Latest news with #COP30
Express Tribune
11 hours ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
BRICS 2025 and the Indian dilemma
The writer is a PhD scholar of Semiotics and Philosophy of Communication at Charles University Prague. She can be reached at shaziaanwer@ Listen to article The 2025 BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro concluded without the presence of the presidents of China, Russia and Iran. Russia and Iran were represented by their foreign ministers, and China by their premier. The theme of this year's summit emphasised multilateralism and the upholding of international law, based on the Purposes and Principles enshrined in the UN Charter. It reaffirmed the central role of the UN in maintaining international peace and security, promoting human rights and fundamental freedoms and encouraging cooperation grounded in solidarity, mutual respect, justice and equality. BRICS is increasingly positioning itself as an alliance of the historically oppressed. The list of members and partners continues to expand each year. In 2025, Colombia and Bolivia expressed interest in joining. Colombia pivoting away from longstanding American influence toward a more sovereign foreign policy in the past three years is particularly noteworthy. Current full members include Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the UAE, Ethiopia, Indonesia and Iran. Partner countries include Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda and Uzbekistan. Over 30 countries expressed interest in joining BRICS in 2024, either as full members or partners. A relatively low-profile summit was expected this year, especially when compared with the 2024 Kazan Summit, partly because Brazil is also hosting COP30 and its attention appears divided. Nevertheless, BRICS 2025 generated more media attention than expected. Notably, US President Donald Trump has become increasingly vocal, recently threatening a 10% tariff on any country that joins BRICS or attempts to bypass the US dollar. Bilateral trade in sovereign currencies, along with growing mistrust of US economic policies, especially Trump's proposed 100% tariffs, have already begun shaking global markets. According to the US Dollar Index, the dollar fell approximately 8.8% from June 2024. In 2023, several UN investment banks raised concerns that the dollar could be dethroned as the world's primary reserve currency, citing possible replacements such as the Chinese yuan, Japanese yen or a potential BRICS-issued shared currency. The summit also addressed major geopolitical flashpoints. It strongly condemned US and Israeli bombardments on Iran in June and reaffirmed commitment to the two-state solution in Palestine. India's participation in endorsing such resolutions highlights a strategic tightrope: while aligning with BRICS' broader anti-imperialist stance, India's longstanding ties with Israel and its own illegal occupation of Kashmir may draw future scrutiny within BRICS circles if consistency in international law is demanded. The 2024 Kazan Summit had set a high benchmark, marked by Russia's comprehensive efforts to institutionalise BRICS mechanisms. Initiatives included the BRICS Finance Track and Central Bank Working Group, Payments Cooperation Council, BRICS Rapid Information Security Channel, Anti-Corruption Working Group and the BRICS Space Council. Additionally, a BRICS Healthcare and Nuclear Medicine Working Group was launched. Brazil followed suit this year by initiating five new working groups on employment, SMEs, counterterrorism, disaster management and anti-monopoly/competition policy. In this light, BRICS 2025 can be viewed as a step toward deeper cooperation among the Global South, aimed at inclusive and sustainable global governance. While the 2024 Kazan Summit was more focused on reinforcing multilateralism for equitable global development and security, the Rio Summit leaned more towards amplifying the Global South's voice in the evolving world order. Looking ahead to the 2026 BRICS Summit, which India will host, questions loom large. As a swing state straddling the Global North and South, India faces growing skepticism from within the alliance. Experts remain uncertain about India's long-term commitment to BRICS' transformative agenda. The 2026 summit will thus serve as a test case — whether India is genuinely aligned with BRICS' vision of multilateralism, inclusive governance and South-South cooperation, or it prefers to maintain strategic ambiguity.
Sky News AU
13 hours ago
- Business
- Sky News AU
Australia's renewables push makes us poorer while super-polluter China cancels out any climate benefit
Australia's renewables crusade has cost taxpayers $29 billion in the last decade and only lowered energy emissions by a measly six per cent. To make matters worse, during the same period, China increased emissions by 1,970 million tonnes, 87 times more than the tiny amount gained from Australia's renewables push. The latest data from the Energy Institute revealed between 2014 and 2024, Australia's carbon emissions from energy dropped by just 22.6 million tonnes—from 381.0 Mt to 358.4 Mt. While Australia posted modest gains, China's emissions exploded from 8,647 Mt to 10,617 Mt, creating the equivalent of several new Australian economies. The figures paint a sordid picture of the uphill battle to lower emissions while the worst emitters in the world are moving in the opposite direction, cancelling out any gains. Climate science is based on global emissions, not domestic output. This means despite enormous investment, Australia has made no progress towards limiting the impact of climate change at all. The figures come after the Centre for Independent Studies (CIS) found taxpayers and energy customers funded billions in renewable subsidies over the ten years to 2022–23. According to the CIS report, Counting the Cost: Subsidies for Renewable Energy, the total spend was $29.178 billion and the return on investment was meagre at best. CIS Senior Energy Policy Analyst Michael Wu told Sky News the government's 'modest emissions reduction' had been 'cancelled out' by China. 'Even more concerning is that doubling down on renewables has not delivered the promised reduction in power bills, exacerbating the cost-of-living crisis,' he said. The effort to transition towards renewables has also 'driven out energy-intensive industry and jobs, similar to what we've seen in Germany', Mr Wu said. Despite the eye-watering spend, Australia's emissions cut accounted for less than 0.1 per cent of global energy CO2 output. China misses UN climate deadline The revelations come as China failed to meet a UN deadline to submit updated climate targets intended to outline their 2035 emissions reduction pledges. The delay has sparked concerns over the credibility of global climate efforts, given China remains the largest carbon polluter, responsible for a third of global emissions. President Xi Jinping said in April that China would announce its new goal before COP30, without specifying a date. China's foreign ministry did not respond to Sky News' requests for comments on their timeline. Despite this, the CEO of Australia's Smart Energy Council John Grimes recently praised the Chinese Communist Party's approach to renewable energy. 'One thing you can say about the Chinese system is that China plays as a team,' he told the National Press Club. 'And Australia spends all of our time trying to tear each other apart. That is no way to compete for Team Australia. 'If the (energy) transition of the world were a marathon race, then countries like Australia and Japan… would be like the runners at the start line, limbering up. 'But the only problem was that that race began an hour ago. That's how far ahead China is in this race.' According to the Energy Institute, China and India alone were responsible for 62 per cent of the global emissions increase in 2024. Labor still mulling 2035 target As global superpowers ramp up pollution, the Albanese government has been considering its own 2035 climate target, with an announcement expected in September. The new climate target could be put as high as a 75 per cent emissions reduction by 2035 from 2005 levels as internal deliberations and departmental advice continue. Sources told Sky News earlier this year that a 65 per cent cut was more likely, in line with the 65-75 range floated by the Climate Change Authority. Meanwhile, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry has warned against overly ambitious targets. "We will only support something that's realistic, that's affordable for the Australian economy," ACCI CEO Andrew McKellar told Sky News on Tuesday. 'We have got to be realistic about the contribution that we can make. There's no point driving our economy into the ground.' ACCI's submission to the Productivity Commission argued any target above 65 per cent would jeopardise the viability of small businesses and industry. Shadow Energy Minister Dan Tehan recently condemned the Albanese government for overseeing what he called a botched energy transition. 'Well, the problem is that (Energy Minister) Chris Bowen's made a complete mess of our electricity transition,' he told Sky News. 'Everywhere you look, it's a mess. And the one thing that he doesn't want to answer is, what is the cost of this mess? 'We know that his plans don't take into consideration the cost of this rollout of new poles and wires. He won't put a figure on it. We now know that that's delayed. 'So, what does that mean when it comes to the grid's reliability going forward, and also what does it mean for consumers?'
UPI
16 hours ago
- Politics
- UPI
Amazon deforestation worsens in Brazil, Peru, data show
Activists protest in Sao Paulo, Brazil, in October in front of a mural painted with ashes from the fires ravaging the country. The mural, by Brazilian artist Mundano, was unveiled with a demand that agricultural companies stop deforestation in the Amazon. File photo by Isaac Fontana/EPA July 15 (UPI) -- The Amazon rainforest -- considered one of the world's most important climate regulators -- continues to face serious threats in 2025. New data show that pressure on the ecosystem has intensified in Brazil and Peru during the first half of the year, while Colombia reports progress in curbing deforestation. In Brazil, the National Institute for Space Research reported that 807 square miles of forest were lost between January and June -- a 27% increase compared to the same period in 2024. The spike was especially pronounced between April and June, coinciding with the dry season and a rise in illegal activities, such as large-scale cattle ranching. In May, the deforested area increased by a record 51% compared to the same month last year. "The loss of forest in May 2025 was largely due to wildfires. ... We are beginning to see a shift that confirms the warnings ... that the rainforest is being severely impacted by climate change," said João Paulo Capobianco, executive secretary of Brazil's Ministry of Environment and Climate Change. The trend threatens to reverse the gains made in 2023 and 2024, when deforestation fell to its lowest level in nearly a decade, driven by stronger enforcement and improved monitoring. In Peru, while official figures for the first half of 2025 have not yet been released, the Monitoring of the Andean Amazon Project warns of ongoing primary forest loss in regions such as Ucayali and Madre de Dios, where illegal mining and wildfires have caused significant damage. Peru lost more than 140,000 hectares, or 346,000 acres, of forest in 2024, and active hot spots detected in early 2025 suggest the trend is continuing. According to the country's Ministry of Environment, deforestation in the first quarter of the year totaled 27,000 hectares, or about 67,000 acres -- a 33% decrease compared to the same period in 2024. The drop was even more pronounced in Amazonian national parks, where forest clearing fell by 54%. The reduction was driven by a government-led multisector strategy that combined satellite monitoring, community agreements and joint operations that involve the military, environmental agencies and prosecutors. However, a separate report by the Office of the Inspector General warned that forest clearing continues in remote areas, with more than 88,000 hectares, or 217,000 acres, affected between October 2024 and March. The upcoming COP30 summit, scheduled for November 2025 in Belém do Pará, Brazil, could be critical for setting commitments and securing concrete funding to protect the Amazon, which is essential for maintaining climate stability, not only for South America, but for the entire planet.
Irish Post
a day ago
- Business
- Irish Post
Historic moment as Tánaiste welcomes Brazilian Foreign Minister to Ireland
TÁNAISTE Simon Harris has held an historic meeting with Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira in Dublin. Mr Vieira's trip celebrated 50 years of diplomatic ties between the two nations and marked the first official visit of a Brazilian foreign minister to Ireland. Tánaiste Simon Harris has held an historic meeting with Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira in Dublin (Pic: 'I was delighted to welcome Minister Vieira to Ireland, especially as we celebrate 50 years of diplomatic ties, a milestone highlighting the depth of our relationship,' Mr Harris said. The pair discussed bilateral relations, relations between the European Union and the Latin America and Caribbean region, and wider global challenges, a spokesperson for Ireland's Department of Foreign Affairs explained. 'I expressed Ireland's support for Brazil's upcoming presidency of COP30 and welcomed its leadership in global climate effort,' Mr Harris said. 'Ireland will contribute €15 million to the Brazilian government's Amazon Fund starting in 2025,' he added. 'I also recognised the valuable contribution of the Brazilian community to Irish society.' While in Ireland, Minister Vieira will pay a courtesy call on President Higgins in Áras an Uachtaráin and also meet with the Brazil-Ireland Parliamentary Friendship Group in Leinster House.
Sky News AU
a day ago
- Business
- Sky News AU
Businesses heads warn overly ambitious emission reduction targets could cause economic harm as unions push for re-imposition of carbon tax
Australia's most influential business group have railed against the implementation of a 2035 emission reduction target larger than 65 per cent, stating that the move would impede economic growth and stymie manufacturing. In a letter to the Productivity Commission's five pillars inquiry, which will compile the agenda of the Albanese government's reform roundtable, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry reiterated the 2035 climate targets needed to be grounded in reality. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is reportedly weighing a 65 – 75 per cent 2035 emission reduction target, in line with Climate Change Authority advice. The government is not expected to announce Australia's 2035 climate target until at least September ahead of the COP 30 conference in Brazil in November. However, chief executive of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Andrew McKellar said the government should refrain from pursuing a 2035 emission reduction target above 65 per cent, and stated that even the 2030 target of 43 per cent was "increasingly challenging." "We will only support something that's realistic, that's affordable for the Australian economy," Mr McKellar told Sky News on Tuesday. ACCI's submission to the Productivity Commission further outlined that a 2035 federal target over 65 per cent would risk the viability of small businesses and industry". "We have got to be realistic about the contribution that we can make. There's no point driving our economy into the ground," Mr McKellar added. Mr McKellar, who's body represents over 350,000 businesses nationwide, told The Australian anything in the 65 to 75 per cent range would be 'exceedingly challenging for the Australian economy". Despite the ACCI supporting the Albanese government's 43 per cent 2030 climate target, it has consistently pushed for market-oriented solutions and lobbied for the government to create the right environment to bolster private investment. The submission added that 'were the government to set a more ambitious 2035 NDC (Nationally Determined Contribution) ACCI would be greatly concerned about the impact on the productivity, competitiveness and viability of Australian businesses, as well as the cost to the taxpayer'. Meanwhile, the Australian Council of Trade Union used their submission to the Productivity Commission ahead of the economic forum to call on the government to impose a Julia Gillard-style, economy wide carbon tax. The ACTU said a far-reaching carbon tax was one of the best measures the government could take to ensure Australia was meeting its international climate obligations and stated Ms Gillard's carbon pricing mechanism spurred economic growth while limiting emissions. The peak union body also tore into the Albanese government's safeguard mechanism, which sets limits on the emissions of high polluting facilities and said the policy was ineffective and lacked teeth. 'The Productivity Commission's investigation of means to reduce the cost of meeting carbon targets should proceed from these premises, with the goal of internalising the externalities of carbon pollution in line with the principles of carbon pricing,' the ACTU's submission read. The ACTU submission further urged the Productivity Commission to examine whether there were existing federal government fossil fuel subsidies that could be abolished. The Climate Change Authority, chaired by former NSW Liberal MP Matt Kean, has reportedly not finalised its advice to the Albanese government on the 2035 emission reduction target and is still assessing feedback from a range of groups and bodies.
