Carbon emissions stabilize, data show
PARIS – Global carbon emissions stayed stable last year even though the economy grew, according to data released Friday that could boost chances for a landmark climate accord later this year.
The rising use of renewable energy, particularly in China, played a role in keeping emissions to 32.3 billion tons of carbon dioxide last year, the same as in 2013, the International Energy Agency said.
Over the past 50 years, the only other times that global emissions stayed the same or shrank were during economic downturns – in the early 1980s, in 1992 and in 2009.
Incoming IEA director Fatih Birol called the development “a very welcome surprise and a significant one,” because it shows that countries can grow economically without increasing emissions.
The report said the numbers suggest that government and industry policies to fight climate change may be working better than expected, notably by reducing a reliance on coal and using more wind and solar power.
Serbia defends role in security group
BELGRADE, Serbia – Serbia’s Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic says his country’s close ties with Russia are not hampering Belgrade’s chairmanship over the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe which has a key monitoring role in Ukraine.
Dacic told The Associated Press in an interview Friday that Serbia’s close-knit relationship with Slavic ally Russia “most certainly is not a handicap” when it comes to remaining unbiased in the Ukrainian crisis.
Dacic said “even the Ukrainian foreign minister told me ... they see it as an advantage if it is used for de-escalation” of hostilities.
Serbia took over the OSCE chairmanship in January amid some concern in the West because of Belgrade’s refusal to impose Western-backed sanctions against Moscow over its role in Ukraine.
Associated Press
