I don’t doubt the resolve of your home nation, Finland, which aims to become carbon-neutral by 2035. An ambitious net-zero target that is decades ahead of the pack. In general, Nordic countries are spearheading the green movement for the world to follow.
If only the European Union as a whole embodied their Northern neighbors' level of urgency.
To the EU’s credit, they’ve just proposed the doubling of external funding for biodiversity. Yet, how stringent was the EU body on member nations for infractions and noncompliance of the 20 biodiversity treaty provisions set a decade ago in Aichi, Japan?
Most of the signed provisional targets set by the CBD fell short due to the lack of implementation. Accountability measures should be safeguarded this coming decade to ensure commitments to Kunming Declaration will be implemented. A message not just directed at the EU, but for all COP15 delegates, including the host nation.
What isn’t said often reverberates the loudest. The absence of the US at the COP15 sticks out like a sore thumb. After all, they are the second largest CO2 emitter in the world after China.
The US is slated to return to the UN environmental council under the Biden administration. A seat at the table the Americans relinquished under the previous Trump administration. How will the musical chairs play out if the Republicans reclaim the WH or Congress in ‘24? What about the mortal enemy of the Amazon rainforest in Bolsonaro and his reelection bid in ‘22?
These are the shifting tides of political impermanence I had in mind. To a lesser extent the 27 EU member states.
I assume the US, the UK, and the EU will be more actively involved in COP26. A climate change conference to be held in their relative backyard of Glasgow, Scotland later this month under the presidency of the UK.
Interview: Last Days of the Mighty Mekong author Brian Eyler
Posted byCongratulations to author Brian Eyler for being mentioned today on Reuters:
www.reuters.com/[...]
It's a well written article by Panu Wongcha-um. Sad state of affairs in the downstream countries relying on the Mekong.
Kunming unveils 12-year development plan
Posted byYou ought to be.
Imagine returning to Kunming's old Wujiaba airport. Capacity to accommodate current flux of travelers is mission impossible. Not to mention the traffic congestion without the current subway lines.
My concern are the industrial operations a decade earlier. Have they been moved out?
Kunming unveils 12-year development plan
Posted byIn one month will be the penultimate year of the 12-year development plan. Did minutes come to fruition?