Ενημερωτικό Δελτίο της καμπάνιας των Ευρωπαίων Πράσινων για την κλιματική αλλαγή (Σεπτέμβριος 2010)

EU considers restricting offset credits after fresh controversy over Kyoto CDM projects
The EU Commission could be set to propose restrictions on the use of offsets (CDM credits or CERs) following controversy surrounding some ‘Clean Development Mechanism’ projects. Serious concerns have been raised about projects aimed at limiting HFC (a potent greenhouse gas) emissions from industrial plants, notably in China. Given HFC projects account for half of all offset credits used under the EU emissions trading scheme, the Commission has recognised the urgent need to resolve the issue.

Debate heats up on German nuclear power plant life extension
Divisions are emerging within the German government over its plans to extend the life of nuclear power plants. The plans, which are opposed by a majority of the German public, could lead to life extensions of at least 15 years, according to German chancellor Angela Merkel. Meanwhile, energy utilities have been lobbying against a tax that the German government is planning to introduce with the life extensions.

Phase out of energy wasting light bulbs moves to next phase
The phase-out of inefficient incandescent light bulbs across the EU is set to move into its second phase in September. The phase-out of the most inefficient bulbs, which began in 2009, will be extended to 75 watt incandescent bulbs, which will be gradually removed from the market.

Climate aid pledges close to $30bn mark but concerns on recycled funding persist
Separate analyses from the World Resources Institute and Reuters confirmed that pledges for fast-start climate aid for developing countries are closing in on the $30 billion goal (for 2010-12) outlined in the Copenhagen Accord. Unfortunately, the analyses seem to confirm fears that much of the pledged aid is not new and additional, and is instead relabelled or recycled from existing development aid budgets. This risks further heightening mistrust in the UN climate negotiations. (see our blog)

UN climate talks make little headway
The UN climate talks remain “stuck in the mud” after the latest round of UNFCCC negotiations. Among the main stories were a clash between the US and China and the setback to proposals for using the revenues from a global financial transaction tax for climate aid. Incoming COP president Mexico also mooted the prospect of multiple climate treaties. The next meeting will take place in China in October.

Climate change a key focus for forming new government in Australia
Climate change has emerged as one of the key issues for the formation of a government in Australia after neither of the two main political parties gained enough seats to form a government in its recent election. The elections were also a breakthrough for the Green Party, which gained a seat in the lower house for the first time and holds the balance of power in the senate.

Details of Japanese emissions trading scheme begin to emerge
Japan has begun to set out the details of its planned emissions trading scheme. The outline of the scheme, which would begin in 2013, remains rough though, with many key issues still to be defined.

China announces energy cutting drive
China announced plans to close more than 2,000 inefficient, polluting power plants. However, some observers suggest the move is less impressive than at first glance.

Calls for IPCC reform and all the latest climate science in our round-up
An independent review of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change endorsed the findings of its climate change assessment reports but called for fundamental reforms to the structure and process of the IPCC. Experts have suggested that this summer’s extreme weather events may be caused by global warming. Arctic sea ice is heading for record lows, while research showed that the Greenland ice sheet faces a tipping point in ten years. Global emissions fell in 2009 for the first time this decade. Meanwhile, new research showed that rising temperatures are reducing the ability of plants to absorb CO2.