Climate change: Damage bill will be steep
Because of climate change, cyclone-induced flooding could cause damages worth $570 million across coastal areas every year in future, said a new World Bank report released yesterday. The report, "Bangladesh: Enhancing Coastal Resilience in a Changing Climate", analysed the effects of a 0.5-metre rise in sea level, which is "equivalent to the conditions likely to occur in the second half of this century". In that event, Hatiya and Subarnachar upazilas in Noakhali; Mirsharai, Bakalia, Chandgaon, Hathazari and Sandwip upazilas in Chattogram; Galachipa in Patuakhali; Amtali in Barguna, Char Fasson in Bhola and eight other upazilas across Satkhira, Cox's Bazar, Khulna and Bagerhat will each experience yearly damages of at least $25 million. According to the report, these are the upazilas that will be hardest hit by a half-metre rise. Of them, the worst affected will be Galachipa, Amtali and Char Fasson. In the report, there are three categories of floods brought on by cyclones, based on their magnitude. A 10-year cyclone flood event is one that is likely to occur once every 10 years; a 25-year flood once every 25 years; and a 100-year one occurs once every century.
India targets net-zero carbon emissions by 2070, says Modi
India’s economy will become carbon neutral by the year 2070, the country’s prime minster has announced at the COP26 climate crisis summit in Glasgow. The target date is two decades beyond what scientists say is needed to avert catastrophic climate impacts. India is the last of the world’s major carbon polluters to announce a net-zero target, with China saying it would reach that goal in 2060, and the United States and the European Union aiming for 2050.
COP26: What climate summit means for one woman in Bangladesh
China's carbon emissions are vast and growing, dwarfing those of other countries. Experts agree that without big reductions in China's emissions, the world cannot win the fight against climate change. In 2020, China's President Xi Jinping said his country would aim for its emissions to reach their highest point before 2030 and for carbon neutrality before 2060. His statement has now been confirmed as China's official position ahead of the COP26 global climate summit in Glasgow. But China has not said exactly how these goals will be achieved.
Why China's climate policy matters to us all
China's carbon emissions are vast and growing, dwarfing those of other countries. Experts agree that without big reductions in China's emissions, the world cannot win the fight against climate change. In 2020, China's President Xi Jinping said his country would aim for its emissions to reach their highest point before 2030 and for carbon neutrality before 2060. His statement has now been confirmed as China's official position ahead of the COP26 global climate summit in Glasgow. But China has not said exactly how these goals will be achieved.
Deliver on promises, developing world tells rich at climate talks
A crucial U.N. conference heard calls on its first day for the world's major economies to keep their promises of financial help to address the climate crisis, while big polluters India and Brazil made new commitments to cut emissions. World leaders, environmental experts and activists all pleaded for decisive action to halt the global warming which threatens the future of the planet at the start of the two-week COP26 summit in the Scottish city of Glasgow on Monday. The task facing negotiators was made even more daunting by the failure of the Group of 20 major industrial nations to agree ambitious new commitments at the weekend.