The European Commission has proposed a strategy for the Paris climate talks that includes the aim of achieving a “Paris Protocol”. According to Susanne Dröge and Oliver Geden of the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP) in Berlin, this strategy does not take into account the new global context of the negotiations. They urge the EU to drop the word “protocol”, consider how to align the international process with internal EU … [Read more...]
Dutch court’s climate ruling may force other states to cut emissions – or else
States have a duty of care towards their citizens that the absence of a global climate treaty does not take away, argues Professor Arthur Petersen from University College London. A recent court ruling in the Netherlands sets a precedent for national judges to directly use climate science to find governments liable for inadequate action on climate change, he says. The ruling's biggest impact may be outside the Netherlands. … [Read more...]
EU kicks off final phase of controversial carbon market reform
On 15 July, the European Commission unveiled its long-awaited proposals for a deep and meaningful reform of Europe’s carbon market from 2021-30. It neatly turns into law political decisions by EU heads of state and government last October. NGOs have lambasted it for lack of ambition while industry is screaming blue murder about a declining pot of free carbon allowances. Welcome to the start of a two-year battle that is probably the last chance … [Read more...]
RWE sets up its lignite plants for a taxpayer bail-out
German utility RWE has kept uneconomic lignite plants open with the explicit intention of securing a public bail-out, argue Julian Schwartzkopff, Chris Littlecott and Sabrina Schulz at E3G. It would apear the energy giant has taken a bet on being “too big to fail” that might just pay off: RWE is set to be the biggest beneficiary of a new 2.7GW capacity reserve in Germany which will pay lignite plants for going on standby. The alternative, a … [Read more...]
The Chinese model: backing up climate policy with green growth
With the climate plan it has submitted to the United Nations, China demonstrates that it is prepared to back up its commitments to carbon reduction with real investments in green energy, writes John Mathews, Professor of Strategic Management at Macquarie University in Australia and author of a recent book on the Asian renewables revolution. It also shows it recognizes the authority of the UN - and provides a model for other developing countries … [Read more...]
Unique: Dutch court orders government to do more against climate change
In a unique decision, the district court of The Hague has ordered the Dutch government to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25% in 2020 compared to 1990. Current ambitions of the Dutch government amount to a reduction of around 17%. The case was brought by Dutch NGO Urgenda and nine hundred co-plaintiffs. … [Read more...]
Four reasons for business to follow the Paris process
Most companies pay little attention to the complex processes going on within the UN climate negotiations. There are, however, good reasons why companies should follow the Paris process, write Maarten Neelis and Rolf de Vos of energy consultancy Ecofys, and especially the “intended nationally determined contributions” (INDCs). These provide companies with vital information on how climate policies will develop in different countries and what … [Read more...]
Heaven belongs to us all – the new papal encyclical
With his encyclical "Laudato Si" the Pope has written more than a moral appeal without obligation. He has presented a pioneering political analysis with great explosive power, which will probably determine the public debate on climate change, poverty and inequality for years to come, argues Brigitte Knopf from the Mercator Research Institute on Global Commons and Climate Change. Through her secular eyes the implications of the encyclical become … [Read more...]
As race for Arctic oil and gas reserves heats up, so do the war gamesÂ
On June 15, the U.S. military exercise Northern Edge 2015 got underway in the Arctic. According to award-winning author Dahr Jamail, this will have a massive impact on the pristine Arctic environment. And it’s only the beginning: “As the race heats up for reserves of oil and gas in the melting Arctic, so do the Navy’s war games”. … [Read more...]
Good luck G7 leaders – we won’t be off fossil fuels by 2100
The most powerful leaders in the West used the G7 summit in Germany to make a big statement on the environment. Their stated goal is to cut carbon emissions by 40% to 70% by 2050 and then end all fossil-fuel use by 2100. They announced a US$100bn (ÂŁ65bn) fund by 2020 comprising public and private money to help smooth the transition. My response to David Cameron, Angela Merkel and the rest is pretty simple: good luck with that. … [Read more...]
viEUws VIDEO: Brussels Briefing on Environment – All you need to know for June 2015
In this Brussels Briefing on Environment for viEUws.eu, Sonja van Renssen provides an overview of the latest EU environment policy developments. … [Read more...]
Climate benefits of a natural gas bridge ‘unlikely to be significant’
Natural gas can only be a worthwhile bridge to a low carbon future if a series of tough conditions are met, according to a working paper from the influential New Climate Economy initiative. The paper says the climate benefits of gas, including shale gas, could in theory be significant. It suggests a 10% increase in global gas supplies could prevent 500 gigawatts (GW) of new coal capacity being added by 2035, avoiding 1.3 billion tonnes of annual … [Read more...]
The West must do as the Chinese: build renewables systems for energy security and abundance
In the western world renewables are burdened by the idea that they are a moral imperative, essential to fight global warming, writes professor John Mathews. By contrast China is building renewables systems as an economic imperative. Unless Western countries follow the Chinese model and intervene in their economies to build green energy and resource systems, they will continue to be defeated by China. … [Read more...]
Exclusive – JĂ©rĂ´me Ferrier, President International Gas Union: “You cannot equate gas with coal or oil. You have to discriminate!”
Natural gas can help safeguard the planet: it can become the world’s major energy source, be a factor for peace and help save the climate, says JĂ©rĂ´me Ferrier, President of the International Gas Union (IGU) and the French Gas Association in an interview with Energy Post. But, he adds, to enable gas to fulfill these roles, policymakers will have to make a clear choice in favour of gas over oil and coal. “They have to discriminate!” … [Read more...]
Why Shell can’t quit the Arctic
Despite the damage to its reputation, Shell insists on continuing its controversial Arctic campaign. The company says that the world needs the oil and gas resources of the Arctic. But according to Energy Post’s editor-in-chief Karel Beckman, it’s really Shell itself that needs those resources. … [Read more...]
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