Today's Climate: September 22, 2009

Obama, Hu Address UN Climate Summit Today (ClimateWire)

Chinese President Hu Jintao will unveil an "ambitious" suite of voluntary targets for emissions with domestically enforceable measures and standards for industrial-sector emissions, automobiles and building efficiency, according to the UN climate chief. It also appears poised to launch a voluntary carbon-trading system.

Aviation Industry Commits to Halve Emissions by 2050 (Business Green)

The aviation industry will today pledge to halve its carbon emissions by 2050 as part of an ambitious climate change program intended to transform the sector in a manner not seen since the invention of the jet engine.

EU Lists Industries to Be Exempted from Carbon Trading (EurActiv)

EU experts have agreed on a list of industries ranging from plastics manufacturing to iron and food processing that will be largely exempted from CO2 trading after 2013 for fears that their inclusion would move production abroad.

Court Rules States Can Sue Utilities Over Emissions (NRDC)

In a landmark ruling, a federal court decided that states can sue electric power companies over their global warming emissions because the millions of tons of CO2 emit each year are contributing to a host of damaging impacts.

Ozone Layer Depletion Leveling Off, Satellite Data Show (Science Daily)

By merging more than a decade of atmospheric data from European satellites, scientists have compiled a homogeneous long-term ozone record that allows them to monitor total ozone trends on a global scale – and the findings look promising.

Report: Global Buy-In Would Drop Costs of Climate Deal (Guardian)

A truly global climate change deal — with full collaboration from the developed and developing world — would dramatically reduce the costs of dealing with global warming and moving to a clean energy economy, a new study by the influential Climate Group says.

Europe Fears Obama Going Cold on Climate Battle (AFP)

European leaders who once saw Barack Obama's election as a new dawn in the battle against global warming are becoming concerned, three months ahead of a key UN climate summit in Copenhagen.

Oklahoma Has Huge Wind Power Potential, Little Political Will for RPS (AP)

Oklahoma has abundant wind power resources that could give provide an economic boost for the state, but lawmakers say there is little political will to pass a renewable portfolio standard that would mandate renewable energy.

Major Land Owner Urges Montana to Lease Coal Reserves (Helena IR)

Otter Creek is a "world-class tract" of coal, which should be in demand within the next decade, along with nearby state-owned deposits, a major land owner argues. Development would mean millions for the state in royalties, lease payments and taxes.

LA May Drop Controversial Transmission Line (Los Angeles Times)