Search Climate Insights Directory

The report identifies widespread greenwashing in the food industry, particularly among high-emission meat and dairy producers. It combines a market study of corporate claims with a YouGov survey showing that a significant portion of consumers in Germany and the UK are influenced by 'climate-neutral' labels, despite low overall trust in sustainability claims for animal products.

The document contends that the 'circular economy' concept has been co-opted by the plastics industry to justify continued production through a reliance on recycling and thermal processing. It argues that plastics are fundamentally linear due to their fossil fuel origins, toxic additives, and material degradation during recycling. The brief advocates for a global agreement that caps plastics production by 2025, eliminates hazardous chemicals, and prioritizes reuse and redesign over waste management.

The report evaluates corporate climate alignment using the CCIF, finding that while mitigation efforts (such as GHG reporting and renewable energy procurement) are common, there is a critical lack of detailed climate adaptation planning. Analysis of 483 debt issuers reveals that no company performed well across all three CCIF objectives, and only 14% have an adaptation and resilience plan. Sector-level data shows utilities as the highest performers in reporting and transition, while healthcare and automotive sectors suffer from significant data gaps. Case studies of companies in China, India, South Korea, and Singapore highlight the use of internal carbon pricing and science-based targets, but emphasize the need for better Scope 3 emissions tracking and quantitative physical risk assessments.

The document argues that EU and UK governments have failed to protect public health by not holding auto manufacturers accountable for illegal defeat devices. It proposes three main pillars of action: identifying and correcting the use of these devices through manufacturer-funded retrofits, establishing a 'Dieselgate Clean Up Fund' paid for by industry to accelerate the transition to zero-emission vehicles, and adopting more robust clean air laws and emissions standards, including an ambitious Euro 7 standard and a phase-out of new petrol and diesel vehicles by 2030 for cars and vans.

The report argues that Canada cannot reach its 2050 net-zero goals through energy transitions alone, as material extraction and processing account for a significant portion of global emissions. It identifies key opportunities in the steel, cement, plastics, and organic waste sectors, emphasizing that reducing primary demand and extending product lifespans offer greater emission reductions than recycling alone. The document highlights the lack of comprehensive national circularity plans in Canada compared to leaders like Japan and the EU, and recommends implementing digital product passports, carbon pricing, and updated building codes to accelerate the transition.

The report argues that transitioning from a "take, make, waste" economy to a circular one is essential for Canada to meet its climate targets, as energy transitions alone cannot address emissions from resource extraction and material use. It identifies significant emissions-reduction opportunities in the metals, construction, plastics, and food sectors, while noting that Canada is currently at a nascent stage of implementation compared to leaders like Japan and the European Union. The document emphasizes that 'upstream' measures—such as demand suppression, product life extension, and smarter design—offer greater climate benefits than downstream recycling. It highlights critical barriers in Canada, including opaque material flow data, regulatory hurdles for recycled aggregates, and a lack of comprehensive national circularity goals. The report recommends that Canada develop a formal roadmap, integrate circularity into its Nationally Determined Contributions, and utilize tools like carbon pricing and green public procurement to incentivize the shift.

Climate change is extending the U.S. allergy season through warming temperatures and increased CO2, which stimulate allergen production and lengthen the freeze-free growing season. These trends increase health risks, particularly for asthma sufferers, and contribute to significant economic costs. The document highlights regional variations, the role of 'thunderstorm asthma,' and the disproportionate impact on low-income and minority communities.

The document argues that the EIA's Annual Energy Outlook (AEO) underestimates the impact of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) compared to Energy Innovation's modeling and other third-party analyses. While the AEO projects a 31% reduction in energy-related CO2 emissions by 2030 relative to 2005 levels, Energy Innovation's analysis finds a 41% reduction. The primary drivers of this discrepancy are the AEO's more conservative estimates of clean energy deployment in the electricity sector and electric vehicle sales, as well as its narrower scope, which focuses only on tax credits and excludes various budget-based government programs and non-CO2 greenhouse gases.

The toolkit compiles various resources for the financial sector to address deforestation and climate change. It highlights reporting frameworks like the TCFD and TNFD, data tools such as TRASE and Forest 500, and investor-led initiatives like Climate Action 100+ and the Financial Sector Deforestation Action (FSDA) to help institutions achieve deforestation-free portfolios and align with sustainability goals.

The Stakeholder Toolkit serves as a directory of frameworks and coalitions designed to guide private companies and government agencies toward deforestation-free supply chains and sustainable infrastructure. It categorizes resources into three primary sectors: agricultural supply chains (focusing on commodities like palm oil, soy, beef, and cocoa), mining (including large-scale and artisanal operations), and infrastructure development. The toolkit highlights specific standards such as the IRMA Standard for Responsible Mining and the SuRe Standard for Sustainable and Resilient Infrastructure, as well as global coalitions like the Tropical Forest Alliance and the We Mean Business Coalition, to support the transition to a net-zero economy and the protection of biodiversity.

The Stakeholder Toolkit lists a variety of frameworks and organizations designed to align industrial activities with forest conservation and climate goals. It categorizes resources for agricultural supply chains (focusing on commodities like palm oil, soy, beef, and paper), mining (including large-scale and artisanal standards), and infrastructure development. Key resources include the Accountability Framework Initiative, World Bank's Forest-Smart Mining guides, and the ICMM Mining Principles, which align mining operations with the Paris Agreement and UN Sustainable Development Goals.

The Stakeholder Toolkit lists various guidelines and initiatives for reducing the environmental impact of industrial activities. It categorizes resources for agricultural supply chains (e.g., Commodity Roadmaps), mining (e.g., ICMM Mining Principles), and infrastructure (e.g., SuRe standard), while identifying key coalitions like the Forest-Positive Coalition of Action and the We Mean Business Coalition that drive systemic transitions toward net-zero and deforestation-free supply chains.

The report details a surge in EU gas infrastructure projects, including 30 fast-tracked LNG terminals and extensive pipeline networks, driven by the 'gas panic' after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. It warns that the proposed 227.2 bcm/y of additional LNG capacity would increase the EU's maximum import capacity by 136%, potentially costing €53.5 billion and emitting up to 950 million tons of CO2 annually. The document argues that these uncoordinated efforts, led by countries like Germany, Greece, and Italy, conflict with the EU's 'Fit for 55' climate goals and the European Climate Law. Additionally, it critiques the 'European Hydrogen Backbone' initiative, stating that repurposing methane pipelines for hydrogen is technically risky and economically unjustified, further entrenching fossil fuel use.

The report argues that governments have failed to fulfill commitments to shift public financial flows away from fossil fuels, with subsidies increasing since the Paris Agreement. It identifies significant data gaps regarding state-owned enterprise investments and provides a framework for fossil fuel subsidy reform based on pricing, impact management, and stakeholder support.

The steel sector is the highest CO2 emitter among heavy industries, accounting for 11% of global CO2 emissions. The report highlights that the dominant blast furnace to basic oxygen furnace (BF-BOF) route is highly carbon-intensive due to its reliance on metallurgical coal. To meet the 1.5°C target, the IEA suggests steel emissions must drop by 25% by 2030 and 92% by 2050. The document emphasizes a critical investment window, as over 70% of existing coal-fired blast furnaces need refurbishing by 2030. Reclaim Finance recommends that financial institutions end support for new metallurgical coal mines and coal-based steel facilities, instead prioritizing electric arc furnaces (EAF) and hydrogen-based direct reduced iron (HDRI).

The document assesses air quality in 16 Cambodian garment factories, finding that while many meet national standards, some exceed WHO guidelines, particularly those using wood fuel. It highlights a significant gap in worker awareness, where most associate air pollution with temperature rather than chemical or particulate pollutants, despite reporting symptoms like coughing and headaches. The brief emphasizes the gendered nature of the sector, noting that 80% of the workforce are women, and calls for gender-responsive health and safety policies, especially for pregnant workers.

The Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) 2022 Annual Results Report details the organization's progress across three impact areas: reducing climate risk, promoting sustainable resource use and resilient ecosystems, and improving health and well-being. Key achievements include contributing to the COP27 decision to establish a loss and damage fund, developing the Global Environmental Impacts of Consumption (GEIC) indicator adopted at COP15, and implementing water management master plans in Bolivia. The report highlights the use of digital tools like LEAP, WEAP, and Trase to inform policy in various regions, including Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Organizationally, SEI reports an increase in scientific publications, a diversification of funding sources, and the implementation of a global monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) procedure.

The report highlights a significant gap between Indonesia's climate commitments and its energy policies, noting a severe oversupply of electricity primarily driven by coal. It argues that the RUPTL 2021-2030 continues to plan for fossil fuel capacity, which contradicts NZE targets. The document further critiques 'new' technologies like biomass and ammonia co-firing, CCUS, and Clean Coal Technology as 'false solutions' that risk extending the lifespan of coal plants rather than accelerating a transition to renewables.

The guide outlines the essential components of a legislative leave-behind, emphasizing the need for a one-page document written in simple language that includes a clear recommendation, a description of the problem, supporting analysis, and a trackable 'ask'. It includes a practical example focused on urging the US Congress to meet international climate finance commitments, specifically referencing President Biden's pledge of $11.4 billion annually by 2024 and the loss and damage fund established at COP27.

The document highlights a shift in African gas extraction toward countries that have not historically exploited fossil fuels, noting that 84 percent of new pre-production reserves are located in recent entrants. It argues that these developments, largely destined for export, will increase gas production by a third by 2030 but will fail to address local electrification needs while exacerbating climate change and environmental risks.