Energy-Efficiency News Roundup
EU to develop indicators for eco-efficient economy (EurActiv, 21 October 2009)
EU Environment ministers have asked the European Commission to develop “robust, reliable and widely recognised indicators to measure progress towards an eco-efficient economy” to complement measures of GDP. They also agreed to monitor member state progress with the EU sustainable development strategy through a scoreboard.
http://www.euractiv.com/en/environment/eu-develop-indicators-eco-efficient-economy/article-186605
Federal Employees Asked to Suggest Green Ideas, Vote on Others (ENS, 19 October 2009)
Following President Obama’s Executive Order on Federal Sustainability (EO 13514) requiring federal agencies to set GHG targets and reduce emissions, the White House is asking federal employees to submit ideas on what should be included in a sustainability strategy through a password protected website, and vote on the suggestions they like best.
Deadline looms for low carbon economies: WWF (19 October 2009)
A new report prepared for WWF by Climate Risk outlines the “timetable” needed to transition to a low-carbon economy. It argues that this transition must begin by 2014 at the latest and clean energy industries grow by 24-29% annually to have a chance of limiting global temperature increase to 2 degrees Celsius. The report warns against over-reliance on carbon markets, arguing this encourages a step-by-step deployment. It calculates additional investment needed as USD 17 trillion up to 2050, with returns on investment from 2027 or earlier.
http://www.wwf.org.uk/what_we_do/press_centre/?3392/Deadline-looms-for-low-carbon-economies; Report, Low-carbon Re-Industrialisation http://assets.panda.org/downloads/climate_solutions_2___full_report_for_publication.pdf
EPA Releases Bush-Era Endangerment Finding (Van Ness Feldman, 19 October 2009)
The EPA has released a long-withheld document prepared in December 2007, the response to the Supreme Court’s decision in Massachusetts v. EPA, 549 U.S. 497. The document was released following a Freedom of Information Act request. The document concluded that GHG emissions from motor vehicles endanger public welfare, unlike the EPA’s proposed finding released earlier this year, which found GHGs pose a danger to public health.
http://www.vnf.com/news-alerts-399.html; Document is available at http://solveclimate.com/sites/default/files/2007_Draft_Proposed_Endangerment_Finding.pdf
Research Shows Large Chinese CCS Capacity (Van Ness Feldman, 19 October 2009)
Research by the DOE’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Rock and Soil Mechanics points to large potential for CCS in China. Researchers found that 90% major stationary sources of CO2 emissions in China are located within 100 miles of a potential sequestration site, with 85% of the sources located within 50 miles of a site. The geologic storage reservoirs could meet projected domestic demand for CO2 storage for over 100 years. The research estimates the cost of transporting, storing, and monitoring the gas at between USD 2 and USD8/ton. The final report will be released in November.
http://www.vnf.com/news-alerts-399.html; more information available at: http://www.pnl.gov/news/release.aspx?id=448.
Greece to submit new incentives plan for clean energy (Reuters, 18 October 2009)
Greece’s new government said it would release a plan next month to boost renewable energy production and unblock stalled projects. This would include new incentives and revised licensing procedures. The new government will continue to oppose nuclear power and back pipeline projects to carry Russian oil and natural gas into Western Europe.
http://www.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUSTRE59H0XL20091018
Republican senator says open to U.S. climate bill (Reuters, 17 October 2009)
Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski said she will keep her mind open and could vote in favour of cap-and-trade legislation if the proposed bill contains tangible incentives for nuclear power and domestic oil drilling.
http://www.reuters.com/article/GCA-GreenBusiness/idUSTRE59G1B120091017?sp=true
Time needed for Indonesia environment law: official (Reuters, 16 October 2009)
Indonesia’s new environmental law, requiring firms to undertake environmental impact assessment and obtain an environmental licence for activities with an impact, also allows the government to impose penalties, jail time and revoke business licences in the case of non-compliance. However, a Ministry of Environment official says the law could take two years to implement. Businesses are still waiting for government regulations to know what must be done to comply with the regulations, which in themselves could take year to develop.
http://www.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUSTRE59F0T220091016
Next German government agrees to keep nuclear power plants (DW-World, 15 October 2009)
Germany’s new coalition government is sticking with pre-election plans to extend the life of some of the country’s 17 nuclear reactors beyond a 2020 end date. Plans remain vague, with details on which plants are to remain online to be determined later, possibly following a key state election in North Rhine-Westphalia next May. Nuclear power remains highly unpopular in Germany.
http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,4793966,00.html
The foresight report outlines long-term climate and energy policy: Towards a thriving low-carbon Finland (Prime Minister’s Office press release, 15 October 2009)
The Finnish government has adopted a Foresight Report, outlining long-term climate and energy policy. The report sets a target to reduce GHG emissions 80% by 2050 from 1990 levels, as part of international mitigation efforts. For the target to be met, energy production and road transport will need to be virtually zero-emission in the future. The report looks at four scenarios, all of which require improvement in energy efficiency across all sectors, as well as the RD&D and diffusion of low-carbon technologies.
http://www.vnk.fi/ajankohtaista/tiedotteet/tiedote/en.jsp?oid=273436
U.S. climate plan must spread costs evenly: experts (Reuters, 15 October 2009)
In Congressional hearings, senators and administrators warn that the economic impact of a future cap-and-trade scheme need to be considered, since even though the economy overall may benefit and new jobs be created, this would not stop certain parts of the country or certain sectors from facing potentially high costs. Douglas Elmendorf, director of the Congressional Budget Office, says an option would be the government selling carbon credits and using revenues to compensate consumers or businesses. Senator Mary Landrieu of Louisana says a floor and ceiling price on carbon permits could reassure investors in the petroleum industry.
http://www.reuters.com/article/GCA-GreenBusiness/idUSTRE59D57M20091016
Environmental impact: Green credentials have little to do with transport (Financial Times, 15 October 2009)
Reducing the environmental impact of food products requires detailed study, global food supply chains being some of the world’s most complex. Study reveals surprising results, showing there is little correlation between a food’s environmental impact and the distance it has travelled, and that the process with most impact varies widely according to the food product. Another aspect is food waste; 1/3 of food purchased in the UK and 25% of food in the US is thrown away, producing methane as it decomposes in landfills.
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/6fa2e5e8-b99e-11de-a747-00144feab49a.html
Arctic findings bring global warning (Financial Times, BBC; 14 October 2009)
New data of floating sea-ice thickness reported in the Catlin Arctic Survey indicate that the Arctic sea could be ice-free in the summer within 20 years, with most summer ice melting within 10 years. This could speed up climate change effects, meaning that rainfall, food production and human water supplies will be affected earlier than previously predicted.
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/862b16ca-b8e3-11de-98ee-00144feab49a.html; http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8307272.stm
Scotland and India clean energy pledge (Scottish Government press release, 14 October 2009)
The governments of India and Scotland have signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly develop renewable energy technologies. The MOU will boost collaboration between Indian and Scottish universities and research institutes, and leverage Scottish technical expertise, particularly for offshore wind and marine energy. India also represents a market in which Scottish renewable energy companies are interested in expanding.
http://scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2009/10/14102543
Belgium backtracks on nuclear phaseout (DW-World, 13 October 2009)
The Belgian government has announced it will delay by 10 years the planned phase-out starting in 2015 of three its seven nuclear power plants, so as not to risk a supply shortfall. A deal with Electrabel, the country’s main nuclear power producer, would have the company pay the government between EUR 215 and EUR 245 million annually until 2014, and would require investment of EUR 500 million in renewable energy and a commitment to generate 10 000 new jobs by 2015.
http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,4785878,00.html
Power firms may not need ETS; Energy regulators take on climate and efficiency role (ENDS, 20 October 2009)
At the Fourth World Forum on Energy Regulation (WFER), Alberto Pototschnig from consultancy Mercados Energy Markets International said the EU ETS could end up playing a “marginal role” in reducing emissions, since the electricity sector could meet the EU’s 2020 target through improved efficiency and renewables alone. Mr. Pototschnig said firms could meet the ETS target by improving energy efficiency 20% and increasing renewables production 30%. More than 200 regulators were represented at the conference, where they agreed to establish the International Confederation of Energy Regulators (ICER). Under the ICER, the role of regulators in overseeing efficient and responsible markets to tackle climate change will be examined. Regulators pledged to present best regulatory practices to promote energy efficiency to G8 energy ministers in 2010.
By subscription (free trial available) http://www.endseurope.com/22425?referrer=bulletin&DCMP=EMC-ENDS-EUROPE-DAILY; http://www.endseurope.com/22420?referrer=bulletin&DCMP=EMC-ENDS-EUROPE-DAILY; http://www.worldforumiv.info/;
Utilities pledge to be ready for plug-in autos (Reuters, 21 October 2009)
The US Edison Electric Institute (EEI) says it has received pledges from 20 CEOs of 20 electric utility companies that they are ready to work with policy makers and auto makers to ensure electricity is available for plug-in vehicles. One of the biggest challenges in electrifying the vehicle fleet, according to Edison International’s CE Ted Craver, is the need for standardisation.
http://www.reuters.com/article/GCA-GreenBusiness/idUSTRE59K3XC20091021
GE attacks protection of green industries (Financial Times, 19 October 2009)
John Krenicki, chief executive of GE’s energy business, warned that protectionist measures accompanying attempts to stimulate “green” industry and jobs are counterproductive: “energy technology depends on scale, so unless we get the barriers down we will never be able to deploy these technologies fully.” He also said using local content rules to create “green” manufacturing jobs overlooked the fact that there were not that many jobs to be had in factories, but that most of the associated employment would be in services, such as installation and maintenance.
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/0822e7f2-bcd1-11de-a7ec-00144feab49a.html
Families face nuclear tax on power bills (Guardian, 19 October 2009)
The Guardian reports that the UK Office of Nuclear Development (OND) has been in talks with major nuclear utilities to encourage the construction of new nuclear power plants should climate change talks fail and the price of carbon not significantly increase. This would involve placing a carbon levy on the cost of electricity, designed to make nuclear power more economically viable, and intervene in the carbon market to place price floors. Nuclear developers will need to decide whether to begin construction of new plants in less than a next year.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/oct/19/nuclear-tax-on-power-bills
Carbon Trust injects funds into UK clean tech (Reuters, 19 October 2009)
The UK Carbon Trust has committed to investing up to GBP 18 million over the next 12-18 months in companies with good commercial returns in the solar, marine and wind power and energy efficiency sectors.
http://www.reuters.com/article/GCA-GreenBusiness/idUSTRE59I2OA20091019
Industry urged to embrace action on climate (Financial Times, 18 October 2009)
Peter Huntsman, chief executive of leading chemicals manufacturer Huntsman, said his industry had fought environmental legislation for too long, and should instead be fighting for higher environmental standards.
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/a5356426-bc17-11de-9426-00144feab49a.html
CEOs no longer refute climate change (Reuters, 15 October 2009)
On the sidelines of a meeting of the Business Council, a group of executives from the top 120 US companies, PG&E CEO Peter Darbee said attitudes towards climate change had changed. There was no debate on the science of climate change, and discussion focussed on the efforts needed to meet the challenge posed by climate change. He said the web of state and federal environmental regulation was delaying action.
http://www.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUSTRE59F09T20091016
A Green Supply Chain Starts in China (Reuters, 15 October 2009)
BSR, a sustainability consultancy, looks at how firms can reduce their carbon footprint, arguing the easiest way for those with global operations or supply chains is to improve the energy efficiency of owned and supplier facilities worldwide. The draw lessons from their work with Walmart, developing its supplier energy efficiency programme in China.
http://www.reuters.com/article/gwmEnergy/idUS415134081920091015
Curbing Climate Change by Sealing Gas Leaks (New York Times, 14 October 2009)
Methane emissions from the oil and gas industry could be curbed relatively easily, though would require better monitoring. Because methane traps 25 times as much heat as CO2, but remains in the atmosphere for only ten years, limiting emissions could be part of shorter-term efforts to limit global warming.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/15/business/energy-environment/15degrees.html?hpw
Enterprise to raise $4 billion for green housing (Reuters, 21 October 2009)
US non-profit group Enterprise said its private branch will lend to multifamily building owners for energy and water reduction capital purchases, and also dedicate funds towards designing affordable new housing. It is hoping to raise USD 4 billion over 5 years to improve the efficiency of low-income housing.
http://www.reuters.com/article/GCA-GreenBusiness/idUSTRE59K3P920091021
Vice President Biden Unveils Home Retrofit Plan for Energy Efficiency (EERE news, 21 October 2009)
Complementing the US DOE’s previously announced “Retrofit Ramp-up” programme, the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) has released a “Recovery through Retrofit” report. The report provides practical proposals for developing a self-sustaining industry for home energy retrofits. It highlights information (including certification), innovative financing (such as Property Assessed Clean Energy), and national standards, training and certification.
http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/news/news_detail.cfm/news_id=15561; the report http://www.whitehouse.gov/assets/documents/Recovery_Through_Retrofit_Final_Report.pdf ; http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/oct2009/2009-10-19-092.asp?utm_source=feedblitz&utm_medium=FeedBlitzEmail&utm_content=556211&utm_campaign=0
Green building materials start-up expects big 2010 (Reuters, 20 October 2009)
Green construction material start-up Serious Materials says it is expecting significant growth, and could see its revenue increasing between 40 and 100% in 2010. It says interest in its products is increasing, and that US government plans to support home retrofits will provide a lot of business.
http://www.reuters.com/article/GCA-GreenBusiness/idUSTRE59J5D920091020?sp=true
Green groups demand new EU laws to end energy waste in buildings (Cool products, 13 October 2009)
A coalition of NGOs, supported by a group of European members of parliament, issued a “Cool products, warm homes” manifesto, urging greater coherence between relevant EU legislation affecting the energy efficiency of appliances and buildings. The manifesto calls for a framework that would examine the treatment of heating and cooling systems across all legislation. It also calls for establishing an EU-wide legally binding target of reducing energy use 20% by 2020.
http://www.coolproducts.eu/cool_blog_archive_Press_release_Green_groups_demand_new_EU_laws_to_end_energy_waste_in_buildings_73.aspx; Manifesto http://www.whiteboxcms.com/virtual/285/Documents/Manifesto%20Brochure%20Final_web.pdf
Green groups demand new EU laws to end energy waste in buildings (Cool products, 13 October 2009)
A coalition of NGOs, supported by a group of European members of parliament, issued a “Cool products, warm homes” manifesto, urging greater coherence between relevant EU legislation affecting the energy efficiency of appliances and buildings. The manifesto calls for a framework that would examine the treatment of heating and cooling systems across all legislation. It also calls for establishing an EU-wide legally binding target of reducing energy use 20% by 2020.
http://www.coolproducts.eu/cool_blog_archive_Press_release_Green_groups_demand_new_EU_laws_to_end_energy_waste_in_buildings_73.aspx; Manifesto http://www.whiteboxcms.com/virtual/285/Documents/Manifesto%20Brochure%20Final_web.pdf
Utilities pledge to be ready for plug-in autos (Reuters, 21 October 2009)
The US Edison Electric Institute (EEI) says it has received pledges from 20 CEOs of 20 electric utility companies that they are ready to work with policy makers and auto makers to ensure electricity is available for plug-in vehicles. One of the biggest challenges in electrifying the vehicle fleet, according to Edison International’s CE Ted Craver, is the need for standardisation.
http://www.reuters.com/article/GCA-GreenBusiness/idUSTRE59K3XC20091021
Carmakers going greener with electric push (Reuters, 21 October 2009)
At the 41st Tokyo Motor Show Nissan presented a sketch of an all-electric version of the NV200 light commercial vehicle (LCV). CE Carlos Ghosn also presented plans for a joint venture with Sumitomo Corp to recycle lithium-ion batteries after they are used in Nissan cars. The “4R” concept would reuse, resell, refabricate and recycle lithium-ion batteries, providing them a second life as power backup, emergency power supply or home storage unit for electric or solar energy. Toyota, leader in hybrid vehicle technology, will also introduce an all-electric car.
http://www.reuters.com/article/GCA-GreenBusiness/idUSTRE59K16620091021?sp=true
Toyota pushes hybrids with new model, South Korea launch (Reuters, 20 October 2009)
Toyota will launch its Sai hybrid vehicle in December, and expects to sell 36,000 units a year in Japan. Its sale price will start at USD 37,290 and it has a listed mileage of 23 km/litre (54 mpg). Toyota is also expanding into South Korea.
http://www.reuters.com/article/GCA-GreenBusiness/idUSTRE59J0E520091020
Honda eyes electric car launch in major markets (Reuters, 20 October 2009)
A strong proponent of hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles, Honda has changed strategies and is considering launching electric vehicles into the US market (in part to better meet stringent California standards), as well as Europe and Japan.
http://www.reuters.com/article/GCA-GreenBusiness/idUSTRE59J14U20091020
Car lobby and member states aim to weaken EU tyre pressure rule: T&E (T&E, 19 October 2009)
Green transport NGO T&E says that certain member states are and the car industry attempting to dilute new EU requirements on fitting new cars with tyre pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) from 2012. According to T&E, they are pushing for “indirect” TPMS, which monitors wheels’ rotational speed, rather than direct TPMS which have pressure sensors inside each tyre. The indirect method is less fuel efficient and safe. Technical specifications are being developed by UNECE.
http://www.transportenvironment.org/News/2009/10/Threat-to-EU-tyre-safety-rules-could-cost-lives/
Electric cars don’t deserve halo yet: study (Reuters, 19 October 2009)
In a recent report by the US National Research Council, the “hidden costs” of electric vehicles were brought to the fore. Manufacturing efficiencies in electric vehicle production must be improved, which could make the health and environmental costs of producing electric vehicles higher than those of conventional cars. Cleaner energy production is also essential to ensuring electric vehicles are truly a cleaner form of transport.
http://www.reuters.com/article/GCA-GreenBusiness/idUSTRE59I5QH20091019; NRC report, “Hidden Costs of Energy: Unpriced Consequences of Energy Production and Use”: http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12794 (can be read online for free)
Number of passenger cars in ČR nearly doubles since 1989 (Prague Daily Monitor, 15 October 2009)
Data from the Czech Automotive Industry Association (SAP) indicate that the number of passenger cars in the Czech Republic has nearly doubled since 1989. However, the average age of vehicles has not changed; in 1989 cars were on average 14 years old, and were 13.7 years old in mid-2009.
http://praguemonitor.com/2009/10/16/number-passenger-cars-%C4%8Dr-nearly-doubles-1989
Emissions trading/Carbon market
Offset potential from forests hugely overestimated (Cop 15, 16 October 2009)
Greenpeace has sounded warnings over carbon market financing of forestry offset projects, after third-party verification of the Noel Kampff Climate Action Project in Bolivia indicated the project had offset 5.8 million tonnes of CO2 emissions, much less than projected, but also less than the 7.4 million tonnes reported by BP, Pacificorp and American Electric Power involved in the scheme.
http://en.cop15.dk/news/view+news?newsid=2370; http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/news/carbon-scam
Czech Republic concludes sale of AAUs to Spain and Austria (Ministry of Environment, 13 and 14 October 2009)
The Czech ministry of environment announced that it has sold 5 million AAUs to Spain and 3.5 million AAUs to Austria, purchased to help the countries comply with their Kyoto targets. Including those already sold, the Czech Republic has approximately 100 million AAUs for sale. The Czech government previously sold AAUs to the Japanese government and Japanese firm Mitsui & CO.
http://www.mzp.cz/en/news_pr091014aau_spain; http://www.mzp.cz/en/news_pr091013aau_Austria
Climate cooperation to help ties, Hu tells Obama (Reuters, 21 October 2009)
Following a phone conversation with US President Obama, Chinese President Hu Jintao said the two countries faced common challenges and shared common interests when it came to climate change, and that cooperation on that front could improve bilateral relations overall. Wank Ke at Beijing’s Renmin University says that balancing negotiations over a range of issues, rather than focusing on an agreement on climate change, might prove useful.
http://www.reuters.com/article/GCA-GreenBusiness/idUSTRE59K23220091021
India, China sign climate cooperation deal (Reuters, 21 October 2009)
China and India have signed an agreement to cooperate in the fight against climate change, covering cooperation in technology transfer and for energy efficiency and renewables. The agreement also underlines that developed countries must take the lead in reducing emissions, as well as provide financing and technology to poorer nations.
http://www.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUSTRE59K2AF20091021
EU ministers plan to curb CO2 from planes, ships (Reuters, 21 October 2009)
EU environment ministers agreed on targets to reduce emissions from the aviation and shipping sectors, by 10% and 20% respectively over the next 10 years.
http://www.reuters.com/article/GCA-GreenBusiness/idUSTRE59K2DO20091021
EU Finance Ministers cannot agree on climate funding; MEPs call for ambitious amounts (Reuters, 20 October 2009)
EU Finance Ministers failed to reach agreement on financing climate change mitigation and adaptation in developing countries, leaving the issue to be decided by heads of state at the end of October. ENDS understands that opposition to a deal proposed by Sweden and backed by Germany came primarily from eastern European countries. Environment Ministers are to meet as well to adopt a draft EU position on December’s climate change talks. Meanwhile, the European Parliament’s environment committee drafted a resolution calling for EU states to provided EUR 30 billion annually by 2020, twice the limit of what has been proposed by the European Commission.
http://www.reuters.com/article/GCA-GreenBusiness/idUSN1252318120091020; http://video.consilium.europa.eu/index.php?pl=2&sessionno=2525&lang=EN; http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/expert/infopress_page/064-62730-292-10-43-911-20091019IPR62729-19-10-2009-2009-false/default_en.htm; http://www.europarl.europa.eu/meetdocs/2009_2014/documents/envi/re/788/788976/788976en.pdf
U.S. must tackle emissions first: Chu (Reuters, 20 October 2009)
US Energy Secretary Steven Chu said that before discussing carbon tariffs on energy-intensive imports, as discussed in current climate change legislation, the US needed to figure out what it can and must do to reduce GHG emissions. He called for the US to lead in the development of clean energy technologies, and for more incentives for nuclear power to be included in the climate bill.
http://www.reuters.com/article/GCA-GreenBusiness/idUSTRE59J4PT20091020
UN climate change chief undaunted (Financial Times, 20 October 2009)
In an interview with the FT, Yvo de Boer says that a new international treaty will not be agreed in Copenhagen, but that what needs to be agreed on are the “political imperatives”, with a successful agreement resembling an overarching political decision on targets for industrialised countries, how developing countries will engage to curb emissions by 2020, all in the context of a long-term goal to 2050. He called on leaders to be present at the negotiation, and that ministers would also need to decide a deadline for turning the agreed architecture into something comprehensive.
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/f66285c8-bd10-11de-a7ec-00144feab49a.html
Climate change discussions fail to agree on finance pledges (Financial Times, 20 October 2009)
No agreement was reached on scaling up financing for developing countries in the context of a climate change agreement at the Major Economies Forum (MEF) in London. EU finance ministers are to discuss the issue this week as well; UK finance minister Alistair Darling has called on the EU to commit EUR 10 billion in funding, pledging EUR 1 billion from the UK.
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/6a834386-bd0f-11de-a7ec-00144feab49a.html
India Hosting Climate Change-related Meetings (Climate L, 19 October 2009)
India will be hosting a variety of climate change related meetings in the coming week. Bilateral meetings with China will take place 21-23 October, including discussion of National Action Plans on Climate Change. With UNDESA, the Indian government is organising a high level conference technology development and transfer in the context of climate change on 22-23 October.
http://climate-l.org/2009/10/20/india-hosting-climate-change-related-meetings/
Concession raises hopes for climate deal (Financial Times, 19 October 2009)
The long-term climate target of a 50% reduction in global GHG emissions by 2050 from 1990 levels, argued for by developed countries (who agree to an aggregate 80% reduction by 2050) may be softened; a concession that could make a deal in Copenhagen easier.
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/45450bde-bcd5-11de-a7ec-00144feab49a.html
Brazil seeks climate target for all Amazon nations (Reuters, 19 October 2009)
Brazil has indicated it will seek to forge a common position among all Amazon basin countries prior to global climate change negotiations in Copenhagen.
http://www.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUSTRE59I4TD20091019
Brazil to improve investment climate: minister (Reuters, 19 October 2009)
In an attempt to free investments in the power sector, blocked by regulatory uncertainty and red tape, Brazil is working to pass held-up bills that would define the role of industry regulators. This would tackle delays in obtaining environmental licences, and provide clarity on the setting of utility rates and the holding of public tenders.
http://www.reuters.com/article/GCA-GreenBusiness/idUSTRE59I5M320091019?sp=true
Minister seeks unconditional CO2 curbs for India (Reuters, 19 October 2009)
The Times of India has quoted excerpts from a letter it says Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh wrote to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, saying that India needed to break away from the G77 group and align itself more with the G20. He called for India to take on mitigation commitments, whether or not finance and technology are forthcoming, “simply because we need to mitigate in self-interest,” according to the Times. He was also quoted as writing that “India must listen more and speak less in negotiations.”
http://www.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUSTRE59I0S520091019?sp=true
Public backing for deep CO2 cuts from China (Financial Times, 19 October 2009)
A public opinion poll conducted on behalf of the Financial Times in the US and Europe indicates that most people believe China should make the most effort to cut emissions, although other countries must make cuts even if China and India fail to take action. A majority of those surveyed in the US and the UK were opposed to offering developing countries aid to help them adapt to climate change.
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/feab63c4-bc45-11de-9426-00144feab49a.html
PM warns of climate ‘catastrophe’ (BBC, 18 October 2009)
At the Major Economies Forum (MEF) meeting in London, Gordon Brown is to warn that if Copenhagen talks fail, there is no “Plan B”, and that countries could face flood, droughts, heat waves, and more conflict fuelled by climate-induced migration.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8313672.stm
Hopes for deal on climate boosted (Financial Times, 16 October 2009)
European officials have indicated a “broadening” of the terms when discussion technology transfer between developed and developing countries in the context of climate change negotiations. These are pointing to more “mutuality”, and emphasising ways of encouraging joint development of technology by companies with developing country partners. There is also discussion on an international plan on technology development, including incentives for private sector investment in developing countries.
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/846dc838-b9eb-11de-a747-00144feab49a.html
African leaders abandon “ostrich” attitude (Cop15, 16 October 2009)
Parliamentarians from Kenya, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Togo, Cameroon and Namibia have issued a declaration on Africa’s position at the Copenhagen climate change agreements. The declaration, which does not formally represent African countries’ positions, will be communicated to all African leaders. It calls for industrialised countries to reduce GHG emissions 40% by 2020 from 1990 levels, increasing to an 80-95% reduction by 2050. These countries must also set aside 1.5% of their GDP to help African countries mitigate and adapt to climate change.
http://en.cop15.dk/news/view+news?newsid=2374
India opens door to climate deal, EU stuck (Reuters, 16 October 2009)
In response to Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s instructions to be flexible, environment minister Jairam Ramesh said India will drop its insistence that industrialised countries cut emissions 40% by 2020, aligning themselves with the EU in calling for a 25% reduction. However, EU leaders are still struggling to find a common position on stepping up financing for developing countries to help them mitigate and adapt to climate change.
http://www.reuters.com/article/GCA-GreenBusiness/idUSN1252318120091016?sp=true
African nations preparing for Copenhagen (Cop15, 15 October 2009)
African leaders are meeting in Nairobi to prepare for the UN Copenhagen conference, taking the time to determine which projects and programmes they should seek financing for. According to Kenya’s Environment Minister John Michuki, “If we shall be told to go back home and work out programs and projects, we shall have wasted our meagre resources for two weeks and come out from there with nothing.”
http://en.cop15.dk/news/view+news?newsid=2364
EU attacks carbon border tax initiative (Financial Times, 14 October 2009)
EU environment commissioner Stavros Dimas has expressed reservations on the idea of carbon border taxes, a possibility recently raised by several EU member states. Mr. Dimas said he didn’t think the measure should be used to pressure developing countries to sign onto a climate agreement, but rather offer finance to help tackle climate change. He did support tough emissions limits on aviation and shipping, either through cap-and-trade or tax, which could provide up to EUR 30 billion in annual revenues.
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/7cba7a90-b8e3-11de-98ee-00144feab49a.html
US aims for bilateral climate change deals with China and India (Guardian, 14 October 2009)
Back-to-back meetings with India and China next month by US officials are expected to make some advance towards securing global action on climate change. State Department climate envoy Todd Stern has said he believes that bilateral agreements with countries such as China, Russia, India and Brazil will build agreement in Copenhagen.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/oct/14/obama-india-china-climate-change
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