Search Climate Insights Directory

The authors contend that human rights law is often underutilised or dismissed as unfit for contemporary challenges because it is viewed primarily as a tool for individual protection against state interference. They argue for a shift toward recognizing 'positive obligations'—the duty of states to actively protect rights—to address collective crises. By citing climate litigation in the Netherlands, Ireland, and France, as well as food security cases in India, the text demonstrates how legal frameworks can hold governments accountable for failing to meet their obligations, thereby bridging the gap between political aspiration and concrete action.

The briefing argues that the Leaders Summit on Climate should be used to secure a 50% emissions reduction target from the US by 2030, align the 2030 targets of major economies like China and Japan with net-zero trajectories, increase climate finance for developing nations while ending public coal funding, and ensure COVID-19 recovery packages prioritize green infrastructure over fossil fuels.

The author contends that the Biden administration should implement strong methane standards in its new NDC, noting that the U.S. could reduce oil and gas sector methane emissions by up to 65 percent using existing technology. Such a move would provide immediate climate benefits, improve health for millions living near facilities, and encourage similar actions from major emitters like China, India, and Russia.

Colorado has established a first-of-its-kind legislative framework to manage the transition from a coal-based energy economy, creating a Just Transition Office and Advisory Committee to support workers and rural communities. The state's strategy includes 11 recommendations for worker retraining and community economic diversification, alongside a securitization mechanism (SB-236) to accelerate the closure of uneconomic coal plants. However, the initiative faces significant challenges, including a lack of clear funding, severe understaffing of the Just Transition Office, and a narrow focus that excludes the natural gas and petroleum sectors.

The document advocates for strengthening the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA) by incorporating prevention, precaution, and intersectionality to address the disproportionate impact of toxic exposures on women. It highlights how gendered social roles and sex-specific biological differences increase vulnerability to chemicals in consumer products, workplaces, and the environment, particularly for racialized, Indigenous, and low-income women.

ClientEarth's submission to the UK government's judicial review reform consultation expresses strong opposition to proposals that would limit court discretion, introduce prospective-only remedies, or strengthen ouster clauses. The organization argues that such reforms could lead to non-compliance with the Aarhus Convention and the European Convention on Human Rights. While supporting the removal of the 'promptitude requirement' and the introduction of a formal 'Reply step', ClientEarth cautions against a 'track' system for claims and the restriction of interveners. The document emphasizes that environmental litigation is a critical tool for public accountability and that any reform must be evidence-based and cumulative in its impact assessment.

The report investigates the impact of 3,321 warehouses over 100,000 square feet in the South Coast Air Basin, finding that these facilities are disproportionately sited in low-income communities of color. This siting increases exposure to diesel truck emissions, which are linked to asthma, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. The analysis highlights a disparity where the communities most impacted by warehouse pollution are not the primary consumers of the e-commerce goods stored within them. The authors call for the South Coast Air Quality Management District to implement a strong Indirect Source Rule requiring zero-emission technology in these disadvantaged areas.

This executive summary outlines a strategic policy framework to accelerate the transition to clean, electrified transportation in the U.S. by 2035. It argues that achieving 100 percent EV sales by 2030-2035, paired with a 90 percent clean grid, would generate $2.7 trillion in consumer savings and avoid 150,000 premature deaths by 2050. The report prioritizes national fuel economy and tailpipe emissions standards, equity-focused programs for underserved communities, targeted consumer incentives, the expansion of charging infrastructure, and 'Made in America' policies to bolster domestic battery and EV manufacturing.

The report advocates for a U.S. federal Clean Electricity Standard (CES) targeting 80% clean power by 2030. It asserts that such a target is technologically feasible, affordable, and reliable, while providing significant co-benefits. Key arguments include the creation of hundreds of thousands of jobs, the avoidance of over $1.7 trillion in health costs through reduced air pollution, and the establishment of a foundation for 100% clean power by 2035. The document highlights that achieving this goal requires rapid infrastructure build-out, specifically approximately 95 GW of wind and solar annually, and emphasizes the need for federal policy to reduce siting and interconnection barriers.

The report outlines a strategic policy framework to accelerate the transition to electric vehicles (EVs) in the U.S., aiming for 100% new EV sales by 2030-2035. It emphasizes the need for strong national fuel economy and emissions standards, equity-focused incentives, expanded charging infrastructure, and the growth of domestic battery and vehicle manufacturing. The document also details technical and regulatory requirements for grid integration, including streamlined interconnection, updated building codes, and smart electricity rate designs to ensure a reliable and equitable energy transition.

The report argues that transitioning the U.S. transportation sector to 100 percent electric vehicle (EV) sales by 2030-2035, paired with a 90 percent clean grid by 2035, is technologically feasible and economically beneficial. It outlines a strategic framework focusing on national emission standards, targeted financial incentives, the expansion of charging infrastructure, and the growth of domestic manufacturing. The authors emphasize that this transition must prioritize environmental justice and social equity, specifically targeting low-to-moderate-income communities and those disproportionately affected by transportation pollution. Key recommendations include reforming the federal EV tax credit into a point-of-sale rebate, implementing 'made in America' policies for battery production, and streamlining grid interconnection and building codes to support rapid EVSE deployment.

The report examines the proposed green hydrogen development in Boegoebaai, Northern Cape, focusing on the readiness of the Namakwa District Municipality (DM) and Richtersveld Local Municipality (LM). It finds that both municipalities lack the financial and technical capacity to support the anticipated population influx and infrastructure needs. The study highlights a 'top-down' planning approach by national and provincial governments that excludes local authorities and communities, leading to mistrust and procedural injustices. It concludes that without significant intergovernmental support and genuine public participation, the transition risks being unjust and disruptive to rural livelihoods.

The document argues that U.S. nuclear policy is currently operating in an "information vacuum," with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) often prioritizing licensee cost-savings over public safety and environmental data. It highlights systemic risks in "fast-track" decommissioning, the vulnerability of thin-walled spent fuel canisters to corrosion and failure, and the lack of scientific evidence supporting 80-year license extensions for aging plants. The authors further caution against the deployment of small modular reactors (SMRs) and the establishment of consolidated interim storage facilities (CISFs) without comprehensive risk and cost analyses. The briefing concludes with ten recommendations to policymakers, including mandating ASME N3 standards for waste containers, requiring "hot cells" for repackaging damaged fuel, and reforming NRC oversight to reduce regulatory capture.

The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) hosted a 'Congressional Climate Camp' briefing series to provide legislative and political context for U.S. climate policy. The series featured experts discussing historical turning points in federal climate policy, the role of advocacy and stakeholder engagement, the impact of political polarization on compromise, and the interaction between the legislative and executive branches in producing major bills.

The statement highlights a gap between Kenya's robust legal framework—including the Constitution and the 2016 Water Act—and the reality of water pollution caused by industrial activities. It cites specific examples of contamination from battery recycling and the salt industry, and warns against the water-related risks associated with oil and gas production, calling for stronger regulatory oversight and corporate accountability.

The CLEAN Future Act of 2021 proposes a national goal of a 100% clean economy by 2050, with an interim target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50% by 2030 from 2005 levels. The legislation emphasizes 'climate federalism' by requiring states to develop emissions-reduction plans, and it integrates environmental justice through grants and increased air quality monitoring in burdened communities. Key sector-specific proposals include a Clean Electricity Standard requiring 100% zero-emissions power by 2035, over $100 billion for transportation electrification, and significant investments in building energy efficiency and industrial decarbonization. However, the document notes the bill lacks a national emissions cap for non-electricity sources and a mandate to phase out the sale of polluting vehicles.

The document discusses the confirmation of Michael Regan as EPA head, highlighting his experience in clean energy and environmental quality. It argues that the EPA must now focus on stricter chemical pollution standards, restoring the National Environmental Policy Act, and leading an equitable transition to a 100 percent clean energy economy.

The document expresses support for Merrick Garland's appointment as Attorney General, citing his respect for science and the rule of law. It details the responsibilities of the Department of Justice (DOJ) and its Environment & Natural Resources Division (ENRD) in upholding federal environmental statutes and holding polluters accountable, while noting instances where Earthjustice has legally challenged the DOJ to ensure environmental protection.

The document highlights the severe health disparities caused by vehicle air pollution in Latinx and other communities of color across the United States, noting that Latinx people are twice as likely as white Americans to visit emergency rooms for asthma. It advocates for a national transition to electric vehicles, including phasing out new fossil fuel vehicle sales by 2035 and electrifying all vehicles by 2050. The author calls for targeted investments in clean public transit and the electrification of medium and heavy-duty trucks to achieve environmental justice.

The policy brief examines the critical link between environmental degradation and human health, framing the COVID-19 pandemic as a consequence of neglecting these interconnections. It argues that a 'green recovery' requires breaking down policy silos between health and environment ministries and integrating health co-benefits into climate and biodiversity finance. The document highlights the high economic and human costs of pollution, zoonotic diseases, and inefficient food systems, proposing a transdisciplinary 'planetary health' framework to guide sustainable development and safeguard against future global health crises.