Climate politics
Rio+20: How UK’s DFID will continue on sustainable development pathway
RTCC talks to Melinda Bohannon, Head of the Climate and Environment Strategy Unit at Department for International Development about how sustainability and climate change issues help shape the UK development agenda.
Rio+20: Global Environment Facility calls for more ‘synergy’ between UN departments
Now the three Rio Conventions have developed their own identities, GEF says it is time for them to examine the ways they can work together.
Rio+20: What does the Earth Summit’s outcome mean for climate change?
The Rio+20 document is jam packed with caveats, ifs, buts and maybes. So what concrete action does it contain, and what implications are there for action on climate change?
Rio+20: 2012 summit just one step on long walk to a greener future
Writing for RTCC, Sweden’s former chief climate negotiator says that despite weak outcome the Rio summit provides some foundations future developments
Rio+20 Comment: Summit whimpers to an inevitable conclusion
The acceptance of failure at the UN summit of sustainable development is almost worse than the failure itself.
Rio+20: Greenpeace boss slams “scandalous” politicians at Earth Summit
Kumi Naidoo criticizes leaders for failing to press for a better deal, short-term thinking and using the talks as a publicity opportunity.
Rio+20: Long way to go on road to sustainable development, say NGOs
As the Rio+20 negotiations come to a close, NGOs including Christian Aid, Oxfam and Third World Network offer their reaction to the proceedings and say they are willing to mobilise with those at the conference – both inside and outside the negotiations – to ensure a pathway forwards.
Rio+20 Business Focus: Including cities and local governments in international negotiations
Anke Stoffregen, from ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability explains how cities and local governments will be key players in a world increasingly marked by urbanisation and the need to harenss their power and engage them in policy making.
Rio+20: Leaders round on summit process as frustration grows
Senior figures from business, economics and diplomacy including Jeffrey Sachs and Christiana Figueres criticise rate of progress.
Rio+20: UN chief tells nations ‘not to waste opportunity’ at sustainable development summit
United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki Moon warns delegates at Sustainable Development summit that this represents last chance to save environment
Rio+20: Draft outcome on sustainable development signed-off
Troubled negotiations end but many unsatisfied with watered down proposals.
Zammit Cutajar: Rio+20 is just one step on the long march from Stockholm
In a column for RTCC former UNFCCC Executive Secretary Michael Zammit Cutajar argues that the fight against poverty must be paramount in policymakers’ minds at Rio+20
Greenpeace: “Polluters are in charge at Rio+20”
NGO’s political director slams compromise agreement proposed by Brazil as an abject failure being steered by the interests of multinationals.
Rio+20: WWF and Greenpeace slam new draft text on sustainable development
WWF says energy section of latest proposal “could have been written by the oil and gas industry”.
Rio+20: Talks survive scare as developing countries threaten walkout
G77+China group issued ultimatum over finance and fossil fuel subsidies on Thursday but back at the table today.
Rio+20: Usual suspects holding up the talks says Seychelles Ambassador
Big polluters and industrial interests blocking progress says Seychelles ambassador to the US.
Rio+20: We’re all developing countries now says Oxfam researcher
Countries can’t consider themselves developed until they maintain high quality of life without detrimental effects on resources and the environment.
Rio+20: It’s time for developing countries to step up, says Italy’s Minister of Environment
Italian Environment Minister tells RTCC that Rio+20 should change the format of discussions surrounding sustainable development and calls on the emerging economies to accept responsibility for common objectives.
Rio+20: Will we get the ‘Future We Want’?
As the final round of negotiations leading to the Rio+20 Summit begin, countries remain at odds over key issues of the draft text.
The time to act for “sustainable growth with equity” is now, says Indonesian President ahead of Rio+20
Dr Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, President of Indonesia offers a clear call for action for every country, business and individual ahead of the Rio+20 Earth Summit.