Climate politics
Bangkok 2012: Talks offer first glimpses of what Kyoto Protocol MK2 might look like
Discussions on Kyoto progress with the potential for three new members, retributions for those who don’t sign and ongoing questions surrounding the scale of emission cuts country’s are promising.
Bangkok 2012: Civil society react to latest round of UN climate talks
Reaction to UNFCCC negotiations from Greenpeace, WWF, Christian Aid, Practical Action, Third World Network, Union of Concerned Scientists & Environmental Defense Fund
Bangkok 2012: UN climate talks close with ‘unofficial’ draft on Kyoto Protocol 2nd period
Progress on several issues builds momentum ahead of Doha summit but questions remain on climate finance, the ambition of emission pledges and the tricky LCA track of negotiations.
Bangkok 2012 – Lead EU negotiator Runge-Metzger says a 30% emission reduction target is still possible
Other key countries must raise ambition too but timing of US elections means crucial decision in Washington unlikely in time for Doha talks.
Bangkok 2012 – Time to treat big emerging economies like developed nations, says former Bolivia negotiator
Pablo Solon says UN climate change negotiations should acknowledge that the goals of rich nations and big emerging economies pursuing “greenhouse gas intensive growth” are the same.
Obama reaffirms commitment to UN climate change talks in key election document
The 2012 Democratic National Platform pledges support for international emissions deal, clean energy and fossil fuel subsidy cuts.
Bangkok 2012 – LDC chief confident Australia will sign up to Kyoto Protocol extension
Julia Gillard’s government is close to signing up to the second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol (KP2), a leading negotiator at the UN climate talks in Bangkok has told RTCC.
Bangkok 2012 – Confusion reigns at UN climate talks as negotiators prove inflexible over flexibility but agree to disagree
What is everyone talking about at the UN climate talks in Bangkok? Chris Wright from Adopt a Negotiator is a veteran of UNFCCC meetings – but the current discussions have left him scratching his head.
Bangkok 2012 – Kaleidoscope of visions for Durban Platform make path forward unclear
RTCC takes a brief look at discussions on the Durban Platform during the UN climate talks in Bangkok
Bangkok 2012 – Oil producers and emerging economies build powerful new alliance at UN climate change talks
Arab countries unite with coalition of vocal Latin American nations, China, India and emerging Asian economies to form new negotiating bloc called Like Minded Group (LMG).
Bangkok 2012 – NGOs warn of climate finance complacency
The Green Climate Fund board may have met for the first time but there remain far too many unanswered questions on raising and spending cash to combat climate change.
Bangkok 2012 – USA accused of backtracking on legally binding UN climate treaty
State Department negotiator Jonathan Pershing calls for new climate treaty to value flexibility and dynamism over legal nature
Mitt Romney’s plan for climate change? Dial 211
Republican Presidential candidate needs to have a Plan B if his belief that climate change is a hoax proves to be misplaced
Bangkok 2012 – Poorest nations issue plea for support in climate battle while richest accused of watering down ambition
EU, Australia and New Zealand signal less ambition and more flexibility with pledges while least developed countries reiterate need for financial and logistical help to fight climate change at home.
Bangkok 2012 – EU signals it will not adopt 30% emissions target
Reports from UN climate talks in Bangkok suggest EU is now unlikely to enforce tougher emission targets, with one official describing further cuts as ‘wishful thinking’
Bangkok 2012 – Future of climate finance and adaptation trigger debate as LCA talks heat up
The Long Term Cooperative Action negotiations are top of the agenda in Bangkok as countries disagree over its future and the developing vs developed nations rift widens.
Bangkok 2012 – Rich countries must not dump their responsibilities on the poor says NGO
Third World Network says developed economies must take responsibility for their historical emissions with ambitious targets to cut greenhouse gases.
Bangkok 2012 – Loose ends and few surprises at first day of UN climate change talks
Meeting in Bangkok kicks-off with familiar battle lines drawn on Kyoto Protocol and early salvos fired on new global deal.
Vulnerable small island states call for Bangkok climate talks to “close the gaps”
Small Island States issue statement calling in rich nations to raise the their ambition and ensure gaps in funding and emission reductions are slammed shut.
Obama tells crowd: “Denying climate change won’t make it stop”
Speaking to a crowd at Iowa State University, Obama calls of student to choose an energy future good for both the economy and the planet.