Category: climate policy

Starting to target airlines in our climate change strategies

Many have argued that air transport has been given too free a ride in pushing for reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. It is complex because it is international in scope and complicated to address. It is encouraging to see in an article by Associated Press that the Obama administration has taken the first steps to … Continue reading Starting to target airlines in our climate change strategies →

“How do we decarbonize the electricity sector, while keeping the lights on, keeping costs low and avoiding unintended consequences that could make emissions increase?”

No one said the sustainable energy transition would be easy. Eduardo Porter writes in the New York Times about some of the bumps along the road.   How Renewable Energy Is Blowing Climate Change Efforts Off Course Is the global effort to combat climate change, painstakingly agreed to in Paris seven months ago, already going … Continue reading “How do we decarbonize the electricity sector, while keeping the lights on, keeping costs low and avoiding unintended consequences that could make emissions increase?” →

A stark statement on new UK government’s intentions on climate change and energy policy

Everyone is following the developments since Britain voted to leave the EU. New Prime Minister Theresa May has announced that she is merging the Department of Energy and Climate Change with the department responsible for business. Ian Johnston writes in the Independent that it sends a message that she's not remotely bothered about global warming. … Continue reading A stark statement on new UK government’s intentions on climate change and energy policy →

Taking a more targeted approach to reducing carbon emissions

We argue whether we should address the demand side or the supply side. Many argue that we should give a priority to reducing energy consumption in buildings, for example. However, Chelsea Harvey writes in the Washington Post that, given how polluting the electricity generation sector is, that the priority should be on targeting those plants … Continue reading Taking a more targeted approach to reducing carbon emissions →

Being ‘alarmed’ about climate change does not necessarily lead to action

A new study published in the journal Nature Climate Change found that even members of the public who are “alarmed” about a warming planet show relatively low levels of public-sphere action, such as volunteering or protesting. Chelsea Harvey explains the report in an article in the Washington Post.   Why even the people who worry … Continue reading Being ‘alarmed’ about climate change does not necessarily lead to action →

State of New York wants to lead on green energy

It is actually quite interesting to see everything going on in the US. The Obama administration has found ways around Congress to make progress on clean energy and many states and cities are increasingly active. Justin Gillis writes in the New York Times about the developments underway in New York.   New York Plans to … Continue reading State of New York wants to lead on green energy →

Latest update on climate finance

The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) provides the April update on global developments in climate finance.   April 2016 Climate Finance Update: Key Meetings Mobilize Action, Adaptation Put under the Spotlight In the Paris Agreement, agreed upon by 195 UN Member States in December 2015, countries agreed to make “finance flows consistent with a … Continue reading Latest update on climate finance →

Canada’s dilemma in reducing emissions while expanding its economy

If you were sitting on the world’s largest reserves of tar sands, would you be thinking you could expand production and yet reduce emissions? It is a dilemma. Konrad Yakabuski writes a thoughtful article in Canada’s Globe and Mail about this issue that faces more than Canada   Can an expanding economy be a low-carbon … Continue reading Canada’s dilemma in reducing emissions while expanding its economy →

Pressure growing for shipping and aviation to take stronger steps to curb pollution

This is not the first time that both shipping and aviation have been criticised for not playing a more effective role in address environmental concerns, mainly with respect to climate change. Henry Fountain writes in the New York Times about the pressure on those two industries to play a greater role. Well, do we blame … Continue reading Pressure growing for shipping and aviation to take stronger steps to curb pollution →