TalkClimateChange

We’ve been preparing ourselves for a big non-story this week as the world’s biggest emitters of green-house gasses meet in Hawaii for more pre-talks about the successor to the Kyoto treaty.
However, it looks as if we are going to have to continue thinking up opinions of our own to fill the pages of TalkClimateChange after […]

 
British motorists are in focus again as Green Britain considers additional taxes on gas guzzlers alongside incentives to encourage more eco-friendly vehicles.
A recent report from the department of transport has shown that the middle market – vehicles emitting between 141 grams and 225 grams of CO 2 per kilometre – is likely to be the […]

A paper recently published in the British Medical Journal claims that climate change is putting human health at risk, and that this demands an “urgent response”.
Climate change will exacerbate issues such as changes in infectious disease patterns, the effect of worsening food yields and loss of livelihoods, according to the paper entitled “Global Environmental […]

As environmental policies come into sharp focus - with the continuation of negotiations initiated in Bali last year, US Presidential Elections, British Nuclear Power decisions, new European initiatives on renewable emission and carbon trading, and a host of other initiatives – we’ve uncovered some useful guidelines for validating environment policy decisions.
In a paper titled […]

Yesterday the European Union announced a new energy emissions plan in its latest bid to fight climate change. As usual, nobody is happy, with businesses warning of higher prices and environmental groups claiming that the measures fall short of the actions needed.
In typical EU style, the plan aims to please everybody and is a […]

Recent research my British retailer Marks & Spencer on consumer attitudes to green shopping describe a particularly apathetic public with little interest in buying green.

Only a small percentage (11%) of consumers actively make green purchases, with 27% of consumers inclined towards green shopping habits – but only if it’s easy. A surprisingly high 24% claim […]

I’ve started writing a couple of times a week for Eco Worldly - part of the Green Options network - and would like to invite you to pop over and have a look at my latest post on the Environmental Performance Rankings which have been announced at the World Economic Forum today in Davos.

As Gordon Brown’s tour or India and China continues, the  British government has levelled criticism at India’s lack of commitment to dealing with climate change.
British Environment Secretary Phil Woolas recently drew a comparison of the two emerging economies, describing the Chinese Central Government as “part of the solution and not part of the problem“ whilst […]

Continuing our commentary on the madness of biofuels we have been happy to note that a group of British Members of Parliament  have come to their senses and are petitioning the EU to rethink their biofuels policy.  The report follows a previous admission from the Environment minister of the European Commission that certain environmental and […]

We talk a lot about ‘predictions’ for global warming, and we tend to think of it in the future tense. But there is mounting evidence each day that climate change is not something that will happen in the future – we are feeling the first real impacts right now.
The Arctic and Antarctic ice sheets […]

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown is currently touring China, reportedly visiting ‘green’ sites including gas fired power stations – a step forwards from the dirtier coal powered varieties which are mostly powering Chinas’s industrial rise.
During his visit, Mr Brown may also learn some valuable lessons in renewable energy. Whilst the EU is likely to will […]

Norway has boldly announced plans to become a carbon neutral country by 2030, ahead of their original goal of 2050.

The plan will be achieved through domestic emissions cuts of approximately 66%, and through investment in overseas environmental projects which will offset Norway’s remaining emissions. Norway already has significant hydro electric power generation capacity by virtue […]

The blog posts have been harder work than usual this week. I believe I am suffering from Climate Change fatigue, becoming slightly weary and negative with the micro debate on each point. Looking at the lack of action on the forum, and the lower number of comments than usual I think maybe some of you […]

 
Billionaire, entrepreneur, serial adventurer and airline owner Richard Branson is the man behind an innovation which may take the sting out of one of climate change’s biggest sins.
Next month a Virgin Atlantic Boeing 747 will make the world’s first biofuel powered flight between London and Amsterdam. Testing a blend of 80% conventional aviation fuel and […]

First tensions are emerging between EU lawmakers and businesses as plans are cemented to implement EU targets for climate change.
Joining the Red Team this week are French Prime Minister Nicolas Sarkozy and the European Trade Union Confederation, and joining the Green Team please welcome European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso.
Unions in Europe have expressed […]