Credit: International Energy Agency (IEA) Analysis 2015
IEA Says Global Energy Emissions Did Not Rise in 2015, Even as Economy Grew
The Washington Post (3/16) reported on an International Energy Agency (IEA) announcement, which said that greenhouse gas emissions from the energy sector did not increase in 2015, even as the global economy grew 3.1 percent. It was the second year in a row that emissions “decoupled” from economic growth.
The Guardian (3/16) said the declining use of coal in China and the United States, together with the global adoption of renewable energy, especially wind power, accounted for the leveling off of energy emissions.
The Hill (3/21) covered Secretary of State John Kerry’s announcement that Todd Stern will step down on April 1 after seven years as U.S. Special Envoy for Climate Change. Stern, who was the lead negotiator for the Paris Agreement at COP21, will be replaced by Jonathan Pershing.
Climate Home (3/22) profiled Jonathan Pershing, a seasoned diplomat and energy analyst whose new role will include helping implement commitments made at COP21, particularly the creation of a system for countries to report and verify their emissions. Secretary Kerry called Pershing the “perfect person to pick up the baton.”
The Christian Science Monitor (3/19) reported that China’s forest conservation program is proving successful with a net gain in tree cover between 2000 and 2010.
A World Resources Institute (3/18) perspective on China’s new five-year plan said that the new plan’s high-level targets and policies addressing sustainability challenges will help China deliver on its climate commitments.
