Search Climate Insights Directory

This research paper examines the challenges of fragmentation in trade-related climate measures (TrCMs) and proposes "interoperability" as a mechanism to reduce regulatory burdens on supply chain participants, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, without requiring full harmonization of policy objectives.

RMI piloted three methodologies for accounting for aviation contrails in corporate travel, finding that a 'bottom-up' flight-specific approach is significantly more accurate than standard static multipliers. The pilots revealed that roughly 2% of flights cause 80% of contrail impacts, with higher risks during winter and nighttime. The report advocates for data-driven travel policies and alignment with emerging regulations, such as the EU's MRV framework, to reduce the total climate impact of aviation.

This report examines the discrepancy between satellite-observed methane emissions and company-led estimates from open-cut coal mines in Australia, specifically focusing on the impact of shifting from state-based (Method 1) to site-specific (Method 2) emissions accounting in New South Wales.

A report by Ember examines a shift in how fugitive methane emissions from open-cut coal mines in Australia are reported, moving from state-based averages (Method 1) to site-specific estimates (Method 2). The report finds that this accounting shift has led to a significant decrease in reported emissions, particularly in New South Wales, creating a mismatch between regulator-compiled averages and operator-reported estimates.

This report by Ember examines the 'paradox' of Australia's coal industry, where coal production increased by 170% between 1990 and 2022 while reported fugitive emissions remained nearly flat. The report attributes this trend to the closure of high-emitting underground mines and a shift toward open-cut mining, which relies on estimated rather than measured emissions. It warns that a transition to site-specific reporting methods has significantly lowered reported emissions, particularly in New South Wales, and that proposed mine expansions could reverse recent emissions declines.

This guide provides a comprehensive framework for identifying greenwashing in corporate sustainability reports. It details 11 risk areas, including the omission of Scope 3 emissions, the use of misleading intensity targets, the over-reliance on carbon offsets, and the promotion of gas or unproven technologies like CCS as sustainable solutions. It emphasizes the importance of absolute emissions reductions over intensity metrics and warns against 'market-based' accounting that masks real-world emissions.

This briefing by RMI examines the debate over emissions accounting methods in New York State, specifically focusing on the shift to a 20-year global warming potential (GWP20) timeframe and the inclusion of upstream and biogenic emissions. The author argues that this 'new climate math' increases climate benefits without necessarily increasing costs, as physical emissions remain constant regardless of the accounting timeframe used.

This consultation brief by the Climate Policy Initiative examines the conflict between financial institutions' net zero portfolio targets and the need to finance the managed early retirement or retrofitting of unabated coal-fired power plants.

This policy brief by RMI discusses the potential of a new US tax credit for low-emission hydrogen production, established via the Inflation Reduction Act, to catalyze the clean hydrogen economy and industrial decarbonization. The document argues that the US Treasury's implementation of the credit—specifically regarding standards for grid-connected electrolyzers—will determine whether the incentive drives genuine emissions reductions or inadvertently increases greenhouse gas emissions.

This research paper presents a long-term scenario for deep greenhouse gas (GHG) abatement in Seattle, Washington, focusing on a 'core' emissions framework and bottom-up scenario analysis to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

This policy brief by the Stockholm Environment Institute compares greenhouse gas mitigation pledges made by developed (Annex 1) and developing (non-Annex 1) countries under the Copenhagen Accord and Cancún Agreements. By analyzing four detailed studies, the brief concludes that developing countries have pledged more absolute mitigation than developed countries, yet global pledges remain insufficient to limit warming to 2°C.

This policy brief by the Center for International Environmental Law outlines key principles and recommendations for land-use sector mitigation within the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Durban Platform for Enhanced Action (ADP). It argues that land-use mitigation must be additional to industrial reductions, prioritize food security and land rights, and avoid complex accounting frameworks that create loopholes for developed countries.

This guide explains the 'Extraction-Based Environmental Loadings' methodology in LEAP, an optional alternative to the standard territorial approach for accounting for emissions based on where resources are produced rather than where they are combusted.

This guide from the World Resources Institute explains the mitigation elements of the Paris Rulebook, focusing on the requirements for clarity, transparency, and understanding (CTU) in Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and the associated accounting guidance adopted at COP24.

This research paper by the World Resources Institute provides recommendations for harmonizing accounting rules for Annex I (developed country) emissions reduction pledges within the UNFCCC's AWG-LCA negotiations track for post-2012 climate policy.