Latest news with #ClimateActionTracker
National Observer
5 hours ago
- Business
- National Observer
China charges ahead on climate while the West stalls and spins
You've got to hand it to China. At a time when the US is backsliding on plans to reduce its carbon pollution, the Asian country is promising to join the EU in becoming a world leader in the fight against climate change. China followed Europe earlier this month with a commitment to revamp its climate plan to meet the long-term temperature goal of the Paris Agreement. The goal, which entails reducing global greenhouse gas emissions to hold the earth's temperature increase to well below 2 C above pre-industrial levels, is a tall order for the world's second-most populous country. China is far and away the world's largest greenhouse gas emitter, contributing nearly a third of the total. Despite gains from massive investments in renewable energy, China's emissions continued to climb last year. The Climate Action Tracker rates China's progress as ' highly insufficient,' a step worse than Canada, which is also deemed to be ' insufficient.' The problem is the skyrocketing demand for power, which China can't yet meet with renewables. President Xi Jinping announced China would start to phase out coal-fired power plants, one of the highest emitters of greenhouse gases, in 2026. So far however, coal mining is still increasing and the construction of coal plants reached a 10-year high last year due to growing energy security concerns. Electricity demand spikes during heat waves when people crank up air conditioning. This is also the time when dam reservoir levels drop, decreasing the amount of available hydropower. That means burning more coal for power and greater carbon emissions. The vicious cycle continues. Amid that avalanche of doom, however, are some very bright lights that could start to glow even brighter. There are indications that China's emissions have peaked and the country is about to turn the corner. There are a lot of Xi skeptics, and for good reason. A cynic might point to Xi's recent pivot back to coal and dismiss his climate leadership aspirations as an empty promise. But the country is a renewable energy juggernaut and in the first quarter of this year, the amount of power from solar and wind for the first time surpassed thermal energy mostly produced by coal. Similarly, the number of electric vehicles sold in China is set to overtake gas-powered vehicle sales this year, 10 years ahead of its target. China's dominance in the EV marketplace won kudos from none other than Ford's CEO Jim Farley who recently returned from China gushing, 'their cost, their quality of their vehicles is far superior to what I see in the West.' Part of China's interest in renewables is pure economics. China manufactures 80 per cent of the world's solar panels at a time when renewables are in hot demand and its rich mineral reserves also allow the country to dominate battery production. But according to Carbon Brief, a UK-based climate publication, a good deal of the credit for China's climate ambition goes to Xi himself, who was concerned about global warming and interested in renewable energy long before he became president. China claims it is ready to take on the role as a leader in the fight against climate change. It just might happen. @ writes As long ago as 2003, Xi wrote a series of articles, some of which touched on 'environmental protection, sustainable development, circular economy, conservation-oriented society and reducing resource consumption and pollution.' In 2005, when he was the party secretary of Zhejiang province, Xi gave a speech to villagers thrown out of work after a highly polluting quarry was shuttered, urging them to support a green transition. His statement, 'lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets themselves,' has since become his most famous environmental quote. When Xi was elevated to the presidency, Beijing was choked in record-breaking smog from coal, iron, steel, cement and chemical plants. The country's development-at-all-costs mentality after the 2008 recession was sending 7,000 children a day to hospital for treatment for respiratory ailments. In response, a National Air Quality Action Plan was put in place that — among many other measures — capped the number of cars in Beijing and charted a course for investment in renewable energy. Since then, the Chinese public's perception and awareness of the need to combat climate change has shifted. 'It is top-down and driven by Chinese leadership,' Lu Zhi, a professor of conservation biology at Peking University, told Carbon Brief. We should not underestimate the importance of leadership in the battle against climate change. South of our border, the US under former President Joe Biden, set ambitious climate targets to lower emissions by at least 50 per cent by 2030 and invested billions in climate-related infrastructure projects. One change in leadership later, and much of it is being undone. President Donald Trump has rolled back the nation's climate strategy, and is doing everything possible to arrest wind and solar energy, and to slow the transition to EVs. The most recent and dangerous blow delivered by the Trump administration this week, was an announcement from the Environmental Protection Agency stating that greenhouse gases will no longer be considered a public health threat, a finding that enabled the federal government to set emissions limits. Here in Canada, environmental policy has taken a hit since the election of Prime Minister Mark Carney. His first move was to blast his predecessor's consumer carbon tax. And he is now musing about building more oil pipelines and contemplating doing away with a planned industrial emissions cap, and seems open to softening EV mandates. China's leadership, for obvious reasons, would not tolerate the bevy of haters and naysayers who elected Donald Trump, and is less prone to capricious directional policy changes. Furthermore, the government sets the direction for industrial and economic development. While this has forced the country to tolerate horrific air pollution in its cities, it also means that when shifts are mandated, such as the transition to renewables or adoption of EVs, they happen a whole lot faster than here in the West. And with less spin from industry defending outdated technology like internal combustion engines when better options are available, Chinese consumers are more willing to switch. If Xi is indeed serious about being a climate leader and wants to trade China's coal reliance for renewables, he's got as good a chance as anyone to make it happen.
Sky News AU
09-07-2025
- Business
- Sky News AU
‘China plays as a team': Smart Energy Council boss praises world's biggest polluter in bizarre National Press Club rant
The CEO of a major climate change charity has praised China – the world's worst carbon emitter – in a bizarre speech in which he attacked Australians for not being 'team players'. The rant by Smart Energy Council Chief Executive John Grimes took aim at Australians for 'tearing each other apart', while applauding the Chinese Communist Party's approach to energy. 'One thing you can say about the Chinese system is that China plays as a team,' Mr Grimes told The National Press Club on Wednesday. 'And Australia spends all of our time trying to tear each other apart. That is no way to compete for Team Australia.' Mr Grimes also acknowledged that he had 'spent a bit of time in China' including a visit to the battery maker, CATL, which has been accused of being linked to slave labour. The charity has also been tied to numerous other 'black-listed' organisations. China has long been the largest CO2 producer, spewing 15,779 million tonnes of carbon dioxide in 2023, according to independent scientific project, Climate Action Tracker. That was about 2.5 more than the United States at 6,378 tonnes, and about 30 times more than Australia at 530 million tonnes. China's coal demands have also exceeded the rest of the world combined as the source continues to play a disproportionate role in the energy landscape. The Climate Action Tracker (CAT) has warned that China's efforts towards net zero remain 'highly insufficient'. 'The country's energy transition continues to reflect two seemingly opposing trends: rapid deployment of renewables… and a surge in coal power construction,' CAT said. However, despite the data warning about China's uncontrollable emissions, Mr Grimes told audiences that they were winning the energy transition race. 'If the (energy) transition of the world were a marathon race, then countries like Australia and Japan… would be like the runners at the start line, limbering up,' he said. 'But the only problem was that the race began an hour ago. That's how far ahead China is in this race.' Meanwhile, CAT said China was 'significantly off track in meeting its emission intensity reduction targets under … its 2030 NDC commitment under the Paris Agreement'. Mr Grimes' comments were made at the National Press Club where he was also challenged about how his charity justified donating to the Australian Labor Party. Sky News Political Correspondent Reuben Spargo grilled the charity boss on previous donations to the Labor Party. 'The Smart Energy Council has donated to the Labor Party for two consecutive years,' Mr Grimes said, in defence of charity funds being used politically. 'It's actually not a donation. We're part of something called the Labor Business Forum, Technically, that is a membership fee. 'It's not a donation and it is not disclosable… We've chosen to disclose that.' The Smart Energy Council is listed with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC), a status that exempts it from paying tax. The Albanese government relied heavily on cost estimates produced by the Smart Energy Council during the federal election campaign. These were highly disputed claims that put the cost of the Coalition's nuclear energy rollout at $600 billion, well above the $331 billion calculated by independent consultants Frontier Economics.
Indian Express
24-06-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Pune Inc: How a climate activist became a solutionist, founded startup helping you go green
A Pune startup is focusing on sustainability solutions for waste management and water conservation, particularly in Ladakh, where changing snowfall patterns and tourism have increased water scarcity and waste problems. ExploreiT, founded by Shivam Singh, is working on water conservation through innovative waterless toilets and waste management in Ladakh. 'The snowfall pattern in Ladakh has changed and the region suffers from low groundwater. Due to excessive tourism, they have shifted from traditional toilets to modern toilets, which waste a lot of water. Waste is the second-biggest problem in Ladakh because the temperature doesn't allow it to disintegrate or compost,' says Singh, a management graduate from the Symbiosis Centre for Management Studies (SCMS), Pune, with an MBA from XLRI, Jamshedpur. 'It was while completing a project on climate change at SCMS that my interest shifted towards sustainability,' he says. Soon, he would enter an activist mode, visiting schools and colleges to talk to students about climate change. Singh realised that nobody– students or corporates – was in any doubt about anthropogenic global warming and its implication for the planet, 'but the action was still missing'. 'Then, it got into my head that we need to build a sustainability aggregator. The company aimed to provide all the necessary services under one roof. And, that too, at an affordable and effective cost,' says Singh, who is the CEO. By 2023, ExploreiT had become an Amazon for sustainability services. Naman Maheshwari, a chartered accountant, joined as director, strategy and finance. Sathya Natrajan, CEO of the Climate Troopers Foundation, the non-profit wing of ExploreiT, empowers individuals as climate warriors through innovative solutions that draw from his experience in product development, customer success and tech support. India aims to reach net zero by 2070, but according to the Climate Action Tracker, its performance as of September 2024 (the latest available data) was 'highly insufficient'. Startups, such as ExploreiT, have the potential to make a difference, especially with AI-led innovations coming into the sustainability sector. 'We see huge scope all across India, the Middle East, Europe and South Asia,' says Singh. Solution searching through innovations ExploreiT's menu covers services such as reviewing an organisation's environmental standard based on its practices in energy, water, waste, and emissions management, as well as compliance, among others. 'This assessment helps identify opportunities for improving sustainability and reducing the organisation's environmental impact. Since most companies are moving towards Net Zero, they are interested in improvements. Companies also have CSR funds and we guide them through projects like converting a school into a climate-resilient building using eco paint and reflectors,' says Singh. ExploreiT professionals have set up vertical forests and butterfly gardens; electric vehicle infrastructure in the form of bikes, charging stations and battery setups; and building solutions to check urban heat. They install solar panels on campuses and set up resource recycling centres that focus on collecting waste from parks and colleges, among other critical spaces, and converting these into resources using innovations. 'Our data suggests that with a third or half the budget, we can get thrice the impact. Pune has lots of problems, like water, traffic and air pollution. We are working to come up with a solution. With ExploreiT, our journey has shifted from activism to project execution or finding a solution,' says Singh, adding that within the office, they consider themselves solutionists. A challenge for companies such as ExploreiT is a mix of concern and ignorance among people that is best demonstrated during the hectic plantation drives that surround World Environment Day. Six months later, few of the saplings have survived. In most cases, the plants are neither native nor suitable for the environment. ExploreiT is avoiding the pitfall by being mentored by two eminent experts, Dr Erach Bharucha and Dr Gurudas Nulkar. One of their successes can be seen in Camp, where 721 saplings have survived for nine to 10 months. 'I'm pretty sure that there will be some attrition, but I'm also confident that defence lands are going to give us the best results,' says Singh. Another successful project was a plantation in Yerwada's open prison. 'The rationale is to bring back the Western Ghats to Pune and avoid the ornamental plants which do not belong here,' he adds. Young people are increasingly expressing interest in working to save the planet. 'This is a great job, but I think the parental mindset to accept someone venturing out into the green sector is also very important. I come from a joint family, so there was no pressure on me. But this sector is not traditional, so parents need to have a mindset to take risks,' he says. Dipanita Nath is interested in the climate crisis and sustainability. She has written extensively on social trends, heritage, theatre and startups. She has worked with major news organizations such as Hindustan Times, The Times of India and Mint. ... Read More
Kuwait Times
19-06-2025
- Business
- Kuwait Times
Brazil sells rights to oil, gas blocks near Amazon river mouth
RIO DE JANEIRO: Manoki Indigenous people take part in a demonstration in front of the hotel where an auction organized by Brazil's Oil and Gas Regulatory Agency (ANP) is taking place, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on June 17, 2025. - AFP RIO DE JANEIRO: Brazil sold extraction rights to 19 oil and gas blocks near the mouth of the Amazon river Tuesday, at an auction slammed by environmentalists months before the country is to host a UN climate summit. Two consortiums - one comprising Brazil's state-owned Petrobras and US giant ExxonMobil, the other US multinational Chevron and China's CNPC - spent $153 million on exploration and production concessions for 19 blocks on offer in an area considered vulnerable to environmental harm. They are among 172 blocks, most of them offshore, that went on auction Tuesday as dozens of protesters gathered outside the venue under a banner reading: 'Stop the doomsday auctions.' Green groups have expressed particular concern over 47 blocks in the Atlantic, in an area near the mouth of the Amazon River that flows through the world's largest carbon-capturing tropical rainforest. The first 19 blocks to which rights were sold were part of these 47. In all, 34 blocks found takers at the auction, bringing in about $180 million for the state. Investments of more than $260 million are planned for exploration. Already Latin America's biggest oil and gas producer, Brazil is seeking to increase production from 4.68 million to 5.3 million barrels per day by 2030. At the same time, the country has pledged to reduce its emissions of planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions to 1.2 billion tons of CO2 equivalent (CO2e). By 2050, it is seeking to reach neutrality - meaning emissions do not exceed the amount captured, by forests, for example. Brazil's ClimaInfo research institute had estimated that the 172 blocks placed on auction would emit some 11.1 billion tons of CO2e. Leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, seeking to position himself as a leader in the fight against climate change, supported the auction that will see the successful bidders pay royalties on whatever oil and natural gas they eventually do extract. 'If this wealth exists, we cannot ignore it, as it will help us to make the energy transition and secure funds to preserve our forests,' Lula declared in February. 'We must act responsibly. I do not want oil exploration to cause any harm to the environment,' he added. Before they can start exploration, the companies must obtain a drilling license from environment oversight body Ibama. The Climate Action Tracker has said Brazil 'is not on track' to meet its emissions targets and needed to 'peak and rapidly decrease emissions' if the world is to succeed in limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. The auction went ahead despite Brazil's Federal Public Ministry, an independent rights-monitoring body set up under the Brazilian constitution, calling for it to be suspended pending 'adequate studies' on the potential impact of exploration. 'Brazil is missing an opportunity to be a leader in decarbonization and environmental protection,' Suely Araujo, a former president of Ibama and coordinator of the Climate Observatory NGO said ahead of Tuesday's auction. And the WWF's Brazil branch said the country 'already has enough oil reserves to meet its internal demand' while gradually transitioning to a greener energy mix. 'The climate crisis requires bold decisions and public policies focused on the future, not the past,' it added. Brazil will host the UN climate conference called COP30 in November in the Amazonian city of Belem.- AFP
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Brazil sells rights to oil blocks near Amazon river mouth
Brazil sold extraction rights to 19 oil and gas blocks near the mouth of the Amazon river Tuesday, at an auction slammed by environmentalists months before the country is to host a UN climate summit. Two consortiums -- one comprising Brazil's state-owned Petrobras and US giant ExxonMobil, the other US multinational Chevron and China's CNPC -- spent $153 million on exploration and production concessions for 19 blocks on offer in an area considered vulnerable to environmental harm. They are among 172 blocks, most of them offshore, that went on auction Tuesday as dozens of protesters gathered outside the venue under a banner reading: "Stop the doomsday auctions." Green groups have expressed particular concern over 47 blocks in the Atlantic, in an area near the mouth of the Amazon River that flows through the world's largest carbon-capturing tropical rainforest. The first 19 blocks to which rights were sold were part of these 47. In all, 34 blocks found takers at the auction, bringing in about $180 million for the state. Investments of more than $260 million are planned for exploration. - 'Cannot ignore it' - Already Latin America's biggest oil and gas producer, Brazil is seeking to increase production from 4.68 million to 5.3 million barrels per day by 2030. At the same time, the country has pledged to reduce its emissions of planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions to 1.2 billion tons of CO2 equivalent (CO2e). By 2050, it is seeking to reach neutrality -- meaning emissions do not exceed the amount captured, by forests, for example. Brazil's ClimaInfo research institute had estimated that the 172 blocks placed on auction would emit some 11.1 billion tons of CO2e. Leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, seeking to position himself as a leader in the fight against climate change, supported the auction that will see the successful bidders pay royalties on whatever oil and natural gas they eventually do extract. "If this wealth exists, we cannot ignore it, as it will help us to make the energy transition and secure funds to preserve our forests," Lula declared in February. "We must act responsibly. I do not want oil exploration to cause any harm to the environment," he added. Before they can start exploration, the companies must obtain a drilling license from environment oversight body Ibama -- a process that can take years. The Climate Action Tracker, which measures governments' actions, has said Brazil "is not on track" to meet its emissions targets and needed to "peak and rapidly decrease emissions" if the world is to succeed in limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 Fahrenheit). The auction went ahead despite Brazil's Federal Public Ministry, an independent rights-monitoring body set up under the Brazilian constitution, calling for it to be suspended pending "adequate studies" on the potential impact of exploration. "Brazil is missing an opportunity to be a leader in decarbonization and environmental protection," Suely Araujo, a former president of Ibama and coordinator of the Climate Observatory NGO said ahead of Tuesday's auction. And the WWF's Brazil branch said the country "already has enough oil reserves to meet its internal demand" while gradually transitioning to a greener energy mix. "The climate crisis requires bold decisions and public policies focused on the future, not the past," it added. Brazil will host the UN climate conference called COP30 in November in the Amazonian city of Belem. lg/tmo/mlr/dw
