The European Union and the US want to cooperate on decarbonizing the steel and aluminum industry. The agreement offers the chance for a better coordination of climate policies, says Susanne Dröge of the German Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik. However, the exclusion of China could prove counterproductive.
By Redaktion Table
Cities are responsible for a large share of greenhouse gases and at the same time play an important role in climate protection. Mike Bloomberg, Special Representative for Climate Action of the UN Secretary-General and Co-Chair of the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate Energy, and Commission Vice-President Frans Timmermans call on governments to provide more support to mayors.
By Redaktion Table
At the recent UN General Assembly, China's President Xi Jinping announced to the media that he would no longer pursue new coal projects abroad. Nora Sausmikat from the environmental rights organization urgewald e.V. takes stock of the World Climate Conference in Glasgow. China is still one of the biggest expansionists in coal-fired power plants worldwide. Even the switch to gas and liquefied petroleum gas are only "sham solutions" that jeopardize even the Paris Climate Agreement. Moreover, without a total phase-out at home, the withdrawal from coal abroad will hardly work.
By Ning Wang
Achieving the warming target is not primarily about making sacrifices, argues the head of the US research organisation RMI. Rather, a rapid shift to renewable energy could save trillions of dollars.
By Redaktion Table
Is China luring other emerging markets into a "debt trap"? China's particular form of foreign aid invites misunderstanding. A thorough analysis of openly available data by researchers provides a much more nuanced picture.
By Redaktion Table
Where are the Europeans? The UN climate conference in Glasgow must urgently deliver concrete results, writes former EU Climate Action Commissioner Connie Hedegaard in her position paper. It is up to the EU to take a stand, especially with regard to poorer countries.
By Redaktion Table
The ongoing power shortage and the crisis surrounding real estate developer Evergrande are currently dominating headlines. Even if some assessments turn out wrong, long-term problems still loom. China's policymakers must act now, says Yu Yongding, who for years headed the Institute of World Economy and Politics at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences in Beijing.
By Redaktion Table
Not just the West criticizes China's National People's Congress. In China, too, its deputies are referred to as "hand-raisers" behind closed doors. President Xi now gives treatment to China's "parliament" with all kinds of ideological balancing acts. In his view, the People's Congress ensures broad participation of the population. And Xi gave Western democracies only bad marks.
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How can global emissions be reduced? COP26 will not provide a satisfactory answer, writes Susi Dennison of ECFR. But that is where Europe comes in – the EU has some tools at its disposal to use its climate power more effectively.
By Redaktion Table
Kristalina Georgieva, the IMF's Managing Director since 2019, has been a bold leader in confronting the economic fallout of the pandemic, as well as in positioning the Fund as a global pioneer on climate change. The efforts now underway to remove her are not only unjust, but could hamstring the Fund's management for years to come.
By Redaktion Table
