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A collection of brief policy proposals from UK university scientists advocating for deep emission reductions, the removal of fossil fuel subsidies, and a transition to renewable energy infrastructure to meet global climate targets.

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) successfully divested its approximately $32 million portfolio from fossil fuel companies over an 18-month period starting in late 2013. Despite using 'sustainability funds' and low-cost index funds, UCS discovered that fossil fuel producers were still embedded in its holdings. To resolve this, the organization partnered with Blackrock for a fossil-free fund and worked with Calvert Investments to create a custom low-cost product. UCS reports that it is now almost entirely divested, with less than 2 percent exposure remaining in emerging markets, demonstrating that midsize organizations can align their financial strategies with climate goals without compromising risk or return objectives.

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Botswana faces a critical juncture as diamond revenues decline, threatening its historical economic growth and political stability. The document argues that the country must diversify its economy, moving away from exhaustible resources. While coal and iron ore could provide temporary revenue, the author recommends prioritising eco-tourism as a sustainable long-term economic anchor. This transition requires significant investment in human and physical capital, using remaining diamond rents to build a skilled workforce and necessary infrastructure.

A group of 53 Illinois scientists, engineers, economists, and health professionals argues that the state's clean energy progress has stalled due to policy flaws. They advocate for increasing the renewable energy target to 35% of electricity and energy efficiency investments capable of reducing demand by 20%, while calling for a market-based approach from the Illinois EPA to reduce carbon emissions.

The IISD Handbook on Mining Contract Negotiations for Developing Countries (Volume 1) outlines a strategic framework for host governments to move from a 'win-lose' to a 'win-win-win' negotiating paradigm involving the state, companies, and local communities. It emphasizes the critical importance of the pre-negotiation phase, including resource valuation, interdepartmental coordination, and the establishment of a 'social license to operate.' The guide analyzes the legal interplay between domestic law, investment contracts, and international treaties, while cautioning against stabilization clauses that may hinder future sustainable development regulations. It also provides detailed advice on maximizing economic linkages through local purchasing, employment, and downstream processing, as well as managing social and environmental risks, including climate change adaptation.

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 author critiques the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) for focusing on income poverty and development aid rather than structural inequality and the link between social and environmental dimensions. While noting progress in poverty reduction and water access, the text highlights that global inequality is rising and environmental degradation is accelerating due to the consumption patterns of an expanding global middle class. The author asserts that industrialised countries, particularly the European Union, must assume global responsibility by meeting the 0.7% GNI official development assistance target and drastically reducing their per capita CO2 emissions to allow the Global South scope for sustainable development.

The study finds that while agricultural prices drive deforestation, conservation policies implemented in 2004 and 2008 significantly curbed forest loss. Counterfactual simulations estimate that these policies avoided approximately 73,000 square kilometers of deforestation from 2005 to 2009, equivalent to 2.7 billion tonnes of stored carbon dioxide. The analysis indicates that the deforestation slowdown did not result in a major downturn for the local agricultural sector or municipal GDP per capita.

The report analyzes how different denominations of American Christians perceive climate change, finding that Catholics are generally the most concerned and supportive of climate policies, while evangelicals are the most split on the reality of global warming and more likely to prioritize religious beliefs over scientific explanations. It also assesses the trust placed in religious leaders, specifically Pope Francis, and the support for specific climate mitigation policies.

The March 2015 survey 'Climate Change in the American Mind' reveals that while a majority of Americans (63%) believe global warming is happening and support various mitigation and adaptation policies, there is a significant gap in understanding the scientific consensus. Only 10% of respondents are aware that over 90% of climate scientists agree that global warming is human-caused. Public worry remains stable but low, with only 11% being 'very worried.' Trust in information sources is highest for climate scientists (70%) and family and friends (67%), while trust in political leaders is fragmented. Most Americans view global warming as a major environmental, scientific, or agricultural issue, and a majority believe it is humankind's responsibility to care for the Earth.

The report finds that while majorities of Catholics and non-evangelical Protestants believe global warming is happening and human-caused, evangelicals are more split. There is broad support across all three groups for renewable energy research and infrastructure resilience, though evangelicals are more likely to prioritize religious beliefs over scientific explanations when they conflict. Pope Francis is identified as the most trusted religious leader on the issue, despite low general awareness of his forthcoming climate encyclical.

The document contrasts ConocoPhillips' claims of uncertainty regarding climate change's effects on public health with findings from the IPCC and the U.S. National Climate Assessment. It further highlights contradictions between the company's public acknowledgments of human-induced warming and its support for climate-denying trade groups and opposition to U.S. climate legislation.

The document asserts that the fuel economy of U.S. tractor-trailers has remained stagnant since the 1970s, averaging around 6 miles per gallon. It argues that implementing stronger standards could improve the efficiency of new trucks by 40 percent by 2025, raising average fuel economy from 6.3 mpg to 10.7 mpg. Such improvements would reduce petroleum consumption by over 570,000 barrels of oil per day and prevent over 110 million metric tons of global warming emissions annually. Economically, the report claims these standards would save truck owners $30,000 in fuel costs per vehicle annually and could reduce freight rates by nearly 10 percent, potentially providing households with $135 in annual savings.

The report examines the transition of the U.S. power sector from coal to natural gas, noting that while this shift provides immediate benefits, it introduces risks such as price volatility, methane leakage, and potential 'stranded assets'. Using the National Energy Modeling System, the analysis compares a 'Business as Usual' scenario with a 'Carbon Standard plus Renewables and Efficiency Policies' scenario. The findings suggest that the latter would reduce power plant carbon emissions by 70 percent below 2005 levels by 2040, lower consumer energy bills, and provide significant net societal benefits, reaching nearly $170 billion by 2040.

The report examines the transition of the U.S. power sector from coal to natural gas, highlighting that while this shift provides immediate reductions in some pollutants, it creates long-term risks including price volatility, methane leakage, and stranded assets. Through modeling three scenarios—Business as Usual, a Carbon Standard, and a Carbon Standard plus Renewables and Efficiency Policies—the authors find that a diversified energy mix is the most economically and environmentally sound approach. The 'Carbon Standard plus Renewables and Efficiency Policies' scenario is projected to reduce power plant carbon emissions by 70% below 2005 levels by 2040 and generate net societal benefits of nearly $170 billion by that year. The report recommends strengthening the EPA's Clean Power Plan, implementing federal renewable electricity and energy efficiency standards, and increasing regulations on fugitive methane emissions.

The Union of Concerned Scientists challenges Peabody Energy's 2014 claim that the benefits of CO2 outweigh its costs by 'orders of magnitude,' asserting instead that the social costs of carbon pollution—such as drought, heat waves, and coastal flooding—far exceed any benefits. The document details Peabody Energy's repeated efforts to challenge the EPA's endangerment finding and the IPCC's findings, as well as its affiliations with industry groups like ALEC and ACCCE to promote climate disinformation.

The article highlights the disconnect between public opposition to fossil fuel subsidies and congressional spending priorities. It introduces a 'fossil fuel subsidies tradeoff calculator' created by Friends of the Earth and 13 other groups to illustrate how funds given to 'Big Oil' could instead support social services like Pell grants, park rangers, and veteran healthcare. Specifically, it notes that a 2004 tax break for domestic manufacturers cost taxpayers $656 million last year, which could have funded medical care for 221,622 combat veterans.

The document highlights that every region of the United States has seen an increase in heavy precipitation over the last 50 years, a trend expected to continue as the climate warms. It identifies five 'hidden' health risks following floods: drowning in vehicles, contamination of drinking water, sewage backup in homes, contamination of recreational waterways, and toxic indoor mold. The text argues that while immediate dangers like drowning and electrocution are known, the long-term public health burdens—including respiratory issues, gastrointestinal diseases, and mental health problems—are often overlooked. It calls for aggressive reductions in carbon emissions from fossil fuels and the creation of more resilient communities to mitigate these escalating risks.