Search Climate Insights Directory

This report by Ember analyses the critical role of electricity grid availability in determining the location and growth of data centres in Europe. It argues that grid congestion in traditional hubs is pushing investment toward the Nordics and Southern Europe, and recommends proactive grid planning, flexible connection agreements, and strategic siting to support the EU's AI ambitions.

A statement by Friends of the Earth International (FoEI) issued on Human Rights Day (December 10, 2024), calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and highlighting the intersection between climate justice and the liberation of Palestine.

A statement by Friends of the Earth International (FoEI) issued on Human Rights Day 2024 calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and highlighting the intersection of climate justice, human rights, and the Palestinian struggle.

Friends of the Earth International issued a statement on December 10, 2024, for Human Rights Day, calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and expressing internationalist solidarity with the Palestinian struggle.

This policy brief by the Stockholm Environment Institute examines the governance of the circular economy (CE) in urban settings. It identifies key barriers to implementation—such as administrative silos and a lack of holistic data—and provides four strategic recommendations for urban policymakers to accelerate the transition toward resource-efficient and resilient urban systems.

This briefing by Zero Carbon Analytics analyzes the volume and value of Russian jet fuel imports into Europe, highlighting a significant decline in reliance since the pre-pandemic period and identifying the specific airlines and airports with the highest consumption levels in 2021.

This research paper explores the multi-dimensional challenges and pathways toward achieving sustainable urban development. It examines the historical evolution of global urban policy, the disparate needs between the Global North and Global South, the role of various governmental and non-governmental actors, and emerging trends such as nature-based solutions and inclusive planning.

This fact sheet by Friends of the Earth International argues that major corporations and industry groups are using "net zero" commitments as a "con" to greenwash their images and block effective climate policy ahead of COP26. The document details how six specific entities—BP, Microsoft, IETA, BlackRock, Shell, and Drax—continue to invest in fossil fuels, lobby governments, and rely on unproven technologies or offsets while maintaining a public image of climate leadership.

The H1 2019 green bond market report by the Climate Bonds Initiative highlights HSBC as the leading global and emerging market underwriter and Euronext Amsterdam as the top listing venue. It notes that sovereign green bonds often outperform vanilla equivalents in book cover and spread compression, and identifies Agency green MBS and Solar/PACE ABS as primary drivers of green ABS issuance.

This fact sheet details a EUR 750 million green bond issued by ABN AMRO on April 18, 2018, which is notable for being the first bond certified under the Climate Bonds Standard's Marine Renewable Energy Criteria.

The Carbon-Free City Handbook: Electricity is a guide by RMI that outlines strategies for cities to transition to carbon-free renewable energy. It emphasizes a two-step process: committing to 100 percent renewable energy targets and implementing comprehensive action plans. The document details four specific actions: upgrading to smart LED streetlighting, creating electric districts by removing fossil-fuel infrastructure, installing municipal solar PV, and securing renewable energy supplies through mechanisms like power purchase agreements.

The Carbon-Free City Handbook, published by the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) in November 2017, provides a guide for city governments to implement 22 "no-regrets" actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The handbook focuses on five key sectors: buildings, transportation and mobility, electricity, industry, and biological resources, offering a framework for cities to transition toward 100% renewable energy and carbon-free operations through immediate, actionable, and economically viable policies.

This briefing by the World Resources Institute identifies six common characteristics among companies that successfully implement science-based emissions targets aligned with the Paris Agreement's goal of limiting global warming to 2 degrees C.

This 2011 report analyzes transport-related CO2e and pollutant emissions in Tallinn, finding that while overall vehicle mileage and GHG emissions rose by nearly 50% between 2000 and 2009, local pollutants like NOx and PM decreased due to better engine technology. It highlights that municipal service vehicles contribute about 10% of the city's transport CO2e, with city buses and waste trucks being the largest contributors. The report recommends implementing eco-driving training, which could save up to 2,660 tons of CO2e and nearly 1 million euros annually for municipal companies. Broader recommendations for Tallinn include congestion charging, low-emission zones, and prioritizing public transport and cycling over private car use.

This 2006 fact sheet from the Environmental and Energy Study Institute details the significant role of buildings in U.S. energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, the energy profile of federal buildings, and examples of energy-efficient building projects globally.

This RMI fact sheet presents several case studies of green building projects across residential, commercial, and urban redevelopment sectors, highlighting the economic and environmental benefits of sustainable design, such as energy savings, increased property value, and reduced marketing costs.

This 1998 report by the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) and the U.S. Department of Energy examines how energy-efficient building design—specifically improvements in lighting, heating, and cooling—can lead to significant increases in worker productivity, reduced absenteeism, and improved work quality. Through eight case studies of commercial and industrial facilities, the authors argue that the economic gains from productivity often far exceed the direct energy cost savings, making efficient design a highly cost-effective business strategy.

The case of State v Venter & Others marks the first time criminal provisions of NEMA, NWA, and MPRDA were used against a mining company in South Africa. The prosecution alleges that Anker Coal and Mineral Holdings (Pty) Ltd conducted illegal drilling on the farm Steenkoolspruit in Mpumalanga between 2009 and 2010, causing environmental damage to wetlands and the Usutu River. Additionally, the company and its director face fraud charges for misrepresentations made in an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) regarding water proximity and landowner consultation.

This zine documents a cross-regional exchange between young environmental activists from Africa and Europe conducted by Friends of the Earth International between 2016 and 2018. It provides reflections on environmental justice, the impact of colonialism, and the challenges of building an inclusive, intergenerational movement, while offering practical educational tools for activists.

This report documents the outcomes of an interregional exchange between young activists from Friends of the Earth (FoE) Africa and Europe conducted between 2016 and 2018. The project aimed to strengthen the youth movement for environmental justice through 14 exchange trips, two regional meetings, and three interregional encounters, focusing on inclusivity, interregional solidarity, and the dismantling of systemic oppressions such as colonialism and patriarchy.