UNFCCC
US considers shifting climate talks to new forum outside UN process
Climate Live: The latest climate change headlines curated by RTCC, updated daily from 0830-1700 GMT
REDD+ should value forests as more than “carbon warehouses”
New report calls on policymakers to better understand the biodiversity and livelihood benefits of forests to ensure the success of REDD+.
Obama pledges climate change leadership in second term
President Barack Obama sets sights on a green growth message to build support for climate action in the USA.
UN’s Clean Development Mechanism registers 5,000th project
Rare good news for UN’s beleaguered CDM as Los Cocos Wind Farm in the Dominican Republic breaks 5000 barrier
Figueres backs China’s new leader to increase climate ambition
UN climate chief says it is “critical” that China’s new Communist Party leader Xi Jinping maintains investment in renewable energy and efficiency measures
Generations old and new send clean energy message to Doha
The Make the Link Climate exChange project brought together climate experts and school children to thrash out what policy makers’ priorities should be as they head to COP18.
Has momentum from 1992 Rio summit been lost for good?
Government lament loss of climate change action over the three decades since the first Earth Summit.
Biodiversity can be a potent climate adaptation tool: SA Official
Ecosystem protection can make big contributions to fighting climate change but only if the value of healthy ecosystems is fully appreciated, says South Africa’s director of resource use.
Australia announces Kyoto II commitment, New Zealand opts out of second phase
As Australia says it will sign up to a second commitment period of Kyoto, just weeks before the UN COP18 meeting in Doha, neighbouring New Zealand reveals it will not join a second phase of the scheme.
Obama can drive climate action at Doha talks: Figueres
Newly re-elected President Obama can seize momentum at international talks, says UN climate chief.
Planet 6°C: Will climate change turn Planet Earth into Mars?
More and more scientists warn that the world could see global average temperatures rise 6°C by 2100. What would this mean for the planet?
Has Poland given up on climate mitigation?
Polish Environment Minister Marcin Korolec is talking down the value of emission reductions while the country is also at the heart of a split heading into the Doha climate change talks.
Sri Lanka’s electric rickshaws spearhead latest UN climate campaign
UNFCCC’s latest Momentum for Change campaign highlights initiatives in Sri Lanka, China, Uganda, Peru & Kenya ahead of COP18 summit
Why taxing shipping emissions is not all plain sailing
Good progress is being made towards a deal on shipping emissions, despite the conflicting ambitions of the International Maritime Organisation and UN climate change agency
CDM’s ‘nightmare’ bureaucracy slammed by inventors of Wonderbag stove
Founder of Natural Balance company tells RTCC she registered with Clean Development Mechanism in 2008 but has been unable to sell any carbon credits through the scheme
UN climate talks will fail without acknowledgment of rich/poor divide, says Indian diplomat
Without acknowledging the varying ability of nations to respond to the threats of climate change, negotiations cannot end successfully, according to Nitin Desai.
Comment: Is it time the UN climate change talks abandoned consensus?
Searching for agreements between 195 Parties is slow and can limit the ambition of the outcomes. Is there is scope for a “better” consensus and could voting ever work?
Conservation or carbon sinks: Can the UN see the forest for the trees?
Forests play a key role for the UN’s climate change and biodiversity agencies. Melati Kaye investigates whether they can they serve the goals of both simultaneously.
Pressure grows on Australia to sign Kyoto Protocol II
Julia Gillard’s cabinet will meet next week for the last time before COP18 in Doha – but will they discuss joining KP2?
EU on track to hit Kyoto climate change target as protocol’s future faces crucial period
Bloc will exceed its Kyoto goals and its internal 2020 targets as decision time nears on new a round of international commitments.