Rhein on Energy and Climate

Archives for Sustainable Dev.

After years of controversial political debate, China has its carbon tax! It has taken the courage of Julia Gillard, the socialist prime minister since 2010, to get there. As of July 1. 2012, 294 companies and municipal councils will be subject to a A$ 23 tax per ton of C02. That is more than twice… » read more

Posted by Eberhard Rhein

With one month to go before the opening of the 16th ministerial climate conference in Cancun, the EU Environment Council, meeting on October 24th, has defined its expectations and “negotiation directives”. The “Council Conclusions” adopted to that end contain a lot of exaggerated hopes, couched in an excessive technical jargon. Who would not agree that… » read more

Posted by Eberhard Rhein

On October 9th 2010, the 192 member governments of the ICAO have agreed on a resolution to address C02 emissions from air traffic, which has rightly been dubbed “historic”. It calls upon • a 2 percent annual improvement of fuel efficiency up to 2050; • the development of C02 standards of aircraft engines by 2013;… » read more

Posted by Eberhard Rhein

US militaries have for a long time warned of the impact from climate change global security and, more directly, of the security risks resulting from excessive US dependence on imported oil from an unstable Middle East. But recently, as the New York Times reports, the Army has taken concrete steps towards weaning itself off fossil… » read more

Posted by Eberhard Rhein

In two months another climate conference will take place. Formally it will be the 16th meeting of the “Contracting Parties of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change” (COP 16). Nobody following climate issues has high expectations for its outcome. That makes it different from Copenhagen. After the failure of the climate legislation package in… » read more

Posted by Eberhard Rhein

Insufficient Copenhagen reduction pledges a danger for the planet In view of to containing the rise of global temperaturesglobal temperatures and climate change within acceptable limits of maximum 2 centigrade humanity will have to reduce its green house gas emissions by half before 2050; and the developed countries must bear the major burden of this… » read more

Posted by Eberhard Rhein

For the first time ever, Korea has announced green house emission targets. On November 17th President Lee has proudly announced that his country is willing to reduce its emissions by 4 percent below 2005 levels. He has called this a historic decision and a paradigm shift for Korea becoming an advanced country. From a European… » read more

Posted by Eberhard Rhein

After two years of preparation intense diplomatic activity humanity does not seem to ready be up to the task of for taking the necessary action for the dramatic substantial reduction of green houses gases that is necessary to preserve the decent livingclimatic conditions on our small planet earth. As things stand, Formally speaking, tthe Copenhagen… » read more

Posted by Eberhard Rhein

China and India have signed a five-year agreement for strengthening their cooperation on energy conservation and efficiency and also taking the lead of developing countries in the run-up to Copenhagen. This is excellent news. Developing countries should put their hand together in Copenhagen for obtaining maximum concessions from developed countries for both emission cuts and… » read more

Posted by Eberhard Rhein