THE POLICY CLIMATE

The report analyzes the shift from stalled global climate negotiations toward national and subnational policy actions. It examines sectoral emissions drivers and the effectiveness of various policy instruments—including carbon pricing, renewable energy mandates, and energy efficiency programs—across Brazil, China, the EU, India, and the US, while emphasizing the role of innovation and finance in achieving low-carbon growth.

• Global climate negotiations are described as being 'stuck in the past', reflecting a 1992 world order that does not align with the current geopolitical reality where emerging economies like China and India are major emitters and economic powers.
• Between 2001 and 2010, China and India were the primary drivers of global energy-related CO2 emissions growth, with China accounting for 68% and India for 8%.
• Brazil significantly reduced deforestation in the Amazon from a peak of 27,000 square kilometers in 2004 to 5,000 square kilometers in 2011, largely due to the Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Deforestation in the Legal Amazon (PPCDAm).
• China's 'Top 1000' program, which targeted the largest industrial enterprises with energy audits and efficiency mandates, resulted in estimated savings of 165 million tonnes of coal equivalent.
• The European Union's 20-20-20 targets for 2020 aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 20%, derive 20% of energy consumption from renewables, and reduce primary energy use by 20%.
• In the United States, energy-related CO2 emissions fell by 13% over a seven-year period, driven by a combination of economic recession, private investment in shale fracking, and various state-level policies.
• India's climate policy is primarily driven by development and energy security goals rather than climate change itself, focusing on reducing reliance on imported oil and coal.
• High interest rates in India significantly increase the cost of renewable energy projects, adding an estimated 24–32% to the cost compared to similar projects in the US and Europe.
• The EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) is the world's largest carbon market, covering over 11,000 power stations and industrial plants across 31 countries.
• Innovation policy is categorized into different stages—basic R&D, applied R&D, demonstration, commercialization, and deployment—each requiring different tools such as grants, prizes, or feed-in tariffs.

APA

Climate Policy Initiative (n.d.). THE POLICY CLIMATE. https://www.climatepolicyinitiative.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/The-Policy-Climate.pdf

Chicago

Climate Policy Initiative. THE POLICY CLIMATE. n.d. https://www.climatepolicyinitiative.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/The-Policy-Climate.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Climate Policy Initiative |title=THE POLICY CLIMATE |url=https://www.climatepolicyinitiative.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/The-Policy-Climate.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{climatepolicyinitiativendpolicy, author = {{Climate Policy Initiative}}, title = {{THE POLICY CLIMATE}}, institution = {Climate Policy Initiative}, url = {https://www.climatepolicyinitiative.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/The-Policy-Climate.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }