Pruitt booted out, replaced by coal lobbyist
EPA’s tainted chief Scott Pruitt has been forced to quit after months of scandals, and replaced by hardline coal lobbyist Andrew Wheeler (Pruitt’s current deputy) who is not expected to reverse Trump’s policy of dismantling critical environmental regulations.
Green Climate Fund meltdown
Board meeting of UN’s Green Climate Fund collapsed in S. Korea. The head abruptly resigned. The US wanted replenishment process to be “donor-driven” against the founding principles of giving developing countries equal say. GCF is dwindled to $2.8 billion.
Pope: ‘Climate change turning Earth into desert’
Urging countries to curb warming Pope said that climate change threatens our planet. “There is a real danger that we will leave future generations only rubble, deserts and refuse,” he warned.
EU to set tougher emission cuts
The EU is set to toughen its Paris target with stricter emission cuts to “slightly over 45%” by 2030. EU is considering lowering emissions from 80% (compared to 1990) by 2050 to net-zero by mid-century, and limit temperature rises to 1.5C.
Greenwashing, or green business? 6 sovereign funds set to meet
Sovereign wealth funds managing more than $2 trillion are to lay out guidelines on Friday in Paris to pressure companies to be more climate-friendly. French President will bring together the heads of six sovereign funds (Abu Dhabi, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Norway, New Zealand) to “influence other big asset managers.”
The Netherlands: All agree to “Most Ambitious” Climate Law
All parties in Denmark agreed on “the most ambitious” Climate Law to cut 95% emissions by 2050 (compared to 1990), 49% by 2030 and 100% carbon-neutral electricity by 2050.
Japan’s love for nuclear, coal continues
Japan “updated” its energy policy with continued reliance on unpopular nuclear power and 56% coal in the energy mix. Japan’s policy update for 2030 is in line with targets the country set 3 years ago.
