All articles tagged with #un climate talks
California Governor Gavin Newsom criticizes the absence of the US from UN climate negotiations, highlighting the negative impact of Trump's policies on climate action and emphasizing the need for the US to lead in green energy and climate efforts, especially as other nations move forward.
A new study by the Independent High-Level Expert Group on Climate Finance reveals that poorer nations need $1 trillion annually by 2030 to address climate change, five years earlier than current UN climate talks suggest. The report warns that delaying this funding until 2035 would burden vulnerable countries. The study suggests that half of the required funds could come from private investments, with the rest from multilateral banks and direct grants. The ongoing Cop29 summit in Azerbaijan is grappling with disagreements over funding sources and amounts, with developing countries emphasizing the need for public finance to address adaptation needs.
The Biden administration has sent a high-level delegation to the annual U.N. climate summit to reassure global negotiators of the United States' commitment to reducing emissions and combating climate change, despite the upcoming transition to Donald Trump's presidency. John D. Podesta, senior adviser for international climate policy, emphasized the U.S.'s ongoing efforts to benefit both the nation and the world.
The recent UN climate talks in Dubai resulted in a compromise agreement that mentioned fossil fuels as the cause of climate change and called for a transition away from them, but did not include the phrase "phase out" that many advocates and countries were pushing for. Experts' opinions on the agreement were divided, with some considering it historic and significant, while others criticized it for containing loopholes that could allow for the expansion of fossil fuels. The agreement also established a compensation fund for nations affected by climate change and included commitments to increase the use of renewable energy and enhance support for poorer nations. The outcome of the talks was seen as a step forward, but concerns remain about the ability to limit global warming to the desired target of 1.5 degrees Celsius.
The UN climate talks, COP28, in Dubai are at risk of collapse after some nations expressed anger over a draft deal on fossil fuels that they consider "weak." The draft removed language suggesting a "phase out" of fossil fuels, leading to objections from countries on the frontline of climate change. The European Union called the draft "unacceptable," and there are concerns that the talks may fail to reach a consensus. The draft text now states that nations should "reduce consumption and production of fossil fuels in a just, orderly, and equitable manner." The outcome of the talks will be judged on the ability to decide on the future of coal, oil, and gas and reach a consensus on phasing out fossil fuels in line with a 1.5°C temperature rise limit.
Protests at the UN climate talks in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are difficult to find due to the country's prohibition on demonstrations, which is a departure from previous summits. While protests have occurred in Dubai, they are heavily restricted.
At least 475 lobbyists representing carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies, which climate scientists argue will not effectively address global heating, have been granted attendance at Cop28, according to the Centre for Environmental Law. CCS is being heavily promoted by the fossil fuel industry and high-pollution sectors at the summit, despite the consensus among climate scientists that phasing out fossil fuels is the only viable solution. Critics argue that CCS is a delaying tactic and distraction from the urgent need to reduce emissions. The presence of oil and gas lobbyists at Cop28 is unprecedented, outnumbering official Indigenous representatives and several climate-affected countries. The negotiations at Cop28 are focused on the global stocktake and the phase-out of fossil fuels, with major producers accused of blocking an unequivocal agreement.
The UN climate talks at COP28 in Dubai have shifted focus to the contagious effects of climate change on human health. Concerns were raised about the millions of deaths caused by air pollution each year and the spread of diseases like cholera and malaria due to global warming. The World Health Organization called for a "Health Day" at the conference to address the immediate threats to health from climate change. Negotiations are also underway to push for more agreement on ways to limit global warming. Protests have begun at COP28, with activists highlighting the urgent need for action.
The chief of ExxonMobil has criticized the UN climate talks for focusing too much on renewable energy, arguing that other solutions should also be considered. He believes that the discussions should include a broader range of technologies and approaches to address climate change effectively.
Two years after world leaders made bold promises to tackle climate change, countries are falling short of meeting their commitments. Deforestation continues to increase, with the loss of tropical old-growth rainforests releasing significant carbon emissions. Methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas, are on the rise despite the Global Methane Pledge. Some countries, like Brazil, have made progress in reducing deforestation, but others, including China, India, and Russia, have not joined the pledge. The lack of progress raises questions about the effectiveness of the U.N. climate talks, with calls for concrete actions to back up pledges at the upcoming summit in Dubai.