Climate Change archive

30.05.2005 To describe the draft G8 communiqué on climate change as a leaked document implies greater substance than its vacuous content deserves. It looks as though nuclear power and carbon storage will hold greater sway than a switch to renewable energy.

27.05.2005 ActionAid has published a hard-hitting report which questions whether aid really benefits poor people as opposed to business and political interests of the donor country. A recent campaign by Friends of the Earth provides a good example of "unreal" aid - funding for oil, gas and mining projects which exacerbate climate change.

25.05.2005 Insatiable demand for energy combined with little opportunity for public debate leads to a predictable result - exponential increase in construction of nuclear power stations. It's full steam ahead in China.

23.05.2005 Unlike the Westminster government which has permitted limited parliamentary scrutiny of climate change policy, the Scottish Executive has been the subject of a critical Parliamentary Committee report.

19.05.2005 Bristol International Airport wants to double its volume of business. The airport is already responsible for more carbon dioxide emissions than all the cars in Bristol, pays no fuel tax, and no VAT. Whatever happened to the "polluter pays" principle?

17.05.2005 Be prepared for surprises when the Countryside Agency gives evidence today at the Whinash wind farm inquiry. Despite its remit to advance sustainable development, the Agency opposes the wind farm. And two weeks ago it came up with a proposal to move the boundaries of the Lake District National Park to enclose the Whinash site.

11.05.2005 The UK Climate Strategy review due to be published shortly will have to address all the tough questions that were ducked during the election campaign. How can the government possibly achieve its commitment to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 20 per cent from 1990 levels by 2010? Friends of the Earth provides some of the painful answers.

03.05.2005 Food crop production in Africa will be adversely affected by climate change. This opinion amongst a working group of experts preparing a report for the July G8 summit is so unanimous that their attention is turning more to the question of how to react to the change.

03.05.2005 A Scottish planning authority has ignored the advice of its own officials and voted in favour of a second Forth Road Bridge. Environmental campaigners seek government intervention.