Search Climate Insights Directory

This research paper argues for a redefined approach to multilateralism to address chronic and catastrophic global risks, specifically the climate crisis and pandemics, which are overwhelming the responsive capacities of nations and communities.

This research paper by Olsson and Dawkins introduces the provisioning systems framework to analyze how human needs can be met without exceeding the boundaries of sustainable natural resource use, specifically focusing on climate change mitigation.

The document outlines the negotiations and eventual adoption of a WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies aimed at curbing subsidies that contribute to overfishing, overcapacity, and illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. It highlights the convergence of WTO members during the lead-up to the June 2022 MC12 conference and notes Singapore's role as the first coastal state to ratify the legally binding framework.

This report details a Sustainable Asset Valuation (SAVi) assessment of wastewater treatment infrastructure options for the Hartenbos estuary in South Africa, evaluating their impact on water quality, nutrient loads, and potential for agricultural water reuse.

This report analyzes land-use changes between 2015 and 2019 in the most populous cities of the 'Critical 9' countries to assess the impact of urbanization on the Urban Heat Island Effect (UHIE) and cooling needs. Using Copernicus Land Monitoring Service data and the IPCC's SSP1-1.9 emissions scenario, the analysis details how the expansion of built-up areas at the expense of natural heat sinks—such as forests, wetlands, and vegetation—increases heat risks for vulnerable populations.

This report by the Stockholm Environment Institute outlines a framework for achieving climate-neutral cities, focusing on the identification of emission sources across three scopes and the deployment of efficiency and carbon capture technologies. It emphasizes a systems-thinking approach to urban mitigation, specifically targeting the transportation and built environment sectors while excluding large-scale electricity generation and general industry solutions.

The South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) hosted a hybrid conference on 13 May 2022 titled 'The Peaceful Application of Nuclear Science and Technology in the Development Agenda'. The event focused on the role of nuclear technology in Africa's development, emphasizing institutional regulation, the inclusion of women and youth, and the pursuit of 'nuclear justice' and disarmament.

This report details the activities of the Executive Directorate of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) during the 2021-2022 intersessional period. It outlines achievements in scientific research, capacity building, and science-policy communication, specifically focusing on climate change, health, and transdisciplinary research in the Americas.

This report by RMI proposes a structured finance scenario to retire the coal-fired Red Hills Power Plant in Mississippi seven years early and replace it with a clean energy portfolio, demonstrating how restructuring long-term contracts can benefit customers, bondholders, fuel suppliers, and workers.

Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) issued a statement clarifying its operational partnership with the United Nations Office of Project Services (UNOPS), which has provided administrative and fund management services since 2016 under an agreement running until December 2024. SEforALL emphasizes that it retains full oversight and conducts annual audits of funds managed by UNOPS. The statement comes in response to reports of fund mismanagement within UNOPS's S3i impact investing initiative, which is currently under independent investigation by the United Nations.

This guide from RMI outlines the current state and potential for electrifying various trucking sectors in North America, from passenger pickups and delivery vans to medium-duty box trucks and heavy-duty big rigs. It highlights the economic viability of electrification for several segments and the significant greenhouse gas emission reductions possible through the transition.

This policy brief evaluates the impact of rural credit provided by the Brazilian National Development Bank (BNDES) for the purchase of farming machinery and equipment between 2005 and 2019. The study finds that such credit increases agricultural productivity and stimulates production without increasing deforestation, often by replacing pasture areas with more productive cropland. The effects are most pronounced in municipalities with high labor intensity and when credit is used for labor-saving equipment.

This discussion paper by Ember reviews the development of coal power in China during the 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-2020) and proposes policy entry points to transition coal power from a primary energy source to a supportive role providing flexibility and backup capacity for a decarbonised grid.

This briefing discusses how hybrid clean energy systems—combining local renewable resources like solar with baseload resources like geothermal—can address energy and climate injustices in marginalized communities. It highlights the disproportionate impact of extreme heat and aging gas infrastructure on low-income communities of color and evaluates policy interventions and technical models, such as a geothermal pilot in Massachusetts, to improve energy security and resilience.

The Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE) submitted a response to Health Canada's Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) regarding the special review of chlorothalonil. CAPE supports the decision to cancel the use of chlorothalonil and associated end-use products and the revocation of Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs), while urging for the immediate cancellation of all uses, including those in greenhouses and mushroom houses, due to unresolved human health and occupational risks.

This document is a report and draft decision from the 30th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI), proposing the adoption of a revised Gender, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Policy for scientific projects and capacity-building activities.

The Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) has developed a revised Gender, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (GEDI) Policy for its scientific projects and capacity-building activities. This policy aims to integrate equity and diversity into the IAI's regional research and policy efforts, specifically targeting the inclusion of underrepresented groups such as women, indigenous peoples, and LGBTQ+ individuals to improve the quality of science and public policy regarding global change.

This policy brief by the International Institute for Sustainable Development examines the drivers of global forest loss, the evolution of international forest governance, and the role of private sector commitments and carbon markets in forest protection.

This RMI fact sheet argues that hydrogen is not a significant warming risk and is a powerful tool for decarbonizing hard-to-electrify sectors. It asserts that hydrogen's warming potential is significantly lower than that of the natural gas it replaces, particularly when considering energy density. The document emphasizes that focusing deployment on industrial hubs and prioritizing green hydrogen can minimize leakage risks and maximize emissions reductions.

This executive summary, published by the Africa Policy Research Institute (APRI) and the Heinrich Böll Foundation, analyzes how the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) can be leveraged to support Africa's green transition. It argues that while the AfCFTA agreement contains minimal environmental references, it can be adjusted to eliminate trade barriers for environmental goods and services. The document emphasizes the need for a phased decarbonization approach for fossil-fuel-dependent nations and recommends that development partners increase climate financing and align initiatives like the European Green Deal with African realities to avoid duplicating existing continental climate strategies.