The rifts between developed and developing countries on the so-called loss and damage fund remain wide. Even at its penultimate meeting before COP28, the Transitional Committee made little relevant progress. The time until the decision is running out.
By Bernhard Pötter
At the first African climate summit, countries find a common line for the upcoming UN negotiations: a fair financial system, a global carbon tax, 300 MW of green electricity by 2030 and more aid for growth and development. Kenya was criticized for compliance and the idea of a fossil fuel tax.
By Redaktion Table
Creating more momentum on reducing methane emissions is one of the top five goals of COP28. COP President al Jaber aims to reduce methane emissions from the oil and gas industry to near zero by 2030. But the COP hosts, the United Arab Emirates, have not reported their methane emissions to the UN for the past decade. The UAE is a poor role model that could slow efforts in other world regions.
By Nico Beckert
At the G20 summit in New Delhi over the weekend, the host country India had ambitious plans for the climate issue: Expanding renewables, reducing fossil fuels, financial aid, debt reform, changing lifestyles. But Russia and China have little interest in success.
By Goswami Urmi
The new EU Climate Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra is not yet in office, let alone confirmed by all EU institutions. But the tasks he is expected to complete within a very short time are enormous. This is one reason why his critics are so skeptical. In the meantime, Šefčovič is supposed to finish the negotiations on the Green Deal in Brussels.
By Lukas Knigge
Many Republican Party presidential candidates in the US continue to oppose climate action and deny climate change. But pressure is growing at the party's base and among young voters to acknowledge these realities in the crisis.
By Redaktion Table
A new report by the International Monetary Fund shows that government subsidies for fossil fuels reached a new record of seven trillion US dollars in 2022. A comprehensive reform could drastically lower global emissions, save millions of lives, and generate billions for countries to make necessary investments.
By Bernhard Pötter
Climate change is intensifying wildfires, especially in northern regions, says fire researcher Thomas Hickler. If the Paris climate targets were met, humanity could probably "still adapt quite well in fighting forest fires." But above the two-degree limit, things will become problematic.
By Alexandra Endres
Canada is ravaged by the worst wildfires in its history. But the political fronts hardly change: The Conservatives continue to oppose carbon taxes, Liberals advocate climate action, and the population questions the sense of the measures. The damage threatens economic growth.
By Redaktion Table
At their summit, the five BRICS countries only talk about global warming in general terms and the familiar climate demands. Yet their strategies, conditions and goals are far more diverse than their common criticism of the developed countries would suggest.
By Bernhard Pötter
