Climate Change

Often described as the father of climate change science and occasionally the grandfather (following publication of his book Storms of My Grandchildren) James Hansen took time out from a busy trip attend the Climate Dialogue/C40 Cities Hong Kong conference to talk to CleanBiz Asia executive editor Fergus O'Rorke.
China climate actions
April 29, 2013
A new report by Australia’s Climate Commission says that China is one of the world’s bright spots in global action to curb the effects of climate change. Though China remains the world’s biggest greenhouse gas emitter, the report, The Critical Decade: global action building on climate change,  found that in 2012 China reduced the carbon intensity of its economy more than expected and almost halved the rate of growth for electricity demand.
Mekong climate shift
April 09, 2013
Temperatures in South-East Asia's Lower Mekong Basin are set to rise by up to three times the global average temperature increase, according to a USAID-funded study. Previous reports by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change predicted that the basin would see increases in line with the global average of around two degrees Celsius. But according to a preliminary report by the Mekong Adaptation and Resilience to Climate Change Project (Mekong ARCC), parts of the basin could see annual temperatures increase by as much as six degrees Celsius by 2050.
Obama's green State of the Union Address 2013
February 18, 2013
President Barack Obama's State of the Union speech had few surprises except in his use of China as way to motivate rivals to stand behind his green policies. Obama put most of the onus on new climate policies on a less-than-enthusiastic Congress, but dropped a strong hint that if they don't do something, he would use his executive muscle to address climate change “for the sake of our children and our future.” 
Delegates at the recent Delhi Sustainable Development Summit were told repeatedly that wiser management of resources in this time of uncertain climate and weather patterns could be key to some countries’ very survival.
Vietnam's government is aware of the dangerous repercussions of climate change on energy supplies and demand. Deputy head of the Ministry of Industry and Trade's Institute of Energy, Nguyen Ba Cuong, told a workshop that climate change impacts could cause an increase in demand for energy, leading to an increased dependence on imported energy, especially coal.
Davos Green Investment report
World leaders attending the World Economic Forum in Davos this week were given the stark news that USD700 billion annual spend on green investments is required to save the planet from the harsh realities of climate change. The figure – which amounts to USD14 trillion between now and 2030 – will be needed to meet global energy demand and avert the economic challenges that will be created by untracked climate change.
Read Full Story Hobbit-sized humans, able to exist on less nourishing food, will have the best chance of survival in a warmer world, scientists say.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has announced a new three-year assistance plan to Cambodia. The plan includes of USD525 million to help the country reduce poverty, promote growth and mitigate climate change, the bank said.
The annual rate of reduction of carbon emissions per unit of GDP needed to limit global warming to 2°C, has passed a critical threshold according to new analysis from PwC. The rate of reduction now required has never been achieved before.