Author: Ian Henderson

IPCC Debates Echo Developing/Developed Country Divide in UNFCCC Negotiations.

The IPCC, recently published their final synthesis report from their sixth assessment cycle, with debates coalescing around typical north/south divides.
  • COP28

IMF and World Bank Kick Off Spring Meetings with Climate in Focus

The World Bank and IMF spring meetings are likely to deal with climate change through the Evolution Roadmap, letting the bank lend more money, and capital adequacy frameworks.
  • Climate Finance

Guterres Calls for Developed Countries to Adopt 2040 Net Zero Targets

UN Secretary General António Guterres has called on developed countries to reach net zero as close as possible to 2040, and for emerging economies to do so by 2050.
  • COP28

DG at the WTO Announces Intention To Pursue Carbon Pricing Mechanism Framework in response to CBAM

A WTO Director-General, has reportedly sent an unapproved proposal to members on the development of a global carbon pricing framework in the context of the CBAM.
  • Uncategorized

EU to Push for Phaseout of Fossil Fuels Again

This year, the EU is going in strong, setting out its position early on regarding the need for a phaseout of all fossil fuels and related subsidies in a decision text by the Council of the European Union. It supports a global phase-out of unabated fossil fuels (including coal, oil and gas) with a near term peak but recognising a transitional role for natural gas. That’s a lot of words and conditions for a phaseout.
  • COP28

Transitional Loss and Damage Fund Committee Finally Established

The Loss and Damage transitional committee tasked with operationalising the new fund has finally been established. They will make recommendations on the design of the fund and in doing so will have to deal with contentious debates around who contributes, who benefits and where the fund will sit within the broader regime.
  • Uncategorized

Corporates Embrace US Subsidies as IMF Cautions Against Climate Protectionism

Energy companies are loving the US’s Inflation Reduction Act that seeks to shore up green technologies and supply chains through various financial incentives and the EU is taking its own measures to respond. However, the head of the IMF has cautioned that these moves may come at a cost to developing countries who have limited capacities to compete.
  • Uncategorized

What Does the New High Seas Treaty Mean for Climate Change?

The recently concluded High Seas Treaty will bolster the world’s ability to protect climate vulnerable areas on the high seas. It also requires countries to undertake EIAs and which must take climate change into account, one of the first global treaties to ever require this.
  • Adaptation

Climate High on the AU Agenda at its Annual Summit

The AU has resolved to continue pursuing membership of the G20 and efforts to promote climate finance reform. In parallel the Committee of African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change agreed to participate in climate change legal proceedings brought before the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea.
  • COP28

EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism Could Reduce African GDP by 0.91%

Early analyses indicate that the CBAM will negatively affect developing countries more than developed ones, and that the impact on African exports may be considerable in some sectors
  • Uncategorized