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4,362 results
Climate Change and the Canadian Fossil Fuel Industry: CAPE’s Statement to the Senate Committee
CAPE advocates for a rapid transition away from fossil fuels, citing severe health impacts from fracking and oil sands, the failure of industry-led emissions reductions, and the necessity of Indigenous reconciliation in climate action.
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Document type: Statement
Story Spark: Drought
The document explains the mechanics of flash droughts, the role of human-caused climate change in exacerbating water scarcity, and the disproportionate impact of these events on marginalized communities and ecosystems. It offers practical guidance for reporters to connect local drought conditions to global climate trends and provides a list of data sources and experts.
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Document type: Guide
Una idea para tus historias: La sequía
The guide explains the mechanics of flash droughts, the role of fossil fuel combustion in exacerbating water scarcity, and the disproportionate impact of these events on marginalized communities. It offers practical reporting tips, including the use of climate attribution studies and local climatologists, and lists specific examples of drought-related reporting across North America.
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Document type: Guide
Net zero progress overblown by inconsistencies in land carbon accounting
The document examines how discrepancies between NDC accounting and IPCC standards lead to an overestimation of land-based carbon sequestration, potentially reducing the global carbon budget by 15-18%. It highlights that current NDC pledges for land-based removal involve approximately 1 billion hectares, which the author claims is impossible without threatening food security and biodiversity. Furthermore, the briefing critiques IPCC Integrated Assessment Models (IAMs) for ignoring land tenure, human rights, and the declining ability of natural sinks to store carbon under rising temperatures, suggesting that sustainable removal potential is up to 79% lower than IPCC estimates.
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Document type: Briefing
Is this petroganda? What is Norwegian energy culture
The report argues that Norway's 'energy culture' is heavily skewed by the petroleum industry, creating a 'petroculture' that marginalizes climate-critical perspectives. It highlights the contrast between the Norwegian Directorate of Culture's focus on internal emission reductions and Arts Council England's systemic approach. The document details how the oil industry uses 'petroganda'—including STEM sponsorships for children and academic agreements—to maintain legitimacy and delay the energy transition. It also notes a trend of Norwegian cultural organizations taking stances against oil exploration and discusses the criminalization of climate activists in Norway.
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Document type: Report
Breast Cancer and Plastics: A Toxic Pair
The statement asserts a link between plastic-related chemicals—including flame retardants, phthalates, and heavy metals—and breast cancer, noting that racialized populations in Canada face disproportionate health burdens. It calls for the Canadian government to implement stronger domestic regulations and prioritize the removal of toxic chemicals during Global Plastics Treaty negotiations.
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Document type: Statement
The Bioeconomy in the Lula Administration: Regulatory and Institutional Advances
The report details Brazil's recent efforts to institutionalize the bioeconomy under President Lula da Silva, highlighted by the creation of the National Secretariat of Bioeconomy (SNB) and the 2024 National Bioeconomy Strategy. It analyzes the bioeconomy through three lenses: biotechnological, bioresources, and bioecological, noting that the current national strategy primarily aligns with the bioecological vision. The document maps the roles of multiple ministries—including the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change (MMA), the Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade and Services (MDIC), and the Ministry of Finance (MF)—in implementing this framework. It also identifies complementary regulations such as the Fuel of the Future Law and the Productive Forests National Program, while emphasizing the upcoming National Bioeconomy Development Plan (PNDBIO) as a key opportunity for cross-sectoral coordination.
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Document type: Report
Global overview on inclusion of non-CO2 emissions in NDCs
Non-CO2 emissions account for approximately 25% of global greenhouse gas emissions, yet they are frequently overlooked in NDCs, which often lack gas-specific quantitative targets. While some countries like Côte d’Ivoire and Japan provide good practice examples of quantitative targets, major emitters including China, Russia, India, and Brazil generally only include non-CO2 gases as part of overall GHG targets. China, whose current NDC covers only CO2 despite non-CO2 gases making up 18% of its national emissions, has indicated it will include these gases in its updated NDC. The brief argues that the 2025 NDC update cycle is a critical opportunity for major emitters, particularly China, to adopt sector-specific targets and align with international initiatives like the Global Methane Pledge and the Kigali Amendment to maintain the 1.5°C warming limit.
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Document type: Policy brief
Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanisms require coordinated global action
The document examines the role of Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanisms (CBAMs) in preventing carbon leakage and reducing emissions, with a primary focus on the EU CBAM. It argues that while the EU CBAM aims to promote global decarbonisation, it may only slightly reduce overall emissions while imposing significant economic burdens on developing nations, potentially costing them billions in income. The briefing highlights a growing, uncoordinated global trend of countries introducing their own carbon tariffs, which risks fragmenting trade and creating high compliance costs for small producers. It concludes that international cooperation, aligned with UNFCCC principles and supported by climate finance, is essential to ensure these mechanisms support global climate goals without unfairly penalising vulnerable economies.
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Document type: Briefing
Life in plastic is NOT fantastic!
CAPE highlights the health and environmental risks of plastic, noting that 460 million tonnes of new plastic are produced annually and that the industry is the fastest-growing source of global industrial greenhouse gases. The organization calls for a just Global Plastics Treaty that limits production, eliminates unnecessary plastics, and prohibits hazardous chemicals. CAPE specifically criticizes the Canadian government for missing production commitments in recent statements and urges leadership ahead of the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5) in Busan, Republic of Korea.
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Document type: Statement
IISD Welcomes Draft Regulations for Oil and Gas Pollution Cap
The IISD welcomes Canada's draft regulations for an oil and gas pollution cap, noting that the sector accounts for 31% of Canada's total emissions. While supporting the cap-and-trade system to drive decarbonization and net-zero goals by 2050, the IISD warns that a proposed 'decarbonization program' could lead to double-counting of emissions reductions. The organization advocates for the continued exclusion of international carbon offsets and the use of only real, additional, and verifiable domestic offsets.
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Document type: Statement
A Survey of Artificial Intelligence and High Performance Computing Applications to Fusion Commercialization
The document argues that AI and HPC are transforming fusion development from an empirical, physical testing process to an 'in silico' approach, significantly reducing the time and cost required to reach commercial viability. It identifies five critical technical areas where these tools are essential: materials selection, high-temperature superconductors, inertial fusion energy (IFE) challenges, tritium breeding/extraction, and plasma diagnostics and control. Furthermore, the report suggests that AI can support the creation of fit-for-purpose regulations and reduce the Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE) through predictive maintenance and optimized remote handling. The authors highlight a symbiotic relationship where AI accelerates fusion's development, and fusion eventually provides the carbon-free, firm power required to sustain the energy-intensive growth of AI data centers.
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Document type: Executive summary
A Survey of Artificial Intelligence and High Performance Computing Applications to Fusion Commercialization
The report analyzes the integration of AI and HPC into the fusion energy sector to compress development timelines and overcome technical barriers. It details applications in in-silico design iteration, materials discovery, superconducting magnet optimization, and plasma control. The document also assesses the economic viability of fusion, estimating a potential Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE) between 4.7 and 7.9 cents per kWh, and explores a symbiotic relationship where AI accelerates fusion development while fusion provides the firm, carbon-free power required by AI data centers.
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Document type: Report
Big Emissions, Empty Promises
The briefing examines the climate impact of 22 global meat and dairy corporations, finding that their combined emissions are comparable to those of entire countries or major oil companies. It argues that the industry uses 'green smokescreens'—such as weak net-zero targets, unproven techno-fixes, and regenerative agriculture—to distract from the need to reduce livestock production. The document further highlights a lack of mandatory agricultural methane targets in the 11 countries where these companies are headquartered, attributing this to 'agricultural exceptionalism' and industry political influence.
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Document type: Briefing
Big Emissions, Empty Promises
The report examines 22 of the world's largest meat and dairy companies, finding that their combined emissions are comparable to those of major oil companies and entire nations. It argues that corporate net-zero targets are largely non-aligned with the 1.5°C warming limit and that the industry relies on 'techno-fixes'—such as feed additives and biogas—and 'regenerative agriculture' to distract from the need to reduce livestock production. The analysis further highlights a lack of mandatory agricultural methane targets in the 11 countries where these companies are headquartered, attributing this to 'agricultural exceptionalism' and industry political influence.
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Document type: Report
International Investment Law and ISDS: Overcoming Legal Barriers to Effective Climate Action under the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement
The document examines how ISDS allows foreign investors, particularly in the fossil fuel industry, to sue governments over climate regulations, leading to a 'chilling effect' where states delay or weaken policies to avoid costly awards. It argues that these protections act as a subsidy for GHG-intensive industries, contradicting Article 2.1(c) of the Paris Agreement. The brief concludes that fragmented procedural reforms are insufficient and advocates for a unified global approach, including the use of COP29 and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to coordinate ISDS withdrawals or carve-outs.
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Document type: Policy brief
Bioeconomia no Novo Governo Lula: Avanços Regulatórios e Institucionais
The document analyzes the shift in Brazil's bioeconomy governance since 2023, highlighted by the creation of the National Bioeconomy Strategy and the National Bioeconomy Secretariat within the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MMA). It categorizes bioeconomy into three visions—biotechnological, bio-resources, and bio-ecological—noting that the current national strategy primarily aligns with the bio-ecological vision. The report details new regulatory frameworks such as the 'Fuel of the Future' law and various sustainable production programs, while mapping the transversal roles of multiple ministries (including MDIC, Fazenda, and MCTI) in coordinating the transition to a low-carbon economy.
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Document type: Report
Koch and Climate Obstruction
The report details how Koch, Inc. and its executives had access to scientific warnings about global warming as early as 1972 but spent decades financing a network of nonprofits and think tanks to obstruct climate action. This was achieved by contesting climate science, running public relations campaigns to shift cultural understanding, and lobbying political elites. The document tracks this effort from early API and National Petroleum Council reports through the funding of the Competitive Enterprise Institute's 'global warming project' and the activities of Americans for Prosperity, culminating in significant policy victories during the Trump administration and continued opposition to Biden-era climate legislation.
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Document type: Report
G20 CARBON BOMBS: THREAT OF FOSSIL FUEL RESERVES VS OPPORTUNITY FOR A JUST TRANSITION
The report highlights that G20 fossil fuel reserves contain over a trillion tons of CO2 equivalent, which would exceed the 2ºC carbon budget if fully extracted. It notes that emissions from G20 fossil fuel extraction nearly doubled between the 1992 Rio Summit and 2020. Despite this, the document argues that G20 economies have become less dependent on fossil fuel rents over the last three decades, making them better equipped to transition. It specifically identifies the USA, Canada, Australia, the UK, Germany, and Italy as being best placed to transition first and fastest.
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Document type: Report
Navigating Global Sustainability Standards in the Mining Sector
The document analyzes the role of voluntary sustainability standards in the mining sector, categorizing them by focus (supply chain, performance, and principle-based) and scope. It argues that while these standards cannot replace robust regulation, they can complement it by filling regulatory gaps, providing a foundation for new laws, or serving as proof of compliance. The briefing highlights a trend toward harmonization, exemplified by the Consolidated Mining Standard Initiative (CMSI), and emphasizes the importance of third-party certification and multistakeholder governance for credibility. It concludes with recommendations for governments to engage in standards development and align national regulations with emerging sustainability issues to attract investment.
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Document type: Briefing