With only three months left before the climate conference COP15 in Copenhagen, the Danish Minister for Climate and Energy, Connie Hedegaard, has invited a number of influential climate and environment politicians to New York on September 19 and 20.
The purpose is to maintain momentum in the international climate negotiations. The meeting continues Hedegaard's annual, informal climate summit, known as the Greenland dialogue that provides an informal setting for ministers to debate openly the most pressing issues up to COP15 in Copenhagen.
”With less than 100 days left until we meet in Copenhagen, it is important to give further impetus to the negotiations. The ministerial meeting could be a major input into the negotiations on a global climate agreement. It is possible to achieve success in Copenhagen, and the time is right to achieve common understanding about key policy issues and how they can be resolved in a reasonable way,” says Connie Hedegaard.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Miliband: Global deal on climate change at risk
Hopes for an agreement being reached at a United Nations summit in December "hang in the balance," undermined by a climate of suspicion between rich and poor countries, said Foreign Secretary David Miliband, speaking at a press conference with his brother, Climate Change Secretary Ed Miliband.
Nations will meet in Copenhagen, Denmark to attempt to strike a pact to succeed the Kyoto Protocol, which bound 37 industrial countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 5.2 percent of 1990 levels by 2012.
But David Miliband told reporters in London that the complexity of negotiations and disputes between industrialized and developing nations over cuts to emissions threaten to scupper a deal.
"The deal the world needs in Copenhagen is now in the balance," he said. "There's a real danger the talks scheduled for December will not reach a positive outcome, and an equal danger in the run-up to Copenhagen that people don't wake up to the danger of failure until it's too late."
The Kyoto accord placed no obligations on developing countries, but now industrialized nations want countries including India and China — seen by many as the world's largest polluter — to agree to stall, and eventually cut, their emissions.
David Miliband is due to travel this week to France, the Netherlands, Poland and Denmark to meet fellow foreign ministers and discuss how European nations can try to influence reluctant nations.
Nations will meet in Copenhagen, Denmark to attempt to strike a pact to succeed the Kyoto Protocol, which bound 37 industrial countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 5.2 percent of 1990 levels by 2012.
But David Miliband told reporters in London that the complexity of negotiations and disputes between industrialized and developing nations over cuts to emissions threaten to scupper a deal.
"The deal the world needs in Copenhagen is now in the balance," he said. "There's a real danger the talks scheduled for December will not reach a positive outcome, and an equal danger in the run-up to Copenhagen that people don't wake up to the danger of failure until it's too late."
The Kyoto accord placed no obligations on developing countries, but now industrialized nations want countries including India and China — seen by many as the world's largest polluter — to agree to stall, and eventually cut, their emissions.
David Miliband is due to travel this week to France, the Netherlands, Poland and Denmark to meet fellow foreign ministers and discuss how European nations can try to influence reluctant nations.
EU welcomes Japan climate plan
The European Union is welcoming plans by Japan's incoming prime minister to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 25 percent by 2020.
EU Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas said Tuesday the proposal is "really very encouraging" for those trying to negotiate a new global climate change pact.
The Democratic Party of Japan, which won last month's national elections, promised during the campaign to reduce the country's emissions 25 percent from 1990 levels.
The EU has promised to cut its emissions 20 percent by 2020, but is willing to cut up to 30 percent if rich countries follow suit.
Japan's pledge comes before a United Nations conference in Copenhagen, where countries hope to forge a new agreement to replace the 1997 Kyoto Protocol, which expires in 2012.
EU Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas said Tuesday the proposal is "really very encouraging" for those trying to negotiate a new global climate change pact.
The Democratic Party of Japan, which won last month's national elections, promised during the campaign to reduce the country's emissions 25 percent from 1990 levels.
The EU has promised to cut its emissions 20 percent by 2020, but is willing to cut up to 30 percent if rich countries follow suit.
Japan's pledge comes before a United Nations conference in Copenhagen, where countries hope to forge a new agreement to replace the 1997 Kyoto Protocol, which expires in 2012.
UN: Ease patent protection of climate friendly technologies
Ease patent protection of climate-friendly equipment and goods that embed climate-friendly technology.
The proposal comes from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, UNCTAD. It aims at helping developing countries adapt to the consequences of climate change, but also to support their contribution to climate change mitigation.
“It is important that all developing countries, including the poorest, have the capacity to build these technologies themselves,” UN economist Detlef Kotte says in an interview before releasing a 217-page report on the issue, which he wrote with several colleagues, according to Bloomberg.
The proposal entails that companies like windmill maker General Electric Co. or hybrid-car manufacturer Toyota Motor Corp. could be forced to unveil their technologies. Also at stake are technologies to genetically modify crops resistant to droughts brought on by global warming, writes London-based Chatham House Environment Director Bernice Lee in an e-mail, according to Bloomberg.
The proposal comes from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, UNCTAD. It aims at helping developing countries adapt to the consequences of climate change, but also to support their contribution to climate change mitigation.
“It is important that all developing countries, including the poorest, have the capacity to build these technologies themselves,” UN economist Detlef Kotte says in an interview before releasing a 217-page report on the issue, which he wrote with several colleagues, according to Bloomberg.
The proposal entails that companies like windmill maker General Electric Co. or hybrid-car manufacturer Toyota Motor Corp. could be forced to unveil their technologies. Also at stake are technologies to genetically modify crops resistant to droughts brought on by global warming, writes London-based Chatham House Environment Director Bernice Lee in an e-mail, according to Bloomberg.
White House Advisor Van Jones Resigns, but Should Not Quit
White House environmental advisor Van Jones resigned late Saturday [September 5, 2009] amid escalating controversy over some of his past statements, actions and associations, citing a "vicious smear campaign against me" that threatened to disrupt President Obama's agenda.
"On the eve of historic fights for health care and clean energy, opponents of reform have mounted a vicious smear campaign against me," Jones said in a statement announcing his resignation. "They are using lies and distortions to distract and divide."
"I have been inundated with calls—from across the political spectrum—urging me to 'stay and fight,'" Jones continued. "But I came here to fight for others, not for myself. I cannot in good conscience ask my colleagues to expend precious time and energy defending or explaining my past. We need all hands on deck, fighting for the future."
Jones' decision to refocus attention on critical issues by removing himself as a target is a standard political maneuver, but it's likely to be only marginally successful. While Jones' resignation does take him out of the line of fire and provides one less distraction, it doesn't guarantee his detractors will stop trying to sideline major national issues by stirring up minor ones.
Ironically, Jones never sought nor expressed any desire for a high-level government job. From all reports, he was more surprised than anyone when President Obama asked him to join the White House Council on Environmental Quality as special advisor on green jobs, enterprise and innovation. He was waging an ongoing battle for civil rights and environmental justice, and outlining a vision for how a sustainable green economy could lift minority communities out of poverty, hopelessness and despair.
I'm not defending or denouncing the controversial things Jones may have said and done. So many things have been distorted, taken out of context, or offered as direct quotes when they are actually third-hand attributions that it's hard to get at the truth.
Frankly, I don't care that much. Most of the actual allegations leveled against Jones are pretty minor, despite the efforts of right-wing commentators and politicians to paint them as indicators of much bigger problems. I'm more interested in his ideas and his track record in turning those ideas into effective programs to fight poverty while helping the environment.
When President Obama invited Jones to join his "green team," a lot of people wondered whether, as a government employee, Jones could possibly remain the effective leader and advocate that got him the job in the first place. With the door to government service firmly closed for now, that question is moot. Yet, my guess is Jones will continue to work on the social and environmental problems that have engaged him for so long, to protest injustice, and to share his vision for a better world.
Government, and all of us, would be wise to listen.
"On the eve of historic fights for health care and clean energy, opponents of reform have mounted a vicious smear campaign against me," Jones said in a statement announcing his resignation. "They are using lies and distortions to distract and divide."
"I have been inundated with calls—from across the political spectrum—urging me to 'stay and fight,'" Jones continued. "But I came here to fight for others, not for myself. I cannot in good conscience ask my colleagues to expend precious time and energy defending or explaining my past. We need all hands on deck, fighting for the future."
Jones' decision to refocus attention on critical issues by removing himself as a target is a standard political maneuver, but it's likely to be only marginally successful. While Jones' resignation does take him out of the line of fire and provides one less distraction, it doesn't guarantee his detractors will stop trying to sideline major national issues by stirring up minor ones.
Ironically, Jones never sought nor expressed any desire for a high-level government job. From all reports, he was more surprised than anyone when President Obama asked him to join the White House Council on Environmental Quality as special advisor on green jobs, enterprise and innovation. He was waging an ongoing battle for civil rights and environmental justice, and outlining a vision for how a sustainable green economy could lift minority communities out of poverty, hopelessness and despair.
I'm not defending or denouncing the controversial things Jones may have said and done. So many things have been distorted, taken out of context, or offered as direct quotes when they are actually third-hand attributions that it's hard to get at the truth.
Frankly, I don't care that much. Most of the actual allegations leveled against Jones are pretty minor, despite the efforts of right-wing commentators and politicians to paint them as indicators of much bigger problems. I'm more interested in his ideas and his track record in turning those ideas into effective programs to fight poverty while helping the environment.
When President Obama invited Jones to join his "green team," a lot of people wondered whether, as a government employee, Jones could possibly remain the effective leader and advocate that got him the job in the first place. With the door to government service firmly closed for now, that question is moot. Yet, my guess is Jones will continue to work on the social and environmental problems that have engaged him for so long, to protest injustice, and to share his vision for a better world.
Government, and all of us, would be wise to listen.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Copenhagen failure would damage world trade
Should the parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change fail to agree this December, it could have severe harmful effects on international trade, warns the World Trade Organisation chief.
Not only would temperatures continue to rise with a range of threats to populations if no international accord on climate change is found, but the international system of trade would also be jeopardized.
“I sincerely hope that (agreement) will happen in Copenhagen. If it doesn’t happen, our job at the WTO will become more difficult,” Pascal Lamy, head of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) tells the Financial Times.
He refers to the trend that some countries impose taxes or similar measures on goods from countries with lower standards in climate protection. This trend will only grow stronger if a new, more comprehensive agreement to succeed the Kyoto Protocol does not come in place.
“Going-alone measures will not achieve the desired results. Relying on trade measures to fix global environmental problems will not work. I am of the firm conviction that the relationship between international trade and climate change would be best defined as a follow-up to a consensual international accord on climate change that successfully embraces all major polluters,” says Pascal Lamy.
Not only would temperatures continue to rise with a range of threats to populations if no international accord on climate change is found, but the international system of trade would also be jeopardized.
“I sincerely hope that (agreement) will happen in Copenhagen. If it doesn’t happen, our job at the WTO will become more difficult,” Pascal Lamy, head of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) tells the Financial Times.
He refers to the trend that some countries impose taxes or similar measures on goods from countries with lower standards in climate protection. This trend will only grow stronger if a new, more comprehensive agreement to succeed the Kyoto Protocol does not come in place.
“Going-alone measures will not achieve the desired results. Relying on trade measures to fix global environmental problems will not work. I am of the firm conviction that the relationship between international trade and climate change would be best defined as a follow-up to a consensual international accord on climate change that successfully embraces all major polluters,” says Pascal Lamy.
Japan tightens up on climate targets
Japan’s next Prime Minister considers a new carbon tax and a domestic emissions trading market to reach a 25 percent cut in greenhouse gasses. COP15 host Connie Hedegaard congratulates Japan on its "strong leadershipThe Japanese Prime Minister in waiting, Yukio Hatoyama, declared today that he will aim for a 25 percent cut in carbon emissions by 2020 compared with 1990 levels. The target is a huge step forward compared to his predecessor’s. In June, outgoing Prime Minister Taro Aso unveiled an eight percent reduction during the same time frame.
”It is one of our pledges stipulated in our (election) manifesto so we need the political will to aim at its realization by utilizing all policy tools,” Hatoyama said in a speech today during the Asahi World Environment Forum in Tokyo, according to Japan Today.
He added that Japan would ”aim to establish a fair and effective international framework involving all major countries in the world”, indicating an intention to strongly urge other countries to set ”ambitious goals” in cutting emissions.
According to Reuters, his Democratic Party considers a new carbon tax. It also plans to create a domestic emissions trading market and introduce a ”feed-in” tariff for renewable energy to help expand capacity for clean energy sources.
Denmark’s Climate and Energy Minister Connie Hedegaard, who hosts December’s UN climate conference in Copenhagen (COP15), congratulates Japan on its ”strong leadership”:
”For a long time, everybody has been waiting for everybody in the international [climate] negotiations. Now Japan has taken a big step forward by setting an ambitious target, and I hope it will inspire other countries to follow,” she says in a statement.
The environmental group WWF also welcomes the ”courage” of the Japanese Prime-Minister-elect.
“Japan used to be the country driven by industry groups, but now we see a new Prime Minister with true leadership”, says Takamasa Higuchi, CEO of WWF Japan.
Kim Carstensen, the leader of the WWF Global Climate Initiative, says “the decision by an important player such as Japan to do more and get serious about low carbon future can help break the deadlock between developed and developing countries”.
“The climate negotiations are at a critical point and we need urgent progress to get a fair, ambitious and binding deal in Copenhagen this December.”
”It is one of our pledges stipulated in our (election) manifesto so we need the political will to aim at its realization by utilizing all policy tools,” Hatoyama said in a speech today during the Asahi World Environment Forum in Tokyo, according to Japan Today.
He added that Japan would ”aim to establish a fair and effective international framework involving all major countries in the world”, indicating an intention to strongly urge other countries to set ”ambitious goals” in cutting emissions.
According to Reuters, his Democratic Party considers a new carbon tax. It also plans to create a domestic emissions trading market and introduce a ”feed-in” tariff for renewable energy to help expand capacity for clean energy sources.
Denmark’s Climate and Energy Minister Connie Hedegaard, who hosts December’s UN climate conference in Copenhagen (COP15), congratulates Japan on its ”strong leadership”:
”For a long time, everybody has been waiting for everybody in the international [climate] negotiations. Now Japan has taken a big step forward by setting an ambitious target, and I hope it will inspire other countries to follow,” she says in a statement.
The environmental group WWF also welcomes the ”courage” of the Japanese Prime-Minister-elect.
“Japan used to be the country driven by industry groups, but now we see a new Prime Minister with true leadership”, says Takamasa Higuchi, CEO of WWF Japan.
Kim Carstensen, the leader of the WWF Global Climate Initiative, says “the decision by an important player such as Japan to do more and get serious about low carbon future can help break the deadlock between developed and developing countries”.
“The climate negotiations are at a critical point and we need urgent progress to get a fair, ambitious and binding deal in Copenhagen this December.”
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