Climate politics
Covid-proofing Cop26 is a test of solidarity – Climate Weekly
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Unequal vaccine rollout threatens inclusivity of Cop26, climate diplomats warn
Negotiators are worried that requiring a vaccine passport to attend November’s critical UN climate summit will exclude developing countries with limited supplies
Five ways the UK is failing to walk the talk on a green recovery ahead of Cop26
While vocal on raising climate ambition on the global stage, recent domestic policy announcements undermine the UK host’s leadership credentials
Hall of shame: 9 countries missing the chance of a green recovery
Just 18% of recovery spending globally is green, a UN report found. Despite pledges to ‘build back better’, governments have propped up fossil fuels, aviation and roads
South Sudan plans to raise climate ambition amid ‘dire’ humanitarian crisis
The world’s newest country is seeking to expand renewable energy, tree planting and climate smart agriculture, but UK aid cuts threaten progress
China’s five-year plan underwhelms – Climate Weekly
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China makes no shift away from coal in five-year plan as it ‘crawls’ to carbon neutrality
Beijing set out incremental increases in climate targets to 2025, allowing for continued expansion of “clean” coal, to the disappointment of climate watchers
French climate bill set for rocky ride after citizens’ assembly slams weak ambition
After the citizens’ assembly complained they had not been fully listened to, lawmakers submitted over 4,000 amendments to Macron’s landmark climate bill
UN suspends climate work with Myanmar government following military coup
The military takeover in Myanmar raises fears of pollution, deforestation and revival of a controversial hydropower dam, as international agencies put climate projects on hold
Japan, US exposed as UN chief urges G7 to commit to 2030 coal exit
At a summit on “powering past coal”, António Guterres called on rich countries to lead, putting pressure on Japan and the US to produce exit plans
Australian contender for OECD top job backtracks on climate scepticism
Former finance minister Mathias Cormann opposed climate policies in the Australian government and now claims he would lead climate action at the OECD
Further delay feared as ‘like-minded’ countries resist online climate negotiations
Major developing countries oppose calls to hold preparatory climate negotiations online in June, citing connectivity and time zone concerns
The stakes for Cop26 couldn’t be higher – Climate Weekly
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China, US urged to step up as UN warns world ‘very far’ from meeting climate goals
Collectively, updated national targets will only reduce emissions 0.5% by 2030 from 2010, UN analysis finds — far from the 45% scientists say is needed to hold warming to 1.5C
‘Science-based’ corporate climate targets are no such thing, says former advisor
As the number of businesses setting ‘science-based’ targets surges, experts are calling for more transparency over how those numbers are calculated
Cleaning up the Congo – Climate Weekly
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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
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