Global climate treaty suggests 'planet doesn't stand a chance'

(The general concept of Naveena is okay, but what troubles me a little are the specifics, and maybe that maybe termed “not-picking”.

The planet Naveena seems so concerned about will be fine, what is facing a serious and almost unstoppably threat, are the “Goldilocks-like” conditions which have allowed humans to thrive and prosper – Robert McLean).

If the climate pledges countries have submitted are any indication of whether the world can save itself with a global climate treaty, the planet doesn't stand a chance.

More than 140 countries have submitted plans to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change on how they will reduce carbon dioxide emissions to fight climate change. These countries account for about 90 percent of global emissions. They form the basis for final treaty negotiations that will take place in Paris in December.

Climate scientists agree that in order to prevent the worst consequences, global warming must be held to within 2 degrees Celsius. The pledges submitted so far will reduce emissions by about 60 gigatons compared to business as usual, but will limit temperature rise to only 3.5 degrees Celsius, according to Climate Interactive, the non-profit tracking the progress of the global climate change movement.

Read Naveena Sadasivam’s Inside Climate News story - “Climate Treaty Forecast: Cloudy With a Chance of Disaster.”

Anna and Amandine argue 2030 emissions target is achievable

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ustralia can reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 50 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030, according to analysis by ClimateWorks.

Anna Skarbek.

Amandine Denis.

The federal government is currently considering what Australia’s post-2020 emissions target should be, and is expected to announce its decision in the coming weeks.

Many other countries have already announced their pledges, and various groups in Australia have called on the government to commit to a strong target.

Building on our Pathways to Deep Decarbonisation in 2050 project, our analysis shows that we can strongly reduce emissions using existing technology and while still growing the economy.

Executive Director at ClimateWorks Australia at Monash University, Anna Skarbek, and the head of research at ClimateWorks,  Amandine Denis, have written about this in The Conversation - “New analysis: Australia can halve emissions by 2030”.

IKEA spends big to help poorer nations with renewable energy, climate change

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KEA, the world's biggest furniture retailer, plans to spend 1 billion euros ($1.13 billion) on renewable energy and steps to help poor nations cope with climate change, the latest example of firms upstaging governments in efforts to slow warming.

Chief Executive Peter Agnefjall said the measures would "absolutely not" push up prices at the Swedish group's stores. The investments will be "good for customers, good for the climate and good for IKEA too," he told Reuters.

He said the plan was motivated by a desire to tackle climate change, rather than to court favourable publicity. "Getting that message out to the customers is secondary," he said.

An internal review last year showed only 41 percent of its customers see IKEA as a company that "takes social and environmental responsibility", below its goal of 70 percent by 2015.

Read The New York Times report - “IKEA Pledges 1 Billion Euros to Help Slow Climate Change”.