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350 results
We now have a welcome definition of net zero – here’s what that might mean for nature
The author asserts that nature-based solutions (NbS) are essential for climate mitigation and resilience but must complement, not replace, industrial emissions cuts. Referencing the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) net-zero standard, the text notes that companies must reduce internal emissions by 90-95% by 2050. NbS could potentially provide one-third of the emissions reductions needed by 2030, addressing the fact that land-use emissions constitute approximately 25% of global emissions.
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Document type: Statement
Industrial and Trade Policy Questions Confronting Africa in a Just Transition to a Lower Carbon Economy
The document examines the industrial and trade policy challenges Africa faces during the transition to a lower carbon economy. It emphasizes that for the transition to be 'just,' Africa must move beyond exporting primary products and importing green technology to becoming a manufacturer of value-added lower-carbon products. The author highlights the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a key mechanism for creating regional value chains for renewable energy components. The paper warns against premature trade liberalization and unilateral carbon-based import restrictions from developed nations, which it characterizes as 'green-washed protectionism.' It concludes that Africa should advocate for a Global Green New Deal that explicitly recognizes the right of developing countries to industrialize and receive real resource transfers for climate adaptation and mitigation.
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Document type: Research paper
Sustainable Food Systems in Canada: Building a Vision
IISD conducted a series of internal brainstorms, stakeholder interviews, and literature reviews to identify gaps in Canada's sustainable food systems policy. The findings highlight a need for a holistic 'systems approach' that integrates social equity with economic and environmental goals. IISD identifies five priority areas for future work: emissions reduction strategies, incentives for sustainable practices, data tracking, fiscal analysis for agricultural resiliency, and the promotion of equitable food policy development.
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Document type: Report
African Conservancies Fund (ACF)
The African Conservancies Fund (ACF), established by Conservation International (CI), provides debt capital to the Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust (MWCT) to fund sustainable revenue-generating activities like eco-tourism and carbon credit generation. Having provided USD 500,000 in loan capital, CI aims to scale this to USD 5 million over two years and eventually USD 100 million. The model relies on local land ownership and a legal trust structure to ensure community-led management and income generation, with plans to expand the concept across Sub-Saharan Africa.
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Document type: Case study
Attribution of Climate Finance and Carbon Markets
The document addresses the funding gap for Paris Agreement emissions goals, arguing that blending carbon markets and climate finance is necessary for mitigation projects in developing countries. It emphasizes the need for proportional attribution standards to ensure the integrity of emissions reduction accounting.
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Document type: Research paper
Tirer parti de la nouvelle stratégie climat de la BCE
The document argues that while the European Central Bank's (ECB) revised monetary strategy acknowledges climate threats, its concrete actions and implementation timeline are insufficient. Reclaim Finance, Greenpeace, 350.org, and Koala Kollektiv recommend that the ECB immediately stop supporting companies incompatible with EU greenhouse gas reduction goals, specifically by excluding fossil fuel project developers from asset purchases and the collateral framework, and accelerate its implementation schedule to address climate risks.
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Document type: Statement
PUBLIC FAST-INFRA SUSTAINABLE INFRASTRUCTURE LABEL: FRAMEWORK FOR CONSULTATION
The FAST-Infra Sustainable Infrastructure Label (SI Label) is a voluntary, globally applicable framework designed to certify infrastructure assets that demonstrate positive sustainability outcomes. To qualify, assets must meet baseline 'do no significant harm' requirements—primarily based on IFC Performance Standards—and demonstrate a positive contribution to at least one of 14 sustainability criteria across environmental, social, governance, and adaptation and resilience dimensions. The framework mandates minimum safeguards, including Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIA) and Climate Risk and Resilience Assessments, alongside rigorous disclosure and annual reporting. While self-declaration is permitted, the framework strongly encourages independent external reviews to ensure market trust. Governance is managed by a Secretariat, an Executive Committee, and a Steering Committee, with a broad membership of private investors, governments, and NGOs.
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Document type: Report
Power Forward 4.0
Power Forward 4.0 finds that 60% of Fortune 500 companies have set at least one climate or energy target, a 12-percentage-point increase since 2017. While GHG reduction targets are most common (54%) and Science-Based Targets (SBTs) have increased sixfold, only 20% of the Fortune 500 have set or committed to an SBT. The report highlights a rise in net-zero commitments (17%) and 100% renewable energy targets (58 companies), though it notes significant gaps in the financial, fossil fuel, and retail sectors. Despite progress, the report argues that voluntary action is insufficient and calls for federal and state policies, such as carbon pricing, to align the US private sector with the Paris Agreement and the US Nationally Determined Contribution.
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Document type: Report
Inclusion in urban governance of small intermediary cities South
The paper examines seven urban sustainability interventions in small and intermediary cities of the global South, focusing on disaster risk reduction, adaptation, emission reduction, and resource management. Using a framework to analyze actors and drivers, the study finds that the entities leading and financing projects significantly influence the inclusivity of the process and the resulting environmental framing. The analysis includes primary case studies from Nakuru, Kenya, and Udon Thani, Thailand.
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Document type: Research paper
ANALYSIS OF THE HYDROGEN RESOURCES USAGE IN ESTONIA
The analysis evaluates Estonia's readiness for a hydrogen economy, focusing on the transport and industrial sectors as primary drivers for decarbonization. It models two scenarios (low and high) for hydrogen penetration by 2050, estimating that total investments could reach EUR 22.4 to 44.7 billion. The report highlights that while the transport sector—particularly shipping and rail—and the production of green ammonia and methanol offer the highest potential, significant barriers exist, including a lack of refueling infrastructure, high initial costs, and the need for a national hydrogen strategy. To unlock this potential, the study emphasizes the necessity of increasing renewable electricity capacity, specifically through offshore wind, and providing public investment to kick-start the market.
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Document type: Executive summary
Congressional Climate Camps
The document outlines a briefing session from the Congressional Climate Camps series, which explores the intersection of carbon reduction, climate resilience, and social equity. It highlights specific thematic areas including coastal nature-based solutions, agricultural practices, mass timber for sustainable buildings, and the role of building codes in efficiency. The text presents a series of questions posed to experts from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Furman University, Vaagen Timbers, the New Buildings Institute, and the NAACP regarding the implementation and socio-economic impacts of these climate strategies.
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Document type: Briefing
Biden’s World Climate Summit Must Include a Pledge to Tackle Methane Emissions
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.
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Document type: Statement
Gauging Economic Consensus on Climate Change
A global survey of 738 economists who publish in top-tier academic journals reveals a strong consensus that the economic costs of climate inaction exceed the costs of action. The findings indicate that climate change will likely cause major GDP losses, reduce long-term economic growth, and increase economic inequality both within and between nations. Furthermore, the surveyed experts expressed optimism regarding the affordability of zero-emissions technologies and agreed that aggressive targets to achieve net-zero emissions by midcentury are economically justified.
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Document type: Research paper
Congressional Climate Camps
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.
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Document type: Briefing
Ryse Energy – Resilient Renewable Mini-grid (Ghana)
Ryse Energy deployed a hybrid renewable mini-grid in Ada Foah, Ghana, consisting of wind turbines, solar arrays, and battery storage. Originally intended only for agricultural output, the project scope expanded to provide electricity for a community of approximately 500 people. Funded by a EUR 180,000 United Nations grant, the system generates over 316 kWh/day, avoids 85 metric tonnes of CO2 annually, and supports water pumping and irrigation.
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Document type: Case study
Integrated Assessment Modelling and Socio-Technical Transition in Europe
The research introduces an interdisciplinary approach that uses 'transition narratives' as a bridge between socio-technical transition studies and integrated assessment modelling. By applying a multi-level perspective, the authors developed two contrasting narratives for the European Union's 80% greenhouse gas emission reduction target by 2050: one driven by incumbent actors and large-scale innovation, and another driven by new entrants and alternative strategies. The study concludes that while both pathways meet the 2050 objective, both require a substantial departure from current known systems.
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Document type: Research paper
Climate action and solar energy development programme in the Tarapacá Region in Chile
The interim evaluation of the Atacama Solar project in Chile's Tarapacá Region shows significant progress in constructing a 150 MW photovoltaic plant and a 45.5 km transmission line, with overall project advance at 89.8% as of October 2020. The project has improved financial efficiency, reducing total costs by 32% to USD 180 million and lowering the GCF mitigation impact cost to USD 9.90/tCO2. While stakeholder engagement and gender mainstreaming plans are active, the report notes delays in the project cycle and insufficient communication between the Executing Entity and national authorities. The project is aligned with Chile's goal of carbon neutrality by 2050 and its target of 20% non-conventional renewable power generation by 2025.
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Document type: Report
Congressional Climate Camps
The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) hosted a 'Climate Camp' briefing series focusing on the federal budget and appropriations process for fiscal year 2022. The series aimed to provide guidance on utilizing stimulus packages to advance climate action, energy and environment programs, and environmental justice goals during the 117th Congress.
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Document type: Briefing
Carbon Market Watch response to the Consultation of the Taskforce on Scaling Voluntary Carbon Markets
Carbon Market Watch expresses significant concerns regarding the Taskforce on Scaling Voluntary Carbon Markets' blueprint, stating that it risks creating a speculative financial market that benefits the financial sector more than the climate. The organization argues that scaling the market without first addressing systemic integrity issues, such as the lack of transparency and the use of low-quality offsets, could lead to widespread greenwashing and a net increase in global greenhouse gas emissions. It specifically opposes the use of biological carbon sinks for offsets due to non-permanence and measurement uncertainties, and rejects the introduction of core carbon spot and futures contracts as a means of increasing opacity.
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Document type: Statement
Did the Climate Ambition Summit Make Enough Progress?
The Climate Ambition Summit resulted in 45 announcements of new or updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), including ambitious targets from the EU, UK, and Denmark. However, the analysis finds that these commitments often rely on existing policies, remain conditional on unmet financial promises to developing nations, and fall short of the urgent emission cuts required by science to limit warming to 1.5°C.
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Document type: Research paper