Search Climate Insights Directory

null

The report evaluates the economic risks posed by the Westway, Imperium, and Grays Harbor Rail Terminal (GHRT) projects. It models three oil spill scenarios (rail derailment and two marine accidents) and analyzes their effects on commercial fisheries, subsistence harvests, traditional plant gathering, and QIN-owned businesses. Findings indicate that a major spill could lead to significant losses in direct jobs, personal income, and business revenue for the QIN and the broader Grays Harbor County economy, while also impairing the cultural and nutritional security provided by Treaty resources.

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) analyzed 40 major US brands across the packaged food, personal care, fast food, and store-brand sectors to assess their palm oil sustainability commitments. While 21 of 30 companies previously scored in 2014 improved their practices, the report finds a wide disparity in leadership, with the packaged food sector leading and the fast food sector performing the worst. Despite an increase in corporate pledges, 32 of 40 companies lack adequate commitments to ensure transparency and traceability in their supply chains, and none of the 40 companies are currently sourcing 100 percent deforestation-free and peat-free palm oil.

The report provides a framework for measuring the transition to sustainable consumption and production (SCP) by identifying specific indicators for SDG 12 and related targets in other SDGs. It organizes these indicators into six domains: scale of resource use, decoupling, environmental impact, technology and lifestyles, financing and investing, and policy support. The document emphasizes the need for 'positive indicators' to show the return on investment in SCP and highlights significant data gaps, particularly in developing countries, while suggesting a set of headline indicators to serve as proxies for global progress.

The document argues that the Town of Tusayan's application for special use authorizations on Kaibab National Forest land is not in the public interest because it enables a massive resort development by Gruppo Stilo USA. The authors contend that the project threatens the Redwall-Muav regional aquifer, which supports critical springs in Grand Canyon National Park and the water supply of the Havasupai Tribe. They further argue that the development would cause light and noise pollution, overwhelm park infrastructure, and harm wildlife habitats, including elk calving grounds and antelope fawning areas. The letter urges the Forest Service to deny the application before initiating a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process.

The document examines the drivers and impacts of biofuel expansion in Sub-Saharan Africa, specifically focusing on jatropha- and sugarcane-based fuels. It argues that while biofuels are driven by goals of energy security and economic development, they are linked to significant trade-offs including GHG emissions, deforestation, and food insecurity. The author concludes that the lack of comprehensive understanding of these trade-offs, combined with institutional and market failures, hinders the sustainability of biofuel investments in the region.

The author criticizes the European Union's criminalization of migration and the failure of neoliberal development models in the Maghreb. It highlights the link between environmental degradation—such as desertification and water scarcity—and forced migration, noting that 'environmental refugees' may reach 250 million by 2050. The text calls for a transition to 'post-development' cooperation that reduces Europe's ecological footprint while improving the Human Development Index (HDI) in the Maghreb, moving beyond the interests of extractive elites and the 'Washington Consensus'.

The author contends that the EU must move away from criminalizing migrants and implementing neoliberal economic models in the Maghreb. Instead, the document proposes a cooperation framework based on reciprocity and ecological awareness, highlighting how environmental issues—such as desertification in coastal areas and water scarcity linked to fracking in Algeria—drive social instability and migration. It criticizes the 'Washington consensus' and the lack of international legal recognition for environmental refugees, who are estimated to reach 250 million by 2050. The text also notes that political instability, corruption, and bilateral conflicts between nations like Morocco and Algeria hinder regional cooperation and the development of interregional projects.

The author critiques the European Union's current approach to migration, characterizing it as based on myths that criminalize migrants and ignore the systemic links between environmental degradation and displacement. The text argues that North Africa's future depends on moving away from neoliberal models and resource extraction—such as shale gas in Algeria—toward ecological sustainability and democratic stability. It calls for the recognition of 'ecological refugees' and a reduction of the Global North's ecological footprint to address the root causes of migration.

The IISD Arctic Initiative focuses on bottom-up transformations to sustainability in the Arctic, addressing climate change adaptation, extractive industries, infrastructure, and transformative knowledge. It emphasizes the region's rapid warming—twice the global average—and the resulting pressures on ecosystems and food security, alongside increasing interest from global actors in shipping and resource extraction.

The report assesses how Sweden can mitigate the global environmental and health footprints of its consumption. It identifies key 'hotspots'—specifically electronics from China and soy from Brazil—and proposes a mix of economic, administrative, informative, and collaborative tools. The authors argue that while many ideas exist, there is a lack of political action and a need for systemic change, such as shifting toward a circular economy and adjusting tax systems, rather than relying solely on individual consumer choices or isolated production improvements.

The document argues that the Port of Seattle improperly used a SEPA categorical exemption to avoid environmental review for an interim lease of Terminal 5 to Foss Maritime. The authors contend that using the terminal as a home port for Shell's Arctic drilling fleet—including vessels like the Noble Discoverer—would change the site's use from a container terminal to a shipyard, risking toxic runoff and water pollution that could harm threatened Puget Sound Chinook salmon. The letter further highlights Shell's poor safety record in the Arctic and the broader climate implications of Arctic oil exploration.

The report warns that industrial krill fishing, driven by demand for farmed fish and omega-3 supplements, is threatening the Antarctic ecosystem. It notes that krill populations have declined by 80% since the 1970s due to the combined effects of industrial 'vacuuming' by factory-ships and climate-driven ice melt. This decline has contributed to a 50% collapse in some penguin colonies over 30 years. The document identifies Walmart, Target, CVS, and Walgreen's as retailers selling these products in contradiction to their sustainability commitments.

The document argues that mining-led growth in Africa often fails to create local benefits due to a lack of effective partnerships, poor long-term planning, and a 'ring-fencing mentality' among companies. It recommends that mining investments be aligned with national development imperatives and that companies forge strategic partnerships with the state, NGOs, and other mining firms to share infrastructure and enhance community development. The author emphasizes the role of 'good practice' Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs) in identifying partners and planning for the entire mine life cycle, including closure. A case study from Central Africa demonstrates how collaborating with a conservation NGO and local government led to sustainable infrastructure choices and long-term community training projects.

The document argues that the UK is falling behind global standards in environmental law enforcement and advocates for systemic legal reforms to increase citizen access to justice and the use of strategic litigation to protect the environment.

The document critiques the 'Green Economy' and the financialization of nature, specifically the creation of markets for environmental services. It argues that by dividing nature into measurable units, these markets allow corporations to use 'offsetting' as a 'permit to pollute or destroy' in one area by promising protection elsewhere. The author contends that this process ignores the complex, dynamic nature of ecosystems and the social, cultural, and spiritual values of land. The report highlights the negative impacts on indigenous peoples, who lose control over their territories through restrictive contracts, and provides examples of the failure of biodiversity offsets in the EU, Australia, Brazil, and Costa Rica.

The SEI Strategy 2015–2019 establishes a framework to bridge science and policy through three primary delivery areas: scientific research, policy engagement, and capacity development. The institute aims to shift from traditional reporting toward a more integrated approach that includes behavioral science, geopolitics, and targeted communication. Central to this strategy is the launch of 'SEI Initiatives'—specialized research hubs focusing on critical issues like climate finance, fossil fuels, and the water-energy-food nexus. The document also details the enabling infrastructure required for these goals, including the PMEC monitoring system and a suite of analytical tools such as LEAP and WEAP, while emphasizing the need to engage 'hard-to-reach' stakeholders in the private sector.

The report assesses 50 environmental impact assessment frameworks, finding that few focus exclusively on livestock. It identifies nine key impact dimensions—including GHG emissions, water use, and biodiversity—and notes a significant lack of ex-ante analysis and explicit rationale for indicator selection. The review highlights that while many frameworks target policymakers, they often rely on short-term data and lack clear methodologies for up-scaling results across different spatial and temporal scales.

The report evaluates the vulnerability of North American monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) to climate change, identifying high sensitivity to temperature and a critical dependence on milkweed. While the species possesses high adaptive capacity due to dispersal ability and reproductive rates, it faces significant threats from habitat loss, pesticide use, and extreme weather. Recommended strategies focus on restoring milkweed and nectar sources, protecting overwintering forests in Mexico and California, and increasing population monitoring.

The report examines the critical pressures facing South African agriculture, including resource scarcity, climate change, and socio-economic inequality. It highlights the interdependence of food, water, and energy systems, warning that current trends in soil degradation, water over-abstraction, and biodiversity loss threaten long-term productivity. The document calls for a shift toward sustainable farming practices, improved land-use planning, and coordinated governance to protect the natural resource base while feeding a growing population.