Fiona Harvey

Commitments already made by world governments to cut carbon emissions aren’t enough to keep global warming below the crucial 2C target – but a strong deal is still possible in Paris, says economist.

The commitments made by world governments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the next 15 years are not sufficient to stave off the worst effects of climate change, a new analysis by Lord Stern has found.

The study by the author of an influential report on the economics of climate change found that countries’ pledges ahead of a crunch UN climate summit in Paris this December would not keep warming below 2C, the level that previous UN negotiations have agreed on.

But Stern said he was still optimistic that a good deal could be reached in Paris.

“There is strong action coming through in many parts of the world,” he said, pointing to the rising use of renewable energy and efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions in countries from Latin America to Asia.

“It is very important to recognise that there is still time before Paris [to strengthen a potential agreement].”

The study looks at plans so far submitted to the UN , and the commitments published by other governments but not yet formally submitted.

For the complete article, please see The Guardian.

Source:
The Guardian
Civil Society
Climate Change
Climate Diplomacy
Europe
Martin Wall, adelphi

Right-wing populist parties are already part of the governments of seven EU member states and are expected to make up a quarter of MEPs after the European elections in May 2019. In this episode host Martin Wall talks to the authors of an explorative study on the the voices and the weight of right-wing populist parties in the formulation of European climate policy.

Climate Diplomacy
Global Issues
Daria Ivleva, adelphi

The SDG 17 calls for getting the foundations right for substantial progress on the 2030 Agenda. It includes key conditions for successful sustainability action that are relevant across all actor groups, and most of them depend on international cooperation.

Climate Change
Security
Global Issues
North America
Dana Nuccitelli, Yale Climate Connections

Intelligence analysts have agreed since the late 80s that climate change poses serious security risks. A series of authoritative governmental and non-governmental analyses over more than three decades lays a strong foundation for concern over climate change implications for national security.

Civil Society
Climate Change
Europe
Global Issues
Adrian Foong (adelphi)

Originally planned as a demonstration against fuel tax hikes, the Gilets Jaunes (Yellow Vests) revolts have sparked national and global debates. Some view the demonstrations as part of a rising anti-climate movement, while others draw parallels between the protests and demands for more climate action.