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USA/China: California and China are in discussions about linking their budding carbon markets, according to UN climate chief Christiana Figueres. Presidents Xi Jinping and Barack Obama will meet for the first time on June 7 and 8, in California. An EU official told RTCC yesterday that the China-US climate alliance announced by Secretary of State John Kerry earlier in the month could well include cooperation on carbon markets. (Thomson Reuters Point Carbon)
UN climate chief Christiana Figueres (Source: UN/JC McIlwaine)
UK: The Environment Agency has warned the UK against a “dash for coal”. The government has been criticised for losing enthusiasm for renewables and instead investing more in gas-fired power stations. “There’s lots of talk about a dash for gas but in effect we’re in a dash for coal that’s completely unsustainable. The government must ensure it doesn’t continue,” warned Lord Smith, chairman of the agency. (BBC)
USA: A bill in the US could force the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to shift some of its budget away from climate change research and into weather forecasting. It would also open up the NOAA’s work to private sector competition. (Climate Central)
Australia: A consultancy has predicted that Australia will exceed its 20% renewables target for 2020, according to a new report. The Green Energy Markets study estimates that 22.5% of the country’s power will come from renewable sources. (The Guardian)