COP26 sharply criticized as the ‘most exclusionary’ climate summit ever

Published

2 years ago

November 6, 2021

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British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and U.S. President Joe Biden react during the “Accelerating Clean Technology Innovation and Deployment” session during the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland, Britain November 2, 2021.

Jeff J Mitchell | Reuters

GLASGOW, Scotland — Climate campaigners and environmental activists have sharply criticized the organization of the COP26 climate summit, describing U.N.-brokered talks as the most exclusionary they have ever known.

The meeting, which formally opened on Sunday, has been billed as humanity’s last and best chance to prevent the worst of what the climate crisis has in store. The U.K. is presiding over the talks in Glasgow, Scotland through to Nov. 12.

Logistical difficulties, the exclusion of people with disabilities and a lack of attendees from the Global South are just some of the criticisms leveled at the event organizers.

The COP26 presidency was not immediately available to comment when contacted by CNBC on Friday.

“I’d like to be polite,” Asad Rehman, a spokesperson for the COP26 coalition, told CNBC Tuesday when asked about his experience of COP26 so far. “But it will go down as the worst planned, worst organized and least effective COP that I have ever known. It is just unbelievable.”

Rehman, who said he had been attending U.N. climate talks for over a decade, estimated that only one-third of the usual number of participants representing the Global South had been able to attend COP26 due to Covid-19 restrictions, a lack of affordable accommodation and an inability to access the conference.

This “seriously undermines” the credibility of the meeting, he said, before adding that some civil society groups in attendance had also been “locked out” of negotiations. The COP26 coalition is a U.K.-based group that represents indigenous communities, frontline activists and grassroots campaigns from the Global South.

The start of the week saw chaotic scenes outside the venue, with attendees stuck in long lines trying to gain access to the complex at the SEC in Glasgow.

COP26 President Alok Sharma told reporters earlier in the week that he “regrets” delegates have had to endure lengthy lines to enter the venue.

“This is a unique COP in quite extraordinary times,” Sharma said on Wednesday. “Of course, we regret any logistical issues that people feel are stopping them coming in in a timely manner. I hope that will settle over the next few days.”

‘Two week celebration of business as usual’

Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, who is expected to take part in a climate protest on Friday with thousands of other young people, said COP26 could no longer be considered a climate conference.

“This is a Global North greenwash festival,” Thunberg said via Twitter on Thursday, referencing criticism that the Glasgow summit has been described as “the most excluding COP ever.”

“A two week celebration of business as usual and blah blah blah,” she added.

It follows a pledge from the U.K. government to make the Glasgow summit “the most inclusive COP ever,” saying extra measures would be put in place to alleviate concerns about safety and inclusivity at the event amid the coronavirus pandemic.

However, U.N. climate chief Patricia Espinosa admitted that measures put in place due to the coronavirus pandemic meant the summit could not be as accessible as previous COPs.

The Climate Action Network, a global alliance of more than 1,500 environmental campaign groups, called for the event to be postponed in early September, citing concerns that it would be “impossible” to ensure a safe, inclusive and just global climate conference.

Alexandria Villasenor, a youth U.S. climate activist, has described the summit as an “exclusionary dystopian hellscape.”

“First, it’s true, there’s one entrance for 20k attendees, it’s like a single file line for everyone to get in and get through security. I’ve spent 4 hours in line over the past 2 days. It’s chaos and a failure on the part of the organizers,” Villaseñor said via Twitter on Wednesday.

The 16-year-old said civil society groups and NGO observers had been unable to access negotiation spaces in-person and were instead left to observe the main plenary sessions online in a separate room.

Villasenor also criticized the summit for failing to consider the inclusion of people with disabilities, citing no sign language interpreters on the COP26 stage and no wheelchair access.

Israel Energy Minister Karine Elharrar was unable to take part in the COP26 summit at the start of the week because the venue was not wheelchair accessible. She has since criticized the U.N. for failing to provide accessibility to its events despite it promoting the importance of ensuring accessibility to those with disabilities.

U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson apologized to Elharrar when the pair met on Tuesday, Reuters reported.

Dipti Bhatnagar, a climate justice and energy co-coordinator for Friends of the Earth International, an environmental group, said last week that the U.K. was on course to deliver “the most exclusionary COP ever.”

Bhatnagar, who was not able to travel to Glasgow from Mozambique where she is based, said on Sunday: “The chaotic and last minute nature of plans to help support participation from overseas are too little too late for many delegates from global south countries.”

“It is hard to see how COP26’s outcomes could be considered fair and legitimate with those on the frontline of climate impacts unable to make their voices heard in the streets of Glasgow and in the halls of the COP,” she added.

Environment

White House will ‘make sure gas prices remain affordable’ heading into summer, Biden advisor says

Published

3 hours ago

April 18, 2024

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White House will 'make sure gas prices remain affordable' heading into summer, Biden advisor says

A customer refuels at a Shell gas station in Hercules, California, US, on Tuesday, May 23, 2023.

David Paul Morris | Bloomberg | Getty Images

President Joe Biden’s top economic advisor said Thursday that the White House will “make sure gas prices remain affordable” when asked whether the administration would consider tapping the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.

“There are of course things that have been done in the past and we’ll continue to very closely monitor, make sure that gas prices remain affordable for so many American families going into the summer driving season,” National Economic Advisor Lael Brainard said at Semafor’s World Economy Summit.

Gasoline futures have risen nearly 29% this year with prices at the pump currently averaging $3.67 a gallon, according to the motorist association AAA. U.S. crude oil has gained 15% for the year on stronger demand, tighter supplies due to OPEC+ production cuts, and mounting geopolitical risks in the Middle East and Eastern Europe.

Oil Prices, Energy News and Analysis

“We’re highly attentive to the international oil markets and domestic gas prices. We’ll continue to monitor closely and want to make sure that those gas prices remain in current ranges,” Brainard said. U.S. crude oil hit a high of $87.67 per barrel this year before pulling back to around $83 a barrel.

Iran’s unprecedented weekend air assault on Israel has raised fears that an Israeli counterattack could trigger a wider war in the region that impacts crude oil supplies. The White House is keeping a close eye on “geostrategic risk” in the Middle East, Brainard said.

And Ukraine’s repeated drone strikes on Russian oil refineries also have the Biden administration worried. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told Congress last week that those attacks could have “a knock-on effect in terms of the global energy situation.”

White House climate advisor John Podesta said Tuesday Biden “will do what he can to make sure” gasoline prices are affordable, noting that the administration has tapped the Strategic Petroleum Reserve before.

The White House released 180 million barrels from the SPR in 2022 as oil and gas prices surged in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The reserve currently stands at about 365 million barrels, the lowest level in decades, a point of contention with Republicans in Congress.

Russia’s decision to deepen its cuts by 470,000 barrels per day to meet its pledges to OPEC+ could prove particularly problematic, according to March research note from JPMorgan. The price of global benchmark Brent crude oil could approach $100 by September – just before the November presidential election – without countermeasure, according to the investment bank.

The chances of another release from the SPR will rise if gasoline prices move closer to $4 per gallon, which could happen as soon as May, according to the bank. Although the reserve is at historically low levels, the Biden administration has space to release another 60 million barrels of crude oil, according to the bank.

Oil prices have pulled back more than 3% this week as war fears have eased as Israel has not immediately struck back against Iran, but the situation remains highly uncertain. Daniel Yergin, vice chairman of S&P Global, said oil prices above $90 presents a problem for the broader market.

“It’s also a problem for inflation in general, and it’s a real problem if you’re an incumbent running for reelection,” Yergin told CNBC’s “Squawk Box” earlier this month.

Don’t miss these stories from CNBC PRO:

Environment

Volvo and CATL have big plans for old EV batteries

Published

4 hours ago

April 18, 2024

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Volvo and CATL have big plans for old EV batteries

Volvo and battery giant CATL are teaming up to turn old EV batteries into new ones. The partnership aims to further reduce the carbon footprint of EVs by recycling key battery materials.

As one of the first legacy automakers to commit to an all-electric future, Volvo is already making massive strides to reduce its carbon footprint.

In fact, Volvo’s last diesel-powered car rolled off the production line last month as the automaker looks toward a cleaner future.

Last year was a “key milestone” for Volvo, according to CEO Jim Rowan. Volvo sold over 113,000 fully electric vehicles in 2023, up 70% compared to 2022. Electric cars accounted for 16% of Volvo’s total vehicle sales in 2023, but this year is expected to be even bigger.

Rowan told Reuters he expects “tremendous growth” this year as new models like the low-cost EX30 roll out.

Volvo’s EX30 starts at $34,950 in the US and €36,590 in Europe as one of the most affordable EVs.

The EX30 is already impacting sales. Volvo sold 18,021 EVs in March, up from 12,621 the year before. More importantly, fully electric vehicles accounted for 23% of total sales.

Volvo’s new compact electric SUV “contributed to the sales growth,” according to Volvo Cars’ COO and deputy CEO, Björn Annwall. He added that Volvo would “focus on ramping up sales of our EX30” in the coming months.

Volvo expects EVs to account for 50% of total sales by the end of next year as it works toward an all-electric future by 2030.

Volvo-EX30 — Volvo CEO Jim Rowan during the EX30 launch (Source: Volvo Cars)

Volvo and CATL to turn old EV batteries into new ones

Volvo and CATL announced a new partnership this week as they work to reduce the carbon footprint of electric vehicles.

As electric vehicle sales continue climbing, many batteries will eventually be retired, and Volvo believes it has an answer. Volvo and CATL are teaming up to recycle old and scrapped EV batteries.

Volvo suppliers will take apart the batteries to use over 90% of the key materials like nickel, cobalt, lithium, and others.

Volvo-2024-EV-prices — Volvo C40 (right) and XC40 (left) Recharge EVs (Source: Volvo)

According to Volvo, CATL will then use the materials to make new EV batteries that will be used to power its new electric cars.

Volvo and CATL signed a long-term agreement in 2019 to supply batteries for electric Volvo and Polestar models.

Volvo aims to reduce CO2 emissions per average vehicle by 75% by 2030. In its 2023 annual report, the company revealed that it had reduced average CO2 emissions per vehicle by 20% compared to the 2018 baseline.

Source: CnEVPost, Volvo Cars

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Environment

You can power your home for 21 days with a Chevy Silverado EV and GM’s new bidirectional charger

Published

5 hours ago

April 18, 2024

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Photo: GM Energy

GM Energy just debuted vehicle-to-home (V2H) bidirectional EV chargers – here’s how GM’s EVs will keep the lights on.

Once installed, GM Energy’s home EV chargers will enable customers to send power from a compatible GM EV to their home in the face of increasing power outages across the US.

Customers can purchase GM Energy’s V2H bundle through current GM mobile brand apps. It’s initially rolling out in five states – California, Florida, Michigan, New York, and Texas – with plans to expand over time.

At $7,299, the bundle doesn’t come cheap. It consists of the GM Energy Powershift Charger at $1,699, and GM Energy V2H Enablement Kit at $5,600. Installation costs and taxes won’t be included and will vary, depending on a home’s existing setup and other things. GM has partnered with home EV charging installer Qmerit.

But it’s comparable to other battery storage costs – a Powerwall costs $11,500 with a solar installation through Tesla – and GM’s system eliminates the need to install battery storage.

The first of GM’s EVs to be compatible with the GM Energy home product suite is the 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV First-Edition RST, which is expected to be available to customers this summer.

The Silverado will be equipped with V2H bidirectional charging technology. With an enormous 200 kWh battery pack that can provide up to 10.2kW of power flow, the electric pickup is capable of powering an entire house for 21 days.

GM says it will continue to roll out V2H bidirectional charging technology across its Ultium-based EVs by model year 2026. That will include the 2024 Sierra EV Denali, the 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV, the 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV, and the 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ.

Some eligible 2024 GM EVs will require a dealership or over-the-air update to enable bidirectional charging.

Electrek‘s Jameson Dow will demo GM Energy’s new V2H products on May 9 and will report back with insights.

GM Energy is ready to compete with the likes of Tesla and its Powerwalls – it says it will sell stationary battery storage and solar integration later this year.

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