International Climate Finance

End the Coal for Carbon Credits Scandal

The Sierra Club and CDM-Watch first broke the coal for carbon credits scandal occurring at the United Nations offsetting mechanism (the Clean Development Mechanism CDM) associated with the Kyoto Protocol back in July. If you’re unfamiliar with CDM – here’s a definition from the UN: The CDM allows emission-reduction projects in developing countries to earn […]

The World Bank Still Can't Quit Dirty Coal

This column was co-written by Justin Guay of the Sierra Club International Program. As the New York Times recently reported, coal plants don’t come dirtier than the Soviet-era relics currently in operation in Kosovo. Despite the terrible pollution these plants spew, the World Bank has decided the only option for this young country is to […]

International: The UN Clean Development Mechanism's Growing Coal Scandal

When is the last time you were paid for NOT showing up for work? Or better yet, got a bonus for doing the exact opposite of what you’re supposed to? That’s exactly what the backers of massive coal projects are asking the Clean Development Mechanism Executive Board to do when they apply for carbon credits. […]

U.S. Gives South Africa Coal for Earth Day

An Open Letter on U.S. Support for New Coal Plants in Africa, from Mary Anne Hitt, Director of the Sierra Club Beyond Coal Campaign, and Bobby Peak, Director of groundWork South Africa. Dear Export Import Bank President Fred Hochberg, As Earth Day approaches we write to express our shock and disappointment at the Export Import […]

Protesters: Why Lock the World into a Coal-Powered Future?

This post was co-written by Justin Guay of the Sierra Club International Program. The Sierra Club, Friends of the Earth, Pacific Environment, Jubilee USA, groundWork South Africa and dozens of activists joined forces today to protest proposed Export-Import Bank’s financing of the enormously destructive Kusile coal fired power plant in South Africa (see photos here). […]

The Cancun compromise

The consensus reached at 3:00 a.m. last Saturday to forge the “Cancun Agreements” was a critical step forward in forging an effective global compact to fight global warming. It was the best possible outcome from a meeting that was often teetering on the edge of disaster. Nonetheless, these agreements will not solve the problem, and some of the hardest issues in forging a climate treaty are still waiting to be addressed.

The United States Needs to Lead on Climate Finance

This piece was co-written by Sean Sarah, National Press Desk, Alliance for Climate Protection. Today, the Alliance for Climate Protection and the Center for American Progress released a report, based on analysis by Climate Advisers and Project Catalyst, that provides a blueprint for how the United States can show leadership on climate finance, despite current […]