Climate politics
Rumoured US proposal to pull climate change talks out of UN slammed
Complementary measures welcome but talking down UNFCCC is “unhelpful” ahead of Doha talks, say observers.
REDD+ should value forests as more than “carbon warehouses”
New report calls on policymakers to better understand the biodiversity and livelihood benefits of forests to ensure the success of REDD+.
EU climate change leadership a myth, says Poland’s Environment Minister
Martin Korolec says the bloc’s contribution to climate change action is overstated, exposing fundamental differences between member states as the COP18 Doha climate talks approach.
Obama pledges climate change leadership in second term
President Barack Obama sets sights on a green growth message to build support for climate action in the USA.
UN’s Clean Development Mechanism registers 5,000th project
Rare good news for UN’s beleaguered CDM as Los Cocos Wind Farm in the Dominican Republic breaks 5000 barrier
Figueres backs China’s new leader to increase climate ambition
UN climate chief says it is “critical” that China’s new Communist Party leader Xi Jinping maintains investment in renewable energy and efficiency measures
Canada’s Alberta tar sands emit more carbon than previously thought
Climate Live: The latest climate change headlines curated by RTCC, updated daily from 0830-1700 GMT
The new group taking the green world by storm – meet the Arab Youth Climate Movement
Youth Profile #19: As part of RTCC’s youth profile series we spoke to the AYCM about why Arab countries must take the lead on climate change as Qatar host this year’s UN conference.
Generations old and new send clean energy message to Doha
The Make the Link Climate exChange project brought together climate experts and school children to thrash out what policy makers’ priorities should be as they head to COP18.
Why pacific island migration must be considered at the COP18 climate talks
COP18 focus: As effects of climate change are increasingly felt across world, can world’s most vulnerable wait for a comprehensive mitigation deal?
Has momentum from 1992 Rio summit been lost for good?
Government lament loss of climate change action over the three decades since the first Earth Summit.
President of UN climate summit in Qatar says shale gas is “good news”
COP18 President Al-Attiyah casts doubt on ambitions to avoid 2C warming, claiming shale gas is “good news” and will ensure global energy security for the next 300 years.
Russian Government offers faint hope of Kyoto 2 participation
Delegation heads to Doha ready to say no, but cooperation with EU and Japan could change its mind.
IEA: Fossil fuel subsidies increased 30% in 2011
Latest World Energy Outlook reveals many Middle East and North African countries increased subsidies in wake of Arab Spring as they look to appease restless populations.
Biodiversity can be a potent climate adaptation tool: SA Official
Ecosystem protection can make big contributions to fighting climate change but only if the value of healthy ecosystems is fully appreciated, says South Africa’s director of resource use.
How the seeds of a green Republican mutiny can trigger US climate action
The US is awash with positive climate action, harnessing that power to build bi-partisan support for climate action is the path to a shift in the country’s wait and see approach at the UN climate talks.
Australia announces Kyoto II commitment, New Zealand opts out of second phase
As Australia says it will sign up to a second commitment period of Kyoto, just weeks before the UN COP18 meeting in Doha, neighbouring New Zealand reveals it will not join a second phase of the scheme.
Obama can drive climate action at Doha talks: Figueres
Newly re-elected President Obama can seize momentum at international talks, says UN climate chief.
Australia rumoured to announce Kyoto II commitment tomorrow
Climate Live: The latest climate change headlines curated by RTCC, updated daily from 0900-1700 GMT
Has Poland given up on climate mitigation?
Polish Environment Minister Marcin Korolec is talking down the value of emission reductions while the country is also at the heart of a split heading into the Doha climate change talks.