One thing is for sure about the negotiations in the run up to the Climate conference in Copenhagen – there is going to be intense arm-twisting and diplomatic manoeuvring. Central to any deal will be China. China is keeping up the pressure on the developed countries, by insisting that the West should at least double … Read More
China
Outrage as China Protects its Renewables Industry
It is meant to be a visit to talk about China’s commitment to tackling climate change, but on the sidelines is the thorny issue of China’s protectionist tactics to become the world leader in renewable energy. In many ways China has stolen a march on its rivals: The US and EU had the technology to … Read More
1/3 of China’s CO2 Emissions “Due to West”
One of the flawed arguments of the Bush Administration was that it could not act unilaterally on reducing CO2 emissions as it would put the American economy at a competitive disadvantage. It therefore could not act until China and India acted too. As China is the fastest growing source of carbon dioxide, much of the … Read More
Iraq Signs $3bn Oil Deal With China
As the Western oil majors squabble with Iraq over technical contracts, they have been out-maneuvered by the Chinese in the greater race to sign the first significant contract with the war-torn country. The first major oil deal Iraq has signed since 2003 is not with BP or Shell but with China’s biggest oil company, state-run … Read More
T. Boone to the Rescue…
After a meeting today of the G8 and leading developing countries, the two groups finally said they shared a “joint vision” for action on climate change. But the statement made no mention of any specific target for cutting emissions, and gave no baseline date from when the cuts might begin. Yesterday the G8 called for … Read More
Chinese Residents “Stroll” Against Chemical Plant
More protests in China, but this time not about the Olympics or Tibet, but a petrochemical plant. Residents took to the streets of a provincial capital over the weekend to protest against the multibillion-dollar plant which is backed by China’s leading state-run oil company. The protest, against a $5.5 billion ethylene plant under construction by … Read More
Chinese Buy Into BP
A Chinese government entity has acquired a sizable stake in BP, one of the world’s biggest oil and energy companies, for about $2 billion. The investment is the latest indication that China, flush with cash from its booming economy and its huge currency reserves, is becoming an increasingly important global investor and that it has … Read More
China “Now Top Carbon Polluter”
It’s been a long time in coming, but China has overtaken the US as the world’s “biggest polluter” of carbon dioxide. According to a report to be published next month by a team from the University of California team, China’s greenhouse gas emissions have been underestimated, and probably passed those of the US in 2006-2007.
China Signs Oil Deal with Iranian Company
Even as the United Nations maneuvers toward a vote on expanded sanctions against Iran – which Beijing has reportedly approved – China’s main offshore oil and gas company is reported to have signed a $16 billion deal to develop an Iranian gas field. In doing so, China is maintaining its position that it does not … Read More
China Calls for Adherence to Kyoto Protocol
In an interesting development, China has called on the international community to observe the principles and framework of the Kyoto Protocol and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The appeal was made by Cao Bochun, vice director of the Environment and Resources Protection Committee of the Chinese National People’s Congress. “As a precondition … Read More