COP21:
¶ Leaders from 147 nations are addressing COP21 on its opening day. Negotiators from 195 countries will try to reach a deal during the two-week conference aimed at reducing global carbon emissions. Initiatives to boost clean technologies are due to be launched. But the world’s poorest countries say they fear being “left behind.” [BBC]
The Eiffel Tower was lit up on Sunday evening in support of the climate conference. Reuters
¶ With world leaders converging in Paris today for the start of the long-awaited COP21 climate talks, The Climate Group’s International Communications Director, Eduardo Goncalves, outlines why we should be optimistic about both a successful outcome, and crucially, the months and years that will follow. [The Climate Group]
¶ All eyes are on the French capital, two weeks after extremists killed 130 people around Paris. Fears of repeat attacks have prompted extra-high security and a crackdown on protests, and threaten to eclipse longer-term concerns about rising seas and extreme weather linked to man-made global warming. [Huffington Post UK]
¶ Organisers have said that at least 50,000 people marched through London in what was the UK’s largest ever demonstration for action against climate change. In the run up to the COP21, activists have been marching in cities around the world, and over 2,000 marches are said to have taken place since Friday. [Yahoo News UK]
Climate demonstration in London
World:
¶ Wind farm owners representing 12% of global turbine assets have founded a peer-to-peer online platform exchanging information on operations, with an objective of optimizing turbine yields through information exchange. Members include EDPR, Vattenfall, RWE, Dong Energy, Statoil and Acciona Energia. [reNews]
¶ Egypt inaugurated on Sunday the largest wind power station in the Middle East and North Africa region with a capacity of 200 MW, the ministry of electricity and energy said. The project’s cost is estimated at €270 million (roughly $286 million). Egypt has been suffering through increasing power shortages. [Al-Bawaba]
¶ London-based infrastructure group John Laing is “ready to invest” in more Australian renewable energy projects if the Turnbull government gets behind wind and solar farms, its CEO says. Australia was previously not a priority for renewable energy investors because there was a lack of support from the government. [Sydney Morning Herald]
John Laing’s first Australian renewable energy investment is in a wind farm near Adelaide. Photo: Mark Kolbe
¶ The global coal industry is touting “cleaner coal” technology to fight competition from renewable energy. The World Coal Association is pushing technology it says can cut the greenhouse gases emitted from burning coal by up to 30%. But the high costs of greener coal plants are proving a major obstacle for sales. [Huffington Post India]
¶ The largest solar farm in the Philippines will start supplying energy to Meralco on December 4. The new 11-hectare solar power plant has 32,692 solar panels that can generate 8.6 MW, meaning it can supply 61,920 households. The site had been a fish pond, but it ran dry, prompting its former owners to sell the property. [Manila Bulletin]
US:
¶ Climate change takes center stage Monday as a global conversation begins in Paris. But it’s not just international politicians who will lead discussions. US cities like Boulder will have representatives there to share their best practices. Now the city’s strategy includes a job many have never heard of: Chief Resilience Officer. [Colorado Public Radio]
Greg Guibert, Boulder’s first ever Chief Resilience Officer. More US cities are using CROs to strategize for climate change and natural disaster challenges.
¶ President Barack Obama said Sunday that American leadership was helping make gains in the global fight against climate change as he tried to reassure world leaders assembling for a historic conference in Paris that the United States can deliver on its own commitments. Obama is joining other world leaders at COP21. [Albuquerque Journal]
¶ A San Francisco judge urged state regulators to release e-mails about a multibillion-dollar deal with two utilities that shut down the San Onofre nuclear plant. He said the Public Utilities Commission should “do the right thing” and reveal information about what went into a deal that would cost area utility customers over $3.3 billion. [CBS Local]
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