Archive for 2021
As US formally rejoins the Paris Agreement, eyes turn to 2030 emissions goal
Now the US is back in the Paris Agreement, it is expected to set a 2030 emissions target, with campaigners calling for at least 50% cuts
Under diplomatic pressure, India considers net zero – but major hurdles remain
Net zero pledges from other major polluters have put spotlight on Delhi’s climate ambitions, but full decarbonisation is a big ask
DR Congo campaigners take minister to court over illegal logging rights claims
Environment minister Claude Nyamugabo is accused of violating a moratorium on logging in the Congo rainforest, by awarding concessions the size of Wales
Italy creates ecological transition ministry but campaigners warn against gas support
Physicist Roberto Cingolani, who comes from a defense and security firm to lead a new Italian green ministry, has previously praised gas as ‘the most sustainable resource’
EU member states divided over green reforms of energy investment treaty
France and Spain are calling for the EU to quit the Energy Charter Treaty unless it is overhauled to support climate goals; eastern member states want less radical reform
Connected lighting systems could help Europe meet its green recovery goals
Sponsored content: Lighting company Signify argues EU targets can be realised through the widespread adoption of smart connected lighting networks
Climate leaders welcome reforming WTO chief, as carbon trade wars loom
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala brings an awareness of climate issues to the UN trade body, where member states are set to clash over carbon border taxes
Angola’s oil dependency thwarts its exit from the group of poorest nations
Graduation from the UN group of least developed countries is usually seen as a win, but Angola deferred the move after oil exports plummeted during the pandemic
Time for negotiators to embrace Zoom – Climate Weekly
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China’s energy agency floats increase in 2030 renewables target
Analysts say the proposal would lead to China installing 300 GW more wind and solar capacity by 2030 than under existing targets
Armenian project aims to digitally engage future climate leaders
Sponsored content: A climate education app for Armenian high school students is one example of innovation supported by the Adaptation Fund
It’s time to end subsidies for burning wood from forests
Trees are worth much more to humanity alive than dead, say 500 scientists in an open letter to leaders in the EU, US and East Asia
Plans for UK coal mine suspended after criticism of net zero commitment
The UK Committee on Climate Change says the use of coking coal should be curbed by 2035, but the application says the mine will not be closed until the end of 2049
Study suggests China’s crackdown on illegal CFC gases is working
Levels of the banned CFC-11 in the atmosphere have fallen over east Asia after the Chinese government cracked down on illegal producers in the foam industry
Egypt expresses an interest in hosting Cop27 climate talks in 2022
The Egyptian government could discuss its interest in presiding over the 2022 UN climate summit with Cop26 president Alok Sharma, who is visiting the country
Three ways the EU, China and US should deepen cooperation on climate in 2021
Building coalitions on green finance and carbon pricing and putting climate at the heart of diplomacy will allow the big three emitters to deliver on net zero goals
Fatal Himalayan glacial lake outburst highlights destabilising effect of warming
More than 200 people are dead or missing after floods gushed through mountain gorges in Uttarakhand, India, in a disaster linked to climate change
Sustainable recovery: a unique opportunity for Latin America and the Caribbean
Sponsored content: One of the hardest hit regions by Covid-19, Latin America and the Caribbean must ensure the recovery efforts address climate and development goals
Biden orders adviser to explore options for resettling climate migrants
Campaigners welcome “extraordinary” move by the White House to address displacement triggered by climate disasters
António Guterres calls for preparatory UN climate negotiations to be held online
In a surprising intervention, the UN chief called for climate talks to be held online, with regional “hubs” for negotiators to access reliable internet