Emerging economies should chip into climate fund: U.S. (Reuters, Nov. 18)
Todd Stern, lead US negotiator, suggests the proposed $100B climate fund should have contributions from some developing countries as well as the developed countries. Norway and Bangladesh have called on countries like Brazil and China to contribute.
Climate change funding "at risk" (China Daily, Nov. 23)
Judging by the quotes in this article, China's attitude going into the upcoming UNFCCC meeting is 1) push for continued funding from the developed countries, 2) push for a reupped commitment on Kyoto (though can they possibly be optimistic about that?), 3) insist on "common but differentiated responsibilities" (which is code for "no explicit targets for developing nations"), and 4) emphasize that they'll be continuing to meet internal targets (presumably as an alternative to external commitments). China is worried that the promised $100B in funding won't be coming on line with the ongoing crisis (China urges progress on financing for $100 billion climate change fund, Washington Post, Nov. 21)
Oregon steps back from Western Climate Initiative (Sustainable Business Oregon, Nov. 23)
Oregon was the last US state other than CA to be involved, with four Canadian provinces, in the WCI's effort to establish a regional carbon cap-and-trade program. Article says the states formerly involved (Oregon, Washington, Montana, New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah) are focusing on North America 2050, "an organization that is still being formed". Don't know much about NA2050; a rather vague info sheet is here, but it seems to basically be a collection of working groups.
US refuses to back climate fund blueprint (Financial Times, Nov. 24)
"The US, which has never ratified the Kyoto Protocol, has said it wants more work on issues such as private sector involvement in the Green Climate Fund and which countries would contribute. Saudi Arabia wants compensation for oil-producing countries for revenues lost as a result of climate change actions."
China to probe US clean energy subsidies (Financial Times, Nov. 25)
"Trade tensions have been rising between the US and China ever since the office of the US Trade Representative initiated an investigation into Chinese wind subsidies last year." China's considering filing a case with the WTO.
Looking ahead to COP-17: Deferred deal may save COP-17 (Mail & Guardian Online, Nov. 25) Suggests there's a potential consensus around a "deferred agreement" focusing on a mandate for a new emissions control deal starting in 2020 rather than 2012 (when Kyoto ends). Since the Chinese don't appear to be on board (China wants the Kyoto Protocol, with its "differentiated responsibilities" extended) and there's no mention of the US, I'd say this is just a European attempt to find a positive spin. This rather pessimistic analysis (IPS, Nov. 24) is probably closer to the mark. Important note, however: even if Kyoto expires and isn't renewed, some things that exist under the overarching UNFCCC framework - which I believe includes the Clean Development Mechanism, the promised $100B in green development funding for developing nations (if they can fund it), and the funding for forest preservation - will still exist.) A report from WRI (WRI, Nov. 23) suggests focusing on MRV (measuring, reporting, and verification) as the important issue in COP-17; that was one of the areas the US focused on in Cancun and made some progress there.
Climategate II: the scientists fight back (Telegraph, Nov. 25)
Another hacked-emails-leaked-by-climate-change-skeptics event happened. The world seems uninterested.
Markets
China's Feed-in Tariff Policy Stimulates 14 GW Photovoltaic Project Pipeline (Solarbuzz.com, Oct. 10)
China released a photovoltaic feed-in tariff in July.
On the ground with clean power in India (GigaOm.com, Nov. 18)
A roundup of cleanpower stuff in India: solar companies, new subsidies, new CEO for GE India (Banmali Agrawala), smart grid (pilot ideas), solar power missing completion deadlines.
Tata Capital, IFC set up joint venture for climate change business (The Economic Times, Nov. 19)
Tata and a World Bank group company are setting up a cleantech financing and advisory joint venture.
Saudi Arabia halts $100bn oil expansion programme (Financial Times, Nov. 21)
Saudi Arabia is halting at the 12m barrel per day mark. Although this article doesn't say so - and SA offers a variety of other reasons - I've seen some commentators suggest that this in combination with Saudi remarks represents a tacit admission that they can't make the 15m bpd goal they've previously talked about. The IEA estimates that Iraq will be the biggest contributor to global oil supply growth between 2010 and 2035.
EU carbon permits drop to record low as European debt crisis trims demand (Bloomberg, Nov. 23)
"'The combination of multiple supply side fears and simply not enough demand from utilities means prices have little support,' Chatterton [analyst at Bloomberg New Energy Finance] said... Falling prices together with an oversupply of carbon permits in Europe may reduce the incentive for companies to cut emissions. As factories slow operations there is less need to buy extra permits to comply with the system's rules. Surplus permits can be held over for use in the third phase of the market... Carbon allowances may drop as low as 3 euros because of weaker demand and 'staggering' supply..."
Tech
Bipartisan Tax Credit Would Open Market for Energy Storage (PR Newswire, Nov. 10)
Sens. Wyden (OR), Collins (ME), and Bingaman (NM) introduced a bill for a tax credit for energy storage technologies of all types.
Datacenters: Friend or Foe? (TriplePundit, Nov. 19)
Interesting numbers (from a McKinsey report, available here) on datacenters and energy consumption/carbon emissions. "If datacenters were a country, they would produce the equivalent of 60 percent of the emissions generated by Argentina."
Climate Science
Climate change effect on release of CO2 from peat far greater than assumed (EurekAlert.org, Nov. 20)
Yet another feedback effect.
