Climate Weekly: G20 lukewarm on climate change

(Climate Change News, 30 Nov 2018) Leaders of 20 major economies are gathering in Buenos Aires, Argentina today for what promises to be a tense summit.

The US-China trade war, mounting tensions in Ukraine and fallout from the grisly murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi embassy in Turkey dominate the pre-meeting coverage.

No less important is the signal the G20 will send on the level of commitment to international cooperation on climate change. A draft declaration seen by Karl Mathiesen was pretty feeble on that score, presenting implementation of the Paris Agreement as the choice of some members, rather than the consensus.

Will the others defend the deal or keep quiet and appease Donald Trump, ahead of Cop24 climate talks in Katowice starting next week? Watch this space.

Big MAC’s legacy

The European Commission has produced its grand long-term climate strategy, with eight possible pathways for greenhouse gases to 2050.

Climate commissioner Miguel Arias Cañete urged member states to adopt the most ambitious vision, of reaching net zero emissions.

Remember when Arias Cañete was nominated in 2014, NGOs attacked him for his oil interests? In fact, Sara Stefanini writes, when he hands over the brief next year, he will leave a relatively progressive legacy – even if it does not satisfy all of environmentalists’ demands.

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Climate Change News, 30 Nov 2018: Climate Weekly: G20 lukewarm on climate change