Climate Change News - September 28, 2015 | Newsletter

On September 25, Pope Francis addressed a joint session of Congress, at the invitation of Speaker Boehner. Image courtesy of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Pope Speaks to U.S. Congress on Climate Change

From September 23-24, Pope Francis visited Washington, DC, giving a public address outside the White House and then, for the first time ever, addressed a joint session of Congress. A major focus of the Pope's comments was the moral imperative to act on climate change. At the White House, Pope Francis congratulated President Obama on the Clean Power Plan. During his address to Congress, the Pope urged politicians to take "courageous actions" on climate change, stating, "I am convinced that we can make a difference."

For more information see:

CNBC, The Guardian, EcoWatch

Senate Democrats Introduce Energy Bill

On September 22, Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) proposed a bill, the American Energy Innovation Act of 2015, which will comprehensively address the energy sector and cut greenhouse gas emissions two percent every year until 2025. The bill, which has 28 cosponsors, would repeal some fossil fuel subsidies, give tax incentives and grants to clean energy, and promote energy efficiency in buildings. Sen. Cantwell said the bill is a "technology-driven pathway to a clean energy future."

For more information see:

The Hill, The New York Times, UPI

California Updates Regulations to Adopt Low Carbon Fuel Standard

On September 25, the California State Air Resources Board voted to restore a low carbon fuel standard, which requires the state to cut 10 percent of the carbon emissions from transportation fuels by 2020. The regulation is estimated to cost just a few cents per gallon extra, leading the average consumer to pay an additional annual $5-$21 in 2017, and $12-$48 in 2020. The regulation was originally enacted in 2009, but after industry court challenges it was delayed until 2011. The Air Resources Board was required to re-approve the rule in 2015 after ethanol companies won a suit over procedural issues.

For more information see:

Los Angeles Times, NBC Los Angeles

Global Regional Leaders Sign Climate Pledge in New York

On September 24, regional leaders and mayors from countries all over the world gathered in New York to sign a pledge to cut greenhouse gases 80-95 percent below 1990 levels, on the same day Pope Francis arrived in New York. The voluntary pledge, called the "Under 2 MOU," now has about 40 signatories, including major cities and provinces, representing 313 million people and $8.7 trillion in gross domestic product. "By making cooperative commitments and supporting one another, we are already doing what many national governments are failing to do," commented Glen Murray, Ontario's environment minister.

For more information see:

The New York Times

China to Adopt National Cap-and-Trade Policy

On September 25, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced China would be expanding its pilot cap-and-trade policy, which has been operating in seven cities, across its entire nation. President Jinping made the announcement during a trip to Washington, DC, in a joint statement with President Obama to follow up on last year's bilateral climate agreement. China's new cap-and-trade policy will apply to the power sector, as well as the iron, steel, chemical, cement, paper and building materials industries. China also pledged to give $3.1 billion in climate aid to developing countries, just a bit more than the U.S. pledge of $3 billion.

For more information see:

The Washington Post, The Hill, ClimateChangeNews

Israel Announces New Emissions Reduction Target

On September 20, Israel approved a new emissions reduction target, committing to cut emissions by 25 percent from 2005 levels by 2030, five percent less than the target recommended by the Environmental Ministry in July. Setting this target is a step toward submitting Israel's Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) to the United Nations in advance of climate negotiations in Paris this December. To meet this target, Israel will need to increase its renewable energy generation from two percent of total power generation to 17 percent, decrease electricity consumption 17 percent and lower private vehicle use 20 percent, all by 2030.

For more information see:

The Jerusalem Post

Mobile Game “Angry Birds” Releases Climate Change-Themed Version

On September 21, Earth Day Network and Rovio, the creators of Angry Birds, released Champions for Earth, a mobile game where players encounter facts about climate change and must take action to protect the planet. To kick the game off, Rovio is hosting a tournament from September 21-27 during United Nations Environment Week. The game creators hope this new take on Angry Birds, which has been downloaded three billion times, will spread awareness of climate change. “Incorporating climate change messages into the most popular video game ever is a great way to communicate with a broad and diverse audience,” said Lucia Grenna from Connect4Climate, one of many organizations to partner to promote the game tournament.

For more information see:

EcoWatch, Business Wire

Siemens Commits to Be Carbon-Zero by 2030

On September 22, Siemens committed to reducing its global carbon dioxide emissions 50 percent by 2020, and to becoming carbon neutral by 2030. Joe Kaeser, CEO of Siemens, said in a statement that the company will invest in carbon offsets, as well as take steps to reduce its overall carbon consumption. Siemens, which operates in over 200 countries and employs over 340,000 people, will also invest $110 million into energy efficiency measures at its factories and offices, and purchase fuel efficient vehicles for its global delivery fleet.

For more information see:

New York Times, See News

Number of Carbon Pricing Policies Implemented Has Nearly Doubled since 2012

On September 20, the World Bank released its annual State and Trends of Carbon Pricing study, which reports that the number of carbon pricing policies has increased from 20 to 38 since 2012. However, the study says current low prices (more than 85 percent of prices are less than $10/ metric ton) do not adequately incentivize countries to prevent dangerous global warming. The World Bank expects more nations to put carbon prices in place after the United Nations Paris conference. “Carbon pricing is central to the quest for a cost-effective transition toward zero net emissions in the second half of the century,” said Angel Gurría, Secretary-General of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.

For more information see:

Reuters, Bloomberg Business