Saudi Arabia blocks climate change from UN poverty goals
Group of oil producing nations looks to keep clean energy targets out of new sustainable development poverty framework
Rio+20
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Ban Ki Moon: green growth insurance against uncertain future
UN chief says national leaders have urgent responsibility to ‘craft policies’ that will protect future generations
World’s top banks to penalise businesses that damage nature
43 leading financial institutions including World Bank plan to cut credit for companies which rely on them but fail to value them
EU President Barroso demands greater climate action in 2013
José Manuel Barroso says the EU is committed to a 2015 global climate deal and expects its‘partners’ to show more ambition next year
Youth turn to music as climate message falls on deaf ears
Youth Profile #21: The Global Youth Music Contest share their vision of enthusing young people about climate change and sustainability
Why a new business era inspired by nature not greed can benefit us all
If you suspend your cynicism long enough, an emerging pattern in the corporate world suggests the dawn of the new, more organic corporation is upon us, and they care about climate change.
Short film highlights anger and impotency felt by youth groups at Rio+20 summit
Major Group for Children and Youth releases documentary revealing disappointment at Rio+20 final text and determination to open a new dialogue with world leaders
Planet under Pressure ends with six recommendations for Rio+20
Conference ends with declaration that science must take a central role in shaping and influencing policy discussions ahead of Rio+20.
Ban Ki-moon calls for closer links between policy and science
UN Secretary General says scientists must become more involved in policy-making process, and announces new position of UN chief scientist.
UK chief scientist: Private sector innovation key to addressing climate change
John Beddington says state intervention should be limited to setting frameworks and mechanisms, leaving business to experiment and innovate
H&M: Green is back in fashion for Climate Week 2012
Environmentally friendly fashion is here to stay, according to the head of Fashion and Sustainability at leading retailer H&M.
$300 billion a year needed to save biodiversity
The new chief of the United National Convention of Biological Diversity has said saving biodiversity will cost the world $300 billion a year but warned doing nothing would cost much more.
Hedegaard: Phase out fossil fuel subsidies at Rio+20
EU climate commissioner Connie Hedegaard calls on world leaders heading to Rio+20 in June to phase out fossil fuel subsidies.
Saudi Arabia: Protection of environment key to development
Speaking at the third G20 Speakers’ Meeting, key government official enforces the country’s commitment to stable energy markets and environmental protections as key to sustainable development.
How can we raise ambition at climate talks?
RTCC submission on raising ambition of Durban Platform calls on public sector to work more closely with private partners, governments to catalogue consumption emissions and adaptation to be taken seriously.
Canadian Minister: We need an effective, binding climate deal
Post-Kyoto era should focus establishing a new deal says Peter Kent.
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.
Egypt: Time for a green constitution?
Egyptian environmentalist Waleed Mansour argues that future generations and climate change must be taken into account in their new constitution.
Sustainable development “no pipedream”
Academics call for policy overhaul to avoid climate, energy and poverty crises.
Satellite Image: Loss of Corals, Mangroves and Turtles in the Komodo National Park
Produced as part of UNESCO’s international ‘Satellites and World Heritage Sites, Partners to Understand Climate Change’ exhibition, this image is of the Komodo National Park in Indonesdia.
Nitrogen oxide levels over Europe drop 20%
New research has found a combination of improvement environmental policy and the economic recession caused Nitrogen oxide levels over Europe to drop 20-20% between 2005-10.
UN delegate: Technology transfer is not about the rich giving to poor
Breakdown of rich-poor divide evident says member of UN’s climate tech transfer committee.
Brundtland: Use fight against poverty to deal with climate change
Poverty eradication must be used to boost sustainable development and climate action, said former Norwegian Prime Minister, Gro Harlem Brundtland.
Harmful algae thriving in warm and windy Atlantic
Warming oceans and increases in windiness could be causing the rise in harmful algal blooms in the North Atlantic Ocean and North Sea.
Report: Community schemes key to clean energy revolution
Report calls on government to support community-led renewable energy schemes, arguing this will reduce costs and emissions.
Spelman: “Sustainable Development Goals” needed ahead of Rio +20
Speaking ahead of the Rio+20 Earth Summit in June, UK Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman calls on the world to set goals for a greener economy.
Rio+20 Comment: Seizing Sustainable Development
Finland President Tarja Halonen and South African President Jacob Zuma outline their sustainable development goals for Rio+20.
UN report: Lack of political will hindering sustainable development
Report calls for end to fossil-fuel subsidies, provision of green-growth opportunities and analysis of full environmental costs of production and consumption.
Rio+20 Summit shies away from ‘controversial’ climate change
Hosts select sustainable development as foundation for progress.
UNEP: Clean up of the world’s oceans could boost economy
New report from the United Nations Environment Programme highlights the economy gain from keeping healthy coasts and seas.
Rio+20 Comment: Powering Sustainable Energy for All
United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki Moon outlines his vision for Sustainable Energy for all.