nuclear-news

Saudi Arabia subverting international climate change talks

International talks on how to present the science around 1.5C of global warming just ran into overtime in Incheon, South Korea. Climate Home News 5 Oct 18 

National delegates are expected to argue well into Saturday about the feasibility of holding temperature rise to 1.5C – the stretch goal of the Paris Agreement – and its implications for sustainable development.

Saudi Arabia is leading the criticism of several elements of the draft summary of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s special report, sources told Climate Home News reporter Natalie Sauer in Incheon.

The country’s diplomats want to emphasise the costs of climate action and downplay the sustainable development benefits, a source said.

The version issued to governments before the meeting had some inconvenient conclusions for oil producers. For example, it said fossil fuel investment would fall by a quarter over the next two decades in a 1.5C-compatible scenario.

One observer described the Saudi delegation as “more aggressive and virulent – both in terms of issues and airtime – than any time in my memory”. Others confirmed the Saudis had been vocal, but did not see their behaviour as different to previous meetings.

The US is reportedly keeping a lower profile, but leaked pre-meeting comments from the Trump administration reveal some pro-fossil fuel talking points.

EU stance

Meanwhile, the EU is pushing for stronger warnings on the risks of exceeding 1.5C, according to documents seen by CHN…….http://www.climatechangenews.com/

October 5, 2018 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | climate change, Saudi Arabia