Ukraine is no longer allowed to cooperate with Russia at the UN climate talks, ending one of the firmest bonds around the negotiating table. The crisis between the two former Soviet states broke out earlier this year, when Russia annexed Crimea in response to Ukraine’s decision to pursue a closer relationship with the EU. Since then, Ukrainian negotiators have been … [Read more...]
UN Climate Talks kick off in Bonn
The UN Climate Talks got underway in Bonn Wednesday with negotiations re-opening on the design of the 2015 agreement and finding ways to raise the current level of global ambition to address climate change in the near-term. Meetings and negotiations around the UNFCCC’s ongoing work in its subsidiary, and a series of workshops, high-level meetings and special events also kicked … [Read more...]
U.S. Spying a Threat to Global Climate Deal
Activists and experts expressed outrage at the revelations that the U.S. government, through the NSA and its allies, conducted espionage on participants of UN climate talks. They are calling for President Obama to commit to no further spying on participants of the talks, accompanied by a drastically increased commitment to climate action on the part of the U.S., if the talks … [Read more...]
Rise of the CCC polluticians
At the dawn of the 21st century’s second decade, 25 832 globe-trotters invade Dodgy City. Staying fourteen days, for the West-Gondwanaland Climate Change Conference. ‘Developing country awarded the CCC,’ the Global Thymes announced, two years before. The famous D.C. International Airport runway points straight at the Fantastic Ocean. Planes take off and land over the sea. … [Read more...]
COP19 a “missed opportunity” for governments
As has become the tradition in the UN climate talks, the last day of the annual Conference of Parties (this year, COP19) stretched into the weekend. And as has become a tradition after the gavel’s sound marked the end of formal negotiations, our feelings couldn’t be more at odds with the relieved cheers and congratulatory remarks of exhausted government negotiators. Our … [Read more...]
Congress shows strong commitment to local climate action
The Pan-African Local Climate Solutions for Africa Congress 2013 (LOCS 2013) was held from 30 October – 1 November 2013 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. When it came to a close earlier this month, a strong commitment was demonstrated of driving local climate action in Africa. The Congress, which was opened by the Vice President of Tanzania, Dr Mohamed Ghalib Bilal, proudly … [Read more...]
Cities discuss conservation in a changing climate
Addressing biodiversity conservation in a changing climate by sharing local examples and lessons strenthened the international pool of knowledge at the 2013 International BiodiverCities Conference in Joondalup, Western Australia. The 2013 International BiodiverCities Conference was a resounding success. Hosted by the beautiful City of Joondalup from 9-11 September, in … [Read more...]
Solar power in sunny South Africa
With the rise in demand for sustainable energy, solar power is stepping up to supply. In a country with plentiful sunshine, this seems like an ideal and bottomless resource to tap. Last week the Solar Indaba was hosted by the Mount Nelson hotel in Cape Town, and Green Times attended. This conference gave 250 director and board level stakeholders the opportunity to enter … [Read more...]
SA the perfect place for a Just Transition
Earlier this month, delegates from across the world gathered in Stellenbosch to discuss sustainable development at the 19th annual International Sustainable Development Research Conference (ISDRS). You couldn’t have asked for a better place to host such a meeting. This was the sentiment expressed by a number of speakers at the ISDRS conference on Monday. The conference was … [Read more...]
Solutions urgently needed for marine debris dilemmas
Plastic bags have been found under the dwindling arctic ice. Inaccessible Island’s beaches are covered in plastic, yet it is 3 000 km’s away from the closest source of plastic waste. Considering that we produce about 300 million tons of plastic per year, the bulk of which is not being reused or recycled, these reports are only going to get more shocking. The first ever … [Read more...]
Rio+20 an epic fail, say civil society groups
As Rio+20 came to a close earlier this week, civil society groups from across the globe were quick to condemn world leaders - particularly from rich countries - for failing to live up to their promises or offer new vision. "Just like in climate negotiations, the EU dresses up its own economic interests as ambitious new ideas when in reality they came without the political … [Read more...]
Science and technology to develop capacity in developing countries
Last week, WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization) Director General Francis Gurry and UNIDO (United Nations Industrial Development Organization) Director General Kandeh Yumkella met to strengthen their cooperation around global innovation. According to the announcement released by both parties, it was agreed that “the two organizations should collaborate on … [Read more...]
COP17: success or disappointment?
They came to Durban in their hundreds, they saw, they talked, and talked, and talked, and talked but the question is did they really conquer? Notwithstanding the extra day and half and the much heralded agreement. What were the successes of the Durban platform as the agreement has been dubbed? The big success is that Durban pulled together all the key role players and … [Read more...]
