Posted on May 18, 2022 I argue that in addition to emission reduction targets, which only take effect after years, countries should also make temperature reduction commitments and start cooling their countries and cities. For example greening of about 1/3 of the EU’s urban areas would reduce urban summer temperatures by 2.5–6°C! In its latest…
Category: CO2
Glasgow Outcome: Ambitious Carbon Market Rules
Glasgow Outcome in bullets …. accelerating efforts towards the phase-down of unabated coal power and inefficient fossil fuel subsidies, recognizing the need for support towards a just transition; On general ambition: See cover Decision 1/CMA.3 ‘Glasgow Climate Pact’, New country and group pledges on targets for 2030 and net zero in 2050 and on forest…
Six tips to make the climate summit to a success
The annual climate summit, after a year of Corona postponement, is happening in Glasgow as CoP26, the first two weeks of November. I will attend the CoP for Climate Neutral Group. And I give hereby my six tips for the summit summarized in a few words: you get more ambition with more flexibility. My tips…
Quick Assessment EUs Fit for 55 Plan #FF55
See: EU Commission site
Impact of the Shell judgement on climate policy: more ambition and more flexibility
The Paris Agreement legally binds countries: they must therefore make plans for companies to achieve the temperature targets. For industrialized countries, that means a 50% reduction in 2030 compared to 1990 and zero emissions in 2050! Countries are not there yet with their climate plans, but a large number is working on tightening up. The…
Climate policy under Biden: homework & international rallying
With Biden, the United States can give global climate policy the necessary stimulus, and fill in the political vacuum if it gets its own house back in order. New US President Joe Biden cited climate as one of his priorities. Now that he can have a majority in the Senate with 50 Democratic senators and…
EU CO2 target requires flexibility. Switzerland signs a CO2 deal with Peru. Sweden prepares deals.
The European Commission’s “Impact Assessment”, presented with the climate proposals for 2030, describes various scenarios for achieving the CO2 targets. What is striking is that there is still a gap in the emissions budget. The Commission wants to promote CO2 storage in nature and soils through additional market incentives. That is indeed an important, but…
Emissiehandel als Mechanism Design: het belang van informatie en prikkels
Vooraf: Deze column schreef ik in maart 2012 nadat ik met Arnold Heertje had gesproken over de wereld in overlevingscrisis en noodzakelijke omslag naar een duurzame economie. Volgens Heertje stond “optimaal organiseren van prikkels” centraal; hoe zorg je dat ongewenste effecten minder gaan optreden? CO2-handel als “mechanism design”. Ik pleitte in de column voor een…