Green News Blog 10 June 08
Added On: 10/06/2008
1 RatingsJapan vows future emissions cut
Japan will aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 60-80% by 2050.
Announcing the target, Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda said Japan could match the EU in cuts over the next 10 years, but did not set targets on this timescale.
Mr Fukuda also announced the setting up of a trial national carbon market which could help establish a global scheme. The news came ahead of next month's G8 summit in Japan, at which heads of government aim to develop a position on future cuts in greenhouse emissions.
Mr Fukuda hopes to use the summit to build a consensus among the G8 countries which currently remain divided on how to approach the period after the current Kyoto Protocol targets expire in 2012.
Hopefully this will encourage the other G8 countries to follow suit, but the USA still looks doubtful even with a new president, according to analysts. Sort it out chaps!
Source BBC Website
Argentine leader defends tax hike on grain exports
Argentina's president has defended her government's decision to impose higher grain export tax, which has triggered months of protests by farmers.
Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner said the additional money raised would be spent on tackling poverty by building more housing, hospitals and roads.
She also apologised to anyone who had been offended by anything she had done.
On Monday, the farmers suspended the protests in the hope of returning to the negotiations with the government.
Argentina raised export taxes on soy from 35% to 45% in March, trying to tap into an international commodities boom.
Will she tax other commodities other than soya? We'll have to see, but the Argentines know how to do a proper protest...
Source BBC Website
Gas Cost Hits New High
Energy Bills in the UK look set to soar again after wholesale gas prices hit an all-time high yesterday (10/06/08).
A therm of gas, enough for 12 hours in the average house, will cost £1 to supply this winter, and £1.09 in the spring.
The previous record was 88p in April 2006.
Best hope the rest of the year is warm!
Source The Sun Newspaper, UK
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