Climate change strategy

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The fact that the strategy has not set a date for the net-zero goal has left several environmental groups unsatisfied

Scotland proposes 90% emissions reduction target

Scotland has published its draft climate change strategy, which has a headline target of cutting greenhouse gas emissions 90% by 2050 and achieving a 100% reduction "as soon as possible".

Many global food and drink companies have already started to replace fluorinated gases with climate-friendly and natural refrigerants

UK begins ratification of Kigali deal on HFCs

The UK has committed to nearly wipe out hydrofluorocarbons (HFCS) as part of a landmark UN agreement which aims to prevent 0.5C of global warming by the end of the century.

A group of NGOs including WWF, Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth (FoE) have written to party leaders to express concern about Britain’s response to the US withdrawal

Paris Agreement: Why Member States are stronger without Donald Trump's meddling

The impact of the US' announced withdrawal from the Paris Agreement has been played down by climate experts, in the same week that a group of green organisations called on the next UK Prime Minister to defend the historic climate change deal.

The coalition aims to expand carbon pricing to cover 25% of global emissions by 2020

Coalition calls for worldwide carbon price to avert climate crisis

A group of 200 organisations including national governments and global businesses has echoed calls for an international carbon pricing system to put the world on the path to meet a 2C climate change target.

The White House has confirmed that a “much smaller” US delegation is set to attend the UN climate change summit in Bonn this week

Investors worth £11bn urge Trump to stick with Paris Agreement ahead of withdrawal decision

An investor group worth more than £11.5bn has urged Donald Trump to maintain support for the Paris Agreement, amid rife speculation that the President could seek to pull out the US from the landmark climate change deal as early as this week.

An increase in flooding is the biggest climate-related concern for 73% of British adults

Survey reveals 'discernible shift' towards public acceptance of climate change

A rising majority of British adults understand that climate change is real and is primarily caused by human activity, according to a new survey published by the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU).

Myron Ebell confirmed that the President will attempt to abolish the Environmental Protection Agency - a move which he deems “an aspirational goal” due to opposition within Congress

EXCLUSIVE: US withdrawal from Paris Agreement 'could happen any day', says Trump aide

EXCLUSIVE: The US will initiate all of Donald Trump's major climate change policy changes - including highly controversial moves to withdraw from the Paris Agreement and abolish the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) - in the next few months, a key aide of the President has told edie.

The Government has vowed to ensure that businesses and communities have the resources and information required to remain protected from risks related to flooding

Defra outlines five-year climate action plan in national risk assessment

On the same day that the Met Office confirmed that 2016 was the hottest year since records began, the UK Government has today (18 January) highlighted the need to ramp up national efforts on climate change over the next five years in a new report of its own.

Taking inspiration from cities such as Vancouver, Stockholm and Copenhagen, Bournemouth wants to position itself at the vanguard of environmental protection

The Bournemouth Identity: Building a green business hub on the south coast

Climate change may be consuming shores and islands at a faster rate than ever before, but nestled on the southern coastline of the UK, Bournemouth Council has extended its climate change strategy beyond just delivering local efficiency improvements through to a long-term vision to become the nation's green economy leader.

John Kerry told Marrakech delegates that the low-carbon transition would be dictated by market forces, rather than policy. Photo: UNFCCflickr

US submits long-term climate strategy to United Nations

The US has presented a long-term strategy for ambitious emissions reductions in the face of domestic political uncertainty, after Secretary of State John Kerry delivered a rousing speech to delegates in Marrakesh to assert that US climate commitments will not be reversed.

The report arrives as ministers and delegates enter the second week of discussions at the COP22 climate change conference in Marrakech. Photo: UNClimateChange/flickr

Global emissions flatline for third consecutive year

A new report has today (14 November) revealed that global carbon emissions growth stalled for the third year in a row, but concerns remain that reduction efforts are inadequate to meet the global warming target of "well below 2C".

The announcement follows the September launch of a new Imperial College Business School MSc in in Climate Change, Management and Finance. Image: Imperial College London

Imperial College Business School unveils climate finance research centre

Imperial College Business School has today (14 November) launched a new academic research centre to help businesses manage the risks and financial opportunities posed by climate change.

Christian Aid wants to see clear timelines and transition plans created to keep the institutions, and their clients, in line with the Paris Agreement

Banks not living up to climate pledges, says Christian Aid

Charity organisation Christian Aid has today (November 7) kick-started a campaign calling on UK's major high street banks to rapidly shift investments from fossil fuels to clean energy.

Hermes Investment Management chief executive Saker Nusseibeh (centre-left) urged firms to focus on the environmental and economic impacts of investment decisions

Ignoring sustainability in favour of short-termism will cause financial ruin, warns major investor

EXCLUSIVE: Companies that fail to realise the long-term benefits of sustainable investment will see their financial returns collapse, one of Britain's biggest investment groups has said.

Marrakech, Morocco, which plays host to the two-week COP22 event. The Conference offers an opportunity to set a clear strategy to emulate the Paris Agreement

UN: Paris Agreement still not good enough to avoid serious climate change

Less than 24 hours before the Paris Agreement formally enters into force, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has warned that governments and the private sector must together scale-up climate ambition to reduce an additional 25% from predicted 2030 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Defra’s watchdog is proposing an extension to current water and sewerage companies’ roles to include drainage responsibilities held by local authorities

MPs call for 'radical' flood defence overhaul to protect businesses

MPs are urging the Government to overhaul its flood protection system to help reduce the long-term flood risks for UK businesses and communities.

Such rapid action seemed barely conceivable ten months ago when world leaders descended upon the COP21 climate change conference in Paris

'Turning point for our planet': Green economy reacts to Paris Agreement ratification

The Paris Agreement, which will enter into force on 4 November, has been hailed by global businesses and political leaders as a "truly historic moment" in the fight against climate change, which could eventually go down in history as "the most impactful multilateral treaty of all time".

The EU Member States will simultaneously ratify the agreement individually, in accordance with their national parliamentary process. Photo European Commission

Paris Agreement poised to enter into full force as EU ratifies

The historic Paris Agreement will enter into force before the COP22 Marrakech event next month after the European Parliament approved its fast-track ratification today (4 October).

A new report from leading consultancy WSP is calling for the public and private sector to do more to protect the UK’s biodiversity

Biodiversity in the spotlight as reports highlight need for infrastructure advances

An international collaboration of top biologists has found that vital improvements must be made to forecast the global impact of climate change on plants and wildlife, as a separate report outlines how a planning framework is necessary for the UK to reverse biodiversity loss by 2020.

As an EU member state, the UK negotiated on key issues such as greenhouse gas emissions limits as part of the bloc, and was expected to take on its own tally of emissions reductions

EU out vote puts UK commitment to Paris climate agreement in doubt

The UK government won high praise six months ago for taking a leading role in the successful Paris climate change agreement, the first legally binding commitment on curbing carbon emissions by all 195 United Nations countries.

Cities are key to solving the climate change challenge. They account for most of the world’s carbon emissions, and mayors often have control over the largest sources

Michael Bloomberg: Our new alliance unites 600m city dwellers to fight climate change

Cities are huge carbon emitters but are ideally placed to tackle climate change. Michael Bloomberg addresses how the Global Covenant can give them the tools to do so.

Air pollution is allegedly 'claiming tens of thousands of UK lives a year' and led to the capital breaching its annual pollution limits in just one week

Air quality crisis: 7 shocking statistics that will take your breath away

With a plethora of recent reports highlighting the devastating extent to which the issue of air pollution is impacting the health of UK citizens and the world population in general, edie takes a look at the shocking statistics behind the coverage.

The UK is currently on track to outperform the Second and Third Carbon Budgets, but off track to meet the Fourth, with the Fifth needing to be set by the end of June

Sustainability professionals pile pressure on Government to accept Fifth Carbon Budget

A new survey has revealed that environmental and sustainability professionals are overwhelmingly in favour of recent recommendations for the UK's Fifth Carbon Budget, while separate academic report has concluded that the adoption of those proposals could help deliver long-term economic growth.

A potential boycott of the ceremony would secure the political leverage that these countries need, while also ensuring that developed nations fulfil existing commitments

Paris Agreement boycott looms unless developed countries fulfil promises

Developed countries including the UK and the US could be pressured into delivering pre-2020 climate agreements, after an influential think tank urged developing countries to boycott the Paris Agreement signing ceremony.

President Obama has been an influential driver in promoting low-carbon and sustainable plans and policies

Timeline: Barack Obama's global climate legacy

From his early campaigning on environmental issues before taking office in 2009 to the passion and enthusiasm he displayed at the historic climate talks in Paris last month, edie charts Barack Obama's most significant climate actions as he enters his final year as US President.

Interactive Map: The world's 14 biggest carbon emitters

As world leaders continue hammering out a new climate pact in Paris, see how the major national carbon reduction pledges compare with the current state of play among the globe's biggest polluters.

Energy generation accounts for two thirds of global emissions

COP21 Monday review: Energy pledges hit the headlines

A packed first day of week two at COP21 saw businesses, nations and organisations take aim at the cause of two thirds of global emissions - energy generation.

Credits will be generated from sustainable projects in developing countries which companies can then purchase to reduce carbon footprints

Companies pledge support to vulnerable supply chains through Fairtrade Carbon Credits scheme

Logistics company DHL and retailer Marks & Spencer are among a host of businesses backing a new Fairtrade initiative which offsets 'unavoidable' emissions by supporting rural supply chains.

One third of respondents felt that their market would not be affected by external climate changes, so they do not need to incorporate any form of innovation

Businesses putting off low-carbon innovation in hope of policy 'silver bullet'

European industrial firms are overlooking the importance of innovation in curbing emissions, a new study from the EU's innovation agency has found.

Former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg will head the global taskforce in an attempt to aid financial markets in understanding the growing climate-change risks

Michael Bloomberg to head up new climate task force

Former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg is to lead a new industry-led task force which will offer climate change-related financial risk disclosures to companies and investors.

178 countries have now submitted their emissions reductions pledges for the Paris climate talks

COP21 Paris Climate Conference: Everything you need to know

The most important climate talks ever start on Monday (30 November), with 138 heads of state and 25,000 official delegates expected to be in attendance. Here's our simple guide to the negotiations over the next two weeks.

The US look set to have $412bn worth of fossil fuel projects listed as stranded assets by 2035

Fossil fuel companies risking $2trn in 'unnecessary' investments

A perfect storm of climate movements could see fossil fuel companies waste more than $2trn by pursuing projects in a potential world where there is no need for coal mines and oil prices have peaked, the Carbon Tracker Initiative has warned.

Using 17 proven climate solutions from across the globe 12 gigatonnes of GHG emissions can be reduced

Report: Current climate change solutions can cut a quarter of global emissions

A new report supported by world-leading institutions has found that global emissions could be reduced by up to 25% by using already-established climate solutions that do not need to be supported by new inventions or vast amounts of capital.

Branson believes that a long term goal can transform industries and create a lasting impact

Branson's B Team calls for long-term climate goals beyond Paris

An environmental coalition of 22 business leaders including Sir Richard Branson and Unilever's Paul Polman have penned an open letter ahead of the crucial Paris talks calling for an 'actionable' global commitment of 'Net-Zero by 2050'.

Japan, the US and the EU are contributing as little as a fifth of their estimated fair share reduction targets

Report: Rich countries failing to accept 'fair share' of climate action

The climate pledges made by rich countries are less than their 'fair share', according to new report released today (19 October).

Ministers have thrown their weight behind a $100bn commitment as well as supporting an international financial transaction tax

'Vulnerable 20' countries will share economies to fight climate change

Finance ministers representing over 700 million people have announced a series of financial mechanisms to invest in climate resiliency and lower emissions for 20 of the world's most vulnerable countries.

Legally binding elements of the new document include long-term global goals for halting and reducing global emissions, to a near-zero phase

UN unveils 20-page negotiating text for Paris

The United Nations (UN) has today (5 October) released a streamlined version of the negotiating text that will be used at the COP21 Paris Climate Conference in December.

The UN is to formally adopt the set of 17 new Sustainable Development Goals for 2030

Sustainable Development Goals: Businesses urged to take the lead

Sir Richard Branson, Unilever's Paul Polman and Professor Stephen Hawking are among those that have thrown their support behind the new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), set to be authorised today (25 September).

RE100 an ambitious global campaign from the Climate Group and CDP, has seen members rise from 12 to 36 just one year after launch

Major companies commit to 100% renewable energy ahead of Paris talks

A host of high-profile companies, including NIKE and Procter & Gamble, are the latest to join RE100 - an initiative whose members are committed to sourcing 100% renewable energy

Greenpeace called for global investments in renewable energy of $1trn a year

Greenpeace: Two thirds of global electricity could come from renewables by 2030

Renewables' share of the global electricity supply could more than triple in the next 15 years - from 21% today to 64% - according to a new Greenpeace report.

What I want from Paris: 21 climate leaders on COP21 - Part one

EXCLUSIVE: In the first of a two-part feature, edie brings you the voices of sustainability professionals, politicians, businessmen and environmental activists on what they want to see from the Paris climate talks.