Climate politics
US Senate looks to pile pressure on EU aviation plans before election break
Bill to stop US airlines taking part in EU emissions trading to be rushed through before Senate goes to recess on Friday.
Podcast: UK youth group on daunting scale of UN climate process
In the latest podcast by the UK’s Youth Climate Coalition, three members of the group heading to Qatar talk about the size, complexity and challenges that the COP18 negotiations present.
China calls on Qatar to resolve LCA issues at UN climate talks
Vice-President Li Keqiang calls on COP18 hosts Qatar to take up the cause of developing nations at the forthcoming climate talks in Doha.
Kyoto Protocol: How is the UN’s flagship climate project faring ahead of COP18?
Second commitment period looks likely to take place but low ambition, carbon trading crises and doubts over environmental integrity could render it impotent.
Christiana Figueres calls on Africa to drive adaptation agenda at COP18
UN climate chief admits convention has not done enough on adaptation but says continent must now take control of debate
Montreal Protocol: What can UN climate negotiators learn from the ozone treaty?
In 1987 states around the world united to cut the emission of dangerous gases that threatened the planet. 25 years later it is proving impossible to repeat the trick. Why?
Francois Hollande: EU should adopt 40% emissions reduction target by 2030
New French President calls for EU increase in emission pledges, bans fracking on home soil and offers to host UN climate talks in 2015.
UK will lose influence at UNFCCC if it fails to be honest over ambition
If British politicians treat their own climate targets like a joke, what hopes are there for an effective global binding emissions deal?
VIDEO: Expert explains why renewables sector needs policy certainty
Professor Peter Newell outlines importance of binding emissions deal for business community at 2012 Low Carbon Energy for Development Network (LCEDN) meeting in Brighton
Russia rules out taking part in “useless” Kyoto Protocol
Foreign Ministry releases statement explaining that extension will be ineffective and calls for a ‘single document’ of climate obligations
Competition: Win a day at MTV by rapping on climate change
We’re looking for the Jay-Z of climate change to wax lyrical about the issues affecting your local community. Trips to Doha, New York and London await the winner.
Barroso calls on EU to take lead in combating climate change
EU Commission President says EU has responsibility to lead efforts to work on effective global solution to climate change.
UN climate talks: EU negotiator calls for urgent ambition to avoid 2 degrees
UK and EU senior climate negotiator Pete Betts says political conditions need to improve if world is to hit key climate change temperature goal
Greg Barker: COP18 climate talks can boost Saudi green ambitions
UK energy and climate change minister says UN climate talks in Qatar offer a unique opportunity to encourage major oil and gas producing states to embrace green agenda
Obama: “Climate change is not a joke”
US President provides hope to climate activists around the world with strong defence of green policies during main speech at the Democrat Convention
Analysis: Was enough achieved at UN climate talks in Bangkok?
Edward Cameron and Yamide Dagnet from the World Resources Institute argue that the latest UNFCCC negotiations should be seen as a qualified success – but warn there is much work yet to do.
Canada accused of issuing misleading update on UN carbon cutting progress
Canadian Environment Minister claimed country is halfway to reaching its 2020 targets but a closer inspection reveals it has moved the goalposts.
World’s most vulnerable countries call for greater ambition in Doha to guarantee integrity of Kyoto Protocol
As the Bangkok talks come to a close, the LDCs and AOSIS come together to call on more developed countries to submit legally binding targets for the second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol ahead of COP18 in Doha.
Russia considers signing up to Kyoto Protocol extension
Russian Deputy Prime Minister says “such a decision has not been taken” on twitter as local reports say the country will sign up to a second commitment.
Romney and Obama quiz on climate change and energy highlights how close their policies really are
Presidential candidates say they have opposing views on climate change and energy policy but comments from a recent debate between the two suggest there’s less difference than some may hope.