drought, rising food prices and extreme poverty play in exacerbating tensions in the MENA region?
Davos 2012: What have we learnt?
Six key climate change messages to take away from the World Economic Forum summit.
Pakistan hints at climate change cooperation with India
Prime Minister Gilani will work with neighbour but also says recurring disasters need a global solution.
Coastal erosion major threat to West Africa
In the second blog from the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO Isabelle Niang writes about the threat to West Africa from rapid coastal erosion.
RTCC photo of the week #2
This week’s Rio Conventions Calendar photo features a silverback Muninya peering out from the jungle.
Water summit underlines growing importance in Middle East
Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi says ‘water more important than oil’ for Middle East.
Nitrogen dioxide cloud over India and China
Nitrogen dioxide levels have risen over India and China according to a senior scientist at the University of Bremen.
Health concerns put shale gas exploration in spotlight
As Shale Gas exploration rapidly expands in the US, health officials have called for an examination of any potential public health implications of the process.