– The day’s top climate change stories as chosen by RTCC
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– Updated from 0830-1700 BST (GMT+1)
Monday 5 November
Last updated: 1700
UK: The Department for Energy and Climate Change may have received a major boost to its negotiating position over the country’s Energy Bill and the chief executives of RenewableUK, the Nuclear Industries Association, and the Carbon Capture and Storage Associations formed an unlikely coalition, writing to energy and climate change secretary – as well as the prime minister, deputy prime minister and chancellor – backing the bill’s decarbonisation target. (BusinessGreen)
Australia: Whatever their political persuasion, people are more likely to believe that climate change is caused by humans if they find out most climate scientists believe this is the case, according to new research from the University of Western Australia. (Phys.org)
UK: The last of the 17 climate change campaigners that perched on a power station tower as part of the ‘No Dash for Gas’ campaign ended their protest today when they abseiled down the tower to be arrested. Lasting a week, it was the longest occupation of a plant in the UK to date. (Guardian)
China: State subsidies will be offered to shale gas developers in China, in a bid to encourage energy firms to boost production of the unconventional gas resource, according to the government. (Reuters)
Worldwide: The world is headed for 6°C of warming by the end of the century if governments do not increase the ambition of their emissions reduction targets, according to an assessment of current pledges by the consultancy Pricewaterhouse Coopers.
Arctic: The spring snowpack in the Arctic is disappearing at a faster rate than anticipated by climate models, warns a new study from Environment Canada. The researchers say this could have implications for wildlife, vegetation and ground temperatures. Snowpack forms as layers of snow accumulate and is an important water resource for streams and rivers. (the Montreal Gazette)
US: Superstorm Sandy may force New York to consider a host of ideas to make the city less vulnerable to future extreme weather events. Ideas on the table include fortress-like barriers and offering a buy-out to people to move out of flood-prone areas. (Guardian)
Taiwan: The country has become the latest to join the global movement to reduce carbon emissions. This year Taiwan’s executive Yuan – the executive branch of the government – has approved national climate change adaptation guidelines covering disasters, essential infrastructure, water resources, land use, the energy sector, agriculture and biodiversity. (Swazi Times)
Italy: As the country sets out to cut €14 billion from its annual bill for energy imports by 2020 – a target set out in its proposed national energy plan –it looks to boost crude oil production by 150%. The government estimates the increase in output could provide 7% of Italy’s energy requirements and create 25,000 new jobs. (Guardian)
EU: A new coalition aimed at advancing a low-carbon energy policy for Europe launched in Brussels last week. The group unites energy majors – including Alpine Energie, DONG Energy, First Solar, GE Energy and Shell – to promote what they call the “ideal partnership” between gas-fired and renewable energy portfolios. (Euractiv)