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The document examines the IPCC's 2014 report on climate change mitigation, noting that global greenhouse gas emissions have accelerated despite existing climate plans. It argues that to limit temperature rise to 2°C, emissions must be reduced by 40-70% by 2050 and reach almost zero by 2100, requiring radical technological and institutional shifts. While the report finds these goals technically and economically feasible, it stresses the urgency of investments between 2010 and 2030 to avoid costly and risky negative emission technologies like large-scale biomass combined with Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS).

The SB 40 conference in Bonn saw limited progress on reforming Kyoto Protocol mechanisms and defining a framework for various mitigation approaches, though 60 nations agreed to phase out fossil fuels by mid-century. Negotiations on the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and Joint Implementation (JI) were largely postponed to future sessions in Lima, while discussions continued on including land-use sectors in the CDM and the role of local stakeholder consultation.

The report finds that while Democrats are most likely to believe in human-caused global warming and support climate policies, liberal and moderate Republicans often align with the mainstream public, whereas conservative Republicans hold distinctly different views. A majority of registered voters support increasing energy efficiency and renewable energy to reduce fossil fuel dependence, and most are more likely to vote for candidates who support climate action than those who oppose it. However, there is a widespread belief across the political spectrum that individual citizens have relatively little influence on government decisions compared to large campaign contributors and fossil fuel companies.

Friends of the Earth International (FoEI) opposes the REDD (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) system, whether market-based or publicly funded. FoEI argues that REDD treats forests as mere carbon stocks, which ignores their social and cultural value and creates perverse incentives for deforestation. The document highlights risks such as the criminalization of traditional forest management, the displacement of communities, and the failure of carbon offsets to permanently reduce emissions. Instead of financial incentives, FoEI proposes strengthening the land rights of Indigenous Peoples and local communities, supporting collective forest management, and demanding that industrialized nations reduce fossil fuel emissions without relying on offsets.

The workshop concluded that low-carbon options have not yet fundamentally changed the barriers to energy access in Africa, such as high supply costs and weak financing. Participants argued that energy access must be framed as a tool for inclusive development rather than just a grid connection, and that national governments must lead the transition by creating enabling environments and sustainable business models. While the emissions impact of basic energy access is considered negligible, there is a call for stronger evidence linking low-carbon pathways to job creation to convince policymakers.

Friends of the Earth U.S. supports the walkout of climate activists from COP19 in Warsaw, arguing that developed countries, particularly the U.S., have failed to take necessary action to combat the climate crisis and are instead protecting corporate polluters.

Friends of the Earth opposes the TTIP investment chapter, asserting that investor-state arbitration would allow energy companies to sue governments over climate and environmental regulations, thereby protecting fossil fuel interests and threatening democratic decision-making.

The document is an open letter from civil society networks and affected citizens calling on UNFCCC delegates at COP19 to ensure that carbon markets do not undermine climate goals. It demands the prevention of the Framework for Various Approaches (FVA) pilot phase, the establishment of accounting rules to avoid double counting, and the exclusion of non-additional projects and fossil fuel financing from the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM).

The document calls for the establishment of clear, equitable mitigation commitments to maintain a 2°C warming limit and requests the rejection of a pilot phase for trading carbon market units under the Framework for Various Approaches (FVA). It advocates for an international accounting framework to prevent double counting, the exclusion of non-additional projects and coal power from the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), and the implementation of human rights safeguards for mitigation projects under the CDM, Green Climate Fund, and NAMAs.

A November 2013 survey of 830 American adults reveals a decline in consumer activism and social discussion regarding global warming since 2011. While a small percentage of the population actively contacts government officials, there is latent potential for civic engagement, particularly if prompted by trusted individuals. The 'Alarmed' segment of the population is significantly more likely to engage in all forms of climate action. Household energy-saving behaviors, such as using compact fluorescent light bulbs, have remained relatively stable over five years.

The document urges hard goods retailers to drive the adoption of energy-efficient electronics and appliances to save consumers money and reduce electricity demand. It highlights that many products could be significantly more efficient for minimal additional cost, potentially unlocking $34 billion in annual consumer savings by 2040. The author suggests that retailers should develop procurement specifications based on energy data to influence manufacturers, as this approach can be faster and less political than government standards.

The Durban Declaration on Climate and Health, signed by health professionals from over 30 countries, argues that climate change is the greatest global health threat of the 21st century and that mitigation efforts, specifically transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy, provide immediate health benefits. The declaration outlines five specific calls to action for COP17 delegations, including the need for greater health sector representation in the UNFCCC, the adoption of a strong second commitment period for the Kyoto Protocol, and the negotiation of a binding agreement by 2015 that prioritizes human health and establishes a fair shares framework for emissions reductions.

The statement by CIEL President Carroll Muffett emphasizes that the IPCC's Fifth Assessment Report confirms human influence on the climate system with greater than 95% certainty, primarily due to the burning of fossil fuels. It warns that continued inaction and a 'business as usual' approach will lead to unprecedented climate catastrophes and expose CEOs, shareholders, and investors to increased financial, regulatory, and legal risks.

The Basque Country exhibits a high resource dependency, with a Total Material Requirement of 108 tons per capita in 2004, 83% of which is imported. This consumption pattern drives significant environmental and social degradation abroad, including oil spills in Nigeria, deforestation for palm oil in Indonesia, toxic pollution from nickel mining in Russia, and watershed degradation from tin mining in Bolivia. The document argues that the economic prosperity of developed regions is linked to an unsustainable use of global resources and calls for a transformation in consumption and production patterns to meet basic human needs without exceeding planetary limits.

The document identifies critical transport-related issues in sub-Saharan Africa, noting that while the region has less than 3% of global motor vehicles, it accounts for over 11% of global road fatalities. It highlights rising urban air pollution due to fossil fuel use and inadequate emission standards, severe traffic congestion caused by poor infrastructure and land-use policies, and a policy bias toward automobiles that marginalizes vulnerable populations. Additionally, it notes that while Africa has the lowest historical greenhouse gas emissions, they are growing rapidly due to increased fossil-fuel use.

The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) advocates for the inclusion of robust conservation measures in the 2013 Farm Bill, specifically calling for maintained funding, conservation compliance for all federal subsidy beneficiaries, and the creation of a national sod-saver program. The letter emphasizes that integrating native perennial prairie plants and short-rotation biomass crops on marginal lands can simultaneously achieve conservation goals—such as carbon sequestration and water quality improvement—and energy goals by providing sustainable bio-based feedstock to displace fossil fuels.

The report argues that state renewable electricity standards (RES) are effective market-based tools that have driven significant growth in wind and solar capacity across the U.S. with minimal cost impacts on consumers. It highlights that these policies stimulate local economies through job creation in installation and manufacturing, provide new revenue streams for rural landowners, and stabilize electricity rates by removing reliance on volatile fossil fuel markets. While noting strong compliance rates, the document identifies transmission infrastructure, market oversupplies, and political opposition as primary challenges to further expansion.

The document aggregates data from multiple polling organizations, indicating a general rise in American concern regarding climate change and a growing belief in its human causes. While there is broad support for renewable energy and power plant emission regulations, public support for carbon taxes and cap-and-trade measures remains low. The data highlights significant demographic variations, with higher levels of concern and support for government action among Democrats, minorities, and younger adults compared to Republicans.

The document provides a comprehensive overview of energy subsidies in Thailand, detailing the mechanisms used to subsidize LPG, NGV, diesel, electricity, and biofuels. It argues that while these subsidies aim to ensure affordability, they often disproportionately benefit higher-income groups, encourage wasteful consumption, and create fiscal strain on the government and state-owned enterprises. The guide outlines the negative impacts of these subsidies, such as fuel smuggling and environmental degradation, and suggests reform strategies based on international experience, emphasizing the need for market-based pricing and targeted social assistance.

The 'Energy 101' Model Curriculum is a one-semester interdisciplinary framework developed by the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). It aims to foster 'energy literate decision making' by combining the science of energy with economic, ethical, societal, and international factors. The curriculum is structured into five units: Introduction to Energy, Energy Basics, Energy Sources, Energy Technology and Practice, and Energy Policy and Decision-Making. It utilizes the National Training & Education Resource (NTER), an open-source cloud-based platform, to provide instructional materials and interactive graphics. The framework is currently being tested at the University of Maryland, with further implementations planned at Harford Community College and Cecil Community College.