WRAP UP

Tamar Hallerman
GHG Monitor
2/15/13

ON THE DOMESTIC FRONT

Two polls commissioned by environmental groups and released following President Obama’s State of the Union address on Wednesday conclude that a majority of people want to see government action on climate change. A Natural Resources Defense Council survey conducted immediately after the President’s address by the Democratic-leaning Public Policy Polling found that 60 percent of respondents support Obama using his executive authority to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Meanwhile, a poll conducted by Obama’s former pollster Joel Benenson and commissioned by the League of Conservation Voters concludes that 65 percent of respondents support Obama taking “significant” steps to address climate change. The two polls come as environmental groups ramp up pressure on Congress and the Obama Administration to take steps to mitigate climate change. The Center for Climate and Energy Solutions released its own set of recommendations this week.

ON THE INTERNATIONAL FRONT

European leaders agreed to devote at least 20 percent of the European Union’s $1.28 trillion budget to climate-related spending between 2014 and 2020. Heads of state and government for the 27-nation bloc agreed to the budget Feb. 8 after marathon negotiating sessions in Brussels last week. The final agreement says that climate spending should focus on strengthening “energy security, building a low-carbon, resource efficient and climate resilient economy that will enhance Europe’s competitiveness and create more and greener jobs.” “This is a major step forward for our efforts to handle the climate crisis. Rather than being parked in a corner of the EU budget, climate action will now be integrated into all main spending areas—cohesion, innovation, infrastructure, agriculture etc,” European Commissioner for Climate Action Connie Hedegaard said on her website. “It underscores yet again the European leadership in the fight against this crucial challenge.”