http://www.spiegel.de Daily news, analysis and opinion from Europe's leading newsmagazine and Germany's top news Web site. en Sat, 25 May 2013 12:01:49 +0200 Sat, 25 May 2013 12:01:49 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de http://www.spiegel.de/static/sys/logo_120x61.gif http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/germany-backing-away-from-leadership-role-on-climate-a-898621.html#ref=rss German Chancellor Angela Merkel demanded an international climate deal by 2015 on Monday. Yet at home, she has declined to push for badly needed fixes to Europe's ailing carbon cap-and-trade program. She is putting off the toughest decisions until after fall elections. Tue, 07 May 2013 17:59:13 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/germany-backing-away-from-leadership-role-on-climate-a-898621.html German Chancellor Angela Merkel demanded an international climate deal by 2015 on Monday. Yet at home, she has declined to push for badly needed fixes to Europe's ailing carbon cap-and-trade program. She is putting off the toughest decisions until after fall elections.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/european-co2-emissions-reduction-system-is-broken-a-892134.html#ref=rss Europe's cap-and-trade system for reducing the release of greenhouse gases is broken, but not everybody wants to fix it. Industry has profited immensely from the plummeting prices of CO2 emissions certificates, and from lax checks on questionable environmental projects undertaken overseas. Wed, 03 Apr 2013 12:19:04 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/european-co2-emissions-reduction-system-is-broken-a-892134.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/chinese-leaders-forced-to-counter-environmental-pollution-a-886901.html#ref=rss China's power plants and factories are spewing out toxic emissions and covering the country with smog and grime. For the new leadership, protecting the neglected environment has become a question of preserving its power. Wed, 06 Mar 2013 13:40:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/chinese-leaders-forced-to-counter-environmental-pollution-a-886901.html China's power plants and factories are spewing out toxic emissions and covering the country with smog and grime. For the new leadership, protecting the neglected environment has become a question of preserving its power. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/drop-in-carbon-price-underscores-disastrous-week-for-carbon-trading-a-879769.html#ref=rss The European cap-and-trade system has slid into near meaninglessness as Germany bickers on the sidelines. Hopes that the election in Lower Saxony might resolve the high-level bickering were misguided. Now Europe's carbon market has hit a new low. Fri, 25 Jan 2013 19:58:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/drop-in-carbon-price-underscores-disastrous-week-for-carbon-trading-a-879769.html The European cap-and-trade system has slid into near meaninglessness as Germany bickers on the sidelines. Hopes that the election in Lower Saxony might resolve the high-level bickering were misguided. Now Europe's carbon market has hit a new low.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/poland-stands-in-the-way-of-european-global-warming-efforts-a-874344.html#ref=rss Poland is addicted to coal. That is the message the country has been sending both domestically and internationally as Warsaw prepares to host the global climate summit next year. In Europe, the Poles are isolated in their fight for looser emissions reduction goals and against fixes to the EU's cap-and-trade system. Fri, 21 Dec 2012 13:38:51 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/poland-stands-in-the-way-of-european-global-warming-efforts-a-874344.html Poland is addicted to coal. That is the message the country has been sending both domestically and internationally as Warsaw prepares to host the global climate summit next year. In Europe, the Poles are isolated in their fight for looser emissions reduction goals and against fixes to the EU's cap-and-trade system.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/top-researchers-call-for-an-end-to-united-nations-climate-summits-a-872992.html#ref=rss Massive UN climate summits have been held for years, but accomplished little. Believing there is almost no chance of securing a global deal on reducing emissions, experts now want to ditch the current system and try something new. Fri, 14 Dec 2012 17:52:50 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/top-researchers-call-for-an-end-to-united-nations-climate-summits-a-872992.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/limits-to-growth-author-dennis-meadows-says-that-crisis-is-approaching-a-871570.html#ref=rss In 1972, environmental guru Dennis Meadows predicted in his seminal study "The Limits to Growth" that the world was heading toward an economic collapse. Forty years on, he tells SPIEGEL ONLINE that nothing he has seen since has made him change his mind. Fri, 07 Dec 2012 13:03:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/limits-to-growth-author-dennis-meadows-says-that-crisis-is-approaching-a-871570.html In 1972, environmental guru Dennis Meadows predicted in his seminal study "The Limits to Growth" that the world was heading toward an economic collapse. Forty years on, he tells SPIEGEL ONLINE that nothing he has seen since has made him change his mind. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/obama-disappoints-expectations-of-climate-change-action-at-doha-summit-a-871193.html#ref=rss President Obama's comments in the wake of the Hurricane Sandy disaster raised hopes across the world that the US was finally willing to act on climate change. But America's refusal to make concessions at the Doha climate talks shows just how little its position has really budged. Wed, 05 Dec 2012 16:58:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/obama-disappoints-expectations-of-climate-change-action-at-doha-summit-a-871193.html President Obama's comments in the wake of the Hurricane Sandy disaster raised hopes across the world that the US was finally willing to act on climate change. But America's refusal to make concessions at the Doha climate talks shows just how little its position has really budged. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/climate-summit-in-doha-four-reasons-for-hope-a-870886.html#ref=rss Can the world's climate still be saved? Many have already given up hope due to steadily climbing emissions of CO2 and other greenhouse gases. But the battle has not yet been lost -- and there are reasons for optimism. <i>A guest commentary by the British Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change Ed Davey</i> Tue, 04 Dec 2012 18:04:29 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/climate-summit-in-doha-four-reasons-for-hope-a-870886.html Can the world's climate still be saved? Many have already given up hope due to steadily climbing emissions of CO2 and other greenhouse gases. But the battle has not yet been lost -- and there are reasons for optimism. A guest commentary by the British Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change Ed Davey ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/negotiation-a-solution-to-climate-change-is-destined-for-failure-a-869406.html#ref=rss In the search for a negotiated agreement to combat global climate change, US domestic politics play an outsized role. But even if President Barack Obama unexpectedly pushes emissions reduction legislation through Congress, the resulting treaty would still have to be ratified. Such a process would take too much time -- and it is time we don't have. Mon, 26 Nov 2012 17:55:57 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/negotiation-a-solution-to-climate-change-is-destined-for-failure-a-869406.html In the search for a negotiated agreement to combat global climate change, US domestic politics play an outsized role. But even if President Barack Obama unexpectedly pushes emissions reduction legislation through Congress, the resulting treaty would still have to be ratified. Such a process would take too much time -- and it is time we don't have.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/richard-branson-discusses-climate-change-business-opportunities-a-839985.html#ref=rss In an interview, British entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson argues that climate change will only be taken seriously when companies can find ways to profit from it. The battle to prevent global warming, he argues, requires brains and creativity. Thu, 21 Jun 2012 15:51:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/richard-branson-discusses-climate-change-business-opportunities-a-839985.html In an interview, British entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson argues that climate change will only be taken seriously when companies can find ways to profit from it. The battle to prevent global warming, he argues, requires brains and creativity. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/widespread-criticism-of-rio-environment-summit-a-840181.html#ref=rss Twenty years ago, the United Nations summit held in Rio de Janeiro paved the way for landmark agreements on the climate and the environment. This year's meeting, on the other hand, has been widely criticized for its lack of vision in the face of accelerating degradation of the planet. German commentators are critical as well. Thu, 21 Jun 2012 13:20:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/widespread-criticism-of-rio-environment-summit-a-840181.html Twenty years ago, the United Nations summit held in Rio de Janeiro paved the way for landmark agreements on the climate and the environment. This year's meeting, on the other hand, has been widely criticized for its lack of vision in the face of accelerating degradation of the planet. German commentators are critical as well.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/south-pacific-islands-threatened-by-more-than-just-rising-sea-levels-a-838675.html#ref=rss Environmentalist organizations have used images from South Pacific islands to illustrate the disastrous effects of rising sea levels. But a group of French researchers has found that the problem is much more complicated: The islands are also being pulled under by shifting tectonic plates. Fri, 15 Jun 2012 08:34:49 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/south-pacific-islands-threatened-by-more-than-just-rising-sea-levels-a-838675.html Environmentalist organizations have used images from South Pacific islands to illustrate the disastrous effects of rising sea levels. But a group of French researchers has found that the problem is much more complicated: The islands are also being pulled under by shifting tectonic plates.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/leading-german-climate-expert-kyoto-has-only-carrots-and-no-sticks-a-803906.html#ref=rss Global carbon dioxide emissions are continuing to grow, but prospects for a worldwide climate policy were diminished even further in Durban, South Africa, this week. In an interview, environmental policy expert Klaus Töpfer explains what steps need to be taken and why Germany will face greater challenges than most other countries in its battle against CO2. Thu, 15 Dec 2011 13:43:18 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/leading-german-climate-expert-kyoto-has-only-carrots-and-no-sticks-a-803906.html Global carbon dioxide emissions are continuing to grow, but prospects for a worldwide climate policy were diminished even further in Durban, South Africa, this week. In an interview, environmental policy expert Klaus Töpfer explains what steps need to be taken and why Germany will face greater challenges than most other countries in its battle against CO2.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/the-world-from-berlin-canada-should-be-shunned-for-kyoto-ignorance-a-803670.html#ref=rss Canada is under fire for exiting the Kyoto Protocol just one day after UN climate talks ended with an agreement to extend the treaty. Putting financial interests ahead of environmental commitments is an affront to global climate protection efforts, German papers write on Wednesday. Wed, 14 Dec 2011 14:45:43 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/the-world-from-berlin-canada-should-be-shunned-for-kyoto-ignorance-a-803670.html Canada is under fire for exiting the Kyoto Protocol just one day after UN climate talks ended with an agreement to extend the treaty. Putting financial interests ahead of environmental commitments is an affront to global climate protection efforts, German papers write on Wednesday.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/lessons-from-durban-how-to-create-a-successful-un-climate-summit-a-803185.html#ref=rss Once again, a UN climate summit has ended with limited results. In the end, the blockers and procrastinators prevailed. That's why the next global meeting must be transformed into a forum for mutual learning and not just one for haggling and meaningless legalese. Mon, 12 Dec 2011 17:01:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/lessons-from-durban-how-to-create-a-successful-un-climate-summit-a-803185.html Once again, a UN climate summit has ended with limited results. In the end, the blockers and procrastinators prevailed. That's why the next global meeting must be transformed into a forum for mutual learning and not just one for haggling and meaningless legalese. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/the-world-from-berlin-the-durban-climate-agreement-is-almost-useless-a-803158.html#ref=rss The climate talks in Durban ended with an agreement to agree on a new agreement on emissions cuts in coming years. The outcome was hailed as historic by the organizers, but German commentators say the pledges remain too vague and the progress too slow -- while global warming is accelerating. Mon, 12 Dec 2011 13:02:48 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/the-world-from-berlin-the-durban-climate-agreement-is-almost-useless-a-803158.html The climate talks in Durban ended with an agreement to agree on a new agreement on emissions cuts in coming years. The outcome was hailed as historic by the organizers, but German commentators say the pledges remain too vague and the progress too slow -- while global warming is accelerating.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/climate-negotiations-in-durban-usual-suspects-continue-to-block-emissions-deal-a-802828.html#ref=rss Progress has been made on providing aid to poor countries to help them deal with the effects of climate change. Beyond that, however, the summit in South Africa has produced little agreement. Several countries, led by the US, continue to block a binding deal to take over from Kyoto. Fri, 09 Dec 2011 17:43:12 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/climate-negotiations-in-durban-usual-suspects-continue-to-block-emissions-deal-a-802828.html Progress has been made on providing aid to poor countries to help them deal with the effects of climate change. Beyond that, however, the summit in South Africa has produced little agreement. Several countries, led by the US, continue to block a binding deal to take over from Kyoto.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/young-activists-in-durban-rebelling-against-the-climate-change-dinosaurs-a-802748.html#ref=rss Climate change will affect young people the most, but they are grossly under-represented at UN climate negotiations in Durban. A group of students from China and the US, however, is trying to challenge this with a shared vision for the future. Fri, 09 Dec 2011 15:45:52 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/young-activists-in-durban-rebelling-against-the-climate-change-dinosaurs-a-802748.html Climate change will affect young people the most, but they are grossly under-represented at UN climate negotiations in Durban. A group of students from China and the US, however, is trying to challenge this with a shared vision for the future. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/addressing-climate-change-humankind-cannot-afford-negotiations-until-2020-a-802687.html#ref=rss At the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Durban it is becoming apparent that, instead of making decisions, the global community intends to continue negotiating new climate goals until 2020. In an interview with SPIEGEL ONLINE, Achim Steiner, the head of the United Nations Environment Program, calls the delay "irresponsible." Fri, 09 Dec 2011 11:50:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/addressing-climate-change-humankind-cannot-afford-negotiations-until-2020-a-802687.html