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Photo credit: World Economic Forum George Monbiot writes today on the Guardian that the new EU emissions agreement is a disaster and calls it carbon colonialism. So much for the Europeans leading the way on climate change. Even as our governments claim they want to drag the world into an effective climate agreement in Poznan, they have just pulled Europe out of one in Brussels. The agreement they have just reached is a disaster. The 20% carbon cut they promise by 2020 falls miles short of what's needed, and they'll be able to buy most of it from abroad anyway. All this means, in a world which has to eliminate most of its carbon pollution, is that other countries, which have sold their easiest reductions to us, will then find it harder to make emissions cuts of their own. It's carbon colonialism, in which Europe picks the low-hanging fruit in developing countries, leaving them with much tougher choices later on. Monbiot blames the failure on Germany, which he calls the new dirty man of Europe. Monbiot says that Angela Merkel is prepared to go green only when it doesn't hurt big business. […]Who has pushed hardest for these exemptions? The great green German chancellor Angela Merkel. The British government's environmental policies are wildly contradictory, but they look almost coherent by comparison to Germany's. In some respects it's the most progressive country in the EU, with a federal scheme to insulate the entire housing stock and an investment in wind power which puts the UK (with far greater wind resources) to shame. In other respects it has become the dirty man of Europe. It was Merkel who demanded weaker standards for fuel efficiency in cars, Merkel who pushed hardest for a €40bn bail-out of the motor manufacturers, Merkel who now insists that the big cement, steel and chemicals companies are allowed to get away without paying. […]Shame on you, Mrs Merkel. With the help of Donald Tusk, Silvio Berlusconi and one or two other Neanderthals, you have now messed it up for everyone. Read it: Germany: the new dirty man of Europe Related: EU leaders fail to agree on a strong climate deal

Photo credit: rockcohen Leaders from the European Union (EU) have just agreed on a new watered-down climate deal to tackle global warming. The actual emissions cuts could amount to as little as 4% by 2020. Yesterday UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in Poznan that “the world is watching us. The next generation is counting on us. We must not fail.” He also called for the EU to show the way and leadership on the climate crisis for other countries. Unfortunately it seems the short-sighted “leaders” of Europe ignored him. Instead of 30% emission cuts by 2020 the EU leaders only agreed on cuts by 20% by 2020, compared to 1990 levels. But the actual emission cuts could end up being as little as 4% by 2020, environmental groups warned. That is because of special exemptions for dirty industries in Europe as well as allowing cheap emission cuts overseas to be counted to the EU total. The latter has been heavily pushed by the new Swedish right-wing government who has called for as much as 88% of the EU emission cuts to be allowed to do overseas in development countries. “EU leaders will probably trumpet the deal on climate change as a great success, but in reality this is a big failure in EU ambition,” said Delia Villagrasa, Senior Advisor to WWF. “Basically, Europe just decided to off-set about two thirds of its own greenhouse gas emissions, to have consumers pay for emissions permits that polluting companies get for free and to avoid supporting poorer countries in the fight to climate change. This is not quite the third industrial revolution we were expecting, “The result of this race to the bottom is that Europe will reduce its own greenhouses gas emissions significantly less than the proclaimed 20% target by 2020.” EU leaders on the other hand have said the new climate deal is “historic” and “ambitious”. EU Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso called the plans "the most ambitious proposals anywhere in the world", saying that "Europe has today passed its credibility test. We mean business when we talk about climate." And French President Nicolas Sarkozy told a press conference in Brussels that “this is historic” and that it “was difficult up to the last minute” to reach an agreement on the deal. “A flagship E.U. policy now has no pilot, a mutinous crew and numerous holes in its fuselage,” said Sanjeev Kumar of the environment group WWF. “This is a dark day for European climate policy. European heads of state and government have reneged on their promises and turned their backs on global efforts to fight climate change,” Climate Action Network Europe, Friends of the Earth Europe, Greenpeace, Oxfam and WWF said in a joint statement today. “Angela Merkel, Silvio Berlusconi, Donald Tusk and Nicolas Sarkozy should be ashamed. They have chosen the private profits of polluting industry over the will of European citizens, the future of their children and the plight of millions of people around the world. The Parliament can and should amend the worst parts of today’s deal.”

Photo credit: izzie_whizzie Yesterday it was revealed that on November 28 one activist managed to breach the coal-powered Kingsnorth plant, one of the most heavily guarded power stations in Britain. The activist singlehandedly managed to get in, stop the power station and get out the same way without being noticed or caught by the security on site. The £12m defences of the most heavily guarded power station in Britain have been breached by a single person who, under the eyes of CCTV cameras, climbed two three-metre (10ft) razor-wired, electrified security fences, walked into the station and crashed a giant 500MW turbine before leaving a calling card reading "no new coal". He walked out the same way and hopped back over the fence. As a result the coal-powered Kingsnorth plant was shut down for hours, which apparently reduced the climate change emissions in the UK by 2%. The police and climate activists are "mystified" about who the man dubbed "climate man" or the "green Banksy" really is and how he managed to pull it off. Yesterday the hunt was on for the man dubbed "climate man" or the "green Banksy". Climate activists responsible for hijacking coal trains and breaking on to runways said they knew nothing about the incident. Even veterans of some of the most audacious direct actions, such as the scaling of the Kingsnorth chimney, are mystified. The station operator E.On professed astonishment that a lone activist would be daring enough to try to do something so potentially dangerous. […]Should "climate man" ever show up, he will be feted for what activists say was the most daring individual action of the year. "We have no idea who he is - but we really want to know. Everybody's asking 'where were you on Friday November 28'," said Ben Stewart of Greenpeace, one of six people arrested for climbing the 76 metre (250ft) chimney of the Kingsnorth station early last year but found not guilty of criminal damage in November. "We would never act anonymously," he added. This story creates lots of questions. But one thing is for sure. There truly exist many climate heroes in the UK.

This week Al Gore, Barack Obama and Joe Biden met privately to discuss "energy and climate change and how policies in this area can stimulate the economy and create jobs". Although it seems Obama did not offer Gore to be his "energy czar" he did say that "the time for delay and denial is over". And that "we all believe what the scientists have been telling us for years now". ">" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"> Watch the video on YouTube.

Photo credit: World Economic Forum Avaaz, an independent and not-for-profit global campaigning organization, says that European leadership on climate is "essential to secure us all a global deal" in the UN climate conference in Poznań, Poland. Unfortunately have Germany, Poland and Italy so far been the "main blockers" during the climate negotiations for strong European actions. But Avaaz says that Poland has begun to change their mind and that now only Germany and Italy are left "standing in the way". And so they want you to help them put pressure on Chancellor Angela Merkel "to do the smart thing for the environment and the economy". Germany is the key – Chancellor Merkel is normally a climate champion, but has caved to industry, fearing for German jobs. She needs to hear from us that a Green Recovery is the answer to both our climate and our economic crises. Merkel cares a great deal about her international reputation, which is why Avaaz has delivered our 150,000-strong petition and protested at her international meetings with the Poles. But now for the punch: an Avaaz commissioned opinion poll which reveals that 85% of Merkel’s own people are calling for her to show leadership in securing a strong climate deal. Together, we can help push Merkel over the edge -- follow this link to leave her a quick message encouraging her to do the smart thing for the environment and the economy: http://www.avaaz.org/en/merkel_lead_on_climate/ […]But despite mounting pressure, Germany is still arguing that emissions allowances should be free for industry. Merkel doesn't seem to understand the power of a green lead recovery or that green-collar jobs are the new growth industry. Instead she is catering to her country's cement, chemical, steel and car industries. But if we can convince her to shift gears, an EU package will be all but sealed and with it a platform for a global climate plan. We've got to move decisively before Merkel publicly announces her final position later this week. We need to send clear and unambiguous messages demanding that she doesn't stand in the way of a global deal. Let her know that we need her back on side. As our leaders delay and lower their ambitions for action, our planet and our people are placed at greater risk. At this crucial time, our role is to let our representatives now that we wont allow another global climate talks to fail, that we have the solutions to the climate crisis, and we expect nothing less than a strong and binding deal to achieve it. Click here to tell Merkel to show leadership in securing a strong climate deal.

Photo credit: World Economic Forum Today Al Gore, Barack Obama and Joe Biden will meet privately to discuss "energy and climate change and how policies in this area can stimulate the economy and create jobs". Obama has earlier said that Gore is one of his advisors on climate change and there are rumours floating around that Obama want Gore to be his "energy czar". "Obama is reportedly considering creating an energy czar. Gore would be the logical pick. As czar he would be able to help oversee the Transportation department, the Interior department, and the Environmental Protection Agency. He would have a powerful voice over everything from mileage standards to conservation requirements. Even as the Bush administration continues to try to gut regulations such as restrictions on mining and drilling in Utah's most pristine national parks, it must be awfully tempting for Gore to have the chance to put rhetoric into action." But Gore has repeatedly denied any ideas off an official role in the Obama administration. "This meeting is a continuation of their conversations about climate and energy and how policies to address them can help the economy and jobs," said Gore spokeswoman Kalee Kreider. "Former Vice President Gore still believes his calling at this time is to help educate the public about the issues through his roles at the Alliance at Climate Protection and other work." Sure, Gore as an "energy czar" would send a strong signal that USA is now serious about energy and the climate. But I do believe Obama can find other strong candidates for the job besides Gore. Because at the moment Gore is still very much needed in creating strong support among the public in USA for tougher environmental actions.

Al Gore and the Alliance for Climate Protection, Sierra Club, National Wildlife Federation, the Natural Resources Defense Council and the League of Conservation Voters have launched a "Reality Coalition" to tell the American public that there is no "clean coal". "The reality is that there's not a single home or business in America today powered by clean coal,” said Brian Hardwick of the Alliance for Climate Protection. “If coal really wants to be part of America’s energy future, the industry can start by making a real commitment to eliminating their pollution that is a leading cause of global warming." Hardwick continued: "It is high time for the coal industry to come clean and admit to the American people that today clean coal is not a reality. No matter how much they say it in their advertising, coal can’t truly be clean until the plants can capture global warming pollution. With so much at stake, we can’t afford to hang our hats on an illusion." A multi-million dollar ad campaign featuring ads in print, TV commercials and online ads will help spread the message. You can take a look at their very first print ad here, which shows a solitary door labelled "Clean Coal Facility Entrance." Behind the door, though, lies a barren field. "In reality, there's no such thing as clean coal," the ad states. The first TV commercial follows the same theme and can be viewed below: ">" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"> I do believe the message that there exists no "clean coal" technology got out perfectly clear in both the print and TV ad. But Joe from the Climate Progress blog thinks otherwise: "Their inaugural ad violates a central rule of messaging, rhetoric, and psychology: Don’t keep repeating a strong word the other side is trying to push." What do you think about the advertisements? Will they do a good job debunking the "clean coal" lie?

So far the UN Climate Change Conference in Poznań, Poland, hasn't really been that promising. But hopefully things turn out a bit better by the end of the conference. At least 49 countries now support a 350 ppm climate target. Below you can find videos from the press briefings for the first week: Poznan opening press briefing ">" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"> Briefing the media on the opening day of the Conference, Yvo de Boer emphasized the crucial role of finance in reaching a long-term solution to climate change. Advancing the commitment of industrialized countries is intimately linked to enhancing the engagement of developing countries, he said. Poznań would show progress on ongoing work under the Convention and allow Ministers to present their vision of long-term cooperative action, he explained. His expectations for the conference - being attended by almost 11.000 participants included the launch of the Adaptation Fund, as well as significant advances on technology transfer, the CDM and the issue of deforestation. Mr. de Boer highlighted two important signals received in 2007: The IPCC report, confirming the reality and impacts of climate change; and the Stern Review on the Economics of Climate Change, which said failure to act would equal economic failure on the scale of two World Wars and the Great Depression combined. Poznan press briefing on the second day ">" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"> At a press briefing on the second day of the Conference, Yvo de Boer expressed satisfaction with the results of the opening day, with all major groups having launched their work and the formation of contact groups now underway. The group on long -term cooperative action got off to a positive start, he said, although there was a sense that Governments must speed up work, also on the issue of a shared vision for long-term cooperative action. He added that Governments were keen to move forward. The working group under the Kyoto Protocol also got off to a good start. Many countries have emphasized that the focus of this groups work at Poznań should be on the commitments of industrialized countries. The large assembly document of proposals made by Parties was welcomed by many countries, Mr. de Boer said. Different chapters of this document will be discussed in various contact groups. He pointed out that during discussions on the first day, many Parties expressed the need to boost technology transfer and to focus on removing the obstacles to technology transfer. Poznan press briefing on the third day ">" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"> The market-based mechanisms under the Kyoto Protocol were highlighted by Yvo de Boer at todays press briefing; Parties in Poznań are considering ways to enhance the existing mechanisms and looking at the role mechanisms will play in the future. Discussions continued yesterday on a shared vision on long-term cooperative action. Mr. de Boer said that during the discussions, developing countries gave a strong call for industrialized countries to show leadership and ambition in emission reductions. On the issue of technology, he pointed to the strategic programme of the Global Environment Facility to scale up technology transfer, with many countries calling for its quick implementation. Underling the importance of both financial and technical support for all developing countries, Mr. de Boer said delegates in Poznań were also assessing how to scale up financing, including the role of both public and private financing. The reporting of climate change actions by developing countries was also taken up at todays briefing. On this important issue, Mr. de Boer said that delegates were discussing ways to support the preparation of these reports. Poznan press briefing on the fourth day ">" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"> At todays press briefing in Poznań , Yvo de Boer gave an update on a number of areas under discussion, including Adaptation. An important issue was how to increase funding for Adaptation, particularly for Least Developed Countries, he said, adding that many countries had expressed their frustration over difficulties in accessing funding from the Least Developed Countries Fund. During negotiations on mitigation potentials, Mr. de Boer said the need for developed countries to show leadership on reducing emissions was voiced strongly, amid criticism of the low level of ambition being shown by these countries. With regard to a shared vision on long-term cooperation, he spoke of emerging convergence in a number of areas. There was agreement, for example, that it should be based on scientific findings; that it should involve specific targets for industrialized countries; and that the main building blocks should be mitigation, adaptation, finance and technology. Delegates were also moving forward on the issue of reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD); an important element of a strengthened climate change agreement. Poznan press briefing on the fifth day ">" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"> Briefing the media on day five of the Conference, Yvo de Boer said that serious discussions were emerging to launch the intensified negotiations needed to reach the 2009 deadline in Copenhagen. Many delegates were highlighting the need to move to a low-carbon society, citing the emission reduction range of -25 to -40 by 2020 over 1990 levels for industrialized countries, and asking these countries to show ambition and leadership with regard to these targets. There was agreement that financial mechanisms, including insurance, can play an important role within a strengthened response to climate change, and that financial mechanisms for risk management in developing countries needed to be scaled up. Parties were also considering how to increase funds for adaptation through the carbon market, with discussions focusing on extending the current 2% levy on mitigation projects under the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) to the other Kyoto mechanisms, Joint Implementation and Emissions Trading, Mr. de Boer said. He added that the inclusion of a limited number of Carbon Capture and Storage pilot projects under the CDM was also under discussion.