Showing posts with label Ban-Ki-Moon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ban-Ki-Moon. Show all posts

Tuesday, 22 September 2009

Politics News-China Expected to lead in UN Climate Change Meeting

Today in New York world leaders are sitting down to discuss their plans to fight climate change. Attention is likely to focus on Chinese President Hu Jintao, who is expected to unveil stringent new plans to tackle global warming. China, out of all the developing countries it is agreed have moved quickly. Yes indeed they do have a high level of emissions hover they are taking steps and investing in renewable energy and talking openly about emissions and what they want to do.

With Just 76 days left before Copenhagen the pressure is on for global leaders to come to agreement.

The cacophony of noise from politicians, pressure groups, and the public is rising. However the real challenge has not changed over the last ten months. The divide between developed and developing countries and the level of CO2 each must cut still remains the main bargaining point.

In the Daily Telegraph Lord Stern Summarises the situation as a "deadlock consists of an approach by rich countries which collectively involves inadequate emissions reductions and unwillingness to make financial commitments without being able to approve the plans for developing countries to move to low-carbon growth. And on the part of developing countries, an unwillingness to make commitments on reductions without a clear indication of financial support from the rich countries, together with an unwillingness to have their own plans for low-carbon development determined by, or subject to the approval of, the rich countries".

Writing in the Guardian Ed Miliband, appeals for the deal makers not to have a re-run of Kyoto, Doha and Gleaneagles where 'piecemeal' arrangements were the results of these rounds of talks.

Tony Blair reappeared on the world stage this time talking about the threat of Climate Change. While the liberal democrats are calling for no one to nominate him for the position of future European President he was in New York presenting his paper titled 'Cutting the Cost' to UN Secretary General Ban –ki-moon.

The paper focuses on the economic advantages of a global response to rising temperatures caused by the growth in greenhouse gas emissions. In the findings the Rt hon. Blair claims that over 10 million jobs can be created in fighting climate change. In a foreword to the report, Mr Blair attempts to head off criticism of the proposals.

Blair states: ''Some may choose to quibble about the exact numbers in the analysis, while others may argue that the policy scenarios used are unrealistic. This misses the point. Our objective is not to prescribe the targets and timetables that should be adopted: that is the job of scientists and governments”.

However in reality this week all eyes will be on China. They have the political will, the ability to invest in new green technology. They have the willingness to move ahead at speed in cutting emissions. If they decide to do so this week they will leave the US, the EU and the rest of the world behind.

Taylor Keogh Communications Public Affairs and PR for the Energy and Clean Tech sectors

Friday, 10 July 2009

Political News-The G8 countries pledges to temperature target, but receive criticism for UN Gen-Secretary

The G8, meeting in Italy this week, have agreed for the first time to recognise that the rise in average global temperature should be limited to 2°C. The G8 leaders subsequently pledged to support global targets to cut emissions by 50% by 2050, with an extended intention support an ambitious long-term target of 80% for more industrialised countries.

However, the plans have been criticised by some green groups, due to the base year for calculating emission reductions being left ambiguous. The declaration states that the reductions should be "compared to 1990 or more recent years". The wording could lead to wrangling between nations, especially between Western European countries and developing nations.

The conference has been quick to promote the fiscal stimulus packages that have focused resources towards energy efficiency measures and support for renewable energy technologies and clean coal.

However, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon criticised leaders of the G8 or failing to make deeper commitments to combat climate change. Ki-Moon, stated that the agreement by the G8 are insufficient to counter climate change.

“The climate problem brings along a responsibility, which is historical and mandatory for our planet’s future,
Ban Ki-Moon told the press at the end of the G8 Summit.