Climate Change News
Below are news items on climate change – many with relevance to aviation
Connie Hedegaard says it is “Time to get serious about aviation emissions!” and back ETS
Date added: 1 June, 2011
Connie, EU Commissioner for Climate Action, argues that aviation is rightly to
be included in the EU ETS, and it is quite fair and legal for all flights by all
airlines flying into, or out of, the EU to be included. In 2004 ICAO endorsed
the idea of emissions trading, and it agreed it was the most effective economic
instrument for tackling aviation emissions, compared to or charges. EU legislation
on ETS is fully consistent with international law, and is not in conflict with
the Chicago Convention.
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Worst ever carbon emissions leave climate on the brink
Date added: 31 May, 2011
Greenhouse gas emissions increased by a record amount last year, to the highest
carbon output in history, putting hopes of holding global warming to safe levels
all but out of reach, according to unpublished estimates from the International
Energy Agency. This means it is unlikely we can prevent a temperature rise of
2 degrees C - the threshold for potentially "dangerous climate change". And this from Fatih Birol,
chief economist of the IEA. Last year, a record 30.6 gigatonnes of CO2 were produced, up 1.6Gt on 2009, according
to the IEA. This trajectory would mean around a 50% chance of a rise in global
average temperature of more than 4C by 2100.
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EU energy plan threatens carbon billions when carbon price falls
Date added: 31 May, 2011
The Europe Union's carbon market could be flooded with excess pollution permits
over the next decade, cutting prices in half and depriving governments of billions
in budgeted revenues. One leaked study foresees carbon prices falling to 14 euros per tonne, compared
to a business-as-usual price of 25 euros. Another sees the price dropping to zero.
The problem was initially foreseen by the Commission's climate team, under climate
commissioner Connie Hedegaard
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Chris Huhne pledges to halve UK carbon emissions by 2025 – with a few provisos
Date added: 18 May, 2011
Chris Huhne gave a statement to Parliament on 17th to say that the 4th "carbon
budget" – a 50% emissions cut averaged across the years 2023 to 2027, compared
with 1990 levels – would be enshrined in law. This will put the UK on target
for 60% cuts by 2030.This is the most ambitious target of any country. However,
Huhne has not ruled out use of carbon offsets from abroad. And there will be a
review of the 4th budget in 2014, as a compromise, so targets could be cut if
European countries fail to meet their targets. Cameron was reported to have stepped in to resolve the fraught battle within the cabinet with a decision to support the targets. The cuts exclude the embodied energy
in Britain's imports, and our international aviation and shipping.
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Cameron intervenes to settle row over emissions targets
Date added: 16 May, 2011
David Cameron has moved to resolve a Cabinet row over the UK's climate change
targets, with an agreement on emissions to be announced on Tuesday. This will see drastic cuts in greenhouse gas emissions to 2027 and an overhaul
of the way energy is produced. But ministers worried about the impact on the economy and burdens on industry
have secured a get-out clause. The targets will be reviewed if European nations backslide on their own climate
commitments.
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Lord Adair Turner, Government’s climate adviser, steps in to carbon budget row with government
Date added: 10 May, 2011
Lord Adair Turner, the chairman of the CCC, has met cabinet ministers in a bid
to heal a government split threatening to reject ambitious targets to cut CO2
emissions. The cabinet is divided on whether to back the advice of the CCC and
commit to a 4th carbon budget. In 2008, 3 consecutive carbon budgets were set,
up to 2023, but a decision has to be made for the next period. Vince Cable and
others like Philip Hammond believe the proposed target will harm prospects for
jobs and growth.
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ETS data for 2010 released – Sandbag says the cap and trade scheme is still failing to check the growth of carbon emissions
Date added: 28 April, 2011
Sandbag says their analysis shows that the cap and trade scheme is still failing
to check the growth of carbon emissions, and continues to build up a mountain
of surplus permits. This now stands at 170 million tonnes - the same as the annual
emissions from 40 million cars. The ETS is not (yet) doing a good job, especially
at incentivising green investment at scale and speed. And there are clear arguments
for why complementary policies are necessary alongside the ETS
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Carbon emissions ‘hidden’ in imported goods revealed
Date added: 26 April, 2011
The extent of CO2 emissions "hidden" in imported goods is growing, according
to two studies. Official data do not include emissions from making imported goods but they should. The Carbon Trust found such "embedded" CO2 could negate domestic carbon cuts
planned in the UK up to 2025. Carbon cuts are not really cuts at all if countries
are now just buying in products they used to manufacture. The UK's emissions have
been rising for years due to imports.
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CCC advises against the use of offset credits to meet carbon budgets
Date added: 31 March, 2011
In a letter to Chris Huhne, the Committee urged the Government not to purchase offset credits
towards meeting the second carbon budget covering the period 2013-2017. Instead,
the Committee said that carbon budgets can and should be met through domestic
action alone. This will mean putting in place the right policies to reduce emissions
of greenhouse gases. In a future carbon-constrained world, it will be harder to
come by cheap foreign credits.
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Contrails warm the world more than just the aviation CO2 emissions
Date added: 29 March, 2011
New Scientist reports on an IPPC study showing that contrails have contributed
to more global warming so far than all aircraft greenhouse gas emissions put together,
and their radiative forcing trapped 10 milliwatts per square metre (mW/m2) in 2005. When they spread out they cover an area nine times as great as that
covered by line contrails. While contrails disappear in a day or so, the CO2 stays
in the atmosphere for hundreds of years.
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