This Week in Climate - Dec 1st

International climate negotiations start in Lima, Peru, this week, for a round of negotiations that will help pave the way to a potential agreement in Paris next year. Key items of contention include how to compare and assess each country’s “intended nationally determined contribution,” and whether the agreement can and should be binding. The recent agreement between Washington and Beijing on GHG emission reduction target could help create a new dynamic and tip the balance in favor of more international cooperation on climate issues.

In Washington, DC, the focus is on EPA’s proposed carbon regulations for the power sector as December 1st was the last day to submit public comments. The way forward is fraught with challenges ranging from political elections to courts and budget negotiations. The coming weeks may give an indication of how set Republicans are in slowing down the EPA’s effort as Congress debates and votes on the Continuing Resolution Omnibus bill to fund government past December 11th. What happens to the EPA will be key in the United States’ ability to live up to their commitment on long-term GHG reductions outlined by President Obama for 2030 and beyond.

In California, meanwhile, the focus is also on the way forward as the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research held a workshop on December 1st on California’s 4th Climate Assessment. The State is determined to use its limited resources on actionable research to support California’s climate adaptation efforts and better understand local impacts on California’s unique ecosystems from the coasts to the Sierra Nevada.