As the world’s largest carbon emitter, China will be in the spotlight at this week’s UN climate summit in New York.  Beijing has taken steps to tackle its pollution problems in recent years, but is it working? Pilita Clark puts this question to Leslie Hook, environment correspondent, and Lucy Hornby, deputy Beijing bureau chief. 

Contributors: Pilita Clark, business columnist, Leslie Hook, environment correspondent, and Lucy Hornby, deputy Beijing bureau chief.  Producer: Fiona Symon

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State-backed utility under pressure as it plans to invest in new coal mines

Liberty Steel to modernise European plants in effort to become carbon neutral

COP25 attempts to confront climate change

Early winners and losers emerge as carmakers scramble to hit tough new targets

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) released updated projections of future U.S. energy production and use in its Annual Energy Outlook 2020 (AEO2020) today.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration is forecasting that U.S. energy-related carbon dioxide emissions (CO2) will decrease by 7.5% in 2020, driven by the economic slowdown and restrictions on business and travel activity related to COVID-19. This follows a 2.7% decrease in emissions in 2019. EIA forecasts that energy-related CO2 emissions will then increase by 3.6% in 2021. In its April Short-Term Energy Outlook, EIA estimates that in 2020, CO2 emissions from petroleum will decrease 7% and from coal will decrease 18.4%. EIA creates estimates of energy-related CO2 emissions based on energy consumption and on the amounts of CO2 that are released when different fuels are burned. Total CO2 emissions depend on total energy consumption and the fuel mix of the energy consumed. When it is burned, coal creates the most CO2 of the major fossil fuels. However, because more petroleum products (such as motor gasoline) are consumed than coal, petroleum is the largest source of CO2 emissions in the United States. Natural gas is the least carbon-intensive fossil fuel, but in recent years, because of its increasing consumption, it generates more U.S. CO2 emissions than coal. Non-fossil fuels such as nuclear power and renewable generation emit no direct CO2 at the end use. As these noncarbon generation sources increasingly enter the fuel mix, energy demand can be met without a proportional increase in energy-related CO2.

It is reported that British Airways churned out an extra 18,000 tonnes of CO2 last year by carrying extra fuel on its aircraft in an industry-wide practice known as 'fuel tankering'.

The consumer champion looked at six popular international routes from London, which are well served by a variety of carriers, to compare CO2 emissions.

US experts surveyed nearly 1,200 people and found that, on average, people were more willing to cover small increases in costs for flights with smaller emission levels.

Climate neutrality by 2050 is unlikely for the UK without drastic technological and societal changes including limiting aviation and halving meat production, a report has found.

The Trump administration is expected to release a final rule on mileage standards, watering down an Obama standard that would have encouraged automakers to ramp up electric vehicle production.

The coronavirus has forced the world in a lockdown, resulting in a 6% drop in carbon dioxide levels, but experts warn it return to normal once the global economy recovers from the pandemic.

Carbon emissions from the moon are making scientists question the theory that the dusty rock was formed in a collision between the Earth and 'wandering planet' Theia.

The power to reduce bills and emissions is in the hands of households. The Energy Saving Trust has four simple changes to help towards doing just that.

A Minneapolis couple, the wife in treatment for ovarian cancer, decided to replace the husband's mold-riddled, 1950s-era home with a new toxin-free space. Candace Jackson has details on Lunch Break. Photo: David Bowman for The Wall Street Journal.

Darryl D’Monte reports from the Climate Change Conference in Paris, on the consultations in progress and in particular, the stance of the developed world, its implications for India and the world at large.

In discussions of the travails of the airline industry that have been taking place recently, its detrimental effect on global warming has not come up, writes Sujatha Byravan.

Krauter, Stefan C. W

Logachev, Ivan Nikolaevich, author

Barker Library - HD9502.A2 M88 2018

Knipe, Phillip John, author

Barker Library - TE7.N275 no.909

Australia. Climate Change Authority, author, issuing body

Hayden Library - TP352.N49 2019

Peru seeks to keep rudimentary gold refining from exposing communities to neurotoxic metal

Rogue trichlorofluoromethane likely originates from production facilities in East Asia

Though initially daunting, stricter fuel economy and emission standards result in automotive innovations

Data from air pollution monitors don’t jibe with satellite measurements