Search Climate Insights Directory
1,056 results
A Climate of Corporate Control
The report analyzes 28 S&P 500 companies to determine how they engage with climate science and policy. It finds a significant divide between companies that consistently support science-based policy and those that obstruct it. A large number of companies are identified as 'contradictory,' maintaining a public image of environmental concern while funding think tanks, trade groups, and politicians that undermine climate science. The authors argue that a lack of transparency in corporate political spending and risk disclosure allows this interference to persist, and they recommend stricter disclosure requirements for corporations and government contractors.
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
A Climate of Corporate Control
The Union of Concerned Scientists analyzed 28 S&P 500 companies to determine their impact on climate science and policy discussions. The study found that while some companies are consistent in their support for climate action, others—particularly in the energy sector—actively spread misinformation and obstruct policy. Many companies exhibit contradictory behavior, supporting climate science in public relations while opposing it in government filings or through the funding of anti-science think tanks and trade groups. The report highlights a critical lack of transparency in corporate political spending and business risk disclosures, recommending stricter SEC and congressional requirements to hold corporations accountable.
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
Core Budget Request Fiscal Year 2012-2013
The IAI Core Budget request for fiscal year 2012-2013 is US$1,312,578, a slight decrease from the previous year. The budget supports the Directorate's operations, including the management of the Collaborative Research Network (CRN) and Small Grants Programs, and accounts for the relocation of the Directorate from Brazil to Uruguay in January 2013. Salaries and benefits constitute 72% of the core budget. The document also outlines member country contributions, with the United States providing the largest share at US$762,000.
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
The Role of the Demand for Environmental Quality in Driving Transitions to Low-Polluting Energy Sources
The document analyzes 350 years of British history to show that transitions to low-polluting energy sources are driven by an iterative process of public demand and government response. It argues that while industrialists often weaken initial legislation, sustained demand signals both governments and polluters to seek low-cost, low-pollution alternatives. The author suggests that the transition to a low carbon economy will likely follow a similarly protracted course, influenced by economic prosperity, shocking environmental events, and the availability of competitive low-carbon technologies.
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
Socio-economic research in support of climate policy development: Mistra's research program Clipore
The Clipore program, funded with over 100 MSEK, conducted socio-economic research from 2004 to 2011 to support international climate policy. It focused on emissions trading systems in Europe and the United States, provided inputs to the UNFCCC agenda, and examined the communication dynamics between science and policy stakeholders.
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
Climate Policy in India: What Shapes International, National and State Policy
The document examines the drivers of India's climate policy, arguing that these policies are embedded in broader strategic interests: foreign policy at the international level and development interests at the national and sub-national levels.
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
Mitigation and National and Sub-National Response to Climate Change Institutional Architecture in Southern Africa:the case of Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe lacks a formal climate change policy, strategy, or national adaptation strategy, relying instead on a fragmented collection of uncoordinated programmes and various pieces of legislation, including the Environment Management Act of 2002, to guide its climate activities.
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
King County Greenhouse Gas Emissions
The report finds that King County's 2008 emissions were 23.4 million MTCO2e via geographic accounting and 55 million MTCO2e via consumption accounting. Transportation and buildings are the primary local sources, while consumption-based emissions are driven by imported goods and services. The report recommends a 'Core' tracking framework focusing on buildings, transportation, and waste.
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
GHG Regs Must Be Top Priority
The author asserts that setting CO2 performance standards for coal-fired power plants is the primary environmental and energy policy priority for 2012, as these plants are the largest stationary sources of carbon dioxide. While the Mercury and Air Toxics Rule (MATS) and the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR) protect public health, they do not reduce carbon dioxide emissions. The document emphasizes that building new plants without carbon controls is unjustifiable and that such standards are necessary for the U.S. to meet its commitment of a 17 percent reduction in emissions below 2005 levels by 2020.
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: Statement
A Human Rights-Based Approach to Climate Change: The Human Rights-Based Approach - A Field of Action for Human Rights Education
The paper examines how human rights standards and mechanisms can address climate change and how climate policies impact human rights under international law. It argues that a human rights-based approach facilitates the integration of these standards into climate policy and development cooperation. The author concludes that human rights training and education are essential for building the capacities of rights-holders and duty-bearers and ensuring human rights law is integrated into climate change policy.
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
Global Warming’s Six Americas
The report identifies six segments of the U.S. population—Alarmed, Concerned, Cautious, Disengaged, Doubtful, and Dismissive—and tracks their evolving perceptions of global warming. It finds that while the Alarmed and Concerned are convinced of the reality and human cause of climate change, the Dismissive and Doubtful are not. The study also examines the relationship between personal experience with extreme weather and climate beliefs, trust in information sources, and support for specific energy and climate policies.
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
Public Support for Climate and Energy Policies in September 2012
The report finds broad American support for developing clean energy and reducing global warming, though support for specific policies like CO2 regulation and renewable energy research has declined since 2008. While there is bipartisan agreement on increasing renewable energy use, significant partisan divides exist regarding the reduction of fossil fuels and the priority level of global warming. Americans perceive large campaign contributors and fossil-fuel companies as having the most influence over elected officials' decisions on climate issues.
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
Annual Partner Survey 2011-2012
The 2011-2012 CDKN Partner Survey reveals high satisfaction with the network's information products, particularly its publications and newsletter, with higher approval ratings from partners in the South. While over 83% of respondents found CDKN effective at facilitating knowledge sharing, there were significant criticisms regarding its procurement processes and the administrative burden placed on partners, especially smaller organisations and individual consultants. Partners suggested a greater focus on grassroots support in developing countries and the creation of more practical, field-based partnerships.
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
Climate Change in the Indian Mind
A 2011 survey of 4,031 Indian adults found that while initial awareness of global warming was low, a majority of respondents believed in its occurrence and human cause after receiving a brief definition. Most participants reported vulnerability to extreme weather and supported national efforts to reduce global warming and increase public education, despite potential economic costs.
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
how corporations rule part 1: sasol and south africa’s climate policy
The document examines the relationship between Sasol and the South African government, arguing that the company uses its position within the 'minerals-energy complex' to capture decision-making. It details Sasol's role in promoting carbon-intensive technologies like coal-to-liquid (CTL) and gas-to-liquids (GTL), its lobbying for carbon capture and storage (CCS), and its efforts to avoid legally binding global climate targets while positioning itself as an environmental leader.
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
cómo gobiernan las grandes empresas parte 1: sasol y la política climática de sudáfrica
The document examines Sasol, a global leader in coal-to-liquid (CTL) technology, and its systemic influence over South African energy policy. It details how Sasol's integration into the 'minerals and energy complex' (MEC) and its presence in official government delegations to UN climate negotiations allow it to promote 'false solutions' like carbon capture and storage (CCS) while opposing legally binding climate agreements. The report also highlights Sasol's expansion into shale gas in Canada and South Africa, and its role as a major emitter of greenhouse gases.
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
Real People, Real Impacts: The Climate Impact Equity Lens
The Climate Impact Equity Lens (CIEL) tool shifts the focus from aggregate regional economic models to individual-level impacts of climate change. It identifies 'winners' and 'losers' by weighing avoided emission-reduction costs against climate damages. While most people currently see net gains from inaction, the tool indicates that by 2100, the majority of the global population will suffer net losses without far-reaching climate policy.
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
Impact of Reductions and Exemptions in Energy Taxes and Levies on German Industry
The report analyzes the impact of four major German energy policies—the Environmental Tax Reform, the Combined Heat and Power Act, the EU Emission Trading Scheme, and the Renewable Energy Act—on industrial energy costs. It finds that tax exemptions and levy reductions significantly lower energy prices for large, energy-intensive companies, which may reduce incentives for energy efficiency improvements. The analysis highlights a complex pricing landscape where the policy-induced component of energy prices varies by company scale and industry sub-sector, with electricity-intensive sectors facing higher costs than those relying on fossil fuels.
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
Public support for climate & energy policies in November 2011
The report details public opinion in the United States during November 2011, showing broad support for clean energy development and environmental protection. While a majority of Americans view global warming as a priority for federal leadership and support renewable energy research, there is divided support for nuclear power and a majority preference for expanding offshore drilling.
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
The Private Provision of International Impure Public Goods: the Case of Climate Policy
The authors propose a global Pigouvian tax scheme combined with international side-payments to achieve Pareto-optimal climate policy. They argue that treating climate policy as an 'impure public good'—which provides both global climate stabilisation and local ancillary benefits (e.g., reduced air pollution)—increases the attractiveness of mitigation and provides immediate financial payback for investments. Numerical simulations show that while ancillary benefits only moderately increase the required tax rates, they expand the financial scope for international transfers. The study concludes that these immediate local benefits are critical for political support, especially for countries with high public debt, as primary climate benefits are delayed by approximately half a century.
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