Browsing: <a href="/tag/international">International</a> <i class="grey">•</i> <a href="/tag/adaptation-science">Adaptation, science</a>

Paris climate talks have made it clear that companies have two choices – use the help on offer to thrive in a world that is hostile to carbon, or resist change and risk having their business models severely damaged. A Footprint analysis.

• First building upgrade approved to earn credits
  
• Climate Authority says 2030 target weak
  
• 'Human influence clear': IPCC

• New joint call for strong RET, with smelters exempt
  
• Qantas to buy savanna-burning credits
  
• Global carbon neutrality needed before 2070

A new international report specifies eight key climate change risks for Australia, while a draft federal report says warming will 'dramatically affect' biodiversity across the continent.

The Coalition hasn't ruled out using international units if it opts for a tougher 2020 target, while the Climate Change Authority says access to international emissions reductions is crucial to achieve low-cost cuts of up to 25% by 2020.

To make a fair contribution to global efforts, Australia must cut emissions by at least 27%, and it can't achieve cuts of that scale solely through domestic action, according to a report commissioned by WWF.

Global investors with more than $3 trillion under management have asked 45 companies - including BHP Billiton, Rio Tinto, BP and Xstrata - to explain how they are planning for an 80% reduction in fossil fuel emissions by 2050.

Latrobe Valley power plants would probably be shut down if they were subjected to Chinese emissions standards and it is now clear China's emissions from coal-fired electricity generation will be far lower than predicted, according to Ross Garnaut.

In a major speech delivered a few hours ago, US President Barack Obama committed to CO2 standards for power stations, proposed new spending on clean energy and energy efficiency, urged an end to most public financing of coal-fired power stations built overseas and reiterated his call for a phase-out of fossil fuel subsidies (with video).

A line of argument often used to make the case for Australia limiting its 2020 cuts to 5% - based on the premise that all nations should make an equal effort – in fact justifies a much higher target, says new ANU research.