Today's Climate: November 30, 2009

Copenhagen Draft Urges Emissions Peak by 2020 (Reuters)

A Danish draft that could form the basis of a political climate deal suggests global emissions peak by 2020, and it calls for a global cut in greenhouse gas emissions of 50 percent from 1990 levels by 2050, with rich countries responsible for most of the work.

Money Matters in the Back Rooms at Copenhagen (Guardian)

Industrialists, financiers, bankers, business groups and carbon traders know there is much more in play at the Danish capital than a concern for lives and the health of the planet.

Copenhagen's Missing Ingredient: Water (Los Angeles Times)

Scientists stress water's profound link with climate change, yet delegates at next week's conference have removed water issues from the working draft of an environmental treaty.

UK Commits £50M to Research for Developing Nations (Business Green)

The UK has committed £50 million over the next five years to create a global research network that developing nations can use to better understand possible strategies for tackling the effects of climate change.

UK Conservatives Look to Break up Big Six Energy Firms (Guardian)

The Conservative party is drawing up radical plans to break up the "Big Six" energy companies in an attempt to increase competition and reduce customers' bills, setting the Tories on a collision course with the industry.

Ethanol’s Boom Goes Bust (Minneapolis Star-Tribune)

It's a big week for the U.S. ethanol industry, in a funk as of late amid boom-and-bust cycles in corn and oil prices. The EPA might raise the 10% cap on fuel blends.

Carbon Capture with Nanotubes (MIT Tech Review)

Startup Porifera, an ARPA-e recipient, claims its carbon-nanotube membranes could capture one billion to three billion tons of carbon dioxide a year and save $10 billion a year compared to existing technology.

Copenhagen: The Key Players (Guardian)

A look at some of the key players among a huge cast of characters that will debate, cajole and eventually decide on a deal at the Copenhagen climate summit next week.

Carbon-Credit Dispute Threatens Climate Deal (Washington Post)

Russia is amassing a huge surplus of carbon credits and insists that any new climate agreement allow them to be carried over. Environmentalists say that would cripple any treaty by making it much cheaper for countries to buy credits than cut emissions.

EU: China Must Show Leadership on Climate Change (AFP)

The EU said today that cataclysmic climate change cannot be averted without Chinese leadership, as the two sides wrapped up a summit with China defending its efforts against global warming.

Indian Climate Envoy Resists Emission Targets (AFP)