At COP28, the first “Global Stocktake,” will assess the results of national and international collective action to curb climate change. The UN’s Global Stocktake synthesis draft report, released in September, shows that despite some progress since the Paris Agreement in 2015, the world is still far off track to reduce emissions enough to keep temperature rise to safe levels. According to latest news reports, it is all still to play for at this halfway point before COP28 concludes next weekend. For example, on fossil fuels, there are four choices. Encouragingly, all are anchored around a “phase out”, with reference, variously, to “the best available science”, 1.5C, the Paris Agreement, “unabated”, peak consumption, and net zero CO2 emissions. None explicitly refers to justice, equity, or differentiated pathways for developed and developing countries, campaigners noted – which may be a sticking point. Stay tuned.
“Favourite Links” is one of the popular popular pages on the EiD website. New recent links include: The Importance of Socially Responsible Mining in Developing Nations; Home Carbon Calculator; How smart meters and solar panels work together; The Role of E-Bikes in Decarbonising Transportation; and The Guide to Sustainable, Zero-Waste, Ethical Weddings. What are your views on these links? Please let us know if you have a link to be added or changed.
COP28 in Dubai runs for another week. You can stay up to date with COP28 here. Here is a good video on climate finance produced by the IISD’s Earth Negotiations Bulletin.
With so many people looking at travelling over the upcoming festive season, here is some useful news to help you along:
- With the reassuring growing demand for train travel. Euronews offers the best new European train routes launching in 2023 and 2024.
- For those interested in a nice hike through Europe, much better adventures suggests 20 of the best hikes in Europe.
- If you’re interested in a cycling trip, have a look at the Best Cycling Destinations in Europe.
- There is always the option of virtual tourism at the Xplore Nature Channel that EiD first promoted back in September. There are now more than 120 videos.
Concerning travel, the accounting firm PwC UK announced it will lower its carbon footprint by imposing restrictions on business travel. According to the Financial Times (behind a paywall), “PwC told senior UK staff in October that only people travelling on long-haul night flights or those flying for “business-critical” reasons would be allowed to sit in business class.” As the company pledged to cut emissions from its operations to net zero by 2030, it realises that business travel remains PwC UK’s single-largest source of carbon pollution. Marissa Thomas, managing partner at PwC UK is quoted: “Given a business-class seat is roughly 50 per cent more carbon-intensive than one in premium economy, we’re asking partners and directors to think carefully about if they need one.” Who’s next?
François-Marie Arouet, known by his nom de plume Voltaire (1694-1778), the French Enlightenment writer, historian and philosopher gives us his views on the impact of opinions: “Opinion has caused more trouble on this little earth than plagues or earthquakes.”
EiD welcomes your views about this week’s selection of posts on the zero-carbon energy transition:
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Energy in Demand - Sustainable Energy - Rod Janssen 