Common Resources

Certainty In China’s Energy Consumption Cap

China is often viewed as an obstacle to progress in international climate negotiations, but its domestic action in transitioning to a low-carbon economy is very different. The country already leads the world in wind and solar production and has set carbon intensity targets at 17 percent from 2011 to 2015. By 2020, it plans to […]

UK Electricity Reform And The Business Response

Earlier this month, the UK released the outline of its white paper on electricity reform. The key components of the £110 billion ($180 billion) investment include a carbon price floor to reduce uncertainty and encourage the transition to cleaner forms of energy. It also includes an emissions performance standard set at 450 grams of CO2 […]

PODCAST: The Future Of International Carbon Markets

China and other developing nations have shown an interest in establishing national carbon markets. Meanwhile, the uncertainty of the Kyoto Protocol also has been raising doubts about the future and strength of the international carbon market. Reports show that trading is down, and the United States seems further away from establishing a national carbon market […]

Understanding Australia’s Emissions Trading Scheme

Australia plans to introduce an Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) in July 2012 to progressively reduce carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases to five percent below year 2000 levels by 2020. Around 500 large emitting companies will be required to hold an allowance for each ton of emissions. Initially the allowance price will be fixed, but […]

EU Rejects 30% Emissions Cut: The Good And Bad News

The European Parliament failed to get the votes needed to raise Europe’s carbon emissions reduction target from 20 percent to 30 percent from 1990 levels by 2020. With Poland – Europe’s biggest coal user- taking over the EU presidency for the next six months and opposed to the increase in carbon emissions cuts, it is […]

Creating A Global Climate Policy Network

As United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) talks end each year with measured progress, carbon emissions are rising rapidly, with the International Energy Agency (IEA) estimating record high emissions in 2010. Meanwhile, domestic plans for implementing low carbon economies are pushing forward. Whether it is because of climate change, energy security, or job […]

Should France Introduce A Carbon Tax?

The European Union has been in the news recently with its proposal for a minimum carbon tax. Australia’s controversial carbon tax proposal has also been grabbing headlines. But most forget that just last year, France also was on the brink of incorporating a carbon tax. It was rejected by France’s constitutional court. However, the proposal […]

Curbing Carbon In The UK: What New Targets Mean For International Policy

Over the weekend, Cabinet ministers in the United Kingdom agreed on a climate policy package that calls for sweeping reductions in the country’s carbon emissions. The agreement calls for the UK to cut 80 percent of emissions by 2050 and 50 percent by 2027 from 1990 levels, based on Committee on Climate Change (CCC) recommendations. […]

Climate Policy In Africa: Tips To Negotiate In Durban And Expand Clean Energy Investment

As this year’s World Economic Forum on Africa came to a close on Friday in South Africa – the host of the next United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of Parties (COP) in November-an overarching thread emerged for Africa to enhance economic growth in an integrated, sustainable, job-growing fashion: diversify its energy […]

Three Lessons From Australia’s Proposed Carbon Tax

Australia does not usually grab headlines during the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) at the annual Conference of Parties (COP). But instead, Australia is making significant gains in national climate policy. While some may not be paying much attention since it’s not a China, India or Brazil, the country’s proposed carbon tax, […]