Search Climate Insights Directory

The Changing Markets Foundation and partner organisations inform the Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) that the company scored 12.8 out of 100 in a ranking of climate policies, indicating a lack of meaningful action to reduce methane emissions. The authors state that none of the 20 companies analysed in their 'Blindspot' report report methane emissions separately or have concrete targets to reduce them. The letter recommends that DFA set science-based targets aligned with 1.5°C, report CO2 and methane separately, invest in alternative proteins, and support policies that shift diets toward sustainable options.

The Changing Markets Foundation and partner organizations write to Marfrig to highlight the company's lack of concrete methane reduction targets and to request specific data on investments in abatement technologies and meat alternatives.

The Changing Markets Foundation and partner organisations inform Mengniu Dairy that it scored 4.0 out of 100 in a ranking of climate policies, noting the company has not set specific methane reduction targets or reported methane-specific emissions. The authors call for the company to adopt science-based targets aligned with a 1.5°C limit, report CO2 and methane separately, and invest in alternative proteins.

The Changing Markets Foundation and partner organisations inform Vion Food Group that it scored 4.0 out of 100 in a ranking of meat and dairy companies' climate policies, specifically noting a lack of methane-specific emissions reporting and reduction targets. The authors recommend that Vion set science-based targets aligned with 1.5°C, report CO2 and methane emissions separately, and invest in alternative proteins. The letter requests specific data on investments in methane abatement and meat alternatives over the last five years.

The Center for International Environmental Law argues that COP26 failed to address the root causes of the climate crisis, specifically fossil fuels, and instead relied on 'false solutions' like carbon offsets. The statement highlights the exclusion of civil society and Indigenous Peoples from negotiations, the inadequacy of climate finance for adaptation and loss and damage, and the persistence of 'greenwashing' by corporate interests. While noting some progress in marginal alliances like the Beyond Oil & Gas Alliance, the author concludes that the official negotiated outcomes lack the ambition and equity required to keep global warming below 1.5°C.

The report finds that the introduction of a mandatory environmental conciliation stage has paralyzed 98% of deforestation-related infringement notices issued between October 2019 and May 2021, exacerbating impunity. This occurs against a broader trend of weakening environmental control since 2015, with deforestation rates returning to 2006 levels by 2021. The analysis also highlights severe transparency gaps in Ibama's open data, including the loss of geographic area data for sanctions after August 2019 and restricted public access to procedural documents.

Uttar Pradesh is lagging behind other high-demand Indian states in renewable energy adoption, with only 30% of its 2022 capacity target achieved by October 2021. The state remains heavily dependent on coal, which accounts for approximately 90% of in-state generation, leaving it vulnerable to supply chain disruptions and high costs. IEEFA modelling suggests that if the state meets its 2030 target of 23.5GW of solar, solar power could meet the majority of future electricity demand growth. However, progress is hindered by the financial instability of state-owned distribution companies (Discoms), characterized by high AT&C losses and expensive long-term thermal power purchase agreements. The report recommends retiring old coal plants, expanding distributed solar, and utilizing open market platforms to improve the financial viability of the electricity sector.

The report finds that most of the 88+ GW of proposed US gas power plants are economically uncompetitive compared to Clean Energy Portfolios (CEPs), which combine wind, solar, storage, energy efficiency, and demand flexibility. At least 70 GW of proposed gas capacity could be avoided using CEPs, potentially saving $22 billion and reducing CO2 emissions by 873 million metric tons over 20 years. The analysis highlights six key headwinds—including declining renewable costs, rising gas prices, and public health impacts—that increase the risk of project cancellations or stranded assets. Specifically, in a central analysis case, 40% of proposed combined cycle (CC) plants would cost more to operate than a new CEP would cost to build within 10 years, a figure that could rise to 80-90% under certain economic scenarios. The report also notes that CEPs create more jobs and avoid significant health costs, particularly in low-income communities and communities of color.

The paper evaluates four scenarios—a Reference Scenario and three increasing levels of policy ambition—to determine the effectiveness of tax credits, infrastructure spending, and performance standards in decarbonizing the U.S. economy. It finds that while tax credits and spending drive early adoption, sector-specific performance standards and negative emissions technologies are essential to reach net-zero by 2050. The analysis concludes that decarbonization is economically feasible, with potential net savings of 0.3 percent of U.S. GDP by 2050 under reference oil prices.

The report finds that France's Plan de relance largely neglects natural capital, with 47% of its budget categorized as neutral or impossible to assess regarding biodiversity. While 28% of the budget is expected to have a positive impact—primarily through climate mitigation—25% is expected to have a negative impact due to support for environmentally damaging industries and company tax reductions. The authors recommend implementing environmental conditionality for funds and adopting nature-based solutions to ensure long-term economic resilience.

The document provides a multi-expert critique of COP26, noting that while the summit completed the Paris Agreement rule book and secured net zero commitments for 90% of the world, it failed to secure a 'grand bargain' for coal with India or a loss and damage fund. It highlights the $8.5 billion just transition deal for South Africa as a potential model but warns that developed nations have failed to meet the $100 billion annual finance goal. Experts argue that the summit ignored the critical role of oceans in carbon absorption and failed to address the resource-intensive economic systems driving global warming.

The document evaluates the revised Renewable Energy Directive (RED), praising the expansion of renewable energy targets into heavy industry and the prevention of double counting for carbon capture and utilization (CCU). However, it criticizes the lack of strong sustainability criteria for biomass, noting that food crops are still labeled as renewable energy. The author emphasizes that 'additionality' in renewable energy production is critical for green hydrogen and renewable fuels of non-biological origin (RFNBOs) to prevent increased natural gas consumption in the power sector. The text also discusses the necessity of grid strengthening and demand-side flexibility for the EU to potentially achieve 100% renewable energy.

The World Resources Institute evaluates COP26, noting that while 151 new national commitments were submitted, they are insufficient to limit warming to 1.5°C. The statement highlights progress on phasing down coal, doubling adaptation funding, and addressing loss and damage, while criticizing the failure of developed nations to meet the $100 billion annual finance goal and the decision to allow old emission credits in carbon markets.

The Climate Action Tracker identifies a 'credibility gap' where current policies lead to 2.7°C of warming, while even the fulfillment of all 2030 targets would result in 2.4°C. Despite 90% of global emissions being covered by net zero targets, only 6% are rated as 'acceptable', and no analyzed country has sufficient short-term policies to reach its net zero goal. The report highlights the continued expansion of coal and natural gas as primary drivers of this failure.

The statement calls for an immediate end to the financing of conventional and unconventional oil and gas expansion in France. It contrasts the recommendations of French regulators (ACPR and AMF) with the actions of Minister Bruno Le Maire and major banks like BNP Paribas, which it claims maintain the status quo. While some investors and banks like La Banque Postale and Crédit Mutuel have committed to ending support for new projects, the document asserts that many others use 'diversion strategies' or flawed policies to continue backing oil and gas majors, specifically TotalEnergies.

The 2021 NDC Update Report finds that while 95% of surveyed countries have strengthened greenhouse gas emissions targets, overall progress remains too slow and pledges insufficient. The report highlights a significant gap in long-term strategies (LTSs), with only 17% of Parties having communicated one to the UNFCCC as of October 2021. It emphasizes the critical role of subnational governments, noting that 80% of respondents view them as important for NDC implementation and 75% report their actual involvement in planning. The document warns against using 'green recovery' narratives as a 'smokescreen' for inaction and calls for a just transition to manage trade-offs between climate action and sustainable development goals.

The analysis finds that emissions trends in 30 major economies are far from Paris Agreement goals, with group emissions projected to increase by approximately 0.4% per year between 2021 and 2030. While nearly two-thirds of the analyzed countries are expected to accelerate mitigation efforts in the 2020s, current policies remain insufficient, as global emissions would need to fall by 7.6% annually until 2030 to meet climate targets.

The report finds that new coal capacity in the IRP 2019 is unnecessary for energy security, more expensive than renewable alternatives, and incompatible with the Paris Agreement. Modelling shows that forcing 1.5 GW of new coal into the system increases total discounted power system costs by R23 billion in a reference scenario and up to R109 billion in a climate policy scenario. Furthermore, the study argues that a high-renewable pathway creates more jobs and supports higher GDP growth than a coal-dominated future.

The briefing argues that while multilateral development banks (MDBs) have made some progress in aligning direct investments with the Paris Agreement, they remain far from fulfilling their overall commitment. Key deficiencies include a lack of standardized fossil fuel exclusion policies, inconsistent greenhouse gas accounting, and a failure to align indirect investments and policy-based loans. The author emphasizes that MDBs must reform their financial instruments and engage in debt relief to ensure developing countries do not sacrifice climate action due to COVID-19 related debt burdens.

The report finds that the majority of European retailers are failing to implement substantive policies for sustainable aquaculture. Three-quarters of the 33 retailers assessed were placed in the 'red zone', with none achieving 'frontrunner' status. Key failures include a lack of targets to eliminate wild-caught fish from feed, inadequate fish welfare protections, and poor transparency in labelling and sourcing. While UK retailers showed more progressive approaches in feed and welfare, and some French and German retailers joined industry initiatives, Spanish retailers performed the worst, with all 11 assessed companies landing in the red zone.