Title: Asia’s New Coal Production Undermines Global Carbon Emission Reduction Efforts
Introduction:
Climate change remains a pressing global issue, and recent developments in Asia’s coal production have sparked concerns among environmentalists and climate activists. At the forefront of these concerns is US climate envoy John Kerry, who has expressed frustration over the detrimental effects of coal production on carbon emission reduction efforts worldwide. In this article, we delve deeper into Kerry’s remarks, the growing anger surrounding the issue, and the implications of Asia’s coal power expansion.
1. The Rising Anger: A Clear Warning Sign
– John Kerry’s frustration over the lack of substantial action to address climate change is evident.
– He emphasizes that emissions continue to rise due to the relentless and unbridled reliance on fossil fuels.
– The scale of coal power expansion planned in Asia is a significant hurdle, making it challenging to achieve the ideal 1.5°C temperature rise limit set by the Paris Agreement.
2. Asia’s Role in Carbon Emission Reduction Efforts
– China, despite being a major producer of renewable energy capacity, relies heavily on coal for its energy needs.
– In 2023, China and India set monthly records for coal power generation, accounting for 70% of global coal consumption.
– China’s stance on phasing out fossil fuels has frustrated discussions at global meetings on climate change, including the G7 and G20 summits.
3. Addressing the Fundamental Greed of Corporations
– Kerry criticizes corporations for prioritizing shareholder interests over climate commitments.
– The pursuit of profits often supersedes the consequences of carbon emissions.
– Despite promises made, many companies continue to contribute to the problem by planning, building, and burning fossil fuels unabated.
4. The United States and China: A Fragile Partnership
– Kerry and his Chinese counterpart, Xie Zhenhua, have restarted bilateral climate talks between the two countries.
– China pledged to peak emissions by 2030 and become carbon neutral by 2060, but its reliance on coal undermines these goals.
– Zhenhua argues that it is unrealistic to phase out all fossil fuels and instead suggests using carbon capture technology.
5. The Importance of COP28 Negotiations
– In the upcoming UN COP28 climate summit in Dubai, negotiators from 200 countries, including the US and China, will attempt to reach agreements on global emissions and an emissions fund.
– Some negotiators aim to include phasing out fossil fuels and updated targets in the final agreement, facing resistance from petrostates and fossil fuel producers.
6. Unique Insights and Perspectives
– The reliance on coal in Asia highlights the complexity of transitioning to sustainable energy sources, even for countries with significant renewable energy capacities.
– While renewable energy is essential, addressing the coal industry’s expansion is crucial for a successful transition.
– Conference attendees should prioritize innovative solutions and propose actionable steps to navigate through this transition period effectively.
Conclusion:
The growing anger expressed by US climate envoy John Kerry emphasizes the urgency of addressing the effects of Asia’s coal production on global carbon emissions. With the rise in coal power expansion in Asia hindering efforts to limit global temperature rise, substantial action must be taken at the UN COP28 climate summit. Negotiators must bridge differences and agree on necessary measures to end dependence on fossil fuels. Sustainable energy alternatives, along with innovative solutions, should be at the forefront of discussions, ensuring a commitment to a greener and more sustainable future for all.
Summary:
US climate envoy John Kerry has voiced his anger towards new coal production in Asia, which undermines the carbon emission reduction efforts led by Europe and the United States. Kerry expressed frustration over the lack of significant action taken to combat climate change. He highlighted the expansion of coal power in Asia, particularly in China, which could make it impossible to achieve the 1.5°C temperature rise limit set by the Paris Agreement. Kerry condemned the fundamental greed of corporations prioritizing shareholder interests over climate commitments. Negotiators at the upcoming UN COP28 climate summit must work together to reach agreements on global emissions and an emissions fund, despite resistance from petrostates and fossil fuel producers. The transition to sustainable energy sources requires addressing the coal industry’s expansion and prioritizing innovative solutions to navigate through this critical period effectively.
—————————————————-
| Article | Link |
|---|---|
| UK Artful Impressions | Premiere Etsy Store |
| Sponsored Content | View |
| 90’s Rock Band Review | View |
| Ted Lasso’s MacBook Guide | View |
| Nature’s Secret to More Energy | View |
| Ancient Recipe for Weight Loss | View |
| MacBook Air i3 vs i5 | View |
| You Need a VPN in 2023 – Liberty Shield | View |
Get free updates on climate change
We will send you a myFT Daily collection email with the list of the latest news Climate change news every morning.
US climate envoy John Kerry has lashed out at new coal production in Asia that “blows away” carbon emission reductions by Europe and the United States, the biggest historic polluters, as geopolitical tensions remain high after the United Nations climate summit in New York.
As national negotiators attempt to hammer out preliminary agreements to discuss at the UN COP28 climate summit in Dubai in 10 weeks, a visibly frustrated Kerry told ministers at a breakfast meeting that he felt “a growing anger” about “what’s happening and what’s not happening”.
“What infuriates me, frankly, and I find myself getting angrier and angrier about this – is but we’re not stopping on a large enough scale the contributions to the problem, and by that I mean emissions are going up,” Kerry said to ministers. from the united nations. “People continue to plan, build and burn fossil fuels relentlessly and unabated.”
Kerry he said the scale of coal power expansion planned in Asia would make it “impossible to achieve 1.5 degrees” of global temperature rise above pre-industrial times, set by the Paris Agreement as the ideal limit. The world has already warmed by at least 1.1°C.
The former US Secretary of State also railed against the “fundamental and basic greed” of corporations. “I keep hearing from some companies ‘well, the shareholders are asking for it,’ and despite all the consequences we are still not doing what we promised.”
Kerry and his Chinese counterpart, Xie Zhenhua, formally relaunched bilateral climate talks between the United States and China earlier this summer. In 2020, Chinese leader Xi Jinping pledged to peak emissions by 2030 and become carbon neutral by 2060.
While China is the world’s largest producer of renewable energy capacity and dominates solar and wind technology, it is also consuming record amounts of coal to meet its energy needs. Data from the International Energy Agency shows China and India set monthly records for coal power generation in March 2023 and burned 70% of the world’s coal.
In a speech to diplomats in China on Thursday, Zhenhua said it was “unrealistic to phase out all fossil fuels.” However, he added that carbon capture technology could be used to reduce emissions when fossil fuels are burned. The technology has not been demonstrated on a large scale, although China is attempting its own development in various oil fields.
China has consistently frustrated discussions at multilateral meetings of major developed economies seeking to reach a consensus on ending dependence on fossil fuels, including recent meetings of G7 and G20 leaders.
At COP28, negotiators from nearly 200 countries, including the United States and China, will have to work together to reach agreements on the so-called global emissions budget, the first since the 2015 Paris agreement, and sign agreements on an emissions fund. Losses and damages related to climate change.
Some negotiators hope to include wording and a timeline for ending fossil fuels, as well as updated targets beyond 2030, in the final COP28 agreement, despite significant pushback from petrostates and fossil fuel producers.
Additional reporting by Alice Hancock
Climate capital
Where climate change meets business, markets and politics. Explore the FT’s coverage here.
Are you curious about the FT’s environmental sustainability commitments? Learn more about our science-based goals here
—————————————————-