Climate Change
Energy
Private Sector
North America

On Monday, President Obama launched his Clean Power Plan designed to cut emissions from the power sector by 32% in 2030, against a 2005 baseline.

It's more ambitious than a  draft, published for comment last year, which targeted a 30% reduction. Obama says it is the "single most important step" the US has taken to tackle climate change.

It has attracted a  huge quantity of  news coverage, comment and analysis. However, the final rule is 1,560 pages long, making it hard to unpick the impact of the plan from the spin. It also has international significance in advance of the impending UN climate talks in Paris.

Carbon Brief's Q&A aims to help cut through the noise, explaining the why, how and what next of the Clean Power Plan.


For the complete analysis, please visit the Carbon Brief Blog.

Source:
Carbon Brief

Adaptation & Resilience
Climate Change
Environment & Migration
South America
Central America & Caribbean
Adriana Erthal Abdenur, Igarapé Institute

In some areas of the world, including Central America, rising sea levels and declining agricultural productivity due to climate change are expected to trigger major migratory flows, especially within countries. The role of policy-makers is it to promote local solutions while engaging in regional cooperation for a preventative approach.

Cities
Climate Change
Climate Diplomacy
Global Issues
Lou del Bello, URBANET

What outcomes do the agreements achieved at COP24 hold for cities and regions? Despite the decisive part the so-called non-state actors play in achieving the international climate goals, their role hasn't been formally recognized by the UNFCCC.

Climate Change
Climate Diplomacy
Global Issues
UN Environment

The Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, concluded in October 2016, has entered into force on January 1st, 2019. Its 65 signatories are now on the fast track to significantly reducing the use of harmful greenhouse gases in the production of cooling devices, representing a major step towards achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement. After a season of unsatisfying climate negotiations, the amendment's implementation marks a time of action and reminds the international community why climate diplomacy ultimately pays off.

Climate Diplomacy
Conflict Transformation
Water
Sub-Saharan Africa
Middle East & North Africa
Danilo Turk, Fair Observer

In many ongoing armed conflicts, water has been used as a weapon of war, but it can also be a strong instrument of peace.