The world needs carbon pricing – Before the Flood

The world needs carbon pricing – Before the Flood

Actor Leonardo DiCaprio meets with scientists, activists and world leaders to discuss the dangers of climate change and possible solutions. In the extract below, Gregory Mankiw, a Harvard Professor and economic adviser to several US presidents, argues that putting a price on carbon is the only way for governments to transition toward clean energy. Without a financial incentive to shift away from fossil fuels, it is unlikely that the world […]

The European Semester: what is it and why do we need it?

The European Semester: what is it and why do we need it?

The 2008 crisis unveiled high deficit and public debt levels in many States. How does Europe orchestrate the various national budgets? In this video, the European Parliament explains the role of the European Semester  – the main governance tool to monitor the progress of the EU’s Economic and Monetary Union.    

The real impact of diesel cars on climate

The real impact of diesel cars on climate

It is often suggested that diesel cars have a useful role in reducing climate emissions, particularly in the wake of the Volkswagen scandal. This position, strongly promoted by many in the car industry, and accepted by much of the public, underpinned lower taxes and weaker air pollution standards for diesel fuel and diesel cars, contributing to a boom in diesel car sales. Diesel accounted for 53% of new car sales […]

G20 subsidies to oil, gas and coal production

G20 subsidies to oil, gas and coal production

New research by the the Overseas Development Institute (ODI) shows that G20 country governments’ support to fossil fuel production marries bad economics with potentially disastrous consequences for climate change. The report Empty promises: G20 subsidies to oil, gas and coal production documents, for the first time, the scale and structure of fossil fuel production subsidies in the G20 countries. The evidence points to a publicly financed bailout for some of […]

Banks: do the Paris Pledge

Banks: do the Paris Pledge

The coal industry is destroying the climate, yet banks keep financing it. We must call on banks to stop bankrolling climate change, cutting ties with the coal sector is an important first step. It is high time to keep coal, and all fossil fuels, in the ground. Support the call at: http://dotheparispledge.org