Happy New Year everyone! It is a new year and a new decade and time for our resolutions. My climate resolutions for 2010 are:

1. An international climate agreement. Although unsatisfactory to many, the Copenhagen agreement between China, India, Brazil and the US was crafted. Will the four nations follow up on their agreement by meeting their February 2010 commitments?

An International climate agreement should address the following issues:
Developed nations commit to quantified economy-wide emissions targets for 2020
Developing nations implement mitigation actions.
Funding from developed nations to provide new and additional resources, including forestry and investments through international institutions, approaching $30 billion. 2012 should be marked with balanced allocation between adaptation and mitigation.

2. Federal Climate Legislation or Rules. At this point, it’s unclear if Congress will be successful in creating federal climate laws. It appears that Congressional climate legislation is the preferred option by business and industry. However, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is exercising its authority under the Clean Air Act. But the Cattle Growers Association has already challenged the EPA and likely more lawsuits will come. Bottom line is the U.S. businesses need clear climate reduction goals in order to fund and implement their strategies.

3. State leadership. California is an exemplary state that created a low carbon fuel standard and carbon scheme.

The Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) requires fuel providers to reduce the carbon intensity of transportation fuels sold in the state. An executive order was adopted directing the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to increase California’s Renewable Portfolio Standard from 20 to 33 percent by 2020. The northeastern states of Regional EGGI have signed a memorandum to adopt California’s low carbon fuel standards. This standard is already under challenge by an ethanol fuel industry group.

The carbon scheme would cap emissions of large emitters including power plants, refineries, cement plants, and other big factories at 15% below today’s levels by 2020. The CARB is required to adopt the cap-and-trade regulation by January 1, 2011. The rule will go into effect January 1, 2012.

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Questions or comments for Dave?
Drop him a line at davescorner@netgreennews.com