ICJ ruling highlights urgent climate action need: EU response
The ICJ stated that failing to act on climate commitments could lead to liability for damages.
The court declared climate change an 'urgent and existential threat,' emphasising that countries must prevent harm caused by their emissions under international law.
While the advisory opinion is non-binding, it holds significant political and legal influence.
Anna-Kaisa Itkonen, European Commission spokeswoman, said the ruling 'confirms the immensity of the challenge we face and the importance of climate action and the Paris Agreement.'
She added that the EU remains committed to its 2050 climate neutrality target.
The commission is reviewing the ICJ's opinion to assess its implications.
Brussels recently announced a delayed but ambitious goal to slash greenhouse gas emissions by 90% by 2040, though concessions were made to gain support from hesitant member states. – AFP
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The Star
a day ago
- The Star
Singapore seals carbon credit deal with Thailand, its first South-East Asian partner
SINGAPORE: Thailand has become the first South-East Asian country to finalise a carbon trading agreement with Singapore, paving the way for the Republic to buy carbon credits generated there. The bilateral agreement allows the Singapore government or carbon tax-liable firms here to purchase eligible credits in Thailand to offset a fraction of their planet-warming emissions. The implementation agreement was signed on Aug 19 by Dr Tan See Leng, Singapore's Minister for Manpower and Minister-in-charge of Energy and Science and Technology, and Thailand's Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Chalermchai Sri-on, on the sidelines of the ninth Singapore Regional Business Forum. The annual event organised by the Singapore Business Federation brings together policymakers, top business leaders, senior government officials and other stakeholders to explore business opportunities in the region. This is the eighth implementation agreement that Singapore has so far. The seven other countries that have such pacts with Singapore are Papua New Guinea, Ghana, Bhutan, Peru, Chile, Rwanda and Paraguay. Under the Paris Agreement - an international treaty adopted by 195 parties to limit global warming - countries can buy carbon credits generated in other jurisdictions to meet domestic climate targets. The carbon markets will benefit carbon credit buyers, as buying credits from elsewhere can sometimes be cheaper than reducing emissions on their own. Countries hosting these projects also stand to gain, since these climate-friendly projects become an additional source of revenue. An implementation agreement is a legally binding document that governs the international transfer of carbon credits between two countries. A key element of these agreements is to prevent double counting, a situation where both the buyer and host country count the same emissions reductions or removals toward their own targets. A host country must agree to make a 'corresponding adjustment' to add the emissions sold back to its national inventory. One carbon credit represents one tonne of carbon dioxide that is either absorbed from the atmosphere, such as through a forest restoration project, or prevented from being released. This could also happen by replacing open-fire stoves with cleaner-burning ones. Credits used to offset Singapore's national emissions can be bought only from projects in countries that the Republic has implementation agreements with. These credits can be bought by the Singapore Government, or by large emitters here that have to pay a carbon tax. These firms can buy credits from projects in countries that Singapore has implementations agreements with, to offset up to 5 per cent of taxable emissions. In February, Singapore submitted to the UN its target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to between 45 million and 50 million tonnes (Mt) by 2035, down from around 60Mt in 2030. In the longer-term, Singapore aims to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. Singapore's constraints as a land-scarce island-state means that it will likely have to buy carbon credits to offset its carbon footprint. The Republic relies on imported natural gas for almost all of its energy needs, with limited options for renewable energy. The Republic has estimated that it would use high quality carbon credits to offset roughly 2.5 million tonnes of emissions a year from 2021 to 2030. Dr Tan said he hopes the agreement will demonstrate how South-East Asia can develop and scale high quality carbon credit projects that will drive meaningful emissions reductions, while unlocking new opportunities in the carbon market for businesses. He said: 'Singapore and Thailand have a longstanding partnership in trade, investment, and sustainable development. 'This year marks the 60th anniversary of our diplomatic relations, and it is especially meaningful that climate action is becoming an increasingly important pillar of our collaboration, reflecting our shared commitment to addressing global challenges.' Chalermchai said such cooperation is 'a clear signal' that Asean can drive high quality, internationally aligned greenhouse gas mitigation. He added: 'We value Singapore's partnership in unlocking climate finance and advancing credible carbon credit projects in Thailand – from forestry and clean energy to zero-emission transport – that deliver environmental, economic, and social benefits for our people. 'Thailand is committed to becoming a hub for such projects and is ready to share our approach as a model for the region.' The Ministry of Trade and Industry said in a statement that the deal will advance both countries' climate ambitions by directing financing towards projects in Thailand that can benefit local communities in various ways. This includes improved waste management, enhanced energy efficiency and more jobs. The Republic is still negotiating deals with the South-East Asian countries of Malaysia, the Philippines and Sri Lanka. In a bid to become a regional hub for carbon markets, Singapore hosts more than 120 carbon services and trading firms, the highest concentration of such service providers in South-east Asia, according to state agency Enterprise Singapore. - The Straits Times/ANN
The Sun
a day ago
- The Sun
Malaysia eyes direct rail link to Kazakhstan for faster exports to EU, Russia
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The Sun
a day ago
- The Sun
Trump-Zelensky: Wiretapped malarkey
VOLODYMYR Zelensky was not invited to the meeting between President Donald Trump and President Vladimir Putin in Alaska because the meeting was a bilateral summit to discuss a potential ceasefire and peace settlement in Ukraine. The purpose of the meeting was for the two leaders to gauge and determine a path to a broader peace agreement. The exclusion of Ukraine's president has been a point of concern for Kyiv and its European Union and British allies as it goes against the principle of 'nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine' mantra (Biden-era mantra) long enunciated by Ukraine's Western supporters. However, Trump has been confident that a successful outcome of this initial meeting could lead to the end of the war and the killing. According to his opponents, it would also provide him with an undeserved positive place in the history books and the Nobel Peace Prize. This reported exchange, leaked by an anonymous insider, sheds light on the horse-trading now unfolding over Ukraine. Zelensky: Dobroho ranku, Sir. Trump: Hello, can you please speak English? Zelensky: Good morning, Mr President, Sir. Trump: That's much better. Zelensky: I was hoping that you can update me on your meeting with Putin. I have been trying to get through since yesterday. My staff say I have been put on hold continuously. You know, that is not acceptable. Trump: So sorry about that, Volod. We have had the Russians trying to break into the White House lines, so Susie (Wiles, White House chief of staff) is being extra careful. Great gal, Susie. She tells me that the Democrats might also be involved. I don't trust (Gavin) Newsom (governor of California) and his boys. You are lucky to have me on your side, you know. How many Ukrainian lives has (Joe) Biden and the Democrat ba****ds cost you and your country? Zelensky: I need to know what you and Putin decided on. Can you please tell me what happened? Trump: Putin! Great guy, tremendous guy. Just had the best meeting with him – by the way, very strong handshake. You'd love him. You know you should meet him ASAP. Zelensky: Donald, you just met with the man who is invading my country. Trump: Exactly! But let me tell you, we worked out some incredible deals. The best deals. Nobody deals like me. Putin said so himself. Said I'm the toughest negotiator he has had to deal with. Zelensky: Deals? What kind of deals? Trump: Well, first off, he said he would think about maybe not invading more. Maybe. Depends on the weather or something. But here's the big one – he is willing to give you parts of Crimea back! Zelensky: Crimea? Are you sure? Trump: Yes, but now it is a two-for-one deal! You get Crimea and in exchange, you give up... let's say, Kyiv. Just for a little while. Temporary! Like a timeshare. Beautiful deal. Zelensky: You want me to give up my capital? Trump: Not give up, Volodymyr. You're thinking small. This is leverage. You let him have Kyiv for, say, 10 years – beautiful years, by the way – and in return, he throws in some oil and gas discounts. Maybe we can make him happy by cutting him in on our rare earths deal. Tremendous value. This will shake the world order, young man. Zelensky: Donald, excuse me. I think you may have been... how do I say this... out-negotiated. Trump: Impossible! I wrote The Art of the Deal. Putin showed it to me in the car and even signed the copy. In blood, he said. Very strong ink, by the way. Zelensky: Was it his blood? Trump: Could be! Very strong blood. Healthy guy. Doesn't drink, doesn't smoke – unlike some people. Not naming names but your approval ratings could be higher. Zelensky: Donald, I'm in the middle of a war. Trump: Exactly! And wars are expensive. Bad for the economy. Only good for Nato (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation). I know they will be pissed off. Forget about them. They want to fight to the last Ukrainian. Bloody hypocrites. Now, Putin's offering a peace deal – which, by the way, I came up with – where you keep, say, 60% of Ukraine? 55%? We can workshop the numbers. Zelensky: This is my country. Trump: And what a country! Beautiful borders. Or, well, they were beautiful. Now they are more... flexible. Like a yoga instructor. Very modern. Zelensky: I think I need to call Biden or (Barack) Obama. Trump: Sleepy Joe? Come on. Please. He wouldn't know a good deal if it bit him. And let me tell you, Putin's got great deals. The best. He even offered to build a Trump Tower in Moscow again – wait, forget I said that. Zelensky: I'm hanging up now. Trump: No one goes away until I tell them. Listen kid. I'll get you a better deal. You get to your Norwegian friend first – what's his name – and tell him I deserve the peace prize. Zelensky: Jens. Stoltenburg (Norwegian finance minister). Trump: Fine! And when you're ready to make real deals, you know who to call. Zelensky: Okay. I will do it. Can we have them make us joint winners? And your name will appear ahead of mine, Donald. Please. Hope this is OK with you. [Call ends] Epilogue: Later, Trump tweets: 'Just had a VERY productive call with Zelensky. He LOVED my ideas. Ukraine will be GREAT again – maybe even bigger! (Or smaller. We'll see.)'. Still later from another Trump tweet 'Just SAVED Ukraine! Zelensky called me a GENIUS (true!). Nobel Committee, you're welcome. Maybe I'll get TWO prizes!' Moral of the story: Diplomacy is easy when you don't understand geopolitics. Or maps. When you see geopolitics as a real estate deal, every war is just a negotiation and every country is up for foreclosure. Lim Teck Ghee's Another Take is aimed at demystifying social orthodoxy. Comments: letters@
