Germany pulls out of fossil fuel treaty by AFP Staff Writers Berlin (AFP) Nov 11, 2022 Germany on Friday joined France and the Netherlands in pulling out of a 1994 energy treaty which critics say protects investments in fossil fuels. "We are consistently aligning our trade policy with climate protection and are withdrawing accordingly from the Energy Charter Treaty," said Franziska Brantner, parliamentary state secretary at the Economy Ministry. "This is also an important signal to the UN Climate Change Conference," she added. France and the Netherlands have withdrawn from the treaty in recent weeks as they deem it to be incompatible with the Paris climate accord to combat global warming. The Energy Charter Treaty started out as a way to protect energy investment, especially in Central Asia and eastern Europe, in volatile ex-Soviet countries. A key element of the treaty was allowing energy companies to sue governments over energy policy changes that could hurt their investments -- exposing states to multi-billion-dollar compensation claims. But as Europe transitions towards a carbon-neutral future, that treaty has become something of an albatross. In June, the European Union struck a compromise deal -- to come into force next month if no signatories object -- to revise the treaty to limit legal actions where they jeopardise climate goals. But climate groups have criticised loopholes left in the update and say the treaty continues to put efforts to curb global warming at risk.
UN unveils satellite-based system to spot methane Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt (AFP) Nov 11, 2022 The UN unveiled on Friday a satellite-based system to detect methane emissions as part of efforts to cut down on the major contributor to global warming. The Methane Alert and Response System (MARS) was announced by the UN Environment Programme during the COP27 climate summit in the Egyptian seaside resort of Sharm el-Sheikh. Methane, emitted by leaks in fossil fuel installations as well as from other human caused sources like livestock farming and landfills, is responsible for roughly 30 percen ... read more
|
|
The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us. |