Search Climate Insights Directory
92 results
Active travel is popular: walking, wheeling and cycling
The briefing highlights that active travel is a common part of daily life for most people in Britain, with strong public support for investment in walking, wheeling, and cycling infrastructure, even if it reduces road space for cars. While active travel is associated with freedom for one third of respondents, there is a significant gap in perceived safety compared to car travel, with only 19% associating active travel with feeling safe versus 52% for cars. Geographic disparities exist, with a higher proportion of people in Wales reporting they rarely travel actively compared to those in London.
AI-generated
This summary is written by a language model reading the source document. It is not the publisher's words and is not a substitute for the original.
Document type: Briefing
Analysis: Illinois is leaving money on the table until it embraces clean transportation
RMI analysis indicates that Illinois households could save over $2,800 annually by implementing a combination of vehicle electrification standards, climate-driven agency planning, and renewed transit investments. These strategies could reduce pollution by up to 305 million metric tons between 2024 and 2050 and prevent thousands of deaths annually through reduced crash fatalities, improved air quality, and increased physical activity. While Illinois has received federal funding via the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act, the report notes the state has yet to adopt clean vehicle standards or integrate climate metrics into infrastructure project scoring.
AI-generated
This summary is written by a language model reading the source document. It is not the publisher's words and is not a substitute for the original.
Document type: Report
Transport Choice Infrastructure Impact
The study identifies reliability, punctuality, and physical accessibility as the primary drivers of transport modal choice among Swedish residents, noting that transport cost is not necessarily a key factor. While most respondents share similar expectations regardless of sociodemographic group, some regional differences exist in how transport infrastructure is experienced.
AI-generated
This summary is written by a language model reading the source document. It is not the publisher's words and is not a substitute for the original.
Document type: Research paper
Brazilian Cities Save Lives by Improving Road Safety
The São Paulo Complete Streets Network, a partnership between WRI and the Bloomberg Initiative for Global Road Safety, supported Brazilian cities in redesigning infrastructure to protect pedestrians, cyclists, and public transit users. Between 2020 and 2023, ten cities in São Paulo implemented measures such as expanded sidewalks, cycle lanes, and reduced speed limits. These efforts contributed to a shift where the crash mortality rate in these cities fell below the state average of São Paulo in 2022, compared to 2021 when it was higher.
AI-generated
This summary is written by a language model reading the source document. It is not the publisher's words and is not a substitute for the original.
Document type: Case study
Drive Less, Live More: How States Can Lead the Way in Climate-Smart Transportation
The report advocates for a strategic shift in US state transportation policy, moving away from highway expansion toward the reduction of vehicle miles traveled (VMT). It highlights that while vehicle electrification is progress, it is insufficient on its own to meet climate goals. RMI analysis suggests that a 20% reduction in per-capita VMT by 2050 could prevent 6,000 annual fatalities, save $259 billion in annual costs, and avoid 2.3 gigatons of carbon dioxide equivalent. The document urges states to utilize funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) for transit, micro-mobility, and 'complete streets' rather than projects that induce more traffic.
AI-generated
This summary is written by a language model reading the source document. It is not the publisher's words and is not a substitute for the original.
Document type: Report
Solicitud de Opinión Consultiva Emergencia climática y derechos humanos
The Global Climate & Health Alliance (GCHA) argues that climate change is a critical threat to public health in Latin America and the Caribbean, exacerbating inequalities and violating human rights. The document details specific health impacts—including heat-related deaths, respiratory issues from wildfires and air pollution, and the spread of vector-borne diseases like dengue—while highlighting the vulnerability of indigenous peoples, children, and the elderly. It asserts that states have legal obligations under the American Convention on Human Rights and the Paris Agreement to prevent climate-related health harms. The GCHA recommends a transition away from fossil fuels, the elimination of 'sacrifice zones,' and the implementation of sustainable land management and urban design to achieve health and climate co-benefits.
AI-generated
This summary is written by a language model reading the source document. It is not the publisher's words and is not a substitute for the original.
Document type: Legal commentary
How to talk to Persuadables about transport
The document argues that reducing petrol car use is essential for the UK to meet its Paris Agreement commitments, citing the Climate Change Committee's recommendation for "fewer car miles travelled" and the Department for Transport's goal of an "accelerating modal shift to public and active transport". It highlights the communication challenges associated with these goals, noting how Oxford's traffic filter system in 2023 was misconstrued as "15 minute cities" and became a "global conspiracy". The guide aims to provide tactics to discuss scientifically necessary transport changes without triggering a "culture war" among Persuadables.
AI-generated
This summary is written by a language model reading the source document. It is not the publisher's words and is not a substitute for the original.
Document type: Guide
A Sustainable Asset Valuation of Non-Motorized Transport in Coimbatore, India
The SAVi assessment of Coimbatore's NMT plan, which involves 300 km of routes to be implemented by 2035, demonstrates that the project is highly profitable from a societal perspective. While a conventional benefit-cost ratio (BCR) suggests the project is not economically viable (0.47 to 0.50), the sustainable benefit-cost ratio (S-BCR), which includes externalities, ranges from 4.75 to 4.93. The largest individual benefit is the avoided cost of traffic accidents, valued at INR 30,144 million. Other significant gains include health benefits from physical activity and reduced fuel costs, although these are partially offset by the health costs of increased air pollution exposure for cyclists.
AI-generated
This summary is written by a language model reading the source document. It is not the publisher's words and is not a substitute for the original.
Document type: Report
Paris’ Vision for a ‘15-Minute City’ Sparks a Global Movement
Paris has implemented a '15-Minute City' strategy to reduce car dependency and air pollution by ensuring residents can access essential services within 15 minutes via walking, cycling, or public transport. Key initiatives include converting the Seine's riverbanks into a car-free park, expanding cycling infrastructure to over 1,000 kilometers, and opening school yards as community hubs. The program also emphasizes participatory governance, including a 75 million euro participatory budget. This model of 'chrono-urbanism' has since been adopted by other global cities such as Melbourne, Ottawa, and Shanghai.
AI-generated
This summary is written by a language model reading the source document. It is not the publisher's words and is not a substitute for the original.
Document type: Case study
Prosperity for the Many
The report examines the impact of housing commodification in European cities, contrasting the neoliberal policies of the UK and Germany with the social housing models of Vienna, France, and Barcelona. It highlights how public investment and political commitment to housing as a human right, rather than a market asset, lead to lower rent burdens and better urban quality of life.
AI-generated
This summary is written by a language model reading the source document. It is not the publisher's words and is not a substitute for the original.
Document type: Report
Transição energética justa para um mundo saudável e livre de combustíveis fósseis
The document advocates for a just energy transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy, emphasizing that this shift must prioritize social and ecological justice to maximize health benefits. It highlights that ending fossil fuel reliance can prevent millions of premature deaths from air pollution and reduce occupational hazards in mining and oil/gas sectors. The briefing proposes three core principles—inclusive decision-making, health impact tracking, and nature restoration—and recommends redirecting the $425 billion annual fossil fuel subsidies toward clean energy and health services.
AI-generated
This summary is written by a language model reading the source document. It is not the publisher's words and is not a substitute for the original.
Document type: Briefing
Hacia una transición energética justa para un mundo sano sin combustibles fósiles
The document argues that transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy must prioritize social and ecological justice to avoid replicating centralized power structures. It highlights that such a transition could prevent millions of premature deaths annually by reducing air pollution and eliminating occupational hazards for energy workers. The briefing outlines a framework for 'healthy cities' and 'healthy economies,' emphasizing the need to redirect fossil fuel subsidies toward clean energy and health protection. Key recommendations include inclusive decision-making, mandatory health impact monitoring for new energy investments, and the restoration of nature and health damaged during the fossil fuel era.
AI-generated
This summary is written by a language model reading the source document. It is not the publisher's words and is not a substitute for the original.
Document type: Briefing
Low-Carbon Pathways for Transportation
The Union of Concerned Scientists finds that the United States can achieve a 98 percent reduction in transportation emissions by 2050 through rapid vehicle electrification, strengthened efficiency standards, and a transition to renewable electricity. The proposed 'Core scenario' involves ending sales of passenger cars and light trucks by 2035 and medium- and heavy-duty trucks by 2040, reducing liquid fuel use by 84 percent by midcentury. These pathways are deemed economically viable, with net energy costs estimated at less than 1 percent of GDP. The report emphasizes that this transition must be coupled with a power grid shift to 97 percent zero-carbon sources by 2050 and a focus on environmental justice for overburdened communities.
AI-generated
This summary is written by a language model reading the source document. It is not the publisher's words and is not a substitute for the original.
Document type: Executive summary
Low-Carbon Pathways for Transportation
The report argues that the US can achieve a 98% reduction in transportation CO2 emissions by 2050 through a combination of rapid vehicle electrification, improved energy efficiency, and the use of low-carbon liquid fuels for hard-to-decarbonize sectors. It presents a 'Core' scenario where all new light-duty vehicles are zero-emission by 2035 and medium- and heavy-duty vehicles by 2040. The analysis emphasizes that while technological shifts are necessary, a truly equitable transition requires behavioral changes to reduce overall energy demand, such as increased use of public transit and active transportation. The report concludes that these pathways are economically viable, with net costs of less than 1% of GDP, and would yield significant public health and climate benefits.
AI-generated
This summary is written by a language model reading the source document. It is not the publisher's words and is not a substitute for the original.
Document type: Report
4 Quick and Sustainable Solutions to High Gas Prices in the US
The author argues that a gas tax holiday is an ineffective, short-term response to high fuel prices and instead proposes four 'quick wins': discounting public transit fares, creating pre-tax sustainable transport savings accounts, improving electric vehicle incentives via point-of-sale rebates, and incentivizing remote work. These measures are intended to provide immediate financial relief while supporting the long-term 'Avoid-Shift-Improve' framework to reduce oil dependence through electrification, reduced trip distances, and improved shared mobility.
AI-generated
This summary is written by a language model reading the source document. It is not the publisher's words and is not a substitute for the original.
Document type: Policy brief
Climate Action for a Healthy Future
The document outlines the synergies between climate mitigation and public health, arguing that immediate action to reduce emissions provides significant health co-benefits across energy, transport, urban planning, and agriculture. It emphasises that climate change is a justice issue, noting that wealthy nations and individuals are the primary polluters while vulnerable populations suffer most. The briefing advocates for systemic transformations, such as shifting to plant-based diets, decarbonising energy systems, and implementing sustainable urban design, to avoid breaching the 1.5°C warming threshold and to improve global health outcomes.
AI-generated
This summary is written by a language model reading the source document. It is not the publisher's words and is not a substitute for the original.
Document type: Briefing
Mobilizing Evidence: Activating Change on Traffic-Related Air Pollution (TRAP) Health Impacts
The document outlines the wide-ranging health risks associated with traffic-related air pollution (TRAP), noting that in Canada, one-third of the population lives within 250m of a major road. It highlights that children, racialized people, and those in poverty are disproportionately vulnerable to these pollutants. The report links TRAP to respiratory, cardiovascular, neurological, and pregnancy-related illnesses, as well as increased COVID-19 risks, and recommends policy interventions such as low emission zones, electric vehicles, and expanded urban green spaces.
AI-generated
This summary is written by a language model reading the source document. It is not the publisher's words and is not a substitute for the original.
Document type: Executive summary
Mobiliser les preuves ACTIVER LE CHANGEMENT SUR LES IMPACTS SANITAIRES DE LA POLLUTION ATMOSPHÉRIQUE LIÉE AU TRAFIC (PALT)
The report synthesizes scientific evidence on the wide-ranging health impacts of traffic-related air pollution (TRAP), emphasizing its disproportionate effect on marginalized populations and its role in exacerbating COVID-19. It advocates for decisive policy, legislative, and regulatory interventions to reduce emissions and protect public health.
AI-generated
This summary is written by a language model reading the source document. It is not the publisher's words and is not a substitute for the original.
Document type: Report
Mobilizing Evidence
The report synthesizes evidence on the wide-ranging health risks of traffic-related air pollution (TRAP), noting that one-third of Canadians live within 250m of a major road. It details impacts across respiratory, cardiovascular, neurological, and reproductive systems, while highlighting that racialized and low-income populations bear a disproportionate burden. The document also analyzes how the COVID-19 pandemic both exacerbated health risks and demonstrated the potential for air quality improvement through traffic restrictions. It concludes with recommendations for pollution control policies, active transport infrastructure, and urban greening.
AI-generated
This summary is written by a language model reading the source document. It is not the publisher's words and is not a substitute for the original.
Document type: Report
Health: IPCC WGII Climate Change 2022 Report
The document identifies climate change as the primary health threat to humanity, noting that extreme weather events directly impact health and livelihoods, leading to involuntary migration. It advocates for strengthening public health systems through climate-resilient facilities, early warning systems, and a transition to low-carbon urban infrastructure. A critical gap is highlighted in funding, as less than 1% of international climate finance is currently allocated to health sector adaptation.
AI-generated
This summary is written by a language model reading the source document. It is not the publisher's words and is not a substitute for the original.
Document type: Fact sheet