Largest firms 'fail to disclose emissions'
New UK rules require big companies to disclose their greenhouse gas emissions. 12% of businesses have cut greenhouse gas emissions enough to keep global warming below two degrees and only 20 of 160 big emitters are reducing emissions fast enough to meet the Paris agreement. Meanwhile globally a quarter of the highest-emitting publicly-listed companies have actually failed to even report their greenhouse gas emissions and nearly half do not properly consider the risks from the climate crisis in decision-making. The wealthy are causing climate change. It is over three years since the Paris agreement and although the corporate sector is improving its climate planning and performance, it is not fast enough. Barely 12% of companies in oil, gas, steel, aluminium, utilities, car manufacturing and air transport plan to reduce emissions at the rate required to keep global warming below 2C.
Brexit’s effect on Europe
Brexit will affect not just the UK but the whole of Europe. The Brexit reality is not just an economic problem but part of larger cultural and social forces sweeping across Europe. The impact of Brexit on the EU will result in social and economic changes to the Union and also longer term political and institutional shifts. The extent of these effects remain speculative until the precise terms of UK’s post-Brexit relationship with the EU becomes clear. With the EU's policies on freedom of movement and the economic benefits and drawbacks which the UK and the EU provide each other with, there will be a clear impact with consequences for both institutions.
Germany: no ground troops in Syria
The US is hoping Europe will help in the IS fight, putting pressuring Britain, France and now Germany. Germany has so far deployed surveillance aircraft and other non-combat military support. Chancellor Angela Merkel faced cross-party pressure to reject the US request for German soldiers to serve in Syria. US special Syria representative told German media that Washington wanted Berlin boots on the ground in the north of Syria. The mandate for Germany's participation in Syria runs out on 31 October, meaning that parliament would be called on to decide what to do beyond that date. The German government spokesman, Steffen Seibert said: ‘When I say that the government intends to continue with its ongoing measures in the framework of the anti-IS coalition, then that means no ground troops. For years Germany has been making a significant and internationally acknowledged contribution to fighting IS.’
Mongolia: corruption and Christianity
In March Parliament made it possible for judges, prosecutors and others to be fired by the National Security Council. Since then the head of the Supreme Court, the director and deputy director of the anti-corruption agency, and the chief prosecutor and his deputy have all been sacked. Last week, 17 judges were removed from their posts. However there are still more corruption allegations swirling around dozens of members of Parliament. Eventhe president is implicated in a scandal from his time as head of the Transport Ministry. Mongolia as a Christian mission field is full of promise. From the capital city of Ulaanbaatar, the gospel is gaining momentum and reaching across rural areas. Churches welcome missionaries wanting to evangelise while meeting practical needs. Mongolian officials have expressed their desire for ‘foreign experts’ to help with pressing social problems, provide training for information technology and giving young people a safe environment. See
