The year 2021 has witnessed a record rise in methane emissions into the atmosphere. Scientists from around the world are raising alarms.

2021 witnessed a record rise in methane emissions into the atmosphere

Amid the global outrage over global warming, what is driving the methane emissions? The US government data shows the grim reality.

What is driving methane emissions? US government data shows the grim reality

In a bid to cut carbon emissions by 38% in Rwanda, the electric motors companies are pushing for its electric motorbikes project.

Rwanda's electric motorbikes project: Aim to cut emissions by 38%

An analysis by the Center for Global Development (CGD) reports that the average Briton produced more carbon dioxide in the first two days of January than an average person from the Democratic Republic of Congo would in an entire year.

This study shows that rich and poor countries have vast energy inequalities, with Brits generating 200 times as much climate emissions as their Congolese counterparts, while Americans emit 585 times as much.&nbsp;

Carbon emissions in the UK will surpass those of 30 low- and middle-income countries by the end of January, according to the study.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/how-climate-change-will-impact-plantation-of-cash-crops-such-as-avocado-coffee-and-cashew-448154">How climate change will impact plantation of cash crops such as avocado, coffee and cashew</a>

Euan Ritchie, a policy analyst for CGD Europe, said he was inspired by the "climate hypocrisy" of western countries, such as the US and UK, which have pledged to stop funding fossil fuel projects in developing countries.

Ritchie noted that rich countries wrung their hands when it came to the extent to which fossil fuels should be financed by aid and other development finance in poorer countries. This hypocrisy caught Ritchie's attention.

&nbsp;A cruel irony would be if the countries that are least responsible for this problem cannot access energy infrastructure says, Ritchie.

Various countries, including developing nations, and financial institutions have pledged to end their support for international fossil fuel projects. Even so, these same countries will also be able to develop fossil fuels in their own country.&nbsp;

Currently, 24 fossil fuel projects are pending in the US with potential greenhouse gas emissions of up to 1.6 gigatons, while new oil and gas fields are being licensed in the North Sea.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/consider-carpooling-french-car-ads-to-contain-messages-fostering-less-polluting-alternatives-442002">'Consider carpooling': French car ads to contain messages fostering less-polluting alternatives</a>

Using the World Bank's annual data, CGD calculated the point where a British or US citizen's energy consumption exceeded that of someone in a low- or middle-income country.&nbsp;

Vijaya Ramachandran, a Berkeley, California, energy expert leading the head of the Breakthrough Institute's energy and development program argues that blanket bans on fossil fuel projects in developing nations will exacerbate poverty while doing little to curb carbon emissions worldwide.

The rich countries easily impose fossil fuel funding bans on poor countries while increasing their own consumption of fossil fuels at the same time, she noted. This is blatant hypocrisy and is detrimental for developing countries as they require a wide range of energy to sustain their development, she added.

Also read |&nbsp;Gravitas: Can nuclear power solve climate change?

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According to her, the notion that African countries only need solar energy is completely hypocritical and colonial. Renewable energy is intermittent and therefore needs to be backed up by other sources of power.&nbsp;

The research from the CGD should be used to inform the debate over responsibility for the climate crisis, according to Rose M Mutiso, the director of the Energy for Growth Hub.

Mutiso, who is Kenyan, said solving the climate crisis in the medium term is up to the high emitting countries, not only because they caused the problem but logically because they are the ones with the highest emissions.

An analysis by the Center for Global Development (CGD) reports that the average Briton produced more carbon dioxide in the first two days of January than an average person from the Democratic Republic of Congo would in an entire year.

An analysis by the Center for Global Development (CGD) reports that the average Briton produced more carbon dioxide in the first two days of January than an average person from the Democratic Republic of Congo would in an entire year. This study shows that rich and poor countries have vast energy inequalities, with Brits generating 200 times as much climate emissions as their Congolese counterparts, while Americans emit 585 times as much. Carbon emissions in the UK will surpass those of 30 low- and middle-income countries by the end of January, according to the study. Also read | How climate change will impact plantation of cash crops such as avocado, coffee and cashew Euan Ritchie, a policy analyst for CGD Europe, said he was inspired by the "climate hypocrisy" of western countries, such as the US and UK, which have pledged to stop funding fossil fuel projects in developing countries. Ritchie noted that rich countries wrung their hands when it came to the extent to which fossil fuels should be financed by aid and other development finance in poorer countries. This hypocrisy caught Ritchie's attention. A cruel irony would be if the countries that are least responsible for this problem cannot access energy infrastructure says, Ritchie. Various countries, including developing nations, and financial institutions have pledged to end their support for international fossil fuel projects. Even so, these same countries will also be able to develop fossil fuels in their own country. Currently, 24 fossil fuel projects are pending in the US with potential greenhouse gas emissions of up to 1.6 gigatons, while new oil and gas fields are being licensed in the North Sea. Also read | 'Consider carpooling': French car ads to contain messages fostering less-polluting alternatives Using the World Bank's annual data, CGD calculated the point where a British or US citizen's energy consumption exceeded that of someone in a low- or middle-income country. Vijaya Ramachandran, a Berkeley, California, energy expert leading the head of the Breakthrough Institute's energy and development program argues that blanket bans on fossil fuel projects in developing nations will exacerbate poverty while doing little to curb carbon emissions worldwide. The rich countries easily impose fossil fuel funding bans on poor countries while increasing their own consumption of fossil fuels at the same time, she noted. This is blatant hypocrisy and is detrimental for developing countries as they require a wide range of energy to sustain their development, she added. Also read | Gravitas: Can nuclear power solve climate change? According to her, the notion that African countries only need solar energy is completely hypocritical and colonial. Renewable energy is intermittent and therefore needs to be backed up by other sources of power. The research from the CGD should be used to inform the debate over responsibility for the climate crisis, according to Rose M Mutiso, the director of the Energy for Growth Hub. Mutiso, who is Kenyan, said solving the climate crisis in the medium term is up to the high emitting countries, not only because they caused the problem but logically because they are the ones with the highest emissions.

Energy inequality plagues the world; US causes 585 times more climate emissions than Congo: Report

Days after scientists had declared a months-long volcanic eruption on the Spanish Canary Island of La Palma officially over, gas emissions & high temperatures continue.

Inside La Palma's volcano: Gas emissions & high temperatures continue

After lockdowns eased in the European Union, the greenhouse gas emissions went up by 18 per cent. "Greenhouse gas emissions in the second quarter of 2021 increased by 18% compared with the same quarter in the previous year. This is largely due to the effect of the economic rebound after the sharp decrease of activity in the same quarter of 2020 due to the COVID-19 crisis," read a statement by Eurostat.

The report by Eurostat states that during the second quarter of 2021, EU greenhouse gas emissions were at 867 million tonnes.

The lowest value was recorded in the second quarter of 2020, which was during the pandemic.

The sudden increase in emissions could be attributed to the economic sectors, including manufacture and construction, electricity supply, agriculture, transport services and several other services other than transport.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/greenhouse-gas-emissions-are-on-track-to-set-a-new-record-in-2023-iea-399165">Also read |&nbsp;Greenhouse gas emissions are on track to set a new record in 2023: IEA</a>

The report also made comparisons of greenhouse gas emissions in the second quarter of 2021 with the same period of the previous year in various sectors as it states, "The emissions by households for heating increased by 42 per cent and for transportation by 25 per cent. Emissions by manufacture and construction increased by 22 per cent, transport services by 18 per cent, electricity supply by 17 per cent and services other than transport by 13 per cent".

Meanwhile, earlier in July this year, International Energy Agency said that global greenhouse gas emissions will grow again this year and next year. The IEA predicted in its latest report monitoring pandemic recovery efforts worldwide that governments had provided $380 billion in clean energy support out of a total of $16 trillion in pandemic support.&nbsp;

Even if all of these steps were implemented on time, the world would still be “far from what is required to put the world on a road to net-zero emissions by mid-century,” according to the report.

After lockdowns eased in the European Union, the greenhouse gas emissions went up by 18 per cent. "Greenhouse gas emissions in the second quarter of 2021 increased by 18% compared with the same quarter in the previous year.

After lockdowns eased in the European Union, the greenhouse gas emissions went up by 18 per cent. "Greenhouse gas emissions in the second quarter of 2021 increased by 18% compared with the same quarter in the previous year. This is largely due to the effect of the economic rebound after the sharp decrease of activity in the same quarter of 2020 due to the COVID-19 crisis," read a statement by Eurostat. The report by Eurostat states that during the second quarter of 2021, EU greenhouse gas emissions were at 867 million tonnes. The lowest value was recorded in the second quarter of 2020, which was during the pandemic. The sudden increase in emissions could be attributed to the economic sectors, including manufacture and construction, electricity supply, agriculture, transport services and several other services other than transport. Also read | Greenhouse gas emissions are on track to set a new record in 2023: IEA The report also made comparisons of greenhouse gas emissions in the second quarter of 2021 with the same period of the previous year in various sectors as it states, "The emissions by households for heating increased by 42 per cent and for transportation by 25 per cent. Emissions by manufacture and construction increased by 22 per cent, transport services by 18 per cent, electricity supply by 17 per cent and services other than transport by 13 per cent". Meanwhile, earlier in July this year, International Energy Agency said that global greenhouse gas emissions will grow again this year and next year. The IEA predicted in its latest report monitoring pandemic recovery efforts worldwide that governments had provided $380 billion in clean energy support out of a total of $16 trillion in pandemic support. Even if all of these steps were implemented on time, the world would still be “far from what is required to put the world on a road to net-zero emissions by mid-century,” according to the report.

After lockdowns were eased, EU greenhouse gas emissions surged by 18%

After lockdowns eased in the European Union, the greenhouse gas emissions went up by 18 per cent. The report by Eurostat states that during the second quarter of 2021, EU greenhouse gas emissions were at 867 million tonnes.

Rise in EU's greenhouse gas emissions as economies recover from pandemic

In the midst of the world's fight against climate change and the UN's climate change summit, also known as&nbsp;COP26, beginning in Glasgow, several delegates arrived in private planes which spewed tonnes of CO2.

In their quest to save the planet from greenhouse gases, the top brass travelling to Scotland for COP26 will generate a staggering amount of emissions by using their private planes for the trip, reports claimed.

Also read |&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/trending/cop26-why-the-world-is-worried-about-china-and-co2-levels-425836" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/trending/cop26-why-the-world-is-worried-about-china-and-co2-levels-425836&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwi8muKeqvfzAhVVXHwKHR9PCiQQFnoECAkQAg&amp;usg=AOvVaw0ta-yuELA4tuj2woAqKnfv" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/cop26-why-the-world-is-worried-about-china-and-co2-levels-425836" target="_blank">COP26: Why the world is worried about China and CO2 levels</a>

According to reports, more than 400 private planes carrying business leaders and politicians to this week's conference will spew out 13,000 tons of CO2. Ironically, these bigwigs and their private jets' emissions will exceed the average annual emissions of roughly 1,600 Scots.

From Japan to the United States, to Israel to even the United Kingdom itself, world leaders and heads of state will be among those taking private jets.&nbsp;

Earlier today, US President Joe Biden arrived aboard Air Force One. The trip follows the president's trip from Washington to Rome for the G20 summit this weekend. Global leaders pledged "meaningful and effective" climate action at the G20 summit, but offered little information about how they will limit global temperatures from rising more than 1.5 degrees Celsius.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/we-can-get-real-on-coal-cars-cash-and-trees-uk-pm-johnson-warns-world-leaders-at-cop26-425888">We can get real on coal, cars, cash and trees, UK PM Johnson warns world leaders at COP26</a>

In the Vatican&nbsp;on Friday, while on his way to meet the Pope, Joe Biden deployed a massive motorcade, 85 gas-guzzling cars long parade to be exact. Today, according to reports, he had a similarly long entourage on his way from the airport to the summit venue.

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Here comes Biden at the Vatican to meet with the Pope ahead of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/COP26?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#COP26</a> . His personal vehicle convoy puts your carbon footprint into the shade for the next 20 years, such is the hypocrisy of this Willy Waving fiasco! <a href="https://t.co/cnCAO1jJFv">pic.twitter.com/cnCAO1jJFv</a>
— PonteJack (@somersetlevel) <a href="https://twitter.com/somersetlevel/status/1454159632105185290?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 29, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Critics on the internet have blasted Biden and others for their exorbitant displays. A number of the participants at COP26 have been called out for claiming to fight climate change while not reducing their enormous carbon footprints.

"Every world leader or dignitary that arrives to @COP26 by private jet is an eco-hypocrite. Fact." writes Nigel Farage, former politician, Leader of the UK Independence Party in a Twitter post.

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Every world leader or dignitary that arrives to <a href="https://twitter.com/COP26?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@COP26</a> by private jet is an eco-hypocrite. Fact.
— Nigel Farage (@Nigel_Farage) <a href="https://twitter.com/Nigel_Farage/status/1454801203657908224?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 31, 2021</a></blockquote>
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For their use of private jets to travel to Rome and Scotland, Prince Charles, the UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, are also among the leaders to have come under criticism. Earlier too, in June, Johnson raised eyebrows when instead of taking the train from London, he flew to Cornwall for the G7 summit.

Some other big names that are facing criticism include Jeff Bezos,&nbsp;Prince Albert of Monaco, and German chancellor Angela Merkel.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/this-country-could-be-underwater-by-the-end-of-the-century-425829">This country could be underwater by the end of the century</a>

Netizens around the world have taken to Twitter to call out these "climate leaders." Check out some of the tweets:&nbsp;

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Hypocrite airways? Jeff Bezos's £48m Gulf Stream leads parade of 400 private jets into COP26 including Prince Albert of Monaco, scores of royals and dozens of 'green' CEOs- as huge traffic jam forces empty planes to fly 30 miles to park <a href="https://t.co/m0Kege65DH">pic.twitter.com/m0Kege65DH</a>
— Space-reporter-news (@Spacereportern1) <a href="https://twitter.com/Spacereportern1/status/1455147036894957575?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 1, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Jet fuel powered Police aircraft circles Glasgow all morning whilst a private jet from Athens lands during the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/COP26?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#COP26</a> conference. I’m sure this is helping <a href="https://t.co/MQXLEiqh6m">pic.twitter.com/MQXLEiqh6m</a>
— shuggy hugman (@hughegarty) <a href="https://twitter.com/hughegarty/status/1455148310713577473?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 1, 2021</a></blockquote>
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400 private jets into <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/COP26?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#COP26</a> COP26. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Hypocrisy_galore?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Hypocrisy_galore</a>! 
 
If there is a climate change 1 minute before midnight disaster conference there is every chance that private jets will lead the parade. <a href="https://t.co/VDYPOIjvPC">pic.twitter.com/VDYPOIjvPC</a>
— Iqbal Latif (@ilatif) <a href="https://twitter.com/ilatif/status/1455146065628381189?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 1, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Private Jet to Glasgow to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CoP26?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CoP26</a> 
Private Jet to Glasgow to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CoP26?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CoP26</a> 
Private Jet to Glasgow to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CoP26?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CoP26</a> 
Private Jet to Glasgow to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CoP26?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CoP26</a> 
Private Jet to Glasgow to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CoP26?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CoP26</a> 
Private Jet to Glasgow to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CoP26?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CoP26</a> 
Private Jet to Glasgow to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CoP26?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CoP26</a> 
Private Jet to Glasgow to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CoP26?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CoP26</a> 
ok..... <a href="https://t.co/Odq8K8Pc2Y">pic.twitter.com/Odq8K8Pc2Y</a>
— SweenFrank (@SweenFrank) <a href="https://twitter.com/SweenFrank/status/1455093945248145414?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 1, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/COP26?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#COP26</a> we're addicted to fossil fools alright they're all running the world into ruin!! How many private jets and helicopters were used to transport all these world leaders to Glasgow, technology is a wonderful thing this day and age, try using it!! <a href="https://t.co/plut8glvaY">pic.twitter.com/plut8glvaY</a>
— stuart hughes (@StuartHughes_) <a href="https://twitter.com/StuartHughes_/status/1455157240143532040?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 1, 2021</a></blockquote>
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The spreader event where the celebrities arrive by private jets to talk to us about climate change. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/COP26?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#COP26</a> <a href="https://t.co/QGyhz0kEYa">pic.twitter.com/QGyhz0kEYa</a>
— Tracey T (@ttnaturalhealth) <a href="https://twitter.com/ttnaturalhealth/status/1455094390418980867?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 1, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Why is it always WE, when the one saying it doesnt believe things should apply to them? 
 
Flown the past few days to Italy, then Italy to Scotland by private jet for cop26. 
 
Needs to change the way WE do things? 🤔 <a href="https://t.co/c8g6qVxqM4">pic.twitter.com/c8g6qVxqM4</a>
— Drewski 💙 (@M1DNS) <a href="https://twitter.com/M1DNS/status/1455077165775589378?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 1, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/COP26?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#COP26</a> world “leaders” etc arriving in private jets large motor cage’s the worlds biggest polluters aren’t there and their lecturing us... <a href="https://t.co/E3LPNnSKiK">pic.twitter.com/E3LPNnSKiK</a>
— Tony Sharpe 🍺🎤🦢🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🤘🏻 (@CelticWarrior_3) <a href="https://twitter.com/CelticWarrior_3/status/1455119685670821894?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 1, 2021</a></blockquote>
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They are laughing at you. The 400 private jets used by world ‘leaders’ to get to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/COP26?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#COP26</a> pumped out 13,000 tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere, yet they want you to stop eating meat, to stop going on holiday, to buy a new electric car, &amp; to spend thousands of pounds on new boilers. <a href="https://t.co/Phj1wpQvKJ">pic.twitter.com/Phj1wpQvKJ</a>
— Matthew Firth (@MatthewPFirth) <a href="https://twitter.com/MatthewPFirth/status/1455161739801239558?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 1, 2021</a></blockquote>
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UN Climate Change Conference Glasgow COP26 
 
Zero carbon? 
The travel arrangements of world leaders and their entourage are a sick joke. 
 
No covid jabs? No problem. 
Worldwide pandemic? Don't be silly. 
 
The utter hypocrisy of it all.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ClimateHoax?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ClimateHoax</a> <a href="https://t.co/gp5Tt19Y2J">https://t.co/gp5Tt19Y2J</a> <a href="https://t.co/NSloawqso2">pic.twitter.com/NSloawqso2</a>
— ♰Pureblood Fifi J (@fifi_j) <a href="https://twitter.com/fifi_j/status/1454149998745108487?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 29, 2021</a></blockquote>
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A Lund University study found that private jet travel emits about 40 times more CO2 per passenger than commercial air travel.

According to the non-profit group Finch's Transport and Environment, air emissions from private planes are soaring, contributing to the fact that around half of global aviation emissions come from 1 per cent&nbsp;of the world's population.

Watch |&nbsp;COP26 Summit in Glasglow: Will the world succeed in averting climate disaster?

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In the midst of the world's fight against climate change and the UN's climate change summit, also known as COP26, beginning in Glasgow, several delegates arrived in private planes which spewed tonnes of CO2.

In the midst of the world's fight against climate change and the UN's climate change summit, also known as COP26, beginning in Glasgow, several delegates arrived in private planes which spewed tonnes of CO2. In their quest to save the planet from greenhouse gases, the top brass travelling to Scotland for COP26 will generate a staggering amount of emissions by using their private planes for the trip, reports claimed. Also read | COP26: Why the world is worried about China and CO2 levels According to reports, more than 400 private planes carrying business leaders and politicians to this week's conference will spew out 13,000 tons of CO2. Ironically, these bigwigs and their private jets' emissions will exceed the average annual emissions of roughly 1,600 Scots. From Japan to the United States, to Israel to even the United Kingdom itself, world leaders and heads of state will be among those taking private jets. Earlier today, US President Joe Biden arrived aboard Air Force One. The trip follows the president's trip from Washington to Rome for the G20 summit this weekend. Global leaders pledged "meaningful and effective" climate action at the G20 summit, but offered little information about how they will limit global temperatures from rising more than 1.5 degrees Celsius. Also read | We can get real on coal, cars, cash and trees, UK PM Johnson warns world leaders at COP26 In the Vatican on Friday, while on his way to meet the Pope, Joe Biden deployed a massive motorcade, 85 gas-guzzling cars long parade to be exact. Today, according to reports, he had a similarly long entourage on his way from the airport to the summit venue. Here comes Biden at the Vatican to meet with the Pope ahead of #COP26 . His personal vehicle convoy puts your carbon footprint into the shade for the next 20 years, such is the hypocrisy of this Willy Waving fiasco! pic.twitter.com/cnCAO1jJFv — PonteJack (@somersetlevel) October 29, 2021 × Critics on the internet have blasted Biden and others for their exorbitant displays. A number of the participants at COP26 have been called out for claiming to fight climate change while not reducing their enormous carbon footprints. "Every world leader or dignitary that arrives to @COP26 by private jet is an eco-hypocrite. Fact." writes Nigel Farage, former politician, Leader of the UK Independence Party in a Twitter post. Every world leader or dignitary that arrives to @COP26 by private jet is an eco-hypocrite. Fact. — Nigel Farage (@Nigel_Farage) October 31, 2021 × For their use of private jets to travel to Rome and Scotland, Prince Charles, the UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, are also among the leaders to have come under criticism. Earlier too, in June, Johnson raised eyebrows when instead of taking the train from London, he flew to Cornwall for the G7 summit. Some other big names that are facing criticism include Jeff Bezos, Prince Albert of Monaco, and German chancellor Angela Merkel. Also read | This country could be underwater by the end of the century Netizens around the world have taken to Twitter to call out these "climate leaders." Check out some of the tweets: Hypocrite airways? Jeff Bezos's £48m Gulf Stream leads parade of 400 private jets into COP26 including Prince Albert of Monaco, scores of royals and dozens of 'green' CEOs- as huge traffic jam forces empty planes to fly 30 miles to park pic.twitter.com/m0Kege65DH — Space-reporter-news (@Spacereportern1) November 1, 2021 × Jet fuel powered Police aircraft circles Glasgow all morning whilst a private jet from Athens lands during the #COP26 conference. I’m sure this is helping pic.twitter.com/MQXLEiqh6m — shuggy hugman (@hughegarty) November 1, 2021 × 400 private jets into #COP26 COP26. #Hypocrisy_galore! If there is a climate change 1 minute before midnight disaster conference there is every chance that private jets will lead the parade. pic.twitter.com/VDYPOIjvPC — Iqbal Latif (@ilatif) November 1, 2021 × Private Jet to Glasgow to #CoP26 Private Jet to Glasgow to #CoP26 Private Jet to Glasgow to #CoP26 Private Jet to Glasgow to #CoP26 Private Jet to Glasgow to #CoP26 Private Jet to Glasgow to #CoP26 Private Jet to Glasgow to #CoP26 Private Jet to Glasgow to #CoP26 ok..... pic.twitter.com/Odq8K8Pc2Y — SweenFrank (@SweenFrank) November 1, 2021 × #COP26 we're addicted to fossil fools alright they're all running the world into ruin!! How many private jets and helicopters were used to transport all these world leaders to Glasgow, technology is a wonderful thing this day and age, try using it!! pic.twitter.com/plut8glvaY — stuart hughes (@StuartHughes_) November 1, 2021 × The spreader event where the celebrities arrive by private jets to talk to us about climate change. #COP26 pic.twitter.com/QGyhz0kEYa — Tracey T (@ttnaturalhealth) November 1, 2021 × Why is it always WE, when the one saying it doesnt believe things should apply to them? Flown the past few days to Italy, then Italy to Scotland by private jet for cop26. Needs to change the way WE do things? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/c8g6qVxqM4 — Drewski 💙 (@M1DNS) November 1, 2021 × #COP26 world “leaders” etc arriving in private jets large motor cage’s the worlds biggest polluters aren’t there and their lecturing us... pic.twitter.com/E3LPNnSKiK — Tony Sharpe 🍺🎤🦢🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🤘🏻 (@CelticWarrior_3) November 1, 2021 × They are laughing at you. The 400 private jets used by world ‘leaders’ to get to #COP26 pumped out 13,000 tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere, yet they want you to stop eating meat, to stop going on holiday, to buy a new electric car, & to spend thousands of pounds on new boilers. pic.twitter.com/Phj1wpQvKJ — Matthew Firth (@MatthewPFirth) November 1, 2021 × UN Climate Change Conference Glasgow COP26 Zero carbon? The travel arrangements of world leaders and their entourage are a sick joke. No covid jabs? No problem. Worldwide pandemic? Don't be silly. The utter hypocrisy of it all.#ClimateHoax https://t.co/gp5Tt19Y2J pic.twitter.com/NSloawqso2 — ♰Pureblood Fifi J (@fifi_j) October 29, 2021 × A Lund University study found that private jet travel emits about 40 times more CO2 per passenger than commercial air travel. According to the non-profit group Finch's Transport and Environment, air emissions from private planes are soaring, contributing to the fact that around half of global aviation emissions come from 1 per cent of the world's population. Watch | COP26 Summit in Glasglow: Will the world succeed in averting climate disaster?

'Eco-hypocrite': Leaders, businessmen arrive in fuel-guzzling private jets at COP26

United Nations Environment Programme's Emissions Gap report has revealed that country pledges will be unable to keep the global temperature under 1.5C this century. The report shows that new national climate pledges and various mitigation measures have set the world for a global temperature rise of 2.7°C by the end of the century.

In order to keep global warming below 1.5C this century, which is the goal of the Paris Agreement, the world needs to halve annual greenhouse gas emissions in the coming eight years.&nbsp;

If this is implemented effectively, then the net-zero emissions pledges could limit down the warming to 2.2C, which is closer to the 2C goals of the Paris Agreement.&nbsp;

The report further highlights that the reduction of methane emissions from various sectors, including fossil fuel, waste and agriculture, could help close the emissions gap and reduce warming in a shorter span. Carbon markets can also help in reducing emissions.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/cop26-climate-deal-will-be-harder-than-paris-accord-says-alok-sharma-423292">Also read |&nbsp;Cop26 climate deal will be harder than Paris accord, says Alok Sharma</a>

UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres deemed climate change as "another thundering wake-up call." This comes after a study from the WMO showing that warming gases were at a new high last year.

The report highlights that the plans, when added together, cut greenhouse gas emissions in 2030 by around 7.5 per cent. This stands nowhere near to 1.5C temperature.

"The clock is ticking loudly," said Inger Andersen, executive director of UNEP.

Guterres has called the current scenario a "climate catastrophe". He believes the report highlights the failures of political leaders as he said that the emissions gap is the result of a leadership gap.

United Nations Environment Programme's Emissions Gap report has revealed that country pledges will be unable to keep the global temperature under 1.5C this century.

United Nations Environment Programme's Emissions Gap report has revealed that country pledges will be unable to keep the global temperature under 1.5C this century. The report shows that new national climate pledges and various mitigation measures have set the world for a global temperature rise of 2.7°C by the end of the century. In order to keep global warming below 1.5C this century, which is the goal of the Paris Agreement, the world needs to halve annual greenhouse gas emissions in the coming eight years. If this is implemented effectively, then the net-zero emissions pledges could limit down the warming to 2.2C, which is closer to the 2C goals of the Paris Agreement. The report further highlights that the reduction of methane emissions from various sectors, including fossil fuel, waste and agriculture, could help close the emissions gap and reduce warming in a shorter span. Carbon markets can also help in reducing emissions. Also read | Cop26 climate deal will be harder than Paris accord, says Alok Sharma UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres deemed climate change as "another thundering wake-up call." This comes after a study from the WMO showing that warming gases were at a new high last year. The report highlights that the plans, when added together, cut greenhouse gas emissions in 2030 by around 7.5 per cent. This stands nowhere near to 1.5C temperature. "The clock is ticking loudly," said Inger Andersen, executive director of UNEP. Guterres has called the current scenario a "climate catastrophe". He believes the report highlights the failures of political leaders as he said that the emissions gap is the result of a leadership gap.

'Climate catastrophe': UN emissions gap report deemed as 'thundering wake-up call'

Saudi Arabia has announced it aims to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2060. Also, it aims to double its annual target to reduce carbon emissions.&nbsp;

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman announced in brief scripted remarks at the start of the first Saudi Green Initiative Forum.

The Prince said, "The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia aims to reach zero-net emissions by 2060 under its circular carbon economy programme … while maintaining the kingdom’s leading role in strengthening security and stability of global oil markets."

According to a report by The Guardian, the executive director of the International Energy Agency, Fatih Birol said, "I welcome Saudi Arabia’s announcement of a #NetZero target. Countries will get to net zero via different paths, but the threat of climate change is universal. Pledges from major fossil-fuel producers, and their implementation, are vital to reach international climate goals.”

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/cop26-climate-deal-will-be-harder-than-paris-accord-says-alok-sharma-423292">Also read |&nbsp;Cop26 climate deal will be harder than Paris accord, says Alok Sharma</a>

The kingdom is estimated to emit about 600m tonnes of carbon dioxide a year. This is more than France and slightly less than Germany. Also, the country will aim to reduce its emissions. However, it will continue to pump and export fossil fuels to Asia and other regions.

This comes in over a week before the start of the global Cop26 conference. Meanwhile, UK president-designate of the Cop26 talks, Alok Sharma, has said that achieving a global climate deal in Glasgow in the next three weeks will be harder than signing the Paris agreement of 2015.&nbsp;

He further said that the task would be to get nearly 200 countries to implement stringent cuts to their greenhouse gas emissions, keeping in mind the increase in global temperature to within 1.5C of pre-industrial levels.

Saudi Arabia has announced it aims to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2060. Also, it aims to double its annual target to reduce carbon emissions. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman announced in brief scripted remarks at the start of the first Saudi Green Initiative Forum.

Saudi Arabia has announced it aims to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2060. Also, it aims to double its annual target to reduce carbon emissions. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman announced in brief scripted remarks at the start of the first Saudi Green Initiative Forum. The Prince said, "The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia aims to reach zero-net emissions by 2060 under its circular carbon economy programme … while maintaining the kingdom’s leading role in strengthening security and stability of global oil markets." According to a report by The Guardian, the executive director of the International Energy Agency, Fatih Birol said, "I welcome Saudi Arabia’s announcement of a #NetZero target. Countries will get to net zero via different paths, but the threat of climate change is universal. Pledges from major fossil-fuel producers, and their implementation, are vital to reach international climate goals.” Also read | Cop26 climate deal will be harder than Paris accord, says Alok Sharma The kingdom is estimated to emit about 600m tonnes of carbon dioxide a year. This is more than France and slightly less than Germany. Also, the country will aim to reduce its emissions. However, it will continue to pump and export fossil fuels to Asia and other regions. This comes in over a week before the start of the global Cop26 conference. Meanwhile, UK president-designate of the Cop26 talks, Alok Sharma, has said that achieving a global climate deal in Glasgow in the next three weeks will be harder than signing the Paris agreement of 2015. He further said that the task would be to get nearly 200 countries to implement stringent cuts to their greenhouse gas emissions, keeping in mind the increase in global temperature to within 1.5C of pre-industrial levels.

Saudi Arabia aims of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2060

Energy giant Saudi Aramco committed to being a net zero enterprise by 2050, its chief said Saturday, shortly after the kingdom said it aimed to achieve zero carbon emissions by 2060.

Saudi Arabia, the world's top crude exporter, said it would also join a global effort to cut methane emissions by 30 per cent by 2030.

"Saudi Aramco will achieve an ambition of being also a net zero from our operation by 2050," Amin Nasser told the "Saudi Green Initiative" forum.

"We understand that the road will be complex, the transition will have its challenges, but we are confident we can meet them and accelerate our efforts to a low emission future."

Earlier, in recorded remarks, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman told the forum that the kingdom's target was to reach net zero emissions by 2060.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/saudi-aramco-q2-profits-bounce-back-to-pre-pandemic-levels-404269">Also read |&nbsp;Saudi Aramco Q2 profits bounce back to pre-pandemic levels</a>

As the global COP26 global climate summit approaches, a string of countries have pledged to aim for net zero emissions by 2050, and global airlines and banks are also targeting the mid-century goal.

UN chief Antonio Guterres said Friday the current climate situation was "a one-way ticket for disaster", stressing the need to "avoid a failure" at COP26 in Glasgow.

Held between October 31 and November 12, the gathering is seen as a crucial step in setting worldwide emissions targets to slow global warming.

Saudi Arabia is estimated to emit about 600 million tonnes of carbon dioxide per year,&nbsp;more than France and slightly less than Germany.

The year 2050 has become a focus for carbon neutrality, defined as achieving a balance between emitting carbon and absorbing carbon from the atmosphere.

Energy giant Saudi Aramco committed to being a net zero enterprise by 2050, its chief said Saturday, shortly after the kingdom said it aimed to achieve zero carbon emissions by 2060.

Energy giant Saudi Aramco committed to being a net zero enterprise by 2050, its chief said Saturday, shortly after the kingdom said it aimed to achieve zero carbon emissions by 2060. Saudi Arabia, the world's top crude exporter, said it would also join a global effort to cut methane emissions by 30 per cent by 2030. "Saudi Aramco will achieve an ambition of being also a net zero from our operation by 2050," Amin Nasser told the "Saudi Green Initiative" forum. "We understand that the road will be complex, the transition will have its challenges, but we are confident we can meet them and accelerate our efforts to a low emission future." Earlier, in recorded remarks, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman told the forum that the kingdom's target was to reach net zero emissions by 2060. Also read | Saudi Aramco Q2 profits bounce back to pre-pandemic levels As the global COP26 global climate summit approaches, a string of countries have pledged to aim for net zero emissions by 2050, and global airlines and banks are also targeting the mid-century goal. UN chief Antonio Guterres said Friday the current climate situation was "a one-way ticket for disaster", stressing the need to "avoid a failure" at COP26 in Glasgow. Held between October 31 and November 12, the gathering is seen as a crucial step in setting worldwide emissions targets to slow global warming. Saudi Arabia is estimated to emit about 600 million tonnes of carbon dioxide per year, more than France and slightly less than Germany. The year 2050 has become a focus for carbon neutrality, defined as achieving a balance between emitting carbon and absorbing carbon from the atmosphere.

Saudi Aramco sets 2050 zero carbon emissions target

Climate change will cause many of Africa's rare glaciers to disappear within the next two decades, a new report warns. This comes amid sweeping predictions of extreme suffering for the continent that contributes least to global warming, yet suffers the most.

This report by the World Meteorological Organisation and other agencies, released just ahead of the UN climate conference starting Oct. 31, provides a grim reminder.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/cop26-queen-finds-world-leaders-irritating-because-they-only-talk-and-dont-act-420982" hreflang="en">COP26: Queen finds world leaders 'irritating' because they only 'talk' and don't 'act'</a>

Despite the 54 African&nbsp;countries being responsible for less than 4 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, Africa's 1.3 billion people are extremely vulnerable, as the continent continues to warm at a faster rate than the world average.

According to the new report, the shrinking glaciers of Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Kenya, and the Rwenzori Mountains in Uganda are symbolic of the rapid and widespread changes to come.

The report goes on to say that&nbsp;Africa's current retreat rates are higher than the global average, and if this pattern continues, the continent will suffer total deglaciation by the mid-2040s.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/climate-change-could-sink-small-states-says-commonwealth-chief-420623" hreflang="en">Climate change could sink small states, says Commonwealth chief</a>

WMO Secretary-General Petteri Taalas spoke at the report launch on Tuesday and said that Massive displacement, hunger and increasing climate shocks such as droughts and flooding are in the future, yet the lack of climate data in parts of Africa "is having a major impact" on disaster warnings for millions of people.

Leonel Correia Sacko with the African Union Commission writes in the report,&nbsp;“Not only are physical conditions getting worse, but also the number of people being affected is increasing.”

Sacko adds that up to 118 million extremely poor people; those living on less than $1.90 a day, will be exposed to drought, floods, and extreme heat by 2030 if proper measures are not taken.

Watch |&nbsp;Climate crisis hits South Africa's Cape Town

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Even though the African continent faces significant threats, African voices are underrepresented at global climate meetings and among those who write the most important scientific assessments of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

The amount of African contributions to IPCC reports is extremely low, according to a multi-country research project called Future Climate for Africa.

UN reports that famine-like conditions have already been created by climate change on Madagascar, an island nation in the Indian Ocean.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/madagascar-prays-for-rain-as-un-warns-of-climate-change-famine-420184" hreflang="en">Madagascar prays for rain as U.N. warns of 'climate change famine'</a>

The costs ahead are enormous. The report estimates that the cost of climate adaptation for sub-Saharan Africa will be between $30 and $50 billion each year over the next decade or about two to three per cent of GDP.

“The cost of adapting to climate change in Africa will rise to $50 billion per year by 2050, even assuming the international efforts to keep global warming below 2 degrees Celsius.”

Climate change will cause many of Africa's rare glaciers to disappear within the next two decades, a new report warns. This comes amid sweeping predictions of extreme suffering for the continent that contributes least to global warming, yet suffers the most.

Climate change will cause many of Africa's rare glaciers to disappear within the next two decades, a new report warns. This comes amid sweeping predictions of extreme suffering for the continent that contributes least to global warming, yet suffers the most. This report by the World Meteorological Organisation and other agencies, released just ahead of the UN climate conference starting Oct. 31, provides a grim reminder. Also read | COP26: Queen finds world leaders 'irritating' because they only 'talk' and don't 'act' Despite the 54 African countries being responsible for less than 4 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, Africa's 1.3 billion people are extremely vulnerable, as the continent continues to warm at a faster rate than the world average. According to the new report, the shrinking glaciers of Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Kenya, and the Rwenzori Mountains in Uganda are symbolic of the rapid and widespread changes to come. The report goes on to say that Africa's current retreat rates are higher than the global average, and if this pattern continues, the continent will suffer total deglaciation by the mid-2040s. Also read | Climate change could sink small states, says Commonwealth chief WMO Secretary-General Petteri Taalas spoke at the report launch on Tuesday and said that Massive displacement, hunger and increasing climate shocks such as droughts and flooding are in the future, yet the lack of climate data in parts of Africa "is having a major impact" on disaster warnings for millions of people. Leonel Correia Sacko with the African Union Commission writes in the report, “Not only are physical conditions getting worse, but also the number of people being affected is increasing.” Sacko adds that up to 118 million extremely poor people; those living on less than $1.90 a day, will be exposed to drought, floods, and extreme heat by 2030 if proper measures are not taken. Watch | Climate crisis hits South Africa's Cape Town Even though the African continent faces significant threats, African voices are underrepresented at global climate meetings and among those who write the most important scientific assessments of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. The amount of African contributions to IPCC reports is extremely low, according to a multi-country research project called Future Climate for Africa. UN reports that famine-like conditions have already been created by climate change on Madagascar, an island nation in the Indian Ocean. Also read | Madagascar prays for rain as U.N. warns of 'climate change famine' The costs ahead are enormous. The report estimates that the cost of climate adaptation for sub-Saharan Africa will be between $30 and $50 billion each year over the next decade or about two to three per cent of GDP. “The cost of adapting to climate change in Africa will rise to $50 billion per year by 2050, even assuming the international efforts to keep global warming below 2 degrees Celsius.”

Africa: The continent with low emissions and high suffering, risks losing rare glaciers to global warming

The United States and European Union on Friday made a joint&nbsp;pledge to cut global methane emissions by almost a third in the next decade. The climate experts have hailed this as one of the most significant steps yet towards fulfilling the Paris climate agreement.

This comes after the UN secretary-general, António Guterres, warned of a “high risk of failure” at the vital UN climate talks, Cop26, set for Glasgow this November.

As per the plan between US and the EU, a target has been set of cutting at least 30 per cent from global methane emissions, based on 2020 levels, by 2030.&nbsp;

If adopted around the world, this would reduce global heating by 0.2C by the 2040s, compared with likely temperature rises by then. The world is now about 1.2C hotter than in pre-industrial times.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/spacex-tourists-talk-to-tom-cruise-from-orbit-413892">Also read |&nbsp;SpaceX tourists talk to Tom Cruise from orbit</a>

Boris Johnson said the UK would be one of the first to join the US-EU methane pledge when it opens for more signatories at Cop26.&nbsp;

During a meeting of world leaders from major economies on Friday, he said, “Over the last 30 years the UK has cut emissions of methane by something like 60%. And there are good commercial uses for methane, you can use it to make fabrics, you can use it to make antifreeze. So the world could slash its output of this powerful greenhouse gas tomorrow if we wanted to.”

Also, the UN published a report which has revealed that the current pledges on emissions from national governments would result in an increase of 16 per cent in emissions in 2030 compared with 2010 levels, whereas scientists warn that emissions must fall by 45 per cent in that period to stay within 1.5C.&nbsp;

The OECD published another report showing that climate finance funding from private and public sources that flows from the rich world to developing countries was falling about $20 billion short of a longstanding target of $100 billion a year.

The United States and European Union on Friday made a joint pledge to cut global methane emissions by almost a third in the next decade. The climate experts have hailed this as one of the most significant steps yet towards fulfilling the Paris climate agreement.

The United States and European Union on Friday made a joint pledge to cut global methane emissions by almost a third in the next decade. The climate experts have hailed this as one of the most significant steps yet towards fulfilling the Paris climate agreement. This comes after the UN secretary-general, António Guterres, warned of a “high risk of failure” at the vital UN climate talks, Cop26, set for Glasgow this November. As per the plan between US and the EU, a target has been set of cutting at least 30 per cent from global methane emissions, based on 2020 levels, by 2030. If adopted around the world, this would reduce global heating by 0.2C by the 2040s, compared with likely temperature rises by then. The world is now about 1.2C hotter than in pre-industrial times. Also read | SpaceX tourists talk to Tom Cruise from orbit Boris Johnson said the UK would be one of the first to join the US-EU methane pledge when it opens for more signatories at Cop26. During a meeting of world leaders from major economies on Friday, he said, “Over the last 30 years the UK has cut emissions of methane by something like 60%. And there are good commercial uses for methane, you can use it to make fabrics, you can use it to make antifreeze. So the world could slash its output of this powerful greenhouse gas tomorrow if we wanted to.” Also, the UN published a report which has revealed that the current pledges on emissions from national governments would result in an increase of 16 per cent in emissions in 2030 compared with 2010 levels, whereas scientists warn that emissions must fall by 45 per cent in that period to stay within 1.5C. The OECD published another report showing that climate finance funding from private and public sources that flows from the rich world to developing countries was falling about $20 billion short of a longstanding target of $100 billion a year.

US and EU pledge 30 per cent cut in methane emissions

In an unusual experiment, the scientists are trying to “potty-train” a herd of cows. The scientists say it can pave way for environmentally friendly farms. &nbsp;

The scientists claim the cattle farms’ waste often contaminates soil and waterways. It also contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and acidification of soil. So, for long, toilet-training cattle has been viewed as desirable. But several earlier attempts have been unsuccessful. &nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;Can carbon capture help solve global warming?

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In this study, the scientists have tried a method called 'MooLoo’ approach to teach calves to use a toilet area in their barn. It means urine could be collected and treated. &nbsp;

Jan Langbein, an animal psychologist at the Research Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN) in Germany, said, “Cattle, like many other animals, are quite clever and they can learn a lot. Why shouldn’t they be able to learn how to use a toilet?” &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hurricane-nicholas-makes-landfall-on-texas-coast-may-unleash-flash-floods-413040" hreflang="en">Hurricane Nicholas makes landfall on Texas coast, may unleash flash floods</a>

Via a system of rewards and mild punishments, the calves were being trained. They were given a sweet drink or some mashed barley when they urinated in the assigned area. And when they relieved themselves elsewhere, they were surprised by a short blast of water from above. &nbsp;

According to the study published in the journal ‘Current Biology’, 11 out of the 16 calves in the experiment had been successfully toilet-trained after about 15 training sessions in a few weeks. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The authors suggested, the five calves, who were not reliably trained, probably just need more time to master the skill. &nbsp;&nbsp;

In an unusual experiment, the scientists are trying to “potty-train” a herd of cows. The scientists say it can pave way for environmentally friendly farms. The scientists claim the cattle farms’ waste often contaminates soil and waterways.

In an unusual experiment, the scientists are trying to “potty-train” a herd of cows. The scientists say it can pave way for environmentally friendly farms. The scientists claim the cattle farms’ waste often contaminates soil and waterways. It also contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and acidification of soil. So, for long, toilet-training cattle has been viewed as desirable. But several earlier attempts have been unsuccessful. Watch: Can carbon capture help solve global warming? × In this study, the scientists have tried a method called 'MooLoo’ approach to teach calves to use a toilet area in their barn. It means urine could be collected and treated. Jan Langbein, an animal psychologist at the Research Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN) in Germany, said, “Cattle, like many other animals, are quite clever and they can learn a lot. Why shouldn’t they be able to learn how to use a toilet?” Also Read: Hurricane Nicholas makes landfall on Texas coast, may unleash flash floods Via a system of rewards and mild punishments, the calves were being trained. They were given a sweet drink or some mashed barley when they urinated in the assigned area. And when they relieved themselves elsewhere, they were surprised by a short blast of water from above. According to the study published in the journal ‘Current Biology’, 11 out of the 16 calves in the experiment had been successfully toilet-trained after about 15 training sessions in a few weeks. The authors suggested, the five calves, who were not reliably trained, probably just need more time to master the skill.

To reduce greenhouse gas emissions, scientists look to ‘potty-train’ cows

A study published Wednesday suggests that mountain forests may store up to two-thirds more carbon than previously thought, underscoring the vital role they can play in combating climate change.&nbsp;

High-altitude forests are typically considered to hold less carbon than lowland forests because the soil and climatic factors affect tree growth and, in turn, the amount of carbon the trees are able to store.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/climate-change-made-deadly-europe-floods-up-to-nine-times-more-likely-study-408046">Climate change made deadly Europe floods up to nine times more likely: Study</a>

Scientists report in Nature that the average carbon content of Africa's montane forests is 149.4 tons per hectare, roughly equivalent to the average carbon content of African lowlands.

In a striking twist, this is more than two-thirds higher than the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) estimate of&nbsp;89.3 tonnes of carbon per hectare.

To obtain this data, a&nbsp;team of international researchers examined data from 44 highland sites across 12 African countries to more accurately estimate the carbon stored in these so-called montane forests.&nbsp;

They measured the diameter and height of more than 72,000 trees to determine how dense the wood is, then logged the species present in each plot.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/climate-change-for-real-glacier-melts-makes-swedish-peak-shrink-by-2-metres-in-a-year-406593">Climate change&nbsp;for real?&nbsp;Glacier melts, makes&nbsp;Swedish peak shrink by&nbsp;2 metres&nbsp;in a year</a>

From there, they calculated the carbon storage rate per unit of forest area.

In spite of the huge amount of carbon they store, montane forests are threatened by logging, mining, and land conversion.&nbsp;

In Mozambique, for example, it was found that nearly a third of its 18,000 hectares (44,500 acres) of high altitude forests had been destroyed since 2000.&nbsp;

There has been a loss of over half a million hectares of mountain forests in the Democratic Republic of Congo in this century, accounting for much of Africa's 800,000 hectares.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-climate-change-could-sink-entire-nations-404528/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

As per the authors, these research findings have a range of policy implications, including the use of "carbon finance", incentives to conserve forests instead of clear-cutting them.&nbsp;

They argue that past underestimations of carbon storage capacity by the IPCC may have led to governments being less inclined to preserve high-altitude forest areas.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

A study published Wednesday suggests that mountain forests may store up to two-thirds more carbon than previously thought, underscoring the vital role they can play in combating climate change.

A study published Wednesday suggests that mountain forests may store up to two-thirds more carbon than previously thought, underscoring the vital role they can play in combating climate change. High-altitude forests are typically considered to hold less carbon than lowland forests because the soil and climatic factors affect tree growth and, in turn, the amount of carbon the trees are able to store. Also read | Climate change made deadly Europe floods up to nine times more likely: Study Scientists report in Nature that the average carbon content of Africa's montane forests is 149.4 tons per hectare, roughly equivalent to the average carbon content of African lowlands. In a striking twist, this is more than two-thirds higher than the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) estimate of 89.3 tonnes of carbon per hectare. To obtain this data, a team of international researchers examined data from 44 highland sites across 12 African countries to more accurately estimate the carbon stored in these so-called montane forests. They measured the diameter and height of more than 72,000 trees to determine how dense the wood is, then logged the species present in each plot. Also read | Climate change for real? Glacier melts, makes Swedish peak shrink by 2 metres in a year From there, they calculated the carbon storage rate per unit of forest area. In spite of the huge amount of carbon they store, montane forests are threatened by logging, mining, and land conversion. In Mozambique, for example, it was found that nearly a third of its 18,000 hectares (44,500 acres) of high altitude forests had been destroyed since 2000. There has been a loss of over half a million hectares of mountain forests in the Democratic Republic of Congo in this century, accounting for much of Africa's 800,000 hectares. As per the authors, these research findings have a range of policy implications, including the use of "carbon finance", incentives to conserve forests instead of clear-cutting them. They argue that past underestimations of carbon storage capacity by the IPCC may have led to governments being less inclined to preserve high-altitude forest areas. (With inputs from agencies)

African mountain forests store two-thirds more carbon than previously believed: Study

Australia's conservative prime minister rejected growing calls Tuesday to adopt more&nbsp;ambitious&nbsp;emissions&nbsp;targets,&nbsp;insisting the country was doing enough to tackle <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/climate-change">climate change</a>.

Hours after a landmark UN climate report warned catastrophic global warming is occurring far more quickly than previously forecast, Prime Minister Scott Morrison signalled he would not adopt a net-zero target.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sustainable-development-report-ranks-australia-last-on-climate-action-395157">Sustainable development report ranks Australia last on climate action</a>

"Australia&nbsp;is doing its part," Morrison said. "I won't be signing a blank cheque on behalf of Australians to&nbsp;targets&nbsp;without plans."

Australia&nbsp;is at the forefront of the global climate crisis, as one of the world's largest fossil fuel exporters and the victim of multiple climate-worsened disasters.

In recent years, the country has suffered intense droughts, the largest bushfires in its recorded history, floods and coastal erosion among other disasters.

But ahead of a major climate summit later this year, Morrison has rejected calls -- including from allies such as the United States,&nbsp;to adopt a formal target for reducing or offsetting carbon&nbsp;emissions.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australias-greta-thunberg-steps-up-climate-change-activism-388693">'Australia's Greta Thunberg' steps up climate change activism</a>

Australia&nbsp;has suggested it will achieve net-zero carbon&nbsp;emissions&nbsp;"as soon as possible", and preferably by 2050, but has not made any commitments to do so.

Instead, Morrison sought to deflect focus onto developing countries and the need for new technology, which he said was key to solving the crisis.

"We need to take a different approach. We need to focus on the technological breakthroughs that are necessary to change the world, and how we operate," Morrison said.

Many politicians within Morrison's conservative coalition with close ties to the coal industry have denied climate change is happening or sought to play down the risks.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/climate-report-must-be-death-knell-for-fossil-fuels-un-chief-404307">Climate report must be 'death knell' for fossil fuels: UN chief</a>

Senator Matthew Canavan described the latest UN climate report as "fear porn" and said the panel that drafted it was always warning "the sky is falling in, and it never does".

The prime minister once brought a lump of coal onto the floor of parliament, urging people not to be scared of it.&nbsp;

His Liberal Party and&nbsp;Australia's opposition Labour party both support continued coal mining, despite global investment in the sector drying up and importers shifting to cleaner fuels.

Australia&nbsp;has one of the highest rates of&nbsp;emissions&nbsp;per capita in the rich world and is among the world's largest exporters of coal and natural gas.

It faces mounting political and economic pressure to act.

Both the United States and the European Union are moving toward imposing carbon import tariffs that could effectively sanction&nbsp;Australia&nbsp;and other countries shirking measures to tackle climate change.

One of the UN panel's authors, Mark Howden of Australian National University, said the Pacific region would be one of the worst affected by projected warming.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/this-is-code-red-for-humanity-warns-un-climate-report-404384/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"If we don't start to reduce our&nbsp;emissions&nbsp;significantly before 2050, the world is extremely likely to exceed two degrees Celsius of warming during the 21st century," he said.

"Global temperature rises will have serious impacts across the Pacific region. This includes dramatic and devastating sea level rise."

Australia's conservative prime minister rejected growing calls Tuesday to adopt more ambitious emissions targets, insisting the country was doing enough to tackle climate change.

Australia's conservative prime minister rejected growing calls Tuesday to adopt more ambitious emissions targets, insisting the country was doing enough to tackle climate change. Hours after a landmark UN climate report warned catastrophic global warming is occurring far more quickly than previously forecast, Prime Minister Scott Morrison signalled he would not adopt a net-zero target. Also read | Sustainable development report ranks Australia last on climate action "Australia is doing its part," Morrison said. "I won't be signing a blank cheque on behalf of Australians to targets without plans." Australia is at the forefront of the global climate crisis, as one of the world's largest fossil fuel exporters and the victim of multiple climate-worsened disasters. In recent years, the country has suffered intense droughts, the largest bushfires in its recorded history, floods and coastal erosion among other disasters. But ahead of a major climate summit later this year, Morrison has rejected calls -- including from allies such as the United States, to adopt a formal target for reducing or offsetting carbon emissions. Also read | 'Australia's Greta Thunberg' steps up climate change activism Australia has suggested it will achieve net-zero carbon emissions "as soon as possible", and preferably by 2050, but has not made any commitments to do so. Instead, Morrison sought to deflect focus onto developing countries and the need for new technology, which he said was key to solving the crisis. "We need to take a different approach. We need to focus on the technological breakthroughs that are necessary to change the world, and how we operate," Morrison said. Many politicians within Morrison's conservative coalition with close ties to the coal industry have denied climate change is happening or sought to play down the risks. Also read | Climate report must be 'death knell' for fossil fuels: UN chief Senator Matthew Canavan described the latest UN climate report as "fear porn" and said the panel that drafted it was always warning "the sky is falling in, and it never does". The prime minister once brought a lump of coal onto the floor of parliament, urging people not to be scared of it. His Liberal Party and Australia's opposition Labour party both support continued coal mining, despite global investment in the sector drying up and importers shifting to cleaner fuels. Australia has one of the highest rates of emissions per capita in the rich world and is among the world's largest exporters of coal and natural gas. It faces mounting political and economic pressure to act. Both the United States and the European Union are moving toward imposing carbon import tariffs that could effectively sanction Australia and other countries shirking measures to tackle climate change. One of the UN panel's authors, Mark Howden of Australian National University, said the Pacific region would be one of the worst affected by projected warming. "If we don't start to reduce our emissions significantly before 2050, the world is extremely likely to exceed two degrees Celsius of warming during the 21st century," he said. "Global temperature rises will have serious impacts across the Pacific region. This includes dramatic and devastating sea level rise."

'Won't be signing blank cheque': Australia rejects emissions targets despite damning UN report

China and India have missed a United Nations deadline to submit fresh targets for cutting their greenhouse gas emissions, officials said Saturday.

The world's two most populous countries are among dozens that ignored the deadline of July 30 set by the UN climate change agency to provide an update on their plans for curbing the release of planet-warming gases.

China is the country with the world's highest emissions, while India is third.

The United States, which submitted its new target in April, is the second-biggest global emitter.

UN climate chief Patricia Espinosa welcomed that 110 signatories of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change had met the cut-off date, which was extended from the end of 2020 due to the pandemic.

But she said it was "far from satisfactory" that only 58% had submitted their new targets in time.

Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Syria and 82 other nations also failed to update their nationally determined contributions, or NDCs, for the UN to include in a report it is preparing for an international climate change conference in November.

Espinosa noted that a previous report found countries were doing too little to meet the goal of keeping global warming below 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 Fahrenheit) by the end of the century compared with pre-industrial times.

The more ambitious target of capping warming at 1.5C (2.7F) is far out of reach.

"Recent extreme heat waves, droughts and floods across the globe are a dire warning that much more needs to be done, and much more quickly, to change our current pathway," said Espinosa.

"This can only be achieved through more ambitious NDCs."

China and India have missed a United Nations deadline to submit fresh targets for cutting their greenhouse gas emissions, officials said Saturday. The world's two most populous countries are among dozens that ignored the deadline of July 30 set by the UN climate change agency to provide an update on their plans for curbing the release of planet-warming gases.

China and India have missed a United Nations deadline to submit fresh targets for cutting their greenhouse gas emissions, officials said Saturday. The world's two most populous countries are among dozens that ignored the deadline of July 30 set by the UN climate change agency to provide an update on their plans for curbing the release of planet-warming gases. China is the country with the world's highest emissions, while India is third. The United States, which submitted its new target in April, is the second-biggest global emitter. UN climate chief Patricia Espinosa welcomed that 110 signatories of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change had met the cut-off date, which was extended from the end of 2020 due to the pandemic. But she said it was "far from satisfactory" that only 58% had submitted their new targets in time. Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Syria and 82 other nations also failed to update their nationally determined contributions, or NDCs, for the UN to include in a report it is preparing for an international climate change conference in November. Espinosa noted that a previous report found countries were doing too little to meet the goal of keeping global warming below 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 Fahrenheit) by the end of the century compared with pre-industrial times. The more ambitious target of capping warming at 1.5C (2.7F) is far out of reach. "Recent extreme heat waves, droughts and floods across the globe are a dire warning that much more needs to be done, and much more quickly, to change our current pathway," said Espinosa. "This can only be achieved through more ambitious NDCs."

China and India miss UN deadline to update emissions targets

In the first analysis to calculate the mortal cost of carbon emissions, it has been revealed that the lifestyles of around three average Americans will create enough planet-heating emissions to kill one person.&nbsp;

Also, the emissions from a single coal-fired power plant are likely to result in more than 900 deaths.

The research is completely based on what is called the “social cost of carbon”.&nbsp;

It is a monetary figure which is placed upon the damage caused by each ton of carbon dioxide emissions. This is done by assigning an expected death toll from the emissions that cause the climate crisis.

The research relies on several public health studies to conclude that for every 4,434 metric tons of CO2 pumped into the atmosphere beyond the 2020 rate of emissions, one person globally will die prematurely from the increased temperature.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/researchers-develop-antibodies-for-neutralising-sars-cov-2-401678">Also read |&nbsp;Researchers develop antibodies for neutralising SARS-Cov-2</a>

As per Daniel Bressler of Columbia University’s Earth Institute, who wrote the paper, the figures for expected deaths from the release of emissions are definitive and may well be “a vast underestimate” as they only account for heat-related mortality rather than deaths from flooding, storms, and crop failures.

Bressler was quoted by The Guardian as saying, "There are a significant number of lives that can be saved if you pursue climate policies that are more aggressive than the business as usual scenario".&nbsp;

He further added, "I was surprised at how large the number of deaths are. There is some uncertainty over this, the number could be lower but it could also be a lot higher".

In the first analysis to calculate the mortal cost of carbon emissions, it has been revealed that the lifestyles of around three average Americans will create enough planet-heating emissions to kill one person.

In the first analysis to calculate the mortal cost of carbon emissions, it has been revealed that the lifestyles of around three average Americans will create enough planet-heating emissions to kill one person. Also, the emissions from a single coal-fired power plant are likely to result in more than 900 deaths. The research is completely based on what is called the “social cost of carbon”. It is a monetary figure which is placed upon the damage caused by each ton of carbon dioxide emissions. This is done by assigning an expected death toll from the emissions that cause the climate crisis. The research relies on several public health studies to conclude that for every 4,434 metric tons of CO2 pumped into the atmosphere beyond the 2020 rate of emissions, one person globally will die prematurely from the increased temperature. Also read | Researchers develop antibodies for neutralising SARS-Cov-2 As per Daniel Bressler of Columbia University’s Earth Institute, who wrote the paper, the figures for expected deaths from the release of emissions are definitive and may well be “a vast underestimate” as they only account for heat-related mortality rather than deaths from flooding, storms, and crop failures. Bressler was quoted by The Guardian as saying, "There are a significant number of lives that can be saved if you pursue climate policies that are more aggressive than the business as usual scenario". He further added, "I was surprised at how large the number of deaths are. There is some uncertainty over this, the number could be lower but it could also be a lot higher".

Study reveals three Americans create enough carbon emissions to kill one person

What is the cost of our carbon footprint — not just in dollars but in lives?

According to a paper published Thursday, it is soberingly high, perhaps high enough to help shift attitudes about how much we should spend on fighting climate change.

The new paper, published in the journal Nature Communications, draws on multiple areas of research to find out how many future lives will be lost as a result of rising temperatures if humanity keeps producing greenhouse gas emissions at high rates — and how many lives could be saved by cutting those emissions.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/carbon-dioxide-in-atmosphere-hits-record-high-despite-pandemic-dip-390148">Carbon dioxide in atmosphere hits record high despite pandemic dip</a>

Most of the deaths will occur in regions that tend to be hotter and poorer than the United States. These areas are typically less responsible for global emissions but more heavily affected by the resulting climate disasters.

R. Daniel Bressler, a doctoral candidate at Columbia University, calculated that adding about one-quarter of the output of a coal-fired power plant, or roughly 1 million metric tons of carbon dioxide, to the atmosphere on top of 2020 levels for just one year will cause 226 deaths globally.

By comparison, the lifetime emissions beyond 2020 levels of a handful of Americans (3.5, to be precise) will result in one additional heat-related death in this century.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/actual-carbon-emissions-are-more-than-what-countries-are-reporting-study-380652">Actual carbon emissions are more than what countries are reporting: Study</a>

Bressler also contrasted the effects of people in nations with big carbon footprints with those in smaller ones. While the carbon emissions generated by fewer than four Americans would kill one person, it would require the combined carbon dioxide emissions of 146.2 Nigerians for the same result. The worldwide average to cause that single death is 12.8 people.

The new paper builds on the work of William Nordhaus, a Nobel laureate who first determined what is known as the “social cost of carbon” — an economic tool for measuring the climate-related damage to the planet caused by each extra ton of carbon emissions. The concept has been a crucial part of policy debates over the expense of fighting climate change because it is used to calculate the cost-benefit analysis required when agencies propose environmental rules. The higher the social cost of carbon, the easier it is to justify the costs of the action.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/greenhouse-gas-emissions-are-on-track-to-set-a-new-record-in-2023-iea-399165">Greenhouse gas emissions are on track to set a new record in 2023: IEA</a>

The current version of the Nordhaus model — the “Dynamic Integrated Climate-Economy,” or DICE — puts the social cost of carbon at about $37 per metric ton. The Obama administration’s estimates put the figure at $50 a ton, but the Trump administration cut the estimate to as little as $1. The Biden administration is working on its own social cost of carbon, expected early next year; a preliminary figure released in February roughly matched the Obama administration.

In his paper, Bressler incorporated recent public health research that estimates the number of excess deaths attributable to rising temperatures into the latest version of the DICE model. The resulting extended model produced a startlingly high figure for the social cost of carbon: $258 per metric ton.

He coined a term for the relationship between the increased emissions and excess heat deaths: the “mortality cost of carbon.”

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/parts-of-the-amazon-go-from-absorbing-carbon-dioxide-to-emitting-it-398111">Parts of the Amazon go from absorbing carbon dioxide to emitting it</a>

Heat waves, which have been made more frequent and more potent by <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/climate-change">climate change</a>, have been linked to illness and death, with profound effects in less affluent countries. The recent off-the-charts temperatures in the Pacific Northwest and Canada have already been linked to hundreds of deaths.

Others have tried to put numbers on the mortality associated with climate change and the added costs that it entails, most notably the Climate Impact Lab at the University of Chicago. Maureen Cropper, senior fellow at Resources for the Future, a nonpartisan environmental research organization in Washington, suggested that Bressler’s $258 estimate appeared to be too high, in part because of the way that the paper looks at how people around the world view the value of their own lives. She added that “although one may disagree with some of the author’s assumptions, it is important for researchers to continue the effort.”

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/earths-vital-signs-are-worsening-due-to-climate-change-scientists-warn-401135">Earth's 'vital signs' are worsening due to climate change, scientists warn</a>

Bressler acknowledged that there were areas of uncertainty in the paper, including those built into some public health research investigating excess deaths caused by heat. He also relied solely on heat-related deaths without adding other climate-related causes of death, including floods, crop failures and civil unrest. The result is that the actual number of deaths could be smaller, or greater.

“Based on the current literature,” he said, “this is the best estimate.”

What is the cost of our carbon footprint — not just in dollars but in lives? According to a paper published Thursday, it is soberingly high, perhaps high enough to help shift attitudes about how much we should spend on fighting climate change.

What is the cost of our carbon footprint — not just in dollars but in lives? According to a paper published Thursday, it is soberingly high, perhaps high enough to help shift attitudes about how much we should spend on fighting climate change. The new paper, published in the journal Nature Communications, draws on multiple areas of research to find out how many future lives will be lost as a result of rising temperatures if humanity keeps producing greenhouse gas emissions at high rates — and how many lives could be saved by cutting those emissions. Also read | Carbon dioxide in atmosphere hits record high despite pandemic dip Most of the deaths will occur in regions that tend to be hotter and poorer than the United States. These areas are typically less responsible for global emissions but more heavily affected by the resulting climate disasters. R. Daniel Bressler, a doctoral candidate at Columbia University, calculated that adding about one-quarter of the output of a coal-fired power plant, or roughly 1 million metric tons of carbon dioxide, to the atmosphere on top of 2020 levels for just one year will cause 226 deaths globally. By comparison, the lifetime emissions beyond 2020 levels of a handful of Americans (3.5, to be precise) will result in one additional heat-related death in this century. Also read | Actual carbon emissions are more than what countries are reporting: Study Bressler also contrasted the effects of people in nations with big carbon footprints with those in smaller ones. While the carbon emissions generated by fewer than four Americans would kill one person, it would require the combined carbon dioxide emissions of 146.2 Nigerians for the same result. The worldwide average to cause that single death is 12.8 people. The new paper builds on the work of William Nordhaus, a Nobel laureate who first determined what is known as the “social cost of carbon” — an economic tool for measuring the climate-related damage to the planet caused by each extra ton of carbon emissions. The concept has been a crucial part of policy debates over the expense of fighting climate change because it is used to calculate the cost-benefit analysis required when agencies propose environmental rules. The higher the social cost of carbon, the easier it is to justify the costs of the action. Also read | Greenhouse gas emissions are on track to set a new record in 2023: IEA The current version of the Nordhaus model — the “Dynamic Integrated Climate-Economy,” or DICE — puts the social cost of carbon at about $37 per metric ton. The Obama administration’s estimates put the figure at $50 a ton, but the Trump administration cut the estimate to as little as $1. The Biden administration is working on its own social cost of carbon, expected early next year; a preliminary figure released in February roughly matched the Obama administration. In his paper, Bressler incorporated recent public health research that estimates the number of excess deaths attributable to rising temperatures into the latest version of the DICE model. The resulting extended model produced a startlingly high figure for the social cost of carbon: $258 per metric ton. He coined a term for the relationship between the increased emissions and excess heat deaths: the “mortality cost of carbon.” Also read | Parts of the Amazon go from absorbing carbon dioxide to emitting it Heat waves, which have been made more frequent and more potent by climate change, have been linked to illness and death, with profound effects in less affluent countries. The recent off-the-charts temperatures in the Pacific Northwest and Canada have already been linked to hundreds of deaths. Others have tried to put numbers on the mortality associated with climate change and the added costs that it entails, most notably the Climate Impact Lab at the University of Chicago. Maureen Cropper, senior fellow at Resources for the Future, a nonpartisan environmental research organization in Washington, suggested that Bressler’s $258 estimate appeared to be too high, in part because of the way that the paper looks at how people around the world view the value of their own lives. She added that “although one may disagree with some of the author’s assumptions, it is important for researchers to continue the effort.” Also read | Earth's 'vital signs' are worsening due to climate change, scientists warn Bressler acknowledged that there were areas of uncertainty in the paper, including those built into some public health research investigating excess deaths caused by heat. He also relied solely on heat-related deaths without adding other climate-related causes of death, including floods, crop failures and civil unrest. The result is that the actual number of deaths could be smaller, or greater. “Based on the current literature,” he said, “this is the best estimate.”

A carbon calculation: How many deaths do emissions cause?

Despite spending similar amounts, men's purchases cause 16 per cent more climate-warming emissions than women's, a study has revealed.

The research published in Journal for Industrial Ecology finds that spending on petrol and diesel for cars was the greatest difference between men and women.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/study-says-eating-french-fries-good-for-health-395381">Study says eating french fries good for health</a>

According to researchers, gender differences in emissions have been remarkably understudied and should be acknowledged when action is taken against climate change.

The study compared the emissions produced by single men and women in Sweden, and found that food and holidays were responsible for more than half of all emissions. It was discovered that men and women, both, accounted for roughly one-third of their annual emissions during the holiday season.

According to the research findings, people's emissions can be reduced by 40 per cent if they chop meat and dairy from their diet and switch to train travel instead of flying or driving.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-discover-largest-rotating-structures-in-the-universe-391915">Also read |&nbsp;Scientists discover largest rotating structures in the universe</a>

Researchers at Ecoloop in Sweden, who conducted the study, believe it's vital to take men's and women's differences into account in policymaking.

Annika Carlsson Kanyama, of Ecoloop, says that spending habits, in general, are very stereotypical as women spend more on home decorations, health and fashion, and men spend more on fuel for cars, eating out, alcohol and tobacco.

Due to insufficient data for individuals living in families, the research made use of data for individuals living alone.

The study suggests a change in dietary habits and holidaying ways to reduce the number of annual emissions produced by individuals, as these changes do not require any extra spending such as buying an electric car.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/drinking-coffee-reduces-risk-of-contracting-coronavirus-study-397490">Drinking coffee reduces risk of contracting coronavirus: Study</a>

A previous study from 2017 found that individuals can make the greatest difference in fighting climate change if they have fewer children, don't drive, or avoid flying.

Studies from 2010 and 2012 found that men spent more on energy and consumed more meat than women, which in turn resulted in high emissions.&nbsp;

Carlsson Kanyama, while expressing her surprise at the very limited amount of studies done on the gender differences in environmental impact, says that these differences are evident, and it doesn't seem likely they will disappear anytime soon.

Last week, the EU's green deal was criticised for omitting gender impact on climate.&nbsp;

According to Austria's climate minister, Leonore Gewessler, the climate crisis is one of the biggest challenges of our time, which affects both genders differently.

Women are disproportionately affected by energy poverty, and the road towards developing solutions and creating a transformation that works for everyone must take gender differences into account.

Despite spending similar amounts, men's purchases cause 16 per cent more climate-warming emissions than women's, a study has revealed. The research published in Journal for Industrial Ecology finds that spending on petrol and diesel for cars was the greatest difference between men and women.

Despite spending similar amounts, men's purchases cause 16 per cent more climate-warming emissions than women's, a study has revealed. The research published in Journal for Industrial Ecology finds that spending on petrol and diesel for cars was the greatest difference between men and women. Also read | Study says eating french fries good for health According to researchers, gender differences in emissions have been remarkably understudied and should be acknowledged when action is taken against climate change. The study compared the emissions produced by single men and women in Sweden, and found that food and holidays were responsible for more than half of all emissions. It was discovered that men and women, both, accounted for roughly one-third of their annual emissions during the holiday season. According to the research findings, people's emissions can be reduced by 40 per cent if they chop meat and dairy from their diet and switch to train travel instead of flying or driving. Also read | Scientists discover largest rotating structures in the universe Researchers at Ecoloop in Sweden, who conducted the study, believe it's vital to take men's and women's differences into account in policymaking. Annika Carlsson Kanyama, of Ecoloop, says that spending habits, in general, are very stereotypical as women spend more on home decorations, health and fashion, and men spend more on fuel for cars, eating out, alcohol and tobacco. Due to insufficient data for individuals living in families, the research made use of data for individuals living alone. The study suggests a change in dietary habits and holidaying ways to reduce the number of annual emissions produced by individuals, as these changes do not require any extra spending such as buying an electric car. Also read | Drinking coffee reduces risk of contracting coronavirus: Study A previous study from 2017 found that individuals can make the greatest difference in fighting climate change if they have fewer children, don't drive, or avoid flying. Studies from 2010 and 2012 found that men spent more on energy and consumed more meat than women, which in turn resulted in high emissions. Carlsson Kanyama, while expressing her surprise at the very limited amount of studies done on the gender differences in environmental impact, says that these differences are evident, and it doesn't seem likely they will disappear anytime soon. Last week, the EU's green deal was criticised for omitting gender impact on climate. According to Austria's climate minister, Leonore Gewessler, the climate crisis is one of the biggest challenges of our time, which affects both genders differently. Women are disproportionately affected by energy poverty, and the road towards developing solutions and creating a transformation that works for everyone must take gender differences into account.

'Change spending habits': Study reveals that men are worse for the planet

The&nbsp;French&nbsp;parliament&nbsp;is set to&nbsp;vote&nbsp;through a&nbsp;new&nbsp;climate&nbsp;change&nbsp;law&nbsp;on Tuesday intended by President Emmanuel Macron to reinforce his&nbsp;green&nbsp;credentials one year ahead of national&nbsp;elections.

The draft legislation is almost certain to be approved in a first reading by the lower house of&nbsp;parliament, where Macron has a working majority, but it has been heavily&nbsp;criticised&nbsp;by environmental&nbsp;groups.

Campaigners see it as too timid given the pace of&nbsp;climate&nbsp;change globally and accuse the&nbsp;French&nbsp;leader of half-hearted commitment to a cause he has admitted to embracing belatedly.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="As Macron opens attack on Islamic State, France faces a potential military rebellion">As Macron opens attack on Islamic State, France faces a potential military rebellion</a>

France's environment minister, Barbara Pompili, has defended the text, saying it "will affect the daily life of all of our citizens" and is "one of the biggest&nbsp;laws&nbsp;of the (president's) term".

Measures include bans on domestic flights under two and half hours that can be done by train, restrictions on renting badly insulated properties, or the creation of a&nbsp;new&nbsp;"ecocide" crime to punish polluters.

The overall aim is to put in place measures that will enable France to meet its target of reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 40 per cent compared with 1990 levels by a deadline of 2030.

Lobby&nbsp;groups&nbsp;such as Greenpeace have called it a "lost opportunity of Macron's term", while even the president's own environmental advisory council said it would "have a potentially limited impact".

It is also less ambitious than&nbsp;new&nbsp;targets for 55 per cent cuts agreed at the EU level and falls short of a German plan which was rejected last week by the country's constitutional court as "insufficient".

Climate&nbsp;change and protection of the environment are likely to be bigger themes in next year's presidential&nbsp;election&nbsp;than the last one in 2017, which Macron won while barely campaigning on the issue.

The main&nbsp;Green&nbsp;party in France made major gains in cities such as Strasbourg, Bordeaux and Lyon in local&nbsp;elections&nbsp;last year, mirroring a Europe-wide trend in favour of environmental&nbsp;groups.

In Germany, the&nbsp;Green&nbsp;party has overtaken Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives in recent polls.

The&nbsp;climate&nbsp;law&nbsp;has also been a test of what Macron billed as a more inclusive form of government that has seen members of the public invited to help draft the legislation.

After anti-government riots by so-called "yellow vest" protesters in 2018, he pledged to change his leadership style which was seen by critics as too centralised and removed from the wider public.

A hundred and fifty people were chosen at random to form a "Citizen's Convention on&nbsp;Climate" which was tasked with recommending measures that would enable the country to meet its emissions targets.

But after seeing the legislation submitted to&nbsp;parliament, many members felt let down and accused Macron of reneging on a commitment to adopt their ideas.

Cyril Dion, a leading figure from the convention, attended a protest rally calling for bolder action in March and said the&nbsp;law&nbsp;"absolutely does not enable France to meet its objectives."

The government counters that is trying to find a balance between reducing emissions while protecting workers and industry at a time when the economy has been battered by the Covid pandemic.

"With the&nbsp;law, we are walking a fine line, making big changes while keeping it economically and socially acceptable," Pompili told the Financial Times last week.

Macron was stung by the "yellow vest" protests which were initially sparked by environmental policies such as raising taxes on diesel as well as old, polluting cars.

His predecessor Francois Hollande was forced into a U-turn by truck drivers, known as the "red hats", who protested against his efforts to impose an environmental tax on heavy-goods vehicles.

Even if passed by the lower house and the Senate, the&nbsp;new&nbsp;law&nbsp;will almost certainly need to be updated in order for France to keep up with evolving European Union targets for emissions reductions.

The European&nbsp;Parliament&nbsp;and EU member states agreed a target in late April of cuts of at least 55 per cent by 2030 from 1990 levels -- compared to the 40 per cent target set in the&nbsp;French&nbsp;law.

The French parliament is set to vote through a new climate change law on Tuesday intended by President Emmanuel Macron to reinforce his green credentials one year ahead of national elections.

The French parliament is set to vote through a new climate change law on Tuesday intended by President Emmanuel Macron to reinforce his green credentials one year ahead of national elections. The draft legislation is almost certain to be approved in a first reading by the lower house of parliament, where Macron has a working majority, but it has been heavily criticised by environmental groups. Campaigners see it as too timid given the pace of climate change globally and accuse the French leader of half-hearted commitment to a cause he has admitted to embracing belatedly. Also read: As Macron opens attack on Islamic State, France faces a potential military rebellion France's environment minister, Barbara Pompili, has defended the text, saying it "will affect the daily life of all of our citizens" and is "one of the biggest laws of the (president's) term". Measures include bans on domestic flights under two and half hours that can be done by train, restrictions on renting badly insulated properties, or the creation of a new "ecocide" crime to punish polluters. The overall aim is to put in place measures that will enable France to meet its target of reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 40 per cent compared with 1990 levels by a deadline of 2030. Lobby groups such as Greenpeace have called it a "lost opportunity of Macron's term", while even the president's own environmental advisory council said it would "have a potentially limited impact". It is also less ambitious than new targets for 55 per cent cuts agreed at the EU level and falls short of a German plan which was rejected last week by the country's constitutional court as "insufficient". Climate change and protection of the environment are likely to be bigger themes in next year's presidential election than the last one in 2017, which Macron won while barely campaigning on the issue. The main Green party in France made major gains in cities such as Strasbourg, Bordeaux and Lyon in local elections last year, mirroring a Europe-wide trend in favour of environmental groups. In Germany, the Green party has overtaken Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives in recent polls. The climate law has also been a test of what Macron billed as a more inclusive form of government that has seen members of the public invited to help draft the legislation. After anti-government riots by so-called "yellow vest" protesters in 2018, he pledged to change his leadership style which was seen by critics as too centralised and removed from the wider public. A hundred and fifty people were chosen at random to form a "Citizen's Convention on Climate" which was tasked with recommending measures that would enable the country to meet its emissions targets. But after seeing the legislation submitted to parliament, many members felt let down and accused Macron of reneging on a commitment to adopt their ideas. Cyril Dion, a leading figure from the convention, attended a protest rally calling for bolder action in March and said the law "absolutely does not enable France to meet its objectives." The government counters that is trying to find a balance between reducing emissions while protecting workers and industry at a time when the economy has been battered by the Covid pandemic. "With the law, we are walking a fine line, making big changes while keeping it economically and socially acceptable," Pompili told the Financial Times last week. Macron was stung by the "yellow vest" protests which were initially sparked by environmental policies such as raising taxes on diesel as well as old, polluting cars. His predecessor Francois Hollande was forced into a U-turn by truck drivers, known as the "red hats", who protested against his efforts to impose an environmental tax on heavy-goods vehicles. Even if passed by the lower house and the Senate, the new law will almost certainly need to be updated in order for France to keep up with evolving European Union targets for emissions reductions. The European Parliament and EU member states agreed a target in late April of cuts of at least 55 per cent by 2030 from 1990 levels -- compared to the 40 per cent target set in the French law.

French parliament to vote new climate law criticised by green groups

Scientists said on Monday they have detected a large gap, equal to about what the United States emits annually, between the amount of climate-warming emissions that countries report and the amount that independent models say reaches the atmosphere. 
 
The gap of about 5.5 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide per year arises not because any country is doing anything wrong. Rather, it is due to differences between scientific methods used in national inventories that countries report under the 2015 Paris agreement on climate change and methods used by international models. 
 
"If models and countries speak a different language, assessing country climate progress will be more difficult," said Giacomo Grassi, an author of a study on the gap and a scientific officer at the Joint Research Center of the European Commission. "To address the problem, we need to find a way to compare these estimates." 
 
The emissions gap, explained in the study&nbsp;published on Monday in the monthly journal Nature Climate Change, could mean some countries will have to adjust their emissions reductions. For instance, the country models done by the United States and other nations show more carbon-absorbing managed forest land than the independent models indicate. The study finds the national estimates, which allow more flexible definitions for those lands, show about 3 billion hectares more of managed forest land around the world than in the independent models. 
 
The risk is that some countries could claim managed forests are absorbing large amounts of emissions and not do enough to cut emissions from cars, homes and factories. 
 
"We are lucky to have those natural carbon sinks," Christopher Williams, an expert on forests at Clark University told the Washington Post, about the study. "However, that carbon uptake is a freebie from nature for which we do not really get to take credit in our battle against climate change." 
 
As countries work to keep their commitments to cut emissions as part of the Paris agreement to limit the global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, the discrepancy could become a larger issue. 
 
The Biden administration is urging countries to advance their goals on cutting emissions ahead of UN&nbsp;climate talks in Scotland in November. Under the Paris agreement, countries will review their collective progress every five years, a process called "Global stocktake" that will start next year. 
 
The study said further work is required to develop country-specific adjustments, "but countries that had previously used an incomparable benchmark may eventually need to update their target."

Scientists said on Monday they have detected a large gap, equal to about what the United States emits annually, between the amount of climate-warming emissions that countries report and the amount that independent models say reaches the atmosphere.

Scientists said on Monday they have detected a large gap, equal to about what the United States emits annually, between the amount of climate-warming emissions that countries report and the amount that independent models say reaches the atmosphere. The gap of about 5.5 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide per year arises not because any country is doing anything wrong. Rather, it is due to differences between scientific methods used in national inventories that countries report under the 2015 Paris agreement on climate change and methods used by international models. "If models and countries speak a different language, assessing country climate progress will be more difficult," said Giacomo Grassi, an author of a study on the gap and a scientific officer at the Joint Research Center of the European Commission. "To address the problem, we need to find a way to compare these estimates." The emissions gap, explained in the study published on Monday in the monthly journal Nature Climate Change, could mean some countries will have to adjust their emissions reductions. For instance, the country models done by the United States and other nations show more carbon-absorbing managed forest land than the independent models indicate. The study finds the national estimates, which allow more flexible definitions for those lands, show about 3 billion hectares more of managed forest land around the world than in the independent models. The risk is that some countries could claim managed forests are absorbing large amounts of emissions and not do enough to cut emissions from cars, homes and factories. "We are lucky to have those natural carbon sinks," Christopher Williams, an expert on forests at Clark University told the Washington Post, about the study. "However, that carbon uptake is a freebie from nature for which we do not really get to take credit in our battle against climate change." As countries work to keep their commitments to cut emissions as part of the Paris agreement to limit the global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, the discrepancy could become a larger issue. The Biden administration is urging countries to advance their goals on cutting emissions ahead of UN climate talks in Scotland in November. Under the Paris agreement, countries will review their collective progress every five years, a process called "Global stocktake" that will start next year. The study said further work is required to develop country-specific adjustments, "but countries that had previously used an incomparable benchmark may eventually need to update their target."

Actual carbon emissions are more than what countries are reporting: Study

CO2 emissions responsible for climate change are expected to increase in 2021, marking the second-biggest surge in history. The International Energy Agency (IEA) in its annual Global Energy Review said that CO2 levels are set to increase by almost five per cent in 2021 to 33 billion tonnes.

In effect, this would reverse the decline seen last year when lockdowns were imposed across the globe to stop the spread of COVID-19, which continues to infect people even now.

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Even then, the IEA said that the levels of CO2 emissions will remain below 2019 levels. But the energy demand across the globe is set to surpass 2019 levels. Both coal and gas are expected to rise above pre-pandemic feels.

"Global carbon emissions are set to jump by 1.5 billion tonnes this year –- driven by the resurgence of coal use in the power sector,"&nbsp; IEA's Executive Director, Fatih Birol, was quoted as saying in a statement by news agency AFP.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/uk-to-vow-78-reduction-in-emissions-by-2035-new-report-claims-378803" hreflang="en">UK to vow 78% reduction in emissions by 2035, new report claims</a>

The IEA has predicted a 4.5 per cent jump in coal demand, which will surpass levels from 2019 and could near 2014 levels, which were at an all-time high.&nbsp;

The major rise in coal demand comes from Asia, primarily China. But the US and Europe are also going to witness surges.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/china-needs-to-halve-power-sector-emissions-by-2030-to-meet-climate-goals-study-377669" hreflang="en">China needs to halve power sector emissions by 2030 to meet climate goals: Study</a>

The Leaders Summit on Climate will be hosted by US President Joe Biden on Thursday and Friday. Nations will meet to pledge action before the UN Climate Change Conference takes place in Glasgow in November.

(With inputs from agencies)

CO2 emissions responsible for climate change are expected to increase in 2021, marking the second-biggest surge in history. The International Energy Agency (IEA) in its annual Global Energy Review said that CO2 levels are set to increase by almost five per cent in 2021 to 33 billion tonnes.

CO2 emissions responsible for climate change are expected to increase in 2021, marking the second-biggest surge in history. The International Energy Agency (IEA) in its annual Global Energy Review said that CO2 levels are set to increase by almost five per cent in 2021 to 33 billion tonnes. In effect, this would reverse the decline seen last year when lockdowns were imposed across the globe to stop the spread of COVID-19, which continues to infect people even now. Even then, the IEA said that the levels of CO2 emissions will remain below 2019 levels. But the energy demand across the globe is set to surpass 2019 levels. Both coal and gas are expected to rise above pre-pandemic feels. "Global carbon emissions are set to jump by 1.5 billion tonnes this year –- driven by the resurgence of coal use in the power sector," IEA's Executive Director, Fatih Birol, was quoted as saying in a statement by news agency AFP. Also read: UK to vow 78% reduction in emissions by 2035, new report claims The IEA has predicted a 4.5 per cent jump in coal demand, which will surpass levels from 2019 and could near 2014 levels, which were at an all-time high. The major rise in coal demand comes from Asia, primarily China. But the US and Europe are also going to witness surges. Also read: China needs to halve power sector emissions by 2030 to meet climate goals: Study The Leaders Summit on Climate will be hosted by US President Joe Biden on Thursday and Friday. Nations will meet to pledge action before the UN Climate Change Conference takes place in Glasgow in November. (With inputs from agencies)

CO2 emissions to witness second-biggest surge ever, warns UN agency ahead of global climate summit

A new research sheds light on global emissions from consumption of fuel and claims that such emissions most likely peaked last year.

Undertaken by Bloomberg New Energy Finance, the research claims that the demand for power has fallen tremendously in 2020 owing to the slowdown induced by the coronavirus pandemic.

The research was released on Tuesday and is titled ''New Energy Outlook Report''. According to BNEF, emissions from the energy sector have dropped by around 10 per cent in 2020 owing to the ongoing pandemic.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/india-news/india-to-drive-global-energy-demand-while-cutting-emissions-modi-says-338127" hreflang="en">India to drive global energy demand while cutting emissions, Modi says</a>

The report also estimates that even if the consumption patterns increase again due to economic recovery, they will never touch 2019 levels.

Following the current trajectory, emissions are expected to fall at a rate of 0.7 per cent year starting 2027 and up to 2050.

This is partly due to the increase in employment of wind and solar power, which has effectively increased the usage of electric vehicles, and has also improved the efficiency of energy across industries.

The report added how wind and solar power would account for 56 per cent of all electricity generated across the world by mid-century.

Coal-based power generation, which is still in usage across the world is expected to peak in China by 2027, and in India by 2030.&nbsp;

Additionaly, oil demand will peak by 2035, and then continue to fall by 0.7 per cent every year, to return to levels in 2018 by 2050.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/japan-announces-deadline-for-attaining-zero-emissions-carbon-neutral-society-337953" hreflang="en">Japan announces deadline for attaining zero-emissions, carbon neutral society</a>

In terms of fossil fuel-based energy resources, only gas is the one that continues to keep growing, by 0.5 per cent every year.

Even though the transition in terms of energy generation and consumption has continued to progress, the decrease in energy demands triggered by COVID-19 has affected the trajectory.&nbsp;

Even then, the BNEF estimates that the world is set to experience a 3.3 degree Celsius increase in temperature by 2100, which exceeds the agreed limit of below 2 degree Celsius.

"To stay well below two degrees of global temperature rise, we would need to reduce emissions by 6% every year starting now, and to limit the warming to 1.5C, emissions would have to fall by 10% per year," Matthias Kimmel, senior analyst at BNEF told Reuters.

A new research sheds light on global emissions from consumption of fuel and claims that such emissions most likely peaked last year. Undertaken by Bloomberg New Energy Finance, the research claims that the demand for power has fallen tremendously in 2020 owing to the slowdown induced by the coronavirus pandemic.

A new research sheds light on global emissions from consumption of fuel and claims that such emissions most likely peaked last year. Undertaken by Bloomberg New Energy Finance, the research claims that the demand for power has fallen tremendously in 2020 owing to the slowdown induced by the coronavirus pandemic. The research was released on Tuesday and is titled ''New Energy Outlook Report''. According to BNEF, emissions from the energy sector have dropped by around 10 per cent in 2020 owing to the ongoing pandemic. Also read: India to drive global energy demand while cutting emissions, Modi says The report also estimates that even if the consumption patterns increase again due to economic recovery, they will never touch 2019 levels. Following the current trajectory, emissions are expected to fall at a rate of 0.7 per cent year starting 2027 and up to 2050. This is partly due to the increase in employment of wind and solar power, which has effectively increased the usage of electric vehicles, and has also improved the efficiency of energy across industries. The report added how wind and solar power would account for 56 per cent of all electricity generated across the world by mid-century. Coal-based power generation, which is still in usage across the world is expected to peak in China by 2027, and in India by 2030. Additionaly, oil demand will peak by 2035, and then continue to fall by 0.7 per cent every year, to return to levels in 2018 by 2050. Also read: Japan announces deadline for attaining zero-emissions, carbon neutral society In terms of fossil fuel-based energy resources, only gas is the one that continues to keep growing, by 0.5 per cent every year. Even though the transition in terms of energy generation and consumption has continued to progress, the decrease in energy demands triggered by COVID-19 has affected the trajectory. Even then, the BNEF estimates that the world is set to experience a 3.3 degree Celsius increase in temperature by 2100, which exceeds the agreed limit of below 2 degree Celsius. "To stay well below two degrees of global temperature rise, we would need to reduce emissions by 6% every year starting now, and to limit the warming to 1.5C, emissions would have to fall by 10% per year," Matthias Kimmel, senior analyst at BNEF told Reuters.

Did global emissions from fuel consumption peak last year?

Britain on Thursday became the world's first major economy to<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/britain-sets-deadline-for-carbon-neutrality-by-2050-226488"> adopt the tough new target</a> of lowering fossil fuel emissions to a level of net zero by 2050.

Energy and Clean Growth Minister Chris Skidmore signed the order paper enacting the legislation after it passed both houses of parliament without a vote earlier this week.

"The UK kick-started the Industrial Revolution, which was responsible for economic growth across the globe but also for increasing emissions," Skidmore said in a statement.

"Today we're leading the world yet again in becoming the first major economy to pass new laws to reduce emissions to net zero by 2050 while remaining committed to growing the economy."

The deadline is more ambitious than Britain's previous policy of cutting emissions by 80 per cent over the same period.

Finance minister Philip Hammond has reportedly warned it could <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/worlds-biggest-firms-foresee-1-trillion-climate-cost-hit-224236">cost more than £1.0 trillion</a> ($1.3 trillion, 1.1 trillion euros) to cut the 2050 target to net zero.

Britain's top advisory body on climate change this year said the net zero target could be achieved within a budget of 1.0-2.0 per cent of gross domestic product by 2050.

The Committee on Climate Change (CCC) added the deadline would require the rapid rollout of new policies such as making all new cars and vans electric by 2035 and quadrupling low-carbon electricity production.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/climate-apartheid-between-rich-and-poor-looms-united-nation-expert-warns-230621">'Climate apartheid' between rich and poor looms, United Nation expert warns</a>

The CCC said there would be a greater than 50 per cent chance of limiting the average global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius -- the "safe" limit identified by the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change -- if Britain's move was replicated across the world.

"We're pioneering the way for other countries to follow in our footsteps driving prosperity by seizing the economic opportunities of becoming a greener economy," Skidmore said.

The government definition of "net zero" means that emissions are balanced by schemes to offset them.

These include planting trees or using technology to capture and store carbon emitted from burning coal and oil.&nbsp;

Natural gas is a less-polluting fossil fuel that some economists see as a temporary option industries could adopt towards the net zero target.

Britain is also part of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme -- a so-called "cap and trade" mechanism that has come under heavy criticism from environmental campaigners.

It tries to lower emissions by setting a price for carbon. Nations that exceed their emissions "cap" can purchase the non-used portions allocated to low-emitting nations.

Environmental campaigners say pollution has no national borders and that emissions trading does nothing to lower the global amount of greenhouses gases in the atmosphere.

Britain on Thursday became the world's first major economy to adopt the tough new target of lowering fossil fuel emissions to a level of net zero by 2050. Energy and Clean Growth Minister Chris Skidmore signed the order paper enacting the legislation after it passed both houses of parliament without a vote earlier this week.

Britain on Thursday became the world's first major economy to adopt the tough new target of lowering fossil fuel emissions to a level of net zero by 2050. Energy and Clean Growth Minister Chris Skidmore signed the order paper enacting the legislation after it passed both houses of parliament without a vote earlier this week. "The UK kick-started the Industrial Revolution, which was responsible for economic growth across the globe but also for increasing emissions," Skidmore said in a statement. "Today we're leading the world yet again in becoming the first major economy to pass new laws to reduce emissions to net zero by 2050 while remaining committed to growing the economy." The deadline is more ambitious than Britain's previous policy of cutting emissions by 80 per cent over the same period. Finance minister Philip Hammond has reportedly warned it could cost more than £1.0 trillion ($1.3 trillion, 1.1 trillion euros) to cut the 2050 target to net zero. Britain's top advisory body on climate change this year said the net zero target could be achieved within a budget of 1.0-2.0 per cent of gross domestic product by 2050. The Committee on Climate Change (CCC) added the deadline would require the rapid rollout of new policies such as making all new cars and vans electric by 2035 and quadrupling low-carbon electricity production. Also read: 'Climate apartheid' between rich and poor looms, United Nation expert warns The CCC said there would be a greater than 50 per cent chance of limiting the average global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius -- the "safe" limit identified by the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change -- if Britain's move was replicated across the world. "We're pioneering the way for other countries to follow in our footsteps driving prosperity by seizing the economic opportunities of becoming a greener economy," Skidmore said. The government definition of "net zero" means that emissions are balanced by schemes to offset them. These include planting trees or using technology to capture and store carbon emitted from burning coal and oil. Natural gas is a less-polluting fossil fuel that some economists see as a temporary option industries could adopt towards the net zero target. Britain is also part of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme -- a so-called "cap and trade" mechanism that has come under heavy criticism from environmental campaigners. It tries to lower emissions by setting a price for carbon. Nations that exceed their emissions "cap" can purchase the non-used portions allocated to low-emitting nations. Environmental campaigners say pollution has no national borders and that emissions trading does nothing to lower the global amount of greenhouses gases in the atmosphere.

Britain adopts 2050 net zero emissions target

China expects to make the first trade on the long-awaited national emission trading scheme in 2020, a senior climate official said on Saturday, as part of Beijing's efforts to fulfill its commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emission.

China has spent two years on legal and technical infrastructure construction after it announced its plans to launch the nationwide emission trading scheme (ETS) in 2017.

It began setting up pilot trading platforms in 2013 in seven regions across the country but they have not been brought under a unified scheme yet.

"China will speed up construction of the national carbon trading scheme this year and aim to carry out the first trade among coal-fired power utilities in 2020," Jiang Zhaoli, vice director of the climate change department at the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, said at an industrial conference.

Coal-fired power is the first industry included into the national ETS, covering around 3 billion tonnes of greenhouse gas emitted in China every year.

China will promote carbon trade in power sectors, Jiang said, adding the government will also include more high-energy consuming industries such as steel, non-ferrous and construction materials, into the scheme.

"We will explore carbon derivatives trading and non-gratuitous allocation of emission quotas in 2021-2025," said Jiang.

The nationwide ETS aims to cover 8 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide emission per annum from around 100,000 industrial plants when the trading scheme is fully launched.

The ETS is designed to encourage power utilities and manufacturers to reduce emissions through a market mechanism. Some scholars in China, however, are questioning the necessity of the ETS due to overlapping of policies.

On the whole, China also plans to introduce a carbon tax and a renewable power quota system with a similar aim of boosting clean energy consumption and cutting emission at industrial plants.

China said it has cut carbon intensity by 45.8 per cent in 2018 from the level in 2005, exceeding the target of lowering it 45 per cent by 2020.

It also pledged to bring emission to a peak by around 2030 as part of its commitments to the 2015 Paris accord.

China expects to make the first trade on the long-awaited national emission trading scheme in 2020, a senior climate official said on Saturday, as part of Beijing's efforts to fulfill its commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emission.

China expects to make the first trade on the long-awaited national emission trading scheme in 2020, a senior climate official said on Saturday, as part of Beijing's efforts to fulfill its commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emission. China has spent two years on legal and technical infrastructure construction after it announced its plans to launch the nationwide emission trading scheme (ETS) in 2017. It began setting up pilot trading platforms in 2013 in seven regions across the country but they have not been brought under a unified scheme yet. "China will speed up construction of the national carbon trading scheme this year and aim to carry out the first trade among coal-fired power utilities in 2020," Jiang Zhaoli, vice director of the climate change department at the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, said at an industrial conference. Coal-fired power is the first industry included into the national ETS, covering around 3 billion tonnes of greenhouse gas emitted in China every year. China will promote carbon trade in power sectors, Jiang said, adding the government will also include more high-energy consuming industries such as steel, non-ferrous and construction materials, into the scheme. "We will explore carbon derivatives trading and non-gratuitous allocation of emission quotas in 2021-2025," said Jiang. The nationwide ETS aims to cover 8 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide emission per annum from around 100,000 industrial plants when the trading scheme is fully launched. The ETS is designed to encourage power utilities and manufacturers to reduce emissions through a market mechanism. Some scholars in China, however, are questioning the necessity of the ETS due to overlapping of policies. On the whole, China also plans to introduce a carbon tax and a renewable power quota system with a similar aim of boosting clean energy consumption and cutting emission at industrial plants. China said it has cut carbon intensity by 45.8 per cent in 2018 from the level in 2005, exceeding the target of lowering it 45 per cent by 2020. It also pledged to bring emission to a peak by around 2030 as part of its commitments to the 2015 Paris accord.

China expects first trade in national emissions scheme in 2020

German carmaker BMW faces a US lawsuit filed on Tuesday that alleges emissions cheating on diesel vehicles including its X5 and 330d models.

"BMW's representations were misleading for failure to disclose its emissions manipulations," said the lawsuit, which was filed in US district court in New Jersey.&nbsp;

The lawsuit was filed on behalf of BMW drivers by Steve Berman of the law firm Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP, and James Cecchi of the law firm Carella, Byrne, Cecchi, Olstein, Brody & Agnello, the filings show.&nbsp;

BMW's X5 model, built between 2009 and 2013, and the BMW 330d model, which was sold between 2009-2011, emit levels of nitrogen oxide "many times higher than their gasoline counterparts," the suit alleges.

"The vehicles` promised power, fuel economy, and efficiency are obtained only by turning off or turning down emission controls when the software in these vehicles senses that they are not in an emissions testing environment," the lawsuit said.

A spokesman for BMW in a statement said the company was thoroughly studying the lawsuit to understand what is being alleged. "As a matter of principle, BMW Group vehicles are not manipulated and comply with all respective legal requirements," the spokesman said.

Software management programs to manage emissions are not illegal unless they are designed specifically to evade pollution tests, or unless a carmaker fails to disclose their existence.

Shares in BMW reduced gains sharply earlier on Tuesday with traders pointing to a Bloomberg report saying the German carmaker was being sued for installing "defeat devices" in US diesel cars.

"BMW's representations were misleading for failure to disclose its emissions manipulations," said the lawsuit, which was filed in US district court in New Jersey

German carmaker BMW faces a US lawsuit filed on Tuesday that alleges emissions cheating on diesel vehicles including its X5 and 330d models. "BMW's representations were misleading for failure to disclose its emissions manipulations," said the lawsuit, which was filed in US district court in New Jersey. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of BMW drivers by Steve Berman of the law firm Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP, and James Cecchi of the law firm Carella, Byrne, Cecchi, Olstein, Brody & Agnello, the filings show. BMW's X5 model, built between 2009 and 2013, and the BMW 330d model, which was sold between 2009-2011, emit levels of nitrogen oxide "many times higher than their gasoline counterparts," the suit alleges. "The vehicles` promised power, fuel economy, and efficiency are obtained only by turning off or turning down emission controls when the software in these vehicles senses that they are not in an emissions testing environment," the lawsuit said. A spokesman for BMW in a statement said the company was thoroughly studying the lawsuit to understand what is being alleged. "As a matter of principle, BMW Group vehicles are not manipulated and comply with all respective legal requirements," the spokesman said. Software management programs to manage emissions are not illegal unless they are designed specifically to evade pollution tests, or unless a carmaker fails to disclose their existence. Shares in BMW reduced gains sharply earlier on Tuesday with traders pointing to a Bloomberg report saying the German carmaker was being sued for installing "defeat devices" in US diesel cars.

BMW faces US lawsuit claiming emissions cheating

The carbon dioxide emissions that drive global warming, flat since 2014, are set to rise two percent this year, dashing hopes they had peaked, scientists reported at UN climate talks Monday.

&quot;This is very disappointing,&quot; said Corinne Le Quere, director of the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research at the University of East Anglia and lead author of a major study detailing the findings.&nbsp;

&quot;With global CO2 emissions from human activities estimated at 41 billion tonnes for 2017, time is running out on our ability to keep warming below two degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit), let alone 1.5 C.&quot;

The 196-nation Paris Agreement, adopted in 2015, calls for capping global warming at 2 C below pre-industrial levels.

With the planet out of kilter after only one degree of warming -- enough to amplify deadly heatwaves, droughts, and superstorms -- the treaty also vows to explore the feasibility of holding the line at 1.5 C.

Earth is overheating due to the burning of oil, gas and especially coal to power the global economy. Deforestation also plays a critical role.

&quot;The news that emissions are rising after a three-year hiatus is a giant leap backward for humankind,&quot; said Amy Luers, a climate policy advisor to Barack Obama and executive director of Future Earth, which co-sponsored the research.

This year&#39;s climate summit is presided by Fiji, one of the dozens of small island nations whose very existence is threatened by rising seas engorged by warmer water and melt-off from ice sheets on Greenland and Antarctica.

Thousands of diplomats in Bonn are negotiating the &quot;rulebook&quot; for the Paris pact, which goes into effect in 2020.

To stay below the 2 C threshold, greenhouse gas emissions should peak and begin to curve downward by 2020, earlier research has shown.

Stalled CO2 emissions from 2014 through 2016 -- due to better energy efficiency, a boom in renewables, and reduced coal use in China -- raised expectations that the world had turned the corner.

Those hopes were premature.&nbsp;&nbsp;

&quot;As each year ticks by, the chances of avoiding 2 C of warming continue to diminish,&quot; said co-author Glen Peters, research director at Center for International Climate Research in Oslo, Norway.

&quot;Given that 2 C is extremely unlikely based on current progress, then 1.5 C is a distant dream,&quot; he told AFP.

The study fingered China as the single largest cause of resurgent fossil fuel emissions in 2017, with the country&#39;s coal, oil and natural gas use up three, five and 12 percent, respectively.

Earth outside the safe zone&nbsp;

China alone accounts for nearly 30 percent of global carbon pollution.

Emissions from India -- the world&#39;s fourth largest emitter after the United States and the European Union -- are projected to grow by two percent, down from a 6.7-percent increase the year before.

2017 CO2 emissions in the United States will drop by only 0.4 percent, compared to 1.2 percent annually over the previous decade.

For the first time in five years, US coal use is projected to rise.&nbsp;

&quot;Human-induced warming has accelerated over the past few years despite the slowdown in carbon dioxide emissions because of other drivers of climate change, notably methane,&quot; said Myles Allen, a professor at the University of Oxford, commenting on the findings.

The Paris Agreement rests on voluntary carbon-cutting pledges from virtually every country in the world.

But even if fulfilled, those promissory notes are not enough to keep Earth in the safe zone, and would still see global temperatures rise a devastating 3 C (5.6 F) by the end of the century.

&quot;Global commitments made in Paris to reduce emissions are still not being matched by actions,&quot; said Peters.

The bottom line, say experts, is that the global economy is not shifting quickly enough from fossil fuels to low- or zero-carbon energy.&nbsp;

Solar and wind energy have grown 14 percent annually since 2012, but still only account for a tiny fraction -- less than four percent -- of global energy consumption.

The transition from dirty to clean energy has been slowed by oil, gas and coal subsidies that topped $320 million dollars (270 million euros) in 2015, according to the International Energy Agency.

Oceans and forests combined absorbed over half of the CO2 emissions from human activity, with the rest staying in the atmosphere, the study showed.&nbsp;

&quot;We would expect that the carbon sinks will eventually weaken as temperatures continue to rise, but how much and how fast is an active area of research,&quot; said Peters.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), meanwhile, released a report Monday showing that climate change now imperils one in four natural World Heritage sites, including coral reefs, glaciers, and wetlands -- nearly double the number from just three years ago.

Thousands of diplomats in Bonn are negotiating the "rulebook" for the Paris pact, which goes into effect in 2020

The carbon dioxide emissions that drive global warming, flat since 2014, are set to rise two percent this year, dashing hopes they had peaked, scientists reported at UN climate talks Monday. "This is very disappointing," said Corinne Le Quere, director of the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research at the University of East Anglia and lead author of a major study detailing the findings. "With global CO2 emissions from human activities estimated at 41 billion tonnes for 2017, time is running out on our ability to keep warming below two degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit), let alone 1.5 C." The 196-nation Paris Agreement, adopted in 2015, calls for capping global warming at 2 C below pre-industrial levels. With the planet out of kilter after only one degree of warming -- enough to amplify deadly heatwaves, droughts, and superstorms -- the treaty also vows to explore the feasibility of holding the line at 1.5 C. Earth is overheating due to the burning of oil, gas and especially coal to power the global economy. Deforestation also plays a critical role. "The news that emissions are rising after a three-year hiatus is a giant leap backward for humankind," said Amy Luers, a climate policy advisor to Barack Obama and executive director of Future Earth, which co-sponsored the research. This year's climate summit is presided by Fiji, one of the dozens of small island nations whose very existence is threatened by rising seas engorged by warmer water and melt-off from ice sheets on Greenland and Antarctica. Thousands of diplomats in Bonn are negotiating the "rulebook" for the Paris pact, which goes into effect in 2020. To stay below the 2 C threshold, greenhouse gas emissions should peak and begin to curve downward by 2020, earlier research has shown. Stalled CO2 emissions from 2014 through 2016 -- due to better energy efficiency, a boom in renewables, and reduced coal use in China -- raised expectations that the world had turned the corner. Those hopes were premature. "As each year ticks by, the chances of avoiding 2 C of warming continue to diminish," said co-author Glen Peters, research director at Center for International Climate Research in Oslo, Norway. "Given that 2 C is extremely unlikely based on current progress, then 1.5 C is a distant dream," he told AFP. The study fingered China as the single largest cause of resurgent fossil fuel emissions in 2017, with the country's coal, oil and natural gas use up three, five and 12 percent, respectively. Earth outside the safe zone China alone accounts for nearly 30 percent of global carbon pollution. Emissions from India -- the world's fourth largest emitter after the United States and the European Union -- are projected to grow by two percent, down from a 6.7-percent increase the year before. 2017 CO2 emissions in the United States will drop by only 0.4 percent, compared to 1.2 percent annually over the previous decade. For the first time in five years, US coal use is projected to rise. "Human-induced warming has accelerated over the past few years despite the slowdown in carbon dioxide emissions because of other drivers of climate change, notably methane," said Myles Allen, a professor at the University of Oxford, commenting on the findings. The Paris Agreement rests on voluntary carbon-cutting pledges from virtually every country in the world. But even if fulfilled, those promissory notes are not enough to keep Earth in the safe zone, and would still see global temperatures rise a devastating 3 C (5.6 F) by the end of the century. "Global commitments made in Paris to reduce emissions are still not being matched by actions," said Peters. The bottom line, say experts, is that the global economy is not shifting quickly enough from fossil fuels to low- or zero-carbon energy. Solar and wind energy have grown 14 percent annually since 2012, but still only account for a tiny fraction -- less than four percent -- of global energy consumption. The transition from dirty to clean energy has been slowed by oil, gas and coal subsidies that topped $320 million dollars (270 million euros) in 2015, according to the International Energy Agency. Oceans and forests combined absorbed over half of the CO2 emissions from human activity, with the rest staying in the atmosphere, the study showed. "We would expect that the carbon sinks will eventually weaken as temperatures continue to rise, but how much and how fast is an active area of research," said Peters. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), meanwhile, released a report Monday showing that climate change now imperils one in four natural World Heritage sites, including coral reefs, glaciers, and wetlands -- nearly double the number from just three years ago.

Global 2 per cent rise in CO2 'giant leap backwards for humankind'

Volkswagen AG will pay an additional $86 million in penalties to California over its emissions scandal, on top of a settlement of $14.7 billion the automaker reached with US officials last week, state attorney general Kamala Harris said in a statement on Thursday. 
 
The office of Harris, a Democrat, said the $86 million in civil penalties resolved certain claims California officials made against Volkswagen under the state&#39;s unfair competition law as well as under federal law. 
 
&quot;We must conserve and protect our environment for future generations and deliver swift and certain consequences to those who break the law and pollute our air,&quot; said Harris, who is running for a seat in the US Senate. 
 
The scandal has disrupted Volkswagen&#39;s global business and sullied its reputation. 
 
The latest settlement between officials for Volkswagen and California, the nation&#39;s most populous state, provides for $76 million to be paid to Harris&#39; office to defray costs relating to investigation and litigation of the emissions scandal, according to court documents. 
 
The other $10 million will be dedicated to grants for government agencies and universities, to be used in part to study technology that can help detect so-called &quot;defeat devices&quot;, which on Volkswagen cars produced false results during diesel emissions tests, Harris&#39; office said. 
 
Volkswagen, the world&#39;s second-biggest automaker, has admitted it used sophisticated secret software to cheat exhaust emissions tests, deceiving regulators and customers about pollution from its diesel engines. 
 
&quot;Today&rsquo;s filing formalises the agreement with the California attorney general announced last week to resolve consumer protection claims related to the diesel matter in California,&quot; Volkswagen said in a statement. 
 
The company had previously said it would pay $603 million to resolve litigation with most US states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, on top of the $14.7 billion settlement with federal officials.&nbsp; 
 
Under that larger settlement involving the US department of justice, the company will buy back or potentially fix about a half-million polluting diesel cars and set up environmental and consumer compensation funds. 
 
(Reuters)

VW admitted to using secret software to cheat exhaust emissions tests, deceiving regulators and customers about ultra high pollution levels

Volkswagen AG will pay an additional $86 million in penalties to California over its emissions scandal, on top of a settlement of $14.7 billion the automaker reached with US officials last week, state attorney general Kamala Harris said in a statement on Thursday. The office of Harris, a Democrat, said the $86 million in civil penalties resolved certain claims California officials made against Volkswagen under the state's unfair competition law as well as under federal law. "We must conserve and protect our environment for future generations and deliver swift and certain consequences to those who break the law and pollute our air," said Harris, who is running for a seat in the US Senate. The scandal has disrupted Volkswagen's global business and sullied its reputation. The latest settlement between officials for Volkswagen and California, the nation's most populous state, provides for $76 million to be paid to Harris' office to defray costs relating to investigation and litigation of the emissions scandal, according to court documents. The other $10 million will be dedicated to grants for government agencies and universities, to be used in part to study technology that can help detect so-called "defeat devices", which on Volkswagen cars produced false results during diesel emissions tests, Harris' office said. Volkswagen, the world's second-biggest automaker, has admitted it used sophisticated secret software to cheat exhaust emissions tests, deceiving regulators and customers about pollution from its diesel engines. "Today’s filing formalises the agreement with the California attorney general announced last week to resolve consumer protection claims related to the diesel matter in California," Volkswagen said in a statement. The company had previously said it would pay $603 million to resolve litigation with most US states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, on top of the $14.7 billion settlement with federal officials. Under that larger settlement involving the US department of justice, the company will buy back or potentially fix about a half-million polluting diesel cars and set up environmental and consumer compensation funds. (Reuters)

Volkswagen to pay $86 million in penalties to California over emissions

German automaker Volkswagen saw net profit fall 19 per cent in the first three months of the year as it struggled to deal with a costly scandal over cars equipped to cheat on diesel emissions tests. 
The company also faced plummeting sales in Russia and Brazil due to those countries&#39; troubled economies. 
Profits for the January-March period fell to 2.37 billion euros from 2.93 billion euros a year earlier, the company said today. Revenue fell 3.4 per cent to 50.96 billion euros due in part to exchange rate effects. 
The net profit figure fell short of the 2.44 billion euros expected by analysts surveyed by financial information provider FactSet. 
Earnings and profit margins slipped at luxury brand Audi, one of the company&#39;s major money-makers. Operating profit eased to 1.3 billion euros from 1.4 billion euros a year earlier. The profit margin fell to 9.0 per cent from 9.7 per cent in the first quarter of 2015. Things went better at the company&#39;s Porsche brand. 
Operating profits, which exclude financial items such as interest and taxes, rose 14 per cent to 895 million euros. The sportscar and luxury SUV division turned in a fat profit margin of 16.6 per cent, up from 15.1 per cent. 
Sales fell 35 per cent in Russia, which has seen its currency plummet along with the price of oil, and 17 per cent in Brazil, which is in a deep recession. 
Volkswagen, based in Wolfsburg, Germany, faces heavy costs recalling and fixing cars that are equipped with engine-control software that could detect when a car was on a test stand and turned off the emissions controls during everyday driving. 
CEO Matthias Mueller said in a statement that the company &quot;managed to limit the economic effects of the diesel issue and achieve respectable results under difficult conditions.&quot; The company set aside 16.2 billion euros from its earnings last year to deal with recalls and other costs. 
The company has reached a tentative agreement in federal court in San Francisco with US authorities, who first uncovered the cheating, to buy back or repair some 500,000 vehicles. 
Volkswagen, the US Department of Justice and attorneys for Volkswagen owners have until June 21 to file a final settlement with the court. 
The company reaffirmed its forecast for the full year, saying that it expects sales revenue to fall 5 per cent for all of this year compared to 2015 and an operating return on sales of 5.0 to 6.0 per cent.(AP)

German automaker Volkswagen saw net profit fall 19 per cent in the first three months of the year as it struggled to deal with a costly scandal over cars equipped to cheat on diesel emissions tests.

German automaker Volkswagen saw net profit fall 19 per cent in the first three months of the year as it struggled to deal with a costly scandal over cars equipped to cheat on diesel emissions tests. The company also faced plummeting sales in Russia and Brazil due to those countries' troubled economies. Profits for the January-March period fell to 2.37 billion euros from 2.93 billion euros a year earlier, the company said today. Revenue fell 3.4 per cent to 50.96 billion euros due in part to exchange rate effects. The net profit figure fell short of the 2.44 billion euros expected by analysts surveyed by financial information provider FactSet. Earnings and profit margins slipped at luxury brand Audi, one of the company's major money-makers. Operating profit eased to 1.3 billion euros from 1.4 billion euros a year earlier. The profit margin fell to 9.0 per cent from 9.7 per cent in the first quarter of 2015. Things went better at the company's Porsche brand. Operating profits, which exclude financial items such as interest and taxes, rose 14 per cent to 895 million euros. The sportscar and luxury SUV division turned in a fat profit margin of 16.6 per cent, up from 15.1 per cent. Sales fell 35 per cent in Russia, which has seen its currency plummet along with the price of oil, and 17 per cent in Brazil, which is in a deep recession. Volkswagen, based in Wolfsburg, Germany, faces heavy costs recalling and fixing cars that are equipped with engine-control software that could detect when a car was on a test stand and turned off the emissions controls during everyday driving. CEO Matthias Mueller said in a statement that the company "managed to limit the economic effects of the diesel issue and achieve respectable results under difficult conditions." The company set aside 16.2 billion euros from its earnings last year to deal with recalls and other costs. The company has reached a tentative agreement in federal court in San Francisco with US authorities, who first uncovered the cheating, to buy back or repair some 500,000 vehicles. Volkswagen, the US Department of Justice and attorneys for Volkswagen owners have until June 21 to file a final settlement with the court. The company reaffirmed its forecast for the full year, saying that it expects sales revenue to fall 5 per cent for all of this year compared to 2015 and an operating return on sales of 5.0 to 6.0 per cent.(AP)

Scandal-hit Volkswagen sees profits fall in 1st quarter

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